Tag: Ocala Blogger

Special Announcement

In spite of the dumpster fire that is 2020, I have some good news…

We’re expecting our first child in November – a little girl! I’m 23 weeks along with this little babe and it’s the best silver lining I could’ve asked for.

Because I haven’t shared about this on the blog since we found out in March (!!!) I wanted to share a little recap about how the first trimester fared.

dress from Old Navy | Kendrick’s hat is one I picked out long before we were married and saved for the day I would tell him I was pregnant – almost 3 years ago!

Pregnancy in the middle of a pandemic has been… interesting, to say the least. We found out we were expecting just a few days after my 28th birthday (coincidentally the day Florida imposed a stay at home order) and a day after my brother and sister-in-law’s baby shower (I now have a nephew, too)!

To be honest, that stay at home order couldn’t have come at a better time for me. Just a week after we found out we were expecting, the morning sickness hit with a vengeance. If you’ve been pregnant, you know morning sickness is an all day occurrence and it’s definitely not for the weak – which I’ve decided I am!

I absolutely hate being sick and as someone who suffers from motion sickness, nausea is my mortal enemy. Add in a daily dose of headaches, growing pains and heartburn, and you have a combination that would force you to stay home even without a state mandate. Unfortunately, this also meant I didn’t stay as active as I would have hoped for the first three months and put on a little extra cushion for babe to cuddle.

Now that we’re six months into pregnancy and firmly in the second trimester, I’m feeling much better and have started taking 1-1 pilates sessions to tone and prepare for babe’s arrival. I’d say the biggest downside to being pregnant in a pandemic is that Kendrick has only been allowed to attend one doctor’s appointment with me. We’re not sure what delivery will look like, but we’re going in with very little expectations – just praying for a healthy momma and baby.

I got by on my pre-pregnancy clothes up until 22 weeks, but now I’ve officially transitioned to maternity wear and will be sharing some of my favorites, along with how we told grandparents, my must-haves for pregnancy, and how to plan a virtual baby shower in the coming weeks.

I would love to hear if you guys have any more questions or if there is anything else you’d want me to fill you in on. Please leave any questions below in the comments!

Thank you for being part of this exciting time for us. This baby was not a surprise, it was what we were hoping for in 2020 and are so overwhelmed with gratitude that we get to raise this bundle of joy.

Love y’all! XO

Kait

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Valentine’s Gift Inspo

A version of this article originally appeared in the February 2020 Ocala Magazine.

Stumped? Here’s some creative inspiration to surprise your special someone with a sweet something.

February is for lovers. This decade, elevate your Valentine’s Day plans and get her what she really wants. Whether it’s a designer bag or an afternoon exploring downtown, Ocala has you covered.

Food Tour

Uncover a vast spectrum of cooking styles in Ocala’s historic downtown. Brick City Food Tours visit five local tasting locations in the downtown neighborhood. Between samples, your informative guides will share their experiences of local customs, historic stories and specialty shops. This walking tour is ideal for lovers eager to discover the culinary secrets and traditions that compose the horse capital of the world — book on Airbnb Experiences.

Wine Making Class

The Corkscrew Winery now offers swine-making classes, which turns the casual wine lover into a chemist. Book a private class and craft your favorite style or join a group of other wine connoisseurs by booking on Groupon.com.

Dance Together

Become the dancers you always wanted to be. Move in sync during a dance class with Ocala’s Arthur Murray Dance Centers, which specializes in teaching couples how to dance. Located in downtown Ocala, your first dance lesson is free.

Designer Taste

All it takes is to step into one of these elegant boutiques and any shopper will land on the perfect, fashionable gift. Shannon Roth Collection features Julie Vos and Theia jewelry, Current Air and Mod Ref clothing, and home goods designed by the talened Jan Barboglio. Steps away, Agapanthus boasts Pandora jewelry gift sets, Longchamp handbags and sought-after candles like Voluspa and the Capri Blue Volcano.

Savor the Cook

Give the gift of zest and bring home the cooking of chef Albert Barrett. The woman who savors flavors will love anything from Stella’s Modern Pantry – handcrafted chocolates, Caymus wine, specialty cheese, caviar spread and more.

