Really listen. Most people spend much of a conversation formulating what they are going to say next... If you are doing that, you are not paying attention to what she is saying.

Also, don't fall into the trap of being so eager to tell her things about yourself, that you make the conversation a showcase of your accomplishments. Nothing makes a woman feel appreciated like a man genuinely wanting to learn about her, especially her thoughts and feelings.
Create fantasies together.

If she dreams of living on the beach, create that daydream together.

Paint her a verbal picture of what it would be like to be walking on a deserted beach together at night, with the light of the moon reflecting off the waves. Describe standing in the sand with the waves gently lapping at your feet, taking her hands in your own and drawing her up-turned face in for a kiss....

Find out what her daydream is, and make it one you share together.





3. Play out her dreams. 
Has she always dreamed of a taking Salsa lessons? Make arrangements and do it together.

Has she always dreamed of owning a BMW? Arrange to rent one for the day.

Has she always dreamed of visiting Paris? Set your apartment to be Paris for the night--French music, French food, French wine....a poster of the Eiffel Tower in the background, and a black and white table cloth on the candlelit table.... after dinner watch a black and white French film, then feed her French pasteries by hand for a late night dessert...





Did she mention a favorite band from her teenage years? Find out where they will be in concert, and book a weekend trip. Or surprise her with reservations to the newest restaurant in town. Or tell her she has the most beautiful legs you have ever seen and take her shopping for a new pair of high heels...


If she has something in mind for your date, be willing to try it. But, do not leave date planning up to her. There is nothing worse than being on a date with a man and having the following conversation, "Where do you want to eat dinner?" "I don't know, where do you want to eat?" "I don't know, do you have any ideas?" That is not sexy.
Be complimentary. Tell her how much you adore her, what things you love most about her (ie, her sparkling eyes and the wonderful sound of her laughter).... make her feel like she is the only woman in the room. Never look at other women in her presence.  Be passionate about her. Don't be afraid to tell her that she takes your breath away.

Is she being quiet? (Perhaps she is nervous or you are dominating the conversation?) Is she hinting about future dates? (Things are going well.) Is she touching your arm during dinner or do her fingers keep returning to her hair subconsciously? (You might want to look for a romantic spot for a kiss in this case?) Be aware of the cues she is offering. Follow her lead.

A final thought: it is important to remember that a woman will touch you how she likes to be touched. If she is very gentle and tentative with you, use the same gentle touch with her--it is not the time to pull her in for a passionate kiss.




Do not underestimate the sexiness of feeding a woman a decadent desert spoonful by spoonful, eyes locked on hers.

Do not underestimate the power of softly whispering, "You are so beautiful" in her ear as you embrace.

 Do not underestimate the power of lightly cupping her face in your hands as you reach in for a gentle kiss.

For a woman, an isolated movement of the softest, most gentle nature, can be the most romantic, and the most unforgettable....


It sounds counter-intuitive, but it is true. It is important to make her realize how much she misses you, and that she wants you around. She needs to realize that you have a life of your own and although you adore her, your life does not revolve around her.

Do not overplay this move or it will backfire. The point is not to help her realize she can live without you.... (too much absence and she might realize she doesn't need you after all.)  And, never make her feel like you are playing a game with her heart, or are doing this on purpose.  If she suspects you are doing this on purpose, you will erode all trust she has for you.

This rule is the most important of all. Be a man of strength and character. While indulging a woman is seductive, bending to her every whim is not. Sometimes a woman seeing you are willing to leave can make her respect you more as a man.



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My father raised me to be proud of my German heritage.  Like many Americans, our family did not have extensive detailed genealogical information (until recently), and my father had always believed his side of the family to be almost completely German.  He knew his grandfather had immigrated through Ellis Island from Germany in the early 1900's, and he had always assumed that the rest of the family was fully German as well.


When I moved to Germany, I expected to see people who looked exactly like me.  I had a German last name and growing up in Ohio, I had always been told--repeatedly been told--that I looked German.  But, it turns out that the American stereotype of Germans is wrong; they are not a homogeneous race of tall, muscular people with blue-eyes and blond hair. 


