"In 2019, I want to bring my baby boy home and I want to enjoy him. I want to lay on the couch while he sleeps on my chest and give praise to God for this son. I want to stare at him more than I stare at a laptop. I want to read his face, his mood, his everything, more than I read emails. I want to find more joy and contentment and fulfillment in being his mom than I do in crossing things off my to-do list. I will not waste this." - adapted from Coffee and Crumbs Blog, written by Ashlee Gadd. This, this, everything this! When I saw this pop up on Instagram the other day in a post by Ashlee Gadd, founder of the Coffee and Crumbs podcast, it instantly spoke to me. I tried to be totally present during my maternity leave with Nora. It seemed fairly easy to do so - it was summertime so many people were disconnected from normal routine, I didn't have a 3.5 year old also seeking my attention, and I had a job that allowed me to focus entirely on my new little one during those 12 weeks. As I approach my second maternity leave this March, I have a feeling it is going to feel different. It's a different time of year, a different work role and I have greater responsibilities pulling me in a number of directions. I want to soak this time up with my little fella. I will need to be intentional about being in the moment. I don't want to waste this! If you haven't checked out Coffee and Crumbs and are looking for an uplifting and fun mom podcast, I recommend this one! And, I'm grateful to Ashlee for sharing her powerful words. As I sit here tonight, we are coming off of over two weeks of vacation before jumping back in to work and school routine tomorrow. These days have been absolutely wonderful. We have celebrated holidays and special occasions, spent sweet time with family, slept in until 9 and stayed in our pjs well past noon, acted out The Little Mermaid play more times that I can count, cleaned out closets and purged items no longer needed and truly been blessed by this time of rest and rejuvenation as we enter a year that will be truly transformational for our little family. We are in for a crazy ride! Along with the quote from above, my word for 2019 is LESS. I'm going to strive for less worry, less stuff, less saying "yes", less obligation, less guilt, less planning. By focusing on less, I'm hopeful it will allow me to be MORE present and available to be the best mom, wife, daughter, sister and friend that I can be to the people who mean the most to me in this life. Some of my favorite things about a new year are my new planner and desk calendars. Last year, I switched from Day Designer (which I loved) to Emily Ley's Simplified Planner (mainly because I enjoyed her books and following her on social media). This year's is so pretty! There is just something about pulling this out of my work bag each day, placing it on my desk and crossing off items as I organize and work through my day. I have also had Nico and Lala's desk calendar for my work desk that past few years and love the colorful fun patterns each month. And, on my desk at home is a new calendar with photos of my little lady. I've been making these easel calendars for myself and grandparents the past few years via Shutterfly. Even though my goal is to "plan less", a girl still has to stay organized and know what day it is and it sure helps to have these pretty tools to do so! I used this time over break to begin to nest and get ready for baby. I'm excited to try out the below product, the Lalabu Soothe Shirt. I actually first found a photo of a dad shirt on Pinterest that I had considered getting for Brad but when I looked into purchasing, I became more interested in getting a couple of these kangaroo-pouch-inspired mama shirts for me! They came this week - I got one in black and one in gray, and I can't wait to use them. They fit snug with a special pouch for baby, inclusive of a drawstring that you can use to make sure babe is tucked in tight. They had a great end of year sale of 2 for $99 that I scooped up but if you follow them on social media and subscribe to emails, they often have sales. I also have to give a plug to my dear friend and family photographer, Tatyana, for launching her company, BowBaby. When Tatyana came to shoot our newborn photos when Nora was born, she was just starting on this journey with this new product and she gave us a prototype. After trying several other swaddles, we LOVED this product. It fit more snug than other brands and helped so much to calm our new little gal when she was fussy. We had only one of her samples and must've washed it a gazillion times since it was our favorite of the brands we had tried. I'm thrilled to use this swaddle with baby number two. The patterns are lovely, material super soft and they are just wonderful. Grab yours for you or a friend today! Here is a photo of Nora in the early prototype, snug as can be! Switching gears to a few fun projects from the holidays - one was putting all of last year and this year's Christmas cards on rings so we can put them out on our coffee table each year. A great way to give them a longer life! The rings were less than $5 at Michael's for a 2 pack. Also, a fun Pinterest find as a craft project for our neighbors, co-workers and Nora's teachers were these simmering potpourri kits. We filled the bags with an orange, cranberries, cloves and a cinnamon stick with instructions to place in a pot of water on the stove and simmer to fill one's home with a lovely holiday scent. Nora loved helping me assemble. You can find a number of options and free printable via Pinterest when you search "simmering potpourri holiday". It was truly a lovely holiday season and end to 2018. We enjoyed fun seasonal activities, Nora's letter to Santa was published in the Roanoke paper, we made our traditional cinnamon roll confetti cake on Christmas morning to celebrate the true reason for the season and even enjoyed the first bit of wintery weather on a cozy December Saturday. Wishing all a happy, healthy and fun-filled 2019!
