Gap Elastic-trim Tank: A breastfeeding favorite!

Hello breastfeeding mamas, I've found nirvana. Literally.

Mamas, meet Gap Elastic-trim Tank. My new favorite nursing essential, I wish I had bought them in every color when Gap had a 30% off promotion last week. I only bought it in off white, and I will be buying them in every other color come the next sale. It stretches like crazy, I can pull it down under my boob and pop D on my boob for a feeding. I really never thought I'd find normal tank tops like this that would give me so much stretch, I hate the typical nursing tank tops - they are too much work for me. When D gets hungry, he wants his boob, NOW.

The tank tops are available in red, off-white, navy blue and heather gray and priced just right at 19.95 (but if you are just as cheap as I am, wait for a sale!). Get them now at Gap.

Tons of hugs,

Michelle

 

 

 

Christmas Postcards

Mr. D's going to be 4 months old on Monday, cue the teary eyes. I can't believe how much time has gone by.. I feel like it was yesterday that he was born and I was sending out his birth announcements. I used photos of D from the hospital photographer (Bella Baby Photography), she did an exceptionally great job taking pictures. She blew all the typical hospital photos outta the water, seriously. I believe I got lucky with her, I've heard horror stories of butchered hospital photos with Bella Baby in general. Anyhoo, back to the point. :)

I ordered D's birth announcements from Tiny Prints, I choose the Tweeting Trio postcards since it fit in with D's woodlands nursery theme. To be honest with you, I had low expectations for Tiny Prints and when the postcards arrived, that changed! I couldn't believe how rich the colors on the postcards were! The only drawback was that the postcards were a bit thin, it could've been more thicker. I was satisfied overall and I plan on making more orders with Tiny Prints for Christmas! I'm considering the Retro Snowflakes photocards.. What are you getting? Buy your customized Christmas cards from Tiny Prints today!

Tons of hugs,

Michelle

Etsy Find of the Day

Look at this most adorable long johns for baby boys! I was jealous of all the cute clothes for girls up until now. Awwww :)

Andrea from Mabel Label outdid herself! Buy this item here.

Tons of hugs,

Michelle

 

Fall Vignette & Dirty Beard Press

My husband found a letterpressed thank you note from my BFF the other day, I felt inspired. It's amazing how a simple handcrafted note can do that. My BFF, Laural, owns her own letterpress shop out in the New England region. Dirty Beard Press has been up and running for a few years now, Laural can press anything for you from wedding invites to a simple notecard. She's mighty good at illustration too, if you need something designed for your letterpressed goodie.

I told the hubs that I wanted to go to IKEA and grab a frame for it, we had to go there anyways to make a return. I got the 4x6 RIBBA frame in black for the notecard and a pair of cheap NYTTJA frames to throw a couple of family pictures in for the half bathroom.

I built a small fall vignette on my fireplace mantle using the newly framed notecard among the other knick knacks I already had lying around. The number one rule for creating a vignette is to group items in odd numbers, never even!

1) Dirty Beard Press letterpress notecard with the IKEA RIBBA frame. 2) I Married Adventure: The Lives of Martin and Osa Johnson book. 3) Pinecone candleholder.

I'm all set for fall, I'm not lifting another finger for halloween decor. Everything will collect dust in the basement until 2013 including Christmas decor, there's a particular baby that likes waking up his mama every two hours at night. I've been forced to favor naps over fun stuff like decor, sigh.

Tons of hugs on this beautiful fall day,

Michelle

 

Top Five Baby Essentials

OOPS. This post was on the backburner for some time now, mom duties come first. Now that Mr. D is 14 weeks old, I feel that I've got enough experience under my belt to determine what was (and still is, I like to think my baby is a newborn until he can start eating solids) the most essential for the care of newborn babies.

1. Aden and Anais Swaddle Blanket

These are lifesavers! Made out of muslin, they're perfect for multiple uses. I use them as a breastfeeding cover, to swaddle Mr. D at night, floor cover for tummy time, protection from the elements (just drape over car seat or stroller) and as a burp cloth. I always make sure I have one on hand everywhere I go. No need for a hooter hider or fancy burp cloths.

2. BumGenius 4.0 All in One Diaper

For the cloth diapering mamas (to those who arent cloth diapering, you should give it a shot!), this is the most easiest way to cloth diaper or CD. Just stuff your insert in the diaper and go. Its also one size fits all. Pure genius I tell ya! The color options are long, I bought about every color possible. For those who are curious, I have 18 diapers in my stash, it lasts me a couple days.

On another note: A friend, Erika, recently gifted me a diaper from The Little Bee Co, this will become my go to diapers in the future for baby #2. Their diapers are all in ones too, they come with the most plushest microfiber inserts. The workmanship is really great and for the price its even better than the BG AIO diapers! They've got pretty awesome people behind the name, they donate a diaper to babies in need for every diaper purchased.


