Mad for Muffins

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OK, so this is very much a work in progress.  I am trying to make the perfect not-so-typical muffins.  My first attempt was the Peanut butter and Jelly Muffin.  I must say for my first attempt and with no actual recipe they were pretty delish.  I took am basic box of muffin mix.  I actually used a blueberry muffin mix sans the blueberries.  Follow baking directions on box, but add and get creative.  I melted a few giant spoon fulls of peanut butter to the mix.  After letting the muffins cool I cut out a hole at the top and filled with grape jelly.  Replace the whole and enjoy.  EASY PEOPLE, EASY! Now I shall work on perfecting the craft with alternate recipes and add ins.  Stay tuned.

Work of Art

I think we have officially found the solution for parents and grandparents for when they run out of room on your fridge to hang your child's art work.   Make your child's art work come to life with this ingenious idea.  Email a jpeg of your child's amazing art and it will be created into a plush stuffed "whatever they made".   Kids, parents, grandparents alike with love to see the new version of their little ones imagination.  Display is proudly in a shadow box on the wall or up on a shelf.  This is a very special and unique way to encourage your child to continue to create and grow as an artist. 


For ordering info go to www.ittybittiesboutique.com

My favorite little Monster

The Worry Woos Monsters are the greatest new book series to hit the shelves since Doctor Seuss.  Andi Green has lovingly created the most delightful monsters for children of all ages to adore.  Each book is beautifully illsutrated in water color and has a charming plush doll for you to cuddle.  Nola, the  Lonely Little Monster is her first and my favorite.  But honestly, the entire series is heart warming and teaches children that their feelings are real and that they are not alone.  Check them all out at www.worrywoos.com.

Nola Plush and hardcover $35.00

Mama MIA! I must have one!

 OK, so technically my 21-month-old son has only called me Mama I think 3 times, but I'm still the Mama and I am madly in love with this necklace.  So pretty, so simple, so timeless, so needs to be mine.  I must have this necklace, I must have this necklace, I must have this necklace.  I wonder how many times I will have to say it before someone (my husband) figures out how much I want it! The Mama Necklace by Tali Gillette is the only gift to give Mama's to be, new Mama's, and veteran Mama's.  Wear it with jeans or wear it on your special nights out.  It doesn't matter.  It's so classic, stunning, and amazing YOU WILL NEVER TAKE IT OFF!

Fabubands are FAB-U-LOUS!

Let's face it, no matter how cute a headband may be, they hurt. UNLESS, of course, you are sporting one of these ridiculously cute and really, really comfy Fabubands. Take it from me as a girl who probably needs a headband intervention, these Fabubands are everything that you want them to be. Made for your little stylistas, but sophisticated enough for "grown ups" to wear. They go with everything. These super cute headbands come from TutimNYC's ever growing line of practical, fun, and useful products that make Mom's lives easier and kids lives cuter.

• Position as headband or across forehead for stylish look.
• Trendy designs. One-of-a-kind appliques range from hearts & stars to
art deco & 1920's inspired patterns.
• Comfortable fit for girls (ages 3 and up) as well as women .
• Soft elastic comes in a variety of colors.
• Handmade in the USA.

www.ittybittiesboutique.com

Getting Crafty with my craftbox.

Here's a little known secret of about me. I have a craft box filled with good, all be it largely unfulfilled,  intentions.  Approximately, seven overly ambitious projects lay within it, in various stages of crumbled disarray.  But, not tonight. Tonight,  I focus.  Read the directions carefully.  Read twice, cut once.

With my husband out of town and my son asleep, this was going to be the night that my crafts emerge from the  box a finished project.  I sit down with my plan to create a tutu for my friend's baby-to-be.  I know that I not only lack any legitimate sewing skills, but I also lack a sewing machine.  So I chose a simple no-sew method.  Armed with nothing more than a 5-minute video on Youtube,  I begin the process and quickly realize I should have, at the very least, watched the video twice.  I could have.  I just had already fully committed to the mountain of pink tulle surrounding me and was, at this point, determined to just figure this thing out.

On paper (or on Youtube) this seemed like a no brainer.  Scissors, tulle, elastic, needle & thread, and of course a bottle of wine to help me "focus". Check, check, check, check, AND check.  I vaguely remember the woman on the video knotting the tulle around the elastic and so I knot. And knot and knot and knot until I somehow I created a really super cute tutu.  How cute you ask?  Check out my son (yes my son, you use the model you got) modeling it!

For the record, this really was a fairly easy process and it was actually fun.   AND I must say even though I used about 25 yards of tulle (I think because I didn't pay attention to the directions) this entire process took a couple of hours.  But for those hours I was in the Tutu Zone. Knotting, fluffing, creating.  It was awesome and I will do it agian for any one who wants one!

