Mommy's Favorite Things: January 2013



Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Beef Asparagus Lo Mein



Here is a yummy recipe for Beef Asparagus Lo Mein. I whipped this up tonight and it's so YUMMY!!!


Ingredients
1 Beef top sirloin steak (1 pound). thinly sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite sized pieces
1/4 tsp minced garlic
2 1/4 cups water, divided into 1/4c and 2c
2 packages beef ramen noodles
2/3 cup hoisin sauce (This has a bit of a kick to it, so if you or your kids don't like a kick, substitute a bit of soy sauce instead of some of this sauce.)

Directions
In a large skillet or wok, stir fry beef in oil for 5 minutes or until no longer pink.
Add the asparagus and garlic; stir fry for 2 minutes or until asparagus is crisp tender.

In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup water and 1/2 tsp seasoning from one ramen noodle seasoning packer, stir until dissolved. Add hoisin sauce; stir into the beef mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.


In a large pot, bring remaining water to a boil; add ramen noodles and contents of second seasoning packet. Cook for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand until noodles are tender (about 2-3 more minutes). Serve with beef mixture.

Staples Review



There are certain things that everyone likes to get from stores like Staples. I tend to go there for my computer paper, printer ink, and sticky labels for my Scentsy Business. But things I've never really thought to go there for are things like electronics. I know they carry them, but I've usually just gone to other stores for them. 
But recently I had the opportunity to give them a try for their electronics. I received the Google Nexus 7 in a 32gb. 


Saturday, January 26, 2013

Bubysums Review & Giveaway




At Emerson's age babies begin needing shoes more and more. Right when they start walking they do. 
Although it's winter time, Emerson is still walking a lot inside the house (all the time actually) and he needs some grip to his feet since he walks in our kitchen and our entry way where it's wood flooring. He needs some gripper so he doesn't slip and fall more than he already does since he just learned how to walk. 

But shoes can be uncomfortable in the house. Some aren't so bad, but some are tight and ill fitting. Bubysums is the best of all worlds. It's a sock, with a shoe like bottom. So it's nice and comfy on babies feet, but still has a grippier material on the bottom and still has a bit more protection than a sock. 


Tuesday, January 22, 2013

What's that Smell?



Um yeah! That's what our weekend consisted of.

So we built a desk/bookshelf for our bedroom this weekend. Jon had a large desk in there and there was no storage attached to it and it was just big and gaudy. It was meant to be a corner desk, but we had it in the middle of the wall, so it stuck out on the edges too and took up far more space than it should have. So we set out to build some storage bookshelves and add a desk to it too.

Then Jon went to go stain it. He stained it inside, in our bedroom. The smell was pretty horrid, but we figured it would fade away (it has, by the way). However, I turned on the dryer to, obviously, dry our clothes and we smelled this gas smell. Like Kerosene. It was coming from the laundry room, we thought the dryer was going...



We did some googling and sure enough, if you stain or paint inside the house and then run your dryer or other electric item, it WILL smell like kerosene. The fumes hit the heating element and put off that smell.
The smell can last weeks AND it will make your clothes smell like gas too. ICK

So word to the wise, DON'T STAIN INSIDE YOUR HOME!

Twirly Girl Review



I have come across this wonderful shop, Twirly Girl, in the past and have marveled over their wonderful dresses for girls! 
All their dresses are Twirly and are great for dancing in!

Avery received the Spinderella Long Sleeve Dress along with matching leggings for review.
They came wrapped in this adorable lace material!



Monday, January 21, 2013

Let Me Raise My OWN Children!



I raise my children with a very laid back approach. 
I let them explore and do things their own way. I don't helicopter over them very much. I let them learn their own things. 

If we're at the park and you see my daughter struggling to do something and you run up to help her, you WILL get an earful from me. 

My daughter is at the park to LEARN. She's there to learn how to climb and how to slide and how to make friends and learn teamwork. She's there to explore her environment. If she asks for help to climb a ladder, you will hear me say to her "figure it out" or "find another way". 
I am not one of those parents who will run up to help my child do it. 

