*sponsored post*

When I first started writing about travel here on the blog I mostly spoke about road trips that I had taken or was going to take, tips for long car trips and road trips, and about different aspects of road trips that are important to keep in mind. I still love road trips. Honestly, those of you that know me well know that. I love having the time to talk, to connect on a deeper level, and to laugh and see a new part of the world with those you love. 

With my recent road trip through New England, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia I have been thinking more and more about how important it is to choose your vehicle wisely when you decide to take a road trip. So today I wanted to share with y'all three of the top things to consider when you are choosing a vehicle for a road trip... 

1. Gas Mileage

One of the first things to consider when choosing the right road tripping vehicle is the gas mileage that you are going to get on your trip. It is important to consider the amount of miles that you are traveling and also calculate what types of roads you will encounter along the way. 

2. Car Durability

If you are like me then sometimes you love to take time to venture off the beaten path on your road trips. Due to this it is important to consider the durability of the car. If you want to explore and blaze a new trail (or a less explored one *smiles*) then you will want to consider a car that can tolerate rough roads, mud, fields, and other elements (including the opportunity to drive on the ocean floor like I did a couple of weeks ago!).

3. Safety

Safety of the car is the most important thing to consider as you consider gas mileage and also the durability of the car. I saw this today and it stopped me up short:

It may sound like such a simple thing but so many people drive without their seat belts on and this number above of the death toll is truly tragic. And, for those that have kiddos this is such an important thing to remember. Not sure about how to properly use the car seat? You can read all about car seat checks  -HERE. 

What about you? What is most important for you when choosing the right road tripping vehicle?

One my favorite items was this adorable maxi skirt. I love that it is flowy and yet the moss color is a perfect transition piece to the fall. You can find it HERE!

One my favorite items was this adorable navy dress from ModCloth. This dress originally retails for $99.99 but is available on Zulily for $37.99! I love that it is the perfect dress for the rest of the summer and is the perfect transition piece to fall and would even be perfect for some upcoming holiday parties. You can find it HERE!

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine.

As y'all know I love clothes. I am a girly-girl to the very core and love to dress up for all different occasions. And while I love thrift shopping there are also times that I need key pieces or an outfit for a special event. Unfortunately though clothes can be ridiculously expensive too which is so sad, but that is what I love about Groupon Coupons. I love using Groupon Coupons to be able to shop and save on clothing and to be able to afford key quality pieces that can last for a long time. 

As I was looking around at all of the different cute autumn outfits that are out right now, I started thinking about Thanksgiving that is coming up quickly (2 more weeks!!) and thought it would be fun to share 4 cute and affordable Thanksgiving Outfits that I found using Groupon Coupons! I love Charming Charlie and Nordstrom so I drew my outfit inspiration and finds from these two stores in particular! 

First, for a cute outfit I loved this outfit on Charming Charlie's site. This adorable Mara Reversible Ruana Wrap is a perfect way to add a touch of elegance to any outfit. Even better? This wrap is reversible in its design so you really get two outfits with this wrap! Add this wrap to a pair of jeans, a cute top, and booties and you have the perfect Thanksgiving outfit. The wrap comes in a variety of different colors and retails for $29 but with the Charming Charlie Groupon Coupon you would receive $10 off making the wrap just $19!

Second, this adorable outfit from Charming Charlie's is made (in my opinion) by the top. This fly-away lace up top is so adorable and is the perfect addition to the holiday wardrobe for Thanksgiving and other events during the entire holiday season. The special and un-expected detail of the chiffon back with flyaway lace gives the top a chic feminine touch.

Paired with a cute pair of skinny jeans, heels, and purse, this outfit is so cute for Thanksgiving and getting together with loved ones, especially for those who live in the warmer weather states. The ivory top retails for $29 but with the Charming Charlie Groupon Coupon you would receive $10 off making the to a steal at under $20!

Third and fourth, are two different adorable and cute black dresses from Nordstrom. For those that have a fancy Thanksgiving event to attend and are looking for a perfect dress to carry you throughout the holiday season then these two dresses are lovely choices. 

This floral burnout sweater dress (available in regular and petite sizing) is absolutely chic. The sheer floral burnout fabric offers flashes of skin at the sleeves and back that give this classic black dress a romantic twist.

The floral burnout sweater dress retails for $139 with free shipping. But with the Nordstrom Groupon Coupon you can receive a discount on this dress and other eligible items. Click HERE to check out what is available on the Nordstrom Groupon Coupon list now!

Finally, this beautiful Scallop Lace Dress is the perfect Roaring 1920's inspired style dress with a beautiful lace overlay and dramatically scalloped hemline. Retailing at $55 this dress is the perfect holiday occasion dress and wonderful for those who are looking for a touch of glam this Thanksgiving.

