My PB + J

nûby solid feeding {review}

Brayden has been a super eating machine lately, though you cannot tell because he isn’t gaining weight. He is just constantly going and has inherited his daddy’s fast metabolism. When he isn’t grazing, which seems like all day he will sit down for a meal. Typically he will grab a handful of his food and then move on. Last night I decided to introduce our Nûby fun-feeding bowl and easy-grip fork to see if it would help him slow down.  

For our dinner we were dining on spaghetti squash with brushetta sauce. It could have been difficult for him to use the fork especially since it was his first time using a utensil to actually eat with versus play. He took a look at the brightly colored bowl and fork and let out a, “OHHHH!” I think he was pretty excited about the new addition to his high chair tray.

The handle on the fork was easy for him to grip and he could easily maneuver the fork into his mouth with a good amount of spaghetti squash in tow. My big boy was totally loving his new independence and the curiosity that came along with using a utensil. 

 These items are very durable and will withstand being thrown, not that my angel would ever throw anything across the room but Nûby products are made for everyday use. The fork does come in a starter set with a spoon and one additional set in a different color. The bowl is also available in addition colors and is great for hot and cold food. Both are essential for transitioning your child to independent feeding.

How can you not love this face?! 

Do you have a little one about to transition from baby food to solids? 
You can purchase the fun feeding bowl from:
You can purchase the easy grip starter set from:

disclaimer: I received  the products listed above for review purposes only. However, all opinions expressed are 100% my own and I only recommend products that I would personally use or believe my readers would enjoy. 

woodland themed 1st birthday

I am slowly recovering from what seemed like months of day dreaming and planning my sweet little man’s first birthday party. It’s crazy how fast the day goes after waiting and waiting for the day to arrive. The party, despite being cursed with rain for the second time, was moved indoors. Luckily, this time around we had the space within our new house to accomodate the party inside. I am more than ecstatic to share his party with you, it was so much fun to plan and I have to tell you I was on a pretty strict budget. I was able to DIY a lot of the special details including the dessert table which I wanted to focus 100% of my time on after botching Payton’s. This is why we decided to have the food catered, but after not receiving a few items and running out of time to prepare a few apps (including the hedgehog cheese ball I so desperatly dreamed of) the party had to go on. In the end, it was a great birthday spent with our closest friends and family. We have raised enough money for two surgeries to be donated to Operation Smile. We will continue to raise money until we reach our goal by his cleft surgery anniversary February 1st. For the complete birthday photo album visit my google+ album..

My friend, Danielle, let me borrow her amazing DIY chalkboard. It was originally by the front door but I was worried with the rain. Don’t you just  love my little mushrooms?

Homemade Sparkling Apple Cider – perfect for the chilly day. 

owl goodie bags and handmade Gnome hats for all the guests 

arrangements and dips. 

Marshmallow Pumpkin Pops – The Marshmallow Studio. I love my two wee gnomes relaxing in the moss. My neighbor had given them to me the day before the party when we were having a community garage sale. 

Water bottle labels – made and designed by me. 

The dessert bar consisted of: marshmallow pops (party favors), mushroom sugar cookies, s’more & pumpkin cupcakes, macrons (vanilla, chocolate & pumpkin), meringue mushrooms, birthday cake, nutter butter “acorn” cookies and m&m’s. 

paper cupcake toppers c/o – too cute invites
fondant pieces – sugar and stripes co. 

thank you tags c/o – too cute invites 

S’mores cupcakes 

the kids painted sugar pumpkins – log seats from my parents backyard. 

faux bois banner with woodland creatures.

meringue mushrooms 
gnome hat fun. 