A few months after arriving in Germany, while sharing a bottle of wine with some new German friends, the topic came up.  When I mentioned being told I looked German while growing up, they all started laughing.  Honestly I felt a little offended.  I had always been taught to be proud of my German heritage, and here were Germans laughing at the idea of me being one of them.  To them, the idea that anyone would think I was German was hilarious.  They all agreed--I looked Swedish.  I explained that I didn't have a drop of Swedish blood, but it did little to convince them.  They all swore I was a Swede, NOT a German.


A decade later when I researched my genealogy in depth, I was surprised to find they were right.  Although I do have some family from Germany (the great-grandfather I mentioned earlier)... much of my lineage comes from the Vikings who settled in Sweden, Norway, and The Netherlands. 


My ancestors were the fierce, nomadic warriors who conquered and populated much of northern Europe.  Depending on which generation you look at, they inhabited much of the region; from Iceland to as far east as the Ukraine, conquering into parts of modern-day Germany, and taking the Normandy region of France by force.  (Normandy was so named because of the "North Men" who had invaded/conquered the region.)


As was common in the day, my Viking ancestors inter-married into the royalty of these new territories (usually by force), and thus my family line merges into the royal lines of Europe.  As royalty intermarried within themselves to keep all marriages of royal blood, my bloodline traces back to the palaces of almost every European country. (Arranged marriages were the norm, children were promised in marriage as peace offerings between kingdoms.)  Once I found a link into recorded history, it was easy to trace my ancestry.  Royal family records are highly detailed, and most survive to this day. 


I was amazed to find that if I followed the family tree back far enough, my ancestors came from almost every country in Europe.  Instead of being just German... I could claim heritage from at least 18 European nations.  The majority of my family was from northern Europe, but there was also a princess from Barcelona, several princes from Italy.  While living in Europe I visited the Castle of Salzburg, Austria--imagine my surprise when I learned that my ancestors used to live in that same castle.  My family line even directly ties to the British monarchies of both former years and of today.  Going back a bit further, Charlemagne makes his appearance several times in my family tree due to intermarriage, and I can trace the family all the way to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey)....something I had never imagined possible.

I also found it interesting that along the way many of my female ancestors were listed only as "Concubine" to the King.  Infidelity was expected and the children from those liaisons were often recognized by the royal fathers.


Genetics is a funny thing.... Sometimes one set of genes stands out more than the others.  Out of my parents and grandparents--I most resemble my father's mother, the woman who brings the Viking bloodline to my family tree.  Recently I came across this photo of Anita Ekberg, a Swedish actress and I was stunned.  She could be my sister.  It is funny how right those German friends were:  apparently I look Swedish after all.




Interested in tracing your family tree too?


FamilySearch.org  is a great place to get started, with an ever-expanding list of records from around the world.  All searches are free.


RootsWeb.com and Ancestory.com are two more great resources.


Cyndi's List contains a list of genealogy sites, broken down by region.


And, don't forget the value of Google.  From finding information about historical figures, to finding genealogy resources, through Google the world is at your fingertips.  Good luck!

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Fun-loving, family-oriented folks with a relaxed view on life. Bubbly and effervescent, they value social relationships. Don't be surprised to find them outdoors, whether walking, fishing, hunting, or playing frisbee in the park--Golden Retriever owners like an active lifestyle.  


Commonly they are drawn to water.


Usually civic-minded, often environmentally conscience, and generally voters, these light-hearted dog owners have a responsible side. Of all breed owners, they are the most likely to volunteer their time or donate to charity. They are generous with their time and spirit.






Self confident with a carefree nature, these are people who love to laugh.







Poodle Owners

Poodle owners appreciate the finer things in life.  They are generally older, and often fastidious and detail-oriented.


Poodle owners like to travel.  They have appreciation for other cultures and many endeavor to learn a second language.


Out of the breeds we profile here, poodle owners are the most likely to be accused of arrogance and snobbery.



Don't be surprised to find Perrier or fine wines in their fridge.

They enjoy frequenting art museums, and have an affinity for classic cars.










The propensity for baby-talk will give them away.


Relationships for them are all consuming and cuddling on the couch is heaven.

These owners enjoy fashion, and frequent the best hair salons.  With regular manicures and pedicures, they always have a polished appearance.  Shoe shopping is a popular pastime, and their hand-bag collection is quite impressive too.  They put extensive thought into color choices in the home, fashion or elsewhere.




