Bachelorette Party Crafting.

Wow. I can’t believe the bachelorette festivities for my brother’s fiance are already over! The party started around noon on Friday a few weeks back, but for me it began weeks prior because I was on a mission to craft some cool stuff.

The bachelorette party took place at Kalahari in Sandusky, so right away I knew we all needed cute tumblers to sip from while poolside. There were so many adorable options to choose from on Etsy, but I wanted something a little more personal – and let’s be honest – cheaper. There were a total of 12 girls attending the party and at about $15 a pop, ordering custom cups was out of the question.

I was able to score some (free) tumblers with straws, only problem was my handwriting is not the greatest so I wasn’t convinced personalizing them with a Sharpie was a good idea. So I turned to PowerPoint. The bride’s colors for her wedding are coral so I whipped up some coral circle designs. Once I printed the labels, I wrapped them in clear tape. We were going to a pool, so they had to be somewhat waterproof. I finished them off with a little bling bling and attached them to the cups with a lace-type string.

Once the cups were personalized, I found some adorable paper roses (in corals and pinks) at the dollar section of Michael’s. Now, I know what you are thinking….I just wrapped the labels in tape to make them waterproof and now I purchased paper roses. That doesn’t make much sense, but trust me, I had a plan! I purchased some clear spray paint. Not only did it protect the roses from water, but made them much more sturdy.

My final step was to attach the flowers to the cup. I thought about tying them to the straw but then I found these adorable mini clothespins, I spray painted them with coral (white for the bride) and attached the paper roses to them and clipped them to the straw. I think they turned out pretty darn cute.

A few other crafts I put together were a sign for the door and a hashtag sign….then I got a little carried away….

Sign for the hotel door.

Everyone needs a hashtag for their bachelorette party!

Photo scavenger hunt.

Match the hubby with the female celebrity.

Everyone took a ring & it got taken away if you said ‘wedding’ or ‘bride.’ The gal with the most rings at the end of the night won.

Perfect example of me getting carried away….pudding shots with fun sayings.

Barf bucket for the bride-to-be. (she didn’t have to use it…booo)

DIY gift of kisses from the bridal party (missing one lady in this photo).

Pretty!

We had an blast! Only 40 more days till she’s hitched!

One Step Closer To A Chemical-Free Lifestyle.

I’ve gone and done it. I’ve done the research, I’ve become a believer and I’ve turned my hard-earned money over in exchange for products that are organic and free of chemicals. The beginning of my obsession to find the right organic company/product offerings came from an article that was recently brought to my attention. The brand in question; Johnson & Johnson. The product; the No More Tears shampoo. The added ingredients in question; formaldehyde which is a known carcinogen (carcinogen definition: substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue). Ehh emmm WHAT is in my baby’s shampoo?!

The mom in me started to scour the internet for an alternative product. With just a little research, and much to my surprise, a lot of products claiming to be ‘green’ or ‘natural’ were far from it. When you look at the ingredients of a product and there are 15+ listed, chances are that product has one ore more harmful chemicals.

I learned about Earth Mama Angel Baby when a friend told me about their pregnancy products, particularly products for after birth. I went back to the company’s website to see if they offered any shampoos and lotions (because the chemicals in the baby Aveeno lotion I was using were also called into question which BTW is owned by guess who…Johnson & Johnson). Earth Mama Angel Baby had a few different formulations to choose from and after comparing them to companies like Arbonne and California Baby, I decided to go with them. My first reaction to the shampoo was that it didn’t smell quite as good as Johnson & Johnson, but it also doesn’t have the fragrance ingredient either – which happens to be found in virtually every product we use. ‘Fragrance’ is so incredibly broad that it’s questionable as to what ‘fragrance’ is being used. Some mixes have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system. The lotion however, I absolutely love. It’s not greasy and makes peanut’s skin silky smooth.

After my shampoo/lotion kick, I started learning more and more about all the junk (like fragrance) found in the products I use on a daily basis and while I haven’t replaced my entire bathroom with chemical-free products, I have made a few changes. First up is my antiperspirant.

Did you know that the primary ingredient in antiperspirants is aluminum which is used to block the sweat from escaping your pores? Did you know that aluminum has been directly linked to breast cancer in woman as well as an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease? Those are two reasons enough for me to switch! Through my search, I learned about a direct selling company called Poofy Organics. It’s a family-owned and operated company out of New Jersey. What attracted me most to this company was the fact that they make every single product on their own in the USA. They don’t deal with manufacturers outside of the country. I was also intrigued by the fact that they are also a direct selling company. Since I am obviously becoming passionate about a chemical-free lifestyle, if I ended up liking their products, maybe I would start selling them on my own. While I really like the deodorant I purchased, I haven’t decided to sell their products just yet. I also purchased their sunscreen (more information on this in a later blog) that I didn’t care for. So, I would like to try out a few more of their products.

