EVENTS, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Moms Can Relax at October’s Palm Beach Spa and Wellness Month

Sticky 1 Comment

If a mom can’t relax for a good cause, then when can she, dang it? That’s the question I asked myself as I experienced multiple (amazing!) treatments at a recent “Healthy Happy Hour” promoting Discover The Palm Beaches fourth annual Spa and Wellness Month this October. I first learned all about Palm Beach Spa and Wellness Month, a.k.a Spatober, when I first visited PGA National Resort & Spa.

Spoiler alert: It’s a great idea.

Continue reading Moms Can Relax at October’s Palm Beach Spa and Wellness Month →

CLASSES & THINGS TO DO

New Ice Rink Coming to Boca Raton in 2020?

Sticky 4 Comments

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 2020. Boca Ice and Fine Arts Center is seeking approvals to build a new 70,700 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 2020? →

EVENTS

There’s a City-Wide Scavenger Hunt in Boca Raton for Kids

Sticky

Children ages 5-12 are invited to explore our fair city’s award-winning facilities in a month-long, scavenger hunt in Boca Raton! Through the STEAM through September initiative, a collaboration between the Children’s Science Explorium at Sugar Sand Park, the Boca Raton Public Library and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center will provide engaging activities and exhibits at each of the locations focusing on (S)cience, (T)echnology, (E)ngineering, (A)rt and (M)ath.

What a fun thing to do with the kids this month in our area! And it’s free!

Read More

DINING, TRAVEL

A Fancy Family Trip to Miami Should Be at the Top of Your Bucket List

Sticky

The beginning of summer was rough for my family. I’m always a bit burned out by the end of the school year since not only am I a mom, but I also work at a local Boca private school. But what complicated everything this year was that my grandfather (at age 92) passed away on June 1st. Yes, I know it was his time and he lived a great life (especially being married to my grandmother for 70 years!!). But it also created a lot of extra work for my family. We had never planned a funeral before. Now we are experts…unfortunately… :/

So when an invitation to experience a fancy family trip to Miami came across my inbox, I was grateful for the break. And the timing meant I would leave directly after my grandfather’s memorial service reception. It was perfect!

So are you ready to hear all about the fun, fancy things you can do with your own family just an hour south of Boca Raton? Let’s go! Continue reading A Fancy Family Trip to Miami Should Be at the Top of Your Bucket List →

CLASSES & THINGS TO DO

NEW Indoor Play Space to Open at Town Center at Boca Raton September 21st

Sticky

Something NEW and EXCITING is opening up for families at Town Center! PLAY, the Town Center Mall indoor play space in Boca Raton, will open to the public on Saturday, September 21st (2019)! It will be a dynamic destination where families can have fun, recharge & relax at the shopping center…and it’s at no cost to you.

PLAY is a 1,600 square-foot recreational space featuring a combination of seating and interactive play elements. They are inspired by local waterways and waterfronts. It is so FANCY!

PLAY, the Town Center Mall indoor play space in Boca Raton, will debut this summer as a dynamic destination where families can have fun, recharge & relax.Continue reading NEW Indoor Play Space to Open at Town Center at Boca Raton September 21st →

CLASSES & THINGS TO DO, DINING

Axe Throwing Near Boca Raton at Game of Axes

Sticky

Overhand or tomahawk? Stark or Targaryen? Beer or wine? These are the terms that are commonplace at a sweet new venue dedicated to the art of axe throwing near Boca Raton. If you’re looking for a really fun group or family bonding activity to do this season, then this blog post is for you!

Since Modern Boca Dad and I are obsessed with Game of Thrones (like the rest of the world), I stumbled across Game of Axes in Boynton Beach on Instagram. I sent them a direct message with some questions and the owner got back to me personally about this fascinating sport that I knew very little about. He also invited me (and a group of 11 of my closest friends) for a friendly, Friday night axe-throwing competition complete with polite beverages and plenty of GOT-style photo opps. Spoiler alert: we had a BLAST! Continue reading Axe Throwing Near Boca Raton at Game of Axes →

KIDS, LIFESTYLE

6th Birthday Party at Little Princess Spa Boca Raton

Sticky 1 Comment

I don’t know about you, but to me there feels like such a huge gap between ages 5 and 6. When your child is 5, they’re reaching the end of the “baby stage.” But age 6 is the start of something else…my baby is now more than halfway to the double-digits. Wow. We decided to spring for a party at Little Princess Spa Boca Raton this year to celebrate (instead of me crying into my coffee on the big day). 

