Travel Tuesday with Danielle ~ FRANCE 2021

by Danielle Garrett of PlanIt Travel Designs for The Aha! Connection

Last week, with all three of our kids not home, my husband and I found ourselves on a flight to France!  The requirements to enter France for a vaccinated traveler looked so easy!  BUT, since it was my first-time entering Europe post-Covid, I was half waiting to be stopped at every checkpoint. … Read More »

Book of the Week & Giveaway: Code Breaker Girls by Local Author Jan Slimming – Book Signing Saturday at Enchanted Forest!

Dunwoody Author, Jan Slimming,  will be signing copies of her debut publication at The Enchanted Forest Dunwoody (July 10th 12-2pm). The Enchanted Forest Gift Shop is located at 5580 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody (in the Publix shopping center).

You can win a copy by leaving a comment on our website or Facebook post!   Winner will be announced on Friday, July 9, 2021.… Read More »

Travel Tuesday with Danielle (from France!) – TRAVELERS CAN NOW ENTER ITALY MUCH EASIER, ESPECIALLY THE VACCINATED!

Note from Audra:    I didn’t think Danielle would be able to give us a Travel Tuesday since she is currently in FRANCE!  However she told me this morning she’s on the high speed train from the French Riviera to Paris with great WiFi so knocked it out!   I’ve had so much fun following her on Instagram with her daily updates/beautiful photos from France this week. Read More »

Travel Tuesday with Danielle ~ Europe Continues to Open to American Travelers


by Danielle Garrett of PlanIt Travel Designs for The Aha! Connection

Fifteen months after Europe closed its borders to the U.S.,the European Union (EU) announced last week a recommendation to begin allowing entry to U.S. citizens. However, it is up to each country to determine their specific rules for entry into their country.  Besides Croatia, Greece, France, Spain, Iceland and Italy who are already open, below are some of the latest country updates. … Read More »

Lately at Lunch with Lauren ~ Juneteenth Food • Build Your Own Poke • Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog • Fresh Peeled Garlic and So Much More!

Recent excerpts from our Lunch with Lauren Facebook Group by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection

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6/18/21:  Here are some ways to partake in Juneteenth this week

6/15/21: 

Build-your-own poké bowl doesn’t require that much cooking, but definitely some prep work. I make sushi rice in the rice cooker; cook meat or heat up leftover meat, and dice tofu.… Read More »

Where Audra’s green thumb likes her to take it shopping!

One positive from quarantine is that my inherited green thumb had a chance to learn and grow! My parents, my maternal grandfather and my paternal grandmother passed down my insane love for gardening. It’s been a joy to have extra time to spend in my yard. Here’s how this is a post for the community. I shop (too much) for plants but wanted to share a few places I buy plants in case you want your green thumb to get working!… Read More »

Travel Thursday with Danielle ~ 5 REASONS TO AVOID USING AN OTA (ONLINE TRAVEL AGENCY)

by Danielle Garrett of PlanIt Travel Designs for The Aha! Connection

You may be asking “what is an OTA”?  An OTA (online travel agency) is a website or online service that sells travel products to customers (flights, hotels, etc.)  There are many of them, but a few of the big names are Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz and Hotels.com. … Read More »

Travel Tuesday with Danielle ~ Spain Officially Open to Vaccinated Travelers!

by Danielle Garrett of PlanIt Travel Designs for The Aha! Connection

As of June 7, Spain is now open to vaccinated Americans.  Spain is a beautiful country offering something for everyone!  Great food, culture, art, architecture, friendly people, and wonderful scenery abound from every region of Spain.  In fact, each region has its own distinct beauty, culture, and food! … Read More »

Thoughts from Lauren about being Asian…….

by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection reposted from the 5/30/21 The Aha! Connection Facebook page   On the final days of AAPI Heritage Month, I am inspired by my mother telling her story for her volunteer organization. I am half Japanese and my mother was born in Japan before she and my grandmother immigrated to Texas.   I was naively unaware that I was different until 6th grade.… Read More »

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lauren@theahaconnection.com

Travel Friday with Danielle ~ THE CRUISE INDUSTRY: FROM SHUT DOWN TO SELLING OUT

by Danielle Garrett of PlanIt Travel Designs for The Aha! Connection

The pandemic had a devastating impact on all global tourism, but the cruise industry has taken the hardest punch to the gut.  The losses are staggering!  Prior to Covid-19, the cruise ship sector was one of the fastest growing in the global tourism industry.  With an estimated value of more than $150 billion, the cruise industry had been forecasted to reach a record level of 32 million passengers in 2020. … Read More »

Travel Tuesday with Danielle ~ This Summer, Pick A Destination Where You Do NOT Need A Rental Car!

by Danielle Garrett of PlanIt Travel Designs for The Aha! Connection

Don’t let this rental car crisis crush your travel plans!  Many are itching to finally travel and wanting to make last minute plans.  If you haven’t already booked a trip, be strategic in picking your destination. This problem should settle down after the summer, but the surge in U.S.… Read More »

Brian and Silvia Eufinger are helping kids get into their dream colleges and saving families money….

by Audra H. Anders for The Aha! Connection

So, how can I get your attention?  Let me try this:

Current 8th graders have control NOW over which college they can attend.   Yep, I said 8th graders…. let me say it again…. EIGHTH GRADERS.

What do I mean? Well, GPA (Grade Point Average) is EXTREMELY important to colleges, and grade inflation has been dramatically rising the last decade, with over 47% of students having an A average in 2017, and likely more than 50% today!… Read More »

Travel Tuesday with Danielle ~ Why CABO SAN LUCAS is a Great Travel Choice!

by Danielle Garrett of PlanIt Travel Designs for The Aha! Connection

Cabo San Lucas is located on the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula on the western side of Mexico.  Cabo is known for its stunning scenery and perfect for those seeking adventure.  The massive resorts in places like Cancun and Riviera Maya become the destination, whereas Cabo beckons the traveler to venture outside the resort with many different experiences. … Read More »

Tum Pok Pok ~ a Lunch with Lauren Review

by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection

Tum Pok Pok is authentic Thai street food in a bright, fun, and casual setting on Buford Highway in Chamblee. If you are familiar with Bangkok Thyme in Sandy Springs, Tum Pok Pok has the same owner, Adidsara Weerasin. From the second you walk in, you are transformed to Thai Isan, which is the Northeastern region.… Read More »

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Recently at Lunch with Lauren: The Classic Greek, Karv Kitchen, The Ginger Room, Zentea and more!

Recent excerpts from our Lunch with Lauren Facebook Group by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection

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5/13:  Don’t tell me Dunwoody only has pizza places

5/12:  My friend shared some of her treats from The Classic Greek and now I can’t stop. Despina Lamas, walk me through what I’ve eaten here.… Read More »