Big boy room

Posted on March 4, 2016 by tomorrowstodos

With the new bambino set to make his/her arrival in July, we are starting to think about how Everett will be transitioning from his crib to a new room and a big boy bed. He has never tried to get out of his crib and for that I’m grateful and hesitant about rocking the boat.

With so many changes ahead for him, I want to make sure we have the time before the baby arrives for him to acclimate to his new room/surroundings.

Of course this means I get to design and plan for a new room – yippee! I’ve started to purchase things here and there in anticipation, but in the meantime have created this mood board to capture the look I’m going for.

TTDHome_BigBoyRoom

Target Pillowfort sheets // DIY wall banner // fox storage bin // round paper card 
lamp // duvet set // deer pillow // Faribault throw // night stand // wire storage

Once his big boy room is ready, I’ll be sure to share a few snaps over here on the blog so you can see how it all came together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Spreading love

Posted on March 2, 2016 by tomorrowstodos

Recently, the fabulous group over at BloomNation asked me a question – what do you do to celebrate the people you love, every day of the year?

I know we tend to focus on birthdays, anniversaries and as my husband refers to them, Hallmark holidays, but what about the rest of the days in the calendar year?

I got to thinking about this (and their question) a lot after losing my grandma this past weekend. Her life was so full, but yet finite. We only have so much time on this great big earth to share our love with each other and I want to make sure I’m doing my best to show that love every single day.

So I’ve come up with my top five ways to show love daily:

love poster // BloomNation bouquet // tattoo // earrings // kiss print mug

 

Words of affirmation: While physical touch is my love language, I know plenty of people who need to hear it. With this is mind, be sure to tell your friends and family how much you love, care and value them. Such a small thing can make a big impact.

Out-of-the-blue: Have you ever had the person in front of you in line at Starbucks buy your coffee? It’s pretty much the greatest feeling ever. I try to do this as often as possible to pay it forward. Another one of my favorite random ways to show some love is to put together an arrangement of flowers to drop by for someone in need of a little day brightening. If you can’t make it to your local store, I encourage you to check out BloomNation– they are a flower delivery company that supports local florists through their online marketplace.

Give grace: This one also holds true to showing yourself some love. As a mom, I can easily get wrapped up in the day-to-day routine and sometimes go to a negative space. But you know what, we need grace as much as the next person, therefore take the opportunity to love others well by giving it freely.

All ears: Sometimes people just need you to lend an ear and listen. That’s it. Just listen to them. So simple, yet not often easy. Make the time to be there and listen to a friend or loved one. More often than not, you’ll take away something from the conversation too.

Hugs and kisses: Lots of them. This may only apply to my close family members for you, but the power of a strong hug or a loving kiss can go a long way. I recently asked Marcus how many times he thinks I kiss Everett every day. It’s probably in the high hundreds by the time he goes down for the night. But I always remind him that some day he won’t let me do it, so for now, he’s getting smothered. Deal with it.

 

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Saying goodbye

Posted on February 29, 2016 by tomorrowstodos

While never easy, saying goodbye to a loved one can come from such a place of peace. This past weekend we laid my dear grandmother, Lucida “Zita” Dreiling to rest.

After having made the trip to Hays a month ago to visit her, and recently making her beloved spitzbuben cookies, I know she was ready to go.

While saying goodbye is hard, I take comfort in knowing that she is now my angel forever. I love you grandma.

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Little looks: spring break

Posted on February 22, 2016 by tomorrowstodos

I’m a little jealous of all the people heading off to warm weather locations at this time of year. Mostly because I know that with an impending babe’s arrival, I’m doing my darnedest to save up vacay time. Wah-wah.

So, in lieu of sunshine, umbrella adorned drinks and pool time, I guess this little looks sesh will have to do it for me.

