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Reserve a Spot at the Celebrity Breakfast Series “What’s Cookin’ With…” at Epcot Food & Wine Festival

food-wine-whats-cookin-celebrity-chef-brunch-04-full

What’s Cookin’ With…

What’s Cookin’ With…is a celebrity breakfast series held on select Friday and Sunday mornings, from September 16 to November 13, 2016, during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Reservations for this event can be made beginning July 21st at the rate of $129 per guest.

Eat, Drink and Ask Questions

Start the day in a most delicious way—at plated breakfasts featuring celebrity chefs and other industry experts. While enjoying the VIP guest’s favorite dish, listen to tips, tricks and insights into what makes his or her selection so extraordinary. Plus, foodies are in for a fabulous pièce de résistance, which includes a cooking demo, question-and-answer session and sparkling toast. Salud!

Event Details

  • Location: Festival Center, Chef’s Showcase
  • Select Fridays and Sundays
  • 9:15 AM to 10:45 AM
  • $129 per Guest—plus tax, gratuity included

Guest Schedule

  • Friday, September 16 – Elizabeth Falkner
  • Sunday, September 18 – Bryan Voltaggio
  • Friday, September 23 – Andrea Robinson
  • Saturday, September 24 – Robert Irvine
  • Friday, September 30 – Graham Elliot
  • Sunday, October 2 – Buddy Valastro
  • Friday, October 7 – Jamie Deen
  • Sunday, October 9 – Cat Cora
  • Friday, October 14 – Emily Ellyn
  • Friday, October 21 – Andrew Zimmern
  • Sunday, October 23 – Rock Harper
  • Friday, October 28 – Duff Goldman
  • Sunday, October 30 – Geoffrey Zakarian
  • Friday, November 4 – Alex Guarnaschelli
  • Sunday, November 6 – David Guas
  • Friday, November 11 – Sarah Fioroni
  • Sunday, November 13 – Jehangir Mehta

Each event has one seating option. Required Epcot admission is not included with event ticket. Alcohol will only be served to Guests 21 and older. Events are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Reservations

Starting July 21, 2016, call (407) 939-3378 to reserve your spot at What’s Cookin’ With… a celebrity breakfast series held select Fridays and Sundays, from September 16 to November 13, 2016, during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

Advanced reservations are highly recommended as this event fills up quickly. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your Walt Disney World vacation this Fall along with a visit to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. I would be happy to provide a no-obligation travel quote along with FREE planning services. 

Photo Credit: Disney 

The 2016 Eat to the Beat Concert Series Full Lineup has been Announced

Eat

Eat

The full list of nightly performances in the 2016 Eat to the Beat Concert Series at this year’s Epcot Food & Wine Festival has finally been released. There are a total of 26 amazing acts, including a number of new groups.

Event Details

  • World Showcase at Epcot America Gardens Theatre
  • Nightly concerts—Sep 14 to Nov 14, 2016
  • Showtimes are 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM
  • Valid Epcot admission is required

Songs listed below are for artist recognition only and may not be included in a performance playlist. All entertainment and artist appearances are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Wang Chung – NEW!

September 14 to September 15, 2016
Known for their song “Everybody Have Fun Tonight”

STARSHIP Featuring Mickey Thomas

September 16 to September 18, 2016
Known for their song “We Built This City”

Air Supply

September 19 to September 20, 2016
Known for their song “All Out of Love”

BoDeans – NEW!

September 21 to September 23, 2016
Known for their song “Good Things”

Fuel

September 24 to September 25, 2016
Known for their song “Hemorrhage (In My Hands)”

Sugar Ray

September 26 to September 28, 2016
Known for their song “Fly”

Los Lobos

September 29 to September 30, 2016
Known for their song “La Bamba”

David Cook

October 1 to October 2, 2016
Known for his song “Light On”

Wilson Phillips

October 3 to October 4, 2016
Known for their song “Hold On”

Blues Traveler

October 5 to October 6, 2016
Known for their song “Run Around”

Plain White T’s – NEW!

October 7 to October 9, 2016
Known for their song “Hey There Delilah”

38 Special

October 10 to October 11, 2016
Known for their song “Hold On Loosely”

Jeffrey Osborne – NEW!

October 12 to October 13, 2016
Known for his song “On the Wings of Love”

Tiffany

October 14 to October 16, 2016
Known for her song “I Think We’re Alone Now”

Dennis DeYoung: The Music of STYX

October 17 to October 19, 2016
Known for the song “Come Sail Away”

Christopher Cross

October 20 to October 21, 2016
Known for his song “Sailing”

Toad the Wet Sprocket – NEW!

October 22 to October 23, 2016
Known for their song “All I Want”

Chaka Khan

October 24 to October 25, 2016
Known for her song “I’m Every Woman”

Billy Ocean

October 26 to October 27, 2016
Known for his song “Caribbean Queen”

Living Colour – NEW!

October 28 to October 29, 2016
Known for their song “Cult of Personality”

Hanson

October 30 to November 1, 2016
Known for their song “MMMbop”

Soul Asylum – NEW!

November 2 to November 3, 2016
Known for their song “Runaway Train”

Delta Rae – NEW!

November 4 to November 6, 2016
Known for their song “Run”

Boyz II Men

November 7 to November 9, 2016
Known for their song “End of the Road”

Sister Hazel

November 10 to November 11, 2016
Known for their song “All for You

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

November 12 to November 14, 2016
Known for their song “Go Daddy-O”
Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Walt Disney World vacation and experience the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival. I would be happy to provide a no-obligation travel quote along with FREE planning services!

2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booths and Menus

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The 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival booths and menus have been released and the Disney Food Blog was kind enough to share all the details! New kiosks in 2016 include Wine and Dine Studio, THE CHEW Collective, Chocolate Studio and Islands of the Caribbean. The Food and Wine Festival will be held at Epcot from September 14 until November 14, 2016 from 9:00am until park closing.

Beauty and the Beast Teaser Poster Released

Us Disney fans are beyond excited for the release of the live-action “Beauty and the Beast“, so fortunately for us Disney gave us another small glimpse into the upcoming film, with its teaser poster:

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This is an iconic image that the 1991 Disney animated classic is known for, and it’s amazing to see the live-action interpretation of the Beast’s rose.

The film also recently released its first teaser trailer:

The live action film will also be a musical, and comes a year after the animated film’s 25th anniversary. “Beauty and the Beast” features an all-star cast, including Emma Watson (Belle), Dan Stevens (the Beast), Luke Evans (Gaston), Kevin Kline (Maurice), Josh Gad (Lefou), Ewan McGregor (Lumiere), Ian McKellen (Cogsworth), Stanley Tucci (Maestro Cadenza), and Emma Thompson (Mrs. Potts). “Beauty and the Beast” will be released March 17, 2017.

 

Staying at the Shades of Green Military Resort at Walt Disney World

Shades of Green entrance
Shades of Green entrance

Did you know that the U.S. Armed Forces has a resort at Walt Disney World?   The Shades of Green Military Resort is located between the world-famous Palm and Magnolia golf courses across from the outer bands of the Polynesian Resort.  This resort proved to be an excellent choice on a recent stay to Walt Disney World. From the lobby, the rooms, the family technology center, and the restaurants, to the grounds, the pools, the fitness center and the playground, Shades of Green is comfortable and is a beautiful place to stay on your next visit to the Walt Disney World.

Upon arrival, you must show a military/government ID to the guard at the entrance kiosk.  As you drive along the entrance road you will notice the American flags displayed from all of the light poles along the way.  The front entrance of the resort is absolutely breath-taking with its waterfalls, large rock formations, and small pond. These features highlight the front of the building and the porte-cochere where vehicles can pull in for registration parking and valet parking.  To the left of the building is the parking garage.