They eat in trendy restaurants, don't wear white after Labor-Day, and are loving in nature.











German Shepherd Owners

Highly disciplined in nature with a penchant for precision--German Shepherd owners find comfort in an orderly life. They are the rule-followers.


German Shepherd owners have an understated appearance, often exuding a quiet strength.  The men have short hair; the women likely have a gym membership.  Their car will be conservative, and their home will be tasteful.


 Don't mistake them for unfriendly, rather they tend to stay to themselves.  Highly intelligent, and observers by nature, they often know more then they tell.




Terrier owners appreciate traditional style in dress and home furnishings.  They are non-pretentious, practical and responsible.


Financially secure, they have a plump stock portfolio and always know a good financial planner. 


You will find bourbon or scotch in their liquor cabinet, and left-over pork chops on the refrigerator shelf.  There is a conservative-colored sedan parked inside their garage.


Typically republicans--out of the breeds we profiled today, terrier owners are the most likely to be politicians.


They tend to be older, and well-established.  They have a bookshelf of classic literature, like to read and value education.




You will find them in front of the fireplace when not working.





Chihuahua owners

Most likely to flip you the bird:  Chihuahua owners have an appreciation for mischief.


They are trendy, but not overly concerned with the opinion of others.  Fussy in nature.  And, sometimes they forget to consider others when making decisions.


Stylistically they are flashy; unafraid of color.  From their clothes to their home they make a splash.  Think pimped-out autos, musical horns and bouncing cars with shiny chrome.

Chihuahua owners are not the affectionate sort generally, but are loyal to their family.


They carry the latest telephone in their favorite color--often rhinestone bejeweled.  These are the owners most likely to clothe their dog.




People with great appreciation for strength and majesty.  Generous with their heart and their wallet, and a generous sense of humor to match. 


They enjoy attention, and think outside the box.  Unafraid of a challenge.


While they are responsible by nature, they are not concerned with convention.  Many have a rebellious spirit.


Unconcerned with trends, they know what they like.  Don't expect them to follow the latest fashion, or drive a brand new vehicle. 


Frequently they are horse lovers too.  And even if they are not athletic, they certainly have an appreciation for nature.


Evenings will find them lounging on the couch, watching their favorite TV shows.


Generally they drive an older, SUV-related vehicle, chosen not for looks, but rather a capacity for practical usage.


They live larger than life, and believe in following dreams.  Commitment does not scare them, and often they are the marrying type.  Loyal by nature.

These are people who value experiences over material possessions.

 

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Last night my friend, Shiloah Baker, hosted a dinner party for my family. She is an incredible hostess, just as you would expect someone who hosts a nationally acclaimed homemaking website.


Every dish was made from scratch, and the food was better than any restaurant I know. I also couldn't help but notice that her home was immaculate, despite having 7 children. Clearly she had spent the entire day cooking and preparing for our arrival.

And, this is the essence of my article: A dinner party is a gift we give our friends. Shopping, cooking, cleaning the house - before AND after the event; a dinner party is truly a full day's work, especially if children are involved.


As a dinner party guest, both in gratitude and out of respect for our host and hostess, it is important to follow certain rules:
 
9 Rules for Dinner Party Guests

1. Upon receiving the invitation, ask if there is anything you can bring. Very often a hostess will say, "No, just bring yourself." Sometimes a hostess will say this only to be polite, others because nothing comes immediately to mind. If a hostess declines your initial offer, make a specific offer. For example, offer to bring dessert, or drinks, or a salad (or other side dish that will compliment the meal and travel easily.)


2. If your hostess does not ask you to bring anything to contribute to the dinner, it is good manners to bring a hostess gift. A bottle of wine or pack of imported beers is a great choice. (Unsure whether your host drinks? Stay away from this option! Finding out your host is a recovering alcoholic or a non-drinker for religious reasons while handing them a bottle of wine makes for an awkward moment.) Sparkling Cider can be a nice substitution for a host who does not drink alcohol.


Another great hostess gift option is flowers, but please try to bring them already arranged in a container - that way your hostess will not be forced to stop what she is doing to search for a vase and arrange the flowers during the dinner party. A third option that is gaining in popularity is a scented candle.



