Life by Cynthia

San Diego Zoo’s Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks is a new exhibit that spotlights the biodiversity found on the African continent. Just in time for Summer 2017, SIX new habitats have been added! Rollout begins July 1st, 2017. The first to debut are the penguins of Cape Fynbos. Other habitats will open as animals become acclimated to their new homes. The latest information can be found at  africarocks.sandiegozoo.org . Africa Rocks is the Zoo’s most ambitious exhibit project to date. The six habitats of Africa Rocks are Kopje, Ethiopian Highlands, Acacia Woodland, Madagascar Forest, West African Forest, and Cape Fynbos.  Naturally, the draw for many are the animals. But I am just as excited to see The African Garden. The Ethiopian Highlands area will present strange, startling, and beautiful plants, many that you may never have seen before. Kopje These boulder-strewn islands in grassland savanna are home for a variety of animals that live their...

There are days when all that I can manage are the simple things. I have been out of commission health wise and could only muster the bare minimum. When parents are under the weather it can be tough to take care of yourself let alone house and home. I have deadlines to meet, nightly homework, and juggling a schedule of activities... You know the drill. All I really want and need is to feel better. Just to be able to function without feeling lousy. The bottom line is that I can't just stay in bed to rest until I am 100% well. Life moves quickly and we need to keep up. The reality is there, so I must do what I gotta do. The importance of self-care is always top of mind for me. I try. But even with the best efforts, it happens: we get sick. Even still, I pick myself up and get through it. Luckily, keeping the kiddo in this house happy just takes the simple things. THANK goodness for that. Once in a while I throw out the whole "don't play with your food" line that so...

This post is sponsored by Lymber, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. I am absolutely THRILLED with the opportunity to try out Lymber . They are helping me with my self care goals for 2017! Fitness ranks high on my list! Also on that list: saving money, trying new things, and having FUN! There are so many classes that I can choose from. With the Lymber Fitness app I can save up to 75% off classes from the best studios in my area. ZERO Membership Fees. You pay only for what you use. The Lymber app is FREE! If you use my affiliate code:  CYNTHLYMB1-34  when you sign up, you will get $5.00 OFF of your first Lymber class! I've shared the Lymber video for a rundown on how the the program works. I am both an Android and an iOS user but currently the app is only available for iOS (Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch). Pricing is dynamic: enjoy real-time, demand-based pricing for studios in your area. I love the concept of pay-as...

I was just invited to join Movie Inner Circle which is an exclusive online community of movie lovers. Thank you for the invite Fandango, Flixter, and Rotten Tomatoes! As a member, I will share my opinions through surveys, polls and chat forums. I'll also get chances to win prizes in a monthly sweepstakes just by participating. Sounds good to me. I'm IN! The call is out for more movies lovers. I've been asked if I would like to recommend up to 5 friends who, like me, loves movies. Let me know if you want me to forward your email to receive an invitation. You need to love movies, register (and be approved), and have an opinion (and be willing to share it). Once my referrals successfully complete the Movie Inner Circle registration process, I'll get an extra entry for the monthly sweepstakes. Let me know if you're in!

FREE samples from leading brands? Yes! Read on to see how to get yours! PINCHme FREE Sample Tuesday is 2/28 at 12Noon EST. Don't miss it! PINCHme allows members discover and try free samples from the world’s leading brands! It’s 100% FREE (free products AND free shipping)! No credit card is required. I just received my premium PINCHme blogger box from PINCHme.com. It is full of free products to review. My box included an assortment of past, present, and / or future samples featured on PINCHme.com. I wanted to share how YOU can get free samples too! Every month, on Sample Tuesday, new free samples are released on PINCHme.com. Sample Tuesday is right around the corner! Mark your calendar for  Tuesday 2/28 at 12Noon EST! Don’t miss your chance to claim free samples! Act quickly! In my experience, the demand is HUGE and samples are claimed FAST! You don't want to be left out! How to get your FREE goodies from PINCHme : 1. Sign up for FREE at  http://pmgi.g...

Official rules can be found here:  bit . ly /OREOSweepsRules I am excited to share that OREO is having a Dunk Challenge! For more details visit the #OREODUNKSWEEPSTAKES homepage . It's fun and easy to enter! Just take a photo or video of yourself dunking an OREO® cookie in milk and post it to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag: #OREODunkSweepstakes . 40,000 lucky finalists will have a chance to win one (1) of five (5) VIP Grand Prize trips to a Celebrity Dunking Event in NYC or Los Angeles, plus $2,000! Post daily for more chances to win. Visit your local Walmart for OREO products and check out the in-store dunking events! Don't forget the milk! I met my first OREO back in the 1970s. As  a child I was a the type of dunker that would twist apart the two chocolate wafers and eat the sweet creme filling before dunking the rest in milk. I evolved in the 1980s and enjoyed the entire milk soaked cookie. We use our fingers - even though I have seen it done wit...

Spring is in the air! It doesn't   feel like Spring as it has been the coldest and rainiest weather that I've seen in quite a while here in San Diego - but Spring FASHION is upon us!  Alex Yáñez, Fashion Stylist for Neiman Marcus, presented a preview of the top trends for the season. The media luncheon hosted by Neiman Marcus is one of my favorite events. It is always such a good time with NM to see what is in store with fashion and accessories. I love having the opportunity to lunch with fellow bloggers, to check out the gorgeous fashion, and to  tell you all about my faves! Ruffles & Flounces : As seen on the runway. Frills! I am loving the ruffles. Ruffles & Flounces Stripes : Vertical stripes, horizontal stripes, stripes on stripes, stripes paired with prints...STRIPES! Peekaboo Shoulders : Time to bare those shoulders. According to NM - show a little or a lot! Peekaboo Shoulders (and Legs) Neu...

We have a little boy that loves dinosaurs. I have lost count on how many dinosaur toys and books that he owns. We have watched our fair share of dinosaur movies and television shows. I know so much dino trivia at this point! I was thrilled when a dinosaur show came to town and I am grateful for father and son time. That special time is great for the boys to bond and create memories. Not to mention the little bonus that I get with a bit of down time to myself. Sometimes I do get a little jealous of their fun but I encourage their special adventures. Father and son spending one on one is priceless. I hope to share more of their adventures on the blog. I really love the retelling of the day by son. His expressions are priceless and the happiness that just pours out of him makes me smile. I love that he is excited to tell me all about it. It doesn't hurt that his daddy is a videographer/photographer/editor, we get a highlight reel of all the fun times! One of their father and son t...

Rainy days in San Diego do exist! I am excited for the new year and can hardly believe that we are already well into the first month of 2017. So far, January has had more rainy days than usual. I don't mind a bit. The grass is getting greener! Another bonus: San Diegans have been skipping their trips to our nearby lake! I have to admit that I am not a fan of crowds or searching for parking spots. I braved the rain and headed out to the lake for some fresh air and exercise. I found the area deserted. There were a handful of die hard fitness and outdoor enthusiasts out, but not many. It was a quiet morning and I relished the solitude. Sometimes it can be tough to tune out all of the noise and find a quiet place to reflect. I am glad that the lake was deserted. The only sounds: nature! I ran into a few feathered companions who greeted me as I took a hike around the lake. It was cold (by San Diego standards) and wet, but I didn't end up drenched. I am thankful that the sun took...