Mar 6, 2018 | Things to Do
Hey everyone!
Today I am going to talk about one of my favorite topics: chick flicks! I am very passionate about this, I love a good chick flick. Here are some of my favorites!!
While You Were Sleeping
This has got to be my all-time favorite movie… ever. Take a journey with Lucy Moderatz, a lonely worker at a train station in Chicago. After a tragic accident with a boy she admired from afar, a mix-up happens at the hospital and she winds up with the boy’s family. This hilarious romantic comedy will leave you laughing and will help you realize the importance of family, whether it be by blood or by friendship.
You’ve Got Mail
This is SUCH a cute movie! Join Kathleen Kelly and Joe Fox as they talk online and get to know each other. I can’t say much otherwise it will give the movie away, but trust me, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Kiss and Cry
Based on a true story, Carley Allison is an aspiring Olympic figure skater with big dreams and big plans. After meeting a boy named Luke at a party, they start falling in love. Soon Carley finds out that she is diagnosed with a rare throat cancer, but that doesn’t stop her from living life to its fullest. Watch with a box of tissues!
A Walk to Remember
Based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, this movie is another one you may want to get some tissues for! Landon Carter is a high school senior who’s a bit (or a lot) of a troublemaker. He has grown up with Jamie Sullivan, but not till they are put in a play together does he notice her. As they grow closer, Jamie admits she has Leukemia. Will their love be strained because of her sickness, or will they grow closer together? Watch to find out!
What are your favorite movies? Let me know in the comments!
Dec 11, 2016 | Things to Do, Tips
Best Christmas Light Displays in the East Valley
It’s definitely the happiest time of year in our home!!! Christmas is my favorite holiday and I love everything about it! Decorating, celebrating, baking, spending time with family…it’s just the best! Every weekend we try to head out in our community in East Mesa to check out some of the fabulous displays that neighbors have created. We have some awesome displays right here in Bella Via, but these are some of our favorites in the East Valley.
Taylor Residence in Ahwatukee
While I haven’t personally seen this one, you can bet it is in on my list for this year! This gorgeous Christmas display has more than 300 hand-carved cutouts featuring all of our favorite characters including Peanuts and Disney as well as a new addition of Emojis!
Santa Train in Phoenix, AZ
We’ve been visiting Frank Polimene’s home, called “The Santa Train” for at least 17 years now! Back when we started going, it wasn’t as well known, and we had a hard time finding it since it is set back in the foothills of Ahwatukee. We were told that you could simply flash your lights from the car to activate the train! Since then, it has become much more popular, the train runs more because everyone is out of their cars to see all the details. It is definitely one of our favorite family traditions!
- The display has a candy cane factory that fills the train, then real candy canes are dumped into the train for visitors to enjoy.
- This home is located at 541 East Mountain Sky Avenue in Phoenix.
- Visit their site to read the story of how this display came to be. It really is a fun story!
- Display Hours: Thanksgiving Day (November 23, 2017) until January 1, 2018. Open nightly until 11:00 p.m. with candy canes given away to the kids until 9:00 p.m.
- Snowfall on Fridays and Saturdays every 20 minutes
- Don’t miss the dancing Santa and the mouse that reads Twas the Night Before Christmas
Natal Circle
This is another long standing tradition in our family. I remember taking our kids all bundled up in the stroller, to walk the cul-de-sac and see all the beautiful lights. Since our evenings are so mild, it is nice to walk and see all the beautifully decorated homes in this Rancho Del Mar community. Typically the road is closed to traffic.
- Natal Circle is located near Country Club and Guadalupe in Mesa. Take Guadalupe west, pass Country Club, then turn on Cherry Lane. When you see the traffic, you’ll know you found it!
- Park outside the cul-de-sac on the street, or across from Natal Circle at Rancho Del Mar park.
- Display Hours: Most displays are on nightly from 6:00p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Don’t miss the the beautiful Walk Through Bethlehem at the end of the block, open through December 24, 2017
Parsons Residence
- Beautiful light show set to music in Bella Via near Signal Butte and Warner
- This home is located 11161 East Starkey Avenue in Mesa.
- Display Hours: Monday through Saturday until 10:00 p.m., Sunday until 8:30 p.m.
Robertson Residence
And finally, we’d love for you to stop by to see our decorated home! While we don’t have a huge holiday light display with music, we do have a lovely display that we’ve created over the last 17 years. Each piece is hand drawn, cut, and painted by our family. Every year we try to add a new piece, so if you’ve been by before, see if you can figure out what is new for 2017! We might not be the biggest or best display around, but we’d still love it if you stopped by!