Vendors & Sponsors –

fondant woodland creatures – sugar and stripes co.
pumpkin marshmallow pops – the marshmallow studio 
cupcake toppers & thank you tags – too cute invites
beverages – HonestTea
gnome hats – made by my sister
faux bois banners – me
mushroom sugar cookies – me
highchair banner – me
cupcakes & cake – me
meringue mushrooms – me 
rag tie banner – me
invites – cherish paperie
vinyl chalkboard – urban walls
photographed by – my friend danielle

cherish paperie {product review}

When I was brainstorming Brayden’s first birthday party I knew it had to be a modern twist on a woodland theme. I found inspiration for my invitations and sent it to Cherish Paperie,  they were able to design my invitation exactly how I had envisioned it. Not only did the design process feel painless, it was also quick and within a few short weeks I had the gorgeous invitations sitting on my doorstep. While I did receive a digital copy the printed version was even more beautiful and I was blown away with the quality of the paper and printing. I have ordered from many of the top online card companies as well as online printing companies and none can be compared to Cherish Paperie in terms of color quality. 
Cherish Paperie is an internet-based invitation and stationary design studio located in Southern California. They specialize in all things paper related, and gorgeous paper at that! If you’re brainstorming your holiday cards like I am you should consider Cherish Paperie for a statement maker this season! Impress your friends and family with one of their unique designs from classic to contemporary and everything in between! 

Make sure to follow Cherish Paperie via Facebook and Twitter. Remember to contact them today to showcase your best family photo this holiday season.

Disclaimer: I received a set of birthday invitations for review purposes only. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

meringue mushrooms

There is just something whimsy and magical about meringue mushrooms. I made them for the first time years ago when partaking in a monthly recipe challenge for a yule log. There is just something special about them that doesn’t necessarily scream holiday season yet this delicately light cookie should make an appearance at any special event. The recipe is simple to make, just allow ample time for a slow bake in a 200º oven for 2+ hours. Serve on a delicate platter or wrapped in a cellophane bag as a party favor, they’ll surely put a smile on any face. 

Thank You Tags c/o Too Cute Invites

Graco® SnugRide® Click Connect™ 40

Last week I had the opportunity to attend a Graco® SnugRide® Click Connect™ 40 party along with fourteen other great women to learn about this revolutionary car seat. Did you know that The American Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending that babies sit rear-facing until two-years of age? Yep! That’s right and I am a guilty mother who turned baby #1 to forward facing before the age of one. In my defense, until a few months ago infant carriers had height and weight limitations. If you’re worried about baby’s legs getting squished or lying on angle they are still five times safer sitting rear facing versus forward facing. 


At the party we were given a demonstration of the Graco® SnugRide® Click Connect™40. This carrier is the first of it’s kind, as it allows babies to be rear facing from birth to age two. Another awesome feature for mom’s is that this seat does not require re-threading as the baby grows! I know my husband would have appreciated this feature with our previous carrier for both of our children. 


If you’re thinking to yourself, how can a two-year-old fit into the same seat they did at birth? Graco® has literally thought of everything with this seat! It has eight reclining positions to allow for additional leg room as your baby grows. As an added bonus or a selling point for me was the adjustable kick plate! Yes, it has a kick plate to eliminate scuffs and marks from your cars upholstery. This plate also slides up and down to accommodate the growing baby, did I mention it also has cute footprint impressions?

Graco® is known for their gorgeous prints and this infant carrier comes in Moonstruck for boys and Mena for girls. They did not miss a beat when it comes to the detailing and safety of this carrier!  

Product Features 

  • The only newborn to two-year infant car seat from 4-40 pounds on the market. 
  • The Graco® SnugRide® Click Connect™40 has one-click technology easier transition from car seat base to stroller.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends babies be rear-facing until two-years-old. 
  • Simply Safe Adjust- no more re-threading harness straps when the seat needs to be adjusted. Winner. Winner!! 
  • Available at Babies “R” Us and retails for $219.99

The Graco SnugRide® Click Connect™ 40 – the first and only newborn to two-year infant car seat that actually grows with your baby from four pounds all the way up to 40 pounds. The car seat is designed for a parent on the go. The infant car seat can be easily removed from the base and used as a carrier when the infant is small, providing portability and convenience so you can easily move your infant in and out of the car without disturbing them.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently made the recommendation to keep all children in rear-facing car seats until the age of 2. Graco set out to make this product so parents can keep infants rear facing longer while still keeping them comfortable.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Graco. The opinions and text are all mine.