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Devine Fairytale

A Magical Lifestyle Blog and Theme Park Travel Expert

Categories: Lifestyle, Seasonal, Travel, Winter

8 Tips for Traveling with Gifts This Holiday Season

Will you be spending the holidays somewhere new this year? While I love the idea of gifting experiences, sometimes packing and traveling with gifts is inevitable during this time of year. I am here to help, as it’s typically quite a challenge. Whether you are trying to keep them a secret, or are facing logistical issues, here is a list of tips and tricks when traveling with presents in tow.

8 packages tied up with string traveling with gifts this holiday season

8 Tips for Traveling with Gifts This Christmas

1. Most people have nesting suitcases. Consider loading one with gifts, and the other with your personal items. Then for your return flight, simply pack your items in a suitcase…IN a suitcase.

2. Invest in bubble wrap. Airports are not known for their gentleness with luggage. Take extra precautions and make sure everything is secured and padded well. Add a layer of bubble wrap or other packing material as a lining in your suitcase for an added layer of protection.

3. Consider shipping your gifts ahead of time. This will keep the element of surprise and will save you the hassle of having to transport everything. Many hotels are happy to receive boxes on your behalf, within reason, just before your arrival. Just let the concierge know ahead of time. If traveling to see or stay with family, ask a family member if they’d mind taking in a few packages and storing them out of sight until you arrive.

4. I highly recommend you NOT wrap your gifts and then pack them if you’ll be flying. While you are allowed to fly with wrapped gifts, there is a good chance they may need to be searched and will be unwrapped. Save time, energy, and hassle – pack your wrapping supplies and do the wrapping at your destination.

5. Who says you have to celebrate on the actual day? Consider having the celebration before or after you leave. Another idea would be to arrive early and do your shopping at your destination versus traveling with the gifts. And don’t worry about your little ones. They will most likely be so caught up in the excitement of travel, they won’t really know it’s only December 23rd.

6. Plan ahead. Seriously. Make sure you consider your space and weight restrictions. Perhaps more smaller gifts rather than a few large ones are in store this year. Another idea: print out images of the full-size gift waiting for them back home. It’s the thought that counts!

7. Feeling creative? Theme your gifts! Heading to Hawaii? Maybe everyone gets new beach sandals and a Hawaiian shirt. You could even go so far as to find gift wrap that matches!

8. Last, but certainly not least, make the trip the gift! The excitement and anticipation of a vacation typically is unmatched. Best of all, the memories made during your vacation will ultimately last a lifetime!

Whether you’re traveling near or far, to see family, or to explore a new destination; the holidays are always extra special. With a little planning and perhaps thinking outside the box (literally and figuratively!), traveling this holiday season will be one for the memory books!

Categories: Fall, Tallahassee Area

Fall Visit to Aunt Louise’s Farm

If you’re in North Florida and looking for a fun fall activity, take a day trip over to Aunt Louise’s Farm in Monticello, Florida. Such a fun experience! Get lost in the corn maze, snack on kettle corn, take a hayride, and see all of the cute farm animals. It’s a great fall tradition for the whole family!

haybale with scarecrow face painted on at aunt louise's farm

Where is Aunt Louise’s Farm Located?

Aunt Louise’s Farm

8101 Waukeenah Hwy, Monticello, FL 32344

Aunt Louise’s Farm is about 20 miles away from Tallahassee and a quick drive down US-27.

When Can You Visit the Farm?

Fall Farm Days | October 1 – November 13, 2022

Saturdays | 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Sundays | 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

How Much Does It Cost?

A fall visit to the farm is $11 + tax per person and children under 3 are free. You can pay with cash or card at the entrance. There is a small fee added for card payments.

What is There To Do at Aunt Louise’s Farm?

There is so much to see and do, especially for kids!

  • Be sure to checkout the corn maze and see how quickly you can make it out. Be on the lookout for fun signs and scarecrows while you’re in the maze.

corn maze in monticello fl
scarecrow in corn maze in monticello

  • Little ones will love playing in the corn pit full of corn kernels.
  • Visit the many farm animals including chickens, goats, sheep, donkeys, mini horses, rabbits, alpacas, emu, Scottish Highland cows (my personal favorite!), and more.

goats at aunt louise's farm in monticello
Scottish Highland cow at aunt louise's farm in monticello

  • Race rubber ducks.
  • Go on a hayride.
  • Barrel Train ride for kids.
  • Great snacks like fresh lemonade, sweet kettle corn, hot dogs, ice cream, and more.

fresh strawberry lemonade at aunt louise's farm

  • Photo opportunities like haybales with pumpkins, a vintage tractor, and a growth chart.

fall couple photo at aunt louise's farm
vintage tractor at aunt louise's farm

Take a peek at our fall day at the farm in this Reel I shared on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shannon | Tallahassee Blogger (@devinefairytale)

Aunt Louise’s Farm Other Times of the Year

You can also visit for Spring Farm Days and their Sunflower field in the summer. Be sure to check out their website for the dates and times for other seasonal events.

large sunflower at aunt louise's farm in monticello fl
couple holding hands in field of sunflowers at aunt louise's farm in monticello fl

Will you be adding a visit to Aunt Louise’s Farm to your fall traditions? Let me know if you do!