3. Weleda Calendula Shampoo & Lotion

Your baby will start to smell and get dirty at some point. I wanted something that would be gentle on my baby's sensitive skin. This fit the bill and the smell is nice - it has that hippie smell - which I love. :)

4. Beco Gemini carrier

Beco makes their carriers out of organic material, they feel more soft and comfortable than the other carriers I scoped out at stores. I carried Mr. D the first few weeks in the carrier, no problem mate. I've only carried him chest to chest at this point, I haven't tried the hip hold yet and I refuse to forward carry him for several reasons to be discussed at a later point. I got my carrier through Craigslist at a measly 60 bucks! Score! I have it in the Paige pattern, gender neutral in my opinion.

5. Carters Onesies

You gotta dress up that baby, this one is an obvious essential. Carter's has the best onesies around in my opinion, they give you the best bang for your buck. They come in packs of three or five, I bought them in white - the most versatile color. The other similiar priced brands are sized weird and they feel cheap.

Tons of hugs,

Michelle

Infant Pajamas Dilemma

When Mr. D was born, it was hot. I kid you not, it was a consistent 90 degree weather the entire summer. It was easy dressing him up for the night, just an onesie (or none at all) and an Aden & Anais swaddle. That worked all summer until it got cold. Insert panic here.

I didn't really prepare for the cold fall nights so I ordered a couple of sleep sacks from Amazon, one was a GroBag and one was a Baby Deedee. I made the classic mistake of ordering a size larger for some growth allowance, these sacks are sized generously! Oops... Mr. D has outgrown the Carters one size pajamas (0-9 months) and he's only 3 months old! He definitely has his dad's tall genes.

image via babydeedee.com

I've been using the Baby Deedee sleep sack plus a long sleeved onesie. My baby sleeps so much better now that he's perfectly warm at night when our house is at 68 degrees. It seriously makes me wish they made these in adult sizes, the perfect snuggle sack! The zipper is amazing for nighttime diaper changes, easy in, easy out! The shoulder straps have button closures so you don't have to wriggle your baby's arms through the arm holes, especially when your baby has fallen asleep in your arms. You don't want to wake a sleeping baby, shhhhh... The contrasting colors are cute, bonus! I ordered mine in the khaki color, which is currently sold out on their website. This mama has good taste!


This review is of my own opinion, I was not paid or sponsored or etc etc for this post. I just wanted to do a shout out for an insanely awesome baby product that every mama should have! I love you guys!

Tons of hugs,

Michelle

 

Instagram Foto of the Day

Meet my baby, he'll be known as Baby D or Mr. D on the Internet.

He's two months old today. Time really flies when you're taking care of a newborn and even much so with a two month old infant!

I'll be posting my top ten baby essentials later this week.

Tons of hugs,

Michelle

 

Freezer Meal - Black Bean, Sweet Potato, and Quinoa Chili

I've touted the benefits of quinoa earlier here and I cannot say how much I love cooking with quinoa! I've been whipping up freezer meals in preparation for Baby V's arrival. I don't want to be eating fast food or making myself quick unhealthy meals while I'm at home figuring out  Baby V the rubix cube. 

Instead of making a chore out of freezer meals, I usually make them, eat them, then freeze away the leftovers. Easy peasy. 

I found the recipe for the Black Bean, Sweet Potato, and Quinoa Chili as I was browsing along in The Kitchn, very delicious! 

I made a few adaptations to the recipe. Instead of waiting hours for the chili to cook, I used two 14 oz cans of pinto beans (hey, I didn't realize I was out of black beans until I started cooking - oops!), including the bean juice and I added roughly 3 cups of water to the chili. Instead of buying chipotle chilies, I used a can of green chilies from the local grocery store. The green chilies didn't really add much of a kick to the chili, next time I'll try two cans instead or upping the amount of spicy spices put in the chili. In all, it took me a little over an hour to make the chili.

Soooo good! 

Here's a tip for freezing soup - this totally helps with keeping my freezer organized. Let the soup cool off entirely. Pour soup in zip loc bags (I put mine in sandwich sized bags since I wanted them in single portion servings). Lie the bags flat on a cookie sheet and place in your freezer. Once the soup freezes, you can stack the bags away in your freezer in an orderly fashion. 

Expensive Chic vs Cheap Chic - Bamboo Curl Mirror

Expensive Chic - Horchow's Bamboo Curl Mirror - $345

Cheap Chic - Overstock's Himalaya Spotted Gold Iron Framed Mirror - $327.80

This chinoiserie mirror has been a long time favorite by decorators. I'd love one for my living room, seriously.

