{This is where you can find posts about motherhood and our family lifestyle} You know that random junk drawer in your home that is filled with important items you use on the reg, that is what you will find here on motherhood. These posts consist of our family adventures, favorite products, and all things MAMA and BABY!

Winnie’s Winter Forest First Birthday Party

January 23, 2019 by Drafts & Crafts

Better late than never; I am excited to finally get around to sharing photos from Winnie’s first birthday party!

Hard to believe that its been over a month since our baby girl turned one! Time just flies by these days! Its so bittersweet to watch them grow, well mostly sweet, but I do find myself missing the little baby phase! It truly goes by so fast and you wish those days away when you are so sleep deprived and have engorged breasts! Winsome Rose is a little firecracker though and we LOVE her personality these days! She loves following around her big brother and they are starting to grow into the best of friends! Her first birthday party was filled with our family and our close friends! We kept it pretty simple with a backyard movie! The menu consisted of a hotdog and popcorn bar with some whimsical forest decor! Hope you enjoy these photos from our favorite photographer! Sindy, from Verance Photography, always captures the most dreamy photos for my family!

Winnie’s pinafore: @paperlinen
mushroom embroidery: @urbanpigtails
Winsome birth stat poster: @shop.lovefound
Winnie’s bonnet: @maxandoliviaco
Cake: Made by my friend Courtney,
(I can ask to share contact if you are local!)
Mushroom Cake Toppers: @penny.gem
Wands: Hand made by mama!

Hope you are off to a wonderful start of 2019! My goal for this year is to focus on myself and family! I want to start by doing a little more for myself this year, taking time to do the things I love! Get my health, fitness, and gospel goals together! Secondly, I am trying to take on less this year, put down the phone more, and minimalize my life and house a little more. Just thought I would share since this is my first official blog post of the new year!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

November 20, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

Wow! Its been awhile since I made an actual blog post- this year has just flown by! Gift giving and Christmas time are my love language so I definitely did not want to miss out on the opportunity to share some of my favorite items this season and to encourage everyone to shop small! This year we are keeping our Christmas pretty simple and trying to stay true to shopping small. There is so much going on in December for our family (my daughter’s, mom’s, dad’s, brother’s, and my mother in law all have December birthdays- insert the emoji with eyes popping out of my head) and my children do not need much so I am breaking there gifts down to: something they WANT, something they NEED, something to WEAR, something to READ, something fun to learn a SKILL! 5 gifts each- easy and sweet. Plus, we know their grandparents will spoil them and we don’t have any more room for toys in our smaller house!

these photos are borrowed from each shops website**

1. Paperlinen supply- beautiful hand-sown linen clothing items for girls and boys
2. This & That Etc- wooden alphabet puzzle and custom name puzzles
3. Moon Picnic- wooden weather board, amazing design and educational perfect gift for any child!
4. PNW Littles- adorably illustrated onesies
5. Bannor Toys- heirloom wooden toys- tools, cars, trucks, & rattles (personalized engraving for an extra special touch)
6. Misha & Puff- timeless hand knitted booties, bonnets, and sweaters
7. Mud Puppy Kids- tons of fun and educational toys/games, PERFECT STOCKING STUFFER!
8. Hazel Village x Briar Handmade collab– get your babe the perfect plush with a matching bonnet for the doll and child
9. Max and Olivia co- the most pretty pixie bonnet that I ever laid eyes on and very affordable in the knit world!
10. Simple Toy Co- Modern Blush Waldorf Doll
11. Willaby- high quality gauze blankets, worth the splurge
12. Cheerily- Custom name oneies, “W is for Winnie”
13. Homespun Collection- small shop that carries kids and home items with a vintage inspired look
14. June Home Supply- children’s broom, my oldest loves to try and help clean so this will be a great tool for him
15. Gathre- wipeable, leather playmat that features a fun illustration for children to play on

I want to encourage everyone to shop small this holiday: support a person, their dream, and their family. Shopping small carries so much more weight and there is always the person who created an item doing an actual happy dance each sale!!! I curatied this gift guide based on some of my favorite small shops, we have been fortunate to try the majority of these products and we LOVE them! Each product that I shared is an heirloom quality gift, from wooden toys, to hand knitted clothing, to butter-soft leather playmates. Be sure to follow these small shops on social media and learn about their black Friday, small business Saturday, and cyber Monday sales.

I would love to hear about what gifts you will be getting your kids this Christmas!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Our go-to entertainment Items for Going Out with Kids

August 30, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

Sharing the details of what is in my diaper bag to help make dining out and traveling with kids easier.

It is no secret that my husband and I love to go out to eat! We usually eat out one night over the weekend to spend some time together as a family, eat a nice meal, and get out of the house with the kids. Having babies and toddlers can definitely make going out (anywhere) a daunting task. We decided early on that we did not want to stop doing the things that we love just because we have kids. Of course, like a lot of parents with young kids we have to pick and choose what we do these days, but we still wanted to be able to enjoy a meal out and not be afraid to venture or travel with our kids. I wanted to share the items that we use with our kids to make going out a little less stressful.

Gathre playmat– We use this as a interactive placemat for Tanner. He can play with his trucks on it while we are waiting for food and then I know he is snacking or eating off of a clean(er) surface.
Small CAT machines– These mighty machines are a staple in our home. My mom picked my son up a set from CVS one time and then I have seen them in several stores since then. Our toddler plays with these nearly every single day. Fun for water, water beads, sand, and play doh activities. I also believe that they are very realistic and small enough to fit in their hands that kids can develop excellent fine motor skills plus learning educational skills when playing with these.
Small playdoh tubs– Call me crazy mama, but I usually have a few of these in my bag. With the Gathre playmat Tanner does not make a mess and play doh entertains him for about thirty mins. We will make silly items, fun items, and all kinds of creations for his trucks to pick up.
Small coloring book- I know I keep saying small, but its true I get tiny items that will fit into my diaper bag and not make it a thousand times heavier. Always keep a color book and some crayons on hand with toddlers.
Magnetic Doodle Board- These are so fun for kids and a better alternative to taking out the phone. Not that I am above putting on a show on my phone, but we try other things first.
Homespun reusable snack packs– We can not go anywhere without a snack, usually some goldfish. We are trying to do our small part in making our earth a better place with using reusable pouches.
Baby Suction Toy- We ordered this one from Amazon and are happy with it. It will entertain Winnie while we are out, Tanner even loves it too.
Carseat Hanging Toy– If your baby is tiny and doesn’t mind staying in the carseat these are nice to keep baby smiling.

I would love to hear if you have any tricks up your sleeve for entertaining your kids while you are out or what fun things you have in your diaper bag!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Swaddling 101

March 23, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

More and more research is being done on swaddling so I wanted to create a quick blog post about what I think is important to know and why we loved the Ollie Swaddle for our newborn.

**swaddle was donated by The Ollie World

I wanted to cover a brief post on swaddling because I had a ton of questions about it as a new mom. It is becoming a somewhat controversial topic as more and more research is being done on swaddling. This is some information I have learned from when I was in the hospital with Winnie and from doing my own research online. So what is swaddling? It is wrapping your newborn in a somewhat tight blanket or swaddle to mimic the tight feeling of a mother’s womb. Since baby’s are so comfy and snug in their mama’s belly, people swaddle so their baby is cozy and may sleep longer stretches without flapping around and waking themselves up.

Swaddling can be safe and effective for newborn babies, but there are important factors to keep in mind. Research shows it is safest for babies to sleep on their backs. Only swaddle a baby who can not move and is sleeping on their back. Once a baby can roll over, it is no longer safe for their arms to be held down. Make sure the swaddle is loose enough around the legs that the baby has plenty of room to move their legs and hips. You do not want the babies legs to be “tied” down or held straight all night because it can damage their hip growth. You can see in the above pictures that Winnie still has plenty of room in her Ollie swaddle to froggy her legs out.

It is safest to get a “swaddle suit” (like The Ollie Swaddle), rather than just a blanket. Hospitals in the US no longer swaddle babies in blankets, they use a velcro swaddle vest. This is why we love The Ollie Swaddle that Winnie is wearing in the above photos. A velcro swaddle is safest since there are no loose ends that the baby could get stuck on or suffocate on if it becomes loose in the night. The Ollie Swaddle is breathable and made from a patented sweat wicking material. The swaddle is designed to wick any moisture away from the skin to keep baby warm and dry. At 2 months of age, we began to keep Winnie’s arms out of the swaddle so she can move more. I personally like to keep her swaddled because I know she is warmer all night without using loose blankets in the crib. We will eventually transition her into a sleep sack of some type. If you have any questions, never hestitate to call your pediatrician to ask about safe sleeping practices. If you have any questions about The Ollie Swaddle, check out their awesome website that has helpful information from doctors and doulas! I would love to hear about your swaddling journey so please comment if you would like to share!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Labor & Delivery Visitor Etiquette

February 25, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

With recently having a baby and several friends due around the same time, I felt inspired to share what I would like to call some Labor & Delivery Visitor Etiquette.

This post came to me in an organic way, thankfully, I did not have any bad experiences with hospital visitors. I thought I would share what I think is appropriate when visiting a new mama or family for the first time after they have a baby incase anyone is unsure or needs some friendly tips. If you are around my age, then you know plenty of couples in their 20’s and 30’s who are having kids! And even if you are not around my age, everyone knows someone who is having a baby- a family member, a neighbor, a coworker, so this is pretty relevant stuff if you ask me! Let me start by saying, anyone who is visiting someone in the hospital should be a family member or relativity close friend. Visiting a new mother is a personal experience, I mean within the last 24-48 hours she gave birth to her tiny human! IT IS A BIG DEAL! To keep in short and concise, here are some pointers.

Do’s

check with the mother first to make sure it is OK that you visit
ask if they would prefer a certain time
bring something- my main suggestion is FOOD. ask what their favorite place is or get something yummy!
wash your hands right when you get in the room
don’t over do your visit
ask if you can get them anything on the way. I forgot chap stick one time and just wanted some Burt’s Bees!
if you visit the home, ask if you can do anything. Remember, just folding some laundry can be a HUGE help
be mindful of the mother breastfeeding (espeically if you and your husband go to visit, it may be something that a women is not comfortable learning or doing in front of others)
pick something up for the new mom or make her lactation cookies. Most people bring something for the baby, but I think its extra special to bring a little something for the mama. After all, she did just push a baby out or have her abdomen sliced open!

Dont’s

don’t visit with young children (mainly wild toddlers, some hospitals have a no children, except siblings policy)
don’t hog the new baby and hold he/she for too long
don’t offer advice or tell the parents they should be doing something a different way
don’t go if you have been any type of sick in the past 7 days. newborns immune system can not handle anything!

If you are out of town

send something, I recommend food over flowers. (I LOVE flowers, but when you get a few in the hospital it is just a pain to carry them all out)
text message a friend or family member to congratulate them and let them know that you are thinking of them, that way they can respond at their earliest convenience.

These suggestions may seem like common sense, but it is nice to just be mindful when visiting anyone in the hospital or at their home. I have heard some crazy stories from friends who’s mother in laws just come in and start giving their opinion and let’s be honest, no one wants to hear that! I would love to hear if you have any ideas!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Nip Dip- homemade nipple cream for nursing mamas

February 7, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

I finally made my own recipe for nipple cream and now I am kicking myself for not making this sooner! Nursing mamas, you gotta try this simple recipe.

I know I can’t be the only nursing mother who was tired of paying $15 for a tiny tube of organic nipple balm! I spent TONS of money on nipple cream when I was exclusively pumping for Tanner so this time around I was determined to save money. Let’s be honest, throughout the journey of feeding or pumping, our nipples need some TLC. This cream takes about 10 minutes to make and cost around $30, I call it Dani’s Nip Dip- hahaha! It should make enough to last about 24 months, so share some with your friends! I am going to link the products that I bought and researched off amazon. These products are all natural/unrefined and should be safe if baby does get some while beginning to latch. Lastly, I do want to mention that this is a homemade recipe so use at your own discretion. Winnie and I have been using it for about a week and love it!

Makes 12 ounces- filled 3, 4 ounce mason jars

Ingredients

1.5 cups extra virgin olive oil (purchased at local grocery)
6 tablespoons coconut oil (purchased at local grocery)
3 sticks of beeswax (about 3 tablespoons)
3 tablespoons shea butter

Steps

Place all of the ingredients in small pot on the stove.
Simmer on low to medium heat. Took about 10 mins on low/medium heat to melt each ingredient.
Stir until your mixture is clear and there are no clumps.
Pour your mixture into jars. Be careful because it will be hot. Wait until the mixture is cooled and no longer clear before placing the lid on.

Hope this recipe soothes you! I would love to hear if you have any tricks of your own or what cream is your go-to?

Keep in touch,
Dani

Lounging with DockATot

January 30, 2018 with Drafts & Crafts

The DockATot was high on my wish list for our second baby. I am sharing my personal review of the DockATot today and why we love it!

PROS

beautifully designed- has handles for transport, firm cushions for baby
high-quality material- material is tight on the cushions and zip together in two pieces
excellent if you choose to co sleep even though that is not what is recommended these days
portable and easy to move around the home for baby to lounge in
the sides make the baby feel cuddled and keep the baby secure from rolling

CONS

expensive baby item
pillow is bulky to store when not in use
not designed to put in crib
my white covers show stains easy (you can opt for a pattern instead to solve this)

We did not have the coveted baby lounger when Tanner was a baby. After hearing awesome things about it, I was thrilled that we were given the opportunity to try the DockATot Deluxe and the DockATot Grand. To start, I’ll talk about the Deluxe (0 to 8 months). I was happy to receive the DockATot Deluxe, intended for up to 22 pounds, before the arrival of our baby girl. I had plans to use this lounger all of the time, especially in the newborn phase! Winnie is now 7 weeks old and we use the DockATot Deluxe for her ALL throughout the day! She takes supervised naps in it, she lays on out couch in it, we lays in it while I entertain our toddler, and she rests in there while I shower so Tanner can not get to her. It is convenient to be able to move it around our home, so I know exactly where Winnie is. I can keep a close eye on her since we have a 20 month old. Even though Tanner has been the sweetest big brother, he is still very young so I do not want him messing with her by accident. Even with the steep price tag, I would highly recommend the DockATot Deluxe for a new baby. We intend to use our Deluxe until Winnie grows out of it.

As for the DockATot Grande (9 months-36 months), it is more of a luxury item than a necessity for Tanner. I think one reason is because he did not have a DockATot Deluxe when he was a baby so he is not interested in napping it in. He loves to curl up and watch TV in his DockATot Grand and also play in it! He loves to climb in it with his toys and we pretend it is a boat! Again, both sizes are sturdy, portable, and beautifully made. A HUGE thank you to DockATot for sponsoring this post!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Tips for Bringing Home your Second Baby (prior prep & first few weeks)

January 17, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

We felt so many emotions as we prepared to become a family of 4: nervous, excited, overwhelmed, & blessed. I wanted to share some tips that I believe made it a smoother transition on our first child and for myself.

Verance Photography

Since becoming a mother of 2, I have had a few mamas who are excepting baby number 2 to ask me how the transition has been and what they should expect from baby number 1. I always like to preface by saying that I am not an expert and every child is different, but I did want to share some ideas that helped our family. I can promise you I experienced every single emotion while pregnant with Winnie. I believe everyone does, but I think they happen at different stages depending on your current situation and the current temperament of your first child. For instance, from the moment I found out we were expecting baby number 2, I knew my kids would be pretty close in age and it didn’t scare me. Tanner was 10 months old when I got pregnant. He was the best baby so I was not worried at all about having another. Then when he started to become a wild toddler around 15 months, I was a nervous wreck, thinking what did I get myself into, why did I think I was ready for a second baby. BUT we prepared the best we could, I tried to work on the things I was worried about and now Winnie is here and Tanner is a wonderful big brother. I hope these tips can also help your family too!

While pregnant here are some ideas to start preparing child number 1:

tell the child they are going to be a big brother or big sister from the moment you find out you are pregnant
tell them they are getting a new baby, not that mommy and daddy are having a new baby
talk about the new baby every day
have the first child help get the nursery ready for their new sibling
bring the child to a doctors appointment where they could see or hear their sibling
get the child a baby doll of their own to teach them how to be gentle and hold a baby
do your best to save up leave if you will be returning to work
make sure your husband will be able to take a few days or more when the baby is born
plan ahead and see if your family or friends can help you with your first child
make some frozen meals because cooking with 2 kids is a big adjustment
dependent on the age of your first child, work on those daunting tasks that need work (potty training, bed transitioning)
get a gift for the first child and give it to them in the hospital when they come to meet their sibling for the first time.
plan ahead and order some simple toys off Amazon to keep the first child busy when you have to tend to baby. They will be thrilled to have some new items and it will keep their attention for a little while. They do not need to be expensive or fancy. Winnie happened to be born the week before Christmas, which was lucky for us because Tanner had so many new toys to occupy him. If you do want to get crazy, I would get one big item, like a play kitchen or tool bench would be amazing for the first child to play with. Here are some items that we got for Tanner to play with after Winnie was born:
1. Window Markers
2. Coloring Book and Stickers (order a few coloring books and sticker books in their favorite characters)
3. Play Doh and play kit – Tanner loves this Melissa and Doug Kit

While at the hospital:

give the first child their gift from baby 2
don’t hold baby number 2 when the first child walks in if you can help it. Sit the first child next to you in the hospital bed and have daddy bring over baby number 2
introduce the second baby as “our baby”
let the first child hold (with assistance if needed) their new sibling
encourage them to touch, feel, smell, the new baby

When coming home:

get the first child excited, remind them of their new role as big brother or big sister
encourage them to help, even if it is simple things like, hand mommy a diaper or throw something away
encourage them to sing to their sibling or bring then toys
whip out one of those new toys if its a day when you need a break or the baby is extra fussy
try to plan at least once per day (for 30 mins) where you give your undivided attention to your first time, color with them, make a snack with them, take them outback and play. This has been a big help for us, but also is very hard some days with all that has to get done.
and last, listen to your mind and body! If you are having a tough time, ask for help. Remember anyone who has a baby knows how tough the transition can be. Ask a friend to pick up your first child if you need a break. Ask someone to come watch the kids so you can go to the grocery store alone. This can be life saving!!

I would love to hear if you have any more suggestions or what worked for your family! Best of luck to any expectant mother out there!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Winsome Rose’s Birth Story

December 27, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

With Winnie turning two weeks tomorrow, I wanted to quickly get her birth story live for anyone interested in reading it.

I hope everyone had the best Christmas spent with loved ones and relaxing. Our Winnie girl will be two weeks old tomorrow. Time is already flying by so I wanted to get her birth story up sooner rather than later! Most of you may know that I was longing for a VBAC delivery (vaginal birth after c section), but unfortunately that is not what happened. I am resting in the truth that God’s plan is perfect. God knew how Winsome would enter the world way before we ever did.

From the beginning of my second pregnancy I was seeing my regular OB and a high-risk specialist. Due to having preeclampsia/high blood pressure with Tanner, my second pregnancy was considered high risk. Tanner was born via c section at 37 weeks, you can read his birth story here. While I saw the high risk doctor from 20 weeks on with Winnie, nothing was ever wrong. My blood pressure was perfect my entire pregnancy and all of the extra blood work, tests, and scans looked wonderful.

