Taking a Romantic Staycation

With everything else going on in life, it's possible you don't have the time or money to take a Valentine's Day getaway, even if it's a budget-friendly one. There's also the fact that everything seems to be twice as much as normal over the Valentine's weekend. I'm not sure why that is, since it only discourages people from spending money they don't have in the first place to prove the love they should be proving in little ways throughout the year. If you want to make the effort to show your Valentine a little love and like you put some thought into a unique gift, let's talk about a fun staycation you can plan.

Do Valentine's Day on a different day

This year it falls on a Sunday, but that whole weekend is going to be crazy. Plan your day/weekend around the week before or after, or in the middle of the week if you can take a few days off. It's the thought that counts and your significant other will appreciate the planning and budget-conscientiousness. The best things in life are free, after all, so more creativity and less cash is going to go a long way.

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Stay in a town other than where you live

Not up to hanging around your own town? Go a town or two over and explore that one! Stay in a budget hotel or a B&B and make an itinerary with all the touristy stuff there is to do there on it. Just that change of scenery can really help you relax. And even though you could drive there and do a day trip, why not make it a real vacation by putting some money on an affordable accommodation.

Get a hotel or vacation rental in the middle of the action

Come on! You haven't see everything in the city you live in, have you? There are still some things in Portland that I have yet to get to...and in Oregon. If you live near a big city, chances are there is a fabulous downtown that is full of fun and weird stuff to do. I also bet dollars to doughnuts (yum!) that you don't live downtown, because it is wicked expensive. This is the time to cash in some miles or hotel points for free nights or look into gettng an apartment or condo rental in the middle of it all and set out each day to discover something new and awesome about where you live.

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Look online for popular (and obscure) tourist attractions 

You already do this when you go on regular vacations. Do it the same way for your hometown and find crazy things you have never heard of before, do things you always say you will or just go be a cheesy tourist and do things that you tell other people are musts when they visit.

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Take a walk

A few months ago we went on a city scavenger hunt and it sure was a fun time. Check out these from Urban Adventure Quest and even StrayBoots. It's a fun way to explore your city and to put your brains together to solve puzzles. Plus, you're going to have a bunch of photo ops. Make all your Instagram followers jealous of your fun times.

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Take a walking tour

All cities have one, so why not fork over a few bucks (or nothing) and go on one. You're sure to learn a bunch about where you live and maybe look at it much differently than before. You can find all kinds of walking tours by Googling or looking at your local Chamber of Commerce website. Many cities have free tours run by locals that are super fun and informative or you can download a free or cheap walking tour app to your mobile device and do it yourself! 

Eat at all those food carts you always say you will try, but then never do

Oh the joy of looking at the Twitter feed and seeing a new food cart has opened. You vow you will try it, and then 30 new carts have come and gone and you have yet to drive the 2 miles into town and find parking and eat maybe some of the most delicious stuff you will ever call food. Okay, maybe it will be mediocre or downright disgusting, but you'll never know unless you try it. All in one day you could try salted cod, deep fried cheeseburgers, ham and cheese crepes and Korean short ribs on a stick! (Of course, you'll have to adjust for what your town actually has.) Seriously though. Your city probably has a ton of really cool stuff. If not food carts, like Portland is famous for, then maybe you can hit up a bunch of greasy spoons or taco trucks. At least you'll get exercise walking to each one.

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Bring your camera and take lots of pictures

Don't take your city for granted. Just because you see that stuff every day, doesn't mean it's not cool. You'll be sad one day when you talk to someone about things and then realize you have no photos of it or you being there.

Take in a Broadway/off-Broadway play

Most cities have plays and Broadway-style productions going on all the time (or if you are in New York City, you get actual Broadway shows) and you can get half-price tickets the day of the performance, find discounts in your Entertainment Book or find amazing deals online at Broadway Box if you live in NYC, Orlando, Las Vegas or London.

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Go glamping in your own backyard

I've done my fair share of camping. I wouldn't call it romantic and it can certainly be really unfun at times. It's also a lot of work. Glamping (glamour camping) has become pretty popular, but it can actually set you back more than a fancy hotel room at times. If you have a backyard, you can glamp at home for practically nothing. Get out your tent - if you don't have one, you can borrow a big one from a friend or possibly create one yourself with pop-up gazebo that has sides (don't be afraid to hit up Craigslist and like sites for freebies or cheap options as well. Drag out your favorite cozy comforts: couch cushions, blankets, throw pillows, an ottoman and short table. String up some fairy lights inside and out, light up the firepit if you have one for s'mores and cater your dinner so you can spend your time decorating instead of cooking. Get comfy, snuggle and enjoy.

