If attending Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party isn't on your Disney bucket list, then it's about time to add it. This Holiday themed event takes place on select nights at the Magic Kingdom between November 8th and December 21st. Between the parade, stage show, and character meet-and-greets, there is so much to do in one night. I know, it may sound like a lot, but there is no need to worry. With a few easy tips you'll be able to conquer everything the party has to offer. Hey, you might even be able to sneak in a little more magic.

1. Arrive Early

Image Source: Madeline Potts

The Very Merry Christmas Party doesn't start until 7:00 pm, but guests who have tickets for the event are allowed into the park starting at 4:00 pm. Take advantage of these extra three hours to ride any attractions you may want to ride, and secure that coveted meet-and-greet spot up front for any exclusive characters you're hoping to meet!

2. Meet Characters During a Parade or at the End

At the party, there are many character meet-and-greets like the princesses with their prince, Mary Poppins with Bert, and the Seven Dwarfs that you usually can't meet during regular park hours. If you don't arrive until 7:00, your first instinct may be to jump in line first thing when the party starts, and I don't blame you. By the time the party starts there's a good chance the line could be well over an hour long. Since nobody wants to spend most of the night waiting in line, plan on meeting characters during the first parade, stage show, and fireworks times. These are the most popular times for each activity, so character lines will be the shortest. This is how I was able to meet the Seven Dwarfs, Mary Poppins and Bert, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, and Santa Goofy all in one night.

3. Attend the Party During the Week

When choosing which party to attend, it probably makes the most sense to pick one on the weekend, but this is actually the busiest time to go. If you're able to, attend a party during the middle of the week. You'll have less crowds, shorter wait times and more cookies to eat, so it's a triple win situation and what could be better than that?! Oh, and the beginning of November and first week of December will be the least crowded Holiday times in the park.

4. Plan Out Your Night

When you enter the park, you'll receive a times guide that lists the various times of the parade, stage show, and fireworks throughout the night. If you're anything like me then you'll want to get the most out of your night, so be sure to plan out which parade, stage show, and fireworks show you want to watch. This will ensure you see everything you hoped for--nobody wants to miss out on Holiday magic!

5. Watch the Last Parade

With all of the excitement you'll want to do everything as soon as you get there. Hey, I don't blame you. I turn into a 5-year-old when I enter a Disney park too. Since the parade is the most popular activity throughout the night, the first showing tends to be the most crowded since many kids come to the party and don't stay until the very end. To get the best view possible, wait until the last showing. There will be a lot less people and you'll be able to get a lot more character interaction when you have a front row spot. Trust me, it's worth the wait.

6. Bring a Small Backpack or Purse

This may seem quite obvious, but when I attended the party last year, I just brought a small crossbody bag, which I later realized was a big mistake. The good thing about this party is that Disney will make sure you never go hungry. I was given so many free cookies I had no idea what to do with all of them. Make sure to bring a small backpack or purse to stash you tasty treats while you're enjoying all the fun.

See, with just a few tips it is 100 percent possible to conquer Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party all in one night. So what are you waiting for? It's time to start planning for the most magical Holiday celebration of the year!

3 Meditation Apps to Find Your Most Relaxed Self

Go ahead, take a deep breath. We all need to relax anyway. Between work, managing a social life, and fitting in a few sweat sessions, our lives can get pretty hectic. One thing I've learned this past year is how important it is to take quiet time for yourself even if it is just five or 10 minutes a day. This is where meditation comes into play!

Having an app to help you meditate makes it so much easier. I have to admit though, when I first started meditating it felt a little awkward and weird, but as I did it more and more it turned into my best coping mechanism for anxiety and it made me feel really really good.

Below, check out the three apps I use when I want to get my zen on.

1. Headspace

This app is great for beginners who have never meditated before. There is a free 7-day program for meditation newbies, which guides you through your meditation, and let me tell you, it's super helpful when you're not quite sure what you should be doing. This app taught me a lot about meditating. One thing I really like is how you can change the time of your session between 3 to 20 minutes depending on how much time you have. 

