Five Favorites: Swimsuits, The Blacklist and other Randoms

It's time for Five Favorites with Hallie from Moxie Wife again (via sweet Katie this week), and here are mine...

1.  Jantzen Swimsuit

I bought this last summer and hope I can wear it again this summer.  It has the perfect amount of support and coverage.  And, you can take the straps off to avoid a tan line - what a deal ;)  This suit can be found here.

2. Nest Candles - Bamboo

 

I love this candle.  It is so light but smells amazing and works well to perfume the room.  I'm on my second one.

3. This song...

Kinda funky but a fun song.

4.  This Yogurt

Not sure I'll ever be able to eat any other kind now.  Mango is my current fave!

5. The Blacklist

So, I know I've mentioned it before, but now I'm really addicted.  I'm dying for next Monday and the season finale!  Any other watchers out there?

Have fun checking out all of the other favorites here!

Favorites: The Hospital Bag

While I know that these aren't all essentials, these are some of the things I like to take to the hospital with me when I'm having a little one.

1.  My Ugg slippers.  I rarely go anywhere without them, and it sure makes that cold hospital floor more manageable.

2.  I always debate whether to take a computer or not.  However, I like having the ability to send out an email without typing on my phone if I want to.  Plus I check social media way too much, and sometimes I just find it easier on a computer.

3.  My camera.  Cannot do without this.  I often hand it off to someone that first day so we can get a few "first family photos" and then I like to have it with me to take an inordinate amount of pictures of our newest family member.

4.  Nursing tank.  I typically leave for home in this.  During the hospital stay, I'm that person who lives in the lovely hospital gown.  It's easy.  It doesn't matter if it gets dirty.  And, it's less I have to pack :)  I might throw in a pair of yoga pants or warmer PJs from time to time.

5.  Obviously, I take my diaper bag.  Although, it's really unnecessary.  They have everything you need, but I like to have a few little outfits in there just in case (typically because I haven't decided by then what I want to take the baby home in )! ;)

6.  This typically comes with your hospital stay, along with Tucks and a few other necessities.  In the event that it doesn't, I highly recommend it as a must.

7.  I know this is crazy, but we like to bring something with us for the staff (and for certain little boys who love treats).  Every birth we've ordered these humongous Rice Crispy treats from The Crispery.  My favorite is pictured: the s'more one.  My gosh, they're so tasty!

Of course, I bring my makeup/toiletries (and it's often fun to have a lotion that smells great/works really well) because of the crazy amount of baths you have to take while there.  A change of clothes to go home, chargers, a phone, etc...all of the essentials.  These are just a few of my favorite things for the hospital.

I know it's more than five, but I'm linking up with Hallie for this one, too! Have a great Wednesday!

Five Favorites: Freezer Meals

Linking up with Hallie for another round of Five Favorites this Wednesday:

Since we're two months from the new addition, I've began planning my freezer meal cooking.  I was told before Carter was born that this was a great way to save time and stress once the baby arrived, and I've been doing it for every birth since.  We prepare a lot of things.  However, to make it easier, I've learned to just make a double batch of what I'm cooking for lunch and freeze part of it (doesn't work for every meal).  I love to do breakfast breads,  Mexican lasagna, various casseroles and pasta dishes.  Sometimes I'll do a few sides, too.  However, I usually don't do anything I could just as easily make in the crock pot once the baby is here.

With all of that said, here are a few of my go-to recipes for freezing and one I've yet to try:

{1}  Deluxe Omelet Biscuits

 

(image via Southern Living)

This recipe comes from my mother-in-law and might be my favorite one of the meals.

9 frozen biscuits (I use Pillsbury Grands in the freezer section)

2 T. butter, melted

6 large eggs

¼ C. whipping cream

½ t. salt

¼ t. pepper

1 C. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

6 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled (or you can use 1 – 16 oz regular sausage, pre-browned)

Bake biscuits according to package directions.  Set aside.

Spread melted butter in bottom of 9” square pan.

Whisk together eggs & next 3 ingredients.  Then add cheese and bacon.  Pour into pan.  

