L’OCCITANE EN PROVENCE Hand Cream – Product Review

Heather Boothman
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8
L’OCCITANE EN PROVENCE Hand Cream – Product Review

We all have those essential items we travel with and one thing that I have recently been introduced to is L’OCCITANE en Provence hand cream. It has always been one of those products I was unsure about buying because I have very sensitive and dry skin. If you have ever experienced this, then I am sure you understand. Most lotions dry my skin out more or I suffer an allergic reaction to them.

Whilst shopping one day, I noticed this new hand cream by L’OCCITANE. I thought I would try the limited edition Mango Flower and I can honestly say that after trying this cream, the smell is amazing, application is very smooth plus an added benefit that it really seems to heal my skin. I am so happy that I found something that works and I can’t wait to try more products from this brand.

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Several different stores sell L’OCCITANE products, all about the same price. The hand cream that I bought is a 1oz tube (Perfect for traveling) that cost $12.00 from Sephora.

The Pros

  • Smooth texture
  • Great Smell
  • Wide selection of products

The Cons

  • Expensive
  • Traveling with cream (I end up leaving them if I don’t check-in a bag)

Conclusion

I know its a bit off topic but anytime I find a product that works, its worth doing a review. If you are like me and find it difficult to buy lotion that actually works for you, I suggest that you try this hand cream. Your skin deserves to feel greatness.

For a full detailed listing of L’OCCITANE’s product line, check out their website here: L’OCCITANE

*In no way was I compensated for this review, this is solely my personal opinion/experience*

Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Review

Chris Boothman
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17
Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino Review

Traveling to Las Vegas, your first thought is unlikely to be about accommodation but at the same time it’s important to find somewhere that will meet your needs without getting ripped off. There are a variety of hotels available but your first decision is where exactly you want to stay – either on the Las Vegas Strip, just off the Strip or even in old downtown Vegas also known as the Fremont Street district.

We left the decision until the week of our trip to Vegas and opted for Priceline which has been our trusty resource in recent trips. We were fortunate that this decision paid off yet again. We selected a 3.5 Star option just off the Vegas Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard) and were pleasantly surprised to see we were staying at the LVH (Las Vegas Hotel). This hotel is now known as the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

My first reaction was probably a little negative, simply because I had never heard of this hotel before but a little research soon eased my fears prior to us heading to Vegas.

Location


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The Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is located on Paradise Road and if you have a rental car is only a short 10 minute drive from McCarron International Airport. Is this hotel within walking distance of the main attractions on the Vegas Strip? I’m not completely convinced you would want to walk from here, though it is likely feasible but either way the Vegas Monorail runs directly to the hotel and for $12 you can get a one day pass valid for 24 hours from time of purchase.

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The outside of the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is impressive and blends into the Vegas skyline with all the other more infamous casinos and hotel chains.

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The picture above is taken from the top floor of the parking garage overlooking the illustrious Las Vegas Country Club to the left and the hotel tower. From the parking garage, it is a fair walk to the lobby area of the hotel for check-in as you walk through the casino. We were given a coupon for a complimentary photo which we used later that evening. Our room was on the 27th floor which again required us to walk back through the casino to the Central Tower elevator and almost to the top floor of the hotel.

Room

Entering our room the first thing we noticed was just how spacious the room was. One major issue which was apparently accounted for was the curtains that operated electronically were not functioning so we were left in relative darkness (at least away from natural light!) for the duration of our stay.

Now is a good time to talk about the price of the hotel. Through our purchase using Priceline, our hotel was only $20 (YES $20!!) per night but then of course this doesn’t including the Las Vegas resort fees that pretty much 99.9% of hotels in Vegas will charge you. This was an additional $20 per night so it worked out that the hotel was $40 per night which is still an absolute bargain, I am sure you will all agree!

There are however some hidden costs if you are not careful. For example, if you choose to use the coffee maker, you will be charged $3 per cup. In addition, you are left two bottles of 500ml water but should you decide to open them, it will set you back $3.50 each. Internet is included for the first device only within the resort fee and should you choose to add an additional device, either laptop, iPad or phone you will be charged another $14 per 24 hour period. So yes, it can be a real bargain but hidden costs can soon rack up if you are not diligent.

I have no complaints at all with the hotel and I would very highly recommend this to anyone visiting the Vegas area, especially if you are not concerned with staying in a brand name casino hotel. For $40 with everything included, you can’t beat that for price and the quality is there. Most hotels within this price range are well…I will leave this to your own opinion!

