{At our favorite hotel in NYC with our oldest girls...it was their first time visiting our favorite city with us} Lucky Number 13. It was 13 years ago that I stood in the beautiful courtyard in Haile Plantation with the most handsome, most generous, kindest, funniest, most amazing human I know and said I do.… Continue reading 13 Things I’ve Learned About Marriage On Our 13th Wedding Anniversary
Blog
Mother’s Day Gift Guide: The Luxe Edition
Mother’s Day is a little bittersweet in our home. It’s a day when we celebrate our moms, and it’s a day when our kids and my husband celebrate me. It’s also the anniversary of the very first baby we lost. We were expecting our second baby in 2010. I was a few months along when… Continue reading Mother’s Day Gift Guide: The Luxe Edition
Cinco de Mayo Cocktails With La Luna Mezcal
Happy Cinco de Mayo Eve! I’m probably not going to lie to you…I have zero clue why Cinco de Mayo is a celebration, only that it means good times for most of us. I do, however, promise that I will look up this information, stat, as a way of educating myself. And also because I… Continue reading Cinco de Mayo Cocktails With La Luna Mezcal
Recipe Wednesday: Healthy Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps in Under 20 Minutes
Happy Wednesday, loves! I don’t know about you, but my husband and I are pretty good about what we put into our bodies. Healthy food is priority in our home, but we don’t have much time. I swear, sometimes I’m not even sure how we function with all we have to do, but we get… Continue reading Recipe Wednesday: Healthy Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps in Under 20 Minutes
Weekend Recap and IG Round-Up: The Best Dresses for The Season
Happy Tuesday, loves! Well, it’s Monday my time – and I’m just sitting here on my deck living my very best life. The Florida sunshine is currently giving me all the happy feelings. It’s cool, breezy, and my back deck is shaded and perfect. I’ve moved out of mine and my husband’s office to sit… Continue reading Weekend Recap and IG Round-Up: The Best Dresses for The Season
Bad Days: Sometimes You Just Can’t Change Them (and that’s all right)
What. A. Weekend. Happy Tuesday, loves! Well, I’m hoping for a lovely, happy Tuesday. As I write this on Monday afternoon, I’m not very happy. Honestly, I had a whole different blog post in mind for today, but I’m inspired by my own bad attitude and moodiness. Nothing makes me happy today. We had the… Continue reading Bad Days: Sometimes You Just Can’t Change Them (and that’s all right)
Traveling Without Your Kids: A Must Do For Your Marriage
I’m going to be late picking the girls up from school if I don’t leave here in approximately 10 minutes, but I’m sitting here at my desk in my bathrobe eating a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter with tiny chocolate chips. And I don’t feel bad. Technically, the line doesn’t even begin moving until 3:40,… Continue reading Traveling Without Your Kids: A Must Do For Your Marriage
Friday Favorite: Working Out to Feel Oh-So Good
Happy Friday, babes! Isn’t April just gorgeous? I love this time of year in Florida when the temperature is warm during the day but cool in the mornings and evenings…the open doors and windows, the late nights outside, and the fun we have with the people we love the most. Halfway through the month and… Continue reading Friday Favorite: Working Out to Feel Oh-So Good
Instagram Roundup: What I’ve Been Wearing Lately
Happy Tuesday, lovelies! The week has gotten off to a stellar start in the Raiford household. My husband and I ran a 5k with our oldest daughter Saturday. It was the first I’ve ever run. We’ve done plenty of 5k’s in the past, but they’ve been obstacle course-type mud runs and such. I’ve only ever… Continue reading Instagram Roundup: What I’ve Been Wearing Lately
Three Closet Staples For Spring
Spring is here. Or so I hear. It's just hot in the Sunshine State. The humidity is back. The air is on. My makeup is melting regularly. So, good for you if you have spring. And yes, you do infer a bit of sarcasm in that congratulatory phrase. Now that spring has allegedly sprung, it's… Continue reading Three Closet Staples For Spring
Dinnerly Dinner Subscription Review: Simple, Delicious, and Affordable
