Strange Daze Indeed

Isn't life strange? And wonderful!

Win 2 tickets to see Spirit Untamed – In Theaters June 4!

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Today I got the chance to pre-screen Spirit Untamed. It’s truly an epic adventure the whole family will love about a strong-willed girl searching for a place she truly belongs. She discovers a kindred spirit in a wild horse and comes to some amazing realizations. 

Spirit Untamed is the next chapter in the beloved story from DreamWorks Animation.

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for Dreamworks.

Lucky Prescott (Isabela Merced, Dora and the Lost City of Gold) never really knew her late mother, Milagro Navarro (Eiza González, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw), a fearless horse-riding stunt performer from Miradero, a small town on the edge of the wide-open frontier. Like her mother, Lucky isn’t exactly a fan of rules and restrictions, which has caused her Aunt Cora (Academy Award® winner Julianne Moore) no small amount of worry. Lucky has grown up in an East Coast city under Cora’s watchful eye, but when Lucky presses her own luck with one too many risky escapades, Cora picks up stakes and moves them both back with Lucky’s father, Jim (Oscar® nominee Jake Gyllenhaal), in Miradero.

Lucky is decidedly unimpressed with the sleepy little town. She has a change of heart when she meets Spirit, a wild Mustang who shares her independent streak, and befriends two local horseback riders, Abigail Stone (Mckenna Grace, Captain Marvel) and Pru Granger (Marsai Martin, Little). Pru’s father, stable owner Al Granger (Emmy winner Andre Braugher, Fox’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine), is the best friend of Lucky’s father. When a heartless horse wrangler (Emmy nominee Walton Goggins, FX’s Justified) and his team plan to capture Spirit and his herd and auction them off to a life of captivity and hard labor, Lucky enlists her new friends and bravely embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to rescue the horse who has given her freedom and a sense of purpose, and has helped Lucky discover a connection to her mother’s legacy and to her Mexican heritage that she never expected.

Spirit Untamed is the next chapter in DreamWorks Animation’s beloved franchise that began with the 2002 Oscar-nominated film Spirit: Stallion of Cimarron and includes an Emmy-winning TV series. The film is directed by Elaine Bogan (Netflix and DreamWorks Animation Television’s Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia) and is produced by Karen Foster (co-producer, How to Train Your Dragon). The film’s co-director is Ennio Torresan (head of story, The Boss Baby), and the film’s score is by composer Amie Doherty (Amazon’s Undone, DreamWorks Animation’s Marooned). 

Genre: Animated Adventure

Cast: Isabela Merced, Julianne Moore, Jake Gyllenhaal, Marsai Martin, Mckenna Grace, Walton Goggins, Andre Braugher and Eiza GonzálezDirector: Elaine BoganProducer: Karen Foster

Enter to win a Fandango Code for two tickets to see Spirit Untamed (must be used for this film).

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Gaming, Meditation and Peace

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As we’ve all learned too well over the past year, life can get very serious very fast.

Stress is harmful to the body and mind in so many different ways. Stress can weaken your immune system, contribute to fatigue, depression, anxiety and heart issues. It can manifest as digestive problems, low energy, headaches, and insomnia.
It can also really affect your perception of the world. And, that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Due to increased stress, I’ve been seeking ways to relax and chill whenever possible.

Sometimes that means getting out in nature or just going for a long walk wherever you are. I’ve found that walking even just 20 minutes a day can improve my mood and outlook, increase my energy, clear my mind and help me sleep better.
‘I

I’ve really been enjoying walking meditation.

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh

Other times, yoga or a hot bath with my favorite aromatherapy oils and epsom salts soothes away the cares.  When your body is relaxed, you are more likely to unwind and sleep better as well.

I’ve found that staying in the present truly helps. I still have to remind myself of this and can usually bring myself back to this moment because it’s truly all there is. That doesn’t mean not to plan or be prepared; it just means not to dwell on the past or the future.

As one of my teachers, Ram Dass, always said: “Be here now.”  Sounds simple, but it’s profound in its simplicity.

Over the past year, I’ve got more into games, whether they be board games, video games or apps on my phone.

I don’t look at them as just a distraction, but, rather, a way to be present. When you are immersed in the experience of a game, you aren’t thinking or worrying. It’s a form of meditation, a gaming meditation if you will. Because if we can focus on something completely, our mind is not jumping about.

