FAMILY TRAVELS

this pic is taken behind Ivars on the waterfront and this post has tips on where to find out what to do today in Seattle with kids

How to find out what to do in Seattle today with kids

June 1, 2018

My kids are starting to grow up a bit and the need for me to find a kid-friendly restaurant ASAP or a play area that’s not too crowded before nap-time is not dire anymore, but I get asked a lot from friends and family who are traveling with kids what they can do in Seattle. […]

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Planning an itinerary for a 10 day trip to Italy with kids visiting Rome, Florence and Venice

Planning for 10 nights in Italy with kids

May 29, 2018

Isn’t family travel planning a little overwhelming?  If you only have 10 days in Italy or any place for that matter, how are you going to experience everything you want to see and how on earth are you going to do that with kids in tow?  This is totally how I felt when we ended […]

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Finding neat stops was a lot easier in Italy with our Verizon Travel Pass and Google Translate. These made it easier to plan a trip with two young kids.

Family Travel done bold, bravely and planned on the fly with Verizon Travel Pass

May 7, 2018

Remember in the old days when you plan a trip?  Or even in the not-so-old days when you get a guidebook and plot out on a map all the interesting places you read about so you can find your way there.  I used to have so much trouble reading maps properly I’d navigate us in […]

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A trip alone with my two nine year old boys to Legoland California

It is not impossible to take two boys to Legoland California on your own and be a STEM learning champion too!

April 26, 2018

With avid Lego fans in the house it is a no-brainer that Legoland would be one of my guys’ favorite places in the world. On a recent trip to Carlsbad I was excited when Legoland gave me tickets for the boys and I to go while the hubby was at a conference. I was a […]

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If you need to get a passport in 24 hours in Seattle

Always check your passport expiration before you book an international trip

April 22, 2018

Better yet, why not go and check your passport expiration now and put a little reminder maybe 6 months before it in your calendar to make sure you review it in time.  Even if you’re always responsible and always do these types of things.  Even if you never forget.  Because we were the people who […]

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Papaya and granola topped Açaí bowl in Kauai at Kalalea Juice Hale in Anohola

Eight Tips for Seven Days in Kauai with kids in tow

April 11, 2018

If traveling to Kauai with your family is on your radar then you need to start thinking about accommodations soon-especially if your holidays happen during President’s Day or Spring Break.  Here are eight tips we have from booking a recent trip we took for seven days in Kauai with kids in tow: Sign up for […]

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Chuoa Chocolates quote at the chocolate factory in Carlsbad near Legoland and the flower fields

A chocolate factory in Carlsbad I didn’t know I wanted to tour until it was too late! (Chuoa chocolates, California)

April 7, 2018

If you’re a Seattleite and shop at Metropolitan Market, you might notice the enormous selection of chocolates right by the checkout stand. It’s nearly impossible to miss, especially if you love chocolate like I do and the last time we visited Met Market there was even a sample stand to tempt us with delicious treats! […]

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Using Nest or Arlo Video Alarm monitoring systems in Seattle for your house to prevent robberies

Why you might need a Nest Doorbell Or Arlo Camera or other Video Alarm Monitoring in Seattle

April 2, 2018

In the next couple weeks I have a feeling my family and I will be buying all the video alarm monitoring things for our houses in bulk.  We live in a quiet Seattle neighborhood with not a lot of happenings, but lately we’ve seen more and more suspicious activity in the area and what happened […]

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review of Osh Kosh spring clothes style on a trip from Seattle to vancouver with 9 year old boys

Spring Clothes from Osh Kosh that can transition from Park to Party and Bring the Fun

March 27, 2018

This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of OshKosh B’gosh; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  There are two things we look for in clothes for my family-are they comfortable and can we wear them for multiple events?  It’s even better if the clothing we buy travels well too because […]

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Eating in with kids at Plaza Garibaldi but you can also order delivery using Amazon Restaurants

My favorite take out food delivery apps for Seattle (and when you travel)

March 25, 2018

PS it’s 2024 now and while I love using my smartphone for pretty much everything, lately in Seattle, it’s felt really expensive to get delivery through food delivery apps.  I haven’t had anything delivered in months now but just the other day I had a late meeting and my husband was out of town and […]