Bake egg mixture at 425 degrees for 12 minutes, or until set.  Let stand 10 minutes.

Cut into 9 – 3” squares.  Place in split biscuits.  Allow to cool and wrap omelet biscuits in foil, place in freezer bags and freeze.

To reheat:  Wrap individual frozen  omelet biscuits in a paper towel.  Microwave at 50% power for 3 min 15 sec to 4 min (adjust for your microwave – I usually do 3-1/2 min).  

Recipe can be doubled.  If so, bake in a 15 x 10” jelly roll pan for 12 – 14 min until set.  There you have it - breakfast on the go!

{2} Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos (via Our Best Bites)

I love these for their grab and go ease, too.  Plus, you can pull out however many you want at at time!  They can be modified to make them less spicy, too.

{3} Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches (via Pioneer Woman)

This is a new recipe I'm trying this year.  If it's anything like everything else she does, it will be delicious!

{4} Baked Chicken Penne (via Our Best Bites)

This is a nice change from the regular baked ziti.

{5} Lasagna Rolls (via Giada)

We love these.  I had never frozen them until last year, and they turned out great!

What are your favorite freezer recipes?  

Be sure to check out more favorites on Hallie's page, and have a great Wednesday!

Five Favorites: Protein, a Lens and a Beautiful Post

Joining in with Hallie and everyone else at Moxie Wife today for...

{1} Grab the Gold

These little protein bars taste more like a no-bake cookie.  They don't leave that funny too-much-protein feeling nor do they taste chalky.  They're a great little afternoon pick-me-up!

{2} Dr. Jart+ BB Cream

My sweet cousin got me this set for my birthday a few months ago, and I really love these creams.  They are basically a tinted sunscreen with a bit more coverage, and they go on very smoothly!

{3} Starbucks Tumbler

I haven't filled this giant cup up with iced coffee yet, but I wouldn't put it past me.  So far it's just a way to make sure I get enough water each day.  Anyone else find it much easier to drink more when you're drinking it through a straw?  Bizarre?  Maybe so, but it works for me!

{4} Canon 35mm f2

A friend of mine let me borrow this for a few months.  What a friend, huh!!  I love it!  I'm not great with figuring out how to get the most out of different kinds of lenses, but this one allows for more light in my house that often doesn't have enough.  It takes me awhile to get used to not having a zoom, but I do love this lens. I'm anxious to learn a little more about what all it can do and just play with it.

{5} Jenny's post Let's Be Done from yesterday is about as beautiful as they come and one of my all-time favorites!

Have a great day and don't forget to check out the other links at Moxie Wife today!!

Five Favorites: Maternity Staples

I'm linking up with Hallie today for a round of Five Favorites.  These are my maternity staples.  Most of them are pricey, but that's why I'm calling them staples.  There are few pieces that take the wear that I have put into them through four pregnancies, but these do (and probably will last for a few more)!



1 // Blanqi Belly Support Tank in the longer length.  I have worn this almost every day since I started to develop somewhat of a bump.  Honestly, at first I thought it was a bit too tight.  However, I got used to it, and I love it for it's smoothing, support, and length.  I have it in black and white.

2 // Mama J Skinny Jeans in sateen.  I have these in black and a pair that is actually jean material in indigo.  I have had the jean pair through all four pregnancies.  I just got the black pair this year.  They are hands down my favorite maternity jean.  They hold their shape, stay in place and hit under the belly (a must for me)!  The sateen ones are almost more comfortable than leggings!

3 // Isabella Oliver layering tank.  I love things long.  I don't actually have this top.  I ordered it in white, and it was a bit too sheer for me.  However, I loved the feel and length of it, so we'll see if I end up getting it in a different color.  I do have one very similar from Target (here) and it has worked great to throw on under a cardigan or blazer.

4 // Noppies Leggings.  These leggings I've worn through two winter pregnancies, and they are just starting to get thin.  They are very comfortable and don't cut you off at all.  Plus, you can wear them over or under the belly.  They are slim fit, so they are tight everywhere, but not so tight that they are uncomfortable.

