When you think of a Gingerbread House, you think of the above photo. Sweet and adorable. Obviously they did not have two toddlers helping them. Isaiah and Lilly helped me decorate their first gingerbread house yesterday. They had a blast, a sugar high and sticky fingers. It was pretty fun. Isaiah keeps asking to go "Inside". Below is how ours turned out...

What's in a Table?

For the longest time I have been wanting a new dining table. And not just any dining table. I want the ONE. You know what I mean by that when you think of the piece of furntiure you decide you have to have and will go to the ends of the earth to find. Although my husband could disagree, having a large budget may be the ticket. (And by large I mean maybe $500)

The current table we have is a $75 purchase of Steve's when he was a bachelor from Walmart (Just shy of a decade ago). Enough. Said. It is falling apart, stains easisly and I find pleasure in "accidently" painting it, scratching it and doing general harm. But I am finding new inspiration because we are hoping to find a new home to fit the ONE in the spring. Hoping being the key word here. And my dream table will not currently fit in our rental. Below are my inspiration pieces--this way I something holding me down to choices and can show my husband what I need to have.

Ana White-Build Yourself, Source

West Elm, Source

Pottery Barn, Source

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long Time Away and Etsy Discount

I have been on a *vacation* of sorts from blogging trying to figure out where to go with it. Hoping something will be coming up in the New Year.

But I wanted to offer you all a special discount in my Etsy shop of 40% off all purchases until New Year's Eve! Code: CHRISTMAS.

Family Household Information Keeper Sheets

Weekly Meal Plan

And many more! All printables will be customized with your last name and emailed to you to be able to use as many times as you would like. These will make great organizers for you to get ready for the new year, and to give as gifts to those around you.

(I can customize the colors if needed)

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Bethany

Change of Heart

After speaking with a dear friend of mine, I have decided to continue my blog and turn it back into a blog about me, my husband and the babies. Every now and then I will post about my Birchbox and that sort of thing, but we are getting back to my personal life. Which is why most blogs were started. Thank you!

The End of Goldylocks

Sadly I am going to end my blogging days. The last many a post have had 0 pageviews. Leading me to know that no one is reading. Thank you to all who have read in the past, commented and shared.

Bethany

I threw in the towel...

Recently I was trying to do everything all at once. Baking, cleaning, being a mom, being a wife and trying many other projects. I found myself extra strict with my kids when it came to diet and sleep schedules. (My husband calls me Hitler some times.... really?)

I was at the end of my rope almost when I turned around from folding laundry to find the below picture:

Isaiah and Lilly had stolen the chocolate chips off the counter and had themselves a buffet off the floor. That's it. I had it. I threw in the towel. I let them eat some and didn't care. I even laughed at it. And no, they did not eat their dinner very well, but it didn't matter. They were happy. But then I realized I was out of chocolate chips. Darn.

Blanket anyone?

This is the pile of blankets I bring up every morning to my living room. My children's rooms are downstairs and I have to carry both kids, pillows, blankets and their two favorite dolls up with them or it is like I am leaving them behind forever. So on days I don't feel I work out enough, I remind myself of the endless amount of weight I pull upstairs every morning....

Zucchini History and Recipe

Source

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Zucchini is staple at my house right now. We have Zucchini at least 5 days a week. The Zucchini we know and love is from Italy. And as little as 30 years ago was hardly known here in the States. Columbus was one of the first people to bring the summer squash to Africa and the Mediterrian areas to start the slow world domination of the delicious and versatile veggie. (Another little known fact, Columbus was an Italian. We sometimes assume he was Spanish)

Zucchini plants have a tendency to grow very large and the large leaves spread out where there is room. Many people tend to give it away because they get more produce than they know what to do with. I just shred or chop it all and freeze it. It freezes wonderfully. And here and there I give some to people that do not grow it because who does not love Zucchini Bread? If you do grow it, it is better to keep the fruit not too large, because it tends to get too firm to be enjoyable. 