These are just a few of the many cute and affordable Thanksgiving outfit ideas using Groupon Coupons. There are so many other deals to discover and I love how Groupon Coupons allows you to save money and is super easy to use. Probably my favorite part about everything is the fact that Groupon Coupons is FREE to use. Completely FREE so head on over to check out these deals that I have mentioned and find deals in your area! 

What about y'all? What Groupon Coupons. deals have you found on fashion? Any tips to share?

*all pictures in this post are the property of Charming Charlie's and Nordstrom*

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine.

One thing that I love to do is to travel. Y'all know that traveling to me is a gift to the soul and something that is a hugely important part of my life. And while it is fun and adventuresome to travel to far off places, sometimes it is fun and wonderful to find a travel adventure closer to home. I have shared before about the beauty in exploring your own city and the ways that you can do so easily and sometimes finding an adventure closer to home brings a unique beauty to our lives. 

Unfortunately though any type of travel can become expensive and that is what I love about Groupon. I love using Groupon because there are so many different ways to save money on so many different things, but especially for great deals on lodging. 

As I looked around the Lake Champlain area for short getaway vacation deals with Groupon during the upcoming holiday season I was amazed at all of the thing that I found. Here are just a few travel deal around the Upper Lake Champlain Area that you will want to check out and explore:

First, starting in the historic Olympic Village of Lake Placid, NY which is situated in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains Groupon had several wonderful Lodging Deals:

Whiteface Lodge Groupon Deal

The Whiteface Lodge is beautifully set in the woodlands surrounding the town of Lake Placid and has been named the No. 1 Lake Placid Romantic Getaway by ResortsandLodge.com. Groupon has this amazing deal right now for the lodge costing only $236 a night instead of the usual $300+. You can find out more about this Groupon deal HERE.

Golden Arrow Lake Placid Resort

Another Groupon short getaway vacation option in Lake Placid, NY is to the Golden Arrow Lake Placid Resort. This beautiful Adirondack setting is located steps from the beautiful Mirror Lake and boasts a farm-to-table fare and uses energy-efficient heating. You can find out more about this Groupon deal HERE. 

Lake Placid Summit Hotel

Fort William Henry Hotel

The Fort William Henry Hotel has a long and rich history associated with it as the hotel opened back in 1855. It is situated on Lake George's south shore and is comprised of several buildings and restaurants on the beautiful 18-acre property. You can find out more about this Groupon Deal HERE. Do you like History? Then consider purchasing another Groupon Deal and visit the Fort William Henry Museum. You can find out more about the incredible savings that Groupon has for groups of two, four, six people HERE. 

Wyngate by Wyndham Lake George

This property is a family-friendly hotel boasting a wonderful location to explore Lake George, the southern Adirondacks, and the shopping areas. At a Groupon reduced rate of $72 a night this hotel could be the perfect lodging setting for your family. You can find out more about this Groupon Deal HERE. 

Looking to head into Vermont? Then consider checking out this Groupon deal for the beautiful Stowe Mountain Lodge:

Stowe Mountain Lodge

With winter predicted to bring a high snow fall this year, a short getaway vacation to the Stowe Mountain Lodge is the perfect escape. This beautiful 4.5 star resort is in close proximity to wonderful winter activities and boasts beautiful views. You can check out the Groupon Deal for this HERE.

Fourth and finally, are you looking to leave the US for a brief getaway with Groupon? Check out the following amazing deal for Quebec:

Rising at an altitude of 1200 feet, the mountaintop condos at Cap Tremblant - Mont-Tremblant offer panoramic views of the beautiful forests, snow capped mountains of Quebec and lakes. Inside each condo you will find a full-sized kitchen, dining area, and private balcony or terrace. As an extra bonus Groupon guests will receive 15% off the regular table d'hote menu at the properties restaurant, II Pinnacolo which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. You can find out more about this Groupon Deal HERE. 

These are just a few of the many deals on lodging that you can save on with Groupon! There are so many other events and experiences that you can discover and I love how Groupon allows you to save money and is super easy to use. Probably my favorite part about everything is the fact that Groupon is FREE to use. Completely FREE so head on over to check out these deals that I have mentioned and find deals in your area! (Are you in the San Diego, California area? Check out this post on Groupon Things to Do in San Diego for some great and fun ideas!) Want to learn more about Groupon? Click HERE to connect with them on Facebook and HERE and to connect with them on Twitter. 

What about y'all? What Groupon deals have you found for traveling? Any tips to share?

Do you ever dream of watching a movie that moves you and inspires you? I do. I love movies that are based on true stories and where I am encouraged and inspired to live more boldly, more courageously, with more faith, and with more hope. In this difficult time in life with this health journey that I am  on I need that inspiration. But to be frank, in these difficult times that we are living in I think we all need to be reminded of inspiration and hope. Miracles From Heaven is one of those movies. 

