Take 15 Minutes for You with the Graco Little Lounger

November 13, 2013 by

This post is sponsored by Graco.

Graco Little LoungerWhen my children were infants there was barely a moment I wanted to put them down. I was quite selfish and literally wanted to hold or wear them all day long. But looking back that may not have been the best decision as a new mom. I needed those few minutes I could have put them down. I needed to take just 15 minutes for myself to do the things I needed to do for myself. Like shower. But being so in love with those little bundles made me crave them in my arms.

Now that we’re done with kids and my brother is expecting his first two (yes… his girlfriend is pregnant with twins! Squee!) all I want to do is make sure I give that gift of just 15 minutes to them so that they remember themselves as their in the midst of caring for their newborns.

So when I was invited to attend an event my friend Chelsea of Someday I’ll Learn was hosting to debut the new Graco Little Lounger and learn how to take 15 minutes for mom I knew I couldn’t miss out on the opportunity. Not only would I get to see the Little Lounger up close but I would also get to learn more about updating my wardrobe from a personal stylist with my friends. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Baby, Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

Enjoying a Mom’s Night In with Mrs T’s Pierogies

November 12, 2013 by

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Millennial Central Consulting for Mrs. T’s Pierogies. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Mrs T pierogies with friends

About once a month or so my friends and I make a point to get together and enjoy a little adult company sans kids. And about every other time we choose to have a mom’s night in as opposed to a mom’s night out.

When it’s my turn to host I always want to serve a dish that just about anyone can eat and that’s simple and versatile. So when I was asked to try Mrs T’s pierogies with my friends I was excited to try it out! Surprisingly I had never tried pierogies but am always looking for new foods.

Not only did Mrs. T’s pierogies turn out to be super easy to make but they’re also very tasty. The perfect comfort food for a mom’s night in. And great with a glass of wine. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Dinner, In the Kitchen, Life, Mom's Night Out, Recipes, Uncategorized

Bombay Chai Shortbread Cookie Recipe

November 11, 2013 by

Disclaimer - Review Posts
Bombay Chai Shortbread Cookie Recipe pinterest

Before my love of coffee came my love of tea. Growing up my nanny and dad would always start their day off with a hot cup of tea and if I was lucky I could usually get them to make me one too. More cream and sugar than tea but still…

So when one of my favorite tea companies asked if I was interested in featuring two of their gift products in my holiday gift guide I couldn’t help but jump for joy and immediately say yes.

Mighty Leaf is a company I’m very familiar with. My husband loves the Mighty Leaf iced black tea that they serve at Nordstrom Cafe so much that he tried to hunt it down in the individual packs only to find out that it was sold in bulk. So what did he do? He chatted with the manager at the cafe and was able to purchase some for home right from Nordstrom.

Now I’m easy, I stick to the varieties of Mighty Leaf that I can find on store shelves. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Desserts, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

DIY Pinecone Turkey Place Card Holders

November 8, 2013 by

It’s only a few weeks from Thanksgiving and I’m in full planning mode for the table. So in addition to the turkey napkin rings I’m also making these pinecone turkey place card holders.

This simple craft is perfect for the kids to help out with and is easy to make! Within 10 minutes you’ll have a gorgeous craft to add to each place setting and let everyone know where they’re sitting.

Or you can keep it simple and just include these cute turkeys at the kids table. Either way, they’re pretty fun to make. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Holidays, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,

What Bugs You Out? Learning About Bugs

November 7, 2013 by

This post brought to you by The Orkin Ecologist. All opinions are 100% mine.

Insects. Bugs. Creepy, crawly creatures. Some people fear them, but my son loves them.

We know that every creature has its place on the planet — whether they harm people or property, or help the environment thrive. So when my son started to get interested in the bugs around us I had no choice but to suck it up and start learning more about our small, multi legged neighbors.

The only problem is that sometimes I’m just too bugged out to want to help find specimens for him to study. And one arachnid in particular makes me jump. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Life, Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Easy Chicken Sausage Gumbo Recipe

November 5, 2013 by

This easy chicken sausage gumbo recipe is sponsored by Farmer John.

chicken sausage gumbo

I have a confession to make. I’m totally a teenaged girl when it comes to tv shows. And lately I’ve been obsessed with Vampire Diaries. Yes, I know. I’m horrible.

But I love the fake drama of it all. And sometimes it inspires me.

Take this chicken sausage gumbo. I’ve been dying to make it ever since the storyline of the show headed to New Orleans for a while (I’m at the end of Season 4). Because who doesn’t think of gumbo when they hear New Orleans or Louisiana? Or am I the only one?

