For the Moms: A Gift Guide

With Mother's Day a week a half away, I thought I would put together a fun gift guide.  I know it can be hard to figure out what to get our moms {or...send this to your husband for a "hint hint"!} so hopefully this sparks some ideas!  :)

For the Wine-O:

Wine Wipes // Travel Wine Cup // Tote Bag // Wine Charms

For the Fashionista:

Snood  // Book // Perfume // Necklace

For the Accessory Maven:

Stationary // Pouch // Pillow // Phone Case

The best part is, most of these items are under $50 and they're all under $100.

What are you planning to get your mom this Mother's Day?

xo natasha

Korean Beef {with a TWIST!}

Admittedly, this is not the prettiest picture.  But in my defense, it was taken on a Saturday night with a glass of wine in me.  I just didn't expect this recipe to be SO good, but it is.  I actually saw this recipe on Natalie's blog last month.  I've never been a huge fan of ground beef, so I didn't give it much thought...until my husband rand across it on Pinterest and insisted we try it.  Only...instead of ground beef, we used a filet.  And man OH man was this tasty.  Honestly...the sesame oil and the hint of brown sugar really caramelizes this and fills the kitchen with the most amazing smell.  You must try it stat!

Recipe originally from Six Sisters Stuff

Ingredients:

1 lb filet mignon, thinly sliced

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 Tablespoon sesame oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 - 1 teaspoon crushed red peppers (depending on how spicy you like it)

salt and pepper

1 bunch green onions, diced

Rice, cooked

Method:

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown filet with garlic in the sesame oil. Drain most of the fat and add brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, salt and pepper and red peppers. Simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors. Serve over steamed rice and top with green onions.

We served ours alongside these "cheesy" cauliflower poppers...another amazing recipe in itself!

xo natasha

Ethan is 22 Months!

22 months...just 2 months short of 2!  How is time flying so fast?  I guess we better start thinking of what we'll do for his second birthday...crazy!  Here's what he's been up to this last month.

What's New:

Ethan is definitely developing into a little man...he's got a personality all of his own and knows exactly what he likes and doesn't like.  He's becoming quite the mama's boy...always asking for me and preferring me to hold him which is sweet, but also hard at times!  He also had a double ear infection this past month which was brutal.  Being in a public daycare situation has definitely had an impact.  I feel like his is this close to climbing out of his crib, which will prompt us to move him into a big boy bed.  It's hard to believe he's growing so quickly!

Wears:

Moving more and more to 18-24 months.

Eats:

Ethan is back to loving his fruit packs.  He knows which drawer they're in and will pull them out and then eat half of one before wanting a new one.  He also loves chicken nuggets, scrambled eggs, bananas, blueberries, and PB&Js.

Teeth:

His canines are popping through...at least on the bottom.  Oy!

Talks:

Lots and lots of mimicking!  He'll repeat {or try at least} anything we say.  He's even started to sing a bit too, which is so cute.  Probably my favorite thing he's learned to say this past month is: Hi Mama!  Melts my heart!

Loves:

So much!  He loves to dance.  He loves the kitty.  He loves music and reading books.  He loves kisses and cuddles.  He loves being outside and throwing the tennis ball to Ethan.  He loves playing with other kids and giving them loves.  He loves toting his kid chair around and climbing up to the counters or drawers and going through everything.  We're on child-safety alert.

Hates:

Being told what to do.  He's definitely found his independence this past month and he is pretty vocal about it.  He loves mimicking us and hates being told he can't do something we do.  

Goes:

We went to San Diego this past month which will be his last time flying as a lap child.  I'm really not too sad about it as he definitely needs his own seat these days.  We also celebrated Ethan's 2nd Easter.  Busy busy busy!

Design Showcase: A Big Girl's Room

When I kicked this series off, I showed you a way to update a boy's nursery.  Today, I have an update for a girl's room.  Mama Karli had already bought an adorable quilt from Anthropologie and was eying the coveted Jenny Lind bed.  So the rest was up to me to pull the look together.

Gallery Wall: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

Dresser // Mirror // Lamp {more affordable option}

Stool // Plant // Quilt // Arm Chair // Heart Pillow // Suzani Pillow

Bed // Unicorn // Pouf // Blanket

They say that a room often evolves from one thing and in this case, it's true!  The beautiful quilt was a great inspiration and jumping off point for the room.  I love all of the colors and how eclectic it is.  It's also something that can really grow with her daughter.  The arm chair picks up on the colors on the quilt, as well as the pink in the gallery wall.  Last, isn't this mirror a perfect touch?  Gotta love finds like that!

