Review of the Coach Legacy Metallic Duffle!

This review will be short ....this bag rocks! I didn’t realize how I was unnecessarily suffering with a not-quite-big-enough handbag until I started wearing this one, officially known as the Large Legacy Metallic Leather Duffle. 

I’m a multi-method commuter, using a mixture of car pooling, public transportation and walking during my work week. I carpool halfway to work with my husband and then walk or bus the rest of the way. 

As such, everything I need for the day has to be hauled in my bag - but it also has to be easily transportable. The Legacy has more than enough room for a lunch, phone, wallet, make up bag and extra clothing. There is even room left over for shopping errands I may need during the day. 

On those days I have the time to walk, I really need a bag that is comfortable on my back and shoulders. The larger-sized Legacy does not disappoint! The thick, adjustable shoulder strap keeps the roomy bag from slowing me down (even with my achey third trimester body)! 

I love that the bag is not black (yawn) and yet looks absolutely amazing with everything.  The shinny, metallic leather adds a flair to any outfit and has held up beautifully to anything I’ve exposed it to (including the rough Canadian elements). 

The zippers are super high quality, always gliding easily and never sticking. The front pocket is roomy enough to keep all my instant must-grabs (i.e. phone, keys, shopping list) close at hand.  

Finally, the bag looks gorgeous whether stuffed to the brim or two-thirds empty. It doesn’t matter where my day takes me, the Legacy is ready to go! 

Michael Kors Outlet Shopping: How to Tell the Difference Between Boutique Items and Made-For-Factory Merchandise

While I still have a lot to learn about Michael Kors, I have picked up key insights to empower an MK outlet treasure hunt. Here are four simple, practical tips to distinguish products designed for a boutique from the products that were designed to be sold in an outlet. (More on boutique vs. factory)

TIP 1: The interior logos on boutique handbags repeat the MK circle logo. 

The MK logo is repeated throughout the interior
of a boutique bag

This simple tell makes outlet shopping so easy - and it will also empower you when purchasing merchandise second-hand or online.  

The interior lining of handbags made for the boutiques repeat the classic “MK” logo. By this I mean just the letters “MK” in a small circle. Here’s an example from my own handbag purchased full-price at a mall boutique (right). 

"Michael Kors" spelled out on two lines signifies
a made-for-outlet bag 

In contrast, made for factory bags (MFF) repeat a different logo in their interior that spells out “Michael KORS” in full, as in the bag on the left.  

This logo is on two lines (“Michael” in smaller letters on the top line and “KORS” in larger letters on the bottom). Here is an example of the outlet bag logo. 

Surprise Sadness - Only 3.5 Months of Pregnancy Left

An interesting side effect of becoming a parent is how it fundamentally changes your personality. Before Lexia was born, I always saw myself as a “two-kids-at-the-very-most”, kind of a woman.

I didn’t want to be the kind of woman who was mostly a “mom” with a career and personal identity that came secondary. I didn’t want to live in a messy house, overtaken by toddler chaos, finding myself running out the door with no makeup and dirty sweatpants. I didn’t want to sacrifice financial comfort and career accomplishments to raise a family.

Then, at the age of 34, I had Lexia ….and the world became a very different place.

Everyday Inspiration - The Influence of Parenting

I just discovered this quote today and it is deeply significant to me. It rings true to my life experience as a child and inspires me as a parent. 

“Parents rarely let go of their children, so children let go of them. They move on. They move away. 

The moments that used to define them are covered by  moments of their own accomplishments.

It is not until much later, that children understand;
their stories and all their accomplishments, 

sit atop the stories of their mothers and fathers,                stones upon stones, beneath the water of their lives.” 

― Paulo Coelho

5 Months Pregnant!

I’m now 23 weeks! Feeling very blessed and very pregnant! 

I started to write a 5-month update last week which was all about how terrible I felt. Being so cranky and tired, however, I never managed to finish it and now that I’m back in the blogging mood, I’m feeling quite a bit better! 

