The Traveling Four

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Georgia Racing Hall of Fame

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Wanting to get out and explore, we were in need of a quick day trip. Our family usually travels to Dawsonville to shop at the North Georgia Premium Outlets Mall. I absolutely love the deals we receive while shopping there. To be honest, we rarely travel pass the Mall. I just knew there had to be some kind of cool landmark, museum or something. Well, we were right!

Located only 10 minutes pass the Outlets Mall is the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. While it is connected to the Dawsonville City Hall the two are separate buildings.

The Hall of Fame is a great place to visit for the racecar lover in your group. Take a blast through the past looking at race cars from the 1930’s on through to present day. The Museum is full of self-guided information as well as enthusiastic tour guides that are full of knowledge. Needless to say, customer service here is phenomenal.

Start your tour within the Stock Car History Theater where the seats are in the shape of the back of 1950’s Oldsmobile’s. Enjoy learning about the history of the stock cars and moonshine. Afterwards you’ll get to look at actual race car’s through their time period. Only thing is you can’t get in and sit in any of the vehicles. I really wanted to feel like I was a part of the action, but my pic is an outside looking in type of deal…no worries though!

Huston Platt’s Dixie Twister is just one of many race cars that you can see while here.

Huston Platt's Dixie Twister

View racing attire and other racing gear while on site. The Richard Petty signatures are one of kind. Fun fact: Richard Petty’s dad, Lee Petty also signed his name in the same manner.

There is so much to see and do at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. The tour guide informed us that the exhibits change yearly to encourage fans to keep coming back. Check out our visit in the video below.

The gift shop is full of racing memorabilia for you to purchase. T-shirts, collectible racing cars, autographed memorabilia, corn hole stands and so much more.

On the way out be sure to visit the Dawsonville Moonshine Distillery. I suggest visiting on the way out because this moonshine will have you forgetting why you were there in the first place! The distillery offers guided tours through the distillery that show you the making from beginning to end. At the end of the tour you are given a choice of your own shot glass as a keepsake. The tour is only $6.00 and worth every dime. Be sure to try the White Lightning!!!!!!!

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Family Day Trip: Cornelia, Georgia

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Hello, fellow travelers! If you are new here, Welcome. While heading to Tennessee we decided to linger a little bit in Georgia, to do a little bit of site seeing. Majority of the time when you are driving to a location your sights are set on your final destination, with maybe a few stops to the gas station in between. This time around I wanted to actually explore a few of the neighboring tourist towns outside of the Atlanta city limits.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, I ran across an article about this quirky museum in Cornelia, GA. I am a huge fan of museums and no matter where I travel I will always look for museums to spend my time. Unfortunately, they were not only closed for the season, they were closed for the pandemic as well until further notice. I was so happy to see that they were opening May 1st.

Wanting to make sure we got the most out of our time while in Cornelia, I was able to come up with an awesome itinerary for the day. Here is how we spent our day in Cornelia, Georgia

Loudermilk Boarding House & Everything Elvis Museum

The Loudermilk Boarding House is the very reason I wanted to stop in Cornelia. Who doesn’t love the king! Voted Best Elvis Experience in the Guinness Book of World Records. Featuring over 30,000 items, which include pictures, clothing, potential toenail clippings, and the infamous surgically removed right handed wart. Crazy, right…but really interesting! Owner Joni Mabe was phenomenal in showing us around and pointing out cool things about the Legend and her extensive collection.

Be sure to visit the gift shop here to collect a few trinkets for your own collection.

Channeling My Inner “King”

The Big Red Apple

The Big Red Apple is a historical landmark marking the center of the town. The apple being created as sort of a homage to the rising apple industry in the town. Cornelia famously is now known as the “Home of the Big Red Apple”. A name of which they clearly run with, by hosting the Big Red Apple Festival yearly. The festival hosts car shows, hayrides, cornhole tournaments, carriage rides, live music, food, crafts and so much more.

Historic Train Museum

Learn about the Tallulah Falls Railways of Cornelia through this historic gem. The Historic Train Museum is conveniently located right next to the Big Red Apple. Inside the museum you can enjoy a free guided tour to learn about handmade train replicas, ticket artifacts, the original train dispatching area, and more.

On the outside of the museum you can view actual train tracks and two fully restored cabooses. Great for taking photos.

Bigg Daddy’s Restaurant & Tavern

Time to Eat!!! It’s easy to leave Bigg Daddy’s with a full stomach because of their monumental portion sizes. We were pleasantly surprised with all the food we were given, and it was delicious. Our table ordered the Drunken Mussels, Chicken N Waffles, The Balboa, and their famous Hickory Smoked Baby Back Ribs.

Bigg Daddy’s plays all major sporting events on their many T.V’s, so a cool place to hang out to watch the game. Check out our previous post for a full Review of Bigg Daddy’s.

Click here to see a copy of Bigg Daddys MenuDownload

Sugartopia

What better way to end a meal than with something sweet. At Sugartopia we were able to indulge ourselves in some of the tastiest cupcakes we have ever had. They were so moist and I could not believe the price. My personal suggestions would be the Pina Colada, Oreo and Red Velvet cupcakes.

Chenocetah Tower

The last stop on our day trip through Cornelia was the Chenocetah Tower. What better way to end a joyous day than with breathtaking views of the Chattahoochee Forest. The word Chenocetah meaning “seeing all around” was built in 1937, and stands 1830 square feet above sea level. Chenocetah tower was originally used for fire observation, until 1971 when the building started to fall apart.

In 1984, the building was registered with the National Register of Historic Places. Now this landmark can be enjoyed by all. Due to Covid, the tower is not allowing patrons on the inside, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting.

Keep in mind that there is no set parking, so be prepared to park on the street.

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2021

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Mother’s Day is May 9th

Mother’s Day is rapidly approaching and the stress of finding that perfect gift for mom can be daunting. It’s without question that we want to show mom how much she is loved & appreciated on this special day.

Whether shopping for mom, grandma, or mom-to-be, I’m sure you will find something that she’ll adore in this Mother’s Day Gift Guide.

In addition to her favorite flowers and dinner at her favorite restaurant, of course…

Disclaimer: The Traveling Four are participants in the Nordstrom Affiliate, Top Shop Affiliate, ASOS Affiliate, Pretty Little Thing Affiliate, as well as the Amazon Associates Program & receive a commission on all purchased items that we advertise (at no cost to you of course). Click the image or link in the text to be taken to the site. We are truly grateful for your support, which helps us keep the lights on.

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

Gardening Tool Set

Spring is in bloom and the vegetation is growing. Gardening is a rewarding and healthy hobby. Help mom make her plants thrive with an all-in-one gardening tool set. If you’re worried about your mom executing overzealous plants, check out our post on Easy Indoor Flowering Plants.

Raised Garden Beds

It seems more and more people are trying their hands at container or raised plant bed gardening rather than the traditional ground gardens. With a raised garden bed your garden is at a much more manageable height. They are also great for controlling those stubborn weeds that you would find with in-ground gardening.

Personalized Pillows

Give mom something with a more personalized touch with these customizable pillows. Use you favorite photo(s) to create a lasting displayable memory.

Shadow Boxes

Shadow boxes add a personal, more sentimental touch. They can be customized to your unique situation or purchased with personal messages to your loved ones. Great gift idea for a soon-to-be or new mother to put babies precious items in. Shadow boxes are also good for holding those special keepsakes of mom’s who are no longer with us.

