I’m tired. There. I said it. I have over-committed myself this year. I have taken on too many things. I have gone above and beyond the degree of what I’m comfortable doing. While I’m happy to go outside my comfort zone, I’m not so happy to admit that I’ve put myself in a situation in… Continue reading Change Your Perspective, Change Your Outlook, Change Your Life
Blog
My Fall Essentials Shopping List (for the home)
Happy Wednesday, loves! I know, I know….fall doesn’t officially begin until September 23. But, hear me out. You see, we don’t have fall in Florida. We get second summer, where it’s scorching hot all day, but sometimes it’s not deathly hot at night. So, since we don’t get a fall season around here, I feel… Continue reading My Fall Essentials Shopping List (for the home)
Monday Motivation: Five Ways to Get Motivated Any Day of the Week
Happy Monday, loves! It’s so hard to find motivation sometimes, right? I go through off and on periods where I’m super motivated to do all the things, and then there are days that I don’t want to do any of the things. But, there are a few things that I’ve come to notice about my… Continue reading Monday Motivation: Five Ways to Get Motivated Any Day of the Week
Finding Quality Time With Your Family In Busy Seasons
Happy Thursday, loves! Anyone else have kids struggling to acclimate to the new routine of back-to-school? Hitting the kids with school schedules, sports schedules, activity schedules, and the rest of our lives schedules is hard on them this time of year, and it’s showing in the Raiford house. The twins are the most emotional little… Continue reading Finding Quality Time With Your Family In Busy Seasons
Wednesday Wisdom: Tips to Adjusting Your Schedule When the Kids Go Back to School
Happy Wednesday, loves! It’s the first full week of school for all four of our littles, which means it’s the first full week of back-to-normal for my husband and me. Our situation is a little different than most considering our normal everyday commute to work is a staggering 12 feet into our office out of… Continue reading Wednesday Wisdom: Tips to Adjusting Your Schedule When the Kids Go Back to School
I Got Rid of My SUV for a Minivan: Here’s Why
Happy Tuesday, and happy August, loves! I have been getting so many messages about my new ride, and I thought I’d answer the FAQs about it right here. So, last week when we returned from our two-week trip to the Carolinas, I bought a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Limited. I traded my GMC Acadia Denali for… Continue reading I Got Rid of My SUV for a Minivan: Here’s Why
Botox: Answers to the Questions I’m Asked the Most
Happy Monday, loves! Is anyone else as tired as I am going into this Monday? What was meant to be a laid back weekend ended up being jampacked with fun, and I’m not complaining! I spent Friday shopping with my mom and my four littles. Saturday I got the house to myself – and I… Continue reading Botox: Answers to the Questions I’m Asked the Most
Comfortable and Stylish Travel Outfit Favorites
Happy Thursday, loves! Anyone else like to procrastinate on occasion? I’m such a planner, but sometimes I’m just better under pressure. This feels like one of those times. I should be making packing lists, ordering new items, and planning for our upcoming vacation. Instead, I’m doing anything but. Honestly, I’m not even remotely motivated to… Continue reading Comfortable and Stylish Travel Outfit Favorites
Struggling with Mom Guilt During the Summer
Happy Friday, loves! Summer is officially here (last week, I think?), but it doesn’t feel any different to those of us in the Sunshine State. It’s hot. It’s humid. The heat is downright oppressive. It’s my least favorite time of the year (sweating isn’t my thing unless I’m working out) and my mom guilt is… Continue reading Struggling with Mom Guilt During the Summer
Friday Favorites: Disconnecting is Amazing (and so is this fab Bandolier phone case)
Happy Friday, loves! What a great week this has been…for so many reasons. Not only was it such a sweet and relaxed week in terms of finally having nowhere to be and nothing to do after months of sports, activities, end-of-school year awards, programs, parties, cheer camp, Safety Patrol DC trip, and our normal travel… Continue reading Friday Favorites: Disconnecting is Amazing (and so is this fab Bandolier phone case)
Orlando’s Best Kept Secret: The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
Happy Wednesday, loves! I have a secret. Well, it’s not a secret. No, it’s kind of a secret. Maybe. Who knows? We are waking up at home this morning for the first time since the kids got out of school three weeks ago without feeling completely exhausted, without traveling, and without anywhere to be. I… Continue reading Orlando’s Best Kept Secret: The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
3 Summer Masks Your Skin Needs, Stat
Summer is here, and we are all spending more time than ever outdoors. From beach days to pool parties to boat days, the sunshine is making us all feel good. But, it’s also taking a toll on our skin. With the changing of the seasons comes a change in our skincare routine. Right now, you’re… Continue reading 3 Summer Masks Your Skin Needs, Stat
Maintaining Patience During Summer Vacation
Patience and summer might not mix if you’re a parent. But, that’s part of the job. Our kids are home for the summer, and by that I mean they are totally and completely home. We are not big on summer camps around here. I’m not knocking those who are big into them, but we simply… Continue reading Maintaining Patience During Summer Vacation
Recovering After Vacation
No makeup. No real clothes. No exiting the house. That’s what our weekend looked like. And, it was the most beautiful weekend. I know I say that every weekend. No matter what we are doing, it’s a beautiful weekend. What can I say other than that we live our best life every weekend, and that’s… Continue reading Recovering After Vacation
9 Ways to Combat Exhaustion When Your Calendar is Full
Happy Tuesday, loves! I’m exhausted, and I’m guessing all my fellow moms are, too. It’s May. If you have school-age children, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Exhaustion is a way of life around here during the month of May, and it’s because there are so many end-of-school year events, parties, things, stuff, places,… Continue reading 9 Ways to Combat Exhaustion When Your Calendar is Full
Celebrating Mother’s Day with The Bouqs Co.
