17
Feb

Creamy Pesto Alfredo Pasta

I'm going to tell you a little secret.......well, I guess it's not a total secret........ I have a serious addiction to Fettuccine Alfredo.  I think it is one of the most delicious, indulgent things on earth!  Personally I would choose to eat this over a piece of chocolate cake any day! I know I have not been posting the most "figure flattering" recipes lately, but we had this for dinner last night and it was just so good that I had to share it with you!Creamy Pesto Alfredo PastaServes 4Ingredients:1lb. pasta shells (1 box)2 cups heavy cream1/3 cup pesto … continue reading

16
Feb

Apple Raisin French Toast Strata

This morning was our "Valentine" playgroup.  We had such a great time!  My friend Julie hosted the group and she did a wonderful job.  She prepared several different breakfast items, but the Apple Raisin French Toast Strata definitely took the cake - it was AWESOME!!Julie got this recipe via allrecipes.com and I wanted to go ahead and share it with all of you.  If you are hosting a brunch/breakfast anytime in the near future, make this dish - it was SO yummy!   Apple Raisin French Toast StrataIngredients:1 (1 pound) loaf cinnamon raisin bread, cubed1 (8 ounce) … continue reading

16
Feb

Two New Do’s!!

This was a BIG weekend for haircuts in our house.  My daughter, Savannah, got her first little haircut in preparation for her 2nd birthday.  We just did a little trim because I want to grow it out so I can do fun hair-dos someday.Here's Savannah with her cute little haircut (and her lollipop too, of course!)So last night I did it - I cut a foot off of my hair!  It was just time.  For the last 3 years I have been growing my hair out and while I do like having long hair, I found it was constantly in a ponytail.  With two girls under two, wearing my long locks down … continue reading

15
Feb

Creamy Chicken Enchilada Casserole & Monterey Jack Cheese Cornbread Muffins

When I had my second daughter, Matilda Jane, 7 months ago I could not believe the out-pouring of kindness we received from our family and friends.  We were brought so many meals that I did not even have to think about cooking for several weeks!  I think bringing new parents a meal that they can easily heat up is one of the best gifts you can possible give a couple.So on Friday I was telling you all about the fact that tons of my friends seem to have had babies this past month (see post here ).  Today I delivered meals to two of my friends and I thought I would … continue reading

13
Feb

Final Challenge Dress #7 – "The Paper Doll Dress"

"The Paper Doll Dress" is entirely different from the last six dresses I entered in the challenge, but in all honesty, this one is much more my style.  I just love little girls in classic dresses and consider myself to have very classic style.  Granted, they aren't necessarily practical for everyday playing around on the playground, but oh, they just look SO sweet!So for my final challenge dress I used the "Paper Doll Dress Pattern" from Lil Blue Boo.I decided to make this dress using some of the fabrics I will be using in my etsy shop and I love how it turned out … continue reading

13
Feb

Challenge Dress #6 – "Hope, Dream, Believe"

I love these three words - hope, dream, believe.  I feel like these words were such a large part of my life growing up.  My parents did a wonderful job encouraging me throughout my childhood to follow my dreams.  They never ever told me something wasn't possible or it wasn't practical (which I heard many of my friends parents say quite often).  They were constantly supporting me and believing in me in everything I did.  I grew up singing, dancing and acting and it was always my dream to be on Broadway.  Never once was I told that it was not a possibility.   I was … continue reading

13
Feb

Challenge Dress #5 – "Little Rocker"

Here's my little Savannah (23 months) in all her glory.  She LOVES to dance and she was really working it while modeling this little number.  Everyday she says to me, "Come on Mama, let's dance!" and we turn on the ipod and have ourselves a dance party - I just love those moments during our day.  In several weeks Savannah will be turning two and we are going to be having an Elmo Dance Party - wooohooo!!I used the Sienna Dress Pattern from Lil Blue Boo for this dress and loved how this one turned out!Challenge Dress #5 - "Little Rocker"For this dress I used one … continue reading

13
Feb

Challenge Dress #4 – Freezer Paper Stenciling

Ashley from Lil Blue Boo has some really great tutorials on her blog in regards to freezer paper stenciling (click here to see her tutorial).  I personally had never tried this before, but I thought for the "challenge" I would give it a whirl and boy am I glad I did!!You can find freezer paper in your local grocery store in the section where you find your plastic sandwich bags, aluminum foil, wax paper, ect.  You get a lot of freezer paper for very little money!Here is how I did my freezer paper stenciling on challenge dress #4 & #5:I cut out an image using the … continue reading

13
Feb

Challenge Dress #3 – "The Matilda Tutu Dress"

Oh my gosh, I just want to squeeze those cheeks!!  This is my baby girl, Matilda Jane, and she is just the sweetest little thing ever.  Matilda is 7 months right now and even as I look at this picture I feel like my heart might explode.  When I was pregnant with Matilda, I wondered if it would be possible to love another child as much as I love her sister (Savannah).  And oh boy is it possible - I love this little lady to death!  Matilda Jane is a little ray of sunshine every single day!I am constantly sewing things for my daughter Savannah because I figure … continue reading

13
Feb

Challenge Dress #2 – "Punky Posh"

I think there might be an inner-punk rocker living inside of me.  Punk is really not my personal style, but I seem to be drawn to punk things.  After all, I did marry a punk rocker.My husband and I met in high-school.  Back then he was in a punk rock band, wore a chain, and our first outing together was to a "Lagwagon" concert (that's a punk band, for those of you that don't know).  I didn't have a clue who they were back then, but I agreed to go and stood scared to death of the mosh pit, but it was all to win over my man (it obviously worked - we have now been … continue reading