Saturday, May 25, 2013

Mason's last day at preschool was this past Thursday.  This was his first time attending school and not just a daycare.  He loved it so much.  It's hard to explain why he isn't going anymore.  I tell him that school is out for summer break but three year olds are not the best at grasping the concept of time.  I am prepared to answer, "Do I get to go to school tomorrow?" all summer long.  I guess I should enjoy  it while I can before we enter the time of "I don't want to go back to school."
Mason is in the front row, on the left. :)
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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

My husband is a huge fan of all sports Boston.  If you don't follow hockey, which I didn't until I started dating my husband, you know that the Boston Bruins are in the playoffs for the Stanley Cup right now.  In our house wearing your team's gear during important games is almost ritual.  I was getting out our Bruins apparel and realized that Emerson, our six month old daughter, didn't have any Bruins outfits.  Hence began the dilemma.  When our son was born our friends and family gifted him a ton of Red Sox clothing and a Bruins outfit.  When Emerson was born we were so excited about having a girl everyone got her everything pink and ruffles and we neglected to get her any sports apparel ..an oversight on our part.  Remembering that I did keep Mason's baby Bruins outfit for her I dragged it out of the tub and put her in it.  It fit, but I felt like I was looking at Mason.  Kind of a weird thing really.  So I decided to modify the outfit to make it more "Emerson".  So I'm sharing with you all how I Upcycled a pair of sweatpants into a two tiered ruffle skirt.  

Step 1: I cut up the inseam of both legs making the "legs" no more.

Step 2: I measured from the bottom of the waist band down to the crotch. I wanted to make sure there would be no buckle or bend so I went slightly about the crotch inseam and I marked it all the way around with a fabric marker.

Step 3:  Following the line you just created, cut the legs off. 
(ha ha that sounds so mafioso to me)
Now your pieces should look like this:
  
Step 4:  Take the two leg pieces and put them together with the right sides facing each other and pin them for sewing up the sides.  This is making the second tier of the skirt.  You could just use the top piece without the tier but I found it to be too short.

Step 5:  Sew the sides of the legs that you just pinned.  I stopped a little below the elastic because I thought it would be easier to attach it to the top tier without that being there.  But you can do what you feel is right.  Your sweatpants may not have even had elastic around the ankles.

Step 6:  Optional Step - I cut the elastic off.

Step 7:  Next measure and pin the bottom of the second tier (aka the leg pieces) and sew creating a bottom hem.


Step 8:  Measure, pin and sew the bottom of the top tier of the skirt to create a bottom hem for that layer.


Step 9:  Now, I hope I explain this where it makes sense. If not, ask me about it in comments.  You lay the top tier on the table and you slide the second tier over it positioning the top of the second tier right below the waist band of the first tier.  Both tiers are still wrong side out.  Pin in place.  The second tier is bigger around than the first so gather a bit while you are pinning and this also creates more of a ruffle look.  

Note: Mine has a stripe down the sides. I made sure the stripe on the top tier lined up with the stripe on the second tier.
Sorry I forgot to get a shot of sewing the tiers together.  Ha ha 
I don't claim to be a pro at anything remember.  

Step 10: Flip the skirt right side out and Ta-Da....your sweatpants are now a cute little two tiered ruffle skirt. I did this in less than 30 mins. and was ready for the game...Bam!

The Boston Bruins made the most epic comeback and won the game!  I'd like to think my devotion to making all members of our family wear their Bruins gear was a contributing factor! Ha ha Check out these cute little Bruins fans! Boston Strong!
My daughter Emerson and my son Mason.
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Friday, May 10, 2013

You are a hard working Daddy of little ones and you need some last minute gift ideas for your wife for Mother's Day.  Here are a few ideas you can pull off before Sunday:

Tell your wife tomorrow that you want to take the kids for a shake or to the park so she can have a little "me time".  Even if you never do this, it won't raise suspicion because she will think you are just doing so in the Mother's Day Spirit.  Then take them to your local Portrait Innovations studio. You can call ahead and make an appointment but they also take walk in's. Best part, you get the prints in your hand fast.  They should be running a Mother's Day special like the one above.  Click here to print of this coupon to get the jewelry box they are showing above for free.

Here's a tip: The special they are running is perfect. There is no need to buy more. Trust me the photos will be perfect. She'll be surprised. No need to over spend.

I LOVE YOU JAR
Here's what you do. Cut or tear up a bunch of small pieces of paper. You and your children write compliments, memories, or just nice things on the pieces of paper.  If your kids are too small to write ask them things like, What does Mommy do for you that is nice...then write it down for them.  They can even color on some of the pieces of paper.  Put in things they think Mommy would like.  Even if your little boy puts a Lego in the jar your wife will love the gesture.  If you don't have a jar laying around just improvise.  Look around your garage or kitchen for a container that might work like a flower vase, candy dish, etc. If you don't decorate the container use some colored paper or even those neon colored sticky notes to make it more colorful.

