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Floradise

A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

Using the Erin Condren Notes Page for Blogging

Erin Condren Notes Page for Blogging

 

This year I’ve started to use my Erin Condren more for blog planning, specifically the monthly notes page. It is helping me stay organized and helps me keep track of my blogging ideas, pitches, goals and to-do lists. Today I’m sharing how I utilize the page for blogging.

I have four sections on my monthly notes page. I typically use one color pen for consistency and I stick with a color that matches the planner that month. For June I wrote in green and used a couple of stickers. I don’t go too crazy with stickers on this page because I just need it to be functional.

Goals:

I write my monthly blog goals in the top circles. I typically set an income goal in the first circle and I use another to list how many blog posts I want to write a week. The next two can be used for any other goals I want to pursue. For the past two months I have wanted to participate in a giveaway, as well as film at least three videos to be published on my YouTube channel and in my posts.

Blog Post Ideas:

On the left column of the notes page I write down blog post ideas for the month. I then check them off as I complete them or cross them off if I don’t get to them. I transfer unused ideas from previous months if they are still relevant and I still want to write them.

Pitches/Collaborations:

I keep a list of brands I want to work with and the results of pitches on the right. For example, I will write down “Sponsored post” and an amount to the right of the brand name. I like to keep track of how often I am collaborating and how much I earn. (I also track income and expenses in Excel.)

To-Do List/Social Media:

I use the bottom rectangle space to jot down things I want to accomplish this month for blogging. This typically includes administrative tasks. I previously also used this space to track social media follower growth, but this month that is pictured I didn’t. On the first of the month I will write down my beginning number and on the last day I list my ending figure. I also include the difference. This helps me see where to put my focus the following month.

Erin Condren Monthly Notes Page for Blogging

I find that this layout is minimal but works. It keeps me organized and I can turn to my list of blogging ideas if I’m not feeling inspired. Do you own an Erin Condren planner? How do you use your monthly notes page? I’d love to hear and see your ideas!

Life Update: Our New Home

 

We Bought A House

The past few months have been huge for us. In addition to welcoming Addi to our family, we also closed on our house last week!

Our apartment lease runs through July, so we can take our time to move. That’s nice because it’s been difficult finding the time to pack. Slowly but surely we will get it done, though.

We wanted a home that we could update to make our own. We need to do some upgrades to make the house what we want, but we are excited to put in the sweat equity. The kitchen needs to be completely redone, so that will be our first project. I’m also pumped to have more space, especially a garage and driveway! After three years of having to find a parking spot on the street in Chicago, I am thrilled to not have to do that anymore, even if it means moving just outside Chicago city limits. The neighborhood is perfect because it is next to a shopping center with some of my favorite retailers, plus a cycle bar and a yoga studio! It doesn’t get better than that!

Searching for a home in the Chicago area was a bit challenging because homes move quickly and often receive multiple offers if they are a good deal or updated. The home we ended up buying had been on the market for a long time and needs some work. The seller had turned down higher offers than ours due to an emotional attachment to the house, but I wrote her a letter assuring her that we wanted this to be our family’s home and we are excited to make memories there. We are so happy she accepted and we feel the negotiation process was fair.

Would you be interested in home renovation updates and a house tour? Let me know in the comments!

 

What I Didn’t Know About the Fourth Trimester: Maternity Leave Lessons

Maternity Leave Lessons

Maternity leave is over. I’m back to work full time as an editor. A positive is that I can work from home, though returning to work was still depressing and overwhelming. But on my first day I realized I also felt something I didn’t expect: relief. I felt relieved to be forced into a routine that is in some ways familiar. I felt more like myself than I have in months. Now that I am working again I’ve started to reflect on the past 12 weeks of maternity leave. I went into my maternity leave with grand illusions of being able to accomplish so much. I was going to cross off major blog to-dos, complete my summer bucket list and enjoy my time with my girls. Boy, was I wrong (with the exception of my time with my daughters)! I’m sharing some of what I didn’t know about the fourth trimester, aka the first three months postpartum.

