Friday faves

branstadboysbedtime[I’ll just be over here crying from cuteness overload…]

During the winter months I tend to lean on podcasts pretty heavily for our extra long commutes. On rotation these days: This American Life, Pop Culture Happy Hour, Note To Self, The Longest Shortest Time and Clever. Do you have any faves? Do share.

We are finally taking down our tree this weekend- insert sob emoji here – but I have a feeling that I’ll be burning our pine-scented candles for a while longer. Christmas, I just can’t quit you!

Local to Des Moines/Iowa and looking for something to do with the kids on Monday? Head to the Science Center of Iowa. Their general admission will be free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and it is a great opportunity to check out all of the exhibits and let the kiddos burn off some steam. We did this last year and had a blast!

I know not everyone can purchase expensive leggings, but I truly feel like I get my money’s worth out of my Lululemon pairs. I’ve had the Hi-Rise Wunder Unders for a few years and have worn them more times than I care to admit. I mean, they’ve held up to two different pregnancy bods and managed to keep their shape. My newest pair is the Align Pant, and so far it’s love. [NOTE: They also have a ‘we made too much‘ section where you can score deals from time to time.]

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Chicken & apricot coconut curry

One of my resolutions for 2017 was to do a better job at weekly meal planning, and in turn, share my successes here. You know, accountability and what not. My husband tends to do all the cooking (#chefmarcus) and will pretty much make whatever I ask him to as long as he has all the ingredients.

With kid pick ups and an almost 30 minute commute home, we need something quick and easy (like most families) for week night meals. But we also don’t want to get into a rut either. Enter a delicious recipe and AMIRA basmati rice.

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All of AMIRA’s branded rice products are made with rice that is grown in the areas of India that are specially dedicated to basmati rice production. The rice is aged for up to a year before being processed.

Another favorite part of mine, was the packaging. I love that the bag is resealable with a slide closure at the top. That way when we don’t use the whole package in one sitting, I can easily close it up and not spill it all over the lazy Susan when I go to grab it next time. Because you know I would…

Here is the finished product. So yummy and a departure from our usual week night standards. Plus, I get to eat the leftovers for lunch today! Win-win!

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And even though Fitz isn’t quite ready for Amira’s rice, he enjoyed playing with it while we prepped. Look at those sweet chubby little fingers!

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This post was created in collaboration with Amira.
Thank you for supporting the brands we love at Tomorrow’s To Do’s!

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Friday faves

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I have resolutions a plenty for 2017, but one at the top is to do more sketching. Enter my  new slick sketchbook. Breakin’ that baby in tonight…I promise.

One of my favorite brands for Fitzie, June & January, is releasing their line of solid hoodie jumpers (along with a bunch of other amazing stuff!) tonight at 8 PM CST and I can’t want to get my hands on a few of them.

The new season of The Bachelor started and it’s already a train wreck – duh. Want to follow along with some hilarious post-show commentary? Then check out I Hate Green Beans. I spit out water the other day while reading her episode one recap.

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Fitz // five months

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Fitz’s favorite things:

trying smushed bananas
watching his big brother play
happy baby yoga pose
the water (bath or pool)

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Download: Christmas 2016

As we enter the new year I’m sitting here still trying to sift through all of our Christmas photos. And man, was it filled with lots of memories. Here are a few of my faves…

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[kicking off Christmas break with a trip to Bauders Pharmacy for ice cream]christmas5_small
[picking up a few last minute groceries]img_4981
[broke out my festive tartan Pendleton mugs]img_4980
[Everett’s favorite new toy]img_5021
[Branstad cousins in matching elf jammies]img_4991
[the best dessert ever, Bauders peppermint bars]img_5022
[Haas cousins in matching Santa jammies]christmas4_small
[all is calm, all is bright]img_4995
[molasses cookies for the jolly big man]img_5006
[the boys got me new kicks to run after them with]christmas1_small
[Fitzie’s haul: Jellycat book, Bannor Toys state rattle, Bla Bla Kids rattle, RePlay bowls]christmas2_small
[Christmas trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City]christmas3_small
[Fitzie’s first swim – he loved it!]pjs[the coolest sketch of the kids’ Christmas photo from last year via Sktchy]

 

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Ring in the new year

While my wild NYE partyin’ days are few and far in between, there is still something so festive about putting on something sparkly and sipping on some bubbly to ring in the new year.

So while I’m snuggling with my little guys and most likely in bed before the clock strikes midnight, there is no reason you can’t sparkle both out on the town or on the couch.

ttdfaves_newyearblingon the town
Applepear Sunset earrings // Kate Spade glitter clutch // H&M dress // J.Crew pumps

on the couch
H&M eye mask // Threshold throw // Xhilaration pillow // Xhilaration slippers

 

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Merry Christmas 2016

merrychristmas2016

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Friday faves

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[a little bubbly makes wrapping much more enjoyable]

Just in case you have a love of fonts (like myself) or other creative design needs, sign up for the weekly Creative Market free goods email. FO’ FREE? Yes! Each Monday you’ll get an email loaded with amazing free downloads.

Need a super cute, and totally last minute stocking stuffer? I love these matching socks sets from Pair of Thieves. They can be found at most Targets and they have both mom and dad sets. LOVE IT!

This week I joined one of my fave coworkers, Brianne, on a little lunch hour excursion to check out a local beauty company, Root. They are based in Waverly, Iowa, and all of their products are natural and safe for all skin types, as well as vegan and gluten free. I snagged the Sunniest blushing bronze and Sugar Plum pretty balm – can’t wait to try them out over the holidays!

I was feeling super sappy this week (holidays approaching + hormones) and decided to create new digital download prints for my Etsy shop. Cue all the feels.


I will be taking it easy over the next week. On the docket: spending quality time with my family and snuggling with the boys as much as they’ll let me. If you’d like to see what we are up to over the break, feel free to follow me on Instagram or Snapchat.

Hope you all have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

 

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GIFT GUIDE 2016: stuff those stockings

Stocking Stuffers 20161 // Estella NYC taxi rattle
2 // Clinique chubby stick in Mightiest Maraschino
3 // Maestro’s beard butter
4 // Container Store chalkboard notepad
5 // Ozark Trail 30 ounce tumbler
6 // Wit&Delight for Target iPhone case + charger
7 // Tegu pocket pouch block set
8 // Cat Studio state dish towel
9 // Kate Spade personalized leather bow wrap bracelet

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Friday faves

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[with my sisters before we boarded the Santa Express last weekend]

Have a few (hundred) presents to wrap? Me too. Check out this super quick method. It kind of blew my mind while watching. I have yet to try it yet…

Still need more gift tags? I love these graphic ones from the talented Jessica Keala and this set for those deer to you from Simple As That.

Even though I’m currently deep in spinning my Mannheim Steamroller B-side tracks, I love finding out about new music. A great place for this is on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts. One of my recent faves is from John Paul White (half of The Civil Wars).

Stumbled upon this amazing site dedicated to female professional illustrators that I can’t seem to stop perusing. In the new year I would like to make a conscious effort to illustrate more in my (cough) free time. I grew up drawing and painting and would like to get back to it.

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