Lemon Pepper Arugula and Cashew Pesto
Yes, I am a total slacker. If any of you follow me on Instagram, you'll know I posted this pic…
Orange Pale Ale Manhattan – Beer Cocktail
I must admit, this is only the beginning of my foray into beer cocktails. But this Orange Pale Ale Manhattan…
12 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas That She Will Actually Love
Do you feel like you've officially exhausted all your best Mother's Day gift ideas? I mean, she deserves the best, so…
The Best Mini Crab Cake Recipe Ever
You know those party appetizers that friends ask you to bring every. single. time? Well the Best Mini Crab Cake…
Sausage Egg and Cheese Waffle Breakfast Sandwich
Are you needing some ideas to mix up your regular breakie menu? Or maybe BFD (breakfast for dinner) is getting…
Easy DIY Princess Canopy Bed
Why would we want to make a DIY princess canopy bed? Well it all started last fall when we asked…
St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Hair Tutorial – Girl’s Hairstyle in Under 10 Minutes
Welcome back to another edition of girl's hair tutorials than can be done in under 10 minutes. My sister in…
How to Deal with Working Mom Guilt
As a working mother who also travels every few weeks, it is a constant struggle and internal battle reassuring myself…
Super Easy Pretzel Berry Homemade Trail Mix
If you're anything like us when it comes to snacks, you're always looking for that magic combination of healthy and…
The Best Cheese Fondue Recipes Ever
Let's talk about cheese for a minute. Let's talk about the fact that when my 6 year old daughter and…
Valentine’s Day Heart Hair Tutorial – Quick and Easy Hairstyle in Under 10 Minutes
It doesn't matter if you're a pro at doing hair (like my sister-in-law), or have minimal hair skills (like myself).…
The Best Way To Organize Craft Supplies
If you're anything like me, when it comes to finding the best way to organize craft supplies, you kind of…
Pomegranate Ginger Champagne (or Mocktail) w/Gold Sugared Rim
I originally made this Pomegranate Ginger Champagne for New Year's Eve this year, and made mocktail versions for the kids.…
Garlic Ginger Quinoa and Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe
Do you cringe whenever you see fresh ginger in a recipe (hopefully you didn't cringe when you saw this Garlic…
11 Ways Bartending Prepares You for Parenthood
One of the most defining points in my life was when I got my first job in a restaurant at…
DIY Yarn Monsters – Fun and Easy Kids Craft
I cannot tell you how in LOVE I am with DIY yarn monsters. I had heard of them before, but…
Sweet Potato Orange Cups Recipe
Growing up in the south, sweet potato orange cups were a staple at our holiday meals. My step-mom is famous…
Letting Go Of The Pinterest Perfect Home
Alright ladies and gents, we have allowed our imaginations to carry us too far. Ask me how I know? I’ll…
13 Fun Gifts for the Foodie in Your Life
Have you noticed how many foodies there are out there these days? Me, I'm a self-proclaimed "foodie". So I know…
20 Children’s Books Written by Musicians
For all you music lovers out there, these children's books written by musicians will put a song in your heart!…
15 Gifts for the Guy Who Has Everything
Let's face it, finding a gift for the guy who has everything can be painfully difficult. In fact, I called…
Peppermint White Russian – The Perfect Holiday Cocktail
How many times have you had a holiday party to go to, and you were in charge of bringing a…
Unique Unicorn Gifts – A Gift Guide for the Unicorn Lover
You may have noticed that there's a major craze going on right now, and it's all about unicorns! Yep, we're…
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Wanna know a secret? It only takes four ingredients and 10 minutes to make this incredibly easy chocolate chip cookie…
How to Do a Perfect Ballet Bun – Hair Tutorial
Ballerinas take their buns very seriously, and I don't mean their tushies! I know that without instructions from my in-laws,…
No-Bake Granola Balls | Made with Bare Naked Custom Blend Granola
I have a couple of secrets to tell you. First of all, up until now I have never really been…
75 Best Game Day Party Appetizers
Whether you're a sports fanatic, or couldn't really care less, everybody loves a good game day football party. And while…
Spider Bubble Braid Hair Tutorial – Easy Halloween Hairstyle
If you're looking for a really easy Halloween hairstyle, for any length hair, this is it. Bubble braids are so…
DIY Decoupage Wooden Letter Magnets – An Easy Craft Project for All Ages
Every Summer our family packs up for a fun little cabin getaway with a small group of friends. While the…
12 Non-Candy Trick-or-Treat Ideas | All the Fun Without the Sugar
No one wants to be the one that gets egged for handing out raisins on Halloween. But no one wants…
6 Snacks You Can Feel Good About Feeding Your Kids – Bonus Coloring Page Printable
If your kids are anything like mine -- or even if your kids are nothing like mine! -- chances are…
DIY Conversation Jars – Get More Than a “Yes” or “No” Answer Out of Your Kids
(This post contains affiliate links.) Tell me if this scenario sounds familiar to you: You're sitting at the dinner table…
Easy Caramel Apple Martini Cocktail or Mocktail
Nothing says "fall" like caramel apple. And nothing says "any time" like a martini. Combine the two and you have…
20 Frightfully Fun Halloween Recipes
It’s almost that time of year again! That’s right, Halloween is coming! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Honestly, who doesn’t…
Easy DIY Fruit Snacks – Homemade With Only 4 Ingredients
This post originally appeared on Tatertots and Jello back in August. I was thrilled she wanted to share it with her…
Top 30 Kids Books About the Ocean – Bonus Bookplates and Coloring Book
Here's a fun little fact about yours truly... I used to be a sailor. Like a true, legit, swab the…
Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake Cannoli
I want to thank Joanne from No Plate Like Home for making this delicious guest post. Check out her full bio…
Trader Joe’s Price List vs. Local Chain Grocery Store – Which is Better?
