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journaling

100+ Morning Journal Prompts: 100 Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery

In this list, you'll find plenty of morning journal prompts to get your creative juices flowing. Start your day with gratitude and intention by reflecting on yourself. Amidst all the chaos, we cannot control what we cannot control. There are many outside forces there to challenge you. We're people, we change day by day with every experience. Get to know yourself a bit.

* Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

These 100+ morning journal prompts act as a reminder to reflect on today and yesterday and determine how you want to move forward. These self-reflection and self-discovery journal prompts for morning are a great way to bring self-awareness, talk to your future self or younger self. It's a compelling way to navigate negative thoughts and mental health, guide yourself to more self-love and good habits. Grab your journal or buy one, a pen, and get writing!

Writing morning pages is a wonderful part of your morning journaling routine. You can write a couple sentences or go long and write three pages. It's up to you. Don't let others define what works for you. Make it a daily habit to your daily routine to pick a morning journal prompt. You can come back to this list anytime you need a morning journal prompt. Sometimes you gain more clarity with putting pen to paper.

Related reading: The Artist's Way: 25th Anniversary Edition by Julia Cameron. Find it on Amazon.

Discovery Carmen Varner lifestyle blogger food travel San Diego

How Often Should I Journal?

The real answer is: whatever you like, whatever makes you feel like it's a creative, reflective thing, not a chore. To start, grab a cuppa tea or coffee and spend 10 minutes writing in your journal every day. It doesn't have to be a huge chunk of time. See what works for you with these morning pages prompts. Learn more about Julia Cameron's morning pages in her book. If sometimes you don't feel like journaling, that's cool. If you're pinched for time, set a timer - 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, whatever you can spare that morning, pick a morning journal prompt, and write whatever you can. Once the timer dings, you can move on to the next task of your day! Can't go wrong with 100 journal prompts to start your morning routine. Write a letter to yourself. It can help you find a better place as you think back to your favorite childhood moments, or think about your dream job.

100 Journal Prompts - Morning Journaling Prompts to Start Your Day. Make it part of your morning routine

What is my intention for today? 
Who inspires me the most?
What do I need to do today? Is there something I should do first to make it a productive day?
What are some things that make me genuinely happy? Describe what makes you feel positive.
When was a time I felt hurt?
Where do I see myself in 5 years?
If I could have a magical superpower, what would I pick? 
What are some things that boost my mood? Start writing down as many things as you can think of. You can reflect back on this page when you're feeling down!
Why do I get annoyed? Identify things that set me off and dive into why it bothers me.
How can I practice gratitude today?
What do I love most about myself?
What are my favorite scents/smells?
What are some things that fire up my life right now? Describe what inspires you, what sets your soul ablaze.
Who is my favorite author?
What do I want to do tonight? 
How has my family influenced my personal beliefs?
Is there anything I want to try, change, or add to my morning routine?
I wake up exactly one year from today. What are some things I'd like to do by this exact date next year?
When was the last time I went on an adventure? Start by writing the moment down on paper then describe as much detail as you can remember.
Where's one place in the world I dream of visiting? What does it look like? Why do I want to go there specifically? How long have I been wanting to go?
What is my favorite part of the day?
What would I tell my past self about my life today?
What's a project I've been putting off for far too long? What's holding me back?
Describe your surroundings. Write down what you see, smell, taste, touch, hear.
What should I focus on today? 
Is my morning routine serving me? Should I make any changes?
What's one lesson I learned yesterday?
What's one lesson I learned this week?
What's my favorite character of all time? It can be from a book, movie, video game, fan fiction, TV show, etc.
If you had an all-expenses-paid trip for 7 days, where would you go?
How can I feel more fulfilled in life?
What reminder do I need to hear right now?
What calms me down in times of stress? How do I best relieve stress? Jot down some things that help you navigate the stress. Music? Lavender? Going for a walk? Calling a friend or family member?
Who do I enjoy spending time with?
What are my favorite words?
Who are my role models?
What are my favorite quotes?
To help me get in a positive mindset, what are three things I am grateful for this morning? What are 3 positive things that happened to me this week?
Do I believe in second chances? Write out your thoughts.
Where should I go on vacation?
What should be my motto be for today?
How is my mental health right now?
What am I looking forward to in the day ahead?
What are some ways to find inner peace? How can I find more joy in the little things?
What is the kindest thing anyone has said about me?
How can I be a better friend to myself?
Describe your ideal day. 
Who is a teacher that really inspired me? Name the person and describe why they made such an impact on you. 
What's a favorite childhood memory that makes me smile?
What is my favorite song of the moment?
What would I tell my inner child right now?
What are ten things I want to do this month?
What does my near future look like?
What's one habit I'm trying to be more aware about?
What's something positive that happened this week? This can be something positive that happened to you, in the news, to a loved one, etc.
What are my favorite books this year?
Is there anything holding me back in life?
What are my favorite movies of all time?
What's one of my biggest challenges today? 
What are my biggest victories in life?
What is a current life goal of mine?
What is one of my greatest strengths?
What are my favorite songs right now? 
What gets me into a creative flow?
How do I feel at this very moment?
When do I feel most confident? Create a list of things that really boost your energy and confidence, like you can take on the world. 
Is there anything I'm taking for granted right now?
Who is someone I wish I stayed in touch with?
What's distracting me? Find ways to minimize distractions.
What makes me feel safe?
What's something you could improve?
What is my favorite holiday?
Who am I closest to?
What will the future look like? Get descriptive. What are your theories? 
What is love? What is self-love? What does it mean? What does it feel like?
What am I grateful for?
What do I need? Write it out.
What's my dream job in life?
What does success mean to me in my professional life?
What does my average day look like right now vs last year?
Do I have any bad habits? What are they? What bad habit do I want to swap with a better habit?
What is my greatest accomplishment this year?
What would a perfect day look like?
What is my bucket list of things I really want to do in life?
What is number one thing I need to do today?
What does my dream house or dream home look like?
What's one of the best ideas I ever had? 
How can I navigate my personal growth this year?
If I were to go back to school, what would I study?
How do I want to feel today? 
What are some of my favorite things about my current living space?
What's something I didn't get a chance to do past week that I really want to accomplish?
Why am I feeling overwhelmed?
How have I changed in the past year?
How have I changed in the last 5 years?
What advice would I give 8-year-old me?
Who is my best friend? What qualities to they have?
What's the hardest thing I've ever done?
Who should I reach out to? Who haven't I spoken to in a while?
What's taking up a lot of my time?
How would my family, friends, or someone else describe me?
If I had $10,000 to spend in 24 hours, what would I spend it on?
If I had $1,000,000 to spend in 24 hours, what would I spend it on?
What scares me? 
How can I help someone else this week?
How do I experience anxiety? What happens to me, to my body?
What makes me laugh?
What are my most positive qualities?
If I could travel back in time, what time would I visit?
Do I have a nickname? How did I get it and does it mean anything?
How can you practice compassion toward others?
Am I being true to myself?
How do I like to relax after a long day?
What is my relationship with money? What does it look like and how does that play out in my life?
What's something you just want to rant about? Get it off your chest. Write it out.
If I only had 1 year to live, what would I do? How would I spend the year?
How is my mental health today? What about my emotional health? What can I do to improve my emotional well being?
Will this matter tomorrow? In a couple days? A week?
What's a quote that really resonates with me?
What do I need to change for the better?
What's my favorite season?
What are some things that happened yesterday? What was the highlight?
Who was my first crush?
Who was my first celebrity crush?
What enables me to have a good night of sleep? Is it the amount of time, quality, temperature, noise level? Write it out.
What would I like to be remembered for?
Am I the oldest, youngest, middle, or only child? How does that play a part in my life?
If my pet could talk, what would they tell me?
Write a love letter to yourself.
What's my goal for the rest of the year? How can I make tangible goals?
What's important to me?
What is the biggest lesson I've learned this year?
If you are seeking journal prompts for self-reflection and self-discovery, this list will help you practice self care today. Journaling in the morning helps set the tone of your day as you reflect.

