Happy Weekend!

We are enjoying summer.. pool.. zoo..

early bed time because they are so exhausted. ;)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Hope you are getting some sunshine and nice family time!

Baby Book - 18 Weeks Bump

BLANQI Mama

We had our ultrasound this week..and ahhh.. TORTURE!

We decided to be surprised this time around..and It is sooo hard.

BUT... we are doing it. Even though ben was CONVINCED he saw "something"..

I'm pretyyy sure that was the umbilical cord.......

He also is convinced the ultrasound technician typed boy when she put in her notes...haha.

Who knows. But girl or boy....it is looking healthy..and a little mover!

We are currently trying to figure out a boy name that we both like..

We know the girl name. But for some reason the boy name is so much harder for me!

Anyone else have the same trouble?

I woke up from a nap the other day to a word document typed out by my husband of the names he liked...in cute font... he knows me too well. ;) I'm a visual person.

I feel pressure though to pick a good name.. one not tricky to spell..or...wierd. haha.

My side kicks have been keeping me busy..

We have been enjoying the pool a lot lately.

Also been practicing swaddling and taking care of babies...

Sienna likes to pretend she is the baby and sophia practices holding her on the couch. ;)

 Been one hungry pregnant mama lately.

Wanting anything meat or pasta. grapes or peaches.

Guilty pleasures: reese's puffs. Out Back Salad.

Oh ..and wendy's jr bacon cheeseburger.

I don't want ice cream anymore. for some reason makes me feel sick.

Hot Date night with the hubby at the movies.

We are cool.

I enjoy dating this guy.

Thanks for following along my pregnancy!

Guest Post- Jen from imanimama.com: Bug Jug Craft

Today I have a dear friend of mine sharing a fun

DIY Project for some summer fun or as a gift or craft for a boy!

Jen from imanimama.com lived across the street from us( 2 houses ago)

and we have stayed in touch. We had babies together.. shared christmas morning breakfasts...

put our husbands to work helping each other with projects..

When I needed a million boxes for the girls' sweet shoppe party her home depot working hubby gave me the hook up by letting me know their trash compactor broke. true friends. ;)

She made up a really fun Craft Tutorial for you.. A Bug Jug!

My girls have a love hate relationship with bugs..

But I think they would totally be into this(contained bugs are ok).. ;)

I KNOW my nephews would love this!

____________________________________________________

I’m super excited to be guest blogging for my good friend Natalie. Hi to all of you and thank so much for having me! My name is Jen and I blog over at imanimama.com, and am in the process of launching a fun little business called big {happy} wall.

Today I want to share a little craft tutorial. But not just any craft tutorial…a BOYS’ craft. Yeah, I know. They’re hard to come by, right?

Well this one is super cute and super easy and super…budget-friendly (cue the slow-clap). See, we (like many of you) are a single-income family. And we have lots and lots of kids in our world.

Lots of kids = lots of birthday parties. Oy VEY, are there a lot of parties! Personally, I think girl gifts are easier. Probably because I AM a girl. Boy gifts? Not so much. And a cool craftfor a boy? Fahgeddabahtit.

And then it hit me. Dirt. Outside. Bugs. YES!

So I made this sweet little Bug Jug, and now I’m all about sharing it with you.

I apologize in advance for the quality of the photos. Not a very good first impression of my photography skills, but with two kids getting all up in my personal space, I did what I could with an iPhone. LOL

Without further ado, I give you, The Bug Jug

Supplies (& what I paid for each item):

·       Craft bucket with handle ($4, craft store)

·       Tweezers ($1, dollar store)

·       Magnifying glass ($1, dollar store)

·       Rubber bug (50¢, craft store)

·       Preserved moss ($4, but I had enough to do 2 gifts!)

·       Butterfly net ($1, dollar store)

·       Twine (on hand)

·       Hammer + nail (on hand)

·       Hot glue gun (on hand)

·       Dirt, sticks and bark (on hand)

Total cost for 1 gift: $9.50 (you could get that price way down by preserving your own moss or using a smaller bucket)

Directions:

1. First thing’s first. A bug’s gotta breathe. Remove the lid from the bucket and place it on a hard surface that won’t break or get punctured by a nail (don’t say I didn’t warn you!). Hammer the nail through the lid in several places, creating small air holes for the critters. 

2.  When you’re done, you’ll notice that the backside of the lid has super sharp edges now, from the nail holes. No worries. Just tap those babies lightly with your hammer and it will smooth everything out.  3. Next, we need a way for the lid to stay put. Kids are forgetful, no? They lose things, and you KNOW you don’t need no creepy crawlies running around your house! String a bit of the twine through a hole in the lid, and secure it to the handle of the bucket.

4. Now that you have the lid secured, you can get creative with building the environment. I used preserved moss (from the floral section of a craft store), mulch pieces from our garden and sticks, and just hot glued everything down. Just be careful not to hot glue your finger (ouch…I still have a blister). Have fun with it…it’s a little bug playground!

