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!

Nailed IT!

Has everyone seem the "Nailed It" pictures on Pinterest? Below is my favorite example.

And recently I have started getting a little crafty to take up some of my time when the kids are distracted or napping. I found this amazing pencil skirt tutorial Here at Cotton and Curls Blog. She has some of the coolest tutorials to make or revamp your clothes and frankly I am hooked on her posts. 

So, this pencil skirt requires 2 pieces of fabric, a seam down each side and a hem on top and bottom if you feel so enthused. 

Tell me, did I nail it?

Pardon the belly, it is taking it's own time going away. I say my post baby belly, but have stopped since Lilly is now 15 months. Now it is just the belly.

Yes, that is my messy living room behind me. I don't clean until the kids go to sleep. Today was, well, the day after being gone all day yesterday so they stayed like that overnight.

Pardon my 'been weeding the yard, about to get into the shower before the kids wake up' hair. Starting to notice some extra fabric at the top of the waist?

And here is about 3 inches of extra fabric around my waist, meaning, FAILED!

From the bottom of the hip down it fits perfectly... but I made the waist too large. Better than too little since I can take out the seam and cut some fabric out. I wore it to church recently and while I was teaching my lesson, I put Lilly from my lap to the floor and realized that the skirt was almost to my knees. I thought I could make it work with my shirt over the top of it.

Not so much. 

Just a Piece of Paper

Sometimes a small and simple piece of paper can make a world of difference in your life. It can just be a short note of "I love you" in your lunch box as a kid and can turn around your day. Having an A written on a assignment from college when you knew it would be a nothing more than a C. Then there is the marriage certificate you applied for, not very large, but has so much meaning. And when you have a baby, the birth certificate you fill out to say you have produced a life. 

All small and simple pieces of paper, but filled with so much meaning. 

 

I recently submitted a Children's Book to Deseret Book Publishing. Not really thinking anything would become of it. I never thought I would write a "story" or "book". But sometimes I really miss working at a computer so I wanted something to keep my fingers busy. This small piece of paper could turn into nothing, but there is a small hope in me that it does. And if so, this small piece of paper has so much more meaning than one could imagine. 

Book Review: Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Who loves Sophie Kinsella??? (All women should be raising their hands).

I have read 4 of her books now. I have read the first 3 Shopaholic books and now have finished one of her newest books, Twenties Girl. 

It involves a single, twenty something woman who has started a company without knowing anything about what she is doing. She soon gains a ghost for a friend that happens to be her Great Aunt. Her Aunt needs her to help her have one last time good time, like she did in the 1920's, and to find a necklace she wants to be buried with.

I could not stop laughing to this fun and witty book. Sophie Kinsella (her real name is Madeline Wickham) is the queen of Chick-Lit for the last 10 years and only continues to get better. She started in 1997 and has changed women's literature forever. And not only is she a fantastic writer, but her and her husband have been together for a long time and they have 5 kids! She just gave birth in December to a daughter and then celebrated her 42nd birthday! Her oldest is 15. She is stylish and cute and I really wouldn't mind being her friend in real life. Really. I just need to move to England to make that happen first. 

What have you read by Sophie Kinsella? What is your favorite book? 

July Birchbox

Good Morning everyone! Today the sun is shining after 4 days of straight rain. I personally love the rain, since I am origionally from Oregon, but I can't run in the rain or want to take my kids into it. Therefore, today I am super excited!

My Birchbox this month was a real treat! I received 6 items!!!!!!! They paired up with Glamour magazine this month to do a 5 senses box. Here is what I got:

Ada Cosmetics--Bronzer
Dermatologist approved mineral powder (not pictured due to children running away with it)

Gloss Moderne--High Gloss Masque
Vitamin Rich complex for your hair

Harvey Prince--Hello
Last time I got a Harvey Prince in my box I was not too keen on it, but this one is to die for and I think it will be my scent for the rest of the summer

stila--Lip Glaze
This medium pink glaze is so pretty with glitter and a great wand to apply with

Larabar--uber in Banana Foster
Health bar that keeps you full

Birchbox Exclusive--Earbuds
Are they not so super cute in lime and pink?

Who wants a Baby?

Not really, I just mean the super cute baby gifts I made last night that make you want one! And I have not been able to post anything else, because all my post pictures are on my camera and my husband lost the cord to connect the camera to the computer.... Thanks hon.

There is a Jaxon, Jace and Ace.