It was an adjustment to suddenly be thrust into ‘full-fledged’ pregnancy mode. I swear I woke up on Halloween a full trimester further along than I was the night before. My belly really popped. My abdomen became heavy. I now waddle at the end of the day.  By 3 p.m. my mojo runs out at work. My upper back aches a lot, mostly from sitting at a desk all day.

Now that I’ve had a couple of weeks to adjust to the ‘new normal’ of being a fully pregnant gal, I generally feel pretty great. Keeping energy up is challenging - as is finding time to exercise - but things are so good compared to how they could be. My physical challenges are small compared to what many women face. All signs are pointing to a healthy baby. I am very lucky. 

I can feel this baby moving so much more than I did with my first!  I have an anterior placenta this time too, which means the placenta is at the front, creating a barrier between me and baby. This means that I won’t feel as strong movement or kicks as my posterior-placenta carrying sisters.  I was disappointed when I found out I had an anterior placenta again. I wanted the experience of feeling lots of movement. This little baby isn’t discouraged by the padding between us - I feel him/her squirming around all the time! I love it! Every time baby moves I am reminded of the little miracle inside me and consoled that s/he is doing well. 

5 Month Overview 

Weeks Pregnant:  23

Belly Status:   Anyone who has met me before can tell I’m pregnant although they tend to assume I’m significantly less further along than I am. Strangers still don’t seem to know, which is disappointing because the only alternative is that I’m quite chunky around the middle! 

Main Complaint: Sore upper back at work. Very tired with few opportunities to rest. 

Main Fear:  It will always be the health and wellness of my unborn child, but in terms of specific fears on my mind at the moment, I have to say that I fear never getting a good night's sleep again! Lexia, now 21 months old, was awake and fussy from 3-5 a.m. this morning. How am I going to manage that with a newborn?!  

Main Joy: Feeling baby move! Baby was a busy one last night. I don’t think s/he was too happy that older sister Lexia was crying in the middle of the night!  

Currently Excited About: I’m so excited and joyous to think that our second child will be joining our family in just four months. I know I’ve done this before, but it still seems so magical and incredible! It’s almost hard to believe. 

Coach Boutique or Factory? Three Easy Ways to Tell

Since losing my Coach virginity last week, I’ve gone on to learn a lot about the brand. From it’s modest origins, to it’s recent drop in the stock market; from fears the brand is losing it’s edge as a result of stiff competition, diversification and outlets, to claims its return to classic looks is reviving their image - I’ve read it all. 

By far the most interesting thing I’ve learned this weekend, however, will empower any Coach outlet (or internet) shopper looking to score a deal.   Most bags in the outlets (as many as 80%) were designed for outlets - also known as Made For Factory (MFF). 

MFF bags were never intended for the boutiques and therefore are not necessarily up to the same standards that boutique bags are held to. Furthermore, because outlets always have sales off the sticker price, the suggested retail price is a scam - Coach never assumed the bag would sell at that price. 

Now I have no objections whatsoever to mass market sister-lines for designer brands.  It’s wonderful to have stores like Armani Exchange and fashion partnerships between high end designers and accessible stores like H&M. It’s kind of fun to pick up something  inexpensively that represents the mood and ‘flavour’ of your favourite brands and designers.  

Having said that, I resent designer lines opening outlet stores under their official brand identity but selling merchandise they would never put in their real stores. The assumption is that the outlet sells products that are out of season, over produced or left over inventory from around the country. It’s insulting to customers to develop entire product lines of a lesser quality to fool them.  

I am fighting back against that dishonesty by sharing three simple ways to ensure you’re making an informed purchase at Coach outlets. 

1) The logo on Coach boutique bags’ price tags are different than factory bags. The boutique bags feature the full horse and carriage logo, while factory bags just have the Coach symbol and “established 1941” print.  

Boutique tag on the left with horse and carriage.  Factory tag on the right.

2) Coach boutique items have serial number that begins with a number.  Made for factory bags have a serial number that begins with an “F”.  This is clearly visible on the price tag as well as on the logo inside the bag. 

Boutique item serial numbers don't start with an "F" (left).
Made for factory items  do (right). 