Vacay All Day Gift Set

As the world starts to open back up and we set sights on traveling once again, this summer faves set features a lightweight carrying case with:

  • – 0.21 oz. Milk Makeup Mini Lip + Cheek—Werk
  • – 1 oz. OUAI Scalp & Body Scrub
  • – 0.84 oz. Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
  • – (FULL SIZE) 0.17 oz. NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tint—Orgasm
  • – (FULL SIZE) 0.3 oz.Tarte SEA Surfer Curl™ Volumizing Mascara
  • – 0.5 oz. Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
  • – (FULL SIZE) 1.7 oz. Dr. Brandt Skincare Liquid Sun Shield Daily Brightening Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Sephora Favorites - Vacay All Day Set

Avocado Ceramide Redness Relief Serum

This serum is used to reduce skin irritation and the appearance of redness. An added bonus is that the product is vegan & fragrance free. The reviews supersede the product with a 5 out of 5 rating on Sephora’e website.

Glow Recipe - Avocado Ceramide Redness Relief Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL Clean at Sephora

Perfume

My absolute favorite perfume is Coach Floral. It’s bright but not overpowering and smells divine. Second runner up would be J’adore by Christian Dior. Let mom smell these and you’ll be buying these for her every gift giving holiday that comes around.

Candles

Let mom pick out her favorite candle with this lovely 4 pk. scented soy candle set with reusable tins. The four classical scents included are Jasmine, Rose, Peony and Camellia. Another option would be the Pet House Candle with 60 hours of burn time. Pet House Candle Company has over 27 fragrance options to chose from, which all smell good.

Sports Memorabilia

I am a huge sports fan! Football, basketball, baseball…you name it. Many other mom’s share in my love for sports. Purchase her her favorite team related items such as jewelry, socks, purses, hats, etc.

Tumbler Gift Set

These gifts sets come with customized tumblers and other small goodies. You can either purchase them online or make them yourself. A tip to making these yourself, be sure to grab all the item’s that SHE likes. For instance, her favorite candies, skin products, perfumes, candles.

Wine Carriers

Carry your wine in style with these fashionable wine carriers, complete with wine glasses. Lightweight with a slender design make these easy to tote around.

Tablet

Since we seem to be moving more toward streaming services what better way for you loved one to catch up on their favorites shows and movies than with a 10 inch tablet. Tablets are lightweight and can connect to just about anything. Also when the kids start to get out of hand it likes an “invisible babysitter”.

iRobot Roomba

I know giving mom gifts that revolve around cleaning is frowned upon, but I am all for anything that makes life easier. With this automatic vacuum you can come home to a vacuumed floor without lifting a finger. You can program this robot through your phone and let ’em go.

Dear Mother,

You cared for me when I was small.

You did your best and gave it your all.

Now that I am grown this is forever true.

My dearest mother I will forever love you.

Happy Mother’s Day To All of You Wonderful Mothers!!!

I hope you enjoyed our Mother’s Day Gift Guide for 2021! We would love to hear from you in our comments below.

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Miami Fusion Café

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Sign displaying Miami Fusion Café

Background

A family owned and operated business that brings a slice of Miami and Puerto Rico to Birmingham, Alabama. The Puerto Rican born and South Florida bred chef whips up a menu that brings Caribbean flavors to the South. You’ll find dishes of Jamaican, Cuban and Puerto Rican styles on this menu. All flavors merry well and give you an authentic feel of restaurants you would find in Miami. Luckily if you’re in the Birmingham area you won’t have to travel further south to experience such delight. With two locations Birmingham, 2015 5th Avenue North and 5511 Hwy 280 you won’t have to go too far to sample the plethora of dishes available on menu at Miami Fusion Café.

Our Experience

We visited the Miami Fusion Café located on Hwy 280. Once seated we got our drink orders (mojito, iced tea and water) and ordered our main dishes. Our orders consisted of the Lechon Asado, Pan Con Lechon, and Caribbean Jerk Chicken Plate (see menu below for more details). The roasted pork in the Lechon Asado was seasoned amazingly. The flavors really came through and paired well with the black beans and rice that was equally yummy. The Pan Con Lechon was tasty but I’ve had better dishes. The Cuban bread reminded me of a Panini, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The pulled pork inside was well seasoned but I felt like it could use some type of sauce. In the sandwich was also lettuce and tomato and it was accompanied by fries sprinkled with seasoning salt.

Lunch Menu for Miami Fusion Café

The Caribbean Jerk Chicken was also seasoned amazingly, the flavors really burst in your mouth. Being Caribbean though and having eaten jerk chicken at many different places including home made I would have to say that this is not what I would label as such. It’s more like baked chicken with jerk seasoning but not as spicy. This would be a great choice for those who love the flavor of jerk but can’t really stand the heat of traditional jerk chicken. And paired with the red beans and rice this dish packed a flavor punch.

Left to Right: Lechon Asado, Caribbean Jerk Chicken Plate, Pan Can Lechon

The mojito was top notch and the bar where it was made definitely gave me Miami vibes. All the color and vibrancy that came from the corner where the bar was just drew your eyes there. Even if you don’t drink you would want to at least sit at it. Miami Fusion Café also serves coffee, desserts and has a kids menu. All in all for the price, with the reasonable amount of food and the tastiness this restaurant was a great choice for a lunch spot.

Miami Fusion Café mojito
Mojito
Miami Fusion Café kids, drink and desert menu

My Rating                                                                

Scale: $-low cost, $$- medium cost, $$$-high cost; rating: ⭐ – ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐  

Cost: $ – $$ 

Food: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

Service: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

Atmosphere:⭐ ⭐ ⭐  

Overall Rating:⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

Miami Fusion Café also offers a dinner menu and can be booked for events. Check out this information and more one their website.

Recently-Released Movies to Watch from Home

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If you are looking for some new movies to watch from home, check out some of the movies below:

Sylvie’s Love

Sylvie’s Love stars Tessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha. It is a love story period piece set in the late 1950s amongst the magic of jazz music. I loved it; it was quite refreshing to watch. You can watch this on Amazon Prime.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbjakuJZgww

Soul

Soul is a Pixar and Disney animated movie that I highly recommend. Jamie Foxx does the voice-over for the main character Joe Gardner. It is great movie for the whole family. You can watch it on Disney+.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOsLIiBStEs

One Night in Miami

Regina King directs this movie that puts Sam Cooke, Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, and Jim Brown all in the same space simultaneously. This movie takes us back in time to the 1960s, and we are given access to a night in the lives of these men and the ups and downs they encountered during their time together. It stars Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, and Leslie Odom. Check out the trailer and watch the movie on Amazon Prime.

American Skin

This was an excellent movie. I watched it with both of my boys, and we had a deep discussion afterward. I think it should be a required movie to watch. It invoked so many emotions. Nate Parker masterfully played the main character. I bought it via Google Play but, I think you can purchase and stream it on any number of apps iTunes, Amazon Prime, Google Play, etc.

Judas and the Black Messiah

A historical piece that outlines the events that occurred leading up to Fred Hampton’s assassination. Fred was the chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party. The movie is told primarily from the informant William O’Neal’s perspective, who played a major part in his demise. It stars Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield. The movie is available to watch on HBO Max.

Outside the Wire

Anthony Mackie and Damson Idris star in this action-packed movie. I thought it was terrific. Watch the trailer and then watch the movie on Netflix. You won’t be disappointed.

The Little Things

This movie is a psychological thriller, and it does make you think and think and think. Even after the movie goes off, you are left wonder if what you thought you saw is really what you saw. It stars Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto and is definitely worth watching. I will note that it is best to pay extra attention because you will miss something major if you turn your head. It is currently on HBO Max.

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“Face Matter” Exhibit

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January 11th, 2021 – February 25th 2021

In honor of Black History Month, I wanted to showcase an art exhibit that will be featured until the end of February. The Face Matter Exhibit is being displayed at the Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville. Located at 8652 Campbellton Street in the historic downtown area of Douglasville, Georgia.

