Coins Display!

Dear Diary-

My husband loves to collect foreign and rare coins. Whenever a friend comes by and mentions coins, he takes out his old cigar boxes, pours all the coins on my nice table and sorts through them. This was starting to make me go crazy after a while. I had to find a solution!

I watch the Nate Berkus show religiously and I always listen carefully as to what he says. There was one episode where he was talking about displaying your jewelry. "If you like it and wear it often, why not have it be your decoration in your room?" That man is a genius. To the thrift store I go...

Materials:


1. I found a wonderful (brand new) frame at a consignment store. My requirements was to have glass front AND back! I know how much my husband loves seeing both sides of the coin. (NOTE: It CAN"T be the frame that you slide the sides back on... the coins are too thick and all fall down... learn from my mistake!)

2. Time (15 or 20 minutes)

Yup, that's it!

I opened the frame and laid all the coins on the glass. I made sure to make all of them touch so there were not any open spaces for the coins to slip and slid.

Voila! An amazing, personalized frame that my husband loves! Now I have to find more to put the rest of the coins in. Below is the front and back photos!

       

Guideline to having a laid back 1st Birthday Party!

Dear Diary,

The first thing to realize when planning your child's first birthday party is they will not remember it. This party is all for you :) Which is perfectly fine in my book. Considering I did it last week! After I stressed out about the party for over a week, one day it clicked that it is a one year old birthday party, relax. It was smooth sailing after that. I put together a list (in chronological order), and felt great as I was getting farther down the list and closer to the day.

1. Venue- you can not even think about invitations (cause I was ahead of myself in that department) UNTIL you have the place. I chose to have it outside on the lawn. It was perfect!

2. Guest List- Considering how large your venue is, your guest list can begin. You need to get a count before you start making invitations (again, we aren't at the creative steps YET!)

Quotes & Mantras that Get this Mother Through

Dear Diary,

They say good stress can be just as tough on the body and mind as bad stress.  In the past 2 months, I have had my share of it. I resigned from a job I love, started some new work, 3 funerals, 5 birthday parties, 2 new babies born, a baby shower (60 people) and a big NSA Event (150 people) and more!  A few of these events, I was involved in as an innocent bystander but for the majority of them I played a leading role.  Why? Because I am the “oldest” and apparently I will never outgrow that title.  I grew up in that role and I love be in charge.  The more sincere reason that I am involved is that I love family and “The time we spend together makes a difference.”- (recent quote by my husband Freddy)  So, I have a lot of things I want to blog about…  just haven’t had the time.  Below I list these events (for my own entertainment and as recorded evidence) and then we will get to the good stuff! 

Make a Side Dish from TShirts

Dear Diary,

I have high ambitions... making a video blog! In 5 easy steps you can make a personalized bowl.  I will teach you how to make a side dish out of t shirts... Enjoy :)

Yummy, EASY Stuffed Peppers recipe

My pregnant girlfriend (shout out Ashley!) came over one day and saw me making dinner. She instantly said that she had been craving something for a few months and figured out what it was.... Stuffed Peppers! Then she texted me and called all day making sure her recipe was correct. That night she texted me to say that Brian said it was his favorite meal she had ever cooked. She thanked me for a LONG time and continues to ask for more easy recipes.

Start Solid Foods = Headache

Dear Diary,

What a nightmare starting solid food with Layla. I am nervous every time we start a new food. The pediatrician informed us to introduce a new food every three days to ensure she isn't allergic to anything. I always find the slightest blemish on Layla and assume she is allergic to carrots, or kiwis or...etc. I need to relax and understand side effects to having a food allergy, instead of making up my own ideas. Mike re-assures me every time I have a crazy idea.

Annie Themed Birthday!

Dear Diary,

The Sun'll come out... TOMORROW! Betch your bottom dollar... that TOMORROW... there'll be sun!

Seeing as how we are still heavy into our family's birthday season, we will stay on this topic for a few posts. As I explained in my black tie post, we love to dress up and birthdays are a good excuse to do so. (Thanks uncle Rory for the photoshopping here.)

Blasting into the past, way back to 2010... When Mea was turning 3 years old, she wanted to dress up as Annie. To following theme we were Ms. Hannigan and Daddy Warbucks. This made for cute PHOTOS!

Birthday Traditions

Dear Diary,

One more year has passed for each of my baby girls... time to celebrate!  My girls' birthdays are a month apart. Eva has turned 3 and Mea is turning 5! After giving birth, I gained a whole new appreciation for BIRTHdays!  My appreciation was exponentially heightened when I was able to witness Layla, my niece come into this world.  It was indescribable...other-worldly. breathtaking. mindblowing... it left me speechless and will go down in history as the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed.  There is a deep sentiment to consider what we are celebrating on a birthday...  on this particular day, so many years ago, a miracle happened.  It is such a great reason to celebrate: LIFE!

Now the question, how do we celebrate it?  What traditions do we carry over from our own childhood.  What new traditions will we start?  Things will be ever changing but some things can stay the same.  Here is a list of 10 BIRTHDAY TRADITIONS:

Making Meatballs... like a little old Italian lady

Dear Diary, 

I remember a few years ago, as a new mom and wife, I would call my mom or mother in law to ask them for recipes.  Normally, I'd come to find out I didn't have exactly what the recipe called for so I was forced to improvise.  If I didn't have breadcrumbs, I could smash up cheez its.  If we didn't have one kind of soup, I'd use another.  Slowly, as my repertoire for meals increased, I became more confident to open up the fridge and cupboards and answer the question, "Ma- what's for dinner?" Over the years, planning and preparing dinner for my family has transformed from a dreaded chore to something I am proud to do.  My meatballs are the bomb!

