Family Ever After Blog

Family Ever After Blog

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How To Crowdsource Wedding Photos

Fall means pumpkin spice lattes and leaf piles, but it also means something else: weddings.

Autumn is now the most popular season for getting married. If you’re a bride or groom planning a wedding for September, October, or November, you’re likely attracted to the cooler weather and lovely fall colors. The oranges, yellows, and browns will really pop in your wedding photos.

But while you should invest in a good wedding photographer, that’s not your only option for getting great photos. You can also ask guests to take their own photos for at least part of the wedding day. Here are some of the best ways to crowdsource wedding photos from your attendees.

Make your photo policy clear

Before the wedding starts, you should let your guests know when and how they can take their own photos.

For example, your photographer might have a clause in their contract stating that nobody else can photograph the ceremony. That means your guests can take photos after you and your intended say “I do” and walk back down the aisle. So you’ll want to say something like, “Please refrain from taking photos during the ceremony, but we’d love for you to use your camera to get some candid moments during the reception.”

This is necessary because wedding guests will often go one of two ways regarding photos. First, there’s the group that assumes they can’t take any photos at all. You’ll have to encourage them to take out their phones at certain times. If you want, you can even go old-school and leave disposable cameras on tables at the reception.

Then there are the people who you need to rein in a little on photos. If you don’t set some parameters, they might post unflattering photos or spend the whole reception taking photos. You want to enjoy the day with your guests, not feel like you’re being hounded by the paparazzi. If you think a couple of guests might go too far, try to gently pull them aside and go over some wedding photo etiquette tips.

Also, be sure to create a wedding hashtag that people can use to post wedding snaps on social media. Put the hashtag on wedding invitations or, even better, on wedding programs. It can be as clever or as straightforward as you want.

Give them a place to share photos

While a hashtag is helpful, some brides and grooms want to go even further and look over as many photos as possible. But that can be risky, especially if people are posting those photos on social media before you can look at them. They might post a photo of the bride or groom with their mouth open eating cake, for instance, and that’s not flattering.

Luckily, there are ways to share photos online privately. A smart home device that manages your photos also lets you create shared photo albums that other people can contribute to. So you can create an album called “Smith-Jones Wedding 2019” and then let other people upload photos to it. You can then sort through those photos and pick out which ones you want to have framed or otherwise preserved.

This also gives you more control over any photos that may be compromising. We’re not just talking about photos of you eating; sometimes wedding receptions can get a little wild. The bride or groom may not be jumping in in-ground swimming pools at the country club, but some of your guests might, especially if they’re drinking a little too much of that special wedding cocktail.

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that, at least as long as no one gets hurt or damages the property. But that doesn’t mean those photos need to be shared far and wide. An exclusive online photo portal offers both you and your guests more privacy.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

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Why Your 20s Are Perfect to Start Assessing Your Financial Future

Your 20s easily make up for the most crucial decade that you will experience in your entire financial life. It is a decade that can help make or break your ability to pay off your home on time, ensure that your hypothetical kids get to attend a good college, and enable you to retire when the time comes.
The following are reasons why you should consider investing during your 20s:

Time

While cash flow may be tight, adults in their 20s have a time advantage. Albert Einstein had a good reason for referring to compounding as the 8th wonder of the world. Compounding makes it possible for you to generate riches over time. The good thing about it is that it only needs two things: time and earnings reinvestment.
For instance, investing $10,000 in a private pension on your 20th birthday will translate to more than $70,000 by your 60th birthday. This means that the longer you are willing to wait for the money to work, the more money it will generate for you in the coming years.

Take on More Risk

The amount of risk that an investor can withstand is normally influenced by their current age. A young investor who has many years ahead of him will be able to afford to take on additional risks. This is because the investor knows that they can easily earn back any money lost in an investment deal gone bad.
Investors approaching their senior years or retirement age will often be more opposed to taking unnecessary risks. Many will choose to gravitate towards options that do not have too many risks or unknowns. Common options for people in this group will include certificates of deposit, bonds, and investing in a retirement fund.
A pension guide will come in handy in helping you make a decision on which investments to make based on their volatility and ability to make good returns.

