HEALTH, FITNESS & BEAUTY

Post-COVID in Boca Raton: Here’s What Will Change In 2021 and Beyond

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As 2020 gets ready to come to a close (CAN I GET AN AMEN?!), we are finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. While we’re still in the thick of COVID-19 cases in and around the country, better testing, contact tracing, and even a vaccine is here! It’s time to start planning for what life will look like in post-COVID Boca Raton after this crazy year. We’ve had almost 365 days of missed experiences and a crystal clear look at what happens when material things become useless. What emerged in 2020 was the realization that health, safety, wellness, and family are all we need.

I spoke with my trusty source for all things family health-related, Dr. Chad Rudnick of Boca VIPediatrics, about what we can expect to see less AND more of in 2021 in Boca and beyond. Continue reading Post-COVID in Boca Raton: Here’s What Will Change In 2021 and Beyond →

TRAVEL

A Dreamy, but Safe Family Road Trip to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

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Never have I received more Instagram DM’s than when we embarked on our recent family road trip to Tennessee for Thanksgiving break. And it wasn’t even a sponsored gig this time! I knew I had to write a blog post about it for you all who may be considering a similar escape to the mountains. We decided to go because our extended family members decided to do something different for the November holiday this year. We’re staying home for Winter Break, so I definitely wanted to find a fun (safe) change of scenery for our fall vaca. I’d like to think we succeeded, taking a memorable 12+ hour drive north to the Smoky Mountains. Here are my travel tips on how to take your family on a dreamy yet safe road trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in the fall!

Safe Fall Family Road Trip to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Continue reading A Dreamy, but Safe Family Road Trip to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, Tennessee →

TRAVEL

How to Take a Safe & Healthy Orlando Trip for Families…Right Now

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Like many local families, we’ve really been taking advantage of this “limited air travel” time to explore our ol’ drivable home state of Florida. We enjoyed visiting West Palm Beach and the Space Coast recently and I knew Orlando would naturally be next! My daughter and I wanted to visit a lower capacity Walt Disney World before our Florida Resident passes expired. And conveniently, Meliá Orlando Celebration also invited us to visit and experience their NEW Stay Safe with Meliá program which helps to ensure a healthy Orlando trip for families. We chose a weekend to visit and were on our way!

P.S. we learned a lot….

Healthy Orlando Trip for Families with Melia Orlando Celebration
We took this trip with our good friends and QuaranTEAM buddies, Tania and Liv!

Continue reading How to Take a Safe & Healthy Orlando Trip for Families…Right Now →

TRAVEL

How to Plan a Space Coast Family Road Trip from South Florida

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Never in a million years would I have thought my family and I’d be taking so many road trips in 2020. Like most, I’m still too nervous to get on a plane with my husband and daughter…but we’re all craving a major change of scenery. Luckily, we live in Florida and there are so many fun, active and cultural things to do right in our state’s backyard–even just two hours from Boca Raton! This in and of itself makes for a great long weekend away. So, let me ask you this: What do you get when you combine space, surf, sun and tons of cool animal species? A SUPER FUN Space Coast family road trip!

Space Coast family road trip

And we have all the COVID-era tips and tricks to help you plan the best visit for your crew… Continue reading How to Plan a Space Coast Family Road Trip from South Florida →

HOME & GARDEN

Affordable Landscaping in Boca Raton is a Reality with Yards Plus

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If you’ve read Modern Boca Mom for some time, then you’re probably familiar with the fact that my husband, Handy Andy and I have been renovating our east Boca house for about…say…7 years now. We love a good home improvement project, but have been primarily focusing on interiors and our pool/patio. #priorities Being at home since March, however, I could clearly see that our front and backyards were craving a little TLC. They were in desperate need of an artist, a landscape designer to take them from drab to fab! Finding affordable landscaping in Boca Raton is no easy task, but I found a great company, mamas.

I am so thrilled to introduce you to Yards Plus and it’s founder, Sayeed Aljamal, who I partnered with for this home makeover project!

Affordable landscaping in Boca Raton Yards Plus
Hi Sayeed!

Yards Plus is Palm Beach County’s premier landscaping specialists. Serving Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and Delray Beach, they specialize in providing complete landscape planning, design, management, renovation and maintenance services.

They did a fantastic job on our yard. I have been especially thrilled with the customer service and post-project text follow up to make sure everything is going…er GROWING…ok! 

Continue reading Affordable Landscaping in Boca Raton is a Reality with Yards Plus →

HOME & GARDEN

The Boca Raton Laundry Service Local Moms Never Knew They Needed

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Of all the house projects I tackled during the 2020 pandemic, who knew my Boca Raton laundry room would be my favorite one. Yes, I have officially fallen victim to making the workhorse room of our house look worthy enough for the ‘gram. Good thing I married a handyman! And P.S. I’m not alone. If you search the hashtag #laundryroommakeover on Instagram, you’ll find drool-worthy laundry stations featuring everything from trendy floral wallpaper and custom shelves to cheeky signs and ornately stenciled floors.

But of course now that I have this gorgeous laundry room, why in the world would I want to mess it up by actually…doing laundry? 😉

I’m only half kidding, but you moms know what I’m talking about!

Boca Raton Laundry Service & Laundry Room Makeover

Sometimes, the laundry process can be arduous. Tedious. Overwhelming. I have no idea how my family creates so many dirty clothes every week–and I only have ONE KID!!! That’s why I’m so excited to introduce you to HappyNest, the Boca Raton laundry service us moms never knew we needed.

Boca Raton Laundry Service & Laundry Room Makeover

Continue reading The Boca Raton Laundry Service Local Moms Never Knew They Needed →

HEALTH, FITNESS & BEAUTY

West Boca Medical Center Pediatrics & Obstetrics | How the West Became the Best

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If there’s one thing I’ve learned while being a mom, it’s that parents (and parents-to-be) like OPTIONS. Whether it’s schools (public vs. private, home school), healthcare (traditional, holistic) or even ice cream (fro-yo, nitrogen, standard fare), Boca moms *in particular* like to have choices. We are fortunate to live in a place where that is our reality…especially when it comes to ice cream. 😉 In the healthcare category, our city has two hospitals and several more nearby. However, I’m of the mommy mind that ‘west is best’ and am thrilled to announce a 2020 partnership with West Boca Medical Center pediatrics and obstetrics! Here’s why they are my top choice for hospital care… Continue reading West Boca Medical Center Pediatrics & Obstetrics | How the West Became the Best →

DINING

The Best (and Most Affordable) Takeout Family Meals in Boca Raton

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Besides a lot more quality time with my family and the slower pace of life, I would have to say the best thing to come out of this global pandemic has been easy (and affordable!) takeout family meals in Boca Raton. We typically order them once a week, especially if my mom joins us for dinner. They have been a lifesaver if we don’t feel like grocery shopping, cooking or cleaning the kitchen…which is often these days. Ugh. Continue reading The Best (and Most Affordable) Takeout Family Meals in Boca Raton →

HOME & GARDEN

Boca Raton Patio and Pool Makeover Reveal featuring Outer

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Since the day #modernbocadad and I moved into our “forever home” almost 7 years ago, we wanted to make over our Boca Raton patio and pool. Our pool was built in 1981 and while our ages may be close, it was in much rougher shape initially.

Boca Raton Patio and Pool Makeover
Yuck.

See all those spots? No matter how hard we tried to clean them, black algae would constantly settle in, especially during the hot, summer months. The pool’s surface had worn away in many places due to its age and, in my opinion, was an eyesore considering it was a focal point of our house. Continue reading Boca Raton Patio and Pool Makeover Reveal featuring Outer →

CLASSES & THINGS TO DO

New Ice Rink Coming to Boca Raton in 2021

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Winter + Boca Raton? Frozen’s Olaf may have actually found the perfect destination in our town if an ice rink in Boca Raton opens by the end of 2021. Boca Ice and Fine Arts Center has received approvals to build a new 72,800 sq. ft. facility located on Peninsula Corporate Circle.

A cool community asset like this has never existed in Palm Beach County. This proposed new efficient, modern, state-of-the-art ice rink in Boca Raton will have a long list of community benefits. It should be able to interest local residents in every age group.

Continue reading New Ice Rink Coming to Boca Raton in 2021 →

KIDS

How to Get the Most Out of Your Boca School Tour

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If you have school-age children…or younger kids you can’t wait to send off to the old schoolhouse (no shame in thinking it, Boca moms- we all could use a break!), then you’re probably aware that it’s peak admission season. I’ve seen parents all over town fretting about different education options for their kids, frantically booking a Boca school tour here and there, east and west to see which is the best fit for their little snowflake.

I was in that boat last year when looking for a private preschool for #dailybocaavery. And, I want to share what I learned about the search process and making the most of your Boca school tour.

My resource? The Director of Admission at Grandview Preparatory School, Stephanie Wood.

Continue reading How to Get the Most Out of Your Boca School Tour →

HEALTH, FITNESS & BEAUTY

4 Stress Management Tips for Boca Moms

Sometimes, taking a deep breath just isn’t enough.

Stress can be all-consuming, and many people feel powerless in the face of it. Learning to manage high levels of stress is crucial to taking care of your mental and physical health.

But how exactly do you do it?

If you’re tired of being told to “take a deep breath,” then you may be in need of another technique. Read on for four unique stress management tips to help get your life back as a mom or dad! 

Continue reading 4 Stress Management Tips for Boca Moms →

KIDS

Local Hospital Has Gift & Toy Safety Advice for Parents this Holiday Season

If I had to pick just one, the word I’d choose to represent 2020 would be: safety. Keeping our kids safe is at the top of every parent’s list and this year was quite a doozy. It’s pretty much our number one job aside from keeping the snacks flowing. And with the holidays coming, my partner West Boca Medical Center and I wanted to offer some valuable gift and toy safety advice for  parents.

Toy Safety Advice for Parents
Photo by Sweet Memories Photography

Together with Celina Moore, MD, FAAP, we’ve put together tips on red flags to look out for when gift giving this season and what to do in case your kids do get hurt or sick as a result. Continue reading Local Hospital Has Gift & Toy Safety Advice for Parents this Holiday Season →

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