Friday Faves {no. 9}

Here are a few of my favorite things…
1. Anthropologie’s Volcano Red Candle. Love this scent. I ran out awhile ago and am feeling like I need to get a new one ASAP.

2. Johnson & Johnson baby soap. I LOVE a baby straight from the bath. They smell so good and I can’t help but snuggle Elsie for hours after washing her with this soap…

3. Bracelets. I usually am not a big fan of wearing bracelets but lately I have been loving all the fun ones. The friendship bracelets take me back to my elementary school days. I’d make these all the time.

4. Friday Night Lights. I am hooked.

5. This adorable scallop quilt. Maybe this will be the pattern I use for my girls big girl room??

*Click each picture for source*

Winner!

Just popping in to announce the winner of the PrintRunner Giveaway!
Congratulations LAURA!! I'll be sending you an email shortly so we can figure out the details. THANKS everyone who entered :)

Yummiest Chocolate Chip Cookies. Ever.

My Mom is the best cookie maker ever. I don't know how she does it but they turn out to perfection every time. I've made them with her a million times but every time I attempt them myself they're not quite as good. We've always joked in our family that she keeps a secret ingredient hidden so she will always be the pro. But, I have picked up a couple tricks since watching her. Like, DON'T over mix. I may have the reputation to beat things to death when I cook. I can't help it, I have this weird need to mix and mix and then the texture is never right...So now when making these cookies I mix the dough until it's barely mixed together. Trust me it's the best. I also have to turn my oven down to 325 instead of 350. This could definitely be because my oven is old, and lame, and burns everything. So, I turn the heat down and cook them until they look a little doughy. By the time I get them out and let them sit on the pan a couple minutes, they are cooked just right. Now time for the recipe...

Chocolate Chip Cookies

-3/4 cup white sugar

-3/4 cup brown sugar

-2 eggs

-1 cup butter flavored shortening

*mix then add:

-2 cups flour

-1 tsp baking soda

-1 tsp salt

-add 3/4 cup oats

-1 tsp vanilla

-add 1/2 package chocolate chips at the end (gently mix in)

*cook at 350 deg. (325 in my case) for about10 min. 

Giveaway!

Today I’m so excited I have a giveaway from PrintRunner! Here is a little background about their company:
PrintRunner.com was established with little more than a small press and a dream. Ten years later our company became one of the foremost quality printers in Southern California. Our commitment to provide the best value and high quality full color printing at affordable price made our company grow. PrintRunner is a full service high quality printing company located in Chatsworth, California.
So, who would like to win some business cards?! This is a great way to start up a business/network marketing. Business cards are the best way to get your name out there. Whether, you’re just starting out or already have an established business, it’s an easy way to get more business headed your way. One lucky winner will receive:
Business Card Size and Style Business Cards - 2x3.5 (Standard)
Quantity 250
Colors 4/4 Color Both Sides
Paper 14 pt. UV Coating on Front, 14 pt. UV Coating on both sides,
Proof NONE
Rounded Corners NO
*Giveaway is open to US Residents only, ages 18 years old and above.

Enter to win using the rafflecopter widget :)


a Rafflecopter giveaway



*The winner will be chosen Thurs morning. Good Luck!!*

Disclaimer: I will receive business cards as compensation for hosting this giveaway.

MIA

I know I dropped off the face of the blog world and that would be because I’ve been busy snuggling our sweet new addition to our  family. I have been thoroughly enjoying her new baby smell, soft skin, and snuggles and I can’t force myself to get anything accomplished.

My talented sister-in-law was nice enough to take some pictures of our little Elsie. She is incredible and I think you should check out her website & have her take your next pictures for you. Seriously. She’s amazing.

**Come back later tonight for a giveaway!!**

Friday Faves {no. 8}

This week probably could not have gone any slower...we're still  waiting for baby girl to decide she wants out. Seeing as we tried to keep her in for 4 months I thought we would have no problem when it was time. Apparently, she's pretty content to stay where she is :) Here are some things I've been loving the last couple weeks. Let's not talk about how most of them are food related, I am pregnant.

1. I am LOVING that sonic has half off shakes after 8pm all summer. Let's just say I have sent my husband out a lot the last couple weeks to fetch me a chocolate shake...

2. I also love that Insurgent came out. (the sequel to Divergent) It was so good and now I can't wait for number 3 :)

3. I have been loving being able to cook again and since I have been craving chocolate chip cookies my entire pregnancy was so excited to make my mom's recipe AND have them actually turn out. That is a feat people. I will definitely be posting her recipe because her cookies are amazing. However, don't be mad when they don't turn out. I've tried them maybe 100 times and this was the first time they tasted somewhat like hers. I think she leaves out a super secret ingredient...

4. This is the best idea. ever. I either need to start making some asap OR convince my husband that remote start for our car is a necessity with 3 babies in AZ heat. I'm voting for remote start but pretty sure I'll end up making them...

