Mommy & Toddler Monthly Fav's!

I love hearing what peoples favourite products are, its like finding gold without all the mining.. I thought  i would start a new series for monthly product empties, what i loved so much i have used up! 
this is a mishmash of mommy products, toddler products and household loves. I'm sure there are a few things you haven't heard of but also some old fashioned goodies too! 

Lets get started..

Presidents choice PURE strawberry Jam 
-I know, I know..who cares about a Jam- But I do! i love toast and therefore Jam is like the cherry on top! This fresh and PURE Jam from PC brand is delicious- its globby and full of real strawberries, its not farmers market fresh but it tastes more 'real' than others I have had... great price point and amazing with brie! 

Melissa & Doug Stamp markers 
-I purchased these babies from a recent well.ca order and I'm really happy with them, my toddler enjoys the variety of shapes and although he isn't awesome at following the coordinating pages, he likes to stamp stamp away and i enjoy they wash off easily :) win win 

Scentsy Bar- Clementine & Clove 
-No secret, fall is here and its bliss- This smell i had purchased last Christmas and not being the typical scentsy buyer- this scent has lasted me quite awhile and i enjoy that its versatile for the Christmas and fall seasons. Its orange-y & spicy from the clove but not like cinnamon punching you in the nose. Its noticeable yet subtle and adds to the festive feeling... 

Clear Shampoo 
OK OK I know this one has been around awhile but i recently was fully out of shampoo and purchased this at the supermarket cause it was on sale. I'm delightfully surprised by its light texture and cleaning. It really makes my hair feel clean without 'gunk' and its scent is light - so husband appreciated it too! All the hype is true- great buy! 

YES to cucumber - soothing night cream 
This night cream is soon good. Who doesn't like the freshness of anything cucumber- its like a mini trip to the spa! i enjoy its rich texture and upon waking my skin feels nourished and healthy. Ill definitely re-buying this one :) 

Aromachology scent - sophisticated & sensual 
I received this in an IPSY bag  few months ago and I'm so sad to see my trial size empty. This scent is not what i would call 'sophisticated and sensual' but rather feminine with citrusy/floral touch. I feel so pretty when i wear it. The sample was a roller and i intend to buy the full size for a birthday present to myself online. Its slightly annoying when you can't buy a product anywhere..but its worth every 'scent' for shipping!!! 

Eddie Bauer - toddler down puffer jacket 
I was searching for an in-between jacket for my little when i cam across this lightweight puffer jacket from Eddie Bauer at Winners! (don't you love that) This is such a great jacket for a toddler. Its bright so you can spot them easily, squishy for throwing in your bag or wrestling into the car seat and light enough they can move and not complain about being too hot. Puffers are always cute, but in this mini me size- I'm in LOVE!!! 

Seventh generation dishwasher liquid 
This was a purchase to start making smarter chemically free purchases and I'm surprised how well this dish washing detergent cleans and actually doesn't leave a 'funk' in the dishwasher. Sadly with most 'enviromentally friendly' products- they just don't clean as good as those harsh and scary chemicals..but this one from seven generation is almost as good. Its a compromise I'm happy i made :) 

Mini Dino Toys 
This one is simple and oh so awesome! we recently took a trip to a dinosaur museum so as to be expected- our little is in dino-mite mode. We picked up these little guys at the gift shop and they have been so fun to play with out in the dirt and sand and anywhere- its nice break from cars too for momma! I'm sure you can grab them at the dollar store too- but the fun is endless... we even made our own little 'dig' expedition... 

fall bucket list

Isn't this both hilarious and true. 

Which leads me to the next post- fall!...

In my world, i have equal love for fall and the halloween season. Its just always been that way so i try to divide and conquer and give each separate and equally deserving of decorating and celebrating their own time. 

Fall Is September to Thanksgiving (we are talking Canada eh) and Halloween is literally the day after till the first week of November. 

I am a white suburban girl that loves fall so here is my personal fall bucket list and favourite things to participate in this glorious 'pumpkin spice-y' time of year ;) 

fall bucket list 2015 

so happy fall ya'll and i look forward to sharing some great fall projects for momma & little! 

dear: new mom...

My past few days have been filled with reflection and contemplation.. That lead me back to the day my life changed, the biggest day of my life, the day my little was born.
I've seen so many women expecting lately, their bellies swollen with hope and possibility - oblivious to the ways in which their lives will be forever reshaped by the tiny hearts beating inside them.
It's so radical yet so natural.
Thinking back to those days, my heart is full and I find myself wanting to share words of encouragement (not advice) for it is the encouragement that will without doubt, be needed....

So if this is you-late in the night or so early in the morning, somewhere in between, or you have no idea. Ive been you - i am you. Searching for words of understanding- making sense of this beautiful chaos that is motherhood.. read on.

Dear New mom:
I'm sure by now you have received a plethora of advice about all the sleep your going to miss, how your gunna have so much laundry and that your date nights are going to be a shadow of the past..
But what you might not have heard is how you are going to be changed. Your heart, your body and your spirit. 
It really is true that when a baby is born, so is a mother. The learning curve for both is equally daunting and amazing.

