Expedia's Semi-Annual Sale Coming Soon!

With the sun setting on spring break, it's now time to start thinking about summer vacations.

For travelers looking to get a head start and save, Expedia is revealing details on the first-ever Expedia Semi-Annual Sale. In addition to deep discounts on hotels, car rentals, cruises, and activities, Expedia customers will also have exclusive access to cheap flight packages from Delta Air Lines.

The sale begins April 20 at 9:00 a.m. PDT.  With hotels and packages to hundreds of destinations on sale, the Expedia Semi-Annual Sale has something for everyone and every kind of trip.

"Summer is one of the busiest travel periods, both domestic and international, and prices tend to go up as we get closer to that peak time," said John Morrey, SVP Brand Expedia.  "Getting an early start on planning and booking can make a huge difference in terms of savings and availability for your perfect trip.  To sweeten the deal, we've sourced exclusive deals and rates travelers usually have to wait until Black Friday to find."

Here's a Sneak Peek at What's Coming This Month

The Expedia Semi-Annual Sale kicks off Friday, April 20, and runs through Monday, April 23.  For four days, exclusive coupons and savings will be released and available for a limited time.

Friday:  Deals will be available beginning at 9:00 a.m. PDT.  Featured deals and coupons through the weekend include:

• 90% off select hotels with coupon — limited quantities
• Exclusive Delta Air Lines flight + hotel packages, with hotels up to 50% off
• Up to 50% off select hotels on Expedia.com
• $750 off $1,000 package coupon — limited quantities
• $50 off $200 standalone hotel coupon

Monday:  Last chance!  Featured deals and coupons include:

• 25% off select hotels with coupon — limited quantities
• 20% off select hotels with coupon — limited quantities
• $50 off $200 standalone hotel coupon

Deals booked during the Expedia Semi-Annual Sale have a travel window of April 20, 2018 – August 31, 2018.  For more information on the Expedia Semi-Annual Sale visit https://www.expedia.com/expedia-semi-annual-sale.  Be sure to also check out other exclusive deals on the award-winning Expedia app, which is available for download on iOS and Android devices for free in the App Store and Google Play.

About Expedia.com

Expedia.com ^® is one of the world's largest full service travel sites, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel.  Expedia.com (https://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide the latest technology and the widest selection of top vacation destinations, affordable airfare, hotel deals, car rentals, destination weddings, cruise deals, and in-destination activities, attractions, services and travel apps.

© 2018 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. Expedia and the Airplane logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia Group, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. CST# 2029030-50. Visit our web site https://www.expedia.com/ or use our mobile app to book cheap flights and hotels.

To take advantage of these great travel deals, please e-mail me at debbie@dreamsbydesigntravel.com!

Simon Centers Hop Into Easter!