5. I think this is such a great idea. I always use up so much counter space for fruit that this would be very convenient. Or maybe for bread?...I'm going to need make me one. I've been feeling very ambitious lately with the projects I want to take on but I think I need to remember I'm having a baby next week. Weird.

Happy Friday Everyone!!

Teacher Thank You & Printable

Our Thank You for Miss B’s preschool teacher this year was simple. Maybe we’ll get a little more creative next year ;) We love her teacher and think she is amazing with the kids so I knew we had to do something for her! We got the flower pot from Hobby Lobby and painted it with some fun yellow paint. Brynlee helped me make the flowers. Printed off the simple little messages and that was it…gotta love a project that is quick and easy! I know I’ve been MIA the last couple weeks but I have been thoroughly enjoying the time with my two little munchkins before our bundle of joy arrives. I have a feeling the divas will be feeling a little under appreciated once the baby comes and have been trying to spend every second playing with them. Hope you all have some fun summer plans planned! IF you haven’t figured out a teacher gift yet, feel free to print these off :) You could definitely use the bloom for real flowers, or fabric flower clips or pretty much anything flower related. And the Break I used to tie in the kit-kats. Who doesn't enjoy chocolate??

download here

download here

Yummiest Banana Cake

I decided to repost this because I've had a lot of people asking me for the recipe. I have to tell you this is the yummiest cake ever. My husband and I can clean out a pan in one sitting. Don't Judge.  Just trust me and make this and you'll never go back to baking banana bread again with those over ripe bananas...

So I've been in a baking mood lately...Yes it's a little crazy with two kids under 2 years old. But, when I get a total of 3 hours of sleep and there's no hope of getting a nap I have to keep myself crazy busy or I remember how exhausted I am...So after failed attempts at homemade bread and cinnamon rolls, I decided to use up my ridiculously ripe bananas and try this banana cake...yummm It's SO good and moist (I can't believe I just used one of my top 3 grossest words...) Here are the recipes and I'm also posting this to Basic Bites

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 c. flour
• 1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 2/3 c. sugar
• 1 1/4 tsp. soda
• 2/3 c. butter, at room temperature
• 4 mashed bananas, large
• 2 large eggs
• 2/3 c. buttermilk or plain yogurt (I used vanilla yogurt because Ialready had some and it turned out fine)
• 2/3 c. chopped nuts (optional)
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together: flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and soda. Then add: butter, and bananas. Beatthoroughly, then add: eggs, buttermilk, chopped nuts and vanilla. Mix until well combined. Pour into a greased & floured 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. When cooled, top with Cream Cheese frosting.

"Sprinkles" Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz of cream cheese, very soft
4 oz of butter, very soft
1/8 tsp salt
4 cups of powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp of vanilla extract

Beat the cream cheese and butter with the salt until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, and the vanilla - beat until smooth and creamy.

Friday Faves {no. 7}

Is it Friday again already?? I feel like the weeks are flying by now...Maybe because we're getting close to the baby coming and it doesn't seem so far away. Now I feel like pressure is on to get the house ready for a newborn again! Here are some of my faves from this week...

1. Gotye. Where have I been?? Oh that's right stuck in my house...not listening to the radio. My sister showed me their song the other day and I've been wanting to buy their cd ever since.

2. Swagbucks. Anyone else love it like me?? I'm the type to google everything. Just ask my husband. 99% of the time when we are debating something it ends up in "I'll google it!". But instead of using google I use swagbucks. I just earned another $5 gift card to amazon for my kindle books. LOVE IT!

3.  Fun. I've loved The Format since I can remember so naturally I love the band Fun. too. I'm dying to get their cd as well. Maybe I'll be using my amazon gift cards on music instead...

4. These lace crowns have got to be the cutest thing I've seen. Ever. I'm going to have to make some of these for my girls...

5. I need to makeover my bathroom asap. This is exactly what we need in our master bath. Seeing as we have ZERO storage in there...PS I know the pin leads to nowhere but I can't find the right link to save my life!! I've searched all over pinterest, google and swagbucks and can't find it?? But it's a good picture for inspiration to show my husband when I recruit him to do it for me ;)

Friday Faves {no. 6}

1. I love this zig-zag tray. It’s sold, but I feel like it would be an easy DIY. Now I just need to find me a tray to paint.

2. These pillows are darling. I need to make them for my girls room asap.

3. These swim cover ups would be perfect for beach & lake trips. Except, I keep forgetting I’ll have a newborn this summer so we’ll see if I even make it out of the house ;)

4. This blanket is adorable. Now if only I could crochet…

5. Yet, another reason to learn how to crochet…

Happy Tax Day!