3) Coach boutique items come with a dust bag inside - factory bags don’t.  Even when a boutique bag is sold in an outlet, you will still find a dust bag inside. 

Happy deal finding! 

The Coach Park Leather Mini Duffle Crossbody - My Review

For my very first Coach bag, I went for the Park Mini Duffle Crossbody in eye-catching magneta. I love that the “Coach” reference is subtle and secondary to the purse’s inherent merits.  I find the repeated-C signature Coach pattern to be tacky. A bag should be capable of making an impression based on it’s design - it shouldn’t have to scream “look at me, I’m brand name!”

I love that this bag is just solid leather with the tiniest “Coach” stamp in silver on one side.  The bag’s stunning colour alone ensures it pops against any outfit. Given that magneta is so vibrant, the merlot lining and embellishments tone it down to keep it sophisticated. 

I always gravitate to crossbody bags because they are so darn practical. As much as I might like the look of a dainty satchel or clutch, it’s simply not worth the sacrifice of giving up one of my hands. 

This little bag is great because, on the rare occasion when a hand-held purse is required, I can remove the crossbody strap for a more elegant look.  With a four inch drop, the top strap is just long enough to slip over your shoulder and tuck the purse under your arm, but only if the bag is sparsely populated, otherwise it will bulge uncomfortably under your arm. 

I also love the hardware on the crossbody strap. It’s a swivel hook lobster clasp that makes unclipping and re-clipping a cinch - perfect for mom’s like me who may need to attach it to a stroller handle.  

Great hardware for easy crossbody
conversion

The bag is very small. I had initially purchased it as an everyday work bag, but it will only work on days that I’m packing the bare essentials (wallet, work ID, lightly-packed makeup bag, work blackberry and personal phone). If I intend to carry any extras, like lunch or a layer of clothing, I need to switch it up for another bag. 

For many, it will be the perfect little companion for running errands because it’s so light and unobtrusive. For those of us with kids, however, it will probably work best as a compartment for mommy’s personal items as a companion to a larger duffle/baby bag. 

The bag’s “retail price” was $228, but after the tagged discount and 50% off everything in the store promotion, I paid about $93.  

What I didn’t know when I bought this bag is that it was Made For Factory (MFF), meaning that it was never sold in the full-price Coach boutiques.  Knowing what I know now, would I still have bought the bag? Honestly, probably not, simply because I feel the disingenuous marketing of MFF products is disrespectful to customers. On the other hand, I’m partly grateful I didn’t know about MFF products when I made the purchase because the bag is a lovely addition to my wardrobe and will be a fun statement piece for many of my outfits. 

It is after all, my very first Coach bag. I’m bound to be fond of it!

Lexia thinks it works well with her pink pyjamas

My First Coach Bag - From Anti-Designer to Frenzied Shopper

Overpriced designer accessories have long bewildered me. When I see a frumpy, poorly-dressed woman carrying a several hundred dollar bag, I just feel embarrassed for her. Does she really think that a brand name bag compensates for the fact that she put zero effort into finding clothes that fit or brushing her hair?  

Save the $400 you invested in the bag to get your hair done and buy a fresh, well-fitted dress (designer brand not required). I guarantee you there is not a straight man in the world who ever ogled a woman walking by because she had a great bag!  

On the side of the spectrum is the super-groomed, heavily made up brand .. er.... worshiper.  These women invest most of their energy and money in looking good and, as a result, they often do, but they can also come off as looking a bit desperate.  Desperate to stand out, desperate to feel superior, desperately willing to go into financial hardship just to know their bag is the most expensive in the room. 

I would also argue that these women are also guilty of giving men too much credit.

The high-quality, well-fitted, curve clinging clothing will surely get you noticed - but the extra $200 you spent to get the designer tag is probably wasted from the perspective of enhancing sex appeal.

I have always taken a more balanced approach to brands. I love shopping and have great respect for the power of clothing to transform your image. It’s important to me to look well put together and dress in a way that compliments my figure. I do take brand reputation and material quality into account when making purchasing decisions (I do own a Coach watch bought at a very competitive price during Bay Days), but I don’t break the bank for the swank appeal of a super brand.