Related reading Dark vs Light - a poem about the good and evil we face daily, internally and externally.

Discovery Carmen Varner lifestyle blogger food travel San Diego

Spend a few minutes every morning journaling and giving yourself time to simply be. Practice writing in a journal every morning or at the end of the day. It doesn't matter if you have a physical journal where you write with pen and paper or if you type things out on the Notes app on your phone. 

Journaling gives you time to process your thoughts, turning them from a tangle of strings into a beautifully crocheted masterpiece, giving you the ability to let go, learn, move on. 

These morning pages prompts are meant to get your brain moving! It can help you plan things out and be more productive. There are many benefits, depending on what you want to get out of the process. Journaling can help you process your thoughts, have some clarity, feel motivated, give you something to look forward to each day. The best way is if you do stream of consciousness writing, just write from the heart, don't think too much about sounding clear or smart or put together.

Journaling Prompts for Morning: What's the Point of a Having a Journaling Practice?

If you are having trouble finding inspiration, pick a few prompts to start with. It's easier to look at a list and then pick a journaling prompt that calls to you rather than coming up with it from scratch. Free writing allows for creative recovery, letting your inner critic out as you make try to understand and gather all the random thoughts. You can do your morning pages first thing in the morning on a daily basis or just do whatever makes sense for you. 

Pick from this list of morning journal writing prompts and write from the heart. Do it as a helpful act of self-care, self-discovery. Process your thoughts and what's going on in your life. We are not the same as we used to be. We change with the experiences we go through, the people we surround ourselves with. Add these ideas to your daily mindfulness practice. It can be a positive habit where you focus your energy on yourself. 

You're writing words from your soul, rather than spending energy scrolling for hours watching someone else's life. Kids can journal too! Happiness, inspiration, creativity can be hard to find. Wrangle in your feelings and emotions as you write. There are more than 100 journal prompts for morning to choose from. It's a good thing to add to your morning habits.

If you need a journal there are a bunch online, these lined journals come in different colors.

Explore those feelings and emotions, see what comes up. As you write these morning pages prompts, you'll discover a sense of self-discovery. 

If you're looking for prompts to integrate into your morning journal practice, this list will help you work through negative feelings, create your own daily affirmation, navigate personal goals, and more.  A morning journaling practice gives you time to spend with yourself, allowing you time to overcome yesterday, create your to do list, understand the nuances of your own life so you can simply write. 

You can actually understand more about how you define success, what your relationships are like, remember old memories, and begin to find yourself, solve yourself. Start morning pages today. Write morning pages right when you get up if you're a morning person, but if not there is no wrong way to do it. 

Write in the afternoon or evening. No matter what, it helps to write positive affirmations to work through negative emotions. Take a deep breath and just write. Grab a cup of tea or coffee it's morning journal time.

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Things To Do

100+ Things to Do at a Sleepover

Get some snacks, watch scary movies, and get together with your friends for a fun sleepover. This list of fun ideas contains more than 100 fun things to do at a sleepover party. Whether you're an adult who wants to invite your adult friends over or you're a parent planning for your kid's sleepover, this list will help you come up with ideas. You can set up the sleepover in a bedroom or living room, depending on the size of the room, the number of people, kids or teens at the sleepover, and the comfort level. 

* Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

100 Things to Do at a Sleepover Carmen Varner


Whether you want to invite your best friends over for a slumber party or your teen wants to invite a group of sleepover guests over for a girl's night, there are many ways to have fun and enjoy the night. And you never have to leave the house. This list will give you fun sleepover ideas on how to create a night to remember as well as some fun sleepover games that you can play. A sleepover party for girls or boys doesn't have to be a big occasion, it could be with one close friend! 