Cooking is not my forte. I like to cook – kind of – but I don’t excel. Does that make sense? No? I know…I’ll try to find a way to explain that so it makes a bit more sense. I love Food Network. I’d love to cook well, and there are a few dishes I’m… Continue reading Dinnerly Dinner Subscription Review: Simple, Delicious, and Affordable
Instagram Roundup: What I’m Wearing Lately
What. A. Month. Busy is a gross understatement in our home these days, but hopefully things are calming down a bit in the coming weeks. This time of year is always such a crazy time for us with kids and their activities, and three of our littles have birthdays two days apart in March. And… Continue reading Instagram Roundup: What I’m Wearing Lately
Happy Birthday, Babes: Answers to the 10 Most Commonly Asked Questions We Get About the Twins
Four years ago today we welcomed our last babies into our world. Our twins, Carter and Charlotte, were born. I was 36 weeks and 6 days pregnant when they made our debut at 3 lbs. and 5 lbs. They spent a week in the NICU, and we spent a week living at the hospital –… Continue reading Happy Birthday, Babes: Answers to the 10 Most Commonly Asked Questions We Get About the Twins
Makeup Primer: Worth it Or Skip it?
Happy Monday, loves! This week makes me a little nostalgic every year. It’s the week three of our four babies have birthdays. Miss Ava turns 7 on St. Patrick’s Day, and our sweet, sweet babies turn 4 on the 15th. We’ve never had a “youngest” child turn 4 before. Our babies are all three years… Continue reading Makeup Primer: Worth it Or Skip it?
FAQs: Answering a Few of the Most Commonly Asked Questions I Get On Instagram
Hey, y’all! Happy Wednesday…and happy cooler weather, Floridians! I’m so happy to have this gorgeous 70-degree high situation back in my life. This weekend was spectacular – and in more ways that one. We had a house full of kids and family all weekend, and we got to spend a child-free night being treated like… Continue reading FAQs: Answering a Few of the Most Commonly Asked Questions I Get On Instagram
Classic LBD: The Perfect Date Night Look
My husband and I are big fans of date night. While we can’t quite squeeze one in every week with our hectic schedules, we do manage to sneak out at least every other week. The rule in the Raiford house is never to allow more than two weeks without a date. We are more than… Continue reading Classic LBD: The Perfect Date Night Look
Travel Recap: NYC With Kids
We hated, hated, hated New York City the first time we visited. We spent the weekend of our second wedding anniversary in May 2007 in NYC. It was our first visit, and we did all the things you’re ‘supposed’ to do. We hired a limo to for our airport transfers and both nights we… Continue reading Travel Recap: NYC With Kids
Life Update: Diagnosed with the Flu and 3 Little Ways to Get Out of A Funk
Happy Tuesday! I’ve been away from the blog for over a week now, and I really do hate that. I have some amazing content prepared and ready to share, but it’s been a very rough 12 days in the Raiford household. The Flu It hit. And it hit hard. I woke up 12 days ago… Continue reading Life Update: Diagnosed with the Flu and 3 Little Ways to Get Out of A Funk
3 Perfectly Pink Valentine’s Day Cocktails with Santa Margherita and Bruce Cost Ginger Ale
Happy Friday! It’s weekend, it’s time for some fun, and it’s definitely only 5 days before Valentine’s Day. If you’re anything like my husband and I, you might just call Valentine’s Day another day and go about life as usual (by giving chocolate hearts to the kids and then telling them they’re gross and they… Continue reading 3 Perfectly Pink Valentine’s Day Cocktails with Santa Margherita and Bruce Cost Ginger Ale
Instagram Roundup: What I’m Wearing Lately
I have to share a secret you might have noticed; I have such a uniform depending on the season. Also, seasons are impossible in Florida. We had a kind-of winter for a few weeks. Just enough to realize we have nothing appropriate or anything below 60-degrees, and now we’re back to 50s in the mornings… Continue reading Instagram Roundup: What I’m Wearing Lately
Weekend Recap: A Spontaneous Family Getaway at the Gaylord Palms
