Carseat Commotion Part 1: Infant Carrier

Since this blog was promised to be about kids, spouses and all things in between, I have decided to do a Carseat Commotion segment. This segment will be in two parts starting with the seat your babe will need to come home from the hospital.

Meet the Chicco KeyFit 30. 

This car seat was my best friend when we had Baby Bee. I am the type of person that will research until my fingers can't type any longer, before I buy something. This was no different. I spent 3 months, 8 trips to Babies 'R Us, and countless hours researching this seat. Since I knew baby Bee would be early (six weeks early, actually), I knew I needed a seat that would accommodate a small baby. This seat goes all the way from 4lbs to 30lbs (talk about bang for your buck). Another reason we picked this one was, the ease of use. I am the person that likes to loosen the straps to get babe out then tighten them back up once she's all snug in her seat. With the Chicco, that was no problem, one push of the orange button to loosen and a pull of the strap to tighten and, Voila!

"So why is it called the Chicco KeyFit 30 instead of just the Chicco KeyFit?"

The reason this seat is the KeyFit 30 (theres actually two, the regular KeyFit and the KeyFit 30) is because it holds babies up to 30lbs or 30 inches. Where as the regular KeyFit only holds babies up to 22lbs or 30 inches.

Durning my research I tested seat, after seat, after seat (I won't name brands but they all essentially sucked), the winning moment for this seat was the installation. No beach towels, pool noodles or foam seat pads needed to get the base (which is included when you buy the seat) level. Chicco designed an ingenious self leveling mechanism that you can move up or down to get it level. Another plus? its connected to your car via the LATCH system. You can learn more about LATCH here. The base has two buckles that connect to the anchors (already in your car, unless you're driving something overly outdated) and make it exceptionally easy to get them tight.

No need to purchase accessories. Seriously. This seat comes with everything you need and its all washable in your washing machine. Straight out of the box you get: 

-Manual

-Car Seat

-Base

-Infant head and bum support

-Padded Seat Cover

-Shoulder Strap Covers (so as not to hurt those precious little cheeks and necks when tightening)

So, as I posted this review and sat on it for a while, I realized I forgot the biggest part; SAFETY. Like I said earlier, I am one to research something until I've read every review known to man and all the company/ foundation reviews (in this case IIHS). The biggest reason I we picked this seat was how safe it was. It scored the highest in front, side, rear and rollover crash ratings. You'll notice that babe sits in this one a lot deeper than most, thats by design. Its to keep them safe, and an extra inch that my arms have to reach to get her out is just dandy with me if it means I can have the piece of mind that she is in the safest seat I can buy.

 I have decided that I will make this a three part series and explain the seats that didn't make the cut and why.

So, do I recommend you go try out this seat for yourself and purchase it? Yes! 

Until next time (when we will visit convertible carseats!). 

A.B

DIY Summer Door Decor

Good Evening and Happy Saturday, y'all! Its seriously starting to feel like summer at my house (it reached 89 degrees today!), and when summer comes around, I like to have lots and lots of fun door decor for my front door (hey, I live in an HOA and painting 'Welcome Summer' on my garage door in springy colors is frowned upon... and usually you get fined).

In todays post, Im going to show you how to make this suuuuuuuper cute, fun, watermelon door hanger! Its easy,  I promise!

For this project you will need:

 Sewing Machine

A spool of thread in any color of your choosing (I went with boring beige)

Sewing or Fabric Scissors

1/2 Yard of Burlap

PolyFil Stuffing (Or newspaper if your going for that ultra green vibe)

White Acrylic Paint

Red or Pink Acrylic Paint

Green Acrylic Paint

Black Acrylic Paint

Wire

Wire Cutters 

Pliers 

A cute ribbon (totally optional)

A Large Paint Brush

A Baby (detail) Paint Brush

Something to squirt your paint on to 

Now that you have all your goodies, lets get started. You'll want to make a basic outline of your watermelon onto your burlap. The best way to do this is to fold the burlap in half (so you have 

two pieces when you cut) and draw from corner to corner. I didn't use a template, just my imagination (eep!). I ended up making it look like two bites had been taken out of it. It looked like this: 

After this step, make sure you have two parts! Sew them together! Neat thing about burlap is, its not side specific, so sew on whichever side your heart desires. Make sure you stitch about 3/4" from the edge (burlap frays like a mo-decker!)

BEFORE YOU SEW ALL THE WAY AROUND AND GET MAD AT ME, THINK ABOUT THIS LOGICALLY, YOU ARE ESSENTIALLY MAKING A BURLAP PILLOW AT THIS POINT. SO, DON'T SEW ALL THE WAY AROUND. 

