Tutorial for a Baby Bow Tie

I had some scrap fabric and wanted to make a baby bow tie. I've been seeing the baby bow ties on pintrest and etsy and they are so adorable!

1. I took scrap fabric and cut it to the width and length I wanted.
After I cut it to the desired length, I folded the fabric with the outside
showing and sewed the ends together.

2. I then turned the fabric inside out and sewed the ends
together.

3. I then positioned the ends in the middle and trimmed off any
excess fabric.

4. I then pinched the middle together.

5. Sew the pinched middle (so it stays).

6. Fold a smaller piece of fabric in thirds for the bow's middle.
Cut and make desired width and length.

7. Sew ends together and flip inside out so the seam is on the inside.
Slide the middle of the bow tie over the bow tie.

8. Finished bow.

9. Attach it to a onesie. If you've made a onesie cardigan,
you can put this onesie underneath it.

Here are some other tutorials that helped me - Cedars and Tiny Flowers and Kate Anfinson Photography.

Dealing with Morning Sickness

I've had some pretty rough days during my pregnancy with morning sickness. I always thought

From FreeDigitalPhotos.net

pregnancy would be easy, but it's not that easy. I've also learned that if you're throwing up a lot that the doctor has prescription medicine to help with the nausea. Here are some other things that I've found helpful:

• Lemonade: Homemade sugar free lemonade helps with nausea and sometimes is a little easier to drink than water. You can also add lemons to water to help with the nausea.
• Ginger Candies: Ginger Candies were a hit or miss with me. Sometimes they helped a lot and other times they made the nausea worse. You can get these at World Market or through Amazon.
• Hard Candies or Mints: Sugar free hard candies or mints help with nausea and often don't make things worse. I am not sure why, but sucking on candies help greatly.
• Eating Crackers before getting out of bed: This didn't really help me, but I've heard of it helping other people.
• Diet Ginger Ale: Ginger Ale helps with nausea some too.
• Vitamin B6

 I would also suggest talking to your doctor about his/her ideas on what can help. Baby Center also has some different ideas especially since what worked for me, might not work for you.

* Please note that I am not a medical doctor and it is always best to consult with a medical practitioner.

Movies that Inspire You to Be a Better Parent

Parents struggle to know what to do and how to raise their kids. Sometimes we need a little inspiration. Here are some movies that might help and inspire you to be a better parent.

1. Finding Nemo demonstrates why a parent shouldn't be a helicopter parent like Marlin and to let your kid grow and learn on his own. Fear and over protectiveness will only push your child to do something drastic "like to touch a boat." Marlin also helps Nemo's deformity seem more like a positive then a negative when he calls it his "lucky fin."
   
2. Jungle 2 Jungle shows why a parent shouldn't have their whole focus on work and spend time getting to know their child.
   
   
3. Pursuit of Happyness demonstrates a father's struggle against all obstacles to make life better for him and his son.
   
4. Hook shows Peter Pan having lost who he was and placing work above the welfare and care of his children.
   
5. Life is Beautiful features a Jewish father trying to find humour and beauty and life to protect his son in a Nazi prison camp.
   
   
6. The Blind Side demonstrates a mother's ability not only to mother her own child, to help a boy that has no one.

Looking for a Dress?

Are you looking for a dress to wear to a wedding, church or just to a nice event? Shabby Apple offers adorable vintage style dresses. Right now, you can get an additional 20% off using the code, "summersale" or if you buy three dresses, you get a surprise dress for free.

Alice Dress $95.00

Bernini On Sale for $46.00

Sunny Side Up $58.00

Dining Car $111.00

Courtside $78.00

Doubles Date $78.00

Cardigan Onesie

I've been seeing these cute cardigan onesies on Pintrest for little boys. There's a couple of shops on Etsy that make them. The prices range from $20 - $30 for them. I googled a tutorial for it and found one that seemed pretty easy to follow from Baby Making Machine. Despite the tutorial seeming easy, I still managed to make a mistake on the shoulder, but hopefully it won't be noticeable enough. My mother-in-law had gotten the baby some baby clothes on clearance at Wal-mart and I went there too where I found more onesies for the baby that only cost a $1. If you're going to make a cardigan onesie, I suggest you find a onesie to use from off of a clearance rack in case you mess-up so that way the project is not a complete waste. I would also suggest using the size bias tape as suggested in the tutorial. I used a smaller size bias tape, which I think made it harder to work with.

