Tax free weekend in Florida starts August 1st, 2014! Do you have your game plan ready to get the best deals? Use these tips to save the most and make the shopping process as easy as possible! Plus enter to win free school supplies and learn how you can help a teacher!* When does Tax Free Weekend Start: The sale starts at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 1 and ends at midnight on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014. What items count as Tax Free in Florida? The Department of Revenue made a few changes to tax free weekend this year. The best...
The Best Family Weekend Getaways Near Jacksonville
Our family loves to take a weekend road trip. They are easy to plan and budget friendly since we save on air travel for five. We have traveled up and down the state, it seems, but there’s still so many options when it comes to family friendly weekend getaways near Jacksonville. Hop in your car then program the navigation as you head for a day trip to visit one of these beautiful cities. Or make it a weekend stay. Either way, your whole family will enjoy one of these quick and painless family getaways. And if you don’t feel like reading, check out...
6 Tips for Making Time for Yourself as a Busy Mom
When you’re a busy mom of young kids and multiples, it’s hard to make time or even find time for yourself. But as the saying goes, a happy mom is a happy family. Making time for yourself as a busy mom is so important for you mental health and well being. Our guest writer below shares how she enjoyed taking a day off recently with Ladies Day Off of Jacksonville and some tips for making time for yourself. As busy moms and women we spend a good amount of our time caring for loved ones as well as helping coworkers and friends....
Essence Festival Recap & Words of Wisdom By Lisa Nichols
Essence Festival is over but the memories live on. The event was everything I expected and more. It was a little odd at first that I was there solo. I always imagined myself going to Essence with a group of girl friends for a girls only weekend getaway. Instead I was there for a blogger activation for Niche Parent with My Black is Beautiful. Although we were busy and surrounded by people nearly 12 hours a day, I still felt somewhat alone. I was not at all lonely but instead totally and completely in the moment and grateful to be...
Recipe: Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos
I love the fresh flavors of cilantro and lime, especially on a taco. And with shrimp… sabroso! Add a little cumin, squeeze of orange juice, smoky chipotle, and you have a real party going on in your mouth.When I traveled to Mexico recently I sought out dishes with these fresh flavors. This weekend I was in the mood for some fresh-mex food and was so happy to see I had all the ingredients. These tacos are great to make for a casual gathering with friends or on a lazy, hot summer day. My daughter, who usually doesn’t like sour cream,...
Teaching Kids to Cook: 6 Tips to Get Them Started
After four years of cooking with my kids I love sharing tips with parents who want to bring their little ones into the kitchen. For us, the cooking began with my oldest son who was curious about what I was making and how it was made. He has always been a tactile learner. My daughter, the creative thinker in my bunch, loves creating recipes and exploring cookbooks. She’s good at many things but baking is really her speciality. She has whipped up some great desserts for us on holidays or just for fun. If you’re just getting started with your son...
My Black Is Beautiful: Sharing My Definition of Black AND Latina
I am a proud Black woman and Latina. Call me an Afro-Latina or Black Latina. Maybe even mixed with black. Either way you slice it, I’m black. Growing up I was told you could not be both. “No such thing as a Black Mexican,” I was told. For years I believed it. I thought I had to make a choice between one or the other. Black OR Latina. That’s it. But then I looked at my dad and his side of the family; my aunts, cousins, my grandmother. And I learned about the rich history of Haitians. In the late 1700s,...
Tips for Him: How to Avoid Razor Bumps Caused by Shaving
If it were up to my husband, he would avoid shaving.* His face is really sensitive and he struggles from razor bumps and ingrown facial hair. My husband is not alone. It is estimated that up to 80% of African American men suffer from razor bumps at some point during their lives. A simple solution is to grow a full beard, but not everyone wants that look. To avoid razor bumps, we have learned that the right product, ingredients, and technique is key to preventing red, irritated skin. I say we because I have been through this discovery journey with him....
20 Free or Cheap Kid Friendly Summer Activities In Jacksonville
Keeping kids happy and busy during summer vacation doesn’t have to be expensive. I’ve put together a complete guide to 20 free or cheap summer activities in Jacksonville for your family. Weeks of fun for little or no cost appropriate for kids at any age! Share your go-to activities in the comments below! Keep in mind that for many of the discounted programs below, additional discounts or coupons are not accepted. Check websites for current or new updates. 1. Kids Bowl Free, Beach Bowl– Each registered child receives 2 daily bowling games FREE all summer long! If your child wears a preschool...
Pros and Cons of Hiring a Nanny or Choosing Day Care
I often get questions from my friends that have recently had babies looking for help on deciding between a nanny or daycare. Or pregnant moms that are preparing for maternity leave and want the best option when it comes to finding the child care for their baby. With three kids of my own, I have had my share of days weighing the pros and cons of hiring a nanny or deciding on a daycare. We have had our fair share of nannies and a few daycares in the past. We even did a home day care for a short while. There are...