The Busy Budgeting Mama - Harlem Shake

WE COULDN'T RESIST.
The Harlem Shake craze has hit out house! ;)
This morning we randomly decided to make the video after an
impromptu dance party had already started in the family room.
We pulled away the coffee table and boom... dance floor!

As I was helping the girls dress up I was like, Ben... what am I going to wear??

then almost at the same time we go..wedding dress!!..haha.
Check out my youtube channel for more videos...
Our most popular is our Christmas morning from this year. A favorite of ours too. :)

Traveling with A Baby- Your "Pep Talk" Post

Last week I took a long weekend trip to Atlanta...Micah was my travel buddy!

Almost 4 months.. it was his first flight and I was feeling a little anxious.

I have flown a few times with each of my girls when they were little...

but no matter what I'm always a little bit anxious before flying with a baby!

I know I'm not alone with that. But as I planned my trip I realized I just needed to relax..

All I needed was a little pep talk...which I gave myself silently

as I sat in the airport waiting for my delayed flight. ;)

PHOTOS ABOVE:

top left--micah was kinda excited about the airport.

top right--doesn't get much better than quiznos and sophie the giraffe

while waiting for your delayed flight!

bottom left--Thank goodness for my k'tan..

could wrap him up without it dragging all over the floor.

bottom right--He's tiny enough to lay down in my lap and look up at me on the flight..

He liked stretching out and looking up at me!

For any mama about to fly with a baby...

this is my pep talk for you! (and tips :)

1. You are an awesome mom. Seriously awesome.

2. That's not sweat from wrestling your baby and gear to get to the airport...

you're glistening. big difference.

3. Do NOT give your baby to the overly-friendly older woman in

the bathroom who says she'll hold him while you pee. NO.

Wait for the big stall. I bring my stroller with me but I admit I've used the restroom with a baby in a wrap before. you do what you gotta do ladies.

4. The security people love babies..and if you smile instead of be grounchy while you try to juggle taking off your sweater/shoes/purse/car seat all while holding a baby...

they USUALLY help you.

5. The Security People have NO CLUE how to break down your stroller...

even 3 men and a woman won't be able to do it..so just tell them the last people couldn't do it and they usually just push it through rather than look like a fool.

The car seat goes through the scanners easy enough.

6. Babies cry. Everyone knows it. It's not like your baby is the

only baby in the world that cries.

7. If you don't have the seat you want (I like window seats or full rows)

Check in online and change your seat if possible.

Or at the gate you can ask about moving.

8. Doesn't hurt to ask!...The last flight I had a window seat...

but then there were open seats so I asked the flight attendant

and I moved to a row all to myself!

9. Bring toys for baby... a jingling toy is a better sound than a crying baby.

I'm pretty sure the people sitting around you will agree.

10. Bring a baby carrier. My K'tan was a lifesaver. He fell asleep right before we boarded and then right before landing..and I was able to put on my wrap while sitting in the seat and then walk off the plane with him on me asleep!

11. Sitting in the back is a gamble. On my flight home I sat in the back and at first the noise made him fussy. He cried. Loud. I was that mama. BUT...after a few minutes it lulled him to sleep and he slept the WHOLE FLIGHT. So.. it was worth it.

12. YOU CAN DO IT!

BOOM. you got this.

I'm going to post more about my trip to Atlanta later this week!

I was in town for a few reasons... but one of them was to meet my new little niece Violette!

Her mama is my sister Valerie of BLANQI.

It was so fun getting the two babies together while they're so little! 

MY WELCOME HOME COMMITTEE 

We kinda missed each other. not sure how micah feels about the reunion. ;)

After the initial shock He was all smiles and giggles.. which made my big girls so happy!

My next trip with Micah is coming up soon!

We are heading off to BLISSDOM in Texas. Longer flight...

SO...this post is just as much a pep talk for myself. ;)

If you are stopping by from the blissdom facebook attendee page

say hi so I know you were here!

Winner of the BabyAspen.com Giveaway Is...

The winner is of the BabyAspen.com Giveaway is Martha Torres!

I'll be e-mailing you to make sure you see you won..and then you'll be contacted shortly

from BabyAspen.com so you can get shopping! :)

Thank you to everyone who entered...

I have some more fun giveaways lined up that you'll want to check out!

Thank you also to BabyAspen.com for the fun Giveaway!

I think that one of your items will be at the top of my

list when shopping for baby shower gifts. Love the socks rolled up like a little caterpillar :)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Weekend Printable Sale! 25% OFF ALL Treat Bag Tags

Happy Friday everyone!

So a lot of people have been grabbing up

Easter Treat Bag Tags in my shop. Already!

So I wanted to offer a WEEKEND SALE...

25% Off ALL Treat Bag Tags.

