Wordless Wednesday - Smile

I'm traveling for work so I have been receiving daily texts with pictures from Rick.  This one makes me smile.

Aden + Anais Crib Sheets

One of our favorite baby brands is aden + anais.  A+A "has brought the legacy of muslin together with fashion forward design to create a line of products that are stylish and useful."  We got the swaddles as a baby shower gift and we love them.  They are so soft and comforting.  I've actually been sleeping with one since I'll be going out of town Sunday for 4 nights.  I'll give the blanket to Addie when I leave and hopefully my scent will help soothe her through the night.

On my Facebook feed yesterday I saw a post from one of my favorite baby brands, aden + anais about a new product they're marketing.  A+A is now selling crib sheets!  The sheets are 100% cotton muslin fitted sheets in their signature styles and are so soft.  They come in the class or organic option and have the cutest patterns.  It's like sleeping on clouds!

    

Tasty Thursday - Penne Pasta w/ Goat Cheese

The other day I was at my favorite grocery store, Trader Joe's and I was perusing the cheese section.  We love cheese in this household so I wanted to buy some cheese we could all enjoy.  I grabbed a three pack of what I thought was mozzarella thinking I could make some bruschetta.  When I got home I realized I bought a three pack of goat cheese.  Eeek!  I've had goat cheese out at restaurants but I've never cooked with it at home so I was trying to find out what to use it on.

One of Addie's favorite things to eat is pasta so I had a light bulb moment.  Add some goat cheese to the sauce to make a creamy pasta sauce!  I used penne pasta cooked to your desired texture.  Heat your favorite pasta sauce over medium low heat and add in about 1/4 cup of  goat cheese.  Continue to heat until cheese has melted down.

I also sliced up the french bread I had on hand to make the bruschetta and added some EVOO and a bit of goat cheese.  Popped it in the oven for 5-7 minutes for some cheese bread goodness!

This whole meal took approximately 15 minutes to make so if you're looking to save time while cooking or are in a hurry to feed the family, this is the recipe you'll want to use!  Bon Appetit!

Wordless Wednesday - Cupcakes!

We celebrated a doggie friends birthday Friday night with cupcakes.  

Addie loved the cupcakes!

Addie & Her Daddy!

Ha, I'm a poet and don't know it!  A photo tribute of Addie the main man in her life.

Sneak Peak: Huge Giveaway Event

How does winning $200 worth of beauty products sound to you?

Be sure to come back on March 1st through the 15th to enter the Making Your mark. in March Giveaway Event!

You have a chance to win $200 worth of mark. products PLUS ‘Get Positively Beautiful: The Ultimate Guide to Looking and Feeling Gorgeous’ Paperback Book by Carmindy (a $15.99 Value)!

The prize includes:

• mark Super Flip Color Kit – 9 Eye shadows, 1 Highlighter/Illuminator/Bronze/Blush ($20)
• mark Super Flip It Kit – 9 Eye shadows, 9 lip glosses ($20)
• mark Sassy Fragrance Mist - 1.5 fl. oz. ($16)
• mark Multifaceted Necklace in Smoky Mix (Light Color) ($30)
• mark Midi Cosmetic Bag ($7)
• mark Bling On the Brushes Mini Brush Kit ($16)
• mark Make It Go Away Makeup Removing Wipes ($10)
• mark Mist Opportunity Multi-tasking Refresher ($8)
• mark Primed for Perfection Face Primer - 0.4 fl. oz. ($10)
• mark Keep It Going Longwear Eyeliner & Shadow in Iconic ($11)
• mark Glow Baby Glow Hook Up Lip Gloss in Smooches ($6.50)
• mark Glossblossom Ripening Lip Tint ($6.50)
• mark Make It Big Lash Plumping Mascara in Raven (Black) ($7.50)
• mark Get in Line Hook Up Liquid Waterproof Eyeliner in Cleo (Black) ($6.50)
• mark Glowdacious Illuminating Powder in Shimmied Up ($13)
• mark Get Misty Lemon Sugar Body Mist ($12)
• Get Positively Beautiful: The Ultimate Guide to Looking and Feeling Gorgeous’ Paperback Book by Carmindy ($15.99)

Click here if you'd like to see pictures of the products.

The giveaway will be live on March 1- March 15 and is open to U.S. & Canada readers only – we wish we could include international readers as well but we hope you guys understand.