Of course, from a ‘luxury goods’ point-of-view, I’m dirt poor, so I have an built-in motive to see through the hype of designer brands. I suppose you could accuse me of turning a matter of necessity into a virtue. 

Okay, so you now you understand how I’ve managed to get into my mid-thirties without every feeling compelled to get a Coach bag. Given I’ve made it this far, why the sudden change of heart? 

Firstly, as I mature, I am really starting to appreciate the value of well-made pieces. While it’s fun to update your closet with a few inexpensive, trendy items each season, I am increasingly gravitating to superior fabrics and well-crafted items that hold their value over time. 

Secondly, I’ve realized that I have underinvested in accessories over the years. I may think that a great dress will always do more for a woman’s allure than a  great handbag, but a great handbag can be incorporated into of your look up to seven days a week. I think it’s time to get a few accessories that mean as much to me as my favorite garments.  

Thirdly, a great handbag has exceptional longevity. No matter how much I may adore a garment, I guarantee you it will not be in my closet five years from now. Clothes fade, fray, stretch and don’t evolve with your personal style. A truly awesome, classic handbag may bring me joy for years to come. 

A Coach Outlet store recently opened up in my area, so the timing was ripe to strike. 

My Review of the Croozer for 2

Lexia Napping in the Croozer

I’ve been eyeing up the Croozer for 2 since I starting thinking about having a second child. Running is something I really enjoy, but since returning back to work after maternity leave, I have found it almost impossible to leave my daughter behind to get out for a run. 

After months of denial (“I’ll find time to run by myself eventually”), I’ve finally accepted my new reality - if I’m going to run with any regularity at all, I will need to take my daughter with me. 

With a new baby on the way, and a great deal on the Croozer at my local SportChek, I decided now was the time as any to invest in this chariot. My hope is that I’ll maximize my investment by running with it throughout this pregnancy as well as when Lexia’s little sibling joins us.  Here’s What I love About the Croozer: 

Easy to Control - Easy to Push 

Overall, I got what I was looking for. The Croozer makes running with children possible and pragmatic. Even with one 26 pound child on one side, and nothing to counter the balance on the other, the stroller was balanced and even-keeled. The wheels are great to keep moving over bumps and mixed terrain. I can even control it with one hand on straightaways. 

Fun and Comfortable for Baby 

The side-by-side seating was a big selling feature for me.  I imagine that if I were a child accompanying mom for a run, I would much rather share the view with my sibling, rather than be isolated and/or staring at the back of their head. My daughter enjoyed the ride and quickly fell asleep in the comfortable bucket seat.

Adaptable

I think it’s fabulous that this works perfectly with one child but will soon accommodate two.  With the purchase of the infant sling attachment, a child can ride in this as young as one month old, yet the bucket seats are spacious and the Croozer boats a combined weight limit of 100 pounds. I believe it’s possible that my family will be using the Croozer in one form or another (be it a stroller for two, or a bike trailer for our youngest) for many years to come.  

Built-in Protection

I live in cold climate where crisp weather is the norm.  The Croozer cabin keeps kids out of the sun and has a built in plastic layer for wind, snow and rain. 

Here’s what I don’t love about the Croozer:  

Big and Bulky 

I knew this going in, but the sheer volume of this stroller truly does require serious consideration before purchase.  The Croozer doesn’t fit through either my front or back door.  While the wheels pop off easily to thin out the overall width, there is a large metal bumper at the front of the stroller that prevents it from fitting through a standard door. 

Not being able to bring the fully constructed stroller into my house is a big sacrifice. It means I have to coordinate getting two children ready and plopping them into a stroller outside my home without leaving anyone unattended.  If my children fall asleep on our outing, I have to risk waking them up to lift them out of the stroller and bring them inside. 

I think the manufacturer should consider adding hinges to the bumper so that users can  pull the two sides upwards to better fit through small spaces. They could also put mini wheels on the bottom of the cabin (picture something like suitcase wheels) so that one could still push their kids through a doorway even if they must remove the outer wheels.

