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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IT'S FALL! VIRGINIA IS NOT JUST FOR "LOVERS" BUT FOR CIDER AND APPLE PICKING TOO AT GREAT COUNTRY FARMS ...

Fall is upon us. Officially so at 10:29p EST today. If not yet in the mood for cooler temps and if like me, savings on your utility bill, I have just the event that will surely get you in the fall mood. My #heelstothewheels series featuring Kia continues. If you've been following my chronicles via Instagram at bagladies (you should be), you've noticed that I've been pushing the sleek, sophisticated and luxurious 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid sedan. But my latest jaunt to the Apple Gala and Cider Fest at Great Country Farms located in Bluemont, Virginia featured the just plain fun 2014 Kia Soul, referred to as the "Urban Hatchback."

The inferno red color of the Soul had me at curbside delivery. It's called inferno but it is more candy apple. It was bright and vibrant and eye-catching. And that color combined with the shape of the Soul made it feel like the best romp around vehicle. My three little ones took the trip with me to Great Country Farms and the Soul was really the perfect accompaniment. It just so happened that our trek was one of the most gorgeous September days in Washington, DC

#HEELSTOTHEWHEELS SERIES: @LOCLOV'S HOLISTIC APPROACH TO NATURAL HAIR CARE

I've no doubt been enjoying putting #heelstothewheels in the 2014 +Kia Motors Worldwide Optima Hybrid EX. The fact that it is a Hybrid and has definitely resulted in my being more considerate of  the environmental impact of not just cars but habits, products used, etc. I had a Q and A sit-down ride along in the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid EX with my own stylist (only the best), as well as Owner and Master Loctician, Salih Watts of www.loclov.com, for my most recent #heelstothewheels edition, to dish on the development of Loc Lov Styles 100% natural hair and body collection.

Owner and Master Locitician, Salih Watts of www.loclov.com, pictured in the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid EX as we dish Loc Lov Hair and Body collection.

Q: RUNNING A SALON IS HARD ENOUGH, WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START A HAIR AND BODY COLLECTION?
A: I have seen the damage that unhealthy products and styling practices cause in our client's hair, so myself and my Product Manager, Zeenat Watts, developed our own line of 100% natural hair care products that are highly effective.

Q: WHAT MAKES YOUR PRODUCT COLLECTION SO EFFECTIVE?
A: Loc Lov products can restore and reinvigorate damaged or neglected hair.

Q: WHERE ARE LOC LOV PRODUCTS MADE?
A: All of our products are made in-house at our salon in Silver Spring, MD with the right combination of premium quality and 100% natural ingredients. Before introducing products to the masses, we tested and perfected over the past 5 years on our very own clients with all different textures, styles and special hair needs.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR MOST POPULAR PRODUCT?
A: That is a hard question to answer because every customer has different needs. If I had to choose, I would say our Refresh'N which we refer to as the Febreeze for hair. It's designed to be used in between shampoos to neutralize any unwanted odor in one's hair and replace with a fresh, light and natural scent. But we also have products that address common issues like psoriasis and dermatitis and the response has been excellent. Sometimes clients feel as if they have no choice but to deal with their issues not knowing there are available treatment options that are effective. We also have a shea butter product that doubles as both a hair and body moisturizer.

Loc Lov's product lineup includes a no-reside Hair Hold Polish, Refresh'N, Hair Nectar and more. Visit www.loclov.com for the complete hair and body collection.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON INGREDIENTS USED IN LOC LOV PRODUCTS?
A: Grapeseed oil, Aloe Vera, Rosemary, Tea Tree. But it varies depending on the purpose of the product. Our biggest thing was just wanting to be all-natural because I've seen the adverse affects of using products full of chemicals and other things that can take a toll on your hair.

Q: WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO FROM HERE WITH LOC LOV PRODUCTS?
A: Products are currently available for purchase in-house and online at www.loclov.com. But we want to be available to the masses and want to secure mass distribution in both independent and major retail outlets. The natural hair market is huge. We don't want to cater to a select few. We want to cater to the mass market and those who can truly benefit from the products we are producing so that their natural hair needs are effectively met.

Q: LAST QUESTION, WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVE FEATURE OF THE 2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID EX?
A: The panoramic sunroof is amazing. It's so open and makes this ride feel even more spacious.

Do you rock eau natural? What do you look for in natural hair products?

For more about Loc Lov, visit www.loclov.com. This #heelstothewheels series continues. Follow my "Heels To The Wheels" chronicles featuring the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid EX on Instagram and Twitter @bagladies, hashtag #heelstothewheels.

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#BAGLADIESLIVE WEEKEND: #GMSUMMERSERIES AT @WOLF_TRAP FEATURING LIONEL RICHIE AND CEELO GREEN

What do you get when you mix good people, social media, live music ...Oh and whips?! A fabulously intimate and exclusive affair which is exactly how I would describe last week's General Motors Summer Series at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA which featured a live Lionel Richie concert with guest, CeeLo Green.

I'm always down to mingle. Click here for tips from a previous post. And mingle I did amongst some of my fave Blogger buds like Julia Coney from All About the Pretty and Richeen Ariel from The District Insider. 

Unlike the above pic, Julia and I kept it tame.

We dined on cocktails and hors d'oevures while dishing all about the latest Cadillac models which included the 2015 Cadillac Escalade. A beast of a luxury utility vehicle and the next generation in the Escalade model. The design, craftsmanship, bells and whistles elevate this model to another level. Although I might've initially been a tad intimidated, as you can see I clearly got comfy with it and had fun exploring the spacious interior of one particular model in a beautiful candy apple red color. It's safe to say that I look forward to putting #heelstothewheels and getting to know the 2015 Cadillac Escalade better.

