Kicthen Madness

I spend most of my time in the kitchen, I feel like it's mostly cleaning but I would like to think that I'm somewhat of a good cook (still working on my bettycroker baking skills). The kitchen is where most people spend their time conversating, so why not have the perfect design/set up. My favorite by far is a simple, clean all white kitchen; the clean part is a little bit exaggerated.

Backsplash is Daltile m313 contempo white marble 3×6 tile laid on herringbone. The grout color is platinum.
Source:: www.homebunch.com


Our kitchen at home is a work in progress, little things you can do to really freshen up your kitchen without spending a fortune is to start with fresh paint, new light fixtures, minimum decor, and backsplash! I can't wait to pick out the perfect backsplash to add to our kitchen to really brighten it up! 

Shapes & Colors Game

I work part time, and B goes to school during the day, but when we're home I love to play the color game with her! It's so simple and easy to set up. 

I'm sure you have all of the objects in one form or another. If not go to the dollar store and pick some up on your break, day off, whenever! 

What you need::

Construction paper

Crayons

Solid colored object:: blocks, numbers, letters, in our case we used the bath foam shapes!

Master drawing skills 

Step 1. Draw out as many shapes, in as many colors as you want. Bella is only 2 so we started out with the basics! That concludes your steps! I felt like I was in a bad episode of blues clues drawing out the shapes! But I think they came out pretty good !

So we did it a couple different ways, one is to ask them to pick out all the green ones and put them on the green triangle. So on and so forth. You can even hand them the color one by one mixing it up. Another fun way is race to the shape/color! 

This is so simple but it gets them thinking and I just love an excuse to draw and color! 

Have 10 minutes?! Check this out

My amazing husband got me a treadmill for my birthday years ago (best gift ever- not exaggerating), however with a toddler it's getting harder and harder to do cardio while she is with me. I don't know about anyone else but when I am trying to do cardio at home she feels that it is necessary to jump on the treadmill with me while I'm running; she has no fear!

I will be the first one to say I'm not going to slave away at the gym or pay a ridiculous amount of money on a gym membership. I will do some cardio while Bella is sleeping, or after I put her to bed at night! As far as toning I am obsessed with Popsugar Fitness; they have everything from 5-30 minute videos for every level with Pilates, full body toning, target areas and so much more!

Popsugar Fitness :: one of my favorite workouts

If you have 10 minutes in the morning put on a video and get to moving, not only will you boost your metabolism first thing in the morning but also you just feel so much better! Have a great week!!! Start it off right... 

DIY Inspirational Quote

For the longest time we wanted to get matching furniture for our master bedroom. We finally indulged in a rustic style set. Our night stands were a lot larger than a normal nightstand (meaning more crap to pile up & dust to collect). 

Our golden retriever who thinks he is a human is a great site in your face at 7 a.m., but why not something inspirational? I decided to decorate my nightstand; one trip to hobby lobby and $20 later I had everything I needed. There are so many amazing sayings and quotes to chose from but I decided on one! 

What you will need::

Sheet of paper

Permanent marker 

11 x 14 frame (hobby lobby normally has them on sale for 50% off)

8 x 10 border ($2.99 at hobby lobby)

Small glass vase

Faux flowers of your choice 

Books 

You can use any type of quote and  any writing, I used a thick permanent marker because I liked the way it turned out on paper. Once you get that written out, frame it! And wa-la you have a piece of art that looks like something you bought at a over priced boutique. 

 

Now to decorating your nightstand! You always want a stand alone piece of inspirational art, flowers (faux ones work just as good & easier to maintain), a vase of your choice. I picked up one from Hobby Lobby for $2.50. Of course, books; you can use ones you have laying around or buy some you will eventually want to read. Last thing needed is a nice lamp in the empty space, I just haven't found one that I absolutely love! 

Good luck on your decorating!!!

Trendy Bows & Lifesaver Pacifier Clips

Having a baby girl is a blessing! It also gives me an excuse to make the cutest accessories of all time for her! And of course I have to share Bella's style with all the other mini fashionistas 💕

Spring is right around the corner! Bellakdesign has released these amazing pinwheel bows for Spring, just in time for Easter! Choose to have it as a clip, headband or hair tie! 3 for $12 or choose all 6 for $20.

Another favorite accessory that is a must have and is such a lifesaver are pacifier clips. BellaKdesign has these trendy clips 2 for $12. I have one attached to her car seat for when we are driving and she wants her binky I can just reach over and find it easily & safely! There so cute too that they match up perfectly with all her outfits...

For more great accessories and to get the best deal visit our shop today :) 

Bellakdesign on Etsy

Happy Baby= Happy Mommy!

When you wake up in the morning & realize you didn't get up once during the night two things run through your mind 1. Is my baby okay!? And 2. Holy crap I got a full 8 hour of sleep (or more). My baby is 8 weeks old and has been sleeping from 7pm to 7am, sometimes it will change from time to time. The first month has been great with cuddle time and lovings! Now is the time to get them on a schedule.

Establishing a schedule is huge! What may work for one baby may not work for another! After reading blog after blog and different baby aps, this is what works best for us! So by all means switch it up! 

Day & Night:

Teaching your newborn the difference between day and night makes a huge difference at bed time and at nap time. During nap time go about your daily routine, where at night keep the house quite and dim the lights. If we don't go anywhere I still try to change her into "day" clothes so she knows we're ready to start the day! Soon enough they will know the difference!

Nighttime routine:

Ours is simple- 

Bath: I use soap every other day so it doesn't dry out her skin.

Fresh diaper: The diaper is huge, once your baby is able to go longer stretches between eating you don't want a overfilled diaper to be the one thing to wake them up. I love every type of diaper from Luvs to Huggies. Just make sure you have a diaper that is extra absorbent!!!

Clean P.J.'s

Swaddle: I still swaddle my 8 week old but each baby is different! 

Bottle: make sure they finish the entire bottle!!!

Bedtime :) 

So many people and articles say try not to rock your baby to sleep because they will expect that every time there ready to go to bed or even nap. Try to put your loved one down while there sleepy but still awake, this way they learn to fall asleep on their own! 

When you hold them every minute of the day it becomes second nature, and will expect to be held ALL the time (and you won't be able to get anything done). During the day I don't hold my daughter as much and let her play on her play mat, she's more content and helps with her development! 

As long as you keep the same routine around the same time it will give your baby security and know what to expect! Believe me your sleepless nights will come to an end (eventually).

Sara's Closet: Forget the rules, if you like it, wear it!

This is one of my favorite outfits that is perfect for a casual day out! Add a cute pair of heals to dress this outfit up :)

Every women should have these staple pieces in her closet : dark skinny jeans, leopard print flats, chiffon button up ((love army green)), and the perfect rose gold watch & accessories!