3. Do not arrive early or late. A 10 minute window either direction is acceptable. Under no circumstances should you arrive more than 15 minutes late.



4. When you arrive - particularly if you arrive early - offer to help your host with any last minute preparations. If they decline the offer, please take care not to impede their final touches - sit off to the side if possible, so that you will not be in their way. An even better option: entertain the host's children during this time. The children will love you for it, and the host will be eternally grateful!



5. Brief your children before arrival. Depending on their age: remind them of proper table manners, to use indoor voices, and the importance of saying please & thank you. Also please remind them to help clean up any messes they make.



6. Take responsibility for your children during the party. After spending an entire day cooking and cleaning, it is not fair to ask the host to serve your children, get them drinks, take them to the restroom, etc. Watch that your children do not touch any breakables or -- depending on their age-- get onto the host's computer. Ensure that they do not run wild, and insist that they help clean up any messes they make. If your children are too young to clean themselves, you should clean up their messes before you leave.



7. Be sure to compliment your host. They went to a lot of work in your honor.  Acknowledge that work and thank them for a lovely meal.



8. Do not overstay your welcome. This is perhaps the most important rule of all.... If you host is yawning - it is time to leave!



9. Don't forget to say thanks.  A day or so later, please remember to drop a line to your hostess with a quick and heartfelt thank you for their hospitality.

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Two weeks ago our bank account was hijacked at payday. Within hours our bank account was drained, and in cleaning up the mess we learned some surprising facts.

Like many people, we used our debit card for virtually everything: gas, groceries, restaurants; even to shop on-line. Really the breach could have happened anywhere, but in reviewing the time-line of our purchases we suspect that the debit card number was swiped electronically either from a stop at our local gas station, or by a fast-food employee at the drive-thru window.

Luckily our bank caught the breach within hours and de-activated my husband's debit card.

How did we find out?  The most embarrassing way possible:  his card was declined at the grocery store with a full cart of groceries.

Back at home, we discovered a phone message from our bank asking us to call about a possible security issue, and when we went on-line to view our account we discovered money missing.

In a matter of hours, thieves had taken hundreds of dollars.  If our bank,  USAA, had not protected us we would have been wiped out before the afternoon was over.  (This is one of the many reasons we recommend banking with USAA if you are eligible.)


Our bank did reimburse 100% of the stolen funds, but we were lucky; banks are not required to do so.   With a credit card, liability for unauthorized purchases is capped at $50 no matter what, but with debit cards it is different.  Debit cards only offer a $50 cap on liability if the unauthorized transactions are reported within 2 days. The liability goes up to $500 for reports of a lost or stolen card if made between 3 and 60 days. And you are fully liable for any transactions reported after 60 days from the bank statement date.  Our bank reimbursed us for 100% of the stolen funds, but not all banks are so generous.

Advantages of using Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards:

All credit cards offer special purchase protections. These protections vary by card, generally are free, and most people do not even know they exist.  They are especially beneficial when it comes to on-line or large purchases, but some benefits apply to even the smallest of charges.

Some credit card companies take it a step further and offer free purchase insurance that will refund in the event of loss, theft, or breakage.   Details of the insurance will vary by company, and most have a minimum purchase amount.

And, many credit cards offer free insurance on car rentals, and some even offer trip insurance for airline tickets.

One of the most powerful benefits of using a credit card over a debit card is the ability to reverse or dispute a transaction. If you order an item that does not arrive, or you receive something other than what you ordered, you can dispute the transaction with your credit card company who will resolve the issue on your behalf.


If you use Paypal, you are only fully protected if you fund the transaction with a credit card.  Paypal offers a free"Buyer's Protection Plan", however upon reading the fine print you will discover that the reimbursement is limited. Paypal decides if and when reimbursement should occur at all (you agreed to this when checking boxes to open your account).  And, the fine print also states that the buyer's protection coverage is limited to the amount recoverable from the other person's Paypal account. If their Paypal account is empty, you get nothing.

However by funding the Paypal transaction with a credit card,  you have the full protection of your credit card company behind you and retain all rights to dispute the charge should something go wrong with the transaction.  This will allow you to receive FULL reimbursement, whereas using a debit card only offers the protection that Paypal deems sufficient.