What I Learned During Maternity Leave:

Maternity leave is isolating. This is especially the case if you don’t live near family and close friends. My mom was able to visit and help for two weeks, which helped immensely, but other than that I didn’t have much help. (I am grateful that my mother in law plans to visit soon, though.) People gave me advice about taking time for myself without realizing that I’d love nothing more; I just didn’t have any help with child care and wasn’t ready to leave my baby with a babysitter. I have had some friends visit, which I loved, but for the most part it’s been just me and the girls while Graham works. He has many long days due to the nature of his work, and sometimes his schedule was unpredictable, but we have survived so far.

You need help. If you have people willing to help in whatever way they can during your maternity leave, take it! I wish I could have had that luxury. By help I mean assist with household chores, errands, shopping, child care, whatever!

Your emotions are all over the place. I expected the baby blues, but not to the extent that I felt them. For me they lasted longer than just a couple of weeks. My anxiety has also resurfaced. A contributor to my blues was being alone so often with the girls. I was also anxious and afraid to do things alone with them for fear of what could go wrong. It took time for me to become more confident in venturing out. Some days still have tears, but talking to people honestly about how I feel has helped. Hearing people say that they will help in any way they can has also helped, even if I know they can’t do much from far away.

The bodily changes continue. It doesn’t end with giving birth. Postpartum life also comes with hair loss! Everyday I wonder how I could be losing this much hair. Also, your cycle can return at different times depending on whether you’re breastfeeding.

Twelve weeks of maternity leave is not enough. I know I am privileged to even have 12 weeks off work when many women have to return much sooner due to financial and other concerns. My maternity was unpaid and I had to pay for my health benefits during my leave. I was able to save for it beforehand, but I am still missing out on my big chunk of my annual salary this year. This experience has taught me that 12 weeks is not nearly enough for a woman to recover, and that more companies should show they value their employees by compensating them during leave.

The fourth trimester tests your marriage/relationship. With so much focus on the baby (and your other children), it becomes more challenging to make time for our marriage. But that relationship is the foundation of our family, so it’s important to refocus on it. Now that I am getting slightly more comfortable with leaving the baby I hope to find a night for a date sometime soon depending on Graham’s schedule. Another challenging aspect is figuring out how to work as a team to handle things such as nighttime feedings when you’re both exhausted. Showing appreciation for each other is key during this transition.

Have you experienced the fourth trimester? What did it teach you?

Pin this post:

Fourth Trimester, Maternity Leave Lessons

Related post:

Adelina’s Birth Announcements

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Shedd Aquarium With a Newborn & Toddler

 

Mother’s Day was a month after Adelina was born. I wasn’t in the mood to do much, to be honest. The thought of going anywhere, especially a crowded place, with a newborn and a toddler terrified me. How would I ever leave the house? My mom was in town, though, and Graham encouraged me to take her somewhere for a fun girls day out while he had to work. We chose Shedd Aquarium for our Mother’s Day outing because we hadn’t been there in quite a while and it would keep V entertained.

I bought our general admission tickets online so that we wouldn’t have to wait in line when we arrived. I also purchased parking from the closest lot I could find, which was the Adler Planetarium lot. From there it’s a short walk to the aquarium. I carried Addi in my Baby K’tan and V walked. You could easily bring in a stoller or wagon and enter through the accessible entrance, though. (If it’s crowded it’s not as easy to get around with a stroller. Plus, you have to wait for the elevators to be available when you have a stroller.)

To get your show tickets, simply go to the kiosks (next to Soundings cafe) and pick your times. It’s best to do this as soon as you get there. We were able to choose the 2:30 time for which we sat down 15 minutes early to get decent seats.

One thing I was nervous about was nursing in public. I pumped and brought with me a bottle for Addi but I also used the nursing room at the aquarium. The family restroom and the nursing room are found off the main lobby to the right. I wished Shedd Aquarium would have more family bathrooms vs. just having changing tables in each bathroom, especially when you have more than one kid to take to the restroom. Also, I waited 20 minutes for a family to exit the one restroom. While the nursing room is available, the Shedd website encourages moms to nurse wherever they feel comfortable at the aquarium.

For lunch, my mom and I enjoyed huge piles of veggies nachos at the Bubble Net food court while V had a broccoli cheddar soup. I didn’t have the motivation or energy to pack our own lunch, but you could always bring your own food and eat in on the terrace with views of Chicago as your backdrop.

