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My week, in seven quick takes. Linking with Kelly & the gang for this so go read other people’s takes which are guarnateeeeeeed to be cooler than mine. Except my first one. Which is so cool. 1. This Inspired Life Podcast! I had a wonderful interview with Kristin from “This Inspired Life” podcast, a podcast to inspire and encourage you to live your best life. She is just a joy to talk with. The podcast can be found here. We talked recipes, kids, my Whole Parenting Goods hand made business, the works. Enjoy and follow her on Facebook, instagram, and twitter, Of course I had multiple technology issues before I called her to start the interview. The headphones were missing for our Skype conversation. I couldn’t log into Skype on my desktop but finally got my husband’s username and password to do it on his laptop but then his laptop died and I couldn’t find the cord. I finally got my username and password sorted out, and my desktop rolling, but my desktop fan makes this weird rolling noise and she was forced to listen to that over the headset (which I found in the car??). All the while I was bouncing Mr. I Didn’t Want to Finish My Nap, who, as it turns out, had loaded his diaper with a bomb. I bounced the bomb unknowingly for 45 minutes while standing in front of my rattling desk with the headset on. Phew. But she was so easy to talk to…
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Sitting on the back stair landing, sporting their Whole Parenting Goods leggings, and SuperBoy trying to extract his fingers from his brother’s death grip. We have been blessed with too many hand-me-downs. My sweet cousins and close friends whose families aren’t growing anymore have given us an abundance of hand-me-down outfits for the kids. Such a blessing! My shopping has been limited for the kiddos due to almost no need! But as I went through their closets this week to purge, clear out ill-fitted outfits, and the like, I realized, we’ve got way too much going on in the clothing department. And what outfits do I reach for? And which ones do I pass over? And how can I make myself do laundry more frequently? By eliminating. And donating. And re-hand-me-downing. And selling a few on my insta account. And where do I score good deals on baby & kiddo clothing? Just Between Friends: in person consignment sales. Search for your state. There are 7-8 locations for sales (twice a year usually) in Minnesota! I have found SO many things here, including great toys and outfits. ThredUp: lots of kid & baby outfits, gently used. Zulily: but only when it’s a brand I trust. I’ve had a few failings here. Kickee Pants for girls is on sale right now! Polarn O. Pyret. {{Sales right now on wool layers and outer clothing!!}} I shop my favorite wool brand & outdoor clothing brand for their frequent sales. Joules: fav british brand has an outlet shoppe…
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dear lovely readers, I’ve paired with a select group of some of my absolute fav homemade handmades to give you a valentine’s day dream: gift basket pour vous. Valentines’ Day for me has always been less about romantic love and more about appreciating all of the love in my life. These ladies and their art, writing, hand crafts have touched me. And the chocolate? It’s from Minnesota and I’m buying it for you from the coop, so that’s just touching your stomach 😉 Starting with Olivia, my sweet southern sister blogger from To the Heights. She wrote a book that touched my heart. It’s all about writing down your goals, and steps to helping you actualize them. Never gets old. I’ve re-read it several times and worked on the writing prompts even more times. She’s giving away her e-book via her monthly newsletter. Hop on over. Moving right along to Jolie, whom I know from instagram. Her prints for her company Brim Papery are gorgeous. So take the time to peruse her etsy shoppe because: this. And these. Her offering for the giveaway? This beauty on 8×10. She hand letters and illustrates and then prints locally in Columbus, Ohio on a thick beautiful paper. Jealous of the winner! Next up we have Jenna from Call Her Happy who runs the sweetest etsy shoppe (of the same name) around with her cross stitched necklaces. I mean, come on!!! Wouldn’t you kill for this kind of hand stitched love? Or there’s this one that I want…
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I’m a mom of three under five. You’d think I have figured out how to pack my bag so when I leave the house, there are no unmitigated disasters. Well, I cannot guarantee this. In fact, I really really cannot. Three kids these ages in public for prolonged periods of time can mean any number of issues. Hunger. Fatigue. Flat out tantrum. You’d also think I wouldn’t even want a diaper bag anymore. And I don’t. That’s why I love my Madeline in Canvas because it’s a purse with a secret diaper bag side. This fall I had AA take pics of me & my leading lady. Remember? This winter, it’s been a real workhorse of a bag. I take it with me everywhere. But when I pack my bag, I try to pack for everything that could happen. Unless I just tuck a diaper & thin pack of wipes inside the baby’s car seat and then snug them into my sling while we go. So this is what I pack when I am ruddy trudy prepared. I don’t use the baby organizer insert any more because a few items in my bag are for winter, and for me, and wouldn’t need a compartment. Also I find the Madeline has enough outer pockets that nothing gets lost in the bottom. Ever. One of my favorite parts. Winter gloves, house key, beautiful infinity scarf from my sister that doubles & triples over, a rosary from Lourdes, my sister’s honey balm for…
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Sweet friends, I’m offering a little branch off from my blog for subscribers. This series is a little special news from me to you. If you want to be in the know early about sale prices on my smash hit leggings, or my super soft wool blankets, or you want to hear my tips & techniques on selecting quality threads and yarns and how to approach your projects with gusto, you’re in the right place. I’ll also dish when I’m offering a sponsored giveaway & you’ll be the first ones to know! And gosh, I’m so in love with fabric and yarn. Thank you for taking a look around my shoppe. You make it happen. I want to tell you all about my process, but I’ll save that for the next time. And subscribers get a really great discount. Hop on over and subscribe today to get your discount. Sneeeeaaaaak Peeeeek of what’s coming later this month: AII!!!!!
Read MoreIt’s that time of the week. Week Eats is your friendly meal plan. Okay, really it is all for the sake of my poor husband who has been married almost six years and eaten by the skin of his teeth every single night. As in, it’s 4pm and no meat is defrosted 😉 See our other volumes here. Your part? Comment with what you’re eating or link your blog post about food. Help each other find new recipes! I’m going to focus on lunch & snacks as dinners have been going very smoothly around here. Something I learned about myself in my month fast from processed sugar is that I don’t eat a nutritional lunch. Therefore by mid afternoon, a handful of chocolate chips, or a grab at cookies or fudge sounds appealing because I’m not full on good food. And after ruining my appetite for dinner (surprise, surprise, your mother was right about that), I wouldn’t have a great appetite for dinner. Then later in the evening, when hungry, enter: ice cream. There’s nothing abhorrent about a little sugar here and there, but it took me going without it for 30 days to realize that I was abusing it. So I’m resolved to be conscious about lunches beyond the norm for me and the kids, and having good snacks on hand, too. Monday snack: Homemade granola bars. Made them last week. Delish!! Following this recipe. lunch: Fresh cucumbers and bell peppers with hummus, whole grain crackers, slices of deli harvarti cheese,…
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