If you are a teen or tween, be sure to ask your parents permission to do the sleepover ideas on this list like using the oven or whatever your house rules are. 

Want to host your guests for a sleepover on a budget? There are many free and fun things to do, too!

Fun Things to Do at a Sleepover - Ideas for Adults, Teens, Kids

1. Play Truth or Dare.
2. Play 20 Questions.
3. Play Would You Rather.
4. Play Two Truths, One Lie.
5. Play Never Have I Ever.
6. Play MASH. - This is a classic game if you haven't played it before. It's super fun, especially for middle schoolers.
7. Play charades. 
8. Do a few rounds of hide and seek.
9. Have fun and do a few rounds of I Spy.
10. Enjoy playing video games.
11. Play a funny card game like Cards Against Humanity.
12. Use a Magic 8 Ball and ask it a bunch of questions.
13. Pillow fight, but don't smack each other too hard you break a pillow (or a tooth!!).
14. Play ring toss. You can use glow sticks at night to have a bit more fun.
15. Host a themed party. Whether it's Harry Potter, old-school 16. Hollywood stars, medieval, pick a cool theme and run with it. Everyone can dress up. You can even decorate the house with items from the party store.
17. Host an indoor beach party and decorate with a beach theme. Everyone can bring towels, beach balls, swim wear/swim cover ups and enjoy inside!
18. Host game night and play a classic game or two. Take turns to play your favorite board game for each person.
19. Game and movie night. This will be so much fun and make for a memorable experience! Classic sleepover games and movies could last the entire night!
20. Do a DIY project. You can find crafts to create on YouTube, TikTok, etc. You can try to work with items you already have at home or make a big affair and go to a craft store.
 21. Watch a movie marathon. You could watch each of your favorite movie or do a series (like Harry Potter, Twilight, Star Wars, etc.)
22. Watch films none of you have ever seen before. Watching it together will be so much fun. Don't forget to have them bring their coziest blankets.
23. Watch horror movies. - Eek, scary but fun to do with your besties.
24. Play movie bingo.
25. Make popcorn and watch some TV shows or a TV series.
26. Watch funny videos on YouTube.
27. Have some fun with board games like Clue, Monopoly, Sorry!, chess, etc. - You can find these at the thrift store for cheap, sometimes you can find brand new ones so you don't have to worry about missing pieces.
28. Get a special edition Monopoly to play that the kids or teens will like. There are different ones like SpongeBob Meme Monopoly, there's Star Wars Edition, and many more.
29. Try your hand at card games like Go Fish or War.
30. Sing some karaoke. If you don't have a karaoke machine you can always use YouTube or even Spotify. 
31. Play music. You can use a recorder player, play CDs, or cassettes.
32. Play a random Spotify playlist with each guest's favorite songs.
33. Play top trending songs, like Top 40 or a current TikTok playlist.
34. Do a neighborhood scavenger hunt.
35. Do a virtual museum tour.
36. Tell scary ghost stories in the dark.
37. Create a pillow fort in the living room or other open space. - This is truly one of the most classic things to do at a sleepover. It helps if each person brings a blanket something.
38. Have a water balloon fight outside.
39. Spa night. Put on sheet masks, and give yourselves fresh manicures, and pedicures, it can be simple and all about self-care amongst friends.
40. Create a vision board. Bring old magazines, newspapers, glue sticks, scissors, and compile them into a vision board to bring your goals and dreams to life. This is definitely a fun option for things to do at a sleepover
41. Do a spa day with face masks, body scrub, etc. 
42. Make a DIY cinnamon sugar body scrub. It's easy but feels super fun and fancy.
43. Make a tie-dye shirt with bleach. Click here to learn how to make it.
44. Host a dance party or dance contest. Play your favorite songs and dance them out. Dancing is fun. You could do a glow stick dance party, too.
45. Dress up and throw a costume party. Pretend to be different characters with backstories. Don't forget to take photos of the hilarious outfits.
46. Film a TikTok video. You can post it for friends only so only your closest friends see it. 
47. Learn a fun TikTok dance. It can be fun to get your creative juices flowing. 
48. Paint your nails. You could even do a different color for each nail or get creative with the designs.
49. Draw. Draw still life, draw each other, draw random shapes. You get the idea!
50. Paint. You can try to recreate a painting, paint each other, or get creative with it. You and your friends might create a masterpiece.
51. Paint with your eyes closed.
52. Paint rocks.
53. Host a virtual Zoom party for friends who couldn't make it.
54. Do a talent show and each person can show off a talent of theirs.
55. Write a letter to your future selves.
56. Solve a puzzle.
57. Do a crossword puzzle. This is a great activity for your brain, too. You can work together to solve as much as you can.
58. Solve a Sudoku puzzle.
59. Do a few Mad Libs. They even have a Sleepover Edition of Mad Libs! This is so fun!
60. Rearrange the furniture or the room to make it feel like you're in a new place.
61. Camp in the backyard or set up your sleeping bags in the living room.
62. Have a quiet evening and each of you read a book or your favorite book.
63. Start a book together. Each person can read a page out loud and then pass the book.
64. Star gaze.
65. Cloud watch.
66. Search for four leaf clovers in the backyard or outside.
67. Throw some hoops aka play basketball.
68. Make slime. Look up a few videos online to see what you need to make it. There are lots of fun recipes.
69. Put on a puppet show.
70 . Make puppets out of whatever you have in the house. Get more creative the better.
71. Host a clothing swap. Each guest brings some items they want to get rid of and then friends can swap with each other!
72. Have an indoor picnic.
73. Have an outdoor picnic in the backyard or just outside where you can make it work.
74. Make a snack platter or kids' or teens' charcuterie board.
75. Do a snack exchange. Each person could bring a bunch of snacks and then try them out.
76. Make ice cream sundaes. 
77. Make homemade cookies.
78. Find a good recipe, gather the ingredients, and make it! 
79. Make some weird popcorn flavors. See what you can come up with. Chocolate chip and cheese? Might be good?
80. Make s'mores. It's an easy and fun idea. You only need chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. You can microwave it to make it easy.
81. Make an ice cream bar with all the bowls, spoons,  and ice cream toppings set up such as chocolate sauce or nuts (depending on food allergies of course). Each kid at the sleepover party can make their own ice cream bowl.
82. Make your own pizza. Homemade! You could buy some dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings at the grocery store or Trader Joe's, or some store like that.
83. Eat breakfast for dinner. Eggs, pancakes, bacon, all that good stuff.
84. Enjoy the fun of a fondu pot. Make your food and eat it too.
85. Create a candy charcuterie board. 
86. Decorate cupcakes. You can bake them and then have a little set up for decorating. Or buy plain cupcakes from the grocery store. You can have candy, sprinkles, frosting, etc.
87. Have a hot cocoa bar or hot chocolate station.
88. Have a popcorn bar.
89. Make paper airplanes and see whose paper plane flies the furthest.
90. Make homemade bubbles and see what shapes you can come up with.
91. Create DIY friendship bracelets. Cool way to spend quality time with them too.
92. Take pictures and group photos to remember the moment! Take a group photo or do a group photoshoot. 
93. Do each other's hair.
94. Scroll Buzzfeed.
95. Tie-dye t-shirts. You can buy party kit tie dye packs on Amazon - click here to check it out.
96. Create a collage.
97. Make a time capsule of your evening together. 
98. Make ice slushies by freezing water and creating your own syrups with sugar and flavorings.
99. Try to learn a new instrument.
100. Talk about your favorite TV shows.
101. Talk about where you see yourself in five years.
102. Chat about your goals and dreams.
103. Order food from a local restaurant. You can eat in or takeout.
104. Chat and catch up with each other. How have you been? What have you been doing? Interested in any films, books, or TV shows? 
105. What's your current hobby or obsession?
106. Feeling tired? Get your beauty sleep and head to bed early. Relax!
107. Do an outdoor adventure. Walk around, and explore.
108. Play flashlight tag at night in the backyard.
109. If a pool, lake, etc. is nearby, go for a swim.
110. Watch the sunset.
111. Watch the sunrise. 
112. Make a DIY drive in using a sheet and projector
113. Play lawn games
114. Play the Sims

