Etsy Love: Baby Hats

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I'm one of those moms that particularly loves baby hats. I think that my little girl's head is dandy cute without a colorful topper, especially because she's been blessed with her daddy's thick locks, but there's just something about adding a sweet little hat that really seals the deal for me.

Each of the hats I'm featuring today are handmade by Etsy artists. One or two may be patterns for hats, so check them out if you're crafty like that.

Now, prepare to and make those "oooh!" and "aww" noises that only mommy's can make just right. Oh, and don't forget to enter my giveaway!

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Etsy Love: My Sunshine Designs Giveaway

As I mentioned in yesterday's "What a Mom Wants" post, nursing pads are a quintessential item that nearly every new mom needs. Those blessed enough not to know a tee-shirt leak spot, please disregard this post entirely. Washable, reusable nursing pads are great, as they are eco-friendly, usually made of soft natural fibers, and easy to launder and reuse time and time again. I feel the same way about nursing pads as I do about diapers: cloth is best.

Lucky for you, Chantel of My Sunshine Designs (don't you just love that shop name?) is giving away a pair of her cotton-flannel-fleece nursing pads to one reader. Chantel is a stay-at-home-mom and enjoys making all the eco-friendly merchandise in her colorful etsy shop. I admire her sewing skills! She is a self-diagnosed "fabric addict" which means she has a huge assortment of cute prints for you to choose from. I love the lime, orchid, and wallflower designs. So pretty! Check out her other wares too, including sprinkle stoppers, essentially a fabric party hat to cover your little boy at diaper changes to prevent a tinkle attack.


**To win, check out My Sunshine Designs on etsy and let me know which print you'd choose if you win the set of nursing pads. For a second entry, visit My Sunshine Designs facebook page, "like" them, and tell them that you've popped over from JellibeanJournals. Leave me a comment letting me know you did!


Giveaway open to US & Canada. Winner chosen at random on Wednesday, February 1st. Good luck and thanks so much Chantel!

Wear it: The White Button-Down

Everyone has this classy, basic piece in their wardrobe, but if you're anything like me, it rarely sees sunshine. Since we're moving soon, and I'm purging all clothing that I cannot justify a reason to keep, I began searching out ways to get more wear out of this basic white button-down top. Here's today's outfit, and below are more anyone-can-wear-it inspirational photos. Linking up to the fabulous TheLetter4's What I wore post. Check it out and find more great fashion ideas!

 

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What a Mom Wants

Now that Summer Elizabeth is nearing 4 months, I feel I now merit the official  "Mom" title. As such, I'd love to suggest several products that have been incredibly useful-helpful-essential to our family's existance the past few months. When your next baby shower invitation arrives, don't forget that mom deserves her share of gifts too! Gift these momma "musts;" it's what a mom wants, trust me.

Pamper Her with What a Mom Wants:

•  Nursing Tanks

My favorite for modest support and comfort are Glamourmom Nursing Bra Tanks. I could live night and day in these comfy tanks. They make discreet, convenient nursing a breeze, come in a variety of colors, and have a high enough neckline that the girls aren't making a scene. Tanks also come in long styles.

Second place: Bravado Essential Nursing Tanks. This is a tank built around a super supportive nursing bra.. Bravado tanks are longer than the Glamourmoms but the downside is that the v-neckline is cut too low for my taste. Perfect for home, as they are keenly husband-friendly, but I don't promenade in the streets wearing this one.

• Reusable Nursing Pads

These are life-savers to a new, leaky mama. Save her from the embarrassing milk spots that inevitably wick onto blouses at  the most untimely occasions. Just use, launder, and they're ready for another wearing. Love 'em!

These cotton-sherpa nursing pads from Maria's BabyZing etsy shop come in a great variety of prints and she even does custom listings for baby shower registries. Maria  is sweetly offering a 10% discount to my readers. Use code BZHGG at checkout.

• Panties & P.J. Pants

New mamas go through panties & p.j pants pretty quickly--no need to explain. Investigate her size, find a few pretty pairs, and make a mama's day!

• Baby Carrier

I have a SleepyWrap (now sold as Boba Wrap), and we love it. From the first days of birth we've toted our girl everywhere in this stretchy cotton wrap. If you're patient and wrap-saavy, you can even nurse in this. Wrap-style carriers are adaptable from infant to toddler size and can be twisted around your body in a number of ways. As our baby grows, I admit that I'd love to try a backpack-style carrier, as her weight wouldn't cause the carrier to sag as our SleepyWrap now does at times. Nevertheless, this is the wrap I'd choose again, especially for cooler climates, as it keeps both mom or dad and baby toasty warm.

• Facial Cleansing Towelettes

Labour is a grueling task, but a chilled facial cloth provides momentary relief to a momma in labor. Give her a packet of these wipes and advise her to keep them refrigerated until the big day.

