Land of Nod

Going on baby number four, I have had the time and opportunity to really pin point our nursery style. Something modern and fun but still holding onto the sweetness that every baby should contain. Land of Nod offers just that: beautifully on trend items that are well made and pretty affordable.

Animal Wall Art

We have been glancing on-line lately, looking for new pieces to add some new furniture and decor to what we already have. I am really hoping to give our new little guy a space of his own even though he will be sharing a room with his very girly sister. The biggest piece I am hoping to add is a comfy rocker or glider for late night nursing and just good old snuggling. 

Swivel Glider and Ottoman in Aruba

When I saw this one, I about died. It looks so comfy and practical and the color. Oh, the color. I would love to sit in this chair. To have memories with my sweet little one rocking by his crib.

Oh and if the little ones are anything like Rhiannon was when I brought Talon home from the hospital, they will want to be involved in every little detail of baby boy's day. That includes rocking and nursing time.

Sailboat Nod Chair

I want them to feel welcome to be a part of everything. To help and keep me company. A chair like this, next to mommy's chair would be so much fun. Plus, do you know how stinkin' cute my kids would be hanging out in this thing? I mean I will use any excuse to add this to our home. Ha!

As you could guess, the second I found the Land of Nod site, I was putting things on a wish list like a mad man...until I discovered that they had a registry. Of course I set one up. Who cares if I already sent out my invites, I will be sending everyone there. I want it all!!!!

In case you haven't caught on, I am beyond stoked about my new find. If you could only imagine the pregnant cartwheels I did when I heard that Land of Nod is coming to California!!!!  Not just anywhere but only miles away at South Coast Plaza. ::Enter school girl squeel here!:: Dying you guys, dying!

Decor on Safari - Zebra

This zebra just might be found in a store I can send my family to...you know the family who won't dare enter their credit card number on the interwebs (yes, there are still people who won't and I am related to all of them).

May 31st, the grand opening of Land of Nod at South Coast Plaza will be happening. You need to be there. Like for real. There will be giveaways happening all day and customers who come to shop early will be getting free goodies. And let's be real, with products like that ^^^ do you want to miss the opportunity to win or receive what they have to offer? No? Me either.

I cannot wait to go and shop the store. Until then, I will be stalking the website. Making sure I didn't miss anything I want or need.

If you can't make it to the opening or you aren't local, it's okay, you can find them all over online.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Oh, one more thing...

Land of Nod- Real Families

The Land of Nod is having a Win a Room Sweepstakes that runs from now until 11:59 PM CT June 17, 2013. With a grand prize winner receiving a Room designed by The Land of Nod, including:

(1) Design consultation with The Land of Nod design team.

(2) Room makeover with selected product from The Land of Nod.

(3) Feature in The Land of Nod Real Families section of an upcoming Catalog.

Total Approximate retail value of the Grand Prize is $4,000!!!!

You can thank me now for sharing that. I was almost greedy and left it out to better my chances. So, you are welcome. 

Let's have some fun, head over to their site now and come back to share with us what items are on your wishlist! 

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Land of Nod, but all my opinions are my own. #PMedia #NODinCA   http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.”

The Princess

Boys, Boys everywhere... my oldest, Rhiannon has begun to notice that she may just be the only girl forever. A few doctors appointments ago when my OB asked if I knew what I was having Rhiannon chimed in and said "mommy can't make sisters, it's a boy". While, I thought she would be upset, this girl is thrilled to be welcoming another brother.

At  times, being the only girl is tough for her. Oh man, does it come with it's perks. Girls days are spent shopping and pedicures. We get to have makeovers and dress up time, just the two of us. She is the princess of the house.

To top it all off, she is the only girl on my side of the family as well. She has got it made. Her recent obsession is the fact that Auntie, my soon to be sister in law, is getting married soon. Wedding planning is in full force and Rhiannon is loving being all up in the mix of it.

Kelly, my amazing sis to be, went above and beyond to include her and make her feel special while asking her to be the flower girl.

We all met up at Starbucks for Frappacinnos, one of Rhiannon's favorite things in the world to do. We hung out and chatted over coffee.

After the drinks were gone, Kelly surprised Rhi with this adorable card she found on Etsy, as well of flowers, asking her to be the flower girl in the wedding.

Of course Rhiannon said yes. She was beyond excited and is taking her role very seriously. She talks about it almost every day, making sure she has it all figured out. She is sure to attend every wedding related thing, such as bridesmaid dress shopping. Girl, has a ton of input on how to make aunties wedding perfect. She really is a little princess.

Paint Party

If you "like" us on Facebook, you heard me say a few days ago that I totally spaced on posting my daughters birthday party. Not Little Man's 80's party I showed you yesterday. No, this party happened in October. Talk about a blogger fail.

Anyhow, here it is...

For months in advance, Rhiannon asked over and over for a painting party. Paint and toddlers. Scary thought right? I thought so too. What made the idea worse is that all of Rhi's friends have siblings. Younger siblings. I wanted to cry. I wanted my baby girl to be happy but I didn't want baby footprints painted on my floor indefinitely. What was a crazy paint fearing mama to do?

We ended up having two parties. The first party, just Rhi and her very closest friends. No families allowed. Just the girls. The second party was for our family to have desserts with the birthday girl. This eliminated my fright of toddlers and paint covered floors but still gave my girl the party she was dreaming up.

For the main party with her friends, we stuck with a typical art party theme with a touch of princess. The epitome of who our little girl is.

For favors each girl got an apron inspired by her favorite Disney princess, plus some art supplies. The favors were where our newest hot product originated. So much fun.

Food and desserts were all based around painting. From "paint brush" rice krispies to "art pallet" cupcakes. The girls were all in seventh heaven with their little sugar highs. I always forget to get pictures of food.