Can’t See Your Kids

If any stroller ever needed a peek-a-boo window, it’s this one.  We’re talking about putting two small children side-by-side with open access to each other (one of whom may be as young as one month old).

In order to get a good gage on what your children are doing, you really need to stop pushing and walk around to the side of the stroller. That’s a real cramp in one’s running style! 

Not Great For Tall Folks 

I’m only 5”7, but even I kicked the back bumper a couple of times during my first few runs. Now that I’ve found my Croozer-flow, it only seems to happen occasionally on my walking breaks, but I’m not sure how well this would work for a taller person. 

My husband is 6”4. There’s not a stroller in the world that would convince him to run, but it would be nice if we found one with a push bar high enough that he felt comfortable walking with it. This isn’t that stroller. While the push bar is the perfect height for me, it would be great if it was adjustable so that people of different sizes could customize it to suit their stride. 

Overall, I’m very happy with my Croozer. It’s got me out running again - money well spent! 

Holy Heat Wave - How Motherhood Changed my Internal Thermostat

Okay, “heat wave” may be a bit of an exaggeration. We’ve been experiencing highs of about 28 degrees Celsius over the last week, but with humidity that makes it “feel like” anything between 32 and 38. 

I used to live for weather like this.  All year long, I would shiver in sweaters, consoling myself that summer humidity would breathe the life back into my chilled bones soon.  I attributed my comfort with high temperatures to being born in July (in the middle of an actual heat wave. no less) as, while others withered around me as the mercury continued to rise, I seemed to thrive. For me, extreme sunshine came with improved moods, elevated energy levels, and improved physicality. I’d usually even drop a few pounds each summer without really trying. 

Unfortunately, this lifelong passion for high temperatures has been stolen by motherhood.  I am now 11 weeks pregnant while continuing to nurse my 18 month old. I deduce that this must be the hormonal equivalent of being menopausal because all I feel is hot, hot, HOT! 

Suddenly blasting sunshine is an energy thief.  Every morning I wish for cooler temperatures so that my daughter and I can have a productive day outdoors.  Every night I break into an uncomfortable hot flash that make me long for a crisp October evening. 

All the unenviable conditions of first-trimester pregnancy are so much worse in the heat. Be it nausea, fatigue, dizzy spells or hot flashes, sometimes I think that all I need to feel better is crisp, cool air! 

Bring on sweet fall weather! 

More Confessions From a (Somewhat) Pregnant Woman

I am now 10 weeks pregnant (10+3 to be exact).  That means I have completed a full quarter done the 40 week pregnancy journey. So what's different now that I'm moving further along in my pregnancy? Here are my confessions:

Confession #1: I'm Not the Woman I Used to Be
First trimester exhaustion hit me with a vengeance about two and a half weeks ago. I would estimate that I now have about 60% of the energy I had pre-pregnancy. That may not sound too bad until you think about all the things one MUST do in a day (i.e. go to work, change diapers, feed self and family). Suddenly there is no energy left for anything remotely negotiable (i.e. exercise, wash dishes, any form of recreation).  I have honestly woke up in the night a few times only to agonize over how tired I feel, which sounds completely irrational, yet it's true.

Whereas I used to walk to work, run an errand at lunch and take my daughter out for a bike ride in the evening, I now feel grateful just to make it through the work day.  Every day I wake up with great intentions for a full and active day, and every evening I drop into bed by 9 p.m. having completed a third of my list.

Small errands have become a big ordeal. I rarely make it to the grocery store. I have a baby gift for a pregnant colleague that has been in my office for more than a week because I haven't found the energy to run out at lunch to find a gift bag. Swiss Chalet is keeping our family alive.

Confession #2: I'm Spending Too Much Money
My pregnancy goal is to pay off my line of credit and save money for my maternity leave.  At one point I had ambitiously targeted August as the month I would transition from debt repayment to savings. It's now more likely to be the end of October, at best.

Part of me honestly believed I have an inarguable defence for my lack of progress - being pregnant demands new stuff! You can't argue with buying new bras for an expanding bust (and matching thongs)... or more comfortable pyjamas for a changing body.  New workout clothes to keep me active during pregnancy are essential to my unborn baby's health ...as are organic beauty products free of chemicals.  And how could one argue against a double stroller to accommodate my growing family (even if baby 2 doesn't arrive almost seven months).