If you're a blogger & would like to participate in the event as a sponsor, sign ups for this event are still open but HURRY because we are down to less than 10 spots left! $6 to sign up and to get 3 links (Facebook, Twitter & Google+) on the Rafflecopter Form. Blogger Participants are eligible to enter in the giveaway as well as the blogger participant giveaway which is $25 PayPal Cash. Sign ups close February 25, 2012. To sign up, click HERE.

If not, just be sure to come back on the 1st of March to enter for your chance to win! 

New Mommy Gifts

A sweet friend of mine had a beautiful baby girl this morning and I get to visit them today.  I don't like to come empty handed so I was perusing Pinterest for some gift ideas on what to take to the new mommy.  I know I would have seriously enjoyed these things while in the hospital.

Burt's Bees

Lanolin - Miracle Cream for breastfeeding moms

Nursing Gown

   

Of course I'll also be taking Panera because what mom didn't crave a turkey sandwich after delivery?  What would you have liked to receive as a new mom?

Don't Call Me Four Eyes!

I’ve actually never been called four eyes but several years ago, kids were teased about wearing eyeglasses.  Only nerds wore glasses.  You remember Violet Anne Bickerstaff from Saved by the Bell right?  Who knew under all that nerd was Tori Spelling. 

 Anyhow, a lot has changed since those days of Saved by the Bell and glasses are actually cool to wear. 

Whether it’s a fashion statement or you have to wear glasses like me, there are a lot of options out there to choose from. 

Every year I dread the process of going into my eye doctor and then selecting a frame that I like.  I could spend hours there trying to figure out what frame is best for my head shape.  Recently, I stumbled upon  GlassesUSA.com.  This is the place to buy a great pair of eyeglasses without breaking the bank.  What I love most about GlassesUSA.com is they have a virtual mirror where you can upload a photo and “try on” the glasses until you find the one that looks best on you.  Check out the frames I found using the virtual mirror!

GlassesUSA.com offers high quality frames and lenses, a 110% lowest price guarantee and a 100% satisfaction guarantee along with a generous refer-a-friend program.

So the next time you need or want to buy glasses, check out GlassesUSA.com.  They’ve got something for everyone and offer lots of great sales and discount codes.  Right now, they are running a Valentine’s Day sale where you can buy one pair of glasses and get any other pair for FREE!  Use the code VAL2012 to take advantage. 

You can also use the code FREESHIP10 for free shipping or code BLOG10 to take 10% off any order of prescription glasses.

If you miss out on the big Valentine’s Day sale, you can take advantage of the President’s Day sale which gets you 50% off by using code PRESIDENT.

                                                                    

Check out their Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/glassesusa) and Twitter feed (@GlassesUSA).

Adalyn Newborn Photo Flashback

We scheduled Adalyn's newborn photo session just 6 days after she was born.  I found Allison of Studio127 Photography through a coworker and she produced some of the best photos I've ever seen.  We loved every single photo she sent us.  Now, over a year later, Allison is hosting a Favorite of 2011 photo contest.   To win, we need the most votes and the winner gets a free 1 hour photo session with Allison.  Can you help us win?  Here's what you need to do:

1. Like Studio127 Photography on Facebook.

2.  Click 'like' on this picture.

Baby girl at 6 days old!

Thank you!

Wordless Wednesday - The Fashionista

Addie wanted to wear my scarf

Valentine's Day Q&A

In honor of Valentine's day, here are a few questions about our relationship.

1. How long have you and your significant other been together? We’ve been together since March 2000 so nearly 12 years

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?} Do you remember AOL Instant Messenger?  He IM’d me and we talked for a while.  We eventually ended up meeting and went bowling. I took 2 of my friends with me because, hello, he could have been a creeper!

3. How long have you been married?  We were married August 5, 2006 so this August will be 6 years.

4. Tell me about your wedding.  Where were you married?  What was the size of your wedding?  We were married in the church my husband grew up attending.  The wedding was a larger wedding at about 150 guests.

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Well, his name is Richard but he goes by Rick & Ricky.  Only close friends and family call him Ricky.  I think Ricky is a bit childish so you’ll hardly hear me call him that.  If I’m mad at him I’ll call him Dick or Rich to really make him mad.

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey. He’s dependable, trustworthy, and intelligent.