Learn by Doing

A person in his 20s will have enough time and flexibility to study the art of investing. They also get an opportunity to learn from their failures and successes. Considering that investments have a long learning curve, the younger investors have an advantage as they will have enough time to study different markets and refine the strategies to use when financing new ventures.
Apart from their ability to absorb increased risk, investors in this age group will also be able to overcome past investment mistakes as they attempt to recover from recent failures.

Tech Savviness

Young venture capitalists tend to be tech-savvy. They are able to research, study, and adequately apply different investing techniques and tools. Educational websites, online trading platforms, financial websites, and chat rooms provide numerous opportunities for investors to learn technical and fundamental analysis skills.
The technology available today, including financial apps, social media networks, and online opportunities can make immense contributions to the expertise, confidence levels, knowledge base, and experience of a young investor.
All that is required is a willingness to learn and be open to taking risks.

To read more on topics like this, check out the budget & finance category

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A Lavish Wedding isn’t a Prerequisite for a Happy Marriage

 

woman holding bouquet of roses

There’s nothing wrong in planning a grand wedding if it will make you happy and you can afford one. However, you can’t assume that having a lavish wedding will lead to a wonderful marriage. Even if the wedding turns out to be exactly as you hoped, it won’t necessarily make your relationship strong.

If you decide to spend everything on the wedding and you start your marriage broke, you might end up getting loans and spending the next several years of your married life paying for it. It will eventually take a toll on your relationship until you don’t feel satisfied anymore.

Therefore, you have to simplify the wedding and let go of unnecessary details.

An excessive wedding dress isn’t necessary

You have dreamed of walking down the aisle in a beautiful white dress your entire life. You now have a chance to do it during your wedding. Therefore, you decide to find an expensive wedding designer to create your gown. If you can afford to pay for it, you can pursue the plan. However, if you can’t, you should look for alternatives. Besides, you will only wear the dress once. You don’t want to spend that much on something you won’t wear again.

You don’t have to invite everyone

Don’t feel obliged to invite everyone to attend your wedding. Start with the people closest to your heart. If you want a small and intimate wedding to reduce the expense, there’s nothing wrong with it. You can express your gratitude to those whom you didn’t invite and make them feel special. If money is an issue, the others will understand why you didn’t think about inviting a large crowd.

Choose a simpler venue

You find a venue based on the number of guests you expect to come. If you only invite a few people, you can choose a smaller wedding venue. It won’t cost you as much as a large ballroom or an outdoor space. Don’t worry about how beautiful these venues will look in photos. With a great team to decorate the place, everything will look magical.

Choose affordable food

It’s great if you take the time to have food and wine tasting before your wedding. You can decide which of the options your guests would love. However, you also need to look at the cost of the dishes. If there’s an option that tastes good but isn’t as expensive as the rest, it’s good enough.

Don’t settle for a cheap wedding photographer

Even if you have to cut back on some other expenses, you can’t do the same when choosing a photographer. Even a simple wedding will look lavish in photos when you have an excellent photographer. Therefore, you need to look for the best person to do the job. You can check out quality Omaha photographers if you plan to have your wedding in the area.

With these tips, you can have a happy married life because you saved a lot during the wedding. Of course, you have to keep working on your marriage if you want it to last.

Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/Sazn8ySet8I

 

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Taking the Stress out of Holiday Parties

Decorating with lights is a classic and versatile approach to holiday decorating. With a wide range of options, LED lights Christmas designers make it easier. Still, you may be feeling overwhelmed with the task at hand. Here are some tips to keep your Christmas decorating on point.

Start small

Don’t try to go from nothing to award-winning in one year. Instead, aim to start with the trees or bushes first, and then add areas of your house and property each year. This will allow you to grow your display while also spreading out the expense. Growing your light display slowly will also allow you to adjust your vision as you go and work around trends in lighting.

When decorating outside, make sure you are only using outdoor lights to ensure safety. In addition to being safe, making sure you are only using outdoor lights outside will ensure they last longer and are brighter for people to see.

