Weekend Recap

First things first: I have lost my keys. Well, misplaced my keys. The word "misplaced" makes me feel a lot better about it, like I just haven't been able to put my eye on them yet. Versus the connotation that comes along with "lost." Ugh.

I know for sure we had them Saturday, and then poof! Gone.

Ian refers to it as my janitor keyring because of the plethora of keys on it. It's huge. Probably seven or eight keys, four or five scan cards, mace, and a caribiner (had to look up the spelling of that one). So for it to go hiding is not the easiest thing. I even went through our entire kitchen trashcan this morning, which was gross, but necessary. Don't you hate it when things go missing?!

Besides the missing keys fiasco, we had a great weekend. I picked Camille up from daycare Friday afternoon and we had some good family time together before it was time for her bath and bedtime. Ian and I snuggled on the couch with takeout burgers and fries while we watched American Horror Story from this past Wednesday night. So gory, so creepy, but we love it. After it ended I spent some time doing a major closet purge. I was so tired of my closet being overstuffed with clothes. I am paring it down big-time.

Saturday after Camille's morning nap, we took a 40-minute trip to Crowder's Mountain for a little family hike. We originally planned to go to the mountainhouse this weekend but then decided to stay at home, so this was a fun way to get the feel of the mountains without having to pack for ourselves, the baby, and the dog for an entire weekend. That, my friends, is no easy task.

Crowder's was lovely and there is just something so nice about hearing the leaves crunch under your feet and feeling the brisk air. All of the other hikers we passed were so nice and almost everyone will say hello to you as you pass by them. 

Later that evening we went to our friends' house and hung out with them before it was time to get Camille home for her nightly routine. Ian and I had a really good dinner, buffalo chicken sliders. I just used this recipe and subbed in crockpot shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce for the beef and used regular mayo instead of horseradish mayo. 

Sunday was pretty relaxed for us and we just did the normal ritual -- grocery store, drugstore, laundry. We did spend some time with friends in the late afternoon which was a nice way to bring the weekend to a close.

And just like that, another work week begins. 

Now, if I could just find that janitor keyring I'd be a happy camper. Any ideas or suggestions?!

Five on Friday ... Cider Candles and Leopard Flats, Oooh La La

TGIF, party people. It's time for another edition of Five on Friday and I do hope you'll join me, Darci, Christina, and Natasha!

Remember, all you have to do is post about five things on your mind, add our logo (found at the bottom of this post), and join the party using the linky tools below. Easy, and a great way to find new blogs and be found. :)

O N E
Recently I made this cinnamon banana bread, and it couldn't have been easier or tastier. Melt butter, mash in 3 very ripe bananas, add cake mix, add 2 eggs, several shakes cinnamon, and mix well. Bake in a loaf pan at 350 degrees about 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

T W O
I've been really intrigued by this brow mascara from Maybelline. Love some drugstore makeup. At $8, it's a good price, and that wand just excites me. Has anyone tried this? Thoughts?

T H R E E
I'm still loving my Ja-vie flats and especially my leopard pair! I can easily slip them on with some yoga pants for daycare drop-offs ... Camille's room is a shoe-free room, and these are really easy to slip on and off. Added bonus, they feel as comfy as my bedroom slippers.

F O U R
We had a great week complete with a visit from my mom and aunt. The baby was all smiles for them!

F I V E
My very favorite candles, Rewined Candles, are on Rue La La! The shop closes in 5 days. I ordered the duo for $34.99 which is more than I typically like to spend on two candles, but these are our favorites and they last forever. My favorite scent is the Spiked Cider so I chose this set. They are selling singles too.

TGIF y'all, and hope you will join in on Five on Friday this week! Cheers to the weekend!

Our Next Home?

I love our home, I really do. We live in a smaller home that is in a great area. If given the choice to be in a smaller older home, closer to the city or larger newer home, further from the city -- I've always chosen the first option. Only lately have I begun thinking that the idea of moving out a bit, getting more space, having a big fun playroom for Camille and maybe even a creative area for myself would be pretty darn perfect.

I like saving ideas to my Dream Home board on Pinterest. Here are some of my favorite inspiration photos.

Kitchen

via


via

Pantry


via

Bathroom


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Back Porch


via


via

My Creative Area


via

I do think we're a bit out from considering a move, but I love having the Zillow app on my phone so I can quickly research homes for sale. Yesterday I came upon a gorgeous home for sale right at a stopsign, so I quickly looked it up and saw it was listed for $850k. (!!!!!!!!) Needless to say, that one won't be happening. Not even close. 

What's your vote, smaller home in town or larger home on the outskirts?

Low-Carb Wrap Burgers

Sometimes when I'm super super lazy and just can't take the idea of a grocery store trip, I act like I'm challenging myself to shop my pantry, fridge, and freezer and come up with a decently tasty dinner.

If I make a game of it, it somehow justifies that laziness.

Weeknights are a bit tougher because we go lower on carbs -- so it's not like I can just pull out a box of rice or pasta. Here's what I did recently that ended up turning out surprisingly well. 

Low-Carb Wrap Burgers with 

Browned Butter Green Beans and Carrot "Fries"

Carrot "Fries":

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Slice fresh carrots into sticks, put on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and dried rosemary. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until nice and crispy. The insides will still be a little mushy but you're looking for that nice char on the outside.

Browned Butter Green Beans:

After thawing the beans in a colander, I heated up some butter in a saucepan and watched it closely until it was nice and browned. Added in some garlic, swirled it around, and tossed in the beans. A quick saute and a nice squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and they were done.