So what do you do with this yummy green goodness?
Breads, desserts, soups, grill it, they roast great, through in the crock pot, bake, freeze for later and the list goes on! Something we are starting to see is people dipping the flowers of the plant (that later turn into the fruit) in batter and frying them. I want to try this just a lot...

Some of the nutrional elements of Zucchini:

The zucchini vegetable is low in calories (approximately 15 food calories per 100 g fresh zucchini) and contains useful amounts of folate (24 mcg/100 g), potassium (280 mg/100 g) and vitamin A (384 IU [115 mcg]/100 g. 1/2 cup of zucchini also contains 19% of the recommended amount of manganese. (Source)

Source

And, as promised I am attaching my beloved Zucchini Muffin Recipe! This is the Link! If you want them to be chocolate, just add 3/4 a cup of baking cocoa. I have added Pears before to the batter and they stay really moist and almost uncooked in a way but still tasted amazing. My next stop is to put in some apple and turn it into a cupcake... wish me luck and have fun with your Zucchini!

Breakfast for Dinner? Yes Ma'am!

There is something taking over my backyard right now... it is Zucchini and Pumpkins. I have more Zucchini then I ever imagined I would. But I could not be happier. I have an amazing recipe I found online last year (I will be posting it on Monday) for Zucchini Bread Muffins. I have used it in pasta sauce, brownies and a few other things. We have it 5 days a week!

Above you see my dinner from the other night. Zucchini Applesauce pancakes with strawberry jam and syrup. And some eggs on the side. If you don't go crazy with the condiments, this was a SUPER healthy dinner! I know your mouths are watering right now. And so is mine... I have some in the freezer that might need to be eaten. Right. Now.

Happy Weekend!

August Birchbox

This month's box was pretty exciting because it came a little bigger than normal!

per-fekt Beauty Lash Perfection Gel--
This is a gel based mascara of sorts. It is black, but it is also meant to nourish your lashes. And I felt that it coated a lot more than my Mary Kay mascara does

Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy La Fleur Perfume --
 To be honest, it is okay. But I have received Juicy Couture perfume from my birchbox before and I gave it away. I just don't think this brand and I were meant to be.

DDF Brightening Cleanser --
Meant to be used before your regualar face wash, this cleanser is suppose to brighten your face as well as help even out your skin tone. I have only used it a couple of times and like it so far.


CALDREA Lavender Hand Soap --
Smells so good!

SCHICK Hydro Silk Razor --
So smooth and has a moisturizing serum around the blades to help ensure to nicks... which I normally do every time I shave!

Recent Pictures

Recently I went to my trusted photographer Kayla Evans at Paisley Studios and had the kids' pictures done outside for the first time. Click this link and let me know how they turned out!

Because I think they are kind of amazing!

Isaish 1st "Professional" Haircut

My son had his first professional hair this week. It was so much easier than me and my husband trying to do it. And it looked a million times better! I got his hair done at Paisley Studios Photography Studio and Salon. It is also where I get the kids' pictures taken. They do an amazing job, especially Kayla. (It will hopefully displaying our latest shoot soon!) Laurie was Isaiah's "Stylist" and she totally rocked the mo hawk!

Lilly trying to entertain herself

That sucker saved our lives!

Book Review: Remember Me?

 

The latest book I just read was Sophie Kinsella's Remember Me? 

I really enjoyed it but at the same time this book drove me crazy! It deals with a woman you has an accident and can not remember the last three years of her life. Including being married, have a ton of money, an amazing house and her father's funeral.

In her mind she is still scraping together pennies and has bad teeth and horrible hair. All that changes... or does it? I can't really give anymore without ruining the book, but I got a lot of enjoyment out of it.

Banana... oh How I love You!

I recently started following the blog Gumdrops and Gloss. And it is a super fun blog about fashion and make up and a little in between. The Blogger herself, Niki, did a giveaway for a limited edition summer bracelet from Banana Republic along with a $25 gift card to the store. I happened to be the really lucky one to win! And I love the bracelet because I have really small wrists and it fits great!