2. Calm

With guided meditations for stress, gratitude, self-esteem, and work, this app has so many 7-day courses you can go through to become more mindful in life situations. I love how this app has many specific situations that you can pick from, so you're able to improve in whatever area of your life you need to be calmer in. The only downside are the limitations you have before paying. For free, you can only do one session from the seven days of gratitude, stress, and self-esteem courses. The three sessions I did were so good. If it weren't for the pricey subscription, I would be using this app every single day.

3. Insight Timer

Insight Timer is my go-to app for meditating. There are thousands of various guided and unguided meditations you can choose from. There's everything. Literally. You can choose to do meditations for sleep, anxiety, starting your day, and so much more. There is also a huge variety of various times. I mean, you can meditate for as short as one minute to 90 minutes. I know, pretty crazy, right? Oh, and I can't forget, this app is completely free. That's right, all of the meditations are 100 percent free!


4. Sanity & Self

Whether you want to meditate or you need a little self care in your daily life, this app has you covered! While you will have to pay to use every single feature, this app offers a lot of free guided meditations and motivation compared to other apps. A really neat thing about this app is inclusion of lifestyle techniques like beauty tips, stretching / exercises, and ways to de-stress.

All four of these apps are a great place to start if you're looking to add a little mindfulness into your life. Meditating just 5 to ten minutes a day will have such a positive impact on your life. Trust me, you'll be surprised that such a short amount of time can really make a bid difference in your entire day. Go ahead, for just 1 week try mediating with any of the apps above. I'd love to hear what you think!

From Fashion to Music: My Current Favorites

Fall is such an exciting time. There's something about the start of a new season that makes me feel like I can conquer anything. I'm definitely more motivated and eager to try new things. Can anyone else relate?  From a new fashion or makeup trend, to the latest workout craze or album I've been listening to, when it comes to trying out something new during the season it could literally be anything.

While I've been adding a few newbies into my life and turning back to my trustee fall favorites (I'm looking at you plaid scarves and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins) I've rounded up some of my favorite things I've been dying to share with you.

Suede Skirts

I got this suede skirt from Anthropolgie about a month ago, and I've worn it about once a week since then. This piece has been such a fall staple for me. I love pairing this skirt with my ankle booties or riding boots. I've found that this skirt instantly makes the most basic of shirts look put together, and who wouldn't want a piece that can do that?!

Leaf Inspired Eyeshadow

I recently revisited my Minnie Mouse palette by Sephora after not using it for a while, and let me tell you, this palette has SO many fall inspired hues in it. I was instantly drawn to the copper, burgundy and gold shades which inspired me to create a fall leaf inspired eyeshadow look. When I have the time to do an in-depth eyeshadow look, you bet this has been my go-to.

Yoga

After breaking my toe a few months ago and having it take way longer to heal than expected, I'm finally back into exercising and I could not be happier. I recently did a free week of classes at Core Power Yoga and it made me fall in love with this type of exercise. Yoga is something I definitely want to continue to practice and get better at.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins 

When the fall season rolls around, one thing I absolutely need in my life are pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. My absolute favorite pumpkin muffins are from Wegmans, but unfortunately there aren't any Wegmans' in New York. I know, so so sad. Since fall is all about baking, I decided to bake my own! However, I was super lucky because my good friend Shannon mailed me THREE boxes of my most favorite muffins and it honestly completed my entire season.

Carrie Underwood's Cry Pretty and Lauren Daigle's Look Up Child

These two ladies in music recently each dropped a new album within the past couple of months and let me tell you, it has made my commute to work, or basically anywhere I need to hop on the train 100X better. Both artists have such powerful voices and they're music is so inspiring. If you haven't already given their albums a  listen, it is totally worth it.

Pumpkin Clove Candle 

A few weeks ago, I bought a pumpkin clove candle from Anthropologie and it literally smells like fall in a jar. It smells so so good. If you're into delicious fall scents, then do yourself a favor and buy this candle.