LittleLooks_SpringBreak2016

GIRLS
sunnies // fedora // jellies // rash guard swimsuit // coverup

BOYS
sunglasses // rash guard // hat // shoes // swim trunks

 

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Obsessed: baby number two

Posted on February 19, 2016 by tomorrowstodos

Now that the word is out that Baby B #2 is making his/her appearance (yes, we will be finding out the sex of the little one – check out Evie’s gender reveal posts here & here), it’s only right that I have a few things on my obsessions list. Some of them were around when Ev was born, and some I’ve come to find over the years since.

Obsessed_babynumbertwo1 // Candy Kirby Designs: From darling dolls to perfect snuggle-all-day knotted gowns, this momma-led company has something for everyone.

2 // Little Unicorn: The more sweet baby swaddles the merrier, and while I have oodles of boy-themed Aden+Anais versions already on hand, if Baby B turns out to be a little lady you can best believe I’ll be purchasing a few of the floral swaddles.

3 // 4moms Rockaroo: Super excited about this purchase as it was a clearance deal I snagged at Target recently. At 50% off, I couldn’t pass it up.

4 // Oh Joy x Target nursery collection: If Baby B is a lady, I will have to ‘girly-up’ the nursery a bit. This collection would be perfect to add to some of the items that I already have in the room.

5 // June & January: This fun brand’s aesthetic is full of bright colors and bold prints, with modern babies, tots and kiddos in mind. I pretty much want one of everything…in every color.

 

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Life lately: be mine

Posted on February 17, 2016 by tomorrowstodos

Other than The Big Night, the past week was quite the blur. From getting a fresh cut to prepping the floral arrangements with my bestie, here are a few snaps from my life lately.

IMG_2581[finally got my mom ‘do #shorthairdontcare]IMG_2599[love getting photos like this from my mom during the day]IMG_2604[big night tablescape prep with my bestie, Molly]IMG_2657[snowy Sunday morning at the log home]IMG_2643[special V-day waffle on a new personalized plate from Pink Print Company]IMG_2646[love that he loves to spin some vinyl with his mommy]

IMG_2654[chef evie: he takes after his daddy]IMG_2655[heartbreaker pizza compliments of Papa Murphy’s; hot peppers compliments of me]

Posted in Family, Holidays, Lifestyle | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Big Night VI

Posted on February 16, 2016 by tomorrowstodos

Every once in awhile I’m lucky enough (read: I begged) to get my husband to do a guest blog post for me. Not only does it give me a break, but it also is nice to hear from someone who does most of the cooking for our family. Non-trad, what up!

If you are an avid reader here, you know that every year Marcus and three of his close buds get together and whip up an extravagant feast for around 20 of our closest friends and family on/near Valentine’s Day. This year marked their sixth Big Night and it did not disappoint. Take it away hunny…

My three best friends (Peter, Kevin and Nate) and I have been cooking together since we all relocated back in Des Moines after college. Collectively we would attempt to create meals that surpassed the last on special occasions throughout the year. This morphed into a once-per-year occasion to express our love for cooking together and do it in a way that would allow us to treat our wives and significant others to a romantic and unique experience that cannot be recreated in a restaurant.

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Big Night 2016 did not disappoint and provided the lucky attendees with a 9-stop culinary trip around the world in just 7 hours! 9 courses, 7 hours, that’s too much, are you insane? Quite literally, yes! Weeks of planning, scouring for recipes, countless grocery stores, trials, errors, simmering, braising, blow torches and Octopus Tentacles…I could go on forever baby…
My lovely wife and her friend, Molly, took care of the tablescaping. The scene was nothing less than breathtaking.

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First Stop – Tokyo, Japan. What else to kick the night off right, but hand rolled sushi and sashimi, octopus salad and edamame. Champagne and sake to help wash it all down.
Off to Shanghai, China. Dim Sum 3 ways! Shrimp, Pork and Soup Dumplings. All hand made (and as we found out, quite time consuming ).

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Feeling full already? Ha! Wheels down in New Delhi, India. Lobster Curry (Red), Chicken Curry (Green) and Vegetable Curry (Yellow) all served with Basmati Rice and garnished with some microgreens from our friends at Dogpatch Urban Gardens.

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Where to next you ask? Istanbul, Turkey. Braised Lamb Shank with middle-eastern spices and Naan Bread served family style.

