Here’s what’s actually going on behind the posts…

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Q: How do you actually live in the moment instead of just capturing content?

Honestly, I don’t shoot as much in the moment as people assume. I’m a photographer, not a full-time videographer standing between my family and the experience. I’ll snap something quick, and then the actual content creating (editing, captions + posting) happens later, during my work hours, while my son is at school.

That’s the trade-off that makes it work. When we’re at the beach or the museum or wherever, we’re just there. Nothing about the moment is staged for a post. The content gets built afterward, out of what we already lived. One of the reasons why I started posting travel and family experience content was because I’d learn something on a trip and want to share it with people who were going there in the future. That’s how this was born!

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Q: Do you only post places you’re sponsored for? Do brands reach out to you, or do you reach out to them?

It goes both ways… sometimes I pitch, sometimes brands come to me. But sponsored content isn’t the ONLY thing that makes it onto my page, and I won’t ever post anything that I don’t absolutely love. AND I will absolutely tell you what to SKIP if you’re going somewhere. Most of what I share is just our regular life… places we paid for ourselves, things we’d do whether or not I ever posted about them.

When something is sponsored or gifted, I only say yes if I already know my family will genuinely enjoy it. I’m not accepting a stay or an experience just because it’s free. If I can’t picture my son having a good time there, it’s a no from us… no matter what the offer is.

Q: What do you do if it isn’t perfect weather, perfect lighting, perfect everything?

If you noticed my post today was completely grey. We went to Toronto for 3 days and didn’t have a slice of sunshine the entire time. One of the days we were there torrential rained the entire time. We made the best of it, we still got content. I am not rescheduling plans around the weather. I know there’s an element of travel content that needs to be “picture perfect” but that’s just not me. I’m making content for moms too scared to take their kids on a solo trip. Content for parents who think they need to wait until their kids are older (or “easier”) to experience Disney. I’m not here to pretend every day is sunshine and rainbows, I’m here to show you how you can have fun REGARDLESS of everything else that’s going on.

Because the reality is, you ARE gonna face rain on your next trip to Disney, you ARE gonna have really hot days at Centreville and you’ll thank me later when you’re prepared because there is LITERALLY no shade on the island. That’s what I’m here for. Not to pretend every day is sunny and glorious.

Note: Sometimes if I’m creating UGC content for a brand or tourism board they WILL ask me to reschedule the shoot because they want content shot on a sunny day … in that case yes I DO have to worry about the weather.

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Q: Have you ever had to turn down an experience?

Yes, I say no to more than I say yes to. This summer alone, there have been a couple of trips I was genuinely dying to say yes to, but I had to say no. Whether it was because we already had travel plans, or we couldn’t come to an agreement on how Brooks would be shown in the content. So many different reasons for having to say no. Our family ultimately comes first and the content follows our life, not the other way around.

I also say no to anything that isn’t paid now, and I charge for whitelisting. Our travel schedule is so rammed right now, I unfortunately cannot accept trades at this moment!

Q: What’s the actual goal here? Is this about making money?

Not really, no. If I’m honest, money has never been the point of my Instagram, TikTok, or this Substack (hence why I made it free!). What I actually want is to show other parents that you don’t have to put your life on pause once you have kids. You don’t have to wait for them to be “old enough” to start experiencing things again. You can have real experiences every single day, with your kids right there beside you. Or, coffee shop dates can be IT for the day. My tips exist to make family travel feel more doable… not to sell you a false idea of what they’re going to look like.

I should also mention that my background is in journalism and my first job out of college was as a travel writer (my first press trip was to Vancouver and Whistler when I was only 19!). I have been doing this for far longer than anyone knows, and I have a real passion for travel and experiences. I’d much rather live a full and experience-rich life than have a closet full of crap I don’t actually need. And I want to teach my son to value experiences instead of things, too!

Q: How do you decide what to do as a family? Is everything planned around what will make good content?

No… we skip anything that doesn’t make sense for your family (and so should you!). We actively choose experiences our son enjoys too, not just ones that look good. A park afternoon counts as much as anything else. If he’s not going to enjoy it, we’re not doing it just for content. But I will say that my husband and I both like to get out and do things, we love to try new restaurants and coffee shops, we love to plan short weekends away. So really the content portion just follows us around.

Q: What’s your actual favourite thing to do together as a family?

It’s small, and it might surprise people… but we love getting coffee and a little treat somewhere new. That’s why I always have a coffee + a little treat slide on all of my city guides. My husband drinks his coffee, I get matcha or a chai latte, and we all like to share the treats. Wandering into a coffee shop we’ve never been to, letting our son get involved in picking something out… that’s our biggest thing as a family. It doesn’t need to be a big ordeal to be something that matters!

So no, nothing we do is staged purely for a post (unless it’s sponsored or gifted), and even then, only if I already know it’s something my family will love. The weather isn’t always perfect. The moments aren’t always camera-ready. But they’re ours, and that’s really the whole point. So I can show you that your life with your kids doesn’t have to wait for anything. It’s happening right now, and it can be full even if it isn’t perfect.

xo, Sera

But then today as I was rushing to another day of summer camp and I heard someone on the radio talk about PSLs, I realized we’re not actually all celebrating PSLs being back at Starbucks. I don’t actually think we’re rushing towards fall at all… we’re just rushing towards the slow down,.

Summer is A LOT. Nobody says this out loud enough, so I will: summer is exhausting. It’s marketed to us as easy, long days, no schedules, iced drinks on a porch somewhere, books by the pool or lake. But actually living in summer often looks like kids are out of school, rushing towards camp, still working your normal job while trying to create a magical memorable summer for your kids, everyone needing to be everywhere at once, a constant worry about the weather running your plans, vacations that aren’t actually restful… The sun is also out until 9pm, which sounds lovely until you realize it really just means your kids aren’t going to bed until much later every day.

Summer is overstimulating as a parent… more light, more noise, more heat, more plans, more everything. It’s a season of more. And more held for two straight months is tiring. Fall is our permission to slow down.'

So when September creeps in and we start craving flannel, knits, soups and PSL, I don’t think we’re wishing our lives away. I think we’re finally exhaling after a season of chaos. Fall gives us the permission we need to slow down. Nobody expects you to have wild plans this weekend. The sun sets earlier, so your body gets to stop earlier too. And that agreement is the thing we’re actually craving… not the pumpkin spice, the changing leaves or the sweater weather. The exhale.

So when the pumpkin spice posts start rolling out, underneath them is something real. We’re not celebrating a flavour, we’re celebrating a season where we can actually say no. I love to let a Saturday be unplanned and call it a day.

Fall isn’t a countdown to holidays and hustle (even though it often turns into one). At its root, it’s a seasonal reminder that we’re allowed to slow down, and that slowness isn’t laziness or falling behind, it’s just a pace that we don’t often get permission to choose the rest of the year (because before we know it, it’s the holiday hustle...).

