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Floradise

A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

Affordable Fall Decor and the Perfect Tea for Autumn

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

Now that it finally feels like fall in the Chicago area I’m ready to make our home more festive. I spent some time over the past week digging out our decor from the basement as well as picking up some new items. Now that we have more space there are more areas to decorate, so it’s been fun dreaming up what our home could look like for holidays and seasons for years to come. I am starting off slow, though, because I don’t want to buy too much. I’m sharing my affordable fall decor — so far — and how I add touches of autumn throughout our home in a non-overwhelming way.

I like to add neutral color pumpkins throughout the living room, including in front of the fireplace and on shelves and tables.

I added touches of fall to the dining table and kitchen, too. I find candles and table linens to be easy ways to be festive. It’s super affordable to buy some fall filling for a vase you already have, too. You can find low-cost signs, too, or make your own.

Fall Kitchen Decor From Walmart

For me, the fall weather shift also means a transition to warm beverages. I have always been a fan of Celestial Seasonings’ Sleepytime tea, among other flavors, but I like to switch to other fall flavors when the new season starts. I picked up a new package of Sleepytime tea along with Vermont Maple Ginger on my recent Walmart shopping trip. I also like to purchase the Honey Vanilla Chamomile flavor when it’s available.

Celestial Seasonings has a large assortment of tea flavors, so I’m always trying a new one. Chamomile has always been a go-to for me, but this time I added Vanilla Sleepytime to my cart.

Vermont Maple Ginger flavor tea tastes like Vermont maple sugar paired with ginger, making it spicy yet sweet. The smell definitely summons fall feelings for me.

My favorite place to drink the tea is on the balcony adjoining our bedroom. I have been enjoying the cooler temperatures before they get too cold for my taste. There’s just something about sitting outside with my plants and watching the leaves start to fall. Those who care about our Earth will be happy to know that Celestial Seasonings tea is made with herbs, teas and botanicals that have been grown according to Earth-friendly practices. I also think it’s commendable that the tea comes packaged in natural fiber tea bags that don’t need a string, tag, staple or individual wrapper. According to Celestial Seasonings, doing this saves more than 3.5 million pounds of waste from entering landfills each year.

Later in the evenings I like to enjoy Sleepytime tea after putting the kids to bed. This is my precious time to myself that I look forward to every day. Sleepytime tea is a comforting staple that blends chamomile, spearmint and lemongrass to help me wind down after a long, busy day.

What’s your flavor Celestial Seasonings tea flavor? Share yours in the comments!

Connect with Celestial Seasonings

Find your favorite Celestial Seasonings tea flavor

Cheers to Spring With Refreshing Welch’s Mocktails

 

My family is celebrating spring, even if Chicago weather hasn’t gotten the memo. We welcomed the new season and celebrated our upcoming new family member with a brunch paired with two delicious Welch’s mocktails over the weekend. (I made the drink family-friendly, but you can easily turn it into a cocktail by adding your favorite sparkling beverage or whatever alcoholic beverage you enjoy.) Check out my spring and summertime beverages of choice: a refreshing Grape Lemon Mocktail and a Passionfruit Mimosa Mocktail. Both are super simple to make!

Grape Lemon Mocktail ingredients:

  • Ice
  • Sparkling water in lemon flavor or lemon-flavor soda, if you prefer.
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Welch’s Concord Grape refrigerated cocktail flavor
  • Mint for garnish

Mix all ingredients and then add the mint garnish. (You can extract the mint flavor more by muddling it before pouring the drink or by rubbing the leaves between your hands before using as garnish.)

Enjoy!

Find the Welch’s Concord Grape flavor here.

Passion Fruit Mimosa Mocktail ingredients:

  • Chopped strawberries
  • Orange slice
  • Lemon-flavor soda or sparkling water (or club soda)
  • Orange juice
  • Welch’s Passion Fruit refrigerated cocktail flavor

Combine all ingredients and enjoy!

 

Watch me make Welch’s mocktails:

 

Have you tried Welch’s juice cocktail flavors? What is your favorite spring- or summertime drink?

Connect with Welch’s:

Find Out Where to Buy Welch’s Refrigerated Cocktails

October Favorites | November Plans

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


October was a loooong month for me. It seemed to drag on forever, partly because I was having uncomfortable symptoms for most of the month. Luckily, the end of October brought some relief thanks to my focus on self-care and family. Here are my October favorites,  the items I loved last month because they helped me start feeling like myself again!