6. To finish it all off, I popped the magnifying glass and tweezers into the bucket, and wrapped it all up with the butterfly net sticking out of the bag.

Oy, I really wish I had gotten better photos of all the steps, but like I said…the kiddos were cray-cray. But yay, when it’s all done, it’s so stinking cute! And? Huge success! Our little friend Noah loved it, as did his parents. And my little one? Well I got the vibe that I needed to make her one, too.

{in all my free time}

Have fun making little Bug Jugs for the boys (and girls!) in your life. Get creative…there is so much more you can do to customize a gift like this super quickly and inexpensively. Drop me a comment if you make one…I’d love to see pics!

Thanks again for having me, and I hope to

see you over at imanimama.com and big {happy} wall soon.

____________________________________________________

Thanks Jen for the fun Craft!

It feels like just yesterday we were talking in the middle of the street after your water broke

and I took you and sean's photo before you went off to have your first sweetie!

Now look at us... we are juggling a babe in each arm!

and occasionally on our backs..legs..etc. ;)

Ice Cream Felt Board Activity Set

Creating an Ice Cream Felt Board Activity Set

had been in my head for a while..

I started making it up one day during nap..

and finished the other night!

I think it's pretty cute. :)

Inside Scoop: When I'm taking photos of the felt board..

my husband usually makes a 'I'm so hilarious' comment like..

"girls leave mommy alone she's playing with the felt board"... haha.

It's true..I probably look silly.. but the inner stager in me enjoys it. ;)

Did anyone ever play with play mobile?

Growing up we used to make HUGE displays of it. We would make towns. using anything and everything to recreate farms or ancient egypt..

The staging/craft bug was in me from the start.

I texted my mom a photo of the felt board the other day..

she texted back.. "felt play mobile" ;)

Glad I have little ones to make crafty things like this for.

And if you want to purchase some for your own kiddos..

adding them to my shop right now! Visit Charming Felt! - Ice Cream Felt Board Activity Set

I think the girls liked the idea that they could

Pick and Choose their flavors, cones even toppings

to make their very own yummy Ice Cream Cone.

Of course sweet sienna licked hers........ ;)

 

Hope this gives you inspiration for your own felt board..

Visit Charming Felt for more already made cuteness.

What's in my Makeup Bag..

It's been a few years since
I posted what's in my makeup bag..

I love seeing what other real women use each day..

so I thought I would share what I use..
the items I love and can't live without! ;)
A good mix of high(for me) and low prices.

I was going to say If it has a star next to it..it means I LOVE it...
but I went through the items listed and they all ended up with stars..haha.
so.. you get the idea...All favorites.

Makeup:
1. E.l.f. Eyelid Primer - Target
I got this in an eye shadow set from E.l.f. at target. (a mini version) and I love it! I never used primer before... it works magic. Makes sure you don't get those creases.. and some days when I don't have time for eye shadow I just put the primer on for a nice matte finish.


2. Urban Decay Surreal Skin, Cream to Powder Foundation - Ulta/Sephora
I went into Ulta not knowing what type of foundation I was going to get..But I wanted something new. I AM IN LOVE with this product. A little goes a long way. I don't use the brush that it comes with..instead I use a big brush from E.l.f. I got at target. It makes putting it on a lot easier. It goes on as a cream..dries almost immediately to a foundation..and leaves your skin covered and lovely. For those of you who are blessed with perfect skin..don't both with this.. but I need it to make me look alive/decent. ;) Love it.

3.Loreal Color Riche Lip Balm - Target
I don't wear a lot of lipstick or lip gloss. why? the husband doesn't really like it.. and you want to make the man you are smooching happy. ;) So that's why I love this lip balm. gives you a hint of color and moisture..without any sticky feeling.


4. Mac Mineralize Concealer (for Under Eye) - Mac Costmetics
ALLELLLUIAAAAAA..that's what the angels in heaven were singing around me when I discovered this product. As a mom who barely gets enough sleep. barely sleeps through the night because of babies crying or babies pushing on my bladder in my womb...this is a God Send. It brightens you up. a little goes a long way. A couple times I was in a rush and didn't pay attention..wow. looked in the mirror and I looked like a doll. But..when used right it makes you look like you actually did sleep in till whenever you wanted like you did in college. ;)


5. Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder - Clinique 
I am not a fan of loose powder..I don't know why..maybe I've used the wrong kind. But after I put on my foundations and concealer I do a light dap with this powder..and use it throughout the day for touch ups. Leaves you looking matte. which I like. shiny... bad.


6. Burt's Bees' Tinted Lip Balm(Hibiscus) - Ulta
Again..same as the comments above for the color riche lip balm..
love the hint of color and moisture..without a stickiness or harsh color.
husband approved.

