It is now September and that can only mean one thing... IT IS PUMPKIN SEASON.



While I hate to see August go (birthday month, end of summer, etc.), the fact that I have pumpkin season to look forward to makes it a little less painful, and a whole lot sweeter.

I always joke that I'm going to turn into a pumpkin by the time autumn rolls out, so obviously I have to celebrate the start of this joyous time in life. Here are just a few items that you will surely add pumpkin magic to your life this autumn, besides the coveted PSL.

Magical Mugs

It is no secret that I love mugs. My collection of Disney mugs continues to grow and I purchased the perfect pumpkin mug on my last trip to Walt Disney World.  You can find it in the Shop Parks App as the Fairy Godmother Mug, and it features a pumpkin that says Even Miracles Take a Little Time.

I even ended up getting one for my mom when I was in the parks because she loved it so much! It is a great size for a nice big cup of coffee - preferably pumpkin flavored!

 

Betsey Johnson Pumpkin Spice Crossbody 

Image from Betsey Johnson's website

For the PSL lover in all of us, this adorable crossbody is the perfect accessory for those chunky fall sweaters. Best part is - no fear of spilling coffee on our OOTD! It looks like there is plenty of room for cell phones, wallets and lipgloss and the inside has Betsey's signature rose pattern as the lining. I especially love the lipstick mark on the bag - so authentic! Looks just like my usual Starbucks cup with a nice red lip mark on it. Find it here! There is also a really sassy pumpkin crossbody as well, which can be found here.

 

 

Autumn Scented Home

One of the simplest ways to be prepared for Pumpkin Season is with scented candles! There are countless options of pumpkin scented goodness, but one of my newest favorites actually isn't even specifically "pumpkin" scented at all. At Nordstrom Rack, I found this Maple Bark + Tonka 10oz. candle that has such a deliciously vibrant autumn scent, like you're walking through a crisp forest. I also love the pretty black jar it is in along with the maple leaf illustration. It adds pretty fall flair to any home decor.

Image from Spireside Candles Website

 I enjoy finding candles in places like Nordstrom Rack, HomeGoods, Target and WalMart... because candles can be EXPENSIVE and I go through them way too quickly to be spending $20 a pop on them. However, an exception to this rule is Spireside Candles. I've gotten countless candles from them (my favorite scent is Sunshine Grove -previously Soarin' Over- because the orange grove smell is my very favorite), and I have never been disappointed by their amazing scents or their candle quality. Their Pumpkin Carriage candle got an updated look which is absolutely gorgeous, so I'm thinking about purchasing it simply as a piece of fall decor. I've had it as a candle before and the scent is perfection. Find it here!

Spice Up Your Pumpkin Life

Literally, the easiest way to add a little pumpkin into everyday life is with Pumpkin Spice. Just plain old Pumpkin Spice! I get mine at Target and add it to EVERYTHING. Coffee, smoothies, even french toast! A tiny sprinkle is all you need - kinda like pixie dust! Actually, I'd say Pumpkin Spice is the pixie dust of autumn. p.s. - would you like the recipe for my easy, vegan, pumpkin spice french toast? Let me know and I'll gladly share!

So tell me...

Are you a pumpkin queen? What are your favorite ways to add pumpkin into your autumn? I'd love for you to also share your favorite accessories for the season!!!!

xoxo,
The Pumpkin Queen

In a few weeks, I'll be spending two glorious days and 1 magical night in Walt Disney World. Over the past year and a half, I've been lucky enough to visit the Disneyland and California Adventure parks in Anaheim quite a few times. While those trips have been amazing, I have to say I can't wait to see some of my favorite WDW sights like Spaceship Earth in Epcot and Cinderella's Castle at Magic Kingdom.

Another reason I always look forward to a Disney trip is... the food! So many treats, so little time is my motto. I'm a vegetarian but this doesn't hinder my choices in the least. In fact, there are quite a few amazing delicacies that are even vegan friendly! Plus, Disney ensures there are plenty of options for those who don't consume meat.

There are many foods I haven't gotten the chance to indulge in during my past trips. I have been doing some research for my upcoming trips, in June and also November, for food and drinks I need to find and experience for myself. However, there are also the treat staples that I just MUST have every time I visit a Disney Park, or my personal experience will not feel complete.

So, I want to share my top 4 favorite Disney treats with you!  I'm sure most Disney fans will be like - duh - this is nothing new to me. If that is the case, please enlighten me with your favorite treats! I really want to expand my taste buds on the next trip and would love some new things to try!