My October Favorites:

Bump Box: My friend surprised me with this first trimester box as soon as I told her we were expecting. She was the first friend I told, thus she was one of maybe two people who knew about my symptoms so early on. When I opened the box and saw a new package of Preggie Pops I was thrilled because I had just ran out of mine. Preggie Pops are the real favorite because they have been helpful in relieving my morning sickness (for the most part). The box also contained other goodies, like a water bottle, a bath bomb and an anti-nausea drink mix. I didn’t use the anti-nausea bracelet or the belly stickers, but I appreciated the gesture of sending a box.

Sweater Weather three-wick candle: To be honest I am not obsessed with every Bath and Body Works three-wick candle scent. Sweater Weather (sage, juniper berry, eucalyptus, fresh woods) is one of the few I actually enjoy. I am also currently burning Tis the Season, which smells like rich red apple, sweet cinnamon and cedarwood. (Too soon?)

IZZE Sparkling Juice Clementine drinks: I recently rediscovered this drink and have since craved it constantly, though I’m trying to stick to water as much as possible. It’s refreshing and sweet and so good!

Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub: I just picked this up but it’s already a favorite. It tastes so good and leaves my lips soft. Plus, it has that gentle tingle I enjoy in my lip balms.

Lush Rosy Cheeks Mask: This, too, is a new addition but I already love it. It smells amazing and left my face feeling ridiculously soft and moisturized. It wasn’t really exfoliating or anything, just a treat to use.  It has a nice cooling and soothing effect since it’s supposed to be kept in the fridge.

What products have you been loving?

What I’m excited about in November:

I’m really hoping this month brings more relief and a lot more fun!

I’m looking forward to:

  • Sharing the gender of our baby!
  • Seeing Johnnyswim perform in Chicago.
  • Visiting my friend Charlsy in Alexandria.
  • Celebrating Thanksgiving in Louisville.
  • Doing some Christmas shopping!

What are you excited about this month? What are your goals?

Chicago Eats: Oyster Bah, The Hampton Social and Firecakes Donuts

It’s been too long since I shared some of the delicious meals I’ve had lately in Chicago. My friend’s visit for the Lady Gaga concert at Wrigley Field gave me the opportunity to try a couple of new (to me) places, and I recently met up with Jessie (of Just Jessie blog) to catch up at another great place.

Oyster Bah, Lincoln Park

I was drawn to Oyster Bah by an Instagram photo. Yep. While the restaurant is known for oysters, hence the name, I chose the Maryland crab cake sandwich (blue crab, romaine, roma tomato, avocado, old bay mayonnaise) with one tweak: I asked for chipotle mayo instead of the old bay mayonnaise. (It came with fries.) Amazing! I ate every single bite. I was completely satisfied and I have craved it several times since then. We sipped Rosé with our entrees.

 

The Hampton Social, River North

Hampton Social is one of the most Instagrammed restaurants in Chicago. The Hamptons/East Coast-themed restaurant is adorable, often known for its “Rosé all day” sign in one of the dining rooms. It featured a live band that was actually pretty decent when we visited for an afternoon brunch recently. While the restaurant was packed, it was easy to get a reservation for the same day (for two people). We, of course, tried the Frosé, which had a peachy flavor. Peach isn’t my favorite so I thought it was just OK. I drank it all, though! My friend enjoyed the mojito as well, while I also had a mimosa. For my entree I almost picked the lobster roll, but for some reason the fish tacos were calling my name (again that weekend). I went with the beer batter fish vs. the grilled, and they had chipotle mayo. Can you see a pattern here? I will order anything with chipotle mayo/aioli on it. The fish tacos don’t come with a side, but I found them to be filling on their own.

 

 

 

 

 

Firecakes Donuts, River North

We stumbled across Firecakes while walking to brunch, so we picked up a couple of doughnuts to try as appetizers. haha Firecakes is home to the giant birthday cake doughnut that I’m dying to purchase for someone’s birthday. I tried the peanut butter cup doughnut, which I loved, and my friend chose another (that I can’t remember now). I really want to go back and try more!