Granted this starts at a certain age. If my 1 year old were at the park, he wouldn't be allowed near a ladder, but I follow the same thing with him. You WILL find my son eating dirt and wood chips. It's his natural way of exploring. 

So PLEASE if you see my children doing something you wouldn't let your child do, it doesn't mean I WANT or NEED your input. I know what they're doing at all times and if I'm not with them, it's because I want them to learn on their own.


Sunday, January 20, 2013

I make my own Peanut Butter, do you?



My friend actually introduced me to making my own peanut butter, when she told me how easy it was, I was shocked and a little mad at myself for not already making it!

Do you want to see how I do it???

Honey Roasted Peanuts
Peanut Oil


THAT'S IT! You can use the oil of your choice though, but peanut oil is obviously delicious!

I use my magic bullet type blender and I grind up the peanuts with it first. Then I add oil and just blend it together, then pour it into my large mason jar and store in fridge. It is really THAT easy!




Saturday, January 19, 2013

Wedding Pictures!



Avery and I in the prep room!


Jon and Emerson


Zuo Modern Review




Our style here in our home isn't really modern. I guess it's contemporary. It's not antique or classic, but not totally modern. I don't know that I would like my entire house in a modern design, but I do like the look of modern furniture. 

I came across Zuo Modern and fell in love with most of their items. Some are REALLY modern and some are a mix of modern and contemporary. I was given the opportunity to choose a children's item of my choice. 
I chose the Phante Chair. I wanted it in Green. Their only options were Green or Pink, so I chose green. When I got my shipping notification I was shocked to see it said Black. I didn't know if I'd like it, but black does coordinate with everything so...


Friday, January 18, 2013

Teeny Textiles Review & Giveaway



I've had the wonderful opportunity to review lots of cloth diapers. I've tried new brands, experimented with work at home moms and come to learn of some wonderful companies. 

My next diaper that I got to try was from Teeny Textiles. She has some wonderfully cute diapers and I was excited to get to try one!
We received the Organic Bamboo Colorful Fox Fitted and I couldn't be happier with it. 
Since I received my package just before Christmas she also included one of her ornaments as well. 


Friday, January 11, 2013

I'm a Married Woman!



I can't believe this day has finally arrived. After knowing each other for around 13 years and being together for 6 1/2 it was finally time! Jon and I are finally married!!

I will have better pictures once the photographer's come in about a week from now, but for now these were taken on my friend's cell phone!
My $50 dress with no alterations needed!
Not a great picture, but us as a family and it shows my dress better!
Now I get to change all my information to my new name in about 2 weeks!!! OH JOY!


Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Gorgeous Maternity Clothes



At this current time I do not need maternity clothes. I hope to one day need them again though however and if/when that time comes I would love to shop at Maternity Sale. Their maternity clothes are just gorgeous and are perfect for any mother to be.

The Pastel-striped Singlet Dress is perfect for summer and it looks light and airy. This dress is made out of bamboo so it's super soft.

How about this wonderful Chunky Cable Knit Cardigan that is great for pregnancy, breastfeeding and beyond! You really can't go wrong with a sweater that has a little extra material, but can still be worn for years after baby is born!
How about this White & Grey Striped Top that would not only look adorable under the above cardigan, but it too is a maternity shirt and nursing top as well! So it has a double purpose. And even after that there is no reason it can't be worn beyond!
They also carry some wonderful jeans. Like these Black Skinny Jeans
For those of you who thought skinny jeans were out of the question just because you're pregnant? Well you're definitely wrong! Check these out!!
They carry some other wonderful items as well like Pants and leggings, skirts, swimwear, evening wear and even nursing items and bras. 
They have all of your maternity/nursing items in just one shop and it's so easy to spend lots of money there with all of their wonderful items!

The Black Skinny Jeans above are just $73 which is pretty affordable. All of their items are very affordable, yet comfortable!

Check them out!