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Back in the USS..err…Moscow, Russia for layover before we invade Europe. What is more Russian than caviar and vodka?! Smoked trout, caviar, creme fraiche, Cranberry Vodka Sorbet with a splash of champagne.

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Ahh Gai Paris. Paris, France for a dish actually stolen from China and made popular in the USA, Canard (Duck) L’Orange served with duck fat fried Pommes Frites.

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Can we have dessert yet? Yes! In Lisbon, Portugal. My brother-in-law, Jerry, is Portuguese and I couldn’t think of someone better to bring into the fold and cook something he has had many times at family dinners, Pastel de Nata served with port wine.
Back in America! New York, New York. What better dessert to have in this city than traditional cheesecake served with three sauces: raspberry, bourbon and chocolate.

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That’s it, right? Hell no! Des Moines, Iowa. One of our favorite establishments in town, The Cheese Shop, provided us with our last course. A 3-Year Gouda L’Amuse, Stichelton Blue and an ooey gooey Winnemere.
Thanks for following along! Now go out and start a tradition of cooking outside your comfort zone.
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Sweet spitzbuben

Posted on February 10, 2016 by tomorrowstodos

This past weekend I decided to whip out a cookbook compiled of all of my grandma’s favorite go-to recipes. I specifically knew what I wanted to make but hesitated because of how time consuming they can be. And the fact that I’ve never actually made them by myself before…Enter the heavenly spitzbuben (pronounced: spitz-booben) cookies.

A German cookie usually baked around the holidays, spitzbuben (or Hildabrötchen or Linzer Plätzchen) are composed of your choice of jam sandwiched between two buttery, shortbread-esqe cookies. In my family we’ve always used a fluted diamond cutter and stick to either apricot, strawberry or raspberry jam.

IMG_2559IMG_2558[the shapes get a egg yolk bath + a sprinkle of breadcrumbs]IMG_2561[fresh out of the oven]IMG_2565IMG_2566[the finished ‘buben]

Do you have any passed down family recipes that you enjoy making for your loved ones? I’d love to hear about them!

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Love me, love me

Posted on February 8, 2016 by tomorrowstodos

Say that you love me. I can’t care ’bout anything but you…

In honor of St. Valentine and cupid shooting arrows and what not, I decided to round up a few gifts that I wouldn’t mind receiving this love-filled holiday… or really any holiday/occaision to be exact.

ValentinesDayGiftsforHer2016

sunglasses // love letters // heart socks // necklace // dog jewelry holder
the best smelling candle // ceramic berry basket // bucket bag

But in all honesty, if you’re like me, what you really would like this Valentine’s Day is just a card, a thank you for all that you do and possibly a shower that lasts longer than five minutes. And (if you aren’t pregnant like me) wine, more wine.

 

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Road warrior

Posted on February 3, 2016 by tomorrowstodos

This past weekend my parents, Morgan, myself and Evie all loaded up into a squished SUV to take the seven hour road trip west to Hays, Kansas. I know I’ve talked about Hays before on here as both of my parents hailed from the great city on the plains.

We try to make it back as often as possible to catch up with family, but as we get older and have our own kids, it’s only gotten tougher to accomplish. This was a quick trip back to see my grandma so that I could tell her the good news in person, and so that she could see how big my little man was getting.

Traveling with a two year old can be challenging, but I’m on the other side of this trip now and I am amazed at how well Ev traveled. Thank goodness for Little Einsteins and as Ev refers to it, Oh Toodles (a.k.a. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse). And a few treats along the way:

IMG_2529[no trip to Hays is complete without a trip to Cerv’s for a snoball]

IMG_2531[my new favorite store on Main Street: Be Made]

IMG_2539[making new friends with the Frontier Park buffalo herd]

IMG_2540[I could get used to the 60 degree weather…]

IMG_2546[limestone churches in every small town & a beautiful Mass with my parents in Ellis]

IMG_2547[my little baby needing his mama’s arm in order to fall asleep, SWOON]

Posted in Family, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment