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Luminaid Bundle Shark Tank Bundle

January 13, 2019 by Liz Leave a Comment

Includes: 1x PackLite Hero 2-in-1 Supercharger

This powerful 2-in-1 lantern + phone charger is designed for rugged adventures and charging beyond the grid. Take your gear to the next level.

1x PackLite Firefly USB

This glittering, flickering lantern will set the mood for any occasion. Make any space feel like home with the warm glow of this bright lantern.

1x PackLite Nova USB

This high-performing, pack-flat, waterproof, solar lantern is a staple in any emergency kit, camping pack, or stocking!

Get your hands on the invention all five sharks fought over on ABC’s Shark Tank. A bundle of the best products from LuminAID, the company that Mark Cuban called “an example of an innovation that solves a problem for society.” Compact and powerful, LuminAID foldable lanterns bring the power of light to your hands. Must-have gear for family camping, backpacking, sailing, pool parties, the backyard, music festivals, pillow forts, emergency prep, or wherever light is useful.This year’s Shark Tank Bundle features two of our newest products along with the fan favorite, the PackLite Nova USB.

Click here to buy your own Shark Tank Bundle today


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Filed Under: LuminAID, Packlite Tagged With: ECOM, on_sale

My Inspiration

August 21, 2018 by Liz Leave a Comment

People are often commenting on how lucky I am to live life the way that I do. I felt it was time to share my story as to why I have chosen the life that I have. I was recently at a conference with a speaker that shared his story of life with no arms or legs and how he hasn’t let it stop him. Everything we do in life is a result of the choices we make. We are only a victim of our circumstances if we CHOOSE to be.

I was shown from a very young age just how short life truly is. You see, I grew up the oldest of 3. I was the only girl and the only one not in a wheelchair. I had 2 younger brothers with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and often had people telling me how sorry they were that the boys were physically disabled and in wheelchairs. I always responded that that was the exact thing that made me who I am and there was nothing to be sorry about, especially since they were born with it so they didn’t know a different way of life. Growing up I started volunteering with the Muscular Dystrophy Association at the age of 8. I was helping my mom as volunteer coordinator by the time I was 12. Through this, I got to know so many other kids MY AGE, that would never live to be adults. I have watched kids pass while I was still in elementary, junior high and high school. My brothers taught me to never let my circumstances control my ability to live my dreams or live life to the fullest. It is a lesson I have worked hard to teach my son since he was only 2 when my youngest brother, and biggest inspiration, passed away. He was 6 when my second brother passed. 

We were a very talented family and had plans for me to be their manager in the entertainment industry because Dan was a very talented writer with dreams of making movies and Chris was an actor that was going to be in those movies. We still have those screenplays with hopes of someday getting at least one produced. Now here’s why Dan was my biggest inspiration. He NEVER TOOK NO for an answer. Wheelchair be damned, he was going to do exactly what he wanted to in life. Dan had a genius level IQ, but chose to drop out of high school when he started having anxiety attacks from going to school as a result of the interference of nosey teachers that felt being in a wheelchair meant you should automatically be placed in the Special Education class rather than mainstreamed. Keep in mind this was  back in the 80s and 90s. Things were a lot different education and accessibility wise. But he didn’t let that stop him. He went to the local community college and participated in their 2 plus 2 program that earned him his high school GED at the same time as his associates degree. He then applied to the school of his dreams and was rejected, but that still didn’t stop him. He went to Hofstra University instead to continue working on pursuing  his dreams. He had a home health aide and lived in the dorm just like every other student. He completed a year of  courses, then reapplied for the school of his dreams where he WAS ACCEPTED. The Dramatic Writing program at NYU, which at that time only accepted 40 students per year. While doing this he was also applying for his short term goal of a summer Emmy internship. The first year he applied, they saw his talent to make him a finalist. As a finalist, he had to submit a video OF HIMSELF, which meant they now saw that he was in a wheelchair. They weren’t quite ready for that and he didn’t get the internship the first year, but again that didn’t stop him. He moved to NYC for his first semester at NYU, again living in the dorms. This time there were issues finding him a home health aide and mom had to go help until they could find him one. Unfortunately 9/11 then happened so they never did find him an aide. He went through that semester living life, being a part of production groups and meet ups that he helped to launch and just showing people he didn’t give a damn that he was in a wheelchair and that it wasn’t going to stop him. Fast forward towards the end of the semester when he was selected again as a finalist for the Emmy internship. He submitted his video. Sadly he was then taken from us as a result of injuries from being a passenger in a car accident caused by the careless driver he was riding with. The day of his funeral when my family contacted the internship, we learned that the decision was to be made that day between him and one other finalist. 