Happy Thursday, loves! Mother’s Day is a little bittersweet for me. On one hand, I feel so fortunate and blessed to celebrate this day each year. So many women don’t have that opportunity. My heart is full knowing that I have four beautiful babies to love not just Sunday, but every day. On the other… Continue reading Celebrating Mother’s Day with The Bouqs Co.
Romantic Weekend at the Vinoy
Happy Tuesday, loves! I had the best weekend. My husband planned a getaway for us to celebrate our anniversary in a few days, and he knocked it out of the park. It was just one night away because we currently haven’t time for more than that – but our schedule opens up a bit in… Continue reading Romantic Weekend at the Vinoy
Friday Favorites: Recent Lilly Pulitzer Purchases
Happy Friday, loves! What a week! May is the busiest year in the world for all people with kids – and when you have four kids, it’s four times as busy. This is the month we basically give up any dreams of rest, relaxation, down time (and work, for me) and give our lives to… Continue reading Friday Favorites: Recent Lilly Pulitzer Purchases
Anything Can Happen, and Being Prepared is a Good Thing
Happy Thursday, loves! A digital detox is sometimes what the doctor ordered, and the Raiford family has spent ample time with our fair share of doctors in the past two or three months! Since our son’s unprovoked grand mal seizure on Valentine’s weekend, it’s been necessary. We are already so busy with our kids… Continue reading Anything Can Happen, and Being Prepared is a Good Thing
Life Update
Happy Wednesday, loves! I’ve been a little (okay, a lot) MIA lately. Our life has been CRAZY since Valentine’s weekend, and we’ve just been focused on our little family and what has turned into appointment after appointment after appointment after appointment. You know that saying, “When it rains, it pours?” (I wish it would literally… Continue reading Life Update
Friday Five: Ways to Change Your Life
Happy Friday, loves! I did something recently that took me so far outside my comfort zone. I opened my new laptop and committed myself to it. I know. I know. That’s like, nothing, really, to some people. To me, it is a big deal. I don’t love technology. I really don’t. I’ve driven vehicles I… Continue reading Friday Five: Ways to Change Your Life
Last-Minute Valentine Gift Ideas For Your Sweet Littles
Happy Wednesday, loves! Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, but doesn’t it feel like it snuck right up on us? I can’t even believe it’s here already, yet here it is in all its glory. I mean, we have a whole year’s notice, and here I am the day before scrambling to put together class gifts and… Continue reading Last-Minute Valentine Gift Ideas For Your Sweet Littles
This Doesn’t Happen to Families Like Ours: Except When it Does
“Don’t panic. Everyone is fine.” Cold, hard fear gripped my heart. I’m fairly certain I stopped in my tracks walking out of the restaurant where we just had lunch with our oldest daughter and some of our cheer family. My heart stopped; of that, I am certain. It was Saturday morning, and it was a… Continue reading This Doesn’t Happen to Families Like Ours: Except When it Does
Valentine Cocktails With Icelandic Glacial
Happy Friday, loves! I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing I love more than the weekend. We love laidback weekends at home, hosting friends and family the most. My husband loves to cook, and I love to come up with fun new drink ideas on occasion to mix it up a bit. When the… Continue reading Valentine Cocktails With Icelandic Glacial
5 Reasons You Should Keep Fresh Blooms At Home
Happy Wednesday, loves! When we got home from Texas this weekend, we had to hit the supermarket. Ordinarily, we might order groceries to have delivered when we land so that we can come home to what we need and focus on unpacking, but I needed flowers. I always keep fresh flowers in our home –… Continue reading 5 Reasons You Should Keep Fresh Blooms At Home
Celebrating in Texas: A Weekend Recap
Happy Monday, Loves! What. A. Weekend. I cannot even begin to tell you how tired the Raiford family is this morning. We had the most amazing weekend – but it was tiring. We took the kids to Texas to visit my grandmother for her birthday, and it was such a wonderful trip. But, it wasn’t… Continue reading Celebrating in Texas: A Weekend Recap
Friday Favorites
Happy Friday, loves! This is a beautiful day! First, it’s Friday. And that’s always something I love, but it’s also my grandmother’s birthday, and I’m celebrating with her. In person. How many people get to say they’re hanging out with their grandmother on her birthday approximately a century after her birth. I have my husband… Continue reading Friday Favorites