Speaking of games, I remembered days when I was young and going to a specific movie theatre where they had the Addams Family pinball machine. I loved the feeling of the balls clinking against the glass, the bright lights, the way you had to be completely focused. I loved the competitive nature of wanting to get that free game and hear the ball pop and, most of all, the sounds, those wonderful visceral sounds.

I looked online to find pinball games and found one that gave me the experience of playing pinball but also wasn’t too complex from a digital standpoint where it seemed less tangible somehow.

Currently, I’m enjoying Space Adventure Pinball
on plays.org.

 

While there, I’ve discovered so many of the arcade games that bring back a wonderful sense of nostalgia and simpler times.

They have Plants vs Zombies types, Zuma types, Pac-Man types, Tetris types, mini-golf. You name it and you can probably find it there or they will look for it for you. Games are truly their passion and all games are free with no ads at all, which is a nice respite from being bombarded with them daily.

I like to take a break in a busy day to play for a while or unwind in the evening.

Pleasure in simple things.

“There is no path to Happiness, Happiness is the path.
There is no path to Love, Love is the path.
There is no path to Peace, Peace is the path.”
– Dan Millman

$3000 in Prizes Thursday 4/29! Join us! #SDCMothersDay Twitter Party

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Join the #SDCMothersDay Twitter party!

Mother’s Day is almost here and it’s time to celebrate all the wonderful Moms and Mom-figures in our lives with a fun Twitter Party.

Join us on Thursday, April 29th at 10AM PT/1PM ET for our #SDCMothersDay Twitter party with Savings.com. We’ll be talking all about Mother’s Day and Mother’s Day gifts! There’ll be over $3,000 in gift card prizes up for grabs, so be sure to RSVP at this link to be eligible to win!

Prizes: One (1) $50 gift card and two (2) $100 gift cards from Redbubble, one (1) $100 gift card from The Body Shop, four (4) $125 gift cards from 1-800-Flowers, two (2) $200 gift cards from The Body Shop, two (2) $250 gift cards from Athleta, two (2) $250 gift cards from Tuckernuck, two (2) $250 gift cards from Macy’s and one (1) $500 gift card from Zales.

How cool are those prizes for yourself or for gifting? It’s going to be a blast.

 See you there! And don’t forget to RSVP!

 

 

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Savings.com

Win with the Shop, Play, Win! Monopoly game

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This post is sponsored by Sivan Social. All comments and opinions are my own.

 

 

Exciting news! The Shop, Play, Win! Monopoly game is happening right now at Albertsons stores! It started March 3rd and will run until May 4th so you have lots of time to get some goodies!

We’re shopping for groceries anyway, so why not get some bonuses too! There are $230,000,000 in prizes available this year and it’s lots of fun.

How To Play

Visit ShopPlayWin.com to learn about winning exciting prizes from participating stores and download the free app as well. You can get tickets to play every time you shop at your local Albertsons Companies store. I love opening them up and seeing the free products, offers and prizes!

 

 

Other Ways to Get In On the Fun

Check your mail and open your Valpak envelope to see if you’re an instant winner of a $100 gift card and to get more details on how to win groceries for life! (How cool would that be!)

Enter Savings.com’s ShopPlayWin.com giveaway. It’s a simple, quick entry and you can win one of 60 $100 gift cards to spend at your local Albertsons Companies stores (enter from 3/3 – 3/31)

 

 

For even more fun, RSVP to join the #GoShopPlayWin Twitter party at 10AM PT/1PM ET on Thursday, March 25th, to talk about the game and for even more chances to win a $100 gift card.

 

 

Bon chance, mes amis! I wish you all the best of luck.

 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Game tickets end 5/4/21. Must be resident of an eligible U.S. state listed in rules; 18+. Visit www.shopplaywin.com for full rules, incl. how to enter without purchase. Series MON-14. MONOPOLY™ & © 1935, 2021 Hasbro, Pawtucket, RI 02861-1059 USA. All Rights Reserved. TM & ® denote U.S. Trademarks. Hasbro is not a sponsor of this promotion.

Tips for Finding an Apartment in Boston

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No one said that finding the perfect place to live would be easy, but there are ways to mitigate the headaches and stress. Since I live in the Boston area, I wanted to provide you some of my best tips for finding your dream place.