100 Things to Do at a Sleepover Carmen Varner movies to watch


Truth or Dare and Other Classic Sleepover Games

No more wondering about what to do at a sleepover. Popular sleepover and slumber party and sleepover classic games for girls or boys include Truth or Dare, 20 Questions, Would You Rather, Two Truths, One Lie, Never Have I Ever, MASH, hide and seek, scavenger hunt. You can also play good old classic board games like Clue, Monopoly, Sorry!, and Life. There are a lot of apps too, such as Heads Up. When in doubt, ask your kids or teens what they are into or what they think are the best sleepover games.

Related reading: 100+ fun things to do at home with friends.

Slumber Party Ideas and Essentials

Not sure what to bring to a sleepover party? These are some ideas for slumber parties:

  • Pillow or pillows
  • Blanket
  • Pajamas
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Period products, if needed (pad, tampon, etc.)
  • Sleeping bag
  • Hair tie
  • Phone
  • Fun games
  • Phone charger
  • Any needed medicine/medication


Sleepover Snack Ideas

There are plenty of good snacks available at your local store. You can buy in bulk at Costco or someplace like that, or you can shop for what works for you and your family. It also depends if the sleepover is geared for kids, tweens, teenagers, or just a good old-fashioned girls' night. 

  • Popcorn
  • Chips
  • Veggies and ranch or some sort of dip
  • Chocolate
  • Pizza (Buy your favorite frozen pizza or make it homemade)
  • Water (Bottled or Tap Water is fine) - you can even jazz up the water with fresh mint, lemon slices, etc.
  • Ice
  • Soda (cola, rootbeer, orange soda, hot chocolate + whipped cream, etc) 
  • Juice
BFF Sleepover Party Set for Kids - Includes Nail Polish Set, Nail Stickers, Sleep Masks & Fun Activity Book - Shop it on Amazon. 

Related reading: 100+ Things to do on on your Birthday

100 Things to Do at a Sleepover Carmen Varner games to play


What to do at a Sleepover - Use What You've Got

There are lots of sleepover activities to choose from. You're bound to have loads of fun with this list of more than 100 fun things to do at a sleepover party for girls or boys. A slumber party is a great way to spend the night with your close friends, get to know each other even more, and just have loads of fun. 

No matter your age, whether it's a kid's party or a sleepover for tweens, teens, or adults, sleepovers are a great way to make some memories that you can laugh at years from now. I remember the hilarity that ensued when my friends stayed up late to make a fake music video as Led Zeppelin as teens. 

Tell scary stories, watch an old show, and keep it simple. You can do a lot in a house or apartment. Plus, there are many many things you can do that are free and don't require any additional cost. You can use you have a house and make the most of your get-together with your besties. Get your friends together and check off as many of these sleepover ideas as you can. 

There are plenty of things to do at a sleepover, whether you're an adult or planning something for your child! No matter what, you're bound to have a fun time at sleepover parties when there's so much you can do. Don't worry, because you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to come up with clever options to entertain the kids.

