Under the Big Top

What kid wouldn’t die for this room?

For more photos click here.

3-2-1 Funfetti Cake Batter Dip

I do not bake much. Using the word rarely is even stretching it. Rex doesn’t eat chocolate or cream cheese as they both give him migraines and on top of that, he isn’t a big sweet eater. So guess what ends up happening? I eat it all with some help from Charlie and Jack, but it is mostly me. When I do make cookies or a cake, I enjoy the raw batter or dough just as much as I love the finished product.

Now that I am pregnant, the days of licking the spoon have come to a halt since I don’t want to eat anything with raw eggs. But, leave it to Liz of Little Bitty Bakes to save the day. I found Liz’s blog through Bake at 350 (which I blogged about here). Liz has the most delicious sounding food, and it is not hard to make. Case in point her 3-2-1 Funfetti Cake Batter Dip (which I am eating right now!).

Funfetti Cake Batter Dip

3 tbsp. Funfetti cake mix

2 tbsp. plain yogurt

1 tbsp. cool whip (or whipped cream)

Wisk cake mix and yogurt until smooth.  Fold in cool whip.  Refrigerate until serving.  Serve with pretzels or animal crackers. 

It is even better after it has been refrigerated and Charlie had fun stirring it up. I made this for his friends at school today. Can’t wait to hear how they liked it!

iPhone Valentine

When I saw these on Poca Cosas I just knew that I had to share. I know I am lacking in the blog posts for school age children, but hopefully this will make up for the lack of posts. I am not really around this group of kids so I don’t know what is cool or not. I have an 8 year old niece, but sadly don’t get to see her enough. So Sophie…this one is definitely for you!

And the best thing is that the printable is FREE!! Click here to download.

Someday You’ll Thank Me For This

I just finished reading this hilarious account of being the “perfect” Southern mother. Here are signs that you are the daughter of a Southern mother:

• You are obsessed with who got Aunt Boo Boo’s silver tea service.
  
• You play the “Who do you know?” game.
  
• You speak to everybody, even tacky people.
  
• You know about deviled egg plates, pledge pins, and the importance of middle names.

This book not only provides great tales of being a Southern mother and a DSM (Daughter of a Southern Mother) it is also filled with good Southern recipes.

Check out the book (and the synopsis) here.

Other books by the author include equally entertaining Being Dead is No Excuse: The Official Southern Ladies’ Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral and Somebody is Going to Die if Lily Beth Doesn’t Catch that Bouquet: The Official Southern Ladies’ Guide to Hosting the Perfect Wedding.

Great Style

Although I would have never admitted this several years ago, I no longer consider myself stylish. After having three babies in four years, my style somehow went out of the window. I now opt for comfort and clothes that can easily hide certain parts of the body and never buy anything that says “dry clean only”.

So, having said this, I was elated to see that someone still thinks I have some style….or at least that my blog has style. Cat from i Blog has awarded me the stylish blogger award!! What an honor!

The catch is that I have to tell seven random facts about myself. So here it goes:

1. If I could only eat one food for the rest of my life it would be Cheez-Its .

2. I talk to my mom on the phone at least five times a day. If you ask my husband, he would say more. She is my best friend and I hope that I will turn out to be as good of a mom to my boys as she is to me.

3. I love to read a good book, but never get the chance to do so.

4. When I was younger, I wanted to be on American Gladiators. This is really funny if you truly know me and know how I do not have one athletic bone in my body.

5. I graduated from high school in three years.

6. I dress my kids in smocked clothes until they can tell me they don’t want to wear them anymore. I love a good bubble suit.

7. I am 14 weeks pregnant. My husband knows the sex but I think I am going to hold out until the baby is born!

Here are a few blogs that I find stylish:

 Scout

Swanky Chic Fete

Cote de Texas

Design Dazzle

Poca Cosas

iBlog

One Haute Kid

Blah Blah Blah

Sorry I have been missing for so long. I have had a sick kid, my 31st birthday, and a trip to Atlanta to go to market with my mom and meet up with some friends. Jack started feeling better after having pneumonia just in time to get an ear infection. Fortunately, all was well by Thursday and I left Friday for market.

While I was there it rekindled my love for Blabla dolls. Their display was great and I fell equally in love with another brand of soft knit dolls called Zubels. Zubles are just as soft, and are slightly less expensive. Either way, you can’t go wrong. Here are just a few of their products that you will be dying to scarf up.

Andiamo the Dog

Rose the Cat

Coco the Girl

Bella the Ballerina

Freddy the Frog

Arrnee the Pirate

Leonard the Lion

Etsy Find: Knotted Bow Scarf

With the weather as cold as it is, all I was to do is curl up by our fireplace. All I want is something warm and cozy. I think this scarf could satisfy that request.

Etsy, $55.00

Picture Books

Rex and I both love reading to our kids, and fortunately they both like being read to. Jack is really into lift-the-flap books, while Charlie likes all the Miss Nelson books. Jack has been sick with pneumonia for the past couple of days, so we have been doing a lot of reading. I am also currently working on a project that involves picture books and thought that I would share some of my favorites with you. It is so nice to see favorites from my childhood become favorites of my children and also find some new good books along the way too!

Jack Rogers Inspired

Target now has sandals that are an almost exact copy of Jack Rogers “Hampton” sandals. I don’t know if they are available in stores, but they are online in several different colors, including gold, white, brown, and hot pink. Get them while they are still available!

Target, $19.99

Jack Rogers, $96.00

Oh Deer! A Darling Nursery

I contacted my friend Casey earlier this week and asked if I could post pictures of her son’s nursery on my blog. She was very sweet to say yes and offer to share it with everyone. I don’t know with what I am in love with more – her son’s name (Ford) or the fabulous fabric used on the baby bedding!

The bedding was sewn by Casey’s sister.

A close up of the bedding. What great prints!

Love the wall behind the changing table.

Great accessories to go with the theme.

The pillow was given to Ford by one of Casey’s good friends. I think it says it all!

Thanks Casey! You can check out more pictures on Casey’s blog, Allergic to Ironing.

Restoration Hardware Baby and Child

Are you drooling over Restoration Hardware’s new Baby and Child catalog as much as I am?? The boy’s bedrooms are just as fabulous as the girls (for once) and how I would love to have played in any of their gorgeous playrooms!

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