Treasure the Vacation with Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance

14 Monday Jul 2014

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in Fun, Tips

Tags

Frolic, Instagram Travel Thursday, travel tips

Today’s post is sponsored by the Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company.

A vacation for a family of 6 requires at least a month of planning and strategizing- and that’s just for the packing. I first start with a list in my head, which quickly has to get transferred to paper because I’m 39 now, and I forget. Lists then get separated by kid, then by general family needs. As I walk around the house and see things in closets and cupboards, I pull them out and start piles so I don’t forget to add those items to the lists. From lists, I go into laundry, which could take an entire week to get everyone caught up in my house. After laundry, any trips to the mall or drug store for last minute items I wouldn’t be able to find at our destination, or don’t want to be bothered with having to look for when we get there. I even have a strategy behind how I actually pack the bags and how the items belonging to who goes where. In the back of my mind I know exactly how much can fit in suitcase before it reaches the magic 50lb weight, and exactly how many carry-ons my family can handle without losing one. Every person’s identification and ticket or seat is accounted for, rooms are confirmed and re-confirmed, tickets for attractions pre-purchased and reservations for meals are set. Now if I could just have someone pack and organize for me personally while I do it all for everyone else. That would be awesome.

You know what else would be awesome? Knowing someone was looking out for me the way I look out for my family’s most precious items: blankies, special sipppy cups, superhero toys, iPads, headphones, American Girl Dolls the list goes on and on. Of course, my number one concern is their safety and happiness, so often times I forget about me and mine.

With all the commotion of getting our large party from one place to the next and ensuring we leave with what we came with, it is so easy for me to forget something little like my Tiffany’s silver band my husband gave me on our 10th wedding anniversary that I wear every day. Or my diamond earrings I wear daily, but take out every night before I go to bed. My husband always seems a little more relaxed and absentminded on vacation, and sometimes haphazardly puts his Rolex somewhere, then blames the twins on its temporary loss.

When we are at home, we have a routine, we have places for things and habits about where we put them. When traveling, things can get a bit confused and lost in the change of environment. I have started being very particular about the jewelry I carry with me on trips no matter if we are going to a 5-star resort or a roadtrip to the mountains. I do my best to whittle it down to the absolute necessities: my earrings, wedding ring, Tiffany’s band, and watch. That amount right there, though may look simple on, costs about the amount of what one year of college tuition for one of my kids at a private university. Even some of my costume jewelry would sicken me if it was stolen. Good costume, every day jewelry is not cheap! Nor is it easy to replace when the pieces are the exact fit or really finish off the outfit. It also not possible to replicate sentiment.

All of the above is a big reason why I started taking the idea of traveling with my jewelry more seriously. Up until a few months ago, I would shove my necklaces, bracelets and earrings into one big jewelry bag. And, it was usually one that the store gave me; not at all the appropriate way to handle items I just described above. Occasionally, I would lose or forget something at the hotel. Honestly, the way I took care of it, I wouldn’t even know if someone stole something from me. Then I would get home and the items would still stay a tangled mess in the bag until I needed it for the next occasion- if I was lucky enough to remember where I left it.

I was given a Vera Bradley Travel Jewelry Organizer that has the perfect amount of pouches and pockets and zippers for me to carry exactly what I need. My necklaces don’t get tangled, my earrings don’t get left behind, and my rings have a secure place to live until the next time. It’s totally great, don’t get me wrong, but now I have the “What if” factor looming. What if someone steals my whole bag? What if one of my kids gets into the bag and something gets accidentally removed or falls out? What if I forget the bag in the safe in my room?

This is where a personal jewelry insurance policy, like one from Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company becomes my back up plan, aka: the one who is looking out for me. With a jewelry insurance policy through Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance from Mutual Insurance Company, traveling with some of your favorite pieces offers a peace of mind and less stress to enjoy the journey and the destination. Some benefits of a Perfect Circle personal jewelry insurance policy include:

Comprehensive Worldwide Coverage
Same Kind and Quality
Use Your Preferred Jeweler
No Deductible Required
Automatic Coverage
Exceptional Customer Service

Applying for a Perfect Circle personal jewelry insurance plan is super simple and free. Just visit www.TreasuretheVacation.com where you can get a free quote and purchase a policy on-line in 10 minutes. Super fast, and now your jewelry is super secure. Get more info on Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance by connecting with them on Facebook or follow @PerectCircleJM on Twitter.

Tips for Traveling with Jewelry:

Only bring the pieces you absolutely need or must have with you.
Be sure to keep them organized in a jewelry bag specifically made for travel.
Lock up your jewelry in your in-room safe, or ask your hotel’s front desk if they have an on-site safe for securing extremely valuable items.
Purchase a personal jewelry insurance policy, like Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company to cover any accidental loss or theft.