The smartest advice is to not use a debit card, but for most of us that is not realistic.  However, a great alternative is to open a second account, which you fund with only the amount needed for day-to-day purchases.  Do not link your debit card to an account with a lot of money; this limits the amount a thief can get hold of.


Obviously we have learned our lesson, not to use a debit card linked to the same account that our paycheck is deposited into. Even though our bank reimbursed us, it did take 8 days to get the money back. Imagine an emptied bank account and mortgage being due, or credit card payments being late. We were lucky, but an attack such as this could reek havoc on a person's credit. A missed or bounced payment could lead to various charges including late or returned payment charges, insufficient funds charges, and even losing promotional interest rates on credit accounts, not to mention endless headaches and sleepless nights.

It is impossible to prevent card number theft in this current electronic age, however by using a credit card in place of a debit card for purchases can greatly reduce your exposure to risk and provide you with added benefits.

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Whether it is converting inches to centimeters or kilometers to miles, a good conversion site can always come in handy. It's even better when it is free!


This is my favorite. It offers length, weight, pressure, volume, and temperature conversions with just a click of the mouse.  A very handy tool to bookmark!

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The world is shrinking my friends. Globalization is upon us. And, the internet is the gateway.

International sales, formerly the playground of giant corporations, is now at everyone's fingertips. Worldwide sales access is as simple today as starting a retail website, or listing items on Ebay. And, with the U.S. dollar declining in value against other currencies, more people from around the world are looking to American websites for good deals.

The American economy is in a slump, with consumer spending at an all-time low--but there is unlimited earning potential if you are willing to put the low value of the dollar to work for you. Have you considered opening your business to international sales--or if you are currently out of work, selling American items on the internet with a global market in mind?

Worried about the language barrier? Here is your answer: Free on-line translation services.


1) Write simply.   Forget the colorful prose. Forget the big words. Forget implications. All of this can lead to inaccurate translations, and misunderstandings. Be precise with your meanings, and say it in the simplest language possible. Do not use contractions. Avoid words with multiple or ambiguous meanings.

2) Use short sentences.
Each language has it's own sentence structure: 

In French the adjective comes after the noun: "The red car is big," becomes "La voiture rouge est grande."
In German, a question must always be started with a verb. "Do you come from Germany?" literally translates into the following sentence structure: "Come you from Germany?" (Kommen Sie aus Deutschland?)

Spanish drops the pronoun when it is understood in a sentence. "I want to sleep" translates "Quiero dormir," with the pronoun "I" being dropped from the sentence altogether.

Each language has it's own set of rules, but a good on-line translation program will know them. However, the quality of your translation can only match the simplicity of your writing. If you use long, compound sentences with added phases and many ideas separated by commas....the computer will jumble your meaning as it tries to force your words to the other language's proper sentence structure. The result will be a jumble of incoherent words that lose your meaning.

3) Do not use slang.  "Bucks" will not translate as well as the word "dollars."

4) Avoid cliches.  "I'm keeping my fingers crossed," communicates your thought to an American, but in Germany they "press their thumbs" instead. Each country has it's own set of sayings, most don't translate.

"Keeping up with the Jones" means nothing to an Italian reader.

It is arrogant, and generally wrong to assume that American colloquisms will translate to other languages.

I recently had a Norwegian write that they "have an angel sitting on their shoulder" in reference to our business deal, assuming I would know what they meant. I had no idea. And, your audience won't understand your well-known American sayings either.



1) Yahoo Babel Fish - my favorite! From my experience, this one is by far the most accurate. Translates English text to 12 languages with super-fast speed.

2) Stars21.com/translator Offers translations between English and 45 other languages, including many hard to find translations such as Esperanto, Latin, and Finnish. Although it is a reliable translation site, I have not found it to be as accurate in German as Yahoo Babel Fish.

3) Free-Translator.com Awesome offerings. Boasts an extensive list of links to foreign language resources such as newspapers, radio, and on-line television. Offers translations for websites and emails, foreign language dictionaries, and free on-line language courses. Free-translator.com has an enormous amount of content and links, the only down side is the speed; just a little slower than the others.