Sentimental Selection

Gallery on Magnolia is home to hand-crafted “spirit tiles.” Each tile begins with wood and is wrapped with copper and a glass infusion then fired to create a work of art. Each displays a glistening scene paired with a synonymous quote, and the E.E. Cummings “I care your heart with me” tile is perfect for a special woman.

Art Aficionado

Ocala’s art scene is booming, and art enthusiasts are sure to love hand-selected pieces. Check out the First Friday Art Walk on February 7 to explore Ocala’s native art scene. Art devotees will love the innovative work of Ocala’s local artists.

Water Adventure

Silver Springs State Park is a natural wonder right here in Ocala. Spend the day on the water taking in the springs by paddleboard, canoe, kayak or glass-bottom boat. It’s perfect for the couples who loves to get outdoors, and as an added bonus: finish the day sharing an ice cream cone at Paradise Treats.

Commemorate Your Wedding

The creative team at Marley Mae Market & Paperie is known for thinking outside the box. They’re bringing their A game for Valentine’s Day with custom pieces to commemorate your wedding day. Choose from a custom print of you wedding vows or first dance song lyrics and remind your lady of the first day of the rest of your lives.

A Night at the Theater

What’s more romantic than a night at the ballet? The Reilly Arts Center hosts Dance Alive National Ballet on February 21 as they present “Loveland.” This ballet is inspired by the pull of the moon, a love story that blends love, romance and passion.

Be Inspired

Ocala is host to an award-winning museum, home to approximately 18,000 objects in its permanent collection and features temporary traveling exhibits. At the Appleton Museum of Art, take in artwork from Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and more as you cozy up to your partner.

Horse Capital of the World

What could be more fitting for a romantic day out than horseback riding in the horse capital of the world? Book a private ride or join a group and tap into your adventurous side with Cactus Jack’s Trail Rides. We hear some of the best bonding experiences come from experiences that test your comfort zone.

Ocala is home to a wide variety of ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day whether your partner prefers gifts or quality time. Regardless of how you celebrate, what matters most is who you share it with.

Photos by Brittany Bishop Photography.

Valentine’s Day Movies: Julia Style

julia-for-blog

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Ah, romance. It might surprise you that this true crime loving feminist is a sucker for a good chick flick but, alas, I’m multifaceted. Growing up I lived for the in depth story lines I’d create for my Barbie dolls and doodled my crushes’ names in my notebook at school. I have a running list of names I’d like to name my children (I should be more embarrassed than I am to admit it’s three pages long), and I’m a big fan of how Kait and Ken sound together.

When my momma shared her love of Julia Roberts with me, something inside me just related with her characters. She was quirky, beautiful, quick witted and introspective. As a young woman, her films bridged the gap of romance between Beauty and the Beast to Sleeping with the Enemy. Maybe that’s why all these years later I never tire of watching the same Julia movies over and over – especially in February.

I know Valentine’s Day is a holiday created by Hallmark but hear me out: what’s wrong with taking an extra day to make sure the people you love are celebrated? Whether you’re celebrating with your lover, your girlfriends, or your family, a Julia Roberts movie is the perfect flick to bring your night full circle. To prove my point she’s the universal choice for movie night: even my husband loves Eat Pray Love!

What are your favorite movies to watch on Valentine’s Day? I’d love to hear your recs!

xo – Kait

Ocala Christmas Photo Locations

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! In Ocala it’s still pretty warm, but we’re all faking it by decorating early and forcing joy on everyone we meet. One thing that’s right on schedule though, is planning our holiday photos.

As someone who has taken her fair share of Christmas card photos in Ocala, this year I started to feel like I’ve run out of new locations. We don’t get snow here, so we really have to get creative with where we muster holiday cheer. I put on my thinking cap and assembled a list of my favorite local locations for a festive Christmas card.

Silver Springs State Park

Photos by Brittany Bishop Photography.

Glass Bottom Boats, a sweet shop filled with festive goodies and romantic pergolas covered in ivy. What could be more Ocala?

Kandy Kane Christmas Treeland

Photos by Meagan Gumpert Photography.

We don’t get snow in Ocala, but we do get Christmas trees! This is one of my favorite galleries to look back on because it was a true experience. We cut down our own tree and decorated it that night!

Appleton Museum of Art

Photos by Brittany Bishop Photography.

I love the regal feeling of this location. The Appleton boasts a reflecting pool, gorgeous marble walls, a garden courtyard, floor to ceiling windows and, of course, breathtaking art galleries.