My OB wanted me to schedule a c section from the beginning of my pregnancy, but I was standing strong about a VBAC. I really wanted the experience of having a vaginal birth. I truly believe that is what my body was created for. However, my body had other plans. At 37.5 weeks I went to my last high risk appointment and they did a full ultra sound with measurements and looked at all of her major organs. The high risk doctor was concerned about Winnie’s size. She was never measuring small, but at this appointment they said was she measuring below the 10th percentile for weight. They believed that Winnie weighted 5.5 pounds at 37.5 weeks. The baby was diagnosed with Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), and the high risk doctor said that he wanted the baby delivered no later than 39 weeks. They felt that our baby would grow faster outside of the womb.

When I went to my regular OB appointment a few days later, we discussed a plan. The OB told me that if my body did not naturally go into labor or if was not dilated by 39 weeks, then they would do a c section. If I was dilated, they would have induced me. I went crazy for the next 10 days trying to get Winnie out naturally: professional massages, prim rose oil, squats, walking, stairs, sex, breast pumping. You name it, I was willing to try it.

The OB scheduled me for a c section a day before 39 weeks (according to my 20 week ultra sound). This all was happening so fast that I really didn’t share the details with many people. It may have been selfish of me, but I was devastated to hear that I would most likely have to get another c section. When I got to the hospital for my c section, they checked my cervix one more time. The nurse sadly told me that my body was not showing any signs of labor so a c section it was. My c section was scheduled for 4pm. It sucked to have it that late in the day! I could not eat past midnight the evening before and they told me I would not be able to eat until the next morning. The surgery was running a few mins late. I walked into the OR to begin my spinal prep at 4:20pm.

With my husband by my side, Winsome Rose Colding was born at 4:44pm. Our little girl weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces. While pulling Winnie out, my OB yelled this baby weighs a lot more than 5 pounds!! She is a little peanut, but she was by no means IUGR. It stinks that ultra sounds can be way off! After all of the back and forth, my husband and I were just so happy that Winnie was here and healthy!! The second c section was much more scary. I don’t know if that was because I knew what was coming and it made me more nervous. The first time was beautiful, the spinal tap did not make me nauseous at all! This time, I threw up and it felt like someone was sitting on my chest and I couldn’t breathe. During my c section with Tanner, my hands were tied down to the operating table. This time they said they no longer do that. It was nice to be able to have my husband hold my hand this time around.

After 2 days we were discharged and headed home! Post surgery has gone well. I am recovering fast and things are beginning to get back to normal. I was most nervous about coming home and being no help with Tanner. How was I going to take care of my 19 month old son that weighs 30 pounds if I can only lift Winnie?? Luckily my parents were here to help me and Jason was off work for a few days around Christmas. Winnie has been a dream boat baby. She is sleeping 3-4 hour stretches at night and we are doing our best to get her on a schedule. Tanner has been the sweetest big brother. We feel beyond blessed to be a family of 4! Thank you for everyone’s well wishes, kind words, food, help, calls, texts!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

2017 Gift Guide

November 21, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Gift giving is my love language so I was so excited to create this post to share with you guys. My goal was to cover a gift idea for everyone on your list that you have to shop for this holiday season !The majority of the gifts are well under $100, with just a few around the $100 price point.

***All of the above images were borrowed from each company’s website, they are not my own.

GLDN personalized jewelry – for ANY lucky lady in your life
GLDN’s jewelry is dainty, timeless, perfect for everyday wear. I think any women would love! Add a special touch and personalize a gift for your wife, friend, mother, MIL, grandmother, or aunt. use code “DCCOLD15” for 15% off of your order until 12/31/17!
Hillflint College Sweaters – for the sports fan
These sweaters are the bees knees! I love the vintage, retro feel of Hillflint. College sport fans would appreciate one of these high-quality sweaters.
Fox Hollow Studios Prints & Calendars – for the homemaker
We all have those people who make their home feel like our home. Fox Hollow paints beautiful images that would fit into almost any home style: from spice plants, to cool cacti, to beautiful barn scenes.
Aviate (airport abbreviation) Hats – for the jet setters
You may have seen these hats by now, but if you have not, then you are welcome. Rep your favorite city, place to vacation, or where you are from with these causal ball caps. Plus, we all have bad hair days!
Bose Sport in-ear Headphones – for the person who likes to workout or run
A person who likes to jam out while they get their workout on will appreciate good speakers that are sweat resistant. In my opinion, Bose always produces the best sound.
Artifact Uprising Photo Gifts – for ANY body special to you
I have ordered photo gifts from many companies, but Artifact Uprising is the only company up to par. From the quality to the modern design, anyone would enjoy a special photograph keepsake. My personal favorites are the wood block & prints and the wooden calendar. Great gift for a grandma or grandpa!
Homesick (state & city) Candles – for the person who misses home or loves to travel
We all love where we are from, right? These candles are the sweetest reminder of home or they could represent a memorable trip or favorite destination. I love this NYC based company!
The Art of Shaving – for the classy man who appreciates good products
I have a few fancy boys in my life so this is a cool gift idea for a guy who likes to stay looking fresh.
The Night Sky Art Prints – for the sentimental person or a loved one
These posters are really neat! You choose a date and location of which a special occasion took place and Night Sky generates the stars from that night! Perfect sentimental gift for an engaged person, newlywed, or family who just had a baby.
Bose Waterproof Mini Speaker – for the music lover and adventurer
My husband and I got a portable Bose speaker last Christmas and we love it! The only thing that would make it better is if it were water proof and had a hanging clip like this one! You could really take this mini speaker anywhere!
Roku Portable Streaming Stick – for the entertainment center king and queen
Endless TV and movies at your finger tips, can’t go wrong with this small piece of technology for a good price!
Mark & Graham Leather Wallets and Moneyclips – for ANY lucky dude in your life
I’ve learned over the years that most men like a small wallet. These leather Mark & Graham wallets are classic.
Gathre Leather Bonded Mats – for the family or outdoor person
Anyone who has been around me knows that I am an huge fan of these mats. Beautiful colors and patterns to choose from, high-quality, wipeable leather mats! They come as small as changing mats for babies and get as large as fitting 8 people for a picnic.
Promptly Childhood & Adoption Journals – for the expectant mother
Perfect gift for someone who is expecting or about to adopt. Record memories from being pregnant, through age 5.
City Map Glasses – for the entertainer
These glasses would be a great addition on a bar cart. Gift someone their favorite city map on their favorite cocktail glass. I am thinking my husband needs a set of DC maps on a bourbon glass.
Boon Pipes for the bath – for the toddler boy
Affordable toddler gift! Tanner has a set of these and let’s just say they are so cool that he is not the only one around here who enjoys playing with them!
Dainty Cheeks Doll or Purse for Anthropologie – for the toddler girl
Affordable toddler gift! Dainty Cheeks is a company that hand makes one-of-a-kind stuffed toys. Well we are in luck, Dainty cheeks did an artist collaboration with Anthropologie and created an affordable line of dolls and purses. A normal Dainty Cheeks doll is $150 and you can get one at Anthro for $28 and a purse for $14.
Circuit Cubes, boxed project – for the middle age child (age 6 to 12)
It is tricky to buy for an adolescent. To play it safe you can give a fun and educational type of gift like these boxed projects. I know I loved a gift that involved me doing some type of crafts when I was younger.
Jan handwoven blankets – for the homebody or Netflix binge watcher
Know a homebody or someone who likes to binge watch through the latest hit on Netflix? Gift them a beautiful hand-woven blanket to cozy up on the couch with, designed by one of my best friends! Comes in three beautiful colors, you can e-mail, hello@jan-studio.com for an order.
Yarning Made hand knitted blankets – for ANY special baby or baby coming soon
Hand-knitted blankets are the sweetest heirlooms! My mother kept my hand-knitted blanket and it was so sweet to pass it down to our son. My favorite blanket for a baby girl is the heart print and the “ZZZZ” for a baby boy. Love the modern twist on these timeless blankets.

Hi friends! Happy Thanksgiving week, which also means happy kick off to holiday shopping! Let the the Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas shopping craze begin. I want to begin by saying, the meaning behind Christmas is FAR GREATER than gift giving. Gifts do not have much to do with it, but we do take gift giving serious in my family (for all occasions, not just Christmas). I spent a lot of time creating this gift guide, thinking about unique gifts for the loved ones in my life. You see, my husband is a music buff, while my dad and brother are huge sports fans. I think most people have a wide range of “personalities” to buy for and some are much harder than others. One thing I am really passionate about is supporting small businesses, so I have included several of my favorite small shops in this list. I know you will love their products as much as I do! My goal was to cover everyone on your list so I hope you find some new, awesome ideas for the lovers in your life. Please share any fun gift ideas that you have!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Our Baby Girl’s Nursery

December 9, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

With 6 weeks left until we meet our little girl, I am happy to finally share the finishing touches of our her nursery.

Photo credit: Verance Photography

Crib: Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1
Dresser: West Elm
Wallpaper: St. Jude’s Fabric, Harvest Hare
Rug: Lorena Canals (c/o)
Moses Basket: Bloomingdale’s
Maeve Blanket (draped over crib): Max + Moose (c/o)
Baby Bird Hoop: Urban Pigtails
Wooden Basket (holding the stuffed animals): Ikea
Leather Mat (in reading nook): Gathre
Rocking Chair: a family heirloom
Book Shelf: Ikea
Rabbit Hook: Anthropologie
Robe: Pink Blush Maternity

It is hard to believe that in just 6 weeks we will be a family of 4. Tanner will no longer be an only child, he will be a big brother, and we will have another newborn to love on. It feels surreal, but the closer it gets, the more excited I am! My nerves about turning our world upside down are starting to subside. After lots of praying, my heart is content and I only have sweet feelings about bringing our baby girl home just in time for the holidays (fingers crossed I don’t go past Christmas)!

We have been working on baby girl’s room for some time. It was nice to take it slow and take our time. I would highly recommend this for someone expecting their second or third child. When you are caring for other children, your second+ pregnancy goes by in the blink of an eye. Baby #2’s room was planned around this timeless, whimsical wallpaper. I first saw this wallpaper in a bathroom at one of my favorite local eateries. I knew if we were having a girl, I would have to track down this vintage-inspired, golden bunny and bird beauty to be the focal point of her room.

From there it was pretty easy to pick out pieces that went with the mid-century look that I was going for. I love the warm and happy feeling that I get when I walk into her nursery. That feeling is probably the pop of yellow talking. I hope you enjoy taking a peak into our baby girl’s nursery. My husband and I had so much fun setting it up. Well, I doubt Jason would say the wallpaper part was fun. Putting up wallpaper is a beast! Tanner even helped work on his sister’s room with his dada. I think this is a sign that he will be an awesome big brother!

Lastly, this is a sneak peak of the robe that will be in my hospital bag for delivery! I am loving this floral robe by Pink Blush. Pink Blush has tons of beautiful and affordable delivery robes to choose from! Please let me know if you have any questions about the nursery. Thank you Sindy for capturing our second babe’s nursery.

Keep in touch,
Dani

Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle Series- Part 3: Sleep

October 31, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Sleep plays a crucial role in the way we function each and every day so I am concluding my steps toward a healthier lifestyle series by taking about sleep.

For the past two months I have been taking more natural approaches to get my family to move toward a healthier lifestyle. I previously wrote about using less harmful beauty products and replacing some medicine with essentials oils. Lastly, one huge factor that was effecting my daily attitude was the way I had been sleeping. Months had gone by and it seemed like I was tossing and turning all night if I did not take my anti-nausea medicine, which is mostly a sleep aid. I couldn’t figure out why I was not tired. My son keeps me busy all day and I was working out regularly and using all of my energy. I was feeling irritable in the mornings because some days it felt like I had not slept at all. Being pregnant definitely plays a role in insomnia, but as I mentioned in to previous post, I did not want to be dependent on medicine while pregnant so I knew something had to change.

My husband and I slept in a queen size bed since we got married and it begun to feel like we did not have enough room. I was constantly scrunching myself up to feel comfortable on the bed, but really all I wanted to do was spread out from corner to corner. I have been dying to upgrade to a king size bed so I started researching hybrid mattresses that come to your front door in a box. They are affordable and I know a lot of people have been talking about how these hybrid mattresses are the new wave of mattresses. I found the brand Tomorrow and am over the moon to work with them! We have been sleeping on Tomorrow’s hybrid mattress for 6 weeks and it has been amazing!!! We upgraded to a king size and ordered the medium-firm hybrid mattress. It has been truly life changing.

My husband and I were a little skeptical, wondering how on earth a king size mattress that can fold in a box could be comfortable. We like a firmer mattress so we thought maybe it would be too soft for us. We were glad to be wrong!! Each night when we get into bed we talk about how we are sleeping on a cloud! We don’t mean the mushy, overly soft kind of cloud. It is plush, forms to your body, yet still remains firm for comfortable feeling. Upgrading to a king size mattress gave us over a foot more of space and it has been so nice to feel like neither of us our hanging off of the bed or fighting for space, especially being pregnant. We wish we would have made this switch a long time ago!

I am glad that I realized how my restless nights were taking a toll on my life. I know switching mattresses comes with a big financial commitment, but I don’t think you can really put a price on a good night’s sleep. You can use code: “CRAFTS100” for $100 off of a hybrid mattress from Tomorrow. Tomorrow does have payment plans for people who qualify, as well as 100 day trails! If you are uncomfortable at night, I encourage you to look into a new mattress. Since switching mattresses, I went cold turkey off of my sleep aid and began using essentials oils instead. I believe the combination of a new, larger mattress and essentials oils have allowed me to get a restful night’s sleep again. I am still pregnant and not dealing with insomnia, it is a miracle! Thank you to Tomorrow Sleep for designing this hybrid mattress and sponsoring this post. All these opinions are my own and I would love to tell you more about the mattress. If you have any questions about Tomorrow’s hybrid mattress, please don’t hesitate to ask. HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND HELLO NOVEMBER!

Keep in touch,
Dani

A few weeks into the third trimester…

September 27, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

I am now 32 weeks pregnant and feeling all of the feels so I thought a little update was in order.

I truly enjoy journaling my pregnancy, I have so many thoughts and feelings that writing them down has really helped me throughout this journey. On a side note, I also use my Promptly Journal to actually write things down because to me, there is nothing like taking pen to paper. Today marks 32 weeks of growing baby Colding number dos. It has been an emotional few weeks. I just have to say, pregnancy is emotional. Even when everything is going pretty well, it can still be emotional. Tanner is now 17 months and is a little wild child. He is fearless, loves to climb, jump, wonder, and explore. As much as I love his curiosity, it also gives me anxiety that he has no problem walking away from me, or should I say running away. When you are hit you third trimester and start to feel physically tired, chasing after a toddler is no joke. Where are all my second time mamas? Exhausting!! With that being said, I really want to take these next two months before baby sister is born to work with Tanner to stay close, hold hands, and look for mama and dada. So on the emotional side, I am worried about bringing a second baby into our home and rocking Tanner’s world. I know it will be a huge adjustment. As I held a friend’s baby the other day, he wanted me to pick him up to. In the past, this has never bothered him so it will be interesting to see how he reacts to having his baby sister home the first few weeks. I know he will eventually adjust fine and be a great big brother, but the beginning and the unknown is what scares me!

Even though my nerves run high these days, I am SOOO EXCITED TOO! A BABY GIRL! We feel so blessed that we will get to experience each gender so now maybe we will be two and done? Who knows, I LOVE babies so I could see myself wanting one more down the road depending on how adjusting to a second baby goes. Our sweet girl is all set to go, we received so many kind gifts, and her nursery is just about complete! I do feel myself starting to physically slow down some so I am glad that we started on her nursery early. The second pregnancy has gone by so fast!!

Lastly, I wanted to share how I am praying for a VBAC (vaginal birth after c section). To keep it short, I had a c-section at 37 weeks with Tanner due to preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure. Just because I became preeclamptic with Tanner, does not mean I will get it again with number two. My blood pressure has been great and I have been exercising regularly, which is something I did not do the first time around. If my blood pressure and blood tests remain normal, my doctor will let me try for a VBAC, but my body has to go into labor naturally. Meaning, they would not want to induce me if my body does not do it on its own. I have been praying that I will get to experience a vaginal childbirth, especially because it may be our last baby. I know this is what God designed my body for, so I am hoping labor will happen naturally. I wanted to share that because it weighs heavy on my heart everyday that we get closer to baby girl’s due date. I will share one more maternity update in the beginning of December to share a health update and if we know a c-section or a VBAC will be in our future.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and Halloween!!! I am loving all of the pumpkin photos and halloween costumes on IG!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Baby Girl’s Fall Sprinkle

October 17, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

My sweet friend, Ashlyn, threw me the most beautiful fall-inspired sprinkle last weekend! Here are some of the swoon-worthy details…

Verance Photography

Happy Fall! Last weekend, we had a magical fall brunch for baby number 2! I wanted to share some photos with you all because it was the sweetest day! My friend, Ashlyn, asked if she could put a shower/sprinkle together. If you see Ashlyn’s creativity, then you know I could not resist (Ashlyn has runs a boutique wedding and design company called Loba Design Co.)! She was so kind to ask me about what my wishes were for my “sprinkle” and she made them come to life! We sipped on mimosas and mommy-mosas while each creating our own flower crowns. Many of my friends brought a dish and the food was fabulous!! Cheese board, breakfast casserole, donuts, muffins, fruit, quiche galore!! My friend Robynn made the the cutest pink ombre cake!

Baby girl and I were showered with adorable outfits and lots of necessities, like diapers!! I can’t help but know that moving back to Jacksonville and into our neighborhood was God’s work. We have been blessed with great friends and feel so loved as we bring baby number 2 into our family. A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who helped celebrate. Thank you to Sindy of Verance Photography being there through all my special moments and capturing beautiful photos that will last many lifetimes.

Keep in touch,
Dani

Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle Series:

Part 2. Essential Oils

September 27, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Continuing along in my journey of working toward a healthier lifestyle for my family, I am talking about how I have replaced some medicine with essential oils.

Last week, I kicked off this new series by discussing how I am using less harmful, and more natural beauty products in our home. This week I am continuing with part 2 of the series, talking about how I started using essential oils in our house. When someone in our house doesn’t feel the best, we typically jump toward the medicine cabinet. I wanted to try to break this habit with introducing essentials oils in our home.

Since my second pregnancy has been much more sickly than my first, I used anti-nausea medicine from week 6 to week 12. I cringe at the fact that I had to take medicine while pregnant because I felt so sick. The first time I ever used essential oils was when my girlfriend, Meghan, made me an anti-nausea roller. I used that everyday, along with a prescription medicine. Around 12 weeks, the nausea did subside, however the insomnia kicked in FULL-FORCE. I resorted to taking unison (a sleep aid) nightly. My doctor did ensure me that it was safe to take, but it still made me feel uneasy. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to wean myself off. I did NOT want to depend on a sleep aid from week 13 until delivery.

Around 24 weeks, I decided something needed to change so I got my first essential oil diffuser and oils from Vitruvi. I had been asking a lot of friends about their experience with oils. I honestly did know if I was that “crunchy” to wean myself off medication with something so natural. I finally thought, I have nothing to loose so why not try essentials oils. I ripped the band-aid off about 4 weeks ago and have been sleeping pretty sound with Vitruvi’s sleep roll on and the diffuser on my nightstand. Sure I toss and turn some (and pee often), but when I was pregnant with Tanner I was up from 3am to 5am every single night. This has not happened to me once in the last month!

I have been using essential oils for my whole family! I put the sleep roller on Tanner’s feet before he goes to bed and on my husband’s neck. It has been fun to look up different remedies for things, we have mostly been using them for sleep, headache, calmness, and fall scents to make the house smell delicious! Vitruvi was kind enough to share some fun blends with me:

Favourite Fall Blend
10 drops Bergamot and 10 drops Cedarwood

Bedtime Blend
5 drops Eucalyptus, and 10 drops Frankincense into my diffuser and turn it on the 7.5 hour cycle.

