September 28, 2018

DIY Mini Mama-razzi // Halloween Costume

(Cake Pop Series)
toddler halloween costume diy
toddler halloween costume diy
I'm sooo excited to kick off today with our Halloween costume-cake pop series! Each week in the month of October (& today) we will be sharing our usual mother-daughter Friday outing (cake pops & coffee) with Abby dressed up in a Halloween costume. Super fun! Yes?! 

toddler halloween costume diy
Abby's darling wooden toy camera was designed, and hand crafted from Darcie and her husband Jeremy who create non-toxic wooden toys and tons of other beautiful things for little ones, which you can find out more about them here. I talked earlier on the blog about this darling wooden toy camera by giving a full product review, here. 


toddler halloween costume diy
Mom Life Shirt

I DIY this part of her costume by getting Abby a solid white t-shirt at the craft store and these iron on letters. The total cost of her #MOMLIFE t-shirt was ($6!) I followed the directions for the iron on letters and it was super easy and quick to make! 

And now, for our first weekly Halloween costume, in the Friday cake pop series... I give you my mini mama-razzi!

toddler halloween costume diy
toddler halloween costume diy
toddler halloween costume diy
toddler halloween costume diy
toddler halloween costume diy
toddler halloween costume diy
Mini Mama-razzi // Halloween Costume sources:

// sun glasses (sold out) although these are almost exact)  //  white t-shirt  //  iron on letters  //  wooden camera c/o Flora & Peg  //  Skinny jeans  //  coffee cup (via Starbucks)  //



Cake pop cheers to all of you! And as always, let me know if you have any questions about our mimi mama-razzi halloween costume.  : )

 Happy weekending!

Warmly, Steph

September 27, 2018

Pumpkin Porch Decor

For the first time ever in September, we have pumpkins on our porch! Call it vacation post blues, although I'm delighted we brought home fall early this year, especially since Abby is in love with pumpkins (as am I!).


I purchased this wreathe to hang on our door and combined two DIY projects for the porch. So let's start with the heart of it all. The pumpkins!


The pumpkins are painted with the ArtsMind brand in Persian blue (dark blue)  Idalia blue (light blue), and simply white (white). I then used the brand Dazzling Metallic in rose gold for the stems. 

Tip: I painted a double coat of paint for the darker colors and a triple coat of paint for the white. 
The "Hi, Pumpkin" door mat was a DIY project I found on Pinterest from one of my favorite home and decor websites, Chris Loves Julia's found here. I used the same 2" stencils they suggested and purchased this blank doormat from Ikea for ($4.99)! 

By sharing our pumpkin porch decor with you today, I hope this post inspires you for making your own! 

And be sure to check back here soon... because we have lots of fun things coming to the blog! I'm so excited to share with all of you!!

Until then...


Warmly, Steph


September 20, 2018

Motherhood // 3 Mom Life Tips



Motherhood // 3 Mom Life Tips

Flipping on the porch light while locking the front door to a living room floor covered in toys is about as spontaneous as I get since becoming a mom.

Take this weekend, for instance. We had hemmed and hawed for the last couple of weeks about taking Abby to the fair (she really wanted to ride a carousel!). The weather had been cold and rainy for days, although last Sunday afternoon the sun broke through and the rain stopped. As soon as the clouds cleared, Steve suggested we go to the fair. Now, going anywhere at a moment’s notice with a toddler stresses me out. As us moms with little ones know, last minute outings are extremely challenging, and or at least for me— (a planner to the core)—they are!

Still, I felt comfortable going to the fair on a whim because of a few systems I’ve added—through trial and error—to help me plan, remember things, and keep life moving without much stress. 

And I want to share three of the systems that I adopted in hopes that they’ll may help you, too.

//  1  // 
Nightly Dishwash
In the beginning of motherhood, I really struggled trying to estimate how long it would take for Abby and I to get ready in the morning (proud first time mom here!). 

So last spring we started running the dishwasher every night, full or not. And by not having to worry about whether the everything I needed was clean when I woke up, made prepping, serving, eating breakfast, and getting out the door way more efficient. I have no idea why we didn’t do this sooner!


//  2  // 
Extra, Extra, Extra
Back when Abby was about 8 months’ old, I found myself in the mall parking lot at 10 in a.m. being drenched by the rain and realizing that my diaper bag was missing…. diapers. (This was before I discovered that Nordstrom’s had a mother’s lounge.)

I could have driven to Target 15 minutes away and bought diapers, or I could have driven us home in 20. No matter what, I had to take a risk. We went home.

I kid you not, the entire time on the freeway home I was gripping the steering wheel and praying—out loud—to God asking him, “Whatever you do, please do to not let her... please help her, help me!” I was SOOO nervous and also very aware that if something did happen, it was all on me. 

Now, to make sure I have diaper backups, I keep a bin of extra diapers, wipes, snacks, and a raincoat in the back seat of my car (living in the Pacific Northwest, we get surprised by the rain a lot).  I have found keeping these three things stocked in my car is extremely valuable!


//  3  // 
Ready to Go
I have a drawer and supplies in her room for diaper changes right next to the changing table, however I also keep all diaper bag supplies outside of her room, in the closet right across the hall. (I do realize that this is a unique setup for our home). If you can keep extra diaper bag supplies in a different room (wipes, diapers, etc.), I highly recommend it! 

If Abby is napping, or still asleep in the morning, and I need to get us out the door shortly after she wakes up, I can just grab everything I need in the closet upstairs and get everything ready before she wakes up. I run this routine daily, especially since she’s started walking. 


As always, I truly feel you know what’s best for you, your home, and your own motherhood lifestyle. So I hope today’s post inspires you and helps you do just that! 

And I wish you smooth mornings, easy transitions, and a whole lot of planned-spontaneous fun this weekend!

Warmly, Steph





September 14, 2018

5 Tips On Family Photos With A Toddler


5 tips on family photos with a toddler
5 tips on family photos with a toddler
5 Tips for Family Photography With Toddlers

One of my very first blog post was on 7 Tips for Successful Family Photos with A Baby which you go back and read here if you too, are doing family photos done with a baby. You’ll see that this year, our light & bright theme is a big contrast to the fall theme we choose two years ago. We love them both! However we went for a softer tone and brighter color pallet because we wanted the photos to presented a more non-seasonal feel. 

And I personally believe one of the biggest secrets in getting amazing photos with little ones, is finding someone you feel comfortable to be around after you've falling in love with their style of photography. We found Marrisa over at Ciccarelli Photography who has both, so we’re hooked!

Still, family photos were a bit more challenging this year because Abby’s two years old instead of five months. Which meant we were in for a major challenge with Abby mastering the skills of skipping, jumping and running around all over the golden grassy fields. 

So below are five tips on what I’ve learned about helping your little one(s) and photographer get those fun family shots all of us moms want.  

5 tips on family photos with a toddler

// 1  //
Lower Expectations

Getting a photo of us all looking into the lens was quite a challenge this time around! We did get some great photos because our photographer is amazing. However, it was much harder with a toddler than it was with Abby as a 5-month-old.

Fifteen minutes in I honestly thought we wouldn’t get a single photo of us all smiling, let alone looking into the lens. You know... that one moment all of us moms want captured for our holiday cards? I just wanted one and (of course with Marisa), we got it!
5 tips on family photos with a toddler
However I quickly realized I needed to lower my expectation of getting multiple smiling and hugging posed photos like we did last time. Once I lowered my expectations in the session, I was then able to relax and have a good time and truthfully, that’s why we hired a photographer: to capture us as we truly are, which is what you see. 

5 tips on family photos with a toddler, baby

//  2  //
Find What Makes Them Smile & Laugh

This was a question my photographer asked ahead of time, however I pull out these tricks out all the time with Abby when taking photos of her! I think I emailed Marissa about fiftenn things that I knew would get Abby to smile. 

Every child is different so my best advice on finding this one is to play with them. You’ll start to see where they are ticklish. Do they like to be held upside down? To be turned? Lifted? What funny noises make them laugh? Once you start playing with them, take a mental note of what makes them smile and laugh. Then feel free to use every single one during your photo session!

5 tips on family photos with a toddler, baby
//  3  //
Homework

Giving basic directions such as, “wait for me,” or “time put the books back” let me practice at home with Abby on how to listen and follow directions. For example, when we were in swim lesson this past summer Abby learned to “sit, listen and wait” until I told her to move.  I apply this expectation all the time at home even if we’re not in the water. She knows what it means and how to do it. Homework really does helps!

5 tips on family photos with a toddler
//  4  //
Extra Clothes

If you happened to see my Instagram stories during the weekend we had family photo's, I shared a funny clip about Abby suddenly needing a wardrobe change right before the photo shoot. I’m glad we packed extra clothes because the dress we changed her into was the same one she wore while being baptized, which actually gave our family photos that much more meaning. I'm so glad I brought a back-up! 

5 tips on family photos with a toddler
//  5  //
Arrival Time 

This is the one thing I would have changed if I could go back. Due to the location of our photography session we had a bit of a drive and by the time we arrived unfortunately, we were asking Abby’s attention from the moment we took her out of the car seat. So next time, we will plan to arrive 15-20 minutes before meeting our photographer so Abby has time to play and get familiar with the space. 

I truly believe like all new parks or fun outdoor spaces (grassy fields are her favorite!) she would have followed directions a bit more had we given her more time to adjust and play after a long drive.  It was really challenging for the three of us to compete with a beautiful grassy field!

5 tips on family photos with a toddler
5 tips on family photos with a toddler
5 tips on family photos with a toddler
5 tips on family photos with a toddler
5 tips on family photos with a toddler
 All images by Ciccarelli Photography

In all, I loved our time as a family out and about in the grassy field because when else would we be all dressed up with a sunset in the background on a warm 70-degree Autumn night? The entire experience felt just a bit magical.  