1. Dole Whip
Ah, the warm island breeze and sweet scent of pineapple. The Dole Whip is a Disney classic and fan favorite for park-hoppers from East Coast to West Coast. Basically, it is soft serve pineapple sorbet of sorts that you can get with or without pineapple juice.

Don't despair if the line is long - it is totally worth the wait, especially in the hot and humid weather that WDW tends to receive in Orlando. Also, this treat is VEGAN! And since one of the main ingredients is pineapple, it must be healthy (lol! sarcasm!).

While in California, I even learned there is a boozy option found at the Disneyland Hotel. Same great taste with a fun added bonus for those over 21 years of age.








Where to find it:
WDW - Magic Kingdom - Adventureland - Aloha Isle
WDW - Disney's Polynesian Resort - Captain Cook's
DLR - Disneyland - Adventureland - Tiki Juice Bar
DLR - Disneyland Hotel - The Coffee House





2. Churros
My face in this picture just says it all: HERE FOR THE CHURROS.




You may have eaten churros elsewhere in your life: town carnival, beach boardwalk, your very own kitchen from a box of frozen churros your mom bought at Costco. But please, believe me when I say there is no experience in the world like stuffing the cinnamony sugar goodness of a churro right into your churro-hole in the middle of the most magical place on Earth.

Where to find it: Carts all over the parks!








3. Vegetarian Platter - Morocco Pavilion in Epcot
One of the most underrated pavilions in Epcot has to be Morocco. From the colorful scenery to the delicious foods, it is a wonder to me how it is always so empty when I visit. But i'm not complaining! This just means the line to get to one of my favorite treats, the vegetarian platter from Tangierine Café, will be short and I can get to enjoying my food faster.




The platter consists of falafel, hummus, Tangierine couscous salad, tabbouleh salad, lentils, and marinated olives with fresh Moroccan bread. With all the sweet treats I indulge in during my park trips, it is refreshing to have a savory and salty meal. It goes especially well with the cold, Moroccan beer they serve. I implore you to expand your own horizons and share this vegetarian platter with a friend on your next Epcot world tour!

Where to find it:  Walt Disney World - Epcot - Morocco Pavillion - Tangierine Café (quick service) 


4. Mickey Waffles
Last, but certainly not least, are Mickey Waffles. Well, they say it all started with a mouse and I have to tell you the best way to start your park day with with a mouse shaped waffle.











Something about the fluffy ears and happy smile make this breakfast treat even more delicious than just a regular old waffle you can get anywhere, anytime. The nooks and crannies perfectly hold the sweet maple syrup and it honestly just tastes like Disney magic. Whether it is a few mini Mickeys or one big Mickey face, no Disney trip can be complete without a Mickey Waffle and that is just science.

Where to find it: Most restaurants with a breakfast buffet will have Mickey Waffles, like Chef Mickey's, but check their menu listings as some have other characters (still yummy!). Also, many resorts will have the giant mickey heads as a breakfast option.




Honorable Mentions
There are some treats that I also love that I have to make sure I mention. Mickey Shaped Pretzels, Mickey Shaped Rice Krispy Treats, cupcakes of every flavor and character, cheese empanadas from Mexico Pavilion, grapefruit beer from Germany Pavilion are also some of my favorites.

So, would these top your list of favorite treats? What else do you recommend? Let me know in the comments or tag me on Instagram or Facebook!

Welcome to my blog, Making Ordinary Magic!

I'm excited to begin blogging again. It is definitely one of the most therapeutic ways to organize my mind as well as document fun or exciting happenings in my life.

From where I started (blogging) to what I'm beginning today, a lot has changed. I don't want to pigeon hole myself on a specific topic since I am certainly no expert in any one category. However, if there is one thing I enjoy, it is adding a bit of magic to the perfectly ordinary.

Everyone is different. We have all taken unique paths in our lives that have brought us to this moment. Life is made of happy memories, trying times, accomplishments, failures, and tragedies that have shaped us as individuals.  It is all those pieces, the mixture of good and bad, and how you face them, that brings magic into your life. Sometimes, it just takes putting forth a bit of effort to ensure the magic shines through.

For all intents and purposes, my life is pretty ordinary and I am thankful for that. I'm the status quo for a young, American woman and I can't complain. But I also don't want to become complacent.


I don't mind working for my happiness and I am aware that it takes more than sitting around, waiting for good things to happen to you, to be happy. Over the last 29 years, I've found there are certain people/places/hobbies/things that provide me the magic that makes me a happier person.

Here are some of the things that bring magic to my life: