Someone got her first bike!

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Maya has been obsessed with bikes. Every time she sees one in the neighborhood, she wants to get on it. Every time she sees someone riding by “a-cycle! A-CYCLE!” So…that was her big present for Christmas. She got her helmet first, and put it on right away “A-CYCLE!!” She knew! The funniest part about these next images, are that they are in the order in which they happened, yet…completely backwards to how they probably should have happened!

She got on it right away and started scooting…Then, realized she should probably be scared and wanted me to hold her hand. The Huz got these next few. Then…wanted to GET OFF! Here, I’m trying to show her how fun it is. She’s not buying it. So, we just played. On me…

Sweater– Zara

Jacket- Doma (similar here and less expensive faux leather here)

Jeans- J Brand (sold out, but similar here)

Boots- Joie (sold out. Similar here, here, and less expensive here)

On Maya…

Jeans- H&M (sold out, but similar here)

Jacket- Circo (thrifted, but this one is so cute)

Sweater- Greendog (thrifted, but similar here)

Boots- Jack and Lily

Merry Christmas! …the day after :)

Everything is better with a hug…

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And I got lucky with a total cuddlebug. Please, please, please let her stay this way until….well, forever 🙂She’s coming in for a huge hug on the right, but it kind of looks like the Karate Kid pose, no? 🙂 All of the above taken with a self timer 😉 This look kills me. I just told her it was time to go home and take a nap… 🙂 On me…

Sweater- J Crew (old, but similar here and here)

Jeans- J Brand (sold out, but similar here and less expensive here)

Shoes- Timberland (thrifted, but similar here and less expensive option here)

On Maya…

Jeans- Joe’s Jeans (similar here)

Top- Gap (similar)

Scarf- Mine (thrifted)

Shoes- Converse

Festive Felted Wool Ball Ornaments

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Felted Wool Ball Ornaments are one of my favorite Christmas tree decorations to make. Super easy (you need some wool, Styrofoam balls, soap and hot water!) and a fun activity to do with a toddler or older kid. After all, who doesn’t like playing in soapy water!

Ava and I had fun making these. Unfortunately I did not get any photos of us doing this project as soap was flying and Anders has just started crawling (read: tearing around the house)! But we had a blast! 🙂

Ingredients

Styrofoam balls – they come in different sizes and can be found at craft stores like Jo-Ann’s Fabric
Wool (find carded wool or roving online or your local yarn store)
Decorative long pins (optional)
Ribbon or yarn for tying around the balls
Soap & Water (liquid soap for hand or dish washing works great)

Directions

Wrap a bunch of loose wool around Styrofoam ball – it should be loose and fluffy
Dip in hot soapy water and start ‘packing a snowball’
Repeat this – making the ball very sudsy and keep ‘packing’ and rubbing it for 5-7 minutes
The loose wool will shrink and turn into felt and ‘hug’ the surface of the Styrofoam ball
Rinse in warm water and gently squeeze off excess water with a towel
Decorate and let air dry

blogFeltBallsx2-2

Easy Southwest Black Bean and Chicken Crockpot Soup

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Lately, I’ve just been throwing stuff in the crockpot and hoping it turns out. There are so many other things to worry about/spend time doing. Cooking just isn’t one of them right now. Don’t get me wrong. I actually do like to cook. When I have time… I haven’t had a surplus of that lately though, so the crockpot has been my helper. This is was so ridiculously easy and delicious. Healthy too-TRIFECTA! 🙂

Ingredients

6 Chicken Breasts (I only had time to partially thaw the frozen ones I had and it was fine)
1 Cup Pico de Gallo (or any salsa you have on hand/like)
2 Cans of black beans with the liquid
1 Onion diced
1 1/2 Cups Chicken Stock
1 Tsp Chili Powder
1 Cup Quinoa (could also use rice)
1 Adobo Chili finely diced
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

Throw it all in the crockpot on low for 5 hours (more wouldn’t hurt it, I don’t think). Shred the chicken with fork and enjoy!!

Below is a picture I took with my phone after I dumped it all in the pot. I often wonder what things look like before they cook, just to make sure I’m doing it right 🙂

Layering and topknots…

DIY Pine Cone Centerpiece

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This was one of those projects that I had grand plans for. A fun DIY project that both Maya and I could work on together. Well, it didn’t quite work out the way I had envisioned, but I kind of like it better! And we both still had fun 🙂

Start off by gathering pine cones. If you can find mini pine cones, that would work better. Plus, they are so tiny and cute! This was probably Maya’s favorite step 🙂Look for other fun branches along the way. My first thought for this project was to spraypaint the pine cones, and then have Maya shake glitter on them. Well, I thought I had glitter. I searched all the various places in the house that said glitter might be hiding, wasted an hour, then finally decided to try cookie sprinkles. That didn’t work, but by that time it was time for Maya’s nap 😦 Any sane person, would have just saved the hour, gone to the store, bought more glitter, and moved on. I’m not that person (obviously) 🙂

She still had fun shaking the bag! Which was the point of the project anyway, so-SUCCESS! 🙂A few days went by (ok, weeks). I never made it to the store to get glitter. Faced with Christmas less than a week away, I just dumped the pine cones in a few vases and called it good. We both like it!SuperMom tip-

You don’t’ have to be a supermom 🙂 This was totally easy, got Maya involved, and I think looks pretty too. Plus, it was A LOT less messy than my original plan.

And…we’re both wearing booties :)

Sometimes Maya is my “pop of color”

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I wore this outfit when the Huz and I went out to dinner with my parents. These pants from H&M are a liiiiittle hard to get on, but they have an elastic waist so they are totally comfy.

It was the perfect time to go all out with the color on Maya. This is so not me (therefore not her haha) to wear such bold colors and flowers, but I love it! She had to wear the hat (she wears it around the house constantly)! Hey, it kind of matches, so we went with it! I’ll admit that I didn’t realize just how tight these pants were until I looked back on these pictures :{ Darn holiday indulging! Kind of looks like she’s break dancing! Nope, just jumping in the puddle 🙂 I could eat her up, she’s so flipping cute… On me…

Sweater- Zara

Jeans- H&M (I’d suggest going up one size :})

Boots- Born (similar here)

On Maya…

Sweater- Hanna Andersson (thrifted, similar here and here)

Skirt- Thrifted, similar here.

Leggings- Gymboree

Boots- Zulily

Indian-Spiced Cocktail Nuts

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With hints of cinnamon, coriander, cumin and the heat of cayenne, these nuts fill your house with a savory warm aroma while baking and make a delicious snack (with or without cocktails). Garam masala is a fragrant Indian spice blend, often found in bulk.

Ingredients

2 cups lightly salted mixed nuts
1 1/4 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground red pepper (cayenne)

Directions

Preheat oven to 325
Combine all ingredients and toss to coat
Spread in a single layer on a parchment paper lined pan
Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly toasted, stirring once or twice during cooking
Store tightly covered, up to one week

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