The Mom Jen, Author at Jen is on a Journey - Page 182 of 322

Visiting the Big Island of Hawaii: Our Itinerary

September 27, 2012 by The Mom Jen 18 Comments

My husband and I are heading back to the beautiful state of Hawaii next week, this time to the Big Island, primarily the Kona distric! So far, everyone we talk to has informed us that Hawaii island is not like any of the others. We welcome that idea and look forward to exploring an amazing landscape that only an island with live volcanoes can provide.

Flying in on the wonderful Hawaiian Airlines, once we reach the airport in Kona we’ll be teaming up with Discount Hawaii Car Rental to have some freedom on the island. I don’t know about you, but a week on an island with so much to see, I prefer relying on our own transportation as much as possible.

Where We’re Staying
We will enjoy some of the best lodging in the Kona-Kailua area at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa, Outrigger Royal Sea Cliff, and the Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona. After a day of exploring all of our lodging looks to provide us with great views, lovely accommodations, and aloha! I love the opportunity to check out 3 different locations plus when my reviews come out, you have a great idea of the options when you visit the island!

What We’re Doing
It’s more like what aren’t we doing! We’ve booked an afternoon with Fair Wind Cruises and we’re snorkeling in the Kealakekua Bay! This will be my second time and I’m hoping to be less anxious and that I can really enjoy the sights below! Also we’ll be mouths agape on a Volcano Tour and taking a Big Island Sightseeing Tour with KapohoKine Adventures. My husband can’t contain his excitement.

How romantic does a historic sunset cruise sound? Body Glove Hawaii will give us a wonderful view of the Kona Coast while we dine on traditional Hawaiian fare. How about putting a kayak in Kailua Bay? We will kayak, stand up paddle board and snorkel with Kona Boys and their Day at the Beach adventure and I’m hoping to look more of a natural than a beginner while doing it!

Other options…my husband may take an adventure with Bike Volcano , we may stand beneath the Kohala Waterfalls, or we may take a tour on a submarine…I know, the possibilities are magically endless!

What we’ll be eating
Rays on the Bay for sure, that’s booked and here’s what I know about it…

Rays on the Bay is the only Hawaii Island restaurant built on lava cliffs so close to the ocean it offers a perfect view to Keauhou’s resident giant manta rays every evening.

We’re going to play the rest by ear, but I have received some suggestions:

Upscale
- Merriman’s
- CanoeHouse at Mauna Lani
- Pahu ia at the Four Seasons Hualalai
- Hualalai Grille at Four Seasons Hualalai
- Manta Pavillion and Wine Bar at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Middle
- Holuakoa Cafe
- Sam Choy’s Kai Lanai
- Roy’s Waikoloa
- Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar
- Eddie Aikau Restaurant and Surf Museum

Casual
- Pinetree Cafe
- Manago Hotel in Captain Cook
- Ultimate Burger
- Teshima’s
- Waimea Brewhaus
- Solimene’s in Waimea
- Village Burger in Waimea
- Tex Drive In
- CC Jon’s Snack ‘n Shoppe

Follow Along
I’ve created the hashtag #BigIsle2012 for our travels and will use it on Twitter (@themomjen) and on Instagram (themomjen), check it out to see photos and read updates on the best of our island adventure! Then in the weeks following our return, I’ll be posting full reviews of our adventures and tons of photos, stay tuned!

I want to know, have you been to the Big Island of Hawaii? I’d love to hear your suggestions on excursions, food, and fun! We just can’t wait!

Maui Photography: Sunrise at Haleakala

September 27, 2012 by The Mom Jen 13 Comments

Last year while we were in Maui, one of the things we did was experience the sunrise at Haleakala. 10,000 feet above sea level, we woke at 2am on the west side of the island and drove 2 hours + to see this magnificent sight. Fair warning, yes you are on the island of Maui, but remember the summit can be as cold as 40 degrees and with the wind…and at 4-5am it’s COLD so dress warmly. It’s worth it!

New Ginger Style Maui Jim Sunglasses with Prescription Option

September 25, 2012 by The Mom Jen 40 Comments

Deja Vu! It was just 17 short months ago that I wrote about having a pair of Maui Jim Sunglasses and heading to Hawaii. Here I am again with a gorgeous pair in hand and in just 6 short days heading back to the Big Island and thrilled to be sporting the brand!

I’m a prescription glasses wearer, currently my lenses tint outdoors and minimally while driving. This is fantastic for general every day use and when I’m out and about doing errands, but often I want to be in style. Not to say my glasses are not IN, it’s just that they always look like everyday specs. There are times when you want to go to the beach, hang out at the mall, or just take a vacation from your every day look.