What have been some of your favorite fall things? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @CaitlinRedd13

Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation & Concealer Review

Wow! It's definitely been a little while since I did a review. However, thanks to Influenster I'm finally back with another one.

If you're not familiar with Influenster, it's an app/website where you receive free product in exchange for reviews--seriously, how cool is that?! Once you sign up, you say what your interests are (i.e. beauty, fashion), answer a few demographic questions, and then you let the reviewing begin! Based on your answers to the questions and the interests you select, Influenster matches you with campaigns. If you're a good fit they'll send you a VoxBox (can be one or multiple products) and then after testing out your new goodies, you'll hop on to Influenster and social media to let your friends know what you thought about the products.

A couple weeks ago, I received the Kat Von D Lock-It foundation and concealer. I have to admit, being the beauty fanatic that I am, you'd think I do a full-face of makeup everyday, but in reality that is not that case at all. I rarely wear foundation. I know, please don't send me to beauty jail.
After receiving this combo, I was super excited to see how it would hold up throughout the day.

FOUNDATION

Color Match: I couldn't be happier with how well this foundation matched my skin tone. Since I obviously didn't test out the product before receiving it, I was a little worried if the shade would be a good match, but it most definitely was! I received this in the shade 44, which is formulated for light skin with a cool undertone.

Application + Finish: If not wearing foundation on the reg didn't send me to beauty jail this may be the deal breaker: I applied this with my hands. I know I know I know, a dense foundation brush or beauty blender would be ideal, but I didn't have either available at the time, so hands it was!

Using my hands to apply the foundation actually worked very well (if you do this, make wash your hands before, nobody wants unwanted acne). I was amazed with how well and seamless the formula blended into my skin. It is medium-full coverage foundation that is buildable with a matte finish. After applying the foundation my skin looked flawless and completely shine-free. I set the foundation with Bare Mineral's Mineral Veil loose powder. This is a great base to the start of any makeup look.

Feel: There is nothing I hate more than wearing a foundation that feels heavy, like it's clogging my pores more and more the longer I wear it. Luckily the Lock-It foundation didn't give me this gross feeling. It was light-weight--I even forgot I had it on throughout the day.

Wear: The Lock-It foundation claims to be a long-wear foundation that will last 24 hours without any touch ups, and let me tell you, that's definitely not a lie. I wore this foundation all day, which included a full 8-hour work day. When I got home at 9pm my foundation looked like I just applied it.

PRO TIP: Apply a primer first for the longest wear and smoothest application.


CONCEALER

Color Match: I received this product in the shade 5, which is formulated for light skin with a neutral undertone. The color matched my skin 100 percent, which was perfect for covering up blemishes, but I mainly use concealer to hide those dark circles we all know and despise. When doing that, I like to use a slightly lighter shade to brighten up the under-eye area, so I can't say this is a concealer I would use every single day.

Application + Finish: I absolutely love the applicator! It's a fairly large-sized doe foot applicator. It contours my eye shape perfectly, which makes applying the product very easy. To blend concealer, I  always use my ring finger. I've found this is actually the easiest and most precise way to do so!  Compared to the Maybelline Fit Me concealer that I usually use, this formula is a little more difficult to blend completely--definitely not ideal if you're in a rush to do your makeup.

Feel: The feel of this concealer was great! It is light weight and doesn't feel oily or greasy.

Wear: After I applied the concealer on one eye and moved on to my other one, I was extremely surprised that my first eye had already begun to crease. Since this doesn't happen with my drugstore concealer, I definitely wasn't expecting it to happen with a high end one. After I used Mineral Veil powder to set my face, I didn't have any other creasing problems throughout the day--thank goodness!

Overall, I loved the Lock-It foundation and would totally recommend it to anyone on the hunt for a matte, natural looking foundation that that is light-weight and lasts all day. Wow! That's a mouth full, but I promise the foundation lives up to all of those words. For the Lock-It concealer, I honestly wouldn't recommend it. I was expecting more from a high end formula, and I found that it didn't perform any better than a drugstore product. You could definitely find a concealer that works just as well, if not better for a fraction of the cost at Target.

