Is it concerning or just kinda awesome that Amelie looks a little like Pauly D from The Jersey Shore?

What’s classy? THESE toasties. They are so delicious and would be great to serve at a shower or brunch or…ANYTIME.

Ingredients:

• block of softened cream cheese
• package of dry Italian seasoning mix
• 1/2 C mayo
• 1 cucumber, sliced  (see? it’s healthy!)
• 1 french baguette cut into rounds
• dried dill (or fresh if you roll that way)

*You could serve these on crackers instead of french bread.

Instructions:

1. Mix cream cheese, seasoning, and mayo.
2. Spread onto rounds of baguette.
3. Top with cucumber slices.
4. Adorn with dill and you’re DONE.

*claps hands*

I hope you do a lot of smiling this weekend as well – happy Friday!

and didn’t leave me any time to take a real shower. #Blessed.

Sending lots of love to my own mother and mother-in-law too. XOXO.

Yesterday was a sweet day. I got a chance to connect with an old friend via Facetime. We talked and cried about Mommyhood while breastfeeding, diaper changing, and snuggling our babies.  My little lady finally got to meet Emily’s little lady, Clara.  It’s true -many states separate them but I can’t help but hope they cultivate a close friendship.

Although Amelie’s first impression did not get us off to a great start.

She slept through most of the interaction until she puked.

Today’s topic: Last time we chatted about budgeting but today’s topic is WAY less complicated than that. Like, it’s stupidly simple but I figured it was still worth a mention. You can decide if that’s actually true…

Remember way back, over two years ago, when I declared my cessation from buying craft supplies? Well, I’m still staying true to that promise. Admittedly, I’ve bought sheets of felt and a few cheap supplies for Christmas gifts (for this and this) but I have resisted the temptation to buy extraneous goodies for my bin. I’ve been very good! *pats back*

What does this have to do with saving money, outside of using stuff up? As you know, the only crafting I do is make cards. I never buy store bought ones even though I am a *serious* paper goods admirer. Instead, I whip up a bunch of handmade ones at a time to use throughout the year for birthdays, thank yous, etc. They are far from fancy:

Recently, I’ve been keeping track of the gifts we’ve received for Miss Amelie in a spreadsheet so I can stay organized. It was then I realized just how much I have to be thankful for. I’ve written 80 thank you cards between my showers and the gifts people have dropped off or shipped to us just in the last few months!

I KNOW. I’m so spoiled. That’s a lot of thank you cards.

By using what I have instead of buying packs of new cards, I figured I’ve saved a good hunk of cash. I recognize these cards weren’t free to make even though it feels like it now since I haven’t bought new supplies in over two years. But truthfully, it wouldn’t take that much money up front to get started on making your own cards if you wanted to do the same. Beware, this IS a hobby that could easily get expensive if you start collecting cutters, stamps, decals and the like. I try to keep my cards super simple, almost formulaic. I have even been known to recycle parts of cards I’ve received because it pains me to just toss adorable paper goods in the trash.

I did have to buy a 100-pack of white envelopes from Amazon but I believe it’s still saving me money in the long run. Hubs will even dive into the bin to make me cards for our special events like anniversaries, birthdays, Valentines, etc. Sweet, huh?

Best of all, making cards a pastime I really enjoy. So it’s a double win!

Any little things you’re doing to save money but still have a grand old time doing it?

In other news, my little lady is doing a great job packing on the chub, she’s sleeping for longer stretches only during the day (oy), and showing us her “personality” in the evenings, which keeps us all very worn out. But isn’t she cute?

Keep on keepin’ on, good friends!

2. Everyone needs a guilty pleasure and mine is Bruno Mars. Normally I’d scoff at cheesy lyrics, but his voice always manages to reel me in…like this one. *sigh*

3. Our friends and neighbors who brought us FOOD after we got home from the hospital. Our neighborhood set up a schedule to drop off dishes. Why, oh why, didn’t I do this for my friends that had babies!?! It’s a damn luxury, I tell ya.

4. EYE CREAM. This is the one I’m using currently:

Life with a newborn, do I need to say more?

5. My 34th birthday (whoa, how did I get so old?)! My big bash took us to Target, where I picked out some clothes while Hubs and Amelie shopped for groceries. Then, we fed in the family fitting room and went home for a nap. The perfect day!

6. The granola from Whole Foods. It’s CHEWY. I go nuts for it (so punny!). Has anyone tried it?!?

7. Of course the arrival of Miss Amelie Quinn, my super sweet snuggle butt, was the best thing that happened this month and like, ever.

April showered me with blessings. It was my favorite month of all.

April 2011 and 2012 Raves & Faves for your viewing pleasure.

Let’s start with a before:

And now the after, come on in!

So, what did we do? Obviously, we ripped out the blue carpet and got new laminate floors in Walnut Plateau, from Home Depot. Then we painted the walls too many times, finally settling on a beautiful gray called Ashes, by Behr. Hubs installed a new drum light from Lamps Plus (luuurve). I hemmed the curtains (from Ikea) with good old fashioned hem tape. And you remember when I freshened up this free table and scored that adorable little lamp at Goodwill, right? And then, there’s the quarter round. Isn’t it pretty?

To the right is the changing table (ie the green beast that took me months to finish):

The dresser was from my first house (also from Ikea) that used to be blonde. The paint color we used is Green Energy by Behr. I love it. Cross all of your fingers and toes that it holds up!

A volunteer makes these little booties at the hospital and one of our favorite nurses snagged a pair for Amelie.

Hubs picked out the art from Etsy and hung it while I was recovering in the hospital. *sigh* It’s so sweet.

Here is the left hand side. Our crib and rocker are from Ikea as well.

It’s all a little bland. I didn’t want to add big heavy art above the crib (for fear of it falling on her one night) but this wall sure needs some spice. Maybe a stencil? Also, the blonde legs of the rocker clash massively with our floors, but I never got around to doing anything fun with it. Maybe one day. Maybe not.

Our other Etsy find got plopped into a frame from Target I had bought years ago but never got around to filling:

Here’s the wall opposite of the window, sporting a mirror we already owned.

The right hand door is the closet. Open that and you will not come out the same person. It needs a complete overhaul. We are storing tons of crap in there, on the floor and smashed into every crevice. I have dreams a beautiful closet system with spunk but for now it just looks like crazytown.

Still to do:

• replace outlets and covers (the existing ones are grungy)
• address the closet
• add finishing touches to the dresser (if I can muster up the energy)
• possibly paint the doors
• fix the blinds (they are much too long)
• add hooks, pillows and other accessories

Truth be told, we’ve totally set up base camp in our bedroom rather than the nursery. That’s where we change her and where she sleeps because I don’t like being too far away from my sweetie for now.

And, you can’t have a nursery post without a picture of the little baby! Here’s my snuggle butt, just 6 days old.

She makes it feel complete. *gets mushy*

The time has stood still in some moments and snuck by much too fast in others.

Although my days/nights tend to blur together, I did come up for air and remember it’s Friday and wanted to wish you all a sunny happy weekend.

All the best and baby toots,

Candace & Amelie Quinn