The Cultural Arts Council has selected a vibrant mix of artists that can be understood by all genres. “Face Matter” showcases artwork from five very talented artist: Felicia Noelle, Diyah Najah, Timothy Short, John Martin & Brandon Maddox.

The artists have put together a fascinating collection using a mixture of mixed medias like prints, 3-D mosaic tiles, acrylic & oil-based paints. The collection focuses on the celebration of black history and culture. Their art embodies stories of beauty, liberation, strength and self-acceptance.

My Personal Favorites

Felicia Noelle is a creative artist out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her works of art are sophisticated, whimsical and personable. My favorite from her collection was “What God Put Together”.

Timothy Shorts oil-painting of “A Dark in the Light (You Are All You Need) II” is a profound piece of work that not only relates to men of color but anybody that can personify with the message.

Diyah Najah’s artwork is also something that is very commendable. She offers a selective range of art including – paintings, mix-materials and my favorite a collage named “Stand Up for Us”. A truly astounding piece where the title resonates.

Brandon Maddox’s “Angela” is exquisite and graceful. “Angela” in my opinion is a manifestation of the iconic saying “My black is beautiful”.

Although, the exhibition will only be around for a short while you can view these artists and their artwork all year-round on their personal social media platforms. For more information on The Cultural Art Council Douglasville, please visit their website at www.artdouglas.org.

Let us know what are some of your favorite Black History Exhibits in the comments section below.

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“Perhaps the mission of an artist is to interpret beauty to people – the beauty within themselves.”

– Langston Hughes

2021 Valentine’s Day Gifts

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This years Valentine’s Day is an extra special one. If you and your love didn’t drive each other crazy during 2020 quarantine, or you made a long distance relationship work even though you couldn’t see each other as much due to the Covid-19 crisis. You and that special someone may have had to endure hard times together. Times where you had to comfort each other due to a losing someone or losing a job. Struggling to make ends meet or workout the home school schedule. Or maybe you found love during all the mayhem it all makes this years V-day that much more special. So why not commemorate this time with a special gift to that special someone? Below you can find some ideas for 2021 Valentine’s Day gifts that show your significant other just how much they really mean to you.

Disclaimer: The traveling 4 are participants in the Amazon Associates Program and receive a commission on all purchased items that we advertise (at no cost to you). Just click on the image or the link in text to be taken to the site. We are truly grateful for your support which helps us keep the lights on 🙂.

Gifts for Her

Diamonds really are a girl’s best friend. Second to you of course especially after you gift her with this stunning Amazon Collection Diamond 3 Stone Pendant Necklace (1/4 cttw), 18″ ($99.99).

Want some earrings to go with that well these SWAROVSKI Women’s Attract Trilogy Crystal Earrings ($89.00) would be a great choice.

Needing something a bit cheaper but that will still WOW then these Sterling Silver Round-Cut Stud Earrings made with Swarovski Zirconia ($17.00) will be a great pick.

Keep her feet warm, cozy and stylish this Valentine’s Day with UGG Women’s Fluff Yeah Slide Slipper ($99.95).

A gift you both can enjoy on this special day. She can even model it for the “Silhouette Challenge”. Avidlove Women Satin Lace Chemise Mini Teddy ($16.59).

A relaxing bubble bath with rose petals and candles is like a Valentine’s Day staple. You can achieve this in a fun and natural way with these 7 Natural Bath Bombs with Shea Butter ($14.99).

The candle that’ll enhance that romantic bubble bath that much more. LA JOLIE MUSE Jasmine Scented Candle ($20.74).

And if you need more than one candle to set the mood then these are another great choice. Yinuo Candle Scented Candles Gifts Set ($19.98).

What’s Valentine’s Day without a teddy bear and chocolates. Not much if you ask me, it’s the iconic gift aside from flowers. Give this Valentines Day Gift Basket Set ($29.44) a try.

Speaking of flowers check out this One Dozen Red Roses Bundled with Godiva Chocolate & Teddy Bear ($49.99). Chocolate, teddy bear and flowers now we’re talking.

For the woman in your life that wants a gift that will last try this Rainbow Flower Colorful Rose with Love Stand plus 3000 Pcs Rose Petals Artificial Flower Petals ($29.99).

Gifts for Him

Many guys have just let it all grow out since most barber shops were closed or they didn’t feel comfortable going to one. Help him keep that facial hair soft and lustrous with this Beard Grooming Kit ($24.91). With beard oil, shampoo/conditioner, balm and so much more you’ll love brushing up against his smooth, conditioned facial hair.

He’ll feel like he’s walking on pillows with these stylish suede UGG Men’s Ascot Slippers (109.95)

This sleek and stylish Michael Kors Men’s Stainless Steel Quartz Watch ($119.99) is the perfect gift for that debonair dad.

Keep him organized in a stylish way with this TESLYAR Wood Phone Docking Station ($52.80). It can not only house his cellphone but watches, keys, glasses, wallet and so much more.

For the man who’s a lot more casual and has a sense of humor this Happy Quarantine Valentine’s Day T-Shirt ($17.99) could be the perfect gift.

For the gamer in your life these funny novelty socks may be just the thing to make him smile. Do Not Disturb I’m Gaming Socks sold for $10.99

These stressful times are all the more reason to kick back with a cold one. This Wall Mounted Magnetic Bottle Opener ($23.99) makes doing that so much easier.

For the handyman in your life this Magnetic Wristband ($14.98) is the perfect Valentines Day gift. It can house all the screws, nails, and drill bits he’ll need to keep great home décor projects going. That’s a win-win for both of you.  

So he can join in the “Silhouette Challenge” with you and look great doing it. Calvin Klein Men’s Cotton Classics Multipack Boxer Briefs ($27.54)

Gifts for All

Commemorate your love making it through to 2021 with this customizable wooden plaque ($39.99) that shows that love can withstand the tests of time.

Staying in for Valentine’s Day and want to add some fun to your date night. Well this Romantic Game for Couples ($24.97) is just the thing to get the flirting and fun started.

This personalized 3D Crystal Picture Engraved Heart (119.00) can capture a special moment in time and display it for many years to come.

Another amazing way to capture a moment in time and depict your love for years to come. Personalized Watercolor Digital Portrait ($64.95-1 day delivery for Valentine’s Day).

Another great way to add some personal touches to your 2021 Valentine’s Day gifts. This one has so much thought put into it that’ll definitely make that special someone feel warm and fuzzy inside. What I Love about You Fill-in-the-Blank Gift Journal ($9.95).

For the snacker in your life this CraveBox Care Package (45 Count) ($23.95) is the perfect V-day gift.

They may not be ale to hit the spa this Valentine’s Day but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy a relaxing massage. This Shiatsu Heated Neck and Back Massager ($39.99) is just the thing to destress and enjoy a relaxing V-day.

Hope you can find your loved ones something great for their 2021 Valentine’s Day gifts from these choices. And if you have any other suggestion don’t hesitate to share.

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Bread and Butter Bakery – Covington, GA.

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Bread and Butter Bakery is a super cute and quaint bakery in Downtown Covington, Georgia. There you can get a variety of drinks, from smoothies to coffee, and foods, including breakfast/lunch items and all types of desserts. It is located in the town’s square and conveniently located by several other shops you can walk to and visit. There is ample seating within the bakery, but they also have a few tables on the outside. It was a little misty outside on the day that I visited, so outdoor sitting was out of the question for me, but, some people still sat out there.

My sister and I decided to spend the afternoon of New Year’s Eve drinking lattes with a little dessert, so my sister recommended Bread and Butter Bakery. This was my first time visiting, but it will definitely not be my last. Upon entering the bakery, you immediately see the dessert window. In it, you see all of the cakes, cupcakes, macaroons, cheesecakes, etc., displayed. There were so many good items that it was hard to figure out what we wanted. Although it was a hard decision, the cashier working the counter helped us by giving us her top recommendations. She also gave us descriptions of the drinks and gave us recommendations for some of their popular drinks. Once we placed our order and paid we got to look around while our order was being prepared.