Boston is a wonderful place to live. I grew up in this area and it has the perks of living in a city while still maintaining its unique charm. Boston has incredible sports and entertainment, cultural activities and concerts, wonderful beaches in summer and is close to skiing in winter. We specialize in clam chowdah and lobster rolls, but you can find every type of food here and some of the best restaurants in the country.

I remember living in L.A. and waking up to the same day every day and the same bright sun blinding me as I drove to work. It began to feel like Groundhog Day after a while. But, Boston has seasons and while I may not appreciate the coldest days, we more than make up for it with the warm months and the beautiful fall foliage. And, I have to admit I do love the snow, especially if you can come in to a warm fireplace and some hot caramel cocoa.

After graduating college, I found a unique apartment in the Back Bay that I shared with my then boyfriend. I loved being able to walk through the Public Gardens during my lunch hour, checking out the Swan Boats and stopping for lunch at a small cafe. I loved the art museums and the poetry workshops. It was pure joy.

So, you’ve found your dream city. Now, for some rent research strategies:

Scout and get information about different neighborhoods to find what truly matches your needs and wants.

What type of ambiance do you seek? Working professionals, students, families? A neighborhood rich in history or one more modern? Are you looking for affordable or luxury? Do you need public transit nearby? Do you need guaranteed parking? Is it near your favorite shops and cafes?

When figuring out costs, use the 30% rule which states that your monthly rent should not go above 30% of your gross monthly income. If you have someone sharing the rent of course, that will considerably cut costs. Also, ensure that you have enough for first, last and security deposit. And, if you have a pet, there may be a fee for that as well.

I love to research different rental apps on my phone and my favorite is Zumper. Zumper is very user-friendly and you can easily search by zip code and neighborhood. You can filter quickly by the number of bedrooms you want, amenities or if they allow pets. You can also access them on your laptop or desktop. Zumper is used by millions of renters to find houses, rooms, condos, or apartments for rent.

You can easily apply online and submit digital rental applications and credit reports with Zumper’s screening service, powered by TransUnion™.

I love that their listings are updated in real-time, so you’ll always see new rentals on Zumper first and you can sign up for notifications according to your preferences.

Filter by location, price range, bedroom count, pet-friendly, or amenity and set an alert to get notifications when a new listing is posted. One thing I learned is to express interest quickly, because when you wait, you can easily lose a place that would really be perfect for you.

Zumper has some really helpful research tips for renting in Boston:

According to Zumper, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Boston, MA is currently $2,050. This is a 18% decrease compared to the previous year.

Recent data by Zumper shows that over the past month, the average rent for a studio apartment in Boston remained flat. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment increased by 3% to $2,050, and the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment increased by 2% to $2,550.

Zumper also breaks rents down by neighborhood which is extremely helpful.

So, get your ducks in a row, know what amenities you’re searching for, your budget and preferred neighborhood. Do your homework. Have your references queued up. The more organized you are, the less headache and stress. We all have enough of that already!

Happy new home hunting!

5 Ways to Reduce Stress When Moving to a New Home

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Anyone here love a good moving job?! Not me! It really stresses me out because there are so many moving parts (literally). When I move, I am a constant ball of stress, but you can learn from my mistakes and don’t have to repeat them because now, you can utilize these tips to help you reduce anxiety when moving to a new home. Check them out:

 

Sell Your Home First

If you are moving to a new home and you already own a home, you might be very concerned about what the buying and selling process looks like when it is intertwined. Throw in a move on the same day of closing – for both homes – and you have a really stressful day ahead of you! That’s why I always recommend selling your current home first. I saw a couple on Instagram that sold their previously current home when the market was at the peak. Then, they rented a townhome for about 6 months (maybe a bit longer) while they were searching for a new home and throughout the closing process of that new home. Finally, they rented the townhome for about a month after they closed on their new home so that they could swap out the flooring, paint the home, and give it a good clean before moving all of their stuff in. Although moving twice in such a short time frame was not ideal, it was honestly so much less stressful for them this way, compared to selling and buying a home at the same time, which could have left them with reduced funds, a super quick move on the same day as both closings, and more.

