Author: Mars Salazar Page 12 of 29

Marianne is Nixplay's Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

Making Better Vacation Memories By Hiring A Local Photographer

By Mars Salazar

On August 12, 2019

In Photography

Bridget* was turning 35 when she decided to take a vacation on her birthday as a present to herself. In her mind, there was no doubt that Cancún was the place to go.

“The first time I went to Cancún was actually with my family, for a summer vacation when I was still in middle school,” Bridget said about her birthday trip to the tropical Mexican tourist town. “I remember it was my favorite vacation, and this year, with my mother passing away, traveling there again seemed like a good way to honor her as well as celebrate my birthday in a special way.”

Cancún attracts tourists from around the world, and Bridget isn’t the only one charmed by the seaside paradise. The stretches of white sand next to the Caribbean, the idyllic waterfront hotels, and the vibrant energy gives the entire city an atmosphere different from any other. This makes it an ideal vacation destination for travelers of all stripes.

While Bridget was mostly attracted to the beaches of Cancún, she also made a point to visit some of the other historic sites nearby. She learned about the El Rey Mayan ruins, an ancient site thought to be dedicated to the Mayan god of the sun. Bridget was impressed by the stone ruins of the temples, pillars, and monuments constructed by the Mayans who used to live in that region of Mexico.

Back in the city, Bridget also decided to visit the Museo Maya de Cancún to learn more about the ancient civilizations and the artifacts discovered at the El Rey site, as well as the discoveries from other archaeological excavations around the country. It was a good way to cap off the experience and learn more about the amazing sites she had seen at El Rey.

To make her Cancun trip more memorable, Bridget decided to enlist the services of a local photographer who can better capture her memories.

“When I was planning my trip, I decided to find local photographers in Cancún so I can do a photoshoot there,” Bridget shared. “I have a two-year-old daughter at home, and while she’s too young to come with me for this trip, I hope to bring her to Cancún someday. I thought it would be nice to have pictures to show her so she could see for herself how beautiful the place is.”

Bridget and the photographer took most of the photos on the beaches; with the stunning Caribbean and dazzling golden sand, every shot was picture-perfect without needing to stage anything.

“I was actually a bit nervous for the photoshoot,” Bridget confided. “I guess I don’t picture myself as someone who normally does things like that. But all my doubts went away when I met the photographer from Localgrapher. Everything was so relaxed and informal; I wasn’t even really sure where I wanted to do the photoshoot, and they gave me a lot of suggestions without overwhelming me. It turned out to be a lot of fun.”

“My decision to find a local photographer in Cancún was the right one to make. I was all worried that it would be stressful, or not worth the time, but it turned out amazing,” Bridget said. “Now I have these special photos to show my daughter, and we can hopefully plan our next trip to take some pictures together.”

complete your vacation memories by displaying your vacation photos on a Nixplay Frame! take advantage of our Back To School sale and get 25% off selected frames until August 25!

*name had been changed

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

How to Make Going Back To School More Fun For Your Child

By Mars Salazar

On August 10, 2019

In Lifestyle

Going to back to school isn’t a fun experience for every kid. After all, who wants to hit the books again after playing around and lazing about all summer long? Not most kids, that’s who.

But this school year’s going to be different–it’s going to be more fun and exciting. Here’s how you can do it.

Have Them Help Plan Their Meals.

You know what every kid’s favorite subject is? It’s not math, art, or P.E., but recess. Making your child the coolest kid in the cafeteria is guaranteed to get him/her excited to go to school. You can achieve this by planning your child’s meals with them. Make their food look and taste good, and they’ll be very excited to walk out the door in the morning.

Designate A Study Nook.

It’s definitely more exciting to do assignments and learn new things when you’ve got a nice place to study in. It works for a lot of people, and it might just work for your child, too! Designate a place in your home as a study nook with colorful school supplies, organizers, and a corkboard or whiteboard where your child can pin up their homework and mementos. Give your kid the opportunity to decorate the study nook and they’ll be more excited to use it.

