2023 South Carolina State Fair | Columbia, SC

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Meet me at the Rocket! 

Sc State fair

The South Carolina State Fair is here, but it won’t be for long (October 11-22, 2023)! It’s a great place to enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities, including rides, games, food, and entertainment. The fair is held every year at the fairgrounds in Columbia, South Carolina.

Here are some of the things you can expect to see and do at the South Carolina State Fair:

  • Rides: there are a variety of rides for all ages, and the best part is that they are sectioned off!

  • Games: There are also various games at the fair, where you can try to win prizes.

  • Food: The fair is known for its delicious food - my favorite Fiske fries and fresh squeezed lemonade. Check out the map to plan your eating adventures! 

  • Entertainment: FREE Circus shows, exhibits, live music, and animals! 

I remember going to the state fair as a little girl, and it has always brought me so much joy. Now, I get to make these memories with my kids. If you want to get the best experience, be sure to plan your day. There is so much to do outside of enjoying the rides. Stroll through the Cantey Building to view fine art, photography, or local student’s artwork. Next, you’ll want to head to the Goodman Building to see the sand sculpture - its a must!

What’s New:

Donut Dog

Introducing DeAnna’s Donut Dog, the mouthwatering sensation that includes a homemade long john donut and an all-beef hot dog, topped with bacon and donut glaze for an extraordinary flavor explosion. DeAnna’s Donut Dog proudly holds the prestigious title of “Best New Food” at the 2022 Florida State and Steele County Fairs. Its undeniable popularity makes it an absolute must-try at this year’s S.C. State Fair.

Mexican Street Corn Sundae


Indulge in a mouthwatering delight of this signature creation made with fresh-cut fries layered with warm chile con queso cheese, sweet corn, Mexican spices, crumbled cheese, cilantro lime crema, crushed corn chips, and topped with your choice of cajun shrimp or sirloin steak.

Pumpkin Spice Funnel Cake

Experience the comforting flavors of pumpkin spice and luscious cream cheese icing – adding a creamy, tangy twist to a freshly made funnel cake. This is the ultimate autumn indulgence.



The South Carolina State Fair is a great place to have fun and make memories with family and friends. Be sure to check it out this year!

Here are some tips for making the most of your visit to the South Carolina State Fair:

  • Buy your tickets in advance to save money.

  • Arrive early to avoid the crowds.

  • Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing a lot of walking.

  • Remember the clear bag policy.

  • Have fun!

Family Halloween Costume Ideas

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Halloween is just around the corner, so it's time to start thinking about costumes! If you're looking for some family-friendly ideas or group Halloween costumes, then look no further; any of these will be a crowd-pleaser for sure! I’ve had so much fun creating these over the years; one year, my daughters and I did DIY Lego brick costumes.

Where's Waldo?

Where's Waldo is a classic children's book character who is always getting lost in crowds. He's the perfect costume for a family of four, as each person can dress up as a different character from the book. The dad can be Waldo, the mom can be Wenda, the son can be Wally, and the daughter can be Woof. You can also do this as a solo costume, it works great when your job requires a lot of moving around. 

Scooby Doo

Velma and daphne halloween costume

Scooby Doo is another classic children's character who is always getting into trouble. He's the perfect costume for a family or group of friends. The main characters include Scooby Doo (dog), Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, and Fred.

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

charlie brown halloween costumes

Charlie Brown and The Peanuts are classics, and it was so much fun to recreate these looks. This is perfect for a large group or family. You can choose from a variety of options.

Chick-Fil-A Crew

@_thechristianway

The Christian Way is a faith and lifestyle blogger. Military wife and mommy of two, she shares real-life moments and colorful living, in hopes of helping other people embrace messy and unpredictable life experiences.

Who doesn’t love Chick-fil-A? This is a great family costume that can also be used for Cow Day to score some free food! These costumes are straightforward to recreate with a bit of fabric you can iron on the spots!

Pixar Cars

Pixar Cars is a popular children's movie that shares the story of the popular racing car Lighting McQueen, and my son is obsessed! It's the perfect costume for a family as each person can dress up as a different character from the movie: the most popular Lightning McQueen, Mater, Finn McMissile, and Sally Carrera.

