It’s a good day for a self-care day

Book an appointment at Woodlund Salon for a pampering experience. | Photo via Woodlund Salon

It can be hard to find time for self-care, but countless Lakeland spots aim to celebrate your mind and body. Check out nine of our favorites below.

Sit back, relax

Moodie Studio | 1723 S. Florida Ave. | This luxury day spa specializes in custom facials designed for all skin types. Plus, each treatment is artfully catered to your individual skincare needs.
Paint Nail Bar Lakeland | 1486 Town Center Dr. | From the 5-7-9 free polishes, toxin-free lacquers, and jetless water basins to the complimentary mimosas, this salon prioritizes sanitation and relaxation.
Woodlund Salon | 4116 S. Florida Ave. | Enjoy a haircut and styling experience that feels a cut above the rest. This salon not only uses organic hair products but has also pledged to keep salon waste out of landfills.

Women taking a barre class — *Take your GNO to the gym at this women’s fitness studio.*

Some “body” to love

The Balance Culture | 1037 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 125 | In addition to group fitness and personal training, The Balance Culture also offers health and life coaching to promote holistic wellness.
Salt Room Lakeland | 6030 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 125 | Salt therapy is a natural treatment that can help reduce symptoms of seasonal allergies, cystic fibrosis, and ear infections. We recommend a 45-minute salt therapy session.
Method Tans | 1120 S. Florida Ave. | Method Tans offers sunless tanning as an alternative to ultraviolet exposure. Pro tip: Book a mobile session to tan from home.

Toast with jam, goat cheese, and a basil sauce — *Try The Juice Box’s Hey Ho Lets Goat toast made with organic strawberry jam, goat cheese, and basil oil drizzle.*

Goin’ green

The Juice Box | 4295 S. Florida Ave. | Stop by this vegetarian restaurant + juice bar — featuring a fully plant-based menu — six days a week.
Publix GreenWise Market | 4747 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 110 | Peruse organic items, vitamins, supplements, and built-to-order hot food stations.
Krazy Kombucha | 1030 S. Florida Ave. | Krazy Kombucha’s locally-brewed probiotic drinks can help aid digestion + provide antioxidants for your diet.

EVENTS

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Today

Just Between Friends Sale | Thu., Oct. 13 - Sun., Oct. 16 | 12-7 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W Lime St, Lakeland | $2.00 | Shop this community-wide consignment sale for children’s clothing + gear — register online for free admission.
Karaoke with DJ Kep | Thu., Oct. 13 | 6:30 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 Florida Ave S, Lakeland | Free | Hop onstage to sing your heart out to your favorite songs with DJ Kep.

Friday

Swantoberfest 2022! | Fri., Oct. 14 - Sun., Oct. 16 | 12-10 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W Pine St, Lakeland | Free | Celebrate Oktoberfest season with Swan Brewing’s gold medal-winning beers, live music, and food trucks.

Saturday

Cocktails and Choreography | Sat., Oct. 15 | 6-9 p.m. | The Well, 114 East Parker Street, Lakeland | $30.00 - $50.00 | Learn how to craft the perfect cocktail while enjoying small bites and dance performances by Florida Dance Theatre.
Secret & Symphony No. 4 | Sat., Oct. 15 | 7-8:10 p.m. | Polk Theatre, 139 S Florida Ave, Lakeland | $21.00 - $49.00 | Hear selections from Bach, Dun, and Brahms at the kickoff to the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra’s 57th season.

Sunday

Corky’s Corn Maze | Sat., Oct. 15 - Sun., Oct. 30 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Keel Farms, 1603 Hawk Griffin Road, Plant City | $10.00 - $15.00 | Find your way out of the corn maze before enjoying unlimited hay rides, kids zone, and family activities.

Monday

After School Art | Mon., Oct. 17, Mon., Oct. 24, Mon., Oct. 31 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art | $5.00 | Parents and children can learn creative skills with a new art lesson each week.

Tuesday

Winter Haven Beer Spirits and Ghost Walking Tour | Tue., Oct. 18 | 7 p.m. | Downtown Winter Haven, 220 Ave A NW, Winter Haven | $45.00 - $95.00 | Enjoy beer, spirits + spooky stories on this haunted ghost walking tour through downtown Winter Haven.

Wednesday

Open Mic at The Pink Piano | Wed., Oct. 19 | 8-11:30 p.m. | The Pink Piano, 1015 S Florida Ave, Lakeland | Free | Support local singers or perform onstage yourself at this open mic night.

Thursday

Launch Pitch Night | Thu., Oct. 20 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main Street, Lakeland | Free | See the five finalists at Lakeland’s version of Shark Tank pitch their business, answer questions from our judges, and try to secure the Launch Micro Grant.*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

DRINK

Sip on expertly-made wines handcrafted in Asheville, NC 🍷

George Vanderbilt worked closely with his importers to make quality selections — a tradition carried out today by Biltmore Winery. | Photo provided by Biltmore Wines

With a long history rooted in the George Vanderbilt legacy of hospitality and high standards, Biltmore Winery offers wines handcrafted in Asheville, NC by expert winemakers — each with its own own source, intention, and backstory (from the Chenin Blanc to the Sangiovese).

Wines embody a belief in sustainability and exceptional quality while being accessible and, of course, shareable. Experience Biltmore Wines yourself by visiting Biltmore Estate or purchasing wine online and from nearby retailers. 🍷*

EXPERIENCE THE BILTMORE CRAFT

NEWS NOTES

Weather

84º | Scattered thunderstorms | 60% chance of rain

Community

Sat., Oct. 29 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., you can drop off unwanted and unused human and pet medications at the Lakeland Police Department (219 N. Massachusetts Ave.). Since 2010, these events have recovered over 25,967 pounds of discarded medication.

