Friday Faves!

It's been awhile but I thought I'd post a few things I'm loving lately! I'm hanging tight over here with only 2 weeks till this baby comes out and the wait is so hard.  I just want to meet her already!

I've seen these "eye" photos floating around instagram a ton lately and I think they are so beautiful!  Thought I would try it on my sweet girl, which I should add was nearly impossible and this was the only shot I got because she just couldn't stay still!  Love her eyes and how it shows the green and blue in them.  I just made my aperture around a 3, upped the exposure and contrast and tried to give her a solid backdrop.  Try it!

I'm loving this  little tool by Conair that literally gets lint and pilling off of clothes and upholstery.  I posted it in my stories a week or so ago and so many of you said you needed it!  I used it on all my nursing bras that have that spandex material and I initially thought they were ruined, but I thought I'd try the tool on them and now they look like new! Also used it all over my couch! It literally shaves a bit of the fabric off the top! Best part is it's only $10!

I recently redid all the black and gray bins that were in our playroom to something a bit brighter when I stumbled on them at the store Five Below.  If you've never been there before it's worth a trip, or you can even order online!  They have so many cute baskets perfect for toy storage and the best part is everything is $5 or less! 

In need of a new hair brush?  The Wet Brush has been my go-to brush for years and I recently replaced my old one and thought I should share!  It is the BEST brush for tangles and the only thing I use on both my hair and Marlowe's! I don't know how it works on curly hair, but its like magic for super fine hair or course hair like mine!

I've been living in these little "house dresses" from Amazon and stocked up on a few for when the baby comes and I'll be nursing 24/7.  They come in a bunch of solid colors, are long (I like to tie the bottom), have pockets, and have adjustable straps that are easy to pull down.  These will be so great post C-section! I wish I found them sooner!

I might be late to the game here but I picked up a couple of these "magic marker" books the other day and then proceeded to buy a few more online a week later because honestly they've been a total LIFE SAVER!  I was using the water pen books for awhile with Marlowe but she seems bored of them, but the marker books have been saving me at restaurants, in stores, and even at the doctor's office the other day! She loves them!

I Spy books have been a complete hit in our household for awhile and always get Marlowe excited about "reading". They say they are for children way older but honestly kids 1.5 and up can easily do them with some instruction! Marlowe has zero problem with these!  There's also versions for toddlers but they are WAY too easy and I'd say they are more for a baby.

If you saw the pom-pom mobile I made in my stories the other day and thought you'd like to give it a try, here's a youtube video that shows you how to make a pom pom ball easily!  You can make your own mobile, use them as gift toppers, or add some to some baskets etc. I've even made them as ornaments in the past! So fun!

You know I always post a favorite recipe at the end of these so here's one of Kyle's favorite dinners! Crockpot Sweet Potato Chili is super easy and healthy and goes great with some avocado on top!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Xoxo,

Em

Monday Must-Haves!

I wanted to throw this list together before Black Friday so my readers could snag some sales!  Things have been busy again around here and I've started planning our new baby's nursery which has been tons of fun!  And if you missed it we announced that we are having another girl!  Thanksgiving is this week and my preggo self is super antsy for allllll the food!

I'm starting with my FAVORITE thanksgiving dessert that I've made every year since before Kyle and I were married.  It's basically a twist on your standard pumpkin pie and is half cheesecake!  The recipe I'm linking makes it "low-fat" by using the 1/3 fat cream cheese, but I just buy the regular cream cheese because why not haha.  I also like to make a swirl on the top with the remaining batter to make it nice and pretty! You can also buy a pre-made graham cracker crust to make it even easier! Press here for the recipe! Not lying when I say it will be the first to go.  I always make two so I can keep one for myself hahaha.

Speaking of food, I've been cooking tons lately and decided I wanted to try and make some Biscuits and Gravy for a dinner one night! Guys, this was so easy and SO good and definitely would be awesome for company or a weekend breakfast (warning, it's NOT healthy). I served mine with an egg and veggie stir-fry! The trick is buying the ground HOT sausage and I suggest only using ONE can of biscuits vs the 2 that it recommends because otherwise it's too bready and not even gravy.