Atlanta-area Simon centers hop into Easter with a basketful of family events Mall of Georgia, Sugarloaf Mills and Town Center at Cobb celebrate spring with egg-tra special activities! Spring into the season! Mall of Georgia, Sugarloaf Mills, and Town Center at Cobb are welcoming the Easter Bunny with an egg-citing list of “hoppenings” and activities this February and March.  Families in the Atlanta area are invited to celebrate with photos with the Easter Bunny, breakfast with the Easter Bunny, and more: Mall of Georgia (3333 Buford Drive / Buford / 678-482-8788 / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram) Photos with the Easter Bunny:  March 9-31 in Von Maur Court Say cheese!  There’s nothing better than springtime, and shoppers can capture the memories of the season with a photo with the Easter Bunny.  Families can also avoid the line with Bunny by Appointment by visiting simonbunny.com. Breakfast with the Easter Bunny:  Saturday, March 10, from 8:30-10 a.m. in The Dining Pavilion Families can soon enjoy breakfast, egg-cellent activities, and a visit from the Easter Bunny!  Reservations to attend the Breakfast with the Easter Bunny event are required.  To RSVP, please email mmr4852@simon.com.  For more information about the Breakfast with the Easter Bunny event, visit bit.ly/EasterBreakfastMOG. Caring Bunny Photo Event:  Sunday, March 11, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in Von Maur Court The Caring Bunny photo program allows children with special needs and their families to have the opportunity to enjoy a photo session with the Easter Bunny.  Extra care will be taken to support the sensory, physical, and other developmental needs of children so that they can take part in this wonderful holiday tradition.  For more information and to make a reservation, please visit mallofgeorgia.eventbrite.com. Pet Photos with the Easter Bunny:  Sunday, March 25, from 6-8 p.m. in Von Maur Court Furry friends need to get in on the Easter Bunny fun, too!  Participating families are asked to please use the mall entrance near Savvi Formalwear next to Von Maur.  Guests are asked to please refrain from bringing reptiles or exotic animals.  For more information and to make a reservation, please visit mallofgeorgia.eventbrite.com. Sugarloaf Mills (5900 Sugarloaf Pkwy / 678-847-5000 / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram) Photos with the Easter Bunny:  March 16-31 in the Food Court Those looking for the perfect Easter photo are invited to celebrate spring with Sugarloaf Mills’ Easter Bunny!  For a full schedule, please visit bit.ly/SugarloafBunny. Caring Bunny Photo Event:  Sunday, March 18, from 9-10:30 a.m. in the Food Court Children with special needs will have the opportunity to spend time with the Easter Bunny in a photo environment designed to support their sensory, physical, and developmental needs.  Visit simon.com/sugarloafmills for more information and to make a reservation.    Pet Photos with the Easter Bunny:  Sunday, March 25, from 5-7 p.m. in the Food Court Shoppers can bring their furry best friends for a special photo with the Easter Bunny!  Guests should use Entry 4 and are asked to please refrain from bringing reptiles or exotic animals.  For more information and to make a reservation, please visit simon.com/sugarloafmills. Town Center at Cobb (400 Barrett Pkwy. / Kennesaw / 770.424.9486 / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram) Photos with the Easter Bunny: Now – March 31 in Center Court It’s the season for warmer weather and Easter Bunny photos!  Families can save time and avoid the line with Bunny by Appointment by visiting simonbunny.com.  For a full schedule, please visit bit.ly/TCCEaster. Caring Bunny Event:  Sunday, March 11, and Sunday, March 18, from 10:30 a.m.-noon in Center Court Caring Bunny is an opportunity for children with special needs and their families to enjoy a photo session with the Easter Bunny during private hours.  Extra care will be taken to support the sensory, physical, and other developmental needs of children so that they can enjoy this wonderful holiday tradition.  Visit towncenteratcobbeventbrite.com for more information and to make a reservation. Hop Into Spring Event:  Saturday, March 24, from 1-3 p.m. in the Upper Level JCPenney Wing To celebrate the season, families are invited to rejoice with games, music, goody bags, giveaways, and more at this FREE event!  The Easter Bunny will even hop in for a special appearance!  For more information, please visit bit.ly/HopIntoSpringTCC. Pet Photos with the Easter Bunny:  Sunday, March 25, from 6:30-8 p.m. in Center Court It’s the furry family member’s time to shine with the Easter Bunny!  Families with pets are asked to please enter through the Food Court entrance between JCPenney and Belk.  Guests are asked to please refrain from bringing reptiles or exotic animals.  Visit bit.ly/EasterPetPhoto for more information.   For more information, visit simon.com.

New Skyline Garden Adds Breathtaking Vista at Atlanta Botanical Garden!

Hugging the southeastern corner of the Garden overlooking the park, the new Skyline Garden, opening May 6, will present the Garden’s horticultural expertise on a whole new level. “This is going to be one of the most spectacular venues in the city, whether you’re into exploring a unique palette of plants that can flourish in the Southeast or want to hold a romantic wedding with a skyline view or simply need a quiet escape – all in the center of the city,” said Mary Pat Matheson, the Garden’s President & CEO.  The Skyline Garden lends a modern contrast to many of the Midtown attraction’s other display gardens and features plants from opposite ends of the spectrum for an unparalleled experience.  The 15-acre garden extends from the southeastern side of the Great Lawn south to the rear of the Fuqua Orchid Center on a hillside overlooking the park. As visitors enter the Skyline Garden, lively red, orange, coral, and gold summer annuals draw them toward the new Robinson Gazebo.  More than 4,000 square feet of seasonal color mark a grand entrance to this contemporary garden space.  A fun mix of spring- and summer-flowering shrubs provides the “bones” for this primarily rotational garden.  Nowhere else in the botanical garden will be as saturated in color as this space, known as the Anne Cox Chambers Flower Walk, immersed in the seasonal blossoms of camellias, hibiscus, dwarf crape myrtles, and re-blooming azaleas. Take a seat in the new gazebo, relax, and be captivated by an iconic view of Midtown and downtown office and condo towers.  This impressive backdrop of the city rises over the Conservation Garden and Cactus and Succulent Terraces, showcasing more than 14 species of agave, yucca, and prickly pear.  Native bogs blanket the foreground, while water-wise terraces dominate the slope below.  In cool weather, relax and warm up to the outdoor fireplace.  In warm weather, linger under the shady shelter of the Garden’s new “back porch”. Wander from the gazebo through the newly renovated Conservation Garden, showcasing native plants and the complex work done by the Conservation team.  Representative ecosystems are woven together with a tapestry of native plants.   A circular pond remains the hub of the space.  An inviting lawn extends on the northern side, and the start of the Cactus and Succulent Terraces are to the southeast.  Raised planters of various heights and widths are home to an extensive collection of cacti and succulents, interplanted with flowers that love the heat. The project, designed in partnership with the Garden by Spurlock-Land and 3 fromme DESIGN, is made possible by the Garden’s Nourish & Flourish Capital Campaign.

