Disney and Universal During Peak Season

Orlando is a prime location for vacation in any season but obviously summer months and holidays are known as peak season. Off season are those months when there isn't much going on (think September, February and April) while peak can draw the crowds (June-August, Christmas, Thanksgiving). I have been to the parks during peaks and while it can be difficult, it can be done!Here are some tips for along the way.

 

Pack Light

 

This is sometimes easier said then done but try and only bring the necessities and preferably in a carry-on. I hate wasting time at the airport waiting on luggage and it can be a huge timesaver to go ahead and have you and your travel parties luggage with you right when you step off the plane. Also, Disney World Resort offers the Magical Express if you are staying at one of their On-Site Resorts meaning they will actually pick up your luggage for you and place it in your room. This is a good service however it does take a lengthy time to reach your destination (unless you are the first stop), if you don't want to waste time or you aren't staying at a Disney resort, I highly suggest renting a car for your stay.

 

 

Flower Crown Ears  Fujifilm Instax Mini 8  Draper James Fedora

Universal Orlando Tip: Stay On Site and Arrive Early for New Attractions

I would recommend hitting up Universal Orlando first before Walt Disney World (if you are even headed to the Mouse) mainly because Universal Orlando has two parks and can be easily traveled in a day and a half. You will definitely want to start out at Diagon Alley at Universal Studios and soak up the atmosphere before taking the Hogwarts express to The Wizzarding World of Harry Potter in Islands of Adventure.

Universal Orlando is comprised of two Theme Parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, you must have a ticket to both parks to experience them both. Both are great in their own ways, Universal Studios is the more classic park and Islands is known for their thrills and coasters. I would also highly recommend staying onsite since you are permitted to enter the park early plus at select resorts (Portofino Bay Resort, Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort) you are given an unlimited Express Pass to enjoy most rides with no wait. The Cabana Bay Resort and new Sapphire Falls Resort offer early entry but no Express Passes, however they are a great deal! My budget pick would be the Cabana Bay Beach Resort and deluxe pick would be the Hard Rock Hotel!

Visit Skull Island: Reign of Kong

 

Ok, this is an all new ride and yes, there will be LONG waits, this attraction is excluded from Express Pass so make it a priority to do this first thing at opening (8am), if you are staying on-site, hang out in the Wizzarding World of Harry Potter or Jurassic Park until about 7:35am then start making your way over to Kong. You will thank me later when you aren't in a 2 hour standby line.

 

Reign of Kong, Diagon Alley, The Wizzarding World of Harry Potter and Jurassic Park draw the most crowds. Hit these areas first thing in the morning or come back later and night about 3 hours before closing. If you decide to not stay on-site I would try and budget Express Passes into your ticket plan, you are permitted to the front of the line for shows and bypass lines for most attractions, it can be a real lifesaver on those super crowded day or when you are short on time!

Utilize Quick Service Meals

 

Quick service is exactly how it sounds and can be found at all theme parks including Universal and Disney World. I hate wasting time eating big meals and I just feel like taking a nap afterwards, stick to quick meals or even healthy snacks (I love the fruit bowls!) throughout the day. It's a timesaver and a lot better on your wallet than sit-down restaurants. A list of quick service restaurants can be found here at Universal Orlando and here for Disney World!

 

Take the Time to Visit Disney Springs

 

The new take on "Downtown Disney" is a hip shopping mecca with stores like Free People, Lilly Pulitzer, Kate Spade, Sephora and more! The parks will be super crowded during the middle of the day so I suggest Disney Springs for a little relaxation. Check out a movie, go to one of the many restaurants, shop and just browse around waiting for the crowds to die down at the parks. Yes, they even have s Sprinkles Cupcake ATM!

 

Park Hop Around Disney World

Much like Disney it is essential to arrive early, if you are staying at one of Disney's Resorts take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours. If you have a Park Hopper ticket, meaning you can visit multiple parks in one day, take advantage of it! We love starting off at Hollywood Studios and walking via the Boardwalk to the secret entrance to Epcot right past the Boardwalk Resort.

TIP: The all new Frozen ride and pavilion recently opened and it gets crowded FAST like four hour wait time fast. Do the attraction right as the World Showcase portion of Epcot opens!