Be elated,
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Above - the beautiful view at Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery - my favorite way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I learned a new word last week - alacrity. Have you heard it? It came across my screen in an industry newsletter and, being that I didn't know what it meant, faithful Google shared the definition - "brisk and cheerful readiness". Almost every, if not every, weekly trip to the grocery store, I pick up a packaged bag of salad that comes with some toppings and dressing. We mix them up and use them on tacos, in pasta salad, or as a quick and easy side. A couple weeks ago, I needed an easy summertime dinner and pulled together a Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. While Brad is good about eating his veggies, the ladies in our house struggle in that area. I buy this veggie pasta (that Nora gobbles up plain or with a bit of shredded cheese) and it makes me feel so much better that we are getting in our greens. I chopped up the lettuce from my pre-packaged Caesar salad kit and some tomatoes and avocado, cooked the rotini, and tossed it all together with the dressing, parmesan cheese and croutons. Add in some shredded rotisserie chicken and you have a whole, and nutritious, meal. Yum! I also wanted to share with you, my girlfriends (and if there are gentleman friends reading - hi to you too!), that if you have not already started listening to Jen Hatmaker's For the Love! podcast, you should be! What a fun listen. Jen is an author, mother, Christ-follower and truth teller and she is tons of fun to listen to. She recently had a conversation with Vicki Iovine...author of The Girlfriends' Guides. A dear friend from Queens gave me Vicki's Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy. MY. FAVORITE. READ. while pregnant - so real and down to the nitty gritty stuff that only your closest gals would share with you. I just learned she has a Girlfriends' Guide to Toddlers (can't wait to get my hands on that!) I have to imagine it includes a wine subscription, Bravo, and, of course, your lady tribe. Finally, friends, the new Mary & Martha fall catalog was revealed this week and is full of so many pretties! I can't wait to share them with you. Below is a sneak peek of some of the goodies that can be yours as gifts, home decor, or items to help you entertain. There are also some new items in the kids line that are simply adorable. All will be available in my shop on August 1st. In the meantime, browse them here. I'd also love for you to join my private FB group "Living in the & Insiders" where I share inspiration, specials, and favorites with you. I'm on Instagram too @ewpink! I would be honored to help you find items that bring you or those in your life joy. Life is hard - the toddler is having a tantrum, work deadlines are too quickly approaching, and the laundry pile is sky high. It's certainly not all "diamonds and rose" (but it should be...said Lisa Vanderpump). It can be difficult to embrace every task, every role, and every relationship with alacrity. But, goodness, what a philosophy to live by.
