friday links.

am loving these simple animal prints for a baby room.

these pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon syrup look delicious.

a fabulous kitchen shortcut: how to toast nuts in the microwave.

an organized life...so many good ideas.

how to peel a head of garlic in less than 10 seconds. fantastic.

halloween party ideas that really pop.

these zombie pumpkins would look so cute on the porch.

i can see myself popping these mini pumpkin donut muffins in two at a time. (can you tell i like pumpkin?)

all sweaters are cuter with elbow patches.

a homemade "miracle" cleaner - all my pans are in desperate need of this.



have a great weekend. xo.

friday links.

happy first day of fall! the best season, in my humble opinion. onto friday links...

a sweet alternative to the caramel apple.

there is nothing i don't love about this outfit.

this country cottage makes me want to pack up our stuff right now and move in.

tis' the season for pumpkin, and this banana-pumpkin bread seems like it would hit the spot.

a creative way to de-clutter your paper piles. i need this.

i want to build this amazing treehouse for my kids, but would most likely end up using it for myself.

another way to go green - 35 pest and disease remedies.

itsy bitsy yoga. i guess you are never too young to start.

5 ingredient almond butter pumpkin brownies. i think i will.

galaxy nails - a how-to.


have a lovely weekend. xo.

friday links.

such and endearing way to display children's artwork over time. i love this.

i really wish i could pull off red pants, because i love these. would you try them?

this recipe for sweet potato brownies has me intrigued. i love sweet potatoes. i love brownies. i'm willing to try a marriage of the two.

would love to wrap up our little fish in this shark robe from baby aspen.

big hats forever.

i love organization. and i love these mini chalkboard labels.

how to crack a padlock with nothing but a paperclip. this could come in handy.

this autumn brittle is so pretty. and makes me crave autumn.

run the boston marathon from home by simulator? i have no desire to run at all, let alone a virtual marathon on a treadmill for hours.

have a dreamy weekend. xo.

friday links.

precious. i think this must be how our little boy always feels.

these lemon-lime ice cubes would be great for a party, luncheon, or just an every day refreshing drink.

i want to stay at this hotel. how cool would that be?

can you think of anything that sounds tastier than avocado fries with cilantro lemon dipping sauce? i didn't think so.

this outfit is taunting me. it's 110 degrees outside and i'm so ready for fall.

this nursing basket may be my new go-to shower gift. every mom-to-be should have one.

i think i love this idea. celebrating your half-birthday? it's almost time for me to celebrate mine.

loved this post about farmers markets and camping. i dream a lot about both things.

glazed doughnut muffins? um...yeah.

i've been coveting a vitamix for months now, but have been hearing some good things about the ninja blender. a lot cheaper...has anyone tried it? either way, i just need a blender that makes ice cream.


have a lovely weekend. xo.

friday links.

monkey see, monkey do. i love this blog.

the coolest appetizer idea.

how do you feel about faux bangs? since i've been trying to grow mine out for over a year now (and still kind of want bangs again), i think it's a fabulous idea.

the 50 best children's books of all time. i've got to get my hands on them.

the world's fastest workout. anything over 20 minutes seems crazy to me now.

i needed to learn these 13 most popular photography tips of all time. i loved the light-tent tutorial. natural light makes all the difference.

one day, i may need to know how to do this.

i love the idea of making my own churros, but i still don't think they'd ever be as good as those at disneyland.

simple, easy entertaining ideas. am a fan.

make your own cheese??!!?? stop it.

have a perfect weekend. xo.

friday links.

hi. 

you have to make these enchiladas. i made them last night, and they were unbelievable.

this adorable wall garden would work great in the tiniest of spaces. i've got to do it next year.

irma's playhouse is pretty much the cutest/awesome thing i've ever seen. i'm totally commissioning Cort to do an exact replica for our kids.

i made these for the fourth of july and they were a bust. so i quickly whipped up these as a replacement, and they were amazing.

sweet baby rain boots.

a super simple homemade air freshener. baking soda is kind of a cure-all, no?

a trick to keep your baked goods fresh overnight! genius.

a great guide on to how to store every type of produce.

i love everything about her look.


have a great weekend! xo.

friday links (independence day-style).

start out the day with this 4th of july breakfast.