 

Stay Hydrated and Take Breaks

 

You will be moving around a lot, mixing in and out of large crowds and most likely it will be very warm, if you are visiting in the summer it can be downright sweltering. Be sure to listen to your body, drink plenty of water, eat some fruit, have an ice cream and if you feel like you are getting too tired or feel uncomfortable, go back to the hotel for a nap or relax by the pool. Chances are the rest of your party will be feeling the same way. If not? Hello sweet alone time!

 

Stay Late

 

Maybe you just aren't a morning person well that's fine! The night owls can enjoy the extra magic hours as well as late operating hours that are often found during peak seasons. In fact, the Animal Kingdom started for the first time being open past 6pm and that means you can ride favorites such as Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safari at night. The Magic Kingdom is sometimes even open as late as 2am, take advantage of the cooler temps and lighter crowds!

 

Enjoy the Scenery

 

Even when the parks are packed you can still find ways to enjoy yourself. Go on an older attraction with no wait, visit memorable areas of the parks or my favorite, take out the camera (even if it's just your iPhone) and explore the parks. There really is some beautiful scenery throughout the Universal and Disney as silly as that may sound. I could spend an hour or so just taking pics in Diagon Alley or seeing every little detail in the nooks of the Magic Kingdom. Go out there and see what you can find!

 

Have the Best Day Ever

 

In the end, you are on vacation! Have fun and even thought peak seasons can seem a little mad, remember we're all mad here so take your time, enjoy some Butterbeer or a Mickey Ice Cream Bar and do what you're feeling!

 

Happy Travels!

xoxo,

Thursday Tie-In

Hello loves! Hope you are all doing fantastic! Sorry, I've been a little MIA on the blog the past few weeks but I have been super busy with work, getting ready for classes to start back up (already?), getting one my first short film in post-production and getting ready to film my second (full length!) in August. I haven't forgotten about my besties here on the blog though! I'm catching up with you guys with a little Thursday Tie-In of some of my favorite looks and most commented on styles via my Instagram and we can catch up some at the same time!
 

Muah! Mug//  Hobby Lobby (found in store)

Summer 2016 has been a blast. It seems like just yesterday that it was the very first day of summer and we were prepping for shark week with the cutest cookies and keeping cool watching some fun films (so many good ones out this year!). I love an easy graphic tee and denim is an easy summer uniform that's easy to wear for running errands or came be dressed up for a casual date night. I love these fun Blaine Bowen tanks to pair with my favorite denim shorts!
 

Hangry Jaws Tank// Blaine Bowen  Shark Cookie// Edgar's Bakery
 

Summer is also the perfect time to put on my reading glasses (yes, I have to wear them now) and dive into some great books. I am a writer myself so it's hard for me to not walk into a Barnes and Noble and NOT buy something. Ok, maybe a few things. I love the horror/suspense genre (Stephen King is my aspiration) but sometimes you just need a book that feels like summer.
 

A Hundred Summers  What the Dog Saw  If I Could Turn Back Time
  

Kiss and Tell Shirt// Wildfox (Sale)  Sunnies// Karen Walker  Denim Cutoffs// Free People

Summer also means ice cream is a MUST! As you can tell I really do live in tees and denim shorts the majority of the time, I think this look can look easily put together and the price of this adorable sweatshirt is fantastic! Although they are a splurge and I don't spend money on sunglasses often (I've had the same blue Raybans since The Hills were a popular show). I found the most flattering pair of shades that I will keep for years to come!
 

 I've already said I love to read and I was pumped to see one of my favorite authors, Emily Giffin, was releasing her new book this summer! She is the writer behind Something Borrowed and many other novels. Yes, I may have been counting down till her new one, First Comes Love came out. It was fantastic!

 

First Comes Love  Dress// Draper James

Who doesn't enjoy grilling out with family and friends? I love having my own home to throw parties (yes, lots of them have themes) but sometimes an old fashioned BBQ is all you need. I wanted to rearrange a few things in my kitchen and with a few things from around the house, I have a nice little nook now for all my recipe books! Do you have any of my favorites in your kitchen?
 

July is already here and I'm just like where did the summer go? But also let me pose with this adorable ice cream truck real quick. Another favorite trend of mine that I won't be retiring soon (maybe ever) is the off the shoulder or "OTS" as some say (I've read that on other blogs so we'll just assume it's a thing).
 

Off the Shoulder Top (SALE!)

