Thursday, May 31, 2012

Office Space

I have been spending a lot of time organizing my house. I don't like having random things all over the place, especially with Amara now and all that she comes with. I can't keep having my projects scattered all around my house. Everything needs a "department" It makes for less daily clean- up and less "where did I put my....?"

With that said, I am dreaming up an office space/craft room. When I look at it as a whole, I get overwhelmed. I am definitely the girl that just wants things done without doing the work. Yeah, I said it!!!
I want a sewing station, storage area, desk area, play area for amara......but I can't do it all at once. I quickly get overwhelmed when I am out shopping. I will go out for one thing, but find an item that is for another project or space in my house that is not even ready for that item yet! Have I lost you??

Basically, I want to start with a desk wall! I want a cute desk with some shelving around it and a bulletin board to put all of my magazine clippings, paint swatches, notes, etc.






Print by: Sugar Paper
I purchased this print a couple of years ago, and I always said that it would go in my office one day when I had one. Well, I still have that print, and it is my inspirational piece for my personal space. I want something classy, simple, stylish, comfortable, and girly!

P.S here are some other Sugar Paper prints I would give my right arm for right now ;)...They would brighten up ANY space in a home!











 I found some other office spaces that I have been drawn to lately. I think it is safe to say that I want the main color theme to be WHITE. My absolute favorite color!! :) It just feels clean and fresh to me! I am so excited to get started and see how cost efficient I can be! It will be the room with no design rules! I will keep you updated!

Goodwill, spray paint, clearance end caps at Target......here I come!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Gooey Gooey GREATness!




When my hubby and I were chillaxing the other night, I got a sudden craving for something sweet. Not for just something, but something chocolate. This is odd for a couple of reasons....

1. I don't really care for chocolate. I know, I am cray cray right?
2. I was positive it would involve baking, which is not my gift even a little bit.

I started googling "best chocolate chip" recipes and "gooey chocolate chip cookies", and I came across this FABULOUS recipe. It was so delish, I don't think that I will be searching for another one for a while.  I had to share it with you all! The instructions were pretty fool proof that even MY cookies made it out of the oven looking and smelling like perfection. Not to mention, I pretty much finished off the entire batch alone. Ooops!


Pour yourself a glass of milk ( with ice....yuck...what!?!) and enjoy! ;)



Chelle’s Soft & Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon milk
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Microwave butter for 30 seconds, stir and set aside. Do not worry if it is not completely melted.
3. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.
4. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla on medium-high speed until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add milk and beat until combined. Gradually beat in flour mixture, beating just until combined (do NOT overmix!). Stir in chocolate chips.
5. Refrigerate dough for 15-30 minutes.
6. Drop by rounded spoonful (I used a Pampered Chef cookie scoop that holds approximately 2 tablespoons) onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 12 minutes or until edges are just brown and middle is not quite set yet. Cool on pan for 2 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack.
7. Before adding more dough to warm cookie sheets, place sheet in freezer for 5-7 minutes to cool.
Store in an airtight container. Recipe yielded 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Before and ALMOST after....

It is nowhere near being where I want it to be, but here is my progress on my "craft room/office/mommy cave". Basically I just threw away a lot of stuff. It was ridiculous!! Now, I at least have a clean slate to start planning with. My sister moved to Austin and had some storage supplies that she gave to me/let me hold for her, which are helping out a lot on my journey to organization.


 This is what I started with.....



























PROGRESS....






My goal is to eventually paint all of the furniture the same color. I have some shelves and things that I need to hang for extra storage. I have art prints that I have stored over time for my "someday office" that I can't wait to hang either!! I will keep pressing on :)



Friday, May 25, 2012

Our first day at the pool!

Monday was our first day at the pool! Surprisingly......Amara loved it!




Ari.....our host! He watched "Ama" from his lounge chair! :)



Thursday, May 24, 2012

8 whole months.....




Once again, I am behind posting her monthly pics. I am literally sitting on the floor next to Amara letting her play with toys so I can get this done!

I can't stop her from growing!!! Man, oh man! Here we are.....8 months and counting. This month has been such a blast. I think this month I can officially make a list of things that she likes as well as the things that she DOESN'T like. Amara has an opinion all her own, and she isn't afraid to show it.

Amara is still sleeping like a champ at night, however, I am somewhat of a slave to my own home during her nap times, which are slightly different every day. She is no longer the baby that you can just tote around in the car seat. First of all, she is too freaking heavy. Secondly, she wakes up way too easily! Being home is a good thing though. It really forces me to take those nap times and either refuel so that I can be the best mommy that I can or do something fun....crafting anyone!?! or just clean. Cleaning usually  wins! 

Although I am not breastfeeding nearly as much, I am still so worn out at the end of the day. We move from station to station ( jumper, vibrating seat, swing, toys in her room, toys in my room, etc.) so much throughout the day that between that and running errands, I am worn out when I hit the bed. I still have to pump a little every night before bed so that I can feed her oatmeal in the morning too. SHEESH! Oddly enough, I have a lot more freedom in a weird way. I would rather be running with her all day and have a great night sleeper than the other way around!