There’s so much to see at the aquarium that you could easily spend a whole day there. I liked the addition of sculptures throughout the facility that were made with plastic found in the ocean.

 

Overall we had a successful outing with A & V and I was grateful to spend time with my mom on Mother’s Day. Her help was much appreciated!

Related posts:

Shedd Aquarium With a Toddler
A Day at Shedd Aquarium

Favorite Etsy Necklace Purchases and Gifts

Etsy Necklaces

I have been a huge Etsy fan since I planned my wedding. I frequently look to Etsy for my jewelry purchases and for gifts to give to people I love. I like that you can find unique and handmade options and that they are typically affordable. They often are packaged nicely in gift boxes and many sellers will customize your order.

My favorite Etsy necklaces:

  • Arizona Necklace: You can get a necklace with any state! My friend gifted this to me when I moved to Chicago from my hometown of Phoenix.
  • Wedding Location Coordinate Necklace: This was a thoughtful gift from the same friend who sent the Arizona necklace. It contains the coordinates of the city in Hawaii where we were married. It’s such a sweet gesture. You can get coordinates on bracelets, too!
  • Single Pearl Necklace: I love dainty necklaces that you can wear individually or layered. This is a regular accessory for me because I think it goes with anything.
  • Triangle Amethyst Necklace: You can find no shortage of handmade birthstone jewelry on Etsy. I love the look of the stone on this necklace.
  • Initials Necklace: This is a recent gift from my best friend that has the initials V and A for my daughters. I have been wearing it daily!

Which of these would be your pick? Do you purchase gifts on Etsy? Do you like dainty jewelry?

Shop the Etsy necklaces**:

** This post contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. .Thanks for supporting Floradise!

*** Images from the linked vendors.

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Phoenix Eats: Farm and Craft

We squeezed in our first family brunch while visiting Phoenix this month and we weren’t disappointed in our choice of spot. We like to try new restaurants every time we visit our old neighborhood, which is constantly changing and becoming home to more hip eateries. This time we went to Farm & Craft, located in the space vacated by the Herb Box.

We chose the best seat in the house underneath this 100 percent accurate neon sign. I loved the decor inside Farm & Craft, especially the chairs!

Farm and Craft, Phoenix

We visited on a weekday, so we ordered at the hostess station. (Or you can order at the bar.) You also pour your own drink at the coffee/beverage station.

 

Victoria ordered the cheese pizza from the kids menu while I picked the salmon bowl with veggies and mac and cheese. Graham ate the protein blueberry pancakes (not pictured). I loved it all, especially the perfectly cooked salmon.

Farm and Craft, Phoenix

Farm and Craft, Phoenix

If it’s a nice non-summer day, consider the patio, which had palm-leaf print seating I was obsessed with. (Although there were misters to keep you cool.)

Connect With Farm & Craft:

Farm & Craft, Phoenix

Related post:

Pure Sushi

Flying With a 2-Month-Old Baby

Flying With a 2-Month-Old

I mentioned last year that we canceled our trip to Puerto Rico right after the hurricane because the island was hit hard (No hotels were available at the time.) and pregnant women are advised not to travel to places affected by Zika. We ended up with Southwest Airlines credit to use before it expired at the end of June. I didn’t think I would be able to use it after giving birth, but we asked ourselves, “Why not?” This is our how our first experience flying with a 2-month-old came about over Father’s Day weekend.

We booked a quick weekend trip to Phoenix so that Adelina could meet my side of the family and we could check up on our condo. To say I was nervous to fly with a 2-month-old is an understatement. I was terrified she would cry incessantly because of the ear pressure change or that she would be fussy the entire flight. (We typically don’t worry about V because she is an expert flyer by now.)

Here’s how it went:

We got a late start heading to the airport. We booked a parking spot at the airport on SpotHero, which I’ve written about as a great source of cheap parking, especially in the Chicago area. (If you use my referral link you get a $7 credit and I get $7. Win, win!) This required a shuttle ride to the airport, so my first tip would be to give yourself at least an extra hour to get to the airport and through security than without kids. It was valet parking, which I recommend to save time. We also brought our stroller, which allows V to stand or sit on the back and connects with our infant car seat. This stroller** is great if you have a toddler and a newborn!

