Living Intentionally – Vacation Like a Local

Meaningful Ways to be Intentional About Your Relationships this Holiday Season

November 18, 2020November 18, 2020 by VacationLikeALocal, posted in Everything Else, Living Intentionally

Relationships and leading an intentional life is a topic that I love discussing. Sadly, it is not a topic that is discussed enough on this blog. With the Holidays quickly approaching and the P(l)andemic taking its toll on everyone, I felt that writing a post about being purposeful with our relationships would would be welcomed. Because, after all, it is very important that we do not forget our loved ones during the 2020 Holiday Season. Whether you are trying to social distance or not during this Holiday Season, I have done my best to include activities that are great for both social distancing or in-person activities. These are some fun ways that I plan on being intentional about all the meaningful relationships in my life this season.

Sending Handwritten Notes

For clarification purposes, I am not talking about going out and buying a Hallmark card then adding a nice little hand written diddy in the me margins. Instead, buy a unique and personalized stationery. A stationery is a personalized paper collection consisting of a blank card, matching envelopes, and (sometimes) writing utensils. If you are looking to buy a stationary, I have included some great resources below. Or if you do not want to buy anything, just use a some of your favorite pens and pencils; in some ways, this is more creative because you can get in-touch with your creative side and draw them a picture. It does not matter what route you choose to go; but when you do write your letter to your friends and relatives, be sure to tell them you have been thinking about them and wanted to know how they were doing.

Dear Lola Letterpress (ETSY)

Idea Chic (ETSY)

Cerulean Press (ETSY)

Foglio Press (ETSY)

Paper Affair Dallas

Cotton Paperie

Bake Them Something From Scratch (just because)

this is easily one of my favorite things on the list, simply because I love to cook. Although, I am a little biased as I have been cooking since I was 12 years old. Some of the most meaningful time I have ever spent in my life is spending time in the kitchen cooking food for others. Of course, 2020 has inadvertently turned most people into better cooks with the Covid19 lockdowns. Why not show your family, friends, and neighbors you are thinking about them by with your newly improved baking skills? Your baking options are endless. You could make cookies, a casserole, brownies, or even make them drinks. I have quite a few favorite recipes that I like. Here are some of my favorites:

Banana Cake or Banana Bread (My favorite recipe is from the Forum Feasts Cookbook … no nuts)

Skillet Cookie

Scooter’s Spaghetti Casserole

Chicken Spaghetti

Don’t see anything you like in the above list? Be sure to take a look at my FOOD! Pinterest board where you can find nearly 1,000 fun recipes!

Game Night

Game night is another personal favorite of mine. Games have a wonderful way of making people laugh. Laughter is key, when it comes to bringing people together. It has an amazing way of making you feel like you have a connection with the people you are sharing your evening with. At the end the night, you will feel like you have a deeper bond with those in you family or in your circle of friends. This is why game night is so important! In a time full of uncertainty, make sure that you set time aside with your family or friends to have a game night. Depending on your group here are some fun game night options:

After Dark (Adults Only)

Cards Against Humanity

Telestrations – After Dark Edition

Madd Libs

Five Crowns

Pandemic (See what I did there 😉 )

Family Games

Madd Libs (Yes, this is great for kids too. So long as everyone keeps it G-Rated)

Turn your Family Room into a Cozy Theater

There are so many fun ways to have a movie night with your loved ones! For those who have a media room, this is a great way to use it. A regular Television is always a great option (especially when it is right next to you fireplace). Another fun option is take a small portable projector point it a blank wall and watch your movie that way! No matter what room you decide to have your movie night in, make sure that you gather all your favorite blankets, favorite snacks, and fluffy pillows. Make it a cozy night, that will be worth reminiscing on in the years to come.

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5 Spooktacular Date Night Ideas for Those Who Live North of I-635

October 20, 2020October 20, 2020 by VacationLikeALocal, posted in Everything Else, Living Intentionally, Local Businesses, Local Culture, Local Tastes

Whether it is sharing scary stories while sitting around a fire, the cooler weather, or throwing a fun costume party for Halloween; there are so many fun reasons to enjoy the month of October! Of course, none of these things can be enjoyed alone. This scary October moments simply must be shared with a close friend or a significant other. Getting a great scary adrenaline rush with my husband, is easily one of my favorite things to do, especially in the month of October. Here are some of my favorite “spooktacular” night ideas during the Halloween Season.

Nightly Spirits Tour – Haunted Bar Crawl

Yes, this bar crawl is based in Downtown Dallas. However, it was too perfect of a topic to not be included in this post. It does not matter if you are a believer in the supernatural or not. This Ghostly tour is perfect for anyone and everyone who is looking to meet new people, spend time with your significant other/friends, learn more about the great city of Dallas and grab a few great drinks at the same time. The tour starts a the Green Door Public House on the weekends and makes a couple stops at the Harwood Tavern and City Tavern. Your tour will be guided by a few local ghost hunters who provide extensive knowledge regarding the history of the local sites as well as some witnessed occurrences in the local bars. For those who need more proof of the supernatural or if you would like to add some more entertainment to your tour, bring an an audio recorder with you to see if you can catch an EVP!

Haunted Shadows Lake Trail

This is a perfect date night idea for those who live in Southwest Frisco or in The Colony, especially because it is so close to home! This mile long trail is not for the faint of heart though. Along your hike, you will find you are not alone. During your date, you will be joined by creepy clowns, disturbing shadow people, disembodied voices, and unexplained sounds or noises. This heavily wooded trail is follows the shoreline of Lake Lewisville and is only lit by the moon. A great way to add some fear factor to the trail is to go on a night when there is a new moon.

Dark Hour Haunted House (Backstage Tours)

We were deeply saddened to hear that Covid-19 has prevented Dark Hour from opening its doors this Halloween Season. Especially since it is one of the best Haunted Houses in this region of the United States. While normally we would encourage those who are terrified of haunted houses to stay far away from this attraction. But that is not the case for COVID-19 conditions. This year, we highly encourage anyone (especially those who do not like to go to haunted houses) to take part in a unique experience that Dark Hour staff is providing. In Lieu of having regular shows, Dark Hour is providing backstage tours for anyone to see. This is a great alternative for those who would normally be unable to tolerate haunted houses to see the “science” behinds some of our favorite jump scares.

Netflix, Fire in the Fireplace, and Chill

This date night idea is absolutely perfect for any couple that is just wanting to spend a quiet night in. If you are looking for ways to save money or avoid exposure to Covid-19 this is a great alternative to a “normal” night out. Also unlike the other date nights, this date will actually allow you to set your own private fire and snuggling up next to your significant other. Netflix is one of the best options for scary movies/TV shows this time of year. Some of my favorite Netflix shows include: The Silence of the Lambs, The Haunting of Hill House, and The Haunting of Bly Manor. Of course, if you are looking for something different or if you do not have a Netflix subscription definitely check out the Top 5s Channel on YouTube.

Create your own Ghost Hunting Adventure

Texas (the state) is nearly 200 years old. But the history of the land is far older than the state itself. With all of its history, there are plenty of haunted buildings and locations in the area today. We cannot think of a more enjoyable way to discover the area than by going, finding and exploring some of these locations on your own. There are a few fun ghost towns and legitimately haunted locations in the area. But we recommend going to the Ghost Town of Preston (about an hour North), the Ghost Town of Elizabethtown (about an hour West), or visiting the Haunted Princeton Cemetery. Even if you do not find any ghosts, it can give you and your significant other a great story to share in the future. But if you would like to see if there are any ghosts, bring an audio recorder or an infrared camera to see if there is anything lurking about the area.