Side note: as of last summer, Johnson & Johnson has removed formaldehyde from their products. That’s not to say their products still contain other questionable ingredients. And though I commend them for reformulating their products, in my eyes, that doesn’t make up for the fact that they were at one time manufacturing products that contained a known carcinogen.

DIY Recipe Box

For Christmas, I purchased a recipe box for my mom from Amazon that was a complete bust. When it arrived, the wood box was chipped and was held together by a few flimsy hinges, one of which was snapped in half. Luckily I was able to return it, but in the process, my Christmas gift was a complete fail and I couldn’t find any other recipe boxes that I liked. So, when all else fails and I can’t find what I want, I make it myself.

I found some ahhh-mazing stationary paper at Michael’s that I feel in love with. After visiting THREE craft stores for a wood box that was the right size, I came up empty handed. But Pat Catan’s did have $5.00 pre-made recipe boxes that would work perfectly for my project.

I myself had a pretty old recipe box that was in need of some serious TLC so before I started making my mom’s recipe box, I practiced on my own.

I removed all of the existing paper and started to size the new paper, cut it and glued it with Modge Podge. I’m a little frustrated because I couldn’t get the paper to line up perfectly, but at the end of the day, it still worked. Once all the new paper was glued on, I added another layer of Modge Podge to the paper to seal it all in place. I followed it up with a ‘recipes’ tag and I was done. And I love it.

My mom loves butterflies and I found the most perfect paper ever. Following the same steps as my DIY recipe box, I made one for my momma-sita:

Have you recently put your DIY skills to good use after not being able to find what you were looking for? I’d love to hear your DIY conquests!

Ten Meals for Toddlers.

Feeding a toddler is always tricky. Their taste buds change as fast as their attention spans. It’s an endless struggle, really. Whenever I feed LT a meal that doesn’t get thrown across the kitchen, I do a little victory dance. After many attempts, here are ten meals for toddlers that, in my experience, LT really enjoys. They cover all the basic food groups (I’m a stickler on this) and are great for dinners.

Toddler Meal 1:
Hamburger, Mashed Potatos, Asparagus, Peaches, String Cheese

Toddler Meal 2:
Breaded Chicken, Macaroni and Cheese, Green Beans, Bananas

Toddler Meal 3:
Meatballs, Ravioli With Red Sauce, Garlic Bread, Corn, Strawberries (not pictured….LT was having a hunger meltdown before I could snap a picture)

Toddler Meal 4:
Chicken Fried Rice With Peas & Carrots, Blueberries (partially pictured….see comment above in meal #3), String Cheese

Toddler Meal 5:
Crock Pot Roasted Chicken, Potatoes and Carrots, Bananas, Strawberry Yogurt (not pictured)

Toddler Meal 6:
Lasagna, Green Beans, Blueberries, Dinner Roll

Toddler Meal 7:
Barbecue Breaded Chicken, Macaroni and Cheese, Blueberries/Bananas, Broccoli

Toddler Meal 8:
Spaghetti, Meatballs, Roasted Yellow Squash, Banana, Sweet Potato Yogurt (not pictured) Garlic Bread

Toddler Meal 9:
Pork Tenderloin, Carrots, Macaroni and Cheese, Apple Sauce (not pictured), String Cheese

Toddler Meal 10:
Chicken and Cheesy Rice, Broccoli, Bananas, Pears

 

Hope this gave you some toddler meal inspiration! I’d love to hear some meals you’ve whipped up for your little ones! Comment below and share your favorites.

My Spring Wish List.

If you live in northeast Ohio, you can relate to my desire for spring to arrive, like yesterday. It’s my favorite season of all because everything gets a fresh start. The yard gets cleaned up from any leaves left behind in the fall raking extravaganza, the flower beds get a spruce up, color gets added to the front porch in the form of hanging baskets and, well, you get the picture. It is refreshing and makes me happy. I am over the moon with excitement!

And with the new weather comes a new wardrobe. Here are some of the pieces I have been eyeing.

1. Saffiano Satchel 

2. Steve Madden Jeweled Bow Flats

3. Rose Gold Bar Necklace. 

4. Loose fitting simple tank top.

5. Boyfriend Crop Jeans

What is on your wish list this spring?

 

Update: One of my wishes has been fulfilled after purchasing this lovely rose gold bar necklace from BaubleBar (first time buyer and had a great experience)!

I Had The Time Of My Life (Pun Intended).

I was immediately transported back to my early teen years when I once snuck into our basement play area to watch Dirty Dancing. It was one of those ‘off limit’ movies but my young self just had to see what it was all about. The movie had probably been released several years earlier, but to me it was new and….forbidden.