January Goals – Accountability Post
Happy Wednesday, loves! Can you believe January is over tomorrow? It feels like we were just ringing in the new year with our little loves and our best friends, but now it’s the end of the month. The days are long, but the years are short – right? It’s been an exciting month in the… Continue reading January Goals – Accountability Post
Saying Goodbye to A Bad Habit
Happy Monday, Loves! What. A. Weekend. Our sweet Addison had her very first cheer competition of the year this weekend, on Craig’s 36th birthday, and they rocked the mat! We got to spend the weekend at one of our favorite hotels in Tampa with some of our very favorite friends celebrating all weekend with the… Continue reading Saying Goodbye to A Bad Habit
Friday Favorites
Happy Friday, loves! I love a good Friday, especially when it’s one that’s about to go into a super exciting weekend – and that is this one. It’s also extra exciting because tomorrow is my husband’s birthday. He’s turning 36, and he is aging so well. I’m so proud of the man he’s become –… Continue reading Friday Favorites
Why Our Daughter Doesn’t Have Her Own Cell Phone
Happy Wednesday, loves! I’m just sitting over here in a mild state of panic because the busy season of our lives is here. Do I say that every season? Probably, but this is different busy. This is cheer competition busy. And that means we basically move out of our home and live in hotels for… Continue reading Why Our Daughter Doesn’t Have Her Own Cell Phone
Monday Motivation: Never Miss A Monday (In Whatever You’re Doing)
Happy Monday, loves! You know the saying, never miss a Monday? So well-said, if you ask me. However, I’m not convinced it applies only to workouts. It’s everything. Personally, if I miss a Monday with anything in my life, I feel as if the rest of the week turns into a big ol’ mess. Whether… Continue reading Monday Motivation: Never Miss A Monday (In Whatever You’re Doing)
Buy This, Not That: How to Make Your Outfits Look More Expensive
Happy Friday, loves! Is it just me, or is this month basically flying by without any real slow down? I cannot believe we are already more than halfway through the first month of the new year, but I guess I should considering how much faster time goes by with four kids than it did before.… Continue reading Buy This, Not That: How to Make Your Outfits Look More Expensive
2019 Fitness Challenge with BBG – Adding an Additional Program to My Workouts
Happy Wednesday, loves! So, I did a thing. Well, I’m working on a collaboration with a company, and I did a thing, and I’m really excited about it. Y’all know that I’m big on being fit and toned, eating well, and being healthy in general. Not that I don’t love me some vino and some… Continue reading 2019 Fitness Challenge with BBG – Adding an Additional Program to My Workouts
National Clean Off Your Desk Day: Tips For Getting and Staying Organized
Happy Monday, loves! Super fun fact: Did y’all know today is National Clean Off Your Desk Day? Well, it is; and I cannot think of a better Monday vibe. If you know me, you know I’m all about organization and cleanliness and all things OCD when it comes to being neat and clean and all… Continue reading National Clean Off Your Desk Day: Tips For Getting and Staying Organized
Best Beauty Buys of the Year
Happy Friday, loves! It’s Friday, the kids have been back in school for a few days now, I’ve had some serious quality time with my husband this week, the weekend is officially here; my mood is stellar. It’s Friday, so I’m going to make this quick and just round up a few of my favorite… Continue reading Best Beauty Buys of the Year
Hitting Reset on Your Body and Mind When You’re In A Funk
Happy Wednesday, loves! Can you believe we are officially nine days into the year already?! It’s amazing, isn’t it? I swear to you, it was just New Year’s Eve, and I was just rounding out the last day of the year. It was such a fun way to end the year, too. We had a… Continue reading Hitting Reset on Your Body and Mind When You’re In A Funk
Being Content: Finding Happiness Right Now
Happy Monday, loves! I hope you all had the most fantastic weekend. We did, and I loved every second of it! I know I say it all the time, but we are so fortunate to have had the same amazing friends in our lives since long before any of us had kids. We all got… Continue reading Being Content: Finding Happiness Right Now
Friday Thoughts: Growth and Confidence
