A DIY TIP FOR A FUN ROAD TRIP WITH THE KIDS #HEELSTOTHEWHEELS

"When hitting the road with kids, they can get antsy and bathroom breaks are likely. My oldest is 11 and I have twins who are 9. While there are now many music streaming apps, I love Spotify. I have a library of playlists at the ready for when I take my morning runs and need to stay pumped and even when I'm heading to church and want to listen to my gospel faves. As the kids and I were packing and readying ourselves for the trip the day before leaving, I had a thought regarding building a playlist for them. One, I love to hear my kids sing, they are typically totally oblivious to me and will sing as if no one is watching but I also thought it a good way to curb that boredom and "antsy-ness" that kids can sometimes fall into when on the road. So in an effort to engage them in the trip and make them feel even more a part of what we were doing and where we were going, I asked each of them to write me a list of their fave songs and instead of picking the songs myself, I allowed them to pick 6 songs each so it became a project. I set a deadline which was before they went to bed and I would then build the list prior to hitting the road. It turned out to be the best idea!"

Their handwritten lists ...

The key to this tip is that I made it a project which kids love. But it will also engage your kids and make them feel as though they have a say in the trip and plans and preparations as opposed to just being ordered to pack this and pack that. You know us Mommies are good at ordering our kids around especially when we are "red" to go :). My kids were so excited at the mere suggestion and diligently planned their lists. It kept them quiet and chill the night before and tempered them being so wired about going on a trip. They were so selective about their songs and upon playing their playlist the next day whilst on the road, it worked like a charm!

Happy Kids, Happy Mommy!!!!

This tip is an excerpt from a previously published post. Click HERE to read in it's entirety.

Where are you hitting the road to this Summer, you got any tips of your own?

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#BAGLADIESLIVE WKND.: SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES AND CREATIVE ARTS @DCMEETMARKET

Upon stepping one foot out the door this past Saturday in Washington, DC you knew it was HOT. The weatherman said officially it was 95 but it felt like 102. I had to put #heelstothewheels and I couldn't get the door of my 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid EX unlocked quickly enough so

#BAGLADIESLIVE WEEKEND: JUST ANOTHER #LABORDAY IN THE OFFICE, WATCH FOR YOURSELF ...

Cranking out recaps, meeting deadlines for upcoming features, getting my mane tamed, putting #heelstothewheels ...Just another "Labor Day" in in the office. Press play and see for yourself ...

#BAGLADIESLIVE WEEKEND: NAPPY HOUR, #WAGONSPOTTING, #FFM. OH, AND I GOT TESTED ...

This weekend was jam packed with activities which has kinda been the trend for the last couple of few months. The good thing is that I'm rarely bored. The bad, I'm always busy. But I also realized because of all the activity particularly this weekend, the timing is perfect to resume my #BagLadiesLIVE Weekend posts. This weekly theme provides a snapshot of what went down. Like to see and read about it? 

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of hosting yet again the 2nd edition Nappy Hour presented by Loc Lov Styles in Silver Spring, MD. And just like the 1st, a ball was had by all. My fave part, getting my face "beat" to the gawds by friend and MUA, Stephanie McKenzie. I will post a full recap this week. In the meantime, click here for the scoop on the 1st edition.

No sooner did I return the 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4x4, then I received a curbside delivery of the Volvo V60 T5. The wagon is back! And although I'm only just putting #HeelsToTheWheels, I'm swooning all over this wagon that totally breaks the mold of a traditional wagon. A friend remarked upon pulling up, that I'm now a full blown soccer mom. But the reality is, I am! My 8 yr old son plays soccer and if a Volvo makes me a soccer mom, I'll take that and be the sexiest, wagon driving, soccer mom eva! How can I not in this sexy whip? Oh ...The life of an Auto Blogger. And did I tell you the color is "power blue?" The pic doesn't do it justice. Stay tuned for a full review.

I finally had a chance to check out good friend, Blogger, Bizness woman and so much more, Monica Byrd's twice-monthly, Fashionista Flea Market located in Bowie, MD. I had a great time perusing some fab vendors with great deals. The shopaholic in me wanted to shop till I dropped but my small window of time, wouldn't let me be great. Thank goodness it's a twice-monthly event. For details, visit www.fashionistafleamarket.com.

