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??

Friday Faves

So, I’ve decided to share some of my latest favorites today…These are things that are getting me through our bedrest days…

1. Sock Buns. I pretty much wear my hair like this 75% of the time around here. It’s the easiest hair style in the world. Plus, paired with my millions of scrap jersey headbands there’s no going wrong. So easy, SO comfy. No headaches, No hair in my face. Win-Win! While I’m confessing my laziness I might wear sweatpants every day of my life. Unless I have a dr. appt. Or am needing a much needed “pretend I’m going out day” Yes, some days I pretend I’m going somewhere, put makeup on, get dressed (shoes & all) and lay on the couch all day. Whatever gets me through right??

2. Cadbury Eggs. Ah, these are so delicous/addicting. I may or may not be onto my 3rd bag of the season. Don’t. Judge. Me.

3. Netflix. Oh my, this has gotten us through many slow days. I’ve always thought netflix was lame and that we would never really use it. Until I got put on bed rest. Now it is our saving grace. That may be a little extreme, but entertaining a 2 & 3 year old all day, while laying in bed isn’t the easiest task. It also has kept Kyle & I entertained and has become our “date night” We find a movie for the girls, find a movie for us, pop some popcorn and enjoy. Don’t be jealous :) I can’t wait for a real date night out! In approximately 8 more weeks…

P.S. Any recommendations on favorite movies or shows we start? They would be greatly appreciated.

P.P.S. Don’t ever watch Hoarders while on bed rest. Or maybe ever. It was the worst idea I’ve ever heard. I had the biggest urge to purge everything from our house, and I couldn’t do anything about it.Maybe I’ll watch it after the baby comes and our house will actually be clutter free?

 

 

4. Pinterest. Not surprised? I love the app on my phone for pinterest. Except that its really slow, and kicks me out half the time. But, I love that I can be browsing and also making sure my girlies aren’t attacking each other, all at the same time! The only downfall of perusing Pinterest all day? I now have 5 million things on my to-do-list. I’m hoping this little lady of mine gives me at least a week or two before she makes her debut, so I can get some stuff accomplished.

 

5. Hanging with Friends/Let’s Draw Something? (is that what it’s even called?) I’ve gotten completely addicted to playing games on my phone. So thanks friends for playing me back and keeping me entertained :)

 

*Next week I’m thinking I’ll share my favorite books that I’ve been reading lately. Heaven knows I’ve been doing a lot of it :) AND if you have any good book recommendations feel free to post them! I’d love to hear some…*

Easy Peasy St. Patty’s Day Necklace

Since my girls have zero green in their wardrobe I decided to make a little accessory for St. Patty’s Day this year. I couldn’t decide between a clip or a necklace, so I made it both. I added a clip on the back so we can attach it to a head band or simply just clip it in Miss B’s hair. However, I like it strung on lace the best. I’ve been making little fabric flowers like crazy around here since it’s super easy to do in bed. My husband loves finding fabric scraps wrapped up in our blanket ;) Hope everyone has a fun St. Patricks Day this year! Maybe you can make your own little necklace so you don’t get pinched!

Quiet Book Pages

So while I’ve been down I’ve taken up hand stitching. It’s actually quite relaxing and I love doing it while catching up on my favorite shows. Although, it’s not as relaxing if my kids are in the mood to climb all over me. Needles and children stress me out. Wonder why? Anyhow, once the kids go to bed or if the husband is out with them at the park I bust out my needle and thread and turn on Downtown Abbey and go to town. {so sad that I finished season 2, when is season 3 coming on??} I decided I’d finally start on the quiet book I’ve been saying I’d make the girls for the last 3 years. I’ve finished 4 pages and they were quite the process! But. My girls LOVE them. So, I guess that means I will have to finish the book after all ;) I got the cute barn & mailbox templates HERE. The only thing I add was the crayon pocket, so the girls can write little love notes during church. I drew the dresser on a piece of paper and used that as my pattern but if you would like I can put one up here…My girls have been so excited to play with it. I told them it was only for church days and so every morning they ask if they can go to church. HA wonder how long it will be until the novelty wears off. I hope not too soon..Don’t judge my girls hair, I do comb it..sometimes.

And the winner is...

Entry #19shirley l

Congratulations Shirley! Please email me at sugarbabyboutique@gmail.com ASAP So we can get you your prize. Thanks to everyone for playing along! Have a great weekend!

PrintRunner Giveaway!!

I was so excited when PrintRunner contacted me to do a giveaway on my little old blog…They are so nice and are giving away 100 Postcards to the winner! Woohoo! I can think of a million things I would do with these postcards but to name a few…Baby announcements, birthday invites, business promotion, etc etc. The possibilities are endless I tell you! Here are the details of the actual giveaway and what you can expect when you win…

                       Postcard Size          :      Postcards 5x7
                       Quantity                 :       100
                       Colors                    :       4/0 Front Only Printing
                       Paper                    :       14 PT. UV Coating on Front,
                       Rounded Corners     :       Yes
                       Proof                     :       None
                       Ready to Ship In        :       4 Business Days
               *Giveaway is open to US Residents only, ages 18 years old and above.

PrintRunner is based out of Southern California and seems like a great business that offers high quality products at very affordable prices. They have an easy to use website for all of your online printing and you can design right on there website! Check out how to print postcards through their website. So who wants to win??

Use the RaffleCopter Widget to enter!

Felt Bow Bonanza!

With all this extra time on my hands I decided I needed to do something a little creative. So, I may or may not have gone a little overboard on making felt bows. They’re so simple to make and are definitely a project I could do while laying in bed. I also have been borrowing my husbands laptop and am trying to figure out photoshop. Any tips for me?? What are the easiest tutorials to follow? I’m having a hard time figuring it out on my own…Anyways I decided to take looots of pictures so enjoy :) These little bows have been around a long time and are pretty much self explanatory but I figured I’d do a “tutorial” of pictures to explain how I make these little cuties. My girls have had fun trying on every color, which I love because they refuse to let me do their hair. At least if they’re wearing a bow it kind of looks like a tried right?? Hope you’re having a great leap day!

 

I'm dreaming of a...

new table. Lately I've been obsessed with looking at dining rooms on pinterest. Why? I have no idea, maybe because right now I have the worst glass table in the world. Did you know that having a glass table is the bane of my existence? With 2 toddlers cleaning it is the absolute worst and it NEVER looks clean for longer than 2 seconds. So. I've decided the second I get off bed rest I will be on the lookout for a new table. I just can't decide what style to go with. Farmhouse table? Elegant? Traditional? Shabby Chic? Modern? Rustic? Am I the only one that can't decide on what theme to go with in your house?? I just love it all and can't choose one.  Here are some of the dining rooms I'm loving these days...

Find this on pinterest here

Pinned here

via

Anyone have good dining room pics to share with me?

Homemade laundry detergent?

Yay or Nay? I didn't want to try it at first thinking it wouldn't get the job done. I am a Tide girl through and through but when  my sister said she tried it and liked it I figured I'd give it a go. And the verdict is...yay! I love it! It gets the clothes just as clean as before for pennies! SO, if you are hesitant to try it I would have to say go for it. To get all of the supplies including a 5 gallon bucket it cost about $15. I've made around 4 huge batches without having to go to the store. It's really simple to make and it's worked for our family wonderfully.  Here is where I pinned the recipe. The only adjustments I made was I used more fels-naptha bar than the recipe called for. So has anyone else tried out the homemade laundry soap? What recipe do you prefer?

Easter is coming...

and since I have some time on my hands due to bed rest I decided I should finally make the second homemade Easter basket for my girls. Its the perfect hand sewing project I've been looking for and am glad I sewed all the strips together last year so all I have to do is sew up the basket. These Easter baskets turned out so cute and have become a purse/hat/basket for all year round. My girls are obsessed. So if you'll excuse me I am going to go watch some Downtown Abbey and hand sew to my hearts content :) Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Happy Valentine's Day!

So, I know I've taken a 5 month break...But it's been a little crazy around here. I'm pregnant {24} weeks and have been on bed rest for the last month & a half. I've been trying to keep myself busy with movies, netflix, books, you name it...but I'm starting to get the creative itch again and think it might be good for me to focus on crafting again (things I can do from my bed of course and things I already have on hand, since sending my husband to the craft store might be the worst idea ever.) I'm not making any promises because who knows how often I will post but figured I'd put up some pictures of my minimal Valentines decor this year. It's kind of been fun trying to figure out crafts I can do with the supplies I already have, interesting but fun. For example, my wreath is made out of a diaper box...and burlap & tissue scraps. I hope you all are having a wonderful Valentines Day today and spending it with those you love :)




*this Valentine's banner is made using the same tutorial as my spring banner HERE*

*I found this fun bunting on Pinterest here, but left out the buttons and hot glued ric-rac to the top*

*I'm sure you've also seen this taffy centerpiece floating around pinterest. So cute and So simple to make. My cute MIL gave me the supplies to make this one and ended up being a fun craft do in bed...*

Winner Winner

Chicken Dinner!  I know I was supposed to post the winner on Friday but we decided to go North for a cabin trip and some cooler weather. While on said trip my phone decided to go into "recovery mode" whatever that is. It won't turn on without a computer, which we didn't have. We also didn't have a tv all weekend. But, it turned out to be one of our favorite trips yet! Without all of the electronics to distract us we had some quality family time. Wrestling the girls, swinging in the backyard, taking loooong naps, and walks galore. We saw elk and searched for a "pink bunny" because my oldest wanted to try and find one. It was good times. So now I am officially posting the winner. And I can not get the picture of the random.org number to work so I will just tell you it's #32! Which means Samantha you're the winner! I'll email you this week to figure out how to get you your apron!! Congrats :)

Halloween Countdown Blocks

I got the idea here on Pinterest to make some countdown blocks. I was really excited because my husband had some extra wood on hand that was the perfect size. So I cut the blocks, modge podged some scrapbook paper to it, and then used my trusty friend's cricut to cut out the numbers and letters. I love how it turned out! I also love that it usually says something like "82 days til candy" because my kids love to play with them. Whatev! They still look cute and that's all that matters right?? Go ahead make your own! And while you're at it you should make your own modge podge because it works just as good and cost pennies :) Just mix 3:1 elmers glue to water. Or whatever ratio you want until you get a good consistancy...I got that idea from pinterest but apparently I forgot to pin it.  here is the website. Now go ahead and make your own blocks! We still have 20 days til Halloween!

BeWITCHing Halloween Craft

Yes, I just went there with the pun. I also know that I said I'd post a Halloween idea every day this month, but honestly who really believed me? Haha I always think I can do a lot more than what is really gonna happen. Today I'm going to show you a fun Halloween craft that the kids can help you with (or not if it will drive you crazy like it would me) But it is that easy people.

First, cut a shape out of burlap. I decided to do a curvy frame...
 

Second, Print off a picture of a  witch sillhouette. I seriously can't find the website from where I got this from. I've googled "witch sillhouette" a million times and now this particular one is lost forever but you can use any picture you want! Then trace around your shape with a sharpie.


Third, Fill in your sharpie picture with modgepodge (Be careful to get right up to the line, but you might have to fill in some holes later...) After you have covered the picture with modge podge you sprinkle your glitter on. Shake off the excess glitter onto a piece of paper so you can reuse it to fill in whatever holes there are...


Fourth, Take cardboard (Or a fruit snack box if you don't want to go to the store) and cover it with modge podge. Then put a piece of scrapbook paper onto the modge podge..



Last, you modge podge your witch sillhouette/burlap onto your paper and you are finished! I sprayed mine with hairspray to keep the glitter from falling off and it worked like a charm. String some ribbon through the top and hang it up! I still haven't decided where this little witch will go...



Hope everyone is getting excited for Halloween!
PS Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a ruffly apron HERE! Thanks!

Pumpkin Muffins

So I'm sure you've seen this pin floating around Pinterest lately. I decided I had to try them. I made some homemade pumpkin puree last year and figured I'd better use it up before this fall hits and I can make some more to replace it. So, I changed the recipe up just a tiny bit but it was still the easiest recipe I've ever made and was SO delicious. My husband and I may or may not have finished off 10 of them ourselves that first night. Here is the deal on how you can gain a couple pounds in a couple hours....



Homemade Pumpkin Puree
-2 pie pumpkins (I figure I should at least do 2 if I'm going to the trouble to do it, it should last me the rest of the year...)

*Cut your pumpkins in half and place them insides down in a pan. Fill the pan with about an inch of water. Cook at 350 for about 45 min. or until tender. Take your pumpkins out and scoop out all of the seeds. Throw them away or make some salted pumpkins seeds. Scoop your pumpkin out and place in a blender (the pumpkin should be so tender that it's very easy to scoop out). Blend it all up and place in separate bags. I just put it in 3 huge gallon sized bags. Turned out to be the worst idea I ever had. Since it was all thawed I had to use up 5 cups so we also got pumpkin pie this week. So, I suggest freeze in 2 cup increments.


Yummy Pumpkin Muffins
-2 cups pumpkin puree
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1 tsp pumpkin pie spices (nutmeg, cloves, etc.)
-1 box of yellow cake
-Chocolate chips (optional) I added this because I don't think pumpkin treats are the same without chocolate in them. My husband hates chocolate and pumpkin so I did half and half and they both turned out delicious!

*Cook as directed on box, sprinkle with some powdered sugar and enjoy :)

Easiest and fastest recipe ever!
PS Don't forget to enter my giveaway HERE! Thanks!!

Halloween Month Begins...

Yep, I know, I am once again late for the beginning of a holiday/season. Four days to be exact but who's counting? I decided that I would feature some type of Halloween{ish} post a day. And to kick it off I will share with you my halloween wreath I made the other day. I used this pin to make the wreath form. It was super duper easy and verrrry cheap. BUT I don't know how she got a perfect circle (Maybe hers didn't get run over by the car....just a guess)  Oh well it still worked out. All I did was take some leftover black fabric and black tulle and cut it into strips. I honestly just cut whatever sizes I felt like and then trimmed them down to the size I wanted. Then tied knots alternating 2 fabrics to 1 tulle. I'm thinking I like it! Stay tuned this week for more cheap/fun Halloween ideas :)




**Don't forget to enter my giveaway for your own Ruffly Apron!! HERE**

Giveaway!!

Hey friends! It's been awhile I know...I've been busy with my loads and loads of laundry, and cooking, and cleaning (what's gotten into me??) I used to never like to cook but maybe it's the thought that fall is coming soon!? But I've been baking up a storm. I have my favorite new recipe that I will be posting soon :) But for now I will leave you with a giveaway. I finally hit 100 followers woot woot! It's taken me foreeeever to decide what I'd giveaway and finally have concluded that I will be giving away a RUFFLY APRON to one lucky winner!




*Winner will be able to choose the color combo of their Ruffly Apron and have it shipped to their door :) All you have to do is be a follower of Sugar Baby Boutique and leave a comment saying so & tell me what color combo you would pick. Some extra entry options include:

-Blog about this giveaway (leave a separate comment saying you did)
-Facebook about this giveaway (leave a separate comment)

**That gives you 3 chances to win!! Thank you to everyone who follows my blog I love reading all of your comments and emails it makes my day! I will use Random.org to pick the winner on October 14th (which also happens to be my birthday...:) )