While visiting Colorado in September, my husband surprised me with tickets to ride the scenic Silverton/Durango train. If you enjoy trains and nature, this is a must on your list of things to do.
You can choose to ride the train one way or round-trip. We chose the round-trip tickets. I recommend buying tickets to sit inside because the train goes rain or shine and the day we went there were some big thunderstorms. You can still get up and walk to the outdoor cars. My husband spent half the ride back in one of the open air cars. I sat in my seat, opened my window, and took a ton of photos and videos. If you do what I did, be safe. There are some VERY close rocks, etc. and you could seriously injure yourself or even die, if you aren’t paying attention and you stick your head out the window.
Below, please find some videos and photos of the trip below.
Narrow Passages on the Silverton/Durango Train
River Views & Steep Banks
Gunshots & Gunsmoke? (Isn’t this pic pretty? :p )
Chugging Along
Views From Above
To see the full image, be sure to click on the photo.
This past September, while visiting Pagosa Springs, Colorado, my hubby and I decided to run the Alpine Loop out of Ouray. It wasn’t the greatest day, as it was cold and raining on and off, but we still had a blast. We intended to run more trails the following day but cut our trip short due to the inclement weather.
On top of Engineer Pass – Alpine Loop
Descending Engineer Pass – Freezing cold and raining on and off – Alpine Loop
My husband and I are avid lovers of off-roading. When we moved to Wisconsin, we bought our first side-by-side, as I rolled our 4-wheeler one time too many. Someone is with me because I rolled that sucker on a very steep mountainside and lived to tell the tale. Let me tell you, it was a rough ride back down the mountain.
Now we own a CFMOTO ZFORCE, and I love it. We visit friends in northern Wisconsin and run trails, and we travel to Colorado for a couple of weeks each year and off-road all over the place. This past year (September 2024) we went to Pagosa Springs and ran trails outside of town. The below videos are trails averaging a 3-5 rating. Nothing crazy. We were happy to be out enjoying a nice sunny day with the wind in our faces. This is just a taste of the videos I plan to upload more frequently, along with my travel articles.
For more videos from Star Spirit Adventures, be sure to follow me. This page continues to evolve and I’m working on adding posts more regularly. Coming soon, are videos on the Alpine Loop.
If you’re like me, your calendar is overflowing with holiday cheer. You can’t find a single place to add in time for yourself between the cookie baking, secret family recipe wassail making, and holiday music themed gift-wrapping marathons. You’re meeting yourself coming and going, which means you have no time to find that perfect holiday outfit. You know, the one that takes all week trekking from store to store to locate. This year, you’re in luck ladies and gents because I have an excellent option for you!
I’ve spent a year testing out two companies that pair you with a personal stylist who picks out clothes and then sends them directly to you. The first company I tried was Wantable. The second, is Stitch Fix. Because it’s the holiday season, I chose their holiday edits for the best comparison.
Wantable: Holiday Style Edit
With Wantable, you fill out a survey, your sizes, and notes to direct your stylist, choose your edit, and pay a twenty-dollar styling fee, which you get back if you purchase an item. You also receive access to a clothing stream where you can request or reject different articles of clothing. There’s a section for notes and requests as well. The box you receive will contain seven items, along with a return envelope for the articles you decide not to buy. If you buy five items, you receive twenty percent off your order, a great incentive. Sometimes they waive the styling fee or add other incentives to your order. Currently, there’s a free necklace with a single purchase. After you try on your order, you have five days to return whatever you don’t want. If you need longer, they have an option to extend the return period.
Above, you can see the Happy Holiday Style Edit I received. The last image on the right is the free necklace.
Upon first look, I loved everything they sent me, and I was excited to find that they gave me a preview before finalizing my shipment. With the preview, the stylist gives you a short window to reject or request items she has picked for your order. This is new to me. I never received an email about this review period previously, so I believe it might be a new thing they’ve adopted.
Everything looks cute, but upon further inspection, I found the (78 & Sunny $69) Grateful sweater to be too big, with massive batwing arms. The animal print (B Collection by Bobeau $69) popcorn cardigan’s sleeves hung roughly 7 inches past my fingertips. I already have a green sweatshirt like the (Herizon $69) black one, and I decided I didn’t need another. The burgundy and white striped (Staccato $59) sweater isn’t my thing. I really wanted the (Joy Susan $86) purse. It has a secondary crossbody purse inserted inside, but the reviews I found made it sound like it wasn’t worth the money. I’m not a blazer person, so while I appreciate the look and feel of the red velvet (Skies are Blue $89) blazer, it’s not something I’d wear. The green and white striped (Z Supply $79) sweater was wide, but much shorter than it appeared online. It’s a crop sweater and I specifically requested no crops/midriffs, but I requested it from my preview, as the image is deceiving. In the end, I returned everything including the necklace.