Swoon worthy white jumper, Hannah Monet

Cute tank, Boutique Pulse

So Friday was National HIV Testing Day. Do I hear crickets? Did you know? Of all the images I posted recently, this one generated the least number of likes and/or responses. I was unfortunately not surprised. Last year on the same day, I posted a pic of my negative results after having been tested and you could hear a pin drop. And I do it to draw attention. One of my very first events upon launching Bag Ladies, my online radio show, was an event to draw attention to the increase in infection rates amongst African American women yet statistics show that many of us don't get tested simply out of fear of the unknown. And for me the fear of not knowing is twice as scary. For me, it's annual. The same as I see my Gynecologist or get a mammogram. I dropped my kids at camp Friday morning, hit the clinic and I'm out. And the notion of you don't need to be tested or it doesn't apply to me is so not a gauge. If you are or have been sexually active, get tested! If you are in a relationship, committed or otherwise, get tested! The test is FREE and it only takes 15 minutes at most. Visit www.whitman-walker.org. #KnowYourStatus

How was your weekend?

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Subscribe to the dish. Get on Bag Ladies exclusive list. 

New season lineup soon to come to the online airwaves of Bag Ladies Radio. In the meantime, OnDemand/iTunes are 24/7. Check out my fave show picks and access recent shows and the full archive at bagladiesradio.com/listen.  Follow on Twitter and Instagram

#HeelsToTheWheels: Kia Ride & Drive at #Blogalicious5

Did you know? I'm a bit of an automotive enthusiast. And you better not be thinking, "but you're just a girl." I had a monthly automotive column in the print edition of Sister2Sister for 3 + years. I loved and still love putting my "heels to the wheels" of new cars. I'm not a grease monkey by any stretch but I do love keeping in the know about what automotive brands are doing. How brands are incorporating technology and making vehicles more functional and amongst Bag Ladies Radio listeners, the style of a vehicle is big topic of dish. You know, the aesthetics. The same as I want my heels to make me look good, I want my vehicle to do so also. 

One of the most popular events held during #Blogalicious5 was Kia's Ride and Drive. Kia was this year's Blogalicious 2013 Title Sponsor. And for the entirety of the 3-day Blogalicious weekend, Kia made three of their models available. Attendees could literally take their pick and cruise the streets of downtown ATL accompanied by a Kia Motors rep who offered tidbits about the functionality and pointed out key features.

I put #HeelsToTheWheels of the 2014 Kia Sorento. I literally had to ditch my responsibilities as this year's Blogalicious 2013 Social Media Partner for just a bit ...Shhhh. A 2013 Top Safety Pick, the Kia Sorento is extremely spacious with third row seating yet from the exterior, amazingly compact. It definitely has a distinct look and feel that dispels the notion you might otherwise have of Kia. As I navigated the streets of downtown Atlanta with my assigned Kia rep and my backseat driver and friend Dorothy Redmond (an auto enthusiast also), the ride was smooth. The features, fuel economy and size make the 2014 Kia Sorento a world-class crossover.

I particularly loved the Panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade which allowed me to open and close with the push of a button. It was a gorgeous day (see the blue sky and the view was gorgeous. The audio system had me at the first jazz tune. I hadn't gotten my fix while at Blogalicious so to relax to the sounds of some good jazz was heaven for me and come to find out, the accompanying Kia rep was a jazz fiend also and we had good dish regarding some of our fave artists. The Bluetooth, Back-Up Warning System and Push-button start were just a few of the other features which caught my eye. I am always on the go and never not busy so a vehicle which allows me to stay mobile yet not miss a beat and look good too, always lends appeal. And even better at a preferable price point. The 2014 Kia Sorento starts at $24,100.00

I won't name names. But I wasn't the only attendee swooning over Kia

Kia got much love as you can see upon closing out the 2013 Blogalicious weekend with a cocktail reception. I wasn't the only one swooning over their 2014 lineup.

What do you think of Kia? Which Kia vehicle do you like most? Could you see yourself putting #HeelsToTheWheels in the Sorento?

P.S. - Thanks to Kia for the goodie bags. Upon Social Media Manager, Marissa Lorenzo's insistence, I grabbed three bags for my kids. They most love the stuffed animal and the pen/stylus.

All new fall lineup soon to come to the online airwaves of Bag Ladies Radio. In the meantime, OnDemand/iTunes are 24/7. Check out my fave show picks and access recent shows and the full archive at bagladiesradio.com/listen.  Follow on Twitter and Instagram @bagladies.