Confession #3: I'm Trying to Communicate with My Unborn Child
I am inspired by stories of mothers-to-be who communicate with their unborn children.  There is nothing I would love more than my little bean to reach out to me and tell me that s/he is doing okay or give me a heads up about the birth (I'm trying for a VBAC but am terrified).

I believe this kind of communication is possible.  I think I'm intuitive enough to have this experience myself. I'm even reading Thomas Verny's "Nurturing the Unborn Child"- but my baby-to-be hasn't gotten the message yet.

I did have one dream that seemed prophetic.  It was just a flash of a large newborn - a boy - and I knew that he was mine.  He looked a lot like Lexia when she was born although even larger (shudder) and with even thicker straight black hair.  Not long later I had a dream that my baby was a south-asian female covered in fine hair from head to toe. Although I didn't get the same sense that the baby girl was really mine, my dream of her undermined my faith that the first dream was significant.

Fingers crossed my little one will get in touch with me soon!

Confessions of a (Barely) Pregnant Woman

My husband and I were thrilled to get a BFP at the end of June.  If all goes well, we will be welcoming the fourth and final member of our little clan into the world in March 2014.  I am overwhelmed with gratitude – as well as a bit of shock that it happened so fast.  As the hormones kick in, however, I’m experiencing some emotions that either aren’t entirely rationale.  

These are my confessions:

I Envy Morning Sickness – Crazy right? At work, I sit close to two pregnant women, both who had to take time of work due to extreme morning sickness.  One was even hospitalized.  I’ve had morning sickness before, and I understand that anyone currently experiencing will deem me insane, but I can’t deny envying them just a tad . Morning sickness is strong confirmation that you’re still pregnant and your HCG levels are rising in tune with a viable pregnancy. Sitting here today – without nausea, without a bump, without even a doctor’s appointment for a few weeks yet – I feel a bit desperate for some hard evidence that my baby is growing.

I Feel like a Fertility Goddess - Intellectually, I appreciate that my fertility is not variable I control. Getting pregnant comes down to luck, and life has taught me that luck changes on a dime. That said, if I’m being completely honest, there is part of me that is beaming inside to think that I conceived during my first month of trying for both of my pregnancies. I turn 36 later this month and the prognosis for easy conception when your 35+ is rather discouraging. Beating the odds (at least for now) makes me feel like

I’m in Denial - I haven't had a solid nights sleep since my daughter was born, almost 18 months ago. Most of the time, it feels like a miracle to make it to work with pants on. I’m already suffering the wear and tear of burning the candle at both ends, so how will I manage with a newborn in the mix? Simple. My new baby will sleep more, cry less, be less demanding, and nurse less compulsively than my first. Logical, right? 

10 Ways Having a Baby Will Change You - Part 2

Your new baby may look tiny, but
her influence on your psyche
is massive!

Every new mom-to-be knows that parenthood changes everything, but in what specific ways will it actually change you? 

In my last post, I shared five ways that motherhood is likely to change your perspective on your body and outer life. Below are five ways having a baby is likely to change your inner psychological and spiritual life ....FOREVER! 

1) Extreme empathy: Empathy is a great quality. When combined with post-partum hormones and emotions, however, it can be crippling. 

During the first 18 months of my daughter's life, North America faced a number of tragic events highlighting the dark side of humanity - events in which perpetrators willfully destroyed or tragically ended the lives of others. In one case, a Phd student took it upon himself to open fire in a movie theatre for no apparent reason, another young boy shot down innocent school children and their teachers, and two brothers bombed completely innocent people.  

While there's another terrifying tail to be heard on the news every day, the Aurora Theatre shooting, Newton Connecticut massacre and Boston Marathon bombings will haunt me forever.  As I write this, I am overwhelmed thinking about a few families in particular whose losses go beyond what any human should have to face in a lifetime.  The emotional overload of knowing that their suffering came willfully at the hands of someone who didn't event know them is often too much to bear. 