Tickets Now on Sale! Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour!

Mother's Day Weekend Tradition Features 10 Private Sites For celebrating Mother’s Day, there’s no better place to explore than the ten breathtaking gardens featured on the annual Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour Saturday and Sunday, May 13 - 14. Benefiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the tour spotlights private home gardens in metro Atlanta, including Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, and Midtown.  Featuring a range of styles and sizes -- from tranquil woodland settings to intimate urban oases, the professionally designed to “gardener’s gardens” – the event will delight both green thumbs and the “garden curious” alike. Tickets for the self-guided tour, held rain or shine each day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., are on sale at www.atlantabg.org and at select area retailers.  They are $28 in advance (garden members $22) and $35 on days of the tour and are valid both days.  For information, visit atlantabg.org

NatureBox Spring Sale!

Guys.  I am seriously in love with NatureBox.

No, wait.

I am SERIOUSLY in love with NatureBox.

Two months ago, I ordered a starter box, based off some wonderful internet reviews.  The box came, and everything in it looked delicious.  I think my starter box was around $20 (?) or so.  I can't remember now...

Some people may think that's too much for "snacks," but I wanted healthy snacks, and I didn't want to waste time doing research.  This seemed perfect for me, and unlike Graze, where they automatically ship you a box for $15 (ouch) each month, NatureBox only ships when you order.

NatureBox is a subscription service.  You pay $5 a month, and that $5 is credited back to your account.  So far, I've only eaten 2 out of the 10 snacks that were in my starter box.  (I use the snacks at work for those long afternoons when you start to get the munchies.)  ...and quite frankly, I can't wait to get to the others.

Right now, NatureBox is having a Spring Sale.  A selection of yummy-looking and sounding snacks are on sale for 25% off with the code SPRING25, and as always, shipping is **FREE** when you reach $25.

I am excited.  Check out some of the yummy treats on sale.  If you'd like to order some of these yummy, healthy treats while they are sale, visit the NatureBox website.  If you order through the clicks in this blog post, you will receive $20 worth of product for **FREE!**

Why turn down free food?  Go ahead.  Click.  Savor.  Enjoy.

Maple Sea Salt Almonds

Blueberry Greek Yogurt Pretzels

Cinnamon Yogurt Mini Grahams

Mall of Georgia - Spring Festival this Saturday!

The spring season is heating up, which means it’s time to head outdoors!  To officially kick off the season, Mall of Georgia will host a Spring Festival on Saturday, April 15 from 1- 5 p.m. in The Village.  Families and friends of all ages are invited to catch live entertainment from The Woody's, Drake School of Irish Dance Buford, and the Academy of Performing Arts Superstar Dancers!  Guests can also soak up the sun while enjoying carnival games, bounce houses, tasty treats, and much more from over 20 participating retailers and vendors. WHAT: Spring Festival   Families invited to enjoy live entertainment, carnival games, tasty treats, and more! WHEN: Saturday, April 15 from 1-5 p.m. WHERE:  Mall of Georgia - The Village | 3333 Buford Drive | Buford, GA 30519 HOW:  This event is FREE and open to the public!  If interested in becoming a vendor, contact Teresa Holloway at tholloway@simon.com.  For more information, please visit bit.ly/MOGSpring17. Visit Mall of Georgia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

New Skyline Garden Adds Breathtaking Vista at Atlanta Botanical Gardens!