Monday, Monday, Monday…a new week with some new goals and some new things to conquer. Always welcome, but this weekend did seem to go by a little too fast. We had the best weekend this weekend. We woke up Friday morning at 5 am per usual, we showered, sat down with our coffee, and went… Continue reading Weekend Recap: A Spontaneous Family Getaway at the Gaylord Palms
28 Little Ways to Celebrate Your Love Everyday – Not Just On Valentine’s Day
February is the month in which everyone celebrates love, but we don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day in our household. It’s not that we have a problem with it – we don’t. It’s just not in our nature to feel the need to celebrate our love for one another on a very specific day because someone… Continue reading 28 Little Ways to Celebrate Your Love Everyday – Not Just On Valentine’s Day
5 Ways to Let Go of Stress at the End of the Day
Some days are not awesome. I think I’m very fortunate to say most of our days are pretty awesome – but we also know how to focus on what’s good in life rather than focusing on what’s less than perfect. Perspective is super important. But it still doesn’t change the fact that some days are… Continue reading 5 Ways to Let Go of Stress at the End of the Day
8 Colorful, Fun Scarves to Transition from Winter to Spring (Under $100)
Happy Monday! I am so happy to start this week – the last month of my life has been the most stressful! I’ve been lying, sneaking around, acting like a shady beach…I’ve been planning a surprise party for my husband’s 35th birthday. And it made me a little crazy. Let me tell you how difficult… Continue reading 8 Colorful, Fun Scarves to Transition from Winter to Spring (Under $100)
The Perfect Gift: The Gift of Time (and a GIVEAWAY!)
Time. Do you have enough time? I never feel that I do. I manage to use every second to my best ability, and I’ve decided that’s just who I am. I’m okay with that, but I’m hyper-sensitive these days to the things taking up my time. My kids. My husband. My business. Those are the… Continue reading The Perfect Gift: The Gift of Time (and a GIVEAWAY!)
35 Things You Don’t Know About My Husband (The Man Behind the Scenes of Every Instagram Photo and Blog Post) in Honor of His 35th Birthday
A Thursday blog post must mean something special is going on. It is. It’s the eve of the very handsome Mr. Raiford’s 35th birthday, and I love celebrating his birthday. He’s the best person I know, and I have no shame celebrating him daily. He’s the kind of man you can’t help but love, and… Continue reading 35 Things You Don’t Know About My Husband (The Man Behind the Scenes of Every Instagram Photo and Blog Post) in Honor of His 35th Birthday
Instagram Roundup: Winter (in Florida) Wear
Happy Wednesday! This week has been one of those weeks I adore! Things are getting done, my productivity level is insane, and we have a super fun weekend ahead…all things I love! I haven’t done an IG roundup in a while, and I’m not entirely great at linking my OOTD pieces, so I’m bringing up… Continue reading Instagram Roundup: Winter (in Florida) Wear
The Benefits of Sweet, Slow Sundays: Quality Over Quantity
I like Monday. I love the routine and schedule of a Monday. I love weekends, too; don’t get me wrong. I love the unstructured morning schedule of sleeping in, the fun we have, and the laidback-ness of it all, but I’m so schedule-oriented. I like Mondays because I love what I do, and I like… Continue reading The Benefits of Sweet, Slow Sundays: Quality Over Quantity
5 Daily Self-Care Habits that Make Life So Much Sweeter
Every day is different, yet it’s remarkably the same in Raiford household. We run a tight ship with schedules and routines for ourselves and the kids. It’s helpful in keeping everyone on track (and me less crazy), and it’s taught our kids some amazing habits. They know to clean up after themselves because messes make… Continue reading 5 Daily Self-Care Habits that Make Life So Much Sweeter
Back in Black: 5 Amazing Black Sweaters You Need This Season
The week is half over, and that means you’re either pumped for the weekend (all the raised hands over here) or beginning to feel frantically overwhelmed with all that’s left to do (all the raised hands over here). Take it or leave it, the weekend is right around the corner, and you can do what… Continue reading Back in Black: 5 Amazing Black Sweaters You Need This Season
Working from Home: Answering FAQs About the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
