A New Year, A New Do--Hair-do that is!

I saw these adorable felt flower head bands and barettes in a gift shop down the street from my parents house. They were so sweet, that I thought I would try my hand at making one before I handed over 12 bucks for one of theirs.

Like my hair model?? Well she is also the clothing model, baking model, and basically an all around good gal to know :).

What you need:

Hot Glue Gun

Barette Clip

Pinking Shears

Different Colored Felt

1. Cut eight petals. 4 using a one inch diameter and 4 using 1 1/2- 2 inches in diameter.

2. Also, cut one circle for the center and arrange your flowers on a piece of paper or counter top before you start gluing.

3. Glue starting with the largest petals on to the clip and follow along with your smaller petals and finally the circle in the center.

The whole thing from start to finish, including drying--took about 20 minutes!

Cupcakes and Yoga Pants!

Happy Holidays People!! Above is a picture of my girls in their Christmas dresses. For more pics of the babies check out my mom's blog, Nonni's Munckins @ blogspot.

My appreciation of yoga pants has grown deeper during the past month. As the amount of cookies and cupcakes in my house has increased, my yoga pants has gotten a lot of wear; with their dark color and stretchiness, it's really all I need..hehe. Anyways, in addition to my love for comfy pants, I also love these yummy little jewels that are great for parties or playdate. You'll wow your friends with your "gourmet goodies" but they are very easy to make!

Banana Spice Cupcakes and Maple Buttercream Frosting

1 box of Spice Cake Mix

2 bananas mashed

2 1/2 sticks of real butter

2 cups of of maple syrup (the darker the better grade, but Mrs. Butterworth's will do if that is what you got!)

6 egg yolks

1. Prepare cake mix as the box instructs, however sub half the oil for the banana mash (you'll still get that moist flavor).

2. After your cupcakes have baked (about 20 minutes) let them cool on a rack, and start the homemade frosting!!

3. Separate 6 egg yolks and beat with mixer on high for 4 minutes until fluffy.

4. Heat maple syrup in microwave for 2 minutes and then add to eggs. Continue to beat on high for another 2 minutes.

5. Finally cut the butter into small cubes (it is easier to beat that way) and beat on high until pretty and fluffy! Wa-la! Tasty Treats!

6. Sprinkle nutmeg or cinnamon on your mini-cakes!

Enjoy the New Year!!!

Pigs like PB&C!

Today we made cookies....peanut Butter and Chocolate cookies to be exact! I think that it is truly hard to bake with peanut butter and NOT include chocolate. Anyways, here is the recipe, but I'll tell ya the process was better than the cookies! Haha!

1 Cup Flour

1/2 Cup PB

a 20 second long squeeze of honey

1 egg

about a 1/4 cup of brown sugar

1/2 bag of chocolate chips

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Bake at 375 for about 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Getting her licks in...shh don't tell daddy...

Hey Momma, am I gonna get any of that action??

While we wait for the cookies to bake, a quick tutu change so that I can......

torture the little sister....oh poor Caroline!

Anyways, the cookies were yummy!

Mama Pig is Saving Money!

I know that it has been a very long time since my last post but what better way to welcome myself back then with money---lots of it! For all you mamas in the DC metro area-you should run, not walk, to Harris Teeter today because tomorrow their sale ends.

I have some friends from my MOPS group that swear by Harris Teeter because they accept all competitor's coupons and occasionally will double coupons. I coupled those two perks, along with their weekly specials to get two weeks of groceries---yes two weeks-- for $103!! That includes two packs of diapers, two huge bags of frozen chicken breasts, organic baby food, oodles of dried fruit and pasta and much, much more!! Here are some of my best deals. I will also include where I got the coupon and remember they double the coupons until tomorrow so some items end up being FREE!!!