Construction Crew Halloween Costumes

Construction Crew

This one requires a little creativity, but it can be done. My son loves building and I wanted to be sure I could make something happen with this idea. I found this construction cone costume and costume jacket for him. If you have more people, throw in a traffic light, or a stop sign.

Peter Pan

Take an adventure to Neverland with this fun family costume idea.

Character Highlights:

Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinkerbell, and Captain Hook

Creator: @_thechristianway

The Flintstones

Wilma and fred flintstones costumes

I grew up watching The Flintstones and choosing any one of these characters was a lot of fun! Are you team Flintstones or Rubble? 

Toy Story

Minions

It’s so easy to have fun with this costume. You probably already own a pair of jeans; you can grab the accessories here, and you’re good to go. Grab a few pals and have a blast!

Star Wars

May the 4th be with you!

Creator: @_thechristianway

The Wizard of Oz

Take a trip down the yellow brick road with The Wizard of Oz. You can have so much fun when putting this look together.

Character highlights:

Dorothy, The Tin Man, The Cowardly Lion, The Wizard of Oz. Scarecrow, Glinda, and The Wicked Witch of the West.

Creator: @_thechristianway

Super Mario Brothers

The Addams Family

The Addams Family is iconic and makes a great group costume idea; below are great examples for Wednesday and Pugsley Addams!

Character Highlights:

Wednesday, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Gomez, Cousin Itt, Lurch, and Grandmama.

These are just a few ideas for family Halloween costumes to get you started. With a bit of creativity, you can come up with your own unique and memorable costumes that the whole family will enjoy. So, get started planning your outfits today!

Take a look at my Amazon Storefront for more inspiration. 

My Fall 2023 TBR List | Read With Me

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The temperatures are slowly dropping here in South Carolina, and girlies have all grabbed their Pumpkin Spice Lattes, but I’m eager to cozy up with a good book. I’m still in my ‘Well-Read Black Girl Era,’ and I LOVE it here! Even though I do more listening than reading, I can’t wait to pull out the book tags and highlighters to enjoy these.

  • "A Worthy Love" by A.E. Valdez: Publicly humiliated, Marisa Banks is blindsided by the news that the man she’s been dating for months is married. Being called names she wouldn't wish on anyone in front of a room full of people by her boyfriend’s wife is enough to shake her identity to its foundations. In an attempt to rebuild, she makes a few questionable decisions. 

After searching TikTok for hours for romance recs, this book kept coming up. I can’t wait to grab a glass of wine, burn a candle and indulge! 

  • "The Kingmaker" by Kennedy Ryan: In a world of haves and have-nots, Maxim Cade's family and their oil empire have it all…and he wants nothing to do with it. At odds with his mogul father, he's determined to build his own empire, even if it means traveling far from home, painted as the black sheep.

Kennedy is my girl! I fell in love with her work after listening to Before I Let Go. Omg, that book had me torn up! I felt every emotion, I needed those words. They were so powerful and I’ve enjoyed everything else I’ve read from her thus far! 


  • "By The Book" by Jasmine Guillory: Isabelle is completely lost. When she first began her career in publishing after college, she did not expect to be twenty-five, still living at home, and one of the few Black employees at her publishing house. Overworked and underpaid, constantly torn between speaking up or stifling herself, Izzy thinks there must be more to this publishing life. So when she overhears her boss complaining about a beastly high-profile author who has failed to deliver his long-awaited manuscript, Isabelle sees an opportunity to finally get the promotion she deserves.

This was another TikTok recommendation, for a feel good, black girl magic book. I recently read one of Jasmine Guillory’s books ‘While We Were Dating’ and I knew I needed to check out more of her work!


My reading as of late has been so heavy, so I’m looking forward to some fun, love, and make me blush type of books!


What books are you planning on reading this fall?

My Latest Reads

On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi 

Don’t Cry For Me by Daniel Black 

The Son of Mr. Suleman by Eric Jerome Dickey 


2023 Toy of the Year Award Finalists | Ride On Category

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In partnership with The Toy Foundation.

Can you believe it? The holidays will be here in no time, and children will be anxious to turn in their requests for toys. It always happens so fast, but this year I’m planning to beat the rush, and stick to a holiday budget!