Created a point in the middle of the
onesie parallel to the armpit area then
draw v lines up to the top edge and
straight line down to the bottom.

Cut along the lines you created
and add the bias tape. See
the tutorial on Baby Making
Machine for more information.

Finished Cardigan Onesie

Meaningful Movies for Kids

Movies aren't a substitute for teaching your child strong and good moral values, but they are a good way to influence your kids and have a meaningful impact them when you are watching a movie together. Here are some top picks for movies that might benefit your kids:

1. Pollyanna is about an orphan who moves to a new town and slowly changes the town to be more glad by teaching them the glad game. This movie teaches that being glad is a choice and how to choose to be more glad.
2. Angels in the Outfield is about a boy who prays that the Angels will win the pennant so that he can have a family. This movie shows that God answers prayers, even if it's not the way you expected it to be.
3. Finding Nemo teaches kids never to give up and it's not good to let your fears debilitate you from living life. As Dory would say, "You know what you gotta do when life keeps you down? Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming."
4. Pinnochio teaches kids to listen to their consciousness and to tell the truth. This one might be a good one to watch after you read the fairy tale with your child and discuss why its always better to tell the truth.
5. Beauty and the Beast demonstrates that beauty isn't based on outside appearances, but it's whats on the inside that counts.
6. The Lion King teaches a valuable lesson on the circle of life and that even if someone dies doesn't mean their memory dies too.
7. Wall-E teaches us to appreciate nature, recycle and reuse, perseverance, constantly exercise and to appreciate life outside of technology.
8. The Wizard of Oz  teaches that there's no place like home and a home is where your loved ones are.
9. A Little Princess teaches that no matter your circumstance that you can still be a princess on the inside by being a good person.
10. The Land Before Time teaches cooperation, caring for others, perseverance and tolerance as five dinosaurs travel to find their families.
11. Mulan teaches children about honoring family and loved ones and finding the beauty within yourself.

Quick Tip to Make Putting Away Silverware Easier

From freedigitalphotos.net

This may be a tip you all ready know, but to save time when you unload the dishwasher - try grouping together silverware - forks with forks, spoons with spoons, knives with knives. This saves time when you are putting away your silverware.

Shabby Apple Giveaways

Shabby Apple is one of my favorite places for dresses. Their dresses are cute, stylish and fun to wear.

Here are some giveaways that other blogs are promoting:

• Going the Distance
• Mumble Bee Inc.
• Kat's Daily Inspiration
• Bees & Bows
• La-Las Home Day Care
• PhiPhi's Blog
• Double Duty Divas
• i candy homemade
• Bass Giraffe
• Gorgeous Glam
• Urban Vegan
• This Italian Family

 Also, check out my post on their latest sale here. If you buy two shabby apple dresses, you get one free and you can use the promo code, "summersale" for additional 20% off.

Today Only: Free $5 Target Gift Card

Today Only: You can get a free $5 Target Gift Card when you spend $50 on sleepwear and intimates at Target, plus save 10% by using the promo code: 5GIFTCARD.

How My Husband Continually Saves Me

From freedigitalphotos.net

My husband is my hero. He constantly comes to my aid when I am distress and calms my panic.

When I was in Walmart doing grocery shopping by myself and felt a sudden wave of morning sickness and felt if I moved an inch all of the contents in my stomach would wrench, he walked to Walmart to help put the groceries in the car and get me home.

When I had morning sickness outside of a mall, he blocked the view so people couldn't see what I was doing and helped hold my hair back.

A few weeks ago, my tire blew on a busy Austen roadway, he drove over to come save me. Luckily, a police officer stopped right after my husband got there and helped us both. I was pretty shaken up and scared after that and he calmed me down and eased my fears.

Yesterday my car wouldn't start and I left my cell phone at home, I called him to see if I should call a tow truck and he drove over to come help me. He jump started my car twice in horrible rain fall, didn't get angry when I was nervous about steering as he eventually had to push my car out of everyone else's way, and wasn't frustrated that after being beyond soaking wet we had to call the tow truck to come pick up the car.

I consider my self pretty lucky to have him and I know for sure that not only is he a bird hero, but he's my hero as well.