Don't worry about being perfect; people in other countries won't expect perfection. Americans have a reputation of arrogance throughout the world. People of other countries often complain that Americans expect everyone to speak English. For most cultures, the attempt to speak their language is a sign of great respect, and in my experience your attempt will be met with generous goodwill.

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Go professional and take all of the guesswork out of the equation.  Stop at an old-fashioned shoe store for a professional fitting.  The salesperson will measure your foot for you.  Usually this is a free service.  Be sure to go in the afternoon or evening for the best fit because feet swell throughout the day.

If there is a specific style or brand you are considering, see if you can try it on in the store.  Once you have verified fit, you can often find that exact shoe cheaper on-line.


Buy a professional shoe sizer.  Brannock is the industry standard.  Invented in 1926, this is the silver shoe-sizer we still see in every major department store today, and the most accurate sizer on the market.  It is made in 3 sizes:  Mens, Womens and Childrens.  Instructions for use are located on the back.  (You can also find them on-line.)



Is it necessary it to buy your own Brannock?  Well, if you are an adult, probably not.  It is a great luxury to have though.  Even an adult's shoe size can vary over time, so it is nice to be able to take an accurate measurement periodically.  This can allow you to buy those great on-line deals with full confidence.


If you have children, buying your own sizer is the definitely worth the money.  Little feet grow in leaps and spurts.  Sometimes a parent buys a perfectly fitting shoe, only to find it too small a month later.  Young children do not have the ability to verbalize when their shoes are too small or uncomfortable.  The ability to accurately and conveniently measure a child's shoe size can be a great help to parents.


Brannock makes two models for children:



The only major difference is color. On Brannock's website, the Ultra Fit Junior retails for $48; The Junior retails for $68.  If you look around on-line, you may be able to find these brand-new Brannocks even cheaper.  Or, to save a little money, you can find used ones on Ebay for as low as $10. 


One of our favorite stores for parents, One Step Ahead, sells a  baby-sized shoe sizer for only $9.95.  Their website carries several pages of 5 Star ratings for this product.



Kohls.com offers a wealth of information on shoe sizing.  Our favorite: printable shoe sizers.  (Think Brannock in paper form.) They also have shoe sizing charts that are very useful.

 Babies printable shoe chart  Similar to the Kohl's printable chart.  For children up to 36 months old.

About.com has articles on every topic.  Shoe sizing is no exception.  This article tells you everything you need to know to size your foot at home.

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Written by Rio Denali

No more guessing!  Would you believe they now have do-it-yourself (at home) doggie DNA tests?

BioPet Vet Lab in Knoxville, Tennessee, can give you the answers you are looking for, and for only around $60.  It's a simple test.  The kit, available from many on-line vendors such as Mojopet and MuttMart -- or at PetSmart Stores nationwide -- involves a simple cheek swab.  BioPet can process the test in 2 weeks, and when it is complete, they mail the Ancestry Analysis Certificate directly to your home, along with a report detailing the percentages of each breed found.

Click here to see an example showing DNA ancestry for Luke, a beautiful mixed breed pup (you must scroll halfway down page.)

While BioPet Vet Lab's test cannot detect every rare breed, they have an impressive list of 58 currently on file, and the company is continually working to add more breeds.

List of currently identifiable breeds.

What I did not realize is the additional applications of this test (beyond the obvious curiosity that us mixed-breed dog owners feel...)

Homeowners insurance companies now charge increased rates for some dog breeds, and out-right refuse to insure homes with others.  Some condo and home-owners associations also restrict specific breeds.  Being able to prove that your dog is -- or is not -- a specific breed, despite his appearance, can make a world of difference!

Also, knowing the breed characteristics of a mixed breed dog can be beneficial.  Hip dysplasia, Glaucoma, Bloat, and certain cancers are just a few examples of breed-prone illnesses.  Knowing a dog's genetic makeup can help determine which diagnostic tests and screenings may be beneficial.

Also knowing that a puppy may face an increased risk of high prey drive or aggressiveness is valuable when making training decisions.  Knowing the propensity toward aggression allows the owner to seek a higher level of professional training, such as dog obedience school, while the dog is still young. 

On Friday, I rescued a mixed-breed pup from the side of the road, who I am going to test through BioVet.  I'll keep you posted on the results!