Downtown Ocala

Photos by Brittany Bishop Photography.

Ocala’s historic downtown is one of my favorite parts of the city. There’s gorgeous architecture with every turn, and now that the original brick has been restored it feels even more revived.

Your Local Park

Photos by Meagan Gumpert Photography.

Ocala is home to some beautiful local parks! This park is just off 11th Street in the downtown Ocala neighborhood, and there are so many more like it. Just to name a few: Tuscawilla Park, Baseline Road Trailhead and Sholom Park.

After you’ve chosen a location, then it’s time to select outfits! Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll break down outfits for every location. Where is your favorite local photo location?

10 Easy Last Minute Costumes

Let’s get real. You, like so many others, waited until the last minute to find a Halloween costume. It’s almost too late to order anything from Amazon and your local Halloween store is bare racks.

Instead of freaking out, take these four steps:

  1. Get outfit inspiration ideas from this post.
  2. Check Facebook Marketplace for local costumes sold by your neighbors.
  3. Use the Amazon Prime your aunt pays for and get a costume shipped to you in 2 days.
  4. If steps 1-3 have failed you, hit up Walmart or Goodwill and put together an easy DIY costume.

I’ve done the first part for you – check out my favorite easy, last minute costumes here:

Space Jam Lola Bunny and Bugs Bunny

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Ir2mSlCAO/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

All you need is the jersey (I got ours from Ebay), white basketball shorts, triple stripe socks and bunny ears. Lucky for you, I’m selling ours on Facebook Marketplace here and here.

Contestants from The Bachelor

Y’all know I love the Bachelor and all things Bachelor-adjacent. Slip on the bridesmaid dress that lives in the back of your closet and carry around a rose. Don’t forget the two drinks per hour limit!

Pink Ladies

At this point, everyone should own this pair of Spanx faux leather leggings, right? Throw on an oversized pink button down, a cute pair of sunnies, a bandana and you’re ready for action!

Social Butterfly

Full disclosure, I still may rock this at work on Halloween. It’s tasteful, super cute and only requires a pair of wings from your local Walmart.

Regina George

https://www.instagram.com/p/qps8IUgsqu/?utm_source=ig_embed

“Regina George… How do I begin to explain Regina George? I hear her hair’s insured for $10,000.” Cut out holes in a tee and confidently rock that look.

80s Workout Diva

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0BVoHzAneg/?utm_source=ig_embed

Channel your inner Jamie Lee Curtis and SWEAT! This is a perfect example of an easy DIY from Walmart or Goodwill. Biker shorts are back in style and every Goodwill I’ve ever been to carries a fanny pack and a windbreaker.

Cowgirl

Who doesn’t want to ride a horse at the party? This pony and cowgirl accessories are easy to find at your local Walmart in the toys section!

Beer Pong

I saw a girl dressed as this in college and I’ve envied her ever since. It requires a little DIY, but if you’re someone who would rock this you probably have some extra duct tape lying around, anyway.

Hippie

If you went to Coachella this year you already have this outfit, so why not rock it twice?

Dancing Women Wearing Bunny Ears Emoji

Grab your go-to little black dress, a pair of bunny ears and your BFF!

Healthy Hurricane Foods

I hate all foods that are not served at their proper temperature: pizza should be served hot, salad served cold and I will not touch a Vienna Sausage with a ten foot pole.

That being said, hurricanes are a STRUGGLE for me. Everyone is running around yelling, “HUNKER DOWN! STOCK UP ON WATER AND NONPERISHABLES!”

Do you know what they mean by non-perishables? Non-edible food. They’re talking canned tuna, uncooked black beans and peanut butter sandwiches. I’m allergic to peanut butter, so the only edible option is now ruled out.

I would make myself a tasty salad, but once the seal on the refrigerator is broken, my once prized sauces and veggies are turned to smelly mush.

This leaves me with a dilemma. Do I starve or gag while eating? Thankfully, I’ve thought up some healthy options that don’t make me want to run out into the storm.

My Healthy Hurricane Shopping List

Rice Crisps

Think the crispy part of an apple crisp. These babies pack a flavorful punch without all the calories. Beware: portion control, because I have been known to eat an entire bag in one sitting.