So maybe the real ritual isn’t the pumpkin spice latte. Maybe it’s giving yourself the same permission fall gives you, without waiting for the leaves to change first.

What would it look like to let any season be the slow one?

xo, Sera

No, to overbooked weekends

I used to book up our weekends months in advance. I think because it felt like that’s what I was supposed to do. Like I was being a good friend, a good planner, a good whatever… But what I actually noticed is that when my calendar got overbooked, I got anxious to the point where my first instinct was to start canceling things just to feel like I could breathe again. So this summer, we’re not planning weekends out way in advance. We’re waiting, getting closer to the date, checking in on who’s actually free, seeing how we feel, checking in on the weather, seeing what NEEDS to be done versus what can wait, and making plans from there. And the reality is, when I make plans last-minute, I’m so much more willing to actually go. I show up more present, and more like myself. Because in this version of summer I make sure everything I NEED to do (the chores… laundry, cleaning, etc.) is all done before we commit, so I don’t have looming regrets because in the back of my mind I should be doing something else.

No, to over scheduling our son

Our son gets signed up for one sport at a time. That’s the rule. Swimming lessons are non-negotiable… once a week all spring and summer, no exceptions. Beyond that, he picked soccer this summer, and soccer happens Saturday mornings. That’s it. There are no other extracurriculars built into our calendar. We will not be rushing to something every night after camp. We also miss weeks here and there (of soccer! Not swimming!) because sometimes we are away on weekends and we aren’t going to miss out of weekend plans because of group sports.

Yes, I believe in group sports. I think there’s real value in kids being part of a team, learning to show up for something outside themselves. But I don’t believe in filling every afternoon with practices and games and rushing from one thing to the next. That’s not where good childhoods come from… in my experience, that’s actually where the anxiety comes from, for him and for us. So we’re saying no to “more,” so there’s room left for actual downtime. And, for boredom and just being a kid.

No, to the food that doesn’t serve my goals

This one is more personal. I’m working with a nutritionist right now, and my focus isn’t on losing weight, but on getting strong again. Building back the muscle and the strength I had before I had my son, because the truth is, I have never fully felt like myself again since giving birth.

So I’m saying no to the food I used to eat without a second thought. I’m preplanning, pre-packing, making intentional choices when we’re out instead of default ones. And I’m saying no to the pressure of what anyone else might think about how I eat, what I order, or why I’m doing this. I’m not doing this for anyone’s approval. I’m doing it because I want to feel strong in my own body again, and that’s reason enough.

Every one of these is really the same lesson… less isn’t a loss, but it’s what makes room for the things that actually matter (and you actually want to do!), showing up fully, raising a kid who isn’t running on fumes, and building a body and a life that feels like it’s MINE again.

So that’s the “summer of saying no”. Not a summer of less living, but a summer of fewer things I don’t actually want, so there’s space for the ones I (and we as a family…) REALLY do.

Chat soon (probably about B2S!).

xo, Sera

Food

We’ve overcomplicated food in our everyday lives. I have a few more restrictions than most, but for the most part, eating while camping is simple, protein, tons of veggies, tons of fruit. We don’t have a lot of space for snacks here, which is actually nice because I definitely lean on snacks at home.

Clothes

I have the tiniest closet here (about 15 hangers and two little shelves I share with Tyler) so a capsule collection is critical. See my camping capsule here.

My son’s wardrobe is just as simple. A few swimsuits, water shoes, and some clothes he can absolutely destroy… that’s it. No fussing over outfits, one laundry bin. He’s in and out of the water and the dirt all day, so function is really the only thing that matters here.

Products

The same goes for sunscreen and skincare, we all just share the same products as a family. No fifteen different bottles like we have at home. One sunscreen (been loving Bite!) we all use, one of each shampoo and conditioner, a couple of basics, and that’s enough. It’s such a good reminder that most of what’s sitting in our bathroom cabinets at home is just excess.

Toys

My son has a bug-collecting kit, some arts and crafts supplies, and a few building toys for rainy days, otherwise that’s literally it (oh, plus his bike and scooter). Most of his activities happen outside, which is amazing (and obviously seasonal here in Canada). Painting rocks, the beach, collecting bugs, drawing, taking photos. Life is simple for kids here, and he’s wiped out by the end of the day from all the fresh air and activities. Having friends around helps too!

Whenever I’m here, I look at our life at home and think about everything I could minimize, downsize, or get rid of. Simplifying is always on my mind. As a mom, I feel like so much of my time gets eaten up by prep, cleaning, and cooking, when I’d rather be spending it with my family. Moving your life into a small travel trailer quickly reminds you how little you actually need.

The world has become one big commercial space, always selling you something… that usually ends up in a landfill shortly after purchase. Or, tucked into a drawer and forgotten about until the next deep clean. I’m here to remind you: you don’t need more stuff. You probably just need a vacation. And a camping trip will remind you that you can live with less and still be just fine.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

xo, Sera

Here’s our current trash reduction strategy…

We use compostable bags instead of single-use plastic

We swapped our Ziploc bags for Lunchskins compostable freezer and snack bags. They hold up fine for pre-portioned snacks, chopped veggies, or trail mix, and unlike plastic bags, they don’t end up in a landfill for the next 400 years. It’s a small change, but multiply it across every meal of a camping trip and it adds up fast.

Paper plates (but as fire starters, not trash)

We still bring paper plates, but for the purpose of using them as fire starter after dinner. Instead of tossing them, we use the greasy, food-stained ones as kindling to get the campfire going. It’s a good use for something that would otherwise be garbage, and it means we’re not buying separate fire starters either. Eventually we will swap to reusable ones, but I am still waiting for a brand to come out with NON-plastic options. I am really trying to reduce ALL plastic in our home.

Real cups and mugs, not disposable ones

This one feels obvious, but we bring actual reusable cups and mugs instead of a sleeve of paper or plastic ones. We each have a designated Yeti / Owala (we cannot agree on our fav brand! lol) camping mug that goes straight into the tote after the trip, gets washed, and comes right back out for the next one. No landfill cups, and no runs to the store for paper or plastic ones. This one saves money, but also waste.

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A tap attachment for water instead of cases of bottles

This might be our favourite upgrade. Instead of hauling (and eventually recycling, or not) a case of small plastic water bottles, we use a tap attachment on a large water jug. Everyone fills their own reusable bottle or cup straight from the tap. It’s more convenient than cases and cases of water bottles, and it means less single-use plastic just for drinking water over a multi-day trip.