Save the stress and sell your home before you find a new home if renting is an option for you short-term. Honestly, you could even take an adventure, move most of your things into storage for a few months, and get a beach condo or mountain condo for awhile as you house hunt. The only downside to this is not being able to see the homes in person, unless you come  back from your vacation rental.

 

Start Weeks In Advance

I know that you see this piece of advice on literally every moving article known to man, but that is because it really does make it easier and reduce anxiety a ton! If you are planning a move, make sure to start weeks in advance so that you don’t get stressed out along the way. The earlier you can start, the better! 

 

Roll With The Punches & Stay Positive

No matter how great and organized your to-do list and packing job is/was, something will always come up last minute to throw you for a loop. When it does, make sure that you roll with the punches and stay positive. A lot of the time, your stress comes from yourself and how you handle situations. While it is easy to feel out of control sometimes, slow down and try your best to recover as you focus on what you can do to get back to your positive state again. Rolling with the punches is not always easy, but it is a great way to reduce stress throughout the moving process.

 

 

Fresh Start – The Moving Crew

Best solution when it comes to reducing stress while moving to a new home? Utilize Fresh Start – The Moving Crew because they are residential movers Worcester. Even when it comes to packing, they can be a huge life saver! They say, “We find that underestimating the time and energy required to pack for a move is very common and it can be one of the most stressful aspects of planning for a move, which is why we include packing services as part of our full service moving offering. Our professional, careful movers and packers are expertly trained to pack and crate items of any quantity, value, or fragility, from a library of books to a cabinet of fine china. You’d rather not worry about packing at all. We will send a team of experienced movers and packers to your home to pack up the attic to the basement. Of course, we will leave out any items you’ll need on the night before moving and quickly pack those up on moving day. Professional packing services from Fresh Start – The Moving Crew will ensure that your items are packed efficiently and transported safely.” They can pack for you, move your fragile items, move all other items, and so much more. 

 

Unpack Quickly

Have you ever heard anyone say that unpacking is the best? Nope. I hate it. You probably hate it too. So, that’s why you should just do it quickly and get it all over with. Unpack as fast as you can (safely, of course) and you will be glad that you did it that way in the long run. Once you unpack, you are done, and you can focus on the more fun things that a move brings your way.

 

Finish Line End of Season Sale at Macy’s – Save up to 60%!

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This post is sponsored by Sivan Social. All comments and opinions are my own.

We’re into 2021 and one of my resolutions this year is to get more exercise! Being outside has such a wonderful effect on my overall wellbeing. Having athletic gear that feels good and makes you happy really helps and this is the perfect time to upgrade to a new pair of shoes. Luckily, Macys is having an awesome sale right now and you can save up to 60% on select styles during their Finish Line end of season sale.

 

 

There’s something for everyone: Men, Women, and Kids’ Styles. You’ll find running shoes for sure but casual shoes and boots as well.

Here are some of my favorites. Whether you’re doing yoga, walking, jogging or running, I’m sure you’ll find something that you love. Lately I’ve been incorporating yoga into my walks, including side stretches, tree and warrior poses, breathing exercises and mindfulness.

My favorite in the sale right now are these Skechers Women’s Summits. I’d been eyeing them before and now they’re on sale for only $40 with free shipping at $25. My favorite colors too!

 

I’m also completely in love with these Skechers Relaxed Fit: Easy Going – Girl Crush Ankle Boots. They were $70 and now are only $40 as well! Perfect comfy boots for chilly days.

The Finish Line End of Season Sale at Macy’s runs through January 18 so hurry and don’t miss out!

Shop Smarter at Old Navy with Slickdeals

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My heart and spirit are in giving mode this holiday season, however, it’s been a rough year and the funds I’d budgeted to go towards gifts got re-routed. Some of the major gifts will have to wait for more prosperous times, however, I’ll still be gifting my friends and loved ones. ‘Tis the season!

This is one of the major reasons I love Old Navy! I have found incredible deals and a wide variety of clothing and accessories at truly affordable prices. I love their deals year round, but, they are incredibly helpful now! Plus, I get to buy items that I know those I gift will love.

Because we just had a Nor’Easter and it’s still snowy, I’m dreaming of hygge gifts for my cozy-loving friends and family. I’m loving these Old Navy finds including these warm slipper socks, this clever tee, these adorable Patterned Waffle-Knit One-Piece Pajamas and this Cozy Bouclé Faux-Fur Pom-Pom Beanie Hat.

It’s always so fun when I can find special deals, sales, coupons, promo codes and discounts. My favorite site for this is Slickdeals. You can set up deal alerts to get notified and they also have an app so you can be on top of all the sales and savings. There is even a Slickdeals browser extension that will auto apply coupons for you. All these tools will help you save money every day and stretch your dollar.

I check into Slickdeals daily, especially this time of year! They have incredible front page deals as well as savings at all my favorite stores and I’ve saved so much. I’m loving their Old Navy Coupons and I’m using them right now.

Here are some extra tips that I find helpful:

Rather than buying one item here or there, consolidate your purchases to ensure free shipping and take advantage of special offers.

Use a credit card with rewards so that you can get cash back.

Make sure you’re shopping legit websites.

Check Slickdeals for the best coupons, promo codes and deals before you shop.

I have to admit that I love browsing for gifts online. It’s like window shopping that you can do from your couch in your pjs! With these tips, hopefully you can get something special for yourself as well. It’s been a rough year!

This is a partnered post with Slickdeals. All opinions are my own.

Save Big at Sam’s Club December Savings Week!

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This post is sponsored by Sivan Social. All comments and opinions are my own.

It’s snowing outside my window, and, as I enjoy my mug of hot peppermint cocoa, I’m dreaming of the perfect holiday gifts for my friends and family and browsing online at Sam’s Club. As part of their December Savings week, Sam’s Club has so many amazing deals including great buys on holiday gifts!

So that you can plan too, here is a preview. There are so many gift ideas including clothing, tech, toys and telescopes. There’s really something for everyone on your list. And, for yourself!

I’m definitely thinking of purchasing this Apple Watch for my sister since she loves mine for its fitness tracking and because it also monitors your heart rate. The Apple Watch has so many cool features. The Sleep app lets you set a bedtime routine to track your sleep and you can get calls, messages, and music right on your wrist. You can save $30!

Apple Watch SE 44mm GPS

We’ve also been thinking of purchasing a large-screen Smart TV since we’ve been having more movie nights and binging more series like The Queen’s Gambit and Ozark.

This Vizio 70″ Class V-Series 4K HDR Smart TV – V705-H is on sale for $130 off and would be perfect for the living room.

VIZIO 70″ Class V-Series 4K HDR Smart TV – V705-H

I love my Sam’s Club membership, and it’s saved me so much over the years, but, for those who don’t have one yet, here’s a special offer for you. Join now for $45 & receive a free Rotisserie Chicken, Take & Bake Pizza, and 8 count cupcakes, valued at $20.95. Yum! (This offer is good from 12/7/20-1/31/21).

Sam’s Club Scan & Go and Curbside Pickup options allow you to shop safely in these challenging times. You can learn more here about the steps they’re taking to help protect everyone – including masks, visual social distancing markers and sanitized carts as well as curbside pickup.

For contact-free shopping in your club, you’re encouraged to use the exclusive Scan & Go™ feature in the Sam’s Club app. Simply scan your items with your phone, pay in the app and skip the checkout line.

This year’s holidays may look a little different, but, it’s all about the spirit and the joy you bring and share. Be well and enjoy the season, friends!

 

 

Staying Active! Athleta’s Holiday Gift Guide

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This post is sponsored by Sivan Social. All comments and opinions are my own.

It’s been quite a year! Staying active is so important for our health and wellbeing.

You may be a runner or a swimmer. You may love to hike and explore or play tennis or golf.  You may be like me and your passion is yoga and the sun salutation each morning. Whatever your pleasure, you’ll find fabulous gifts for the active (and activewear-loving) folks on your holiday shopping list at Athleta! And, since self-care is so important, why not buy something special for yourself as well. As the weather turns chilly, you’ll find lots of beautiful cozy choices to snuggle up in.

Check out their awesome holiday gift guide:

Right now I’m loving these Double Cozy Karma Recover Joggers(pictured above). Temps are dropping, but, that won’t stop me from layering up and getting active. They pair well with this plush Cozy Karma Asym Pullover, perfect for yoga or out exploring in nature. Either or both would make the perfect holiday gift!

One of my favorite spiritual teachers, Thich Nhat Hanh has said:  “Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” As I do my walking meditation, I remember these words and I find my heart is happy, my spirit soothed.

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