Photo via Unsplash I’ve been thinking a lot about my new small town life lately. Needless to say, moving from Minneapolis to small town Iowa has been a big change. Sure, I grew up in this small town, but living in a community as a child vs. an adult is a totally different ball game. I’ve phoned my mom a dozen times asking where to get/do certain things. Where do you drop off dry cleaning? (Answer: Joe’s TV and Appliance, … Read More
Quick and Easy No-Bake Pumpkin Cookies
No-bake cookies, the kind with cocoa and oats and sugar, are a favorite in our house. They’re easy, tasty and store well for quite a while, which is important when your home crew of cookie eaters is small. I remember my mom telling me stories of how her mom would make these cookies, and the idea of continuing on with that tradition makes me smile. I don’t make no-bake cookies all that often, but when I do they’re always a … Read More
Ainsley Update: 8 Months
I have pretty much fallen off the monthly update bandwagon completely, but since I talk a lot about motherhood and Ainsley, I thought it was time to give a little update. Although I don’t think I’ll resume monthly updates, my plan is to check in from time to time with all things Ainsley. Development Ainsley has been doing so many new things lately! She is now confidently crawling around the house (she started crawling about a month ago) and pulling … Read More
New Mom Style :: Comfy Casual {+ a giveaway!}
Jeans from Madewell :: Sweater from Anthropologie :: Shoes from Tieks :: Legend Pendant Necklace c/o Kim Jensen :: Aurora Ring Set c/o Kim Jensen :: Deja Vu Pearl Studs c/o Kim Jensen Curating a practical mom-drobe has changed the way I shop. Because I’m toting a messy, drooly baby around town half of the day, my clothes rarely make it through the day without a few spots and stains, meaning dry clean only items are a thing of the … Read More
From the Archives: Fritos Scotcheroos
Today, just in time for Saturday football games and Halloween, I’m dusting off a recipe from the archives. Joe had a work potluck today and specifically requested that I make these Fritos Scotcheroos. And who am I to deny Joe and his co-workers these amazing bars? Before we get too far, let’s be clear: These are not healthy in any way. In fact, I think I remarked yesterday while making them that they might be the least healthy recipe on … Read More
New Mom Style :: In Pursuit of the Perfect Jeans
Madewell High Rise Skinny Jean in Dayton Wash (tall) || Anthropologie Slubbed Scoop Tee || Tieks Flats in Camel || Stella & Dot Rebel Pendant I feel like I’ve been in pursuit of the perfect pair of jeans for as long as I can remember. A few things I’ve found true (for me) along the way… 1. Gap and Banana Republic jeans are deceptive. They feel great in the store and fit wonderfully, but they start to sag and do funny … Read More
Avoiding Burnout in Motherhood
Every night I sit in Ainsley’s rocking chair and feed her a bedtime bottle. As I sit in the dimly-lit room, rocking back and forth with my now very big baby in my arms, the day finally slows down. It’s the first time during the day that I really have time to think, process and pause and I realize, every night, that I feel like I’ve been running at breakneck speed all. day. long. Do other moms know this feeling? … Read More
Pumpkin Rigatoni with Turkey Bacon
I’ve been making some version of this easy pumpkin sauce for more nights than I can count. It’s ultra-easy once you get the hang of making it and goes with pasta as well as roasted veggies. Although my husband’s preference leans strongly toward pasta with turkey bacon, my preference is for spooning it on top of roasted broccoli with a side of toast. This dish could easily be made a day in advance and tossed in the oven for a … Read More
Marriage Matters
We had family photos taken a week ago by a dear friend of mine who is raising money for their family’s adoption. Family photos are my favorite, at least once they are over and done with! Once I have the photos in my hands I’m so thankful we captured this moment in time, when our daughter is tiny and our family is healthy and our lives feel so full. What a sweet season this is for us, after a … Read More
:: My New Mom Style ::
Today I’m launching the first in a series of posts on my new mom style. I’ve been slowly revising my wardrobe over the past few months to fit my new life as a mom, work-from-home freelancer and recipe developer and manager of a home remodel that’s still very much in progress. Although I don’t have to report to an office every day, I do like to try and dress up a bit for the days that I’m working. Sometimes I’ll … Read More
My Skincare Routine: Part 1
Six months ago I sent out a call on Facebook for recommendations of safe, high quality skincare and makeup. One of you recommended I check out Beautycounter. I tried out a few products to start (hey, they give a 60 day money back guarantee, so I figured I had nothing to loose!) and fell in love with the line. Everything I used felt so good on my skin. It was gentle, yet effective, and left my complexion much smoother and more even … Read More
Confident + Kind
As Ainsley gets older I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want her to be. Not about the vocation she chooses or the activities she participates in as the grows, but the important things that make the core of her being. We pray over Ainsley daily, but we always pray for her out loud before bed together as a family. The words that keep coming back to me are “confident & kind.” My prayer for you, sweet Ainsley, is … Read More