Morning Wakeup
5 drops Lemon and 10 drops Eucalyptus together in the morning.

Pretty Florals
Yang Ylang can be quite strong, use about 2-3 drops along with 10 drops of Geranium

Moving forward, I plan to try oils first before we jump for Tylenol. I personally feel like trying oils can’t hurt so why not try them first. You can look up a remedy for nearly anything you are experiencing. If I am able to have a VBAC with baby number 2, I plan to bring my diffuser to the hospital to diffuse some calming scents in my room. If you have any questions about the Vitruvi oils or diffuser that I have been using or would like to know any remedies, please don’t hesitate to send me a message. Thank you to Vitruvi for sponsoring this post and making my essential oil dreams come true! Stay tuned for Part 3 of Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle Series.

Keep in touch,
Dani

F A L L 2 0 1 7 B U C K E T L I S T

September 22, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Welcome fall! Each season I get gitty to create a family bucketlist! If you are looking for fun and budget friendly ideas check out our list.

our succulent pumpkin craft from last fall*

F A L L 2 0 1 7 B U C K E T L I S T

1. Football party with all the tailgate themed food
2. Campfire in the backyard with s’mores
3. Collect fall colored leaves (tricky in FL)
4. Bake our favorite brown-butter fall rice krispie treats
5. Pick pumpkins at the patch and go on a hayride
6. Make homemade cocoa on our first cool fall night
7. Apple picking and making a fun apple recipe
8. Painting a pumpkin with Tanner and his friends
9. Create a fall-inspired door mat for our front porch
10. A picnic with apple donuts and apple cider

It is probably no shocker that fall is my favorite season (yes, just like every other girl in this country). Scarves, lattes, football, leaves, pumpkins, cooler weather, you name it- Fall is best!! Fall kicks off of the the best parts about the end of the year, all of the holidays and winter. Isn’t funny how there is a major holiday each month starting in October and going through January? I am so crazy that I have even started my Christmas shopping. This is partially because my due date is the week of Christmas so I do not have any time to be messing around!! Are you as excited about fall as I am? What is on your fall bucket list?

Keep in touch,
Dani

Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle Series:

Part 1. Beauty

September 18, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

With baby number two on the way, getting into a healthier family lifestyle has been weighing heavy on my mind. I decided I would journal about my journey of getting my family to a healthier place by creating this blog series, Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle.

I am excited to document my journey about getting my family to a healthier lifestyle. I want to begin by acknowledging the fact that I am not a health expert, but I do know that there are healthier choices that my family could be making and using in our daily routine.

First up, I wanted to talk about choosing more health conscious products for my family, especially our kids. For the most part, I know how to live a healthy lifestyle: choose the right/clean foods to eat, work out several times each week, don’t drink too much alcohol, smoke, or do drugs. One place where I fall short is knowing what products I use on myself, my child, and are in my home. Since Tanner was born, I have become MUCH more aware of harmful products in our home. It shocked me to recently learn that the US has not created new federal laws to regulate personal care products since 1938.

One of my new favorite lines for baby products and make up is Beautycounter. A friend who is a rep introduced me to the healthy beauty line. The belief behind Beautycounter is that products can be beautiful, effective, and safer. Not only am I extra careful of what products that I use on Tanner because I want him to grow strong and keep him safe, but Tanner also has sensitive skin and eczema. Before I started using Beautycounter products on Tanner, I used The Honest Company and Burt’s Bees products. Little did I know that the lavender scented Honest products were actually making his eczema worse. My pediatrician let me know products that contain lavender tend to dry out a baby’s skin.

Tanner’s eczema has rarely flared up since using Beautycounter’s baby products. My favorite one is definitely the Baby Soothing Oil. I replaced Tanner’s after-the-bath lotion with the oil. It is not too greasy and moisturizes his skin way better than any other lotions that we have tried. I have been using their matte bronzer for myself and love it! It lasts all day without leaving my face feeling greasy. One thing that I admire about beautycounter, when I look at the ingredients there is not a list of 100 and most ingredients I recognize the name. If you do not know what something is in one of the products that you use daily, I encourage you to google it and check it out. The truth is, I am not a huge beauty junkie, but I do really appreciate high-end, healthy products.

I like to splurge when I find a product that I truly believe in. I am grateful that Jamie showed me these products and if you have any questions about Beautycounter, please don’t hesitate to contact her. Beautycounter’s Welcome Baby Gift Set would make an awesome gift for any mama-to-be! If you were anything like me, I highly encourage you to start looking at the products you use in your home. I have even switched to safer cleaning products for my family. I can’t wait to continue this series and tell you about the other changes we are making around here! Be sure to follow along with me on Instagram to stay up to date @dccold. What are some of your favorite healthy beauty and home products?

Keep in touch,
Dani

Big News: Kit & Cub Collective

August 26, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

I am thrilled to finally let the cat out of the bag and share with everyone what I have been working on the past few months.

For about the past 6 months I have been dreaming of starting a small children’s boutique in my community of Jax. After working with several small businesses through blogging, I really starting to think how I only get Tanner clothes online and there is no where to shop on our side of town. Since I am passionate about supporting small businesses, I thought it would be so cool to work with small businesses to stock all my inventory of baby and young children’s clothing.

After researching and learning exactly what it would take, I decided to move forward with the shop! The boutique will start small, just doing local pop-up shops to see how the community takes to baby and kids clothes. So what can you expect to find at Kit & Cub?? We will carry 8 small shop brands to begin, 5 of them being clothing, and the other 3 accessories. All but one brand is unique to Jacksonville, so you can not find these items at other retailers in town. Each clothing item is handmade in the US so I am proud to say we are support other families and fair wages. I kept the upcoming seasons in mind and I tried to focus on a good amount of gender neutral items so that both boys and girls could look rad!

I am excited to get out in the community, meet other mamas who are passionate about their kids!! Please follow along with Kit & Cub on Instagram, @kitandcubcollective. This will be the best spot to find the pop-up schedules, inventory updates, new items, and GIVEAWAYS! Thank you for all of the kind words thus far about our new adventure. Please let me know if you have any questions or requests or items you would like to see. The Mini + Meep onesie that Tanner is wearing is an item that you will be able to find in the shop.

Keep in touch,
Dani

Simplifying Travels with Boon

July 31, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Boon Inc. makes some of our favorite modern baby products, if you like to travel, this one however steals the show.

Feast your eyes on the Boon Trip! The week before Tanner was born we pulled out the Boon Lawn drying rack (the larger stationary drying rack that Boon makes) to prepare for our first child and it has been on our counter for the past 15 months. My husband and I were discussing the product, we agreed that it just may be our favorite baby product that we registered for while pregnant with Tanner. It is the most practical baby drying rack and we use it everyday! Now that we are cutting back on washing bottles, we use it for Tanner’s sippy cups. I love that it can transition from infancy to toddlerhood.

The issue was that when we travel to my parents or hotels, we were sitting clean bottles on paper towels, dishtowels, or whatever we can find. I am THRILLED that Boon introduced me to one of their newest products, the Boon Trip. If you know you will be doing any traveling, it is definitely a product to consider registering for. It is simple, compact and can easily be thrown into your children’s bag. The coolest part is it has a bottle brush right inside of the lid. I don’t have to pack all these darn items separately anymore!! Sorry for the rant, but this is a product that I truly believe it, especially since it is only $15. Simplifying traveling with young children is crucial to me because as if traveling with kids isn’t hard enough??? What are some your favorite products for traveling with your kids?

Thank you to Boon for sponsoring this post. All opinions are authentic and my own.*

Keep in touch,
Dani

Second Trimester Update

July 27, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Now that I am feeling like my normal self again, I thought I would share an update on my second pregnancy.

Update: As of tomorrow, I am 19 weeks. We are getting closer and closer to meeting our baby girl! This pregnancy is going by much faster than my pregnancy with Tanner. I’m sure I could chalk that up to chasing after a toddler all day, and two toddlers 3 days each week since I watch a friend’s child. All of our our testing has gone pretty smooth and baby girl seems to be healthy and cooking well in mama’s belly. I am considered a high-risk pregnancy due to having preeclampsia with Tanner. The doctor does not seem concerned at this time about anything, but I will have several additional appointments for blood work, liver functioning tests, and EKG’s on my heart.

It seems like Jason and I are non-stop busy these days and I can’t complain about it. I like to stay moving forward with projects and meetings. We have had 4 different people stay in our guest house in the last 6 weeks. I have also been working on some wedding lettering for friends who are getting married. Jason and I started to work on the nursery and can’t wait to do another nursery reveal! Our third bedroom is currently in shambles, but we did get rid of so much junk, donate, and move things around so that we could work on what will eventually be our girl’s room.

Cravings: The only thing that I can really say that I have been craving out of my ordinary is PB & J’s!

Feelings: It feels surreal that I am almost 20 weeks. As I have talked about before, this pregnancy has been totally different than my first. I was convinced that we had to be having a girl because I felt SO SICK from week 5 to about week 11, when I was totally fine with Tanner the entire first trimester. As soon as the second trimester hit, I felt a thousand times better and now am back to normal routine. Thank you to everyone who checked in on me! I truly appreciate it and have a whole new understanding of a rough pregnancy.

Everyone is asking, we do not have a name for the baby girl yet. I have given my husband a list of about 10 names that I really like, he doesn’t like any of them. I am out of ideas and stressed. I just want to choose something at this point. I am starting to feel our girl move and I just want to be able to connect with her and call her by a sweet little name.

Hopes: I hope that Tanner is ready to share his toys and be a big brother. I know that he will do great, I’m just not sure how it will be at first since he will only be 19 months when baby girl is born. I hope that I can adjust back to getting no sleep without being too cranky… wishful thinking, I know!!

Worries: I am worried that we are not giving Tanner enough time to be our baby. Even though he is now a “toddler” it is hard to imagine him as independent since he is still so young. I know our hearts will grow to love two babies the exact same, but I do feel bad that Tanner will have to share our attention and I am sure it will rock his little world in the beginning. I am putting it in God’s hands and I know it will all be OK.

Products: I use some Nine Naturals products that I had left over from my pregnancy with Tanner. I love the shampoo and conditioner. I use Burt Bee’s Belly Butter on my tummy each night before bed. I would love to hear about your favorite products to use while pregnant!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Wishlist for Baby #2

June 6, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

I believe after each child, most mama’s think about the items that she could have lived without AND the items that she wished she would have tried.

There are so many cutting edge baby items on the market right now. As a first time mom, (when I was pregnant with Tanner) it was hard to know exactly what items to buy/register for! I previously made a post about the items that I did not use and now I am creating this post to talk about the item that I want for baby #2. These are some of the products that I wish I would have gotten for Tanner or items that I did not know about until after I already had Tanner. I am excited to try these baby goods with #2! Finally, I included a few things that I am dreaming about for our newest nursery. I am hoping for my husband and I to begin working on the nursery this summer.

I would love to hear from you about what your favorite baby items have been!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Baby Colding #2 due in December!

May 30, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

It was hard to wait until 10 weeks to announce our big news! We are expecting Baby #2 this December! Here are a few more details…

SURPRISE, Tanner is going to be a big brother in December!! We are THRILLED to grow our family to 4! I found out that I was pregnant around Easter. Before I even peed on that stick, I was feeling queasy and had headaches so when the test was positive I can’t say I was surprised! Well, I was surprised, but you know what I mean. I think the realization of being pregnant is always shocking, even when you are trying! It is just THAT exciting! I know many are probably wondering if this was planned so I will just go ahead and answer that question: It was planned! After having Tanner, we thought long and hard about how long we wanted to wait or not wait. While we were still in baby mode, we decided let’s have a second, everything is fresh in our minds. Plus, it will be beyond fun for Tanner to have a playmate close in age. Tanner and his brother or sister will be 19 months apart.

This pregnancy has been the complete opposite than Tanner’s so far. Like I said, I have felt nauseous since day 1. At first it was in the morning and totally manageable. Around week 7, the morning sickness changed to afternoon/evening sickness and became much stronger. I have not thrown up, but I feels like I am going to everyday. It almost feels like throwing up would make me feel better than just feeling like I have to throw up. The doctor gave me some samples of nausea medicine and that is how I have been surviving. Running after a toddler and feeling crappy is no joke!

Thank God my husband has been extremely helpful with taking care of Tanner from the moment he gets home from work until Tanner goes to bed. We are praying life will be much simpler during the second trimester which is only about 10 days away. I have been to the doctor twice and have been fortunate to have to have ultrasounds both times. Our little peanut has a good strong heart beat and is growing fast already! We are looking forward to this new adventure and we will continue to keep you updated along the way. Thank you to everyone who congratulated us and to everyone who has messaged me wonderful advice about the nausea.

Keep in touch,
Dani

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

May 3, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

A quick Mother’s Day Gift Guide for all those last minute people, like myself. And it’s not too late to order some custom gifts online!

I wanted to share a little gift guide with some of my favorite items that I think any mama would appreciate this Mother’s Day. I have most items on this list and they are all high-quality, one-of-a-kind type of items. Spoil the mothers in your life on May 14, they sure do deserve it!! Please share what you have already gotten that lucky mom in your life if you already went shopping! God Bless all the mamas!

Keep in touch,
Dani

10 Spring & Summer Activities for Toddlers

April 19, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

It is extremely hard to believe next month we will have a toddler on our hands, or as I would like to call him, a tod-fant. I am sharing 10 fun activities to check off your spring/summer bucketlist with your children.

photo by Verance Photography

Take a trip to the beach to splash in the water and build sandcastles.
Have a picnic and pack a snack, a frisbee, and some bubbles.
Plant some flowers or herbs in the backyard.
Build a water table out of 2 x 4’s and a large plastic bins.
Play in the sprinklers or hose or fill up water balloons.
Take a family bike ride! We recently bought the child cargo trailer off craiglist. They are expensive new so local Facebook mom groups, second hand stores, and craigslist are great places to check for used trailers.
Plan a craft day with other moms and children, set out picnic blankets and snacks! I want to have friends over to make bird feeders.
Make and popsicles eat them!
Take a day trip to a zoo or aquarium.
Make homemade play dough on a rainy spring day, or summer if you live in Florida like we do!

What are your big plans to stay busy with your kiddos this spring and summer? I can’t wait to check these fun activities off of our bucketlist!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

5 Baby Items that I Never Used

March 31, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Sharing five baby items that we never used to help others moms with registries and save them some money and time!

I can not believe our baby was this tiny! Tanner was 3 weeks here!

Diaper Warmer- Tanner’s changing table is not the biggest so we never put out the diaper warmer. Also, living in Florida, we do not experience really cold winters.
Decorative Car Seat Straps- I registered for little bear straps for Tanner’s carseat, they are cute, but I never switched out the straps and pads that came with his car seat. I think it is safer to keep what comes with the car seat.
Bottle Warmer- I bought this after using a friends and I never opened it. Tanner drank his bottles at room temperature. If the breastmilk came out of the refrigerator, we ran it under hot water for 2 minutes. Also, something you can do if you are at a friends house or at a restaurant.
Cup to trap pee- I thought this would come in handy for a baby boy. While, I did get peed on once or twice, I did not use this product and chances are you will not either each time you change a diaper. Save your money 🙂
Manual Breast Pump- I never found myself in a situation where I needed a manual pump. I always used my Medela pump that plugged into the wall. I even had an outlet for the car which was extremely convenient when on the road or running errands!

With Tanner’s first birthday approaching, I wanted to share the 5 items that I still have never used/are unopened in Tanner’s closet. These items are just products that we have managed to live without. I do have some friends who enjoy these items, but for Tanner we did not find them necessary. As moms, I feel like it is great to talk about the items that we did not use so hopefully we can save a trip to the store or spending the money on pointless things. I do still plan on trying to take a few items back in exchange for diapers. What are some items that you never opened??

Keep in touch,
Dani

Easter Basket Ideas for Babies

March 22, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

With Easter less than 1 month away, I wanted to share some items that you could put in your baby’s or toddler’s basket.

As some of you may know, I am all about holiday traditions! Every year growing up my parents hid our Easter basket somewhere in the house. It was SO EXCITING for my brother and I to wake up on Easter and look all around the house for our baskets! Even though our son will only be 11 months this Easter, we will begin the same tradition. So before church on Easter Sunday, we will “hide” Tanner’s basket. It may sound silly to hide a baby’s Easter basket, but I am looking forward to this grace-filled holiday and beginning a new tradition as a family of 3! You may be wondering what type of items can you put in a baby’s basket so I created this blog post to share some items that would be perfect for a baby or toddler easter basket.

1. Plum and Sparrow Hand Woven Basket

This basket will be fun for all year adventures

2. Fancy Frogz Knitted Bunny

Every baby needs a bunny for Easter

3. Baby Gap Sandals

a practical gift for spring and summer

4. Gerber Cookies

for children who are too young for chocolate, these are yummy, trust me 😉 put them in a cute bag for your babe to enjoy

5. Jesus Storybook Bible

perfect first bible for a children filled with all of your favorite gospel stories (adults will love this too)

6. Blah Blah Book and Doll Set

the cutest little knitted and a book to go along with the blush toy

7. Egg Decorating Kit

what kid does not love dying & decorating eggs?

8. Guess How Much I Love You Book

a sweet story with beautiful illustrations of a bunny and his mama bunny

9. Mini + Meep “Locally Grown” Shirt

adorable organic cotton t-shirts and onesies. 10% of proceeds go to children in need!

What are you putting in your kids baskets and what holiday tradition does your family have?

Keep in touch,
Dani

Letter to a New Mom about Breastfeeding

February 28, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Breastfeeding is the craziest rollercoaster-of-a journey that I ever could have imagined. I have been feeling inspired by all of my mama friends stories and struggles and felt like I needed to write this letter to any new mother.

photo by Verance Photography

Dear New Mama,

Congratulations on your sweet baby. Each baby is a gift from God and I hope you cherish this miracle. Your body took on a great challenge and grew your own human!! Be kind to yourself for months to come and remember is took 9 months to grow that precious angel. You now have the best job AND the most important job in the entire world. Your job is not to breastfeed your baby, your job is not to choose formula for your baby, but your job is to take care of that baby until they are an adult. Your job is to pour love into that little person’s soul even on the hardest days. Your job is to be a kind and gentle mama, even when the rest of the world is cruel.

Breastfeeding a baby for the first time is a LONG journey. It is something that starts off slow and challenging. I had no idea just how much it would test my patience. There were both days and nights that I wanted to give up. There were days filled with tears. There were days that I was mad at my baby for not latching correct. New mama, remember each day is a new day and IT WILL get better. It will get better whether you continue to breastfeed, it will get better if you decide to exclusively pump, and it will get better if you formula feed your baby. Your identity as a mother is NOT in the method you decide to feed your baby. No one on this earth has the right to judge your method. Why? Because YOU ARE THE MOTHER of your child. And ONLY YOU know what will work best for you and your baby.

I learned that quickly. I believe as a new mother, I had this idea in my head about what our feedings should look like and it is really hard when they are not pretty and perfect. Most likely, it is not going to be pretty for several weeks, maybe even several months like my case. But finally it got better. After your baby is a toddler, no one will even care if you formula fed OR exclusively pumped OR breastfed your baby. All that matters is that you feed your baby and nourish them well. I am here to tell you that breast is not always best. Whatever works for you and your baby is best. My hope is that all new mothers give themselves tons of grace and remember that no matter what you decide, you are doing your BEST.