In the bakery, there is an area with gifts and other merchandise. And a refrigerated area where you can purchase items too. There is a room off to the corner with books, tables, and chairs in the back of the bakery. It is a cute little intimate space where I could see a book club holding a meeting or just a place to go to just for a little peace. There is also a wine area that you can go and buy bottles of wine. My sister purchased two bottles, and they put them in cute little reusable ice bags.

We ended up getting lattes, and my sister had cheesecake, and I had chocolate cake. The cake was super huge but also super yummy and moist. I couldn’t eat it all, but so I took the rest home for my boys to finish. Overall, we enjoyed our time at Bread and Butter Bakery, and I am looking forward to my next visit. If you are in Downtown Covington, stop in and grab a drink and some dessert. I think you will like it too.

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Last-Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

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“Christmas, Christmas time is here…” Oh that joyous holiday is right around the corner and the names on your list just keeps on growing. Co-workers, Secret Santa’s, your children’s teachers, mail personnel, your hairdresser and so on…

What keeps the stress alive is just not knowing what to give for those last-minute people on your list. No one wants to be stressed during this time of year, especially if you don’t have to be.

Look no further, I have compiled a list of gifts that can be prepped in a snap and given last minute to help you run strong across the gift giving finish line.

Disclaimer: The Traveling 4 are participants in the Nordstrom Affiliate, Top Shop Affiliate, ASOS Affiliate, Pretty Little Thing Affiliate, as well as the Amazon Associates Program and receive a commission on all purchased items that we advertise (at no cost to you of course). Just click on the image or link in the text to be taken to the site. We are truly grateful for your support, which helps us keep the lights on.

In a rush, click below to jump to your desired section

Cricut Personalized Gifts

This section is primarily for those that own a Cricut or a Silhouette Machine. These are the ultimate last-minute gift making machines. Great for cranking out those special personalized gifts in minutes that are sure to please.

1. Personalized Mugs

For the girls in the Traveling Four, I made Traveling Four travel mugs for Christmas and they were a smash. Blank travel mugs can be purchased online or at any craft store.

2. Initialed Tote Bag

You can purchase blank tote bags at any local craft or dollar store. Be sure to use Heat Transfer Vinyl or Infusible ink when making your totes. Kristine In Between has made a perfect example.

3. Ornaments

Ornaments are exceptional gifts to give away since they can be personalized to fit any type of tree décor. These can be made whether you have a Cricut Machine or not. There are so many different styles that can be made. Day Dream into Reality has some great ideas for you to consider making.

4. Lazy Susan

A Lazy Susan is so versatile, it can be used as a table’s centerpiece, coffee station, charcuterie board, or just a simple decoration on the wall. A blank wooden cylinder can be purchased for less than $10.00 at a hardware or crafting store. Check out this previous post for 3 Easy Home Décor Projects to see how to put one together in a few easy steps.

5. Christmas Cards

Make personalized Christmas cards. Christmas cards can be funny, religious, personal, anything you want to make them. A very inexpensive option to show people you are thinking of them during the holiday season.

Baked Goods

Baked Goods are great because most can be made ahead of time and stored. Usually you can squeeze a few gifts out of one batch, which will help eliminate a few people on your list. These baked good ideas only require a few ingredients and cost less than $10 to make.

6. Peppermint Bark

An all-time Christmas favorite. Peppermint Bark only requires 2 main ingredients and only takes about 20 minutes to prep and make. After the bark is prepared break and package in dollar tree tins, cellophane wrap or in decorative bakery boxes. Peppermint Bark recipe on SouthernBite.com

Peppermint Bark pieces on towel

7. Oreo Truffles

These simple Oreo Truffles from The Cozy Cook are absolutely delicious and beautiful to look at. Made with only a few ingredients that cost less than $8.00 to make.

Green Oreo Truffles in a white bowl with sprinkles on top. Center truffle has a bite taken out of it.

8. Holiday Popcorn

Ingredients for white chocolate covered popcorn

Popcorn is a cheap staple that most have in their cabinets already. Add a few extra ingredients like candies, chocolate, caramels, pretzels, nuts, raisins and turn it into something mouthwatering. Upstate Ramblings version is to die for and will have your gift recipient asking for the same gift two years in a row.

9. Rice Krispy Treat Balls

rice krispie christmas treats

Rice Krispie Treats may already be on your holiday menu. These can be made from scratch like Courtney Sweets or purchased store bought.

Mason Jar Gifts

Mason jar gifts are visually stunning and look like you put a little thought into them. You can make each gift individually appealing by adding different accents, like ribbons, bows, labels.

10. Garden Fruits and Vegetables

If you are great at canning fruits or vegetables, Grab a few jars from your stockpile to hand out to your families and friends. With everything that is going on today a nice staple that will last a little while is a very thoughtful gift to receive.

11. Meal Prepped Mason Jars

Have a favorite recipe? Or good at meal prep? Place a few dry ingredients from one of your favorite recipes in a mason jar. Write the preparation instructions down on a label or notecard and attach to the jar with a ribbon. Easy & simple…you may luck up and already have the ingredients already in your cabinets.

12. Cookies in a Jar

Sometimes cookies look better outside their original packaging then in. Place a few cookies in a mason jar and wrap with holiday themed ribbons. A great way to get multiple gifts for the price of one.

13. Potpourri in a Jar

Ahhhh…the smell of fresh potpourri simmering on the stove on Christmas day. Throw a few simple ingredients in a mason jar to add a fragrant, colorful touch to your gift. Start your mason jar with an orange, add in some cranberries, fresh rosemary sprigs and cinnamon sticks for a fragrant simple potpourri mix.

14. Hot Cocoa in a Jar

Hot cocoa given in a mason jar is like a hug in jar! Another simple and quick gift that can be made for pennies on the dollar. Take your favorite hot cocoa mix and pour in the bottom of your jar. Add some additives like chocolate chips, marshmallows, crushed candy cane, red hot candies, caramels, etc. Place a cute Christmas themed label on the jar and you’re done.

Beauty-Themed Gifts

When making DIY beauty products please be sure to clearly label ingredients used in projects to avoid allergic reactions.

15. Essential Oils

Essential oils smell amazing and have several healing qualities to them including reducing stress & anxiety as well as boosting energy & focus. Oils can be bought or easily made, check out our article on How to Make Your Own Essential Oils.

16. Foot Scrubs

Foot Scrubs can be purchased or made homemade and carry some great qualities and benefits. This Lemongrass & Chamomile foot scrub recipe from A Cultivated Nest is surely crowd pleasing.

Lemongrass and Chamomile Foot Scrub- If you need to relax after a hard day, or want to make a thoughtful gift, you should make this lemongrass and chamomile foot scrub! This could also be used as a face, hand, or body scrub! | homemade beauty products, sugar scrub, essential oils, all-natural beauty products

17. Baking Soda Shampoo

A great gift for the naturalista on your list. This baking soda shampoo is bound to leave your hair and scalp feeling refreshed and free of impurities. For the complete recipe check out our previous Kitchen Naturalista post.

18. Soap

Making soap can be easier than you think. Soap bases can be found at any crafting store and come in a few different varieties. For example, goats milk, shea butter or honey. Simply melt the soap base down in the microwave, add a few drops of fragrance or essential oils, place in a silicone mold and let cool. If you really want to take it to the next level add a few additives, like colorants made specifically for soap and/or a few dried flowers. Check out the Crafty Blog Stalker for some easy how-to’s.

DIY Coffee Soap Recipe

Gift Baskets

Gift baskets are a great way to add a lot of little surprises. You can throw anything in a gift basket that you think the individual is going to love. Feel free to color coordinate or stick to a specific theme to wow your recipient.