Make Dinner at Home & Clean-Up Afterwards
I know, it may be a simple idea but it works.  Mother's don't want to plan, cook, clean or any other Mother-Duty type things on Mother's Day.  You may make reservations but is she still getting the kids dressed, packing a diaper bag for you and the kids to get there?  Why not do dinner at home?  Plan to make either her favorite meal or just any meal you can pull off.  Grilling would be great!  Let her hang out on the patio with a drink and relax while the kids play in the yard.  If they kids start to bicker, you extinguish it. Just let Mommy chill.  Have a nice dinner she didn't have to think about or cook and when it is over send her to her bedroom to read her nook or take a bath with a glass of wine. You handle the clean-up (and really clean-up...don't just pile dishes in the sink) and night time routines with the kids. All it takes is one trip to the grocery store for food, wine & a card. Done! This may be the best Mother's Day she has ever had!!

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Wake n Bacon
When Mom said breakfast in bed would be nice...I don't think this is what she had in mind.  In all fairness, I do complain about never getting hot food.


The Wine Rack - Flask Bra
Soccer Games just got sooo much more interesting! Plus this is a less expensive, less invasive way to give her the boob job she has been wanting.




It doesn't actually make the dishes disappear with just with a wave. Oh but wouldn't that be grand!  It's cute none-the-less. Maybe it could convince the little princess in the house to help mommy though?


\

Cooking for the Clueless Cookbook

I have heard of giving cooking lessons as a Mother's Day gift. 
However, I don't think pointing out her lack of culinary prowess is the best way to go. 


The Fat Magnet
Giving Mom a gift like this implies something you really don't want to unless you want to be grounded for a Very, Very long time.

Mop Slippers


 Thanks to your new Mop Slippers it's easy to clean the floor and be lazy! I know there are some men out there thinking...this is a bad idea??  Yes, if you want to get laid within the next month DO NOT get these as a Mother's Day Gift for your wife.



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Mother's Day Edition


Max Brenner Chocolate Culture

HUG MUG GIFT SET


The website says, "Close your eyes, hug your mug with both hands and slowly sip the thick Italian hot chocolate, letting the sweet steam heat your face." That almost sounds like a romance novel to me! Yummmm! I'm in!

Monogrammed Wooden Kitchen Tablet Stand/Holder 

by LissetandCompany on Etsy
Because who uses cookbooks anymore?

Phone, ID, Money - Good to Go
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read, laugh & share

Rants from Mommyland (blog) & Naughty Betty (greeting cards) created a series of Mother's Day eCards for the Real World. Here's what they are throwing down: 
"No carnation- scented hype here, these cards are about what we really want. We're asking you to read, laugh and share. Share these eCards with friends and family and anyone else you know would appreciate them and a donation of up to $10,000 will be made to Shelter House, a community-based, non-profit organization serving homeless families and victims of domestic violence in Fairfax County, Va. Learn more about Shelter House and their important work at shelterhouse.org.

The best part? It costs nothing. So let's get started. Lets laugh a little and give a lot! The more people who see these cards, the greater the donation.
XO,
Rants from Mommyland & Naughty Betty"
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Great Blog at http://orgjunkie.com/
I noticed that I started getting a lot of readers sent my way from a blog called Organizing Junkie. (If you are not a blogger here's background info. You can get stats from the site that hosts your blog showing you all kinds of neat data like number of page views, referring sites, etc.) So I cruised on over there to check out why.  Turns out she did an AWESOME post organizing links to create the "The Ultimate Garage Sale Tips Collection" and my post on "Tips For Going To Garage Sales" is featured on the post.  How flippin' cool is that?!!?  Anywho, I share not just because I'm stoked to be on it but because her post is really good.  She has this decision making flowchart on whether to have a garage sale or not that is too funny! Check out the post and her blog. Both are really good reads!
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My long time IRL friend, since elementary school, Erin is on vacation in Hawaii. I know, I hate her right now too! She also has a sassy life-style blog called "Keep Calm & Sparkle" and has set up guest blogs while she is on vaca including your's truly. Go check out my feature titled The Perfect Jeans posted yesterday. It offers step by step instructions on how to hem your jeans without losing the original hem and cool detail at the bottom. It is easier than you think. Only seven steps! Also read her blog and other guest bloggers while you are there. You may find a new blog to love and follow.