Shabby Apple Deals

Shabby Apple is one of my favorite brands for dresses. Whenever I wear one of their dresses, I always get compliments. Their dresses are super stylish, vintage looking, cute and fun to wear!

Right now, Shabby Apple is having a sale that if you buy two dress, you get a surprise dress for free! If you shop right, you can get three dresses for under $60 to a $100. When I added Barefoot in the Park, Walk the Plank and the promo code "summersale" the dresses added up to $53.20 (not including shipping) for three dresses. That's $17.73 per dress. Here are some of my top picks:

Barefoot in the Park $24.50

Bali Ha'i $39.00

Walk the Plank $42.00

Gray Fox $72.00
(This one is super adorable on!)

Tanglewood $50.50

Shop Around $57.20

Ponderosa $48.00

View more of Shabby Apple's dresses here. With this deal, you can stock up on dresses without breaking the bank! The site also looks like you can add the promo code "summersale" for additional 20% off. Please note that some of the sale dresses and the dress that you get free may be final sale, so make sure you know your size.

Being a Prince or Princess

 From freedigitalphotos.net

I just recently read A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett. My favorite part of the book is when the main character, Sara, has had her life changed drastically from a rich little girl to nothing more then a mistreated and starved servant. She is mistreated horribly by a boarding school mistress and instead of worrying about her misery and breaking down, Sara thinks to herself, "Whatever comes, cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside. It would be easy to be a princess if I were dressed in cloth of gold, but it is a great deal more of a triumph to be one all the time when no one know it."  Throughout the book, Sara helped those who were around her even if their circumstances were worse off or better than her own. She displayed warmheartedness, love, worked hard and to tried to keep a positive attitude.

If life gets you down it's easy to start letting it change your inside to be more hardened and miserable. It's an even greater achievement if life gets you down and you rise above it. I think all of us has a princess or prince inside of us, even if we're not clothed in riches and gold. In order to let the princess or prince shown, we just need to think about those around us, have a kind heart and have a positive attitude. We might not look the part, but we can certainly act it.

How My Husband Saved A Bird

Happy Bird Family (Parents on left, baby on right)

We were sitting in the living room/dining area of our apartment and we heard a weird thumping sound and then birds chirping nosily from outside our door. My husband went to investigate and found that the nest near the apartment stairwell had come crashing down and left a very frightened little bird cowering near the the outside of our apartment. My husband was nervous that the cat that likes to hang around our apartment building would find the little bird. We looked online and saw that it was safe to handle a bird and put it back in the nest. There's an old folk tale that if humans touch a baby bird that the momma bird won't come back to the nest. That's apparently untrue. So, he placed the nest back up where it belonged and picked up the baby bird who rested calmly on his finger and put the baby back in it's nest. The parents took care of the bird and the bird is now happy and able to fly on it's own. We think the bird might be a barn swallow.

A few days later, my mom posted on her Facebook Page a video about a boy who takes care of a baby hummingbird.

My sister-in-law also had a chance to rescue a bird once and took it to a vet for it to get taken care of. So, I guess if you see a bird in need, help it out.

Kung Pao Chicken Recipe

Last night I made Kung Pao Chicken. It's pretty easy to make and a dinner favorite.

Kung Pao Chicken

2-3 Breasts of chicken or 4 chicken tenders chopped
1 Zucchini chopped
1 Red Pepper chopped
Sun Bird Hot and Spicy Kung Pao Chicken Seasoning Mix (We've

also used Panda Express Kung Pao Sauce. Sold at Grocery Stores)
1/4 cup of peanuts

In a wok or pan cook the chicken in oil until all the juices are clear and the pink coloring is gone. Add the zucchini and red pepper. Stir every once in a while with spatula. Once zucchini and red pepper look more tender, add seasoning mix or sauce (be sure to follow directions on the packet or bottle). Heat sauce thoroughly and toss in peanuts. Makes 2-3 servings and serve over rice.

