Embracing a Healthy Family: disney
Showing posts with label disney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disney. Show all posts

Cloud Nine Villas is Truly a Cloud Nine Experience in Florida


*Disclaimer: I did not receive anything in exchange for this post.





We recently stayed around 10 days in sunny Florida which is something we do often. When we do venture out to the sunshine state, we rent a home typically from VRBO. We have had some repeat stays at some homes but due to a previous stay, the usual home had deteriorated so it was time to find a new one. I spend weeks trying to find the perfect home with a pool. The home is important as I want a clean updated one that will provide enough room for everyone. The most important aspect for me, is the pool. I want privacy but that goes pretty much hand in hand with the ability to have pool heat. I don't mind having to pay for pool heat but it needs to be functional. That was why the last house lost a customer as the pool heat was non-existent. There were owner claims made time and time again but when you have to brace yourself to submerge into the artic blast, it's not making for a very fun outing. With all that said, I will share how wonderful this newest rental, Cloud Nine Villas was.

First, the owners are simply amazing and have the very best communication. I did not need to communicate with them rather it was just in the process of prepping for the trip, and they were very proactive along with the property management group. Everything worked as planned upon arrival. At the last rental home, we had to phone the property manager and the owner to get in because the code didn't work. We were able to gain entry on the first attempt at our new found rental home of our dreams.



Second, the home was beautifully decorated in expensive furnishings. No money was spared to make this home appear as a five-star dream vacation. The appliances were modern and clean and every bathroom was stocked with extra supplies of soap and toilet paper to which I've not experienced before. The kitchen was fully equipped allowing vacationers to cook and enjoy family time even more. There was an abundance of smart televisions which allowed us to log in to our Amazon Prime account to experience the comforts at home. In the upstairs family room, there was a Playstation 3 with some games and movies. Downstairs, there were music CDs and books to read. Everything was clean too! It's also nice to be able to return home with clean clothes and the washer and dryer set allowed that! They even had a small game room with a pool table along with a couple of bikes to ride within the beautiful community. Every morning, we would take walks throughout the neighborhood and around the golf course. They were conveniently close to the best grocery store ever, Publix, and many food eateries.






Third, the pool. The pool was absolutely amazing and the best we've ever experienced in all the years of renting homes. It had a small splash area for little children, an amazing waterfall on one corner, and in the other corner, a hot tub. The water was the perfect temperature as well. Another issue with previous rentals was a lack of pool furniture and space to lay out. This home was perfect. The sun would move around the pool area around 10:00 am and stayed until sundown. The pool overlooked a golf course so there was a rogue golf cart here and there that might elicit a friendly wave from one of the golfers. On either side of the home are neighbors but I think they might have been rental homes as no one was ever there. There was a huge shrub barrier that provided privacy even if someone had been home. Even the pool cleaner was exceptionally nice and efficient. There are lights that can be controlled to different colors and there was nothing more wonderful than to watch the vibrant sunsets each night either from the deck or inside.



It was really a cloud nine vacation and couldn't have been more pleased with the rental home. We have not stayed in Florida during the month of October and would return as we had sunny days with the exception of a day or a few hours on some days. It's also close enough to Disney and Universal to enjoy them without a long drive. If a pool is top of your list along with privacy, this is the home for you. We definitely plan to return! Next time if you are planning a trip, check out Cloud Nine Villas as you won't regret it!

Cinderella Story: Once Upon A Song Clickcast DVD Giveaway 9/7 - WINNER CLOSED

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...

Robin Quick said... I follow you on twitterRKQuick

mnrquick at yahoo dot com
An e-mail has been sent and Robin has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected via Random.org.  Thanks to all those who entered.
A modern day version of Cinderella in song? Who can ever grow tired of Cinderella stories? My girls love Cinderella and when you throw in a modern musical component, it's sure to be a hit. Now with the release of this cool Cinderella Story: Once Upon A Song click-cast widget, you can check out some enchanted features and activities.






Here are just some of the features your kids can do from the click-cast widget:


  • Write Your Own Cinderella Story! Take our interactive quiz and make your own musical fairytale come true!
  • Lip Sync Music Video Contest! Film a short YouTube video to the sounds of Lucy Hale’s song “Run This Town.” Dress up! Be creative!
  • Achieve Your Dreams PDF! Download “Top 10 Ways to Stand Bright” and write your own goals!
  • A Cinderella Story: Once Upon A Song! Sneak a peek of the Cinderella Story Three trailer!
  • Stars of the Movie! Check out Lucy Hale take the quiz and Freddie Stroma and the gang lip sync along to the song!


One thing you may not know is that hidden behind the fun is a subtle message.  PartnerHub has teamed up with the Confidence Coalition, a national movement geared towards promoting self-esteem and confidence among girls and women.  We all know that girls and women need to have positive messages for self-esteem in a society so focused on appearances.


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The Giveaway:


One reader will receive their own Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song DVD!


To Enter:


Follow my blog and tell me if you have heard of this DVD.


Extra Entries:
  • Like me Facebook
  • Follow me on Twitter
  • Subscribe to my blog
  • Tweet about this giveaway (can be done daily for two entries)
  • Post this giveaway on another contest linky (can be done up to 10 times for two entries each)




Giveaway ends 9/7 at midnight - Mountain Standard Time - winner selected via random.org



*Disclosure:  I was provided the chance to give away a copy of this DVD in exchange for the post.

DreamWorks Pictures' The Help Giveaway 8/18 - Winner Closed

Congratulations to ..

 Operation Sweet Dreams said...
I follow you on Facebook.
July 31, 2011 12:33 PM
An e-mail has been sent - thanks to all those who entered!



Get ready because on August 10th, DreamWorks Pictures is ready to release The Help.  This number one best seller on the New York Times list is coming to a theater at long last.  Set during the 1960's in Jackson, Mississippi, The Help is about the relationship between three different women who are also extraordinary.  As they build this unlikely friendship through a secret writing project, they continue to break societal rules which results in consequences.  I can honestly say that I have not read the book but based on reading what I have on the movie, I'm pretty sure that I would like this movie.  It has all the makings of one of those heart warming, funny yet thought provoking lessons to learn.  I always gravitate to strong women characters especially those with an unlikely pairing that are able to conquer. 






Here are some fun facts about The Help:


  • It remained on the NYT best-seller list for 103 weeks - six of which were number one.
  • Tate Taylor, director and screenplay write for The Help, and author of The Help Kathryn Stockett were childhood friends who grew up in Jackson, Mississippi.
  • Local chefs were used to make the food from the scenes.
  • Cast members spent an entire day learning period dances to include the Bunny Hop which was taught by cast member, Sissy Spacek.




For those of you who have not read the book or already have and want to get your friends together for a book club, check out The Help Book Club Kit here.



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The Giveaway:


One lucky reader will win this great The Help prize pack:


  • THE HELP t-shirt in adult female sizes of S, M, L, XL
  • THE HELP pocket jotter & pen
  • THE HELP fan
  • THE HELP nail file/mirror


To Enter:

Follow my blog and tell me if you read the novel.

Extra Entries:
  • "Like" The Help on Facebook
  • Follow The Help on Twitter
  • Like me on Facebook
  • Follow me on Twitter
  • Subscribe to my blog
  • Tweet about this giveaway (can be done daily for two entries)
  • Blog about this giveaway (can be done once for five entries)
  • Add this giveaway to other linky giveaways (can be done up to 10 times for two entries each - please leave URL)


  • Check out the home page here for EXTRA BONUS entry opportunity!


    Giveaway ends 8/18 at midnight (MST) - Winner selected via random.org



*Disclaimer:  I received no compensation for this post.

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