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Have a Picnic

If you happen to live in an area of the country where winter has decided to give up, it’s pretty easy to find a nice little spot to take a meal to, or even throw a blanket down in your backyard. If, like us in the Northwest, you have cold and usually rainy weather, you have to be a little more creative. Push the living room furniture out of the way, light a fire or put on a yule log video (this is streaming year-round on Netflix) and toss a blanket and some throw pillows on the floor.

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Make Your Own Drive-In

We love movies. For one of my husband’s birthdays, I purchased a Roku projector and outdoor screen so we could watch movies in our yard. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on such a thing. In fact, you can turn your smartphone into a projector with a few items you probably have around your house. Use it inside with a sheet or do the same outside if it’s warm or you can snuggle up in the car and pretend you’re at a drive-in.

Critique Free Art

There are lots of places that have art and other kinds of museums that offer free admission. Maybe you have a park full of sculptures that you’ve never gone to before. Take your SO to view an art exhibit and talk about the art and your interpretations.

For even more ideas, check out my staycation Pinterest board.

Tell us about your favorite budget Valentine's ideas...

Celebrating Mardi Gras with Community Coffee

We're less than a week away from Mardi Gras, people! Fat Tuesday, and the biggest New Orleans festival, kicks off next week. Mardi Gras has it's roots in old traditions from Medieval Europe (most notably Rome and Venice), taking the best modern ideas to turn it into the celebration it is today. If you plan to visit during this festive time, or to throw your own raucous party, there are a few things you should know. Community Coffee has your top 10 must-knows.

10. How to spell “krewe” and “flambeaux” and “Mardi Gras” and, well, you get the point. 

9.  Technically, Carnivale is a season, and Mardi Gras is a day. But we tend to generalize and refer to the weeks of parades leading up to Fat Tuesday as Mardi Gras. 

8. The Mardi Gras colors are purple, green and gold. Remember to coordinate your outfit appropriately. 

7. The Captain of the Krewe is more important than the King. But the King gets all the glory, while the Captain does all the work. 

6. If you miss a doubloon thrown from a float, never reach down to pick it up. Always put your foot on it. If you go with your hand, you're either too late or you'll get your fingers stepped on. 

5. If you bite into a plastic baby in a King Cake, that's a good thing. 

4. Any beads shorter than two feet long are unacceptable unless they are made of glass -- the bigger and longer the beads, the better. 

3. Once any beads have touched the ground, they are sullied and should not be picked up unless under the rarest of circumstances. 

2. The vast majority of people in the Quarter during Carnivale are from out of town. 

1. The Number 1 thing you must know about Mardi Gras season is that Community© Mardi Gras King Cake coffee hits the shelves. We suggest you celebrate with the “king” of all flavored coffees, our delicious Mardi Gras King Cake coffee with light vanilla and cinnamon flavoring.

Now you know how to blend in with the locals and avoid Mardi Gras faux pas, let's talk about this coffee! You can get it ground in bags, whole bean and also in k-cups for your single-cup coffee maker. Community sells it's regular flavors all year long in the Southeastern U.S. and online. Choose from Dark Roast, Café Special, House Blend, Columbia Altura, Brazil Santos Bourbon, Louisiana Blend, Breakfast Blend and other specialty flavors.

I love my coffee and I have at least one cup a day, sometimes more, because in the winter here it's nice to have something to warm you up from the inside out. There are a lot of coffees out there that just don't cut it. You've probably had some of them. I like it rich and dark, but not too bitter. I was excited to try Community's exclusive King Cake flavor, because I'm headed to New Orleans in the fall this year to experience the more mellow side of the city. There's no way I'm leaving the city without enjoying a great cup of coffee with a big plate of beignets.

I received k-cups for King Cake, Café Special and Breakfast Blend, giving me a good variety of flavors for all my moods throughout the week and day. Here's my take on each blend:

Café Special

I'm a fan of a dark roast and sometimes a medium/dark roast doesn't have the bold flavor one wants first thing in the morning to start their day, but this has matched some of the darker roasts I've bought and loved, including a really good French roast. If a full-bodied and deep coffee is on your list, Café Special can really get you going no matter when you're enjoying a cup. 

Breakfast Blend

Many lighter coffees I've had don't have a great flavor and can be watery, but Community has really gotten it right. If I want something a little lighter and less in your face in the morning (or right before bed, because I'm one of those people who can still sleep when full of caffeine), Breakfast Blend keeps all the flavor, but the lighter roast is delightfully mild and pleasant. It's perfect if you are one of those black coffee drinkers, which I'm not normally, but found I didn't mind sipping this without adding anything to lighten or sweeten it up.