Can't wait to see how Karli updates the room!

And if you've emailed me and you're still waiting to hear from me...trust that I am slowly but surely making my way through my email.  If you want to shoot me a quick email to let me know that you're still interested...that would be AWESOME!

Have a great weekend!

xo natasha

What it Means to be a Boy Mom

Several weeks ago, Elizabeth asked me to talk about what it means to be a boy mom.  It definitely got my wheels turning...which is why I wanted to share more with you today.

When we first found out we were having a boy, I will admit, there was a tinge of doubt.

Would I be able to connect with a boy the same way I might connect with a girl....you know, a mini me?

Would he love me as much as a little girl would?

Would we play together {ie, could I do trucks and toads over tea and tiaras} and really share that bond?

 It all seemed so daunting as I prepared for his arrival with visions of toys cars, stinky socks, and roughhousing in my future.

However, the second Ethan was born, I knew he was meant to be mine and that I would love him like nothing before.  Those sweet eyes and perfect mouth stole my heart from the get-go.  I soon realized that being a boy mom is special...and that a bond between a mother and a son is just naturally strong from the beginning.

Despite my preconceived notions of having a stinky, messy, crazy little man on my hands {and don't get me wrong, he has plenty of those moments}, I am always blown away by how sweet Ethan's demeanor is.  He loves holding my hand...and giving me kisses...or pats on the back.  He loves to hum to music...and of course dance!  He's such a stylish little dude too...dressing him has been so much fun.

 He's smart and handsome and even when he's a stinker, I still think he's a cutie.  He has me wrapped around his little finger, especially when he says "Mama" or rests his head on my shoulder...or gives me a huge smoochie!  I think I expected a little girl to be sweet, but I never knew how very sweet a little boy could be. 

I love knowing that even if it's for a short time, that I'm the only one who can kiss away his tears and make him feel better.  That I'm that one he calls to in the morning.  That I'm the one who gets the final kiss at the end of the night.  He loves him mama.

And I love knowing that he'll always be my little boy...even when he's grown.  I can't even imagine him being bigger than me...let alone going on his first date or going away to college.  I hope we bring him up to be a gentleman and have strong character...to treat women with respect and carry himself with dignity.  But for now, the thought of cheering him on at a baseball game or helping him catch frogs in the summer time, literally makes me giddy.  I'm trying to savor each minute and remember all of these sweet moments, because I know they go fast.

Since Ethan came into the world, the term "mama's boy" has taken on such a sweet, endearing tone to me.  I no longer worry about the roughhousing and instead focus on the hugs.  I've come to embrace all of the little things that come with the boy territory...who knew playing with trucks could be so fun?  And though I know I won't always be the apple of his eye, I hope Ethan is always a mama's boy...my little boy.  Whether it's now as my baby, or when he's grown and has his own babies, I hope he always remembers that I loved him first.

So all of you boy mamas...what has been the most surprising thing for you with having a boy?

xo natasha

Food According to My Camera Roll

I've totally slacked off when it comes to posting recipes, but despite what you might think, we've been keeping busy in the kitchen.  Above are some recent hits that we've made and I wanted to make sure to share the recipes with you.

Top Left:  The yummiest winter minestrone soup.  Perfect for those still "chilly" nights!

Top Right:  A two layer vanilla cake with raspberry preserves in the middle and a homemade cream cheese frosting...topped with sliced strawberries.

Middle Left: Irish Soda Bread made from St. Patty's day...and the best part is, no yeast!

Middle Right:  Our first attempt at cauliflower crust pizza...yum!

Bottom Left:  Delicious lemon cheesecake bars.

Bottom Right: A breakfast classic...huevos rancheros.  With sweet potato, of course.  Similar recipe here.

xo natasha

Spring Baubles

Bracelet // Flamingo Earrings // Neon Earrings // Tortoise Necklace // Cuff 

Pom Pom Earrings // Rings // Chain Necklace

Now that the scarves and mittens are put away, it's time to bedazzle your necks, ears, wrists and fingers with some fun spring baubles.  I am loving the pastels, rose gold and of course, a pop of neon.

And speaking of pretty jewelry, Megan just relaunched her Etsy shop with tons of gorgeous, handmade necklaces.  You must check them out!

xo natasha

Our Easter

 We had a super fun Easter Weekend...complete with Easter egg hunts, brunch and lots of friends & family time.

Ethan got to go on his first egg hunt and he was surprisingly engaged.

He picked out eggs...

And played well with the other toddlers.

Easter Sunday, he got spoiled by the Easter Bunny before going to church.

 And we enjoyed a nice brunch out at Edgewood.