Below you can take a look to see how the foundation an concealer looks once it's applied and incorporated into an entire makeup look.

Have you tried the Kat Von D Lock-It foundation or concealer? If you have, I'd love to know what you thought! Share your thoughts down below in the comments, or tweet me @CaitlinRedd13 to chat all things beauty.

The Importance of Self Care and How to Practice It

When you think of self-care, yoga, green smoothies, and meditation may come to mind, but those things might not work for everybody and that's perfectly okay! The most important thing is to make sure you're doing something that you love and will stick to. This could be anything from watching your favorite movie to hanging out with friends, or pampering yourself with a face mask.

If you're not sure what self-care practices are best for you, check out my list below to get a few ideas. Who knows--you might just find your brand new routine.

Ways to Practice Self Care

1. Read

2. Take a bath
3. Watch your favorite TV show (Friends is the best)
4. Watch your favorite movie
5. Hangout with your friends
6. Take yourself on a date. Go out to lunch or grab coffee!
7. Bake a treat
8. Have an at-home spa day
9. Get your nails done
10. Do a face mask
11. Exercise
12. Fuel your body with healthy food
13. Go to a workout class
14. Go for a run
15. Go on a bike ride
16. Do some yoga
17. Meditate
18. Stretch
19. Unfollow social media accounts that don't make you happy
20. Take the time to try out a new hair style
21. Light a scented candle or turn on a diffuser
22. Write down 5 things you love about yourself
23. Do your makeup
24. Listen to a playlist that makes you happy

Like any new activity, practicing self-care takes time for it to turn into a habit. If you regularly incorporate any of the ideas above, I'm sure you'll start to feel more relaxed, happy, and overall in a better mindset. The goal should be to find a self-care activity that you look forward to and helps you relax. Are you using any of these 24 ways to practice self-care, or is there one you're going to try? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @CaitlinRedd13 to share how you make time for yourself.
                                                         

Best Dressed At The 2018 Teen Choice Awards

The Teen Choice Awards may be summer's--actually the entire year's--most playful award show of the year. I mean, what other award show can you get away with wearing plastic fruit on your skirt?! As some of Hollywood's and YouTube's hottest stars strutted down the pink, yes PINK carpet, I couldn't help but think yas queen, or in KJ Apa's case, king.

From head-to-toe sequins to a ballet pink tea length dress, there was no shortage of Instagram worthy ensembles. Wondering who served looks at this year's TCA's? Below you'll find the best dressed celebs of the night.

Camila Mendes

This trendy blush hue is my absolute favorite, especially for summer! 

 Cozi Zuehlsdorf

You can never go wrong with a tea length dress like this. I love the classic silhouette!

Elias Harger

 He may be small, but Elias sure know how to pull off a dapper look. 

KJ Apa

Honestly, I've never been one to pay super close attention to what the guys are wearing on the carpet, but this look caught my eye. Matching sets for men? I approve! 

Lili Reinhart

It's the TCA's, you're walking on a pink carpet, so why not go all out? That's just what Lili did with this hot pink look and I am 100 percent here for it. 

Madelaine Petsch

Sweet meets sexy? The shoes definitely pull this look together, but I'm sure you're not surprised that I'm a fan of the lace and floral combo. 

Meghan Trainor

Pajamas are the ultimate way to pull off the whole effortless-cool-girl vibe. It looks like the trendy sleepwear made it's way on to the pink carpet, but not without a touch of glamour. I mean, sequins do make everything better after all. 

 Olivia Holt

I really love this look! The emerald green is stunning and the silhouette is very flattering on Miss Holt, but I think this look would be better suited for the winter time. 

Maddie Ziegler

 It looks like Maddie has shed that Dance Moms image. The young starlet showed off a more mature side of her style with this matching cropped set. 