The next tip is something I added to our camping bin last year…

Filtering campsite water with a Santevia filter

For cooking, tea, and coffee, we run water through a Santevia filter rather than relying on the large bottled water or questionable tap water at a campsite tap. It makes the coffee taste better, honestly, and it means we can refill from whatever water source is available instead of using spring water for something that we are boiling. I am definitely weary of tap water because of the added chemicals, but Santevia filters over 90 contaminants from tap water, including heavy metals like lead and cadmium, as well as chlorine, chloramine, and PFAS.

A few other things we do

• Bar soap and shampoo bars instead of bottled. This was a hard switch for me at first, but now I love how easy it is to travel with shampoo and conditioner bars! Plus they last sooooo long. I obviously use Rocky’s!

• A real cutlery kit, so we’re not using plastic forks!

• Glass food containers for leftovers, so extra food from dinner doesn’t get tossed just because we didn’t bring anything to store it in. I love Ello glass food storage containers. I got this set from Costco!

• Pre-baking snacks and packaging them in compostable or reusable bags, instead of buying individually wrapped snack packs.

None of this requires a huge budget or a total lifestyle overhaul, it’s mostly just swapping the disposable version of something for a reusable one, and being a little more intentional about what we pack. The result is less trash at the end of the trip, and a kit that we can reuse year after year.

What are your go-to low-waste camping swaps? I’d love to hear what’s working for you (and get new ideas for next year’s trip!).

xo, Sera

Most people loved it, saved it, shared it, added their own recommendations in the comments. Many of the comments even came from restaurant owners begging to be included in my list. But a handful of people did not love it. A few told me (as if they knew me) I was letting my kid “run wild” so I could drink (mostly TikTok keyboard warriors… see the post here). Others took “let kids be kids” and turned it into “she lets her children do whatever they want with zero regard for anyone else.” One comment told me to keep my kids away from places where it’s “clear” adults don’t want them around.

So let’s talk about this…

First, I don’t drink

I want to get this out of the way because it’s the easiest thing to fact-check and the laziest assumption to make. I actually don’t drink. I have never been a BIG drinker, but the lat 5 years of my life have been entirely sober. I’m not sitting on a patio with a glass of wine while my son fends for himself in a field. The picture some of these comments painted was negligent parent, feral child, and everyone else’s afternoon ruined… but that is not what’s actually happening when we’re out.

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What’s actually happening is … my son eats at the table with us, then he plays in the grass, not in other people’s space. He knows how to be in public, not because he was born knowing it, but because he’s had years of practice. And the fact of the matter is, he’s a child. Children aren’t meant to sit on their butts for hours and have adult conversations. I am so thankful for outdoor spaces that welcome children and understand them.

You don’t learn how to behave in public by being kept out of public

My son has been coming out with us since he was days old. Not because we’re trying to prove a point, but because we didn’t want to put our life on pause for four years and then suddenly expect him to know how to sit at a restaurant, use an inside voice, or not touch things that aren’t his. Kids learn to exist in the world by existing in it. Repeatedly, and with guidance.

We go to the same patios, have the same servers, the same grass, enough times that it stops being a novelty and starts being normal life. He also orders his own meal, because again, that’s how you learn how to exist in public. Not by being held up in a house for years until the world thinks it okay for you to exist in public spaces…

We didn’t restructure our life around our kid. He came along to be part of the life we already had. That’s a different philosophy than “the world revolves around my child now,” and I think a lot of the reactions confused the two. Letting kids be kids was never me making it ok to let them have a free-for-all. It was a description of watching a bunch of children (mine and my friends’) eat their meal, then go run around on grass that was there for exactly that purpose, while the adults got to have an actual conversation. That’s not chaos, that’s the system working for us for once!

“Adults clearly don’t want kids there”

Some places genuinely aren’t built for kids, like a quiet fine-dining room at 9pm, a loud bar with no food menu, a spot with zero space to move. I’m not arguing that every establishment on earth needs to become a soft play centre. I picked the patios on the list because they had the grass, the space, and the vibe that says “kids are welcome here.” That was the entire point of the list.

But there’s a difference between “this specific venue isn’t set up for children” and “I would simply prefer children didn’t exist in public spaces I occupy.” A lot of the backlash wasn’t about the venues at all, it was about the general discomfort some people have with children being visible in public. And that’s where I have to draw a line.

You are completely entitled to build a kid-free life for yourself. Don’t have kids, please. Don’t go to kid-friendly patios. Choose restaurants with no high chairs, book the adults-only resort, go to the show that starts at 10 p.m. on a school night. That’s your right and I’ll never argue with it.

What you’re not entitled to is a kid-free world. Kids exist. They’re allowed to be at the grocery store, on the sidewalk, at a family-friendly patio on a sunny afternoon, in the same restaurant as you. Public space is, definitionally, public. It doesn’t belong more to the adults who’d prefer not to see a child than it does to the family having lunch two tables over.

So, before you assume the parent letting their kid run around on the grass at a patio built for exactly that is being negligent, consider that maybe (like us) they’re just giving their kid years of practice being a person in public. Consider that the kid eating at the table and playing in the designated space is not the same as the kid climbing on other people’s tables. And consider that “I don’t want to be around children today” is a completely valid feeling that doesn’t require the rest of us to disappear.

We’ll keep going to our patios. My son will keep eating his lunch at the table and then going to run around in the grass, because that’s what the grass is for. And if that’s not the afternoon you’re looking for, there are plenty of places that will give you a quiet one instead. Please go enjoy them!

xo, Sera

I live with endometriosis, adenomyosis, and MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome), and over the years I’ve built a whole system for traveling without letting these conditions wreck me (and our plans!).

Here’s what it looks like travelling with chronic illness:

1. I prepare for the heat

MCAS makes my tolerance for heat very low. Mast cells are part of your immune system, and when they’re overactive, they release histamine and other chemicals in response to triggers that wouldn’t bother most people, and heat is a big one. That can mean flushing, hives, dizziness, nausea, or just feeling completely wiped out faster than everyone else around you. So heat management isn’t optional for me, it’s part of my packing list and trip planning.

I always bring electrolytes. Dehydration makes everything worse, and in hot climates I go through fluids fast. A rechargeable handheld fan has also become one of those items I never travel without. It sounds small until you’re stuck in a slow-moving line in the sun and it’s the only thing keeping you upright. My go-to electrolyte is from Goodonya. And I love this travel fan that packs up small and holds a decent charge.

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I also don’t really sit in direct sun anymore. Instead of chasing a tan, I use self tanner to get a glow without the heat exposure, then I stick to the shade whenever I can. My favourite sunless tan + instant tan are both from Luna Bronze (use code: SIMPLYSERA20 to save!).

Clothing matters too. Linen is my best friend when I travel somewhere warm, it breathes in a way that other fabrics just don’t. Some of my favourite linen pieces right now are from Aritzia and Quince. Shop my favs here.

