NEW MOMMY MUST HAVES

exciting announcement:: sp is an uncle for the second time!! this time around to a little baby girl!

his brother and sister in law welcomed a little bundle of perfect joy into the world on tuesday afternoon. sp headed straight to meet them at the hospital and i can hardly stand to see them all this weekend!

since i'm not a mommy and don't have any new mommy advice or recommendations, i asked some of my dear friends they are mommy's what some of the things were they 'had to have' postpartum. 

here's the collection that came together: 

new mommy must haves: 

** epsom salt - 'soothing me time' in the bathtub

** coconut oil - 'natures nipple cream' 

** dry shampoo - ' your next shower' 

** gel breast pads - 'sooth the boobs' - refrigerate and enjoy 

** traditional medicinals - 'more better mommy milk' mothers milk tea & cute mug!

** the mommys favorite wine in mini bottles

** halo sleepsack swaddle - the warm fleece kind 

** 'postpartum padsicles' for you know... (image not pictured- details below) 

here are all the goodies in a cute tote i found at hobby lobby (similar)

complete with leopard tissue paper, the mamma's favorite!!  

as for the padsicles... my inspiration was from visiting a friend just a few hours after she gave birth and the nurse had brought her in a 'frozen diaper' - genius!! i've passed that advice on to all my new mamma friends since the hospital does not just offer these up! so i thought, having something similar at home might be helpful. to save the mamma some time, i found these diy padsicles  on pinterest and will have them in the freezer when she gets home!
(i left out the lavender, figured less fragrances the better)

DATE JAR

its been for.ever. since i've last posted here. 

sorry for the radio silence. truly. 

but the holidays happened, then we traveled a little, and then i just needed a break from this little space. 

i'm thinking of going in a little different direction for a while. maybe less posts, maybe more of whats happening on an everyday/real talk basis and more true to who i am!

what better way to kick that off, than with a homemade valentines day crafting session!

a few thursdays ago, over lots of wine, a home-cooked meal and several rolls of washi-tape a good friend and i laughed, talked and made some valentines crafts.  it was so good for the soul :)

coming up with fun, new dates is not exactly easy.. sp and i love to cook a yummy meal at home, go on long adventure walks at the ranch, and visit our local favorite restaurants. but thinking out of the box or trying new things is not something we tend to do. 

soooo.. for my valentines gift to him, i made a 'date jar' .. which after a few glasses of wine, i for some reason tagged it as a 'love jar'- red wine, oops!

supplies:

stickers - dollar section at target

washi tape - collection over time (dollar section at target and cute tape )

ribbon - clearance section at tuesday morning

glass jar - tuesday morning

date idea inspiration - pinterest

free font for the date cards 

a few dollars for the none-free dates

how to:

i  came up with 8 dates, some free and some just a few dollars each (listed below)

printed them off, using this cute font, and cut them to make it just a little cuter!

then washi-taped them each up with fun color combinations

rolled them individually (wish cash if needed) and tied them with ribbon

dropped them in the jar - and had my sweet friend use her amazing handwriting to write on the chalkboard tape she had to tag the jar!

so the next time we cant decide where to go or what to do on a date night, we'll just choose from one of the cute rolls in the jar!

list of fun (almost free dates!): 
go on a walk/hike at nature reserve (free)

play a board game  (free)

make smores in the backyard (free)

one on one basketball fun at local park (free)

redbox movie + watch under fort build by you and me ($1)

frozen yogurt treat ($5)

two-buck chuck to be enjoyed outdoors ($3)

margaritas at our favorite tex-mex place ($6)

happy valentines - get creative!

flowers and chocolates are too expensive this week- try something new!

{MINI + MAMA} CHRISTMAS JAMMIES

late to the game today- but its jammies and its never too late for jammies, right?!
sometimes i feel like jammies and robes are an easy answer to gifting, but the right jammies/robe can be truly delightful:) and matching pjs for Christmas- so.hard.to.resist - especially for minis+mamas on Christmas morning!

tiny mini

one || two || three || four || five

mini
one || two || three

mama

one || two || three || four

tiny mini

one || two || three || four || five || six || seven || eight

mini
one || two || three

mama

one || two || three || four || five || six || seven || eight

ALL WRAPPED UP

my love for pretty wrapping paper and bows/ribbons is something  my mother has passed down to me. it's almost impossible for me to pass up adding a beautiful roll of gift wrap to my stock pile if its on sale, must have, best pattern ever.. any reason really!

once these pretties go on sale after the holidays, i'm on it like a bug to light - i just can't help myself. (#realtalk). 