This is where Maui Jim enters the picture with their new Ginger styled sunglasses. Not only do they fit so many face shapes, come in a great selection of colors, but they are also available with prescription lenses! Getting these lenses in prescription is huge because Maui Jim is the only company to make prescription single gradient polarized lenses! That means, I can have a true IN style look and not need to purchase an extra set of contact lenses just to be able to wear them!

In the manufacturing process, prescription MauiGradient lenses go through 22 separate manufacturing steps and are inspected six times throughout the process to ensure quality. Unique to Maui Jim is that the engineering process is customized to compensate for each individual prescription. “We are the only company that not only accounts for the unique aspects of a patient’s prescription, but also adjusts the digital manufacturing to the precise measurements of our frames,” added Ponder. “This is how we are able to produce the clearest, edge-to-edge optics; and our accuracy is six times better than a conventional lab. Less than one percent of jobs are returned for manufacturing errors. This is the lowest return rate in the industry.”

The Ginger sunglasses have the MauiGradient tint that is darker at the top and lighter at the bottom of the lens. They are durable, scratch- and saltwater-resistant, and optically clear. In addition to Mauve, these sunglasses come in Charcoal, Chocolate and Matte Sandstone.

My Take: I love them! At first I thought the lenses are too big for my face, but I’m so used to my rectangular every day glasses. My teenager looked and said, “Wow mom, fancy! Where are you headed?!” I took that as a compliment and she assured me that I look like a star and that they are very cute.

I love the color, it compliments my hair and skin tone and the prescription lenses are spot on! I sent over my prescription (O.D. and O.S. spheres) and P.D. (pupular distance) and I can see perfectly. One thing about my normal glasses is that the transitions only darken slightly in the car. Often I need just a bit more to shaded the sun and brightness. These Gingers are perfect for the car and especially on my trip to the Big Island next week. I did adjust the temples slightly to fit better and not slip down my nose, but they fit fabulous now! I’ve been getting many compliments on the look, I’m giddy and very smiley once I have them on now!

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Already at Walmart? Perfect, Donate to Make-A-Wish it Only Takes a Minute! #StraightTalkWish

September 25, 2012 by The Mom Jen 3 Comments

Do you have a minute? Do you need to make a stop at Walmart? Perfect, literally you can help raise money for the amazing Make-A-Wish Foundation in 60 seconds while you’re already in the right place at the right time!

Straight Talk Wireless is encouraging consumers to go to their local Walmart to show their support for Make-A-Wish by taking part in a brief demonstration of a Straight Talk Wireless Android smart phone. For every shopper who participates, Straight Talk will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, with the ultimate goal of $1,000,000. How easy is that, and who doesn’t want to just pick up a phone and try it, it’s so easy!

The event will take place over four consecutive Saturdays that started last weekend September 22, 2012 at over 3,000 participating Walmarts under the banner “One Minute One Million.” You have 3 more weekends to get it done!

The One Minute One Million effort provides a unique way for consumers to ‘feel richer’ and help grant wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. It’s such a great cause, and you can find a participating Walmart near you by visiting OneMinuteOneMillion.com.

Check out the action on all the social media channels and tell your friends! It’s quick, easy, and fun and you may find a great phone to boot!

Main Web site: OneMinuteOneMillion.com
Straight Talk Facebook: facebook.com/StraightTalkWireless
Straight Talk Twitter: twitter.com/MyStraightTalk- Use #StraightTalkWish
Make-A-Wish Facebook: facebook.com/makeawish
Make-A-Wish Twitter: twitter.com/MakeAWish

Interview with Mom Pattie Mallette: Overcoming Obstacles and Raising Justin Bieber

September 24, 2012 by The Mom Jen 2 Comments

There’s no doubt that Justin Bieber is making history with his millions of fans and bountiful success in such a short time. Of all his music producers, video editors, voice coaches, and managers that have been attributed to Justin’s success, he continues to credit one person above all – his mother, Pattie Mallette, and the important role she and family played in helping shape and raising Justin Bieber.

After much anticipation, Pattie Mallette, known only to most as Justin Bieber’s mom, has finally completed her biography “Nowhere But Up,” documenting her struggles as a young woman and a single mom, overcoming unimaginable obstacles and fighting hard to rise above a life of poverty. Through hardship and turmoil, Pattie said she was “full of shame” over sex abuse and drug abuse, before giving birth to the pop superstar when she was only 18.

During a compelling interview on The Today Show, Pattie discusses the emotional triumph of taking her life to the written page while sharing her journey with others. Watch below:

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