2. I pack safe snacks

I’m currently eating dairy-free and gluten-free (as part of an anti-inflammatory diet), and I also have a sulfite allergy, which means I have to be careful about what I eat in a way that goes beyond typical “dietary preferences”. Airports, road trip stops, and unfamiliar restaurants are all a bit of a minefield, so I don’t leave my safety up to chance. I know which brands of packaged foods I can eat safely, so I always pack “safe foods"… otherwise I just don’t eat.

My go-to safe snacks when I travel:

• HoneyBars

• Bear fruit snacks

• Homemade energy bites (recipe here!)

• Fresh fruit and veggies

• Organic dried fruit (always, always check the label for added sulfites)

Having these on hand means I’m never stuck choosing between eating something risky and not eating at all, which is a trap that’s way too easy to fall into when you’re out all day exploring somewhere new.

3. I always pack a few loose clothing options

This one is non-negotiable. With endometriosis, a flare up doesn’t wait for a convenient time. It can hit at any point in my cycle, not just the days you’d expect, and when it does, bloating and pain can change how my body feels in clothes within hours.

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I always pack at least one pair of shorts that runs significantly larger than what I’d normally wear. It’s saved me on more travel days than I can count. The goal isn’t to look put together, it’s to have something in my bag that still feels okay to wear if my body decides to have a rough day two hours into a hike or a flight. I also always pack my wearable heating pad which can fit nicely under a dress or loose shirt / shorts.

4. I avoid synthetic fragrance wherever I can

This is a big one for me. Synthetic fragrance is a genuine migraine trigger, not just an annoyance, so I have to be intentional about it everywhere I stay.

Hotel sheets and towels are usually washed in heavily scented detergent, and that’s often enough to set off a headache / reaction before I’ve even unpacked. When I can, I ask hotels to wash my linens in scent-free detergent, or I bring my own scent-free pillowcase just in case.

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I also never trust that a hotel will stock sulfate-free or fragrance-free toiletries, because most don’t. So I always pack my own skincare (I use mostly Three Ships Beauty and Acure), shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion. It’s a bit more to carry, but it means I’m not gambling with a migraine on day one of a trip. I love Rocky Mountain Soap Co. because they have bar shampoo and conditioner which travels very well!

5. I research restaurants extensively before I go

Eating out with a sulfite allergy is more complicated than most people realize, because it’s not just wine and dried fruit I have to watch for. Vinegar is a major hidden source of sulfites too, which knocks out a huge number of dishes and condiments that seem totally safe on paper.

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Before any trip, I spend real time researching restaurants at our destination, reading menus online, checking reviews for mentions of allergies, and narrowing down places that seem like they could actually accommodate me. Sometimes I even call ahead. I talk to someone directly about the sulfite allergy, ask specific questions about vinegar and how dishes are prepared, and get a feel for whether the kitchen can safely handle it.

It takes more effort than just showing up somewhere and ordering, but it’s the difference between actually enjoying a meal out and spending the rest of the trip recovering from a reaction.

Traveling with these conditions has taught me that packing isn’t just about the trip you’re hoping for, it’s about the trip you might actually get. Planning for the harder version of the day means I get to actually enjoy the easier ones (and makes the day more enjoyable for everyone around me!).

xo, Sera

Note: some locations mentioned below are in Port. Colborne or Ridgeway (which are both a short drive away!)

📍Where to eat

Shaka
Evermore Charcuterie
Brimstone Brewing
South Coast Cookhouse
Rizzo’s House of Parm
Gather Tasting Room
Sublife
335 on the Ridge
Dario’s Cucina
Mabel’s Gourmet Pizza

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📍For coffee + a little treat

Mellow Yellow
Shaka
Maplewood Gelato
Love Sicily
Crystal Ball Cafe
The Chill Shack

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📍Things to do

Beach day!!!
The Pearl Spa on Erie
Shop on Derby
Visit the Ridgeway Battlefield
Rent bicycles + go cruising
Port Colborne Cruise Night (Thurs 5-8PM)
Ridgeway Farmer’s Market (Sat AM)

📍Things to do (with kids)

Go to the beach!!
Crystal Beach Waterfront Park
Bay Beach Playground
Watch the ships pass through the canal in Port Colborne

📍Where to shop

One Earth
Planks Canada
Lasting Impressions
VTGwayCO
Beach + Bunkie
Ridgeway Farmer’s Market (Sat AM)
Blue Goose Farm
Beach Town Antiques

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📍Where to stay

Hotel Philco
The Yellow Door B&B
Rent a beach cottage

Headed to Crystal Beach soon? Save this post for quick reference on your next trip! And drop a comment below so I know what was YOUR fav!!

xo,
Sera

That’s not a gift, that’s unpaid labour.

Real gifting should come with zero strings attached. You send it, I receive it, and if I love it (and it genuinely fits into my life!) I’ll share it because I want to. Not because I owe you something. The moment a brand attaches expectations to a gift, it stops being a gift.

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Don’t get me wrong, every creator has an “I’ll do it for free” list. And it’s time we all get honest about what’s actually on ours, because not all free is created equal.

Mine is pretty simple. I will genuinely get excited about:

• Free travel. Fly me somewhere, host me, let me experience something new. That’s content I’m already going to make because I love to travel. It’s additive to my life and my work.

• Free experiences. A dinner, an event, an activity I can do with my family. Things I’m going to do and share anyway!

• Anything that makes future travel easier or better. A luggage upgrade, a travel essential I actually need, something I’ll reach for every single trip.

• Anything on my current want list: i.e. a bag I am drooling over, clothes I already want to buy, shoes that I absolutely need for my next trip. I definitely shop before each trip and if it’s a store I love (Aritzia, Holt Renfrew, etc.) I am not saying no to the opportunity to shop and share!

That’s it. My list is short but purposeful.

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Why?

Because, my house is full. I am constantly purging. I do not need more stuff. Stuff doesn’t pay my bills, and stuff that sits in a corner doesn’t make content, it just makes clutter. And managing clutter takes me away from the things that really matter to me … which are: making content and hanging out with my family. If I’m not making money and I’m not genuinely going to use it, the answer is NO. And I have boundaries around that now (trust me when I say, I didn’t always!).

I have had endless conversations with other creators about this and the general consensus is that when you’re starting out, yes, you do have to say yes to some free stuff. I get it. When you’re building, you say yes to things, you take the gifted product, you share it, you use it to grow.

But there’s a line, and you have to find yours before someone else finds it for you. Because saying yes to everything that’s free isn’t a strategy. If you’re filling your feed with products you’re only kind of into, your audience is going to feel that. Inauthenticity is loud and if you’ve built an audience around being YOU, they’re going to know right away when something is an AD versus something you genuinely love.

The content that doesn’t feel like you will not help you grow. It might get you a free product, but it won’t get you a real partnership, and it won’t build the trust that makes people actually buy things you recommend.

