florida
Saving Dollars & Cents with a Florida 529 Savings Plan
They say that the days are long and the years are fast. I couldn’t agree more. We just wrapped up 1st grade and 5th grade in this house. Where has the time gone? Where are the dirty diapers and watching their first steps? Those milestones have passed all too quickly. I cannot believe my oldest, […]
Waldorf Astoria Orlando for Family Travel
Heading to Disney and want to stay at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando? Check latest hotel prices & reviews for the Waldorf Orlando on TripAdvisor. Our Visit to Waldorf Astoria Orlando Staying at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando is a Smart Mama choice for families visiting the Disney theme parks or wanting to just escape to a beautiful resort in Central […]
A VRBO Home in Ponte Vedra Beach FL
I truly knew nothing about Ponte Vedra Beach. I took out a map, then followed I95 South from Savannah, Georgia to find beach towns where we could stay for the third and final leg of our road trip. Just south of Jacksonville was the little town of Ponte Verde Beach that was as the name insinuates, […]
A Typical Cuban Breakfast
“When in Rome” is a saying I try to adhere to in our travels. If you are traveling to South Florida, particularly Miami, you must enjoy traditional Cuban cuisine. From una medianoche sandwich to una tostada to ropa vieja to una frita, visitors must enjoy the savory flavors of the island that are now replicated, quite […]
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista a Disney Springs Resort for Famillies
We were invited to spend two nights at the recently renovated Wyndham Lake Buena Vista in the Disney Springs area of Walt Disney World. We truly enjoyed our experience and highly recommend the resort for families wishing to stay close to Disney Springs. During our visit, we stayed in a Disney-view Tower room with two queen beds. […]
ICE at Gaylord Palms Twas the Night Before Christmas
ICE at Gaylord Palms Twas the Night Before Christmas Now through January 3, 2016 Visiting Orlando around the holidays? Be sure to bring the family to Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee for ICE! ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas! Our family of 4 spent around an hour walking around the attraction. The girls were amazed with the ice. […]
Travel Guide: Key West with Kids
Is Key West with kids a good idea? YES! Key West with kids can be fun, educational and enjoyable for an entire family. We enjoyed 7 days/7 nights in Key West, Florida on a family vacation. Daddy was there on a business trip, so we crashed his hotel room at Find the best deal, compare prices, […]
Flash Sale for Waldorf Orlando & Hilton Bonnet Creek
Rates drop to as low as $99 for the Hilton Bonnet Creek and $159 for the Waldorf Orlando! Huge savings! For a super limited time you need to book at the Waldorf Orlando or the Hilton Bonnet Creek to take part of their FLASH sale! See details below! Do you remember how last month we spent an incredible weekend […]
Valentines Day in Miami, Ideas for Couples
The most romantic night of the year is upon us. Valentine’s Day in Miami has the potential to be incredibly romantic for the moms & dads living in South Florida. Driving towards the beach, eating a delicious dinner and maybe even spending the night (without kids) at a swanky hotel, sounds like a perfect night. Or […]
Book the Concierge Upgrade at Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando
We wanted to weekend getaway. We wanted to have fun and enjoy time together as a family. An opportunity became available to book a concierge upgraded suite at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando. We packed our bags and headed North. The Rosen Shingle Creek is located just over 10 miles from Walt Disney World, but […]
Disney Getaway to Blizzard Beach with Kids & a Scared Mom
A quick Disney getaway included visiting Blizzard Beach with kids. We had never visited a Disney Water Park as a family and were eager for the experience. Our daughters are 3 & 7. The older one is super adventurous – she rode Space Mountain and Rockin’ Roller Coaster in Walt Disney World during our trip […]
Hilton Bonnet Creek Video Review
Throughout our 2-night weekend at the Hilton Bonnet Creek I snapped loads of photos and video. It was a trip I surely wanted to always remember and it was a perfect summer weekend getaway! I compiled many of the images into a video showcasing some of very favorite aspects of the Hilton Bonnet Creek, especially […]
Summer Weekend Getaway at the Hilton Bonnet Creek
UPDATE: Check out our video montage of our very favorite aspects of the Hilton Bonnet Creek! A summer weekend getaway at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando provided our family a perfect opportunity to relax, have fun, enjoy outstanding food and receive top notch service. We head to Orlando quite a bit being South Florida residents. […]