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Sunday, May 05, 2013

Yesterday was the 139th Run for the Roses aka the Kentucky Derby.  Per tradition I decided to make Kentucky Hot Browns and for fun Mint Julep Cupcakes. I didn't follow the Hot Brown recipes online exactly.  I did my own thing a little bit. These were so yummy, quick & easy and my guests approved.  I included my recipe below.  Next time you have friends over consider making them.  Your guests will not be disappointed.   Who doesn't love bread, cheese & bacon all in one dish?!  They were so yummy I might declare it Derby Day, everyday!  



Sarah's Kentucky Hot Brown Recipe
Ingredients:
1 Large long, baguette-like loaf of Cuban bread from your grocery store bakery
1 Package of sliced roasted turkey meat
3 sliced Roma tomatoes
1 Package of sliced Swiss cheese
1 Package of sliced bacon
Mornay Sauce Ingredients:
2T All-purpose flour
2T Butter
2 Cups of Whole Milk (can use cream or skim milk depending on the fat content you desire)
1 Cup of shredded White Cheddar
Couple shakes of Salt, Pepper & Hot Sauce to your seasoned preference

 Prep Work:
Turn your broiler on Hi Heat.
Cook sliced bacon and set aside. Cook till fully cooked but not crispy. You can buy the fully cooked bacon to cut out this step if in a hurry.

Making the Mornay Sauce:
1) Melt the butter in a large sauce pan over Med. heat
2) Add the Flour slowly while mixing with a whisk to make sure all the lumps are gone and it is smooth
3) Let the butter and flour, aka roux, simmer for a minute
3) Slowly, a little at a time, add all the milk while stirring constantly
4) Add your shredded white cheddar cheese
5) Let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a glaze consistency
6) Remove from heat and set aside

 Assemble & Broil The Hot Brown:
1) Slice your loaf of bread into thick slices. About an inch to an inch and a half thick
2) Lay your slices flat on your broiler pan
3) Ladle half of your mornay sacue over the sliced bread
4) Pile your turkey meat onto each slice of bread
5) Layer on roma tomatoes. I did two per slice of bread.
6) Ladle the rest of the mornay sauce over the slices of bread. Try to hit every surface of each sandwich.  Extra sauce will pool at the bottom of the broiler pan.
7) Lay your sliced Swiss cheese on top of each sandwich.  I put two per sandwich.
8) Put in your oven to broil for 2 mins.
9) Pull out pan and add two slices of bacon on top of each sandwich. Cross them to make an "X" per Hot Brown tradition.
10) Place back into your oven to broil until the cheese is bubbling hot and starts to get little brown spots. Hence - Hot Brown :)
11) Let sit a couple of minutes and then plate each Hot Brown.  Serve with a fork and knife for eating this open-faced sandwich. 

 Enjoy! 
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Friday, May 03, 2013


 You should know that this is not a product review. No one sent me this travel bed to review.  I wish they had...but that's not what's going down here. So I'm not going to do an all out review of all the features of this little gem.  Over view...it is a place to lay down a baby.  Babies can do all kinds of baby stuff in it laying down.  They can lay there safely while you do something else, play, take a nap, get a diaper change.  The thing that ROCKS about this is the portability and compact size. This thing just chills in my car and is ready to hang off my stroller or off my shoulder whenever I need it.  Great for the park or when watching an older sibling play ball. I have used it at a friends house when we stayed longer than just dinner.  I put my little one in this on the floor in their guest bedroom with my iPhone playing my white noise app and a baby monitor on. Ta-da...more time with friends.  I read reviews of people saying they kick-butt for airport traveling when there are lay-overs.  I can totally see that. Mostly, as you can see in the picture above, I use this to change diapers on the go in my car.  Good news is they were smart enough to make the little sheet/cover on the pad removable for washing! A fave of mine so I am sharing! 




A SPILL-PROOF, stainless steel travel mug that actually fits under my Keurig machine.  Umm....Yes Please! Says it will keep my coffee hot for hours, which is good because sometimes I make a cup and the baby is hungry, my toddler needs juice, and the dog needs let outside and by the time I get to my cup o joe it is at very best lukewarm.  Top it all off, it is SPILL-PROOF.  So when I park my car and my toddler pulls a Houdini out of his car seat and makes a scramble for the front, trampling over the cup holders....it won't spill.  I need this.  Honey, if you are reading this....MOTHER'S DAY.  Just sayin'.



Getting one! I have already tested one of these out and decided to purchase.  They are normally around $200 but places like Sam's Club have them on sale for like $130 now.  Good sound, loud for the size.  I like that I can drop this in a purse or diaper bag because it is so small and lightweight.  Plus it seems pretty durable construction-wise.  I love music, so I love being able to have music anywhere I want.  The beach, the park, the pool, my backyard...I'm in.  I have a smart phone and a Pandora app...All that is left to do is actually buy one.  Ahemmm....again, honey....MOTHER'S DAY. 


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