Categories: Travel

7 Tips for an Awesome Road Trip

Road trips are a great way to see the country and spend time with family or friends, but they can also be stressful and challenging. Most people take a road trip at least once in their lifetime. If this is your first road trip or you are just wondering how to make it a better experience, here are a few road trip tips to help make your next road trip a success.

Whether you’re heading out a day trip or traveling across the country, you’ll be able to beat the boredom and have a fun and enjoyable road trip!

road trip feet out the window of car with a paper map for road trip tips blog post

Best Road Trip Tips

If you’re hung up on what to do on a road trip or how to entertain the family while on a road trip, these tips are for you! Road trips can be fun, exciting, and filled with joy. Planning a road trip just got a whole lot easier. 

1. Leave Early in the Morning

One of the best tips for going on a road trip with family is to leave early in the morning. This will help you avoid some traffic and get a head start on your driving for the day. Leaving early can be difficult for little ones, but it will be worth it to get a head start on your trip.

2. Pack Snacks and Drinks

No one wants to stop for food every hour, so make sure to pack snacks and drinks for the car. This will help keep everyone happy and save you time and money. Make sure you choose foods that are easy to clean up! You don’t want to get stuck cleaning up a huge mess in your vehicle. If you have little ones, filling up a plastic container with their favorite snacks will help contain some of the mess. Check out these bento boxes on Amazon before your next trip.

3. Bring Activities for Entertainment

If you are traveling with kids, make sure to bring along some activities to keep them entertained. Coloring books, small toys, and puzzles are all great options. This will help keep them occupied during the drive and try to minimize boredom (and the constant question…”Are we there yet??”). Adults can also benefit from bringing along a book or magazine to read. Podcasts are also a great idea to listen to!

4. Take Breaks

Don’t try to push through and drive for hours on end. You’ll get tired and it will be harder to focus on the road. Safety is a priority! Instead, take short breaks every few hours to rest and stretch your legs. This will help you stay refreshed and alert during your trip.

5. Blankets and Pillows

Make sure your car is comfortable by bringing along blankets and pillows. This will help everyone relax and maybe even be able to take a nap. You’ll be thankful for the extra comfort on a long drive.

6. Pack for an Emergency

You never know what can happen on a road trip, so it’s important to be prepared. Pack a first aid kit and some basic tools in case you have car trouble. It’s also a good idea to have a map of the area in case you get lost. Make sure the GPS on your phone is updated before you leave for your road trip.

7. Pack Special Treats

Road trips are a chance for you to have fun with the family.  So, pack some special treats to enjoy along the way. This could be anything from your favorite snacks to a new game to play in the car. This just gives everyone a chance to enjoy the trip even more. Who doesn’t love a fun surprise?

While road trips can be exhausting, they are also a lot of fun. It’s safe to say that road trips are one of those things that it is about the journey and not the destination. What family road trip tips would you add to this list?

Categories: Seasonal, Summer, Travel

Simple Tips for Summer Travel

It’s summer and that vacation you’ve been dreaming about is just around the corner. Exploring your destination will be the best part of the trip, but the journey to get there can be stressful. It isn’t just a snap of your fingers and an arrival at your destination; you can’t just skip to the good part like the trend on TikTok. It takes planning and work to be able to enjoy your vacation. That’s where these five tips can help set you up for the best summer vacation!

gray and black dslr camera beside sun hat and sunglasses - summer travel tips blog post

Summer Travel Tips

1. Arrive Early

If you are traveling by plane, plan on getting to the airport early. We are all aware of how long security lines can get and the number of people that are ready to travel again. Remove some stress from the process by arriving early. Once you make it through security, enjoy your time. Your vacation has officially begun! Find a good restaurant, read a book, or enjoy a cocktail (or two) to ease the pre-flight jitters.

2. Dress in Layers

When traveling between different climates, dressing in layers is your best friend. Even if the outside temperature remains consistent, you may visit indoor locations where they are pumping the AC full blast. Those layers will come in handy then!

3. Purchase Tickets in Advance

If you are traveling to a popular summer destination, plan ahead. Purchase those tickets early so they don’t sell out. This will also keep you from standing in long lines at the start of the day. You don’t have to plan every single part of your vacation, but definitely make sure you are prepared for at least a couple of important things on your list!

4. Pack the Sunscreen

There is nothing worse than getting sunburned on the first day of your summer vacation. You’ll be miserable for the rest of your trip, so keeping safe in the sun is critical. Be sure to reapply it every couple of hours for the best protection, more frequently if you are swimming. Depending on where you’re visiting, you might need to pack reef safe sunscreen so be sure to do your research ahead of time.

5. Drink Plenty of Water

Getting dehydrated can really put a damper on your trip! Whether you’re at the beach or on the road, staying hydrated will help you enjoy your vacation to its fullest. Carry a reusable water bottle with you and sip it throughout the day. If you think you’ll forget to drink your water, you can set an alarm on your phone to remind you. When we get busy, it can be easy to forget!

Need help planning a beach vacation? Check out this post for some tips!

Where are you traveling this summer? Hopefully these tips will set you up for a great summer vacation!

Categories: Lifestyle, Tallahassee Area

Shop at Buff City Soap Tallahassee, Florida

I am so glad that we have a Buff City Soap location in Tallahassee. The store is bright and full of color. Of course it smells like heaven as soon as you walk in too! There is something for everyone – they even have a pet line of products.

Buff City Soap Tallahassee store
Buff City Soap Tallahassee store
Buff City Soap Tallahassee store pricing sign

When the store first opened, I was invited to attend an influencer night to get a first look at all of their products and we even got to make our own custom bath bombs. So much fun! I’m grateful to be able to continue working with them and sharing all of my favorite finds.

making bath bombs in mixer at Buff City Soap Tallahassee
bath bomb molds at Buff City Soap Tallahassee

If you are shopping for gifts in Tallahassee, make sure you stop in. You can put together a sweet gift basket at an affordable price that they’ll be sure to love.

As an Ambassador, some products shown were gifted to me. All opinions are my own and I only share things that I love with you!

About Buff City Soap

Buff City Soap creates their products with ingredients that you actually recognize. They are plant based and free of harsh chemicals. They make their soaps, bath bombs, and more daily in store. I’m sure you’ll be able to watch how something is made while you’re shopping!

Favorite Buff City Soap Products

There are so many fun products to choose from. Everything from bath bombs, to laundry soap, to beard oil for men. Eventually I’ll be able to try everything they have to offer! Here are my favorites:

  • Laundry Soap – Their laundry soap is plant based without any hard chemicals and my clothes and blankets smell amazing! I have started to stock up during their laundry sales so this is always on hand in our home.
holding Buff City Soap laundry soap

  • Epsom Salt Soak – After a long week or a tough workout, adding this to a hot bath is the perfect way to relax. I really love the lavender scent in this product!

Buff City Soap epsom salt soak

  • Body Scrub – This sugar scrub is everything. I was able to customize one for myself using a couple of my favorite scents. You can create your own, or try out my combination for something sweet and fruity!

Buff City Soap custom sugar scrub

  • Soap Whip – Clean and moisturize all with one product. This product has a light, fluffy texture and works up into a rich lather.

Buff City Soap soap whip

  • Foaming Hand Soap – We are stocking up all of the sinks in our house with these foaming hand soaps. I love the foam and lather, plus they look pretty!
Buff City Soap foaming hand soap

Favorite Buff City Soap Scents

Honestly, I don’t think there is a single scent that I don’t like! I do have a couple of favorites though.

  • Narcissist – Notes of Patchouli, Sandalwood, Raspberry, & Peach
  • Magnolia – Notes of Magnolia Flower, Apple, Blackberry, & Melon
  • 99 Pomlems – Notes of Lemon, Pomegranate, & Cream
  • Aloe + Clover – Notes of Wisteria, Green Tea, Rose, & Lemon (if you have visited the Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World this scent is similar to the one used in the lobby!)

Buff City Soap in Tallahassee

Buff City Soap in Tallahassee is located on Magnolia Drive near the Starbucks and Blaze Pizza.

220 South Magnolia Drive; #102, Tallahassee, FL 32301

(850) 727-8977

Discount for Buff City Soap Tallahassee

As a Buff City Soap Ambassador, I have a special discount code available for you to use at the Tallahassee location. It is not valid at any of their other locations or online and is a one-time use discount of 20%.

SHANNOND29

Buff City Soap Tallahassee Discount Code Image

Other Buff City Soap Locations

If you don’t live in Tallahassee but are interested in checking out a Buff City Soap store near you, here is a a link to their store locator: LOCATIONS. You can also shop some of their items online if you can’t find a store in your area.

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