Hey friends! I'm over at the Riley Blake Design Team page today sharing my newest tutorial for these super cute DIY Fabric Bookmarks!! … [Read more...]
Cauliflower Leek and Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe
I am so excited to share this recipe with you today! It is part of the Chopped At Home Challenge with Sargento! where Sargento® asked a few fabulous food bloggers to create a recipe within a particular theme using all of the secret “basket” ingredients…sounds fun, right!? Just like the tv show except in my house! Our theme was "comfort food" and our secret "basket" … [Read more...]
Another What’s Inside My Stitch Fix Box?
Ahhh, are you ready for another installment of "What's Inside My Stitch Fix Box?" where I share all the goodies I received in my latest Stitch Fix box. A new season means a new fix and I ordered this fix right after the holidays for a change of scene to my boring winter wardrobe. And since I live in the midwest, my winter clothes get to be worn until at least April, … [Read more...]
Party Like It’s Your Birthday at Chuck E. Cheese
Do you celebrate half birthdays? Well, my husband looooves a good half birthday celebration so while my littles were on winter break we decided it would be fun to throw Oliver a birthday party there to celebrate is big 3.5 years living on this earth. What could be better to a kid…lots of coins, tons of games, pizza for days, and of course Chuck E. Cheese himself. … [Read more...]
How to Win Your Morning
This post is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of belVita. The opinions and text are all mine. If you are like me and your mornings feel rushed and crazy busy can I just tell you how much I love you right now? My husband and I try to get so much done in the evenings after the kids get to bed that there are many nights we are up until 1 am!!! Which makes … [Read more...]
How to Simplify Household Chores with LG Appliances and a $100 Gift Card Giveaway
Somedays I feel like all I do is laundry. It's like that meme I see around the internet: "Don't you just love those 12 seconds all the laundry is done?" LOL. Story of my life! With four littles in the house and everyone in some type of activity - gymnastics, tumbling, basketball, swimming, tennis, and on and on and on - along with the hard truth that all my children are … [Read more...]
Baked Spaghetti Squash Casserole Recipe
Looking for a nice easy meal that comes together quickly and warms you up as well as fills you up on chilly fall nights? One of my family's favorite casseroles is a Baked Spaghetti Casserole full except since I am always looking for ways to lighten up dishes and add in more veggies I have started substituting the pasta in this dish for spaghetti squash. Let me tell you, it … [Read more...]
Panasonic Cordless 360° Freestyle™ Steam/Dry Iron Review
Is it weird for me to say I am super excited to share this post with you today? Because this post is about the most awesome iron I have ever met. For real. I was asked to review the Panasonic Cordless 360° Freestyle™ Steam/Dry Iron and even just looking at the picture in the email I knew it was going to rock my world. The worst thing about ironing (for me, anyway) is … [Read more...]
How to Feed a Busy Toddler
If you have a toddler in your house you know how they are always on the move. And now that school is a back in session and my oldest 3 are in gone most of the day, my youngest little guy desperately needs to fill the void of all day sibling craziness and playtime. So with the weather still nice and not snowing or freezing cold (yes, I know it's inevitable here in Chicago!) … [Read more...]
Girls Night Out at Red Robin
For the last month or so my little girlies were begging for a girls night out, so over the weekend I decided it was high time we had ourselves another night on the town! I love begin able to spend time with the two of them together, doing girly things. We always go out to eat at a restaurant of their choosing, then we get dessert, and then we either go shopping … [Read more...]
How to Grocery Shop with a Toddler
Now that my 3 oldest are in school full time much of my day is spent with my littlest guy. He's my little errand running buddy, my sidekick. I love having this special one on one time with him as I really get to see his personality shine through. The way he sees the world and how much he knows through the big words he can say. It always amazes me the conversations we … [Read more...]
Pitch Perfect 2: Girls Night In Gathering
You guys! Did I ever tell you how crazy excited I was when Pitch Perfect 2 came out in the theaters? I love, love, loved the first one, it was aca-awesome! And when they said they were making a second one I was aca-over the moon! I love acapella singing groups and well, singing in general (hello Glee!!), so a movie all about singing acapella was meant for me to watch and … [Read more...]
The Failynn Fox Cowl
You guys! I am so in love with these Failynn Fox Cowls!! Are they not just the cutest things you have ever seen? I have been dying to make them for over a year now but just never could get around to it. Finally, a good friend pushed me over the edge by talking up how easy they were to make and I bit the bullet. Boy, am I soooo glad I did…and so are my girls as they love … [Read more...]
What’s Inside My Stitch Fix Box?
Since 3/4 of my littles are now in school I spent a little time the other morning cleaning up much of the photo mess on my computer (it's a dumping ground, I swear. Not pretty!) and I came across some pictures I had taken of my last Stitch Fix box. Then I realized...I had not shown you what I received, eeep!! I guess I can blame it on our busy but fun summer…or mommy … [Read more...]