Happy Friday, loves! Funny story – I did not have a blog post scheduled for today. I’m writing this on Thursday, scheduling it for Friday morning because it’s currently on my mind and I’m feeling a bit passionate about it. If you’ve been following along the past few years, you already know my family and… Continue reading Friday Thoughts: Growth and Confidence
Instagram Roundup
Happy Thursday, loves! I love that this new year is already off to such a great start. It’s been a few days, and it’s already been one of those weeks when you just sit back and embrace life to the fullest. I basically took the past month off work. Almost entirely other than the two… Continue reading Instagram Roundup
2018 Reflections and 2019 Goals: Happy New Year
Happy Tuesday, loves! And Happy New Year! Want to hear something funny? This is my least favorite time of the year. Well, December 26 – August 31 is my least favorite time of the year. I live for September 1 – December 25. The rest of the year I could actually care less about. There’s… Continue reading 2018 Reflections and 2019 Goals: Happy New Year
Pre-Holiday Stress? Try These 7 Things
Happy Monday, loves! Can you believe there are only 8 more days until Christmas? This is the single best week of the year, and I cannot believe it’s here already! But, let’s be a little bit honest. This time of year can be a little overwhelming if you’re not careful. Parties, events, travel, hosting, and… Continue reading Pre-Holiday Stress? Try These 7 Things
Hostess Gifts to Keep On Hand
Happy Wednesday, loves! There is nothing I love more this time of year than the feeling I get when the holidays are here. I can’t explain it, but you know what I mean. It’s a feeling of contentment. Happiness and joy and love and excitement. It’s everywhere, and I’m in love. One thing I always… Continue reading Hostess Gifts to Keep On Hand
Subscription Boxes: The Christmas Gift that Keeps On Giving
Happy Monday, loves! It is officially December, and that is officially exciting! We’ve been living our best lives over here the past few weeks, and I’ve been a little MIA. Last week was a crazy one. Thanksgiving was the week before last, and it was a beautiful week. Family, friends, food, and so much love.… Continue reading Subscription Boxes: The Christmas Gift that Keeps On Giving
Black Friday Shopping Tips
Happy Friday, loves! I hope you all had the most beautiful and amazing Thanksgiving! Our home was filled with people we love, more food that we could possibly eat, too much fun and laughter, and probably a few too many cocktails. It was everything. Now that you’re properly stuffed, adequately hating yourself for eating that… Continue reading Black Friday Shopping Tips
Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving, loves! Before the turkey goes in the oven, before the formal dining room table is set, before our guests arrive, I like to wake early and sit outside with a hot cup of coffee and my thoughts. I love the back deck this time of day (or the front porch or lanai if… Continue reading Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving
Life Lately & An Instagram Roundup
Happy Tuesday, loves! What about this week is so magical?! I love Thanksgiving. I love opening my home to the people we love, hosting a beautiful dinner, spending the day in the kitchen with my husband. I love so much about it. I’m not even that bothered by the kids being home this week because… Continue reading Life Lately & An Instagram Roundup
Modern Holiday Fashion with Crazy 8
Happy Tuesday, loves! I am exhausted! We had such a busy, fun-filled weekend, and I’m tired. Even though it was a long weekend, I didn’t get a lot of rest yesterday during the holiday. I mean, the kids were all home from school, so that’s basically the sum of all things unproductive. It wasn’t a… Continue reading Modern Holiday Fashion with Crazy 8
The Best Fall Closet Staple: The Basic Tee
Happy Halloween, loves! I love Halloween so much! It’s one of my favorite holidays of the year with Thanksgiving and Christmas. Let’s face it, I just love this time of year so much. It’s cool and beautiful outdoors. Well, as cool as can be in Florida. It’s still in the mid-80s all day, but the… Continue reading The Best Fall Closet Staple: The Basic Tee
Weekend Recap & Great Hair Days with Sexy Hair’s New Control Me Thermal Heat Protection Formula
Happy Monday, loves! I don’t know about you, but I am so excited for the beginning of a new week. I feel so refreshed and relaxed after such a great weekend with my loves. Friday night was all about relaxing and unwinding at home. We were all tired after a busy weekend before and a… Continue reading Weekend Recap & Great Hair Days with Sexy Hair’s New Control Me Thermal Heat Protection Formula