Now that the weather is cooling down a bit, I've been all about wearing jammies and being cozy all day!  For your little ones my all time favorite pj shop is Plain Jane.  I just bought Marlowe this dotted flutter sleeve nightie because she seriously loves wearing nightgowns to bed.  They just released a unisex line (yay for little boys!) and some seriously cozy looking mommy pajamas too so that can match with your babes!

If you are looking for more affordable pj's for your kiddos I just discovered these ones on Amazon!  Marlowe has 3 pairs (thanks to grandma!) because they come in a ton of colors and I'm telling you they are SO SOFT and I love that they are solid, muted colors.  They are beautiful and she never wants to take them off.  The best part is they are ONLY 15 bucks! The girl version has a little frill on the neckline and sleeves, and the boy version is solid.

And while I'm still on the subject of pj's I might as well link the Christmas jammies I bought for the whole family this year! I got a one-piece because of my growing belly and while Kyle thinks I look ridiculous in it, I LOVE IT. Marlowe got the matching nightgown, and Kyle got the PJ pants.  Don't be surprised if our Christmas card picture this year has us wearing these.

I've been living in these house slippers from Amazon.  Our whole house is wood floors and I needed something to keep me warm that I can also wear outside to walk the dog!

Marlowe has been growing like a weed and has been in need of new clothes.  I've literally bought her nothing for the cold weather besides pj's (if you couldn't tell from above).  I'm waiting for June and January to have an awesome Black Friday sale because it's my favorite place to shop for basics!  Everything is solid in some fun colors and they are great for layering! I love their twirl dresses and their cardigans for Marlowe! They are also releasing a mama line on Black Friday with some nursing/bump friendly dresses and tops!

If you are in need of a couple toys to keep your little one occupied, I've got you covered!  I bought these SUPER cheap bath boats from Amazon when we moved into our new house based on some Amazon reviews.  I'm telling you she has never played with a bath toy so much.  They are just simple little boats that float, but can stack and connect.  She loves to count them too!  Marlowe's also been really into puzzles lately.  She has a few of these wooden puzzles and loves putting them together as they give her more of a challenge than the ones that just fit into a certain slot.  And if you're in need of some easy Thanksgiving activities for the week, this link has you covered!

And since Christmas is literally around the corner, I bought this $25 rose gold tree for Marlowe's Playroom!  It's pre-lit and nice and skinny and will be perfect for her to mess up and decorate all she wants! (We haven't put anything on it yet!) Note that it looks nothing like the actual listing online, it's way skinnier!

I've also been looking for some "modern" Christmas pillow covers for the couch and our bed to match my decor style.  I just love this one from Ikea, and this deer pillow from H&M!  I also love these modern red pillows for accents, or these green foliage pillows for something more subtle. I like buying cushion covers because they just go over my existing pillows!

And speaking of decor, I wanted to share my absolute favorite Instagram account and blogger.  Nesting with Grace has the BEST ideas for making your home cozy on a budget. If you don't follow her, DO IT now! I promise.  I also highly recommend joining her facebook group as it's a place where you can post a picture of something you are trying to decorate and get TONS of feedback from people! Everyone posts great sales and finds, and it's been a wonderful community for inspiration.

Finally, I mentioned above that I'm working on the baby's nursery!  Another blogger I follow posted this curtain tutorial on her blog and I'm kind of obsessed.  It uses cheap drop clothes from Lowe's, and the outcome is SO beautiful.  The best part is you don't have to sew anything.  Should I do it? Yay or nay?

Phew that was a long one!  I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving week and realize all the things you have to be grateful for!

Xoxo,

Em

Father's Day Gift Guide

I'm not lying when I say shopping for my husband is one of the hardest things to do.  So, I actually sat down with him to have him help me with this post!  When I started researching "Father's Day Gifts" online I couldn't find a thing on ANY gift guide that was worth using. Most of the gift ideas that come up in a general search are geared towards men that are into BBQing or drinking beer, and well, my husband just isn't into either! Instead, Kyle is best described as a techy, athletic, coffee drinking, book-nerd dad.  If the dad you are shopping for is into any of those things...then this Father's Day gift guide is for you!