It has a magnetic-clip closure (just open it and it secures itself) and is so cute! And it came with a bag to keep it in but I like the fabric so much I may do something else with it...

Camping in Island Park, Idaho

This last picture is bear tracks... about 50 feet behind my tent. Where I was sleeping. Where I changed my clothes. Where my children played. No biggie...

Vacations...

Whenever you go out of town, the packing at first like the worst part, then the planning of the trip and then the getting there.

For me the worst part is when you come home. The above was when I was single when Steve and I were newly weds. But now that we have children I hate the coming home.

The above pictures are only 1/3 of what I brought in from my car...

But I do still love a good few days away. But the laundry afterward is sicking to say the least!

Gift Giving Week: Hallmark Tissue

So technically, I started this week post a week ago... I was suppose to post this on Thursday but am just getting to it. We had the oppurtunity to go to a family reunion for an extra day so we took it! My husband was off for 4 days and it was great!

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When you go into a Hallmark store, you wonder how there display bags always look so good with their tissue coming out perfectly? And you try to do it at home and it looks like a preschooler tried? Let me help you!

*This is how I was shown at the Hallmark store I worked for, I do not know if it is Hallmark store brand*

Lay out your tissue (does not matter which way)

Take another tissue and lay it on top of the first but the opposite direction

Lay a third tissue over the top, in the same direction as the first

Taking the middle of the tissue, fold into a bouquet

Stuff into bag and tweak to your desire!

This can be done with different colors or patterns of tissue for a even better effect! Happy Gift Giving!

Gift Giving Week: Note Cards

Sometimes we do not have a card when we need one and there is not time to stop and get one. 

All you need is: 

An envelope (preferably a smaller on)

Scrapbook paper

Paper cutter or scissors

Simply cut the paper to the size of the envelope, write on it and put in it in the envelope! Super simple and easy. And very personal depending on the paper you choose. 

This project can be very cost efficient and could be like your own "hand made" stationary.

Cute and simple! And I prefer to use a Very thin point sharpie to write on my cards.

Gift Giving Week: Baby Gift

For 5 years off and on, I worked at a Hallmark Store for extra money during college. I got pretty good at wrapping things. So this week I will be highlighting different ideas for giving gifts with wrapping. 

Above is a baby gift I just gave out on Saturday. It was a couple of bottles of baby wash and lotion along with a box of baby, safety Q-tips. I used tissue paper to wrap them together. I attached the card to the front of the package and from there I cut three colors ribbon.

I tied the ribbon at the top where the tissue met (there was not enough to make it cute so I kept the tissue short) and I took the plush ball I bought at Ikea this weekend as well and used the tags on it to attach it to the package via the ribbon. And done! It is super easy, but will catch the eyes of all the guests. And more so to the new mommy! Plus it is a little bit more exciting to get a gift with a great pop of color on top.

I prefer to wrap with neutrals and put bright/bold decorations on top. So next time you have a baby to buy for, attach the toys to the top!

Current J. Bella Love!

So many of you know, I sell J. Bella clothing and I love it and constantly want everything when it comes in.

Here are my current LOVES! And when you spend $35 enjoy a piece of jewelry on me! (Code: BethanyFree)

Only $39

You can find these beautiful Cobalt Wedges RIGHT HERE

Only $21

This Bubble Tank Maxi so something you would probably see Carrie Bradshaw wear. Find it RIGHT HERE

Only $29

This denim jacket would fit nicely as a staple in any closet. Find it RIGHT HERE

Only $18

This tissue tank (available in Ivory as well) can also be a staple. Plus could make that denim jacket pop! Find it RIGHT HERE

I love staple with a pop of color. I tend to fill my wardrobe with them and then mix and match. Jewelry then sets it off. Have a happy weekend!