That said, bring on Wednesday! Be elated, Hello friends, It is JUNE! Happy summer to all. It has been a nice weekend, though they always go by too fast. Sadly, I'm not at Pops in the Park this evening, one of my all time favorite Charlotte traditions. Long gone are the days of walking over early morning from my Phillips Place apartment to grab a spot on the lawn for the evening concert. I would cart over a large tarp and heavy rocks to weight it down. We would pack picnics full of wine, cheese, fruit, dips and other goodies. Good people, summer evening, yummy food and vino and a concert from our talented Symphony - it is simply fantastic. Oh, and Albert George is the best! He is the conductor and has a Disney-esque voice that makes the whole experience so magical. If you are local and haven't tried it, you must! It takes place in Symphony Park every Sunday in June and a special July 4th edition that will take place on Saturday, July 1st. Tickets and more info can be found here. Photo credit I've talked before about Jess Connolly and All Good Things Collective, formerly Naptime Diaries and Amen Paper Company. Well, Jess has come out with some seasonal workbooks - intentional ways to embrace the current season that we are in. I participated in the one from the last summer and fall and they truly help you think about how you can make the most out of the present time. I am not a "summer hater" like her - I like the different rhythms, the slow pace, and the shorter work hours. But, it does work for all. I encourage you to check out the Summer to Thrive Guide today! And, while you are at it, head on over to the All Good Things Collective website and check out their beautiful prints. I'm a part of their VIP Facebook group and got the one in the below photo for free - framed on my kitchen counter - love! Mary & Martha is having a really fantastic summer sale. The below items are 50% off during the month of June. You can shop these products and more in my store. I love the Lindsey Letters "Think on These Things" tea towels and cups and saucers. The child aprons are so cute too (and includes personalization!) The washable placemats are great for the kids! Think ahead, friends - birthdays, Christmas - your littles, nieces, mothers, friends....these are great deals! Each photo below is clickable to the item for purchase. Happy Shopping! I shared this on Instagram recently and love this quote so I leave this with you for the week ahead... Be Elated,
Whew! Monday. Excel didn't want to be my friend today at work and the hubby alerted me that I'm stuck in a rut when it comes to dinner and that he would like for us to think about something other than rotisserie chicken and bean salads for the menu. Deflated. If only I could be as cool and carefree as my little darling. Not. a. care. in. the. world. Anyone else having those feelings today?! That said, I'm counting down the days until our beach trip - we leave Saturday! Instead of our normal Hilton Head vacation, we are off to Isle of Palms and staying at Wild Dunes near Charleston with my family. I can't wait! I did a bit of shopping for our trip this past weekend. I was the lucky winner of a $100 Versona gift card. I never win anything so this was such a treat! I snuck out Saturday morning and grabbed a few beach-worthy goodies. Let's just say it was easy to spend my "free" money... Cute, right? I also dropped in our kids consignment shop, Kid to Kid, to see if I could find anything fun and found the below gem. You never know what kinds of treasures you will stumble upon for such steals! Not sure if I'll save this for NKP's summer bday but it is cute as can be and deserves to be worn for a celebration. I wanted to share with you all about some online classes I've taken recently through Brit and Co. They have a bunch of offerings and are very reasonable - most are $29 to $39 (and some are free!) Whether you are interested in learning Illustrator, doing hand lettering, or photography, there is something there for anyone and everyone. You pay once and then it is yours to access at any point afterwards. The first class I took was on interior design. I had some great takeaways about mixing prints and patterns. And, friends, I paid for this class but it is now available for FREE here. I'm not certain how long it will be sponsored. Grab it now! The second class was a photo styling class. I took this one to help with my photos of my Mary & Martha goodies as I launched into the world of Instagram (I'm obsessed, by the way...why did I wait so long to jump on this bandwagon!) I have had such fun playing around with my photos. The class gave me suggestions for apps to use and how to play with objects to create the best photo for my Instagram feed. A few of my personal snaps are below. You can find these pretty items in my Mary & Martha shop. Let's