19. Baker’s Basket

The DIY Mommy surely has put together a wonderful gift basket for the baker on your list. This quick and easy gift consists of an oven mitt, spatula, measuring cup, whisk, cookie mix, frosting and cupcake liners placed strategically in a nice mixing bowl. All of these items can be purchased for $10 or less.

20. Coffee Lover Gift Basket

Coffee is what keeps most of us sane! For the coffee lover on your list Lovely Etc. has created a stunning gift basket. If you are thinking of making a coffee themed basket start with quality coffee. From there you can add in a coffee mug, coffee scented candles, creamer, biscotti cookies, chocolates and so on.

21. Car Lover Gift Basket

Love this gift basket for all of the car lovers out there. Car lover gift baskets would make an exciting gift for a new driver, or a person that has just bought their first car. The dollar store sells a lot of name brand car products in smaller versions, so a great gift on the cheap. Kimspired DIY has crafted a lovely idea.

22. Wine Lover Gift Basket

Wine…because it’s not good to keep things bottled up! There are so many good, inexpensive wine choices out there. Pair your bottle of wine up with a few wine glasses, chocolates, bath salts, cheese & crackers and/or a candle or two and viola. I love this idea from Savvy Honey.

Gift basket filled with rose wine, napkins, bath salts, chocolate, and wine tumbler

Non-DIY Gift Ideas/Tips

  • Re-gift
    • Don’t be afraid to re-gift those gifts that you know you are never going to use. That gift set given be Nana that you’re never going to use, toss that to your hairdresser. Just be aware of giving the same gift back to it’s original purchaser.
  • Plants
    • Plants make great unisex gifts for any person on your list. Keep in mind to give plants that are low maintenance. Timing is so hard to come by these days and not every person has a green thumb. Check out our in-depth article on Easy Indoor Plants for a full list of suggestions and plant health tips.
  • Lottery Tickets
    • This is for the 18 and older individuals on your list. Buy a few cheap holiday themed lottery tickets and hand out as gifts. Its a win-win for everyone…you didn’t’ spend much and they stand a chance at winning thousands of dollars.
  • Clothing
    • Sweaters, Coats, Scarves, Shirts, etc…everyone loves free clothing during the holidays. Sales are underway and you usually can find a few nice pieces for under $10. If you need help with a few locations that sell items for $10 or less check out our post to help you snag some nice deals.
  • Perfume & Body Sprays
    • Most people love to smell nice. Body sprays can be a little cheaper than perfumes, but either are acceptable gifts.

Happy Holidays to You and Your Family!!!!

-From The Traveling Four

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The Traveling Four’s 2020 Holiday Picks

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With a number of our top gift-giving holidays right around the corner, we wanted to share some of our top holiday picks for this season. If you are still trying to figure out what gifts may be best, look below for some great ideas.

Disclaimer: The Traveling 4 are participants in the Nordstrom Affiliate, Top Shop Affiliate, ASOS Affiliate, Pretty Little Thing Affiliate, as well as the Amazon Associates Program and receive a commission on all purchased items that we advertise (at no cost to you of course). Just click on the image or link in the text to be taken to the site. We are truly grateful for your support which helps us keep the lights on .

Cierra’s Picks

  • Cricut Machine
    • A Cricut is a great cutting machine for the crafter on your list. Projects can range from greeting cards, flowers, t-shirts, jewelry, 3-D projects and so much more. If the person on your list already has a Cricut machine, supply them up with Cricut supplies. Supplies can be a little pricey so giving these as a gift will surely lighten up your recipients face.
  • Dutch Oven
    • The Dutch Oven is an appreciable gift for the cook on your list. If you’ve watched any Food Network show or cooking video you’ve more likely seen this pot used in abundance. Great for braising meats and cooking your favorite soups and stews. Le Creuset’s brand is wonderful but can be a bit pricey.
      • Luggage
        • Although Covid-19 has put a damper on our 2020 overseas traveling plans, we still look forward to traveling in the late 2021 season. Functioning and stylish luggage would make a wonderful gift for anyone that likes to travel.

      Briggs & Riley 27-Inch Medium Baseline Rolling Duffle Bag sold at Nordstrom for $199.60 (was $499.00)

      Raine’s picks

      • Ninja Foodi
        • Muti-purpose cookware is a great gift for just about anyone. I especially love it since I don’t have a lot of counter space or cupboard space to store several different appliances. This 9-in-1 appliance let’s you pressure cook, slow cook, steam, make yogurt, sear/sauté, air fry crisp, bake/roast, broil, and keep warm.

      Ninja OS101 Foodi 9-in-1 5-Quart Capacity, and a Stainless Steel Finish sold on Amazon for $159.99

      Gifts under $50, gifts under $100, toys for the kids—discover the best gifts for everyone on your list at Nordstrom. Pick up today with free gift wrapping.

      Brittany’s Picks

      A Promised Land by Barack Obama

      I have been anticipating the release of this book since President Obama left the White House and it is finally here. And it’s just in time for the holidays. A Promised Land is a great addition to the library of the avid reader in your life.

      Books

      While I am on the subject of books, my motto in life is that you can never have too many books. I am an avid reader and have collected a wide array of books. Also, in return, I love to give them out as gifts. If you have known me for some time, you’ve probably gotten a book gift at some point. I shop all over for books, but Amazon and Barnes and Nobles are my go-to’s for online shopping. I also like to shop locally at the bookshops in my community. So, whether you’re looking for something for a child, teen, or adult, books can be a great option.

      If you’re looking for some great selections, check out Amazon’s Best Books of 2020 here.

      Nintendo Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.

      If you are an 80’s baby (like me), I am sure that you have played the OG Nintendo console with the original Super Mario Bros game. Every time I think about it, it brings back fond memories of my childhood and my love for all things Super Mario. Well, this year, Nintendo released the Game & Watch Super Mario Bros handheld game with the entire original Super Mario Bros. on it. The console is small, but the screen is crisp, and it brought back so many memories. I bought mine from Amazon and then went back and purchased another one from Target. When I checked Amazon, before this post was published, it was sold out through Nintendo but sold by third parties. I found it available and in stock on Target for $49.99 (the manufacturing price for the item).

      DeeDee’s Picks

      • Pure Daily Care Aromatherapy Diffuser & Essential Oil Gift Set
        • Aromatherapy constitutes healing & relaxation. Especially with the crazy year that we are having…what better gift to give. The essential oils in this gift set help with anxiety, depression, nausea, and insomnia.
      • Echo Dot
        • Like a lot of parents this year maneuvering with their new home school schedules, we could use a little help. Whether it be with homework questions, scheduling, recipes to help with dinner the Echo Dot can assist. Simply ask it a question and viola…help! The Echo Dot is a very inexpensive gift and is sure to please.
      • Sol De Janeiro Cheirosa ’71 Body Mist
        • A Brazilian fragrance meaning “Always Smell Delicious”, this fragrance has a soft, warm vanilla and coconut smell that is sure to please. Another thing that makes this Sephora product awesome is it’s regularly priced at only $19.00. Grab a few of these for stocking stuffers or a stand alone gift.

The Beauty of Buying Affordable Prescription Glasses Online

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I have worn prescription glasses for a long time, and one thing that I know to be true is that they can be costly. Traditionally, going to the eye doctor WITH vision insurance would still cost me, out of pocket, between $100 – $400 easy. This amount includes any on-going sales the vision center might be having at the moment. Typically, I would go for the frames that were on sale and not the name brand ones. The name brand frames would send that price up higher, so I usually avoided them. When picking frames, especially when you aren’t looking to spend a lot, the glasses available aren’t always the ones you absolutely love. Every year or two, I would repeat this cycle when I had to get new glasses until I found out about the beauty of shopping online for new glasses.