Fast forward about 17 years or so and I was taken right back to that moment when I saw the movie for the first time. For Christmas, my mom surprised both myself and my brother’s fiancee with tickets to see Dirty Dancing the musical at Connor Palace in Playhouse Square. Days leading up to the show, I blasted the soundtrack anywhere I could. At work on Spotify. In the car with my very own two disc soundtrack I received as a gift years ago. In the bathroom on my iPhone. You name it. I don’t think my mom knew just how excited I was for the show until I shared my daily musical obsession with her, nor did she know about my sneaky late night viewing of the movie years ago. Welp, she does now.

Walking into the theater, there were a lot more men than I anticipated and I couldn’t help but wonder how many of them actually ever saw the movie or how many of them were there just to impress their date. Maybe a first date? Maybe a devoted husband wanting to share in his wife’s interests? These were the thoughts going through my head as I stood in line to get my bedazzled souvenir cup.

Side note: I saw the show a little over a week ago and have used my cup every.single.day. (Don’t cringe – I’ve washed also it every.single.day, too. Well, almost).

Back to the show…..1:30pm and it was SHOW TIME! Nothing can get my heart pumping like the opening musical number of Dirty Dancing (the movie) and the show replicated it perfectly. I laughed (a lot), smiled (a lot) and got a little misty eyed when baby ran into Johnny’s arms for the final dance. It was perfect show and a perfect day with my momma and soon to be sissy-in-law. And we may, or may not, watched the movie together as soon as we got back home.

For your added pleasure, United Healthcare just produced this super funny commercial. You’ll understand why I’ve included it once you watch:

Almond Butter Oatmeal Jar.

When January first rolled around, like many do, I made a New Year’s Resolution. It wasn’t to lose weight or go to the gym more often but rather just to overall make healthier food decisions. I like to think of myself as generally a healthy eater to begin with so this resolution wasn’t completely foreign which was really great because it meant I could probably stick to it. I also really wanted to alter my sugar intake. Being that I have always eaten somewhat healthy, I have often fallen victim to the low-calorie snack packs and low fat yogurt. What I have been slowly learning is that though these foods may be low in calories, they really are not good for you at all. So, I have been trying to avoid foods with added sugars and processed foods, as well as make a conscious effort to eat more fruits and vegetables. A snack that was once a Special K bar is now cucumber and hummus. Low-fat yogurt is now Greek yogurt with a drop of honey.

One of my go-to breakfasts of late has been this whole concept of breakfast in a jar. And it’s so easy to make. You get a mason jar, add oats, milk (or soy), some protein (like peanut butter or almond butter), some fruit, stick it in the fridge overnight and you’re done. I Pinned a bunch of recipes but I didn’t have all of the ingredients needed in my home at the time I wanted to make it, so I experimented with what I had and made my own concoction. Let’s just say I am borderline obsessed.

Ingredients:

1. Quick Oats – 1/2 cup
2. Milk (skim, soy, almond) – 1/3 cup
3. Greek Yogurt – 1 tbsp.
4. Almond Butter – 1 tbsp.
5. Honey – 1/2 tbsp.
6. Sliced Banana – preference as to how much you add. I usually only put in 1/4 of the banana

Directions:

• Add the quick oats and milk into the mason jar and give it a quick stir.
• Measure the Greek yogurt, almond butter and honey and add it to the jar. Stir again.
• Cut up your banana and add it to the mix. Stir if desired.
• Seal up the jar and place it in the fridge.

Here’s a quick recipe card to download and print. I call it my Almond Butter Oatmeal Jar….ENJOY!

 

Our First Trip To The Dentist.

Despite the countless books, articles and mommy blogs that I have read since learning I was pregnant in 2013, I never learned that a trip to the dentist should actually take place when your little one starts to get teeth. Say what? News to me! I mean I guess it makes sense. Even though they are just baby teeth, a lot of damage can be done to permanent teeth if a problem arises and isn’t caught in time.

With a quick Google search for Pediatric Dentists in Cleveland, Ohio, I came across quite a few results. I was interested in about three of them so I went to their websites to learn a bit more. Ultimately I chose Giggles and Grin in Broadview Heights. They seemed to have a lot of offered services, and the dentist, Dr. Becky, completed her education in Ohio. Call me weird, but I really gravitate to doctors who are originally from around here. And being that I am in marketing, I found their website pleasing. I also liked the fact that they were on social media. Again, a weird quirk of mine, but what was really attractive to me was the photo gallery. It gave me a first-hand look at the office and what to expect. There were also lots of photos of Dr. Becky posing with kids after their appointments. It was evident that she really loved her job.

So, onto the appointment. It ended up being a mommy-Liam trip because daddy had a work meeting. When we walked into the office, it was just as good, if not better, than the pictures I saw online. We were greeted with bright colors, toys and cartoons. Liam darted right to the choo-choo trains. Prior to our appointment, the receptionist told me that I could download new patient forms via their website so that when I got to the office I could keep my attention on Liam….LOVED this idea…..forgot the papers!