i've been on the hunt for pretty wrappings this year and while i've hit big at home goods, ikea and the dollar store (to name just a few) i have found some really great wrappings online this year too that i needed to share with you!

anyone else share the love for lovely paper with me?!

ps: if you follow me on instagram, you saw the gold-foil polka-dot tissue paper i used to wrap the 'favorite things' gifts - found at the dollar store ;)

r o w  o n e : one || two || three || four

r o w  t w o: one || two || three

r o w  o n e : one || two || three
r o w  t w o : one || two || three

i k e a  f i n d s :  gift wrap one + two || bows || tags

t a r g e t  f i n d s :  deer wrap || ribbons: one + two + three + four + five

gift wrap : birds || mistletoe || wreaths || woodgrain

CURRENTLY LOVING || FAVORITE THINGS

this year my girlfriends and i did a 'favorite things' gift exchange - and it was a blast!
5 of us participated and we set a $10 budget per gift. so in total we each spent $40ish dolor on 4 gifts and walked away receiving 4 gifts from the other girls!!

here were the favorite things:

colleen gifted {no. 1} - holiday gift towels from anthropologie
confession: i have a weakness for pretty linens, dish towels and napkins - thanks mom for passing that on to me!

callie gifted {no. 2} - lobe wonders and the best top coat nail polish
i cant wait to try the lobe wonders- being able to wear heavy earrings and not have stretched lobes.. genius! 
ps: your going to love this top coat! callie takes hers with her every time she visits the nail salon. less wait time while your pretty nails dry.

caroline gifted {no. 3} - chipotle gift card
we all try to get together for dinner twice a month. it's BYOdinner and we sit around and catch up, encourage and enjoy spending even just a few hours together with no distractions. without fail, caroline will almost always bring chipotle for her dinner - it's greatness she gifted us each a gift card to her favorite place :) 

kristin gifted {no. 4} - bio silk and pan scrapers
if you have not tried bio silk - do so now. i used it in high school and when we're on family vacation i borrow it from my aunt, to easy brushing out tangles from the ocean water.  it smells wonderful and it leaves your hair silky smooth!  
and the little brown square you ask?! it has 4 different corners and each are designed to reach and clean every pan, bowl, inch of your kitchen and cooking tools! 

i gifted {no. 5} - little jar with cinnamon-sugar blend, celebration coffee, frother and tumbler
i mixed a few things together to put together my 'favorite things'. most mornings i make a nespressso coffee with a little steamed/frother milk, topped off with a little cinnamon-sugar bland. 'fancy' coffee as my mimi calls it! so i put together all the things needed to make the 'fancy' coffee.
ps: i bought one 1lbs bag of coffee and snagged 4 extra coffee bags and divided it into four:)

no. 1 || no. 2 (one + two) || no. 3  || no. 4 (one + two) || no. 5 ( one + two + three (similar) + four)

+ + + + added bonus: 

i found these super snugly and inexpensive blankets at ikea and couldn't resist not getting each of the girls one! then i did a little searching on pinterest and found these adorable (and free) printable tag fit for the occasion! then i gave them the option to have their blankets personalized by yours truly from our little monogram shop :)

CURRENTLY LOVING || CHRISTMAS GARLAND

i am loving all things garland this year!
we put a $3 target find -very merry- over the  kitchen window. i got some darling tiny jingle bell garland on the sale table at anthropologie a few years ago, its on the tree this year!! there are so many cute options out there... i'm putting the finishing touches on this scripture advent calendar (garland style of course) and there are so many cute options on etsy... this christmas tree garland with gold glitter stars... adorable!  oh and this gold glitter deer garland- how cute would this be for the bar?!

do you love garland, glitter, tinsel and pretty ribbons and paper as much as i do?! ugh, i think its a problem!
i did find some of the most wonderful wrapping paper at home goods this year (by the way, homegoods is my total weakness.. my sister and i have been known to make a weekly trek there...!)

i would love to know where you go to find all things gift wrap!!

one || two || three || four || five || six || seven

eight || nine || ten || eleven || twelve || thirteen || fourteen

GIFT GUIDE || FOR HER

let's here it for the girls!
your mama, your best friend, your sister.. and maybe even a little treat for yourself. i've tried to include a little something for all the ladies on your shopping list this year.
from little budgets, to bigger budgets... there's still a theme throughout: neutrals and long lasting (past the holiday season)! gifts that keep on giving and remind the receiver of the gift giver long after the holiday cheer has faded.
for example, a favorite scented candle, a 2015 planner, something sparkly that you get to look at everyday, but my favorite item is for sure the journaling bible!

