Archives for January 2016

22 Weeks: Maternity Must-have

January 28, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

At 22 weeks preggers, there is a lot to be thankful for. Here are my must-have items that I am thankful for each and every day!

With just a few weeks past the halfway point I wanted to share my favorite pregnancy must-have items that I have loved using thus far! At 22 weeks all I can say is that I’ve been blessed with a smooth and enjoyable pregnancy. I pray that everything will keep falling into place and my healthy pregnancy will continue. This has been a milestone week for me because baby boy’s tiny flutters are getting a little stronger and I am feeling more movement! I swear I have been able to feel him through my ever-so-round belly, but it could just be in my head! I can’t wait for the day Jason will be able to feel our son’s movements from through my belly! Here are some of the products that I use on a daily basis to make my maternity easier. Most of these products were recommended to me by friends who loved them during their pregnancy.

SNOOGLE– Say hello to Snoogle, a glorious pregnancy pillow! I manage to get in 3 comfortable positions with the pillow since I can no longer sleep on my tummy. It comes with some positioning ideas and you can Google more. The other neat thing about this pillow is that it can be used for nursing, postpartum. (ordered from Amazon)

BELLY BALM– I don’t think anyone wants to welcome stretch marks during their pregnancy. I have learned the importance of keeping my skin hydrated and soothed. The Honest Company’s Belly Balm is apart of my nightly routine. I lather my belly and my entire waistline. This little container is only half way gone and I have been using it since I was 1 week!

LIP BALM– Just like my skin, my lips have never been this dry! Luckily, there are plenty of good chap sticks available to take care of this issue. After all, you are supposed to glow during pregnancy 🙂 (sold in Anthropologie)

HAIR TIES/BELLY BAND– I have only bought a few maternity pants thanks to belly bands and hair ties! Since most the the weight is in your stomach, your pants will pull up for a long time, just eventually not button. I am way past this point, but you can use a simple hair tie to fasten your pants or get a belly band to hide your un-buttoned pants. Plus, the belly band adds some much needed support to alleviate lower back pain.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING APP & BOOK– As soon as I found out that I was pregnant, I researched the best-rated pregnancy apps. I love this app because its weekly updates are so spot on and really put my mind at ease. My girlfriend, Meghan, got me the book and it is FULL of useful info. It answered dozens of questions right off the bat. I truly think What To Expect When You’re Expecting is an awesome gift for a first time mama. (download the app for free)

I am so glad these items were shared with me to make my pregnancy stress free. I would LOVE to hear about what your favorite products were if you have had a bun in the oven!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Valentine’s Day DIY: Mini Gumball Machines

Craft Box

January 24, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Nothing better than an adorable craft and holiday pun, “I chews you!” Get the step-by-step instructions for the pin-worthy Dollar Store Valentine’s Day DIY.

{Materials} All can be found at Dollar Tree/dollar store

red solo cups
mini candles with lids
Double Bubble Gum Balls
Gray card stock or construction paper
Red card stock or construction paper
Hot glue gun
Hot glue sticks

{Steps}

Remove the wax from the small jars: Place the jars in the oven on 200 degrees for 5 minutes, keep a close eye on them. When the wax is fully melted, use an oven mitt and pour the hot wax into the garbage (not down the drain). Place the candle upside down on a paper plate to let cool and ensure all the wax is drained out. Use dish soap and warm water to soak and scrub jars.
Cut about 2 inches off the top of solo cups. Hint: Use the lines as a guide to cut a straight line around each cup.

3. Hot glue each jar to an upside-down solo cup. Be sure to center the jar because once it is glued, they don’t like to come off easy (I learned the hard way).

4. Trace a round object to make a circle for the top of a lid. Cut out gray rectangles to represent the coin insert of a gumball machine.

5. Glue the red circles and the gray rectangles onto the gumball machines.
6. Pour in gum balls and enjoy!! Add a fun note for someone special!