 Sabrina Carpenter

I'm not the biggest fan of this print, but the lilac hue pops against Sabrina's hair and skin--it looks like the "Almost Love" singer may have found her "it" color. Oh, the fringed hemline is such a unique touch that I'm loving. But lets not overlook the hair! Sabrina ditched her signature long locks for a shorter do falling just below her collar bone. Talk about #hairgoals. 

What were some of your favorite looks from the night? Let me know in the comments below!

8 Ways to Live a Happier Life

I'm going to be completely honest: Being happy is hard. This is something I've been struggling with a lot lately. With my life in New York not going quite as planned, I've found myself in a bit of a rut. But hey, it happens to everyone. Let's just say, I have quickly realized, life can't always be as happy as Disney World.

Road blocks pop up on our path to success, but you can't let that dictate your happiness. Everyone deals with various hardships and struggles differently, but if I've learned anything since I moved, it is: The key to controlling your happiness is deciding the outcome. That's right, with just a few small changes, you'll be on your way to living a life full of happiness!

While some days are definitely harder than others, I have complied a list of eight things I do to maintain a happy life.

via sweetlytextmessages.com

1. Start A New Hobby

Remember that scrapbook you started years ago, or that musical instrument you've always wanted to learn? Now is the time! Having an outlet to channel your energy into something that makes you happy and you truly enjoy is one of the best things you can do for yourself. For me it's playing guitar, reading, running this blog, and exercising!


2. Exercise

This could be anything from walking the extra 20 minutes instead of taking the train to riding a bike to doing an at home workout. Actively moving your body releases endorphins, which are proven to make you happy. Plus, it's a great way to let off some steam. Say goodbye to stress and negative vibes!

3. Fuel Your Body

Ever since I started paying attention to what food I'm putting into my body I've noticed a huge difference in how I feel. I have more energy, I'm in a better mood, and I feel confident in my skin. You know that little phrase, "food is fuel?" Yeah, I 100 percent swear by that. To start fueling your body, simply swap snacks like chips, candy, and movie theater popcorn for healthier alternatives like carrots and hummus, grapes, or homemade popcorn. Taking the time to nourish your body with good for you food takes practice, but trust me, you will thank yourself later.

4. Stop Comparing Yourself To Other

Oh where to begin. We've all been down the dark Instagram rabbit hole where we find ourselves scrolling and scrolling...and scrolling some more, wishing we could have picture perfect lives and look like our favorite model or celebrity. The moment you stop comparing yourself to other people I promise you will instantly be happier. God created everyone for a special purpose--you'll miss out on your chance to find yours if you're trying to be like somebody else.

5. Get A Good Nights Sleep

Nothing is worse than waking up and instantly wishing you could crawl right back into your cozy bed. Making an effort to go to bed even just 30 minutes earlier than normal can make such a huge difference in your rest. Oh, and try to stay off all electronics at least 30 minutes before your plan to go to bed. With these two tricks, you'll find yourself waking up on the right side of the bed more often, but don't worry, I'm still working on this one too.

6. Practice Self-Care

Self-care is such a broad term in the wellness world, and when it comes down to it, the term can mean something slightly different for everyone. The important thing is to make sure you're taking the time out of your hectic life to take care of your body and treat yourself. This could be anything from taking a bath or trying out a new face mask, to a wine and movie night with your girls. Find a way to unwind and don't let yourself get burnt out!

7. Turn Every Negative Thought into a Positive Thought

This is something I have been struggling with daily, so I'm right here with you when it comes to practicing positivity. When life just doesn't seem to be going your way, it can be extremely easy to get sucked into a downward spiral of negative thoughts that ultimately consumes your entire happiness. One way I've tried to combat this is to think of one positive out come for any negative thing that happens to me. For example, I broke my foot in the beginning of June and it's still healing. Since I'm not able to be as active as I am used to, I can to put all of my energy into my writing and grow in that area of my life as much as I can. A less extreme scenario: You get stuck in a downpour on your way to work. You can either let this ruin your whole day, or brush it off and think, "my clothes will dry, braids were invented for a reason, but I'm thankful to have a place I can go to to get out of the rain." Doing this will really change your perspective on life, and who doesn't want to live the happiest life possible?