Follow-up:  The puppy turned out to be a collie / beagle / lab mix.  We found him a great home; a happy ending for all.

This article was originally featured on RioDancesOnTheSand.com, a blog for the thinking person... Written by Rio Denali, a 30-something with peculiar curiosities, who makes the observations that many of us avoid. Full of useful links and entertaining articles, it is a fun favorite for the intelligent reader. For more great articles like this, please visit RioDancesOnTheSand.com.

After all that hard work, a getaway is exactly what you need. But, where to go?


Myrtle Beach is one of the nicest beaches on the East Coast.  And, the prices are surprisingly affordable.

Staybridge Suites Hotel
For $110 per night, we lived in luxury.  With  2 bedrooms, 2  full baths, a living room with a dining table and a kitchen to call our own -- our suite felt more like an apartment than a hotel room.  And, the hotel amenities were great:  a sparkling outdoor pool, beautiful grounds, free laundry, a workout room....and saving best for last -- free food.


I have never seen a breakfast spread of this quality and quantity in a hotel.  Usually a hotel's continental breakfast is a couple of rock-hard bagels and stale coffee.  Not at the Staybridge!  Imagine a wonderful breakfast buffet with plenty of warm offerings:  Fresh belgian waffles with all the toppings, eggs or omletes, sausage, grits, and hot cooked oatmeal (with toppings if you wish).  Plus, breakfast breads:  toast, bagels, english muffins, pasteries and several varieties of muffins such as banana nut, cream cheese and blueberry.  As if this wasn't enough, there is also a cereal bar with 4 or 5 classic offerings, and a chilled bar that has several varieties of yogurts and fruits, and a full offering of drinks such as coffee, tea, chocolate and white milk, orange and apple juice.  The eating area is clean and spacious, featuring large windows, lodge-like decor, and a cathedral ceiling -- with the overall feel of a nice restaurant.  And, if you would prefer, they trays to take the food back to your room, or to-go bags if you need to eat on the run.

The Staybridge also hosts something called the "Sundowner".  We did not go, but were told that it is an evening "happy hour" of sorts, with great hot food and free beer on tap.  From what we heard, it is nice enough to skip dinner out on the town.



Well maintained, with staff a friendly and helpful staff, the Staybridge was terrific.  They offer a number of discounts, including military / government discounts as well as AAA.  Plenty of parking in a well-lit parking lot.  Nice landscaping, and well-manicured grounds lead to a sparkling clean outdoor pool, basketball court, and outdoor eating areas.  The lobby is gorgeous and they have a little store, The Bridgemart, open 24 / 7 just in case you forgot something or have the munchies.  The hotel was immaculately clean and very nicely decorated.  Plus, there is free laundry and a nicely appointed workout room.  The Staybridge offers several room types, with options to sleep 2 people, or groups up to 8.  And have the best pet-friendly policy in Myrtle Beach.



Staybridge Suites at Myrtle Beach is a pet-friendly hotel.  For a $20 per-night fee, the Staybridge allows dogs up to 80 pounds.  Have 2 dogs?  Not a problem -- that $20 per-night fee covers up to 2 dogs per room.  The hotel has thought of everything -- you don't even need to bring your own bags.  They even have 2 dedicated dog walks / dog potty areas, where they provide doggie bags and a receptacle right there for your convenience.




We travel with 3 kids.  This makes a normal hotel room just a little too small for our family, but renting 2 rooms is out of the question because of the cost involved, plus the fact that our children are too young to stay in a room alone.  Solution?  A suite!

Staybridge offers several suite options to chose from, with options that sleep 2 to 8 people.

In the "sleeps 6" category, there were 2 options:

1)  One king and one queen-sized bed

2)  One queen and 2 double-sized beds

We chose the queen with 2 doubles.



Coming in the door, you immediately enter a "great room", with 3 areas:  a TV viewing / seating area, a dining area, and a kitchen.

The television viewing / seating area is amply furnished with a 3 person sofa, an upholstered side chair, coffee table, and an armoire complete with storage and a large television.  Need extra seating?  The television can be seen from the dining table, and the dining chairs were surprisingly comfortable.