With role models like that, why would I ever live my life any differently than I do??? Live your life the way that you want to. Surround yourself with those that lift you up and encourage you because they are living their life with no regrets and no apologies for who they are. I am a single mom who works for myself and travels on a very small budget. I am fortunate to have amazing friends that will help me make shit happen, but also know that I will be completely honest if I just can’t afford to do something that I am invited to do with them.

One of my favorite quotes of all time is “Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” ~Maya Angelou. It’s actually going to be my next tattoo.

Find your inspiration, it’s not necessarily the same as your why, then start living your life to the fullest in whatever way that means for you. Don’t let anything stand in your way.


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Filed Under: Miscellaneous

Reflecting

October 8, 2017 by Liz Leave a Comment

Living in Las Vegas, I have done a lot of reflecting this last week, while also being so grateful that I and all of my friends are safe. I am so grateful that every person that I actually know that was in attendance at the Route 91 Festival made it out physically unharmed. Mentally is a whole different story, and one that I hope they will all heal from over time. I can only hope to never experience what they have, and was so filled with love and gratitude for everyone that reached out to make sure I was safe or to let me know how happy they were that I was safe.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I will bend over backwards for those that I consider true friends, and that includes any time I have a chance to spend time with them. So often over the years, and sadly even more often in the last year, I have heard, wow that’s a long way to go when I am willing to go an hour or two out of my way during my travels if it means being able to see a friend, or traveling 4 hours to an event just because a friend is holding it. This last week? That is exactly why I am willing to go an hour or two, and yes even 4 at times, out of my way to see my friends. There are now 58 innocent people that no longer have that option. There are now friends and family of 58 people that no longer have that option in order to see that one person. Think about that. What if one of those 58 people was your loved one that you could no longer spend time with??? What if you were one of those 58 and you could no longer physically spend time with your loved ones??

I believe in living my life without regret because even if you make a bad decision, it was what you wanted in that moment, so why regret it? You’ve learned from it, now take that lesson and move on. Part of that for me is taking advantage of as many opportunities as are presented to me as I can – whether to do something, go somewhere or to spend time with friends whether I see them once every few years, once a year, or all the time.

We get so caught up in our “busy lives” that so many often forget to put not only themselves, but their loved ones first. Be the one that lets your friends know, not guess, but know that they are special to you. Do you know how that makes them feel??? I do because they tell me how it makes them feel when I go out of my way to spend time with them. We are all busy. It just depends on what you do about it. Do you let it stop you? Or do you value your time with your loved ones more because of it?

I learned from a very early, too early, age just how short life is. Growing up in the world of neuromuscular diseases will do that. When you watch kids that are your age die from complications of their illnesses, you understand just how precious the time is that you get to spend with your friends and family, and you learn not to let an opportunity go by to spend time with them. When you lose both of your younger brothers at early adult ages  you are reminded of that lesson you learned so young. 

I do not want anyone living in fear of death, it happens to all of us. What I want us all to start doing is living our lives with intention and with a purpose other than just getting by in life and working non-stop. Believe me, I work for myself, I am the picture of working way too much BUT I also take the time for my friends at every opportunity that I can. Am I perfect, heck no, nobody is. But if we all strive to spend more time with those that make us smile, instead of focusing only on work and making money, then the world will start to be a much happier place, not only because you are happier and smiling more, but also those that you are spending time with will be the same.

Every person is in our life for a reason whether it’s for a short time or long term. Are you taking the time to enjoy them and learn from them? Or are you taking for granted that they will always be there?


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Filed Under: Vegas

Rock in Rio Las Vegas

May 25, 2015 by Liz Leave a Comment

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I was fortunate to be able to attend the Las Vegas Rock in Rio Festival Pop Weekend. What an amazing lineup! There were full concert sets by Ivete Sangelo, Echosmith, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift Friday night followed by Big Sean, Empire of the Sun, John Legend and Bruno Mars Saturday night. There were many other performers throughout the weekend ensuring that someone was performing on one of the many stages all afternoon and evening.

[Read more…] about Rock in Rio Las Vegas


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Filed Under: Vegas Tagged With: blogger, festival, music, rock in rio, travel, vegas

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About Me

Liz loves to explore new places and travel all over the country capturing the beauty on her camera.

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