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Food and Beverage Oregon travel travel influencer USA Travel

DANCIN Vineyards in Medford, Oregon: Tasting Room, Menu, Hours, and More

DANCIN Vineyards is located in Rogue Valley just minutes from Ashland, Medford, and Jacksonville, making their Medford winery and tasting room a convenient beacon amongst travelers and locals who seek good wine.

This Southern Oregon vineyard is known for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Barbera, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, and Port-style wine. 

They craft award-winning wines for you to enjoy. Some popular wines are the 'Assemblage' Chardonnay, 'En Croix' Chardonnay, 'Pas de Chat' Pinot Noir, 'Encore!' Pinot Noir, and more. Visit DANCIN Vineyards website for more details. Drink your wine in the sun or sit in the shade. No matter where you sit, savor the beauty, atmosphere, and location. It's a great community hub whether you're visiting from out of town or if you're a local. You can make reservations ahead of time or just pop in. 

DANCIN Vineyards Address: 4477 S Stage Rd, Medford, OR 97501

DANCIN Vineyards in Medford Oregon Tasting Room Menu Hours Southern Oregon Carmen Varner travel food blogger Wine Flight

Medford & Southern Oregon Wineries

Explore the theaters, brewpubs, wineries, and cuisine in Medford, Oregon. The city of Medford is home to Craterian Theater, Prescott Park, Roxy Ann Peak, and more outdoor gems. You can spend a lot of time outdoors in Southern Oregon's forested foothills, enjoying fishing, hiking, and rafting. Check out the Visit Medford website to learn more about the area. 

But I know why you're here, and that's for the wine. I get it. When I visited DANCIN Vineyard, it was in the middle of a pretty brutal heatwave in the area, around 113° Fahrenheit. Phewie. Shade, water, air conditioning, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen were my best friends. I visited DANCIN Vineyards and Rellik Winery (which I reviewed on Yelp).

DANCIN Vineyards Tasting Room

DANCIN Winery in the Rogue Valley has a solid food menu with appetizers, artisan pizzas and flatbreads, salads, and desserts. I was there during a heatwave and they have a bunch of shade as well as misters to try their best to keep people cool. You can enjoy perfect views of the vineyard and hills of Southern Oregon. You'll love the outdoor experience with the occasional bee floating past you as the wind ruffles through the vines.  They are dog-friendly so you can bring your pupperoni too. Eat food, sip wine, and enjoy the wine tasting experience. 

DANCIN Vineyards in Medford Oregon Tasting Room Menu Hours Southern Oregon Carmen Varner travel food blogger Beet salad

DANCIN Vineyards Menu

This is the link to their menu on their website.  I had the beet salad, which I couldn't find online on their menu, so that might've been a seasonal item. DANCIN Winery has artisan pizzas and flatbreads. You can get gluten-free crust for an additional fee. The Brie & Berries Pizza sounds phenomenal with olive oil, Pennington Farms blackberries, brie, crispy bacon, toasted pecans, and a sprinkle of green onion. They offer bites like stuffed mushrooms, bacon-wrapped dates, shishito peppers, and even a bread and balsamic vinegar situation. There are salads such as Caesar salad, green leaf salad, and Caprese salad. Don't forget the dessert! S'mores, panna cotta, sgroppino, port wine, and more.

Wine Flight

I ordered a wine flight, which allows you to pick five of their wines to sample. Wine flights are the ideal option if you don't want to commit to one wine. Try a few first! They also have some local beers if you prefer. I had a wonderful, peaceful experience in the warm summer afternoon in Medford.

DANCIN Vineyards in Medford Oregon Tasting Room Menu Hours Southern Oregon Carmen Varner travel food blogger Parking

DANCIN Winery Hours

Monday - Closed 
Tuesday - Closed 
Wednesday 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM 
Thursday 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM 
Friday 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM 
Saturday 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM 
Sunday 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Be sure to check their website for the most recent hours to ensure they are open. They also recommend making a reservation which you can do on their website. The DANCIN Vineyard address is 4477 S Stage Rd, Medford, OR 97501. Get a taste of the South Oregon viticulture and reserve a table at DANCIN Vineyards.

Membership

You can also become a member and save up to 25% on bottles. You can receive quarterly wine shipments of three, six, or twelve bottles each. You can access special events at the winery, wine cellar, and piazza. Taste wines in advance of their release date. There are a lot of perks and delicious wine.

Have you been to DANCIN? What's your favorite wine or menu item? Leave a comment!

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Small Business Gift Guide

Back at it again with another round of small business gift guide! There are countless brands out there creating wonderful products that could make the perfect gift for you or someone who know. These businesses are innovative, fresh, and waiting for you to discover them. Small businesses of the 21st to have attention to detail, whether it's with their branding, ingredients, or mission! Let's go window shopping! 

Small Business Gift Guide Carmen Varner San Diego Blogger La Parea Wellness

La Parea Wellness

La Parea Wellness has a range of plant-based aromatherapy products for mind, body, and soul! The shop has items like all-natural candles (which can double as a body oil), tranquility mist, and herbal bath salt soak meant to leave you feeling peaceful and relaxed. Founded by Samanta Moise, with a background as a nurse, La Parea Wellness pays attention to ingredients by using both traditional and innovative recipes. The Beach Day candle smells like a soothing tropical beach vacation.

PediPocket

I use my PediPocket on a daily basis. It's a fleece blanket with a foot pocket. I take mine outside on the patio with me for my morning tea. I use it while I sit on the couch to watch TV. It has the PediPocket signature nook for your feet so you don't have to flail around to create a burrito to warm your toes. There are ones for both kids and adults, and they come in a range of colors and patterns (from plaid to paisley to red to blue).