candles: one | two | three || mug || nespresso pods & machine || journaling bible || pen

lingerie bags || earrings || necklace || socks: one | two || boots
slippers || pj set || phonecase || cologne || bath&body set || tassel  || tote
nail polish || bobby pins || rings || earrings  || tray || planner || mousepad || pen || notes

GIFT GUIDE || FOR HIM

another day, another gift guide!
this time, with the men in mind... brothers, boyfriends, husbands oh my!

finding the right gift for sp is most defiantly not the easiest. last year he was great in the fact that he had a few specifics on his 'wish list'. which were: a horse blanket and a cinch buckle. but this year, he not living on the ranch anymore and i'm thinking i'll have to get a little more creative. still my go-to will be anything that supports his love for hunting!

so this year my gift guide for him has country and city sp in mind :)

whats on your man's wish list this Christmas?!

stationary || glasses || ice molds

range finder || broadheads || flask || shaker || shaker kit

tumbler || boots || watch: one | two || shoe care kit

cooler || shirt: one | two | three || hoodie || slippers

GIFT GUIDE || FOR MINIS

you guys.. how fun is it to to gift fun things to the minis in your life?!
i feel like everyone around us is sharing a 'first Christmas' with their little ones this year!!
the little {mama + mini} series has been a hit on the blog, so i figured a #giftguide for the minis would be fitting!

the clothing items listed are more because i couldn't handle myself- good gosh there is some seriously yummy stuff out there right now .... for both boys and girls!
the wooden toys are because they were the kinds of gifts we got when we were little.. mostly we still have them.. in the guest room at mama lanes house just patiently waiting for grand-babies! no worries, its not happening any time just yet- but i love that the toys my sister and i had will be the ones our kids play with one of these days!
(real talk: wooden toys over platic toys any day).

merry Christmas to all you first time mommies- hope you have the most wonderful time making new memories with your little families!

elephant || lion || zebra || moose

jesus story book bible || guess how much i love you || olivia helps with Christmas || baby's Chrismtas

doll pram || walker wagon || wheely bug || balance bike

tee pee || tassel booties || gray crown || headbands || skirted onesie || heart onesie || oh baby onesie

tall baby booties || push-along duck || pull puppy

stripe layette set || footsie coverall || fleece coverall || bambie hoodie || minnetonka booties
star teething toy || flower teething toy
activity gym || lamb mobile || lamp pull toy

wooden tool kit || caterpillar pull-along || alligator pull-along

catch up on the 2014 holiday gift guide here: 

stocking stuffers

a holiday guest

the hostess

GIFT GUIDE || THE HOSTESS

its day three of my 2014 holiday gift guide!!
if you missed day one (stocking stuffers) or day two (holiday guests) be sure to catch up, wouldn't want you to miss any of the holiday goodness!

today is one of my favorites of the #giftguide series... like i mentioned yesterday, giving gifts is my favorite thing.. and showing up to a holiday party with a personalized gift, a gift that you sought out with the hostess in mind is the best!

any of these holiday goodies will make any hostess smile!!

wine stopper: M || pine cone one & two || jingle bell || stag 

cocktail shaker || bottle bag || mr&mrs glasses || wine coaster

moose cheese pick holder || chalk table signs || wine opener || stag ice bucket

cheese knife set || stag bottle opener || snowflake coasters

glitter coasters || monogrammed glasses || monogrammed cuttingboard

GIFT GUIDE || HOLIDAY GUEST

two things i absolutely love:
1- the holidays !!!
2- giving a thoughtful gift

its that time of the year again... all of your favorite blogs are filled with the most wonderful gift guides, ideas and holiday inspiration!
my little holiday #giftguide series started yesterday with #stockingstufferes, if you want to catch up!!
i love a good gift guide. and i love giving gifts. so a little extra thought went into this post for you sweet readers today. because if your hosting guests over the holidays - you don't want to show up empty handed or if your hosting a guest, your going to want them to feel at home and welcome.... the gift ideas listed below will do just that!

pick your favorite items and place them all in a pretty basket and you will be the most welcome house guest ever!
or place a few of your favorite items in your guest room for your guest to enjoy and your will be the the most thoughtful hostess there ever was!

bowl || decanter || candle || fresh lavender

constellation tray || towels
essential oil || calming bath || basket || candle || laundress baby & holiday

GIFT GUIDE || STOCKING STUFFERS

its happening sooner than you think....exchanging of gifts, holidays, wrapping and unwrapping of new favorite things and more importantly: the spreading of holiday cheer!!
to kick off my 2014 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE on the blog, i am starting with a few #stockingstuffers that will make most any girl in your life smile... sister, momma, aunt, friend!