A new addition to the Atlanta Botanical Garden this spring not only will offer the best views of the city but also showcase the Garden to the millions frequenting Midtown’s popular green spaces, including neighboring Piedmont Park. Hugging the southeastern corner of the Garden overlooking the park, the new Skyline Garden, opening in May 6, will present the Garden’s horticultural expertise on a whole new level. “This is going to be one of the most spectacular venues in the city, whether you’re into exploring a unique palette of plants that can flourish in the Southeast or want to hold a romantic wedding with a skyline view or simply need a quiet escape – all in the center of the city,” said Mary Pat Matheson, the Garden’s President & CEO. The Skyline Garden lends a modern contrast to many of the Midtown attraction’s other display gardens and features plants from opposite ends of the spectrum for an unparalleled experience.  The 1.5-acre garden extends from the southeastern side of the Great Lawn south to the rear of the Fuqua Orchid Center on a hillside overlooking the park. As visitors enter the Skyline Garden, lively red, orange, coral, and gold summer annuals draw them toward the new Robinson Gazebo.  More than 4,000-square feet of seasonal color mark a grand entrance to this contemporary garden space.  A fun mix of spring- and summer-flowering shrubs provides the “bones” for this primarily rotational garden.  Nowhere else in the botanical garden will be as saturated in color as this space, known as the Anne Cox Chambers Flower Walk, immersed in the seasonal blossoms of camellias, hibiscus, dwarf crape myrtles, and re-blooming azaleas.   Take a seat in the new gazebo, relax, and be captivated by an iconic view of Midtown and downtown office and condo towers.  This impressive backdrop of the city rises over the Conservation Garden and Cactus and Succulent Terraces, showcasing more than 14 species of agave, yucca, and prickly pear.  Native bogs blanket the foreground, while water-wise terraces dominate the slope below.  In cool weather, relax and warm up to the outdoor fireplace.  In warm weather, linger under the shady shelter of the Garden’s new “back porch.”   Wander from the gazebo through the newly renovated Conservation Garden, showcasing native plants and the complex work done by the Conservation team.  Representative ecosystems are woven together with a tapestry of native plants.   The Aquatic Plant Pond once again is the hub of the space.  An inviting lawn extends on the northern side, and the start of the Cactus and Succulent Terraces are to the southeast.  Raised planters of various heights and widths are home to an extensive collection of cacti and succulents, interplanted with flowers that love the heat. The project, designed in partnership with the Garden by Spurlock-Land and 3fromme DESIGN, is made possible by the Garden’s Nourish & Flourish Capital Campaign.

Aurora Theatre Sets Stage for Action-Packed April!

As the April showers roll in, theatergoers of all ages can take cover and enjoy the many spring happenings at Aurora Theatre!

Young thespians can soak up the sun with beach-themed theatre activities and camps, while adults unwind and escape with a multitude of performances, including The Bridges of Madison County orPais de Bicicleta / Bicycle Country.  In addition to theatrical entertainment and glee, Lawrenceville neighbors can grab a lawn chair and enjoy a one-night-only screening of Hairspray, The Broadway Musical.  Rain or shine, Aurora Theatre guests can look forward to a spectacular April lineup!

Special April Programming

Aurora Children’s Playhouse
Select days during April at 10 and 11:30 a.m.

Aurora Theatre assembles the best children’s performers in the region, including jugglers, magicians, musicians, and puppeteers bringing them to Gwinnett County for a family-friendly series of extraordinary performances.  Playhouse tickets are $7; PlayhouseTix punch cards are $50 and good for 10 admissions to any Children’s Playhouse show.  For more information, visitbit.ly/AuroraChildrensPlayhouse.

Around the World in Under an Hour by Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Special spring break edition! Wednesday, April 5

Master explorer Phineas Figg has been challenged to travel the world in under and hour, but he can’t do it without the help of a few junior adventure explorers!  Travel to all seven continents with Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s award-winning Imaginators as they bring geography to life.

Nutty Songs & Stories with Eric Litwin
Saturday, April 15

Aurora Theatre welcomes Eric Litwin, award-winning musician and The New York Times bestselling author of the first four “Pete the Cat” books, “The Nut Family” series, and “Groovy Joe.”  After hearing silly stories and side-aching songs, guests can purchase a signed copy of his new book, “The Nuts, Keep Rolling!”

Aurora Theatre Academy

Drama Beach Spring Break Workshops
April 6 - 7 from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Local parents looking for a not-so-far away tropical getaway can enroll their children in Drama Beach ‘17 at Aurora Theatre Academy!  Led by Atlanta’s most talented actors and comedians, students will test the waters or polish off their skills during a one-day Improv workshop geared for grades 1-8.  Kicking off the season with a cookout party reception, students will engage in beach-themed activities and games focused on teamwork, character development, inventiveness, and more!  Can’t get enough Drama Beach ’17?  Enroll in both sessions before space runs out!  Admission is $35 per student per day and includes a cookout lunch.  For more information, visit bit.ly/AuroraDramaBeach

Sessions include:
Elementary School Students Mini Class (Grades 1–3)
Elementary School Students Master Class (Grades 4–5)
Middle School Students (Grades 6–8)

Summer Camp One-Day Sale & Open House
Monday, April 17

One-Day Sale
All day

On Monday, April 17, parents will receive a $25 discount on 2017 Summer Camp tuition when registering online, over the phone or in person!

