Home Sweet Home - Our Family Room

I have shared bits and pieces of our home..

and recently had some requests to share more of our space!

I'm happy to share our little rental that we currently call home. :)

Here's some shots of our family room over this Christmas Season!

I'm mentioning some of my favorite pieces and the DIY projects in the space below.

Our rug is from RUGSUSA.COM

I fell in LOVE with the pattern. This is the Moroccan Trellis Rug in Light Green.

It also came in yellow and blue and many more colors!

It does shed a bit.. but I heard from others that over time that goes away.

A pretty rug can make a world of different in the space.. and it is super soft!

Our couch and chair are from La-Z-Boy.

They feel AMAZING! We chose the Collins Sofa and The Rex Reciner.

I like how the sofa goes all the way to the floor...no toys getting stuck.

The pieces are very soft and comfy and yet still sturdy feeling.

We first picked out the sofa..and then my husband convinced me to sit in this chair...and it was...heaven. I should add that I was super pregnant..and melted into the chair. I didn't want to get up haha. So comfortable. You are able to choose from a huge selection of fabrics. We decided to match the two pieces. I LIVE in the chair. It is great for nursing. It rocks..and then you have the option of putting your feet up and leaning it back. Everyone that comes to our house and sits there.. loves it.

We painted the space one grey wall and the rest a blue/green. (I'll track down the colors!)

The Piano was free and came painted! love it.

FYI: You can grab up free Pianos all the time on Craigslist..

people list them all the time but you have to move them yourself!

We found our Coffee table in the trash..

my husband sanded down the top and stained it dark.

Then I spray painted the legs white. The curtains are the ANITA Curtains from IKEA.

Our Chevron Pillows are from ElemnOPillows

At Christmas time I string up the tissue paper garland I made for my Cookie Exchange Party a couple years ago. I love it..sometimes it stays up long after Christmas. :)

The large prints over the fireplace I made using Staple's Engineer Prints and Foam Insulation Boards from Lowe's. (for 4 prints that size I spent $6 or so at Staples!

Search "engineer prints" on Pinterest for tutorials!

Morning PJ snuggles

on the couch. :)

(4, 2 & 7 Weeks)

Thanks for stopping over!

Day in the Life Post & "You Know You're a Mom if. . . "

Some mama revelation:

You also know you're a mom with a newborn and a

sleeping husband if in the morning he says

"he slept pretty good last night huh!"................not. ;)

You know you're a mom if your idea of relaxation is a solo trip to Target. ;)

And you know you're a mom if you can't use the bathroom without

fingers under the door or someone busting in asking to sit and watch. (seriously?)

Still not getting much sleep these days.

Micah seems to think night time is when the sun comes up.....

even with his sisters having a dance party in high heels right next to him...he sleeps.

I'm sure you could add more of these to the list!

comment below if you have any good ones...

or join the conversation on my blog's facebook page! ;)

Cute Baby Giggles.

You're welcome.

haha.. seriously though..my phone is

busting with photos of this cutie.

He is solid. My little butterball.

I'm not a fan of the sleeping only 10 minutes at a time at night... not a fan.

Good thing he is so cute. ;)

LIFE.

Our days feel jam packed...even if we don't go anywhere.

And most days.. we don't! Haha. I am trying to tackle life with 3 indoors...

before I brave the world with them on my own. ;)

The other night though ben and I went to see Les Mis.

Micah crashed our date...but he was soo good! ::sigh of relief::

The Freezer crock pot meals have been a big help!

I am already looking up new recipes to add into our mix of favorites for next time!

There was a shark in the water and they

had to put everyone in their boat. Obviously...

(please overlook the hole in sophie's pants. her FAVORITE pants...

even though I bought the same pair..she knows.........?!

I need to patch them up.)

Sophie loves to cuddle up with Micah.

But I'm not so sure Micah is feeling it. ;)

Soon though He'll be able to roll over and smoosh sophie.

I'm not worried.

Someone missed their daddy...

this is sienna as soon as he walked in the door..

and then micah later in the evening.

obviously...daddy is comfy.

And obviously the floor is comfy too...

I wish this was me.

Noticed this the other morning...

I think the current residents of the doll house have a little hoarding problem...

and in other news...EVERYONE made it to the manger!

Happy Epiphany everybody!

TOUCHDOWN.

Still recovering from the national championship game.

big notre dame family.

And that is our family update.

Now I need to go...and intercept sienna

from changing her clothes for the 10th time today.

Valentine's Day DIY Projects- Archive

Valentine's Day is just around the corner!

And since my sophie(4) said her new years resolution

was to "celebrate more!"... I'm going to plan a fun Valentine's Day for her!

I rounded up some of the fun DIY projects we've done

over the years that are Valentine's Day related.

Hope they can be some inspiration for you to "celebrate more" too!! ;)

Posts linked below!

1. "You O'Fishally have my heart!" Toddler Friendly Treat Bag Tag PRINTABLES

2. Valentine's Day photo booth backdrop Idea

3. Tulle Tutu Tutorial (no sew!)

4. Lollipop Superhero Valentines

5. "Keep Calm and Eat Candy" Treat Bag Tag PRINTABLES

6. Paper Heart Garland Tutorial

7. Chocolate Pretzel Buttons

8. FREE Be Mine Garland PRINTABLE

9. Valentine's Day Cupcake Topper PRINTABLES

10. Cake Doilies Garland

11. "I'm totally NUTS about you" Treat Bag Tag PRINTABLES

12. FREE Be Mine Mini Cake Bunting PRINTABLE

I have some other fun Valentine's Day Projects in

the works for this year...I'll share soon! :)

Freezer Crock Pot Meals- Prep Day

One of my New Year Resolutions...

was to figure out a better system for cooking/cleaning.