Leave about a 3" gap on one side so you can stuff it. 

All stitched up (MINUS THE 3" I JUST TOLD YOU TO LEAVE OPEN)?

Great, go nuts with your stuffing!

Next up, stitch that sucker up all the way around. So, yeah, you just made a burlap pillow. Congratulations! 

Tuh-Dah! You're done. Just. Kidding. Go get a glass of whatever you're drinking and pick up your white paint and brushes while your up. Im not kidding. Seriously. GO. Get MOVIN'!

Oh, good, you finally moved. Im so glad. I was worried you fell asleep (or worse) on me there. Now, For the next steps you'll need your paint, paint brushes, and your squirt spot (you know, where you squirt your paint). 

Start with your WHITE paint, paint two coats all over the front (you decide whats the front and whats the back!)

You'll notice that I didn't paint all the way out to the edges, thats preference. Personally, I wanted a little bit of burlap to show through, if you don't, paint all the way out to the edges or be prepared to trim later.

Next up, get your green paint out ( I don't have a picture of this one because Im 99% certain we've all seen a freaking watermelon before. If not, google it. Paint the green around the edges (except the top edge!)

After green, get your red and white out (and mix your own pink, like I did) or use a store bought pink! and paint like this: 

I found that two coats of green, and two coats of pink added just the right amount of pop. You be the judge on yours!

After your pink is done, you may want to let it dry for 20-30 minutes (perfect amount of time to go throw another load of laundry in, chase your child around the house, clean up the mess they just made or, catch up on the last DVR episode of Duck Dynasty!)

Once you've gotten your fix of Uncle Si and the guys, come on back and you can put your wire hanger in. To do this, I used 20 gauge wire (any size works), cut about 18" and fed it through each side like so: 

To get the circle at the end, I wrapped the wire around the needlenose of the pliers and smooshed (ultra technical term there) it together so it would lay flat on my melon. This stops it from coming un-strung!

Now, this is where you get to be creative, painting your melon seeds. Maybe you want a lot, maybe you want a seedless melon. Maybe you have a Welcome WaterMelon, maybe it only has seeds. This part is up to you. I chose an off centered 'Welcome' with a bunch of seeds! 

Once you have seeded to your hearts content, make sure you add your (optional) cute ribbon, and hang on your front door for all your neighbors to envy! 

Total Craft Time: 1 Hour. Perfect for afternoon naps! 

Until next time: Happy Crafting!

A.B.

Kitchen Makeover!

Good Morning readers! I apologized I haven't blogged here in a few days, last week was beyond hectic     freaking crazy in our house. We had everything from doctors appointments to prepping for Mother's Day (don't even get me started on how horrid my Mother's Day was), and at some point in there J and I decided that we would have this brilliant idea to put in a new backsplash in our kitchen. Yep, we are crazy.

In our crazy ways on Wednesday afternoon we decided that we would install these. Now, per the website, the box and the guy at Lowe's, these were supposed to be self stick. WRONG. They were sticky enough to hold them on the walls for a max of 6 hours, then in the wee hours of the morning you'd hear metal tiles hitting our hardwood floor. Not only was this frustrating because we had spent our max of three hours (per Aspect, this backsplash should only take three hours) doing a backsplash that wasn't going to stick forever, but also frustrating because J's only day off last week was Wednesday, leaving me to do the work of two people. So, on Thursday, H and I trucked our way to Home Depot in search of some glue. I came up with this, which is worth its weight in gold. Once you apply four pea sized drops of Loctite, your tiles won't go anywhere. I was able to make significant progress while J was at work on Thursday. See?

Before and in progress.

Now, I had to stop right after this photo due to the cuts that needed to be made on the tile. Originally we were cutting them with a Dremel and a cutting blade but, it wasn't producing the clean results we really desired. So on Sunday (Mother's Day) J decided to go buy a saw. He managed to come home with this one, I like it because of its Dr. Evil style laser beam, he likes it because of how easy it glides through metal tiles. While I was at my mom's house for Mother's day he managed to complete the backsplash (which was all of 10 tiles needing to be cut with the saw).

The final product!

There were some pro's and con's to using the Aspect Metal tiles, We will start with the Pro's

1. Cheaper than having a professional come in and do them (our final cost was around $450, not including the saw)

2. Easy to use

3. Very clean and easy to keep clean

4. There is a magnitude of colors and finishes to choose from 

5. No grout needed

Con's:

1. You really need to have a saw to cut them

2. They need to be cut exactly or else the tiles don't fit together well

3. Anticipate a full day (like 9-6) to install a full kitchen

4. The plastic protector sheet on the front of the tiles doesn't come off easy

Until next time! 