Display Photos Taken During The School Year.

Don’t forget to display all the photos your kids have taken during the school year! Display them on a Nixplay Frame, which can be easily updated with their latest snaps. Take advantage of our upcoming Back To School Sale and get 25% off selected Nixplay Seed Frames, only from August 12 to 25!

Write Down The Reasons Why School Is Fun.

Sit your children down and have them list everything they love about school: Their friends, their crushes, their favorite teachers, the field trips, their favorite subjects, the beautiful campus, the opportunities to represent their school in competitions. This exercise reframes their mind, allowing them to shift their focus from the things they dread about school, to the things that get them excited about it.

Shop For New Clothes.

One more way to get kids to excited to go to school is to spice up their wardrobe a bit. Be it a new pair of jeans, t-shirts with prints they love, or light-up sneakers, they’ll be eager to parade them in the schoolyard and show them off. It probably is an unconventional way to stay motivated, but it might just work!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

Introducing Affirm: A New Way To Pay For Your Nixplay Frame

By Mars Salazar

On August 7, 2019

In From The Nixplay Team

Here at Nixplay, we’re always looking for ways to help you find ways to display your favorite memories conveniently, easily, and most importantly, affordably. That’s why we’ve partnered with Affirm to give you a new payment option that’s more manageable on your pocket.

Affirm is a credit card alternative that gives you an easier way to pay for the things you love. With Affirm, you can pay for your NIX and Nixplay purchases over the course of a few months. Affirm will always show you the total amount of interest you’re expected to pay at checkout, and they will never charge any fees.

Here are some advantages of Affirm:

You can choose a payment option that fits your budget perfectly.

Affirm makes big-ticket purchases more manageable for your wallet. You’ll be presented with different payment options, and you can pick which option will best suit your current financial situation. No need to pinch pennies just to buy that item you’ve been eyeing since forever!

Affirm lets you pay for your purchases on your own terms.

If your Affirm loan is approved, you can easily customize your payment plan and details. Choose from 3, 6, or 12-month financing—whichever option works best for you. You’ll also enjoy 0% APR (annual percentage rate) if you choose to pay for your purchase within 3 months.

You know exactly how much you need to pay upfront, and there are no hidden charges.

Your Affirm interest rate and monthly payment plan will be provided to you upon checkout so you know exactly how much you need to pay each month. Affirm also notifies you when your payment date is coming up. No bill shock here!

Affirm is convenient and easy to use.

To use Affirm, simply click the ‘Affirm’ option during checkout, provide some basic information, and you’ll soon get a real-time decision. No confusing paperwork necessary.

Affirm makes gift-giving easier.

Planning to give NIX or Nixplay Frames to your loved ones? Avoid the holiday rush with Affirm! You can order your NIX and Nixplay Frames weeks ahead of the holidays and pay for them in flexible installments so you don’t have to brave the crowds doing their last-minute shopping.

Learn more about how you can use Affirm to pay for your Nixplay purchases here.

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

What’s The Coolest Adventure You’ve Been On With Your Friends?

By Mars Salazar

On August 2, 2019

In Lifestyle

Few things can strengthen a friendship quite like an adventure. And it’s usually the craziest adventures that turn you into best friends for life. Have you been on such an adventure with your friends? Here are some real-life adventures of some of our Nixplay Family:

“My friends and I were on holiday at a beach resort, and we impulsively signed up to camp out overnight, Survivor-style, on a deserted beach island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean along with a handful of newfound friends. There was no electricity, we slept in tents and hammocks, and we built a bonfire for warmth and cooking. After dinner, we went skinny dipping in the sea while drinking beers under a starry night sky. It was definitely a night we’ll never forget!” – Megan, 33

“My best friend and I celebrated our 25th birthdays by planning a 2-month trip around South America. We visited the beaches of Brazil, went to the Machu Picchu in Peru, then continued our trip onwards to Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile. It wasn’t always easy–we had a few quarrels and got into a few mishaps, but we emerged from that trip closer than ever.” – Philip, 27