8. Practice Mindfulness

The idea of mindfulness is being aware of your thoughts and understanding why you are feeling the way you do. One way I practice mindfulness is through meditation. I started this about four months ago as a way to cope with anxiety and worry I was feeling--it has truly helped me so much. I'll admit, meditating can feel a little awkward at first, but the more you practice, you'll see overtime how it can have a huge impact on your mental health and mood. Plus, all you need it just five minutes out of your day. Two of my favorite apps I use are Headspace and Insight Timer which are both free!

What are some of your favorite ways you stay happy? Share in the comments below or tweet me @CaitlinRedd13.

Feeling Fine and Dapper in Floral

Spring Dapper Day at Disney World was at the end of April and yes, it has taken me this long to finally write this post about it.

When Dapper Day happened at Disney World, my friends were actually in town visiting and we already had plans to visit Epcot and Magic Kingdom. The thing is, our days were reversed compared to the days Dapper Day was being celebrated. But, there was no way I was going to let that stop me from showing off my fanciest frock in the Happiest Place on Earth.

The dress I chose to wear is a floral print prom dress from the 1980's! I got this dress while I was interning for a vintage boutique in college. I love the turquoise and pink floral print, and if you couldn't tell by now, I'm a big fan of the A-line silhouette.

The first time I attended this special day was last fall and I decided to DisneyBound as the one and only Minnie Mouse (the most dapper character I must say). This time around, I wanted to focus on the vintage aspect of Dapper Day instead of DisneyBounding as a particular character.

When I first heard about Dapper Day and learned what it was, I knew I wanted to wear this dress to the event someday, and I'm so glad I was able to this year!

I would love to hear your Dapper Day stories and see your looks from the event! Head over to my Instagram or Twitter to share! 

Sweet Potato Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love nourishing my body will healthy food, but I also love to indulge in my fair share of sweets--hello sweet tooth! Since I can't eat dairy, I stick to vegan desserts whenever possible, but even though it's vegan doesn't mean it's always healthy. Anytime I find a way to make healthier versions of cookies, brownies, or cupcakes, I'm completely on board.

I found this sweet potato oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe on The Healthy Haff and absolutely had to try it. I know, sweet potato in a cookie? Sounds a little strange, right? It's actually so good, and you can't even taste it. The sweet potato adds extra vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber that you most likely wouldn't get in a regular cookie.

These cookies are honestly my favorite treats I have ever baked. They're packed with good-for-you ingredients and guilt-free--if that's not the best of both worlds than I don't know what is. Let's get to baking!

Directions:

1. Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl

2. Mix all wet ingredients in a bowl

3. Yep, you guessed it! Combine wet and dry ingredients in one bowl

4. Roll dough into balls then slightly flatten

5. At 375 degrees, bake cookies for 15-17 minutes then let cool

6. Enjoy your healthy cookie because yes, it is possible!

If you make these cookies, let me know in the comments below or tweet me @CatlinRedd13. I'd love to hear what you thought!

You can never have too much Disney Style

Hello beautiful friends! I feel like I’ve been very MIA lately, but it’s for a good reason: I moved to New York! I’m so excited to begin my career and live out my dream of living in the city. I’m very excited to be back in New York, but I’ll definitely miss Disney. I had such an incredible experience while in the college program, plus learned so much. It’s safe to say, Disney will always hold a special place in my heart.

With that being said, Disney Style is one thing that I still love and will continue to incorporate into my outfits. The week I left Florida, Disney Style, a new store located in Disney Springs opened. This shop is basically a DisneyBounding fan dream come true. The store features an array of outfits and accessories inspired by your favorite characters. Think: Cheshire Cat, Cinderella, The Fab Five, and so so so many more! You must know by now, I’m a big fan of Minnie Mouse and all things Minnie style. I also happen to be a big fan of rompers. I mean, it's an all in one outfit that instantly looks cute and is super comfy--what more could you possibly want?