Encyclopedia Blazertannica Book //$16.73//
The World Cup is coming up and my husband is obsessed with all things soccer.  He told me he HAD to have this book written by The Men in Blazers (Roger Bennett and Michael Davies) as it tells you everything you need to know to be caught up before the World Cup.

Basketball and Other Things Book //$13.59//
This is a funny coffee table book about basketball written by Shea Serrano.  If the dad in your life is obsessed with basketball like Kyle, then this is the PERFECT gift.

Bean Box Coffee Subscription //$19 per month//
For the coffee-loving dad's out there, this is a super cool coffee subscription!  You can pick your plan and your roast and they will deliver some of Seattle's best coffee monthly.  Kyle got this as a gift a few Christmas's ago and it was a definite winner.

Board Shorts //$55// (and matching shorts for your little! //$22//)
We all know I love Kortni Jeane Swimsuits because I can match with Marlowe.  But did you know they also make super cute men's swim trunks AND matching trunks for little boys?  I love the pink and grey shorts above but there are a ton of other prints too!  This would be a fun gift since summer is finally here!

Pair of Thieves Matching Socks //$16.00//
Another option for twinning with your little, these Pair of Thieves socks come in a set of two...one for dad and one for a little kid!  Kyle wears fun socks to work almost every day, and I love all the designs from this company.  They also sell them at Target! Press on the link for all the other designs!

Leather Apple Watch Band //$49.50//
Originally I was going to link a new watch, but the reality is that most of the men I know just wear their apple watch everyday.  So instead of a new watch, how about a new watch band?  You can easily change out these leather watch bands from Etsy.

Quip Toothbrush //$25//
The Quip Toothbrush is the new "trendy" toothbrush.  It is electric with a minimalist design that supposedly gives you the best clean!  Kyle said he really wants one (and my own dad LOVES his) so I'm adding it to the list!

Outdoor Voices Workout Shorts //$65//
Outdoor Voices is Kyle's favorite company for workout clothes.  If you workout often, it's important to have quality clothes! He loves the workout shorts linked above and they come in multiple colors!

A New Hat //$25//
Every man I know loves a good hat.  Kyle is always in need of a new one since he wears them so much! The company '47 has a wide selection for every style and every team!  I linked the Dodger's hat above but you can easily search for your favorite team.

All Birds Shoes //$95// (and matching Small Birds //$55//)
The joke is that these are the shoes that all the tech guys wear.  It's because they are the perfect mix of work shoe and casual shoe!  Better yet, they also make "Small Birds" shoes for little kids so daddy and kid can match!

Chemex //$36.95// (+ Electric Pour Over Kettle //$34.99//)
Another gift for the coffee loving dad.  In my opinion using a Chemex/Pour-Over is the only way to make coffee.  Kyle uses his EVERY morning and we love it so much we got rid of our Keurig (it just doesn't compare).  I recently bought Kyle the electric kettle linked above and it was a game changer for heating up water!

iPhone + Wallet Case ($14.99)
A simple iPhone case that also has a couple slots on the back to hold his most important cards and replace his wallet. I really love the two-tone design but this one also comes in a brown leather version.

Mickey T-Shirt //$15//
Have you seen Target's line of Disney clothing recently?  If you are a Disneyland pass holder like us or just an overall Disney lover then this is a cute solid black Mickey t-shirt.  Marlowe will love her Daddy wearing it and Kyle needs something for all our Disney trips! This brand runs HUGE so size down.  I also think you'll have better luck finding this shirt in store than online!

Daddies are Awesome Board Book //$7.99//
The cutest little board book to throw in your gift bag as a book that baby and dad can read together!  Plus every page has cute dogs on it!