End of Summer Daycation!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cracker Barrel. All opinions are 100% mine. I'm so sad that summer has come to an end. One of the best things about summer to me is our lighter than normal schedule. It allows our family the opportunity to jump in the car and get away for a quick daycation (a day vacation!) when we find a free day from work and summer … [Read more...]
Easy and Healthy Bento Lunch Ideas
I have less than one week until my littles are back in school which mean that soon we will be back in Bento Lunch Box mode! Here are a few Super Lunchbox Ideas to get yours (and my) creative juices flowing again to make some easy, healthy, and of course, yummy school lunches as we want all of our kids to be as super as they possibly can be! If we can nourish and energize … [Read more...]
Back to School Outfit Ideas with JCPenney and $100 Gift Card Giveaway
I know I've said this before but my littles start school in less than 3 weeks, eeep! If you can believe it (because I can't!), this year I will officially have all four in school. Yep. It's true. Deep breath. Eloise will start full day kindergarten and Oliver (my littlest babe) will go to preschool two days a week… hold me now. At least I can get excited about all the … [Read more...]
Fluffy Chocolate Fruit Dip Recipe
Are your littles back in school yet? Well mine are heading back in a less than 3 weeks!! Now that it's August I have really started thinking about school starting up again. We have been scouting out school supplies and sizing feet up for new gym shoes. And I have been trying to figure out what our family will be doing for school lunches again…has it really been that … [Read more...]
Review: We Made It by Jennifer Garner
You know what I am thankful for this summer? The new line of creative kits called, We Made It by Jennifer Garner, found at Joann's. If you have little ones between the recommended ages of 4-11 then I think you might like it too. We were sent a kit (1 of over 100 different creative kits and projects in the line) to try out and today we are going to give you our all of our … [Read more...]
Family Game Night Concession Stand
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of JOLLY TIME Pop Corn. All opinions are 100% mine. With all the technology out there these days my kids as well as my husband and I, can easily get sucked into our phones and tablets. So any chance we get to get quality time together and disconnect from it all is always welcome. This is why my family has really loved JOLLY … [Read more...]
Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal Recipe
When we have a little more time on our hands one fun weekend breakfast we like to make is a nice big pot of oatmeal. There is just something so pleasant about sitting down to a nice warm bowl of oats and a cup of hot tea. We love to doctor our oatmeal up with lots of different toppings and one of our favorite ways to indulge in something sweet is when we make Blueberry … [Read more...]
Easter Egg Bento Lunch Ideas
For a fun twist on Bento lunches this time of year, I love using plastic easter eggs and filling them with little bits of yummy and fun foods for my kids to eat. These not only make a great lunch idea for the preschool set but also make great after school snacks for my older kids! They love coming home after a long day of school to one of these Easter Egg Bentos and … [Read more...]
Honest Fizz Giveaway!!!
Oh man, I am super excited to share today's post with you! As many of you know already, we are a fairly health-conscious family. We are limit soda/pop to the once in a while treat of a root beer float in summertime (oh summer, you are almost here!!!) So I was super excited when Honest Fizz came out from the makers of Honest Tea! … [Read more...]
Mexican Hash Brown Casserole Recipe
This post brought to you by Simply Potatoes. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Smashed Peas and Carrots. The other weekend we had ourselves a lazy Sunday morning. Ahhhh! Those do not happen often in our household as our weekends tend to be filled with a flurry of activity between the six of us. But, every once in a while we get lucky and when we do one … [Read more...]
Riley Blake Knit Love Blog Tour: The Stripes and Dots Infinity Scarf Tutorial
It's my turn to be a part of the Riley Blake Knit Love Blog Tour today eeep! So much fun! It seems that I have been sewing everything with knits lately (they are just so fun to work with and they are so darn soft) that I had to share a little project with you all that has been my favorite accessory as of late. I have been loving the Small Dots and the Half Inch Stripes … [Read more...]
Ombre Dyed Eggshell Succulent Planters
OMGosh, you guys! This week we are finally getting temps up in the 50's….it's unreal...snow is melting, grass is peeking out, and happy sunny days are happening more often than not. Spring is on it's way and our six months of winter may actually be coming to an end! So, of course, with warmer weather finally in my horizon I am starting to think about all things green like … [Read more...]
Busy School Morning Breakfasts Ideas with Jimmy Dean
Do you ever have those mornings where you feel like you slept in and are running behind but you didn't? Umm, that is me, like, every morning!!!! With four little kids to get out the door 6 mornings a week, I tend to be in a rush of constant craziness. "Are you out of bed?" "NOW are you out of bed?" "GET OUT OF BED!" "Are you dressed?'' "What are you wearing? … [Read more...]