5 // Isabella Oliver Lizzie Maternity Dress.  I just got this dress this pregnancy and wish I would have had it the previous pregnancies.  It's ponte and is as comfortable as they come (without clinging to anything)!  It's so versatile and can be dressed up or down.  It's quickly becoming my go-to as the weather warms up!

I'd love to hear what your maternity staples are!  Until then, head over to Moxie Wife for a ton more favorites!

Five Favorites: Home Decor

I'm liking up with Hallie this week for...

{1} Framed Sheet Music

This is from Restoration Hardware, and I know I've mentioned it before.  However, I think I've finally decided to try and put together some of my own.  I bought a vintage piece of Handel's Messiah, and I am going to try and frame three to four of the sheets to hang in a big open space in our living room. 

{2} Retro Table

We have a little apartment/bunk house to the side of our home.  It's got a tiny white kitchen.  Our home isn't retro, but I love the look of this for that little apartment.  Eventually, when we have the time and money, we're going to fix it up a bit (although it is currently livable), and I want to put this in the kitchen!

{3} Throw Pillows

Admittedly, I love neutrals.  All the walls in our home are either tan, brown, gray or white.  So, it's hard for me to branch out.  However, my parents gave me this antique for Christmas to add to our living room

so I bought these pillow covers from this precious Etsy shop!

{4} Linen Bedding

This, too, is from Restoration Hardware.  I love the look: the neutrals, the linen, the mixing of different shades.  It just feels like home to me.

{5} A Little Bit of Tin

In Jeremy and my first home, there was tin backsplash.  When we moved here, we had to redo a few things, so we added it.  I feel like it gives the kitchen a little bit of a vintage look and goes with the vintage-y cabinets that were already in place.  Makes for a fun little pop of something different.

Make it a great Wednesday, and don't forget to check out the other favorites at Moxie Wife!

Five Favorites: Bread, Shoes and Sheenazing

Joining with lovely Hallie again for ...

{1} Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread via The Vanilla Tulip

I had to take a break from pumpkin things for awhile.  This Fall it was overload.  But, when I was reading some of Ashley's blog this week, this recipe caught my eye.  It is delicious (even without the chocolate chips).  Carter said over and over, "Oh Momma, you know I love pumpkin bwead.  Ummmmm.  You are a good cookie, Momma!"  Sold.  It now takes the place of my Paula Deen recipe.  But, beware, no doubling of the recipe is needed :)

{2} By Love Refined - Letters to a Young Bride

My sister sent me this in the mail this week, and I cannot put it down.  Her words are genuine and a treasure for both new and not-so-new marriages.  I only wish I would have read it sooner - it's that good!

{3} Mini Crocheted Hair Clips

How precious are these?!  I found a few in a store in Chicago (for the baby, not me), and wanted a couple more, so I found these on Etsy.  I think they are sweet.

{4} Brooks Ghost

I finally went to a running store to be fitted a few months ago.  I don't run, just walk.  But, these shoes have been so great!  They're light, comfortable, and they don't make anything hurt.  I guess it really does help to get a shoe that's "made for your foot."  Who knew?!

{5} Sheenazing Award Nomination

I was nominated for one of these :)  According to Bonnie, "The Sheenazing Blogger Awards are a fun way to celebrate the excellence in Catholic blogs and are named for Venerable Fulton J. Sheen. Over 160 people nominated their favorite blogs from the Catholic blogosphere (and non Catholic for the Best Blog by a Non Papist category) in areas like Best Lifestyle Blog, Smartest Blog, Best Link-Up, Best Blog by a Man, and Coolest Blogger."

I'm humbled.  Thank you to whomever did this.  And, if you feel like it, the voting opens Thursday at Bonnie's site: A Knotted Life.

What's even more amazing is that Bonnie has been going through a tremendous amount of stress and scariness with her sick little boy, James.  If nothing else, head over to her blog and let her know you're praying!

Thanks for hosting, Hallie!