Why You Should Have a Budget

 From freedigitalphotos.net

Budgeting your finances is a pain. It requires planning and telling yourself, "no" to the things that you want, however, there are many benefits to budgeting your finances:

1. You are able to set aside savings

2. You are able to curb unnecessary spending to provide more for necessary spending and saving

3. You know what you are spending your money on

4. You have a plan in place

5. You are less likely to over-withdraw your account

6. Gives you a better communication tool to talk to your spouse about finances

I keep my budget in a spreadsheet format based on our bi-weekly paycheck. I have four columns: expense, budgeted amount, spent amount, and a column that subtracts budgeted amount from spent amount. All of my columns use spreadsheet functions to add and subtract figures so I know how much I spent, the budgeted amount, and if we went over and under. Budgeting takes constant vigilance over your online bank account, but in the long run I am better able to control my finances. I would suggest if you're not doing so, to make a plan and get started.

Here are some other great references:

• 10 Benefits to Budgeting your Money
• Seven Benefits to Budgeting

Good Pot Stain Remover

 From freedigitalphotos.net

The other day, I had baked on food stuck to a pan even after I scrubbed it and put it in the dishwasher. I scoured the internet for an easy solution (and solution that didn't require me to go to the store). I discovered that baking soda is great for helping to clean pans. I scrubbed the pan with baking soda, then sprinkled baking soda on the pan and let it sit for a few hours, I scrubbed the baking soda into the pan again using a sponge and a little bit of water. The baked on gunk left over from cooking came off and my pan was like new again. Baking soda can be used for other things too. I know it's great deodorizer for the freezer and fridge. Here are some ideas for other uses for baking soda.

Shabby Apple Giveaways

Shabby Apple offers vintage style dresses and clothing. I have a few of their dresses and really like their style. Here are some blogs that are offering Shabby Apple giveaways.

• Dwellings by Devore 
• At the Fence
• Lisa Freemont Street
• This Life's Beautiful Moments
• Truly Lovely
• Cornflake Dreams
• e plus l
• The Big Megowski
• Young and Crafty
• These Little Waves
• Designs by Emily
• The Active Mum

How to Make a Receiving Blanket

I had flannel fabric and regular cotton fabric and I wanted to make a receiving blanket for my little one coming this fall. I basically put the good side of the fabric back to back, stitched it up - like you would do for a pillow - leaving a little open, and pulled it inside out and then stitched a fancy stitch around the edge. Here's the site, I got the idea from. They have more detailed instructions. If you don't have fabric lying around, I am not sure how cost effective this is to make. Fabric usually runs four to six dollars a yard, unless you find some super cheap and on clearance. I have seen four packs of receiving blankets at T.J. Max, Ross, and Burlington Coat Factory for around seven dollars. I do like my receiving blanket better than the ones at the store, it's thicker, softer and cuter.

A Tip On A Stain Remover Not to Use

From FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I forgot to check my husband's pockets when doing laundry and lo and behold there was chocolate in one of his shirt pockets. The chocolate in his pocket swirled and whirled in the washing machine until it was all over a nice white load of laundry. I didn't notice it until after I had dried them in the dryer and started folding the clothes. I looked online for a stain remover solution and something online said to use liquid dishwasher detergent so I decided to try this method. I filled a bathtub with water and liquid dishwasher detergent and let it sit in the tub. Unfortunately, during the time that it sat in the tub some of the shirts bleached out and not in a good way. The dishwasher detergent helped to get some of the chocolate out, but not all of it. I wouldn't recommend using dishwasher detergent as a stain remover. I finally soaked the clothes in no name brand oxy-clean for four or five soakings in the washer until most of the chocolate was out. It still didn't help the shirts with bleach marks.

Shabby Apple Giveaways

Shabby Apple is a vintage-style, modest online clothing boutique. They partner with many blogging sites to offer giveaways to win a gift certificate or free dresses. I own a couple of their dresses and love their style. Here are some blogs offering giveaways:

• Zakka Life: This blog also has a craft and recipe section so be sure to check it out. 
• Kisses and Croissants
• Assemble: A Well Crafted Life: This blog also has a unique craft and recipe section. I especially like the blog entry on how to dye Easter eggs with onion skins.
• Amanda Beth: An easy to read blog with fun fashion tips! The author also has quick, easy to read blog entries (which is awesome).
• Christina Williams:  This blog also has a craft section. One of my favorite entries are on how to make a mini flannel board.
• Button Mad: This blogger also has stitch patterns and a recipe section. The guilt free banana muffins look yummy!
• Maker Mama: This blogger also offers tutorials on diy projects.
• The Random Writings of Rachel
• The Pursuit of Happiness