{Photo: Her Creative Studio) If you follow me on Instastories, you may have noticed I posted a story last week of me sitting in my dining room with my laptop, iPad, and notes working away after being forced out of my home office in annoyance. In fact, I know you noticed because I receive so… Continue reading Working from Home: Answering FAQs About the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Friday Fifteen: Things You Didn’t Know About Me
Happy Friday! Does everyone have amazing plans for the weekend? We’re doing the date night thing tomorrow night. My husband booked a sitter and he’s taking me to dinner, and then we are spending the rest of the weekend at Disney with the kids. It’s going to be COLD, but what a nice change from… Continue reading Friday Fifteen: Things You Didn’t Know About Me
Orange County, California Travel Review
We are always California dreamin’ in Casa Raiford. I spent a year living in Northern California when I was a teenager, and my husband and I just can’t get enough. It’s probably our favorite place (does it count if we also say that when we talk about that time we spent a week in Hawaii… Continue reading Orange County, California Travel Review
Best Buys of The Holiday Season: 3 Classic New Favorites
Happy Monday! I’m having a love/hate relationship with this day for a few reasons. It’s warming back up in Florida and I miss the really cold weather, but the kids will go back to spending all their time outside playing and we can open the doors and windows again…and I love that. The kids are… Continue reading Best Buys of The Holiday Season: 3 Classic New Favorites
The Perfect Pop: You Need A Red Winter Coat
If y’all haven’t already heard, we Floridians are having a little bit of a winter experience at the moment. There were schools cancelled (and I’m just over here like who are the lucky people whose kids are already back to school while mine are home for another week?), businesses shut down, people panicked, and some… Continue reading The Perfect Pop: You Need A Red Winter Coat
5 Things I Let Go Of That Changed My Life
I love the New Year. I love looking back on where we were a year ago and how far we’ve come since, and I love seeing how much we’ve grown and accomplished. This year is no different. We’ve set our goals, we’ve made our peace with the most wonderful time of the year being over… Continue reading 5 Things I Let Go Of That Changed My Life
#BackToBasics in 2018 (And Happy New Year!)
Happy 2018! It’s time to get #backtobasics in life. I’ve already shared how 2017 was such a phenomenal year of growth for us prioritizing our family, being more intentional with our time, and slowing down a bit to enjoy the little things. 2017 was a sweet, sweet year for our family. It’s hard to top,… Continue reading #BackToBasics in 2018 (And Happy New Year!)
2017: The Year of Quality Over Quantity
2017 is over. Can you believe it? I swear the years go by faster every day. I’m still wrapping my mind around the fact that it was New Year 2017 just a minute ago and now we’re mere days away from ringing in 2018 with abandon. Anyone? Just me? No? 2017 was good to us.… Continue reading 2017: The Year of Quality Over Quantity
Stocking Stuffers for Him Under $100
I shared a few of my own personal favorite stocking stuffers for the beloved ladies in your life on Monday, but what about the men in your life? Husbands, fathers, boyfriends, best friends, brothers, the mailman…hey, I don’t know what you do in your personal time. My husband loves when the items in his stocking… Continue reading Stocking Stuffers for Him Under $100
Stocking Stuffers from Sephora Every Woman Will Love
One. Week. And it’s the most wonderful time of the year; I love everything about this time of year, but I have one small complaint. I despise stockings. Nothing makes me crazier than “stuff,” and it seems everyone just fills stocking with “stuff,” just to fill them. You won’t find “stuff” in our stockings. You’ll… Continue reading Stocking Stuffers from Sephora Every Woman Will Love
Organized Chaos: Tips for Staying Motivated When You’re Just Not Feeling It