Small Business Gift Guide Carmen Varner San Diego Blogger Flax4Life double chocolate cherry cookies


Flax4Life

Brownies, muffins, cookies, oh my. I also featured Flax4Life in a previous gift guide, they're a family-owned & operated bakery that has been making tasty gluten-free products for over 20 years. They have a new line of cookies in flavors like Ginger Snap, Chocolate Chip, and Lemon Zest. I was most surprised by the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. I'm not usually an oatmeal raisin fan but these were incredible and had me coming back for more. The mini choco brownies are scrumptious too.

Kombucha Town

I love trying new-to-me drinks and beverages. There are so many excellent brands and fascinating flavors out there. Kombucha Town's Live Seltzers contain shelf-stable live probiotics. They are USDA organic, non-GMO, and fair-trade certified. These refreshing kombucha seltzers come in Grapefruit, Ginger Energy, and Cucumber flavors. I Ginger Energy has a tasty zing to it! Kombucha Town Live Selzters are non-alcoholic, rich in antioxidants, amino acids, minerals, and good bacteria. 

Small Business Gift Guide Carmen Varner San Diego Blogger Nature's Beauty Walgreens body wash body butter body scrub

Nature's Beauty

You can find this plant-based line of cruelty-free bath and body care products at Walgreens throughout the US. Nature’s Beauty is clean, vegan, and made in the USA woot woot. Nature’s Beauty products are priced between $8.99 and $13.99, making it an affordable option for those on the hunt for clean bath and body wash, body scrub, body butter, body lotion, and bath bombs to boot.

Sometimes getting yourself a little gift is good for the soul, makes you feel good, taken care of. 

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Friends

100+ Fun Things to Do at Home with Friends

There are plenty of fun things to do with your friends at home. It doesn't have to be a big, expensive shindig. Do it your way and it can still be cool! Integrate your personality and your friends into the party. Ask them ahead of time if they have any suggestions on what they want to do: play card games, watch a few movies, create a scavenger hunt. You could even have a slumber party or sleepover - click here for ideas on what to do.

* Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Fun Things to Do with Friends at Home

Stuck at home? Invite a friend over and you can use this as a bucket list to get creative and check off as many things as possible! There are plenty of alternative ideas to choose from. This list is geared toward adults but you can modify many ideas for a kid's party or gathering.

You can take as many or as few of these awesome ideas as you want. Many of these are free but some require little planning, driving, or purchasing. For example, in order to watch Netflix, someone has to have a Netflix account, you get the idea.

Fun Things to Do at Home with Friends Carmen Varner San Diego Food Travel Lifestyle Blogger
Try kombucha, read a book, and hang out in the backyard.

Play records, cassettes, CDs, whatever you've got. 
Have a karaoke night.
Snap photos. Download a cool photo app like Huji so it feels like you're taking real photos. Take turns taking photos of each other!
Paint. Let the art flow through you. Use watercolors, fingerpaints, whatever you have available. Or you can take a friend group trip to your local Michaels or the craft store to pick up supplies. Paint and let your imagination soar. Use can use recycled paper or cardboard to paint on.

Finger paint. It's tons of fun!
Draw self-portraits of yourselves.
Draw each other.
Draw each other with your eyes closed!
Craft something. Knit, crochet, collage, scrapbook, etc.
Do a virtual art tour or museum tour. Visit the Louvre online tour or Boston Children's Museum via online tour.
Conduct a science experiment. 
Fill in a coloring book. You can use colored pencils, markers, or Crayons.

Create a Spotify or YouTube playlist of songs. That way you can learn a little bit about each other's music taste.
Create a vision board and let your creative juices flow.
Film a TikTok video or TikTok dance.
Solve an online escape room.
Do a taste test challenge to guess the food or brand. For example you could test out different kinds of orange soda, different kinds of cheese, etc.

Bake and decorate cookies. There are so many awesome designs to create from Frankenstein to Pacman to a truck to a book.
Make pizza. You can buy pizza dough, pizza sauce, cheese, and toppings and bake your own creations at home. My sister and I used to do this with our friends at home. It was so fun!
Grab takeout food from a local restaurant and eat dinner in the backyard.

BBQ night. Barbeque some veggies and meats.
Host a dessert night. Each person brings a different dessert.
Dinner night. Each person brings a dish they eat a lot at home.
Dip night. Each person brings a different homemade dip (queso dip, spinach and artichoke dip, hummus, etc).
Drink night. Each person brings a different cocktail or mocktail or fun drink.

Host a beer or wine tasting, each person brings a different type of beer/wine.
Try kombucha, sparkling waters, or some beverage of choice.
Try a new recipe using ingredients you have at home. Google one or use a recipe book.
Make ice cream sundaes.
Make ice cream in a bag.

Try different foods or snacks from around the world.
Favorite movie night. You can view one of each of your favorite movies.
Award-winning movie night. Whether it's an Academy Award, Golden Globe Awards, Visual Effects Society Awards, pick an award you want to focus on & watch a few movies that won.
Nostalgia kids movie night. Watch movies that you saw as kids. It'll bring back quality memories! You could spend hours watching your faves.

Watch scary movies.
Watch a movie series (Lord of the Rings, Back to the Future, Twilight, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Shrek you get the drift).
Watch a short-ish TV series (Twin Peaks, Schitts Creek, Pushing Daisies, Lie to Me, etc.)
Watch a sporting event on TV. Depends on the season or if you can catch something on TV, perhaps something live streaming on Hulu, etc.

Join a Livestream.
Host a sleepover. Have your best friends spend the night. You can watch movies, play board games or games like Heads Up on your phone.
Pool party. If you have a pool, use it. It'll be refreshing in the summer and for hot days too.
Bored of watching TV? Tell scary stories. Take turns telling your scariest story. Bonus points if it's real!!!
Have a dance party.