Family Night Fun: Udi’s® Gluten Free Pizza from Pizza Hut®
You guys! Have you heard that Pizza Hut® is now serving "Gluten-Free Pizza" made with Udi's® certified gluten-free pizza crust!?!?! I was so excited to find this out, eeep! We are always looking for places where we can get a good gluten-free pizza as we try to limit the amount of gluten we eat in our family. And since we love all of Udi's products we were super excited to … [Read more...]
Valentine’s Day Cookie Decorating with Bakery Crafts
This post brought to you by Bakery Crafts. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Smashed Peas and Carrots. Valentine's Day is right around the corner and if you didn't already know, we happen to love Valentine's Day in our house! It is a day just so full of love and hugs and happiness…we can't get enough..and we surely need more of all of those things in … [Read more...]
Stitch Fix Review: What’s Inside My Stitch Fix Box?
Ahhh! So earlier this week I received my second Stitch Fix box. I was a wee bit excited to say the least! It is always so fun to get packages in the mail and when said packages contain new clothing to try on in the comfort of your own home, well, that just can't be beat. I never showed you what was in my first box I received last fall (oops!) but I can tell you that I kept … [Read more...]
GoGo SqueeZ: Goodness on the Go for Busy Families
As many of you who have little ones know, once they get to be a certain age they are begging to do activities, or you, personally, would like them to do an activity or two. Well, with four little ones in our house and four different personalities, we definitely have our fair share of after school sports and such. It's a little bit crazy but a whole lot of fun as I love … [Read more...]
Easy Lunchbox Review and Giveaway!
I am super excited to share with you my review of Easy Lunchboxes today! Y'all know my family's love of bento lunches and fun containers to keep them in...I am always on the lookout for great containers to add to our ever-growing collection. Heck, with 4 little ones, we need a lot of containers to keep in rotation especially on the off chance (which seems to happen weekly … [Read more...]
Soccer Life: Team Snacks and Capri Sun
These days if your child is participating in any kind of sport you have a very high likelihood that there will be some sort of team snack schedule that you will be a part of for the duration of said sport. We have had our two oldest in soccer and team snacks after every game are a just a part of soccer life. The kids look forward to them after each game. Every child can't … [Read more...]
Coffee Break Gift Idea for Teachers and Staff
Have I ever told you how much we love our teachers? I feel like we hit the jackpot with both schools my littles go to. All their teachers are amazing and the staff at both elementary and preschool couldn't be more fantastic. I volunteer a few days a month and when I go I like to bring a little something for either the teachers or the staff to say Thank You and Good Job but … [Read more...]
4 Ingredient Almond Butter Bites Recipe {Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Grain Free}
This post is part of my work with Madhava Natural Sweeteners for their Kids Sweet Kitchen campaign. Although this is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own, as always! Over the years I have learned that having four growing kids in our home means having four mouths to feed constantly. They always want to eat. Like All. The. Time. I feel like I am forever making, … [Read more...]
A Week with a Chevy Traverse: Part Two
Well, our week test driving the Chevy Traverse has come to an end ... it's a sad day here. We had a lot of fun family time and made so many great memories while on the road with our littles. We visited the arboretum, exercised our little tushies off on our favorite hiking trails, visited some fun parks, and laughed so hard we all cried at some of the silly answers my kids … [Read more...]
A Week with a Chevy Traverse: Part 1
Chevy has let my family test out a new Chevy Traverse for a week! We were soooo excited to put it to the test for a whole week. As you know, being a family of 6 means we have stuff - and lots of it. Especially when we travel. Four large car seats, a stroller, potty seat, back packs, coolers, etc. We planned on doing a few big day trips while we had the Traverse to see how … [Read more...]
Spicy Tomato Burger Recipe
It's pretty awesome that we are still having some amazing summer-like weather here in the Chicago area. I had shorts and a tank top on yesterday and I was sweating like no other…crazy awesome! It's so nice that we are still grilling out and loving every minute of not being in the kitchen. Plus eating outside means less clean up too…can I get a high five! If you are still … [Read more...]
Millstone Coffee in the Mornings
*This post was written on behalf of Millstone® Coffees. I was sent product to try and, as always, all opinions and ideas are my very own! Anyone that has little children knows they love to get up in the morning completely recharged and 100% full of energy, run into your bedroom, jump on your bed as hard as they can, and land oh-so-perfectly right on top of your head all … [Read more...]
On The Go Snacking Station from a Strawberry Basket
With school starting up in another month for us and even sooner for some of you, I thought I would share a fun way that we tote snacks along in the car that may be useful to you for this upcoming school year. I thought it up when a moment of Mommy Brilliance hit me after we had visited a strawberry patch this summer. … [Read more...]