#dailybocaavery hasn’t had a traditional birthday party since she turned 4. We like to mix things up, alternating celebrations each year with a trip instead. Luckily, she’s agreed to that strategy so far!

But I have to say (and this post is totally NOT an ad, but it does contain affiliate links. If you decide to purchase party items through these links, Modern Boca Mom will get a little kickback. Thank you for supporting this blog!), that spa party experience was worth every penny. Bring on the hardworking Spa Fairies!!!

P.S. All party photos in this post are by our go-to family and event photographer, Naomi Phelps of Sweet Memories Photography. 🙂 Continue reading 6th Birthday Party at Little Princess Spa Boca Raton →

TRAVEL

Beaches Resorts for Beginners | 10 Things to Know Before You Go to the Turks & Caicos

Sticky 2 Comments

If you are lucky enough to reside in Boca Raton, Florida and have our town’s pristine beaches at your disposal year-round, it’s hard (at least in my opinion) to justify going on a “beach vacation” with your family. Nine times out of ten, I’d rather spend my holiday budget on a cruise, Disney World or a country residing on the other side of the Atlantic. But after my first visit to Beaches Turks and Caicos for the 2018 Social Media on the Sand Conference (SMOTS), call me a convert!

first visit to beaches turks and caicos
Grace Bay, 2018

Continue reading Beaches Resorts for Beginners | 10 Things to Know Before You Go to the Turks & Caicos →

KIDS

DIY Greatest Showman Costume | Sugar Sand Park Photo Shoot with Sweet Memories Photography

Sticky 4 Comments

Ladies and gents, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for… I think Sweet Memories Photography and I might have outdone ourselves this Halloween! We started a tradition 3 years ago taking cute costumed photos of #dailybocaavery. Then, we added in my nephew Aden after he was born– it’s a fun (but tiring) process. Boca Raton photographer, Naomi Phelps, and I scout locations, get the kids dolled up (with the help of my sister of course). Then, we basically bribe them to pose adorably for the camera. Hey- gotta do it for the ‘gram! Avery informed me back in March that she wanted to be Anne, the trapeze artist from The Greatest Showman, for Halloween. I think it was the pink hair. Maybe Zac Efron. Of course, no such costume exists on Amazon. So, I had to somehow “Rewrite the Stars” and create a DIY Greatest Showman costume for her. And obviously, Avery convinced her aunt to turn Aden into a tiny ringmaster to match.

Here are the adorable results! {And continue reading below to see how you can dress your child up as “Anne / Zendaya” too}


Continue reading DIY Greatest Showman Costume | Sugar Sand Park Photo Shoot with Sweet Memories Photography →

CLASSES & THINGS TO DO, KIDS

So You’re Moving to Boca Raton! Now What? Tips from Veteran Moms

Sticky 1 Comment

So you’re moving to Boca Raton! Or perhaps you’ve re-located recently and are scratching your head, wondering what to do, where to go and who to see in our fair city. Well first off…WELCOME! We were in the same boat not too long ago even though this mom personally grew up in Boca Raton. (After 4 years of college and 9 years living in New York City, let’s just say my needs as a parent had majorly changed.)

Now with a happy and adjusted elementary school child, my veteran Boca mom friends and I have some major tips to share with families like you who are new to our area!

moving to Boca Raton
Photo by Sweet Memories Photography

Continue reading So You’re Moving to Boca Raton! Now What? Tips from Veteran Moms →

KIDS

Mickey & Minnie Mouse Halloween Photoshoot by Sweet Memories Photography

Sticky 1 Comment

What do you do when the pumpkin patch you swore was open actually isn’t yet. BUT, you still need to get your daughter and nephew’s Mickey and Minnie Mouse Halloween photoshoot done?

