Travel Watercolors

We went camping last week at Bull Shoals-White River State Park. When it was time to pack up, I told Colin I just needed 10 minutes to do something for myself. The trip was full of family time, which is why we went, but I’m trying to carve out time to also do some things I enjoy (by myself ;) ). I decided to start this practice on our last trip to Woolly Hollow State Park.

At this current stage of parenting, I can’t really sit and read uninterrupted for any length of time. Our youngest might wander off! But I can take 10 minutes to sketch and paint with watercolors while she naps or while I keep watch to make sure she doesn’t head for the water’s edge.

I’ve had this watercolor kit for about a decade but it has been neglected for far too long. It’s compact and perfect for traveling. Water goes in the brush handle, so there’s no need for a cup of water. The paints are very pigmented and blend well. I sketch with a pencil then paint over it. I only have a few minutes to work, so I don’t strive for perfection (although, what does that even really mean in art?). I just strive for a minute to do something I enjoy and to capture a moment from our trip. I paint in my notebook where I log our trips.

The rainbow trout represents our time on the White River. The pennant I painted at Woolly Hollow is of the pennant I made from felt and vinyl for our girls’ last birthday party that’s hanging in our camper.

I encourage you to take a few minutes for yourself to do something you love, to try something new, to take in the moment, to show your kids that they can do the same.

I got the watercolor kit at @hobbylobby where you can sometimes catch it on sale. It’s also available on Amazon.

Kit I have: https://a.co/d/caotW53

Kit with a different color palette: https://amzn.to/3NZKjVo

What do you like to do when you have a moment to yourself?

Video: A Day in Searcy County + Buffalo River

Snag An Affordable Hotel

There are two apps I use when looking for an affordable place to stay on vacation.

The first app is Hotel Tonight.  You need a smartphone to use this site, but it's easy to use and has saved me a lot of money! AND I have a coupon below for you!

The first time I used Hotel Tonight, I was looking for a hotel room in Los Angeles.  Colin and I went to California for my friend's wedding, and we had one night to stay in LA and wanted to be in the middle of lots of tourists sites to squeeze in all we could in walking distance.

We stayed at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Blvd.  The first ever Academy Awards was held in this hotel!  Marilyn Monroe lived here for two years and had her first magazine shoot here.  Clark Gable had a penthouse here!  You can't get anymore Hollywood than this hotel!  It was beautiful, in the center of lots of tourist spots, and generally just pretty cool.

A room through a booking website rents for about $300.  Using the Hotel Tonight app, we paid $99!

Another time I went to Dallas for work and needed a cheap hotel since my boutique (meaning me) was footing the bill.  Using Hotel Tonight, I paid $35 to stay The Sheraton Dallas Hotel by the Galleria, another really nice hotel in a desirable part of town.  Rooms start at $150 without the app.

You need to be a bit flexible to use this app.  A limited list of hotels is offered, and you can only book up to a few days in advance.  I think it's worth flying by the seat of your pants to use this app (and that's coming from a planner and non-procrastinator…love to save money, y'all!).

When you download the Hotel Tonight app, use promo code MSTANTON and you'll get $25 off your first hotel booking!

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The second app is Airbnb.  You don't have to have a smartphone for this.  You can head on over to their website.

I haven't used Airbnb yet, but I have created wish lists of places I want to visit!  We're wanting to take a little trip to Memphis sometime soon since it's just a couple hours away.  We love Memphis.  My other wish list is places to stay in Paris.  It's my lifelong dream to visit Paris!

Airbnb is different, because you're not staying in a hotel.  You're staying in people's homes!  Sometimes people have an extra space in their home to rent out, and sometimes they have an entire house or apartment available.  You can read reviews on the space from past renters.  It's great, because it's usually much more affordable than a hotel, it offers a larger space, and you can learn about great spots to visit from the locals you're renting from!  

I'd love to hear if you use Airbnb and have any tips!

If you're new to Airbnb, head on over to the app or website, and use promo code MSTANTON107 to get a $20 credit!

Do you have other apps or websites you use to book your travel plans?  Let me know, because I'm all about a good deal!

S'more Bars (Travel Friendly!)

                     

Fall is here!  It's time for bonfires and s'mores!  There's only one problem…most of the state of Arkansas is currently under a burn ban due to the dry weather.  That won't keep me from making s'mores!  You can make them in your kitchen!  Here's a fun twist on s'mores that you can throw in some tupperware and take with you wherever you go!

Grab some graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate, and whatever fun twist you want to add (like Reese's chocolate peanut butter spread!).

Put a marshmallow on a cracker and stick it on a baking sheet.  Throw them in the oven at 350 degrees until they get a little toasty on top.  You could also broil them, but you better stand there and watch them!

While the marshmallows are toasting on the cracker, grab more crackers and spread some peanut butter or Nutella or Reese's spread.

Grab the baking sheet out of the oven and top off the crackers!

Take the assembled s'mores and set them on wax paper, then dip them in melted chocolate.

Add some sprinkles to the chocolate!  Then stick the s'mores in the fridge or freezer for a couple minutes for the chocolate to set.

Then EAT!

These travel like a dream and make great little treats for friends!  You can even dip a few marshmallows in chocolate to mix in with the s'mores!  Take that, burn ban!

ENJOY :)