A.B.

Product review: Shark Steam Mop

Wooooooohoooo! Product review time! I love sharing products that Im passionate about and am very vocal about products that I feel need improvement! This particular product review is of a product very near, and dear to my heart (so near and dear that I asked my best friend if I could take it on vacation with me a month ago... ).

Ok, todays Product review is of the Shark Pocket Steam Mop. If you know me, you know that I vacuum my floors (at least) four times a week and steam mop (at least) three times a week (So, I might be   am addicted to cleaning - on a three canisters of Clorox wipes a month - level). Generally on a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday schedule - depending on the activities during the week in the house. I love, LOVE this mop for many reasons but here are my top ten:

1. Easy as pie to use. Seriously, can you put water in a glass? Then you can use this mop!

2. No icky water to clean up

3. Suuuuuper fast dry time. None of that "No honey, you need to stay out of the kitchen for twenty minutes" here. 

4. Its purple (and purple is my color.) Don't like purple? Cool, it comes in white too.

5. No new heads, pads or sponges to buy. Seriously, once you're done - toss the (INCLUDED) pad in the washer with your towels and your ready to go once that dryer buzzes!

6. Its small enough it can go just about anywhere. Seriously, Pantry, Closet, Bathtub, Under the sink (ok, maybe not under the sink). 

7. Its not just for floors. No kidding, I use mine on our tubs and showers. 

8. Its perfect for EVERY. SINGLE. FLOOR. TYPE. Carpet? Easy Breezy, just put on the carpet attachment and go to work. Hardwood? Tile? Linoleum? Sealed Concrete (yes, my husband used my shark on our sealed concrete garage floor. It shined like a diamond)? NO. FREAKING. PROBLEM. Just put on the appropriate pad and head and wam-bam-doodle. Go steam your shiz.

9. It comes with everything you could ever need. Mine came with three rectangular white pads, two triangular white pads, one carpet pad, one oversized white pad, the little filler doo-hickey, one rectangular head, one triangular head, one carpet head, one oversized head and of course the Shark, instruction manuals and some plastic bags that I threw away. I kid you not, I had to go online to make sure I didn't win the Shark lottery with all the stuff that came out of that box.

10. Its virtually indestructible. If you figure that I have had this thing since early 2011. Its now 2013. At three steams a week for two years, thats 312 steams across my floors. Give or take a couple dozen.


So, overall do you need a Shark? Yes. Should you still be sitting here reading this when you need to be getting in your car to go get one? No.

"But its icky out and I don't want to go anywhere" or "I live nowhere near civilization but I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED one of these"

Have no fear, you can buy online. I recommend here. It is the cheapest I've seen them. Anywhere, and you get a $10 gift card with purchase.

Happy Mopppin' y'all!

Dating your spouse

I think it goes without saying that once you make the decision to start a family you begin to focus solely on the bambino's of the family and less on yourself. Now, I don't claim to be a marriage expert but I don't think Im speaking out of turn (ie. Not married and giving marriage advice). Right after H was born, I really started to notice that every conversation, every picture on my phone (we are talking 1400 pictures on my phone here since she was born. Thats 100 pictures a MONTH), every thought became about her - don't take this as I don't adore my child, I do. But a stay around home mom needs some adult interaction. So, whats a chick to do? I suggested to J that we really needed to make time for our marriage and each other at least once a month. He happily agreed that it might be good for us.

So our very first 'date' night came, four months after H was born. It was great! For the one time since H was born I didn't have to worry about her sleeping, what time we had to be home, when her last bottle was, NOTHING. It felt like I was a free mom! J was happier than ever to leave the house without the entire house packed into a bag (so I might have been over prepared, better safe than sorry right?) and even called the restaurant and had them place two dozen red roses on the table for me before we even sat down! We have happily continued this tradition (almost) every month since.

Theres my roses!

Now, onto the real point of this post. I wasn't saying all of that to brag, really, I wasn't! I really wrote this particular post to give you ideas on what to do on a date with your spouse. So here's my list. Most of the things, we have done (a couple of times, actually).