Mini gumball machines was a cute craft that a friend and I tackled this past weekend! There are all different ideas on Pinterest for DIY gumball machines. I wanted to use a clear piece that would come with a lid. Since I wanted to keep the project on a budget, I browsed the Dollar Tree for materials. This goodie would be the perfect treat for a friend or co-worker. Kids would also LOVE this DIY.. I see more mini gumball machines in my future!! Although there are several steps, it was pretty simple. Scrubbing the jars clean of wax is the most time consuming part, I recommend doing it ahead of time. Do you have any Valentine’s Day crafts on your radar??

Keep in touch,
Dani

Shake your Pom Pom

Closet

January 20, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

“The mountains are calling my name and I must go.” Here are the outfit details from my recent trip to North Carolina.

{Turtleneck: Forever 21} {Blazer: Target, similar}
{Beanie: Target} {Jeans: Pea in the Pod}
{Shoes: Lord and Taylor} {Clutch: J. Crew}

If you follow me on social media, then you may have seen that I took a trip to the mountains last weekend. My husband and I joined his family on an adventure to Hayesville, North Carolina. We relaxed in a wooden floor-to-ceiling cabin that had a breathe taking view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This was my only outfit look from the entire trip.. I stuck with my plan of only putting make up on once. 🙂

Is anyone else excited for beanie season? Beanie season is when it gets too cold for just a scarf and you need a beanie, incase you wanted my definition of this made up season. You may have been experiencing the cold months now, but for those of us who live in Florida, the cold weather is just making an appearance. I was excited to rock my new pom pom beanie that is currently on clearance at Target.. $8 bucks! Can never have enough cold weather accessories? I have a major crush on this beanie and this one as well. At 21 weeks pregnant, I have been living in these maternity jeans for at least a month. I had no idea maternity clothes would be so darn comfortable!! Any mommas out there agree??

Hope you had an enjoyable holiday weekend!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Chili-Lime Chicken Burger

Kitchen

January 12, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

Get the details of this protein-packed dinner created with delicious ingredients from Trader Joe’s.

Chili-Lime Burgers topped with corn and black beans over fresh greens and drizzled with Trader Joe’s Sweet Chili Sauce (15 minutes)

{Ingredients}

Chili-Lime Chicken Burger (frozen from Trader Joe’s)
1 can of black beans
1 can of corn
avocados or pre-made guacamole
greens (spinach, kale, or arugula)
Trader Joe’s sweet chili sauce
minced garlic (optional)
low-sodium soy sauce (optional)

Defrost frozen chicken burgers for about an hour.
Heat skillet over medium. I add some minced garlic and a dash of soy sauce to spice up the flavor. Cook the burgers on each side for about 5 minutes.
If you did not buy pre-made guacamole, then its time to make fresh guac. Here is my guac recipe.
Mix black beans and corn is a microwave safe bowl and heat for 2 minutes.
Place the cooked burger over a bed of greens. Top the burger with beans and corn.
Add guac and sweet chili sauce for a tasty finish!!

If you know me, than you know that I love to prep a simple dinner during the work week. My favorite recipes to create have evolved into quick and healthy meals. I won’t lie to you, I do not eat clean every single day or even close to it. However, if I am cooking at home, than I do my best to make healthy meals. These chili-lime burgers from Trader Joe’s are budget friendly and make an awesome meal filled with protein and fiber. You can pick up all of the ingredients that are listed above from your neighborhood Trader Joe’s. If there is not a Trader Joe’s located close by (tragic), try creating this meal with a grilled chicken beast. Dinner is served!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Exploring Charleston

Closet, Mommy & Misc

January 8, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

One of my dreams have already come true in 2016, to visit charming Charleston, SC! I have rounded up my favorite attractions from our trip to share with you..

This trip was my first time to Charleston! I was anxious to get aquatinted with the charming “Holy City!” Charleston has around 400 religious congregations within the city limits… COOL!! While I could not see everything, nor step foot into every single coffee shop, we sure did a lot in our 5 day getaway. My family and I stayed at the Francis Marion Hotel, which was an ideal location to walk most places. There is so much history to discover and ENDLESS restaurants to enjoy. It was actually difficult deciding what to see and where to dine. Charleston, I will be back one day for more of your southern style and fancy taste. For now, here were a few of my fav spots.

