Baecation – Myrtle Beach, SC

Disclaimer: The world is hurting right now due to COVID-19 and I hope this post allows you to smile if only for a moment and gives you something to think about when everything calms down.

It’s been a very LONG time since Cleveland and I have had the chance to getaway. We love it but with managing 7 kids that’s nearly impossible. We shared a hearty laugh the other day when we realized we have not had a date night in over a year! YIKES! So, I was extremely excited about this hosted stay that we were offered.

We stayed with You Are Where I Go rentals at their Myrtle Beach, SC location and loved it. It’s perfect for a quick getaway if you’re local or needing a place to stay when you head to the beach. We have not been to Myrtle Beach in years so this was definitely a treat. Sometimes we forget that our own state has these beautiful hidden treasures!

Myrtle Beach, SC is roughly 2.5 hours from Columbia, SC and one of our most known beaches. You can swim, shop, and tour some really neat places. This area seems to be most popular during the summer; great tourist spot.

The cottage is beautifully decorated with a warm and cozy feel. It’s perfect when you want the amenities of home. The house has a very open layout; beautiful outside deck and open french style doors. Two bedrooms one queen size bed and the other bunkbeds; perfect for bringing kids. They also have beach umbrellas for your use. This location does have a stove top and refrigerator so if you’re going to stay for a few days then you can cook. This location is also pet friendly which is perfect for us because we needed to bring the dog, Jax! The space can accommodate 5 but we opted to leave the kiddos at home. The beach is within walking distance which is perfect, no need to move your car, yay!

When I’m going away for an extended stay I like to stay in a house verses a hotel so that I can enjoy the comforts of home and my children get run around without having to worry about disrupting other guests.

If you’re not in the mood to cook, there are tons of options around. We wanted to check out the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament, since neither of us have been and it something fun to do to get out of the house. Unfortunately, we decided to skip this option due to the number of people that fit in their stadium. Cleve loves seafood and there are a lot of seafood buffets around but I’m not a huge fan of them, so I searched and searched and we ended up at the Lobster House, the food was great. You get large portions for a fairly decent price. It is an old place and not super fancy so if that’s what you’re looking for then skip it but if you don’t mind go get some great seafood.

So, if you’re ever in town be sure to check with You Are Where I Go for your lodging needs. It was a pleasure working with this company.

Happy Birthday To Me | This is 29

Photo: Denise Benson Photography

If you’ve been around for a while then you know, my birthday is my JAM! I get so excited for it and I pre-game all January and February. I even spoil myself a little (actually a lot).

Photo: Denise Benson Photography

This year is the last year of my 20’s and while I’m slightly in my feelings; I’m happy to be alive and thriving.

So here’s to being bold and fearless.

I did a big chop in December.

I purchased a Fitbit to help me remain accountable and restart my weight loss journey.

I joined CSC Mommy Blogger Tribe.

I’ve stopped doing things that no longer fill me up.

I’m learning to say “no” and mean it.

I’m discovering myself for the very first and I’m loving it!

They say age will make you reevaluate your entire life and honey; they are right! I can no longer focus on the fact that 30 is seriously creeping up on me but I can enjoy being right where I am. I can focus on my goals and remain in competition with myself. The goal is to grow and be an inspiration. If I can do that, I know that I am answering my calling.

My prayer for 29 is that I continue to test limits and reach for the stars. I want to become hungry for the life I’ve always dreamed of. May I be an inspiration to other women who have yet to walk in my shoes…  

This is 29 🖤

Photo: Denise Benson Photography

MUA: TamGee Artistry

Stylist: Juice V

Hair: House of Diata

Top: Ashley Stewart (NLA), Similar , Similar 2

Pants: Express

Shoes: DSW

Sunglasses: Amazon

Beer & Brunch | Steel Hands Brewing, Cayce, SC

Maddy Eccles Photo

I always look forward to my monthly gatherings with the CSC Mommy Blogger Tribe! This time we headed to Steel Hands Brewing in Cayce, SC and boy were we in for a treat. I love a good brew and I’m always open to trying new things.