Edu

Florida Polytechnic University has named David Fugett its Vice President and general counsel. Prior to this new role, David had 25+ years of experience in law at institutions including New College of Florida, The Florida Department of State, and Florida’s Office of the Attorney General. ⚖️
Families of students with disabilities can attend the Polk Symposium on Special Education at Auburndale High School (1 Bloodhound Trail, Auburndale) on Sat., Oct. 29. The free event will educate families on special education opportunities and resources from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Biz

Patterson Tattoos — a new, private tattoo studio — is hosting a grand opening on Sat., Oct. 15 from 6-9 p.m. at Haus 820. The free-to-the-public event will feature other local businesses, including Botany Cats, Golden Wild, Glizzy Gal, a drag performance by The Rose Dynasty Foundation, and more. 🎉

Legacy

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office held a funeral for Deputy Blane Lane, who recently died in the line of duty, on Tuesday. Lakelanders wanting to honor Deputy Lane can view the service online. (WFLA + LkldNow)

Arts

Head to Munn Park on Sat., Nov. 5 for Art Crawl. The free art festival will feature 50+ local artists who will be selling, competing, and performing live. Whether you’re looking to purchase your next favorite piece or view life competitions and demonstrations, put this event on your calendar. 🎨
Picture this: Your art on display at Mayfaire by-the-Lake, one of Florida’s largest outdoor art festivals. Applications are now open for fine artists ahead of the festival happening May 13-14, 2023. The deadline to apply is Wed., March 1.

Eat

Choose your fighter: Bubble waffles, empanadas, or sliders? Whatever you chose, you’ll be able to find it tonight at the Lakeland Food Truck Rally in Munn Park. Stop by from 6-9 p.m. to find your favorites — view the full vendor lineup here.

Show

What, like it’s hard? “Legally Blonde The Musical” is coming to the RP Funding Center on Sun., Jan. 8. Tickets start at $57, and a pre-show dinner can be purchased for $25.95 online or $29.95 at the door.

Seasonal

Art Centric Studio is hosting its 8th Annual Mini Pumpkin Paint Night this Fri., Oct. 14. Register for $15 — each participant gets one four-inch pumpkin or two two-inch pumpkins. All supplies are included, and registrants are welcome to bring their own full-sized pumpkins as well. 🎃
Don your costumes and head to The Central Florida Welcome Center (101 Adventure Ct., Davenport) on Sat., Oct. 29 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. for a free Jack O’Lantern Jubilee. In addition to trick-or-treating and pumpkin decorating, visitors can purchase buy one, get one free tickets to Bok Tower Gardens.

Shop

While its permanent location recovers from storm damage, new boutique Monkee’s of Lakeland will be showcasing goods with a pop-up at The Curated Collective, starting Fri., Oct. 21. As if we needed another reason to plan a shopping trip. 🛍

Feel Good

ICYMI, City Editor Rilee tagged along with two Publix Employees Federal Credit Union employees to take a shelter dog on a doggie date. See her experience and swoon with us over her adorable doggie date, Titan. 🐾 *

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LIFESTYLE

These are a few of our favorite things 🎵

Downtown Lakeland filled with vendors and shoppers at the farmers market

A Saturday in Lakeland isn’t complete without a stop at the farmers market. | Photo by LALtoday

You may have seen your favorite celebrity boast about things they can’t live without, but they probably weren’t things you see around Swan City.

We’re definitely not calling ourselves Dan Levy or Jason Sudeikis, but keep reading for your LALtoday team’s top 10 Lakeland must-haves.

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market
Something about the Farmers Market in fall just feels right. Stop by for fresh produce and pantry staples like locally farmed honey, herbs, and more.

Color Theory Tea
Pick up a bag of loose-leaf tea next time you’re in Black and Brew Coffee House & Bistro. Pro tip: The biz just launched its fall flavors: Sweater Weather and Fireside Chai.

Walks in Hollis Garden
This 1.2-acre public garden has over 10,000 flowers, shrubs, and trees (including these celebrity trees). Pro tip: Take this GPS-guided tour.

You know ours, now tell us your Lakeland essentials.

SHOP

Go bananas over these foodie brands 🍌

Just one of these local, specialty foods on your table will impress your dinner guests. | Graphic by LALtoday

We polled City Editors across our parent company, 6AM City, about foodie brands they love. The result? A list of mouthwatering food products ranging from SC Lowcountry’s favorite biscuits to a line of vegan dipping sauces that hail from San Diego.

Kanelli Bakery Co. (Orlando, FL) | Authentic Greek baked goods crafted using century-old Cretan recipes. | We love: Greek Assortment Tray with baklava, koulourakia, kourabiedes, and olive oil sesame cookies.

Larry’s Coffee (Raleigh, NC) | Sustainably roasted coffee beans from co-op farms around the world. | We love: Cowboy Blend

St. Elmo’s Steak House (Indianapolis, IN) | The oldest steakhouse in Indy sells its revered sauces + seasonings nationwide. | We love: The “World Famous” Shrimp Cocktail Sauce

Sunny Culture (St. Petersburg, FL) | Probiotic water kefir drinks and wellness shots that support gut health | We love: Kefir Water Hibiscus Probiotic

27 MORE FOODIE BRANDS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Rilee.

Editor’s pick: One way that I prioritize my own wellness is by taking a step back from screens (but not until after I’ve read my morning LALtoday newsletter, of course). Stop by one of these local bookstores to pick up a book and give your eyes a break from blue light. Looking for a free read? See what’s available at your nearest Little Free Library.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Buckle up, because we covered a new autonomous car track, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

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