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a HUGE Trader Joe's fan. It was so sad when I moved…
13 Sweet Fondue Recipes
While I'm typically a fan of cheese fondue, these sweet fondue recipes are sure to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. (This…
DIY Dry Erase Morning Routine Checklist for Kids – Plus Bonus Free Printable
Raise your hand if you would rather hit snooze one more time than wash your hair in the morning. Or…
Pina Colada Pineapple Skewers – A Delicious Boozy or Virgin Treat
Do you ever have those moments of epiphany where you see something on television, and you can't believe you haven't…
13 Unique S’mores Ideas – In Honor of National S’mores Day
Did you know that National S'mores Day occurs every year on August 10th? I didn't either! As soon as I…
Campfire S’mores Dip – The Ultimate Camping Goodness
What is the first food that comes to mind when you think about camping? S'MORES! S'mores are such a camping…
Criss Cross Twist Girls Hairstyle Video Tutorial – Cute Style in Under 10 Minutes
Welcome back to another edition of awesome girls' hairstyles in under 10 minutes. This Criss Cross Twist do would be…
5 Awesome Hiking Trails in Utah
What is your favorite form of family exercise? For many people it is hiking. I would much rather go for…
Bacon Wrapped Sweet Pepper Poppers
Do you love jalapeño poppers, but notice that the heat level can be unpredictable? Especially if you've ever eaten poppers…
How to Make Homemade Yogurt
Making your own homemade yogurt is surprisingly easy, and quite delicious! Not only can you customize it with a ton…
2 Ingredient Easy Guacamole – Quick and Delicious
Raise your hand if you loooove guacamole, but you're sometimes intimidated to make it at home? Even if you've made…
16 Silly Kid’s Jokes – Guaranteed to Get the Giggles Out
In our household, the silly kids jokes all started a few years ago with an episode of Word World my daughter…
Double Decker Turkey Tacos
I call these Double Decker Turkey Tacos an easy, upscale, homemade version of the Taco Bell Double Decker Taco. The…
How to Do Patriotic Star Hair in Under 8 Minutes – Hairstyles for Girls
Welcome to How to Do Patriotic Star Hair, the first of many tutorials in a new series, 10 Minute Hair…
9 Camp Kitchen Necessities – The Gear You Need Plus What To Leave at Home
Planning for camping can be overwhelming. I've given you tips on what you need to succeed with kids (How to…
Weekly Meal Plan #70, 6/19/17 – Dinner Inspiration to Help You Eat at Home
Do you ever get stuck in a dinner rut? I know I do. All. The. Time. I love seeing what…
Sometimes “Good Enough” Really IS “Good Enough”
Do you ever feel like if something's "good enough", then it's not quite there yet? The whole concept of "good…
Weekly Meal Plan Week # 69, 6/11/17 – Dinner Inspiration to Help You Eat at Home
Well I'm home again for a couple of weeks, which is nice. And I actually have everything in this weekly…
Prosciutto Zucchini Pizza
Ever since we discovered the Trader Joe's frozen pizza crust, we've become pizza experimenting experts. This Prosciutto Zucchini Pizza is…
Weekly Meal Plan #68, 6/5/17 – Dinner Inspiration to Help You Eat at Home
Full disclosure, or "straight talk" as my company would call it, I'm out of town again this week so we'll…
Berry Banana Homemade Fruit Roll Ups – A Simple Healthy DIY Snack
Did you know that most packaged fruit roll ups don't actually contain any fruit? Well, unless you count the concentrated…
Weekly Meal Plan 67 – 5/27/17 – Dinner Inspiration to Help You Eat at Home
Welcome to the 67th Weekly Meal Plan, to help provide you with some dinner inspiration. Here we are, another Memorial…