The order total before the discount was $520. If I’d bought the purse, I would have gotten my $10.55 discounted styling fee back, and I would have received the free necklace. Had I bought five items, I would have received the styling fee and twenty percent off.
PROS:
Wantable sends you 7 items to choose from.
You get a discount if you buy 5 items.
You can choose a category for your order: Style, Sleep, or Active.
Allows for recurring orders.
Has sustainable brands.
Customer service is kind and responsive. They’ll go out of their way to make things right.
CONS:
No kids clothing.
I feel the clothing is less budget-friendly than Stitch Fix.
You can’t schedule for a specific date.
I’ve asked for a specific item in the note many times but never seem to get that item, though I frequently get other items I requested in the stream.
Discount is only 20%.
Stitch Fix Fa-La-La Edit
I’ve purchased a few Stitch Fixes over the past year, but the edits are new and something I’m very excited about. This was my first themed edit, and I have to say, I was impressed.
Like Wantable, Stitch Fix has you pay a twenty-dollar styling fee, which you get back if you purchase an item, fill out a survey, and sizes, and make notes for your stylist. They also have a stream where you can give a thumbs up or down to items. If I want a specific item, I usually put it in the notes. You will receive five items and three days to try them out. Stitch Fix also gives you a window to preview your stylist’s pics. You can veto as many as you like and they will pick new ones if needed. I highly recommend leaving notes for your stylist so they know why you vetoed, etc.
One thing they have that Wantable doesn’t is an inspiration board. If you’re serious about receiving a great style box, follow my lead. Create a file on your computer of images of you in some of your favorite looks, as well as images you downloaded of styles you love. Upload them to Stitch Fixes’ inspiration board. Before I did this, I was not satisfied with my styles. Now it’s rare for me to receive items I’m not fond of.
I loved four of these items, but in the end I only bought two due to budgeting being unsure about one item and how it looked. I wasn’t sure about the black lace (Dizzy Lizzy $68) mini dress, as I don’t usually show that much of my legs, but I truly debated it because I thought it was cute. It did come with a flaw. There was seam ripped at the very bottom, but they still had my size and Stitch Fix has had great customer service response thus far. I kept the (Urban Expressions $48) green daisy clutch because it was vegan leather and reminded me of a 20’s purse. It matches a super cute pair of wedge sandals I bought a few months back from Stitch Fix. I also purchased the green (FORTUNE + IVY $39) keyhole blouse. I didn’t think it would fit, but it did and I can’t wait to wear it with the sandals and new purse. The black sparkly (Bobeau $58) boatneck bow shirt was cute, but I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to keep the bow looking nice. The number one love in this order, that I didn’t purchase, is the gold Shaken and Brewed (Kate Spade $68) mini studs. I love Kate Spade, but I’m willing to wait for them to come down in price, and between that, my clothing maintenance issues, and the mini dress, I decided to tamp down my purchasing urges and only buy two items.
Had I purchased all of the items, the original total would have been $281, but with the twenty-five percent discount and removal of the styling fee, the final price would have been $190.75.
PROS:
Ships fast and generally arrives within a day or two of chosen delivery date.
Allows for an inspiration board.
Well-known brands.
More budget-friendly than Wantable. (I let them know if I’m looking to keep prices on the low end due to Christmas, etc.)
Has sustainable brands.
Allows for recurring orders.
Responsive customer service.
You can purchase items individually if you don’t want a full fix.
25% off if you purchase all 5 items.
You can schedule specific dates/timeframes to receive your fix.
CONS:
You only receive 5 items.
There is no discount if you choose not to purchase all 5 items (unless they’re running a special)
The return window is shorter than Wantable’s.
No categories to choose from. (But you can request specific items).
After all my fashion adventures between Stitch Fix and Wantable, I still like both companies. Most of their brands are different, but a few overlap such as Bobeau. They’ve both given me excellent options over the past year. I’ve fallen in love with great new finds from both companies. When all is said and done, I lean slightly more toward Stitch Fix, as I like being able to choose a specific date for my order to arrive and that they give 25% off your full order. Also, their holiday edit felt more festive and spoke to me and my style.
To schedule your edits, check out the links below. While I’m not an affiliate, both sites do give incentives for recommendations.
If you’re an author, or a reader, looking for a new book discovery experience, check out Shepherd. Shepherd has a unique way of connecting readers with the stories they’re looking for. Authors can share their views on the books they love and draw more people toward their work.
The site is crisp, clean, and immediately draws you in. Check out the book list I created:
It’s a thing of beauty. Monitor this rising book discovery star, because my intuition says this is only the beginning. I’m told reader accounts are in the works and many other exciting things are coming soon!