Practice safety

Don’t try to climb on your roof using an old rickety ladder or standing on things not designed for climbing. Every year, people get injured putting up Christmas trees, and you don’t want that to be you. You also shouldn’t try to do it alone. Have someone with you to help stabilize the ladder, hand you what you need, and to be there in case you do fall and need help. When you set up your ladder, always make sure it is on a flat sturdy surface before attempting to climb.

Be strategic

From a logistical point of view, keep in mind what your lights will look like from the street to ensure you aren’t wasting lights on areas of the house people won’t even see. You can ask someone to go out by the road to provide insight, or you can take breaks to step back and see how it looks. Also, don’t forget your driveway, sidewalk, or other paths. Lining these areas with lights will add dimension to your overall display, as opposed to merely putting lights on the house.

Moderation is key

Decorating with lights can be fun and will create a fantastic atmosphere for your holiday party. Your guests will be impressed and in the mood for a holiday. While holiday parties can be stressful, there are plenty of things that can be done to reduce the potential for stress and increase the chances of everyone, including the host having a great time.

This same idea can be applied to other holiday parties. You can reduce the stress of Thanksgiving by asking others to bring dishes to share. You can reduce the burden of Easter by entertaining the children with a simple Easter egg hunt. While websites like Pinterest may make you feel like you have to do it all on your own from scratch, you don’t.

Entertainment is the top priority

Halloween is traditionally one of the most extravagant holidays, with people going over-the-top with decorations, costumes, and parties. While this can be a lot of fun, it can also be tiring and stressful, making the party not that fun for the host. An easy way to plan an epic Halloween party without all the stress is with Halloween bounce house rentals.

They typically require little setup, but provide hours of nonstop fun for all the children while also tiring them out and helping them burn off all the candy and treats they ate. Meanwhile, the parents get to socialize and have fun also knowing their children are entertained and safe.

Bounce houses can be found at events and activities all throughout New York City because they are fun, cost-efficient, and effectively keep kids busy and safe. Party organizers see and understand the benefits of including bounce houses when they know children will be in attendance, which is why they have become the go-to party feature favored by many.

To read more on topics like this, check out the family category.

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Home Decor That Won’t Stress You Out

Americans like to break records. Unfortunately, we’ve been breaking stress-related records lately. In 2017, the American Psychological Association found that people’s reported stress levels had gone up significantly from the prior year. Something must be going on. People are working hard and trying to make enough money to get by, but the cost of living makes it hard to keep up. You don’t have time to get stressed out by things that should be easy. Those things include figuring out the best ways to decorate your home. Here are some tips on finding home decor without increasing your blood pressure.

Don’t feel pressured to meet a ridiculous standard

If you’ve ever read a celebrity magazine, you’ve probably seen a future about a celebrity showing off a palatial estate on the beaches of California. That’s nice to look at, but it doesn’t mean you have to try to imitate that celebrity. In general, you shouldn’t try to model either your diet or your home after a celebrity. Both of those standards are unrealistic and, in some cases, unhealthy.

Celebrities are famous for a living. Sure, they work hard at jobs such as acting and singing, but a big part of their personal brand involves looking a certain way. They can pay interior designers six figures to tell them that they should buy throw pillows that cost $1,000 each. You wouldn’t do that. Even if you could, you likely wouldn’t want to.

Focus on simple home decor that brightens up your house and gives off a welcoming vibe. Photos of you and your loved ones are a great way to do that. If framed photos are a bit too ordinary for you, head to a site like Simple Canvas Prints and get that photo printed on an elegant canvas. It will look a lot more expensive than it actually is, and that’s always a plus.

Look for home decor online

Some people love shopping. For others, though, it can be a real act of emotional labor. You may have heard of emotional labor as something that tends to disproportionately affect the female partner in heterosexual relationships. But it can be exhausting regardless of whether you’re married, single, or somewhere in between.

Shopping for clothes and groceries is one thing, but shopping for decor that fits with your home can feel even more intense. If you see a lamp or other appliance that you like, you have to wonder whether it will fit into your car. Then you have to make sure that it matches your home, and that can be hard to do unless you have a photographic memory.

When you shop online, you can look around your home and be sure the colors will complement each other instead of clashing. Even better, you don’t have to worry about stuffing it in your trunk and hauling it all the way from the car to your front door (or farther, depending on where the item is going in your house).