So what do I suggest? Use the stuff you’re obsessed with in your content, even if no one’s paying you to.

Luna Bronze is my example. I am genuinely obsessed with their self tanner (use code SIMPLYSERA20 to save!). I bring it on every trip. I’ve used it on vacation, I’ve used it at home, I film it and tag them because I want to share it with the world. And because I was doing that they could see through ShopMy that I was driving actual sales. They reached out to me to work together because the partnership already made sense.

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And that’s how it’s supposed to work…

Your authenticity is trackable now, brands can see what’s resonating (join ShopMy and you’ll see!). They can see the clicks, the sales, the saves. When you love something, you’re essentially making the case for yourself without ever having to pitch a brand.

So if you want to build a solid portfolio while also building brand relationships, start there. Create UGC videos with products you already have and love, scroll back through old videos to create travel content with shots you’ve already taken, share your next trip and your favourite things with no strings attached, just genuine love.

And, know your list, stick to it. The right brands will find you, and when they do, it’ll feel natural because the love was already there!

But, with that said, if I were mapping out the perfect day here, it would look something like this:

The morning starts slow, with an iced matcha in hand (from Whisk, of course!) and a wander down Queen Street. The shops are just opening, the air still feels fresh, and the grounds haven’t wandered over yet. If you don’t like matcha, grab a latte from Balzac’s! We love to shop at Style Canada, One Earth and Greaves.

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From there, it’s time to pick up the pace. We hop on our bikes and ride down the parkway, along the Heritage Trail and through quiet vineyard-lined roads, stopping in at a few of our favourite wineries and breweries along the way. (To name a few: Oast, Stratus, Ravine, Five Rows, Between the Vines, Queenston Mile…) We typically don’t plan a strict itinerary, and just go wherever feels right!

By midday, we’ve earned a proper patio lunch at Ravine Pizza Patio. I always order their mushroom pizza, and my son kicks a soccer ball around while we enjoy our food and drinks.

We slow it down in the afternoon and stop at the park with our son, usually get forced into a game of Grounders, then, inevitably, an ice cream break at Il Gelato di Carlotta’s (and possibly a visit to the candy store!).

Evening rolls around and it’s time to pick a dinner spot. We recently tried the New Mexican spot on Queen, Sombra, and it was a hit with the whole family.

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Then as the sun sets and our food digests, we take a walk by the lake and even skip some rocks. Or, if you really want to end on a high note and happen to be in town during one of the Summer Concert Series nights, a concert at Jackson-Triggs Estate Winery amphitheatre is pretty hard to beat!

We rest our heads at one of the most perfect bed & breakfasts in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Inn On King. And do it all again tomorrow!

What Are Lightning Lanes?

Lightning Lanes are a system at Disney where you can pay to skip-the-line. Instead of waiting in standby, you book a time and use a faster lane.

There are now three options at Disney World:

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Reserve multiple rides throughout the day (most families choose this)

• Lightning Lane Single Pass: Pay per ride for top attractions

• Lightning Lane Premier Pass: One upfront price for access to Lightning Lane at every ride in a park

What is the LL Premier Pass?

The Premier Pass is Disney’s most expensive (and most all-inclusive) option.

How it works:

• You pay one price per person, per park, per day.

• You can use Lightning Lane at nearly every ride (including top-tier attractions) but only one time.

• You do not need to book return times in advance, you just scan in when you’re ready.

Sounds amazing, right? It can be! But, if you are visiting with toddlers, it’s usually overkill. Why? Because many included rides have height requirements, so unless everyone in your family is at min. 42 inches, I’d say skip this option because you simply won’t use enough rides to justify the high cost. PLUS, you can only tap into each ride ONCE for this price so if your child LOVES a ride, you still won’t be able to ride it again and again.

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Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom has the most toddler-friendly rides, and IMO you get the most value here from a Multi Pass.

Tier 1
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (sometimes has a Single Pass option)
Space Mountain (38” min.)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (40” min.)

Tier 2
The Barnstormer
Peter Pan’s Flight
Winnie the Pooh
Buzz Lightyear
Under the Sea (Little Mermaid)
Dumbo
It’s a Small World

My Magic Kingdom LL strategy:
Okay, hear me out. If you’re going over Christmas or Spring Break (called March Break in Canada) I would totally splurge on a Premier Pass. But otherwise Multi Pass is plenty here. Your strategy with a Multi Pass is to book your first ride (ideally a Tier 2) as early as possible, then book a Tier 1 and another Tier 2 also ideally before lunch. The second you tap into your first Tier 1 is when you book your next ride. With Multi-Pass (even during March Break) we were still able to ride 9 rides and did not feel like we missed out on anything. Premier Pass would also work here… if you want to ride even more rides!

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EPCOT

Tier 1
Guardians of the Galaxy (Single Pass, 42”+)
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Frozen Ever After

Tier 2
Spaceship Earth
Living with the Land
Nemo & Friends
Figment

My Epcot LL strategy:
This is one park where I would say Premier might work really well. There are a lot of rides here with shorter height requirements and a lot to do in one day. If I was going to invest in Premier passes for any of the parks it would be MK and Epcot.

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Hollywood Studios

Tier 1
Rise of the Resistance (Single Pass option)
Slinky Dog Dash (38”+)
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (a toddler fav!)

Tier 2
Toy Story Mania
Alien Swirling Saucers (32”+)
Star Tours (my son loves this ride!)
Frozen Sing-a-Long

My Hollywood Studios LL strategy:
This park is the least toddler-friendly overall. I would definitely book lightning lanes with the multi-pass and try to get Runaway Railway or Slinky Dog Dash for your Tier 1 option. Then, book Alien Swirling Saucers and Star Tours for your Tier 2 options. When you tap into your first LL go on the app and try to get the Frozen Sing-a-Long and any others that open up through the day. The real toddler highlights at this park are the character meetings (Fantasia Mickey and Minnie!) + the Disney Jr. breakfast at Hollywood & Vine. One extra piece of advice: Skip Indiana Jones. It’s boring for toddlers (and truly me!) and not worth wasting a LL on.

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Animal Kingdom

No tiers:
Flight of Passage (44” min.)
Expedition Everest (44” min.)
Na’vi River Journey
Kilimanjaro Safaris

My Animal Kingdom LL strategy:
There aren’t a lot of rides at this park and 2 of them have a 44 inch min. Animal Kingdom is really more about the animals, walking paths (and honestly Pandora lit up after dark!). Get Na’vi River and Kilimanjaro on afternoon Lightning Lanes, and rope drop this park to ride them both in shorter lines early on. As the park gets busier throughout the day you’ll still have your Lightning Lanes booked for the afternoon!

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So… which should you choose?

Multi Pass. Covers most rides you’ll actually ride with toddlers + is the most cost effective!
Single Pass. Only if you want to ride something big (we did this to ride Guardians of the Galaxy with our 4 year old and it was epic!!)
Premier Pass. Most ideal at MK and Epcot IMO.