As you enter the lobby you will immediately notice the stone fireplace, the lovely seating areas, the exposed wood beams and the glorious chandeliers.  There are fresh flowers on tables and the entire lobby area is very clean.  There is an amazing photo-op, with a life-size mickey mouse statue, at one end of the lobby.  There is a children’s sitting area complete with child-size chairs and a television showing Disney movies.  The reception desk is lovely and the check-in process was quick and easy.  You will be required to show your military/government ID during check-in.  Off the lobby is a beautiful outdoor seating deck, with a large stone fireplace, and a lovely view of  some of the outdoor grounds.

The standard rooms are well-appointed with two queen size beds and a pull-out style sleep sofa. There is a dresser, flat screen television, and a table with two chairs.  Most of the rooms have recently been updated with new flooring, furniture and televisions. Each room has either a patio or a balcony with two chairs and a small table.  I found the beds to be very comfortable and they do provide a good nights sleep. The sleep-sofa is a standard style and fine for children to sleep on.  The bathroom is nice, and larger than most you will find on property, with tiled floors, double sinks and glass-enclosed shower.  Standard rooms offer 480 square feet of space.  Suites vary in size and sleep from four people in the Garden Suite up to fourteen people in the Palm Suite.

There is a Family Technology Center located near the shops and the ticketing desk.  You can purchase military tickets to the Disney Parks and other area attractions at the ticketing desk.  There are tables and chairs, televisions, and computers in the Family Technology Center.  Your children can watch the Disney Channel while you access the computers.

The three restaurants on the grounds of Shades of Green Resort are Evergreens, Manginos, and Garden Gallery.  Evergreens is located by the main pool and offers pub style food for lunch and dinner.  Along with having a bite to eat, you can play a game of pool or enjoy the arcade while relaxing with a drink from the bar.  Manginos is a sit-down restaurant with a full menu.  This location also offers great all-you-can-eat nights for dinner such as New England Clam Bake or Prime Rib.  Prices for the all-you-can-eat nights range from $22 to $30.  Menu items offer appetizers, entrees and desserts.  Garden Gallery is a buffet-style restaurant offering breakfast and dinner.  Adults pay $13.95 for the breakfast buffet and$17.95 for the dinner buffet.  Children ages 5-11 are $5.95 for either meal.  Each night features a fun family night theme such as Carnival or Chef Noah’s Wings.

There is a nice fitness center on-site and the walkways and paths provide a nice area for a walk or a run early in the morning.

If you are looking for a quick grab-and-go option, stop by the Express Cafe located beneath the main lobby where you exit for the Shades of Green bus transportation area.  Here you can pick up a pastry, coffee, sandwich, chips and other quick-serve items.  The busses run about every 20-30 minutes depending on the park you are traveling to. Transportation is provided for all four parks, the two water parks, and Disney Springs.  If you want to travel to Magic Kingdom I highly recommend the walkway from the Shades of Green to the Polynesian where you can catch the resort monorail.  The pathway between the two resorts is paved, easy to walk, and provides some really nice views as well.

The grounds of Shades of Green Resort offer a tranquil setting with lush greenery, stone and wood walkways, ponds, pools, wild turkeys, a wedding gazebo, and a playground.  The resort also borders the world-famous Palm and Magnolia golf courses.  The wood walkways create a path for walking over the ponds.  The ponds have many beautiful fish providing for a peaceful area to sit on one of the benches and take in your surroundings.  The stone walkways move you along the grounds between the ponds, the wedding gazebo, and the buildings.  You will notice the wild turkeys that make themselves at home along the grass between the buildings and one of the walkways.

The wedding gazebo has a brick walkway leading up to the gazebo.  You can purchase a brick for this walkway for $75 with three lines and up to twenty characters per line online at www.shadesofgreen.org/brickorderform.  The beautiful grounds surrounding the gazebo offer a spectacular background for wedding pictures.  Even if you are not there for a wedding, the grounds provide a spectacular background for family pictures and selfies alike.

The main pool area is very inviting.  It offers a good size pool with a water slide, poolside games, and live music on occasion.   If you are unable to find seating in the fenced pool area, there is additional table and chairs outside of the fencing.  This main pool area also offers a really great children’s play area with splash pad, water-dumping bucket, and child-size water slides.  The children’s area has its own fenced area and is separated from the main pool.  You will notice the lovely water wheel feature near the main pool.  This entire area provides some nice photo-ops as well.