Summary

If you are visiting Las Vegas, you are literally spoiled for choice when it comes to hotel options! We strongly recommend staying at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino if you are looking for an affordable alternative that is located off the main strip but still conveniently located to access the very best attractions in Vegas.

Whether you are ready to hit the iconic casinos or perhaps head over to enjoy the awesome Stratosphere rides, anyone visiting Las Vegas should consider staying at the gorgeous Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

Click here for latest availability and prices at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino

DISCLAIMER – This post contains affiliate links. Should you choose to make a purchase via one of our links, we may receive a small commission. This income helps A Brit & A Southerner continue to explore and share inspiring stories.

Interview – Sharon Gourlay (Where’s Sharon)

Chris Boothman
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5
Interview – Sharon Gourlay (Where’s Sharon)

We love meeting new travel folks and today is no different as we are delighted to introduce Sharon Gourlay from Where’s Sharon who has graciously given her time all the way from Australia to speak with us about her family travel lifestyle and blogging philosophies.

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and connect with Sharon using her various social media fronts listed below.

We would like to give a special THANK YOU to Sharon for taking time to interview with us!

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Name: Sharon Gourlay (Melbourne, Australia)

Website: Where’s Sharon

Social Media: 

What is your favorite aspect of traveling and if you are a travel blogger, why did you decide to create your website? 

I want to experience everything. I am ridiculously addicted to travel and all it entails. Now that I have a family, I also take pleasure in showing my kids the world. I want them to grow up as global citizens.

I started blogging back in 2005 when I set off on a one year round the world adventure to keep my family and friends informed of what I was up to. Now, I mainly write for families like my own who may think that it is too scary to travel with young kids. I want to show them how possible it is, and how it is really not scary at all.

How many continents have you visited? 

Six

How many countries have you visited? 

30+

What is your favorite destination in the world and why? 

Argentina! I love that country. Awesome scenery, people, culture, food, wine and attractions. I love it all.

If money/time was no object and you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you travel to and why? 

My top two places/things I would like to do that I haven’t yet is the trans Mongolian railway and Iran. I have read a lot of books about Iran and it sounds fascinating. The trans Mongolian across Siberia just sounds like the ultimate adventure.

Which of the following gadgets do you take on your travels? 

Laptop, Tablet and Phone (iPad for the kids, laptops for us!)

What is your preferred method of transport? 

A mixture!

Complete the following, “Everywhere I go, I visit….” 

The main square, center of town. The number one thing I like to do while travelling is just soak up the atmosphere. These are usually the best places to do this.

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Here is your chance to sell yourself and your website! Tell us some more information about yourself, what your travel philosophies & future plans are and anything else that people may find interesting to read about… 

Our site follows our experiences of travelling alone and then travelling with young kids – the good, the bad and the (hopefully not too) ugly! As well as many family travel tips and practical information about how we travel with kids around the world.

Keyboard Cover – Product Review

Heather Boothman
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8
Keyboard Cover – Product Review

Keyboard Covers are quickly making an impact on the computing world. With many different designs and customization options out there it allows for everyone to have that unique personalization on your Macbook. For me the Keyboard Cover is more about protection, making sure the keyboard is free from dirt and grime. I do have a Union Jack design which allows me to look stylish and have peace of mind.

The variety of designs range from the stylish aforementioned to the more user-friendly keyboard shortcuts which can prove to be very useful, especially if you are a newbie to the Mac world. Switching over from an avid Windows user to a Mac user can be a tricky transition, so having a handy keyboard cover that highlights those all important ‘Copy and Paste’ functions is very beneficial.

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There are several companies that makes different types of keyboard covers which allows them to range in pricing. I saw one on Amazon for $2.00. I paid $9.99 for my keyboard cover, which I still didn’t consider to be too bad, I personally just preferred this design better.

The Pros

  • Protection for your keyboard
  • Removeable/washable
  • Stylish
  • Competitive Pricing
  • Backlit keyboards are not affected
  • One size fits most Macbook keyboard

The Cons

  • Sometimes difficult to see some of the keys depending on design
  • Can feel different (depending on the person)

Conclusion

This is a great way to show off personal style and to also be protecting your computer at the same time. With many different companies making this product it doesn’t matter which one you buy from because you can shop around to find great deals that won’t break the bank! If you have been considering this product visit Keyboard Covers for more information about this product.

*In no way was I compensated for this review, this is solely my personal opinion/experience*

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