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Family Travel is Feeling very VIP at the Parq hotel in Vancouver because of Marriott Rewards

Why we have mad love for Marriott Rewards and how it makes us feel truly VIP

March 20, 2018

**In September 2018 the Marriott Rewards program changed it’s Gold Elite Member Status rewards. We sadly no longer receive lounge privileges or breakfast at Marriott hotels.  Hilton Honors Gold that we receive with our American Express Platinum card however includes continental breakfast with its booking so this is something we now take into consideration when […]

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Shakespeare’s House and other Historical Shakespeare sites in England with kids in the summer

The time I had Shakespeare’s House all to myself and how you (maybe) can too

March 16, 2018

A long time ago when I was a headstrong college student I decided that I would become an English major and that was that. Shakespeare in Love had come out around that time as well as the first of the Harry Potter novels and being able to read and write and get credit for doing almost […]

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Breakfast with our family in Poipu at the Koloa Landing Resort in Febuary

Planning a trip with kids to Kauai in February from Seattle

March 9, 2018

Years ago when we would travel with our family to one of the Hawaiian islands, it was just a matter of getting airfare, booking the hotel and off we would go.  If we booked a hotel near the beach, we didn’t need to plan much because there was sure to be almost guaranteed sunshine and […]

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Trying Seattle-based Darigold’s new salted caramel milk on a roadtrip for a special occasion

Salted Caramel Milk and Road trips with kids for a special occasion

March 5, 2018

This post is written in collaboration with Darigold for its new Salted Caramel Milk and as always the opinions and stories in this piece are written by me. We drink milk on a regular basis but salted caramel milk reminds me of a milestone birthday or special occasion.  The salty sweet and creamy taste is […]

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How to take Instagram photos on your phone - tips from An Emerald City Life

Iphone Photography tips for Instagram

March 2, 2018

How much do you love the Instagram App?  I remember when I first saw the app I was so skeptical-I asked my bestie who gets me into all things social media-people really just want to see pics?  Isn’t it just Twitter in picture version?  But yes.  WE WANT ALL THE PICTURES! And suddenly Instagram is […]

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Dreaming of a Kauai for a family holiday-why you should visit

Enter all the contests and go on all the trips: parenting advice for my kids after winning our trip to Kauai

February 28, 2018

Of course I’m going to tell my kids to study hard and do your best and try to be a good person wherever you can: they totally need a baseline.  But more than telling them to go to college, or plan out now who they are going to be when they grow up, or even […]

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Being more mindful about purchases because of PrAna clothing

When a clothing brand reminds you to be mindful of packaging

February 25, 2018

I was really excited to try a few pieces from PrAna’s spring 2018 line-a cute black sweater and capri yoga pants-on our recent trip to Kauai. Have you heard of this clothing brand? I love so much about it-PrAna is stylish, comfortable, great for travel and easy to wear and I’ve partnered with them before […]

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Visiting the Pacific Science Center with kids in Seattle and learning about what eats styrofoam

When you worry that styrofoam is taking over the world, stop by the Pacific Science Center in Seattle

February 14, 2018

There are many reasons to visit the Pacific Science Center in Seattle.  Maybe you have kids who like science or you have kids you want to get interested in science (or STEM which seems to be all the buzz word in education right now unless you believe the world is flat and want to remain […]

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Tesla Model X at Seattle Auto Show

A new Tesla electric car charger in Lynnwood and pondering going completely gas-free

February 13, 2018

A couple years ago when we first got our Tesla we were a little apprehensive about buying an electric car for a family car.  We had one option for charging on the way between Seattle and Vancouver and with all the long-driving we do to see relatives between here and there we didn’t know if […]

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Hanging out in the rain at the Crocheted Net Playground at Whoa Studios in New Zealand with kids

How far would you travel for the most perfect playground and a family-friendly meal?

January 25, 2018

There are many reasons to travel to New Zealand’s North Island.  The scenery shouts “take photos of me” every where you turn, the food is delightful and the people are absolutely charming and friendly.  There are bubbling geysers, mountain adventures and sheep dotting the lush green hills.  And there is Hobbiton.  (I’m sorry we didn’t […]

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