Every year about this time, my family begins the same discussion: where do we go on our summer vacation? Last year, we went to New York. This year, I demand two things: sun and beach.

My son decided we should find the best beach, so I told him to research it and report back to me. I figured he’d learn a little by reading up on different locations – sort of a geography lesson – and maybe he’d come up with a location we hadn’t considered. He did: Siesta Key, Florida. According to my son, this has been officially named the best beach in America.

Truthfully, even though I grew up in Florida, I preferred the east coast. I’ve never visited the west coast and I never heard of Siesta Key. I decided to look into it, and I was pleasantly surprised.

Siesta Key is about an hour south of Tampa. The beaches are brilliant white sugar sand that is nearly pure quartz – which, in addition to being stunningly beautiful, means visitors can walk on the sand all day long and never burn their feet because the sand is always cool. A side benefit? Quartz supposedly has healing powers and is known to produce calmness, clarity, energy, and harmony – all the things I hope to find while on vacation!

Framing the dazzling white sands is vivid turquoise water. Crystal clear, calm … peaceful. I warned my sons that the west coast doesn’t have the waves they are used to. I explained that the Gulf side of Florida is much calmer – not ideal for their boogie boards and body surfing. They seemed fine with this – and truthfully, the water is just too gorgeous to care … perhaps some snorkeling is in order this time around. And a huge bonus to those gently lapping waves? No need to worry about an undertow or rip currents, which, as a mom with kids who love being out in the water, is usually a major concern.

Of course, as gorgeous as the beaches are, I wondered if we would be able to find other things to do. One of my favorite activities while on vacation is sight-seeing. I like to explore historic sites, find a local market, browse antique stores, and stroll through a downtown plaza.

Siesta Key is just minutes from Sarasota, a beautiful city with plenty to do. There’s the restaurants in Southside Village and the live entertainment, outdoor cafes, and more in Siesta Village. Events and festivals are plentiful, as well, so we could possibly find an art show, a sand-sculpting contest, or other events to attend. My son, who plays percussion, will appreciate the Siesta Key Sunday drum circle.

Overall, Siesta Key looks like an amazing place. I think, from now on, I’ll let my son choose all of our vacation spots.

Graduation (Photo credit: Sean MacEntee)

It’s that season again! Students are graduating from college and high school – and even from middle school, elementary school, and kindergarten. Luckily, it’s also a great time of year to throw an outdoor party! Instead of trying to host in your apartment, have it outdoors. You’ll have plenty of space for all of your guests, you don’t have to worry about noise, and clean-up will be minimal.

If you don’t have a rentable clubhouse/pool area at your apartment complex, start researching nearby parks. Look for a park that offers pavilions and outdoor grills. Be sure the park you choose has restroom facilities – not all parks do, so make sure. Also, a park with amenities such as a beach, lake, volleyball or basketball court, horseshoes, or disc golf will help guests keep busy while you are at the grill. Once you find the ideal park, ask about rental fees – most picnic pavilions can be reserved for a small fee.

Now, plan some entertainment – music, outdoor games, and if you are near the beach or lake, perhaps some inflatable rafts or a beach ball. If you are celebrating a kindergarten graduate or there will be a lot of young children at the party, try to find a park with a playground. Or, if you prefer, organize some games and activities for them, as well.

Pack your gear – coolers with drinks, paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils, paper cups, etc. Also, bring a first-aid kit with Band-aids and tweezers, sunscreen, and bug spray. Everyone should bring their own sunscreen and insect repellant, but have some extra on-hand because someone is sure to forget. Pack whatever you plan to grill, your side dishes, desserts, the celebratory cake, and snacks. Bring some trash bags, as well. There should be trash containers near the pavilion, but having a few extra bags will come in handy. (Remember: leave no trace.)

Since this big, outdoor party (whether at your apartment complex pool or at a nearby park) is celebrating a graduate, don’t forget the gifts!

Cut flowers in a vase (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In an attempt to keep things simple (and to ensure I don’t end up with a blender or vacuum cleaner on Sunday), I obtained a catalogue from my favorite jewelry store, circled all items on my “want” list, and left it on the table where my husband keeps his car keys. All he has to do is pick up the

catalogue, go to the store, point, and pay. Easy. He can even wait until the weekend to get his Mother’s Day shopping done.

If you are having trouble finding just the right gift for mom (or want to leave a few hints for yourself), consider the following gift ideas.