15 Father’s Day Gift Ideas That Don’t Suck – Get Him Something He Wants This Year!
Raise your hand if you were guilty of giving your dad a spiffy new golf tie every year for Father's…
Why We Stopped Eating Family Dinner at the Table
When it comes to sitting down and eating a nice family dinner at the table every night, do you feel…
Weekly Meal Plan 5/21/17 – 66 Weeks of Dinner Inspiration to Help You Eat at Home
Welcome to this week's dinner menu, intended to inspire you to eat a couple more meals at home. Our weekly…
Super Simple Blood Orange and Kiwi Sangria – Only 4 Ingredients
Have you ever wondered what the most perfect, easy, refreshing afternoon cocktail is? Let me tell you, this Blood Orange…
Weekly Meal Plan 5/14/17 – 65 Weeks of Dinner Inspiration to Help You Eat at Home
We're going light and simple with this week's meal plan. Once again I'm out of town, so much of this…
How to Throw an Animal Shelter Donation Birthday Party
Do you love throwing fabulous Pinterest-worthy parties for your kids? Or maybe you don't, but you still end up throwing…
Weekly Meal Plan 5/7/17 – 64 Weeks of Dinner Inspiration to Help You Eat at Home
I'm out of town for work pretty much the next two weeks straight. That means lots of frozen and pre-made…
Chicken, Bacon, Avocado Ranch Lettuce Wraps
There's something simple, flavorful, and fresh about these lettuce wraps. Even though there's bacon in them, they taste light and…
How to Find Time to Do It All – And Still Have Time for Yourself
Do you ever look at other moms out there that appear to be doing it all, and wonder how they…
Weekly Meal Plan 4/30/17 – 63 Weeks of Dinner Inspiration
You guys, I'm really excited about this new Facebook group I just started to help you with your meal planning.…
Weekly Meal Plan Week 62 – 4/22/17
Happy Earth Day everyone! Though hopefully you're nice to Mother Nature every day, not just one day out of the…
6 Awesome Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Every Day
Do you ever feel like you could be doing a little more when it comes to thinking of our environment?…
Buffalo Chicken Crack Dip
I remember the first time my sister-in-law brought this buffalo chicken crack dip to a party. It may sound silly,…
5 Smart Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund
If you're one of those lucky people that ends up getting a tax refund every year instead of owing money,…
Weekly Meal Plan Week 61 | 7 Nights of Dinner Ideas to Help You Eat at Home
This week we're going camping, hence the camping themed meal plan! These meals don't necessarily have to be made out…
24 Non-Candy Easter Egg Fillers That Are (Mostly) Eco-Friendly
Have you ever taken the kids to one of those mass chaos Easter egg hunts before? The ones where it’s…
Weekly Dinner Plan Week 60 | 7 Nights of Dinner Ideas to Help You Eat at Home
If you ever feel stuck for dinner ideas, sometimes it helps to just step back from your "norm" and try…
Are Work and Travel Ruining Your Family | 8 Simple Tips if You’re a Working Mom that Travels
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I love being a working mom outside the home. Having kids…
Roasted Gorgonzola Beets – Plus the Secret to Roasting Perfect Beets
In the past I've had a bit of a love-hate relationship with beets. I never minded them growing up, but always…
10 Ways to Prevent Household Stinkiness – Simple Tips to Hacks and Tricks
Yes that's right. I said stinkiness. If you have babies or kids, fur or human, most likely you find yourself around some…
Weekly Dinner Plan Week 59 | 7 Nights of Dinner Ideas to Help You Eat at Home
This week's meal plan is centered around homey deliciousness. Oh, and easy of course. Because, shocking news alert... it's a…
Chocolate Chip Cookie Stout Ice Cream Float
Warning, this Chocolate Chip Cookie Stout Ice Cream Float is not for the faint of heart. But if you like…
Weekly Dinner Plan Week 58 | 7 Nights of Dinner Ideas to Help You Eat at Home
After I created this week's meal plan, I realized that Friday is St. Patrick's Day. So while you may not…
Blueberry Lemon Vodka Fizz
This light and refreshing Blueberry Lemon Vodka cocktail is for my friend who thought the Bourbon Manhattan Sour looked tasty,…
Steak and Egg Protein Buddha Bowl | Healthy, Easy, Delicious
What exactly IS a Buddha Bowl you may ask? I had the same question a while ago when some friends…
10 Things I’ve Done That Should Get Me Fired as a Parent – How to Be a Bad Mom
Welcome to the deep, dark secrets of parenthood. Today I'm exposing myself to the world of judgers, and showing you…
Weekly Dinner Plan #57 | 7 Nights of Dinner Ideas to Help You Eat at Home
This week's dinner plan is falling back on some classics. We'll eat a ton of something and then forget about it…
December 2016 Expenses and Blog Income Report
This is it. The last month of the year. The one year anniversary of when I started this blog (even…
White Bean Sausage Chili
This White Bean Sausage Chili was adapted from a recipe I found, on Pinterest of course. Everything I saw had…
Weekly Dinner Plan #56 | 7 Nights of Dinner Ideas to Help You Eat at Home
This week's dinner plan is full of quick, easy, and (mostly) healthy meals. I'll let you in on a little…
Bourbon Manhattan Sour – A Modern Twist on Two Classic Cocktails
The best part about being an imperfectionist is that I get to do things like mix bourbon, and a few…
You’re Totally AwesomeSauce – Cute Kids Valentine with Free Printable
Well, in the spirit of life being crazy... I realized TODAY that my daughter has to take her class Valentines…
Weekly Dinner Plan #55 | 7 Nights of Dinner Ideas to Help You Eat at Home
Welcome back to this week's meal plan. We're here to help you get out of the dinner slump. I know…
What to Buy From Trader Joe’s – 25 of the Best Items, Including Prices
If anyone has read this blog before, especially the Weekly Dinner Plans, you may already know I'm slightly obsessed with Trader…
Weekly Dinner Plan #54 | 7 Nights of Dinner Ideas to Help You Eat at Home
Warning, I will be out of town pretty much the next two weeks straight, so much of my dinner plans…
Does Peppermint Oil Repel Mice?