• Tucks Pads

A mom favorite, these pads help relieve soreness during natural birth recovery. The anti-inflammatory cooling pads help heal and soothe  tender birthing regions, especially when refrigerated. 
* *Soon to come: my recipe for marvelous homemade post-partum relief pads.**


Linking this post to Kristen's blog:

Dutch Apple Pie Cheesecake

This is my entry to the Hotpoint Family Baking Competition.

The Cheesecake Factory is full of memories for me. My best friend and I used to down endless loaves of soft, warm, complementary bread loaves, enjoy a hearty meal, and then somehow find room for The Cheesecake Factory's (T.C.F.) spectacular namesake.

Fast forward a few years to the newly wedded years:  I introduce Husband to my beloved Cheesecake Factory. Love at first sight. Gotta love a man with good taste! (Even better if this means our date nights include cheesecake!)  Though we'll giddily gobble a restuarant slice, we've since become more apt to devour a savory-sweet homemade cheesecake. 

Our family's current favorite= dutch apple pie cheesecake. This is my own rendition of T.C.F.'s dutch apple caramel streusel.We carted this dutch apple pie cheesecake to lunch with Husband's cousins and grandmother recently. I was a little nervous about their reaction when the cake was unveiled---with a modest "quality control" slice missing. The seemed to hardly notice as the flavors of the cake mesmerized us all..Only baby Summer Elizabeth was unable to fully enjoy the taste treat, but I'm sure that as soon as we introduce solid foods, she'll be reaching for a plate! (Sorry Summer, but you won't be downing sweets for some time.)

Let's talk upgrades: This cheesecake itself is superb, but if you really want to knock some socks off, complement the dessert with a scoop of dulce de leche ice cream!  It never hurts to add caramel sauce atop the streusel when serving to drooling dinner guests either. Enjoy!

Sweet Summer, Mommy's tiniest little helper.

Dutch Apple Pie Cheesecake

cookie crust:

• 1 1/2 c. graham cracker or vanilla wafer cookie crumbs
• 6 T. butter, melted
  

cheesecake filling:

• 2 8-oz. packages cream cheese, at room temperature
• 2 eggs, at room temperature
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 1 T. flour
• 2 t. vanilla

apple filling:

• 2 apples, sliced to your gusto
• 1/3 c. brown sugar
• 4 T. butter
• 1 T. cinnamon
• tiniest pinch of salt

streusel topping:

• ½ cups flour
• ½ c. brown sugar
• 3 T. butter
• 1/2 t. cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cookie crust: Melt butter and stir in cookies. Press along the bottom and up the sides of a greased or parchment-lined 8-inch springform pan. (9"will also do.)
3. Apple filling: Slice apples and place all apple filling ingredients in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until apples are softened. Cool.
4. Streusel: Melt butter and add remaining flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon to the bowl. Set aside.
5. Cheesecake filling: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and beat 1 minute on medium speed. Add eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl once or twice to ensure proper mixing. Pour in vanilla and add flour. Beat one minute, scraping bowl once. 
6. Pour half of the cheesecake filling into crust. Top with apple mixture. Add remaining cheesecake filling. Sprinkle the top with crumbles of streusel.
7. Place a rimmed baking sheet under the springform pan and place in the oven on a mid-level rack. Bake 30 minutes. The edges should look firm, but the center still a little wobbly. This is perfection. 
8. Turn off the oven but leave the cheesecake inside for 10 more minutes. After 10 minutes, prop open the oven door with a wooden spoon for 20 minutes or so, and then open the oven door for an hour or more to allow the cheesecake to cool gradually. This cooling process helps prevent cracks in the cake without the splishy splashy mess of baking in a water bath. Refrigerate 6 hours before serving. 

* Tip: Keep in mind that cheesecakes freeze extremely well. If you need to transfer the cake to a serving platter, it is easiest to transfer when frozen. A frozen cake travels much better in the car too!

Fresh-Smelling Suitcases

Tip of the Week:

Add a dryer sheet to your storage boxes and suitcases to keep bugs out and the suitcase smelling fresh (unscented also does the trick!). If you have the type of suitcase with a netted inner pocket, place the dryer sheet inside the pocket so that it does not come in contact with any clothing or other items stored inside. Husband and I have a suitcase warehouse beneath our bed, and each  remains fresh  with the dryer sheet trick. Try it for yourself!

Linking up to Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family.

Armor All to the Resc-Shoe!

Who would've guessed that the easiest shoe polish & protectant lives in the garage with car wax? I began using Armor All to spiff up my heels a few years ago when I found that I couldn't bring myself to pay for shoe polish that I'd only use once or twice a year.

The perks:

1. Armor All is designed to protect from sun and heat. (And I imagine moisture, to some degree.)
2. It adds shiny luster, and can be used on just about any material.. I don't know about you, but my shoe closet isn't chock full of top-quality leather. Just sayin'.
3. Armor All isn't color-specific. You can use it on brown, black, and just about any other colored shoe.
4. Rub on. Buff off. Easy.
5. The best part: I already have it! No need to store any extra products.

I hope you try it! I'm linking this tip to Kristen's blog.