Celebrate Pennant - $24 Celebrate with Much Ado Cake Topper - $18 Give Us This Day Bread Board - $52 Think On These Things Mug Sets (2/set) - $26 Think On These Things Tea Towel - $24 Think On These Things Plates (4/set) - $48 God Made Just One Melamine Plates (4/set) - $24 We had fun this past weekend celebrating Brad's Grandma's 94th birthday (a week early as we'll be at the beach for her actual special day). Nora loved helping to eat "Gigi's" cake. Bring on Tuesday...I have a wine date with a girlfriend after work so it is bound to top today! The hubs didn't seem excited about my dinner plan of tuna noodle casserole so he and baby girl might be on their own. Momma has a night out! Leaving you with a little throwback to last year's beach trip...my how our little peanut has grown. Be elated,
Much to my momma's dismay, I've never been much of a reader. The idea of picking up a good long read for a beach vacation or spending the moments before bed catching up on a couple chapters of the hottest novel on the shelves has always sounded appealing but I never caught the reading bug. I'm more of a magazine browsing kind of girl. That said, I've recently picked up three books that I have really enjoyed. They are all super easy reads. I encourage you to grab a copy of one of these finds and dive in for the long Easter weekend ahead! Oh, Emily Ley, be my friend, please? She's a mom of three, creative director of her own paper company, and creator of one of the top planners on the market. This little beauty of a book was sitting on a table right as I entered Barnes and Noble one day with a 50% off sticker. It was a deal too good to pass up. Plus, I was drawn to the title, the pink cover, and the lovely lettering (which I found out later was Lindsay Letters, another one of my faves!) The inside didn't disappoint. I took this with me on my February trip down to Orlando to see my college roomies. There were a couple delays so I ended up reading through this cover to cover before we landed in Florida. It was that good! In this book, the author reminds us that we should give ourselves a little grace when it comes to tackling all of the items on our daily to do lists. She reminds us that sometimes our happiest and most special moments happen when our circus is at its peak. She also includes prompts to make you think about how to prioritize so that you can celebrate simplicity and embrace your joy. Emily says, "God cares more about us abiding by His commandments and loving big - feeling deeply alive and free from the traps of perfection and comparison. He's watching us scurry about saying, "Sweet girls, why are you so hard on yourselves? All this worry and busyness is for what? I've given you all you need." It's a good one, gals, and it's a steal! I kind of want to be Joanna Gaines' best friend also. Seriously, even if I could just get a few moments with her to walk through my house to tell me how I can get that perfect cozy farmhouse feel... I didn't start off on the Fixer Upper train right when it became popular. I think it was about midway into season 2 that I had a free weekend and binged on season 1. It didn't take much to fall in love with Jo and Chip's style and their sweet family and I've been following them ever since. This is their story. It tells of their childhoods, when and how they met, and their path to becoming the HGTV stars they are today. It didn't come without work, but they did get a lucky break! It's a sweet story and, honestly made me love them more. I had read a bit of Jen Hatmaker's earlier book "7" so I was familiar with her but picked this one up because it is the second book my small group is reading and discussing together. Add Jen to my friend group I've created on this page! Honestly, that would be a super fun dinner party right there. I would just soak up all three of these gals' truth, wisdom, and passion! This has a common theme to the first...that the world has impossible standards, and that we should fight to give ourselves grace.
How about these for some takeaways?
Isn't that good stuff? I hope one of these might find its way to your pool bag this summer. And, if I am ever lucky enough to enjoy dinner with even one of these ladies, you'll be the first to know. Why? Because I'll share all about it right here! Happy reading, friends. Be elated, It was a very exciting football season in Charlotte - our Panthers made it to the Super Bowl! Below is a photo of baby girl showing her Carolina team pride. We had a party to go to for the "big game" and, while the game was a disappointment, the food was fantastic. I tried a couple of Pinterest finds and both were a success. Ham & Swiss "CAM" Sandwiches YUM - these were delish! Cheese And Mac "CAM" Bites - who doesn't like mac and cheese? Add some bacon ritz crackers and it is sure to be a party! Enjoy!