Plush Interior

That Escalade grille had a nice smile

I saved the "cookie."

And to think, the night didn't even end there. To top it off after gabbing it up with General Motors executives and representatives from the always especially accommodating MSLGroup, myself and the other attendees were escorted to our "orchestra" seats for the show. I had my Mom in tow which made the night that much more fun. One, she gained a whole new perspective into that which I do and she got to see one of her fave artists. I thought I knew all of Lionel Richie's songs. I didn't have anything on my Mom and to look over and see her on her feet, waving her hands in the air, was the best. This show was one of the best I've ever seen and mind you, I've seen Michael Jackson live. Lionel took it all the way back to the Commodores and hit everything from Brick House to Dancing on The Ceiling which my Mom almost was. For a split second, I felt really old knowing every song word for word until I realized that it was just my Parent's good taste in music. Mixing the nostalgia of good music with modern automotive luxury, can't be beat and when placed against the backdrop of the fabulous venue that is Wolf Trap ...And on that note. Be sure to visit WolfTrap.org for upcoming shows and if Lionel Richie is coming to your neck of the woods, take it from me, don't miss it.

Whoa-Whoa Zooooom!

Nail swagging on show tix 

Prep for the event featuring an Asos print bodycon dress and Forever21 Vest

Myself and the crowd were mostly on our feet the entire show

My Mom practically dancing on the ceiling 

My Mom and I

 Follow my automotive chronicles and excursions on Instagram and Twitter at @bagladies via hashtag #heelstothewheels.

What's your fave Lionel Richie song? Mine is surely Zoom ...

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MY 1st THOUGHTS ON @FANDANGO SCREENING OF DISNEY'S PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE #FANDANGOFAMILY

So if with children as am I, you know attending movies is no cheap affair. So I was glad to be extended the opportunity to attend last nite's free Fandango screening of Disney's Planes: Fire & Rescue. Unlike Cars, this one is about planes and features a dynamic crew tasked with protecting a historic park. We had our free concessions which included pop corn and drinks. And we posted up for a movie that while not long in length (it ended sooner than I expected), it was entertaining and funny.

Dusty Crophopper was my fave character

There is no other way to see this movie than in 3D. The effects coupled with stunts, were adorable. My three were totally engaged in the movie for the entire time. And while a cartoon may not lend the most appeal to us as Parents (adults), when you throw in the voices of Actors Ed Harris (one of my faves), Dane Cook and Jerry Stiller, it's bound to be a good time. I caught myself cracking up at some of the jokes. But the overall message was particularly striking in that life doesn't always go as you planned but what you didn't expect can be even better. It had an air of just reaching for the stars. And my kids got it too. 

En route to the screening in 2014 Ford Escape SE

It's not to be missed. And the kids and I walked away with some goodies including free individual movie tix. Disney's Planes: Fire & Rescue, opens this Friday, July 18th. 

WHAT WAS THE LAST MOVIE YOU SAW? 

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#BAGLADIESLIVE WEEKEND: ESCAPE TO SIMPLICITY WITH FORD & #BEAUTYTALK AT NEIMAN MARCUS ....

Streaming via USB

MyFord Touch Navigation

I've taken on some new projects so the last couple of weeks have been jam packed. I had to stand down for a sec on publishing posts but I'm picking up right where I left off with the latest edition of #BagLadiesLIVE Weekend which included putting #HeelsToTheWheels and escaping to simplicity with Ford. My latest curbside delivery is the 2014 Escape SE. You know the statement, "keep it simple stupid"? Well Ford does that very well when it comes to the functionality and technology of the Ford Escape. As much as I love luxury (parting recently with the Audi SQ5 and Volvo V60 was such sweet sorrow), automotive brands tend to tow the line between either not enough bells and whistles or so many bells and whistles, learning all the functionality of a vehicle can be overwhelming. Ford does a good job of finding a happy medium with the Escape SE. It is extremely user friendly witH MyFord touch screen and MyFord voice activated communications and entertainment system. As busy as I've been as of late, the 2014 Ford Escape SE has literally become my mobile office. I can make and take calls totally handsfree and without missing a beat. I can connect my iPhone via the USB and stream ... And the metallic blue is easy on the eyes. Stay tuned for the full review ...In the meantime, follow my #heelstothewheels chronicles on Instagram @bagladies.

So ya'll know I'm an admitted beauty junkie. "Beauty Talk" is still my most popular recurring on-air segment. And did you know although I'm not live on air, all previously aired Bag Ladies episodes including "Beauty Talk" episodes can be accessed via iTunes as as free podcast? Just search Bag Ladies Radio. But moving on ...What happens when a bunch of dolls descend on Neiman Marcus to be catered to by renowned beauty brand ambassadors in celebration of one's birth? A fab affair! The set-up was gorgeous and myself and the rest of the attendees were treated to some great dish on the latest trends in colors, techniques and products by Bobbi Brown and Jo Malone. Friend and Blogger, Yvonne Pearson was the "hostess with the mostess" as we kicked off her birthday celebration. And how much more fabulous can an affair be when hosted against the backdrop that is Neiman Marcus.

Neiman Marcus Pulled Out All The Stops ...

I'm a candle fiend and this scent had me at hello. It enveloped our table.

Which color should I choose? I love getting touchy feely with product. 

I mean c'mon ...I'm in Neiman Marcus. Of course I spied a Chanel bag that I was swooning over. The shopaholic in me wanted to come out.

Where there's a mirror, there's a selfie ...This dress which I got so many questions about, was a 12.99 Marshalls score purchased a year ago and never worn. My shoes, JustFab.

We had a blast!

My two fave takeaways, Jo Malone Lime, Basil and Mandarin Cologne and Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Electric Pink. And that's not even all the goodies!!

How was your weekend?

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