** This post about small businesses contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise! This year I've decided to do my Christmas shopping as early as possible. I started a sinking fund for holiday shopping in January, so I already have savings for gifts and I've made a few purchases. My goal is to ... Read more
Things I Did During Quarantine
Maybe I just hallucinated a pandemic. That's how it feels when I continue distancing while others are enjoying the reopening by going to restaurants or hosting parties. I am still living that semi-quarantined life and don't really know when that will end. I've been reflecting on the various stages of quarantine I've experienced since March. First it began with anxiety. Lots and lots of anxiety. I ... Read more
Lessons I’ve Learned From Starting My Own Etsy Shop
You just have to begin. That's what I told myself when I began listing items on Etsy in May. I had opened a shop a couple of years ago but only listed a couple of items before taking them down. I hadn't given it much effort. This time I wanted to give it an actual try and share my creations. In just a week I landed my first sale and every since then I have hit 90 sales. That's more than I imagined ... Read more
My Recent Cricut Projects
** This post about my Cricut projects contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you! If there's a positive that has come out of quarantine, it's that I am now the proud owner of a Cricut Maker. I have wanted to purchase one for some time, because I love to DIY and buy personalized gifts. When the lockdown began I became ... Read more
Sangria Mocktail With Perrier® Strawberry
** This Sangria Mocktail With Perrier® Strawberry post is sponsored by Perrier® but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. Springtime means gorgeous weather and more time outdoors soaking in the sunlight. We love going on family walks to notice the changes spring brings, like blooming flowers, the return of perennial plants and the greener trees. After our walks we ... Read more
Visiting the Chicago Botanic Garden After Reopening
We've been sticking to the quarantine life despite the reopening of many businesses and activities in the Chicago area. But when the Chicago Botanic Garden announced its reopening this month, we felt comfortable planning a visit. This is because its outdoors and visitors must make a reservations and pick a time slot for entry. While the entry time is reserved, you may obviously stay as long as you ... Read more
Trying Nohbo Coconut Soap Slips
In January I ordered Nohbo Shampoo Drops to try and review. The Nohbo company had been featured in an update episode of "Shark Tank" after its initial appearance in 2016. After that 2016 episode, I had ordered Nohbo Shampoo Balls, which were the original version of the eco-friendly shampoo balls. The order partially crumbled during shipping and I was unable to get my hands on another order in the ... Read more
A Quarantine Kindergarten Graduation
I am officially the mom of a first grader. Last week we celebrated V's kindergarten graduation via Zoom, as one does during quarantine. I realize most people care more about high-school and college graduations, but we love to celebrate these moments in our family. Of course, it's not what I envisioned the end of her first school would turn out to be. I pictured gathering in her school cafeteria to ... Read more
Family Picnics at Skokie Lagoons
Our family is still practicing social distancing despite the state of Illinois reopening gradually. To get out of the house, though, we've been enjoying family picnics at Skokie Lagoons. We've done this several times lately and it's been a welcome change of pace. The world is so heavy right now, so it's so nice sit in the sunshine, feel the breeze and watch the birds and other wildlife as we eat a ... Read more
Review of Traffic Secrets by Russell Brunson
** This post is sponsored by Traffic Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Filling Your Websites and Funnels with Your Dream Customers by Russell Brunson. All opinions are my own. My goal in 2020 has been to increase my blog traffic, so when the opportunity to participate in a 30-day challenge to do just that, I jumped at the chance. I recently finished reading Traffic Secrets: The ... Read more