Low-Carb Wrap Burgers:

I had two burger patties in the freezer. After defrosting them, I sprinkled a bit of seasoned salt on each side and grilled them on a grillpan on the stove (I own this one). I put each one on a low-carb wrap and folded the sides in and then the bottom up. I stuck in a few pieces of brie and then put the wrapped burgers back on the hot grill pan. I grilled each one right there in the wrap. The burger grease (you know this sounds good!) gets grilled right into the wrap and the brie melts, "gluing" the burger to the wrap. Sinfully good.

We spread a little pesto mayonnaise on the burgers and they were divine.

Bon appetit, and have fun shopping your freezer!

Our Halloween

Our first Halloween with a little one = success!

I took the day off work and we had a few friends over for a small Halloween playdate.

I couldn't get enough of Camille as Dorothy. My talented mom made her dress! For her braids, a coworker's daughter made a beanie with brown yarn that I supplied, and then I just took extra yarn and made the braids on both sides and finished them off with blue grosgrain ribbon.

 

 

I had donuts for breakfast and lunch that day. But if you can't splurge on sweets on Halloween, when can you?

The rest of the afternoon, I just enjoyed my time with the babe. We got changed into comfy clothes, played, read books, and spent some time outside. 

Around 5:30, Ian and I got Camille dressed in costume again and made our way over to our friends' house to see the trick-or-treaters.

And the night ended with our little Dorothy sleeping peacefully in her crib while Ian and I fell asleep on eachother on the couch. 

As much fun as it was to be out and about on Halloween ... there really is no place like home. :)

Saturday Sip + Shop XXIX

Sip:

The Hummingbird Cocktail

St. Germain, champagne, and club soda

Shop:

Wide Felt Brim Hat

Perfect for fall, and a great price

(use code ALIZ10% to earn 10% off your purchase)

Five on Friday ... Sliders Update and Camille's Halloween Costume

Happy Halloweeeeeeeen! I'm so excited, I have the day off today and can't wait to spend it with my little pumpkin. For now, it's time for another edition of Five on Friday and I do hope you'll join me, Darci, Christina, and Natasha!

Remember, all you have to do is post about five things on your mind, add our logo (found at the bottom of this post), and join the party using the linky tools below. Easy, and a great way to find new blogs and be found. :)

O N E
So, last Friday I said I really wanted to make the beef and blue cheese sliders. And I did. And they were EPIC.

Seriously ... make this recipe.

T W O
Yes, I've made this one of my five before, but it deserves rementioning. Sooooo in love with Chrisley Knows Best. It may be my very favorite show I've ever watched.

T H R E E
My talented mom made this beautiful dress for Camille! We call it her "Monet dress" because it looks like the waterlilies painting.

F O U R
Know how you have just a smidge left of a condiment, and you just can't bring yourself to toss it (but not enough remains to even use in a recipe)?

I had a jar of pesto like this. I just added some mayonnaise, mixed it together, and voila ... pesto mayonnaise. Not so pretty, but dang if it wasn't awesome on burgers.

F I V E
Can. You. Even.

TGIF y'all, and hope you will join in on Five on Friday this week! Cheers to the weekend!

The Baby Is Five Months

Five months. Almost half a year. How have we gotten here so quickly?!

(And let it be known, like many of these posts, I'm about two weeks late. It takes me a while to get my thoughts together, ha.)

Look at you, sweet thing. Growing and so fun to be around. 

Your fourth month was a blast, and we are seeing your personality emerge every day. You are such a cool baby, and I love seeing your face light up with excitement. Your gummy smile is the best.

You have found your tongue and your toes and you love playing with both.

Since you have become stronger, we started using the Bob stroller for some outings where we think you'd like to see what's around you. 

At your four month pediatrician visit, your doctor told me that feeding you in the night was no longer necessary as long as you were getting enough ounces during the day. We fully transitioned from milk in the middle of the night to just replacing your pacifier and helping to soothe you, like rubbing your back and saying "shhhhhhhh."

Most nights I was getting up two to three times each night with you but sometimes more. Your fourth month was my walking zombie month. (spoiler alert: it was all about to get better in month five)

Our bedtime routine starts with a bath at 6:15. You are starting to enjoy baths more and are interested in your bath toys. Your baby tub sits in the large tub and I sit on the edge and let you play for a bit before getting you all soapy.

By 6:30 we are getting you in a nighttime diaper and pajamas. Daddy always brushes your hair after your bath.

You take a bottle of milk at night so we can make sure you get enough. You drink 7-8 ounces.

Often times you fall asleep toward the end of the bottle and then I'll just gently lay you in your crib. Here you are passed out cold, wearing a sleepsack that I wore as a baby, made by my own mom. You are asleep at 7:00 most every night now.

You are great about sleeping in other cribs, too. Whether in a hotel crib for your first Charleston trip...

... or the crib at the mountainhouse. And yes, in your fourth month you became a belly sleeper.

You are getting strong enough to be propped up on a sofa without immediately tipping over.

The Bumbo seat, ahhh the bumbo seat. We waited until you were four months to introduce this, and sometimes you seem to like it:

But then this.

Later in the month, when I introduced the tray and some toys, it held your attention a little better. And we started using the buckle religiously.

You love that green O-ball, anything that crinkles, and you are interested in books.

Your daycare teachers just love you to pieces and you are almost always being held when I get there to pick you up. 

Your Bunny (my mom) has still been coming once a week to keep you at home while I'm working. 

She adores you fiercely.

And so do Daddy and I. 

Love you, dear baby.

Our fourth month favorites

bottles - bathtub - bath sponge - bath towel - o-ball - pacifier holder "rabbit rabbit" - pacifiers - bamboo blanket - singing elephant - stroller - carseat and snap 'n go base - sophie - boppy and cover

Click here for Camille's one month update

Click here for Camille's two month update
Click here for Camille's three month update
Click here for Camille's four month update