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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