 

Anyone else frantically trying to file their taxes? No? Just us?? I swear we are the epitome of procrastination around here. BUT happy news! Sonic has Happy Hour allll day today. So go enjoy a giant vanilla coke…or whatever your vice may be. You know I am :)

Friday Faves {Garden Party no. 5}

Scrap Busting Bows

So, as I’ve said before, I hoard my fabric scraps. It’s true. I can not seem to throw them away. I feel like I will always find a way to use them, and I usually do. Since I’ve been hanging out in bed so much lately I decided to organize all my fabric/felt scraps by color into zip-loc bags. Yes, these are the types of projects you come up with while on bed rest to keep busy :). While I was going through them I realized how many cute fabrics & combinations I had in teeny tiny scraps. Then I got to thinking that I should make some cluster bows. Brilliant! These bows are so much fun to make and use up all those itty bitty scraps you may be saving. Or not. Now I have a bag full of bows that I just need to assemble into headbands/clips. So. Much. Fun. Maybe I love it so much because otherwise I’d be reading yet another book or watching another pointless show on Netflix. I’m officially on the downhill of bedrest and it feels oh so good! I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. K that might be a little too dramatic but I can’t tell you how excited I am to mop my floor and go grocery shopping. Two things I loathed 6 months ago.

Here are some pictures of the clips/headbands I’ve made, maybe it’ll give you some inspiration. How fun would it be for a craft night for everyone to bring a bunch of individual little flowers they’ve made and then mix and match with everyone else’s to make some super cute headbands?

 

“K mom quit taking pictures of me. I’m done”

Hahah I love the faces I get from Miss B while taking pictures. She has some pretty sassy poses and some pretty fiesty faces she can pull off…Hope you all are enjoying your week!

Friday Faves {Easter Ideas}

Here are my Friday Faves this week...it's only fitting that it's Easter themed :) I'm going to be storing these away on my Pinterest board for next year. My poor girls will be getting a pretty boring Easter experience this weekend, so next year we'll be making up for it! Enjoy and have a wonderful Easter!

1. These are some cute embellished shirts I plan on making next year...

viahttp://thisismeinspired.blogspot.com/2011/04/make-bunny-shirt.html

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2. These are so fun. The girls would love them!

3.  How cute are these?? And super east/fast to make...

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4. Better Homes and Gardens has some really fun and simple ideas that I just adore.

5. We all know I love me a good banner. Too bad I have too many for Spring as it is...This one is lovely.

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Friday Faves {no.3}

Who knew I’d actually keep up with this? Maybe I’ll actually stick with blogging once a week! Here are some of my faves from this week…

1. Extra Strength Tylenol I’ve been fighting the flu/a cold this week so I have been taking this around the clock. OH but I can’t wait to get back to good old Advil & Exedrin Migraine. Those are the real headache killers and I love them.

2. Colored Skinny Jeans. I want these mint jeans so. bad. Too bad when I actually will be able to start wearing normal clothes again it will be 180 degrees here. But, maybe I can buy every color for my girls and live through them :)

3. Fun Nails. I feel like there have been so many fun nail designs & colors pop up lately. I think this needs to be my next color combo…

4. Jamba Juice. There is nothing better than a freezing cold smoothie when you have a sore throat. My Carribean Passion hit the spot this week.

Hope you all have a fun weekend and enjoy the sunshine! 

Spring has arrived..

It’s officially Spring and I’m loving it. I’m dying to get out into the nice sunny weather. While I can just dream of going outside, I have been looking at some fun Spring décor to bring indoors. Here are some of the jewels I found. I’m loving the wreaths and think I need a new wreath this season. Now, to convince the husband to go to the craft store for me  

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Annnnd I thought I should include some pics from my last year’s Spring décor. I’m thinking it needs some sprucing up. We’ll see what I can figure out! I hope you' all are enjoying your Spring so far!

Find the banner tutorial HERE

 

Found HERE

Found HERE

Tutorial found HERE

Friday Faves {books}

With all my spare time I've been reading  a lot of books. Here are some of my Faves :)

1. Hunger Games. Of course. I had to mention this series, because it's amazing. enough said.

2. Matched Trilogy. Loved it and can't wait for the third to come out!

3. Divergent. I'm still in the middle of this one but it's SO good so far. I'm hooked! The only problem is that these 3 are very similar and I am now getting all of the plots mixed up. I'm definitely going to have to re read Hunger Games before I go see the movie.Anyone seen it yet??I can't wait!!

4. Anew: Archers of Avalon. My Mom found this book through a co-worker, I believe but it's way good.I like the way the author writes. I think she's a pretty new author and I think she's great! I can't wait for the 2 to come out...She also wrote another book called "Sophie &Carter" and it was really cute.I liked it a lot and definitely recommend it!

I feel like when I'm reading a lot, I get on kicks of what types of books I'm reading.Obviously right now I'm on kind of a Futuristic streak. I'm thinking about reading The Uglies series next.Anyone read them? Loved or Hated them??Any suggestions on other books to start next??