Make it personal

Sure, photos of flowers and landscapes are traditional home decor, but you should feel free to mix it up and make things more personal. You want your home to feel like it belongs to you. It shouldn’t resemble a random hotel room in the Midwest.

Your career or interests can guide you to decor that feels more like a statement than just something random you found on sale. For instance, maybe you’ve long been interested in the legal field, and now you’re finally going back to school and getting an online criminal justice degree. Why not find artwork that represents Lady Justice? If that’s too far out, fill your bookshelf with true crime books. Thinking of what you’re passionate about will make decorating your home feel much more natural.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

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Benefits of Cycling Over 60

People of any age can enjoy bicycling as a hobby. There is something thrilling about purchasing the best e bike and taking it for a spin around town. However, there are plenty of bicycles for seniors to help people over the age of 60 stay active in their golden years. Not only is a lot of fun for seniors to get out in nature, but it provides a host of health benefits that will let you enjoy life to the fullest for years to come.

Boost in Brain Power

Exercise of any kind has been linked to brain health. People who exercise regularly typically see a reduction in negative cognitive changes that can lead to dementia later on. Cyclists get in a lot of physical activity during a ride with blood flow toward the brain increasing by as much as 28%. It can even increase. Up to 70% to certain areas of the brain. Riding for 45 minutes four days a week can do a lot of good in helping seniors stay sharp and focused.

Gain Spatial Awareness

Even with comfort bikes, you can enjoy the health benefits of bicycles. There are numerous technical elements associated with cycling, such as cornering, descending and climbing. To master each one, you have to gain excellent spatial awareness. You know exactly what is going on around you, and you can expertly dodge anything out of the ordinary that comes up in your path. Seniors can bring these new skills into their everyday lives and react accordingly to stay better prepared at all times.

Strengthen Immune System

Any kind of exercise will help boost your immune system. Even mild exercise can boost your body’s production of necessary proteins, and it strengthens white blood cells. If you decide to bike to work, then you will also avoid germs you may find on trains and buses. Your immune system will lower when you are exercising at the moment. With adequate sleep and rest, your immune system will go back to normal, and it will be even better than it was before.

Increase Your Circle of Friends 

Cycling is one of the most sociable sports out there. You can find groups to join where you all ride a few days a week. You can search for cycling groups in your city to find one that specifically focuses on senior citizens. You do not have to go on intense bike rides either. You can spend a few hours of your Sunday morning going for a leisurely ride at a slow enough speed to talk to your fellow riders. As you get older, it is still critical to maintain friendships. Having a large support circle will keep you feeling youthful and vibrant for quite a long time.

Bicycling is not just for young people anymore. No matter how old you are, you can enjoy the benefits of riding your bike along trails in your city. It all starts with finding the right bicycle to own, and fortunately, you can find a wide array of products online. With the right store’s help, you can find the perfect bike for your needs.

 

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How to Choose a Water Filter System?

The tap water system in Western Australia is considered competent by world standards. According to Health Information for Western Australians (HealthyWA), the region has one of the lowest instances of water-borne diseases across the globe, thanks to the fact that a majority of Western Australians receive potable water from licensed and strictly regulated water supply systems.

Nevertheless, tap water still isn’t the preferred option of a lot of Perth residents, and many have opted to invest in water filtration systems to improve the taste, odour, clarity, and nutrient content of their drinking water. However, even when armed with the best intentions, many first-time water filter buyers make one rookie mistake: they assume that all water filtration methods are interchangeable, and that one type of water filter can stand in for another.

Truly, this is not the case. To reap the most benefit out of your water filtration system, you must choose a one that best suits your intended application. If you’re in the market for water filters for your home, office, school, or other application, here are some tips to make the best out of such a purchase!

  • Decide what your priority is with regard to filtering out certain water impurities. What differentiates individual water filtration systems on the market today is their efficacy in screening out certain water impurities. For example, one type of water filter may have a filter medium with a pore size of 1 micron as opposed to another with a 5-micron capacity. That means that the former is better equipped to filter away impurities of more minuscule sizes over the latter.