Now that I have a crowd...

(a husband, a 4 yr old, 2 yr old and 7 week old)

I knew that I needed a plan to tackle feeding this crew that made it easier and saved us money.

There were far too many nights it would be 5 and

I would have no clue what I was going to make for dinner.

This new system of Freezer Crock Pot Meals has helped TREMENDOUSLY!!!

It saves you time..because the meals are prepped and ready to go....

And it saves you money! Each of my 17 meals only cost us $4.00!

Each recipe gives our family 2 meals...one even 3 meals!

So one day of cooking and I have 17 meals taken care of!

Below I've listed the recipes (sourcing the original recipe)

You can download the RECIPES and FREEZER BAG DIRECTIONS here to print...

along with the GROCERY LIST sorted by sections for easy shopping.

Be sure to check over the list because you most likely already have many of the items!

*I added crock pot liners to the list...because they are AMAZING.*

Now I think that some people might do the Prep Work at night..when hubby is home.

But lately my 7 week old is super fussy at that time..and If I'm not holding/nursing him..

I just want to relax by the end of the day! So my plan is to do most of the prep

(even if it's divided up) during one day. I'm realistic in that it will take me a while...

and probably will be interrupted by melt downs..nap time.. and tea parties..

but It is do able and will be worth it. (Be sure not to leave meat out.

I saved that part to when I knew I could cut/bag/refrigerate without interruptions.)

Here's how your first attempt at

Freezer Crock Pot Meals should go:

First...start the morning off with a dance party to t swift.

mom hair..wet hair on top of head..is not required. but c'mon... I look good.

Then.. let the kids destroy the house while you chop everything up!

(You can clean the family room up later while they make a mess in their room.)

Hopefully at least one of the bambinos will co-operate and sleep..

occasionally push the battery dead swing with your foot to keep baby asleep...

Take a break to make "lunch" for kids..... be hilarious.

"Girl Faces" will probably be requested. Now that your kids know you are funny you

will never be able to serve a boring lunch again without a revolt.

you have no one to blame but yourself for that.

Label your Gallon sized ziplock bags with each Recipe...

Including the cook time/heat level..and any directions for when you are cooking.

(My husband "made" dinner..and was able to read the bag and make it happen

while I nursed baby. perfecto. mission accomplished.)

These are the recipes that I chose to make for my

first try at Freezer Crock Pot Meals.

I did 3 tried and true favorites..and 4 new ones.
If you are wanting to pick just a few of these recipes...
go with the Chicken and Dumplings..Pulled Pork..and Lasagna. they are our favorites!
Our Picky eater, Sienna, LOVES the cheesy chicken and rice.. and we all LOVE the chicken and dumplings. I just pulled that out to make up tomorrow night. :)

I suggest purchasing most of your items at a store like Aldi's or Bottom Dollar.

However, When I decided to try this out..it was new years day...
so Aldi's was closed and I did my shopping at Giant Eagle.
I think I could have spent a lot less shopping at Aldi's or with coupons.
This time though.....I spent $68.00 for 17 meals...
equaling out to $4.00 per meal for my family.
(The lasagna bag gives 2 meals of lasagna with extra meat sauce for a pasta meal!)
My new routine is to pull out a frozen bag and put in fridge the
night before (at bed or when I'm finishing up dinner) so that it is thawed and ready to go the next day. You could put plenty of these in frozen...it would just take longer to cook obviously.
As far as leftovers with these meals... I love that you can use the pulled pork another day for tacos.. and change up the extra lasagna meat sauce with a different type of pasta. You could divide up even more the soup or the cheesy chicken potatoes if you add more potatoes.

Here are the original recipes I used this time around.

Be sure to download the grocery

and recipe list above for how I made them up!

Chicken & Dumplings

Beef Barley Stew

Curry Chicken

Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli & Potatoes

Lasagna/Pasta Sauce

Cheesy Chicken and Rice

PULLED PORK

This was my first try and I'm
happy to share what we did!
If I can do it, a mama with babies at her feet and in her arms, so can you!
I'm excited to put this new system into work at our house.
Sophie kept asking me what I was doing...
I told her I was cooking all day so that later in
the week I could play instead of cook!
She was all about that idea. I think she cheered. ;)


ADDED FEBRUARY 18TH:

MY NOTES ON MY FIRST TRY AT FREEZER CROCK POT MEALS.

** LOVE the Chicken and Dumplings..always have.

that's why I'm doubling it this next time.

**not a fan of the chicken and rice. too..thick.

**red potatoes turned brown only in ONE of the recipes.. wierd.

So this next time I put the potatoes in a seperate freezer bag to do a little trial..

and see if they turn brown or not. if they do..I'll just throw in some fresh when it's time.

**Pulled Pork last time was yummy to use for tacos.. but we really like it with barbecue the most. So I went ahead and poured in the Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue sauce right away this time. :) LOVEEE eating the barbecue pulled pork on tacos with cheese.

it's delicious. trust me.

New Year Beauty Boost- My Favorite Items!

I've had a few readers e-mail me asking for my makeup routine..

So re-sharing the items in my makeup bag. :)

With the start of a new year...maybe you are wanting to try out some new products.

These are my favorites..and maybe, this year, they'll become yours!

I swear by the mac under eye cream...and the urban decay

cream to powder foundation. (all items linked below!)

As far as a cleansers/moisturizers...

I use Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Skin Cleanser,

Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner(LOVE) and Cetaphil Moisturizer Cream

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.

(ENGAGEMENT PHOTO BELOW. BEEN USING THE SAME MASCARA FOR 5+ YEARS!)

If you are wanting some more Beauty Boost Products..

I posted last year a 1 Week Beauty Boost!