Rice Cakes

Full disclosure I haven’t tried these yet. They spoke to me in the chips aisle and white cheddar has never let me down. Will report back.

Larabar

These come in a ton of great flavors and they’ve never let me down. Larabar is known for having limited ingredients so you know what you’re putting in your body.

Apples

Need I say more? Golden Delicious apples are from God and last on the shelf long enough for a hurricane to pass.

Tuna Infusions

Hear me out on these. I know I said canned tuna is disgusting and I stand by that statement. These, however, come pre-flavored and have very little smell to them. They even have a little spoon in the lid so you don’t have to dirty a fork!

Sunflower Butter

My husband picked up whole grain bread for the weekend, but I’m definitely allergic to peanut butter. This sunflower butter tastes just as good and doesn’t make me break out while a storm is raging outside.

5 True Crime Podcasts To Binge This Fall

If you know anything about me you know this: I love true crime. The maid of honor at my wedding even brought it up during her speech – and reminded my new husband of my extensive detective knowledge.

In recent years I’ve narrowed the scope of my consumption to something easier to devour: podcasts. From the grandfather of true crime podcasts i.e., Serial, to chilling cases like COLD, if you can name it I’ve probably listened to it.

These are what I consider the greatest hits of true crime podcasts, perfect for getting in a spine-chilling mood this fall:

My Favorite Murder

mfm

By far my favorite podcast OF ALL TIME. MFM (My Favorite Murder) was my gateway drug into true crime podcasts. What I love most about MFM are the hosts, Karen and Georgia, who every week tell each other about a murder that interests them. Listening to them gives me the same feeling I get when I call my best friend to divulge the details of a gruesome case I just read about in the paper – might not have all the details or pronunciations correct, but it sure as hell is going to be entertaining.

I love these ladies so much I made a trip to Atlanta for a live show at the Fox Theatre and am a proud member of their fan cult. I even wear a Murderino shirt around town and don’t pay any attention to the strange looks I’m given. I guess you could say we’re going steady.

Favorite Episode: Episode 18 – Investigateighteen Discovery

Up and Vanished: Season 1 

upandvanished

The Tara Grinstead case is fascinating and deeply disturbing. Tara was a beauty queen, teacher and small town girl – not unlike a lot of women from my hometown. The idea that she went missing without a trace and her killer went free for more than 10 years speaks to the investigation done on this case prior to Payne Lindsey’s (podcast host) examination.

What sets this podcast apart is the ending: they break the case wide open.

Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia

Remember the Black Dahlia case? Of course you do. Everyone does. This podcast explores the family dynamics of the suspected Black Dahlia murderer and it left me thinking this is definitely the guy.

Warning: if you’re queasy beware. This podcast goes deep into the details of the murder and autopsy, including the torture that was inflicted upon Elizabeth Short.

Root of Evil, paired with its tv counterpart, I Am The Night, delves into the man behind one of the most infamous murder cases in US history. Both are good, but I’d recommend listening to the podcast before watching the show (if you haven’t seen it already). Directed by Patty Jenkins (director of Wonder Woman) and starring Chris Pine, it’s an eerie piece of television that lends itself more to creative direction.

The Last Podcast On The Left

Let’s sit crooked and talk straight: this podcast is raw and raunchy. Marcus Parks is SO GREAT at researching cases and all the guys riff constantly. Their multi-part series are what keep me coming back despite the vulgar humor which is comparable to a Will Ferrell movie and sometimes causes me to shift uncomfortably (especially the Albert Fish series).

That being said, this podcast provides very detailed information with a solid foundation of humor. Their Jonestown series BLEW MY MIND and included recordings from Jim Jones himself. These guys are my fillers when I’m waiting on new MFM episodes and I don’t regret it one bit.

Favorite Series: Episode 300-304 – Jonestown

Bear Brook

You know what I love? Cold Cases. You know what I love more? Cold Cases that are cracked by a librarian turned internet sleuth.

Bear Brook tells the untold story of barrels filled with bodies found in the Bear Brook woods. More than 30 years later, the case takes a surprising turn and is finally solved using familial genealogy. I never saw this ending coming and that’s why it rounds out my podcast greatest hits.

What are your podcast greatest hits and which do you think I should add to my list? Tell me in the comments!

Wedding Party Proposal Boxes

Wedding season is right around the corner and with engagements come wedding party proposals!