7. Clinique Superbalanced Makeup Foundation - Clinique
I have used this forever. I used to use this along without the Urban Decay Foundation.. but I would always have to use more concealer on my blemishes/red spots etc.... But the day I used both foundations (as seen by a youtube makeup girl with different products) I found I barely had to use any concealer to touch up.. it was way better of coverage. I put on very little of this though but preps the skin nice.

8. Maybelline ExpertWear Eeyeshadow (Almond Satin) - Target
Ok.... I used to have no time for eye shadow. and I never liked the shine of them..But when I tried this (with the eyelid primer) I fell in love! I love being able to mix up the shades. some days I just use the light..some days I do a smoky eye. I like options. It lasts a long time.. and goes on beautifully. it's CHEAP. try it.


9. Maybelline Full N' Soft Mascara (very black) - Target
Been using this since high school.....seriously...I won't wear anything else.
I've tried other mascaras..but this one is the best.
It makes your eyelashes look so long..and it lasts.. You can get lots of drama with multiple coats..or the perfect darkness and length with a quick quote before a toddler tries to put their baby on(IN) the potty. sienna-"poopy!"


10. Sonia Kashuk Blush -Target
Big fan of these products. Still a blush hopper..trying to find one I love. But I've been using this for a couple years.. so...that means something. ;)
I love the shade...makes me look alive.
alive looking is always nice when you are going on a date after a long day.


11. Urban Decay Concealer Pencil - Ulta
OH..MY GOSH! LOVE! If you need a concealer stick....this.... is the one!
I used to use a wand one from clinique..and then a pot one from mac..
but this one beats them all. don't use the others anymore. don't need nearly as much.
It goes on way better..covers better.. and lasts longer. Plus it's more fun with a cute pencil.

12. Mac Eye Shadow (Dark brown shade for eyebrows) - Mac Cosmetics
Eye brow magic.. A little dark shade on my eyebrows frames the eyes..
I used to pluck my eyebrows more..but the past couple years I've been letting them grow in..(still keeping them groomed) and I think that it makes you look a lot younger if they are thicker rather than thin lines. So.. something to think about. A little shadow on them fills them in and helps the shape.

Cosmetic Tools:

13. E.l.f. Studio Complexion Brush - Target
14. Sonia Kashuk Powder Brush - Target
15. E.l.f. Studio Eye Shadow Brush - Target
16. elf Angled Crease Contour Brush - Target

17. Revlon Eyelash Curler - Target


MASCARA EXAMPLE:
I love maybelline full n soft. you should try it.

Introducing my new Etsy Shop: Charming Felt!

I received a lot of requests to purchase
some of the Felt Board Pieces I created...so..

I decided to open up shop! Charming Felt.
All hand cut..hand sewn..little works of felt art for creative playtime!
No markers or glue.. all homemade, safe & durable cuteness.

Excited for this crafty venture!

I had seen lots of felt board pieces made by just cutting and glueing..

but I wanted a more charming look..

and the hand stitching little details made them extra special!

 And look forward to adding more items to the shop.

I love making Felt Food for my girls..I think I'll add some new Felt Food to the shop soon.

And because large felt boards are a bit tricky to ship...I plan on creating portable roll up ones that will have fabric on one side..felt on the other..with a tie to close them.

Perfect to be able to roll out on the table for your kids to play with!

If you are interested in finding out more...

check out the listings in my shop...Charming Felt.

Pricing is determined by how long it takes me to create the hand stitched pieces.

If you have any questions.. or requests for certain items grouped.. message me!

Our Felt Board- Tutorial & Inspiration Photos

I'm so excited to share this little project I've been working on!

I have wanted to create a Felt Board for my girls for a while..

Once I got the felt and created the big board..

I started having fun creating little pieces for the girls to play with!

I took requests. ;)

Sienna's favorites..

the airplane and duckies in the pond.

I have received a lot of requests to purchase
some of the Felt Board Pieces I created...so..

I decided to open up shop! Charming Felt.

Would love to create some handmade fun for you!

For those of you who Sew..

Here's some inspiration for your own felt board!

This is great quiet play time for my girls.

They love putting the pieces all over the board.

Sophia is very specific about where the sun goes. top right corner.

anywhere else and you're a crazy person.

The Castle and horse and carriage were one of the first things I made..

She then requested a princess sophie and sienna..and a prince for each of them.

So of course they needed their weekend cottages. ;)

And a Church to go say hi to Jesus.. a Farm for food!

And you can't have a farm without a cute pond full of duckies,

a pumpkin patch and some apple trees!

I might have to add some cars to the road eventually..

but for now the school bus and fire truck are their favorite "vehicles" anyways.

I think my favorite is the tractor with the bale of hay that they can take out and feed to the horse. They sometimes fill up the tractor with the pumpkins. :) 

Here's the step by step of how I made the felt board.

I had a big piece of artwork that we weren't using so I used it as my base.

Someone was very excited about her felt board......

happy babies. happy mommy.

Hope you found some felt inspiration!

If you haven't checked out the felt cupcakes I made for the board..

You can view it here.