Maddy Eccles Photo

All of the ladies were given a flight of beer to taste. In my line up I enjoyed the Tropical IPA, Raspberry Lemonade, Lime Golden Ale and Punch Clock Pilsner beers. My favorite was the Tropical IPA and it’s actually their best seller. If you’re into light beers this one is the perfect option. The Raspberry Lemonade actually has real raspberry puree in it!

We even got to enjoy a tour of the brewery – it was awesome! I didn’t realize how much goes into making beer but they pride themselves on having quality beer and enjoying getting the community involved. They partner with a few other local businesses to continue giving back an enriching the lives around them.

Steel Hands Brewing broke ground March 1st, 2018 and opened their doors December 1st, 2018 in Cayce, SC. They have a large indoor and outdoor seating area; perfect for whatever your mood is. The area is the perfect spot to hang out with family and friends. I know you’re probably thinking beer and kids? No thanks! I did as well but their menu offers some kid friendly options and the outdoor space is large enough for them to enjoy playing. Dogs are welcome too! They are open Thursday – Sunday (hours vary). So if you’re ever looking for a good time or needing to chill out be sure to check this place out.

Great Wolf Lodge Review - Concord, NC

Forgive me guys, but this post is LONG overdue. I have spent so much time trying to make sure I included everything you need to know, but always feel free to ask questions. So here’s a quick review of what I thought of this location and is it really worth the money.

I will start by saying Great Wolf Lodge owes us nothing! We had a great time; so much so the kids didn’t want to leave.

We arrived on a Monday; which was perfect and were able to check in with ease. Everyone received a set of wolf ears. We were asking if there were any birthdays so we had the option of getting the birthday ears but no one in our crew was celebrating.

Everyone was given a wristband which served as our room key (genius)! 

Duration: 3 Days & 2 Nights

Time: November 2019

Price: $520

How many people?

There were 3 adults and 3 children in our crew.

Accommodations

Our room was nice and just enough for what we needed. If we ever decided to go again we would opt for a larger suite but if you truly just want to have fun and go for the experience the room we had was fine. 

There were 3 twin sized beds in the room which gave the kids enough space, a sleeper sofa and a queen sized bed. More than enough space for the 6 people in our party. Parking is adequate especially if you remember which side of the lodge you’re on. You can park closer to your room for easy access. However, there’s only one set of elevators and that can be troublesome when you have so many people.

Food

There are tons of options on-site and in the area. We did both, it was cheaper for us to eat breakfast offsite, there is a McDonalds, Chick-fil a and BoJangles nearby.

We dined onsite at the following:

Hungry As A Wolf

It was really good and a decent price. I’m a pizza lover so this was perfect for me and the kids didn’t complain. We ordered one large pizza for lunch.

Buckets Incredible Craveables

We also enjoyed burgers from here and they were delicious and made to order and the price was great!

Attractions: 

We purchased the Wolf Pass for $59.99 and it was worth every penny. We didn’t even complete all of the activities. I think you get the most bang for your buck, especially if you’re going to stay around for a few days.

Howly Wood XD Theater 

This is a fun interactive ride. You sit down and buckle up and go on a wild ride. It was perfect for everyone. I wouldn’t recommend it for kids younger than 4 years old.

AtomicRUSH

Such a neat game. The girls played against each other; think of tic tac toe on a larger scale!

Ten Paw Bowling Alley

We ran out of time to bowl but the alley is pretty small so prepare to get in and get out.

Northern Lights Arcade

There were so many games to choose from and it’s open 24 hours; so it’s perfect for any downtime.

Laser Tag

You need a group to play this game. The girls tried to play alone and didn’t have much fun.

Friendly tip: If you plan to the MagiQuest game allot enough time for that. The game requires 4-6 hours.

Final Thoughts

The staff was friendly and helpful, it was nice to go during off season because I remember waiting in line for hours to ride when I went during Spring Break a few years ago. My kids enjoyed themselves and would love to return. They do have an option to just come in for the water park for around $70. It would have costed us $350+tax if we just did that, so it’s worth staying the night. There was more than enough to do and kept everyone busy.