Wednesday, December 31, 2014

10 Ways I am Investing in Myself, Starting Now

You guys, I am like so sick of myself, it's kind of ridiculous... now before you start saying "oh, just love yourself the way you are!", I gotta give you some background as to how I feel and why I feel this way. I wouldn't go as far as to say that I am a shell of my former self but I would wager a bet that I am not the same person I was a year ago today. So much has changed and in the goal to become an excellent mother, I sort of let Amanda's needs fall by the wayside. My husband and I think we pretty much have the baby thing under control at this point so I have decided to hunker down and make a list of the things I plan to do to invest in myself, self care if you will. I make the list for multiple reasons, mostly so I remember but also to keep me honest. Take a look at my "goals" and let me know if you have any trick or tips on any or all of them. These aren't so much resolutions but ways that I can take better care of myself.

Monday, December 22, 2014

P&P Gift Guide: For Those Who Want to Start a Craft

So I am here to tell you that it is not too late put together a last minute gift that someone in your life would appreciate! One of my favorite gifts to give are the ones where I am helping someone kickstart their interest in becoming a "maker" or cultivating their crafty side. Whether you know a soon to be sewer or that knitting Nancy, getting you friends a "kit" is the greatest gift, because it keeps on giving!

Grab some mason jars, decorate them and build a sweet sewing kit. Sewing scissors from the Gingher family are always a good choice and add some Sewing Books so your lucky pal can start teaching themselves or brushing up on their skillz! Pictured: Little Green DressesHome Sewn NurseryHand-Stitched HomeHome Sewn Home

Sunday, December 21, 2014

DIY Pennant Banner, Home for the Holidays Style

Have you ever done DIY decor for the holidays? If not, it' not too late to whip up this DIY pennant banner before the family comes over this week! This is the project that will get you started and feeling confident... I am still so jazzed about how much fun I had at the Home for the Holidays event in early November. Wayfair and Boston Bloggers threw such a fabulous event full of amazing women and awesome DIY/crafting sessions. One that I thought was so great, because it was so easy, was the session where we all whipped out awesome DIY Pennant Banners for your mantle, headboard, wall... ummm well just about anywhere. I thought I would share this with you guys since it's most definitely something that anyone can do and for any holiday, just pick your colors/fabric and you can have this done in not time.

Monday, December 15, 2014

'Tis the Season for Forced Family Outings

So this year, I had some vacation time to burn so I took basically the first week of December off to really clean my house for the first time in 6 months and maybe take a family day with the husband and baby. I ended up feeling under the weather with some of that time but I did make it out to the Yankee Candle Company in Deerfield, MA, husband and baby in tow. Let's start from the very beginning, a very good place to start. I have been wanting to go to Yankee Candle during the holidays for years now... and this was going to be my our year. Our morning could have been better and it would have been very easy to just call the whole thing off but I was going to be damned if I let ANYTHING stand in my way of my pre-planned, forced family outing... and you know what? Once we got rolling, it really couldn't have gone any better.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

P&P Gift Guide: People Who Might Be Nerdy

This week's gift guide is all about buying for the people in your life, who march to the beat of their own drummer and that drummer is sort of a geek. I happen to be married to one of this special breed so I think I can safely say that I am pretty much an expert on the nerd fare... plus, let's face it. I'm kind of a geek too. Of course there are all manner of interests that you could build on but there are some great ideas here. Star Wars, Doctor Who, Star Trek and Harry Potter seem to pop up the most on my radar due to the types of interests my people have. There is sure to be something you can snag for the people in your life who are young at heart.

Monday, December 8, 2014

#ShareJaneLove Campaign

It's the time of year where we are showing those around us that we love and care for them, thankful for their presence in our lives. I know that I show my love through gifts, little trinkets, or making something yummy but sometimes, you just need to put that love into words, expressing it for all to hear. You may remember Jane.com's Be The Good campaign from earlier this year. They encouraged you to spread the goodness to people around you and encourage them to do the same. It was an awesome campaign and I was able to see it spread throughout social media. For the holidays, Jane.com has launched the Share Jane Love campaign. Here's the sitch:



Monday, December 1, 2014

Classic Comfort (and Joy) with San Francisco City Lights

Being a mother has made me appreciate one thing above all else in my clothing and that is comfort. Comfort is key for a Mom on the go because being uncomfortable? Ain't nobody got time for that. Plus, I am currently trying to lose the baby weight so when you're not quite in your pre-baby clothes, you look for some inbetweener items...You may remember this past Summer me talking about San Francisco City Lights and the uber comfy Hollywood tee that made being a new mom not seem so frumpy. Well, Winter is coming (ugh) and I need something to feel good about... enter San Francisco City Lights Winter and Holiday collection.