1. Go out to a fancy restaurant (and go all out, five courses anyone?)

2. Stay at a five-star hotel (seriously, everyone deserves to once in their life!)

3. Have movie night... at your own house. Im talking turn up the surround sound like you're sixteen again!

4. Go out of town, but stay in-state (unless you live close to the state line)

5. Get a massage

6. Re-do a room. (Yes, my husband and I have spent a date night re-doing a room)

7. Take a cooking class

8. Make your own fondue

9. Take a zipline adventure (I hate heights, but this crap was fun!)

10. Go to a bouce house (We tend to act like children when we are alone without children, don't judge)

11. Take a glass blowing tour

12. Go rafting

13. Go on a hike

14. Go on a beer tour

15. Go on a hot air balloon ride

Happy dating y'all!

Did I leave any awesome adventures out?

From not so trashy to flashy!

Good evening, readers! Today I finished one of the simplest kitchen transformations, ever. Seriously. Easiest thing. EVER. Before I tell you all what I did (lets build some suspense), my bees knees husband agreed to let me re-decorate/remodel certain rooms in our home (kitchen included). We have lived in our home since August of 2010 when it was purchase brand-spankin'- new off the carpenters nail gun. I love our home, really I do. But when you are a stay-around-home mom and you see the same scenery day, after day, after day (like I don't even get the suspense of a car accident on the way to work anymore, yes. Im terrible for that. I know) its time for a change. So change I will do! I won't reveal all of our  my intentions with this re-decomodel just yet but I will share this handy, dandy, easy, peezy DIY that YOU can do to spice up your kitchen. 

"Ok, chick, get to the point here".

 Right you are, to the point I will go! 

You know those, draaaaaaaaaaaaaaab, outdated, no personality white plastic blinds they put in EVERY. SINGLE. HOUSE these days? Yep, we had them too. I ditched those suckers. Here's how it went. 

(Before on the left, after on the right)

I managed to score a great deal on the curtain rod, curtains (and today, curtain pull back thingys).

I found my curtain rod and curtains here

I got two sets of two curtains for $16.99/each and one curtain rod for $16.99.

Now today, we added these fancy things to round it all out. Now these ended up being more of a necessity than I would have ever imagined since our dearest Zoey (see this post) uses the back door everyday. 

Now, I found these here for a nice $12.97/a pair!

If I may say so myself, it makes my home more.. uh, homey (not the gangster type). 

Enjoy readers! Since Im always curious, what colors are in your kitchen?

Edible Play-Doh!

 Lets be honest here, what parent hasn't had that awkward experience where their child so innocently picks off a little corner of play-doh and sticks in their innocent little mouths and you (the parent) watch in ABSOLUTE HORROR? Hmm, NO ONE. Even Mary Poppins couldn't avoid this one, people. 

So, not that its any better but why not make it taste good (ehrm, salty and fruity is good, right?) and also make it with NO chemicals? "What, how is this possible?" You might be asking your computer screen, cocking your head slightly to the right. Hold on dear readers, for I shall share a great recipe!

This is what ours looked like completed!

Please Note: Mason Jar is not included in the recipe. You'll need to find your own. I like mine and don't share. Ask my mom, seriously. DO. NOT. SHARE.

Anywho- On to the recipe, now that I've wasted enough of your precious time....

You will need: 

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

1 cup cold fruit juice (apple, grape, etc.) 

1 Table spoon vegetable oil

Food coloring (totally optional here, but my child really likes bright colors)

Mix flour and salt together, then add oil and juice. Knead together then add food coloring. Continue kneading until food coloring is even throughout. 

Now, the first time I made this- I made two batches thinking I would need one for each color. WRONG-O. One batch yields three softball sized globs of play doh.

Store it in an air tight container (or a ziploc baggie if you're like me).

Happy dough playin' y'all! See, (erhm, read) ya next time!

So this is the story all about how- wait a second, its a not a story if its ongoing is it?, anywho- my life got flipped turned upside- crap, this totally isn’t turning out how I pictured... Rewind, start over.

So this is my blog all about how I’m living my life right about now. I’ve got a daughter, a husband a doggy and a kitty. Im living my life in this town called Aurora...

So, I don’t have a future writing rap jingles or hit TV show theme songs (like thats a bad thing, I'll leave it to the pro's). I do however have a bunch of great ideas and a lot of fun living my life. So lets get started. I think I covered most of the basics in my not so catchy tune, Im Alexis.

(Don't judge the Chex Mix, huh?)

This is my husband, Jered (Hes the bees knees, if I do say so myself), and my daughter Hadley!

Thats Zoey, shes new to our fan-dam-ily!

This is Beemer. Hes the grumpy old man of the house, and rarely descends from the top of my kitchen cabinets.

Now, the important stuff. I am a stay at around home mom, who would most of the time prefer to be outside, crafting or redecorating my house. Now on to the good stuff! Who want's to craft?!

Happy reading y'all!