Have a costume party.
Hosta tea party.
Spa day. Take care of your skin, do face masks, you could even make body scrub at home.
Read a book together. Take turns reading paragraphs/pages.
Start a book club.
Talk about your goals.
Go around and discuss the stories of how you first met.
Challenge each other with video games.
Listen to an audiobook.

Listen to a podcast series.
Rearrange the furniture so it feels like a totally new vibe.
Call or FaceTime a long-distance friend who couldn't be there.
Hungry? Call in an order for food delivery.
Host a clothing swap where each person brings some clothes, shoes, accessories that they don't want anymore.

Make slime.
Make a scavenger hunt.
Make friendship bracelets.
Make a flower arrangement.
Write letters to each other.

Write letters to your future selves.
Write a short story by each writing one sentence. Write one sentence, then the next friend writes a sentence, and then you keep going back and forth between however many friends are over.
Practice writing with your non-dominate hands.

See if you can decipher each other's notes created with the non-dominant hand.
Tie-dye t-shirts (or socks, shorts, sheets, the sky is the limit).
Stretch out to a yoga video on YouTube.
Meditate. You can do a guided meditation on YouTube or download an app for it.
Practice mindfulness.

Listen to ASMR videos on YouTube.
Build a fort.
Do a puzzle. Puzzles are a perfect way to liven the mood with little effort.
Do a crossword puzzle.
Do an online workout video.
Band night. Jam together and play music with whatever instruments you have, tambourine, keyboard, bongo.

Play truth or dare.
Play Simon Says.
Try playing 20 questions.
Try playing Rock Paper Scissors.
Do a round hangman.
Play tic tac toe.

Play Monopoly.
Have fun with the game of Life.
Play a card game. Poker, rummy, go fish, war, etc.
Play Telephone.
Try a game of charades.
Play I Spy.

Play Cards Against Humanity.
Play a board game.
Invent your own board game or game.
Play an indoor mini version of basketball, badminton, tennis, soccer, football, handball, baseball.
Play a murder mystery game. You could find an app or buy something online beforehand.

Do the 5 Senses game where you each say what you can See, Hear, Smell, Taste, Touch. It's pretty fun, almost meditating in a way and great way to calm down or slow down after a long day.
Learn some cool magic tricks.
Challenge yourselves and learn a language (you could use Duolingo or a free app).

Plan a future trip.
Book a future trip.
Set up a tent and do indoor camping. 
Do outdoor camping. Camp in the backyard or garden.
Do a water balloon fight outside or in the yard.

Pot some plants or flowers. Each person can take home a small potted plant or succulent.
Hang out in the backyard and set up a self-hanging hammock stand to relax.
Catch up and just hang out. Enjoy the night!
Enjoy the sunset.
Enjoy the sunrise.
Watch the clouds.
Stargaze.

Fun Things to Do at Home with Friends
Make a flower arrangement.

Fun Things to Do at Home with Friends
Enjoy the sunset.

You and your friends will have an absolute blast in the night to remember. The great news is there are fun things to do with friends at home in the morning, the afternoon, or at night, it doesn't always have to be a sleepover or evening activity. You can have fun in the morning experience as well all while making it a budget-friendly or even free process. 

What can you do with your friends at home? 

You and your friends can have a great time at home. Want to make it a fun night? Dig deep within yourself and identify what you actually like to do. There are a lot of fun things to do with friends at home for kids, teens, and adults alike. Teenagers might appreciate movie night, sleepovers, makeovers, a home spa day, a pool day, cooking or baking something fun like rainbow cake, video games, making TikTok videos, home indoor picnic.

What do 13-year-olds do at home with friends? 

Look through these exciting activities with your friends. That way you can determine what works best for your family. In some cases, you might have to get something if you don't already own it (games like Life or Monopoly, access to movies, DVDs or streaming services, etc.) Ask your parents or see if your friends have them at their house to bring them over; it could be a potluck but for parties and everyone brings something different. There's anything that you're not sure about or if they're some supplies you want to pick up, ask your parents.

What do you do with your best friend? 

If you are bored at home there are plenty of ideas to have a cool night.  Invite your best friend over and do as many things on this list as you can. You can do fun things with friends without spending a lot of money. From having a picnic in the garden to cooking your favorite comfort food to blasting music on your iPhone, you can create an amazing experience without having to spend a load of money.

What can a teenage girl do when bored at home?

There is a lot for girls to do at home. You can read a book or listen to podcasts. There are so many podcasts about unique subjects you might be interested in and maybe even about your favorite shows or movies to learn more about behind-the-scenes. You can write. Get your brain moving and grooving and do a crossword puzzle. No matter what you decide to do, you and your friends will make memories and have a great time. 

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California Oceanside San Diego travel

Oceanside Pier: Restaurants, Fishing, Parking

Each step of the Oceanside Pier of California has entertaining things to see. From fishing to enjoying the scenery, the O'Side Pier is a great place to spend a fun day with family or friends. You're likely to make real memories to last for years to come. You just can't visit without walking the longest wooden pier on the West Coast at least once!

Spend the night near the coast. Dig your feet in the sand. Listen to the waves crash and savor the nature that surrounds Oceanside. Oceanside is a beautiful area to get away for a bit. Stare at the water, enjoy the sun, search for a sport to play, catch fish, and savor the sandy beach.

Scroll down to learn about the history of the pier, the restaurant at the end of the pier, what you can do, places to eat, and where to shop nearby!

History of the Oceanside Pier

The historic Oceanside Pier was originally proposed in 1887. At the time the pier was called a wharf. It went through a lot of trials and tribulations, suffering irreparable damage from a storm in 1890. Over the past 100+ years, there have been 6 iterations of the pier. The current pier is 1,942 feet long and was dedicated in 1987. It remains one of the most popular things to do in Oceanside, CA.

The pier is located in the city of Oceanside, California which is just north of San Diego. You can walk on this long, beautiful pier to get a great view of Oceanside. If you're coming to town, be sure to give it a stroll. 

