Two birds with One stone.

Just the other day I was able to go on a photo shoot with Christal, for this beautiful girl.

Tessa was so wonderful to work with. We didn't have to pose her or couch her at all.

She just worked it!

Both of them were so nice to let me sneak a mini photo shoot for Noa at the end of the day.

{The one I've been meaning to do for the past month or so...}

Photos from both of these shoots are up on my photography blog, so go take a look.

And be sure to leave them some love ;)

DIY: Jewelry Display

If you need a cute/decorative way to organize your drawer full of earrings this is the perfect solution!

Materials you need to make your own:

a cute frame {just the frame} - you can go vintage, modern, simple - personalize it!

window screen {available at your local hardware store}

and hot glue

Cut the screen to the exact size of your frame.

glue it down to the insides using hot glue [careful not to burn yourself] 

display your jewelry! and admire...

That's it!

Any ideas for cluttered necklaces and bracelets?
I was thinking the same kind of frame with hooks....or maybe a necklace tree....
thoughts??

A little Sneak...

of this pretty girl, and her fabulous photo session from yesterday

 

Can't wait to share more!!!

Clone of a Cinnabon. Check.

Christal and I made these last week on her day off.

Another item checked off my To-Bake list.

These were heavenly. Period.

No bread machine? No bread flour? No problem!!

We altered the recipe just a tad and they still came out perfect.

Clone of a Cinnabon  

{recipe, minus bread machine/bread flour}

For original recipe and instructions, go HERE

1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup butter, melted
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons yeast

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1/3 cup butter, softened

3 ounces of cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk. Mix in the sugar, melted butter, salt, and eggs. Add flour and mix well.
2. Knead the dough into a ball, but don't over work it! Put in a bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
3. Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 16x21 inch rectangle. {we put plastic wrap on the counter to prevent the dough from sticking in the humidity. and it worked like a charm!} 
5. Spread softened butter over dough and sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly. 
6. Roll up dough and cut into 12 equal pieces. About 1.5-2 inches wide.
7. Place rolls in lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish, about 1-2 inches apart. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled in size. Preheat oven to 400 F.
8. Combine cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and salt in a small bowl. Mix well.
9. BAKE rolls in preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Spread with frosting.
   And ENJOY!

They were seriously the best cinnamon rolls I have had in a LONG time!

You have got to try this recipe!!

Toddler Boy Neck Tie

I always wanted a girl because I thought that I could only craft/sew things for little girls - headbands, dresses, accessories, and ruffly goodness...But I have come to live with the fact that I will soon be a mother of not just one, but TWO boys...and that even though there are a larger variety of girly crafts, if I get a little creative, I can make equally cute and adorable things for boys too!

Starting with TIES...the one thing that boys, and men alike, can use to put a little character and creative spin on their outfits. I looked everywhere for cute {non-clip-on} ties for infants and toddlers...with no success, I decided to make my own! One that looks like a real tied necktie and not one that Noa can easily rip off as soon as you put it on...

After much searching, I came across this fabulous tutorial on how to make one. It seriously took me less than an hour each to make!!! The only change I made was - I just adjusted the size to a smaller toddler size, probably 18mo. instead of the 3T...

and voila!

Cute, right?? I am SO happy with the way they turned out!

here are more pictures of the the sewing process and the finished product...

The tutorial from Sewing in No Mans Land is fantastic and I just followed it step-by-step

first, find fun/funky fabric you want to use.

I had this from when I made my apron a few years ago that I still LOVE.

I followed the advice and made a pattern, because I know that I will be making many more of these in the future (it's all crinckly because a little monkey got to it first)

...my measurements were 18in x 16in (on the long sides) and 3 in x 7 in (shorter sides)...very approximate.

Ironing is critical! not only does it make it easier to sew, it allows for a much cleaner finish!

And to finish - tie, straighten, and admire!

It looks like it has actually been tied and has the "folded" look on the back side, just like a grown-up tie!

I made the neck adjustable/expandable with velcro, so Noa has a little growing room.

And of course, I have the perfect boy to model the new ties!!

Go ahead and make your own!!! Again, the tutorial can be found here.

I'm thinking a bow-tie next....any thoughts?? 

{PS Noa's 18 month shoot is coming up soon! - Im thinking the yellow tie with a fun plaid shirt}

Just in case you didn't see...

...on my other blog or on my facebook page, I just updated my photography blog with my latest shoot... go check it out HERE!

Apple of my eye

He had his first "whole" apple....

He bit right in

I'm so blessed to have such a good boy as my son.

{PS I didn't edit/alter any of these photos except to add the watermark....they were all taken with my birthday present from the fabulous Husband. LOVE everything about the lens!}