 

 

 

What awesome restaurants have you tried recently? Have you been to any of these?

 

10 Ways to Feel Like You’re on Vacation

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CraftYourCool #CollectiveBias

Growing up, summer meant visiting my grandparents and extended family, who live in a small fishing town in Mexico. I would spend weeks with them, visiting the beach, soaking in the sunshine and getting my fill of tacos and sopes. Now, summer means plenty of stormy Chicago days and a busy schedule that prevents me from jetting off on a monthlong vacation like a did as a child and teen. But I still want to feel like I’m escaping the day-to-day bustle and relaxing. It seems like everyone I know is on some sort of tropical beach vacation, while I’m stuck in the city, counting down the days until I can get away, too. Luckily, there are many ways to feel like you’re on vacation this summer.

Today I’m sharing 10 tips to help you feel like you’re on a getaway:

1.  Upgrade your bed linens to give you the feeling of staying at a luxury hotel. One of the things I love about traveling is staying in a hotel that has comfortable bedding. Get that same effect by changing your own bed linens to treat yourself when you can’t go on an actual vacation. You can also spray your pillow with a refreshing spray to add an extra relaxing touch.

2. Add a little extra highlight and bronzer to your makeup routine. What I like to do when I’m wearing pool coverups, off-the-shoulder tops, and summer dresses is add a bit of highlight to my shoulders, collar bone and maybe even legs. Add some bronzer to give yourself that just-back-from-vacation look.

3. Light a candle with a tropical or favorite scent. Whether the place you’re thinking of is “home” or a country you have never visited, you can pretend you are there through your sense of smell. Light your favorite candle, close your eyes and visualize the location.

4. Dress as if you’re on vacation. Wear bright prints, fun accessories, a sun hat, and those cute new sandals you just picked up.

5. Listen to tunes from around the world. Create a playlist inspired by music from around the world. Maybe you want to listen to salsa, merengue, or flamenco music that reminds you of a past or future trip.

6. Pick up some flowers or a plant. Certain plants remind you of places you’ve been or hope to go. We like to fill our patio and apartment with tropical plants to create a beach paradise vibe that reminds me of Mexico, Hawaii and Costa Rica.

7. Go to a new place in your city. Visit a place you haven’t yet been for the feeling of excitement and wonder you get when traveling. It could be checking out a new museum, visiting a cultural center or traveling to a nearby town to see what it has to offer.

8. Try a new restaurant. Perhaps you’ve never tried Cuban food, or you’re craving the Argentinian flavors you had on a memorable trip. Maybe you’re missing the flavors of home. Trying a new eatery in your city can help you get a taste of that culture and feel like you’re actually in that country.

9. Surround yourself with photos of places you love or want to visit. My home is decorated with canvases of pictures I’ve taken during our past trips. Looking at them reminds me of the feeling of being there and fills me with gratitude for those memories. I also have trinkets from places like Costa Rica and Mexico on my dresser, where I’ll see them every day.

A canvas of a photo I took in Costa Rica hangs in my living room.

10. Head out on a picnic with a friend, your favorite snacks and bottles of the Starbucks® Bottled Dulce de Leche Frappuccino® Coffee Drink. I like to pair my Dulce de Leche Frappuccino® with with sweet pastries from a local bakery because they remind me of my family. We used to get these every summer when I visited them in Mexico.

You can easily find the new flavor of  Starbucks® Bottled Frappuccino® Coffee Drink 13.7 oz Single Serve (not available in a four-pack) at your neighborhood Walmart. It’s sold next to the Mocha and Vanilla flavors of Starbucks® Frappucino® Coffee Drinks. Tip: When you buy three ready-to-drink Starbucks® products, you get 35 stars to add to your Starbucks® Rewards! (This is valid only in store and requires receipt verification.)

When I’m feeling that fear of missing out on a vacation, I pack my delicious goodies and my bottled Frappucinos® in my beach bag and head to my neighborhood park, which is next to the lake. Lake Michigan is nothing like the Pacific Ocean, but I like to kick off my sandals, sit on the sand and envision a beach vacation.

The bottle and cap make the Starbucks® Bottled Dulce de Leche Frappuccino® Coffee Drink  super easy to carry and convenient for drinking on the go — no need to pack glasses or cups. I make sure to chill the coffee drink so I can enjoy that refreshing drink right out of the bottle on a humid and hot Chicago day.