Address location: Pier, Oceanside, CA 92054 at the cross-section of Pacific St. and Pier View Way

Hours: Closes at 10 p.m.

Total length: 1,954 feet (596 m) 

Opening date: 1888

Oceanside Pier California Pelicans North County San Diego travel food lifestyle blogger Restaurants, Fishing, Parking, Everything You Need to Know!


Oceanside CA North County San Diego

You can't visit the city of Oceanside, California without walking the Oceanside Fishing Pier. This is one of the most classic things to do in Oceanside. The Oceanside Pier is popular amongst both locals and tourists. You can watch folks fishing or watch surfers pretty much anytime you're there.

Related reading: Encinitas Coffee Shops: Searching for the Best Coffee in Town

Ruby's Diner

You used to be able to eat at Ruby's Diner at the end of the pier; Ruby's was a 40s-style diner with American classics like fries, burgers, and milkshakes, but it has since closed. Unfortunately. It was such a perfect spot! 

As of April 2022, a sign went up to say something new will be opening soon! There's a new restaurant coming to the Oceanside Pier. Stay tuned.

Restaurants Near Oceanside Pier

Hungry for a meal? There are dining options close to the pier.

- 333 Pacific

- Hello Betty

- Camp Coffee Company

- Harni Sushi - Oceanside 

- Miss Kim’s by That Boy Good 

- Banana Dang Coffee

Fishing

Bring your fishing pole, find a good area, and fish your heart out! There is a bait shop on the pier if you forget your bait. There are restrooms if you have to go to the bathroom.

Animals and Wildlife

Leisurely stroll your way through to the end of the pier to look out on the Pacific Ocean. While you're strolling the pier, enjoy the wildlife. I've seen a sea lion, a seal, pelicans (on separate occasions not all at once although that would be cool), and of course tons of seagulls and pigeons. I saw some dolphins from afar. The pelicans are known for frequenting the pier especially since they can get some free fish. You might be lucky enough to see the pelican(s) and get a photo or two; they're not always there but they're there pretty often. 

Shopping

Oceanside Pier has a small bait shop on it where you can get some convenience items and snacks. There are also restrooms if you need to use them. There're benches placed occasionally along the way if you want to rest or take in the scenery. There are also some shops, vendors, food stands, and picnic tables at the bottom of the pier before you walk on. Since the pier is located in Oceanside 92054 at the cross-section of Pacific St. and Pier View Way, there are plenty of local restaurants nearby to dine at or pick up some food to eat at the beach! 

Beachcombing and Walking

The best way to get to know a city is by walking it. Oceanside literally hugs the coast. It's an idyllic spot. I like going for walks and checking out the shoreline. Downtown Oceanside is nearby. Southern California has a lot of beautiful places to visit. No matter what month you visit, from December to summer months like June or August, you'll love the nice weather at Oceanside Pier. There's even a beach amphitheater so you just may catch a band or someone performing. There are concerts there often.

Sunset Views

The historic Oceanside Pier is one of the longest piers in California at 1,942 feet in length and is the longest wooden pier in California. If you enjoy the outdoors and just want to walk around with a beach view, this is a great spot! Plus, it's free, so you can't go wrong there. No matter your favorite place to visit in the city of Oceanside, make sure you add this one for a lovely pier view. Come for a Pacific Ocean sunset as you enjoy a fun day on the coast. The Oceanside Pier is a perfect place to end the day. It's actually open until 10 p.m.

Oceanside Harbor

Oceanside Harbor is around 1.5 miles away from Oceanside Fishing Pier, which should be a 10-minute drive depending on traffic. There are kayak rentals and other fun stuff to do over there. You can ride your bike across the area! Read about the Oceanside Harbor restaurants.

Oceanside Pier: Restaurants, Fishing, Parking, Everything You Need to Know!

Can you go to the beach in Oceanside? 

When you visit, go to the beach in Oceanside, maybe a couple beaches. There are things to do at any time of day. You walk directly to Oceanside Pier from the beach and then stroll along the coast. Tyson Street Park is nearby within walking distance. You can go surfing the waves, swimming, or hang out on the beach. Spend the day like local residents, enjoying a casual beach day. It's beautiful morning, noon, night, whenever you come.

How much is parking at Oceanside Beach?

Parking in Oceanside is fairly affordable and there is plenty of metered parking. You can find free street parking as well as one free parking garage. If street parking isn't available by the time you arrive, consider using pay lots out of convenience. No matter where you park, read all signs in the parking lots carefully as parking restrictions are subject to change at any time. There are parking lots such as Oceanside Pier & Beaches Lot 28 Parking lot (351 The Strand N), Oceanside Pier & Beaches Lot 30 (Betty's Lot) Parking lot (101 The Strand N), Oceanside Pier & Beaches Lot 21 Parking lot (214 Surfrider Way), and more.

Are there any beach restaurants in Oceanside? What are the best places to eat in Oceanside?

While there aren't any restaurants directly on the beach, there are some close to shore. Definitely within walking distance and of course more if you drive the coast. Things to Do in Oceanside, California: Restaurants, Coffee Shops, What to See! Oceanside, California is a city with a rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and outdoor adventure located in North County San Diego. For residents and tourists alike, Oceanside boasts an array of activities. Of course, you can head south to San Diego too.

Soak in the amazing scenery of the Pacific Ocean or watch a surf competition as you stroll your way to the end of the pier. Eat at a restaurant, grab a craft beer, and enjoy the view from San Diego's iconic landmark. There are plenty of events that occur throughout the year so you can check the Oceanside Welcome Center or browse online! They even have surf competitions.

Related reading: 

Coffee Shops in Carlsbad, California

Things to Do in North County San Diego, California

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