I previously wrote a post about breastfeeding in the beginning of my exclusively pumping journey if you would like to read it. I am still pumping twice a day and starting to come to the end of my journey. I will write my final feeding update in Tanner’s 1 year birthday update post. I would love any feedback and love to hear your feeding journey, if you would like to share. I hope every mother knows they are enough!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Grooming Baby with Boon

February 15, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

I am thrilled to team up with Boon to talk about the items you will need to groom or care for your baby.

These samples and post were sponsored by boon, however all opinions are my own.

Let me just start by saying, I honestly wish that I had this Boon CARE kit since day 1! Instead, I had bought most of the items individually. I randomly picked out whatever I thought looked good. I wish I would have registered for this on my Target baby registry. Since Tanner was born, I learned a few important health tips for caring for a baby. First, you should always take a baby’s temperature rectally. While I was still pregnant I bought an ear canal thermometer, little did I know that I would not need that until Tanner was over a year old. The most accurate way to check for a fever is using a rectal thermometer. The Boon CARE kit’s thermometer is really neat because you can use to check a baby’s temperature, temperature of bath water, and temperature in a room. Second, babies get numerous colds in the first year of life and one of the only ways to help baby feel better is with a nasal aspirator. I had no idea that I would be “sucking” boogers out of my child’s nose! The nasal aspirator is a real life savor! I have used Tanner’s all winter with his runny nose.

Let’s talk about clipping a baby’s nails. Isn’t it the easiest thing you have ever done??? SAID NO ONE EVER! I have literally bought three nail clippers, one from target, one from babies-r-us, and one from CVS. I did not find any of them super easy to use or hold. While I still get really nervous to trim Tanner’s nails, the clippers in the CARE kit do fit really nicely in my small hands. I actually feel like I have control, so these are the clippers that I will use from now on. I was excited to see that the CARE kit includes a silicone tooth brush because now that Tanner is 9 months, I want to start taking care of his gums (he is still toothless). He is trying more and more foods and I was taught that dental hygiene should begin as a baby.

Tanner did not have cradle cap so I never had to get a cradle cap brush. Yet, this brush could be used as a regular brush too. Finally, I used the medicine spoon from the CARE kit for the first time this week. It is useful to have a medicine spoon on hand because you never know when your baby may need a little extra TLC. I would highly recommend Boon’s CARE kit for any new mama or any baby registry. I spent much more than $30 getting all of these products so this is a deal!! What are some of your favorite products on the market? Please let me know if you have any questions. A big thank you to Boon for partnering with me on this post!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Tanner’s (almost) 9-month update

January 31st, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Watching Tanner grow is the biggest blessing, but it sure is bittersweet how fast time is moving. How can my baby almost be 9 months old???

{Bonnet: Briar Handmade – Skirt: Rylee & Cru}

When I found out that we were expecting our first child, I decided that I wanted to write a tri-monthly updates about our experience. That way anyone who was curious about my pregnancy could be filled in and it would be a great way to keep a personal log. The last update that I shared was when Tanner was 6 months. Since our sweet boy will be 9 months in less than two weeks, I thought it was time for a quick update!

Tanner is learning something new every day. My mama heart bursts each time he accomplishes something. We took a trip to the doctor for Tanner’s runny nose and cough so I know that our ham weighs 22 pounds and measures 29.5 inches long as of today (around the 90th percentile for both)! The newest skill that Tanner has mastered is clapping.. all the cool kids are doing it! It is the cutest thing when he gets excited and claps! Our BIG boy still is not crawling, which I am totally fine with. Sure, I would be proud if he started crawling, but I also know that means much more work for me. Tanner does scoot around and can roll to where he wants to go if he is really determined. He has started to get up on all 4’s more so I think we will have a crawler soon.

Tanner is still sleeping through the night 95% of the time. He does like an occasional 3 or 4am snack. He does not have any teeth, but today the doctor mentioned that she can see a bottom tooth is very close to breaking the surface. With the way Tanner eats, you would not know that he does not have any teefies. At 22 pounds, the boy loves to eat. He wants to eat WHATEVER we are eating. I am loosely following the baby lead weaning technique by letting Tanner try all of the food we eat. Let me tell you, the kid loves carbs like his mama.

Tanner is still being fed breastmilk, but we had a big change this week. We are beginning to mix breastmilk with formula, bottles are now going to be half and half. Tanner nurses first thing is the morning, then I pump twice during the day now (I use to pump 6 times a day). Amen. I just want to get my life back and not be married to the breast pump. Tell me, how are you ladies doing? Anyone else over pumping out there?? I would love to hear about the milestones that your babes are hitting? Big or small, they are all so exciting!!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

10 Tips for Traveling with an Infant

January 11, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Before traveling with a baby, I had so many questions. I decided to put together this blog post for any other moms in my position. I also include some helpful tips for flying with a baby for the first time.

Hope everyone is off to a great 20-17!! I am trying to keep up with a few resolutions myself: cook more, exercise more, and create more blog content. If there are any ideas that you would like me to cover, just let me know! I would love to hear suggestions or any ideas that you would like to see covered on D & C.

I feel blessed that I have gotten to stay home with Tanner since he was born. Since I will not stay home forever, I decided early on that I wanted to take advantage of not working and travel with Tanner. Tanner and I have gone to South Florida to see my parents a few times and to Virginia and DC to visit friends. Traveling alone with a baby gave me some anxiety. I had so many questions for friends who had previously flown with their babies. I decided to create this post in hopes of helping any mamas out there traveling for the first time with kiddos.

Make a list of everything you will need for baby a few days before you begin to pack. I found this helpful that way I did not forget anything.
Pack plenty of their favorite toys so they can feel a part of home while away.
Plan out the babies clothes/outfits to minimize any thinking once you arrive at your destination.
Travel with 7 or 8 diapers and purchase the rest when you arrive to your destination to free up any packing space.
Try your best to stick with your child’s routine if they have one (i.e nap time and bedtime).
I recommend carrying a diaper bag that makes everything easily accessible. I just got this new Babymel diaper backpack from the Baby Cubby and it would have been a dream to fly with.
When flying: Either push your stroller through security or wear your baby. My friends let me borrow their stroller and car seat travel bags. Whether you are going to curb check or gate check the stroller & carseat, I HIGHLY recommend getting these covers. Your items will stay clean because the airport workers do just toss your luggage and bags in the bottom of the dirty plane.I opted to push Tanner since I am not an experienced baby wearer so I figured the airport was not a good place to practice. I also was able to use the room underneath the stroller to store our winter coats since my husband would not be there to help hold things.
When flying: Make sure your child has their own boarding ticket or that “infant in your lap” is clearly marked on your boarding ticket. My friend, Sam, stressed this to me and it still happened. When I got to check in, the guy told me that they would just add Tanner to my ticket at the gate. So after standing in the security line, the TSA sent me back to check in since Tanner was not on my ticket! Also, Bring a COPY of your child’s birth certificate because it is better to be safe than sorry.
When Flying with Milk: If your baby is breastfed, I recommend purchasing a milk cooler so you can pack extra and keep it cold all day. I brought 4 bottles in our Medela cooler and the TSA’s just check it in a separate X-ray machine. If your baby is formula fed, use can pack whatever special water you choose to mix the formula with. You just have to tell the TSA that the water is for the baby.
Last, give yourself plenty of time & grace. Remember it is OK to ask for help too!Hope these tips help! Safe travels in the new year friends!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Baby Registry Wish List

January 4, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

I was in the dark when it was time to register for our first child. I created a registry wish list for expectant parents, filled with some of my favorite items that we use daily.

Happy New Year friends! I wanted to write a post about creating a baby registry for new parents. It is hard to believe it was this time last year that this new mama made Tanner’s registry, like a chicken with my head cut off! Since then, I have had a many friends ask me for some registering advice and opinions on products. Some stores give you a list that is helpful, but there are SO many choices that it is hard to know whether or not you are making a good choice.

I am thrilled to team up with Baby Cubby to discuss registering for a baby. For anyone who has not heard about Baby Cubby, it is a one-stop-shop for high quality and safe baby products. The shop is run by parents who have been in our shoes! They do the research for us, by trying the products and making sure each item is highly rated and safe for our children. The shop even does fun activities like stroller testing to make sure that people are happy with the products they sell. Now that our son is 8 months old, my husband and I have a list of our “must-have products.” These items are at the top of our wish list whenever we try for baby #2. I created this Baby Registry Wish List to share my favorite items with new parents!

*these photos are from Babycubby.com who sponsored this post.

Baby Registry Wish List

Baby’s Room

Living Room

4 Moms Mamaroo
DockATot and TockATot Toy Bar

Fun Items for Baby

Bath Time

Items for the New Mama & Baby

I hope this list and items can help give new parents some ideas for registering. Some other important information to know about Baby Cubby:

They have an online blog with great information for parents.
They are always willing to help parents since they are not just trying to sell you “stuff”
They will price match
They have free shipping over $49.
They make sure every item they sell is safe for baby.
You can get 10% off your first purchase when you sign up for their newsletter!

Please let me know if you have any questions! I wish I would have known about Baby Cubby sooner so I hope you enjoy it! What are your favorite places to shop for your little ones? Wishing you all happy and healthy new year!!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Countdown to Christmas Bucket List

December 1, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

There are many simple joys to experience while celebrating Christmas. This year I have decided to make a bucketlist now that we are a family of 3!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS BUCKETLIST

Take Tanner to see Santa
Find matching PJs for the whole family to wear on Christmas Eve
Make a Christmas ornament with Tanner
Mail some holiday cards to family and friends because getting mail never goes out of style
Visit a Christmas tree farm to cut down a real christmas tree
Start a new family tradition: I am thinking baking cookies or hosting a Christmas brunch toy drive so that we can give back to our community
Read a book about the meaning of Christmas to Tanner
Watch a Christmas movie (we may or may not have already watched Home Alone!!)
Listen to Christmas music and sing with Tanner
Donate gently used sweaters, coats, and jackets

It is hard to believe that today is December first. It seems like just yesterday that I was pregnant and dreaming about what each holiday would be like with our baby boy!! We enjoyed our fall bucket list as a family of 3, so I thought, why not create one around Christmas time too? If you have children, I highly recommend that you get a chalkboard and create a bucket list with them! As you enjoy each activity on your list, allow your children to cross it off the list! I can’t wait until tanner is old enough to do this because I think it is awesome for some quality family time. We have already cut down a tree and watched a Christmas movie! I am hoping we will find the time to begin a new tradition this year. Year after year, the Lord blesses our family tremendously, I would love to begin a tradition where we could give back. I am a firm believer that anyone can make a difference, even if it seems small. I am dreaming about hosting a holiday bunch where everyone brings a toy to donate for a child in need. What are some of your family traditions and do you plan to start any new ones this year?

Keep in touch,
Dani

Tanner turns 6 months! Plus, a feeding update!

November 17, 2o16 by Drafts & Crafts

Our sweet baby is now 6 months! I wanted to take some time and reflect on the past 6 months, as well as my journey with breastfeeding.

img_1126-2

Tanner’s crown: Wild Mountain Knits– use code “dccold15” for 15% off!
Ikea high chair cover: Yeah Baby Goods -use code “dccold15” for 15% off!

It seems like it was just yesterday that I was trying to find the time to write Tanner’s birth story blog post and now our baby boy turned 6 months last week! I have heard it my entire life, time goes by so fast once you have children, but I could not really understand the concept until Tanner was born! The past 6 months are flown by. Don’t get me wrong, some days feel VERY long and some days we are VERY tired, but I can not believe Tanner has been “ours” for 6 months! It is great that his 6 month birthday coincides with thanksgiving time because I am embracing what is means to be thankful for our first children. Being Tanner’s mama is nothing short of a miracle! Jason and I are blessed that God chose us to be his parents.

Tanner weights 19.7 pounds, is 27 inches long, and is one sweet dude!! He is happy, laughing, and talking 95% of the time. The other 5%, he is hungry or fighting sleep. Tanner does sleep through the night, with an occasional off week where he enjoys a 3am feeding. The big boy can sit up by himself now, rolls all around, and is beginning to hold his bottle. It seems like overnight that he went from being a completely helpless baby (i.e you had to hold him and hold his bottle) to now he can sit up and practically feed himself. We love to watch Tanner grow. He is beginning to be introduced to the basic table foods. He loves sweet potato and bananas. We celebrated Tanner’s 6 months with some sweet potatoes and cake for the adults- although Tan man may have gotten to lick some cake.

A few months ago, I shared about my journey of feeding tanner. I had started breastfeeding when Tanner was in the NICU, but when we got home breastfeeding was not easy. Tanner wouldn’t latch for long or he would fall asleep so I began exclusively pumping. I EPed for 3 months. It seemed like the pump was attached to my hip. I pumped every 3 hours for 3 months straight. Until, one week Tanner was extra fussy, not like his usual self, so I decided to try him back on the boob. What do you know!?!?! He went back to breastfeeding and latched on like it was his job! I could not believe it! So fast forward to the present, Tanner will nurse before bed and in the morning. I still EP throughout the day. My goal for breastfeeding was 6 months. There was so many times where I felt hopeless and that I would never make it to my 6 month goal, but here I am and still going!!! I want to encourage any mom who is struggling with breastfeeding that it is all OK. The most important thing is your sanity and health so that you can take care of your baby. I already admit that I don’t think that I will breastfeed baby #2 (one day) because I can not imagine having the energy to breastfeed and chase after Tanner. If you want to talk about EPing or any feeding struggle, please message me! I am so glad that I stuck with exclusively pumping and it can be done! I would love to hear your story or your favorite part about being a mom!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Rype & Readi Farm Visit

October 18, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

I had been dreaming about taking our baby boy to a farm since I found out that I was pregnant last fall. Here are some photos from our trip to Rype & Readi Farm and Market in St. Augustine.

View More: http://cheryljoyminer.pass.us/sta-momingle-october

Photo credit: Cherly Joy Miner Photography

Tanner and I joined the St. Augustine Mom-ingle group for a fun outing at Rype and Readi last week. The farm is just the cutest little thing, filled with pumpkins, farm fresh foods, animals, and activities for the kids! Rype and Readi is a farm and market that specializes in farm-to-fork products. With our admission tickets we were able to paint a pumpkin, feed the animals, and take an awesome hay ride through the pasture. On the hay ride, we were able to pet sheep, cows, and a donkey. A sheep even jumped on board the tractor- it was neat! This is seriously what fall is all about!! While Tanner is still really young (5 months), he was taking everything in and LOVED seeing the animals! I hope that he is not allergic to every animal under the sun like his mama is. If you in the Northeast Florida area, I would highly recommend taking the kids to check out Rype and Readi. Big thank you to Brooke for organizing the event and Cherly for taking our photos at the farm! Have you able to enjoy some fall activities like apple picking, pumpkin patches, or farm visits?

Keep in touch,
Dani

Our Fall Bucket List

September 22, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

I like to create a bucket list at the turn of each new season. A bucket list is an awesome way to check off all of the festive activities.

Happy first day of fall! This fall is going to be the BEST now that we are a family of 3! This year really put into perspective how fast time moves. It is crazy to think, it was this time last year we found out that we were expecting our first child. It was such a magical season for Jason and I, yet it has only gotten better! Our seasonal activities and holidays will have a whole new meaning this year!! I am so excited to spend these times with our friends, family, and greatest blessing, Tanner. Fall is by far my favorite season (like every other basic chick), the weather begins to cool, football season is here, and we get to kick off the holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas! I wanted to share our fall bucket list with you, in hopes to inspire you to enjoy the beautiful season with some fun events!

photography

Our pregnancy announcement from last year

photo credit: Lacy J Photography

10 Activities On Our Fall Bucket List

Apple picking & making an apple recipe
Pumpkin patch
Hayride
Decorate our front porch
Picnic in the park
Create or decorate something out of a pumpkin
Make some fresh bread for our friends
Have a fall tailgate party where everyone brings their favorite finger food
Drink apple cider and spiked apple cider for the adults
DIY fall/halloween craft

Who else loves fall!? What is on your fall bucket list? Please share, I would love to add some things to our list!

Keep in touch,
Dani

4 Thoughts on the 4th Trimester

September 2, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

Our baby boy is 3.5 months old and the “4th trimester” is coming to an end so I am sharing 4 things that I have learned about being a new mama.

A sweet little family photo taken at the Castillo De San Marcos Fort in St. Augustine, FL

Our darling, Tanner, is almost 4 months old and I think it is safe to say that both Jason and myself have learned a tremendous amount about babies, ourselves, and each other since becoming a family of 3. As a female who has always wanted children, people were constantly telling me about what being a parent is like. I think I had a perfectly painted picture about what being a mom was going to be all about. For the most part, it was all true. Having a child is truly the most amazing experience and there is no greater love in the world than when you lay eyes on your precious baby. I wanted to share 4 things that I learned and some of my own misconceptions that became clear in my 4th trimester.

When it comes to mommy and baby sleeping, do what works for you. I said my entire pregnancy that I would not co-sleep, and while I did not, that is only because I felt our bed was not big enough. Jason and I have a queen size bed, but if we had a king size bed, that baby would have been right in the middle of us. Tanner slept in a rock and play sleeper for 6 weeks and then I moved him to his crib because he made too much noise and I felt like he was getting too big for the sleeper. Do not listen to what other suggest, do what works best for your family.
Be a practical parent. I found myself getting these perfect ideas of motherhood in my head and was stubborn about little things. For instance, for the first few weeks of Tanner’s life, I refused to put him in night gowns. I got the notion in my mind that night gowns look ridiculous on boys and pajamas were cuter. Let me tell you, putting a night gown on Tanner was the best thing we ever did! haha.. middle of the night diaper changes got so much easier.
Try your best to worry less. I know it is easier said than done. Caring for your very own child is such a new feeling. You want to do everything correctly and make sure your little love is happy each second of everyday, but tiny (and big) fits, cries, and issues will come up. I learned it is crucial not worry too much, because each week it will be something new. There was one week we discovered that Tanner had reflux, which we were worried about it how to “fix it” so that he would be comfortable. Then the following week, he did not poop for the entire week. When he was not pooping, I totally forget how worried I was about his reflux. With that being said, every new struggle is a phase that changes from one week to the next.
Do not hesitate to ask for help. I think everyone can agree that being sleep deprived can make you a delirious. You spend your days getting acquainted with your new baby, feeding, changing, and playing. If you are feeling overwhelmed, there is no shame in asking for help. My parents stayed with us for the 2 weeks when Tanner was born and after that I asked my mother-in-law to come over so I could take a nap.This is just some food for thought. I wish I would have gotten some of these notions out of my head before month 3 with Tanner! If you are a mama or even a fur mama, can you relate or are there any ideas that you had to overcome as a new mom? I would love to hear your thoughts! Bless long weekends, enjoy!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Increasing Tanner’s Sleep + Nested Bean Giveaway

August 24, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

I think the most commonly asked question to any new mama is, “how is your baby sleeping?” We have been blessed that Tanner is a good sleeper, but I wanted to share some ideas that I believe helped us.

{Zen Sleep Sack: Nested Bean c/0}

Babies are the biggest blessing and are exhausting at the same time, am I right?? Getting them on a good sleep schedule (to the best of our ability) is important for a new mama’s sanity. All babies are different and it is important to remember that there is not a one size fits all category. However, I do think there are some tips that can promote a better sleep schedule. After all, new moms are suppose to sleep when their baby sleeps. ONLY KIDDING! I don’t now why people say that, it is easier said than done. The only time I can get things done is when Tanner is sleeping!