When I stumbled across this article by Laurie Ayers who runs www.ThrivingCandleBusiness.com, I had to stop and see if it…
November 2016 Expenses and Blog Income Report
Here we are in January and I'm just now getting to November's income report. Can you say procrastination much? Or maybe…
Cream Cheese Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Who doesn't love a good banana muffin? But then you add chocolate chips, and they are soooo much better. And…
Weekly Dinner Plan #53 | 7 Nights of Dinner Ideas to Help You Eat At Home
Welcome back to a new year of dinner ideas and weekly meal plans. Check in every week to find 7…
Banh Mi Pizza | Easy, Delicious, and Oh So Flavorful
Have you ever gone to a specialty pizza joint and wished you could eat there every day? Well once you…
Dinner Menu Week 52 – Best of 2016
This week's dinner menu is round 2 of the "Best of 2016". Last week we had some of the recipes that…
How to Set Up a Hot Cocoa Bar | An Easy DIY Cocoa Party
At first I thought hot cocoa bars were only something you saw on Pinterest. That real people in real life…
10 Best Cheese Fondue Dippers That Every Fondue Party Needs
Every year our good friends throw the most amazing fondue party with multiple types of cheese and multiple types of…
Dinner Menu Week Fifty-One
One more week and you'll have a full year's worth of dinner menu ideas on here! I hope you've enjoyed…
How to Throw a Construction Themed Birthday Party
I remember... Back when I had just the one child, the thought, effort, and vast amount of Pinteresting that took place when…
Easy Healthy Homemade Fruit Snacks | Cute Christmas Shapes
Have you ever felt a little twinge of guilt when you handed your kid a package of fruit snacks? I…
Dinner Menu Week Fifty
This is it! The week my kids (well the 5 year old at least) have been waiting for all year!…
Easy Candy Cane Reindeer Craft for Kids
Remember when your child started their first year of kindergarten? You're so idealistic about volunteering for this, and getting involved in…
Spiked Cinnamon Eggnog French Toast
What do you do when you have Fireball and eggnog left over from a party? Make Fireball Spiked Cinnamon Eggnog…
Warm Winter (Local) Rum Punch – The Perfect Holiday Cocktail or Mocktail
Who says that rum punch has to be reserved as a summer cocktail? I myself have never been one to…
Dinner Menu Week Forty-Nine
Can you believe there are only 3 more weeks of 2016? I'm working on a new look for the Weekly…
Top 20 “Green” Gift Guide for Both Him and Her
If you're still stuck on what to get your peeps for Christmas this year, here's a gift guide that has…
Dinner Menu Week Forty-Eight
Let me know if this sounds familiar... Before I made my list and went to the grocery store, I told/warned…
October 2016 Expenses and Blog Income
Well, I'm writing October's expense and income report on the last day of November, so I'm going with not quite behind…
Best Ever Mushroom and Thyme Bruschetta Recipe
This Mushroom and Thyme Bruschetta is another recipe that was a hit at our Wine and Cheese Party. As much as I…
Dinner Menu Week Forty-Seven
Anyone else feel like they need to eat nothing but salad and veggies all week? Don't get me wrong, I…
Blue Cheese and Balsamic Topped Kettle Chips
This recipe for blue cheese and balsamic topped kettle chips may be the shortest post I ever write, but that's…
Dinner Menu Week Forty-Six
Warning, I'm about to tell a sappy story about why I love this week so much. I've always been a…
Cranberry and Pistachio-Crusted Goat Cheese Balls
As I was trying to find something unique, delicious, and easy for this year's Wine and Cheese Party, I stumbled across…
How to Throw an Epic Wine and Cheese Party
There are few things in life that go better together than wine and cheese. And with so many different types of…
Dinner Menu Week Forty-Five
Are you ever just in the right place at the right time? That happened to me last week (luckily for…
37 Healthy Eating Habits for Kids, Tips to Help You Along the Way
It all started six years ago when I found out I was pregnant for the first time. Coming from the…
Dinner Menu Week Forty-Four
Once again, I'm out of town for some of the week. Then when I get back I get to go…
19 Non-Plastic Gifts for Kids – Great Alternatives to Plastic
Now that it's November, I feel like I can officially start to think about Christmas shopping. In the past I've…
Baby Led Weaning (BLW)- A Year Later
It has now been over a year since I decided to go the Baby Led Weaning (BLW) route with our…
Dinner Menu Week Forty-Three
I'm finally home all week this week, so fully intend to have most of what's on this week's dinner menu...…
Butternut Squash, Pancetta, Sage Carbonara
Not much says fall like the smell of sage wafting out of your kitchen. Then mix it with butternut squash and pancetta,…
September 2016 Expenses and Blog Income
We've been able to breathe a little easier lately, but we also find ourselves falling back into the More You Make…
Dinner Menu Week Forty-Two