I love to be inspired. That's why I write this blog - to document that things that inspire me and to share them with you. The other day, I followed a Facebook post from friend Simone McDowell (One fabulous lady and gift guru - learn more about her at http://honeebeegifts.com) titled "42 Little Things You Can Do Today to Find Your Passion". Searching for my passion has been front and center for me over the past year and, along with balance, has been a focus of mine as I entered 2016. Via #6, I stumbled upon author and motivational speaker Gabrielle Bernstein. Instant thought - this is one cool chick! I want to be her. I know, I know...you shouldn't be envious of others but she just seemed like she really had it all together and her message was on point. Exploring her site, I landed on a conference happening in NYC that was live streaming and instantly put it on the calendar. I was more than willing to pay the $29 for the link to view her talk, alongside Kris Carr. This "Crazy Sexy Miracles" conference promised to inspire me to renew my commitments, break unhealthy patterns and show up for life so I can achieve my deepest desires. I was told I'd walk away with a clear vision for a vibrant and successful new year—one that will allow me to make decisions that support ease, joy and fulfillment. SOLD! Vino poured, pen and paper ready. Let's go! Hubs was at the Panthers game so baby girl and I settled in for the session. Here are my takeaways - I hope they inspire you.
Show up and say yes! Marinate in the greatness of the life you have chosen. When you think you've surrendered, surrender some more. Take action in the following ways: 1. Take hands off the wheel and be honest with yourself. In what ways are you obsessing over the outcome? Daily ask yourself in prayer - "How would You use me?" 2. Turn over time. Dwell in the energy of the moment - the miracle that is now! Ask yourself - "What am I doing right now that I can enjoy more?" Make the moment a miracle - that is what will create the freedom of time. 3. Celebrate what you do have! Don't chase your life -LIVE your life. Give up goals and outcomes. Say "I desire this but Thy will be done." Dwell in the now! 4. Be the light and share the light. Wake up each day and see each individual you encounter for the first time - recognize that they could be experiencing the same things you are. 5. Do not attach your self worth to external validation. Prioritize - 1. Get clear on your why - "Why do you do what you do?" 2. Understand what you want - be laser-focused on your want and leave room for grace and space. 3. Forgive yourself for sucking. If you are sucking someplace, you are probably kicking ass someplace else! Shrink the distance between the two so you have some balance. 4. (My personal favorite!) Don't get your passion panties in a wad. Passion is energy - not an end point. Follow your curiosity and your wonder with no agenda. That is where you'll find your true passion! Learn more about the speakers at http://gabbyb.tv/ and http://kriscarr.com/. Make it a great year, friends! Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a "pearl girl". My pearl earrings are a staple and I wear them most days. I have a number of pearl pieces (some real, some not) and I treasure them all. Some have been special gifts and others have been quick pick up pieces to complement an outfit. The pearl is also the official jewel of my sorority, Sigma Kappa. And...I once shared a pet fish named Pearl with my roomies. I wear my pearls with both my yoga pants and my fanciest of dresses. I believe, the more layers of pearls, the better. I couldn't agree more with Ms. Jackie O! Weekends have become time to stay at home and be together as a family. While I used to crave plans, outings and errands, I'm now more content being home with my baby girl and my guy. Our Carolina Panthers are 9-0! While I struggle to understand what is actually happening on the field, there is just something about fall and football that makes sense. A couple weekends ago, we made some snacks and enjoyed the Clemson game Saturday and did it again on Sunday as we cheered on our NFL team (along with a few mimosas!) I created a snack platter with fruit, crackers, nuts, hummus and cheese. For my man (by request), a buffalo chicken dip. This is always a hit at parties, but I had never made it myself. It's not my cup of tea (I'm not a buffalo-anything lover) but hubby loved it and it is definitely a go-to option for future parties! Serve with Fritos and you'll have a happy football-watching guy. BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP (from The Girl Who Ate Everything) Mac & Cheese is one of my favorite comfort foods. Add some lobster or another fun mix-in (umm....bacon?) and somehow it gets even better! I had saved the recipe I'm going to share with you a while ago but just came back to it this past weekend. It is for Spinach Artichoke Mac & Cheese. It was yummy (and still is - makes a bunch so we are enjoying leftovers!) Best thing is that it includes spinach - so you can feel slightly less guilty about indulging, right?! I had some pimentos in the fridge and tossed some of those in as well to add additional color. It was quite festive with the green and red - perhaps a good option for a holiday side. Get the recipe here (from House of Yumm) For an easy dinner, I put together a tomato, cucumber, feta and white bean salad tossed with some Caesar dressing and sliced some chicken sausage to top it off. Easy and delish! Thinking about priorities is front and center for me right now. What is most important for me in my right now? What brings me the most joy? Obviously this little face does... But I believe that in every season of life, priorities shift. I'm focused right now on family, exploring my passion, finding my joy and determining my purpose. I realize that I am on a journey. What brought me joy a few years ago might still bring me joy today - it just might look slightly different as it fits into my "now". Passion and purpose might go hand in hand. Family might influence where my passions lead. Isn't that a fun part of life? Taking baby steps, embracing the process and doing it all with a smile on your face.