When it comes to wedding party proposals – whether it be bridesmaid proposals or groomsman proposals (yes, it’s a thing and my husband was VERY into it), a customized box is the way to go.

I wanted to go big, but knowing my budget, needed a way to keep the costs low. I was inspired by this post to do something more elaborate than a greeting card, but less elaborate than a candy butterfly that melts to reveal the invitation (yes it exists, no I could not justify it).

I started with a memory box from Michael’s, which regularly go on sale. They were being shipped all over the US, so I purchased butcher paper and paper shreds to line the bottom of the boxes and keep the items from moving in transit.

I designed the actual invite in InDesign, detailing the date, location and some more information. Kendrick and his friends are really into How I Met Your Mother, so I designed his boxes to fit that theme. If design isn’t your thing, you can also use Canva (it’s a free design website that provides easy to use templates).

Groomsman Proposal Boxes

What You’ll Need:

  • Memory Box
  • Paper Shreds
  • Miniature Liquor Bottle (custom to what each groomsman prefers)
  • Cigar
  • Mason Jar
  • Invitation
  • Glue Stick
  • Calligraphy Pen

Kendrick’s friends are your typical Georgia fraternity guys. When I showed him my Pinterest ideas, he wanted a mix of a couple options. We visited a local smoke shop to choose cigars that fit the wedding color scheme and chose to include each man’s liquor of choice. He also loved the idea of keeping it southern, so we added in a Mason jar for good measure.

After we had all the supplies, assembly was simple. I used a glue stick to adhere the invitation to the inside of the box and wrote each groomsman’s name on the top in a calligraphy style.

Bridesmaid Proposal Boxes

What You’ll Need:

  • Memory Box
  • Paper Shreds
  • Candle
  • Hair Ties
  • Robe
  • Nail Polish
  • Invitation
  • Glue Stick
  • Calligraphy Pen

I was much more detailed with the bridesmaid boxes, because I’ve only been dreaming about getting married since forever. Really, I’m the girl who had a Pinterest wedding board in college when I didn’t have any idea who the groom would be. 

For the ladies, I visited Ocala’s local farmer’s market to pick up my favorite soy candles. They’re so fragrant and last forever, plus everyone loves candles. I visited Ulta to find a nail color (Essie gel) that fit our color scheme and included it to give the box a pop of color. 

I knew I wanted to include wedding day robes, so I researched texture, color and style. They’re surprisingly pretty expensive, but I found beautiful robes on Etsy that fit the vibe perfectly. (Word to the wise these robes have a blue hue in their photos but actually look more grey in person.)

Finally, I saw a really cute hair tie idea on Pinterest that I replicated for a much lower cost. Rather than spend extra money on a design I didn’t love, I designed my own “To Have And To Hold Your Hair Back” cards and ordered a bulk order of hair tie material on ebay to tie around them.

I assembled them similarly to the groomsman, with the exception of a different design on the inside lid. 

That’s it! It wasn’t a difficult project, and I love how we customized each box. How did you propose to your ladies?

Spotlight: Ocala Downtown Market

The Ocala Downtown Market is the only reason I’ll wake up early on a weekend. With fresh coffee, peach muffins (complete with a crumble top) and pups at every turn, what’s not to love?

The Ocala Downtown Market is one of my favorite spots in Ocala. Every Saturday I make my way to the farmers market to choose fresh produce for my meal prep and support local businesses.

I’ve been craving zipper peas for months and I finally arrived early enough to snag a bag before the sold out – seriously, they are a hot commodity at the market! While there I also bought fresh alligator meat and fried it up for a true southern meal that made my husband glad he wifed me up.

The Ocala Downtown Market doesn’t just have ingredients though, vendors also sell home goods, live plants, pet treats and my favorite mango salsa that is to die for!

This local farmers market has opened me up to so many unique flavors. For example, when my husband’s friend was visiting we tried a raspberry vinegar paired with strawberries and WOW! Our friends poked fun of us for being bougie with this treat at game night but with flavors this amazing, we’re the real winners here.

If you haven’t visited the Ocala Downtown Market I highly suggest you check it out this weekend! It’s open every Saturday 9 AM – 2 PM rain or shine and if you come early it’s likely I’ll see you there.

Have you checked out our local farmers market? What unique finds did you discover?