Natalie Clayman has the bamboo curl mirror in her powder room, isn't it lovely?

Buy or DIY - Clothes Divider

Today's post focuses on our impending arrival of Baby V. I've been nesting since day 1 and I wanted to share what I found online for clothes organizer for the baby's closet and what I ended up doing. Here are a couple of clothes dividers that are ridiculously cute! I decided to DIY the dividers and call it a day. 

Etsy.com's Fourth & Folded DIY Clothing Dividers (not for sale anymore, insert sad face here)

Another Etsy creation! His Glory Clothing Dividers - 10.50

The Container Store's Blank Closet Rod Divider - .99 cents each

DIY Version - Keep reading for instructions!

Supplies Needed

1) Cardstock (I used Paper Source's Luxe Fino Cream Cover Sheet. I had them lying around by the bulk from our 2010 wedding save the date project)

2) 2 x 4 Clear Shipping Label Stickers (I bought mine on clearance from Target and it was lying around the house as well, you can buy here from Amazon.com)

3) Self Curing Cutting Mat

4) Printer

5) Circle Cutter (I used Martha Stewart Crafts Simple Circle Cutter that I bought from Michaels)
6) Xacto Knife

This project was really simple and took me at least an hour from start to finish. 


1) 'X' marks the spot. I drew crosses where I wanted the center to be. I was able to cut out two 4" dividers from an 8.5 x 11 piece of cardstock.


2) Using the Martha Stewart Simple Circle Cutter, I centered the 'X' on the paper (be sure to use your self curing mat to protect your table!!) with the center of the cutter, I cut out a 1.5" circle then a 4" outside circle. 


3) This picture doesn't show the inner 1.5" circle but use your imagination here. Grins. Cut a diagonal line from the outer edge to the inner edge. This is so you can easily slip the divider on your closet rod without having to dismantle it. 


4) I printed out divider labels for newborn clothing, 0-3 months clothing and so on. Just slap the sticker on the divider and trim off the excess with an xacto knife.


Your divider is ready to go! Mine kept slipping to the side so I realize it may be helpful to add some weight to it. I added a tiny piece of magnet to the bottom of each divider for some weight and it's working so far! This project has cost me only pennies, which makes me a happy blogger.

Ta-dah!


P.S. I have way more clothes up there now! Don't tell the hubs, I've been guilty of buying baby clothes because they're oh so cutteeeee. ;)


Contact me if you're interested in getting a template for the clothing divider labels.

Manimani Clock

Wouldn't this Manimani clock look lovely in your living room? I recently spotted this beauty over at Apartment Therapy. Drool!

Too bad they're only sold in the UK, to order this particular clock, head on over to Studiomold.

Luck of the Irish - Home Edition

I put together a few cute things for the home that would make a leprechaun leap for joy on St. Patrick's day.

Sources: 1. IKEA Ektorp Sofa Cover - $249 2. Luxe Home Philadelphia Trina Turk Pillow - $65 3. Z Gallerie Sultan Canisters - $29.95 4. IKEA Potted Areca Palm - $14.99 5. Crate and Barrel Ming Green Side Chair - $199 6. Gilt Groupe Safavieh Wyndham Rug - $279

Pinterest Tuesday

Pinterest = happiness (or crazed pinning obsession?)

Lately I've been wanting to incorporate quinoa in my meals, perhaps a pregnancy craving? All I know for sure is that this amino acid-rich seed improved the stamina of the Inca warriors. It is very high in complete protein. When you read complete protein, you should be jumping up and down because it means it includes all NINE essential amino acids.

What are the health benefits of quinoa? It aids with tissue growth and repair, reduces migraine headaches, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It also helps prevent cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, childhood asthma, gallstone and many other things. Bottom line, this stuff is good for you.

Chocolate Quinoa Candy Bars

Source: eatcleandiet.com on Pinterest

Black Bean, Mushroom & Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers

Source: food.com on Pinterest

Sweet Potato Quinoa Burgers

Source: thejoyofcleaneating.com on Pinterest

Quinoa with Corn and Scallions

Source: justataste.com on Pinterest

Buy or DIY - Nautical Jute Knot Doormat

Today's post is brought on entirely by anticipation for summertime. Here are a couple of jute knot doormats that are relatively cheap and a DIY version.

Amazon.com's Natural Rope Jute Door Mat - $27.99

West Elm's Braided Jute Knot Doormat - $19.99

DIY Version - Use a retired climbing rope or jute rope to make Diane's version of the doormat. I'm definitely taking a stab at this DIY project, especially with the summer coming up!

On another note, don't forget to SPRING FORWARD this Sunday! I'm so excited because this means we're this close to summer! I. Absolutely. Cannot. Wait.