Celebrated the 4th of July in this beautiful country, no beach for us this year but we did see The Purge 3: Election Year (so patriotic I know), watched Independence Day (a classic), sang Party in the USA (had to) and got decked out in red, white and blue. Seriously though if you or someone you love is currently serving this country THANK YOU! It was a fantastic weekend filled with family, friends and fun. One of the best I can remember!
 

Clutch// Jackson and Hyde

You guys know I love to travel so it comes to no surprise I get a little stir crazy here in Bham at times. I'm super excited to be going to sunny Los Angeles this weekend and I already have some mini-trips planned through October...and maybe a few last minute plans before summer ends. Have you been anywhere exiting this summer?  Any places I have to add to my weekend list?
 

 

Speaking of Bham it has been HOT, HOT, HOT here in the South and on days when I feel like I'm sweating before 8am, I love throwing on a sundress. Bonus points for bright colors. Also, how cute is this ice cream truck bag!?
 

Sundress//  Lilly Pulitzer

Anyone been to any concerts this summer? I haven't been to that many this season, although I still can't believe I actually saw Beyoncé live back in May, I am hoping to make a few shows before fall hits. I am a music lover of all genres and yes, I have a soft spot for 90's tunes. The 90's style is back in a big way (remember those Delia's catalogues from your youth? Time to pull them back out!). Love these shimmery guitar pick chokers from the lovely Picks for Peace and best of all? The proceeds go to a great cause!

I think we are all caught up now, right? Well, maybe a little but we got a lot of the important things out of the way and it feels good to be back blogging again! I hope you guys enjoyed our little catch up session and maybe even found a few fun styles to incorporate into your wardrobe. I'll be back next week with some new travel posts as well as prepping everyone for the Nordstrom Sale as well as wait for it...fall fashions. Yes, we are already back at that time! But lets all enjoy the summer just a little longer.
 

Off the Shoulder Dress

Until next time! And happy almost Fri-Yay!

xoxo,


 

Deer "Head" // old but similar feel found at Target  White Dress//  found at Free People (lots of great white dresses!)

 

Summer Skincare and Beauty Essentials

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

Hope everyone is surviving the heat, my a/c keeps going out so it's like my own personal sauna at home haha! In these summer months, skin care (especially those with oily skin like mine) is crucial and make-up is often involved in many of your daily routines, I personally love a strong lip color that can brighten anyone's look! Here are a few of my favorites for summer that will keep you looking fresh all season.

 

Skincare

 

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil Free Acne Wash //  Ok, if you have oily skin this is a secret weapon! I have used this wash since my senior year of high school and now into my grad school years. My skin has a (big) tendency to break out and this keeps a lot of my acne at bay and if you are currently breaking out, give this a try! It may be too harsh on those who don't have acne and/or oily skin so if that's you, only use 2-3 times a week. It always makes my skin feel fresh and gives the prettiest glow after use.

 

Clinique Pep Start Sampler Set //  I have always really liked Clinique's brand of make-up and skin care, it is often the first "designer" brand we are introduced to (hello 12th birthday makeover parties!) and sometimes gets overlooked. Their skin care has been a staple of mine since I first started wearing make-up, my mom gave me a set in my teens and told me how important skin is and to start taking care of it early. As always, mom was right!

 

Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream //  This eye cream might be on the newer side but it has already found its way into my bag of must-haves! It reduces wrinkles and de-puffs around the eyes, for an extra spark put the tube in your refrigerator to have a real pop once you apply.

 

Clarisonic //  I love, love, love my Clarisonic! It is the perfect high-tech cleanser, it's like a spa day, everyday, but without the spa prices. There are various options as well as different brush heads for everything from anti-aging to acne to wrinkle reverse. Also, you can use lots of your everyday washes on the Clarisonic so you aren't bound to just their products!

 

Earth Science Herbal Tonic Mist //  You still need to moisturize in the summer but with it being so hot, heavy creams tend to weigh down and cause greasy skin and breakouts. A mist is something that is much more lightweight and still provides you with the essentials ingredients to give your face what it needs!

 

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Skin Lotion //  The most important skin rule of all, especially in the summer...wear sunscreen! This is crucial, some sun is great for your skin, even recommended but laying out for hours and getting burned is the biggest beauty no-no of all. It will cause early signs of aging including wrinkles and crows feet and the most concerning? Skin cancer. It is no joke, wear your sunscreen!

