Focus Group: Minted in SF

For your invitations/stationary junkies, this is a good focus group for you:


Minted is hosting focus groups at its headquarters in San Francisco on March 22nd and 23rd.

Minted wants feedback on their new products and designs. Those chosen for the focus group will get a $300 Minted gift certificate for participating.

The focus groups will last two hours, taking place on 3/22 and 3/23.

If you want to participate, complete the survey here: 
www.surveymonkey.com/s/MintedHomeDecorFocusGroup


If you are selected, they will follow up via email. 

Spring Break in Arizona - What to do with the Kids?

If you're heading to Arizona for spring break (like me!) I thought I'd pass along a few ideas:


BASEBALL
It's Cactus League Spring Training (okay, you already knew that). Phoenix (and surrounding areas) feature 15 MLB teams in 10 stadiums, incluidn ghte LA Angels, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, LA Dodger, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland A's, San Diego Padres, SF Giants, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks (who don't get to leave home for their training!). Tickets are as low as $5. More about Cactus League Spring Training here. And here's the Scottsdale CVB guide to spring training.

HOTELS

Lots of specials, deals and packages, including the ones below. I did a family-friendly Scottsdale area hotel round-up some time back - you can read it here.

-Westin Kierland Resort & Spa - visit during spring training and get special programs/activities like Kierland Kampfires, Phoenix Zoo presentations, Kids in the Kitchen, Digital Kid's Club and more. Plus, there's the Adventure Water Park (900 foot lazy river, 110 foot long waterslide), the OK Corral with lawn chess, basketball, game tables, car race tracks and more. Starwood Preferred Guests (you can sign up for free) can get a parent's night out with a free Kids Pajama Party (you eat out at their deseo restaurant, they get free activities/babysitting).

ACTIVITIES

Dude ranches are a popular option - read my review of Tanque Verde Dude Ranch in Tucson here. You can sign up for a la carte rides at many stables as well. A lot of hotels have horse stables/rides, even if you're not staying there. Book in advance, though because they're popular. Find a list of stables in the Valley of the Sun here.

If you're in Tucson, visit the Tucson Children's Museum.

In Phoenix, check out the Arizona Science Center downtown.

I love, love, love Bath Junkie. They just opened a new store in Gilbert, outside of Phoenix. At Bath Junkie, you can create your own scented and colored bath products, including shampoos, scrubs, lotions and more. My daughter and I went for a girls' afternoon and had a blast. With 200 scents, you can mix/match and spend time just smelling and guessing what they are. They also carry a big selection of cute soaps and other bath products (robes). 


We went to the Musical Instrument Museum last time we were in town - it's huge and very interesting - even for the kids.

A visit to the Valley of the Sun isn't complete without seeing the Desert Botanical Garden, where you'll learn all about the various plants that grow here.

Go for a hike! Head to Squaw Peak (aka Piestewa Peak) or Camelback Mountain. Bring water!

For other adventure outdoor activities, head to this Scottsdale website, with info on hiking, jeep tours, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, etc.

Boudin's - Fun Bread

We love sourdough and often bring it to my parents when we visit. The kids never tire of looking at the cute sourdough creatures you can buy at Boudin's, especially at the Wharf.

When we visited recently, they exhibited a (burned) crocodile along with turtles. They were demonstrating how they make the animals - in Spanish and English. The baker wears a microphone and can talk to the people outside as she works.

Link Love - What I'm reading

Some links to check out:

The Ice Cream Bar in Cole Valley looks yummy - based on this review from A Little Yumminess.

Peep's dioramas - Best in Show

Been There Ate That - food picture community from a fellow travel writer.

Speaking of food, check out the Voodoo Donut Shop in Portland, courtesy of Got Chocolate. Looks awesome!

And more food! Surfer fare in the Sunset.

I'm noticing a trend in this post - food. Here's is an advanced cooking class at the Culinary Institute of America, where my cousin is getting her education. This post is like their own version of Top Chef. I've posted her before - her photos are GORGEOUS.

Adorable kids' birthday cakes!

I'm on Pinterest, building up slowly. Check out my boards (kaplanink)!
See some other family travel blogs on Pinterest too.

5 Activities in Marin for $10 or less - by Red Tricycle

Deal of the Day: Aquarium of the Bay/Magic Show, Chocolate, Robotics, Free Kiva Credit, Restaurant.com

AQUARIUM OF THE BAY/MAGIC SHOW
Get a combined ticket to visit the Aquarium of the Bay and the San Francisco Magic on the Bay show. The magic show lasts 75 minutes and is in their new theater. The tickets are $21/adult, $12/child ($53 & $30 value respectively). But! Use code Visa10 and get 10% off one deal (per account)! And take this survey, and get a $5 promo code. You probably can't use both codes for the same purchase

CHOCOLATE MAKING!
Preston's Candy and Ice Cream in Burlingame is offering a 2 hour tour/demonstration of the chocolate kitchen/makings plus  tastings and take-home. $40 fee ($100 value) includes two people.
If you're new to Groupon, get the deal here.
If you're already a Groupon user, get the deal here.

ROBOTICS BUILDING KIT
These are so cute! Get a robotics building kit for $49 ($100 value).

If you're new to Groupon, get the deal here.
If you're already a Groupon user, get the deal here.

KIVA CREDIT
I posted yesterday about getting $25 in free Kiva credit. There's still some available. Read more about Kiva microloans and how to get the credit here.

RESTAURANT.COM
Get $25 in restaurant.com certificates for $4 using code HOOPS through Wednesday, March 14.

Free Kiva Credit

I signed on to Kiva, a microloan organization, sometime last year. Through a small (less than $50) investment, I helped to fund two different projects in Africa. I chose which ones, and helped women expand their small businesses to take care of their families. The first loan was completely repaid on time, so I funded a second one.

Kiva sent me a link where you can get a $25 free starter credit, funded by the Kiva board member Reid Hoffman (founder of LinkedIn). There are a limited number of credits available, and last time I got a link, they were gone by the time I posted. I just clicked and they are still available at this time. If you're interested, take advantage now, here. The free credit is only good for new lenders.

Coming Up: Sing-along Sound of Music

The hills are alive...with the sound of your singing!

Embarrass the kids and sing along with the Sound of Music at the Retrodome in San Jose.

When: Friday & Saturday, March 16-17 at 7:15
Sunday, March 18 at 1:15

Tickets: $15