- Beautiful lights and handmade cutouts
- This home is located 11102 East Rutledge Avenue in Mesa.
- Display hours: Every night until around 10:00 p.m.
- P.S. If we’re home, you’re welcome to see the inside too!
Loop of Lights
(coming back for Christmas 2018)
The main attraction at the Loop of Lights is taking a break this year, after 10 years of fabulous shows. However, many of the other homes are still decorated including the your favorite characters from The Grinch and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer! The area is in Queen Creek in the Pecan Creek South neighborhood. Stop by and take a look!
Dec 8, 2016 | Things to Do
Five Winter Activities in Arizona
- Zoo Lights
- This is definitely my favorite place to go to during the winter. I’ve gone the last couple years and every year it’s been a blast! I love to bring my camera and get some good pictures! Wandering around, with friends admiring the lights and making new memories! It takes place at the Pheonix Zoo, dates, times, and prices are all online! Be sure to check because on a certain day the price is lower than others! I love going here and I’m already planning with my friends on going again! They even have a light show with all of the lights that are timed to different holiday songs! This is a must-do for me and I always recommend it!
- Ice Skating
- Ice Skating is a fun opportunity to do something that you normally don’t think of when you think of something fun to do in Arizona! However, Arizona actually has many skating rinks throughout the state! Some are even outdoor rinks! Many vary in prices but the experience is fun and exciting! Then you can tell people you went ice skating in the desert!
- Hiking
- Living in the desert there isn’t much snow! Unless you want to drive up north to places like Flagstaff. Something fun and active to do during the winter would be to hike! Which I think every Arizona resident has done at some point. What makes the difference is the snow! You don’t have to wake up extremely early to get a good hike in before you melt from the heat. Plus the scenery gets 10 times better with snow draped over everything! Just make sure you dress appropriately and be sure to take advantage of the perfect photo opportunity!
- Illumination Symphony Of Lights
- This is something I’m definitely going to go to this year! I heard about it from my brother and it sounds absolutely magical! You can drive through this extreme light show timed with music! You can also park and get some food! Pricing can be a little expensive depending on what your budget is but I think it’s worth it! It’s about 30 dollars for up to 8 people traveling in one car. This amazing light show takes place in Phoenix and is available every night starting at 5:30 every night until January 14! You have to visit their website and select a time slot for driving through the amazing exhibit! I plan on going with some friends in the next coming weeks!
- Nowhere (Stay Home)!!
- Ah yes, my favorite option! Cost effective and comfy! Who doesn’t love enjoying cuddling up by a warm fire with some hot cocoa and a good movie! A perfect way to do something when you don’t really want to leave the warmth of your place! Get some friends together and make it fun! Or maybe a significant other and enjoy the cuddles! Even by yourself, you can still enjoy a fun, relaxing night in!
Nov 23, 2016 | Things to Do
1. Forever 21
- Not only is Forever 21 one of the most popular and affordably priced clothing store on a daily basis. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are where it really shines. Lots of stores have online deals the whole week of November but Forever 21 seems to be one of best! An extra 50 percent off of sale items, reduced party wear etc. I always make a point to shop there on Cyber Monday! Last year I got one amazing New Years dress for less 10 dollars!
- Amazon
- Amazon too has deals leading up the week of Thanksgiving! What sets it apart from the other stores is the wide array of items they have! More items means more deals! Amazon home devices are up to 50 percent off. If you look through the deals week tab on the website you can findthing up to 80 percent off!
3. H and M
- H and M is one of the staple clothing stores for fast fashion and low prices. With deals up to 70% off of new sweaters and dresses what’s not to love! You can be fashionable with their clothing and have more money in your pocket! Along with free shipping, H and M is definitely a place to stop during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend!
4. Cotton On
- Cotton On is one of the lesser known brands but still, they’ve got good deals this weekend! You can get up to 40% off everything off online and up to 50% off of certain items. For Cyber Monday Cotton On is offering 50% off any online purchase. Some of my favorite shirts that I’ve had for years are from Cotton On. The material is too comfortable not to give into these deals!
5. Target
- Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without Target! There amazing deals in store and online have people trading out family turkey time to waiting outside in the cold! With TV’s up to 60 percent off and discounted GoPros who would want to pass up this opportunity! Target is also offering free returns and free shipping!