Following this line of logic, you should also choose a type of water filter that adequately screens impurities for the people drinking it. For example, you should invest a little more in a very fine filtration system if your house is home to growing children, elderly family members, or those whose health is particularly susceptible to water-borne disease.

  1. Learn about the different filtration methods and how they work. Yet another key differentiator of water filters is the method that they use to purify your drinking water. The most common methods are active carbon filtration (using chemical absorption to remove contaminants from water), distillation (separating inorganic compounds from the water via evaporation), and reverse osmosis filtration (removing ions and other particles from the water with a semi-permeable membrane). Reading up about these methods of water filtration—and how the water filter product functions along a certain method—will likely guide you to the right kind of product to purchase.
  2. Align your choice with your space and budget constraints. Some water filtration products, such as hot and cold dispensers, demand a little floor space. Others, like in-line under-the-sink filters and filtered taps, may not demand as much space but require that you reconfigure your plumbing system for them. Choose the kind of water filter that delivers on the purpose you need it for, without consuming too much of your budget or space allotment.
  3. Learn about the type of maintenance your water filtration system will require. Buying a water filter and related water filter accessories is not a one-off, maintenance-free purchase. Once you acquire your own water filtration system, you will need to dedicate time and resources to monthly maintenance tasks, such as switching out old filter cartridges for new ones, or maybe cleaning the filter’s catchment container itself. It would also be a good idea to ask your supplier what the monthly cost of owning a water filtration product will be so that you can designate part of your budget accordingly.
  4. Source water filters and accessories from a reputable supplier in Perth. For the most trouble-free acquisition of a water filter, and for subsequent needs like maintenance and repair, your best bet is to partner with water filters Perth specialists. The right professionals can recommend the best product for your circumstance, make the overall installation easy, and make good on their promises to keep your water filter in good condition. Search online or ask for recommendations from a friend!

With these tips at your disposal, choosing the right water filtration system need not be a daunting task anymore. Here’s to purchasing one soon, and ensuring the good health and refreshment of everyone who will use it!

 

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Do’s and Don’ts of Staying Healthy During College

Back to school can be both exciting and stressful for college students. While you get used to your new course load, you’ll spend time with friends and set up a new routine. And as your calendar fills up, be sure to make time for health and wellness. It can be tricky to stay healthy while your schedule is packed, so feeling your best can take some extra attention.

Here are some basic tips for prioritizing your physical, emotional, and mental health during college. Whether you’re a new freshman or expert senior, focusing on your health can help you thrive during these formative years.

DO create a routine.

Your college schedule is packed with classes, study sessions, activities, and social time. When you’re this busy, making time to exercise, plan meals, and care for your mental health can be tricky. This is especially true if your days aren’t organized. By creating a daily routine, you can make wellness a regular part of your schedule. For example, you might go to the gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same time each week, or spend Sunday afternoons preparing healthy snacks. Eventually, your routine will feel like second nature, and you won’t have to give wellness much thought.

DON’T overlook the importance of sleep.

It may seem like college is all about all-nighters and late-night study groups. But this doesn’t need to be true. Sleep is an essential part of your health. When you’re well-rested, you can focus in class and even perform better on exams. If your friends or roommates are night owls, try to avoid synching to their habits. Establish your own nighttime routine and set boundaries when necessary.

DO make better choices in the dining hall.

The dining hall offers basically any food that you can dream of. And while it may feel like a victory to finally be able to eat pizza every night for dinner, this habit won’t benefit your health. You can support your wellness and feel your best by making healthier choices in the dining hall. Try to fill your plate with vegetables and protein, while avoiding processed items. Get creative at your school’s salad bar and try out some fun soups. If you’re concerned about your nutritional intake during college, talk to your doctor about taking vitamins from trusted supplement manufacturers as well.

DON’T go to class sick.

When you’re feeling the pressure from your professors, staying home sick might feel impossible. However, pushing yourself through a cold or the flu can prolong your sickness. If you’re ill, try to stay home and rest. You should also visit the on-campus clinic to get a diagnosis from a doctor if you think you have an illness worse than a common cold. Most professors have a policy for sick days, so be sure to ask or check your syllabus. You can catch up on material once you feel better, and your classmates will thank you for not spreading germs.

DO make time for self-care.