Open House
4 – 6 p.m.

Families are invited to experience an exclusive inside look at Aurora Theatre’s Summer Camp Program with a behind-the-scenes tour, sample classes, and meet-and-greets with some of the teaching staff!  For more information, visit bit.ly/AuroraSummerCamp.

Summer Musical Talent Scholarship Auditions
4 – 7 p.m.

Students enrolling in The Lion King Jr Musical Camp who would like to be considered for a talent scholarship must audition.  To schedule an audition, email education@auroratheatre.com.  Scheduling will begin on Saturday, April 1.

* Financial Need-Based Scholarship Applications will be available starting Monday, April 10. For more information, visit bit.ly/AuroraSummerCamp. 

Aurora Theatre’s Musicals by Moonlight and the City of Lawrenceville present: Hairspray, The Broadway Musical
Saturday, April 29 at 7 p.m.

Families are invited to enjoy a one-night-only, free performance of the smash hit Hairspray, The Broadway Musical under the stars on the Lawrenceville Lawn!  Pack a picnic, choose from a variety of favorites at McCray’s Tavern on the Square, or browse delicious menus from food trucks located around the lawn.  Lawn seating will begin at 5 p.m.

A VIP table and dinner for six is also available for $350!  Package includes a VIP reserved table with linens under a buffet tent and dinner provided by McCray's Tavern on the Square, including a mixed greens salad, steak with mushroom sauce, chicken piccata, or vodka pasta as a meatless option.  Guests will also enjoy side items, such as mixed vegetables, roasted potatoes, and dessert, two drinks per seat (choice of beer, wine or soda), and servers to tend to the table throughout the show.  For more information, visit bit.ly/AuroraHairspray.       

Continuing in April

The Bridges of Madison County
Through Sunday, April 16; varied times

Prepare to be swept away by one of the most endearing love stories of all time!  Aurora Theatre will dazzle audiences with its production of the timeless tale The Bridges of Madison County, on stage March 9–April 16.  Based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller, the now two-time Tony Award-winning musical tells the story of a lonely Iowa farmer’s wife Francesca and her unexpected, four-day love affair with traveling photographer Robert.  Will the passionate romance fuel Francesca to leave her family and to continue along the fiery, adulterated path with her new-found love?  Audiences are invited to experience the whirlwind romance that has captivated generations for the last five decades.  For more information, visit bit.ly/AuroraBridgesofMadisonCounty.

Pais de Bicicleta / Bicycle Country
April 7 –April 30; varied times

From Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz – the creative behind last season’s stirring Sotto Voce – comes the tale of three Cuban refugees with a lust for freedom and the hope to achieve liberty.  Paralyzed by the oppression of Cuba’s totalitarian society, Julio, Ines and Pepe find the courage to finally leave their current lives behind and embark on the harrowing journey across the Caribbean Sea from Havana to Miami.  The play’s magical realism, accented by whip-fast dialogue, encompasses the Latin love of music and dance in this powerful display of what can happen when one dreams big enough.  Part of the Teatro Aurora initiative, Pais de Bicicleta / Bicycle Country is performed in Spanish with English supertitles.  For more information, visit bit.ly/AuroraPaisdeBicicleta

For more information or to purchase tickets for events, call the Box Office at 678.226.6222 or visit www.auroratheatre.com.

Pike Nurseries - **FREE** Tomato Plant This Saturday!

This Saturday, April 1st, you can take home a **FREE** one gallon tomato plant with purchase at your neighborhood Pike Nurseries!

Yes.  It's that time...get to growing!  Enjoy!



*Purchase must be $25 or more.

Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour 2017!

Mother's Day Weekend Tradition Features Ten Private Sites For celebrating Mother’s Day, there’s no better place to explore than the ten breathtaking gardens featured on the annual Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour Saturday and Sunday, May 13 - 14. Benefiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the tour spotlights private home gardens in metro Atlanta, including Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, and Midtown. Featuring a range of styles and sizes -- from tranquil woodland settings to intimate urban oases, the professionally designed to “gardener’s gardens” – the event will delight both green thumbs and the “garden curious” alike. Tickets for the self-guided tour, held rain or shine each day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., go on sale April 1 at www.atlantabg.org and at select area retailers. They are $28 in advance (garden members $22) and $35 on days of the tour and are valid both days.  For information, visit atlantabg.org