One day, I was casually talking with one of my co-workers about the pains of shopping for prescription glasses and how much I wished there was a better way to do things. At that time, she shared with me how she purchased her glasses online from a specific company and how much she enjoyed the process. This little tidbit of information sent me on a mission to research online companies that allowed me to order some new glasses. My research showed me a lot of alternatives, but I’ve only ordered from three. Below, I will share the three companies that I purchased glasses from so far and give you my thoughts on the ordering process and the glasses.

Warby Parker

My co-worker told me about Warby Parker. She said that she got her frames and lens together for $100 through their website. I was astonished. One Hundred dollars for frames AND lens… No Way! I thought, but after going through the process, she was right.

On the Warby Parker website, you can browse through the assortment of eyeglasses and sunglasses that they have available or, you can take a quiz that helps you narrow down your search based upon your face shape and specific likes and dislikes. The quiz gives you a listing of glasses that you can look at. You can choose 5 pairs at a time to try-on. They will mail you those 5 pairs in the mail to try for 5 days. After you have tried them, you send the test pairs back, and you can purchase any or all of them if you want. If none of them are your style, you can try another 5 pairs until you find something you like.

The process was seamless. I received the 5 frames to try-on relatively quickly and made my selection out of those. The pair I chose is in the photos above. One good thing about Warby Parker is they have brick and mortar stores, so if you need to go in for anything, you can search your location to see if they have a shop near you.

Zenni Optical

Zenni, Zenni, Zenni… Oh, how I love my Zenni’s. As you can see from the photos above, my Zenni collection is large. I think that I’ve gone a bit overboard, but the price, quality, and assortment of glasses they have has been amazing to me. With Zenni, I have purchased glasses for as little as $12.00, including lenses (with anti-glare). I have bought so many glasses from Zenni, and each pair has not disappointed me. I have been able to buy various colors and styles (as you can see above) that I probably would not have purchased from a vision center. You can upload a photo of yourself and virtually try on the glasses that are on the website. One important thing to note is that you will need to know your pupillary distance or PD and have to have your eyeglasses prescription.

Zeelool

I found out about Zeelool through a social media influencer that I follow on Instagram. She did a video on the glasses that she purchased, and I thought they were pretty nice. So, I checked out the website. After searching through the site, I found a few glasses that I wanted to purchase. I was able to upload a photo of myself and do a virtual try-on of the glasses. You will need to know your pupillary distance, just like with Zenni. Also, note that these glasses ship from China so, it takes a couple of weeks for you to receive them in the mail.

Many more online eye stores are out there, but I wanted to give you an overview of the three that I have personally used. I have bought my son a few pair, and I recommend it to everyone I know who wear glasses. I now have an assortment of glasses to switch up when I’m trying to create different styles. Hopefully, if you’re looking for a new pair of glasses, you’ll find some you like too. If you have experience with any of the other companies, let us know about them in the comments.

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Georgia Hiking and Biking Trails

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Amid the pandemic, Americans seemed to have started flocking to more and more outdoor activities. Hiking, Biking, Running, Outdoor Workouts and lots of other outdoor activities have seen an increase this year. Even the Traveling Four have upped the ante when it comes to outdoor excursions. We’ve been visiting some amazing hiking and biking trails and figured why not share our experience with you. There are tons of hiking and biking trails in Georgia and in due time we hope to experience at least most of them. Here are some of the best trails we’ve found so far.

Amicalola Falls State Park

Amicalola Waterfall
Amicalola Waterfall

Located in Dawsonville, Georgia this park is about an hour and a half outside of Downtown Atlanta. The name Amicalola is derived from the Cherokee language and means tumbling falls. This name is spot on for the area which houses the highest waterfall in the entire state (729 feet). In total Amicalola State Park offers 10 trails for your hiking pleasures. These trails satisfy various hiking levels from beginner to experienced. The parks most popular hiking trail runs 8.5 miles from the park to Springer Mountain. Springer Mountain is at the south end of the famous Appalachian Trail which measures 2,150 miles. The Appalachian Trail is definitely for the avid and experienced hiker because it’s no easy feat. Some of the other trails include Amicalola Falls Loop Trail (2.1 miles-easy hike) and Inn Trail (9.8 miles-moderate hike).

Amicalola Falls State Park is pet friendly (leashed pets) and requires a $5 Georgia State Park Pass. Overall this park is family friendly but some of the hikes may be a bit too strenuous for smaller children. Other activities at the park include catch and release fishing, zip-lining, 3D archery, camping, gps scavenger hunt, animal meet and greets and so much more. You can also lodge at the park if you need more than one day to experience all that Amicalola has to offer.

Pictures from Amicalola State Park. Waterfalls and hiking trails

Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area

View from hike to top of Arabia Mountain
View from one of the granite mounds

The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area (AMNHA) is 40,000 acres of greenspace, granite mounds and historical sites. This area consists of both paved and unpaved pathways for hiking, biking, roller blading and jogging. Most popular is the Arabia Mountain PATH which spans 30+ miles. The PATH is located in the Dekalb County region about 20 minutes outside of Downtown Atlanta. The level of difficulty for this trail depends on your ability and at which point you enter. In my opinion the PATH was fairly easy to moderate because it is mostly flat. The only truly challenging portion for me was the climb up the granite mounds. The views from the mounds were breathtaking, no wonder it is a popular spot for photographers. (Interested in other great photoshoot locations check out our Fall photoshoot article)

AMNHA is open during the week and on the weekends and has a few free parking areas. You can also access Arabian Mountain from Panola Mountain State Park which charges a $5 park entry fee. Overall this area is pet and family friendly. Most of the trails are in open spaces that get quite a bit of sunshine. Therefore, if you’re hiking these trails during the warmer months be ready for those sun kisses. Other activities that you can partake in while visiting AMNHA are fishing and geocaching. Geocaching is like a treasure hunt aided by GPS or other mobile app. Once you find the hidden treasures you sign the contained logbook to prove you found it and bury it again for the next person. It’s an activity that the entire family can enjoy.

Pictures of Arabia Mountain hiking trails and lookout points

East Palisades Trail and Bamboo Forest

View of Chattahoochee River and downtown Atlanta Skyline
View of Chattahoochee River and Downtown skyline from lookout point

The East Palisades Trail and Bamboo Forest is located in Sandy Springs, Georgia less than 20 minutes outside of Downtown Atlanta. This 3.4 mile trail (one-way) takes you through dense woodlands and eventually to a Bamboo Forest. The trail runs along the Chattahoochee River and has fantastic views all around. The Indian Trail entrance to this area is best because there is actually directed parking. The Whitewater entrance has a double entry but only truly a one way path. There is limited parking here and you usually have to wait for someone to leave in order to find a spot. There is a $5 entry fee for either parking area.

East Palisades Trail

I would definitely say that The East Palisades Trail is for moderately experienced to very experienced hikers. Although this is a not that long of a hike the pathway through the dense woodland is a bit strenuous. At times you are walking on a very narrow pathway surrounded by steeply sloped areas or large drops to the river. Many of the tree’s roots pop in and out of the ground so you definitely have to watch where you are stepping. Definitely don’t want to trip and fall down those steep slopes or into the river. I would only bring a small child if they are used to hiking unpaved trails and mindful of where they are stepping. Otherwise it’s a good hike for older children, adults and even pets. The changing colors of the leaves during Fall season was very eye catching and added to the already beautiful scenery.

