HOME AWAY

This summer was the first time we ever gave Home Away a try...and I must say we loved it! We rented a house out in Wine Country on Long Island for the weekend and it was perfect and so easy. Home Away is a vacation rental website that has everything from houses, to apartments, to condos, to villas, to cabins, bungalows, even castles! They have homes in the U.S., Hawaii, The Caribbean, and around the world! I think it's a "smart" way to jet set because you can save a lot more money than renting a hotel room sometimes, plus it also gives you the feeling of living somewhere instead of just vacationing. It's so easy to rent a place...just 4 simple steps:
1- Search Rentals & Contact Owners - Make sure to contact multiple vacation homes regarding availability and price.
2- Select Rental and Secure Reservation - To secure the rental the property owner will request a deposit. Deposits range from 10% to 50% of the total rental rate.
3- Review, Sign & Send Owner's Agreement - You should receive a written agreement which includes arrival/departure dates, payment schedules, pet policies, as well as cancellation/refund terms and conditions.
4- Send Owner Final Payment - Full payment is generally expected prior to arrival. Submit all payments specified in the written agreement to avoid losing your reservation and/or deposit. Credit cards and Pay Pal are preferred payment methods.

We loved the entire process so much, that we are looking into doing it again when we jet set to California this year!

ODE TO THE GUINESS

Today I write my Ode to the Guinness because it is one of my favorite beers out there. Right off the bat, I have to say the first time I ever tried a Guinness was at the Guinness Brewery in Dublin, Ireland...so yes, I was spoiled right away because there is no other Guinness anywhere else in the WORLD that tastes as good!

Now to the reasons why a Guinness is good and actually good for you. Contrary to what most people think, Guinness is low in calories (about 10 per ounce), and is mixed with Aligal gas (70% nitrogen to 30% CO2) which makes it less filling than other beers. Guinness also has Vitamin B, Vitamin E, Iron, Magnesium, Riboflavin and Antioxidants in it...so it's sort of healthy in a way too. So go ahead, raise a pint, and say Slainte! (pronouned slan-cha) That means Cheers! in Gaelic. :-)