Hot Man Parade

Nursery Details

In my nursery reveal, I had several people ask for details on where I found items so I wanted to do a whole post letting you know where you can find everything. If I've left something out, let me know and I'll update the post and email you back, or if you don't have your email attached I'll also leave the detail below in a comment.

Monogrammed Letters: Etsy Shop Scrappin Plus

I've known I wanted these letters for a little girl's room forever- even before we started trying. My big sis was sweet enough to give them to our little girl at my baby shower. These letters are 24x24 inches, I had a hard time finding a monogram that would be large enough to be the focal point of the wall and this is the perfect size!

Crib: Graco Lauren 4-in-1 Convertible Classic Crib 

Mobile: Wendy Bellissimo Sweet Baby Dreams 
I was kind of on the fence about getting a mobile, I just didn't know if I would really need one, but after talking to several moms, they all said their babies loved theirs so I kept an eye out for a cute one. Then randomly I came across this one online at Babies R Us and was sold when I saw the bunnies.  Add to registry please.

Bedding: The skirt is part of the Circo Geo Girl 4pc Crib Baby Bedding Set and the lilac sheet is Circo Fitted Woven Crib Sheet which Target doesn't have online, but is available in store.
I really wanted a mis-match of bedding and this set was perfect! My MIL and I are going to make some bumpers that match and add some floral fabric into the mix I think. I'm not sold on bumpers yet since they're linked to SIDS, but I feel like bumpers "complete" the look.

Floral Blanket: My cousin had this made for our little one with her name sewn in cursive from Etsy Shop Yatoil. She also got me a smaller blanket in the same print and personalization. 

Mirror: Kirklands Silver Oval Mirror

Prints Frame: Baby Imprints Photo Frame

Silver Maternity Pic Frame: TJ Maxx (it was really hard to find an 8x10 that had the tools to hang it in the back! I had to return 2 I had bought because I didn't even think to check for that!

Piggy Bank: A gift from a gf who had it painted with her name and with images from an Alice in Wonderland book I bought for her. There's even a secret skull and cross bones for our sorority on the bottom! It's so cute and she got it from Etsy shop This Little Piggy.

Lamp + Shade: Babies R Us By Design Crystal Lamp Base and Dot Drum Lamp Shade

Rocking Chair: Gift from a friend, I love knowing her kids were rocked in it. Lots of love in that chair!

Dresser: Ikea 8 Drawer Hemnes
I totally recommend this dresser, it's super sturdy (I can't move it on my own, even when it was empty), the drawers are really deep and are perfect for storage.We also lined the drawers in a hot pink/white design from liners I found at Marshalls.

Knobs: Two different sets, both from TJ Maxx (similar here and here)

Candy Jar:Target, it's not online, but I've seen it there a hundred times in the kitchen/decor section.

Pillow: Xhilaration Jersey Ruffle Decorative Pillow

Tissue Balls: Wal-Mart in the party section, they were less than $2 each and we used them at my baby shower and I just kept them afterwards.

I think that's everything! Thank you for all of your sweet comments, becoming a mother has been incredible.

One Week Ago...Our Story in Pictures

I'm working on writing our birth story to share with everyone, but I wanted to share some pictures with you in the meantime.The day was so beautiful and Matt and I were filled with so much excitement and anticipation, luckily we were able to cherish every single moment even though it went by in a flash! I can't believe this was all a week ago already. It seems like it was just yesterday and a lifetime ago at the same time. My husband and I just stare at our little Ellie and talk about how we can't remember a time without her.

My Go-To Recipes + Must-Reads

So we all know that I'm not a big cook, anything I do cook I try to always document and post about it because I consider it a small miracle. Here, I share 3 of my favorite recipes, ones I've made over and over again and have shared the recipes with guests- that's my sign that they're just as delicious to others as they are to me!

Here are some of my favorite recipes and links to past posts about them.

Dessert/Breakfast: Sopapilla Cheesecake 

(post and recipe here)

I got this recipe from a friend and made it the following weekend, where I shared the recipe with three people at the party. So in one week, the recipe was shared a total of 4 times! That's a winner in any book. It's so delicious, easy to make, and is great like I said for breakfast (with berries) or dessert (berries and ice cream).

Drinks: Starbucks Passion Iced Tea

Regardless of the time of year, I'm a sucker for a good lemonade. This drink is one of my favorites and I make it at home and at work all the time.
Ingredients: 
Tazo Passion Tea bags (you can buy the individual bags for a single glass or the pitcher bags for home)
Simply Lemonade (I'm sure any lemonade would work, but this one is my favorite)

Optional: 
Sweetener (the hubs and I bought the sweetener straight from Starbucks, but I usually make it without)

Directions:
 Depending on whether or not you're making the individual/pitcher size, bring half of the amount water needed to boil and let tea bag seep. The longer you let it sit, the stronger the flavor.
(I also use all cold water and let it seep when I'm being lazy, still tastes great)
Once the tea is ready, add the remaining half of water to it cold.
Mix in lemonade- I usually add a 1/3 of lemonade to whatever size my drink holder is.
Ex: 12 oz glass = 8 oz tea and 4 oz of lemonade.
Sweeten to taste.
There's no real science behind it, although I'm sure Starbucks has one, I just kind of mix it to my liking. You make enjoy it with more/less lemonade. I think the Simply Lemonade is sweet enough on its own too that no sweetener is needed.

Dinner: Spicy Mustard Salmon

If I'm being honest, when it comes to a really good dinner, I'm a one trick pony. Yes I can make a few things, but the one thing I can make that's delicious is salmon. Any seafood really, but salmon especially. 

Ingredients:

Thawed salmon

Spicy Mustard

Honey

Lemon

Soy Sauce

Directions: 

For each salmon steak, I drizzle the above ingredients and let it marinade for at least 30 minutes. You can put all the salmon together in a cake pan to marinade or marinade them in a zip lock depending on how many you're making. There's no science to the amounts I use, just make sure that both sides of the fish get doused in everything. 

Put salmon in cold oven, set temperature to 350 and bake 20 minutes. Keep the lemon wedges/halves and cook them along side of the salmon for extra flavor.

Anytime we've had people over for dinner this is what I serve and it's always been a big hit. It's super simple and the flavors mix together giving it an awesome flavor. I like to serve it with a salad and veggies (usually asparagus and peppers).

What are some of your favorite recipes? 

 

Question of the month from Kristen: "What's your go-to recipe? Drink, dinner, dessert, whatever..."

• Alison*Elle - Alison is giving white denim another go this season
• Beautygirl24 - Target did it again - Noelle found the perfect Summer wedges from the Sam & Libby collection.
• Ella Pretty - Ella's got a brand new bag!
• Love, Lipstick & Pearls - Kristen is all ready for baby's arrival and shared her nursery with us.
• Schnelle Couture - Danielle talks makeup and highlights where to save and where to splurge.
• Sequins and Stilettos - Skylette has finally found her perfect striped skirt!
• The Currently Obsessed - Mehreen organized Makeup drawers.

Eleanor Lynn

Our little bunny, Eleanor Lynn, was ready for love and kisses Wednesday, May 29th at 11:34am.

The immediate joy and love that you feel is so overwhelming, I was up the entire first night just holding and loving on her. I couldn't help myself. She has made all of my life's dreams come true and is the perfect, sweetest baby. My husband and I couldn't be happier.