I recently interviewed travel expert, and former Director of Corporate Communications at Orbitz.com, Kendra Thornton. Kendra appears regularly on ABC, CBS, NBC and CW affiliates across the country, sharing travel trends, tips and deals with millions of viewers every year. Here she shares travel tips that will help you save on your next flight. How can you make the most of your frequent flier miles? One thing to keep in mind with frequent flier miles is there are only so many seats on a flight that they’re going to allow for those rewards. You have to book those as soon as possible because availability is slim. How far in advance should you book your flight to get the best deal? There’s no secret sauce for when to book a flight. If you have very specific travel dates in mind, then you should book it as early as possible. There is less and less availability out there and prices will only go up for the most popular flights. Which days of the week offer the best savings? In … [Read more...]
Which Is Better, the Movie or the Book? Charlie And The Chocolate Factory 50th Anniversary
Roald Dahl was one of my favorite authors when I was in elementary school. I loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The B.F.G., The Witches and James and the Giant Peach (the later two not so much now that I'm an adult. I find those stories a little...weird.) When I discovered my worn and scribbled on much loved copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I delighted at the chance to share my love of Roald Dahl books with my son. We read a chapter a night, both of us engrossed in the story of Charlie Bucket and his quest for a golden ticket hidden in a chocolate bar. As we read, I was surprised at how different the book was from what I remembered and how different it was from the movie -- the original movie, not the bizarre Johnny Depp version, although I kept picturing his Willy Wonka, rather than Gene Wilder, as we read. After we finished the book, we settled in for a family movie night showing of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory*. I couldn't wait for my son to … [Read more...]
BIG NEWS: I’m Writing A Travel Book About Washington, D.C.
I'm thrilled to announce that I'm writing a travel book, 100 Things to Do in D.C. Before You Die, to be published Spring 2015 by Reedy Press. HAPPY DANCE!!! 100 Things to Do Before You Die is a book series created and published by Reedy Press. They approached me, thanks to a recommendation by my good friend, Holly, to write a book about Washington, D.C. for the series. It didn't take me long to agree to the project. :-) I'm not just writing the book. Technically, I'm co-publishing it. What does that mean? It means I'm working in partnership with Reedy Press to see this book into the world. It means that this is not a traditional publishing deal -- and that's ok. In this crazy, constantly-changing publishing world, there is more than one path to author-hood. This is mine. So, what's next on my path from writer to author? I'll be spending the next three months researching and writing the book. I'd love your help, at least with the researching part. I really want this … [Read more...]
3 Books To Read With Your Child Tonight
My son is learning to read, which is at times both thrilling and laborious to experience. My husband and I are both avid readers and have been reading to him since he was a baby. We have our favorite books, as does he. Here are three that top our list. The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton Our copy of this board book is well worn because its well read. Both of my children love the sing-song cadence of the story and enjoy the fun illustrations of the animals getting ready for bed on a boat. The plot stumps us every time, though -- why do the animals exercise after they get ready for bed? Harold the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson I love the simplicity of this book -- and all the books in this series (Harold at the North Pole is pictured above). I love how the story inspires the imagination with just simple lines drawn with a purple crayon. The books are substantial reads, too, without being too long for a bedtime story. David Goes to School by David Shannon I have a soft spot … [Read more...]
Are Women’s Colleges Disappearing?
I began my post-high school education at a women's college in Virginia. That college no longer exists, however not in the way it did nearly two decades ago (ouch, am I really that old now?). In 2007, Randolph-Macon Woman's College (RMWC) became Randolph College, opening its doors to men for the first time in its 115-year history. That change was a sign of the times. Today, there are less than 50 women's college in the United States. It's a disappearing educational tradition. I have mixed feeling about this. The reason I chose to attend a women's college still holds true: it fosters a learning environment that supports and encourages women to become strong, confident leaders in their fields and in their communities -- the alumni network is a force to be reckoned with. I remember my first visit to RMWC. I was there for a Prospective's Weekend, an overnight open house for interested students to get a feel for life on campus. My host was a sophomore student. Her sister, an … [Read more...]