Key West Family Vacation Itinerary, Day 4
Day 4 of our Key West with kids trip was filled with pool time, delicious food and great entertainment. After our fantastic day on the FURY Water Adventure on Day 3, we were ready to sit back and dip our toes in the pool. That’s exactly what we did. Casa Marina Pool As guests of […]
Key West Family Vacation Itinerary, Day 3
Our 3rd day on our Key West family vacation brought us out to the water. The Florida Keys is home to some of the most beautiful waters. It is also home to the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. When visiting Key West with kids be sure to make a water adventure part of […]
Key West Family Vacation Itinerary, Day 2
Key West vacation itinerary continues! Day 1 of our vacation itinerary included a gorgeous drive down Overseas Highway and a dinner at my namesake, Caroline’s Cafe. We had another beautiful, hot day in Key West on our 2nd day. Vacation Itinerary Day 2 The Reach Resort Poolside A little chess and bocce entertained the girls […]
Key West Family Vacation Itinerary, Day 1
Our vacation itinerary in Key West proved to be fun, educational and enjoyable for our entire family. We spent 7 days in Key West, Florida on a family vacation. My husband was there on business so we crashed his hotel room at The Reach Resort and went out each day to enjoy the sites, vibe and people […]
Feeding Stingrays at Key West Aquarium
The Key West Aquarium is a great shore excursion in Key West. It’s family fun filled with laid back entertainment! Located in Mallory Square, the Key West Aquarium opened its doors in 1934. It has suffered hurricane and tropical wind damage through the years but has a resilience that keeps its doors open and ready […]
How I Pay It Forward in Disney
To Pay It Forward is to do something unexpectedly nice to another person. This goes beyond holding the door open or picking up a paper that fell. When I Pay It Forward I surprise someone with true kindness in a way that isn’t always what’s expected. Remember when I payed it forward at Starbucks and […]
Disney World is for Florida Moms
Florida moms love Disney. I especially do. From start to finish, getting to the entrance at Magic Kingdom is 250 miles – as the car drives. That usually comes out to just an under 4 hour drive. There are no airport security lines, delayed or cancelled flights or limitations on what you can pack. Yes, […]
3 Reasons to Hit Up Downtown Disney
As South Floridians we’ve been to Walt Disney World about 12 times in the last 5 years. Yes, we go a lot. Nearly every trip includes at least a morning in Downtown Disney. Why? Besides the fact that even my older one still thinks it’s one of the Disney Parks (cheap date!), I have 3 […]
Capitol Lighting Lights Up a Room Remodel Bright and Affordable
With the economic strains we’ve all endured these last few years, total home remodels aren’t typically within our plans. Smaller home improvements are now more within a Smart Mama’s budget. A less expensive way to “remodel” a room is through its light fixture(s). Changing the light fixture in a room can often dramatically improve the room’s appearance […]
Traveling in Miami – 4 Great Spots to Take the Family
Miami Resident Turns Tourist! When traveling in and around Miami, no need for planes or trains…just automobiles! Have you ever just looked at the tourist map for your metro area and realized the number of tourist destinations residing within an easy drive-able distance from your home? I recently set out to see the sights of Miami. I […]
A Marco Island Vacation is an Ideal Family Travel Destination
This year’s summer family trip was a Marco Island vacation. This island sits less than 2 hours west of Miami, just south of Naples. Traveling to Florida, with the exception of Disney, is slow season during the summer months. Intense heat and possibility of hurricanes makes it not always ideal when traveling. However, slow season […]
Smart Product: Sunbow Dora the Explorer Sun Stick, SPF 45
We’re Floridians. We carry sunscreen in our bags like others may carry chap stick. Gooey, greasy lotion is a thing of the past. Thankfully sun block companies have gotten the spray lotion down to a science, but the challenge that still remains is making lotion applying something a bit more enticing for the kids. I […]
Great Miami Breakfast Choices
Finding great breakfast choices in Miami isn’t too hard, there are some great one’s to pick from! We love Sunday mornings. With a child in our house and one arriving any day now (I’m 37.5 weeks preggo,) waking up early isn’t much of our choice. On Sundays, we get out the door by 8, head […]