Entertainment was simple. The girls painted canvases, coloring sheets and did some swirl art. Face painting was a fun little perk on the side.

Every girl left there so excited with their art projects, aprons and leftover sugar. Rhiannon was once again beyond blessed by her sweet little friends. The day couldn't have been any better.

**Linking up at Sugar and Dots for What I Whipped Up Wednesday
And Chase the Star for Keep Calm and Link Up*

My Mothers Day

This years Mother's Day was my best by far. Not because of the dollars spent and gifts received but because of the selfless thoughtfulness that went into it.

My morning started off with breakfast in bed. Some yummy food served up by the big kids and a tiny bit of help from their daddy.

Breakfast was followed by gifts. The kids were beyond excited to bring in what they had got me. The amount of joy they have while giving blesses me. They wanted so much to make their mama smile. That alone was enough but my hubby went above and beyond this year. I got a few things for the kitchen that I have been dying for. No, it was not a trap when I put them on my mothers day wish list. I am so excited to use it all.

And then my big gift, a day at Glen Ivy with a couple of friends. I knew it was coming but I could have died when I opened the envelope of gift cards. So so amazing.

As if all of that wasn't enough, gifts were followed by manis and pedis with my mom, sis in law and favorite little girl. After that Steven sent me off, with some gift cards that were collecting dust, to go get a facial. I came home relaxed and ready to relax some more. So that's what we did. Went outside to play and I got to just lounge in the sun. Ahhh heaven.

The night was finished off with a family tradition of girls night dinner.


All day, all I could think of was how we were celebrating me but I couldn't do it without the man who stands behind me.

I have a husband who supports us financially and spiritually daily. A husband who never hesitates to give a helping hand with rambunctious kids. Who will give up a day to take care of his children without a second thought. Someone so willing to serve me and honor me on my day.

How I got so lucky to be his wife and the mama of his children, I will never know. I am just glad that I get to be. I have the most amazing man at my side and the most beautiful children, who clearly take after their dad in the awesome department. 

The material gifts are fun. The gift of being his wife and our kiddos mommy is one I cherish.

I cannot wait to bless his socks off on Fathers Day.

WIWW Maternity Style

Dressing the bump has proved to be quite the challenge this time around. With Rhiannon and Talon the baby doll style tops were really in. No need to buy maternity. A belly band and regular old clothes were all that I needed.

Oh how I wish that style would come back. Just until baby boy arrives. Let me tell you, the high-low and peplum tops just don't work when you have a bump the size of a basketball.

Don't even get me started on maternity clothes either. Finding stuff that doesn't look granny-esque but won't break the bank is tough work, yo. So, I have settled for looking a little bit frumpy. Long tanks from Old Navy and Target have become my B.F.F's. when I need to look half way decent I just throw on a cardigan or blazer and wa-la, I'm ready to go.

Sporting the 28 week bump

 This past weekend though, I needed to dress up for my cousin's wedding and it was way too hot for a blazer. After searching high and low for an affordable dress that didn't age me 20 years, I got desperate and went to the plus size section at Target. Everything was huge on me. But one dress fit the bump...still huge up top though. Luckily, my genius husband was tagging along. He told me to pinch the straps and see how it looked. Sure enough taking about an inch and a half in the arms made for great fit. Took it home, sewed it up and I was ready to go.

A few accessories and I felt confident to leave the house again. I think I may have found a new dress purchase fix. Altering fashionable plus sized dresses may be the way to go. I'll just cut off the XL tags to help my self esteem. :)

Dress:Target
Belt: Forever 21
Boots: Milano Shoes
Necklace: Premier Designs Jewelry
Earrings: Made with Pick Your Plum supplies

Ariel's Grotto Girls

A few weeks ago a friend invited us to her little girls 5th birthday at Ariel's Grotto. I debated the cost of the restaurant vs. the fun I knew we had for quite a while 5 minutes. After our annual pass discount, our total would be coming up to over $60. I am cheap. The two things don't line up. But being a mommy that loves my daughter far more than money the decision seemed pretty simple. Rhiannon is obsessed with princesses and all things Disney really.

I told her right away what was going to happen. I think she died a little. She informed me that she wanted to wear the blue Ariel dress, not her princessy one but the "kiss de girl" dress as she says it. I bought a pattern from Sew Sweet Patterns, then altered and added to the pattern a bit to make a dress that made her swoon.

We brought Rhiannon's adorable friend a dress made from the same pattern. Not knowing the girly was obsessed with birds, Rhi chose what turned out to be the perfect fabric.

We got to Ariel's grotto and was immediately greeted by Ariel. Once seated we were brought a bread basket with butter, pesto and the most amazing seafood salad.

A few minutes later they brought out an antipasto tower. One tier of fruit and fruit jello. Another with prosciutto, delicious cheese and and olives, and a tossed salad with a yummy mango dressing.For the main course my girl got cheese seashells with grapes and I had tri-tip, mashed potatoes and grilled veggies. Delicious!

Then dessert. Oh the dessert. Fudge cakes. Cupcakes. Fresh fruit. Everything you can think of. It was amazing.

Through-out our entrees and desserts, numerous princesses came and seen the girls. The birthday girl and Rhiannon would smile and occasionally gasp as their favorites came out and chatted. They snapped pictures and had an amazing time.

Ariel's Grotto was just perfect. The girls had a magical lunch that I know neither of them will forget. All and all, worth every penny.

Shop Update

It's been a long time coming and a lot of requests waiting but the newest princess aprons have hit the shop.

We have four new aprons, with prices starting at $22.

Here they are. The newly released Pocahontas, Jasmine, Mulan and Belle.

Get them fast. I know we have quite a few people who have been patiently waiting their favorite.

Who is your favorite?

CLICK TO GO SHOP NOW!!!