Santa 2011 (and Gracey Lou Designs)

Like most people, I took the kids to see Santa. I knew Boo would be a problem when he told me he wanted to stay home.

We went to my in-laws gym to meet the old man and snap some of our own pics for free (love me some free). Both kids were very excited.

We went upstairs and Bubbi ran to give Santa the cookie we made him earlier that day (and totally tripped and ate sh*t as well as dropped the cookie smack on the floor). Santa accepted it as his helper rushed over to free his hands from the, um, delicious homemade treat. I placed her on his lap and she was beside herself like she had just met her teen idol.

THEN he sang her "Jingle Bells'. She makes me sing her that song 10 times a day...before nap, before bed and whenever else she feels the need. OMG Santa knew that was her favorite song!

Boo? OH HELL NO was he even going near that creepy Santa with beard about to fall off any second (hey, you get what you pay for). I couldn't even get him to stand close enough to take a flipping picture with Santa and him in the same frame.

Oh well. He finally managed to shout just loud enough that he wanted a rocket ship for Christmas.

And a quick shout out to the maker of the kids awesomely adorable threads...Gracey Lou Designs! Not only is her stuff adorable, but it comes out great in the washing machine!!

Hedgehog Studio: Lemonade Stand Giveaway

Hedgehog Studio does amazing party print work for an amazing value (you all know I'm cheap and this place is affordable and does great work). They have a gorgeous vintage flair and showcased it beautifully in their latest photo session titled "Lemonade Stand" as seen below. Be sure and check them out of Etsy and Facebook.  And scroll down for some giveaway info...

What's more is they are currently having a Giveaway at A Voice for My Children!! Go check it out here http://avoiceformychildren.blogspot.com/2011/07/lemonade-stand-kit-giveaway.html?showComment=1310049728555#c4098909180004764950!!

Cookbook: A Guide to Simply Good Eats

If you know me even a little bit, you know I don't cook. Blue Box mac and cheese needs a measuring cup if I'm cooking it (yes, I've messed it up several times).

So believe me when I say that this is an awesome and amazingly easy cookbook!

I made the Artichoke Chicken, Chicken Salad and Elyse's Artichoke Dip. Tonight I'm making the Roasted Red Pepper Poppers. Everything has been to die for!!!!

Here is a little peek at my favorite things so far if you want to try it at home...

Chicken Salad

If you’ve had one too many turkey or ham sandwiches and are in need of a change, this chicken salad will hit the spot. Also a great salad for any celebration, just double the recipe.

~ 4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts (fresh or frozen)
~ kosher Salt
~ olive Oil
~ ½ cup red grapes, chopped
~ ½ cup celery, chopped
~ ½ cup red, yellow or green onion, chopped
~ ¼ cup almonds, sliced (or any nut)
~ ½ cup mayo
~ ¼ tsp curry
~ Salt & pepper to taste

Heat oven to 350°F.

Place chicken in a greased baking dish, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake uncovered until fully cooked, about 30 minutes (45 mins if chicken is frozen).

In a large bowl, add all ingredients except mayo. Set aside until chicken is cooked.

Once chicken is cooked, chop in small cubes. (do not let chicken cool) Add chicken and mayo to bowl and mix well.

Let salad cool for at least 30 minutes.

Serve on your favorite bread with lettuce and or sprouts.

SOOOOO GOOD! My mother-in-law, a total foodie, is going to be making this for her next hosted event because she claims it is the best chicken salad she ever had!

There are also tons more of great recipe including some Low Carb Fried Chicken and Better Than Sex Cake!

You want one? Well the author is  offering five of them directly on here for only $25 each PLUS two free hair bows from her etsy shop, Tiny Toppings. Contact her at texdahls@yahoo.com. She accepts paypal. Free local delivery or $6.50 shipping. I will be buying one for my mother-in-law for mother's day (my mother thinks a cheeseburger is healthy because it has all the food groups and she "cooks" by cruising through the drive-thru)...done and done!