It was a sad day at the grocery store today. I had to buy tomatoes for the first time in…
Red Velvet Peppermint Christmas Cookies
I originally made these Red Velvet Peppermint Christmas Cookies to be a part of to be a part of Christmas…
Dinner Menu Week Forty-One
Starting this week, I'm going to let you in on a little more of the imperfect reality that we live in here at…
Garlic Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Alfredo – Easy Homemade Meal
Since this Garlic Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Alfredo is made with chicken sausage and broccoli, I consider this to be "health…
Easy Apple Spice Sangria – The Cheater Way To Make Delicious Sangria
This delicious Apple Spice Sangria is very similar to the 4 Ingredient Cheater Sangria, in that it's ready to drink as soon…
Dinner Menu Week Forty
We're going old school with the dinner menu meal planning this week. I busted out real live cookbooks for inspiration.…
Sweet and Spicy Pickled Carrots
Don't tell my mom, but these spicy sweet pickled carrots might be one of my favorite things (remind me to…
Dogs and Kids – 11 Things to Consider When Raising them Together
October 1st was National Black Dog Day... At least according to one Facebook post I saw, so it must be…
Dinner Menu Week Thirty-Nine
Do you remember the first time you tried a Bahn Mi sandwich? Have you ever had one? I honestly can't…
Breakfast Shepherd’s Pie
I absolutely love the savory saltiness of a good Shepherd's Pie. Then one day I was trying to think of…
Easy Homemade Laundry Detergent
This Easy Homemade Laundry Detergent post comes from Arden who blogs at Real Food Real Life as well as The Grandma Blog - A…
Velvety Rich Carrot Ginger Soup
Every year, we want to plant carrots in our garden. Then every year, we have to figure out what to…
Dinner Menu Week Thirty-Eight
Don't be intimidated by all the seemingly long-titled dinner menu items this week. A lot of times those are actually…
Easy Fall Cheese Ball Pumpkin
This cheese ball pumpkin is probably the quickest, yet cutest, while tastiest appetizer you could show up with to any…
August 2016 Expenses and Blog Income
Okay, we've righted the ship a bit this month. It was a little scary there in July, but we managed to…
Cheesy Shrimp and Grits
I grew up in the south, so you would think I had my own recipe for Shrimp and Grits all…
Dinner Menu Week Thirty-Seven
I'm hoping you all will try this Shrimp and Grits recipe at some point. If not this week, then soon!…
11 Fall Outdoor Activities – Fun for the Whole Family
If you're anything like me, you're heart just starts fluttering at the first signs of fall. The weather is perfect,…
How to Can Salsa From Garden Tomatoes – Including Salsa Recipe
My husband and I have had a garden for about the last 10 years. The one consistent item we have…
Dinner Menu Week Thirty-Six
This week is definitely not about reinventing the wheel. I was out of town much of last week so haven't…
Dinner Menu Week Thirty-Five
Aaaah, is everyone starting to get back into the fall routine? For some reason right when life gets crazy, that's…
Yummy Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Years ago I made these turkey lettuce wraps - that I stole from my mom of course because many of my great…
DIY Nursery Wall Decor
One of my most favorite things about having a baby is picking out the nursery decor, aside from all those…
7 Ways to Survive Your Kid’s First Week Back to School
Are you about to send your kid to their first week back to school, while knee deep in tissues and…
Dinner Menu Week Thirty-Four
Even though it's still summer temps outside, school starting makes it feel like fall is right around the corner. That…
Lemon Basil Martini
Do you ever have some extra basil lying around, and wonder what you could do with it that would be…
Dinner Menu Week Thirty-Three
We've got a little of a breakfast-y theme going on this week. Not quite sure how that happened, but it's…
DIY Hanging Jewelry Box
Have you ever felt like your dresser was too cluttered? Or that your necklaces were more like one of those…
July 2016 Expenses and Blog Income
Mayday mayday mayday... the ship is going down quickly! Okay, it might not be that bad. But damn it sure…
Roasted Corn & Avocado Salsa
I was quite pleasantly surprised when I threw this Roasted Corn and Avocado Salsa together for a party, and it…
Dinner Menu Week Thirty-Two
I feel like I say this every week, but I'm kind of excited about the menu for this week. I…
Easy Beef Stroganoff
I sometimes laugh at myself because all my favorite recipes seem to be cheesy, or creamy, or noodly of some…
Dinner Menu Week Thirty-One
You know how some weeks you're just really excited for everything you have planned? Well this week is like that…
Homemade Steak Fries
You can use this same basic recipe with either russet potatoes, or sweet potatoes. A good basic rule of thumb…
Dinner Menu Week Thirty
I've gotta be honest with you. I don't have the time or energy to reinvent the wheel this week. So…