Pictures of East Palisades hiking trail
East Palisades Trail

Bamboo Forest

Along the way there are trail maps that help you keep track of where you are. The Bamboo Forest is the farthest point on the maps. Because we had a small child with us we kept on the left most pathway directly to the Bamboo Forest. The Bamboo Forest literally appears out of nowhere. You’ll be walking along amongst the trees and at times right beside the river. You’ll go over some bridges and past some rock formations with small bits of bamboo here and there. Then all of a sudden voila…you run into these immensely large bamboo stalks. It’s actually quite an astonishing surprise and totally worth the hike to experience the wonders of Mother Nature.

Pictures of Bamboo Forest

Panola Mountain State Park

Daisies in full bloom at Panola Mountain State Park
Daisies in full bloom on the mountain

Located in Stockbridge, GA this park is home to a massive granite mountain, 2 fishing lakes, and a nature center. There is also a playground for the kids and picnic areas for the entire family. Other activities that you can partake in while here are geocaching, bird watching, camping, archery, and tree climbing. Other amenities at Panola Mountain State Park include an event room that seats 50, an Amphitheatre, and a pavilion.

For those who want to go hiking, biking, roller blading, dog walking and running there are many paved and unpaved trails to choose from. You can rent bikes at the park for a $10 fee. There are even ranger led trails that you can book which teach about rare plants and animals found throughout the park. We did a one mile unpaved hike and then a 6 mile paved hike (roundtrip). The 6 mile hike called the Alexander Lake Loop was very scenic, making it’s way along the lake and to different lookout points. Aside from the distance this trail wasn’t too tedious. You can turn back at any point so I would say it is an easy to moderate hike. There are many hiking trails to choose from and you can even intersect the Arabia Mountain PATH trail from this location.

Pictures of hiking trails and lakes at Panola Mountain State Park

Stone Mountain Park

View from hike to the top of Stone Mountain
View from the top of Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain Park is located in Stone Mountain, GA which is about a 30 minute drive from Downtown Atlanta. The Park is home to the infamous Stone Mountain which is a large mass of quartz monazite. There are 15 miles of walking and hiking trails within the park. The trails vary in difficulty level and range from a 1 mile hike to the mountain top up to a 5 mile loop around the base of the mountain. There are 8 hiking trails in all including the Songbird Habitat Trail which was the site of archery and cycling during the 1996 Olympics. The Songbird trail walks you through the home of birds such the Eastern Bluebird, Northern Cardinal and White-Breasted Nuthatch. You can also bike and run on some of the trails.

Stone Mountain Park also hosts a slew of events throughout the year. From Easter, Labor Day and Christmas Celebrations to Pumpkin, Magnolia and Native American Festivals. Stone Mountain is booming year round and you can enjoy all the events for an annual fee of $59.95 (adults). Just coming for the hike well daily parking is $20 or you can park year round for $40. All in all Stone Mountain Park has something to offer everyone.

Pictures from hiking trails and views from Stone Mountain Park

Well those are some of the trails that we’ve visited thus far. Look out for a part two with more amazing trails as we continue on our outdoor excursions. And if you have any of your own that you would like to share drop ’em in the comments. We’d love to see how you’ve been being outdoorsy as well.

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8 Sites For An Amazing Fall Photo Shoot

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Autumn is officially here! I love everything about this time of year! From the brisk weather, fashion, comfort foods and all things pumpkin…I am here for it all. The fall season brings people together because of all the outings and family get togethers that are celebrated during this time.

Fall is the absolute best time of the year to conduct photo shoots. Whether you’re interested in shooting Portrait, Fashion, Wedding, Family, Landscape, Still-Life, or Fine Art Photography. Below is a list of ideal places to conduct a photo shoot in order to captivate the best shot for the season…

Apple Picking Farms

Apple picking has become a yearly family tradition for my family and I. We love picking apples for apple butter and pie fillings. While there we manage to snap a few beautiful photos of ourselves throughout the apple tree aisles. The apple trees provide a captivating scene whether you are using them as the main focus or as a compliment to an individual.

Here in Georgia we have multiple apple picking farms in the mountains, which make for a stunning photo backdrop. If you are interested in visiting a Georgia Apple Farm check out this previous post.

Top 5 Apple Picking Farms in Georgia

Pumpkin Patches

Who doesn’t like pumpkins? Pumpkin Patches are the go-to for fall family and couple photos. Farms selling pumpkins can be found all throughout the U.S when the seasons change. However, if you are not in the mood to get dirty on a farm, check your local church. Some churches allow farmers to use their land to sell pumpkins to the community during the fall season.

A pumpkin patch is a an amazing place to promote product photography. Ideally for promoting a boutique or an online clothing store. Don’t forget family, pregnancy and wedding announcement photos as well.

Corn Mazes

Corn mazes, hay rides, apple cider…yep, that ‘s fall! A corn maze is the ideal location to seize your hash tag moment for all of your social media outlets. Perfect site for maintaining that picturesque beauty shot. Go ahead and experiment with that pose that you have been practicing in front of the mirror for weeks.

*Photo Tip – Have fun playing with the filters while editing photos.

Bridges

Find a Bridge and kill it! Bridges add drama to photos without even trying. The dramatic lines and architectural details make photos pop. Whilst bridges can be enticing, safety should always be your first concern. Keep safety in mind when approaching a bridge for photos.

*Photo tip – Consider time of day and lighting when shooting on bridges.

Parks & Nature Scapes

“Mother Nature, Her Beauty knows no Bounds.”

-Cierra

Portrait photography may not be your thing, but capturing nature’s beauty might. The natural reds, oranges and yellows that can be found in fall are utterly stunning. You can easily encapsulate that beauty in your photos by visiting your local community or state park. Depending on your location you may be able to photograph mountain tops, waterfalls, landmark trees etc.

*Photo Tip – Use wide-angel lenses to capture all of natures beauty in your landscape photos. Additionally, pay close attention to your aperture settings.

Fallen Leaf Piles

Rake up those leaves that have been piling up into a pile! Sometimes it’s just not necessary to leave the house to create a decent background for a photo shoot. Fallen leaves raked into a huge pile can create a playful ambiance to a kid or child-like essence photo. You can create a motion, or blur shot while either your pets or kids fall or run through the piles.

*Photo Tip – Get the kids to help you and snap some shots of them gathering up the leaves. Furthermore, have your kids throw up a small pile of leaves in the air. This will allow you to create a continuous or motion shot to capture the bliss.

Flower Farms

Flower Farms are absolutely gorgeous during this time of the year. Fall flowers include chrysanthemums, marigolds, pansies, crotons, asters, Japanese anemones, verbena and dahlias. Most flower farms allow you to pick and create floral arrangements on site. As a result, you are able to walk away with great photos and flowers.

Nevertheless, please be cautious that most flower farms are available up until the first frost. Depending on your geographical region this could be up until October or earlier.

Check out this quirky video from The Never Ending Flower Farm in Barnardsville, NC

Botanical Gardens

During the autumn months, the Botanical Gardens replace their flowers to flow with the seasons. Groundskeepers and landscapers are always in tune with what is appealing to the eye. Fall colors are incorporated throughout to emphasize the gardens beauty.

Check out this article on Gibbs Garden. The Japanese Maples, Dogwoods and the Calycanthus in the fall are to die for!

Gibbs Garden

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Money Saving Tips – That Actually Help You Save Money

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Saving money has always been my Achilles heel. For some reason I’ve always had the hardest time saving money no matter how hard I tried. Have you ever looked at your W-2’s at the beginning of the year and thought “Where did all of this money go?“. It’s easy to look at a lump sum and think “Wow, I made a decent amount of money and have nothing to show for it“. I’ve been there – trying to contemplate over every dime whether necessary or frivolous.

Let’s face it…life is going to throw you curve balls and having a financial cushion helps make those blows a little softer. The rule of thumb is to have at least three months worth of income saved. While this option is one of the best possible outcomes, for some people that may not be easily feasible. For that reason here are a few money saving tips that you can do to jump start your savings account. Start slow and pace yourself.