In that same room was a wooden dining table with 4 chairs.  I had concerns that a 4 person table would be an issue as we have 5 people in our family, but the room is very well designed and furnished.  Because the dining table and sofa are right by each other, we had  the kids eat at the dining table, while we at at the sofa / coffee table only feet away.  Very easy and convenient solution.

The third element of the great room was a kitchen.  We had a full sized fridge with icemaker, dishwasher, sink, microwave and 4 burner cook top.  The kitchen came well-stocked with things such as dish & dishwasher soap, dish towels, and everything else we needed like pots, plates & bowls,  and silverware.  I was impressed by the nice glasses (plus wine glasses too).  And, my husband was relieved to find a full-sized coffee maker and mugs.  The coffee maker alone sold him on the hotel!



Each bedroom was it's own suite with a television set and en suite bath.  Our master suite had a queen-sized bed, a generously-sized desk, large dresser and two nightstands.  We were surprised by the extras such as a built-in closet, a full-length mirror and an oversized sink vanity with even more storage underneath.  The hair-dryer hanging on the wall was a nice touch too.  It was wonderful to have our own full-sized bathroom in our suite.  That was luxury to be sure...  But, the best part was the shower.  A bowed-rod made it feel larger than the standard size shower, and the shower head was to die for! The hotel linens were very nice; upgraded quality on the towels and super-nice bed linens.  The Staybridge definitely did not cut any corners!

The children's room was just as nice.  The double beds were great.  We have never had so much room in a hotel!  I was amazed by the amount of storage; a large dresser, a built-in closet, and even more storage below the sink vanity.  And, another full-sized bathroom.


One thing I should warn you about it housekeeping.  The hotel differs from others in that true housekeeping (vacuuming and a through room cleaning in addition to trash removal and bed linen changing) is only offered once per week.  Monday thru Friday you will receive fresh bed linens and trash removal ("light house-keeping).  On the weekends, there is no house-keeping at all.  Of course you can pay for a higher level of house keeping, but it is not included in the rental price.

Although this may sound strange, this is common practice in condo rentals in many tourist destinations.




This is the only potential down-side to the hotel.  It is hard to find.  It is located next to the Freestyle Music Park (formerly known as the Hard Rock Park when it was owned by the Hard Rock Cafe Corp., it is a music and amusement park with roller coasters to frighten the most fearsome warrior.)  We printed out 2 sets of directions on-line before making our trip -- both were wrong.  It took some looking and a couple wrong turns to find our way, but we finally made it there.  The biggest problem is that each set of directions called the streets around the hotel a different name....and once we got there, we found that the street signs didn't agree with any of them.  In researching for this article, I just saw a notice of address change on the hotel website -- this explains a lot.  My advice...go to Mapquest or your map for the route to Myrtle Beach....and call the hotel for exact directions to their door.

Other than the hotel being hard to find, the location really was great.  There are several public beaches at Myrtle Beach.  We visited 2 while we were there, and the hotel was only 10 minutes away from the furthest one.  Plus, the hotel was right in middle of all of the other things we wanted to do.  Myrtle Beach really has something for everyone, far too much to list here.  I will be writing more articles outlining the highlights.  But, no matter what you are looking for, the Staybridge is a great central location for it all.

All of this for only $110 per night.  Amazing.

For the best prices no matter when you travel, go directly to the Staybridge Suites Myrtle Beach website.  I looked in 5 different places, but the hotel's website beat them all.  Plus they offer a lowest price guarantee.  If you find a better price on their hotel on another website, they will match it. 

Be sure to look under Special Offers for deals.  And, remember to check the government discount if it applies to you, (available to all military members and their spouses, as well as government employees), that is generally going to be your best price.

You can also call the hotel's reservations phone line, but when I called I found they had more rooms available on-line than over the phone, and at better prices.



Fun for Kids at Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach photo gallery 

Free 2009 Myrtle Beach Visitors Guide  

Myrtle Beach Tourism Bureau website

Receive email information and discount information from Myrtle Beach Tourist Bureau 

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This article was originally featured on RioDancesOnTheSand.com, a blog for the thinking person... Written by Rio, a 30-something with peculiar curiosities, who makes the observations that many of us avoid. Full of useful links and entertaining articles, it is a fun favorite for the intelligent reader. For more great articles like this, please visit RioDancesOnTheSand.com.