Elaine
A Florida native copywriter and homeschooling mom of two with big dreams of doing simple things with great love. Graduated from UCF with a degree in English Literature, which gave her strong opinions on Jack Kerouac and where to get the best tacos at midnight. Either drinking coffee or a margarita right now. Spends her days learning, creating, exploring, and trying to convince everyone knitting is cool. Often has hands covered in bread flour. Fears living through another low-rise jeans trend.
Easy Ways to Decorate for Fall (Even If The AC Is Still On)
Let's face it, Fall in Florida is still, unfortunately HOT. We are dependent on the calendar to tell when each season begins and ends. The pumpkin spice latte and aisles in Hobby Lobby try to...
Fall Kids Craft: Magical Leaves From Melted Crayons
Originally posted November 12, 2019
Updated Nov 1, 2021
As soon as I flipped the calendar to November, I got that warm feeling: it is really fall! Yes, it has been fall for a while now,...
Quick! Now Is The Best Time to Sell a Home in Orlando: Tips to...
Everyone has heard that springtime is when you should list your home for sale, but is that just an industry myth? HomeLight created an online tool to make selling a house in Orlando easier than ever...
Tips and Ideas To Make Virtual Playdates Actually Fun
It's a whole new world when it comes to play groups in the time of COVID-19 quarantine. Instead of worrying about shoving the laundry behind closed doors (that's standard prep...right?) and offering snacks, I'm...
Broccoli Isn’t Punishment: Easy Ways We Get Our Kids To Eat Vegetables
I don't just want my kids to eat vegetables; I want them to love eating vegetables. It's a high bar, I know, but food is a permanent, daily part of their lives, so it...
More Than Just the Turkey: Four Traditions for the Best Thanksgiving Ever
Guys. . . it's almost Thanksgiving! I know this holiday can easily be overshadowed by its glitzy bookends Halloween and Christmas, but I truly love the spirit and traditions of gathering around a table...
Little Steps to Throwing an Eco-Friendly Birthday Party
I really, really love parties. And that might be an understatement. So when I realized my baby girl would be turning one (I was in denial for a while so it snuck up on...
2018 Orlando Gift Ideas Holiday Wish List
To help you keep your dollars local and tackle your holiday shopping, we have put together this wish list filled with Orlando gift ideas from some of the best businesses around. Each gift on our list has been hand selected by our contributors and readers as an Orlando must-have, and we just love this year's Orlando gift ideas!
Hello Baby! Pregnancy App & Pregnancy Must-Haves for the Orlando Mama-To-Be
Being pregnant in Florida can feel a little different than other places. This can be a good thing (no need to buy an expensive pregnancy parka) or a less-than-good thing (have you been 40...
April Everyday Holidays
April is full of festivities: some yummy, some funny, and some that will remind us all the importance of giving back. These Everyday Holidays will make sure you and your families will have new...
5 Tips For the Best Backyard Birthday Bash
We are lucky to live where outdoor parties are almost always a great idea with our year-round mild seasons and sunny skies. This can make planning your kids’ birthday parties a breeze (just be sure to schedule it around the 4:00 pm rain over summer!). Here are our best tips to make your next backyard bash a hit—and easy too!
Lucky To Live in Orlando: Our Craniosynostosis Story
I have never been happier to be an Orlando resident than when my sweet two-week-old baby was diagnosed with sagittal craniosynostosis.
It was a normal day for our new family of four, which of course...
New Classic Kids’ Books
A love for reading is a nonnegotiable in our family. Here are some of the best new classic kids' books that are sure to become a favorite.
Get the Most Out of Your Family Photos
I am a sucker for family photos, and I love how they have changed from when I was a kid. No more awkward, overly-staged positions with white foam pillars in front of a backdrop...
How to Get Your Kids to Love Books
Reading opens up entire new worlds to you, transports you to new places, and lets you live vicariously through someone else. Want to slay a dragon? Track down a thief? Visit the moon? Learn...