This is a recipe from my mother-in-law with some of my own twists and secret techniques.    
Behold... my meatballs!

Want Professional Looking Pictures Without the Cost?

Dear Diary,
I recently went to a professional store to take Christmas pictures of my daughter. It was the first time so I made sure to take mental notes of how they took the most amazing pictures! Anyone remember their senior pictures? I remember going home and thinking I could have done that at home without spending almost $1000! Well you know I LOVE saving money (check out my couponing post) so here are some tips you should follow:

Chocolate Footballs?!

 Dear Diary,

For the Superbowl this year I was given the opportunity to bring a dessert to the party.  I knew I could be crafty with a deliciousness! I decided to make chocolate dipped strawberries.... and look like footballs! These can also be made into basketballs or baseballs with the choice of different colors and possibly flavors (white chocolate).

Resolution #2 FITNESS… myfitnesspal app: Tested, Tried & True

Dear Diary,
Unlike the first resolution, my resolution to fitness is one I can speak confidently about.  I’ve been working on this one for years now.  The exciting part is that I finally have some answers that I think everyone, especially busy moms can appreciate.  I officially started a resolution to lose 15 pounds on October 16^th 2011, three months ago… that’s 12 weeks so I can tell you what I’ve learned so far and what I plan to do moving forward.

Perfect Toddler Gift and a Mod-Podge Masterpiece!

Dear Diary,

Craft time! Gift time! This is one of my favorite things to make as a gift to give the kids in our life... newborn to 4 years old.  It is personalized, useful and my kids can help create it!  My kids use their stools all day long to reach the fridge water and the bathroom sink and the toilet etc! They are independent and usually that's a good thing. So, let's get started.

From Fiscally Responsible Family to White Trash in Split Seconds

Dear Diary,

We are off to a great start with the new budget but I am already itching for a new outfit.  It is 2 weeks into January and I am trying to figure out ways to feed my shopping bug that is still responsible.  I had some returns to make at Kohl’s from Christmas last week.  It was well before naptime so everyone was in great spirits as we waited in the customer service line.  The girls were all put together in their new boots from Christmas and hair in ponytails.  They entertained the people around us with some songs… “The Sun’ll Come Out Tomorrow!” … aw- they're adorable!  So far, yes. I shuffled through my wallet and found 2 very old Kohl’s gift cards.  I had no idea of their value or where I got them.  Also with my receipts, I had some “Kohl’s cash” that expired a few days earlier! Darn it.

Routine

Dear Diary,

Routine makes Life less chaotic then it already is.

A new year doesn't have to be the beginning of a routine but maybe a tweak in what you already have. Along with all the advice I was given by moms, one I listened to was to start a bedtime routine around 3 months of age.  We started the routine when Layla became 2 1/2 months old.  My 4 Bs: Bath, Books, Boob, Bed. Layla is now 7 months old and is very used to the routine that she doesn't sleep

Hip Hip Hooray for Motherly Instincts

Dear Diary,

I am living proof that motherly instincts are real! I recall a particular story that can prove it. I was at my sister Sarah's house when her daughter who was 8 months old got a hold of something.  Like every other infant, that "something" went straight into her mouth! We noticed her starting to choke. This was before I was mom. In fact, this was before I was even thinking about being a mom. I instantly started cringing and flapping my arms. I was so nervous I couldn't even watch.  Sarah quickly grabbed Eva and started to perform the Heimlich maneuver on her- while she told me to call 911. I quickly dialed and started panic mode while practically yelling at the lady

Resolution numero uno... Financial Responsibility:)

Dear Diary,

Its time to “Resolute!”… set some goals and make them happen.   This topic is not just cheesy January water cooler chit-chat to me.  I’ve got some energy behind this topic and some real world experience in making change.  I draw from a number of my life’s experiences when it comes to resolutions.  Making change is not easy but there are things that you can do to have a better chance at setting and reaching your goals. After all, one definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Don’t be insane, if you want to make change, do something different, even uncomfortable, to get a new outcome.

Warm and Stylish Headbands!

Dear Diary,
Are you ready for winter wonderland?  Since the weather STILL isn't cold enough to bundle up, I've had enough time to figure out how to look stylish when that weather finally arrives.  Crocheting has always 'tickled my fancy' but I never had time to master the craft.... until now!


Introducing the DagSisters warm Headband! If you know a little about crocheting, you will be able to make this. My first headband took me about 2 days to complete, but now I've cut the time down to less then half!

Homemade Pickles! *Guest Blogger*

Dear Diary,

A home garden is a perfect way to grow spices and red peppers for my pickles mixture. It also adds flowers to the middle of winter during its darkest days. The rose has now bloomed; the Christmas cactus will soon flower; the coleus never ceases to amaze me. In the spring, I look at a dead flower pot and think, “what should I plant here?” Then the coleus starts to grow as if to say, “Ha! fooled ya again.” - Marianne

For the Love of Breakfast... Protein Pancakes!

Dear Diary,

I LOVE Breakfast!  Just the word makes my mouth water and makes me warm and fuzzy inside!  Breakfast is had between people who love each other and people who are close.  Mostly breakfast is eaten in the comforts of our own home.  If not, it might be after a sleepover, in pajamas and before you brush you teeth.  Even if we meet someone at a restaurant for breakfast, we are still fresh from our dreams with a whole day ahead of us.  If its an acquaintance you are meeting, do brunch.