The Dulce de Leche Frappucino® helps me shift my mindset from one of missing out on a vacation to a more positive, grateful attitude for these wonderful memories I have of past travel experiences. Once you change that outlook, you’ll have a more joyful present, wherever you are.


What do you do to make your days more enjoyable? Have you tried the new flavor? P.S. Don’t forget to save these tips to Pinterest!




Deal: #StartYourYearRefreshed with Coca-Cola Products

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and the Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #StartYourYearRefreshed #CollectiveBias

It’s a New Year, how are you preparing for everything to come in 2017? Have you made any resolutions? Perhaps one of them includes adding healthy fruits and veggies to your meals and snacks? There’s no better way to Start Your Year Refreshed than to incorporate select Coca-Cola products and Albertsons Fresh Fruit packs.

Products like Simply Orange, Minute Maid, vitaminwater, smartwater, and POWERADE will help keep you refreshed and ready to tackle anything in the New Year!

When you buy $15 worth of these participating items*, you’ll get $4 off your Fresh Cut Fruit via Catalina at Albertsons, Safeway and other banners (Tom Thumb, Acme, Shaws, Pavillions, Star Market etc.).

$4 off can be found on receipt as a coupon/credit for your next purchase of Fresh Cut Fruit at your Albertsons banner store.

*Participating products:

  • Simply OJ 89oz
  • Minute Maid Light FDA 59oz
  • Fairlife 52oz,
  • smartwater 700ml
  • Odwalla 15.2oz
  • Suja 12oz
  • ZICO 16.9oz.
  • vitaminwater 20oz
  • smartwater 12 pk 1L
  • POWERADE 32oz.
  • Core Power 11.5oz (new!)

Thursday Tidbits

I got the idea for a Tidbits post from Allison of Because I Said So. She shared little bits of information and updates that wouldn’t make up a full blog post on their own. I love the idea, because I tend to have several drafts waiting to be published that never really pan out. 
Thus, here are my Thursday Tidbits:
  • I recently bought a Samsung Galaxy S7 when I was eligible for a Verizon upgrade. 1.) I am disappointed Verizon doesn’t have contract pricing on phones anymore. Instead you just pay a certain amount per month on your phone. It seems like Verizon gets more and more expensive, am I right? 2.) The Galaxy S7 is touted as being water resistant and durable (or so I thought), but within the first week of having it, my phone fell out of my pocket and the BACK shattered. Not the screen, the back of the phone. I have never heard of that happening with any phone. I was livid. After cooling off for a week, I bought a gold case that hides the shattered part. The only advice I got from Verizon had been to submit an insurance claim, which typically costs $100. I am shocked at how this phone could be manufactured to be so vulnerable on the back of phone, which is typically more durable. By the way, I love my case, which I got from HD Accessory (not affiliate link). It was shipped quickly and matches the gold on the phone. It cost me about $8 including shipping.
  • Graham and I finally made our annual trip to a home-improvement store for gardening supplies and plants. I am getting a late start on our garden because we waited until we moved into our new apartment, but I’m so excited! This year we are sticking with the vegetables I had success with last year: jalapeños, Anaheim peppers, red and green bell peppers, eggplants, cilantro, sweet basil, chocolate mint (Graham’s choice) and oregano. We also bought a lot of petunias (which I am always drawn toward) and many other plants.
  • I recently tried George’s Ice Cream & Sweets in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago and it.was.amazing. I ordered the smallest sundae they have with Caramel Chaos ice cream and I struggled to finish it. But it was delicious. The line was out the door on a Friday night, and I can see why. George’s has tons of flavors to choose from and the portions are generous. Want to see where else I’m eating? Follow me on Instagram!
  • I just started marathon training and I absolutely love these shorts from C9 at Target. They kept me cool and comfortable while running in the heat and humidity. 
  • Last but not least, I tried Starbucks’ Granitas, which are available starting at 3 p.m. every day.  I ordered the Strawberry Lemon Limeade Granita on a hot afternoon before marathon training. It was a perfectly refreshing summer drink. I will be trying the Youthberry White Tea Granita next. Have you tried them? What did you think?
Share a tidbit about your life in the comments!

* This post contains an affiliate link.

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