Of course, no Easter is complete without cuzzies and dressed up pooches!

It's amazing how much has changed in just one year!

I hope you all had a blessed Easter!

xo natasha

PS...the winner of the cute Hen & Co tee was chosen...was it you!?

Amazing Boho Chic Interiors

You guys!  I have a fun treat for Friday.  I honestly feel like I've been hiding under a rock, but I recently connected the dots to realize that many {and I mean MANY} of my favorite interior designs were by the same person.  Amber Interiors.  She is amazeballs.  Like, talk about patterns, colors, textures galore.  I am obsessed with her spaces.  Intrigued?  Let me lead the way...

Do you see what I mean?!  Amazing eye candy...your welcome!  Be sure to check out the rest of her site...she's always blogging about design tips and tricks and has an awesome shoppe too!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

xo natasha

PS...last chance to enter to win an adorable top or onesie for your little!

Shopbop Sale: Last Day for 25% Off!

Today is the final day for Shopbop's 25% off sale!  I scoured the site last night to find my favorites...many of these have been on my wish list for a while...LOVE this dress, and those heels...and that tote!

Simply enter INTHEFAMILY14 at checkout for your discount!

Have you splurged on this sale yet?!

xo natasha

Design Showcase: Awkwardly Shaped Living Room

Kendall contacted me regarding her awkwardly shaped living room.  She and her husband {along with her three dogs} recently moved in and she's looking to find furniture that will fit the new space a little bit better.  Here's more from Kendall:

We recently bought and moved into our house and our family room is the that has given me the most trouble. As you can see it is long and narrow. We aren't able to attach our sectional because of how narrow it is. We have been looking at getting some new couches. We have also thought about mounting the tv in the middle of the wall that it is on now. 

My style preference would be light and airy with some color mixed in. Eventually we will do hardwoods in here and new light fixtures are next on the to do list. 

I would love to keep the budget pretty low or even DIY some things.

Perhaps the more challenging detail about this space is not really the space, but the placement of the entry ways and how wide they are.  It doesn't allow for a large couch or sectional.  Luckily, there are a lot of compact options out there!

Candy Coated Art // Sectional // & Pillow // Knit Pillow // B&W Pillow

Side Table // Lamp // Coffee Table // Vases // Area Rug

Sitting Chair // LOVE Pillow // Media Console // Shelf

First, I think Kendall should consider a smaller sectional and move it closer to the middle of the room. The side table and lamp should nest between the couch and the wall. By moving the couch closer to the oppose wall, it takes advantage of the long narrow room and makes it more functional This way, they're closer to the TV and I would suggest putting a small console table behind the couch with a fun piece of art above it. On the wall where the TV is, I would move the media console to the middle and have a shelf on one wall and a sitting chair on the other side. Anchor the room with a fun coffee table and I think they'll be amazed with how much more functional the room is.

As for the DIY aspect, I love the idea of making some of the pillows, like the ampersand and LOVE pillow.  Another fun idea, might be to make your own print for above the sofa...whether you blow up a print or paint it instead.

I hope this helps to spur some fun ideas!

xo natasha

PS...there are still a couple days left to enter to win a cute Hen & Co top or onsie!

San Diego Weekend

This past weekend, we got to escape down south for my best friend's baby shower!  It was so fun spoiling her and baby Nixon!

My dress

Me and Ethan with my best!

Of course, Minted helped to bring all of the decor together!  

And Ethan made a new girlfriend...notice how he's attacking her with a hug, and simultaneously patting her on the back!  ;)

The other fun thing about going to San Diego, is that Ethan gets to see his Aunt and Uncle...notice what a stinker he is here...oy!

But Auntie knew how to win Ethan over with fun toys...

And cute dogs!

We had a blast and already can't wait to get back!

And in case you're wondering, we checked out Haggo's Organic Tacos {thanks Alexa!} for lunch, Fish 101 for dinner and Swami's for breakfast...all of which I would highly recommend!

xo natasha

PS...don't forget to enter to win a super cute tee or onesie for the little one in your life!

Cutest Easter Shirt + Giveaway!

Can you believe Easter is less than a week away?  Actually, you probably can because it's so late this year!  In anticipation, I ordered the cuuuutest Hop Hop shirt from Hen & Co.

It definitely got Ethan in the Easter spirit!

Look at those bunny teeth!

And Kendra is super sweet because she is giving away a onesie or tee-shirt of your choice from her shop!  Simply visit her shop and be sure to enter the widget below for a chance to win!  I'll announce the winner on Easter Sunday.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering and good luck!!

xo natasha