10 Tips for Surviving Target on a Budget
We've all been there. You stop by Target only needing a couple of essentials. But much like these handy tips…
Dinner Menu Week Twenty-Nine
I've put all the Weekly Dinner Menus in one convenient spot. Just go here and you can easily access 7 nights of dinner…
Strawberry Balsamic Bites
If you're looking for something different to serve at your next party. Or maybe you're sick of bringing fruit salad…
June 2016 Expenses and Blog Income
Okay, I have another confession to make. I have started seeing Target again. It's very casual, not nearly as serious as…
Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos
Tacos have to be one of the most versatile, delicious dishes, right up there with nachos. There are so many amazing variations.…
Dinner Menu Week Twenty-Eight
Last week was fun, with the new Delish recipes we tried. I also discovered this Uncured Bacon Jam from Trader Joe's that…
8 MORE Tips on How to Be More Green – Easy Ways to Be Kind to the Environment
Do you ever wonder how to be more green in your daily life? Are you new to riding on the…
Dinner Menu Week Twenty-Seven
This week I tried to class it up a bit while still keeping it simple. As I mentioned last week,…
Caprese Salad
A caprese salad can take many forms, but the basic foundation is so quick and easy. We have some variation…
4 Ingredient Cheater Sangria
Warning, bring this cheater sangria to your next party, and you will from then on be required to bring it…
Roasted Vegetable Pasta Primavera
I love this dish because it combines the goodness of vegetables with the goodness of Alfredo sauce. And while I'm…
Dinner Menu Week Twenty-Six
There are now 6 months worth of meal plans on here to help get you out of that dinner rut.…
You’re Invited, But Please No Gifts – Ideas for a Gift Free Birthday Party
Do you ever get sick of the sheer amount of STUFF your kids accumulate? And then birthday season rolls around,…
Sausage and Peppers over Polenta
This recipe is full of flavor, extremely easy, while also looking kind of fancy. The toughest part is taking the time…
Dinner Menu Week Twenty-Five
I don't think I ask this enough, but I would love your feedback on our Weekly Dinner Menus. Have you…
May 2016 Expenses and Blog Income
Well, I was worried about this when we did such a good job with our expenses in April. And I…
Greek Chicken Pitas
This is one of those recipes I always forget how easy and delicious it is. Then every time we have…
Dinner Menu Week Twenty-Four
Do you ever feel stuck in a rut with what to serve for dinner? It feels like I'll serve the…
Four Ingredient Universal Marinade
This is the perfect marinade for beef, pork, chicken, shrimp... pretty much anything you want to grill. It all started…
Dinner Menu Week Twenty-Three
Once again, I will be out of town for a few days this week so needed some easy meals for…
Sweet Potato Bacon Hash
Warning, this does not fall into the healthy eating category. I tried to convince myself because it had sweet potato…
10 Things to Consider When Signing Your Child Up for Dance
If you had told me 10 years ago that I would care so much about the nuances of children's extracurricular activities,…
Curry Meatball Pita with Naan and Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
Are you looking for a little something different for dinner tonight? Sometimes combining the simplest of ingredients creates some of…
Dinner Menu Week Twenty-Two
You know how some weeks you feel like you just nailed dinner every single night? I feel like this is…
7 Unique Twists on a Side Salad
Are you always the one that ends up bringing a side salad to the bbq? Or are your parties lacking in…
Shrimp and Pineapple (Cheater) Ceviche
We love making a more traditional ceviche in which the white fish essentially "cooks" in the acid of some lime…
Dinner Menu Week Twenty-One
We're going all Pinterest for this week's dinner menu. Sometimes I get stuck in a rut, making the same things…
These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
In my thirty-something years on this planet, I have discovered a few things that make life a little easier and…
The Only DIY Lip Balm Recipe You’ll Ever Need
If you've ever wanted to try making your own DIY lip balm at home, this is the recipe for you! Not…
Whole Wheat Penne, Chicken, Spinach, Mushroom, Ricotta Bake
We don't always cook with healthy noodles... but when we do, we're sure to use lots of cheese to make…
Dinner Menu Week Twenty
I'm headed out of town again for a couple of days this week, so I'm going to make the Whole…
5 Tips For Paying Your Bills On Time
If you've spent any time in the Budgeting section of my blog, you may be wondering how in the world someone like me…
Dinner Menu Week Nineteen
We had a lot of overtime in our house last week. My husband's been working late, which means I stop…
How to Cook the Perfect Artichoke
I have always loved artichokes, but until I started cooking them myself I had no idea how finicky they could…