Located across from the main pool area is the playground.  Here the children can climb and explore to their heart’s content amongst some large shade trees and a soft padded fall zone surrounding the climbing structure.  There are chairs and a wall surrounding the playground offering places for you to sit while your children play.

Room rates fall under three categories and are based on military rank.  Military personnel on active duty, Veterans who are retired or disabled, Department of Defense Civilians, Widows/Widowers, and Medal of Honor recipients qualify.  For a complete list of eligibility and rates go to www.shadesofgreen.org.

I have been to Walt Disney World Resort many times and this recent stay at Shades of Green Resort was definitely the most restful visit I have ever had.  From the room size and the grounds, to the views and the amenities, Shades of Green is a very comfortable place to stay.  While there is plenty to do at this resort, the tranquil surroundings provide for some much-needed rest and relaxation.  The first time I stayed at this resort was many years ago when my husband was on leave from an overseas tour of duty.  A lot has changed at the resort as it has doubled in size since that first trip.  The key factors that have remained the same are that this resort continues to offer a location where you can get away from it all, spend quality time with your family, and head to the Walt Disney World Parks to be in the midst of the action.  I strongly recommend a stay here if you qualify.

What do you think of Shades of Green Resort?  Please leave your comments in the box below.

 

 

Dole Whips For Breakfast Kate Spade Inspired Print

Dole Whips

A Dole Whip for dessert, a Dole Whip for a snack, Dole Whips for breakfast, Dole Whips ANY TIME! Am I right? These beautiful Kate Spade inspired prints by MainStreetPandC say exactly how I feel.

These unique prints are photo quality print and will be printed on photography paper for you. The Pineapple one in particular features a golden ink Dole Whip detailing at the top. Of course if you are one of those who aren’t a Dole Whip fan, there are many other designs you may enjoy. The designer has a whole inspired collection that express many cult favorite Disney loves. The Maleficent print is another favorite of mine also. These darlings come unmatted and unframed so you can put them in anything you want, to match your home perfectly! I think I may need a bigger house, I think I also want a Dole Whip room now!

You can check out some of their other amazing designs below:

I absolutely adore Disney Prints that also have style and flair. What do you think of these elegant yet simple Disney inspired prints?

Disney Find- Disney Princesses Mystery Minis Vinyl Figures

Disney Princess Mystery Minis
Disney Princess Mystery Minis

Disney Princesses Mystery Minis

Check out these adorable little Disney Princess Mystery Minis that are now available! These cute little tinies come packed in individual blind packages so it’s a surprise as to who you will get! Each box will contain either a princess, or a sidekick.

These mystery mini blind packs are from Funko, which is not only a popular brand, but also a trusted designer of Disney vinyl figures. There are a total of 8 princesses and also 8 pals in total to collect, you can find one of these 16 vinyl figures in each individual package:

  • Elsa
  • Snowgie
  • Belle
  • Cogsworth
  • Tiana
  • Frog Naveen
  • Cinderella
  • Gus
  • Ariel
  • Flounder
  • Anna
  • Olaf
  • Jasmine
  • Raja
  • Merida
  • Bear Cub

I love how there is a coordinating pal available for each princess! The Disney Princesses Mystery Minis are available now in single packs, or casesDisney Find- Disney Princesses Mystery Minis Vinyl Figures of 12!

Happy Shopping!

Doc McStuffins Season 4 Premiering Friday, July 29

Doc McStuffins Season 4

Doc McStuffins Season 4 will bring us to a magical, new world – McStuffinsville. New stories, characters and notable guest stars will arrive in season four! The new season will premiere Friday, July 29, on Disney Junior (9:00-10:00 a.m. EDT) and Friday, July 22, on the Disney Junior App.