 

Beauty

 

EOS Passion Fruit Moisturizing Lip Balm //  These little lip balms are budget friendly and come in the yummiest flavors! I always start my lip color with this balm as a base!

 

Revlon Lacquer Balm //  Dramatic lips have always been my favorite beauty trend and these are the best lip colors HANDS DOWN! I have been trying out lipsticks and glosses for years and none of them really compare to these and I always get compliments whenever I'm wearing one of the bright colors. My favorites are Provocateur, Flirtatious, and Vivacious!

 

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion //  Another must-have for summer? Primer! Shadows can disappear on lids faster than ice cream melting so primer, especially this one by Urban Decay makes sure you stay flawless all day and night. How strong is it? I used to coat this potion on my eyes in the southern days of summer for outdoor cheerleading camp as well as beauty pageants under bright lights and Sorority recruitment in the prime of August. My shadow never even budged!

 

Urban Decay Eye Shadows // Speaking of eyes, I have been a fan of these sparkly shadows with interesting names for years. The touch of sparkle adds just the right amount to make any look pop, I especially love Midnight Cowboy, Midnight Cowgirl, Toasted, Smog and Sin.

 

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Gel //  I love a good tinted moisturizer in the summer, it has coverage but still feels lightweight and not heavy on your face. If you do get acne like I do, the worst thing you can do is pile on foundations and powders, it will just clog your pores more and powder will cake on and make acne more visible. A lightweight foundation like this is perfect! If you desire more coverage, I also recommend this foundation!

 

Benefit Erase Paste Brightening Concealer // This brand has the cutest packaging and best products around. If you have to wake up super early like me, their under eye concealer is a miracle worker! Soft, creamy and complete coverage, you can't go wrong!

 

Nars Blushes //  The brand known for it's umm, rather intense names have become a cult classic and their blushes are a staple of many make-up artists and Hollywood elites. Can you honestly say you have never heard of their famed blush, Orgasm? The pinky-peach blush with a hint of sparkle literally looks flattering on EVERYONE, seriously, it is a must-have beauty product not just for summer but forever and ever! I also really like their bronzer, Laguna, which can give you a golden glow without the harmful UV rays!

 

Dinoplatz Blotting Tissues // These blotting papers not only look trendy, they make sure you stay shine free all day in the summer sun and heat. Being from the south, humidity kicks in at 6am and stays all day, my skin can look like an oil slick by 8am. The tissues which are made from a natural Hanji (a Korean handmade paper from a mulberry tree) soak up oil and leave you looking fresh faced!

 

Essie Nail Polishes // I run a lot so my toes are always needing another coat of polish, these super budget friendly polishes pack in a fun punch of color and can be a great way to brighten up. Another plus? They are in small bottles which allows you to throw them in your bag and if you ever need a touch up, just take the tiny container and polish up!

 

Beauties, I hope you enjoyed all my summer skin and make-up picks!

 

Stay cool!

 

xoxo,

 

 

 

 

What to Do? San Diego Weekend Edition

Hello all!

I just came back from the best little mini-vacation to wonderful, sunny San Diego, California! San Diego has been on my bucket list for a while now, I love the state of California and have now crossed L.A., Anaheim and San Diego off the list. California is great because there is so much to see and do plus the weather is fantastic year round. Back to this past weekend though! Let's start off my tips so you can plan your own weekend getaway.

1. Stay Close to the Action

San Diego quickly became one of my favorites when we soon after arriving it was evident how close together everything was. We chose to stay at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego since we knew the hotel would be nice and it was right next to the Gaslamp Quarter. Gaslamp is essentially tons of restaurants, shops, boutiques, bars, etc. If you plan on going out and having a really good time, say a bachelor/bachelorette party, girls weekend, group couples weekend and so on this is the perfect option. You are right in the middle of all the action and it is within walking distance to everything in the Gaslamp district.
 

Checking in was a breeze and all Hard Rock Hotels have such great décor! This specific one even has the famous sushi restaurant, Nobu, inside. There is also a really cool Roof Top Pool and Lounge that you can beat the heat at. I've stayed at several Hard Rock locations and they are always top notch in service and good prices, they normally have a good discount to offer as well!
 

