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A Slow Winter Day Trip to Joshua Tree National Park

January 14, 2026

A Slow Winter Day Trip to Joshua Tree National Park

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Goodbye, 2025 🤍 This year was a bit of a rollerco

Goodbye, 2025 🤍

This year was a bit of a rollercoaster. In these clips you will see smiles, highlights, and moments spent with people I love deeply. Many of you were right there with me through so much of it, and I am truly grateful I got to share those memories with you.

What you may not have seen is that behind the scenes, my life was falling apart in a lot of ways. This was one of the hardest years I have faced in recent memory. There was loss and heartbreak. Financial stress. A lot of self doubt paired with unexpected self discovery. And somehow, through it all, there was still love holding everything together, stitching the pieces back into place.

I am proud of myself for surviving this year. For showing up when it was hard. For continuing to create, to love, to fight for the things that matter to me even when I felt exhausted and unsure.

As I look ahead to 2026, I feel hopeful. I can finally see the beginnings of things I worked so hard for this past year starting to blossom. I am ready for growth, for joy, and for making a bigger splash than ever before. I hope you will be here for that next chapter too.

And if this year was heavy for you as well, congratulations on surviving. When the clock strikes midnight tonight, I hope our slates are wiped clean and refilled with possibility, peace, and unexpected blessings.

Thank you for the memories. Goodbye, 2025 🤍

#2026 #recap #newyear

✨ Knott’s Berry Farm for New Year’s Eve is SUCH a

✨ Knott’s Berry Farm for New Year’s Eve is SUCH a hidden gem for families! 🎉

From 9 AM–1 AM, the park transforms into a festive wonderland with:
🎆 Midnight fireworks to ring in 2026
🎶 Live bands, DJs, and swing dancing
🐶 PEANUTS characters in party gear
🎩 Holiday décor, noisemakers, and festive cheer

Pro tips from our family:
• Arrive early—NYE crowds are real!
• Bring a wagon or stroller for little ones & extra gear
• Lockers = lifesaver for warm clothes and blankets
• Take sensory breaks at Grizzly Creek Lodge or ballroom dancers
• Drink passes are a great value—hot cocoa or the iconic boysenberry punch!

Want all the tips & hacks to make the night magical for your family? Check out the full guide on my site! ✨

#knottsberryfarm #snoopy #newyearseve

A friend and I spent the evening at the Broken Spe

A friend and I spent the evening at the Broken Spell Lounge at the Disneyland Hotel, and it truly felt like stepping into a different world. This is not really a space to bring kids. It’s moody, quiet, and built for conversation and ambiance.

Inspired by Sleeping Beauty, the lounge feels cozy and romantic, perfect for a pre dinner stop or a nightcap. The food was phenomenal and meant for sharing. We ordered the Parmesan truffle fries with fresh herbs and they were indulgent in the best way.

For drinks, I had the hot chocolate cocktail with dark rum and Drambuie. It was rich, cozy, and beautifully balanced. My friend ordered the chocolate marshmallow old fashioned, complete with wood smoke and mini marshmallows, which felt like a full experience on its own.

This isn’t an everyday stop, but for the right occasion, it really hits the spot. It feels special, intentional, and unlike anything else on property. A one of a kind experience that’s perfect for slowing down and savoring the moment.

#sleepingbeauty #disneylandhotel #brokenspelllounge

I thought these giant snowflake ears would be cute

I thought these giant snowflake ears would be cute with Snoap, but they’re actually a super easy DIY ❄️✨

How I made them:
• Grab two floral snowflake inserts. I found mine on clearance after winter and saved them because they were Mickey ear sized
• Pick an inexpensive plush or upholstered headband
• Bend the snowflake wires to match the curve of the headband
• Use an existing pair of ears to figure out the right spacing
• Make two small holes and push the wires into the headband along the curve. It was very stable, so I left it as is
• Add a bow between the snowflakes. I chose silver ribbon and hot glued it in place

Simple, affordable, and perfect for the holidays. Sometimes the best Disney accessories are the ones you make yourself and these were under $5! ❄️🎄

#diy #craft #disneycreators

This holiday tote turned into one of my favorite m

This holiday tote turned into one of my favorite mom hacks this season 🎄👜

The tote was $29 with additional purchases, so I loaded up on park candy I already buy and grabbed it. It’s roomy, has a zip closure, and even fully packed it fit into a small locker, which is $7 instead of the $10 large one.

I also buy bundles of park lollipops. A pack of 5 is just over $7, about the price of one usual treat. I stockpile them at home and bring a couple each visit.

Holiday weather is unpredictable. Warm days, freezing nights. I packed jackets, beanies, gloves, and scarves for our family of four into this tote, stored it during the day, then grabbed it at night. Warm kids, happy kids, and an affordable sweet treat to end the day.

Why this works so well:
• Mom math saved money on the tote, snacks, lockers, and impulse sweatshirt purchases
• Everyone had the right layers at the right time, which helps avoid meltdowns
• Dad didn’t have to carry everything
• Kids felt comfortable and cared for
• Mom got a cute tote

Simple, practical, and honestly one of those small things that makes a full park day so much easier ✨

#disneyonabudget #disneytips #momhacks

No park ticket. No reservation. Still pure holiday

No park ticket. No reservation. Still pure holiday magic ✨❄️

During the holidays, Downtown Disney transforms with Snoap, Disney’s signature soap-based “snow” that falls nightly and creates a dreamy winter wonderland without ever melting. You can usually find it near the LIVE! Stage and Town Center, drifting through the air every 30 to 45 minutes in the evenings.

It’s non-toxic, bubbly, and absolutely enchanting whether you’re shopping, grabbing dinner, or enjoying some live entertainment while it “snows.”

If you’re blocked out of the parks or just visiting Downtown Disney, this is such a special way to experience Disney holiday magic without needing a ticket 🎄✨

#Disneyland #DowntownDisney #Christmas

Fantasyland Theatre during the holidays feels like

Fantasyland Theatre during the holidays feels like a little pause button. 🎄

During Christmas, this space transforms into Holiday Fun with Santa & Friends; a cozy, daytime winter wonderland and an easy sensory break from the rest of the park. You’ll find holiday crafts, carol sing-alongs, story time, live music, and chances to meet characters like Chip & Dale in their holiday best, plus plenty of places to sit and slow down.

I’ll always miss the Lion King show that once lived here, but I really love how Disneyland has continued to use this theater since then. Especially in ways that feel calm, classic, and family-first.

I didn’t film everything on purpose (partly to respect other guests, partly because some magic is better discovered in person 😉), but if you’re looking for a quieter holiday moment, unique photos, and a chance to reset, this is such a lovely stop.

Tip: you can take the Disneyland Railroad and hop off at the Toontown station, the theater is just across the way. 🚂✨

Mid-November through early January, and absolutely worth wandering into.

#Disneyland #christmas #disneyparks

Even though the Christmas Carol Feast is definitel

Even though the Christmas Carol Feast is definitely a splurge, I brought back one of my favorite affordable souvenir hacks… and it turned into something so special.

I brought the Mickey’s Christmas Carol storybook from Amazon (under $10!) and had every character sign; Scrooge, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Clarabelle in their Christmas Carol costumes. The cast members and character attendants were incredible too, the service here is honestly some of the best at Disneyland.

It took about two hours to meet everyone, and I’d absolutely do it again. Just make sure to book reservations early because this experience fills up fast.

A simple $10 storybook + exceptional service + rare character meet-and-greets = a keepsake I’ll treasure for years. 🎄✨

#Disneyland #souvenir #books

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