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
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
New Tailwind for Instagram Features to Try
** This post contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. I have shared in the past my experience with Tailwind for Instagram to improve and simpify my Instagram posting process and increase my engagement. The Hashtag Finder feature has been immensely helpful in switching up my hashtags and expanding my reach, as ... 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
Mother’s Day Gifts That Give Back
** This post about Mother's Day gifts that give back contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made after clicking these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise! Now more than ever I am looking to support businesses that are giving back to their communities. With Mother's Day approaching, it's the perfect time to find a gift that is meaningful and ... Read more
Master Bedroom Reveal: Before and After
** This post about our master bedroom reveal features a gifted item from Photowall. This post contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise! Our bedroom is becoming a relaxing sanctuary for us and that's taken some time. It is not 100 percent finished, but it's close enough to share and about as ... Read more