Personalized gifts add a special meaning, so consider one of these items. Adding a photo to an item (especially for a new grandma) will show that you put some thought into your gift.

A great gift idea doesn’t have to come wrapped in paper and a bow. A day at the spa, for example, can be great. For the more adventurous mom, gift certificates are available for a wide range of activities, from art classes to hang gliding to learning to fly a plane.

If you’d rather keep mom’s feet on the ground, consider her hobbies. A mom who enjoys gardening and nature, for example, may appreciate a hummingbird feeder or gardening gift basket.

Speaking of gift baskets, these handy little items are easy to find, great looking, and you can find one for just about any type of interest, from wine and cheese baskets to golf-themed gift baskets.

High-tech moms and science-minded moms will appreciate unique gifts, gadgets, and games.

I’m a huge fan of etsy.com – there’s just such a wide variety of unique and one-of-a-kind items. I especially love the handmade items. For the mom who has everything, this is a great place to find something she’ll treasure.

Yes, you could just have flowers delivered – it is one of the busiest days of the year for flower delivery – or you could switch it up a little this year and have something unique (or even edible) delivered.

Share your gift ideas with us on Facebook, and have a happy Mother’s Day!

How Not to Paint:

Step One: Prime surface with water-based primer.
Step Two: Purchase paint by guessing at the color to match the surrounding area. Aim for “close enough.” Choose oil-based.
Step Three: Paint with your oil-based “close enough” color over the water-based primer.
Step Four: Wait several months while oil-based paint peels and flakes off the water-based primer.
Step Five: Sand and scrape remaining “close enough” paint off surface.
Step Six: Go back to store. This time, get water-based paint. Choose any color at random.
Step Seven: Begin painting. When you realize the baby-blue paint you selected doesn’t match the green walls, stop.
Step Eight: Go back to store. Choose more paint.
Step Nine: Repaint. Again.

Thanks to my husband and his attempt to repaint our front porch staircase, I now know more painting dos and don’ts than I care to. For example, I know it is a good idea, if what you plan to paint is located outdoors, to check the weather forecast. As soon as he finished step nine, we heard the first rumble of thunder – right before the sky opened up for what had to be hurricane-force wind and rain. Before he begins painting for the fourth time, I think I’ll send him to a Painting 101 class.

It’s not that I expect my husband to be Bob Vila – I just want to only buy one gallon of paint instead of five or six gallons – all in different colors. Also, it is important to get paint chips and a bottle of sample paint before committing to an entire gallon (or two). The first time my husband purchased paint, it was bright, primary green – to paint on the front stairs of my sage-green and white house. Since it was oil-based and he used a water-based primer, thankfully the paint didn’t last long. After it bubbled up, flaked, and peeled off in chunks, I got to say goodbye to my loud, obnoxious stairs. They were, unfortunately, replaced with sky blue. They are now the correct shade of green, but thanks to the unfortunate thunderstorm before the paint had a chance to fully dry, it is a spotty green.

Before you paint your apartment, check your lease. Some apartment complexes won’t allow you to paint at all; others may want you to repaint the original color before moving to get your security deposit back. If you are allowed to paint, go to the paint store and get a wide selection of paint chips. Even if you know what color you are aiming for, there are many different shades to choose from. After selecting two or three, get small bottles of paint samples. Most stores will charge a small fee for the sample bottles – that’s okay. Spend a little now to save money later if the color isn’t right. Paint small sections of the wall and live with the color for awhile. Check the colors during different times of day and evening because the color will change with the light. Once you are happy with a color, it’s time to choose: water or oil based?

Water-based paints have fewer fumes and are safer. Oil-based paints are better at preventing stains. If you are painting a surface that could potentially bleed through or have adhesion issues, go with an oil-based primer. Even if you choose an oil-based primer, you can still go with a latex paint. Water-based over oil-based is fine; oil-based over water-based is not. (See steps 1-3 on what not to do.)

On Paint Day, move or cover all of your furniture and your floors. You may think you can paint a wall without getting paint on the couch, the hardwood floors, the television … but the paint will magically appear there. Take it from someone who has seen all of the “what not to dos” covered. The paint will fling itself onto every uncovered surface in the room. In fact, the paint will find a way to get into your hair, between your toes, and onto your clothing, as well. Wear coveralls or choose clothing that you don’t mind throwing away when it gets ruined. Cover your hair with a hat or scarf and wear old shoes. (Don’t paint barefoot … if you accidently step in the paint tray, you’ll want shoes covering your feet.)

