Weekend Fun

Last weekend we got to see some of our very favorite people! My parents came to visit for a couple days, and our good friends Elissa and Jose came on Sunday for some shopping in Old Town Spring. We had so much fun visiting with everyone and Bear especially loved all the attention.

 

 

We shopped Sunday after in Old Town Spring; loved seeing Elissa! We were best friends in college and have stayed close ever since.

We got the yummiest smelling handmade candles; I'm already addicted to the lemon scent.

We also indulged on fried Oreos, Reese's, & Snickers. So sinful yet so good.

Bear loves "Duke"!

 

Awkward posed picture; my Mom attempted taking outfit pictures for me but I only okayed one out of about sixty. So here it is :).

 

Sunday evening we headed to our favorite place, Cheesecake Factory!

 

We headed to the mall Monday morning so Bear could ride the carousel and the girls could do a little shopping. (spy a Bear whisperer?)

Shopping wore this little boy out.

I prefer my sneakers with sparkles. Thanks for the new kicks, Mom!

Just realized Zach didn't make any of these pictures...pretty sure he avoids them on purpose. ;)

 

Hope your weekend was a fun one, too!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy, happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!

The weather was so gorgeous here today; we took Bear for his first bowling experience this morning (which he loved, naturally, pizza was involved) and spent the afternoon playing outside. Days like today make me so happy. As cliché as it sounds, it really is the simple things in life that are the most fulfilling.


A look at our week in pictures...

Bear & I have started trying to do daily #ootd pictures. Which usually means my hair looking crazy and Bear kissing himself in the mirror.

 

Had so much fun baking this week; one of the best baking weeks of the year!

I'm attempting to redo/reorganize my "office" (aka my small claimed corner of the playroom). Wanting to paint the desk and mirror white, but then again I've been wanting to do that for two years...so we'll see if it ever gets around to actually happening :). In the meantime totally swooning over these spring elastic colors. We're already excited for Easter!

 

Bear's treats from our Valentine's party yesterday. So fortunate to be part of a playgroup that makes every holiday, and every normal day, so special.

I've been on the hunt for the perfect prints for above my desk for weeks; I was so excited to find these at Target for under $6 each! We have a little made up song we sing to Bear with "I love you to the moon and back", so that one is special.

 

the easiest "kiss ladies" for our Valentine party

loving that Christmas pj's are acceptable through February because of Valentine's Day :)

New wallet! Loving it so far.

This little boy loves corn on the cob.

 

Today's bowling experience was so much fun! Especially because I beat Z in one game and can't stop rubbing it in.

 

Bear beat us both.

 

 Happy Valentine's Day!

xoxo

 

 

Valentine's Pictures

Last week, Bear and I had an afternoon photo session with my good friend Aimey at Diamond Oak Photography. We decided to go with a Valentine's theme being so close to the holiday, which was fun! Bear unfortunately didn't feel very well that day and it's apparent by the lack of his normal cheery self in these pictures. But Aimey still did a fantastic job of capturing the few smiles he did give! If you live in the Houston area, I highly recommend her; she's super affordable too.

 

Here are our favorites...

Valentine's Day Gifts for Her

 

 For your bestie, girl friend, mom, sister, or husband that might happen to read your blog ;)...

a few of my favorite picks to give that special lady this Valentine's Day.

 

 

1. Kendra Scott 'Haylee' Stone Ring, $60 {here} 2. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine in 'Fuchsia in Excess', $35 {here} 3. LUSH The Kiss Lip Scrub, $9.95 {here} 4. Rain City Prints on Etsy "XO Love Print", $14.86 {here} 5. Godiva 15 Piece Valentine's Day Chocolate Heart Box, $30 {here} 6. Rebecca Minkoff 'Love' Crossbody Bag, $295 {here} 7. ILY Couture Hearts Tee, $38 {here} 8. Diptyque 'Roses' Scented Candle, $60 {here} 9. J.Crew Cece Suede Ballet Flats, $125 {here} 10. Fotostrap Monogrammed Camera Strap in 'Hibiscus', $85 {here}

 

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 xoxo

 

Valentine's Day Prep & Donut Cookies

 

My mind is seriously blown that it's already February 3rd. Weren't we just ringing in the New Year?
Not complaining though, because this is one of my favorite months. Sure, it's dreary and cold and yucky outside for the most part. But it's also the month that I actually get to decorate with and enjoy the color PINK! Living with two boys, that doesn't happen too often. I embrace it while I can. :)

 

 

I didn't do much decorating inside this year, but I did draw on a chalkboard "wreath" for our front door (chalkboard tutorial somewhere in the archives!).

 

Pretty sure I already posted this picture, but in case you missed it, these are Bear's homemade Valentine's for our party on the 14th. The heart mazes can be found at Michael's.

 

These "pink ladies" were really easy to make and a huge hit with the kids at the play date we took them to. Just take pink wafers, dip them in white almond bark, and stick on candy lips (found at HEB) before chocolate dries. After dry, draw on eyes with black gel icing. So easy and fun! Bear did a few with sprinkles only, which still tasted good. :)

 

We also made donut cookies for a play date we didn't end up going to because Bear is battling yet another cold :(. Praying he feels like himself soon, it's been a rough month and a half of on and off sickness for the little guy.

Betty Crocker donut mix found here (we snagged it at Dollar Tree last week!). This mix is so yummy, they really do taste like donuts!

 

I've been trying to tweak my cookie icing recipe for some time, with quite a few failed attempts along the way. This time was the best result I've gotten so far, so I thought I'd share the recipe. If you have any tips on the perfect icing, I'd love to hear!

 

Donut Cookie Icing:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoons milk

2 teaspoons light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

 

In a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup and almond extract until icing is smooth and glossy. If the consistency is too thick, add small amounts of corn syrup until icing is smooth.

For pink frosting, add 4 drops of red food coloring and stir until blended.
*yields icing for 2 dozen 3 inch cookies

 

Hope you're having the sweetest week!