7. Tell us how he proposed? We rented out a cabin in the woods for our 5 year anniversary. I was sitting in the living room flipping through a magazine and he was walking around the cabin video taping on his phone.  He walked in and made me watch the video, which was incredibly boring, until he walked into the bedroom and zoomed in on the bed where there was a box waiting to be opened.  I thought it was another necklace so I wasn’t too excited about it.  When I walked in and opened it, I looked at him and said, “you have to get down on one knee and ask me”.

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals? Typically flowers or a necklace.

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch? If we’re anywhere close to the beach you can bet I’m on it, otherwise we’re usually on the couch.

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere? Lots of traveling.

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day. Staying in.  We really don’t make a big deal of the day but I came into work this morning with a Victoria’s Secret gift card in my email.

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day? No, I don’t ask.

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love. Communicate.  Be understanding.  Be respectful.  Clean up after yourself!

14. Show us a picture of what love means to you.

Because Addie deserves some love too!

Happy Valentine's Day

Via The Fickle Pickle

Grammy Favorites

My blog isn't heavy on the fashion side but who can pass up a little fashion love especially when it's via some gorgeous gowns from the Grammys.  Here are some of my favorites.

Kate Beckinsale

Giuliana Rancic

Absolute Favorite - She looks gorgeous.

Kelly Osbourne

We've announced the winner for the My Memories Suite Digital Scrap Booking Giveaway.  Was it you?  Find it here.

25 Rules For Mothers of Daughters

Several months ago I posted an article I found regarding 50 Rules for Dads of Daughters and loved it so much. Just yesterday I ran across a similar blog post titled 25 Rules for Mothers of Daughters on Diapers & Daisies.  Obviously, this one struck me being as I have a beautiful daughter.

1.  Paint her nails.  Then let her scratch it off and dirty them up.  Teach her to care for her appearance, and then quickly remind her that living and having fun is most important.


2.  Let her put on your makeup, even if it means bright-red-smudged lips and streaked-blue eyes.  Let her experiment in her attempts to be like you...then let her be herself.

3. Let her be wild. She may want to stay home and read books on the couch, or she may want to hop on the back of a motorcycle-gasp. She may be a homebody or a traveler. She may fall in love with the wrong boy, or meet Mr. Right at age 5. Try to remember that you were her age once. Everyone makes mistakes, let her make her own. 

4. Be present. Be there for her at her Kindergarten performances, her dance recitals, her soccer games…her everyday-little-moments. When she looks through the crowds of people, she will be looking for your smile and pride. Show it to her as often as possible.

5.  Encourage her to try on your shoes and play dress-up.  If she would rather wear her brother's superman cape with high heels, allow it.  If she wants to wear a tutu or dinosaur costume to the grocery store, why stop her?  She needs to decide who she is and be confident in her decision.

To read the remaining 20 rules, check out Diapers & Daisies.

-stephanie

Tasty Thursday - Black Bean Soup

Stick with me now.  When I first saw this on Pinterest I thought, 'hmm, this would be fairly healthy and easy to make, but I think it may be bland'.  I was partial right or partially wrong, depends on if you're a pessimist or an optimist.  I choose to be an optimist, at least for the day.

Surprisingly this had the most amazing flavor.  Even if you added no toppings at all it would be an amazing soup. I love that this soup is a basic soup and you can customize it to what you like.  For example, I'm an equal opportunity food eater, I'll give everything a try.  Rick on the other hand isn't so fair and doesn't eat sour cream or anything too spicy.  Addie can't handle anything too spicy yet.  So you start with the base and then pile on the toppings to your liking.

This recipe was found via Pinterest but  can be found directly at Favorite Family Recipes.

Courtesy of Favorite Family Recipes

Ingredients
2-3 cans black beans (do not drain)

2 cans chicken broth

1 tsp. salt

3 cups cooked rice

avocado, sliced

grated cheese

tortilla chips, crushed

sour cream

Directions

Blend together the1 can black beans with 1 can of chicken broth. Add blended mix, other can of chicken broth, remaining can(s) black beans and salt to a large pan. Cook on medium heat until nice and hot. In individual bowls, layer the rice, then the soup, then the other toppings.

NOTE:  I altered the Favorite Family Recipe slightly as I was rushing and read the recipe wrong.  They blend all cans black beans with 1 can broth so the soup would be thicker.  I haven't tried it their way since we just made it but I'm sure it would still be fabulous!


Don't forget to enter our My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software here.

Wordless Wednesday - Flashback

I was scrolling through my phone pictures and found this picture of my sweet Adalyn at about 3 months old.