April 2016 Expenses and Blog Income
Last month I announced the lofty goal of taking a break from my good friend Target. I'm proud to report…
Dinner Menu Week Eighteen
The first menu item this week is going to be a total experiment. I saw a red wine spaghetti on…
5 Things I Stopped Caring About After Having Kids
You never want to admit you've become that person. And before you become that person you never think it will happen to you.…
How To Throw a Wild West Party
Every January I start to peruse Pinterest for brilliant birthday party ideas for my daughter's April birthday. No, that's not…
Spinach, Mushroom, Chicken Couscous
There's a secret to this recipe that gives it a great flavor, and even gets the couscous doubters to enjoy…
Dinner Menu Week Seventeen
I have a confession to make. We don't always stick to our meal plans 100%... hence that whole "imperfection" thing.…
14 Things I’ve Learned In 4 Months of Blogging
When I launched this blog in January of 2016, I had no idea what I was about to enter into.…
10 Minute Asian Chicken Chopped Salad
I almost feel guilty calling this a recipe. When I make this, almost everything is already chopped and ready to go except…
Dinner Menu Week Sixteen
As usual, everything this week is fairly uninvolved, quick, and easy to make. So much in fact that the baked…
Black Bean, Quinoa, Chipotle Chili
This vegetarian chili is super hearty and filling, and the chipotles add a great smoky flavor. You can adjust how…
Amazingly Easy Oatmeal Cookies
My husband definitely has the sweet tooth in the family. Sometimes after dinner he'll just be craving some cookies, so…
8 Easy Ways to be a Little More Green – If I Can Do It, You Can Do It
We all want to create a better world for future generations, but if something seems too difficult or overwhelming, sometimes…
Dinner Menu Week Fifteen
This weekend I'm going to cook off a couple pounds of chicken in the crockpot to have ready to use…
The 60 Second Choice
Every parent, sitter, and caregiver of littles has been there. It only happens a couple times a day outside of…
Spinach, Mushroom, Pesto Pizza
I love putting unique toppings on my pizza, so much so that my husband rarely wants to eat them. Which…
March 2016 Expenses and Blog Income
We have to talk. It's not you, it's me. We've had a good run, but it's time to take a…
9 Awesome Camping Recipes
Whenever we are getting ready for a camping trip, I start looking for yummy, easy meals to serve. We have…
Dinner Menu Week Fourteen
This week I'm keeping it really simple. I'm not going to lie and say if I can make all this…
Warm Dill Potato Salad
I love using this as a side dish to seafood. It goes great with grilled salmon and asparagus, or even…
Life Summed Up
Today's post is a Flash Fiction written by good friend and amazing author, Phillip Sagardoy. He is a Marine Corps…
Dinner Menu Week 13
The majority if this week's dinner menu comes to you courtesy of my Mom. Yes, the grandparents are coming camping…
6 Ways to Parent on Two Hours a Day
I want to start by saying, though I love my kids more than life itself, that I would have a…
What to Use Instead of Plastic Cups – A Green, Easy DIY Alternative
We've all heard of the dangers of plastic, and maybe feel a little twinge of guilt every time we give…
Crockpot Pork and Mushroom Breadcrumb Pasta
\I know, it sounds weird. But there's something really delicious about bread crumbs in pasta. I love the texture it…
Easy Homemade Croutons
We started making our own croutons when I got sick of throwing away stale bread we never finished. Once we…
Crockpot Chalupa Bowl
This is one of those meals I thought I was being all creative when I made it one evening for…
Dinner Menu Week Twelve
It seems like we've been eating a lot of pork lately. I think that's because it seems to be the…
How to Camp With Babies and Kids – Everything You Need for a Successful Camping Trip
Figuring out how to camp with babies and kids can certainly seem daunting at first. It doesn't matter if you're…
American Chop Suey Recipe
I've only recently discovered that American Chop Suey is actually an East Coast thing. The first time I made it…
Fun and Easy PizzaDilla
I have to give 100% of the credit to my daughter for inventing the PizzaDilla. At least in our household,…
Quick and Easy Coleslaw
This amazingly easy coleslaw recipe is our go-to when it comes to any meal requiring coleslaw. Add some fresh lime,…
Dinner Menu Week Eleven
I have somehow ended up with an insane amount of tortillas in my fridge, so this week I'm attempting to…
7 Surefire Ways to Blow Your Grocery Budget
You see all kinds of tips these days on how to stay within your grocery budget when going to the store.…
The Adult Cure For the Common Cold
You know the feeling, when you can tell you have a little cold creeping up on you? I personally don't…
How to Yoga With a Four Year Old
If you are expecting to pick up a serious yoga regimen from this post, you may be disappointed. If you…
Dinner Menu Week Ten