Motivation isn’t easy to keep, y’all. This is a tough week, too. Thanksgiving is two days away, we all have things to do, people to see, activities to enjoy - kids home from school. But then there are people like me who take on a new client and a new contract at the beginning of… Continue reading Organized Chaos: Tips for Staying Motivated When You’re Just Not Feeling It
Thank You: Giving Thanks to the Men Who Helped Our Daughter When Our Worst Fear Came True
It’s Thanksgiving week, and that means it’s going to be a week filled with very grateful, thankful people – and there is nothing wrong with that. I do wish more people would focus more regularly on being thankful for all they don’t have rather than being upset by all they don’t; but that’s not really… Continue reading Thank You: Giving Thanks to the Men Who Helped Our Daughter When Our Worst Fear Came True
The Tunic You Must Have in Every Color
Listen, I can't stop myself. When I find something I love, I must have them all. Why do y'all think I have four kids? Maybe it's a sickness. Maybe it's genius. Maybe it's just me. Maybe it's all of us. I don't know. What I know is that when I find a piece of clothing… Continue reading The Tunic You Must Have in Every Color
IG Roundup: What I’ve Been Wearing Lately
Hello! It has been several weeks since I last posted OTB, and I apologize for taking such a long break…but it was much needed! I touched on it a bit on a recent #ootd post on IG, but we’ve been out of town four of the past five weekends. To sum it all up, we… Continue reading IG Roundup: What I’ve Been Wearing Lately
Instagram Roundup: What I’ve Been Wearing Lately
I have been so MIA lately…I know. This season of life is so busy for us! Between Hurricane Irma disrupting life for two weeks, a long weekend in New York City, birthdays, Gator Football, PTA-momming, and everything the fall season brings our way, I’m so busy I find myself unable to breathe some days. But… Continue reading Instagram Roundup: What I’ve Been Wearing Lately
The Do’s and Don’ts of Handbag Shopping: How to Make Sure Your Splurge Doesn’t Give You Buyer’s Remorse
Diamonds might be some woman’s best friend, but I prefer handbags. Of course, this really does surprise so many people since I rarely change out my handbag for anything other than date night. I’m a one bag at a time kind of woman, and I have my reasons. I’m a mom. I need the biggest… Continue reading The Do’s and Don’ts of Handbag Shopping: How to Make Sure Your Splurge Doesn’t Give You Buyer’s Remorse
Cozy Fall Moments With Wayfair: How I Bring Fall to Florida Year With My Decor Year After Year
Being a lifelong Floridian probably makes it a little ironic fall is my favorite season, but I like to be a little bit of a rebel. So what if it’s 96 degrees today? My front door is flanked with fresh mums (not yet dead from my lack of green thumb) and my house is… Continue reading Cozy Fall Moments With Wayfair: How I Bring Fall to Florida Year With My Decor Year After Year
34 Life Lessons to Live By For My 34th Birthday
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it’s true – but it’s really inside your personality. If you’re ugly on the inside, it won’t take people long to determine you’re ugly on the outside. Basically, you control your beauty and it starts from the inside (remember – sarcastic people who love to laugh and… Continue reading 34 Life Lessons to Live By For My 34th Birthday
Florals: Pretty Even in the Fall (And Always Gorgeous on Date Night)
{ Dress: Charles Henry (old) | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik (old) | Crossbody: Prada } People ask me all the time what I love most about my job. Is it working on my own schedule? Is it working from home? It is being my own boss? It’s Monday. I really love Monday. It’s a fresh start,… Continue reading Florals: Pretty Even in the Fall (And Always Gorgeous on Date Night)
Professional At-Home Teeth Whitening with Real Results: How A Busy Mom of 4 Gets Pro Whitening Results On the Go {And a GIVEAWAY}
{Before and After using Smile Brilliant's At-Home Whitening Trays} I have terrible vision. I’ve worn glasses/contacts since I was in middle school. It’s a family trait on my dad’s side of the family, but I can’t complain because along with horrible vision comes beautiful teeth. In my almost 34 years, the most my dentist has… Continue reading Professional At-Home Teeth Whitening with Real Results: How A Busy Mom of 4 Gets Pro Whitening Results On the Go {And a GIVEAWAY}