This is for Jace.

This if for Jaxson. He has a pirate theme, so I may try to find some better fabric.

This is for Ace.

The babies are all boys with different themes to their nurseries so I tried to match them. They are just a frame, fabric, buttons and super glue. I will have a tutorial next week for you all!

Bethany

Sickey All Weekend

I would have loved to do a High Five For Friday post a couple of days ago, but my husband was home. He worked 7 days in a row out of town (He comes home every 2 days for 12 hours and then leaves again) and had 3 days off that luckily turned into 4. His first day off was Thursday. We laid back and relaxed and then he went shooting later in the day. 

And then Friday we went to the 150 year anniversary of Union Pacific Railroad (Where he works) and afterward as we were having lunch out he got sick. Really sick. A couple hours later at home he revisted lunch. 

So we spent the whole time home sickies. I am now sick, luckily my kids are not, but they may not be far off. 

But I want to know, what are your favorite anythings while you are sick? Mine is ginger ale. Always have it when I am sick. I do not drink soda otherwise. My husbands is his favorite Cleveland Brown's blanket and a survival show of sometime all day. My kids obviously just cuddle all day. 

What do you prefer? 

Tomorrow I will be posting our pictures of your trip to visit the 150 years of UP!

Bethany

Bathroom Staples

Back to my staples by room, today is about the top 5 Staples in my Bathroom:

1. Moroccan Oil Smoothing Treatment (FIND HERE) I can not live without this stuff! I bought it just over two years ago for $43 and I still have half a bottle a dime size amount goes a long way. It helps with styling with a flat iron and puts in the best shine. And smells so good!

2. Pureology Cuticle Polisher (FIND HERE) is great for smoothing everything down from the top of your head. And controlling fly aways!

3. Bath and Body works It's a Charmed Life body lotion. Might as well be the best perfume I have ever had! But I could not find it on their website... discontinued maybe?

4. Jouer Tinted Moisturizer in Bronze (FIND HERE). I got this as a sample in my Birchbox this last month, but I have order the full size version! I love it that much!

5. Candles! I love having a nice candle in the bath with me to relax to after the kids have gone to bed. My favorite candle used to be sold at Bath and Body Works, but it has discontinued there. But... they are still sold at their original home, Henri Bendel's of New York (FIND HERE). It is the fig scent and I die every time I would light one. Because of kids I have not had one for awhile, just other scents like vanilla and plum, but I think I am going to order this candle soon and use for "special occasions". Alone. In the tub. And shutting the door.

Bethany

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day Everyone! Please have a safe holiday with your family and friends. And don't forget to Thank a Serviceman or woman today for their sacrifice for our freedom.

You Know You Have A Little Girl When...

You know you have a little girl when...

-Her favorite doll goes everywhere with her. Lilly puts her Lollipop doll under her arm and goes on with the rest of her day. She can hold her for about 15 minutes before dropping her, and then picking her back up.

-Picking a pink blanket instead of a blue one when given the choice.

Anyone Up for a Garage Sale?

Have you ever Garage Saled? The last time I attended a Garage Sale was last summer when I was helping my sister organize one. She hates putting them together and I LOVE decluttering. Nothing feels better than throwing away something you never use and making more room for other things. 

While at this garage sale I ventured down the street to another sale and was able to buy Lilly about 6 pieces of clothing for $3. Honestly, I have never actually bought from a Garage Sale before. I just managing them. But this was a killer deal. 

So with all the sale signs out, I went frolicking in the bountiful land of Garage Sales. Above is my "hoard" from Saturday. 22 items for $10. What is that?!?! Like $.21 an item?

I found: A 1961 edition of James and the Giant Peach

A new large purse/diaper bag

A workout shirt, Nike, which was $.25

2 pairs of pants for Lilly

2 shirts for Lilly

1 denim skirt for Lilly

14 pieces of clothing for Isaiah

I buy clothing for my kids on sale, clearence and Ebay when I find a great deal. Very seldom do I buy them things full price. 1. I get a good amount as hand me downs and keep what I like the best. (Lilly was given enough clothes for her first year of life and I only spent $20 on her in that year) 2. They grow out of things quickly. 3. They get stained and worked to the bone. Unless I need something special, I refuse to pay $30 for one piece of clothing. But I will at Christmas time. 

How many of you Garage Sale? What is the best item you have found? I love hearing about people's finds.

Bethany