Use CODE: WEEKEND25

Here's some of my popular treat bag tags

this time of the year! links below.

 

Happy Easter - Little Chicks.

Happy Easter.

Favorite Peeps.

Jesus is Risen!

Lucky.

Rainbow Seeds.

What I'm Packing for BLISSDOM! + Discount Codes for YOU!

Blissdom is coming up fast! I thought it would be fun to share what I'm packing...

and some AWESOME Discount Codes for YOU!

If you've never heard of Blissdom....

It's this amazing Blog Conference. Bloggers and Social Media lovers

from all over gather to learn, network and cultivate inspiration

for their blog, business, family and life. They have speakers, panels, parties and more!

I'm hoping to go and learn how to take my blog to the next level,

meet in person some fabulous blogger friends and to leave wiser and inspired!

**Some of the products I purchased others I was interested in and reached out to

review/get discounts for my readers. all of the opinions are my own.**

BLISSDOM Conference Must.. Business Cards!

I have worked with Tiny Prints before and always love the quality.

Was so happy with how these turned out. I had A LOT of info I wanted to put on them, So I went with the folded card. I have all my social media info on there.. a photo of me

(my social media photo to make it easier for people.

I also put photos of my kids..since they are the real stars of the blog..

and then a couple shots of popular posts.

Paper quality is great. Had to fold them myself and now

pressing them to make sure they lay flat. Love them.

Grab up your own Business Cards with their sale going on now!

Use CODE: 20MARBIZ to get 20% OFF. Expires 3/12.

Traveling with a Baby means comfy cute blankets are a must!

I love everything from Little Hip Squeaks!

Triangles and Mustaches? yes please.

So soft. and Micah looks so cute wrapped up in these.

Use CODE: BLISSDOM for 15% OFF!

UPDATE:  I originally posted about the stroller I was taking. (Harmony Odyssey and we got it at Target.) But after only having it a few weeks I realized it was not a good stroller. at all.

Bummed that the steering turned horrible and made weird clicking noises.

SO! I ended up getting a different stroller

(after taking all of them down from the shelf at target and trying them out)

The FASTACTION FOLD CLASSIC CONNECT BY GRACO.

So far.. I am liking it. really easy to fold up and carry.

Steering is WAY better.

I love the pattern!

SOOO Excited about this! Branding is important...

So I knew I wanted to customize my laptop and iPad.

I used SKINIT and I love the quality of my iPad Case and Laptop Skin.

You can upload your own design..or create one online.

(You can always just do one large photo)

I plan on using my iPad during the Conference.

Easy to handle/carry around and great battery life.

and have my laptop in my room for night.

Get a skin of your own!!

Coupon Code BUSYBUDGETINGMAMA

will give you 20 % OFF.

**Expires May 31, 2013. Valid on device skins only.

Excludes shipping and cannot be combined with other offers.**

I haven't chosen my outfits...but I already know the jewelry I want to bring! ;)

Definitely packing up a few of my favorite pieces from Stella & Dot.

I'm having an online trunk show on (March 6th)

if you want to grab up some of your own cute accessories!

And to make the deal extra sweet, the first 5 to order get a free Julep Bangle! woohoo.

CLICK HERE To check out all the pretties and shop my Online Trunk Show!

Below I have the Olivia Bib Necklace. The Renegade Cluster Bracelet in Gold.

and The Glint Flower CZ Earings. 

 I recently took a trip with Micah to Atlanta.

I used my K'Tan on this trip and it was a lifesaver!

I use the moby at home sometimes...

but I wouldn't have liked to use it at the airport.. too much!

But the K'Tan was easy to pop on and off throughout the day. He fell asleep in it.

Was great to keep my hands free while traveling with baby!

Grab up one of your own for 15% OFF with the coupon code: BUSYBK15
**Expires April 30, 2013**
I have also heard great things about the Ergo. Wanted to try using a wrap while Micah is still "small" though. ;) I think as far as a wrap I like the K'Tan overall.
it was nice and snuggy for Micah and easiest to use.

 I've shared my makeup bag before...

CLICK HERE for all the details/links/reasons why I love them.

Faves: my urban decay cream to powder foundation

and the mac under eye concealer.

Here's some of the basics that go in my Toiletry Bag.

I use these every day. I get all but the aquage at my target or grocery store.

(that one I get at my hair salon.)

Caroline G. !!!! LOVE her shop.

Definitely including these two beauties in my bag.

I will plan an outfit around them. ;)

I wear the White Teardrop Necklace all the time!

Also love my Mini Bubble Necklace.

Grab up some of your own statement necklaces

from her shop and get 30 % OFF using CODE: BUSYBUDGETINGMAMA

(Excited to meet the shop owner at Blissdom!)

 I am in love with my Mophie Juice Pack Helium for iPhone5.

And I know it'll come in handy to keep my phone charged all weekend long!

Blissdom is a social media frenzy... So I can't have my phone powering down on me!

I will be Instagraming, Tweeting and Facebook Posting all the fun...

Can't wait to share the trip with you!

Thanks for checking out what I'm packing.

Still figuring out the wardobe.

4 months postpartum and I'm all over the place clothes wise!

I know I'm not the only one has had a baby and now has a closet full of "stages"

Are you going to BLISSDOM???

If you aren't. sad. but... I'll share all the details and then you can sign up for next year. ;)

BabyAspen.com $50 Giveaway and My Top 12 Baby Gifts

cute baby in a lion robe.

you're welcome.

Micah needed a bath this morning.

he smelled like boy. a stinky boy.

I LOVED wrapping him up in his cute little Lion Robe...

clean babies always smell so good. :)

My little guy was a fan. he likes being snuggy.

The fabric is a super soft terry cloth. and the lion mane is made out of all these different patterened ribbons! Such a cute detail.

It's been a while since I've done a giveaway..

I like to be a bit picky on who I team up with.

As soon as I saw BabyAspen.com

I was like ok...we need to do something together!!

Their packaging is ADORABLE...

I'm a sucker for cute branding. :)

I loved everything. all of it. and I like to share things like that. :)

I rounded up some of my favorite items. (So many cute baby shower gift ideas!)

BabyAspen.com is going to gift one

of you with $50 to spend on their site!

That's enough for more than one item depending on what you get!

Items from their sister site KateAspen.com (favors & gifts) are also included in the Giveaway

Here's my Top 12 Favorite Baby Gifts from their site.

I seriously love the Little monster plush eating the socks. 

and the ice cream socks?!?! c'mon.. Baby Shower hit.

But I absolutely am in love with the fox in a box.

It's little tail sticks out of the packaging... adorable.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!! Thanks to Baby Aspen for sharing the cuteness.

St. Patrick's Day Party - DIY Details

The wee bit of Irish in me loves this post!!

I made up a fun DIY backdrop idea and

printables for a St. Patrick's Day Celebration!

We took these photos in their play room one morning after they woke up.

My girls of course loved the idea of a taking pictures

and eating cupcakes and skittles for breakfast.

I'm excited to share some easy DIY touches for a St. Patrick's Day party..

(or a rainbow themed party!)

All the fun Details and links to printables are below!

I wanted to make up a new St. Patrick's Day Treat Bag Tag this

year to gift to our friends and family!

Rainbow Seeds! Fill snack size bags with skittles, staple tag to top

and you have a fun themed goodie bag.

Rainbow Seeds Printable PDF - $10

DIY CLOUD AND RAINBOW BACKDROP

I wanted to do a rainbow backdrop for our little St. Patrick's Day party table...

I used the batting material clouds I made for their Storybook princess party.

I picked out my rainbow colored fabrics at Joanns.

I bought 6 inches of each and then cut and ripped each in half.

I then tied them to a leftover curtain rod I had. (and hung it on the wall by resting it on two nails.)

I made up a batch of cookie bars...

used a little store bought bag of frosting to pipe a design

and added some sprinkles!

Easy homemade treat. I enjoyed eating this photo prop...

I used a handful of little shamrock foam stickers to sprinkle around the table!

I made up a St. Patrick's Day Print to frame in one of my IKEA Frames.

I'll probably move it to the girls shelf in their play area.

I love the idea of switching out prints for each Holiday.

Right now they have the Valentine's Day ones I made up on their shelf!

Happy St. Patrick's Day Print - Printable PDF $8

I love garlands and banners!
So I of course I had to make up a St. Patrick's Day one!
I like to string them up across our piano..or our mantel.
Happy St. Patrick's Day Banner - Printable PDF $8

Cupcakes!
Bake or pick up a batch from your bakery and top with these cute Toppers!
My girls always love cupcake toppers... We made up some cute glittery shamrock toppers by using a handful of foam shamrock stickers from Joanns.
(the kind with the paper you peel off on the back) 
St. Patrick's Day Cupcake Toppers - Printable PDF $10

pretty, festive and fun!

Sienna was being so patient as I took photos of the cupcakes.

torture for a toddler. ;)

Sienna loves skittles.
Like her mama.
I teach her to eat them slow and one at a time.
We count them. :)
(The little yellow bowls are from Marshalls! It was a 4 pack for $7 or so.)

Yum.

Love cookie bars....

LOVE my girls and their silly poses. ;)

Hope you got some ideas for your own St. Patrick's Day!

My sophie's new year resolution was "to celebrate more"....

so we are going all out on each holiday in our house. ;)