Miracles From Heaven is the true story of the Beam family, a Texas churchgoing family who had three adorable little girls. One night, Annabel Beam begins to develop stomach pain and vomiting which continues over the course of several months with doctors offering an array of inaccurate diagnosis until she is correctly diagnosed with a rare and potentially fatal intenstinal motility disorder. The movie follows the story of a period of time with Christy Beam (Annabel's mom) and family searching for answers, Christy's crisis of faith, and ultimately the miraculous healing of Annabel. 

As a lady going through a health journey I found myself relating to Annabel, her questions about why God hadn't healed her, relating to Christy's struggle with her faith, relating to the questions and insensitive comments that other Christians have made in regards to faith and healing, and ultimately relating to Christy's beautiful falling deeply in love with the Lord and her discovery that miracles happen every single day around us. You can read more about the movie at its landing page, HERE.

When I first was diagnosed with Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease I had no idea how much in my life would change. So much of it already had changed (losing my independence, moving back home to my parents house, having to take time off of teaching, etc.) and my days had become filled with medical appointment after medical appointment and I was literally struggling to just take one moment at a time. In the midst of all of this I didn't realize how many other things that I used to do on a daily and ordinary basis all of a sudden shifted and changed too. 

When I was healthy I didn't think about having a regular sleep schedule, getting up in the morning, showering, washing my hair, drying my hair, putting on make up, going to work, going to the grocery store (and other stores like Target or clothes shopping), making my meals, grading papers, going for a walk or run, getting my hair cut, eyebrows waxed, etc all happening in one day. I didn't think about all of the energy that each of these things took to just "complete" a day. But I definitely do now. 

Those ordinary and routine things and tasks that people tend to do everyday without needing assistance (things that we often refer and think of as things for daily living) are often times extremely demanding for a person living with a Chronic Illness. Many times when people think about someone living with a disease they tend to focus on the medical aspects of coping with our diseases, and unfortunately there is a lot of times that things go unspoken about. The daily life things that encompass so much of who we are, or who you think you are and then are challenged to re-examine these beliefs. 

I have learned a hard but important lesson in this journey. At first I felt like I was "sacrificing" who I was in accepting help with some of my daily routines and needs. I would try to "push through" even though so many people were asking how they could help. Unfortunately by denying their help I was often left more in pain, more exhausted, and then left without being able to enjoy my time with my loved ones like I wanted to do.

So I learned to accept help. I am so grateful for loved ones who help me with cooking my meals and now daily celebrate my accomplishments of now being able to do a lot of my own cooking (I love to cook) even if it is done sitting down a lot of the time. *smiles* I say a simple "thank you" to loved ones who help me with drying my hair so that I can spend the time coming to the table later on and enjoying their company. I have learned to let go of what I thought made me "more beautiful" by applying make up and doing my hair everyday and focus more on who I am and my loved ones. I have learned that I am a "girly-girl" to my core, but have also learned what being a woman is really about.

Back in September when I went cruising I remember saying to a woman on the trip on one of the last days of the cruise (I was beyond exhausted at that point) that I was going to skip doing make up in the morning because I wanted to spend the energy meeting up with friends instead. Her response was to belittle this decision saying that she would never be seen in public without makeup and that her mama raised her to "have pride in her looks" and she even went as far as to lift her eyes and say, "are you sure about that?". I admit that I cried because the implication was that I didn't have pride and that I wasn't pretty enough to be seen in public without make-up. As time continued this fall and I fought for my health and my life in a new and extreme way I see how far I have truly come - not only in this fight for my health but in my heart. I have learned that I don't need to do anything physically in order to leave my house or engage with those who are loved ones. True friends have embraced me even when my hair is not perfectly groomed or I didn't put on make up for our face-timing. Loved ones have sweetly held my hand and held my heart as I have been incredibly sick and able to offer nothing, especially my looks. This journey has taught me a great lesson and I have learned a great prize in this journey. What is on the inside is the most important. 

Each day as I do things that most people find are easy and ordinary (cooking a meal, taking a shower, putting my contacts in, doing my make up, walking, etc.) I celebrate. I celebrate how far I have come in healing. I celebrate learning more about myself in this journey and becoming the woman I want to be - especially in my heart. I celebrate treasuring every moment with those that I love because I have had to "sacrifice" some of what I thought was important for what really is. I celebrate love. I celebrate those who unlike that woman on the cruise aren't concerned with my appearance but love me for being me. I celebrate these accomplishments of  the "ordinary" while living with a chronic illness because I know how big the ordinary actually is. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Want to read more and hear more stories from other chronic illness bloggers? Check out Self Care Catalysts (http://www.selfcarecatalysts.com/) which is a company that creates health-based apps including Health Storylines. They are launching a Self Care Movement that started this week! Check out their website to find out more!