oh, and a little background on why the fresh apples and oranges made the list.. 
in germany 'st nikolaus' comes on the eve of december 6th. tradition is for all the little ones to clean and set out their boots in front of the door.. we had to start setting ours outside of the front door, because my sister was a little concerned that a big, strange, bearded man, was going to come to our bedroom door..:) so you set out your boots and the next morning you wake up to your boots full of goodies! (like we do with stockings here on Christmas morning). but at the bottom of your boots you were to always find fresh apples, oranges or even yummy chocolates if you were lucky!
we have kept the tradition in our family and on Christmas morning you are going to find a few fresh fruits in the bottom of your stockings!!

giftcards nordstrom & anthropologie || earrings || soma || anything monogrammed!!

makeup || hairties || ring holder || ring || necklace

passport holder & bag tag || travel mug || mug || clutch

MOMMY MUST HAVES

one || two || three || four || five || six || seven || eight || nine || ten || eleven || twelve

happy friday friends!
around these parts, it has been the year of the baby.. or more like babies! babies everywhere!!
when your not one of them having the babies, you get to watch your friends go first and see what works, what doesn't work, learn - watch, and find all the cute and more importantly 'functional' items!

the first set of 'functional' items is inspired by my dear friend kendall, whom i met in yoga-teacher -training two years ago, and from their we built a wonderful friendship! and just one month ago today, she gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby girl!
i asked kendall to help me put together a list of a few things that have helped her make the first month with a tiny human a little easier…

kendall's top three mommy-must-haves: wubanub , mod swad, and the puj tub. 

this next set of little-lovelies, are from me following new mommies on instragram and those new mommies loving on some local etsy shops and inspirational mommies who have taken what they have leaved from having little ones into a little business! (was that confusing enough for you?!)

two of my favorites from this set are for sure the antler blankets and the gold-polkadot headbands!

one || two || three || four || five || six || seven || eight || nine || ten || eleven

twelve || thirteen || fourteen || fifteen 

do you have any mommy-must-haves that i didn't cover on the list?!

CURRENTLY LOVING

O N E  |  T W O  |  T H R E E  |  F O U R  |  F I V E  |  S I X  |  S E V E N  |  E I G H T  |  N I N E

ya'll. cactus is everywhere these days. everywhere!

i think is adorable/can be super cute when done tastefully and not to look like old mid-western themed vacation home!

so, that being said…. here are some darling cactus finds i am currently loving… especially the biscuit home finds. 
lets be honest, if my budget was larger, i would  putting one of everything in my shopping cart right now!!

what are your thoughts on cactus?!

CURRENTLY LOVING

O N E  |  T W O  |  T H R E E  |  F O U R  |  F I V E  |  S I X

two things i currently can't get enough of ( in moderation of course!) summer time margaritas and lighting my barr-co candle (anthropologie carries them too!) when i come home in the afternoons! 

don't worry, i don't have margs everyday, but if that was an option, i would not be opposed it it whatsoever!

PETS WHO PARTY

real talk: i have some super talented friends!

caroline and ellie being two of them. 

they came up with this brilliant idea  : PETS WHO PARTY. 

what: they create a personalized watercolor portrait of your pet(s) having a good time! cracking open a cold one, smoking a stogie, wearing a party hat and enjoying a birthday cake-  or however you think your pet would live it up!

how: pick your portrait size. send a picture of your precious pet and then let them know how your pet likes to party!

its genius, truly. hats off to these two sisters to come up with this darling idea and run with it!

i guess thats what you get when you have amazing talent in the family :)

if your looking for a great birthday gift, anniversary gift, or go ahead and knock your christmas shopping out - these girls will not let you down!! 

for more information visit Pets Who Party or email them: petswhoparty@gmail.com

images via: petswhoparty.com

MOTHERS DAY GIFTS

with mothers day on sunday, its just about time you have something special planned for your fabulous mom! maybe this year you go with a little something different.... like not just flowers, or edible-arrangements everyone is advertising... - sugar overload!

my mom loves her some thought out gifts - something we know she would love, something that isn't your run-of-the-mill gift you picked up white at checkout. 

so i put together a few things i know my mom would love to enjoy on mothers day...

a chilled bottle of veuve clicquot will go a long way!

T O L A N I scarf   ||   A N T H R O P O L O G I E candle 

J C P E N N Y bracelet  ||   V E U V E    C L I C Q U O T 

Z A R A   H O M E  goblets   ||   G I G I   N E W  Y O R K  oliva shopper

H A P P Y   M O T H E R S  day to all you amazing  M A M M A S !!