2. Visit the Gaslamp Quarter

As I mentioned above, the Gaslamp Quarter is filled with shops, cute boutiques, fantastic restaurants and fun bars. The area can be a bit "touristy" so you will see a mix of everything from families, singles, couples, college kids, pretty much every age you can think of! If you are traveling with little ones, I will say it looks like it could get a little rowdy after hours in certain locations, think a lower scale Bourbon Street (found in New Orleans) so keep that in mind. You can walk everything in the quarter which is a good time saver and better for your wallet! However, there are plenty of cabs and rickshaws if your feet can't handle anymore walking.
 

 

The Quarter has some really great food options including my picks Lou and Mickey's , Ocean Room, Chocolat (amazing crepes and gelato), The Blind Burro, and Cafe LuLu. If you want more after 10pm fun (and over 21), look at the huge selection of bars, lots feature live music on the weekend so have a drink, listen to some tunes and relax. For my fashionistas out there, be sure to check out all the cool boutiques along the district!

Lots of fun to be had in this area but as always be safe and careful. You will be around large throngs of people especially after dark, ladies I suggest wearing a crossbody bag so you can have your hands free. In any case where you feel uncomfortable, always go with your gut feeling. Also, avoid looking like a tourist meaning wear normal clothes and don't stare at guide maps or look confused at your phone. Just mind your surroundings like you would in any situation and have a good time!
 

3. Visit the Donut Bar

When one of my West Coast friends mentioned we had to try the Donut Bar, which has recently be awarded numerous times for having the best donuts in San Diego and even the country, I knew we had to try it! My biggest piece of advice is to ARRIVE EARLY! Y'all I say this a lot on my travel posts but this is a key one. We had finished a 5k race and decided to walk over since it was so close, at 8:15am, 15 minutes after opening, it was an hour wait. Yes, my jaw dropped like yours just did. The line extends to crazy lengths especially on weekends.
 

Everyone looked at me like do we really have to wait in line for donuts? I made the point that what else would we really be doing for the next hour and we were only like 10 mins away from the hotel. So we took on the wait. Quickly we made friends in line with others awaiting the treats (and even became Facebook friends with several of our new buddies), it was like we were all in this thing together (yes, let's break out into a Disney song) and the closer we got, the longer the back of the line seemed to expand. Something cool that is done on Saturdays is the owner of the bakery will come out to greet everyone and even hand out free donuts to the kids! Check him out and the adorable angry birds donuts!
 

After making friends, laughing, and an impromptu Starbucks run (thanks to our new friends) it was finally our turn. There was a lot of hype with these donuts so we were ready to be impressed. They did not disappoint! Flavors ranging from Harry Potter themed Butter Beer to Strawberry Pop-Tart to a Homer Simpson inspired pink donut, so many choices. Scan the row, decided which ones you want then keep moving, those in back of you will thank you! The menu changes daily so there is always something new as well as old favorites. 
 

4. Visit the San Diego Zoo

We knew we had to visit the world famous San Diego Zoo, which is currently celebrating its 100th year! This zoo is huge, it straight up looks like a Jurassic Park type theme park, so wear your walking shoes! There are tons of animals, walking tours, bus tours, IMAX movies, Pandas, yes Pandas! Plus, my personal favorite the cute and sleepy Koalas. You can find out info on ticket options and how to plan your day here!
 

5. Sightsee on a Guided Trolley or Take the Tram to Explore Like a Local

Transportation is easy to navigate in San Diego and it doesn't hurt that everything is so close together! For a fun treat, take a trolley tour via the Old Town Trolley, if you are short on time, this is the best option. The tour is guided and you will get to see all the famous landmarks and then some! Find out all about the tours and how to get your tickets online right here! If you want to explore more independently, use one of the cities numerous trams, just be sure you remember where to exit and what line you are using!
 

There is so much to see and do in San Diego, you might not be able to see it all but you can see a lot! Everything from beaches, nightlife, dining, zoos, theme parks, and shopping are all to be found here. We loved that everything was a hop, skip and jump away from each other which made it easy to navigate and there was never a dull moment. Even on the way to the airport, we noticed the Unconditional Surrender Sculpture as we passed by and yes, since we had left early enough we kindly asked our driver to make the turn so we could see it up close! The iconic statue is located by a park near the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum and is around lots of cute fish markets, ships and ocean!
 

If you are thinking about going to the Golden State to visit San Diego go ahead and make a weekend of it!
 

Happy Travels!

xoxo,