The last thing she wants for mother’s day is another candle (sorry to all the candle makers, candle collectors and candle companies). What she really wants is a thoughtful reminder that we know she’s human, she does a lot for the family and probably just wants to relax for a few hours (and ideally more often than just 1 day a year).

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Here are the things a mom like the one I just describe above (hi, it’s me!) would want for Mother’s Day. (A REMINDER TO ALL THE HUSBAND’S READING THIS THAT MOTHER’S DAY IS MAY 10TH THIS YEAR!!!)

1. A card. This is a NON-NEGOTIABLE in our house. I love love love cards, and Tyler writes the best ones. Don’t skip on the card this mother’s day. I love these from Etsy.

2. A nice weekender bag. I got this recently and it’s just so good. Not bringing much? Zip it up? Shopped til you dropped? Expand it and make space for everything you purchased along the way. Plus, y’all know my obsession with Longchamp! Want to make it extra special? Book her a night away so she can use the new bag!

3. A pasta making class. Also top of my list for this year. Makes such a great date night .. Tyler if you’re reading this (he isn’t) I am definitely booking us one of these for this summer!

4. A flower subscription. This is so great for moms who love florals. I know so many women who buy their own flowers every few weeks (it’s not for me, but I recognize it is for SOME!). So if your wife or mom are buying themselves flowers… stop that trend, get them a flower subscription that auto delivers once a month (and help them discard last month’s dead flowers while you’re at it - ick!)

5. A new Kobo (colour!!) or a Kobo gift card (there are SO many new books being released in the next few months!). Top of my list.. someone please get me the Kobo Clara Colour. I don’t need it, I just want it. LOL

6. A Sculpd pottery kit. I’m not the most crafty, but I feel like there are moms out there who would love this kit!

7. Gourmet meal delivery. If she’s like me she loves to eat at home. But she probably hates to cook. A gourmet meal delivery every once in a while is such a treat. I love Aiyana meals!

8. Pilates class pass. Pilates is expensive. Give her the gift of free workouts. I love 1Body in the Niagara Falls.

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Here’s what’s in my carry-on and why:

1. Laundry Tabs
I always pack a couple of Blueland laundry tabs. They’re tiny, liquid-free, and perfect if I need to wash something in a hotel sink. Whether it’s a spill or just wanting to re-wear an outfit, they’ve saved me more than once.

2. Solid Shampoo + Conditioner Bars
Liquid restrictions? No problem. I bring Rocky Mountain shampoo and conditioner bars so I don’t have to worry about leaks or TSA limits. Plus, they last forever and take up almost no space.

3. A Bar of Soap
Simple, reliable, and multi-purpose. I prefer having my own instead of relying on whatever the hotel provides (it’s never a clean brand!) plus this way you get to choose the scent (there is nothing worse than synthetic fragrance IMO!). This is my fav!

4. My Makeup Bag
This one because imagine losing your entire makeup bag if your bag never makes it. This isn’t something you can easily replace, so carry it on with you!

5. A Bathing Suit + Full Change of Clothes
I always pack a bathing suit and a full change of clothes in my carry on in case my checked luggage gets delayed. No one is stopping us from enjoying our first night of vacay! Shop my fav Knix bathing suit here.

6. Mini Hairbrush + Face Mask + Facial Mist
Travel dries out everything. A mini hairbrush keeps me feeling human, and a face mask + mist are my go-to for a quick mid-flight or post-flight refresh.

7. Lip Balm + Gum
Lip balm is a must (planes are brutal), and I always carry Simply Gum for a cleaner way to stop my ears from popping on planes.

8. My Kobo + USB-C Charger
I never travel without my Kobo eReader (I love to read! It’s probably my only hobby now as a mom … that and writing Substacks about travel!). And a USB-C charger is essential for keeping my electronics alive!

9. Wired Headphones
Old-school, but reliable. No worrying about battery life, and less exposure to EMFs. These attach to my phone! These work on planes!

10. Sanitizing Wipes
I wipe everything down… tray tables, armrests, you name it. It just makes me feel better. Plus, these double as hand sanitizer!

11. Miss Mouth’s Stain Remover Pen
If you know, you know. This thing is magic for spills, especially when you’re traveling and don’t have backup options. It’s also super small so you can tuck it into your purse or carry on and it’s there when you need it.

12. RAEL Wipes
Gentle, clean, and perfect for freshening up on long travel days. I love these because you can use them ANYWHERE! I love them as a first pass for makeup removal.

13. Peppermint Halo
There is something about traveling, and airplanes that always gives me a headache. Peppermint Halo eases headache pain (and also helps with any airplane nausea). I always have it on me, but if you don’t, add it to your carry-on packing list!

Any other carry-on must-haves I missed? Drop them in the comments below!

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Yes, parts of our trips are slower. We’ll spend time at the hotel pool or drive out to a nearby beach, but the narrative that Disney isn’t a vacation just because it’s not pure relaxation is completely false. If you have kids who thrive on activity, who move from one thing to the next, who light up when there’s something to do, then a place like Disney makes a lot of sense. It meets them where they are instead of forcing them into a version of rest that doesn’t actually feel restful for anyone. The kind where you end up making sand castles on the beach for 6 hours instead of laying out in the sun with an ice cold drink… ya you know the one I’m taking about!

And the idea that you “need a break” is worth getting into.... I don’t know about you, but I don’t need a break from my child. I love being a mom, and I genuinely enjoy spending time with my son. What I need a break from is the stuff that gets in the way of us actually spending time together, like the laundry, cooking, cleaning, and constant day-to-day responsibilities. When we’re on vacation, those things fade away and we lean into conveniences such as dining plans, meals out (hello Olive Garden!), ordering takeout, or getting groceries delivered to our hotel so we can throw together a simple snack tray. We make it easy on ourselves on purpose.

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We also simplify what we bring, we don’t pack a bunch of toys because we know our days are going to be too full. If anything I will pack a sketchpad and pencil crayons for downtime at dinner, but that’s about it. I pack light on clothes and usually pick outfits ahead of time so we are only bringing what we need. We aren’t trying to recreate home somewhere else, we are trying to simplify things so we can actually be present with each other. Read my Substack, “What to pack for 4 days at Disney” here.

So yes, it is a vacation, it just doesn’t look like the version people love to romanticize on social media. Yes, it’s active (we did 90k steps in 3 days) and some days can be long and tiring (hello 13.5 hours at Epcot!), but it’s also magical and exactly what works for our family right now. And I think that’s the whole point… vacation isn’t one-size-fits-all, it’s whatever YOUR family feels good doing, so if what your family needs is a week-long all-inclusive trip to Punta Cana… then by all means, go do that. But right now we’re a Disney Fam and no one is going to convince us that it’s not exactly what we need.