You hire the most fabulous professional photographer you know, Sweet Memories Photography, and have her take you pumpkin and gourd shopping at the market down the street. 🙂

Mickey and Minnie Mouse Halloween PhotoshootMickey and Minnie Mouse Halloween PhotoshootContinue reading Mickey & Minnie Mouse Halloween Photoshoot by Sweet Memories Photography →

TRAVEL

Cruising on the Disney Wonder with a Preschooler: Hit or Miss?

Sticky 2 Comments

Is a Disney Cruise for preschoolers? That was the question I seriously asked myself as I accepted Disney’s wonderful invite to the 2017 Social Media Moms Celebration. I mean, CLEARLY Walt Disney World parks are perfect for preschoolers (as we took complete and utter advantage of our annual passes in 2016).

But a cruise? And without my mom for travel backup? I figured we’d take a chance and give it a shot anyways…

Read More

KIDS

Boca Halloween Photoshoot at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market

Sticky

What do you do when it’s pouring rain out and you somehow need to get your kid’s Boca Halloween photoshoot done in a beautiful, photogenic “fall setting”? You hire the greatest professional photographer you know, Sweet Memories Photography, and IMPROVISE!

www.facebook.com/sweetmemoriesbynaomiphelps Boca Halloween Photoshoot
www.facebook.com/sweetmemoriesbynaomiphelps

Yep, that’s us/#dailybocaavery at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market with the best of intentions (aiming for festive pumpkin patch and hayride photos) and the worst South Florida weather. Lightning, thunder, the works!

But, you would never know it looking at these photos that Naomi Phelps of Sweet Memories Photography took. That’s why you work with a pro (and make sure to find a location with some cover). Continue reading Boca Halloween Photoshoot at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market →

KIDS

Modern Boca Mom’s Guide to Conquering the Boca Halloween Season

Sticky

Modern Boca Mom’s Guide to conquering the Boca Halloween season was previously published in 2014 as a #SceneMom contributor to LL-Scene.com

Conquering the Boca Halloween Season

Pre-mommyhood in NYC, I always considered the Halloween “Horror-Day” season to be really fun, full of no-pressure costume creativity, cocktails with dry ice and tipsy pumpkin-carving parties. October always previewed the cooler weather to come, but never fully revealed how long and awful winter was going to be.

It was a great month to live in New York City with or without (but mostly without) children.

Boca Halloween season

Fast forward, I’ve left my 20’s behind and here I am tackling “Boca Halloween Season” (yes, it becomes a season once you’re a mom) as a blogger and South Florida parent of a toddler.

Fast forward 17 months, I’ve left my 20’s behind and here I am tackling my first official “Halloween Season” (yes, it becomes a season once you’re a mom) as a blogger and South Florida parent of a toddler.

Continue reading Modern Boca Mom’s Guide to Conquering the Boca Halloween Season →

DINING, HEALTH & BEAUTY, LIFESTYLE, SHOPPING

My Lifelong Love Affair with Mizner Park in Boca Raton

Leave a comment

A local native, I grew up going to Mizner Park in Boca Raton. It opened when I was 9 years old and I remember being so excited for Liberties Bookstore, Ruby Tuesday and the new movie theater (now IPIC). Boca’s “pink plaza” has become iconic for us younger residents. Heck, I even took my junior prom and wedding photos there!

Boca High Prom 1999
Our Wedding photo shoot 2011

I told you…iconic. 🙂 Continue reading My Lifelong Love Affair with Mizner Park in Boca Raton →

HEALTH & BEAUTY, KIDS

What You Should Do When Your Kid Breaks a Tooth

When #dailybocaavery was 3, she thought it would be a great idea to climb atop her bathroom counter to get her toothbrush by herself. Of course, that little stunt didn’t go as planned and she slipped and hit her mouth right on the sink faucet. I inspected my child for damage and boom: chipped tooth. I was upset…but also relieved. There was no blood. Minimal tears. It could have been so much worse. At the time, I didn’t have Dr. Drew Popper, my handy Junior Smiles dentist in my life! Luckily, he’s now my go to resource in Boca Raton for pediatric dental emergencies. (And hint hint, he should be YOURS too!) This month’s touchy topic? OMG, what to do when your kid breaks a tooth!

Read More

Leading Lifestyle Site for the Stylish & Modern South Florida Mommy