As you focus on your classes, activities, and social life, it’s easy to feel burnt out. You need to take time to recharge on your own and take care of yourself during college. This could mean reading outdoors between classes or getting coffee with a friend. It could also mean staying home to watch TV while your classmates head to the liquor store or a party. Setting boundaries will help you recharge, so you can handle your busy schedule with ease.

College are some of the most vibrant and busy years of your life, so it can be easy to get caught up in the day to day. However, by slowing down and caring for your health, you can thrive during this time rather than drag. As with most aspects of college, your wellness routine is unique to you. So, forget what others are doing and try out routines that work for you.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

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It’s a Girl: 5 Joyful Benefits of Having a Daughter

Even though odds are about 50/50 that you’ll have a baby girl, there are more boys born each year than girls. This makes becoming a parent to a little girl extra special!

Not only is it special to raise a daughter, but there are also definite perks to parenting a little girl.

If it wasn’t obvious enough already, then here are five of the most joyful benefits of having a daughter.

1. Baby Girl Clothes Are Super Cute

If you’re super into fashion, then thank your lucky stars that you’re about to be the parent of a newborn baby girl, because girls’ baby clothes are super cute.

Imagine all of the girl’s dresses you’re about to be able to buy and dress your little girl in!

Not only that, but think of all of the colorful options you’ll have. Boy’s clothes don’t tend to be as varied when it comes to colors and styles.

This means that you’re able to open your world to a whole new type of fashion that you didn’t even know existed.

2. Changing Diapers Is Easier

Changing diapers is never fun or easy. But, if you have a baby girl, it’s at least a little bit easier than it is with a boy.

Parents of baby boys all have war stories of that one time when their precious baby accidentally sprayed them in the face with a squirt of pee. It’s not their fault, but it doesn’t make it any easier when it happens!

So, on top of being able to buy cute baby girl dresses, you can rest assured knowing that your own cute dresses aren’t going to be ruined by an accidental spray of pee when you’re changing a diaper.

3. Expect Less Rough Housing

It’s no stereotype – science shows that boys rough house a lot more than little girls.

Studies show that testosterone in the male brain makes little boys more inclined to rough house than little girls. While this is fun and all, it can get tiring pretty quick.

As the parent of a baby girl, expect a little less of this than with a boy. Instead, playtime will feel a lot calmer and a bit more on the creative side.

4. Little Girls Communicate Better

Again, this is no stereotype. The same study that examined the male brain in little boys found that little girls develop stronger vocabulary at a much younger age.

This is going to make it a lot easier to communicate with your little girl and figure out what’s bothering her or what she wants to do.

However, this might not be true for all girls. So, it does help if you ensure that you learn how to effectively communicate with your child regardless of their gender.

5. You Get to Raise the Next Generation of Strong Women

The coolest thing about having a girl? You get to help raise the next generation of strong women! Not to mention, baby girl names are also just a lot of fun to pick out.

From teaching your little girl to take pride in her intelligence from helping them learn how to show empathy and kindness towards others, there’s something especially rewarding about helping to raise a strong, respectful young woman.

If you have a boy, you can also do this, but it’s a bit different. They’re both equally as rewarding, as both genders deserve to grow up believing in their strengths and abilities.

But, raising a tough little girl is especially fun!

More Baby Tips

Whether you’ve just found out that you’re having a baby girl or still don’t know the gender of your baby, you’re probably on the hunt for any kind of tips you can get as a new parent.

We’ve been there before too! That’s why we created a baby section to help answer questions and provide you with lots of helpful hacks that can make parenting easy.

Head on over to our baby section for more articles on the joy of parenting a baby whether it’s a boy or a girl.

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Beyond Temples: What to Do in Johor Bahru on a Day Trip

Are you fond of day trips? For folks in the Lion City, one of the best places to have one is in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Crossing the Johor-Singapore Causeway via bus or train from the Woodlands Checkpoint, you can reach “JB” in just a few minutes. This gives you plenty of time to look around and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city. What’s more, it’s easy to find accommodations if you want to stay the night or longer. Just search “Hotel JB,” and you’ll get a list of popular options. Of course, Johor Bahru is also a great foodie destination. In fact, you can spend your entire day here just exploring the restaurants and the food stalls.