Some of the things Amara is loving right now.....

Banana Oatmeal in the morning, and just eating in general!
touching specific things with her index finger 
clapping her hands while we say "yaaaaay!"
Going to the park and swinging of course
Walks in the stroller
Giving open mouth kisses ( I pucker up and ask her to give me kiss kiss)
Sadie Marie dog
kicking
standing while being assisted of course ( not so much interested in crawling)
the pool
Holding the tops to her food containers while I feed her
Warm vegetables at night ( I love that my child loves her veggies so far)
Her alone time in her crib ( when she wakes up or just doesn't want to nap, she will just lay in her crib and talk and roll ALL OVER the place)
Peek a boo
Screaming ( happily) very loudly in public


Things she is HATING right now.....

Getting her hair washed...she literally tries to crawl out of the tub as if she is reaching for a life preserver. It is so dramatic!
being walked away from ( even if it is just two steps...SPOILED)
Pears baby food ( even though she will eat it mixed with stuff)
being caught off guard by lots of people or unfamiliar faces
.....mostly typical baby stuff!


My absolute favorite thing to do with her right now is cuddle. She will surprise me and just lay her head on my shoulder at random times or come at me with an open mouth for a "kiss kiss". It is the BEST! I will usually rock her for literally a minute or two before I lay her in bed and she will coo and sigh, and it melts me!!

We are soaking it up! She is such a great baby. She is very laid back and chill for the most part, and it is  so crazy to watch her grow day by day. Every day, something she does makes her seem a LITTLE more grown. I guess that is the way it is suppose to be though! I want to keep her this way for forever!! I am having so much fun with her right now, and I am just honored to be her mommy! God is at work in my family very much right now. There is a lot going on, and even on Amara's worst days.....she is my sanity. She is my reasoning behind so many things that I do, and decisions I make now, and I truly wouldn't have it any other way! She humbles me AND lifts my spirits! Our little "boots!"


We are blessed!!

p.s this photo session of ours was unlike any other. She would NOT sit still and would not leave her prop alone! We did the best we could! :)



































Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Patio Pillows ( AKA first sewing project)

I handmade my first set of pillows. I used some outdoor fabric I had recently purchased at JoAnn's for half off  ( whoop whoop)! They aren't perfect, but they are perfection in my eyes! I am so happy with how they turned out!

First, I took my pillow (measuring 12.5 in), then cut two pieces of fabric
(front and back) measuring 13.5. Always cut one inch extra :)

Pin the two pieces together ( pretty sides facing inward)

Then, I sewed a straight stitch about an inch in. I am going
to be honest... I am a beginner when it comes to sewing, so
while I am sewing my lines, I am just praying that they
are straight and that I am not sewing into the space I
need to put the pillow :)

Leave a small gap to stuff your pillow in. I left about
a 6 inch opening.


I trimmed around my corners before turning the pillowcase
right side out. It helps make sure your corners pop out :)

Stuff it...


Pin what is left, then simply stitch the rest by hand. Mine
don't look pretty, but they are sewed shut :)

                                                                                 


Set them out on your patio and invite a BFF over for
waffles on a stick ;)

Monday, May 14, 2012

Mother's Day!


This year was my first Mother's Day ( with Amara out of the womb)! It definitely did NOT go the way I had planned. The weather was so dreary and wet, we woke up late, and we were so exhausted, but we pulled through. It was so great getting to celebrate motherhood with my little baby!! Gabe did everything ( on Amara's behalf) to make me feel like the most appreciated mom in the world. I woke up to a nice surprise.....a sewing machine!!! YAY!!! I was so shocked that Gabe picked it out all by himself. Of course, he did his research. If you know my husband, he always gets the best bang for his buck....no question!

I also received the Dirty Dancing on blue ray. It is literally one of my most favorite girlie movies. Gabe has yet to see it.....I DID say YET! I informed him that since he got it for me, he HAS to watch it with me. He agreed cause he is the bomb hubby!

We went to a place called Marche for the best brunch I have ever had in my entire life! My mother - in- law, Jackie met us there so we could celebrate the special mom ( and Grandma) that she is. It was soooo unbelievably crowded and the wait was about an hour, but Amara did so freaking good. She ate her food and played. One of my best friends, Leah, was there as well enjoying her special day. We knew that we would see each other, but didn't know that we would get to eat together! It was such a special treat....a mother's day I will never forget! Then, we all came home, took a nap, grabbed fast food for dinner, watched some tv, skipped baths, and went to bed! It was FABULOUS friends!!

It was all so surreal being among moms that get to be celebrated! I actually still can't believe I have a daughter!?! When will it sink in?!? I am so grateful for the chance to be a mom. Regardless of whether you have given birth to someone or not, plenty of women are still loved like moms and should be celebrated on this day! Moms of all kinds have played such important roles in my life. I have learned how to love kids, keep a home, love my husband, and love myself from these women. Since I suck at living in the moment....I can't wait for Father's Day! :) Gabe definitely deserves his day as well!