Inside Bluum {Making Life Easier}

I always get excited when our Bluum box shows up each month. Now Ryan gets excited too, because he knows its mostly for him and some sort of fun snack waits for him inside. I have partnered up with the super fab company Bluum, I'm so honored to be a Bluum momma and share their wonderful concept and benefits with you all. If you aren't familiar, Bluum is an amazing company focused on sharing various mom and baby brand name products. Each month mom's receive a 'Bluum Box' filled with large product samples so mom and baby can test drive them before buying.

Take a peek inside this months box...

{Ella's Kitchen Baby Snacks, Palmer's Cocoa Oil Spray, Green Babies Tearless Shampoo, SuperGoop Sunblock Wipes, My Dentist Tooth Tissues.}

This month rocks because it came stuffed with things that make our life as a momma easier. uhhh Whoever invented sunblock wipes deserves a big fat kiss on the mouth. Just sayin. Alongside the gift of brilliant sunblock wipes came shampoos, cocoa oil spray, snacks and tooth cleaning wipes. Ya, wipes are awesome. If only someone could invent a tantrum wipe. Clean those bad boys right up....

Any who, the best benefit of receiving a Bluum box is getting to test out products I wouldn't normally buy, but have wanted to. After testing it, if you like it you can buy it. You can search your local stores or just purchase it right from the Bluum website. Its so simple its ridiculous.

A few fun facts

`Each month has a theme with matching products.

`Each box comes with a full sized product.

`Most products sent out are all natural and or organic.

`It's affordable.

`They make great gifts for expecting mommas.

Monthly subscriptions start at 11$. Visit the Bluum website for more info.

Tell them this redhead sent you...

Homemade Churros...Enough Said.

Its been a tad crazy around these parts...what with a screaming toddler and all. I spent the weekend with my sisters for some help and a dose of sanity. They brought me back down to Earth and assured me that every Momma has "been there". SO, here's hoping this week is awesome and the tantrums stay away...or at least stay bearable.

Also, if you follow me on Instagram you know that when I'm stressed I plant my butt in the kitchen and make stuff. Mostly sweets and desserts.....Oy! Well, I recently mastered a beauty and just might marry this recipe before Dan. Just Kidding! But I do hope you try this. Your diet won't thank me...but your friends and family will!

Your Welcome!

What You Need
`5 tbs butter
`3 tbs brown sugar
`1 tsp vanilla
`pinch of salt
`1 cup water
`1 cup flour
`4 large eggs (MUST be at room temp.)
`Oil for frying (I use canola)
`Cinnamon and Sugar for yummy coating


Directions
{Make sure to follow exactly...This dough can be a major B to work with! Totally worth it though}
`First heat the butter, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and water until it comes to a soft boil. Like tiny bubbles coming up the sides.
`Turn off the heat and pour flour into pot. Mix with a spoon until the dough forms a large ball. Make sure the flour is all mixed in. You don't want pieces of flour through out.

`Next, put dough ball into a mixing bowl. Now with your spoon mix the eggs in one at a time. By the end your dough should be thick and shiny. (By the way you need to mix it really hard for a few minutes. You could use a mixer, but I like doing it by hand.)

`Now put your dough into a piping bag with a flower tip and leave in fridge for at least 2 hours. If you put your dough into the oil before it chills, it will be a giant mess. Seriously, been there-done that. Also, you do need a real piping bag with this dough. You can't use the plastic bag trick only because the dough is so thick it will bust the bag open. Again, I've also been there-done that.

`Mix your cinnamon and sugar coating and place a side.
`In a deep skillet pour about 6 cups of oil. Use a  candy thermometer to measure how hot the oil is. You need the oil at 300 degrees. This will ensure the churro gets crispy on the outside and cooked through the middle.
`Pipe the dough into the oil. Use a knife to cut the ends. Fry for about 6 minutes. Only cook about 2-3 at a time so the oil temperature stays hot.

`Let the churros dry off on a paper towel then dunk them into the cinnamon and sugar.
`Enjoy fresh and warm. You can store them in plastic bags for up to 2 days. Just heat them in the oven before eating.

A few ways we like to eat our Churros...
`With salted caramel dipping sauce
`Topped with ice cream
`As dessert after a yummy Mexican dinner
`AND we have been known to take them along to Disneyland. Because we are cheap and my Churros taste way better than spending $3.50. Just Sayin...

Enjoy Guys!

Blog Inspiration

Much like most of you bloggers, I too have my favorite blogs to read. You know those blogs you love so much you get excited everyday to sit and read. You feel connected to the writer and their family and/or fashion. They become inspiring and uplifting. I have a few on my favorites list and feel blessed to have been able to meet some of them. One has become a best friend. Last year at an event I came so close to meeting a favorite...but my nerves got the best of me and I never went up and said Hi! What a nerd!! But, now our blogging and social media paths have crossed. I am so over joyed to have spoken with Ashley, and I can' t even begin to explain how excited I am to be on her blog! She asked me to share a recipe with her readers!{insert happy dance here} and it has now been pinned 1,000 times. Holy WOW.

Although this may not seem like a big deal to some {especially non-bloggers}, it is to me! I am not sharing this teeny story with you to gloat...I am sharing it because there have been numerous times when I feel like this blogging gig feels overwhelming. Sometimes I feel like no one cares, no one reads. When you start blogging your heart and your ideas you become vulnerable and it can be scary. You develop goals and read other bigger blogs for inspiration as mentioned above. We have all been there. I am here to say that there are people that care and that read your words. If you keep sharing and growing you will achieve something great. If you put your heart out there, you will begin to make connects that could last a lifetime. I think this serves as motivation to keep working towards what you want.

Take a look back and reflect...What have been some blogging triumphs!?

I want to give Ashley a HUGE 'Thank You' for having me as a guest on her beautiful blog and her continued inspiration to be great!

{Photo Take By Amanda of Mae Bird}

{Hair Clip by Carosello}

To check out the said recipe click here!

Sleepless Nights

Well last night was torture. Our sleep champion son surprised us with a midnight wake up call...that lasted for 2 hours. At first Dan and I just tried to ignore his cries {sounds awful I know}, but usually he falls right back to sleep. Not this time. He screamed his way through 4 attempts at us trying to soothe him. Eventually he ended up in our bed. Which I can't stand. Simply because he moves everywhere and I end up with a foot in my eye.

{Here is he...so comfy in our bed.}

I am not sure why he wasn't feeling his crib last night.
I am not sure why he has developed new insane hobbies such as the following;
`scream as loud as he can for no apparent reason
`pushing his own stroller on walks
`drawing chalk everywhere else but his chalkboard
`and brushing his teeth about 15 times a day. He has a thing for dental hygiene.

To be honest, I am not sure about A LOT of this whole Momma gig. Especially now as we are in toddler hood...land of constant tantrums.
But I can tell you that his kisses, his smile and his laugh makes it all seem A LOT easier to deal with. Even if you have black eye and are sleep deprived.

Also, a slushie does make things A LOT better....

Defining Those Indefinable Moments...

Taking a look at pictures of Ryan 6 months and younger make me long for those quiet moments. They make me remember a time when Ryan used to coo and suck his hand. When squeezing Sophie the giraffe would make him light up and laugh. When laying on his play mat was considered amazing fun! Looking at Ryan now...I'm speechless. Each day I fall more in love with him, but honestly some days are hard. Now he screams louder than a fog horn, Sophie is now a ball to be hit with a bat and the play mat is rolled up in the closet. Its replacement? A giant mess.

How do we define these crazy times? These insane situations that arise when our toddlers test our limits?!

Eric Ruhalter has a hilarious answer. Ruhalter wrote The Kids Dictionary, where he defines those indefinable moments we encounter as parents. For example;

 Drinkle; The liquid burst emitted when a child squeezes his juice box to tight.

Ryan does this every time. I sound like a broken record "Don't squeeze it. Don't squeeze it! NO DON'T SQUEEZE IT!"..."uh-oh Momma"

I love The Kid Dictionary because it is hysterical and I can totally relate to it. I've come to realize my son knows every toddler trick in the book. Take a look...

InvisiBooBoo; The site on your kid's body where you unnecessarily applied a bandage.

ToyPhoon; A room that's been decimated by your kid's recreational activity.

I hope you guys take a look at The Kids Dictionary by Eric Ruhalter.

What are some crazy things your children do?! I would love to hear that I'm not the only one raising a nut!

Sea Salted Rosemary Baked Potato Chips

A favorite in our house are potato chips! You know those really yummy ones covered in salt and leave grease marks!? Of course fulfilling our craving isn't easy on the wallet or the waistline. I'm a true believer of everything in moderation....so try my recipe for my baked potato chips.

They are healthier and cheaper....and yummy-er!

What you need
`5-6 yellow potatoes
`1/2 cup olive oil
`1tbs coarse sea salt
`1tbs dried rosemary
`1tsp pepper

Directions
`Slice potatoes evenly. Make sure to keep them the same size to ensure they cook even.
`Soak potatoes in water for about 2 hours.
`Drain potatoes and lay out on kitchen towels over night to dry.

--The Next Day--
`Mix oil, salt, rosemary and pepper into a bowl. Add them to the potatoes and toss to coat evenly.

`Spread onto baking sheets. Make sure no potatoes over lap.
`Bake at 325 degrees for about 45-60 minutes. Be sure to turn pans and use tongs to flip the chips over halfway through the baking.

`Once done, lay them on paper towels to soak up any access oil. Then ENJOY!

Favorite Spring Trends

It's no surprise how much I love Target. With a teeny budget and a large want for the lateset trends...I've found that Target quenches my thirst for Keeping Up With The Kardasians, if you will.

Another amazing place, perfect for broke girls is The Oxford Trunk! I heard about this gem from here, and have since fallen slave to their jeweled accsessories (all priced under 50$). I encourage you to take over your local Target and look for stylish deals...and dive deep into The Oxford Trunk to add a little glam to your summer outfits.

Happy Styling Friends!

Necklace-The Oxford Trunk Tanks-Target Skinnies-Target Moccasins-Make Me Chic.com

Moccassins-Make Me Chic.com

Me:: Chambray Shirt-Nordstrom Rack Neon Shorts-Target Sandles-Rainbow

Skulls-The Oxford Trunk Gold and Coral Wrap- Bauble Bar

 

Linking up with Lindsay of The Pleated Poppy

Just Lovely Biscuits

Super excited! My recipe Buttermilk Bacon Biscuits w. Organic Maple Glaze is doing work over on Just Lovely! I met Heather of Just Lovely last month at SNAP! and fell in love. Her and I have like minds and share the same passion for wine, candy and charades. Preferably all together!

 I hope you go check it out...and whip some up for this weekends brunch!

Busy Baker

Last week was super fun and busy! I love doing custom orders for special events!
Be sure to follow us on Insta-Gram for daily behind the scenes photos, special promo codes and special surprises!
Here is what we have been up to lately...

{our online shop isn't open yet, all orders are placed through email as of now.}

Dear Summer, We Are Ready For Ya!

Me-top and bottoms: Target

This past weekend was a favorite. We celebrated my grandpa's 98th birthday and enjoyed playing poolside with the family. I love seeing my family together laughing and having a good time. Summer can't come soon enough!!

FUN POOL GAME -- Toothpick

`Get one toothpick
`Have everyone get out of the pool
`Have one person dive with the toothpick and take it down as far as they can. Then get out of the pool.
`Now everyone is looking to spot the toothpick
`Once someone spots the toothpick, they yell 'TOOTHPICK' and jump in to grab it
`Who ever finds it wins....
This simple {and lets face it lame game} kept the boys in our family busy for a good hour!! It did make for some seriously good laughs though!


And for all you ladies out there....TARGET is where you need to get your swim suit! Mostly because they are affordable. I love the mix and match section too. The past couple of summers I have been stuck with black bathing suits. I know neon is really popular right now, but I thought green & strips were fun too! Where do you go to get your summer suit?!

I'm linking up this bathing suit with the beautiful Lindsay from The Pleated Poppy