Security wasn’t terrible; we went through the family line. Remember to put all your breastmilk and formula in a clear bag and in its own tray for security check. The stroller and car seat had to go through the scanner, which we weren’t prepared for. (Last time they let me push the stroller through with V in it!) Second tip: Take your time and feed your baby before you go through security. I gave A a quick snack feed because she was starting to get fussy.

We got on the plane during family boarding and headed toward the back of the plane. I wanted to be near the bathroom and on the aisle in case I needed to change her. Tip and something I wish I had done: Keep a small bag of what you might need handy, or put everything in the same pocket so you’re not fumbling around on the plane. I had diapers, changing pad, paci, wipes, nursing cover and bottles in different pockets of a backpack, and it was not that easy to find what I needed in the dark. It would be easier to set up mini packets of what you might need for feedings, changings and entertaining.

As far as travel times, we went with flights that were around the kids’ bedtimes. This was a gamble because Addi has been fussy before bed lately, but luckily she wasn’t. I made sure she napped enough during the day and was well fed. I rocked her in the stroller while waiting in the line at the airport and she fell asleep for a bit. Tip: Go with flight times that work best for your baby. If your baby is happier and sleepier at a certain part of the day, that might be the best time to travel. Try not to travel during the busiest times at the airport, either.

My last tip is to go hands-free. We gate checked our stroller and car seat and Addi was my lap child. She was in my carrier for most of the time but I also just held her. Don’t try to carry too much other stuff. Learn from my mistake: I spilled a venti Starbucks drink on the plane because I had too much stuff in my hands.

Overall the first two flights went well! The most stressful part of the trip was getting to the airport with enough time, and that was our fault for not leaving earlier. As long as you allow enough time, it’s fine!

Have you traveled with a baby? What tips do you have for my future flights? Share with me in the comments!

Related posts:

Gift Guide Wish List for On-the-Go Parents
Lessons From First Month With Newborn

Shop Our Stroller**:

null ** This post contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise.

Add Boating to Your Summer Plans

** This post is sponsored by Discover Boating but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I have shared quite frequently that I love being on or near water. Turns out I am not alone in that: 142 million Americans go boating each year, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. And summer is the best time to spend on a boat! There’s just something so relaxing about being on the water. It feels like you’re on vacation, even when you’re not. You get to experience a familiar or new place in another fun way! That’s why Graham and I try to make boating a part of our travels wherever we go.

Examples of how to incorporate boating in your travels:

In Hawaii, you can charter a boat and hire a guide to spend the day whale watching and swimming with dolphins. There’s so much to do on a boat in the state!

In San Francisco you can take in a different view of the city, especially the Golden Gate bridge, while on a sailboat. You don’t need to stay on land to explore a new place.

In Chicago you can take your boat (or boat rental) down the river or spend a day in the “play pen,” where you can interact with other Chicagoans on the water. Or you can cruise in a yacht and soak in the sunset and skyline views. That is one of our favorite things to do in the summer.

You can find ways to spend time on a boat, whether at home in your city or many miles away, by checking out Discover Boating’s Go Boating Today tool that generates local options for boat rentals, classes, charters and more, by simply entering a city or ZIP code. I searched for boating opportunities in Chicago and found many options. Examples in Chicago include renting an island party boat on Lake Michigan! How fun does that sound?!

You don’t need to own a boat to experience what it’s like to have a vacation on the water, but if you’re ready to explore buying your own, Discover Boating’s Boat Selector tool lets you find what type of boat fits your lifestyle and budget. Discover Boating also has information on youth boating programs, classes and lots more!

Do you have any plans to go boating? Let me know in the comments!

Related posts:

5 Boating Activities in Chicago
Chicago Summer Goal: Get On The Water

Connect with Discover Boating:

Discover Boating Website

Recent Cruelty-Free Beauty Empties, Vol. 12

Recent Cruelty-Free Beauty Empties

It’s been some time since I shared my recent cruelty-free beauty empties! I’ve been compiling most of my empties in order to share my thoughts about the products and whether I would repurchase them. Not all of the products are pictured in this post because I may have been traveling when I used them up, or I might have accidentally recycled them by them.