An All-Too-Easy Peanutbutter Cookie Recipe

My husband has what some may call an unhealthy relationship with peanut butter, but because I love him I decided to sacrifice my waistline and my skinny jeans to bake him some cookies.  This recipe is so simple, so easy, so quick, and oh so yummy!  This recipe is actually a little too easy.  I found myself making these cookies anytime I was hungry.  I memorized the recipe after the first try.  Note to self: STOP memorizing cookie recipes!
Ingredients

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup of granulated sugar or you can substitute with the following:
(1/4 c white granulated sugar
1/2 c brown sugar) I just went straight up 1 cup o sugar!
1 egg

Directions

In a bowl add the peanut butter
then add the sugars
last add the egg
Mix altogether
shape into balls about 1 - 2 inches in size
place on cookie sheet about an inch to an inch and a half apart
put in oven and bake for about 8 - 10 minutes, checking as all ovens vary in their temperatures
Cookies will be soft when removed from oven that is okay, when they cool they will firm up to a nice soft cookie.

 I actually started mixing things up and put each ball of delicious peanut buttery goodness in a muffin tin and added a Hershey kiss because as we all know, chocolate and peanut butter is the world's greatest flavor combo and should be enjoyed by all.

What's your secret to these cookies?

Holy Cow! It's Rolly Cow!

 

Ok, it's really Wheely Cow by Prince Lionheart, but in our house we exclaim ROLLY COW!  Our little man absolutely loves this awesome riding toy.  Our downstairs neighbors may not love it so much, but nothing is cuter than seeing him zip back and forth on his cow. 

Prince Lionheart makes these fun walker, riding, everything toys in four different styles.  You can get a mouse, ladybug, bumble bee, or cow in small or large sizes. (see product info below)

It's a toy your kids will love and it won't look ridiculous in your living room. For all the urban dwellers out there with limited space or parents who just are sick of the primary colored plastic gear, this is a cute option for the savvy tot to help with your child's motor skills development.  Watch your cowboy or cowgirl go from a wobbly pre-walker to a professional rider. 

• Best Australian Toy” ITSA Quality Toy Awards 2000,2001,2003,2005,2006
• Gold Awards: Right Start Best Toy(UK) 2005, Baby and Toddler(UK) 2005
• Silver Tokyo Gift Fair 2006, Highly Commended Mother& Baby(UK)2005
• Totally new concept to encourage gross motor skills while having heaps of fun.
• Bright, soft, friendly, unisex design.... an instant attraction to little girls and boys alike.
• Two sizes:  Small 15" L x 9" W x 8 ¾ " H (seat) for 1.5 yrs + & Large 18 ½ " x 11" x 10 ½ " for 3yrs +
• Tough PU covering, resistant to the inevitable “little accidents”, easy to clean.
• Padded with a 1” layer of soft sponge.
• Entirely non-toxic and contains no PVC.
• Weighs only Small: 4lb, Large: 5lb
• Constructed with only the highest quality components.
• Design Patented and Trademark Registered.
• Multidirectional castors, no more getting stuck against obstacles.
• Children love the easy, unlimited mobility.
• Researched and developed in child care centres (designed for “industrial” kid use.)
• Certified tested to ASTM 963, CE EN71, JP ST05, AS/NZ ISO 8124.
• Intended for use on smooth floors, ideal for indoors, runs quietly.
• Recommended rider weight 50lb.• Stainless steel spring mounted “feelers”, which wobble much to the delight of children, have an internal cord to prevent pull out.
• Plywood base made from renewable plantation timber.

 

If you clean it, Spring will come.

Spring is only a few weeks away, and there doesn't seem to be any sign of the snow stopping.   So while I'm stuck inside I might as well pull up my rubber gloves and get down to business.  In an effort to save money I have been looking into ways to save on the cleaning products and paper goods that we seem to use the most and are constantly replacing.  The easiest and most cost effective option is to use cloth napkins and rags instead of paper towels. After almost three years of marriage I finally found a reason to use the nice cloth napkins we registered for from Crate and Barrel.  Much to the chagrin of my hippie little brother in Portland, who owns an all green landscaping business, I can't in good conscience say this came from a desire within to save the planet (though it is an excellent  perk).  I have not given up on my handy Clorox wipes and my Select-A-Size paper towels.  I've simply made a conscious effort to not pull a new towel for everything.  I cleaned the entire kitchen with a rag and home made, natural cleanser (see recipe below).

Don't worry, you don't need to ruin your kitchen towels.  You can recycle your little ones burp cloths and terry cloth bibs as super absorbent and perfectly sized cleaning rags and dusters.

Save a tree AND a dollar!

Make sure to keep all home-made formulas well-labeled, and out of the reach of children.

All-Purpose Cleaner: 

Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. 
Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, kitchen, etc. 

The Perfect Spring Dress

Introducing the knot dress!

 

Oh my goodness this dress is delicious!  This modern design is the perfect dress to wear as a tunic layered with jeans for a cool and easy look. Feeling a little sweeter? This dress easily transitions to a Spring party dress for any little girl.  The knots are a replacement for buttons and can be unfastened as well so the straps will adjust.  Since this piece will certainly be a favorite, you can make it last! Is there a parent out there that doesn't love a "twofer" for their child?
Let's hear it for Three Yellow Starfish for not making a pink ruffle dress.  This amazing pink and blue combo will make your little lady look fresh, modern, and so so fabulous. An absolute must!

~~~~~SIZES~~~~~

6 months to 6Y available. 
www.ittybittiesboutique.com