The actual room where Liam had his cleaning was equipped with fun colored chairs, toys and even a television on the ceiling. He wasn’t too into the TV when it came time for the cleaning, but I’m sure if he was older he would appreciate it more. Dr. Becky went through what she would be doing to Liam for the cleaning, where to lay Liam on the chair and away she went. She brushed, scraped, flossed and checked out his gums for more incoming teeth. The procedure probably lasted about 5 minutes but the appointment lasted a bit longer because she explained when to start giving him fluoride toothpaste, how to care for his teeth and so on.

At the end of our visit, I was informed that Liam will be entered into the ‘No Cavity Club’, an adorable idea where Dr. Becky takes pictures of children with no cavities and puts them on a board in the office. She also shares it on their Facebook page. As we are sitting there chatting on the floor after his picture was taken, Liam decides that Dr. Becky is pretty cool and sits on her lap (I died. Seriously kid. Could you get any cuter?!)

Liam got a toy for his good behavior (a little plastic dinosaur) and we were on our merry way. I loved, loved, loved Giggles and Grin and we are looking forward to our next appointment in 6 months!

Side note: we also got this cute little hand-written note from the dentist thanking us for our visit. You don’t get too many of these personalized gestures any more these days!

Bathroom Update Take Two.

For far, far too long, we have been staring at and showering in an old, outdated bathroom and this weekend I had enough! If you recall, last year we started our inexpensive bathroom update project before baby Battin was born. The idea was to make it a quick and relatively inexpensive project. After running into some plumbing issues, that inexpensive update left an expensively bad taste in my mouth. And while I had plans to potentially redo the floors and maybe even the vanity, I threw my hands up in surrender. Luckily, the beautiful shower was enough to get me through another year.

And so, here we are again. I have been eyeing Craigslist for some time hoping to come across a vanity (with or without a top) that would fit our space. It’s been over a month and nothing. Nada. Then one day as my husband was bathing Liam, he went to shut the vanity sliding door and smashed his finger pretty bad. Again, I threw my hands up in surrender. That was it. Time to do something about this ugly, now dangerous, room.

Our bathroom prior to destruction. Adios ugly tile and fugly vanity.

Project to do list:

• Remove and replace baseboards
• Remove and replace vanity and top
• Remove and replace closet door
• Sand and paint any imperfections
• Install new flooring
• Give the closet a paint refresh
• PURGE AND REORGANIZE (my personal favorite)

Demo day (the easiest) came and went in a flash. The man of the house did most of the work. My responsibility consisted of running after LT and keeping him busy.

He-man hard at work.

Now that everything was removed, it was my turn. I’ve become the resident tiler in our house. A few years back I tiled the laundry room and spare bathroom.

(never mind the mess, please)

Now, you may be thinking, “Whoa I might hire this gal to do my tile floors too!” Not so fast, though this may look like ceramic tile, PSYCH it’s not. It is actually vinyl peal and stick tile. It’s called trafficMASTER ceramica and let me tell you, it is one of the more amazing products I have ever come across when it comes to home DIY. The tile is thick and has beveled edges which gives you the ability to grout and best yet….the only tools needed for cutting is a straight edge and an exacto knife. Simply score and snap! There are tons of how to videos online and the product is only sold at Home Depot.

Now, that said, I always always underestimate how much time it actually takes to lay this stuff out. To do it right, you have to work from the center of the room and work your way out which means, if you are unlucky like me, you may have to cut tiles on each end of the room. One day later though, our room looked like this (pre-grout because the floor has to adhere 24 hours before you can grout).

 

And now….after grout……

trafficMASTER Ceramica with grout

Stay tuned for the rest of the project reveal.

My Favorite DIY Projects of 2014.

It’s a new year so everyone is frantically sharing their favorites of the past year whether it be recipes, beauty tips or fitness routines. So it’s only fitting I recap some of my faves of 2014 in relation to DIY projects and crafts. I got a slow start the beginning of 2014, I mean I DID have my hands full with a newborn, but nevertheless, I had some goodies. I have spared you the craft fails, although that could be a fun topic too…perhaps another day.

One of Reed’s first Father’s Day gifts.

Custom anniversary print out for Reed’s grandparent’s 50th Wedding Anniversary

Festive fall banner made of burlap.

Outdoor fall blocks.

Favorite project to date; Liam’s first birthday party.

You can read more about Liam’s owl themed first birthday party here.

Collage board for Christmas cards.

Christmas Sharpie bowls that were filled with treats.

“Let It Snow” sign.

Custom ring bearer box.

And that’s it! I already have a few DIY projects and crafts under my belt for 2015 and cannot wait to share them. Cheers to a happy new year full of health, love and hot glue guns.