DINE

1. Hank’s

Voted best seafood in Charleston for 15 consecutive years.. need I say more! Jason and I had a romantic dinner on New Years day at Hank’s. The atmosphere inside is lovely, it’s hard to describe, but it has a touch of upscale fisherman charm. We felt like the decor had some shore or sailing inspiration, yet it is not nautical themed by any means. You will have to check it out for yourself to understand the beauty.

2. Husk

My family and some friends spent Sunday brunching at Husk. While there were no mimosas or bloody’s for this preggers, my family LOVED their bloody’s garnished with cured ham and pickles. I sat back, took it all in, and appreciated the late 1800’s home that we were sitting in! The Southern menu was to die for, the consensus showed that the burger was where it was at.

SHOP

3. Moon and Lola

This bright and whimsical boutique is every girly girl’s dream store, that’s why it was my first stop on King Street! Moon and Lola is packed with adorable home decor and darling accessories. I could not leave without getting two new prints for my home.

4. Candlefish

It may sound silly, but I think I left a bit of my soul in Candlefish. I could spend all day in this candle and gift shop haven! The coolest part about the store is their candle library… it is like a wine tasting bar for candle sniffing. The store makes 100 candles scents in-house, number 1 through 100. They did not give the candles real names because they do not want the “smeller” to focus on anything but the scent. Number 70 was my favorite, so you know I had to go home with a few.

TOUR

5. Patriot’s Point Naval & Maritime Museum (Medal of Honor Display)

The museum is located inside a docked naval ship from the 1930’s. It has most original finishings and furniture so you can really imagine what life would feel like living on the ship. The maritime museum also features a Medal of Honor section. You can see below my paternal grandfather’s name under the Korean War (Air Force) Medal of Honor recipients. My grandfather, Louis Sebille, gave his life for his county when my dad was 1 years old. I get so much joy from seeing his name honored, as it should be.

6. Classic Carriage Tour (rainbow row route)

Last, we took a carriage ride with Classic Carriage around Rainbow Row. We learned so much history on the hour tour and our tour guide was hysterical!! We learned that the most photographed section of the city, Rainbow Row, was more recently painted these vibrant colors after one home owner began the trend.

“Travel is one thing that you buy to make you richer.”

If you have any favorite scenes/suggestions for my next trip to Charleston, please please share.. I love a good recommendation!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Knitted Poncho

Closet

January 4, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

I wore a knitted poncho and my hunter rain boots to explore Charleston on a cold, damp day.

{Poncho: Forever 21, love this one} {Scarf: Asos, Nasty Gal}
{Hat: J. Crew} {Long Sleeve Tee: Forever 21}
{Jeans: Pea In The Pod} {Hunter Boots: Nordstrom}
{Bag: Kate Spade}

Jason and I finally made a visit to Charleston!! I have wanted to visited Charleston for YEARS. My parents were traveling to South Carolina for a wedding and were sweet enough to invite us along since they knew I was dying to explore Charleston’s charm and history. We had 5 days to explore and eat our way through The Holy City, which still was not enough time!

We must have felt every season in Charleston during our 5 day stay. The first day was 80 degrees and by the last day it was 50 and cloudy. This was my favorite look from my trip to Charleston. I linked a few look-alikes for items that are no longer available online. I wore my poncho and rain boots for a cold and damp day of site seeing and shopping. I love throwing on my rain boots because they are actually so comfortable. I walked nearly the whole day in them and my pregnant tootsies didn’t hurt! I picked up this new KS bag while in Charleston, she is lovely. The bag makes a great cross body for day, and then remove the strap for an adorable evening bag.

Stay tuned for my next blog post that will cover some of my favorite restaurants, shops, and sites to see in Charleston.

Keep in touch,
Dani