10 Ways Having a Baby will Change You - Part 1

My first days with Lexia

At some point in every new mom-to-be's pregnancy, she is certain to hear the words: "You'll never be the same again".  

I never doubted that motherhood would be a life-changing event, but as a pregnant woman, I was desperate to understand exactly what friends and colleagues had in mind when they envisioned my metamorphous. 

The only explanations I ever got were general claims of parenthood begetting new depths of patience and love.  Now that I've made it to the other side of pregnancy, with some time to reflect on being a mom, I'll walk you through an honest account of how parenthood is likely to change you ....FOREVER! 

1) You'll learn to survive with less: The bad news is that parenthood equates to 'going with less'. Sleep is by far the biggest victim of this phenomena, but there are plenty of others. Prepare for less time, less expendable income, less energy and significantly less control over your day. The good news - you will surprise yourself by how well you adapt. The first weeks are extremely hard, but within a few months your physiological processes will adapt to your new reality. You'll figure out how to incorporate baby into your daily 'to do' list and eventually discover that you can thrive on a lot less sleep, time, opportunity than used to. 

2) You may experience 'body pride': It's true that many women have a hard time managing post-partum weight, but there's another, less talked about phenomena you may experience - body pride. 

Lodging with a Toddler! Getting the most out of your Great Wolf Lodge stay

I've been looking forward to Great Wolf Lodge since well before Lexia was born (since before I was even married actually). 

Aside from my anxiety about wearing a bathing suit in public (which I will address in a later post), staying at a hotel with an indoor water park might be the most fun-per-minute getaway I can imagine. I haven't changed much from my eleven-year-old self when it comes to these kinds of amusements. A large pool will always get my attention. Huge water slides, an arcade and mini-golf (all just outside my doorstep) sends me into a tailspin of excitement. 

Needless to say, when Lexia's aunt and uncle (my in-laws) invited us to join them on a trip to Great Wolf Lodge, I was ecstatic. Not only would Lexia experience the water park, she would have the company of her two adorable cousins, who she just adores. 

I can honestly say that Great Wolf Lodge lived up to all my expectations. We returned from the Niagara Falls location yesterday and I am still a bit high from the adrenaline. 

That said, it's a pricey getaway. We booked two nights, purchased no extras, and left with a bill around $550 - and that's with the early bird special. I actually once spent an entire summer in Greece (flight included) for just a few hundred more than that. Even still, from what I understand, many families leave with a much heftier bill. I know one very reasonable, fiscally-responsible family of four that racked up a $1000 bill for a one night stay! 

Given the investment, you are going to want to make the most of your time there. Below are 10 tips to make the most of the time you have there with a toddler (and not break the bank in the process): 

1) Bring a cooler!
With some notable exceptions, I like to eat healthy. GWL is a bit lacking when it comes to quick, healthy options. Further, everything costs about 40% more than you would expect to pay elsewhere.  

How to Remember Forever

Lexia's first birthday

 Over the last few months I've spent a lot of time planning how to use this blog.  All I needed was a pocket of time whereby I could finally invest in bringing my blogger dreams to life.

I've researched the steps for effective blog launches and know the importance of offering solutions to readers' problems. "I have plans", I keep telling myself. "I don't just have time". 

So I've been waiting until work slows down ... waiting until my daughter goes to sleep at a reasonable time ... waiting until my long-term blogger vision is fully fleshed out.  In the meantime, work keeps getting busier, Lexia finds new ways to keep me busy and key opportunities to document the Superb Life have slipped away.

I am extremely grateful that the universe has given me the opportunity to be the mother of a healthy little girl - and I don't want to forget a thing!  Memories of this chapter of my life are the ones I am going to cling to forever.

Quite often, during a particularly lovely moment, I embrace my daughter tightly, squeeze my eyes shut and will myself to etch the memory into my brain for eternity.  Just in case that system ever fails me, I've decided to jump into this blog just as I am: busy, scattered and without a plan.

Even if the Superb Life never serves any another purpose, it will help me remember how lucky I was to be here.