For many years, The Toy Foundation has hosted the Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards to celebrate the creativity and philanthropy of the toy industry. It is an evening to honor the very best in the toy space, and it serves as a critical fundraiser to support children in need worldwide. As a former preschool teacher, this makes my heart so happy. The importance of play is a big deal to me, I have seen the way it can change lives. I enjoyed going outdoors as a kid, and I want to share my love of it with my children.

Razor Ground force elite and radio flyer extreme drift go-kart

What are ride-on toys?

Ride-on toys are any toy that can be ridden on, for example, a bike or scooter. It’s a great way to get kids active and having fun. They can also help develop essential skills like balance and coordination. And, of course, they're just plain fun!

If you're looking for a great ride-on toy for the holidays, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • The child's age and size: Make sure to choose a toy appropriate for the child's age and size. Some ride-on toys are designed for younger children, while others are better suited for older kids.

  • The child's interests: Think about what your child likes to do and choose a toy that fits their interests. For example, if your child loves animals, you might get them a ride-on animal toy.

  • The budget: Ride-on toys can range in price from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. Choose a toy that fits your budget.

Here are the 2023 Toy of the Year Finalists that may be on your kid’s Christmas list.

  • Razor The Crazy Cart Shuffle: a kid-powered go-kart that allows rides to drive, drift, and spin with ease! Ages: 4+; this cart is absolutely amazing, and I wish there was one for me! It’s loads of fun; as my son learned his way around the cart, he started doing all types of drifting tricks! With the adjusting bar, we will get to enjoy this cart for years to come. 

  • Razor Ground Force Elite: Electric go-kart for ages 13+; This cart is sleek and super cool! If you want the older kids to come outside, this will do it! My 15-year-old enjoyed zipping and zooming in on this cart. She did have a little trouble fitting into the cart due to her height of 5’5. It would be perfect for our family if it were a little larger.

  • YBike Leap: A balancing cart that can be ridden both ways is perfect for ages 4 - 9. It’s so much fun, but it does take a little getting used to. It reminds me of the sit-and-spin carts I had growing up.

  • Radio Flyer Extreme Drift Go-Kart: A sleek design with the feel of a real race car, perfect for kids 5-12. This cart screams, coolest kid on the block! My 4-year-old can’t wait until he’s old enough to drive it.

  • Scoot & Ride - Highwaykick 1: This 2-in-1 combination scooter is perfect for little ones who have taken an interest in moving toys. It comes in a variety of colors, with the neutral matte ones being my faves! The scooter can be used as a tricycle or a traditional scooter. Ideal for ages 1-5. In standing/scooter mode, if you have a child who is on the taller side, you may want to consider another scooter from their line. My son is pretty tall, and before long, he will outgrow it. 

  • Droyd Romper - Electric Tricycle, yes please, perfect for ages 3-5. The front wheel lights up, and you can set the speed with a locking key. 


No matter what your child's interests or budget, there's a ride-on toy out there that's perfect for them. So get shopping and find the perfect way to make this holiday season one to remember!

We have enjoyed playing with these toys and know they deserve a spot on the finalists list. If you would like to vote for your favorite ride-on toy, visit the Toy Foundation to cast your vote now - through September 8, 2023. 


GIVEAWAY ANNOUNCEMENT:

As a special bonus, I will be giving away 1 of the following items to help foster your love of play! We have enjoyed playing with these items so much, and we can’t wait to pass on the fun to you! 

Razor The Crazy Cart Shuffle

Little Tikes Street Burner

Droyd Romper

Rules:

  1. You must be following me @freely_nat on Instagram and YouTube

  2. You must be following The Toy Foundation on Instagram

  3. Like and comment on the YouTube video.

Bonus: Like and share my Instagram posts related to the Toy of the Year Awards, between now and September 15 on your stories, please tag me so the entry will be counted.

The giveaway will close on September 15, 2023, at 12:00 pm/EST and the winner will be announced via Instagram on September 22, 2023, at 12:00 pm noon/EST!

You can share multiple posts; please be sure to tag me. The more shares = more entries. We want to take this time to highlight the amazing work that The Toy Foundation is doing. You must be 18 years or older to enter, and open to the United States only. To learn more or donate to the Toy Foundation, you can visit their website here.