Mickey and Minnie Party: Candle Holders

As you know, I am busting my booty on planning my kids a fantastic Mickey and Minnie party for their second and third birthdays in May. However, I have champagne taste on a beer budget.

Here are the cutest candle holders ever that I wanted to buy, but couldn't see paying nearly $30 for two with shipping. They are from Hands 2 Design.

So I tried to make my own from Playdough. The turned out super cute (I know the photo quality sucks...camera phone, ok?).

However, they dried like this even though I followed instructions on how to dry playdough out without it cracking (totally B.S.)...

So I bought some awesome Crayola Model Magic Deluxe Variety Pack and tried again.

 I used cut toothpicks to hold the balls together and hot glued a hand-tied bow to an additional toothpick for Minnie's bow.

Playdough is much easier to work with and looked much better before it dried. The Model Magic was much harder to roll into smooth perfect balls and it got a bit smooshed when drying from its own weight. I think I like them....if I decide I don't like the new ones, I'll make playdough ones last minute and just use them wet! God knows Bubbi has eaten her share of playdough and lived to tell the tale!

Wordless Wednesday: Our visit with the Bunny (no, not the scary one)

We don't do big, scary costumes too well in this house.

Bubbi screaming Christmas 2010...

And Boo's turn Christmas 2010...

Last year's visit with the bunny was just Bubbi. Super cute. Boo finally got in the frame, but we had to bribe him by allowing him to hold a pen...looked like crap. Being the best mommy EVER, I can't find the pictures.

Here's my precious little lemurs 2011 Easter pic. Too cute, I know! I'm very pleased as they are both not screaming...they are smiling and looking in the right direction...a fluke? Probably, but I'll take it. They are sporting their cute outfits from Elle Dee (I just washed them and they still look new)!

And here's the unedited version (thank you Kim) showcasing Bubbi's hardcore bruises and the picture lady's hat that she loved (K. Walker Photography).

Bubbi's Closet: Christmas Dress 2010

I have an addiction for clothes and shoes...always have and probably always will.

Now that Bubbi is around, I project my addiction on to her (while I sport last season's Target). This section, Bubbi's Closet, will showcase some of Bubbi's creme de la creme outfits that just need some ohs and ahs.

After scouring the net for weeks in late August, I finally found THE perfect Christmas dress for Bubbi (hey, I plan ahead).

It is a red pettidress sold by Tea Cups and Mudpies (http://www.teacupsandmudpies.com/). It is very well made and fit her perceftly! She was the Belle of the ball all season long (yes, she wore it more than once). Here are a few pictures of it...

...and yes, that is the beautiful satin bow from Pinkadot Tots (http://www.etsy.com/people/PinkadotTots) that she flushed down the toilet...

Must Have! FABULOUS Tooth Fairy Pillows and DISCOUNT!

The whole idea of teeth falling out icks me out to no end. I'm getting light headed as I sit here and type. NASTY!

That's not the point.

The point is that I found these fabulous Tooth Fairy Pillows!!! When I was oogling over them online Boo ran over (I get mommy online time when kids first wake up and get their timered one hour of TV a day) and told me which one he wanted.

He then proceeded to tell me which one we are getting Bubbi. She doesn't get an opinion yet. I know once she has one it will rule the roost, so I go with it. Plus he picked out the one I was going to get her anyways...hehe.

Here are the two we ordered from purchasing from Little Birdie's Boutique, http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBirdiesB.

And here are a few more!

AND if you email her by Friday the 18th, you will get 20% off AND free shipping!
LittleBirdiesBoutique@yahoo.com

Mom-A-Logues: Lil Lainey Bug Boutique Review & Giveaway

Don't miss out on this AMAZING giveaway from one of my fave etsy shops!

Mom-A-Logues: Lil Lainey Bug Boutique Review & Giveaway: "I fell in love with this shop first because of it's name. We call our little Lillian, 'Lilli Bug', just like Stacie calls her daughter, De..."