My most recent empties:

  • Mama Bee Belly Butter: I used this throughout my entire pregnancy, but now that I’m not pregnant I don’t think I’ll repurchase. I have other lotions I can use. If you’re expecting you might want to give this a shot. It doesn’t claim to prevent stretch marks but it does keep skin nice and soft.
  • Bio-Oil: It smells great and during pregnancy I felt like it was working, but now my skin on my stomach is wrinkly and has a bunch of stretch marks. I don’t know if they’ll ever go away, but I hope they will become a little less visible. I have already repurchased this. The package suggests using for at least three months during pregnancy.
  • Kenra Volume Super Hold hairspray: I searched online for a cruelty-free hairspray and this came up as an option (though I am not 100 percent sure if it is). I bought a travel size to use in my hospital bag and to try out before committing. It did the job.
  • Yes To Triple Masking Kit: I enjoyed these clay masks more than the Yes To sheet masks. I would buy these again but wish there was a way to be less wasteful about using these masks. I would love it if they came in little containers similar to Lush masks. You can use the three masks at once or one at a time. The Grapefruit/Vitamin C Glow Boosting is my favorite of the three. It’s super affordable, as are all of Yes To masks.
  • Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Chamomile And Lavender: I have used this 4 ounce spray as a sort of setting mist lately. I love the smell but I think the Rose is the best option. It’s not a necessity but it was nice to have.
  • Colourpop Brow pencil: I liked this pencil and that it has a spoolie on the other side. It allows you to make natural looking strokes and the formula is creamy and easy to use. I also use the Colourpop brow pomade.
  • Thayers Natural Remedies Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner Cucumber: I wouldn’t recommend this scent, but I love the gentle toner. Get the lavender or rose scent instead. The bottle lasts for months too!
  • Milk & Honey Vanilla/Coconut deodorant: I used this for months and enjoyed it. It is a different experience putting it on because it’s a cream and not a deodorant stick. I found that it worked well and has a nice scent.
  • Lush Mint Julips lip scrub: I loved the taste, though mine started to dry out after a while.
  • Pacifica Pineapple Wipeout Oil Cleansing Face Wipes: I bought these for travel and my hospital bag and they did the trick. I got tired of the pineapple scent after a while though. They were gentle and overall worked well for me.

What products have you been using up and loving lately? Share them with me in the comments! Have you tried any of these products?

Shop my empties**:

 
** This post contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise!

Related posts:

Recent Empties, Vol. 11
Recent Empties, Vol. 10

Postpartum Fitness Goals

I’m now eight weeks postpartum and I’ve finally been cleared to work out. I am feeling back to normal for the most part and I’m ready to get back to running after months off! I’m sharing my postpartum fitness goals in hopes of finding others who are going through the same phase of life or who are also looking to get back in shape or improve their health and well-being. I plan to post weekly recaps of my half-marathon training when I officially begin later this month; watch out for those, especially if you need motivation to find time for working out. I am a mom of two now so it will be challenging to make the time for fitness and I’m sure that will come up in my recaps. I’ll share any tips I learn along the way!

My Postpartum Fitness Goals:

  • Running: My goal is to train for and run the Chicago Half Marathon in September. I haven’t run a race since the Chicago Marathon in 2016, so I can’t wait to get back out there! I plan to sign up for group training as I did in the past. My goal is to finish the race in whatever way it takes, meaning walking as much as I need to. I don’t have a time goal this time around.
  • Weight: As of last week I was 3 pounds below my pre-baby weight thanks to breastfeeding, so I don’t feel like I need to drop more weight, but I’ll take it if it means I feel more toned and stronger. Right now I don’t feel either way.
  • Yoga: My goal is to get back to practicing regularly after some time off. I hope to also make it to two classes in a studio a month. (I can practice as much as I want at home because I am trained as a yoga teacher.)
  • Meals: I tracked my food intake throughout most of my pregnancy but I have gotten off track over the past few months. I want to get back to reviewing what I am eating and making sure I eat enough protein!
  • Family: I want to incorporate the kids into my fitness routine as much as possible by pushing them in the running stroller or practicing yoga at home with V. We also go on family walks sometimes and I want to continue that.

Are you working toward a fitness goal? Share yours in the comments so we can hold each other accountable and encourage one another!

Related posts:

Chicago Marathon 2016 Recap
Future Moments of Yes: My 2018 Goal
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