The first month is tough because a baby is adjusting to life outside of the womb. A baby is not born knowing the difference between daytime and nighttime. Eating and sleeping go hand-in-hand for babies. At first, eating and sleeping is the only thing a newborn really does. Tanner is now 3 months old, he goes to bed at 10pm and sleeps until 5:30am, which is when my husband wakes up for work. Here are some ways that we promoted sleep in our home:

Start a newborn on a strict feeding schedule. Tanner ate every 3 hours for the first month. I believe his body learned the feeding schedule and he slept around his feedings. After about a month, his sleep increased by a few hours until he eventually started sleeping through the night.
Once it is dark outside, do not have bright lights on in your home. The doctor told me this will help babies learn the difference between day and night. So during the day we go for walks and open blinds so that Tanner will see plenty of sun light. And when the suns goes down, we keep the lights dim.
Keep your baby warm at night. A covered baby will tend to sleep longer since they are cozy and comfortable.
Invest in a weighted sleep sack. We use the Nested Bean Zen Sack which helps increase sleep by mimicking touch. I was eager to try this product because Tanner loves to sleep when is being held, cuddled, or touched. The Zen Sack is lightly weighted in the center to feel like they are still being embraced by a parent. I also love that Tanner’s arms are free. He always broke loose in his swaddle so that he could put his arms above his head. Tanner had slept through the night a handful of times before we began using the sack, but not consecutively. Since using the Nested Bean Zen Sack in the past month, he has only woken up for a middle of the night feedings probably 3 times. Head to my Instagram @dccold to enter for a chance to win a Zen Sack from Nested Bean! Giveaway begins 8/24 at 6pm and will close 8/28 at 6pm. The giveaway is open to US and Canada residents.

I would like to begin transitioning Tanner to an earlier bedtime soon. When it comes to developing your little one’s sleep schedule, you have to do what works best for your family. Again, these are just tips that worked well for our family. My hope is that I can help one parent increase their child’s sleep! If you have any other suggestions, please do share! I would love to hear what worked for your baby and what did not. Don’t forget to enter the Instagram Giveaway so you can gain a few more hours of sleep!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Back to School (or daycare) with Name Bubbles Labels

August 6, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

Today I am talking about where to get the best personalized labels for your children. We love using labels on Tanner bottles to keep track of the date and time it was filled.

Tanner’s Onesie: Old Navy
Bottles: Medela
Labels: Name Bubbles (c/0)

I hope everyone is enjoying their last bit of summer! For us here in Florida, school begins in 2 days! While I do not have school aged children yet, I am glad that my friend referred me to a wonderful company where you can create labels for kids. Name Bubbles specializes in personalized labels for all ages. Tanner is not going to daycare for a little while, but we wanted to essentially do the same thing with his bottles that a daycare would require. My husband and I wanted to label each bottle with the day, time, and if we added rice formula (for reflux) so that we would know when it needed to be used/discarded.

The reason we love these labels is because they are permanent. They can be put in the dishwasher and written on over and over again. You are NOT having to use a new label each time. After placing the label on the item, you let it sit for 24 hours before running it through the wash or dishwasher. If you are label crazy like me, be sure to check out the hundreds of different styles. They also have a handy checklist for new mamas that are going to be sending their children to daycare. To kick off back to school, some mama friends and I are going to be hosting a giveaway with Name Bubbles on Instagram soon! You can follow me @dccold to check out when that giveaway will begin. This is one you do not want to miss since there will be more than 1 winner! If your a mama, are you ready to send your kiddos back to school?? Summer went by so fast guys, I can not believe it!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Feeding Tanner: Exclusively Pumping

July 19, 2016 by Drafts and Crafts

Today, I am getting a little more personal and discussing my story of feeding baby Tanner.

{Cover for car seat/breastfeeding/grocery store cart: Sweetee Handmade}

Warning: long post ahead. Tanner is now 9 weeks old and instead of making a 2-month update, I decided to switch up my post and get a little more personal. As far as baby goes, Tanner is doing wonderful! He truly is a sweet baby, he is only fussy when he is hungry or has gas. He is becoming more alert and smiles ALL THE TIME, which just melts our hearts. He has my husband and I in the palm of his tiny hands! Tanner is sleeping a little longer some nights, which is so nice for this mama to catch up on some sleep.

A lot of people have asked me if Tanner is breast fed or formula fed, the answer is neither. Tanner takes breast milk in a bottle, known as exclusively pumping (EP). I really wanted to write this post because every mama out there should know that the only thing that matters when it comes to feeding your baby is that you are doing what is best for you and your baby. This is no matter if you breastfeed, pump, or give formula. I also wanted to talk more about exclusively pumping, since it is not a commonly discussed option.

As some of you already know, Tanner was in the NICU for one week immediately after birth. He was taking shallow breaths and having some trouble breathing due to fluid in his lungs from the c-section. Right after I was wheeled into my recovery room, there was this football-sized yellow machine waiting to meet me- the Medela hospital-grade breast pump. I wasn’t too sure about breast feeding from the beginning. To be honest, I am very self conscious about how large my breasts are and I didn’t know how I would feel about whipping a boob out to feed my baby, it just didn’t seem natural to me. I know it’s the most natural thing to do, but I was not sold that it was the option for me. However, knowing breast milk is like liquid gold, I was determined to give it a try.

Tanner was initially fed through a feeding tube, then moved to a bottle, and after 5 days, they let me attempt breast feeding him 2 times per day, which meant I was still pumping the other 6. After a week, I brought him home and was attempting to breast feed him for each feeding. It was going OK at first, then Tanner was having trouble latching on well around 2 weeks. He would fight the boob, eat for 5 minutes, and then fall asleep. I would put him down so I could pump to empty the rest of my milk and then he would scream. So I would pick him back up, he would fight the boob, fall asleep, and scream when I put him back down. This was happening for several nights at 2 am. With getting up through the night for two weeks, I was getting irritated, frustrated, and upset. I started thinking, I can’t do this, this will make me insane, and I will resent my baby. It is very difficult to be sleep deprived and have these thoughts. I felt like a complete failure of a mother.

Some friends pointed out a different option since latching on was difficult, exclusively pumping. It took days for me to convince myself that it was OK to EP. I felt like I was just giving up and that I was a bad mom for not trying harder. Looking back, I now know that I am doing MY BEST. What is best for my son and I is for me to remain sane and healthy so I can take good care of Tanner. So if you are or have struggled with feeding your baby, I am here to say, as long as you are feeding your baby, you are doing your BEST- no matter where you are in your journey. In the end, your health and your child’s health is the most important.

I think EP is not widely spoken about because there are a lot of wives tales to be cleared up. Most people think if your baby is not latching on, then you will stop producing milk. That is not true for all. I have read several stories about women EPing for 6 months and some for a year. It is crucial to pump just as much as your baby eats, at least 7-8 times a day. I pump every 3 hours, with the exception of one longer period in the middle of the night. I go around 5 hours at night without pumping and I try to sleep when Tanner is sleeping (at night). It’s not easy, I actually believe it is much harder. It’s twice the work: I feed him with a bottle, then pump, then clean all of the pump equipment- then it seems like it is time to repeat. It’s a lot of work, but it can be done. My personal goal is to be able to give Tanner breast milk for 6 months. I have tried to breast feed him recently, like in the photo above, but he would not stay latched on. I am freezing as much milk as possible incase my supply does decrease.

Once again, if you made it through all of this, then applause for you!! Thank you for reading part 1 of my feeding Tanner journey. If you have any questions about EPing or you need any encouragement, please reach out to me. I would also love to hear any and all feeding your baby stories. Us mamas gotta encourage each other! No matter what your story looks like, we can get through it together.

Keep in touch,
Dani

Tanner’s One Month Update

June 12, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

Welcoming Tanner to our family has been the greatest adventure! The past month has flown by and we are soaking up each and every memory with our son. Here is a little update on what life has been like for us & some of our fav baby products.

{Get the outfit details here}

Tanner Chase was born one month ago, on May 12. I shared his birth story a few weeks ago incase you missed it and would like to catch up. My husband and I do not know where the last month has gone… oh that’s right, it’s been consumed by miracles, love, worry, pray, praise, and I can not forget- sleeplessness! Although we may be tired all of the time, Tanner has brought so much joy to our lives in the one month that he has been “in the world” and we would not change a thing!

We brought Tanner home from the NICU one week after he was born and our lives will never be the same. Jason and I love to spend our days with our baby boy. Sure, we are exhausted and our lives are now dictated by a 8 pound human, but Jason and I work as a team and make it work. I personally do not think I could do it on my own. Jason gets up to feed the baby boy before around 5am (sometimes 4am) and it gives me a chance to sleep a FEW more hours. On average I sleep for 3 hours then feed around 2am and then get another 3 to 4 hours in after that, if I am lucky. Broken sleep is hard and takes a toll on some days.

Tanner has gained over a pound since being home. He has been to the doctor twice and they are pleased with his development. The baby burrito (my nickname for him) eats like a champ, like we should be surprised- he fits right in with his family!! Tanner loves to be held, tummy time, bright lights, breast milk, and warm baths. The mister does not care for diaper changes and being hungry (or should I say hangry). He does not have a loud screechy cry, he grunts a lot, which is actually kinda nice.. And funny! Tanner sounds like an old man who is grunting when he wants something! All in all, we would say he is an easy baby!! I just pray it stays that way! We are so so thankful for this little gift! Tanner does drink breast milk, but not usually from the breast. I mostly pump and bottle feed. This will be something personal that I would like to talk about in a later post. Breastfeeding is not easy so props to all the mamas out there who do it!

Now for some of our favorite baby products! In the past month, we have fallen in love with several baby items. These products seem like they were created to make life a little bit simpler while managing a newborn. First, my favorite gadget that you can see in most of my photos of Tanner are pacifier clips from Madeline’s Box (Acorn brown and gray clip in photos above). These braided, leather clips are made by a sweet small business owner named Heather. These clips were created to keep a little one’s pacifier from falling on the floor or getting lost. It doesn’t hurt that the vintage-inspired clip is adorable with every baby outfit! Second, I am loving our baby cover from Sweetee Handmade. This baby cover is a 3-in-1 item- a carrier cover, nursing cover, and shopping cart seat cover (pictured in white and check pattern above)! GENIUS! The high-quality material used is soft and breathable. The patterns and prints that Sweetee Handmade offers are fun and trendy! Sweetee Handmade also makes cute headbands, leggings, and hats so be sure to check out their Etsy shop. What are your favorite baby products?

Keep in touch,
Dani

Packing for the Hospital with Lo & Sons Catalina Weekender Bag

May 29, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

Prepping overnight bags for your maternity stay in the hospital or birth center is a big task to check off the never ending parents-to-be list! Luckily, I have done my research and have talked to several mama’s who helped me put together a checklist on what to pack. I used Lo & Sons Catalina Weekender, the is the ultimate weekender bag to make packing simple, organized, and stylish!

THE CATALINA WEEKENDER BAG BY LO & SONS c/o

There is SO MUCH to do when preparing for your bundle of joy! Between getting the nursery in order and making sure you have all of the appropriate supplies for baby’s arrival home, packing your hospital bag could be overwhelming if you are unsure what to bring. I am very fortunate to have many wonderful mama friends who gave me some pointers. My recommendation is to have your hospital bag “roughly packed” by 36 weeks. You never know if baby may come early, like my 37 week surprise!! It is understandable that you will likely have to throw some last minute items in the bag that you use on a daily basis. It is beneficial to have the items that you do not use daily already packed. For instance, if you plan on breast feeding, go ahead and order some nursing bras by 30 weeks that way you can have them ready to go!

Choosing what to pack in your bag is just as important as choosing a bag! Whether you are headed to the hospital for delivery or going away for the weekend, convenience is KEY! I hate digging through a huge duffle bag or putting my shoes in the same space as my clean clothes. I was thrilled to receive this Lo & Son’s Catalina Weekender because it makes packing easy and practical. I just love the story behind Lo & Sons as well. Helen Lo was making frequent trips to the doctors when her two sons kept noticing that she often had a different bag because she could not find one bag that she liked. Helen’s sons convinced her to create a functional bag to pack her belongings in and eventually developed their family company, Lo & Sons!! The Catalina Weekender is such a versatile bag. The canvas material is light weight, strong, and can be folded up for easy storage. There are several pockets for all of your small belongings, like chargers and chap stick. Here is my hospital bag checklist:

Mommy’s Bag

pajamas
robe
slippers
comfortable underwear for post delivery
absorbent pads
loose clothes to go home in
toiletries
camera
camera charger
cell phone charger
photo ID
insurance card
head band & hair ties
socks (a pair with grips)
chap stick

Baby’s Bag

two change of clothes (one of these being the going home outfit)
blanket
pacifier
socks
nail grooming kit for baby
diapers
wipes

If you plan to breastfeed..

nursing pads
nipple cream
nursing cover
nursing pillow
nursing bra
your preferred bottles
your preferred breast pumping equipment (the hospital will have this as well)

Daddy’s bag

2 change of clothes
pajamas
toiletries
snacks
money for vending machines
I pad or computer
cell phone charger

I found it extremely helpful to print out this checklist so that I could cross items off as I packed my bag. Creating a checklist ahead of time will ensure that you do not forget anything and hopefully put your mind at ease. Any other items that you found essential during your maternity stay? Please leave a comment below, I would love to hear!! A HUGE thank you to Lo & Sons for making this post possible, I can not wait to use my weekender again!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Tanner Chase’s Birth Story

May 28, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

It goes without saying, baby’s are ready to come when they are ready to come! Our son decided to surprise my husband and I by arriving a few weeks early. I am excited to share with you the birth story of our first child, Tanner Chase Colding.

TANNER AND MOMMY

On Tuesday, May 10th I was 37 weeks and 2 days pregnant. Since I was past 36 weeks, I had my weekly OB appointment every Tuesday. If you know me or have been following along, then you may know that I had been extremely swollen since about 28 weeks. As soon as 36 weeks hit, I was counting down the days until baby was due since I was uncomfortable from swelling. With that being said, I was anxious to hear from my doctor if my body was starting to prepare for delivery (i.e uterus softening and any dilation). The nurse checked my vitals that Tuesday morning, all was good except my blood pressure was a slightly high, but “not high enough to be concerned though.” Then the doctor told me that I was not showing any signs of labor, so he would just see me back the following Tuesday.

I left the doctor, went home, had some lunch and decided to go grocery shopping. After finishing up at the grocery store, I spotted the blood pressure machine in the corner of the store by the pharmacy. I thought to myself, I may be a little crazy but I want to take my blood pressure because I thought it was high at my doctors that morning. I was not nervous to take my blood pressure and in fact I was thinking, oh it probably has gone down since this morning. I was shocked to see that I had gone up way higher, 184/99!! So I waddled over to the pharmacist and asked him if the BP machine was accurate. The pharmacist assured me that it was accurate and that someone comes to calibrate the machine monthly. The pharmacist encouraged me to sit down for 15 minutes take some deep breathes and take my blood pressure over to get a second reading. The reading the second time was 180/106 so I called my OB’s office right away and they told me if I felt safe to drive the come back in so they could check my BP. Sure enough it was around 180/100. My OB sent me straight to the hospital to have further testing for preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is simply high blood pressure during pregnancy. Usually the only way to get a mother’s blood pressure down is by delivering the baby. If the mother is considered full-term (around 36 weeks) it’s extremely important to get the baby out because high blood pressure puts you at high risk for having a seizure or stroke. The 3 signs of preeclampsia are high blood pressure, protein in your urine, and swelling.

Jason left work and met me at labor and delivery. The nurses took blood work, urine samples, and checked the baby’s vitals. My blood work looked good, yet there was protein in my urine. The nurse told me that they wanted to hold me for 24 hours and collect a 24 hour urine sample. Jason and I slept overnight in the hospital. After collecting my urine for 12 hours (I know, doesn’t sound pretty) the high-risk OB for the hospital came in to check me. She took one look at my chart and said that she would have delivered my baby today if it was up to her. She said that she was going to call my OB immediately and tell him that I needed to have the baby ASAP. The nurses were great at keeping me informed. They let me know that my OB was on his way to talk to my about my plan for delivery. At 4pm on May 11, my doctor came into the room and told me he was scheduling me for 7:30 AM C-section the next morning, May 12th.

I was pretty upset because I wanted to try to have a vaginal birth, but since I had no signs of labor the doctor did not feel like it was safe to induce me with high blood pressure. At 6am on May 12, I was woken up to prep for surgery. I was pretty nervous because I had never had any kind of surgery, but I kept reminding myself that c sections are extremely common and that this was in God’s hands. I was wheeled into the operating room at 7:45 and Tanner Chase was born at 8:16 a.m. I never felt so relieved to hear a baby cry. Jason carried him behind the curtain so that I could see him for a second before they had to clean him and get his vitals. Tanner weighed 6 lbs 8 ounces and was 19.5 inches!

The total C-section was about 40 minutes. Then I was wheeled back in my room to recover and hold our sweet angel. After holding Tanner for a few minutes, he was making a low, shallow whimpering noises and would not cry loudly. The nurses had to take him and try to get him to cry. Since he was not reacting to anything they were doing, the nurses decided to take Tanner to the NICU. The doctor determined that Tanner swallowed some amniotic fluid during the C-section. Babies that are born vaginally come through the birth canal and all the fluid that they swallow gets pushed out. Our little dude was having trouble breathing because he had fluid in his lungs.

To make a long story short, Tanner was in the NICU for a week. It was by far the hardest and longest week of our lives, but each day he was doing better and we were getting good reports so we were remaining hopeful that our baby boy would make a quick recovery. After one week, Tanner was able to come home with his mom and dad!!! My parents were here from South Florida for two weeks and they drove me back-and-forth to the hospital each day to see Tanner since I was not able to drive from the C-section and the high BP. They also made sure Jason and I ate well while they were in town. I think it is safe to say that our hearts have never this full and we are so happy to be Tanner’s parents and grandparents. I think Jason and I are doing a pretty good job and adjusting to our new schedule and life. We are definitely tired at times but we wouldn’t trade it for the world. So, if you are still reading this, thank you for making it through my long birth story and THANK YOU to everyone that showed us continuous support and prayers for our new family!!!

Keep in touch,
Dani, Jason, & Tanner!

Baby Boy’s Nursery Reveal

May 4, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

After months of gathering decor and sweet touches, I am thrilled to finally reveal our baby boy’s neutral, whimsical nursery!

Bible Verse Print: Drafts & Crafts
Animal Prints: James River Studios c/o
Floor Lamp: Capitol Lighting c/o
Mountain Pillows: Cabin Studio c/o
Cloud Quilt: Little Colley Design c/o
Pacifier Clip: Madeline’s Box c/o
Elephant Table: Zara Home
Crib Mobile: Anthropologie
Zinc Letter: Anthropologie
Ottoman: Anthropologie (old)
Glider: Target
Bookcase: Pottery Barn Kids
Dresser & Topper: Pottery Barn Kids
Crib: Pottery Barn Kids
Bear Rocker: Pottery Barn Kids
Animal Rug: One Kings Lane

I wanted to create a neutral nursery that would feel soft, clean, and whimsical. Pops of blue were included to add a slightly masculine tone to the room. My goal was to make the room feel sophisticated, while keeping in mind all of the small, playful touches of a baby’s nursery. If I were to put a name to the style, I would say that I was going for a modern meets traditional look. I got much of my inspiration from animals and wanted to use some fun patterns, textures, and metals to set a whimsical mood. My husband and I hope that the room radiates adventure and dreaming big!