If you like Shepherd’s concept and want to show your support, you can donate to the cause and receive some excellent perks by clicking on the link below:
Today we have an epidemic of short-wired people who explode and lose their cool easily, and for what reason? Because someone drove too slowly, didn’t respond to a question quick enough, or looked at you wrong. What if the situation was even more extreme? Stabbings and gun violence resulting in death?
We’re stressed to the max. Powder kegs waiting to go off at the slightest variance within our daily lives. We have high blood pressure, poorly functioning organs, and we’re overweight, which puts excess stress on everything. Basically, we’re killing ourselves and we’ve been made to believe that this is a normal part of life.
Instead of going to the root of our problems, we get a prescription to level out and take care of them, but are they really taken care of? What if we actually decide to take care of ourselves for a change? What would that look like? Who would you have to be in order to do the things you need to do to have better health, less stress, and more happiness? Think about that for a moment.
I recommend beginning with meditation. Many people think it’s some garbage that takes years to master, but it’s really not that difficult. Meditation has been proven to help with anxiety, stress, sleep, and countless other positive health changes.
Start with five minutes and go up from there. Don’t worry about your mind wandering. Focus on breathing in deeply and releasing your breath half as fast as you breathed in. I’m not giving you a specific count, because I don’t want you to feel anxious about this. I want you to feel what it’s like first.
Each time you breathe out, imagine your body relaxing, starting at the top of your head, then your face, neck, shoulders, etc., until you reach your feet. Let go of that stress. Be comfortable where you are. I don’t care if you do this sitting or lying down. Just feel what it’s like to breathe. That’s where you start.
Breathing in to the count of three, filling your belly, pausing briefly, and then breathe out to the count of six (if you want specific numbers) should have a relaxing effect on you. It should help to soothe anxiety and calm your senses. This is a great place to begin if you simply want a feel for the meditative state. You can do this anywhere you are if you begin to feel anxious or angry.
To move beyond breathing, I recommend a meditation app. I myself use Insight Timer. Insight Timer is a wonderful app because you can do a guided meditation, listen to talks, receive affirmations for nearly anything, or create your own timer with sounds you can quietly meditate to. You’ll have a search feature which allows you to look up any number of topics.
Begin by using the app daily. You may find that meditation changes how you feel and pushes you to want to make even more healthy decisions. Ideally, this will lead to you regularly feeling happier and healthier. Who doesn’t want less stress and more happiness?
For more information on Insight Timer and the benefits of meditation, please see the articles below.
**Full Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. You should always consult with your doctor before beginning any new health program or changing any medications.
**Notes on Insight Timer. If you download the app, they’ll want you to do a trial, but if you just want the free version, you can skip past all of that without doing the trial or payment plan.
For those of us who are regulars on the Las Vegas scene, the same old thing might get a little stale. If you’re into trying new bars with fun drinks and an excellent happy hour, look no further than the Golden Tiki in Chinatown.
The Golden Tiki is located three minutes from the Rio. It’s known for its celebrity shrunken heads as well as celeb appearances. This bar plays to the dark and seductive side, as you’ll find naughty portholes, paintings, and, dare I say, dirty bathroom décor, but it’s all in good fun. Your eyes will have plenty to look at.
I went with my family to the Golden Tiki. We did make a reservation, which is recommended. During busy nights, you will have to surrender your table when the allotted time expires. If you plan to go during happy hour, you’ll find some great priced appetizers as well as delicious drink specials. I have a soft spot for any drink you can light on fire, and their menu doesn’t disappoint.
The servers were fun, and the food was great. We ate coconut shrimp, meatballs, sliders, tater tots. Honestly, we ate nearly everything on the menu. I have no complaints, other than wishing I’d been present to see the impromptu appearance of Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul serving up drinks with their signature Dos Hombres Mezcal. That’s the beauty of the Golden Tiki. You never know who will stop in.
It’s 2024. What’s your future looking like? Is it all about a healthier you? More friendships? More travel? A new romance? Whatever it is you want in 2024, write it down. Studies show that the people who are more likely to succeed with their New Year’s resolutions are the ones who actually take the time to write out what they plan to achieve.
Do you need a little tough love? Stop messing around and deal with your life. If you don’t go out and make it happen, you’ll never meet your goals.
Goals don’t have to be daunting. You can literally sit down with a piece of paper and write “Goals for 2024” and make a list of what comes to mind. For example:
More Happiness/Joy
More time to read
Take that trip to Bali
Remove dairy for a month to see how I feel
Plan to get coffee with an old friend
You get the point. It’s whatever you think will better your life. If you really want to go all out and inch even closer to success, then you should add more details to your goals. Check out the Forbes article at the bottom of this post.
Below you’ll find a list of different sites and resources that might help you along the way.
www.goodreads.com – If you want to read more, you can join the Goodreads reading challenge.
www.beachbody.com – If you like workout videos, you can get your fill here, as well as some great meal programs. It will cost you to join.