OK, got it covered? Now mosey on over to TravelingMom and RSVP for the #TreasuretheVacation twitter party on Monday, July 1st 9m EST (6pm PST) to discuss bringing along your fave jewelry on your trips, and for the chance to win more beautiful pieces to add to your collection. Check out these fabulous hammered 14k eco yellow gold, oval hoop earrings from TobyPomeroy.com, with a suggested retail value of $1010. Tweet you there!

Thank you Perfect Circle Jewelry Insurance from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company for sponsoring the informative content in today’s post.

Night Out on the Town at The Cromwell Las Vegas

28 Saturday Jun 2014

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in Fun

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Fine Dining, Frolic, Las Vegas

It finally happened. I turned 39. The week leading up to and the weekend after my birthday were filled with fun celebrations almost every night. Starting with a ride on The High Roller Las Vegas with my husband and two older kids, having a stay-cation on the Las Vegas Strip with the family, and enjoying The Book of Mormon at the illustrious Smith Center. All followed by a night of revelry with the girls at the hottest new hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, The Cromwell.

The Cromwell is a boutique hotel and part of the Caesar’s Entertainment family. Formerly known as The Barbary Coast, then Bill’s Gambling Hall, The Cromwell has made a welcomed addition to the latest trend of hip boutiques to grace the Las Vegas Strip. Though difficult to entirely rid of the stale stench of cigarette smoke from years past, the updated decor gives the old hotel a new feeling. Smaller than most of its neighbors, The Cromwell creates an intimate, yet fun and upbeat atmosphere. I loved the dark lounge that runs through the middle of the hotel. A great spot to have a cocktail.

What brings a radiant light to dimly lit Cromwell? The opening of the much anticipated Giada – The Restaurant. An escalator carries you off to a bright, white entrance where everything looks clean and sleek and smells so delicious, you can’t wait to get inside. Except that if you don’t have a much coveted reservation, you will have to wait, possibly for months before you get the chance to sit amongst the lucky ones dining inside. It’s well worth the wait, my friends. My 6 girlfriends and I opted out of the Chef’s Tasting Menu, and instead opted in for tasting as much as we could off the menu. We ordered 15 dishes, which if you are familiar with the Italian style of eating, are separated into courses: bread, antipasto, cheese, vegetables, pizzette, pasta, fish, meats and more. Everything we ordered was delicious. Not one complaint. Desserts, even better.

Here’s what we loved most: Chicken Marsala Meatballs, Bacon Wrapped Dates, Citrus Marinated Calamari, Burrata, Fresh Ricotta Crostini, Lobster Ravioli and the Branzini. For dessert, I highly recommend the Strawberry Polenta Cake, the Trio of Tiramisu, and the Espresso Nocciolato. Warning, the Espresso Nocciolato is a delectable concoction of espresso with nutella and whipped cream. It could be a dessert on all its own.

What is also so lovely about Giada- the Restaurant, is the way the room is set up. A small lounge on the side, open kitchen with fresh food items on display, and a large, open dining room with magnificent views of the Las Vegas Strip, most significantly, the Bellagio and the water show. You can also take selfies in the photo booth, which we forgot to do…always next time!

Following dinner, we put on our dancing shoes and headed to the newly renovated Drai’s Nightclub, which also serves as the Beach Club (or Day Club). Back in my Vegas partying days, Drai’s was one of the hottest places to be in Las Vegas. During the construction of The Cromwell, Drai’s closed, and re-opened with an alluring new venue with both indoor and outdoor seating. Indoor faces a large dance floor with an eye appealing laser and light show like none other. Outdoor creates a more relaxed ambiance centering the pool and looking out over the Strip. The set-up was like being in a smaller, boutique club with the elements of a larger nightclub. DJ line up changes nightly. The music was the one thing that definitely made me feel my age that night. All my girlfriend’s and I were wondering what happened to all the rap and hip hop. Not a huge fan of house music, and the night we were at Drai’s the music was so-so. I am confident, however, that other nights are better than some, and that Drai’s is still one of the hottest venues on the Strip to be seen at right now.

The 39th birthday celebration was a success! 4-0 is gonna have some big shoes to fill…but I hear there’s talk about a European vacation in the works.

Top Attractions for Family Summer Fun in Las Vegas

27 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by Stefanie Van Aken (RSMLVTravel) in Featured

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

Family Travel, Las Vegas, rockstarmom recommends

Looking for some air conditioned fun this summer with the family? I have recently checked out some very hot spots in Vegas. Here’s my list of top attractions for family summer fun in Las Vegas.

Please note, my family and I were guests of Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum Las Vegas, The High Roller Las Vegas and Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas. All words and thoughts are 100% my own.

1. Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum Las Vegas tops my list this summer. It is a place I have seen in major cities around the world, and one I never thought I would ever take the time to visit. I am glad I did. In my husband’s words, “It’s cooler than you think it is going to be,” and he is spot on. Start your journey through celeb-laiden rooms with a quick family pic in front of the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” photo drop. Each room is wild because the wax figures seem so real, it actually feels like you are mixing and mingling with some pretty fabulous peeps. The kids loved it because they could get up close and personal with some of their favorite stars, musicians and pro-athletes. And, it ‘s a very hands-on museum as props are available to make the experience even more real. If your kids are into Superheros, do not miss the 4-D Avengers show at the end of the tour. It is included in your ticket price, and is quite impressive. (This is a full sensory experience with 3-D glasses, and the sensation that you are really in the movie. I brought my 10, 8 and 3 year old twins who all loved it. My 6 year old nephew was freaked out and had to leave early. Obviously, trust your instinct with your kid’s personality on this one.) madametussauds.com/lasvegas (Read the whole review here.)

2. The High Roller Las Vegas is another great way to keep your family entertained and out of the sun. From the moment you enter the High Roller Lobby, you are transformed into a futuristic atmosphere filled with lively music, light shows and entertainment. Your Virtual Guide walks you through the experience while waiting to ride to the top. Stop at the bar before getting on, (non-alcoholic bevs available) and step into a pod built for approximately 30 guests. Your Virtual Guide meets you again once inside, and starts the count down to the top- an exhilarating 550 feet- where it becomes one big party with fun dance music and celebratory visuals of the Las Vegas Strip and surrounding valley. Book your ride close to sunset to get the ultimate experience of both day and night (can’t beat those desert summer sunsets). There are also great summer deals right now for both locals and visitors. One full ride around the wheel is about 30-minutes. caesars.com/thelinq/high-roller (Read the whole review here.)

3. Sprinkles should be your next stop once off the High Roller. This legendary west coast cupcake bakery now has roots in Vegas. Located at The Linq, it is just a few steps off the High Roller. Day or night, Sprinkles will hit the spot. If you are unfamiliar with the tasty treats, I suggest trying the mini- cupcake first or the kid’s cone for ice cream. Each are priced at $2 and the perfect portion size to try something new. Line too long for a cupcake? Take a walk around the corner to the 24-hour Sprinkles Cupcake ATM. Swipe your card, make your cupcake selection, and it is magically delivered. Cut that puppy in fours and share with the group. sprinkles.com

4. Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas is still rocking the summer fun with exciting water slides and the brand new Tornado. If you ever wondered what it was like to ride in a real tornado, here’s your chance. The ride will drop your 4-person raft 36′ into a 110′ tunnel before entering the eye of the storm. It was a wild ride, and ultimately, our most favorite, actually tied with the Desert Racers. You can spend the day at Wet’n’Wild with either cabana rentals, covered lounge chair areas, or plenty of open space to park your brood. Or, do what we do…rent a locker, purchase an Express Band, and go from ride to ride in a matter of hours. No outside food or drink is allowed, but there is a park nearby with covered picnic benches for an hour of down time (just make sure to get your hand stamped for re-entry!). Also, check rider requirements on-line before heading out. There are a few like the Hoover Half Pipe where riders need to meet height and weight requirements in order to ride. Season Passes still available, along with Twilight Hours ticket specials. For more photos of Wet’nWild Las Vegas click here. wetnwildlasvegas.com

5. The Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay offers an impressive indoor aquarium for kids of every age. See ferocious piranhas, a Komodo Dragon, a rare Golden Crocodile, and the electrifying Jelly Fish tank. Ocean aficionados will love the Touch Pool, and all will be awed by the 1.3 million gallon tank with over 30 different kinds of sharks. All of this while also learning about the eco systems and necessity of keeping our oceans clean, conserving on land, and protecting the creatures within. My 3-year old twins loved our visit there, and cannot wait to go back. They were fascinated with the touch pool, the jelly fish tank, and of course, getting to see the sharks up close and personal. Nevada Residents with ID receive discounted tickets. Ages 4 and under are free. sharkreef.com

6. Discovery Children’s Museum Las Vegas creates a different experience no matter how many visits you make in a week, month or year. This summer Scholastic’s Magic School Bus Kicks Up a Storm, is the new traveling exhibit at the museum until September 1, 2014. Ms. Frizzle’s Classroom is transformed into a Weather Observatory where visitors can explore visitors can explore the water cycle and its relation to weather, and how influences from air, heat, water and land combine to create weather through these three interactive environments. Very hands on and lots to do, though each age will understand it differently. The twins were intrigued by the movement of air, while my 8 year old was more concerned about how it all worked. discoverykidslv.org

Are you on Instagram? Follow me @RockStarMomLV and use #RSMRecs to discover all the places I personally recommend in Las Vegas, on or off the Strip.

Thank you to Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum Las Vegas, The High Roller Las Vegas, and Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas for the opportunity to experience these family friendly attractions in Las Vegas. I was asked to write a review in exchange for mine and my family’s passes. All opinions, however, are based on my personal experience and are honestly written.