So when Farmer John sent me their new hot Louisiana style chicken sausage I knew exactly what I was going to do with it. Make gumbo! And oh my word. The sausage gave this dish an out of this world flavor with just a hint of spice. Yum. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Dinner, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Soups & Salads, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Vanilla Chex Cranberry Pecan Bars

November 1, 2013 by

Vanilla Chex Cranberry Pecan Bars

I love cereal. Like LURVE cereal. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Too bad the husband doesn’t do breakfast for dinner. But that’s another story…

So when I received a few boxes of Vanilla Chex to try out in the mail I didn’t hesitate to jump in and indulge in a bowl (or two). And when my daughter saw what I was doing she demanded that I share. I almost didn’t.

I told her I was going to make something for our playgroup’s halloween party with them and her eyes got big. She was so excited to see what I was going to make. And I’m pretty sure I made her day when I showed her these Vanilla Chex Cranberry Pecan bars I threw together.

They were pretty darn good!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Breakfast, Desserts, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Snacks, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Happy Halloween 2013

October 31, 2013 by

DSC_0531

Happy Halloween from my ballerina and dinosaur (yes… my daughter changed her costume last minute). [Read more…]

Filed Under: Halloween, Holidays, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Caprese Salad Pasta with Chicken Sauté {Quick Dinner Recipes}

October 28, 2013 by

Caprese Salad Pasta with Chicken Saute quick dinner recipes #shop #sauteexpress
I’ve always been a huge fan of quick dinner recipes. Ones that don’t take a lot of time to prepare and just fall together easily. No worrying about if I remembered the vegetables or started the rice. My favorite quick fix meals are easy chicken recipes that my kids will eat.

Since the weekends are usually my time to kick back, relax, and enjoy some family time, I make sure I have some quick dinner recipes up my sleeve to make mealtimes easier. And luckily now I have Land O’Lakes Sauté Express® Sauté Starter to help me out.

The caprese salad pasta I made took less than 15 minutes to prepare and all I chopped up were the tomatoes and cheese. Nothing hard or time consuming about that. I didn’t even add salt and pepper before putting the chicken in the pan.

quick dinner recipes caprese salad pasta ingredients #shop #sauteexpress

Quick Dinner Recipes

As a busy mom with two little ones I have a few 30 minute meals up my sleeve that take little to no thinking on my part. Except for the fact that I need to have all of the ingredients on hand.

But now my life has been made easier… finding these Sauté Express® Sauté Starter packages from Land O’Lakes has allowed me to keep making delicious and tasty meals for the family but has cut the cooking time in half.

Another lifesaver? Chicken tenders! They take like a third of the time chicken breasts take to cook and are just as good. Plus the kids love the size.

quick dinner recipes chicken pasta close up #shop #sauteexpress

Caprese Salad Pasta with Chicken Sauté

  • 2 servings spinach linguini pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella, diced
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto
  • 1 Land O’Lakes Sauté Express® Sauté Starter in garlic & herb
  • 1/2 pound chicken tenders

Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Add spinach linguini and cook until al dente as per the instructions on the packaging.

While water is coming to a boil, cut the cherry tomatoes and toss with the diced mozzarella and pesto in a small bowl.  Set aside.

When pasta is cooking, grab a saute pan and add Sauté Express® Sauté Starter. Cook on medium low heat until bubbling. Add chicken to the pan and cook until browned on each side, about 7-10 minutes. Place cooked chicken on a plate and remove from heat.

Once the pasta is done cooking, add the noodles to the caprese salad mixture (tomatoes, mozzarella, and pesto) and toss well. Serve pasta on a plate and top with sauteed garlic & herb chicken.

quick dinner recipes caprese salad pasta with chicken saute dish #shop #sauteexpress

What’s your favorite quick fix meal?

Filed Under: Dinner, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Lemon Tartlets

October 26, 2013 by

Lemon Tartlets portrait

Every month I host a playdate at my house for my playgroup. It’s a great way for moms to get together and enjoy each other’s company while the kids play with each other. It also gives newcomers to the group a chance to feel welcomed in without having to search a park or other location for a group they aren’t familiar with.

So when two new friends arrived at my door for our latest playdate and one’s hands were filled with these amazingly delicious lemon tartlets I knew they’d fit right in! And they did.

Of course after polishing off a few of these bad boys I had to ask for the recipe and luckily my friend had no problems sharing it with me. This dessert is so simple to prepare and great for parties and get togethers. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Desserts, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,


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