The Perfect Grandpa Gift: 

How to Babysit a Grandpa Kid's Book //$11.45//
If you need a little gift for grandpa then take a look at this book! I LOVE this adorable story that Marlowe can read with her grandpa when he visits!  The narrator gives important tips on how to babysit a grandpa and it's pretty darn cute if you ask me.

**All pictures of products are taken from the site linked.

25 Ikea Must Haves

Ikea Children's Latt Table and Chairs and Ikea Couch!

I have a love/hate relationship with Ikea.  I love going there for their prices because you just can't beat them!  I also don't like spending money on expensive furniture when it is just going to get ruined from a dog and a kid.  Plus, I get super bored of my decor quickly, so it's always nice to change things up for cheap!  The downside of Ikea is I almost always leave with a headache.  That store is a literal maze and I HATE the putting together part (or should I say Kyle hates the putting together part...ha!).  I finally figured out to go straight to the downstairs marketplace when I arrive and skip the showroom area...it makes the trip go so much faster!  Also, I highly suggest searching for "Ikea Hacks" on Pinterest...the things you can do with their furniture is pretty amazing. 

Here are the items I LOVE from Ikea!

Decor
These are my favorite decorative pieces from Ikea for their functionality, price, and modern design. 

Tejn Sheepskin Rug //14.99//
This is a small, stylish faux sheepskin that looks great just about anywhere.  Throw it over an armchair, over an ottoman, on top of a dresser (ours is on top of Marlowe's dresser!), or on top of another rug for that "layered rug" look that's in right now.

Alseda Stool //29.99//
These rattan stools are super stylish and functional.  They work well in pairs either side by side in front of a coffee table for the kids to sit on, or stacked on top of each other as an ottoman.  I also see lots of people put the sheepskin rug I linked above on top of it!

Fladis Seagrass Basket //12.99//
I love the functionality of Seagrass baskets.  They are great on top of a kitchen counter to hold all the junk you don't want to see, on the floor to hold blankets, in kids rooms for swaddles or bows, and even on the floor to hold an indoor plant.  Sometimes they are hard to find at Ikea because these baskets fold down flat and then you pull the handles to pop them open!

Ribba Frames //price varies//
These Ribba frames come in all different sizes and in either black or white.  They are super affordable and look amazing when used as a gallery wall.

Mosslanda Picture Ledge //6.99-9.99//
This picture ledge comes in black or white, and looks good just about anywhere.  There are two different sizes, and they look great with the Ribba frames I linked above. 

Matilda Sheer Curtains //19.99//
These white sheer curtains have lasted years in my guest bedroom.  I love Ikea curtains because they are all 98 inches long so you can take the curtain rod to the top of the wall and add height to any room.  I particularly like these curtains because they are light and airy, and make our guest room feel relaxing.

Duvet Covers and Pillowcases //19.99-39.99 depending on size!//
I linked the buffalo plaid duvet cover, but in general Ikea is the place to go for affordable bedding.  A king duvet set is only $39! 

Throw Pillow Covers and Inserts //6.99-14.99//
Ikea has the best throw pillows because you can unzip them and wash the cover!  Or if you are like me and like to change the covers seasonally, then you can find some simple solid covers and fun prints and patterns to go with any season while using the same pillow insert.


Kids
Ikea's kids department is pretty solid.  They stick to the essentials, and have had the same pieces in their collection for years because they are timeless.

Antilop High Chair //22.99//
Seriously the best high chair out there.  This is literally the EASIEST high chair to clean because there are no spots for food to get stuck in and the seat just wipes clean.  The tray pops off for cleaning, and did I mention it's only 22 bucks?

Kladdig Bib //5.99//
I love this bib because it covers Marlowe's clothes completely when I don't feel like undressing her.  It's also great for when we paint!

Mala Easel //19.99//
This is the cutest little easel for coloring at a perfect price.  Ikea also sells a large paper roll you can attach to it for things other than chalk.  It can be used in a classroom too or for party decor as a sign!

Latt Children's Table and Chairs //29.99//
This little table is adorable and the perfect height for toddlers.  There's also TONS of Ikea hacks for it on Pinterest where you can make it your own.  I personally like the natural wood look!  We keep ours in our living room, and then I take it outside to have lunch on, or craft because it's seriously so easy to move!