Yoga With Adriene – You can look up her videos on YouTube – she’s my favorite person to go to for Yoga workouts. She usually does a month-long challenge each new year. You can do her workouts for free.
www.noom.com – If you need an app for tracking your health, this one is great, though it does cost money.
Insight Timer – You can download this app from the Play Store for meditation, yoga, and classes on health and wellness. There is a paid version, or you can skip over adding your information and do all of the free stuff. I use this app and love it. There are a lot of great free meditations.
Low Fodmap Diet – If you struggle with food sensitivities, maybe this is the year you do an elimination diet to figure out what the food culprits are. I recommend talking to your dietitian before starting.
www.clickup.com – This is a goal-tracking app that is supposed to be free. I have not tried it, so research before you use it.
I’ve been all over the US and I’ve experienced some pretty brilliant shows and dinner theatres. Christmas in the Dells is very much worth your time if you like variety shows and a tasty family-style meal. My family went to the show last week, and we all enjoyed it very much.
The evening began an hour before showtime with a family-style meal of vegetable cream soup, rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy, turkey, ham, cheesy mac, green beans, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie or a brownie for dessert. The portions are unlimited and the taste is phenomenal.
I was most impressed with the vegetable cream soup and the cheesy mac, of which we ordered a second serving. The desserts are decently sized. I didn’t even finish my brownie. I was too full.
Traditional non-alcoholic beverages come with the meal, but if you prefer an adult beverage, they have wine and several signature drinks. Be prepared to pay a hefty price. I ordered a bottle of wine to share with my family, as it was the most cost-effective option. Even the non-alcoholic signature drinks are over ten dollars.
As the show began, the servers made themselves scarce to not be in the way. For the couple who came in right at show-time, a little distracting, but they still received their meal, despite their tardiness. I honestly didn’t notice their server dashing around in front of me, as the show was quite engaging.
I ran into one snaffoo, which had to do with booking my tickets. I booked online and for whatever reason, did not receive the table I clicked on. I called the box office; they told me that despite my table looking like it’s available on the site; it was booked under my name. I repeated the table number to clarify we were on the same page, to which the woman I was speaking to stated “b” as in boy and the number. When we got to the show, we were at “d” as in dog. They offered us a different table, but the server had already begun serving us, so we stayed where we were. Honestly, the seats are all pretty decent, but if you want a specific spot, maybe call and book directly through the theatre and not online.
Seating issues aside, they impressed me with everything else. You will experience some exceptional music and vocals, comedy, aerial acrobatics, live nativity, and much more. I still cannot get over how great the singers are. Their voices are on point, and the band is quite talented. Beyond the music, my favorite part of the show was the nativity. It sent chills down my spine. Incredible to experience.
Another highlight of our evening was taking a photo with Santa. When you buy the photo, you also receive the digital file. I promptly ordered a framed version from Keepsake Frames, which was delivered yesterday. A great memento from a fun and memorable evening. For more information on Christmas in the Dells Dinner Show, please visit: Wisconsin Dells Christmas Show | Christmas in the Dells Dinner Show (dellschristmasdinnershow.com)
Freddy Mercury is a rock legend. An unreplaceable presence. But, if you had to replace him, there is no one better to take the lead than someone as quirky, and that someone could only be Adam Lambert.
I grew up listening to Queen. I recall watching the documentaries with my father, including the most recent movie, Bohemian Rhapsody. Freddy’s charisma has always enamored me. His showmanship was one-of-a-kind. He knew what he wanted his music to sound like and he was very particular, but his influence on the world of music will never be forgotten. The legend lives on in his songs and bandmates.
As I did with Freddy, I fell in love with Adam Lambert and have been a follower of him, ever since he competed in American Idol. When I heard Adam’s rendition of Mad World on American Idol, I got chills. Anyone who can invoke that sort of response is going places.
I attended the October 27th concert at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. My husband and I had seats that gave us a complete view of the arena, just off the edge of the sound booth and up a few rows. These seats were difficult to grab, as I had to wait my turn and then they sold out faster than I could make payment. I ended up with two seats in the same row, but four apart. When we got to our seats, low and behold, the only two open were right next to each other. We were elated.
The music was excellent. Adam gave an impressive performance, as did Brian May and Roger Taylor. They each took time to showcase their skills. The lighting and imagery they chose for the show were brilliant. The sound was on point. I wouldn’t hold any qualms about seeing this show again in the future.
One thing that made my night was that Adam took the time to acknowledge Freddy’s greatness. The group even had a projection of Freddy singing. You can still feel Roger and Brian’s love for their late bandmate.
Queen wasn’t Queen with any other frontman performing after Freddy passed, but with Adam Lambert, the music once again came to life. If you haven’t seen this concert and you’re a Queen fan. I highly recommend it.
Star Spirit Adventures 