Smile lots today - be elated! Emily Photo Credit Yesterday was my 32nd birthday. I love birthdays - it is a day where you hear from friends you haven't heard from in a while, where you can make plans do whatever makes you happy, where calories do not count and where you contemplate all of the exciting things the year ahead might bring. Though I still feel about 27, I'm embracing this new year in "Club 32". I have the absolute pleasure to watch my little girl grow and learn so many things in this next year of my life. I have a wonderful loving husband, a beautiful home, a job that I enjoy and a family who cares deeply about one another. I'm so very blessed. I embrace you 32! I had a fantastic day. Grammy came and watched baby girl while Brad and I had a fabulous al fresco brunch at one of my favorite spots. I enjoyed a nice glass of Rose. My sweet hubby then treated me to a late afternoon day at the spa. I spent some time by the pool before indulging in a massage, pedicure and facial. I felt like a princess - and a bit like butter by the time I returned home. Brad asked me before I left what was the one thing I hoped for in this next year of my life. He said to think about it while I was gone and that he would ask again when I got back. My answer - to find balance. I return to work this week after 12 weeks of maternity leave. While it hurts my heart at the thought of leaving my sweet little Nora during the weekdays, I am so grateful for the special time I've had at home with her. What a gift! This time has been like no other in my life and will be like no other again. She has been my world, my to-do list, my complete focus. As I take on the new title of working mom, I am on a mission to find a good balance, a good rhythm in all areas of life - as a mom, as a wife, as an employee, as a daughter, as a friend and as a Christian. I will also strive to carve out time for me - for exercise, healthy eating and rest. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 There is such comfort in that verse - knowing that God goes before us and that He has a plan. Knowing that He guides my steps gives me peace about the transition into the year ahead and working mommyhood. Cheers to finding balance in year 32! On to a couple faves! BLUE APRON A while back, Brad and I tried the meal service Plated after seeing them featured on Shark Tank. While we enjoyed the meals and the service, an ongoing subscription wasn't right for us at the time. Since then, I've seen a handful of other similar meal service options and have been interested in trying them out. A friend and colleague had a free three-meal deal on Blue Apron so we recently decided to try that one. Another good experience and we had fun cooking! We have another shipment coming this week. For three meals for two people each, it is around $60. For both services, the ingredients were very fresh and it was nice to have some different dinner options and not to ask that frequent question, "what's for dinner?!" If you like their pages on Facebook or sign up to receive their emails, you are likely to be able to receive a couple test meals or a really good discount, just like we did. It is definitely worth the try! Below are photos from when Brad's sister Melissa was in town. I had scheduled our delivery before I knew she was coming. We had his mom over as well and decided to pick two of the meals to serve family-style. We had somewhat of a Top Chef-style competition to see which team could finish their dish first! The meals were yummy - Tandoori-spiced chicken and Seared pork chops, both with a grain, veggies and fresh herbs. I cooked meal three on my own (seared cod and fregola sarda with braised summer veggies) and had it ready for Brad when he got home for work that Friday. Ingredients to prepare, baby on board and a glass of Chardonnay (specifically timed around breastfeeding)= Multitasking at its finest! (I probably had some jazz music in the background too.) FREE PRINTS You've likely seen this service advertised online or on social media. Tori Spelling is a spokesperson and they have a handful of other celebrities promoting this app. After having baby girl, I've taken hundreds of photos and didn't want to get caught having them all on my phone and never printing them. One of my maternity leave projects was to start Nora's baby books and a photo album for her. This app is great! Once downloaded (for free!), you can select up to 85 prints each month (4x6, 1 of each) from your phone and send them straight to print (also for free!) All you pay is shipping. They arrived within a few days. I was very pleased! I'll definitely be using this service again. GREEK NACHOS Loved this healthier version of your traditional nachos. I love Greek flavors and ingredients so this is a perfect weeknight dinner for me if Brad is busy (although he does enjoy them, but as a side or a snack, not the main meal!) This was my take on the pinterest-inspired recipe found here. Toast up your pitas with a little olive oil in the oven. Top with your favorite hummus. Add olives, chick peas, cherry tomatoes, artichokes, cucumber and feta cheese. Cut into triangles. YUM! Enjoy Sunday, all! And...happy happy birthday to my Daddy today!
