This is a pivotal election in our country's history. I feel compelled to take action in this election more than ever before. I recently discovered that some of the ways to take part in an election aren't as intimating as I thought previously. I'm sharing how to do your part in the 2020 election, in case you're looking for some ideas. By the way, the 2020 election is on Tuesday, November 3.First ... Read more
Building a Coco Village Treehouse Bunk Bed for Our Girls
My daughters were quickly outgrowing their beds -- a toddler bed and a crib -- and requested bunkbeds, which I was nervous about. I worried A would roll off the bed and hurt herself. Over the past year I have seen Coco Village's beds and loved them, and the treehouse option seemed like a good fit for the girls. This is because the lower bed is low to the floor and because the top bunk is almost ... Read more
Minimalism and Quarantine
** This post is sponsored by FindCreditUnions.com. All opinions are my own. Spending more time at home during these past six months has reminded me about the importance of minimalism. I become anxious if my environment is full of clutter, and I don't need the added chaos in the already-stressful world. When quarantine began, I was in home-improvement and decluttering mode. I took a break ... Read more
Small Businesses I’ve Found on Social Media Recently
** 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
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
Musee Bath Review: New Favorite Bath Bombs
While researching Mother's Day gifts that give back I came across Musee Bath, a Mississippi company that hires women in recovery, individuals with disabilities and people who have not had the opportunities of education. Their bath bombs, or balms, as they call them, looked nice and were fairly priced, so I ordered several for myself and for my sister-in-law. I have found my new favorite bath ... Read more
Finding the Joy During Social Isolation
In the first few weeks of social distancing, I was panicked, stressed and, frankly, depressed. I could not wrap my mind around what was happening. I was in denial about the changes we would have to make in the coming months. I told myself then that I would not force myself to be productive. I read a tweet that offered an important reminder: You are in a pandemic while still trying to work. It ... Read more
V’s Frozen 2 Birthday Party During Quarantine
** This post about V's Frozen 2 birthday party contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise! My strong, brave, smart, funny and beautiful V turned 6 this week, and we celebrated her birthday quarantine style, that is via Zoom with our family. She is an Elsa fan, so she chose Frozen 2 as the theme ... Read more
Teacher Appreciation Day in Quarantine
Teachers deserve all the praise and much more. I've appreciated V's teachers before the pandemic forced me to facilitate my child's learning, but now even more so. V's teachers created lessons for the remaining weeks of school that contain activities for each subject. Each Monday-Thursday we find new lessons on her school iPad, while Fridays are catch-up days. I struggle with not only balancing ... Read more
Things That Won’t Be the Same
These past couple of months have been eye opening. Every day I see social media posts by people wishing life would go back to normal. "When this is over ..., " they say. But some things won't be the same. Some of our behaviors will change, and some should. I've been thinking about some of the ways life will look different from now on and things that won't be the same, some minor and some ... Read more