Item Reg Price Sale Coupon Final
Huggies Size 4 Little Movers 10.99 8.99 2.00x2 4.99
Pampers Size 4 Extra Dry 10.99 8.99 1.00 x2 6.99
Barilla Pasta 1.50 Buy 2 get 3 1.00 2.00
Craisins 3.25 Buy 2 get 3 0.50 x2 5.25
Yo Baby Yogurt 2.99 0.50 x2 1.99
Organic Homestyle Beech Nut 0.99 10/6$ 6.00
Gain Dishwashing Liquid 1.29 0.99 0.50x2 FREE
Fresh Blackberries 3.99 Buy 1 Get 1 3.99
Frozen Chicken Breast 2.5lb bag 9.99 Buy 1 Get 1 9.99
Raw 51/60 Shrimp 17.98 $10 off 7.98
Peet's French Roast Coffee 9.99/lb 1.50 x2 6.99


These are just some of the deals. Most of my coupons came from the bottom of the junk draw so they are for Safeway and Giant but I also found some at these wonderful places online:

www.momslikeme.com
www.coupons.com
www.shopathome.com
www.couponmom.com
Budget Mom

Hush Little Baby....

Ever since these darned teeth have been coming in, Caroline has been having the worst time with naps and going down by herself. I have tried to Ferberize her but all that does is make Mommy a ball of stress! I have tried Barton Schmitt's method, by comforting her constantly and giving her a soft toy. Neither method worked for poor Caroline. She just loves her cuddles (hehe and secretly so do I...are you starting to see the problem?). So anyways, I moved the glider into her room yesterday afternoon and I made her a mixed CD of lullabies and I am pleased to say that they have worked! Well at least for now (they change so much!)

Laura enjoyed the Rockabye Baby series and I thought that they were pretty cute too. It is a collection of modern or popular songs put to the harpsichord. They are really cute but are mostly harder rock artists. I looked on iTunes for an alternative and I found The Lullabye Ensemble. They are sooo cute! They have a variety of genres. My personal favorite is "Baby Goes New Wave." It is all 80's songs and they even include Journey, Dexy's Midnight Runners, and The Buggles. Check it out! I also found it on Rhapsody so you can sample the songs.

What to do on a rainy day....

Build fort!

Laura even made Mommy a treat! What a good hostess! Caroline enjoyed tea while we played in the fort!

OMG! Project Runway Upset!!!

Ok so I promise that this will not be a total rant and/or retelling of last night's episode, but after watching , I am shocked and stunned! Where do I begin???

First, Chris I love. I know that Rachel Roy is an acclaimed designer and I know that Michael and his ladies are also established in the industry, but come on, Chris has good clean designs and whether his off the shoulder design wasn't "easy" enough for Heidi and Rachel, well I don't know but I loved it.

Gretchen- I love your styling. Really love it, but come on, it exists in every Anthro/Urban catalog. Someone is not humble and someone needs to brings herself back down to plant Earth. You are not the most talented designer to grace PR's runway (that would be the most fierce and major Christian Soriano...ahh a Maryland boy at heart).

April- you are growing on me-though after Peach left, you changed your stripes and are now BFF with Gretchen...shady shady (BTW, never liked Peach's designs but LOVED you Peachy!)

Michael is a lucky little bugger, but I like how he plays the game. I think one of the best quotes from the season comes when you are in the top with Gretchen and you praise her by saying how honored you are to be in the safe crowd with her and THEN in your confessional you say that you were lying through your teeth. hahaha oh you ARE a tricky one Michael!!!

Andy- You must have said a prayer to St. Anthony because you were lost and boy did he find you!! You got spared! And truth be told I can't really talk about you because......(this leads me to my next point.)

Valerie!!! Oh my dear Val! I have appreciated your designs from the beginning, even when evil Ivy was in your ear, you took the high road and designed for women who want to look sexy. Oh Val you will be missed and I really think that you should've stayed and Andy should've said good bye.

Mondo- I was truly moved by your courage and honesty. Your design was literal enough to illustrate your deep secret yet you never used the secret to propel your status in the competition. Although, I would never step out to say the Safeway on Willard Way in one of your creations, I respect the heart that it took to create it!

Finally............my real love (sorry Laura, Caroline, and Pete but this guy had me at Hello),

Tim- You were flawless. Your stylish suit was only outshined by your class and wit and dedication to your pupils. You have an open invitation to Sunday dinner-on that you can rely.

Before I leave, I must comment on one thing. Although my admiration for Tim will only be matched by possibly my closest family members, Austin in zebra sheets with his American Girl doll was probably the cutest thing I have seen since I saw Laura feed Caroline for the first time (ok that was two weeks ago, but still it was funny/adorable/terrifying at the same time).

Ciao Fashionistas!