Starting off today's blog with a fantastic quote and reminder to add a little confetti to each day. I think it is important to have an element of fun each day. That can mean a lot of different things - even if it is an after work walk with a friend, indulging in your favorite reality TV show or treating yourself to a scoop of ice cream after dinner. I've been a bit behind in my blogging as I'm cherishing these moments I have at home with baby girl - 4 weeks and a day left in my maternity leave (but who's counting?!) It has been such a blessing to be home with our little peanut! My first favorite to share today is PHOTOBARN. I was watching The Talk one afternoon and during an "update your home" segment, they mentioned this great site where you can order customized photo creations on wood. If you subscribe by giving them your name and email, you receive a free 5x7 photo creation (just pay S + H) on wood and it enters you in a contest for a larger piece. I ordered mine and love it. It is a really neat way to showcase your photos. You can pick from a number of sizes and can order with different colored ribbon. Their puzzles and ornaments would make great gifts! I've already ordered a second 5x7 for a gift and used a promo code I received by email. They run lots of specials. Below is how mine turned out though it is hard to tell how pretty and unique it is on the wood from the photo. You can visit their website and browse their fun products here. My second favorite to share today are Chocolate Almond No Bake Lactation Cookies. (Recipe and photo credit - Small + Friendly: Adventures in Modern Homemaking) Whether or not you are breastfeeding, this is a yummy recipe! They remind me of the no bake preacher cookies from my childhood except these call for several great ingredients that help produce milk for mommas. I had seen the versions you can purchase at baby stores but after a friend (thanks, Patricia!) made me some, I decided to pin a recipe on Pinterest and try them myself. Who doesn't love an excuse to eat cookies?? These cookies have brewers yeast, flaxseed meal and oats - all which help boost milk supply but also have health benefits for all. I did have to go to GNC to purchase the yeast and it is a bit pricey for the only size container they had which was much more than I needed but it was a "do not leave out" ingredient for the cookies. I did substitute coconut oil for the butter and my special ingredient was something I had in the pantry - instead of regular peanut butter or almond butter, I used chocolate coconut peanut butter that I had picked up from HomeGoods a while back (yum!) The cookies turned out looking just like the ones in the photo, though I made larger ones so my batch only made about 2 dozen, instead of 4. The cookies are delicious (and also Brad-approved!) I'm hopeful that they will also do the trick in helping this momma keep her supply up for baby girl. Here is the recipe. Enjoy! Favorite thing three - Pretty Cheese Platters
One of my favorite blogs to follow is Cupcakes and Cashmere, which I've mentioned before. Today the C+C guru shared her thoughts on how to create the modern cheese platter and I wanted to share because it gives excellent suggestions on how to create the perfect spread for your next wine and cheese gathering. I love all of the color and texture. Here is the link. Happy entertaining! Photo credit - Cupcakes & Cashmere |
AuthorMy name is Emily Pinkerton. I believe that a full life is one overflowing with good friends and sweet family, delicious food and wine, and beautiful things. ELATED is my outlet for documenting the special moments and things in life that make me happiest. It is my space to share them with you. I hope you will be inspired. Remember to love generously, live beautifully and be ELATED. Archives
January 2019
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