Giveaway

What story do you want to tell the world? Our Charm collection can help you figure that out.

 From having a new baby, to some extra luck coming your way. You can configure your necklace to fit your life.




Did you find that person to love for the rest of your life or show someone that you are thinking of them always. We can help you.



This months giveaway is our wonderful With Love charm. I hope this helps you start your story!

Pattern Test

I was so excited to be picked to do a pattern test for a blog that I adore. Made by Rae. She needed testers for a new pattern that she is designing. It was my first real attempt at a real shirt with sleeves so I was very careful and worked really slow on it. I was able to do the 12 month pattern and it just looks so cute on Lily. I had a little problems with the sleeves but worked through it. To make the outfit complete, I paired it with a skirt from Lil Blue Boo. I hope you like it.

I'll link the pattern once she has it up and give more details.

National Popcorn Day

So today is National Popcorn Day. What better way then a Popcorn Tutorial? Sprouts Farmers Market has yellow popping corn on sale for $0.99 a pound. The only other thing that you'll need is a brown paper lunch bag.

Each oz cost about $0.06

Take 1/4 cup of corn and put it in your bag. I folded the bag over twice then taped it close. Lay it in the microwave and set your timer for about 3 min. If your corn is done popping before 3 min (mine was) take it out when it slows down the popping or you'll end up with burned popcorn. Season and enjoy.

The great thing about this is that you determine what kind of seasoning or butter you want on it. Oh and it is waaayyy cheaper!

Diary of a Tired Mom Conclusion

I meant to do this last week and I apologize.  I am extra tired now just because my body is catching up on all that missed sleep. Chloe (2.0)  is a champ she has been sleeping through since Thursday.  It is amazing, I still have trouble believing that she is not getting up multiple times at night.  An the two times she did, I just took her right back said "Goodnight" and left the room, she then slept till morning.  Oh and the other plus... she has been waking between 6:45 and 7:45. Now this might seem early to you, but keep in mind it use to be 5:30 and 6:00!

Lily (3.0) is having a little tougher time. She is teething right now. Trying to get the first teeth to break through. Poor baby. But once they come in I am going to go back to the routine. A strange side effect of this is that she now cries at bath time.  I mean a full out cry! I have no idea how to calm her. I am just hoping that my former water baby is just adjusting and this will change soon. Oh and it is now a little harder to get her to nap now. But I will just keep trying. She has only been waking once a night for a small feed, the right back asleep till around 6:30 to 7:00.

I will update in a week to keep you in the loop.  Thank you

UpCycle of Old Dress

We got this very cute dress from a friend and Chloe just loves it, the only problem? It is about 2 inches to short and shows off her cute little undies. So instead of getting rid of it I decided to make it a new dress and as a added bonus a skirt too. 

Here is the dress. Oops I already cut it when I remembered to take the pic.

 

 So I cut it in half right under the seam of the bodices very carefully. I put aside the skirt for later use and started on the skirt for the dress. I found this really beautiful fabric called Larkspur Meadow.
I just fell in love with it. It works so well with the pink of the dress which has small flowers embroidered at the top.  

I took the length of the skirt that came with the dress and added 3 inches to it for good coverage. Then I just cut out a rectangle of that 17" by 36". Then I sewed a quick basting stitch along the top of the rectangle and gathered it so that it was the same circumference as the bodice. Then put the bodice over the dress right sides together and sewed with a zigzag all the way around.  To make it a very easy project I used the selvage for the bottom for a nice and easy construction. 

 

 That is it for the dress.

The skirt was equally easy. All I did was cut a piece of elastic. I got mine from Ruffle Fabric.com. My piece of elastic was 19" long, about 1" greater then her waist size. Overlap the elastic about 1/2" and use a zigzag to sew them together. Then I just sewed the elastic right on the skirt.  And voila! 

She loves it!

Yummy Desert

I also made this really yummy desert. Kind of strawberry shortcake. It involves ladyfingers, strawberries, and honey whipped cream. Do I have your attention. Maybe this pic will.

What I did was this...

Add 1 tbsp of sugar to washed and cut strawberries, set in the fridge for a few hours till nice and juicy. (3-4 hours)

 Get your whip cream ready to go, heavy whipping cream in a stand mixer (or what ever you have). Once it is formed add your honey (I use buckwheat honey), then re-mix till stiff peaks.

Add all together, and you get the first pic. Delish!

Buttermilk Chicken Strips

I had some good friends over today who have a little boy so I wanted to make something that everyone would eat. I had chicken breast in the fridge so I thought chicken strips. I love, love, love chicken strips and this is my favorite recipe.  I don't know where I found it, I do my own thing and don't follow a set recipe but it is good!

What you'll need three pie pans, a heavy bottomed pan, and some tongs.
Chicken breast (I use boneless, skinless), Panko (and if you run out breadcrumbs will work), eggs, and flour (add salt and pepper for seasoning)

1) Cut up the the chicken in strips 4 per breast, put them in a bag, and pour in the buttermilk with salt and pepper. Put in the fridge for at least 1 hour up to 8 hours.

2) When ready to cook heat up oil in heavy bottomed pan very hot.

 3) Get your buttermilk chicken drained, coat it in flour and dust off extra, dredge in eggs, then cover with panko crumbs. Out in oil and cook till golden brown and beautiful.