Anthony Anderson and Dawnn Lewis guest star in the season premiere, “Welcome to McStuffinsville” in which Doc’s grandmother transports Doc to the magical world of McStuffinsville where she will carry on a family tradition by expanding her practice to the McStuffins Toy Hospital. There, on her first day as chief resident, Doc must tend to Stanley, a lonely, brokenhearted toy. I’m sure you and I will enjoy this new world with our children as they help Doc!

Continuing with fabulous McStuffins news, the first-ever museum exhibit dedicated to “Doc McStuffins” will open on Saturday, August 6. The exhibit will open at the world’s largest children’s museum. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. The interactive experience, will invite kids and families to explore and learn about healthy habits, compassion and nurturing care. It will travel to other venues across the country beginning in 2017.

Doc McStuffins continues to impress critics and parents alike, and I hope we continue to learn and grow through this show for a long time!

Disney On Ice Presents Follow Your Heart Tour

Disney on Ice

Disney on Ice

There’s a new Disney On Ice show heading for a national tour: Follow Your Heart. The brand new show is being presented by a partnership between Disney and Feld Entertainment, and is full of beloved Disney and Pixar stories and characters:

  • Of course, the show features the classic Disney characters Mickey and his gang.
  • The story of “Finding Dory” featuring Dory, Nemo, Marlin, and Hank.
  • “Inside Out” feature Riley’s emotions Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust.
  • The journey of “Frozen” with Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf.
  • Numbers featuring the brave and dazzling stories of Disney princesses Cinderella, Rapunzel, Ariel, Belle, and Tiana (to name a few).
  • Stories of friendship with Pixar Toy Story’s Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the toy gang.

disneyonice1

Follow Your Heart is all about persevering to make your dreams come true through friends, kindness, and bravery. The national tour begins in Orlando, Florida and continues as follows:

  • Sunrise, Florida
  • Miami, Florida
  • Atlanta, Georgia
  • Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Fayetteville, North Carolina
  • Huntsville, Alabama
  • New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Greensboro, North Carolina
  • Baton Rouge, Louisiana
  • Hampton, Virginia
  • Fairfax, Virginia
  • Baltimore, Maryland
  • Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Houston, Texas
  • Hershey, Pennsylvania
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Cleveland, Ohio
  • Newark, New Jersey
  • Brooklyn, New York
  • Auburn Hills, Michigan
  • Chicago, Illinois
  • London, Ontario
  • Rosemont, Illinois
  • San Antonio, Texas
  • Hidalgo, Texas
  • Kansas city, Missouri
  • Toronto, Ontario
  • Worchester, Massachusetts
  • Boston, Massachusetts
  • Montreal, Quebec

Pre-sale for some of the shows are available now through the Disney On Ice Presents Follow Your Heart webpage here.

Photo Credit: Disney On Ice

Don’t Miss out on These Fun experiences at Halloween on the High Seas with Disney Cruise Line

HOTHS

HOTHS

Disney Cruise Line does an amazing job with celebrating holidays while on their cruise ships. If you are planning on taking a Halloween Cruise this Fall, then here is some of the offerings you won’t want to miss!

  • Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party, a celebration with games, dancing and lots of candy! Beloved Disney characters, wearing special Halloween costumes just for the occasion, will join guests for this fun-filled costume party.
  • A Nightmare Before Christmas—Sing and Scream, an interactive movie experience where guests are part of the action, followed by a meet-and-greet with Jack Skellington and Sally.
  • Haunted Stories of the Sea, where the bravest cruisers gather under the stars to hear some true—or not so true—tales of the sea told by a mysterious sea captain storyteller.
  • Creepy Cabaret, Halloween-themed music performed live in the atrium by a band of ghostly musicians.
  • Halloween Isn’t Just For Kids: For adults, the nighttime entertainment district becomes the ghoulish setting for a costume contest and a Villainous Takeover on the dance floor.
  • Spooky Movies: To get guests into the spirit of the season, Halloween-themed movies will be shown on Funnel Vision by the family pool and in staterooms.
  • Ghoulish Delights: Disney Cruise Line chefs have conjured some very special treats for Halloween, including chocolate cake with pumpkin filling, spider cakes and “Spooky Juice.”
  • More spooky fun includes mask-making and a ghostly takeover of ship announcements!