We chose items with clouds, stars, mountains, and animals to create a playful oasis for our first child. I just don’t think there is anything sweeter than handmade items. Baby C’s cloud quilt is handcrafted with high-quality, all natural cotton. I am pleased to be able to share a 20% off code to Little Colley Designs. You can shop for adorable quilts with the discount code “LCDDC15” at checkout. Next, I wanted to add some modern pillows to the nursery. Cabin Studio made that possible with their chic mountain pillows. The pillows are beautifully crafted and have inspirational words sewn on the back side, like “explore” and “adventure,” you can even request a custom word! Lastly, an important feature in any room is lighting. I was able to work with some talented people over at Capitol Lighting to find a fixture that would complete the baby’s nursery. With thousands of lamps and styles to choose from, picking the right fixture can be tricky. I wanted a floor lamp that would pier over the rocking chair and reading nook. The polished steel lamp is modern and timeless, but most importantly, it gives off great light for reading. I can’t wait to read to our bebe each evening in this cozy alcove!

Thank you to all the businesses who gifted items for Baby Colding’s nursery. I get so much pleasure from working and collaborating with other small businesses. Please take some time to check out what each shop has to offer. If you know anyone with a little one on the way, I encourage you to shop for unique baby gifts and support small businesses!! If you have any questions about items or products in our little man’s nursery, please feel free to leave a comment!
Keep in touch,
Dani

Baby Shower #2: Southern Menu in Jax

April 18, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

I wanted to give a quick recap of my second baby shower in Jacksonville. My girlfriend, Rebecca, was the PERFECT host at her beautiful new home. The menu featured some good southern cookin’ so I had to share…

The hostess with the mostest, Rebecca

Ombre cake from Cinotti’s Bakery in Jax Beach. This was extra special because Jason and I got our wedding cake from Cinotti’s. Their family owned bakery is one of the best!

As I get a little older, I am starting to realize that great friends are hard to come by. When you do find those gems, you gotta hold on tight. I am lucky to have a handful of them, Rebecca is my dearest girlfriend from college. We met each other freshman year at UNF. I could not think of a better friend to host my baby shower in Jacksonville. Over the years, I have become very close to Becca’s family as well. They treat me just like family, both her parents in Jacksonville and her Aunt and Uncle when Jason and I lived in Northern Virginia. My husband and I are beyond blessed to be close to her family. I feel spoiled because my mother hosted my first baby shower in Boca about 3 weeks ago, and this was my second shower! We have one lucky little baby boy!!

Rebecca and her mama, Chrissy, knocked the shower menu OUT OF THE PARK! Ya see, Rebecca knows me oh so well and she knows that I love me some food from the South. She created a menu that featured my 3 favorite Southern dishes: shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles with spicy syrup, and pulled pork sandwiches with cole slaw! Yuuummmm! I will say for those of you who do not know, most people consider Jacksonville apart of the South. The baby shower menu went on, fruit salad, green salad, mini quiches, and potatoes au gratin. Also, how cute are the homemade scrubs that Rebecca made?! They say “Sugar Scrub, from our shower to your shower!”

I would highly recommend recreating this menu for any party that you are hosting. From baby showers to birthday parties, you can not go wrong with Southern cookin’ -in my opinion, of course! 🙂 It was such a lovely afternoon filled with celebrating our baby boy. There were 12 people, so the gathering was very intimate and relaxing. HUGE THANK YOU to Rebecca and Chrissy for planning the event! Have you been to any good parties lately? What was the menu like?

Keep in touch,
Dani

Pregnancy Care with Nine Naturals

April 12, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

I am learning everyday that taking care of yourself while pregnant is truly the best thing you can do for yourself, as well as your baby. Nine Naturals makes it easy to find safe products to use while pregnant, postpartum, and even on baby.

Picking out products to use during your pregnancy can be challenging. I hear things on the news and social media that scare me! Big companies getting in trouble for using harmful chemicals in simple products really makes choosing beauty products daunting… whether pregnant or not! Of course, I use the same everyday essentials, like shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and body wash. Yet, since becoming pregnant I have added many more lotions, belly creams, and skin repairing balms. My skin has been extra dry since carrying our baby boy, especially my feet, hands, and face.

Nine Naturals was kind enough to send me several of their products to try. I am glad they did because I am hooked! Admittedly, I love trying to products, but I don’t usually go out and find them myself. I love when someone recommends a product to me and can tell me a little bit about how it has helped them! So, let me tell you about something that I LOVE about Nine Naturals:

Most important, each ingredient is natural and organic! I can sleep well at night knowing that I have not exposed myself or my unborn child to any dangerous chemicals. You can read about each ingredient here.
After using the shampoo and conditioner, my hair is less frizzy and is blow drying much faster! Like 5 times faster, I don’t know what to do with all of my extra time now (insert hysterical laughing emoji).
I do try to keep in mind how much more expensive organic products tend to be, but I was so happy to see a little tab went a long way! The body wash lathered on great and I did not need to use much.
The natural smells are BEAUTIFUL! I love the smell of citrus, mint, vanilla, and geranium. These scents are so calming, it smells like a spa in our bathroom after I shower.
I could see a drastic difference in my skin & lips after using the belly butter, body palm, and lip balm for 3 days in a row. I apply the belly butter and lip balm each morning and evening. I use the body balm on my feet each night before bed and now my abused feet are doing much better.

Thank you to Nine Naturals for the lovely products. It is so amazing how much change you can see in your body when you change some beauty items to natural products. I am excited to use Nine Naturals for the next 7 weeks of my pregnancy and for my postpartum journey. What are your favorite organic products? If you have any questions about Nine Naturals, please leave me a message! Have a blessed week friends!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Boca Baby Shower in PinkBlush (plus giveaway!)

March 28, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

Sharing the sweet details from my baby shower and learn how to enter for a chance to win a gift card to PinkBlush.

My sweet mother, Michele

Melissa & Michelle

My darling, Aunt Cheryl who traveled from New Jersey

White Shimmer Dress: PinkBlush Maternity c/o
Succulents: Eastern Leaf
Hand Lettered Plant Flags: Drafts & Crafts
Cookies: Cinotti’s Bakery (does ship)
Banners & Balloons: Target

This past weekend, my mother hosted a wonderful baby shower for me at Mariposa restaurant in the Boca Raton, Neiman Marcus. It was such a fabulous afternoon celebrating our soon-to-be bundle of joy!! Laughter filled the air with all of my closest gal pals from high school, friends, and family. When we are all together, it truly feels like not a day has gone by. It is hard to believe it will be 10 years since graduating! Our baby boy was showered with beautiful gifts. Jason and I feel truly blessed for all of the love we have received over the past 8 months.

The hardest part about the shower as the mommy-to-be, was trying to figure out what I should wear. Searching for a dress at 7 months pregnant was not easy at first. Thanks to PinkBlush Maternity, finding the perfect dress quickly became stress free. PinkBlush is an online maternity boutique, specializing in stylish clothing and accessories for pregnant women. Their website features hundreds of maternity dresses, there is even a designated section for baby shower dresses. I was looking for a blue or white dress for the shower so the second I laid eyes on this white, shimmery dress, I knew I found “the one!” The best part, PinkBlush is not only a maternity site, they also sell “normal” clothing as well.

I am pleased to announce that I have teamed up with PinkBlush to bring you an awesome GIVEAWAY! Head over to Instagram for a chance to win a $75 gift card to Pink Blush. Follow @dccold to get the details on how to enter the giveaway. I love this giveaway because it is great for expectant mothers and everyone else. PinkBlush has apparel, shoes, and accessories for all (not just maternity). For all my preggo mamas, I encourage you to check out PinkBlush’s Maternity section because they make being trendy, actually affordable while pregnant. Good Luck to all who enter! The giveaway ends on March 31st at 10pm.

Keep in touch,
Dani

22 Weeks: Maternity Must-haves

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

HAPPY NEW YEAR with some big news!!

January 1, 2016 by Drafts & Crafts

What better way to kick off the new year than with some exciting news from our gender reveal! The votes are in…

These individual milk and cookies were oh so fun!! I used a few drops of food coloring to dye the milk pink and blue in a large bowl before pouring the milk into each cup.

2015 was a sweet, blessed year for Jason and I! A few of my favorite memories include celebrating 1 year of marriage, an annual snowboarding trip, two weddings of dear friends, moving back to Florida from DC, and finding out that we are expecting a baby!!

The hubs and I have been patiently waiting to find out the gender of baby Colding. Ok ok, Jason was the only one of us who was patiently waiting, I could barely take it! I have several friends who have found out the gender around 14-15 weeks of pregnancy, but I had to wait for 18 weeks due to my doctors sonogram schedule and the holidays.

So after 18 weeks and 2 days of waiting, we are excited to share the big news that we are expecting a BABY BOY!! Baby Colding’s official due date has been moved from June 1 to May 28, 2016. The midwife that I have been seeing at the practice is happy with the way the baby is developing and how everything looks. I have been blessed with a smooth pregnancy thus far. I have made it almost half way with no real sickness or complaints.

These are some quick snaps from our little gender reveal. We had an intimate night with all of our local Jax friends and family as we shared the big news of our baby boy!! Most people who know me were convinced it was a boy based on all of the old wives tales!! We are thrilled to welcome 2016 with open arms!! I am spending the first of the New Year in Charleston, SC with Jason and my parents. Can’t wait to share some details about our trip!

May all of your wildest dreams come true in 2016 & may your hearts be filled with love!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Welcoming Cooper’s Hawk to Jacksonville

October 25, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

I had the wonderful opportunity to join other local creatives in welcoming Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant to Jacksonville!

This past Friday evening, Jason and I attended a VIP media preview party to welcome Cooper’s Hawk to the Jacksonville Town Center. I was thrilled to welcome a new winery to Jacksonville along side other Jax creatives! Cooper’s Hawk is known for their special wine and culinary pairing guide. Each meal comes with a wine recommendation, but even cooler, they sell spices and other goodies that come with recommended wine to pair them with. Each spice is marked with a number, which represents a coordinating wine. Cooper’s Hawk prides itself on their unique pairing features. The staff was extremely friendly and were eager to talk about and recommend their favorite wines.

We were greeted upon arrival with a bubbly sip from the lovely hostesses. We began by pareusing the entrance and tasting room that is full of gifts and wine. Cooper’s Hawk has over 25 wine selections, champagnes, whites, reds, ice wine, roses, and dessert wine, like port. In the lobby, they also sell spices, spreads, appearal, and homemade dessert. Each spice and spread comes with a recommendation of wine pairing! Simple and delicous!!

Look at the beautiful light fixtures in one of the dining rooms! The restaurant is extremly spacious with 3 large rooms for dinning, one being a large room that could accomdate any private party. We eneded our tour in the private room where there was small bites and wine waiting for us.

We were able to try the Chef’s special cheese plate. The cheese selections are from small farms and change monthly. The Pork Belly Tostadas and Cooper’s Hawk Calamari were my favorite! I would definitely recommend either of these two appetizers to begin with when you visit Cooper’s Hawk. Of course, they will come with a recommended wine to enjoy with it.

We enjoyed being guests at Cooper’s Hawk launch party. The general manager, hotesses, staff, and bartenders were excellent and extremly knowledgeable about what they have to offer. There are currently 20 locations and the owners plan to open 4 more by the end of next year. Cooper’s Hawk is also located in Orlando and Tampa, so if you are looking for a fabulous dining experince, I would recommend checking the wine-filled restaurant out!

Is everyone getting ready for halloween? I have been so busy and I am terribly sad that I did not share a new Halloween craft or recipe on the blog. I am going to do some bake some of my old favorites this week. Be sure to check out some ideas from last year that I shared, Pumpkin Spice Latte cupcakes, grave yard pudding, or brown-butter Fall Rice Kripsie treats!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Little Nicholas’ Baby Shower

October 20, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

I had the pleasure to not only attend, but also help create a very special baby shower this past weekend. Get the adorable details below!

I had the wonderful opportunity to be apart of a special baby shower this past weekend in Northern Virginia. Ya see, it started with my best friend from college, Becca, introducing me to her entire family that lives in the DC metro area, where I lived for 3 years. While living in Virginia, my friend’s family treated me like one of their own nieces!! I don’t have any Aunt’s or first cousins so I just love being included in my friend’s family!!

I was so excited to help with Pride and Allison shower for baby Nicholas! I was able to help make decorations and design the baby shower with Aunt Beth! The color scheme was yellow, royal blue, and gray. Nicholas’ nursery is full of elephants so we wanted to incorporate that into the party. I created a bunting banner, nametags for the beverages, signs, and advice cards for the new mommies. Get all the fun details of Pride and Allison’s darling baby shower below!

Mason jars: Michael’s

Tags: Hole punched with tag puncher from Target

Royal Blue Card Stock: Paper Source

Bunting Banner: Target

Hand Letting: Drafts & Crafts

Bottle Piggy Bank: JoAnn Fabrics

Yellow & Gray Card Stock: Paper Source

This popcorn table was amazing! It was stocked with several popcorn flavors so you can season you own pop corn bag! It was a big hit with the guests, I would highly recommend this for a party favor idea.

Mini Blue Easels: Michael’s

Hand Letting: Drafts & Crafts

How awesome are those cake pops that Beth made?? We had a blast putting together the baby shower and everyone was so helpful! Pride and Allison had an awesome turn out and were showered with beautiful gifts! Do you have any favorite baby shower ideas??

Keep in touch,
Dani

Birthday Boy’s Bite Bar

October 3, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Last weekend we celebrated the hubs 28th birthday with our family and friends. Enjoy the details and some party ideas for a your next gathering!

Now that my husband and I are in our late twenties (scary thought), we really like to try new restaurants, happy hour, or hang out at the house with friends. It is rare for us to be out late these days. When I asked Jason how he wanted to celebrate his birthday, he replied, “I just want to hang out with our friends at the house.” So naturally I wanted to put together some fun foods items and make sure Jason had a well-equipped party!

I am obsessed with all things mini, even mini food aka finger food. I know it sounds silly, but it is so easy to pick up a mini food item, walk around with it in hand, mingle, and still be able to eat it… Trifecta!! There are dozens of adorable & delicious small cup choices available via Pinterest. For Jason’s birthday party I made the following food:

Mini Grilled Cheese & Creamy Tomato Soup:
I made one batch of this tomato soup from Martha Stewart. This soup was the bees knees, I think everyone enjoyed the creamy goodness! The homemade soup recipe was much easier than I expected!
Mini Meatballs:
Trader Joe’s has some of the best food for entertaining!! Trader Joe’s has samples everyday so I am always getting new ideas each time I venture in there. These frozen meatballs are called “Mini Party Meatballs.” After baking them for 25 minutes, I toss them in Trader Joe’s Sweet and Spicy Sauce. Poke a tooth pick into each meatball and you got the perfect finger food platter!
Mini Veggie Dip Cups:
This simple concept is an instant game changer. Scoop a spoonful of veggie dip into the bottom of individual cups. I finished off the cups by placing a few celery sticks, carrot sticks, and cherry tomatoes on skewers into the cups. The cups that I used are from the dollar tree. They come 5 per pack and are rather durable!
Mini Mac & Cheese Bites:
Let’s face it, when you are throwing a party not everything can be homemade. There is just not enough time in the day!! These are also a frozen selection (guilty!) from Trader Joe’s, Mac and Cheese Bites. They come 9 in a pack and you bake them for 10 minutes. Pick up a few packs of these and you have a scrumptious appetizer!

“The bite bar” was a big hit!! Try any of these items as an appetizer at your next dinner party, bridal shower, or baby shower. Next time I want to try mini chicken and waffles bites and mini shrimp and grit cups. Have you tried any awesome finger foods lately or have any mini cup ideas??

Keep in touch,
Dani

A Surprise Date Night

August 18, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Here is how I styled a surprise date night for the husband which just so happened to be on our 18 month wedding anniversary! Plus, a few other ideas for an inexpensive date night!

{Dress: Wolfgang, a boutique in Jax
if you are local you must check them out in 5 points – Riverside
also LOVE this one & this one}
{Champagne Flutes: Bliss Designs (Boca Raton, FL}
{Mini bowls: Anthropologie}
{Gold cake stand: H & M}

I have been dying to plan a unique date night for my husband! Jason and I have been busy bees since moving back to Jacksonville. I can honestly say that we have been having a blast with our friends and family close by. So much so that we had not done something just the two of us in over a month! After being together for 5 years it’s important to keep things exciting, so I really wanted to have a romantic evening.

While these photos may look like a photo shoot, I actually surprised him with a little “bubbly” beach picnic. Jason thought he was meeting me down by the beach after work to grab dinner and do one of our typical photo shoots. Yet instead, I had planned a picnic on the beach that would include champagne, cheese, crackers, & fruit! We sipped the bubbly out of the champagne flutes from our wedding… I love special touches like this! Some would call me a hopeless romantic! We sat on the beach just talking and falling more in love as we watched the beautiful ocean waves crash on shore. This date was just what the doctor ordered!

Planning a relaxing or romantic date with your significant other does not have to be expensive. Jason and I try to be mindful that when we go out to dinner we can easily rack up a $75 dollar bill after getting an appetizer, dinner, and a few drinks. With that being said, we try not to do this every weekend, but it usually happens. Here are a few suggestions of less expensive date night alternatives:

1. Beach, river, or park picnic!

2. Order your partners favorite take-out and rent a movie that you know they have been dying to watch.

3. Find out when your local museums have free entry night & stop to get ice cream after 🙂

4. Get the ingredients to make some personal size pizzas together. Don’t forget to pair it with your husband or wife’s favorite wine!

5. Find out if any local parks have “move night” in the park. Get cozy on a blanket and bring some snacks!

6. Go apple, strawberry, blueberry, or pumpkin picking!

These are a few of my favorite dates! I hope these suggestions could open your eyes to some new ideas! Thinking outside of the box can be challenging, but I highly recommend remembering to incorporate some romantic date nights! Do you have any other ideas for some reasonably-priced date nights? Do share!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Summer Ice Cream Social

June 10, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Summer is right around the corner and we believe you need to start the celebration with an ice cream social. Learn how to style an ice cream social that will give your friends something to write home about!

Decor:
{Dani’s apron: Anthropologie} {Josie’s apron: Anthropologie}
{Glass ice cream cones: Anthropologie}
{Glass ice cream bowls: Anthropologie}
{Balloons: Anthropologie} {Tablecloth: Antique}
{Fruit container: Anthropologie} {Pillows: Crate & Barrel}
{Bunting banner: Target + DIY} {Cake Stand: H & M}

Dani:
{Top: Anthropologie} (Pants: J. Crew Factory}

Josie:
{Top: J. Crew} {Skirt: Anthropologie}

Ice Cream & Toppings:
Edy’s Vanilla Bean, Strawberry, and Mint Chocolate Chip
M&M’s
Chocolate chips
Stawberries
Assorted Sprinkles

Let me start by saying this post was TONS of fun to put together, I mean how can you go wrong with endless laughs and ice cream!! My fellow blogger bff, Josie of Josie in Color, and I both have an admiration for fashion, we are fellow foodies, and most importantly, we have a love for creating pretty things!! When we found out that we both owned these adorable glass ice creams cones from Anthropologie, we instantly agreed that with summer approaching we needed to throw an ice cream social!

An ice cream social will make the perfect backyard party this summer! It can be a festive and affordable gathering with your friends, family, or children. We thoughtfully planned out this collaboration for several weeks. Together we had many fun decorative pieces to bring to the table, literally. We had a vision to create a playful and whimsical ice cream social. Josie and I wanted our decor to be bright and full of color. I am just swooning over our finished tablescape!