Disney is amazing, but it’s also long days, a ton of walking, missed naps, big emоtions, overstimulation… it’s a lot. Even the most independent toddler is going to hit a point where they just need to be held. Not the stroller, not a snack, they just want YOU. And that part is so normal. But carrying a 25, 30, 40+ pound child for hours with zero support? That’s where I just can’t…

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That was the biggest mistake I saw over and over again. Parents were so prepared in every other way, but they didn’t have a way to actually carry their child comfortably when it mattered most. Sure, most had strollers… but sometimes your kids don’t want a stroller, they want to be held so they can see things from your perspective, and be close to YOU!

And this is exactly why I always bring our toddler sling. I’m not even being dramatic when I say it would have changed the experience for so many of those families. It works for babies and toddlers up to 45 pounds, which is huge because most carriers don’t go that far. And when your bigger toddler suddenly needs to be held all day, that support makes all the difference.

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I still carry Brooks in ours, and before we left for Disney he literally said, “make sure you pack my carrier!” because he already knows I can’t carry him for long stretches without it. And honestly… he’s right. It has saved my back more times than I can count.

If you have an attached kid, you get it. When they’re tired or overwhelmed, they want to be close. Disney is basically the perfect storm for that. And I genuinely can’t imagine doing a trip like that without something that supports both of us. Because yes, I want to meet his needs, but I also don’t want to be in pain all day doing it.

I swear, the biggest difference between a magical day and a miserable one is whether or not your body is holding up by the end of it. Don’t rely on your arms alone. It’s just not worth it. Shop my favourite toddler sling HERE. And use code SIMPLYSERA10 to save on all Mabe baby carriers and slings!

Here’s a simple list of travel staples I keep handy and ready for our next trip!

• Travel tech cord organizer: Keeps chargers, adapters, and cables in one place so you’re not digging through your bag at the airport or hotel. This is the one I have!

• Corded headphones: No charging, no pairing, no fuss. Especially great for flights and backup when wireless fails. I carry two … ones that works with my phone and ones that works on all flights.

• Kobo eReader: Lightweight, blue light-free, and holds multiple books (because I will read more than one a week!). Everyone’s fav eReader linked here!

• To-go toiletry bag: Ideally one that hangs or opens flat so everything is visible and accessible. This is everything I pack in it!

• Packing cubes: The simplest way to stay organized and maximize space in your suitcase. Got mine for cheap here!

• Reliable carry-on suitcase: Smooth wheels, durable shell, and just the right compartments make all the difference. I swear by this one.

• Great weekender bag: Perfect for short trips or as your personal item when flying. I love this one!

A few more things that have earned a permanent spot in my weekender bag:

• Portable charger (or power bank): Essential for long travel days (and Disney days!). Love this one!

• Refillable water bottle: Stay hydrated without constantly buying plastic bottles (especially useful post-security). I love this 16oz Owala.

• Sleep mask: Small but game-changing for actually resting on planes or in unfamiliar places. If you’re like me and can’t stand light pollution while you sleep, you’ll LOVE this mask.

• Laundry bag: Keeps worn clothes separate and makes unpacking easier.

• Mini first-aid kit: Just the basics… bandaids and some other essentials. I didn’t really start carrying this until I had a kid, but it’s useful for everyone!

• Stain remover pen: One of those things you don’t think about until you really need it. We love this one!

• Reusable tote bag: For groceries, beach days, or just extra stroller overflow (travel strollers don’t have the best storage space!). I have this one in my purse always!

None of these are groundbreaking, but together they remove so much friction from travel. Once you have your system down, packing (and unpacking) becomes second nature, and you can focus more on where you’re going, not what you forgot.

If you have a go-to item you swear by, I’m always looking to refine my list. Drop your suggestions in the comments below!

xo

But the reality is, Coachella today isn’t it for me.

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Before Coachella became a content machine, it was a music lovers dream dropped into the SoCal desert. And yes, it’s been 12 straight years of FOMO for me… because I miss the feeling of being scorched in the sun, dusty, watching my favourite band with thousands of strangers (and my best friend!).

TBH 2014 felt like a giant, sunny escape where people cared a lot less about being seen and a lot more about WHO they were actually seeing. We’d wander from stage to stage without a strict plan, catching artists we LOVED and some we only kinda knew, sitting in the grass between sets, eating something questionable but delicious from a food truck, riding the ferris wheel, sleeping in a tent in the parking lot (ya guys, I used to sleep in tents!) … and doing it all over again the next day.

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The style was there OF COURSE, but it wasn’t calculated… and that’s not why I was there. I was there for the music and the rest was messy in the best way (think heat, sweat, portable showers that cost $5, an outhouse as a bathroom…), crochet tops and denim shorts were the uniform, fringe was everywhere, flower crowns didn’t make it past day 1. It was boho before boho was trying to be defined. Nobody was changing outfits three times a day. Nobody was building a brand and taking pictures to post on socials. You dressed for the heat, the dust, and the music.

And the music actually felt like the main event.

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I went that year and always planned on going back … but then it became this very corporate, very social machine, and it happened very quickly. But if I could have shared a packing list for Coachella back then, it would have been:

Comfy but cute shoes. This was not the place for suffering. Yes, people wore ankle boots that looked incredible in photos, but the real ones knew you needed something broken-in, something you could dance in, something that could work the daytime heat AND the cooler desert nights. I probably would have worn these!

Skorts over skirts. This is a hill I will die on. The wind, the sitting on the ground, the constant walking / dancing in crowds… a skort gave you freedom without sacrificing the look. You still got the floaty, festival energy, just without the anxiety. If I was going this year, this dress with built in shorts would have been packed in my duffle!

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You had to bring a scarf, and not just because it looked good tied in your hair. The dust was real. It creeped into everything… your nose, your throat, your bag. A scarf was your shield, your accessory, and truly an emergency solution that I didn't even know about until it was too late. I love this one!

By nighttime, the desert cooled right now. So pack a cute cardi. Not a heavy jacket, not something bulky (because we were tying it around our waist til we needed it!). Just enough to throw over your shoulders when the temperature drops once the sun goes down. I’d pack this one!

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Makeup in 2014 Coachella wasn’t about full glam. It was about a healthy natural glow. One that looked natural, yet perfect. Think tinted moisturizer, a hint of bronzer and a sun kissed lip. I remember Benefit’s bronzer being IT! You leaned into the sun instead of fighting it. The goal was to look like you belonged in SoCal.

Hair? Heatless curls. You did them the night before, hoped for the best, and let the desert air do the rest. But there weren’t heatless curlers back then .. oh no… I was braiding my hair before bed and waking up with whatever happened. Nothing too polished… in fact a little undone was the whole point. Going now? Get this!

