Tips4Trips – Make a Weekend into a Mini Vacation

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #Tips4Trips #CollectiveBias

This summer has flown by so fast! There’s so much going on that sometimes it’s hard to plan a true vacation. One of my favorite things to do when I know I can’t travel far and just need that breath of fresh air is plan a vacation in my area on a whim! It’s possible!

Here are some great tips!

1. Pick a destination!
Is there a town within driving distance that you haven’t explored? My favorite way to make it interesting is just jumping in the car and getting on the road to see where I’ll end up! Pull up a map, pick out an area and don’t come home until you’re ready to hit the hay!

One of the best ways to do this is to use the maps on our cell phones (we all have them)! Our cell phones are such a great resource to find ideas, get to locations and capture the moments. I just picked up the new ZTE ZMax at Walmart under the Family Mobile Plan. The best part, is while using the phone, you’re also saving! The Walmart Family Mobile plans are low in price. For instance, the Walmart Family Mobile service is $29.88/month (for the first line) Unlimited Talk, Text & Data service plan which includes up to 1G of 4G LTE data. What better way to save and allow yourself a treat to little weekend break. It leaves a few extra funds to splurge while on your next vacation!

Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to http://cbi.as/frw8 or your local Walmart for current pricing.

2. Find a new attraction!
It’s so easy to search for ideas! Pick a topic, plug it into your phone (remember the above photo) and it’ll provide a ton of ideas! Trains, hiking trails, movie theaters, historical landmarks, destinations unknown. That’s not counting what you’ll come across along the way. The world is a fascinating place. Dig into it!

If you are really into adventures, use the phone go Geo-cache. It’s a great way to go on a treasure hunt of objects anywhere. Start your treasure hunt!

3. Grab some fresh air!
Do something outside! Doing something outside always gets me excited, exhausted and feeling very accomplished. Head out to the lake, go for a hike, rent a kayak and paddle around. Take a train ride across town, visit a splash pool with the kids. Opportunities are endless!

4. Eat!
To have a vacation, we must treat it like a vacation. Don’t go to your “usual”. Have some fun and play around with a new place. Try the new restaurant that opened down the street. Come across a place that you’ve never heard of? Plug in restaurant into your phone and see what comes up and go there! Don’t hesitate in trying something new! It’s what you’d be doing if you were hundreds of miles away from home.

5. Don’t forget to capture the moments along the way!
Remember, we always have our phones in our pockets. Don’t forget to grab photos along the way of your adventures! These are the moments that you’ll want to remember next weekend when you remind yourself to do this all again!

How can the Walmart Family Mobile help plan your summer weekend vacations?!

Delicious & Easy Ice Cream Pound Cake

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SunsOutSpoonsOut #CollectiveBias

Summer is the time for desserts that really provide a break from the heat. It’s also a great excuse to walk down the ice cream aisle at the grocery store (let’s be honest, we all do it!). Recently, I swung by my local Walmart and was inspired with a great idea – a Blue Bunny ice cream pound cake!

It really began when I saw a demo booth for Blue Bunny Ice Cream. Teaming up with Chips Ahoy cookies, they were making cookie sandwiches. These Blue Bunny demo’s will be going in Walmarts between July 9-12th! Be sure to swing in and try out these delicious Chips Ahoy & Blue Bunny ice cream sandwiches! (Check here for locations.)

I began thinking about how I can make something tasty but on a slightly bigger scale for a group. Ta-da, the idea was born and it’s super simple! This Blue Bunny Ice Cream Pound Cake can be made in ten minutes and prepared well ahead of time. Just be careful you’re not too tempted to grab a bite out of the freezer!

Ice Cream Pound Cake
***This is a great recipe to incorporate your favorite flavors. Choose the pound cake, ice cream and topping flavor of choice.

1. Using a bread loaf dish, cover the dish in plastic wrap leaving enough around the edges to cover the dish when complete.

2. Using pre-sliced pound cake, place a slice to cover all edges of the sides and bottom of the pan.

3. Add Blue Bunny ice cream to the bottom and fill the dish 1/3 to 1/2 way, depending on how many layers of toppings you’d like to include.

4. Spread topping across the ice cream evenly.
Need some ideas? Rum, chocolate syrup, vanilla syrup, sprinkles, fruit or even another flavor ice cream.

5. Add more Blue Bunny ice cream (and/or layers) until the dish is full. Top with two remaining pieces of the pound cake.

6. Using the excess plastic wrap, fold the plastic wrap tightly around the pound cake. This will bind the cake together.

7. Place in the freezer until ready to serve.

8. When ready, unfold the plastic wrap from the top of the cake and flip onto a serving plate. The cake will pop out of the dish. Remove the plastic wrap completely and top with garnish of choice. Slice & serve!

This is great to get really creative and colorful. Napoleon ice cream with chocolate, vanilla and strawberry? Vanilla ice cream with strawberries in the middle? I chose to go with vanilla pound cake, Blue Bunny Vanilla Bean ice cream and chocolate syrup. The vanilla on vanilla really hit the spot.

What would be your favorite combination?

10 Minute S’mores for Weeknight Dessert

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LetsMakeSmores #CollectiveBias #sponsored

The summer brings cool evenings out on the deck. It’s one of my favorite things after a long day at work. While meal prepping for the week, I often look for quick and easy meal ideas leaving more time to relax and enjoy with friends. While shopping at Walmart, I came across the in-store display for S’mores. How convenient everything that I would need to build my s’mores be in one location. Honey Maid Graham Cracker Squares, Kraft Jet Puff Marshmallows and our favorite Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars. You don’t always need a campfire to make s’mores, I had a new idea. S’mores on a Stick!

These S’mores on a stick are incredibly easy to create and it’s great because you can prepare them ahead of time or within 10 minutes.

1. Crush the Honey Maid Graham Cracker Squares. This can be done in a bowl, food processor or even in a plastic bag with a rolling pin. (Maybe get some aggression out after a long day.) Set aside.

2. In a double boiler or pot, melt the Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar(s), stirring frequently. Once melted, remove from heat. A little goes a long way here so you’ll be amazed on how many you can make with just a couple chocolate bars.

3. Place Kraft Jet Puff Marshmallows on a stick (kabob sticks are they are what I had available).

4. Dip the marshmallow in melted Hershey’s chocolate. Cover completely.

5. Immediately roll in the crushed Honey Maid Graham Cracker Squares.

Ta-da! You are finished. These are great to set aside in the fridge for later or eat them right off (the warm chocolate will make the marshmallows a soft for that smooth texture).

How do you love your S’mores?

5.0 from 3 reviews

10 Minute S'mores for Weeknight Dessert

Recipe type: Dessert

Prep time: 10 mins

Total time: 10 mins

Ingredients

Honey Maid Graham Cracker Squares
Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar
Kraft Jet Puff Marshmallows

Directions

Crush the Honey Maid Graham Cracker Squares. This can be done in a bowl, food processor or even in a plastic bag with a rolling pin. (Maybe get some aggression out after a long day.) Set aside.
In a double boiler, melt the Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar(s), stirring frequently. Once melted, remove from heat. A little goes a long way here so you'll be amazed on how many you can make with just a couple chocolate bars.
Place Kraft Jet Puff Marshmallows on a stick (I used kabob sticks are they are what I had available).
Dip marshmallow in melted Hershey's chocolate.
Immediately roll in the crushed Honey Maid Graham Cracker Squares.