Friday Faves {no. 31}

1. Remember how much I love Joy Folie?? Well guess what! They have Joy Folie shoes on Zulily today!! Dream come true. I'm thinking a certain birthday girl needs some new shoes. They are to. die.for.

2. I love the look of this Halloween decor from Centsational Girl. I'm so ready for fall!

3. Dubli.com. Kyle and I just signed up for this and I love it! We are using the cloud space to hold all of our pictures and you get money back on everything you buy online! Which includes Home depot. score!

4. I love these little stools. I feel like this could be a cool DIY project...

5. My cute cousin just started a blog called Bella Vie. You all should check it out...I also think this recipe she posted looks perfect for a cold fall day (Still just hoping for some cooler weather. It's still in the hundreds here!!)

How to create you're own shape for the Silhouette..

Have you ever wanted your own shape for the silhouette and couldn't find the right one?? This is one way you can achieve just that. I wanted to make star magnets for a project I've been working on. I also wanted them to be glitter. I didn't really feel like pulling out actual glitter for fear of glitter spreading throughout my entire house for the rest of ever. So. I bought some of the chunky glitter 12x12 paper from Hobby Lobby. This paper is the cutest. And it was half off. Score! While I was at Hobby Lobby I picked up some small round magnets and some wooden cut out stars. I got everything for half off or used my 40% coupon. fabulous.

Now, I wanted to cut a star using my silhouette, but the star had rounded corners and wasn't perfectly shaped. I knew I would never be able to find a match in the online store so I decided to make my own! And here is how I did it.

First, I traced my star shape on a piece of paper.

Then, I scanned the paper onto my computer. Open up silhouette software and click import. This is what you will see.

Then click "object" and then "Trace" 

This will bring up the side menu. Click the top right box that says "select trace area".

Create a box around the object you want to trace. In this case our star...Then click on the right side "Trace and Detach"

Now you can move the paper away from the star and delete. We now have our shape to cut out! 

Now go to cut style and click "cut edges" And you will get a perfectly cut shape that will match perfectly with your project! So exciting. I can't believe it's taken me this long to take advantage of the Silhouette. It's life changing people. 

And look how cute they turned out! Perfect for my project I've been working on. And also perfect for hanging up the girl's artwork. 

And just in case you happen to buy the little stars from Hobby Lobby and you would like to use your silhouette to cover them too, you can right click this picture and use it in your software :) Happy day!

Honey Curry Chicken

 This is a recipe you're entire family will LOVE. A friend of ours brought this over when we had our baby and I knew it was a keeper when my 3 year old asked for thirds. It is that good. We hardly ever have any leftovers but if you do, this dish makes for great leftover lunches. Best part is it's SO easy. The original recipe calls for you to cube the chicken and bake it. But since I don't deal with raw meat and I have a love affair with my slow cooker I choose to throw it all in the crock pot. Serve over rice and with edamame as a side and you have a complete and EASY meal. Love.

Honey Curry Chicken

-1/2 cup honey

-1/4 cup melted butter (optional)

-1/4 cup mustard

-1 tsp salt

-1 tsp curry powder

(mix sauce together)

Put 2-3 chicken breasts (or I usually do around 8 tenderloins) into the crockpot and set on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3

**Set aside any extra sauce, or double the sauce recipe for extra to drizzle on top. Trust me you want to :) **

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. Measure out the honey.

3. Pour in your melted butter and stir.

4. Add in the mustard,

5. salt

6. and curry powder.

7. Pour over your chicken in the crockpot. Gross, can't believe I'm showing a raw meat picture. Feel free to skip over...

And enjoy! SO yummy.

Friday Faves {no. 30}

Oh heeeey. I haven't done a friday faves in a while and I've been loving lots of things lately so here it goes...

1. Kyle and I are hooked on Duck Dynasty. I'm sure I'm the last one to start watching this but I was skeptical at first. I thought it was going to be a show Kyle thought was funny and I found boring. But seriously it's hi.larious. Kyle and I die laughing every episode.

2. Kyle bought me on of these bad boys a month ago and I might have already eaten 3 more. They are SO good.

3. I'm a flats kinda girl but I'm also a midget. Seriously short. So I feel like this summer I need to invest in some wedges. I'm absolutely loving these from Nordstrom.

4. We need a new chandelier above the table and I love this one from Restoration Hardware. Don't think I can talk Kyle into the $5000 dollar price tag though...

I'm hoping I can get some of my big projects out of the way this weekend {or maybe just started} ;) Here's to a productive weekend everybody!

My #SocialPower Issues

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Social Power for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

When I first heard about Social Power I thought it was a good idea but I was slightly confused. After watching the video and checking out the website, it's a really cool concept! First you log on and create a profile. Then either peruse the issues your peers have submitted, or add in an issue you think needs to be resolved. It should be an issue that affects you and those around you. Also, it should be something that could potentially have a resolution. It was interesting/entertaining to read people issues they have set up. Once your issue has 1,000 supporters it becomes an innitiative and can be resolved. Such a great idea that can make a difference! Although most of the issues are funny or random things, it's such an interesting concept.

You can watch the video here or on the Social Power website:

The issue I created was "I wish there was a charity you can donate clothing/household items that go straight to families in need". Everytime I donate my clothes to  Goodwill I think about how many families could benefit from my donations without having to buy them. I know there are so many families out there that need new clothes for their babies and I would love for my donations to go straight to them. 

You should definitely go check out Social Power, and while you are there support my issue!