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And bring multiple pairs of sunglasses. Not because you needed them… but because you want options. Your mood could shift with the music, and your sunglasses had to keep up. Plus, you were definitely going to lose at least one pair and probably sit on another. Shop all of my fav sunnies here!

Finally: a designer crossbody. Yes, really. Something hands-free, something you didn’t have to think about. If we’re being specific, imagine Chanel 22 energy… denim as a bonus. Think: effortless, big enough to maybe pop a water bottle into it, cool without trying.

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The thing about 2014 Coachella is that it wasn’t just about what you wore. It was about how it felt to be there… dusty, sun-soaked, a little tired, a whole lot thirsty, but completely there for your favourite artists. You didn’t need ten outfit changes, you just needed the right pieces to let you stay a little longer, dance a little harder, and not think too much about anything else.

That was Coachella in 2014. And I’d give anything to go back there.

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These are the tried-and-true staples I keep stocked in my travel bag, and the ones I’m grabbing again and again whenever they’re on sale.

Happy shopping! xo

Shampoo

Conditioner

Body Wash

Body Lotion

Face Wash

Face Cream

Face Mist

Face Mask

SPF Lip Balm

Lip Gloss

Bronzer

Travel Brush Set

Acne Treatment

Eye Cream

Sunscreen (powder)

Sunscreen (lotion)

Hand Sanitizer

Pill Case

Tweezer Set

After doing Disney the realistic way (long days, Florida heat, lots of walking, minimal patience for discomfort), here’s exactly what I recommend packing for 4 park days, using pieces that work just as well at home as they do in the parks.

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Before I get into specific items, here’s what we’re aiming for:

• Repeat pieces intentionally. No one will notice, I promise.

• Prioritize comfort over aesthetics… but you can have both!

• Choose versatile basics that you can mix and match. I love cotton and linen for hot hot days!

• Avoid one-trip-only items (especially themed pieces… unless you’re a Disney Parks influencer!)

• Think elevated casual, NOT a costume (sorry to anyone who enjoys dressing in cosplay for Disney!)

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So… What to Pack for 4 Days???

Comfortable Shoes

You will walk A LOT… like 20,000+ steps a day. We just did 90k steps in 3 days!

Bring:

• 1 pair of super comfortable sneakers (I wore these!)

• 1 pair of sandals or water shoes for the wet rides / areas (I packed these)

Tip: Do NOT bring brand new shoes. Disney is not the place to break them in!

Lightweight, Breathable Tops

You’ll want options because of sweat, spills, and weather.

Look for:

• Cotton or linen blends

• Loose-fitting tanks or tees

• Neutral colours that mix easily

I packed 3 of these and 3 these! I always bring a spare shirt in my bag every day because somehow I always get drench by rain, wet on a ride or something is spilled on me!

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Easy Bottoms You Can Rewear

You don’t need a different bottom for every day.

Go for:

• Biker shorts

• Loose linen shorts

• Lightweight denim shorts

These should be non-restrictive, comfortable and breathable for long sitting/standing days, and easy to pair with everything.

I packed these in 3 colours!

One Elevated Outfit

Perfect for sit down dinners and Disney Springs, this is an easy to pack item that looks elevated but still Disney casual.

Think flowy dress, matching set or a chic linen dress (I packed this and tied a scarf around my waist - ta da! Elevated and easy!)

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A Light Layer

Even in warm weather, you’ll want something for air-conditioned rides, dining rooms, cooler morning and evenings or unexpected weather.

Options:

• Lightweight sweatshirt

• Oversized button-down (I packed this linen one!)

• Zip-up hoodie

• Denim shirt

Accessories

These matter more than you think:

• Baseball cap

• Crossbody bag or belt bag (I packed this one because it matches with everything!) or a small backpack (I like this one!)

• Sunglasses (I love and want these ones!)

• Hair ties!

• Minnie ears (I got these ones at the park… my ONE and ONLY acceptable themed item!)

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Other Essentials

• Moisture-wicking underwear (like these Knix ones!)

• Hand sanitizer

• Purse friendly snacks (I love these bars!)

• Portable fan (trust me… this one is great!)

• Light ponchos (especially for AK! You WILL get wet on one of the rides … and it almost always rains every afternoon at Disney!) We packed these ones for us, and this one for B!

• Sunscreen (powder and liquid!)

• Portable charger (like this one … don’t forget to recharge it every night!)

• Travel stroller (even for kids who CAN WALK ALL DAY … trust me… they suddenly CANNOT at Disney)

• Packable bags to clip to your stroller for when you want to take off a layer or store your extra items (I love these and keep one in my purse always!)

• Stroller clips (because the bottom of travel strollers just don’t fit enough and clips create more space for holding bags!)

What You DON’T Need

• Head-to-toe Disney “themed” outfits for every day

• Clothes that only make sense at Disney

• Anything uncomfortable just for a photo (you do NOT want to be carrying extra stuff!)

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If you want to add a little Disney magic, keep it simple:

• A graphic tee to wear over bike shorts… you can always rewear as PJs later! (this one is so cute!)

• Minnie ears + these clips make it easy to carry them on your backpack or bag!

• A subtle themed accessory (like this Mickey clip on coin purse!)

Disney is magical… but it’s also hot, crowded, and physically demanding. The best thing you can wear is something that lets you walk comfortably, stay cool, and not think about your outfit all day. And when you get home, everything you packed should still have a place in your real life (we hate to waste money and create clutter!).

If you want to shop the exact pieces I’d pack, I’ve linked everything here!

I’ve been obsessed with travel, new places, and the thrill of adventure for as long as I can remember. And when I became a mom in 2021, that didn’t change… it just meant I had a tiny +1 along for the ride.

In January 2022, in the middle of another COVID lockdown, my husband and I packed up our car with everything we needed for life with a 7-month-old and drove to Florida. That trip changed everything. It’s where we fell in love with 30A, a place that now calls us back every fall.

Around the same time we packed up and left for Florida in 2022, we also made one of the biggest decisions of our lives… we bought a bed & breakfast in the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. So when we’re not off exploring, we’re at home running our cozy little B&B, Inn On King, meeting fellow travellers and sharing stories with people who feel the same pull towards adventure that we do.

I’m also a lifelong Disney lover. When I first suggested taking our 3-year-old to Disney World in 2025, I fully expected my husband to say no… but to my surprise, he was all in. Now we’re officially a Disney family, two trips in and already dreaming about next year’s trip (and a trip to Disneyland Paris in 2027 to celebrate my 40th birthday!).

{born to fly} is an ode to everything I love… travel, adventure, writing, and motherhood all woven together. It’s for families who want to explore more, say yes more often, and create a life filled with meaningful moments (even if they can be a little messy along the way).

Thank you for being here, for following along, and for being part of this adventure. I can’t wait for you to grow with me!

xo,
Sera