You can follow me on picplz to see more photos here.

Don't forget to enter our My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software here.

Frugal Find - elf Cosmetics

By reading my blog you know I'm a frugal person.  If I can find a way to save a buck I'll do it.  I'm signed up for almost all discount website, Target Daily Deals being one of them.

We all know makeup isn't cheap and you can easily spend a small fortune just to enhance your natural beauty.  A few years ago when I stumbled upon elf Cosmetics I fell in love.  They offer great makeup related products at an affordable price.  At the time, the products were only available online but recently Target has started carrying some of their products in store.

A few weeks back Target was offering the elf 144 piece ultimate eye shadow palette set at 33% off the original price through their daily deals.  Being a fan of all things elf I jumped on the opportunity and got this beauty in the mail Saturday.  I have been 'messmerized' since!

Don't forget to enter our My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software giveaway.

{NOTE:  I was not paid for this post, I simply loved the products}

My Memories Giveaway - CLOSED

I've always wanted to scrapbook, I've just never followed through with my plans to create one.  I love how you can make each album unique to the occasion and your family and friends.  So when I got the opportunity try out My Memories, a digital scrapbooking software, I fell in love.  No worries about tiny pieces of paper all over my house for Addie to eat, no cramped hands from scissors and other cutting tools, no gluing.  

You can choose the shape and size of your album and a lot of the options are completely free.  Of course you always have additional options to purchase for more flair but there are so many items you can choose to make your scrapbook.  Then once your done you can have your album printed! 

There's the obvious scrapbook you can make with My Memories software but you can also make invitations or calendars like I decided to do!

The best thing about this is My Memories has been kind enough to give one of my loyal readers the My Memories software as well.  Even if you don't win you can use the $10 off the My Memories Suite V3 with the code STMMMS16750!

How to Enter: This is a Rafflecopter giveaway. Click "Read More" below and then follow the instructions on the widget. All currents count! This is open to US and Canada residents only.

The first 2 entries are mandatory - Visiting the My Memories website and commenting with your favorite digital paper pack or layout, and following My Messmerized Life.

Friday Pinterest Finds

Adalyn has recently turned one so there is no rush to turn her nursery into a little kids room, but I love to find inspiration now of what we could do one day.  Enjoy & Happy Friday!

Via

Via

Via

Via

Via

You can follow me on Pinterest here.

Tasty Thursday - Taco Cups

The other day I wanted to make Mexican but I couldn't decide if I wanted one of my favorites, taco salad or if I wanted tacos.  So I decided to try to make 2 meals out of one and it turned out perfectly.  I had enough meat and beans leftover for my salad for the following days dinner.  I think I'll be making these for Super Bowl Sunday.

Ingredients
1 lb ground beef/turkey/chicken (we use turkey in our house)
1 taco seasoning packet
1 can black beans (warm)
3 Large soft tortilla shells
shredded cheese

Toppings Ideas
Salsa
Tomato
Shredded Lettuce
Sour Cream
Avocado
Onion
Jalapeno

Directions
Cook ground turkey and add taco seasoning as instructed on packet.  Once, taco meat is finished take each of the tortilla shells and cut them into quarters by using a pizza cutter and cut a cross so you'll have triangle shaped shells.  Pop these in the microwave for 10 seconds and mold into a muffin pan.  Sprinkle a small amount of cheese into each cup, layer with about a teaspoon of black beans then with taco meat, sprinkle a small amount of cheese on top.  Bake at 350 for approximately 15 minutes.  Allow to cool for a few minutes and then add toppings you prefer.

This will make 12 taco cups however, remember I had enough meat & beans leftover for 2 large taco salads so you could use all the meat & beans and turn it into 24 taco cups.  I wish I would have done this prior to Addie's birthday party because this would have been great for a taco bar type set up and is super easy to make ahead of time.

Adalyn Needs Your Help!

Top Baby Blogs reset their rankings last night and we need your votes to remain high in the votes.  Can you help by clicking the icon below, then click the owl on the left.

Please vote for us daily using the icon on the right.  You'll just need to vote 24 hours after the previous vote.

Addie says Gracias!

Wordless Wednesday - Hide & Seek

I apologize for the crappy cell phone picture but Addie wanted to play hide & seek and I couldn't take the chance of getting the DSLR.

Ignore the towel, it's really muddy in Ohio and the dog is messy.