When hosting an ice cream social, I would definitely recommend getting a variety of ice cream flavors so you guests can choose their favorite. We decided on three YUMMY Edy’s Ice Cream flavors with 4 different toppings. Some important tips & ideas to plan an ice cream party:

gather some colorful decorations that will make your space pop, a bunting banner makes any space more festive!
choose 3 flavors (Edy’s won’t disappoint!) and under 5 toppings
serve a cold refreshment with bright paper straws
design a chalkboard sign to highlight ice cream flavors
set up your decor before you bring out the ice cream
keep the ice cream on ice in a cooler or large bin so it does not melt in the summer heat
set up some backyard games for entertainment, corn hole is my favorite!

Have other ideas for an ice cream social? Please share them with us!!

Keep in touch,
Dani and Josie

#LillyforTarget

April 19, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Today was the launch of Lilly Pulitzer for Target… today was also the ‘closing’ of Lilly for Target because they sold up online and store wide. Here are the juicy details of my choatic shopping experience.

I have been anticipating this day for quite some time. The preppy, pink and green designer, Lilly Pulitzer, was launching a clothing & home decor line at my beloved Target. This collaboration hits close to home, literally. The iconic Lilly Pulitzer begun her successful career in Palm Beach, which just so happens to be where I am from! Nothing says sunny South Florida quite like Lilly and all of her vibrant color clothes.

The collection has been available to preview for about a month on Target.com. The preview included a listing of each item, the price, and whether it could be found online, in store, or both. The best part about #LillyforTarget is that it is (was) actually affordable. Needless to say, I had a “A List” and a “B List” of the items I wanted. On my list were some mother’s day gifts too (my mom is the queen of Lilly). There were dozens of fun items, the line featured anything from cups, plates, blankets, and pillows – to – shorts, dresses, rompers, and bathing suits.

When the big morning came along, I did not know what to expect! Target opens at 8am on Sunday, which to me is a bit early, so it was throwing me off on what to prepare for. I joked that there would be a huge line wrapped around the building filled with crazed preppy women, and well….

the joke was on me! I was shocked!!! To be honest, I am still shocked several hours later. I hate to sound naive, but I had no idea it was going to be this packed! As I was standing toward the end of the line I was thinking that there would be nothing left by the time I stepped foot into the store. At 8am the doors open and the line began marching toward the door…

The craziest part, people just starting jumping out of line and running toward the door!! People who pulled up as they opened the doors just b-lined toward the front, ignoring the giant line of patient customers! At this point I was confident that there would be nothing left on the rack and…

I was correct!! Not ONE thing on the clothing rack!! We ran to the home goods where we found one of the last 3 beach towels still available. My mommy requested a beach towel!

You know that scene from Mean Girls, right after Regina turns in the burn book to Principle Duval and the school breaks out into a mad jungle of vicious students… that is pretty much what my Target was like. Each section (beauty, clothes, shoes, home goods) was spread out all over the store, so people were running throughout the entire store.

After staring at the empty clothes rack for a few minutes and feeling like a failure, it dawned on me that the customers who had 15+ pieces in their hand may not purchase all of them. I stood outside of the fitting rooms and stalked people who did not want each item they tried on. I got lucky, a girl gave me an adorable pair of shorts she didn’t want and a woman who goes to Pure Barre with me was nice enough to give me the green and white “boom boom” palm jumpsuit that I really wanted!!

Let me tell you, it was INSANE, women and girls were trading, bargaining, and arguing over things. It was a bit sad even, people grabbed sizes that were not even close to their own size just to hold on to pieces and try to “trade” them to others for items they wanted. In the end, I am feeling really grateful! Stay tune to see how I style them on my trip to FL next week!!

Sorry to overuse to exclamation points and a big thank you to my husband for capturing the mayhem on camera. Did you make it to Target? Did you make it out alive?! Do share your story please!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Rocks Box It Girl!

April 13, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Have you signed up for a Rocks Box subscription yet?? Read my review and find out why it is a must for any jewelry loving gal. Plus my Rocks Box It Girl code to get your first month free!!

{Arrow Ring: Wanderlust & Co.} {Earrings: Slate}

You may have heard of Rocks Box by now, but if not, it is a monthly jewelry subscription.. aka the Netflix of jewelry!! This genius idea comes to us from San Francisco, CA. The subscription costs $19 per month and you get to borrow ENDLESS designer jewelry. Some of my favorites include: Gorjana, Wanderlust & Co, and Kendra Scott.

When I heard the term “borrow” I was slightly skeptical. Spending money for something that is not mine to keep sounded silly. Did I want to spend $19 a month on jewelry that is on loan? After reading other friend’s reviews and doing the math, I realized that I often spend a lot more than $19 dollars on jewelry that I wear only a few times. So I decided to try it for myself! Now I get 3 designer pieces of jewelry with the click of a button! And when I am tired of wearing them, I send them right back (for free) and get 3 new pieces immediately!

Now you may be thinking, “What if I fall in love with a piece??” The answer is: You have the option to buy any individual piece! (At a discounted price, of course!!) Just go online and purchase the pieces that you want, and return the others (whenever you are done wearing them). I am on my third box, which means I have tried out 9 designer pieces. I enjoyed wearing each of them, and decided to keep one for myself!

Another innovative feature is that you can leave feedback on each item and also request particular pieces by updating your very own “Rocks Box wish list”. Rocks Box does not just send you random jewelry: after taking a “style questionnaire” they assign you your very own personal stylist who picks your pieces. My stylist has sent me several of the pieces that I requested, but I actually bought a piece that she picked out for me! But if you don’t find what you’re looking for, at any time you can send back your box and get a new box. As many times as you want each month! So your options are practically limitless…

If you are still not sure, you can use the discount code “dccoldxoxo” to receive your first month of the subscription FREE! You won’t be disappointed with Rocks Box‘s selection and quick turnaround… it only took me a few days to get each box! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask me! If you already have a subscription, are you enjoying it??

Keep in touch,
Dani

Outdoor Spring Activity Bucket List

March 26, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

Spring has finally sprung and we are starting to get some “warmer” weather here in Virginia. Here is my outdoor bucket list for Spring 2015!

I apologize for being a little MIA, my best friend got married last weekend in Florida.. it was beautiful weekend!! Then from FL, I headed straight to a work conference in Abingdon, VA.. a nice 5.5 hour drive! At last, I am back home and getting settled. Lots of laundry and catching up on blogging to do, stay tuned please!!

“No winter lasts forever.” Amen to that!!! No, I actually love winter, but towards the end of winter I do look forward to spring. What is there not to love about springtime.. warmer weather, blooming flowers, grass is getting green, and seasonal allergies… Ok, so maybe there is one thing I do not care for during spring, my severe allergies. However, this does not stop my love for being outdoors! Sunshine and flowers trumps sneezing any day! Check out my outdoor bucket list that I would like to complete by the end of spring, which is like mid June, believe it or not.

1. Biking & Hiking Trails- I am fortunate to live in an area where there are so many beautiful parks and trails. My husband and I love to drive a little west of DC and go mountain biking for the day! I can’t wait to throw the bikes on the back of the car and head out for an adventure! I also want to do more hiking this spring, but my husband’s prefers the adrenaline of biking.. so it is going to take some convincing! Here are some tools to help you find parks in your state: U.S National Park Service and America State Parks. These websites are great because they let you know all of the features/amenities (i.e trails and facilites) at each park.

2. Arts & Farmers Market- Handmade goods and fresh produce, need I say more?? This is a great activity to do with the whole family and a bonus.. initially it is free! You are not usually charged to get into a market, only if you want to buy items. Again, we are spoiled because each city in Northern Virginia has a farmers market. Falls Church Farmer’s Market is my favorite local market, it is the best that I have been to around. I would recommend looking on your city or county website to see what markets or festivals are in your area.

3. Easter Egg Hunt- Although I do not have children of my own yet, you are never too old for a Easter Egg Hunt, am I right? I will have to borrow some of my friend’s children to hold an Easter Egg Hunt! There is nothing like running around green grass searching for those bright-colored eggs!!

4. Strawberry Picking & Jam Makin’- This is an activity I did not get to partake last year. Jason and I went apple picking in the Fall, we had a blast!! Before it gets too hot outside, I want to go strawberry picking! Also, I think it would be so much fun to preserve some strawberries or make some jam! Here is a recipe for Strawberry Jam from the Ball website.

5. Outside Brunch- Call me basic, but oh how I like a good brunch!! I can’t wait to take on the streets of DC with some amazing outdoor brunches!! If you live in DC, NYC, or Chicago or will be vacactioning in any of these lovely places, I recommend searching for brunch spots on Bitches Who Brunch. Through this fabulous website you can search by taste, price, day of the week, outdoor patios, and bottomless sip selection, GENIUS!

6. Backyard Games- I enjoy a good game of corn hole or shuffle board… with a cold beverage in hand, of course. Pictured below was the corn hole game from our wedding, refer to wedding recap post to find out where you can order your own inexpensive set! Backyard games and a BBQ sound like the perfect hangout with friends since the weather is warming up. In my opinion, corn hole is great activity for any spring gathering!

May you enjoy the fresh start to a new season! What is on your bucket list? Do share!

Keep in touch,
Dani

12 Tips for Planning and Hosting a Bachelorette Party!

January 20, 2015 by Drafts & Crafts

I have spent the past few months helping to plan my best friend, Rebecca’s, bachelorette bash. The best part was that I was able to host it here in DC!! Here are 12 tips on how to host/plan a bachelorette party!!

I am sorry that I was a little MIA last week, I was finishing up several crafts for my friend’s bachelorette party. I had a phenomenal time hosting my sweet friend’s bachelorette party this past weekend. So much so, that we (I think i can speak for all of us) are going to be struggling this week, if you know what I mean. 😉 All of my BFF’s threw me an awesome bachelorette party for me, so I wanted to make sure Becca had an amazing weekend that she would never forget!! After all, how often do you get to have one big slumby with all of your biffles, with all attention on you?! Planning these events can be stressful at times because you want to make sure everyone enjoys themselves. I am excited to share my 12 tips for hosting a bachelorette party!

1. Choose a city or a historic town with character // Pick a city or quaint town that is accessible to all (or most) of the friends in your party. For instance, If every girl lives on the east coast, choose a destination on the east coast. Choosing a location can be difficult If your girls are spread out. It is important to keep in mind some girls may be able to drive and some girls may have to fly. Here are some recommendations of cities for a bachelorette party: New York City, Washington DC, Nashville, Orlando, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Boston, Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, & Los Vegas. Historic towns: Savannah, Charleston, Charlottesville, Richmond, & Williamsburg.

2. Pick a theme or color scheme // Everybody likes to contribute to the party, so it is condusive to keep things somewhat similar, thus picking a theme or color scheme for the party. We threw my girlfriend, Rebecca, a Paris themed bridal shower since her and her soon-to-be hubby will be honeymooning there. The colors we used for everything were black, white, and light pink. I decided to keep her bachelorette party in the same Paris theme and color scheme. After all, you can not go wrong with a pink bachelorette party; it is super easy to find all of the essentials in pink! If you are having a hard time picking a theme, thinking about the bride’s wedding colors and honeymoon can be helpful.

3. Have Decorations // I can not stress this enough!!! Every gathering is more special with fun decorations. Nowadays with all of the DIY’s available to us via Pinterest you do not have to spend a crazy amount of money on decorations. Remember you can even get streamers, balloons, paper lanterns, plates, cups, and silverware from most dollar stores! The Dollar Tree is my best friend for these items. Some essential decorations include: banners, streams, funny signs/quotes, and balloons.

4. Party Favors // When all of your bride’s BFFs are in one place, it is nice to have some memorbilia from the weekend. There are many great favors to choose from that can be personalized for each friend while reflecting the bride’s taste. Some of my favorite favors: cups, koozies, bags, pins, tattoos, hangover kits, and t-shirts. For Rebecca’s bach bash we had cups, pins, tattoos, and hang over kits- you can see some pictures below.

Thank you to Lauren for making our awesome hangover kits- make up remover wipes, gatorade, aleve, granola bars, and mints!!!

Pictures from the decorated hotel room in DC:

5. Choose Alcohol strategically // Everyone has their own alcoholic preference. My advice to the person who will be in charge of going to the liquor store is to ask each attendee what type of liquor, beer, & wine they prefer. Some people even have allergies to a specific alcohols. For Rebecca’s bachelorette we agreed on a bottle of rum and a bottle of vodka, and of course bottomless bubbly!! Be sure to have several mixer options too, a few sodas and a few types of juices should suffice.

6. Brunch // If you are the hostess you should consider putting a special brunch together one morning for all of the guests! Going out of town usually means eating most meals out, which can come with some challenges, i.e. picking the right restaurant, ensuring reservations (which I will get to in a second), hoping everyone likes their meal, the expense, and lastly, eating out tends to mean less healthy choices. Having a brunch at the place you are staying over (someone’s house or a hotel) makes for a wonderful morning. It can be as casual or as fancy as you would like it, keep the bride’s standards in mind. To me, there is nothing better than waking up, rolling out of bed, and enjoying a relaxing (key word) brunch with the ladies.

When hosting a bachelorette brunch it is nice to have a signature drink bar. I believe most gals can agree on mimosas, but there are other fun options out there too! For food, my rule of thumb is at least 3 options, a carb to soak up the alcohol, a healthy choice, and one sweet choice!!

Carb ideas: bagels, toast, pancakes, french toast, or waffles.

Healthy choices: yogurts, egg whites, salad, smoothies, some fruit, healthy cereal (low sugar/high fiber & protein) or oatmeal.

Sweets: donuts, pastries, muffins, or biscotti’s (great with coffee)

To make an extra special brunch: (You can see each item below in my photos.)

1. Personal banner (“bachelorette bistro”, since it was french/Paris themed
2. Themed name tags for each person
3. Colorful Straws
4. Food description signs with puns. See my photos below for ideas like “bagel bar” or “Patrick’s yogurt shop” or “I donut care, it’s a cheat day!” – Get creative!! My sign said “Patrick’s Yogurt Shoppe” becuase the bride’s fiancé, Patrick, loves to eat yogurt. It a running joke with anyone who knows him well, knows he eats a yogurt every morning for breakfast and he likes to take his time. Gotta love you Patrick!
5. Other fun decorations to match the theme- for example, I placed the juices for the mimosa bar in a paris suitcase that I got from Home Goods, it looked darling if I do say so myself.

Rebecca’s Bachelorette Brunch Photos:

Drafts & Crafts made the chalkboard signs, painted signs, banners, name tags, diamonds for the donuts, and descirptive food plaques for the bachelorette party. See something you like? – send me a message or shop Drafts & Crafts on Etsy!

7. An Activity // I would highly recommend picking one “big” & “fun” activity that each lady will enjoy. Talk to the group and discuss some ideas. This activity will usually be an expense, so make sure everyone would have a good time. Some recommendations: pole dancing class, zumba class, winery tour, paint a sip class, cooking class, or a spa day.

We were brave for Becca’s big activity, we surprised her with an hour and a half pole dancing lesson! It sure was out of our most of our comfort zones, but we had a ball and endless laughs. This will be the only picture that I share from out adventure, sorry, or maybe… your welcome?!

We used Pole Pressure in Alexandria, VA. Our instructor was Erin and she was awesome!! There are several Pole Pressure studios in the Northern VA/DC/Maryland area.

8. A few games // Having 1 to 2 games make for some fun (and free) activities. The bach weekend is supposed to be all about the bride so make her feel special with some fun games centered around her. We played an awesome game at Rebecca’s that I would highly recommend: Each attendee buys one piece of lingerie for the bride and then everyone puts their item in one bag. The bride has to open the bag and guess who gave her each piece… to keep things interesting, make sure take a big sip of her drink for each item she guesses wrong!!

9. Reservations // Make sure you do your research for a fabulous dinner! Pick a happening restaurant that has gotten great reviews, that someone has been to, or a place that someone has highly recommended. Make sure the place has several options to satisfy everyones appetite, for the picky eater or the gluten-free friend. And last, make sure to get a reservation in advance! If you are in a busy place, it could be really hard to get a reservation at the last second.

10. Gear for the bride // This is the one time you get to garnish your bride with pretty, fun, and obnoxious gear!! You want her to stick out from the rest of the group, it is her time to shine!! Having her wear a different color than the rest of the girls is always an option, but if she is not into that, than just make sure she shines! Bridal Gear Must-haves: A bachelorette or bride-to-be sash and a crown!

Thank you Marisa for picking out cute gear for Rebecca!!

11. A hashtag // We live in a world where social media is everything… create a hashtag!! This enables all of the guests to share and see each other photos so months or even years down the road everyone can still look back at the celebration!! We used #byehackney, of course Hackney being Rebecca’s maiden name! Be creative, think of something unique and catchy. It should be personalized and there is not a million other pictures with the same hashtag from some random chick’s party.

12. A planner(s) & a photographer // Appoint a planner or two. It is hard to plan something for a handful of women. In my opinion, It is easier for a few people take charge to make the reservations and plan the activities for the group. Have these people keep a Facebook message going with all if the information about details and costs. A Facebook message was so handy for the group of girls at Rebecca’s bachelorette party. We talked about games, activities, party favors, exchanged phone numbers (if we did not already have them), and reservations. My biggest advice is to keep everyone “in the loop” and about a week before the event give everyone one last run down of every.single.detail!

Make sure there is a photographer in the group, not literally a person who is going to carry around their $500 camera, but a person who is more decided to taking photos and will share with the group. It is wonderful to be able to relive all of fun moments of a party through photo, so make sure the PG stuff gets captured… because my last recommendation is to make the bride a little scrap book or photo album of her bachelorette party!!

Thank you to all the ladies who were apart of Becca’s bachelorette weekend!! The company was irreplaceable and I am so glad we spoiled our darling friend with love, laughs, and champagne!! I hope these 12 tips come in handy to ensure a memorial bachelorette party for your bride-to-be!! I believe these tips would also be great for hosting any party; bridal, wedding, birthday, retirement, etc.

Keep in touch,
Dani

Tips, Tricks, & Recipes for Holiday Brunch!

December 16, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

Brunch (noun); a late meal eaten as an alternative to lunch and breakfast; Must be served with a side of mimosas and great friends. Familiar terms: Brunchin’, brunch betch, more mimosas please. The four must-haves to host a holiday brunch: good food, good beverages, good decorations, & most important, good company!! Here are a few ideas to make your holiday brunch a party that your guests will not forget:

1. Name tags: if you want to spruce up your table and place setting, name tags are a wonderful way to add a special holiday touch! I don’t make them because I care about where people sit, I believe it sets a welcoming ambiance at the table.

Instructions:
a. sketch names in pencil.
b. with a pencil and ruler, draw a line at the top to ensure that you bunch even holes for the branch to slide through. Bunch holes about a quarter inch from the side.
c. trace over name sketch with a bold pen.

2. A variety of tasty food: For me, brunch is not about being healthy, it is a special treat and an excuse to dive into bagels, waffles, bacon, pancakes, sausage, etc. I like to offer one healthy choice item, which for this brunch was fruit. Here is the amazing Fruit Dip recipe I used, or as my husband calls it, yummy sugar dip.

Fruit Dip Recipe:

{Ingredients}

8 oz fluff
8 oz thawed cool whip
1/4 cup strawberry jam
8 oz strawberry cream cheese

Combine all ingredients, mix until smooth.

This sausage & egg casserole is one of my must-try’s! Each time my mother and I make it for someone new, they ask for the recipe! So here it is, I would highly encourage everyone to make it for their families for the holidays!