 

5 Family Travel Tips to Keep You Sane

I'm excited to have Kendra Thornton today guest posting here at Sugar Baby Boutique. She is a mother of 3 who, before becoming a full time mom was the Orbits director of communications. She has been to 28 countries on 6 continents and has been quoted in the news about seasonal travel trends and destinations over the United States. Kendra is here today to share her tips about traveling 

this summer with our families. We'll be traveling quite a bit this summer and I know I will be using these tips as we plan for our vacations!

5 Family Travel Tips to Keep You Sane

As a child, I remember how much fun I had taking a trips with my family. Now as a mother, I try and prepare so my vacations with my own children are just as seamless as I remembered my very own vacations being. So, I have picked up five tips from our family trips that have made a big difference.

1. Prepare Hygiene Travel Kits

Kids are messy! Preparing a travel kit with some hand sanitizer, sanitary wipes, and facemasks will 

help minimize risk of exposure to illness while on vacation.  I have found many travel size products to reduce the space needed for the kit. I loved this idea so much I always keep a hand sanitizer hooked to my purse!

2. Travel Organizer Activity

Keeping my family involved in packing has also proved to be helpful. Before our last trip, we had the kids pick out a couple of their favorite toys and stuffed animals to bring along. Using canvas shoe bags for these items keeps them organized. This idea is fun because the kids choose and pack their favorite things.

3. Pack Healthy Snacks

This tip can be for any traveler. Pack some healthy snack food, especially if traveling by plane or train. By packing snacks, we control the nutrition our kids receive and save money from purchasing overpriced snacks.

4. Eat A Full, Healthy Breakfast

I wish I could make this happen everyday. But, I have found this is worth the extra effort while on vacation, especially when planning on spending the day at theme parks. Starting the day with a full stomach helps the parents maintain some energy while chasing after their kids, and also saves the wallet from at least one expensive meal inside the park. Many Orlando hotels offer those great complimentary breakfasts where kids can even eat for free!

5. Allow for a Day of Rest At Home

Vacations are supposed to be fun and relaxing, but I have heard many people say that they need to take another vacation to recuperate. Our vacation plans include a day at home prior to returning to work and school. This helps everyone unpack and get some rest before returning to routine.

The important thing to remember is too much preparation can be a culprit of stress. By remembering just a few handy tips, I have been able to enjoy my vacation knowing my children are happy and healthy.

Thanks Kendra!!

Lily Love

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of iBulb for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I absolutely love lilies. They are definitely one of my very favorite flowers. I don't think I dislike any flower but if I had to choose a favorite it would be lillies or peonies. Both beautiful.  In fact, I had lilies in my bridal bouquet because I love them so much. Here is the best picture I could find of my bouquet on our wedding day. I still love it and am so glad I did such a bright cheery bouquet! My best friend took this picture and as I look back am so glad I have good friends around me that support me always. How's that for a random tangent?

I feel like they are so pretty, and unique, and they brighten up any floral arrangement. Having fresh flowers around the house is like a dream come true. It helps freshen up your home in an instant. It creates such a homey and inviting feeling to a home that can only be achieved through a floral arrangement sitting on the table. I just picked up an old brass pitcher from a local flea market and I feel like I need a bunch of lilies to put in it. That would make today perfect. Hint hint to the husband... There are so many different ways you can style lilies and they can go with modern, traditional and all styles of a home. Here are some of my favorite arrangements...

I love love these perfect little vases. And with a little lillie in each, these make adorable table decor.

This whole set up is beautful and the pop of pink is fabulous.

I absolutley love all the color in this arrangement but even more love it with that pretty white vase. Also as  a side note, I just found a cute/weird little bird statue at target that I can't wait to find a spot for in my home! Plus it was on clearance for $4. Love it.

What are your favorite flowers?? And what is your favorite way to display them?

Crème Brulee Recipe

I got this recipe from my sister-in-law and it quickly became a favorite with my husband and I. Who knew crème brulee would be so simple to make??
Start out with your cream. Heat it until it reaches a rapid simmer. Remove from heat.
I use my kitchenaid to whisk together the egg yolks and suger until well blended and starts to lighten in color.

Add the cream, little by little, stirring continually.

Pour into ramekins.
Place your ramekins in a baking dish and fill the pan halfway full of water. The water should go about halfway up each ramekin.

Bake. Then carefully remove and let them cool on a cooling rack. Cover, and cool in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

When ready to serve, pull out of the fridge and top with sugar mixture.

Torch it until the sugar is carmelized.


Top with your favorite berries and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 quart heavy cream
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 cup vanilla sugar
• 6 large egg yolks
• 2 quarts hot water
• Sugar and Brown Sugar mixture for over top

Sugar Mixture

-1 cup brown sugar

-1cup sugar

Whisk sugars together and spread out on a pan. Bake at 400 deg for about 5 min or until dried out. Roll over with a rolling pin to crush the sugar until very fine. Store in a ziploc bag or airtight container.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Place the cream and vanilla in a sauce pan... heat until it reaches a rapid simmer and remove from heat.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup sugar and the egg yolks until well blended and it just starts to lighten in color. Add the cream a little at a time, stirring continually. Pour the liquid into 6 (7 to 8-ounce) ramekins. Place the ramekins into a large cake pan or roasting pan (I use a glass casserole dish). Pour enough hot water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake just until the creme brulee is set, but still trembling in the center, approximately 40 to 45 minutes (Mine takes closer to 1 hour). Remove the ramekins from the roasting pan/glass dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days. When I refridgerate, I cover each individually with saran wrap to keep them moist. Just before serving pour sugar mixture over top of the custard and torch with a kitchen torch until brown.