How Woodworking Changed my Life
How I began woodworking and how it changed my life. Woodworking is something I picked up a few years ago, I grew up in a crafty home and I married a crafty guy. We are always learning and starting new crafty hobbies, thankfully my kids seem to have also inherited the gene. When I first came to my husband and said “I want to learn how to use a scroll saw and make these wood puzzles and teethers”, I was not met with “you are crazy” but rather “ok, lets find you a good one to invest in” and within a few days we had brought home my first woodworking love, my Porter Cable Scroll Saw. From there I opened my shop, Taylor Blakely Co. on Etsy and Instagram (which later changed to Creatively Bria and expanded) and suddenly felt like I had something for myself again, being a mom can really take away your sense of identity if you let it.
Read full story10 Ways to Live a Greener Life
I’ve always been one of those eco-conscious moms. I’m sure at times it drives my husband crazy, but I have found ways to make sure my family is doing their part in protecting the earth and marine life without it being any more difficult for them. We do everything from cloth diapering to cloth napkins, now I know it isn’t realistic to expect that every person is going to be willing or able to cloth diaper. But the good thing about it is that you don’t have to be all or nothing when it comes to doing your part, so I’ve rounded up 10 easy ways that you can live a greener life. And an extra special bonus is that most of these will save you money in the long run!
Read full storyBeat the Heat in Las Vegas
As the temperature begins to rise across the Las Vegas Valley follow along to see my review of the regions newest water park, Cowabunga Bay Water Park in Henderson, NV. Las Vegas is well known for our scorching summer days. In the worst of it temperatures can reach up to 117* but average is right around 105*. While on a mission to find ways to “Beat the Heat” a few summers ago, the kids, husband and I were guests of Cowabunga Bay Waterpark in Henderson, NV (just across the street from Las Vegas city limits) and we all had the time of our lives! We loved it so much we have purchased season passes every year since. So let's dive in and break it down from the start to the finish.
Read full storySay Goodbye to Free Drinks in Las Vegas
The days of free alcoholic beverages brought to you by cocktail waitresses in skimpy show girl like costumes while you gamble are dwindling. Well actually, the days of free anything in Las Vegas are becoming extinct. Free parking, yeah right you can't even find free parking with validation let alone straight up free parking anymore. Now you're shelling out minimum of $12 and up to $15 per day.
Read full story15 Things to do in Las Vegas besides Gamble Pt 2
I hope you all enjoyed Part 1 of 15 Things to do in Las Vegas besides Gambling. Here is part 2, honestly I could make these all day long. There are so many things aside from drinking and gambling that they deserve their own recognition!
Read full story15 Non Gambling Things to do in Las Vegas
Everyone knows Las Vegas as Sin City, the casinos, the lights, the drinking but what else is there? What things do the locals recommend that you do the next time you visit? Here are 15 things a Las Vegas local recommends checking out.
Read full storyStop Feeding the Homeless in Las Vegas!
Before you jump down my throat and call me heartless read on. As of January 2019 7,196 people were experiencing homelessness in Las Vegas on any given day, as reported by Continuums of Care to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD. [USICH.gov, 2019] There're are approximately 2,000 beds available at the beginning of each day in Las Vegas, while this clearly isn't enough to cover the estimated 7000+ homeless. On any given night there are over 300 unclaimed beds available. Available to the public is the LasVegasNevada.gov website which has a real time tracker on how many beds are available and where. As I write this article, it's a Friday night and there are 248 beds at the Courtyard Homeless Resource Center, 10 at The Salvation Army (LGBTQ), 26 at The Salvation Army (men), and 9 at The Salvation Army (women). While places like National Alliance to End Homelessness fight for more funding opposers argue that the federal funding already received by shelters is going to waste.
Read full storyTraveling with toddlers!
It’s no secret that my family has quickly become known as “That Disney Family” on social media. I recently asked on instagram what are a few things you may want to know about Disneyland or Disney in general and got a lot of great suggestions. I decided to take this to a full blog series! (Part 2 coming soon)
Read full storyLas Vegas Sexual Assault Kits Backlogged to 1985
In a world where violent crime is on the rise, victims of sexual assault cases in Nevada dating back to 1985 are beginning to get some justice. In 2015 then Senator Aaron Ford (now attorney general) made it his mission to stop the ever growing backlog of untested rape evidence kits in Nevada, more specifically Southern Nevada which accounted for 85%. After a 5 year joint effort from The US Department of Justice, Nevada lawmakers, the state attorney general's office, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department labs, and Washoe County Sheriff's Department, the backlog is officially been eliminated.
Read full storyThings you *think* are legal in Las Vegas, but are they?
With a nickname like Sin City comes a lot of rumor, speculation, and general assumption of what is allowed within Las Vegas. Read along as we debunk most of these and maybe surprise you with a few that are actually legal here.
Read full storyWhat's up with Las Vegas during Covid-19? Homeless not required to mask up!
I have been asked numerous times what Las Vegas looks like right now. With us being so close to the shut down state of California it might come as a surprise that virtually every part of Las Vegas is open! There are some exceptions however which may make you want to rethink hopping on the next available flight.
Read full storyLas Vegas Mom Reuses Diapers, and Talks Benefits of Doing So
Over the last 4.5 years I have been asked numerous times about cloth diapering. Everything from, why I cloth diaper, how I handle cleaning them, what I do when I travel, how did I get my husband on board, what brand I use, does it effect their walking, and so many more. I figured it was time to sit down and put answers to all of these questions in a series. As the title suggests, this one will cover all the major benefits of cloth diapering. So if you're on the fence about which way to go, hopefully this will help.
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