“After our college graduation, my friends and I went on a road trip across the USA. We started our vacation in New York (where we were based) and followed the Atlantic Coast, driving down the Overseas Highway and crossing New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, eventually making our way to Florida. It was a lot of fun, and I’d love to do it again!” – Jan, 41

“My closest girlfriends and I have been joined at the hip since high school, and we’ve been each other’s confidantes throughout the years. On the year we turned 50, we went on a girls-only trip to the Maldives for a luxurious vacation. We spent a week in a villa, snorkeling and SCUBA diving, watching dolphins, enjoying spa treatments, and watching the sunset while sipping drinks. We don’t know when we can go on an adventure like this again, so I’m glad we got the chance to do this while we’re all still alive and strong.” – Greta, 51

The best friendships are forever. Commemorate your bond with your pals with a Nixplay Frame! Get up to 25% off selected frames, only until August 4!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.

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10 Things That Should Be On Your Best Friend Bucket List

By Mars Salazar

On July 25, 2019

In Lifestyle

One of the perks of having a best friend is that you have someone with whom you can do all the fun things you’ve always wanted to do. The best part is that it’s never too late to make new memories with them! Whether you’ve been joined at the hip since kindergarten or are colleagues-turned-BFFS, there will never be a shortage of new adventures to embark on and fun times to be had. Start with these ten activities you can tick off before summer ends!

Go on an impromptu road trip.

Gas up your car, stock up snacks, and make a playlist with all your favorite songs and podcasts. You’ll have all you need for a fun road trip across a few state lines.

Stay up all night and watch the sunrise.

After binge-watching your favorite shows and movies all night long, prepare some tea or hot chocolate and head out to catch the last twinkling of the stars before the sunrise. It’s the perfect time for a heart-to-heart talk with your bestie–you’ll be closer than ever!

Hit the beach.

Make it a summer to remember by going to the beach with your closest friends! Pack some refreshing treats and put on your most flattering swimsuit for a fun day of sun, sand, and sea. If you can go snorkeling or better yet, scuba diving, that’ll be even better.

Try a restaurant you’ve always wanted to dine at.

Maybe it’s a fancy restaurant with a few Michelin Stars or a talked-about place with a cheap buffet. Whatever’s on your shared foodie bucket list, pick one out and tick it off with your best pals!

Go camping.

Camping is a great way to learn more about yourself and your friends. Aside from polishing your survival skills, you’ll learn a lot about each other when you’re out in the wilderness. Build a fire, toast some smores, and get comfortable for a great chat with your buddies.

Visit another country together.

Exploring a different country will take your friendship to new heights. When you’re out of your comfort zone, navigating around a foreign land, you’ll learn to tolerate each other’s quirks and habits, both good and bad.

Attend your favorite artist’s concert.

Going to a concert or a music festival with your buddies can definitely be counted as a highlight of your friendship. It can be a little expensive, especially if it’s a major celebrity or an out-of-town concert, but the memories you’ll make will be priceless.

Find a favorite hiking spot.

If you and your friends are an outdoorsy bunch, you probably already have a favorite hiking spot by now. It’ll be nice if you and your friends can go there at least once a year to have a great time outdoors.

Join a race together.

Athletic buddies should ignite their competitive tendencies and join a race together! Don’t feel pressured to finish first, but train hard and make an effort to beat your respective personal best records.

Visit an amusement park together.

Amusement parks are always fun to visit, but it’s just better when you’re with your best friends. You’ll have a blast lining up for the rides and trying all the snacks you’ll only get to eat there.

Don’t forget to take lots of pictures with your BFF when you go on your adventures! This way, you’ll always have fond memories of your friendship that you can look back on as the years pass by. Display your favorite photos on a Nixplay Frame so you’ll always be reminded of the good times you’ve had. Better yet, surprise your best friend with a Nixplay Frame of their own so they’ll have an everlasting reminder of your friendship! Get our bestselling smart frames at up to 25% off, only until August 4!

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.