That being said, you wouldn’t want to go to Johor Bahru without even a modicum of idea about what to do for the day. To this end, we present you with this short list of things to see and do in JB on a day trip that doesn’t involve temple hopping.

Legoland Malaysia

If you’re a kid at heart or simply love Lego, then it’s definitely a must to visit Legoland Malaysia. It’s the first of its kind in Asia, the first international theme park in Malaysia, and the sixth Legoland in the world. The theme park has eight zones that cater to both kids and adults: The Beginning, Lego Ninjago World, Miniland, Imagination, Lego Technic, Lego Kingdom, Land of Adventure, and Lego City. There’s also a hotel and resort inside, perfect if you want to explore both the theme park AND the water park.

For those just visiting the theme park, there are plenty of rides and activities for the little ones at Legoland Malaysia. Still, adults can have a perfectly great time. For example, you can see Lego recreations of various landmarks across the world, like the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. There’s also one of the Merlion, so Singaporeans should definitely drop by and take a photo. For building enthusiasts, you may want to check out Lego Technic to build robots and more. There’s also Lego Star Wars, with over 2,000 Lego figurines of the characters and scenes from the movie franchise. Of course, there are also plenty of food choices and souvenir stores here. If you don’t want to lug your purchases around, however, you can ask the store to send your purchase to the exit so you can just collect it there when you leave.

Sanrio Hello Kitty Town

Are you a 90s kid? Do you love Hello Kitty? If you answered yes to one or both of those questions, then you’ll love Sanrio Hello Kitty Town in Puteri Harbour. Here, you can take photos, pose in costumes and Sanrio outfits, make your own souvenirs, tour Hello Kitty’s home, watch live performances, and even get to meet and greet Hello Kitty and her friends. You can easily spend a couple of hours here to revel in the cuteness, and still have enough time to visit other destinations.

Angry Birds Theme Park

Yet another theme park in Johor Bahru, for both the young and the young at heart, is the Angry Birds Theme Park located in KOMTAR JBCC. The sprawling indoor theme park has rides, games, and other attractions inspired by the popular video game. If you feel like you can’t keep up with the young ones, there’s also a Parents Lounge where you can just sit down and marvel at how kids seem to have infinite energy. Another great thing about Angry Birds Theme Park? It’s open until 10:00 PM, so you can arrive a little late and still have a lot of time to enjoy everything.

Pasar Karat

Johor Bahru has a lot of malls, sure, but if you want to really shop ‘til you drop, wait for Pasar Karat to open at about 8:00 PM. This pasar malam (night market) boasts of a wide selection of goods, including independent clothing brands in Malaysia and even shops that sell antiques. What’s more, like many street and night markets across Asia, haggling is expected and very much welcome. There’s also a live band every night to provide some entertainment. Across the bridge, you can find an array of food carts to keep your energy up as you scour the stalls for the best bargains.

Pasir Gudang Kite Museum

If you’re an avid fan of museums and are looking for something unique, why not visit the Pasir Gudang Kite Museum? It opened in 2002 and is the first museum in Malaysia to be entirely about the history of kites and how they’ve become an important cultural element through the years. The galleries and displays here include actual kites, along with kite-making materials, posters, and videos. You can even learn how to make your own kites! They also hold an annual International Kite Festival around late February to early March. Muzium Layang-Layang also has another unique feature outside: a huge windmill on the roof. This is not just a quirky design element, though, since it actually provides the museum electricity!

Salahuddin Bakery

For some tasty treats to eat and take back home—as well as a trip back in history—visit Salahuddin Bakery. It’s been in operation since 1937, and there hasn’t been much change in the bakery’s interiors. If you want to see how bakeries looked like during those times, Salahuddin Bakery will not disappoint. Of course, their pastries are quite delicious, too! The most popular ones are the curry puffs, which can be considered a tourist attraction in themselves. These curry puffs are traditional Malay snacks, composed of a flaky crust and a filling made from vegetables and curried meat. Be sure to take some home for your friends and family.

Ready for a quick but well-deserved break? Get on that bus or train, and visit Johor Bahru for a day! You’ll be glad you did.