Everyone else will have the utmost patience and care for that new little being so save a little of that care and concern for yourself.
It's a time for gentle transition, physical and emotional. Your body will be tired and you will feel as though you've been at war for quite awhile all the while you have adopted this new sense of responsibility and exhaustion. 
You might be high on adrenaline, support and if your lucky-love. 
Enjoy those first few hours, there truly is nothing like the new and raw emotion of childbirth. And if your not in 'love-at-first-sight' with this little being, thats ok. give it time....

Truth is, this little rockstar is going to emerge on the scene and that 'utmost attention and care' is going to fade fast into feedings and daily chores...you will be changed piece by piece, day by day. Your heart will grow with adoration and patience...

Furthermore, your next few months will be a blur of blessings tied with the hormonal roller coaster that is a woman's body and recovery, your body will recover but your heart has been changed now forevermore..
Every sad story of a child in the news will leave you raw and clinging your own little one with fear and gratitude. Other children's challenges and heartbreak will hit you- you will offer them heartfelt joy or empathy that you never understood before.
Your life is no longer about your personal goals and dreams-you see those now in the eyes of your children- and nothing else matters... so one bath at a time, one friday night out to the grocery store solo or one more glass of wine.. life does continue, it just takes a little adjustment and soon without fail, you will wander back to thinking what your life was like before all this, sleeping in, being you - and you will smile because it was great. What you can't see just yet is that life now is full and the joy that is ahead of you in the 'little' things is far far far better than anything you can imagine now. 

Stay strong momma, your doing a great great great job. 

PARTY PLANNING 101: hostessing with honours

With all this back-to-school chatter i thought i would do my own 'educational' post as my little is thankfully too little to be starting school but all the tears are welling up for others as they embark on this big day!!! 
This blogpost takes place for my favourite subject, 

Hostessing- Party Planning 101! 

From the littlest get together to the grandest i am passionate about all things parties, from planning and designing to crafting and decor- this is my niche and i love every tiny detail!!! I believe that is evident from my 'CELEBRATE' Pinterest Board. If i have a super power in this life its the rate in which i can throw together a party with my whole heart (and help from pinterest) 

Heres the run down of how i like to get things started...

first of all what is it your planning for? Birthday, Girls Night, Thanksgiving, Baby shower or backyard BBQ.. for instance- I'm currently in the process of planning my own 'little boo bash' for a family friendly halloween party.

So now you have the WHAT? Get real and have a budget in mind for the event. I have strayed too far off course with this one (my husband can attest) Be real, there are lots of ways to cut costs but have a number in your mind and start there! 

A cohesive idea for your party is here you are going to want to go next and my favourite part. get creative, have fun and by all means- head to PINTEREST. It doesn't always have to have a theme but speaking from experience that makes these celebrations so much more fun! Make sure you set a colour scheme/theme and stick to it- this will make your party stand out and feel 'professional'

Next step is to plan your guestlist- this will have an effect on the rest of the party planning process. You might find you need to cut the gestalts or find an alternate venue. So the people attending are the most important part- it wouldn't be a party without them right?

Venues can range from play places for birthdays, to picnic sites for family get togethers, hosting in my home is my favourite as i enjoy close gatherings and i enjoy crafting and all the little details i have control over in my own home. But this is going to be dependent on what kind of party you are having, what would be most appropriate and of course budget. 

Once you have these straightened out - time if figure out your dates, for each party this will differ- for a small holiday party, it may matter most about dates but less about other things. However for bridal showers and birthday parties, dates can be set first. Venues of course have a serious impact here - so have a few you prefer beforehand. Once set - confirm dates with important guests (i.e.:guest of honour and any other important peeps) 

...Now onto the FUN stuff!!!! Food, Decor & Drinks, Oh my 
Thinking realistically about your budget will lead to the rise and fall of these next details. Its all wonderful to have a champagne bar but if all you have to serve with it is chips- people might be thrown off.. (not me though, that just sounds like a party for 1) 

There is no formula for the food/drink category. Each party is its own in regard to nibbles, just plan appropriately, think of your gues tlist first- who is the party for and be wise. 
Don't plan on having crepes at a play place or lasagne in the park.. although there are no fast rules, i love finger foods at ALL events, dips and meatballs, thats a selfish thing, but true. 
Same rules go for drinks, think of your guests firsts, have options for alcoholic and non- alcoholic. 

Decor can be as simple or elaborate as you like, remember that pesky budget and your venue for this category. Venues may dictate what is appropriate decor and don't be afraid to get crafty- there are some wonderful DIY projects that are easy on the wallet that can add personalization and enhance the 'feel' evening. 
In this category i almost always like to have a special door hanger/wreath for the occasion - don't forget the outside of your venue, it is the first thing your guest will see so spread a little cheer there too. Don't think you have to buy everything new- have a boo around your home for some items that can be repurposed for the event. My personal favourites are lanterns & linens- they can be so versatile and really help out with that party decor! 