or this one.

this looks like a fun 4th of july party.

i'd stroll in wearing this independence day inspired outfit.

and pair it with these shoes.

something for the kiddos.

something for your home.

something for your sweet tooth.

and...one of the most impressive cakes i've ever seen.

have a great independence day weekend! xo.

friday links.

how cute are these wood signs? such simple, sweet messages, and great daily reminders.

i finally found some popsicle molds, and am looking forward to making these this weekend.

i'm the worst at writing in journals, but this fun vintage postcard-calendar-journal, might be something i could handle.

these t-shirts make me want to plan a family reunion, and buy one of each.

this is the look i want to be sporting this weekend.

but i will most likely be wearing...these.

i'm looking forward to picking up this book soon...and possibly joining the vibram-movement. have you tried them?

am loving this cooling, all-natural california baby lotion on baby n. this summer.

another creative gift wrapping idea.

i can guarantee that i will be posting the recipe for these cookies very soon.


have a fantastic weekend. xo.

friday links.

image found here

i'm obsessed with coconut.

cute nursing dresses? who would have known there was such a thing? i can't tell you how awkward i look trying to nurse in a dress.

here's some more coconut. 

sweet organic baby sleepers. i love hanna andersson.

this is how i want to start wrapping all my gifts. environmentally friendly and to-die-for cute.

a free trip to paris!!!! not kidding.

genius idea to keep the birds and squirrels from eating our tomatoes this year.

flares are back!

shoes as a growth chart. awesome idea.

have a great father's day weekend! xo.

friday links.

via milk

loved this photo.

loving this blog about fashionable moms - so inspiring.

cracker toffee? yes, please.

are you a bodyrocker? if not, you should be.

enlightening article - shocking, how little i knew about it. we should all know the signs.

beautiful baby carriers.

pretty manicure how-to.

i can't stop thinking about this simple salad. i love brussel sprouts.

have a fabulous weekend. xo.

friday links

happy friday everyone. i woke up this morning and thought it was thursday. don't you love it when that happens? it's almost as good as waking up in the middle of the night and realizing you have hours left to sleep. we've had a pretty productive week that included a six-month checkup for baby n. (still growing like a weed), a trip to the zoo, some jogs in 70+ degree weather, a couple lunch dates...and we'll be ending it with another pizza and movie night. thinking about trying a variation of this pizza tonight. something about caramelized onions and prosciutto that seems to be the perfect combination of salty and sweet.

n. is at the stage where i can't keep my eyes off him even for a second. even as i write, he's rolling his way over to an outlet. he seems to be interested in all things dangerous right now, and it keeps this happy mama b-u-s-y. and he's not even crawling yet.

onto friday links....

holy arms cameron diaz. i'm pretty sure i could never look like that.

i really want to see this movie. what are your thoughts on taking infants to movies? cruel to the baby, movie-goers, or both? i'll admit that i've done it.

have you heard of pintrest? i love, love, love this idea of cataloging all the things i love, but can't yet do/have yet. looking forward to start collecting.

if i had more money, i'm pretty sure i'd buy any one of these dresses.

i may or may not have a birthday coming up soon, and i may or may not make myself this cake.

am a fan of black wagon's adorable baby onesies.

my parents and sisters are coming in town next weekend (double yay!!) and i'm thinking about taking them to see this museum.


i had some more links from this week, but my sweet baby boy is begging for my attention, so that's it for me today.

happy weekending. xo.

friday links and a new tradition.

i'm loving the weekends these days. with cort working pretty brutal hours and traveling way more than i'd like, it is nice to have the weekend to look forward to. and this weekend we are due for some 70+ weather and sunshine which makes this girl very happy.

i've decided to dedicate our friday nights to "pizza and movie night" over here at the nelson household. i experimented with this pizza recipe over superbowl sunday, and had some great success, so i'm thinking i'm going try a new recipe each week. and homemade pizza is so much tastier than any delivery i've ever tried. why am i just catching onto this?? i prepped the dough last night, and am going to top it with my favorites: pesto, mozzarella, tomato and basil.  movie of the night? the husband has requested Secretariat. looks good. disney, i like. has horses in it. and diane lane, of whom i am a fan. any reviews?

moving on to friday links....