Remember: The goal is to save, not stress!

Write down & Overstate

You may be the type of person that checks their online banking at least once a day. But what happens on those days when you check your account and your balance looks a lot lower that you anticipated. The average person swipes their debit card at least 4 – 7 times a day, whether in person or online. It’s so easy to forget about items that you’ve purchased.

This is my top pick for saving money because it is one of the easiest methods to save small amounts of money fast. This method helps to create discipline in the mind by helping you physically see what you spend most of your money on. My family was able to save an extra $100+ a month easy by just writing everything down and overstating our expenses.

How this method works:

You’re going to need a writing pad of some kind (spiral notebook, journal, etc.) – I call it my money pad. You can also use notepad or similar app on your phone. Start each week with a spending amount. Whether it be your paycheck amount or just a general amount you do not want to go over. Personally, I use my check amount after bills for that week have been deducted. After you make a purchase with your debit card immediately write the amount down in your money pad…but wait, don’t forget to overstate! For example, if you purchase a cup of coffee and it cost $3.42, what you would subtract is a rounded amount of $5.00 and not $3.42. You would have saved $1.58 on this one purchase. Before you know it $20 will turn into $100 and so on.

Money Challenges

A money challenge is an incremental savings plan. Money challenges are fun and help you feel accomplished as you start to go through each level. There are so many of these challenges all over the internet. There’s the $5 dollar challenge, 52 weeks challenge, $10,000 in a year, $1000 in 3 months, the list goes on.

My suggestion would be to pick one challenge and stick with it. Although these sound like quick fixes with great rewards they can be extremely hard to keep up with. Especially when you get towards the end your initiative can wear off a little. Another tip for money challenges are pick a goal (for example – buying a house, taking a trip overseas, starting a business). Motivation is easier when you have something that you are passionate about.

Stock Investing Apps

There’s an app for that! Of course there are apps for stock investing. Investing is a good strategy for increasing long-term wealth. Stocks are ideal for bringing in higher returns (profit). It’s usually not a get rich quick process but with the right research and portfolio diversification you can generate multiple streams of income.

Stock apps worth looking into are Stash, Robinhood, Fidelity, Acorns, Atom and E-trade. Please remember that investing is a risk. Be sure to do your research before committing your money to any app or stocks.

Snowball Method

The Debt Snowball Method is accredited to personal financial consultant and radio host Dave Ramsey. It is a method of reducing debt by paying off your smallest debt first, then tackle the next debt by adding the ‘freed’ money to the amount you were already paying. The goal is to keep snowballing debt until there is none left.

I am currently on this path and it is working out perfectly. I’ve paid off two credit cards so far and can’t wait to get to the final debt – my house.

Rethink your Budget

Rethinking your budget goes without saying when trying to save money. You would be surprised at how many people struggle to have everything without a little sacrifice. Certainly, there are things in your life that you have become accustomed to but are they really worth not having any money left over at the end of a pay period.

Write down all recurring expenses (everything that you spend money on daily, weekly, monthly and yearly) take a hard look at those expenses.

  • Start with cancelling those subscriptions and memberships that you can truly live without.
  • Next look at your utilities and research ways to cut back cost. For instance unplug appliances that are not in use (trust me it works), double check your thermostats, replace necessary filters and check for leaks.
  • Insurance premiums- whether home, car or health. The good news is that you are not contractually bound to stay with an insurance company for life. You are able to shop around for a better price and switch. Just because you are with a company for 10 plus years doesn’t mean that company is getting you the best rates. They already have your business locked in and are more preoccupied with attracting new business. Please note that switching insurance companies too often can leave a mark on your insurance credit score (yep, it’s a real thing).
  • If you can purchase a car with cash and not with a loan then do that. Depending on certain factors like credit, a car note can be unsettling. Some lenders and car companies have you paying 6-8 year notes for cars that cost $20,000. That is absolutely crazy! Look into refinancing options with your banking institution.
  • I leave rent/mortgage last for a reason. Some of us do not want to compromise where we stay for cheaper living and that is totally understandable. If you are paying a ridiculous amount that you can barely afford then look into downsizing or relocating.

Stash it don’t cash it

“Stash it and don’t cash it” is one of those old school, tried and true methods for saving. I’ve heard many stories of when family members passes away, the family goes to clean up the house and finds money stashed away in some of the most unconventional places.

Every week that you get paid take out anywhere from $20 – $100 and stash it away. Stash it in a place that you will remember of course. Some great places are in jewelry cases, jars, shoe boxes, behind picture frames, safes, containers. Get creative!!!

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Black Businesses in GA to Support

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With the current climate in the United States it’s becoming more and more clear that we have to band together for change. The Nielson Report puts black buying power at approximately $1.2 Trillion https://fortune.com/2018/02/28/raceahead-nielsen-report-black-buying-power/. So our dollars matter and they would definitely make a huge difference in support of black businesses. And if that’s just how much black people can bring to black businesses think of how much everyone else can. Therefore I thought it would be a great time to shine the light on some of the local businesses that you can support. Check them out below:

Atlanta Harvest

A black owned and operated farm that supplies fresh produce and more to the community. They also work with local schools for field trips so that the kids can learn about what goes into growing your own food. They are located at  2024 Walt Stephens Road, Jonesboro, GA 30236. With hours of operation being Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday 11am to 6 pm,
Friday from 11 am to 3 pm and closed on Saturday. Check out their website https://atlantaharvest.com/ and watch the video below to see how you can support them.

Centennial Cleaners

This dry cleaning company is located at 101 Marietta St NW UNIT 110, Atlanta, GA 30303 in the Centennial Towers. They are within walking distance of Centennial Olympic Park, CNN Center, Peachtree Plaza Hotel, State Bar of Georgia and Philips Arena. So if you work close by you can always drop you clothes off before or after work or on your break. And even if you’re not close by you can take a little drive to support their business. They also offer wash and fold services, alterations and shoe repair. Check out more information on them at http://www.centennialcleaner.com/.

Slutty Vegan

This vegan restaurant located at 1542 Ralph David Abernathy Atlanta, GA 30310 usually has lines wrapped around the building. It’s a carryout style restaurant that specializes in burgers that are mmmmm…delicious and will have you licking your fingers and lips even after you’re done eating. You can’t even tell that it’s vegan. This location has been such a big hit that they have two more locations coming soon. Their hours of operation are Tue-Sat: 12PM-7:30PM. To view their menu and learn more about them visit their site https://sluttyveganatl.com/.

Celestial Spa

Get some much needed pampering at this beautiful, top rated spa. With such services as massages, facials, micro blading, micro needling, and waxing (just to name a few). They are located at 2930 Cascade Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30311 with hours of operation being Mon – Fri: 9am – 6pm and Sat: 9am – 4pm. Check out their site for more details https://celestialspa.com/.

Posh Atlanta Cakes

Chef Surrey-Thomas whips up specialty cakes for occasions such as birthdays, weddings, holidays, bridal showers, baby showers, and anniversaries. The company offers a variety of flavors and fillings and can accommodate customers with food allergies. These custom made cakes are creative and delicious so give them a try. https://www.facebook.com/poshatlantacakes

No photo description available.
Photo courtesy of Posh Atlanta Cakes facebook page

Citizens Trust Bank

Founded in 1921 by five black businessmen, this is one of the largest African American owned financial institutions in the nation. They offer services for the individual and for businesses. From checking and savings to credit cards and loans you can definitely find a service that works great for you. They have many locations throughout the Atlanta and greater Atlanta areas. Learn more about them at https://ctbconnect.com/.

If you are or know of any more Black Owned Businesses within the State of Georgia that we can show our support to please let us know. You can place the information in the comments below or in the comments on Facebook below this post. Thanks for your support!!!

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