King Cake

This lighter roast has subtly-sweet undertones. It's sugar-free, but the vanilla and cinnamon flavors really shine through, giving it a taste that works with anything you want to have it with, whether it's a leisurely breakfast, an after dinner treat or a quick pick-me-up in the middle of the day. Louisiana natives say that this blend reminds them of home and it's the perfect accompaniment to that traditional king cake. If you're having your own Mardi Gras party, make sure you have some on-hand for your guests to enjoy, because it's unlike any coffee you may be able to find in your normal store and isn't floofy (yes, I made that word up) like a lot of those other flavored coffees out there. It's really smooth, with no aftertaste and feels a bit like a darker roast than it is. 

It's not sold year-round, so if you love it, you might want to stock up. Remember, coffee stays fresher longer if you keep it in the freezer, so you have a safe place to stash some extra bags you buy. 

I have issues with heartburn and certain coffees can instantly give me pain, which is the worst. Community Coffees are smooth and my body doesn't object to drinking it anytime of day or if I have several cups at a time. This makes me even happier to sit down with a cup and more excited for my trip, because a good cup of coffee can be difficult to find, especially in the U.S. You can bet a bag of Community Coffee is going to make its way into my shopping cart when I hit the grocery store for morning provisions on my trip.

Now, you know I like to back companies that do good things and Community does that. Your purchases are going to help schools, farmers and military men and women. The family-owned company knows how to give back and also that there are more people involved in coffee-making than those you see. Community participates in Cash for Schools, getting necessary books, supplies and equipment to those in need. They also support our military troops by getting them a little taste of home. When you purchase a military match set, the same coffee will be sent overseas for those brave men and women defending our country. 

Being a farmer is hard work and Community Coffee recognizes that and wants to give credit where credit is due by making sure that the farmers that provide their awesome beans get what they deserve. Money earned is kept within the communities, so they can keep doing what they're doing and thrive while doing it. I love that!

If you want to try Community Coffee for yourself, head to your nearest grocery store (if you live in Southeastern U.S. markets such as Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lake Charles, Lafayette, New Orleans and surrounding areas, Houma, Memphis, Birmingham, Jackson, Mobile, Houston, Shreveport, Tyler, Monroe, Little Rock, Austin and Dallas) or go online right now to find a roast that works for you. Ending today, you can get a 12 oz bag for free with the purchase of three bags with the code FEBFREE.

And if you want to connect with Community, you can totally do it! 

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Have you ever had Community Coffee or gone to Mardi Gras? What is your favorite thing about either?

Road Tripping on a Budget With The Camry Hybrid

If you're like me, you love a road trip. Unfortunately, having to fuel up can make a long trip less budget-friendly and flying a better deal in the long run. Even with gas prices down, those costs can really add up, which is why a hybrid can be your new best friend when it comes to saving money when hitting the road. Whether you're at home or driving down the coast, Toyota's hybrid selection should be on your list to check out when you're in the market for a new car.

A few weeks ago I had the chance to drive around the 2016 Toyota Camry hybrid and, let me tell you, it made me sad to give it back and return to my non-hybrid. While I didn't have the chance to go on a road trip while it was in my possession, I did have the opportunity to drive it around town quite a bit and take it on the highway to visit a friend outside of Portland (24 miles each way). I also packed it up as I plan to pack for my next trip. I drove 150 miles total over the week and never used a quarter of a tank of gas. Woo!

The Camry was tricked out with all the bells and whistles that make driving fun and easy. It has a push-button start. This is the second time I've driven a Toyota with this feature and, while it's weird at first, it's kind of awesome once you get used to it. You use your key fob to unlock the doors, put it back in your pocket, then hit the brake and push the button and you're good to go. It barely makes any noise, so the only way you know the car is on is the fact that everything inside comes to life. No waking up your neighbors by leaving or coming home really early or really late. Once you've reached your destination, put the car in park and push the button again to turn the car off. Fancy!

I'm short, so it can be hard for me to find a car that adjusts well enough for me to be comfortable. There's a whole brand of cars that are not made for people like me. Toyota understands my plight and has an adjustable driver's seat that makes it a dream for me to drive. It offers lumbar support and seats that go forward and back as well as higher or lower. This means I can be as close as I want to the pedals, but also customize the seat position so I am taller than I would be in a lot of other cars. I can easily see over the steering wheel!