Duktig Play Kitchen //79.99//
Marlowe has this kitchen at her grandma's house and loves it.  I LOVE the minimalist design, and the price.  Just like the table above, there are tons of Ikea hacks for this one too!  People go so far as to put backsplash, spray paint the sink, and use removable wallpaper for the counter.  Ikea also has tons of fabric play food to go with the kitchen. 

Sniglar Crib //79.99//
If you are on a budget for nursery items, this crib has everything you need.  It's modern, and the natural wood look is in right now!  Babies are in their crib for such a short period of time before they move to a toddler bed so there's no need to spend an arm and a leg.  Also check out Ikea's crib mattresses to go with it!

Minnen Extendable Bed //119.00//
You've probably seen this toddler bed all over Instagram and for good reason.  It is not only adorable and stylish but you can change the bed into 3 different sizes.  It can be the length of a crib size to a twin size mattress.

Bekvam Step Stool //19.99//
We have this step stool in every bathroom in our house because it's the only stool I could find that was tall enough for Marlowe to actually be able to reach the sinks in our house.  Plus it's only 20 bucks!  They also have it in natural wood, and black if that's more your taste!


Furniture
I could have posted a lot of things in this section, but I'm just sticking to what I own and love!

Kivik Sectional Couch //1,449.00//
If you have kids or dogs, you have to own a couch that you can wash!  Ikea couches are the best because you can unzip the cushion covers and throw them in the washing machine (just make sure you air dry them).  The couch I own is no longer sold, but I love the Kivik Sectional because you can shape it in multiple ways and they have several colors.

Hemnes Bedroom Set //69.00-249.00//
The amount of people I know that have the Hemnes bedroom set is pretty funny.  But, it's because it's hard to find a quality bedroom set for this price!  The drawers roll out super smoothly, and have a cute striped pattern in the inside.  They also sell a thin glass top cover you can put on each piece to protect it and allow you to set drinks on the top easily.  I linked the 8 drawer dresser above!

Lappljung Ruta Rug //99.00//
If you know anything about rugs, you'll know that its nearly impossible to fine a 7 x 10 rug for $99.  Except this one!  We have this low-pile rug in our loft and I love how it makes a bold statement.  I've seen others use it under their dining room table because it's flat and easy for chairs to pull in and out, in their living room, or even a baby's nursery!  The black and cream color make it super versatile to match any color scheme you are using in your home.

Stockholm Rattan Chair //229.00//
If you're in need of a good accent chair, this is it!  I love that it sits low, and can be used in any room! with a cute throw pillow. 


The Essentials
These are the items I almost always grab when I get to Ikea because they are SO cheap!

Bolman Toilet Bowl Brushes //0.99//
Yup, I just put a toilet bowl brush on my blog.  This is literally the first thing I throw in my cart at Ikea.  I usually buy 3 at a time because they are only 99 cents. 

Antagen Dish Brush //0.49//
The second thing I grab are these dish brushes!  They work well and are only 49 cents! Can't beat that!

Bevara Sealing Clips //2.99//
These are my FAVORITE chip clips ever.  They come in a pack of 30 in all different sizes.  Everyone asks me about these when they come over and so I had to share!  They are usually near the dishbrushes in the store and can be hard to spot if you don't know what you are looking for!

Tolsby Frame //0.99//
These little babies are 99 cents and are great for parties, your desk, or in classrooms!  They are super easy to spray paint too! They hold a picture on both sides and don't fall over like a lot of frames do.  I like to use them when I throw a party as a label for food items, directions for the sign in book etc.  In my classroom I used them for station directions because I could put instructions on the front and back. 

Fantastisk Paper Napkins //1.99//
I always grab a pack of napkins at Ikea! They have tons of colors and prints, and are great for dinner parties.

***Pictures are from the Ikea website. 


That's it! I would love to know what your Ikea faves are too!

Ikea Picture Ledge, Ribba Frames, and faux hanging plant in our loft!