baby n. has started in on solids! so far rice cereal is a no-go, but avocados and bananas are a must. that's my boy - already knowing that real food is better for him. thinking about getting this baby cookbook and using it with my new beabe babycooker.

i am seriously lacking motivation with working out these days. i'm exhausted in the morning. i'm exhausted at night. i need a new plan. maybe i should try to take up running now that baby n. is thisclose to being able to be latched into the Bob? our walks are nice, but they just aren't cutting it (as in, no sweat is being broken) or maybe p90x again? hmm... new moms...what's your exercise like these days?


check out these adorable "bib-tees". they'd sure come in handy with all the food-slinging that's going on over at our house these days. oh, and these sweet baby summer overalls?? so precious. i'm such a sucker for baby clothes.

my cousin, ellie, has some serious sewing-talent. who knows the fastest, easiest way to teach me how to sew? i'm serious - i really want to learn.

after carrying around a diaper bag for a few months, all these bags look really appealing. i want one.

my sister, amy, is hilarious. she read us her junior-high journal entries over the holidays and i still laugh until there are tears in my eyes thinking about them.

i love butter. like, really love it. this post speaks to me. did you know i used to be a vegetarian, that rarely ate dairy?? yeah, i don't know what happened.

happy weekending....xo.

friday links.

hello, hello. haven't had a lot of motivation to blog these days. i'd blame it on sleep-deprivation, but even without it, i'm not sure i'd be considered the best blogger. i am taking pictures of baby n. though, and will be getting some up soon. the boy is getting cuter by the minute. even without a lot of sleep, the little guy sure is handsome. i on the other hand, am looking a bit ragged, and need a little grooming.

onto friday links....

am thoroughly enjoying this book.

some cute swimsuits, and inspiration to get back into bikini-shape before maui in may. yikes...better step up my game.

with that being said, i am dying to make these, and this.

and i already made this. it was the best.

wish my hair was long enough to pull off this look.

or short enough to pull off this girl's look.

going on an early valentines date with my valentine to night to this restaurant. have you tried their grilled artichoke?? be still my heart, it's delicious.


this should be the first step in organizing my closet. it's in serious need.

here's to a relaxing, romantic weekend and to getting stuff done next week!

xo.

a few things, and friday links

photo by rachel thurston

our all-time favorite photographer, rachel (i love calling her our photographer) did an amazing job capturing our wee one at his cutest. only 17 days old in these shots, and i can't believe how much he's grown since then. he's no longer my newborn, but still my sweet baby boy. rachel's the best, and we love her. i know she is going to capture so many of our lives favorite moments for years to come.

there is a direct correlation between how i feel each day with how much water i am drinking. i took note of this, this morning. i was dragging for the first few hours, but i think i was just dehydrated. once i downed a few bottles of water, i felt much better. i must remember this in the future.

i have been watching so much giada at home and everyday italian lately, i kind of feel like she is directing each show to me. i love how she speaks every italian word with an accent. cort hates it. he laughed hysterically at her using the word mozzarella the other day. she's always so put together. if i ate that many carbs, i wouldn't be able to get out of my stretchy pants. oh wait, i still can't do that. but i can't wait to try this recipe. have you ever used mascarpone cheese? i haven't.

today at the eye doctor, the receptionist commented on my handsome, very big son. we get this a lot. i love hearing that he looks healthy, and i love the word, "son". i know i was beaming, because i'm so proud to be toting him around. have i told you he's in the 90th percentile for height, 75th for weight? yes, we're so very proud.

this talk really hit the spot today. i highly recommend reading/listening.

while feeding my babe at 3 in the morning, i was starving and craving salt and peppered avocado on toast. i had it this morning and it was delicious. i'm convinced while breastfeeding that you need lots of fats and protein because that's all i crave. and have i told you how much i love breastfeeding (if you haven't guessed yet :))?? one of my favorites of the whole mothering experience.

i'm kind of excited to see old navy carrying the skinny cargo pants. a cheaper version of this splurge.

do you wear lipstick? i sure don't, unless it is of the burt's bees variety. but i am a fan of the nude lip, and this was a good tutorial for me.

my dad, and two favorite sisters are coming next weekend, and i'm jumping out of my pants in excitement. so is baby n.

happy weekend. xo.