Take a few minutes to remove outlet covers and tape off or cover doorknobs and hinges, and then tape off the baseboards. If you decide to skip this step, you will have outlet covers and doorknobs smudged with paint and the baseboards will gladly accept all of your drips. Yes, it takes time. But it makes a huge difference between a sloppy result and a neat, professional end result.

A wall can come alive with the right paint color, setting the theme for the entire room. Even if you’ve never tackled painting a room before, it can be a rewarding experience – as long as you know what not to do.

Saturday is Mexico’s Independence Day – right? Well, no. Mexico’s Independence Day is actually on September 16. So what is Cinco de Mayo?

After the Mexican-American War, Mexico found itself in a financial crisis. When they were unable to repay their debts, Spain, Britain, and France sent forces to Mexico to collect. Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and left. France decided Mexico would be a nice place for an empire and chose to stay.

The French army hadn’t been defeated in nearly 50 years and they had twice the amount of troops as the Mexican army – and they were better equipped. What they probably figured would be an easy win turned into a major defeat, with the Mexican army scoring a decisive victory on May 5, 1862.

Earlier that same year, Abraham Lincoln had declared war against the Confederacy. Seeing an opportunity to break up the United States union, the French began supplying the Confederate Army with weapons. This didn’t go over very well with the Union Army, so when the French returned with 30,000 troops in 1864 and captured Mexico City, the US helped Mexico get rid of the French invaders.

Although not really celebrated in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo has become a celebration of Mexican-American culture in the US. It’s a day of great music, festivals, margaritas, and food.

Here in Atlanta, the Cinco de Mayo celebration includes a 5K race, live entertainment, food, and arts and crafts. Check your city’s website to see if a festival, parade, or event will take place near you. Or, plan your very own Cinco de Mayo fiesta with friends, family, and perhaps a piñata. Don’t forget the flan and fried ice cream for dessert!

May Day Maypole (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For a short time when I was very young, we lived near Omaha, Nebraska. I remember one of my favorite activities came on May 1 – making May Day baskets. My mom would help my brother and I create paper or cardboard baskets and decorate them with lace and ribbons. We’d stuff the baskets with flowers and small gifts and then hang them on the doors of friends and neighbors, ring the doorbell and then run away.

This rather unusual custom of leaving May baskets on doorsteps and dancing around Maypoles began as a pagan celebration of the halfway point of the year. During the middle ages, every English village had a Maypole. Puritans outlawed the celebration in the 1600s, but they were unable to suppress it completely.

Early settlers brought the tradition into the New World, but Puritan colonists forbade the practice. Some, such as colonist Thomas Morton, continued the practice anyway. In 1627, Morton erected a Maypole and invited colonists to dance in celebration. The nearby Plymouth Puritans were outraged, and Morton was arrested and deported in 1630. His colony, Merry Mount (near the present-day neighborhood of Merrymount in Quincy, Massachusetts), was dissolved.

Perhaps because of those early Puritan colonists and their disdain for the rituals, May Day never really caught on in the US. In some cities, such as Minneapolis and New Haven, parades and festivals still take place, but for the most part – it’s probably not a good idea to leave baskets of flowers on doorsteps (unless you live in an area where it is a common practice). You can, however, celebrate all that May 1 brings – the opening of farmers’ markets, flowers in bloom, and warm sunshine – by bringing a little “May” into your apartment.

Arrange some flowers in a vase or basket and set them on your kitchen table or on an end table. You can make your cut flowers last longer by periodically cutting the stems and by keeping fresh, clean water in the vase. If you want something that will last longer, consider an indoor flowering plant, such as a hardy African violet.

Add a touch of the season to your décor by covering a chair or your couch with a flower-patterned slipcover. Or, create a colorful accent wall with temporary wallpaper that can easily be removed. Toss some cheery, patterned pillows onto your couch or brighten up your kitchen with a fresh coat of paint. If you have a balcony or patio, arrange clay pots filled with colorful petunias, impatiens, and geraniums to the space.

Even though May Day isn’t an official holiday, it is the beginning of beach, vacation, and swim season. It means that long, lazy summer days filled with backyard barbecues and family picnics are just around the corner. So go ahead and celebrate with flowers, fun, and perhaps even a little dancing.

I’m excited today because I just discovered that Amazon.com now offers a drawing game app that my kids (who both have Apple devices) have been waiting (impatiently) for me to get on my device so we can play games together. This is funny to me because we have an unopened board game that involves drawing and guessing, but they’ve never even glanced at the box.

It seems as though we rely on our phones and tablets more and more these days. My kids can’t understand why we’d use pencils and paper and navigate game pieces around a board when we have electronic devices that do the same thing. But then again, their devices aren’t just for music anymore – they are nightlights, alarm clocks, games, a social hub, calculators, research devices, and amusement centers.

I’ll admit — I’m a little slow to catch up to my hyper-connected kids. I actually printed out a recipe the other night. I didn’t realize this was a ridiculous thing to do until my son pointed out that I could have downloaded a recipe app and propped my tablet on the kitchen counter. I could then save the recipe in my handy-dandy recipe file – no need to punch holes in a printout and store it in my “favorite recipes” three-ring binder. I don’t even have to worry about creating a shopping list anymore – an app will do that, too.

If you plan on redecorating your apartment, there are all types of apps that will simplify things for you. Scan bar codes to compare prices, size your rooms to make sure your new couch will fit, rearrange furniture before you do any heavy lifting, and even try out paint colors. You phone can act as a tape measure, a level, and as inspiration. Houzz has an app that will let you clip pictures of rooms you love and save them for inspiration (sort of like the antiquated process of cutting pictures from magazines).

For day-to-day apartment living, you can turn your phone into a remote control for the television, get information on houseplants, map out the best route to garage sales in your area, get a virtual fitness trainer and a diet plan, and find the ideal new apartment in a charming neighborhood.

Do you have a favorite app? One you would be lost without? Share your must-have app with us on Facebook.

Close your eyes and imagine … a wide open field of green surrounds you as you sit on a red-and-white checkered blanket. Flowers in bright pops of reds, yellows, and purples lightly scent the breeze. You’ve slipped off your shoes and the grass feels cool between your toes. The sun’s rays offer that perfect warmth of early spring as it filters through the tender new leaves on the trees. You can hear the laughter and cheers of people around you playing Frisbee or catch or Bocce or horseshoes …

Ready to go on a picnic?

While the location makes a difference, we can’t all have access to New York’s iconic Central Park or Boston’s legendary Boston Common. But you may have a hidden gem in your backyard. It could be a peaceful neighborhood park or a local treasure. Here in North Georgia, we’re lucky to have several gorgeous parks. My favorite is Cloudland Canyon, located on the Georgia-Tennessee border just south of Chattanooga. Your city website can help you find the ideal park. A nearby national park will provide additional activities such as hiking trails, historic sites, or camping. Some parks have designated picnic areas or pavilions – if you are interested in a picnic pavilion, table, or grill, you may want to call ahead and ask about reserving a space.

Now that you have your spot picked out, it’s time to prepare a menu. First, decide if you want to go the traditional route of fried chicken, coleslaw, lemonade, and cherry pie, or if you want to go in a sophisticated route with wine, cheese, crackers, and habanero pickled peaches. You can also pack a vegetarian or vegan picnic basket. Some items you’ll want to make a day or two ahead (or more, in the case of the pickled peaches), while others you can cook on-site, such as hot dogs and hamburgers. Take a hibachi or use the park’s grill stations. You’ll want an ice-packed cooler for perishables (potato salad and meats, for example) and a picnic basket for your blanket and utensils.

The perfect picnic should include a few basics beyond the plates, forks, napkins, and cups (although forgetting any of these could ruin a great day). Be sure to include sunscreen, bug spray, a first-aid kit (or at least Band-aids and antibiotic ointment), a Frisbee or football, and if you take your pet, water and pet food. If you plan to picnic near the lake or beach, don’t forget towels and water toys (floats, pails, shovels).

From a romantic twilight picnic complete with a fiery sunset to a full day spent with family and friends, get out and enjoy the ideal weather, your beautiful local parks, and great food!

Where’s your perfect picnic location? Share your favorite spot on Facebook!

Crystal earth recycle icon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sunday is Earth Day! Here are some things you can do to celebrate the earth:

Start a community garden – Many apartments are now featuring community gardens. If you have one, get involved with it! You’ll appreciate the fresh produce and the time you get to spend chatting with your neighbors. If your apartment complex doesn’t have a community garden, suggest starting one to the apartment manager. If there’s no area for a garden, consider starting one in your neighborhood – here’s how.

Grow a patio garden – If starting a community garden is impossible or you don’t want to commit to such a major undertaking, grow your own container garden on your patio. You can grow all types of vegetables in a container, including tomatoes, peppers, radishes, lettuce, and cucumbers. Gardens not only provide you with fresh produce free of pesticides and other chemicals, they add beauty and a sense of privacy to your space.

Recycle – Yes, it can be annoying trying to separate your trash, but it’s worth it. It is good for the environment, saves energy, reduces the need for landfills, and helps conserve natural resources. This Sunday, give recycling a try! Most apartment communities offer recycling; if yours doesn’t, find a recycling center near you.

Ditch the plastic – We drink 30 gallons of bottled water a year per person – that’s a lot of plastic. According to National Geographic, it takes 17 million barrels of crude oil per year to make plastic bottles. Switch to a reusable water container and save money as well as the environment. While you’re at it, take your own canvas bags to the grocery store. It can take years (sometimes hundreds) for a plastic bag to break down – and while it does, toxins from the plastic are seeping into the soil and into the rivers, lakes, and oceans. If you can’t take your own canvas bags (or you forget them), be sure to recycle your plastic bags. Many stores will recycle them for you – look for a container or box near the entrance of the store.

Use your feet – Only going a short distance? Leave your car at home and hoof it! Walking (or bicycling) is great exercise, so put on your walking shoes. Even suburban communities are encouraging foot traffic by installing sidewalks and bike lanes. You’ll feel better, save money on gas, and help the environment.

Have more ideas? Share them with us on Facebook!

Portland Oregon from the east. By User:Fcb981 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The debate in my house in recent weeks has revolved around our upcoming summer vacation and our dogs. My boys want to bring the dogs along, but finding a pet-friendly vacation area isn’t easy. Sure, there are many places that have pet-friendly hotels, but I don’t want my dogs cooped up in a hotel while we are out because they aren’t allowed in the shops, the parks, or on the beach.

I started to wonder … is there such a place as a truly pet-friendly city? One where dogs are welcomed on public transit, in stores, and on beaches? If you are looking to move to a city where your dog is a part of the community, then consider Portland, Oregon. Unfortunately, it’s too far for us to travel this summer, but the more I learn about Portland the more I like this gorgeous city.

The dogs of Portland even have their very own website – Portland Pooch. This site keeps dog owners informed about dog parks, dog-friendly apartments and rentals, dog-friendly businesses, and the businesses that cater specifically to pets – pet photographers, pet psychics, holistic pet care, pet massage therapists, dog boutiques, dog daycare, walkers, groomers … you name it, you’ll find it. There are even restaurants with sidewalk cafes that not only allow dogs, but cater to them.

Portland hosts several dog-focused events, such as Dogtoberfest, complete with pet vendors, music, and a street fair. The Dog Show on the Beach is an annual event where dogs compete in a variety of categories, with money going to a local animal shelter. The Rose City Classic Dog Show is a little more serious – it is one of the largest dog events in the US. Dogust Day is held every August and features games, a doggie splash, food vendors, and prizes.

You’ll find plenty of places for your dog to run, splash, and play – Portland has 32 dog parks, the nation’s most per capita. It is probably one of the most organized groups of pet parks I’ve come across – they even have their very own Facebook page. Sellwood Riverfront Park allows your dog to enjoy off-leash time to run, fetch, and swim in the Willamette River. The 1,400-acre Sandy River Delta is a great open space to take your dog – even though it isn’t designated a dog park, this vast delta is a popular place for pets and their owners.

Here are a few neighborhoods in or near Portland if you are considering visiting or moving to this pet-friendly destination:

Hidden Springs – Located in West Linn, Hidden Springs is a picture-perfect neighborhood filled with parks. It is near the Mary S. Young State Recreation Area, a 128-acre park where dogs can run off-leash.

Hillendale – This Oregon City neighborhood is named for Hillendale Park, a 16-acre wetland preserve. The community is near several off-leash dog parks, including the Lusher Farm Dog Park.

Northwest District – This unique Portland neighborhood combines a wide array of housing options with shops, restaurants, and bars. It contains several parks, including Wallace Park. This park contains an off-leash area for the dog in addition to play areas, ball fields, and public art.

Hazelwood – Wide open green spaces give your pet plenty of play space, while beautiful Cherry Park features an off-leash area.