Maybe nobody else gets excited over cup holders in their car, but I certainly do, especially when I'm on a trip. The Camry has at least 8, which means you can always have a bottle of water at your disposal, plus any other drink you've brought along or picked up with your fast food. The front seats have bottle holders on the doors and two cup holders (where the divider can be removed) on the console. The back doors have the same bottle holders and the middle seat flips down to reveal 2 more cup holders and an arm rest. So, it's perfect for all your drink needs and also can be used as a dividing line for squabbling kids. It's a win-win.

Not only are there a ton of cup holders, but the Camry makes use of all the space that can be used for something. The middle console, used as an arm rest in the front flips up to reveal a large space to hold all your stuff, like snacks, CDs (if you're old school like me) or your purse, which is what I used it for. There's a non-skid rectangle between it and the gear stick that can hold your phone or some loose change without it flying off onto the floor when you go around a corner.

 I always have a spare pair of sunglasses in the car, because I never want to be without. Usually I keep them in the door pocket, but the Camry has a lovely sunglasses holder above the rear view mirror. This keeps them out of the way and also from getting all scratched up by throwing them somewhere else or keeping them in your purse. And, bonus is, no one can accidentally sit on them.

Need to plug your phone or tablet or other electronic device in while you're driving? No problem. There's a USB outlet available. You'll also have the usual larger plug that I still call the cigarette lighter, even though it hasn't been used that way in a million years. I have a car plug for my phone and other devices, which means I could keep more than one thing charging at a time.

 

Being at the helm of the Camry is like being in front of a computer. You can run your bluetooth and radio right from your steering wheel and see it all on the dashboard, so you don't have to take your eyes off the road. See how far you've driven, the weather outside, what station you're listening to and anything else important. When you turn the car off, you can see how many more miles you have to go on the gas remaining in your tank. I love that!

You can do all that and more on the middle screen. It runs your apps, radio, GPS, backup camera, CDs, dual temperature control (awesome, right?) and allow you to make and take phone calls. Your back-up camera automatically engages when you shift into reverse, helping you back cleanly out of driveways, avoid hitting things when you're in a crowded parking lot and for dreaded parallel parking situations. Although I have a lot of experience parallel parking, it is nice to know when I have more space behind me to keep backing up instead of not realizing I have an extra 4 feet that I could be using to park like a pro and doing one of those Austin Powers' 39-point turns to wedge myself in. 

The Camry can seat up to five comfortably, but is a perfect fit for 4 on a long road trip. The seats are plush and the back seat is as equally room as the front, ensuring everyone has enough legroom for long stretched at a time. If you need extra room for hauling items, the back seats fold down. Otherwise, passengers in the back have room for comfort, a cubby hole for their phone in the middle there and seat back pockets to hold books or whatever else they like to have on-hand for their trips.

the car isn't dirty, the camera just made the rain look odd in this picture

I tend to dump a lot of stuff in my trunk for one reason or another and the Camry's trunk is sufficient for everyday tasks, like grocery shopping or taking boxes of books to the donation drop-off, but also for a family's stuff for a road trip or holding all their bags while going to the airport. I did a large-ish store run where I had 5 bags stuffed with groceries. Obviously, another 5+ could have fit back there with ease. 

Then I packed as I would if I were going on a road trip with my husband. Two carry-ons, a bag of groceries and a small cooler fit in the trunks with quite a bit of room to spare. Had I need to stash more bags back there, it wouldn't have been a problem at all. I can see having a larger cooler and also adding your kid's extras like pillows and toys without struggling to close the trunk. I was tempted to crawl inside to see how I fit in there, but I resisted the urge, though there is a safety latch inside if one accidentally became locked in the trunk. 

The model I had included a moon roof, which I loved, even if I could only uncover it to get more light into the car as it poured rain the whole week I drove it around. The main draw for me is how the car can be put into ECO mode to save gas by switching itself to electric when doing a lot of stopping and starting in the city. Just switch it on and the car does it all automatically for you. I mean, how many of you have a car that you can drive 100 miles in town and not be down almost half a tank? Not many of you, I'd wager. It seems like you just filled up and ran some errands and already you're at the station again. Where does it go? 

If you're looking for a great new car for your family, the Camry can't be beat, especially if you have those million soccer runs, PTA meetings, work days and party drop-offs during the week. You won't be wasting your time fueling up, because you won't be doing it as often. It gets an estimated 40/43 MPG (highway/city). Of course, if you need a larger car for your family, Toyota has a great selection of hybrids to suit your needs. This sedan was perfect for us, but there are only two of us and the dog. 

The Highlander Hybrid seats up to 8 and the Prius V seats up to 5 with a hatchback that holds more gear than your typical trunk. Check out Toyota's site for info on all their hybrid models and their options.

What features of the Camry do you think would be most beneficial to you?

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Disclaimer: I was loaned the Camry for the week for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.