Have Fun! It is a party after all - so incorporate some games, activities or entertainment based upon your individual party and guest list. Activities are a must for children's parties wether it be crafts or games. Tye your theme into this one as swell.. its easy enough to do. Entertainment could simply be the music you have, an icebreaker game or a special guest such as a magician. 

Finally, remind them what a wonderful time they had and that you appreciated celebrating together. (As if we all didn't love those fun loot bags we used to get at birthday parties when we were children) If your hosting a childs party- I'm sure you have some great ideas but that doesn't have to end just because we are adults! There are so many wonderful give-aways for bridal showers & weddings, holiday parties and bachelorettes. Have fun with this but for goodness sake- make sure its something you would like receiving yourself. None needs any more crap for the junk drawer.

weeknight favourite - Basil & Lemon stuffed pasta shells

This is one of those dishes that packs a lot of wow factor but is really super simple (like all the good pasta dishes). I love the versatility of stuffed shells and the amazing things you can do with them for variety. Its possible i could eat them everyday. They are a usual around my house and i also adore that one box of these big shells can make at least a few freezer meals - and who doesn't love prep like that! 

Here it is - easy stuffed shells that will make you seem 'top chef' 

Basil & Lemon Stuffed Shells 

1 box of jumbo shells pasta
2 Packages of Ricotta Cheese
1 cup Parmesan cheese (i only had the cheap stuff on hand)
3 tbsp lemon pepper
1/4 cup lemon juice
dash of olive oil
lemon zest
salt & pepper to taste
1 LARGE bunch of fresh basil- you need fresh, its a necessity.. 

• Add entire box of shells into boiling salted water and cook approx 6 min or al dente
• While this is cooking simply mix all ingredients above, Ricotta, Parmesan, Lemon juice, zest and lemon pepper. Mix well and salt and pepper to taste. Mix in sliced basil leaves and taste again for salt and pepper. That's it- by now your shells should be good (always make the whole box, these babies tend to crack under pressure) cooking them till they are al dente is key- you want the pasta to still be strong enough to endure stuffing and baking (yes with cheese) 
• Drain shells and arrange on a cookie sheet till cool enough to handle and to drain slightly 
• Use a tablespoon to scoop mixture into each shell

White sauce

This is a simple base for any white sauce- i chose not to add garlic but its an easy additive - as is anything else you wish for this neutral base. I wanted it to be subtle as i wanted the flavours of the pasta to be prominent. 

you will need... 

1/4 Butter 

1/4 Flour 

1 cup Milk or cream (i used 2%) 

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup white wine (or not) 

dash of red chili flakes 

-Melt butter in sauce pan
-Add flour and whisk to make a roux 
-Stir in white wine and whisk till mixed
-Salt and pepper & red chili flakes to taste 

Once sauce is completed add a small amount to the bottom of the baking dish and arrange shells in whatever pretty order you like.. top with sauce and Parmesan and bake in oven at 350 for 20-30 min

TA DA! you will thank yourself for this one :) 

simple korean pork - 15 min meal success!

How did we ever live without Pinterest- I even stare strangely when i meet people that aren't aware of its brilliance- and want to ask them.. "are you living under a rock?" seriously. 
...Well I'm not and now you aren't either - like every other facet of my life, i source Pinterest for LOTS of great ideas! Especially cooking and meal planning! 

Today I'm doing something new and sharing a great little recipe i found on Pinterest.
Korean Beef, turned into Korean Pork. This 'Korean Beef' recipe is sourced from this great blog Six Sisters Stuff (which is just amaze balls for recipes) . You can find the original recipe there, as mentioned. I found it on Pinterest. I don't find it particularly 'korean' but it has that asian flavour i always crave! 

I am a sucker for anything Asian and if it can be made within 15 minutes is as good as gold. 
This recipe has all the makings for success. 
Limited and simple ingredients, easily adaptable and easy to make. In my house it was husband requested and toddler approved, I had seconds so its going in the vault! 
I did make a few alterations as i felt the original was lacking a little extra depth in flavour and i made mine with brown minute rice and pork, that's what i had on hand cause that's how i roll when my house gets HANGRY. 

1 lb of ground pork 
(i have used beef and its great too, i think chicken would work as swell) 
1/2 cup brown sugar 
1/2 cup soy sauce 
1 tbsp red chili flakes (dependant on your spice preference) 
1 tbsp fresh ground ginger 
2 tbsp olive oil (originally sesame oil, but i was out) 
2 tbsp vegetable oil 
3 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
4 green onions chopped to preference 
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce 
Cooked Rice 

(I used brown minute rice as it was quick) 

Method: 

-Add oil to pan, allow to heat and add garlic till fragrant 

-While this is happening combine brown sugar, sesame oil (or olive), chili flakes and soy sauce in a small bowl and set aside  

-Brown meat (make sure it gets really crumbly) 

-Add sauce mixture to cooked meat, stir. 

-Add half of the diced onion and save the rest for garnish 

- Stir in Teriyaki sauce 

-Serve immediately over rice and garnish with onion and chili flakes and adorn with the sauces you love most, Siracha is this dish's very best friend. 

Enjoy