5 tips on family photos with a toddler

I hope these ideas help you and your family plan, relax and enjoy your time together while getting your own family photos done because well, even with a wardrobe change at the last minute, toddlers and babies don’t keep. : )

Until next week!

 Warmly, Steph

5 tips on family photos with a toddler
Abby's White Dress (sold out) similar one here // Gold Ballet Flats // Pink Hair bows

September 7, 2018

Flora & Peg // Wooden Toy Camera

flora & peg wooden toy camera rose gold metallic
flora & peg wooden toy camera rose gold metallic
Flora & Peg wooden toy camera rose gold metallic
When friends and family ask me what type of gift can they get Abby, I always say wooden toys! I’m a major fan of them for a couple reasons.

Although toys that light up, sing, or make sounds always get Abby to smile, they also reinforce Abby to just sit and watch them, where as if I give her a wooden toy, her own imagination is stimulated by letting her feel the texture of it and start to imagine what she can do with it.

flora & peg wooden toy camera rose gold metallic
With wooden toys, she also talks more and starts finding all sorts of new ways in bringing her toy to life.  I love that she’s trying to incorporate how a wooden toy adapts into the world around her. It’s truly fascinating to watch! If you have a few wooden toys at home, I highly encourage you to try this out.

flora & peg wooden toy camera rose gold metallic
 So today, I’m super excited to highlight our favorite new wood toy from Flora & Peg

Flora & Peg is an amazing husband and wife company run by Darcie and her husband Jeremy in Oregon. They just had a pop-up shop in Pottery Barn Kids back in July. And by looking at how beautiful and well-thought out their products are, I’m sure you can see why Pottery Barn asked them to pop in! 

flora & peg wooden toy camera rose gold metallic
flora & peg wooden toy camera rose gold metallic
So here are six things I noticed about their wooden toy camera that makes it truly unique and stick out.

Flora & Peg’s Wooden Toy Camera // Rose Gold Metallic

flora & peg wooden toy camera rose gold metallic
//  1 // 
Wood
I love the fact that their toy camera is made of wood because it sparks Abby's imagination to incorporate how it works within the world around her. Even the moveable lens and top dial is made of wood! I was impressed while watching Abby touch and feel all the little details because she asked what each was called and wanted to know how it all worked. A mini photographer in the making!

flora & peg wooden toy camera rose gold metallic
//  2  //
Non-Toxic chemicals
I really try to keep safe and natural products in my home. Even though Abby is well out of the “everything goes into the mouth stage” I love the idea knowing that as time goes on if Abby’s future little brother or sister (one day) is crawling around and munches on the toy it’s completely ok. 

flora & peg wooden toy camera rose gold metallic
//  3  //
 Lens & Top Dial:
 I was so impressed to learn that both rotate like a real camera! I love that this feature really challenges and stretches Abby’s imagination by allowing her to truly learn how a camera works. And as Abby becomes more coordinated, these two features will surely support her growth in fine motor skill’s.

flora & peg wooden toy camera rose gold metallic
//  4  //
View finder:
This is my absolute favorite design feature of the wooden toy camera! How fun is that she can practice her hand-eye coordination by looking through the view finder to “snap a photo?” So neat! 

This is also Abby's favorite feature because while taking photos of her for this post, she kept putting the view finder up to her eye and running around. It was so sweet!  : )

flora & peg wooden toy camera rose gold metallic
//  5  //
Comfort
While we were out in the rose garden the other day, Abby left the wooden toy camera around her neck the entire time. And honestly, I wasn’t too surprised since the actual wooden toy camera itself is extremely light! 

Abby has very sensitive skin. So, I also really appreciate that the cameras strap is made up of fine leather which fits comfortably around her neck as she toddles along to “take pictures.”

I do need to point out that the toy is listed on their website as “know your own kid, recommended for ages 3+.” So, with Abby, even though she knows how to get the camera on and off easily, I do keep this placed in her room on our display shelves when not in use.

flora & peg wooden toy camera rose gold metallic
//  6  //
Color & Overall Style
I love that the overall design is classic and timeless (my kind of style). So, when I saw that one of the seven colors options was rose gold, my heart skipped a beat. Absolutely gorgeous! It’s very apparent to me as soon as I pulled the camera out of the box that every single detail was added with care and that overall camera design is extremely well thought out. 

flora & peg wooden toy camera rose gold metallic
Ok, now here comes the fun part...

Flora & Peg is offering ALL of you an exclusive promo code for 25% off your entire first order by using the code MAMAJOTS!! They have so many beautiful and fun things for your little one(s). I highly recommend you check them out! 

The flower hair clip Abby is wearing is also from Flora & Peg which can be found here. And her wooden camera is their rose gold metallic color, here.  

flora & peg wooden toy camera rose gold metallic
//  Abby's Outfit //

Camera  c/o Flora & Peg 
Floral hair clip c/o Flora & Peg
Shoes (sold out of tan color, although this is the same one)

This post was in collaboration with Flora & Peg however all thoughts and opinions expressed are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog! 



Warmly, Steph