I'm such a sucker for "themed" food. St. Patrick's Day isn't exactly the lightest of fares, but it sure is…
Fancy Camping Frito Pie Recipe
Have you ever heard of a Frito Pie, or sometimes called a walking taco? It brings me back to my childhood…
Avocado Hummus Chicken Wrap
My mom over at Real Food Real Life made these avocado hummus chicken wraps for us last year on a camping trip,…
February 2016 Expenses and Blog Income
Well I was hoping that with February being a short month, that our expenses would look better with fewer days to…
Dinner Menu Week Nine
This week we're trying two of Arden's recipes from Real Food Real Life, they never disappoint. If you're following last week's progress…
3 Keys to Nursing Success – Game Changing Tips to Help You Nurse Your Baby
Nursing can be the most amazing, bonding experience. It can also be the most frustrating, painful experience. I could make…
The Best and Worst of Why I Nursed – What No One Tells You About Breastfeeding
Nursing is one of the most controversial decisions you can make as a new parent. The research alone can consume…
Balsamic Roasted Chicken and Veggies
I first made this one night when it seemed like we had nothing to eat but scraps of food here…
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Here is another amazing recipe from Arden at Real Food Real Life. You'll never know you're eating cauliflower instead of rice: I've…
Dinner Menu Week Eight
I'll be out of town for work the second half of next week, so I tried to plan some easier…
What the Heck is White Whole Wheat?
Have you ever seen "white whole wheat" in the store and wondered how it was possible? Or are you just…
The Third-Life Crisis and How to Handle It
Every one's heard of the mid-life crisis. If you had a rough patch at all in your twenties, you undoubtedly…
Dinner Menu Week Seven
I've had some readers comment that we eat kind of fancy for two working parents that have two kids and don't…
Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
Need to add a new condiment to your repertoire? This sauce is so fresh and versatile, as well as ridiculously…
January 2016 Expenses and Blog Income
Every November and December I freak out about how much money seems to be, just... vanishing. Though we don't do…
5 Things to Buy That Will Save You Money
You know the saying "You have to spend money to make money"? I think it mostly pertains to business and…
Simple Homemade Organic Dog Cookies
If you're anything like us, your first baby was furry and four legged, and not the two legged terrors that…
Dinner Menu Week Six
Last week's menu is a prime example of why I'm an advocate for Baby Led Weaning. After I was recently touting my…
The Best Alternative to Plastic Kids Dishes
Do you ever get a little twinge of guilt every time you buy yet another plastic kids plate or bowl.…
The Best Homemade Bloody Mary Recipe – Better Than a Restaurant
People are always asking what my secret is to making a delicious homemade Bloody Mary. While there is no "real"…
Our Financial Journey
My husband and I have had a long, twisty relationship with finances. We've gone from not really ever thinking about…
Dinner Menu Week Five
I hope you are using these weekly menus as GUIDES to help you plan your dinners. Much of it is up for…
3 Easy Steps to the Most Amazing Nachos
The key to making amazing nachos is not what you would expect, the secret is... less is more. I learned…
Easy Homemade Reusable Snack Bags – A Simple DIY Tutorial
Do you ever feel bad about how many ziploc bags you throw away? These homemade snack bags are the perfect…
Dinner Menu Week Four
If you used last week's menu, and only have two adult eaters and two kiddos, you may have had a…
8 Sweet Candy-Free Valentines for Kids
Just when you feel like you've finally gotten rid of the holiday treats lingering around your house, Valentine's Day shows…
4 Secrets to Successfully Shopping With a Baby – Tips to Save Your Sanity
Some of these may seem obvious, but they did not occur to me before a friend told me... and frankly…
5 Things to Remember With Baby Led Weaning
If you're anything like me, you will do a LOT of research before going the Baby Led Weaning (BLW) route. When…
Am I Wearing a Bra?
This is one of many questions I ask myself as I head off to work every morning. I thought it…
Dinner Menu Week Three
I tried something a bit different this time... instead of designating a menu item to a day of the week,…
Dinner Menu Week Two
This week we're finally starting to get back into the swing of things. Not that I'm going crazy with the…
Baby Led “What”-ing? {What Exactly is Baby Led Weaning, and How it Could Save Your Sanity}
I had such idealistic visions of making all my baby food from scratch, using only the best organic ingredients for…
Dinner Menu Week One
Ah, the first week of the year. I'm so glad our family makes no pretense of changing our habits for…
The More You Make the More You Spend
Why is it that we can only barely manage to get by on our salary no matter what it is?…