When I went to check out the Disney Style store I was amazed! There was a Mad Tea Party tea cup, framed Minnie ears, and Tangled lanterns, aka a few of my favorite Disney things. But one thing that caught my eye in particular was this Minnie Mouse inspired romper. I honestly had never seen anything like it before and knew this girly piece needed to be the newest addition to my wardrobe. Polka dots and a bow all on one romper screamed my name, so this purchase was a no brainer.

When it came to picking out accessories for the look, I knew I absolutely had to incorporate my Kate Spade Minnie Mouse purse. I just can't get over how adorable this bag is. I mean, it even has ears! Since the shorts and bag are a bit of a statement (well, for me at least) I kept the rest of my outfit simple. I opted for basic black ballet flats and kept my jewelry to a minimum. And yes, that meant leaving out a headband because I thought that may have been bow overload. 

Since I wish I could take all of you to the Disney Style store to join in on all of the excitement, I added a few pictures down below of some of my favorite parts of the store.

I'm so happy Disney has finally dedicated an entire store to their Disney Style fans. If you're in the Orlando area, or planning a trip to Disney, will you make this your next stop at Disney Springs? Let me know what you think of the new store in the comments below or tweet me your thoughts @CaitlinRedd13.

How to Conquer the Flower and Garden Festival

The Flower and Garden festival is in full swing at EPCOT. I've had the pleasure of attending the festival a few times, so I've gathered a some tips and tricks to successfully make your way around the world without becoming too full while still conquering everything Flower and Garden has to offer. I've also included recommendations and festival favorites!

If you're not familiar with EPCOT's Flower and Garden festival, it's one of the park's many many festivals that happen each year around the World Showcase. This one focuses on beautiful flowers and topiaries that can be found throughout the various countries.

Between the tasty food and drinks, adorable merchandise, and stunning flowers and topiaries, it's safe to say Flower and Garden is my favorite festival at EPCOT. Check out my tips below on how to get the most out of this lovely event!

1. Begin With Butterflies

Just to the right of the seas pavilion you can find the butterfly garden! In this area you can get up close and personal with these beautiful insects and learn all about the cocoon process. Who knows? You may even score a perfect picture with one.

2. Scope out Your Top Picks

When you enter EPCOT make sure to grab a festival guide. This will tell you all the special dishes each pavilion has to offer. I'll admit, walking around the World Showcase can be very tiring. If you know what countries are a must-do for you, you can make sure to save room for everything you're dying to try. My top recommendation? The roasted cauliflower at the Honey Bee-stro.

3. Start With Canada

Well, this is just a personal preference, but if go to the right and start with Canada when you enter the World Showcase, your first stop will be the Pineapple Promenade which happens to have my favorite drink Flower and Garden has to offer: Violet Lemonade. Yes, this totally-instagram-worthy drink has lived up to the hype and I may have had one every time I went. But what can I say, it's sweet and refreshing--perfect for sipping on as you walk around!

4. Use the Buddy System

Trust me on this one. Food and drink portion sizes are small at the festival, so it may be tempting to try something in each country, but your stomach will thank you later. I recommend eating and drinking your way around the festival with a friend or family member. This way, you'll be able to try everything you want without falling into a Thanksgiving food coma.

So you have the tips to conquer Flower and Garden, but you're probably wondering what food and drink is worth the hype? Scroll down to check out my favorite picks and must-try treats!

Field Greens salad from The Berry Basket

Frushi from Japan

Fritto Misto (crispy shrimp and zucchini) from Italy

Chocolate Macaron Lollipop from France

Walnut Honey Baklava and Rosé with pomegranate liqueur from Morocco

If you have attended the festival, let me know in the comments below what some of your favorite food and drinks were. Have a beautiful day!