These great Halloween activities are available on the following cruises:

  • Disney Dream –  sailing dates Sept 2, 2016 – Oct 31, 2016
  • Disney Magic – sailing dates Oct 2, 2016- October 29, 2016
  • Disney Fantasy – sailing dates Sept 3, 2016- Oct 29, 2016

If you’d like to plan a Halloween Cruise, but don’t know where to begin, then contact me today for more information, and to take advantage of my FREE Disney Vacation planning services. I specialize in Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii, as well as Adventures by Disney. Email me at [email protected] for a free quote, or you can find me on my Facebook page here.

photo credit: Disney Cruise Line

Man arrested at Disney’s Pop Century Resort for groping young boys

Pop

Pop

It is being reported that a man, Nicholas Groth, 20, of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, was arrested Thursday night, after it was discovered he had touched three young boys inappropriately at the Pop Century Resort. Groth is a boy’s baseball coach with Rally Baseball amd they were in town for Disney’s International Salute to Baseball Tournament.

The incident took place at the resort pool at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Apparently some children were at the pool throwing a ball with Groth when he started grabbing the boy’s butts, one of the boy then asked him to please stop. At one point Groth asked two of the boys “what they were talking about and asked if they were going to tell on him.”

Groth was arrested after being spotted at ESPN Wide World of Sports field where several children pointed him out as the man who was “he was acting weird and touching our butts”.  The victims are 7, 12 and 13 years old and may or may not have been on his baseball team.

One of the arrested investigators claims Groth did admit to the incident and said he was sorry for doing it, but that it was not his personality. The investigator wrote:

“During the interview, Groth appeared to be in a mental struggle. He didn’t answer questions regarding if he touched the children’s buttocks in the pool with direct answers, but rather took some time to reply. His responses disturbed me, and I asked if he was on medicine or if he had mental illness.”

Groth is being held on no bond at the Orange County Jail on five counts of lewd and lascivious molestation, court records show.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is the Latest DVC Resort to be Excluded from Pool Hopping Privileges

pool

Complimentary pool hopping has long been advertised as one of the selling features of Disney Vacation Club Membership. While staying at Walt Disney World Resort using points, members and their guests are permitted to use most of the other Disney Vacation Club and Resort hotel pools in addition to the pool at the resort hotel in which they’re staying.

Seems like a nice little perk. However, the list of resorts excluded from pool hopping privileges appears to be getting longer over time. The recently renovated Silver Creek Springs Pool and Hidden Springs Pool at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge are the latest pools to be added to the list of pool hopping exclusions.

List of Exclusions:

  • Silver Creek Springs Pool and Hidden Springs Pool at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Bay Cove Pool at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Uzima Pool and Samawati Springs Pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
  • Leisure pool at Disney’s Beach Club Villas
  • Lava Pool and leisure pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Pools at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Blackout Dates:

Resort hotel pools may become unavailable from time to time due to capacity limitations. Due to the high occupancy that is expected, you and any Guests staying with you may not pool hop during the following dates:

  • December 19, 2015 to January 3, 2016 (Saturday through Sunday)
  • February 14, 2016 to February 20, 2016 (Sunday through Saturday)
  • March 19, 2016 to April 3, 2016 (Sunday through Saturday)
  • May 27, 2016 to May 30, 2016 (Friday through Monday)
  • June 26, 2016 to July 9, 2016 (Sunday through Saturday)
  • September 2, 2016 to September 5, 2016 (Friday through Monday)
  • November 21, 2016 to November 26 (Monday through Saturday)
  • December 23, 2016 to January 2, 2017 (Friday through Monday)

Guests must present their Magic Band or current Key to the World card with a “DVC Member” designation on it to use the other select Resort hotel pools.

Contact [email protected] or visit my Facebook page here to start planning your next Disney Destination vacation. All of my planning services are 100% FREE and can help save you both time and money.