Coffee Koozie Pattern Review
I am a total sucker for patchwork. I just love the combinations of colors and designs, how dark prints can coordinate with lights, how soft prints can so easily work together with busy ones. I love digging through all the pretty antique patchwork quilts at the flea market. I have always, always, always wanted to make a patchwork quilt with my very own hands. I really … [Read more...]
Summer Drinks: International Delight Coffee Frappé
*This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine. As a momma to 4 little ones I really love my coffee….and I really NEED my coffee too. It keeps me sane. Especially with my early bird little guy waking up at 5:30 in the morning (!!) Darn birds singing so sweetly with the rising sun right outside his … [Read more...]
Summer Fun with Lipton Cold Brew Iced Teas
*This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Lipton, but all my opinions are my own. #bemoretea #pmedia http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV We are currently in full swing summer mode at our house, yippee! And on those hot summer days there is nothing more fun than suiting up the kids in their swim suits, grabbing a bunch … [Read more...]
Tennis Skort Pattern Review and Sew Fab Bundle Pattern Sale!
Yay, yay, yay! Today I am part of the Sew Fab Spring Pattern Tour! If you haven't heard yet, Sew Fab Pattern Bundles are released only a couple times a year and include a huge array of e-patterns from various talented designers for a really great price. The patterns range from clothing for children and adults, home decor, bags, etc. This pattern sale runs only from May … [Read more...]
Spring Chick Push-Up Pops
With Chicago finally getting a dose of Spring weather (hey, we got up to 70 degrees on Saturday…although now it looks as if we may see a bit of snow this week, bummer!) I thought it would be fun to make some happy treats for my littles in the form of Spring Chicks to celebrate getting outside to play. And even happier that they are individually sized treats in the form of … [Read more...]
Folding Leather Card Case Tutorial
After my post here using the Leatherhidestore.com's awesome buttery soft leather I couldn't help myself to make yet another leather card case. These things are so addicting to make, you could literally whip up a handful in a half hour. Plus they are just so useful. We all have a drivers license, credit cards, gym membership cards, etc that could use a pretty place to house … [Read more...]
Leather Wrap Card Case Tutorial and Leatherhidestore.com Gift Card Giveaway!
Have you ever heard of LeatherHideStore.com? Well, I was lucky enough to be asked to review some of their amazing leather products earlier this year and can I just say WOW! I could not love their stuff more. All their leather is so smooth and buttery soft plus the range of colors is just plain awesome! If you have never sewn with leather I have an fun tutorial to share … [Read more...]
Hello Kitty Let’s Play Clothing and KuKee!
This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and KuKee, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #helllokittyletsplay http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO. My little Penny has been a fan of Hello Kitty ever since she was a wee little thing. So we were both thrilled to find out that Evy of CA has a new Hello Kitty Let's Play DRESS UP … [Read more...]
TUTORIAL: How to Make Holiday Gift Tags with Avery Labels {with FREE Printable!}
With the holidays literally just right around the corner, I thought a great idea would be to get ahead of the game and create some fun handmade labels to use on all the Christmas gifts that I plan on gifting during the holiday season. In case you want to get a head start on your holiday season too I wanted to share how I created my labels using my favorite Avery labels and … [Read more...]
Making Messes (and Memories) in the Kitchen
I know it's been said time and again that the kitchen is the heart of the home and I for one truly believe that is the case for us. Our kitchen is a place where we share meals together, where we gather after school while we eat a snack and I get to hear about the details of my kids' day at school, it's where homework is done, and a place where we work on crafts and art … [Read more...]
JoTotes Camera Bag Giveaway!
Oh my goodness, can I tell you how I have been dying, just dying to tell you about this HUGE giveaway today. I absolutely LOVE JoTotes, their camera bags are so well made, so roomy, and so stylish. If you don't already own one, I highly suggest you enter this giveaway today and try to win this one. You are gonna love it! I chose to review the Betsy camera bag in … [Read more...]
How to Make Temporary Tattoos with your Silhouette and the October Silhouette Special!
Have you ever tried making temporary tattoos with your Silhouette machine? Oh my gosh, I made some this past weekend for the first time ever and they turned out awesome! The kids were in heaven. I love that they last about a day and come off easily so you don't have remnants of tattoo on their skin for weeks afterward. I don't know, there is something about that that just … [Read more...]
Mommy/Daughter Date: Picnic in the Park
At the end of the summer I was asked by Davidson's Organics and the Missouri Star Quilt Company to be a part of their Ultimate Picnic! program and to create a fun picnic theme to share. What fun, right! I love a good picnic. Remember this post here? Well, last week I decided it was high time I took my girls out on a little mommy/daughter date. It had been far too long … [Read more...]
Chew for Change with Project 7
This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Project 7 but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #chewforchange http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO Have you heard about the company Project 7? They are a pretty awesome company whose mission is simple: To ensure everyone around the globe has access to fundamental human needs for a … [Read more...]
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