Sausage & Egg Casserole Recipe:

{Time} 25 mins prep; cook for 1 hour
{Serves} 6
{Ingredients}

1/4 cup butter
1 lb sausage (1 roll)
3/4 cup cheese
9 slices of white or wheat bread
1/2 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 tablespoon dried dill
2 cups milk
6 eggs

{Steps}

1. Preheat oven to 350. Melt butter and pour into a 9 x 13 cooking pan, so the butter is at the bottom of the casserole.

2. Brown the sausage, I tend to cook it until it is almost fully brown.

3. Cube the bread. Place 1/2 of the cubed bread into the buttered pan. Sprinkle half of the dill, basil, and cheese on top of the bread. Then layer the remaining bread, herbs, and cheese.

4. Sprinkle the browned sausage on top of the bread mixture. Beat the 6 eggs in a bowl and add the milk. Mix the eggs and milk. Pour the liquid over the contents in the cooking pan.

5. Bake on 350 for 1 hour.

So yummy!!! ENJOY!

3. Presentation: make some fun creations or give some old goodies a fun twist! We live in the age of Pinterest, so why not take advantage! I found my sand dollar pancakes on a tooth pick idea from Pinterest! I served these as my guests were arriving, essentially they were my brunch appetizer. To be festive, I used Trader Joe’s Gingerbread Pancake Mix, you can see it on my Top 10 Trader Joe’s Holiday Must-Trys.

Instructions: Use a turkey baster or squeeze bottle to pour small sand dollars in skillet over medium heat. Create pancakes that are about 1.5 inches in diameter. Place 4 sand dollars on a tooth pic. Serve with fruit and syrup.

4. And most important, beverages: the standard brunch sip for me is a mimosa. For the holidays, add a fancy touch by using raspberries and a stem of rosemary to decorate the mimosa glass.

I hope these tips and tricks inspire you to create some special memories around your dining room table during the holiday season. I can’t believe we are getting down to the wire, Christmas and New Years are upon us!! I don’t know about you, but this year just flew by!! I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday filled with lots of joy and laughs with your loves!

Merry Christmas!!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Dani’s Picks: Trader Joe’s Holiday Gifts and Must-try List

December 2, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

This is my top 10 must-try list of Trader Joe’s holidays items. Wow your loved one by using these goodies to create a Christmas gift basket or as stocking stuffers!

Trader Joe’s has been favorite grocery store since moving to VA. Until recently, I felt bad talking about Trader Joe’s in front of my FL people because they were missing out, badly. Now that Trader Joe’s have opened in my two “home” cities, Boca and Jacksonville, FL, I had to do an obligatory Trader Joe’s Holiday must-try list. Trader Joe’s is such a unique store; they are a neighborhood friendly grocery that thrives on an excellent selection and outstanding customer service (if I do say so myself). Trader Joe’s has seasonal items all year round, but Christmas time is by far my favorite. The sweets, goodies, and treats they have to choose from are unreal! Last Christmas, I made my in-laws a big basket full of winter-time goodies that I bought from Trader Joe’s, The Fresh Market, and Anthropologie. Making a gift basket is such a wonderful idea! You are able to make them as personal or as impersonal as you please, but you can always pick out items based on someone’s taste or style.

Here is my holy-goodness Trader Joe’s list:

1. Carmel and Dark Chocolate Popcorn Crunch with pecans, walnuts, and cashews ($3.99)
This popcorn mix is so yummy!! I first tried it last weekend with my BIL and his girlfriend. Head’s up, there is not a whole lot in the container, but it sure is good!

2. Triple Ginger Brew ($2.99)
Unfortunately, this is not a brew like a beer. It is actually soda, similar to ginger ale, but has a much more defined taste. Seasonal must-try!!

3. Cocoa Drizzled Kettle Corn ($1.99)
Best snack ever!! This sweet treat is the perfect item to pour into a bowl during a holiday party, you may need 2 bags because it will go quick!

4. Peppermint Pretzel Slims ($2.99)
Again, another fabulous sweet! You defiantly have to like peppermint to enjoy this sweet. I personally love sweet and salty, so this would also make a awesome party snack!

5. Wintry Blend Ground Coffee ($7.99)
I think all of my fellow coffee snobs will love this blend as much as I do. It has some spice notes, but it just right. The gingerbread is also another must-try seasonal coffee! Try it with Trader Joe’s Coconut non-dairy, non-soy creamer, it is light and yummy!

6. Egg Nog ($2.99)
Egg nog, need I say more!? I love a good glass of eggnog during the holidays, it really gets me in the deck the halls kind of mood! Can’t wait to share how to properly spike the eggnog, on the blog next!

7. Chicken Noodle Soup with veggies ($1.99)
Some nights you just want something warm and light, this soup is perfect for a cold winter night!! I love this soup so much better than the normal Campbell or Progresso.

8. Gingerbread Pancake Mix ($3.99)
Entertain your holiday guests with these fun pancakes! The flavor is not overwhelming, it is quite subtle and tasty!

9. Dark Chocolate Almonds ($1)
Can you say best stock stuffer ever? But really, what do you put in a grown man’s stocking? We now have the answer!! A cute idea would be to put the almonds in a DIY goodie bag and call it COAL for all the naughty men in our lives!!

10. The Exfoliating Body Scrub Trio: Tahitian Paradise, Fresh Fruit, and Fuji Apple ($8.99)
Last but not least.. you never know what you are going to find while grocery shopping! These shower products would make an awesome gift or stocking stuffer! 3 delicious smelling flavors in one pack. I think people often forget the important of exfoliating ever-so-often while showering, so remind them with this all-natural, clever gift!

I hope these items give you an idea as to what goodies can be found at Trader Joe’s this holiday season! These items would perfect to use in a gift basket, you can always add a cute coffee mug and a Drafts & Crafts print (from my etsy) to spruce up any gift basket!! And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for my next post, a little turtle dove tells me, it is going to include how to make some adult beverages with the Ginger Brew and Egg Nog!! If you have any questions about these products, please message me!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Philly Phestivities!

September 8, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

Jason and I enjoyed our trip to Philadelphia and New Jersey! We squeezed many “phestivities” into our 4-day adventure! Here are my Philly must-see’s and outfit details from our trip.

Highlights:
Seeing my Family and Friends
Jason and I LOVE living in Alexandria, VA, but we do stay missing our families. My favorite part of our trip was seeing my parents, my brother, family, and close friends. Being back in Philly and Jersey reminds me of my wonderful childhood. We had a ball all weekend with my family!

Exploring Philly
I remember never wanting to see the Liberty Bell ever again. Growing up close to Philly, I saw all the historical attractions numerous times. Now that I am mid-20’s, I appreciate the history and was thrilled to take my husband to Philly for his first visit. My two favorite things in Philly are the Liberty Bell and Pat’s Steaks! If you have one day in Philly, walk around Independence Hall, see the Liberty Bell and museums, and eat 2 Philly Cheesesteaks from Pat’s, Whiz Wit (with whiz cheese and onions). I am proud to say, I ate 3 cheesesteaks in 4 days. Ok, I am a little embarrassed, but if you have ever had an authentic Philly cheesesteak, you would understand.

Erin & Anthony’s Wedding
Fun fact.. I have no first cousins, but I got to see all the special people who I have always considered my cousins this weekend. With that being said, my cousin, Anthony married his best friend, Erin this weekend! It was an awesome wedding with lots of friends and family to celebrate the beautiful couple! I am glad that I was able to share in their big weekend and see family that I had not seen for years.

I wish I had taken more pictures at the wedding! Here are just a few. My new favorite pumps for Fall are from: NINE WEST! At the end of the night my father took a wrong turn.. we had to go back over the Ben Franklin to Philly, so it was back to Pat’s for us!!!

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Home Opener + Field Passes
Wow, I had a once in a lifetime experience yesterday in Philly. Thanks to my Uncle Rocco, we had pre-game field passes that allowed us to walk where ever we wanted while the Eagles warmed up! My brother described it as, “better than any Christmas morning!” We got to meet the Eagles GM, retired players, coaches, all while standing next to several owners and players. I TOOK A SELFIE WITH DORENBOS! He was super friendly and we were like “let’s take a selfie!” 🙂

It was an interesting experience because my husband is from Jacksonville and considers himself a Jags fan. I do not mind the Jags myself..when I lived there I would cheer them on (when they were not playing the Eagles) because they are usually the underdogs. The Jags did scare us though yesterday, it was 17 to 0 at the half! However, the Eagles got it together in the second half and came back to win the game, 34 to 17!!!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Manicure Tips + Fav Nail Colors

August 14, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

Don’t we all wish we could get a fresh mani every week? Now that I do not get acrylic or gel, I find myself doing my own nails more often than going to a salon. Check out some tips that a nail technician shared with me.

{Manicure Tips}

1. File your nails before you paint them. Do not file your nails after they are painted, it will allow them chip more easily.

2. Place your nail polish in the freezer for 20 minutes before painting. The chemicals in the nail polish like the cold and will make your mani last longer.

3. Roll your polish before use. I am guilty of shaking my nail polish, but I was assured not to do that. Place the polish in the palms of your hands and roll back and forth, like you are warming your hands!

4. Use a top coat. If you want to avoid chipping and make that mani last, a top coat is imperative. Seche Vite is one of the best top coats; it drys your manicure fast, secures the color, and makes your nails look shiny & healthy! You can find it at most beauty stores.

5. Lick your smudges. I know, I know, you are probably thinking ew, gross.. BUT.. it works and I hate smudges!! Lick lightly from the cuticle up and your smudges will disappear, or at least get better. Try not to digest the nail polish 🙂

{Current Fav Colors}

1. Essie “Pound Cake” – light and classy
2. Sally Hansen “Statemint” – bright and sassy
3. Essie “Wicked” – dark and trendy

These three colors are some of my favorites this summer, I plan on using them into the fall too. Pound Cake and Wicked are two classic Essie colors that have been out for quite some time but were still available in my local CVS. I had been looking for my favorite citrus color in a nail polish when I stumbled on “Statemint” from Sally Hansen. I really like this polish and the brush design. I would recommend Sally Hansen’s revamped line of polishes.

Hope these handy tips help your DIY mani & pedi!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Bar Cart on a Budget + Bar Cart Art

August 6, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

Having a place to store our bar set, glasses, mixers, etc. seems essential. Classy bar carts can get pricey so this was my next best option. I bought this cart from Ikea a few months ago for our new home, pinterest inspired!

TOP TEN BAR CART ACCESSORIES

{1. Bar Cart: Ikea, also available in tan and gray}
{2. Bar Cart Art: Drafts & Crafts print by me!}
{3. Bar Cart Plant: Ikea (artificial-only one in my house)}
{4. Bar Set: Crate & Barrel, Gatsby set}
{5. Cocktail Shaker: Mason Jar Shaker}
{6. Appetizer Plates: old Crate & Barrel, new version here}
{7. Glasses: Cocktail and Wine}
{8. Fun Straws: Ikea or Paper Source}
{9. Cocktail Book: Paper Source}
{10. Cocktail Napkins: Anthropologie}

I have seen this cart being featured quite frequently and on several blogs! Jason and I started to accumulate many bar accessories and needed a good storing solution. Even though it is nothing fancy, it works great for us! I love the turquoise color that we purchased because it matches our decor. The cart also comes in tan and gray too! It was so easy to put together and costs $50.

I hope my top ten bar cart accessories list is helpful to your bar cart and hosting needs! Even if you do not do much hosting or drinking, the cart still makes for an excellent storage space to house-ware items. I love my C&B beer plates, they are so much fun to enjoy appetizers on. I have the older version, which can now be found in the Crate & Barrel Outlet. I personally think the older version is much cuter than the new version. There is a C&B Outlet here in Old Town, if you are close to Alexandria.

I created this print for my bar cart and hope to make copies of my prints soon! If you are interested in a print or have a different saying or quote you would like to create/personalize, please message me at draftsandcrafts.net@gmail.com

Cheers!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Red Tee’s, White Stripes, and Blue Skirts

June 27, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

America’s favorite red, white, and blue holiday is only a week away! Have you planned what patriotic attire you will be wearing this year? Check out a few pieces I picked out for a little inspiration..

I plan to dress casual and comfy this year for the fireworks. Here are some casual outfit choices for the fourth, I covered a short, skirt, and dress look.

1 2

3 4

5 6

7 8

{1: Red Tank} {2: White Shorts}
{3: Red Tee} {4: Stripe Maxi Skirt}
{5: Stripe Dress} {6: Red Hat}
{7: Blue Sandals} {8: Black & Tan Sandals}

I hope everyone has a well-dressed and fabulous day celebrating America’s birthday. Let us remember, we live in a free country because of the brave men and women who serve our country!

Keep in touch,
Dani

How to Kick off Summer

June 20, 2014 by Drafts & Crafts

There is no better way to kick off summer than with a backyard cookout! Must-haves: great weather, great food, and even better company!

This week marks the start of summer! Even though the past few weeks have already felt like summer, phewww! I can not personally think of many things that I enjoy more than hosting a cookout. My husband is amaze on the grill and I love to make all of the side dishes! Our best friends were visiting from Florida so we wanted to do something fun and low key at the house. My girlfriend is originally from Northern VA so her cousins were able to come by too, the more the merrier! We made lots to eat, check out some ideas.

{Food}

Bacon Cheddar Burgers
Hot Dogs
Pasta Salad
Baked beans with pieces of grilled country rib
Nutella Cheesecake Mousse (recipe in KITCHEN)

{Beverage}

Blue Hawaiian Punch
Craft Beers (more details in COOLER)

{Colorful Plastic Cups: Target} {Colorful Straws: Ikea}
{Summer Serving Tray: Target} (Utensil Carousel: Target}
{Flowers: Peonies from Trader Joe’s} {Burger Baskets: Sur La Ta}

The love I have for Target is indescribable! Can you even walk into Target without seeing 100 adorable things!? Target has so many items that would make hosting any party that much better. I wish I could have gotten it all! However, I stuck to some essentials. Drink dispensers are nice when serving guests, people can choose their desired amount. I got this drink dispenser from onekingslane.com but I see the same kind in places like Target, Ross, or TJ Maxx.

I made a chalkboard menu to highlight our culinary creations for our guests! I enjoy chalkboard art, so you will see more in the future. I have been looking for pretty pink peonies, Trader Joe’s was the only place that had them (shocker) for only $5.99! Finally, the Sur La Table Burger Baskets were perfect for our cookout. I bought the checkered liners there as well. I saw pastel colored baskets at Target that were adorable too.

For the grill meat I got Johnsonville Bacon Cheddar Burgers, hot dogs, and boneless country style pork ribs from our local grocery. The burgers were delicious and everyone enjoyed them; I would highly recommend them. I got country ribs because Jason wanted to cut up grilled rib meat for the baked beans, any kind of rib meat would work. He has a little secret to making baked beans. Lucky you, I am going to share it…

{Baked Beans}
Simmer these ingredients on low on the stovetop in a pot (keep close eye because you don’t want to boil or burn):

dry rub spices
garlic
pepper
mustard
minced onion
vinegar
brown sugar
honey (optional)

photo-52

After letting these simmer for about 10 minutes, add in COOKED rib meat cook for additional 10 minutes, then add in baked beans. Cook baked beans on medium temperature for about 30 minutes. Stir frequently.

{Pasta Salad}
It is not easy for me to admit this, but I am obsessed with Simply Salad pasta salad… and it is from a box. All the homemade pasta salads that I have made in the past were bland. Some friends use to make this and we really enjoy it. It is so simple and makes a nice quick side dish for a cookout or dinner. We were instructed to mix two different flavors together. We usually use one box of classic and one box of bacon. If you are cooking for 4-6 people use two boxes (one of each) and if you are having more than six people I would use 3 or 4 boxes. You can choose any flavors. I cook all the pasta and one large pot and mix all the spices into the pasta in one bowl. It is supposed to be served cold, so I recommend making it hours before serving that way it has plenty of time to chill in the refrigerator. Sometimes I make it the night before I have people over and it makes a perfect leftover.

{Blue Hawaiian Punch}
Ingredients:
1 part pineapple juice: 1 part smirnoff orange vodka : 1 part blue curacao: 2 parts orange juice

Make your desired amount using this ratio. I believe I used 1 cup of each and 2 cups of orange juice. I had reusable frozen ice cubes in the beverage dispenser so the punch did not get watered down. I would defiantly recommend serving it over ice, it is a pretty sweet sip. Good Luck!

ENJOY!

Keep in touch,
Dani

Winnie’s Winter Forest First Birthday Party

January 23, 2019 by Drafts & Crafts

Better late than never; I am excited to finally get around to sharing photos from Winnie’s first birthday party!

November 20, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

these photos are borrowed from each shops website**

Our go-to entertainment Items for Going Out with Kids

August 30, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

Sharing the details of what is in my diaper bag to help make dining out and traveling with kids easier.

Swaddling 101

March 23, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

**swaddle was donated by The Ollie World

Labor & Delivery Visitor Etiquette

February 25, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

Do’s

Dont’s

If you are out of town

Nip Dip- homemade nipple cream for nursing mamas

February 7, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

Lounging with DockATot

January 30, 2018 with Drafts & Crafts

Tips for Bringing Home your Second Baby (prior prep & first few weeks)

January 17, 2018 by Drafts & Crafts

Winsome Rose’s Birth Story

December 27, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

2017 Gift Guide

November 21, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

***All of the above images were borrowed from each company’s website, they are not my own.

Our Baby Girl’s Nursery

December 9, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle Series- Part 3: Sleep

October 31, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

A few weeks into the third trimester…

September 27, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Baby Girl’s Fall Sprinkle

October 17, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle Series:

Part 2. Essential Oils

September 27, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Favourite Fall Blend 10 drops Bergamot and 10 drops Cedarwood

Bedtime Blend 5 drops Eucalyptus, and 10 drops Frankincense into my diffuser and turn it on the 7.5 hour cycle.

Morning Wakeup 5 drops Lemon and 10 drops Eucalyptus together in the morning.

Pretty Florals Yang Ylang can be quite strong, use about 2-3 drops along with 10 drops of Geranium

F A L L 2 0 1 7 B U C K E T L I S T

September 22, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

our succulent pumpkin craft from last fall*

F A L L 2 0 1 7 B U C K E T L I S T

Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle Series:

Part 1. Beauty

September 18, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Big News: Kit & Cub Collective

August 26, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Simplifying Travels with Boon

July 31, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Thank you to Boon for sponsoring this post. All opinions are authentic and my own.*

Second Trimester Update

July 27, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Wishlist for Baby #2

June 6, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Baby Colding #2 due in December!

May 30, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

May 3, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

10 Spring & Summer Activities for Toddlers

April 19, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

5 Baby Items that I Never Used

March 31, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Easter Basket Ideas for Babies

March 22, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Letter to a New Mom about Breastfeeding

February 28, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Grooming Baby with Boon

February 15, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

These samples and post were sponsored by boon, however all opinions are my own.

Tanner’s (almost) 9-month update

January 31st, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

10 Tips for Traveling with an Infant

January 11, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

Baby Registry Wish List

January 4, 2017 by Drafts & Crafts

*these photos are from Babycubby.com who sponsored this post.

Favourite Fall Blend
10 drops Bergamot and 10 drops Cedarwood

Bedtime Blend
5 drops Eucalyptus, and 10 drops Frankincense into my diffuser and turn it on the 7.5 hour cycle.

Morning Wakeup
5 drops Lemon and 10 drops Eucalyptus together in the morning.

Pretty Florals
Yang Ylang can be quite strong, use about 2-3 drops along with 10 drops of Geranium