I'm Reading....

Currently I'm reading three different child developmental books. I love reading baby books, I have a stack I read last year all about pregnancy, baby names etc. you can read more about them here. Here's what I'm reading: 'Baby 411', this was given to me by my BFF who swears its a must have read, so far I like! It's really helped me get though the beginning of Avery teething. Its and easy read, I love all the information. Even though I have an older child who's 11 - I know things change over time, so its good to stay current. 


My mom bought the book 'The Secret Language of Babies' for me recently. I love all the pictures and baby cues 'about what you baby is saying' so far so good. 

Once upon a time, our little guy was amazing sleeper. He slept in his cradle or his crib all by himself the entire night { except for feedings} Now not so much, he's mostly in our bed. We need to break this habit, but I personally I can't do the 'cry-it-out' method, hearing my baby cry for a long period of time would be too upsetting. So when I came across The No Cry Sleep Solution I thought I'd give it a chance. I found the book at The Goodwill. 


Mommy Tip: Shop the thrift stores for Child Developmental books! Usally they The Goodwill has a ton, just skip past the outdated ones and look for the books that are new, with topics that interest you. Trust me you'll never know what you'll find.

Here's a better look at the book

I'm only a few chapters in, trying my best not to skip ahead, lol. This Mamma needs some sleep, and if you ever slept with a little one in your bed then know you get almost zero sleep. When I start applying the sleep techniques in the book, I'll be be back with a review

What are you reading right now? Any baby books like me? Or please feel free to suggest a 'grown-up book' that's a must read! 

Cutie Pies

Nope, this post isn't about my kiddos which are cutie pies! :) It's about baking. A few weeks back my mom was over my house and we were watching Martha Stewart together, on her show she had a guest named Dani Cone who shared her cute mini desserts. She wrote a book called Cutie Pies { I'm not getting paid for this, I love sharing! :) } Anyways my mom and I thought the her mini pies where darling and a must to try. When I was growing up my mom made almost everything from scratch and its an excellent cook, but she was always busy so we never got a chance to bake together. So I bought this book a few days ago via Amazon for my mom and I to bake together, mom and daughter bonding time! My mom was super happy about my surprise and loves the book and recipes 

What makes these pies so darling is that Dani bakes some of the mini pies in wide mouth mini mason jars. Talk about darling! We plan on making a few of her recipes in the book for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm so excited to start this new tradition with my mom for our family. I just adore the little pie in a jar, and I never knew you could bake in mason jars!

{ via here }

We are hoping to find 4oz jelly jars in stores ( Wal-Mart, Target and CVS) since canning is making a come back they should be easier to find. I also found some on Amazon! :) Around 11 bucks for 12 jars not bad at all. 

We can't wait to make these mini key lime pies, made using mini muffin tins. Don't those look good! 

{ via High 5 Pie }

I'll share how our pies turn out, most likely we'll do a test run before Thanksgiving! :) 

Are you stating any new baking traditions with your family this year?

A Stack Here, A Stack There

If you walked into our living room, you would see stacks of books with their discarded covers on the floor. Over the weekend I spent some time in our garage, digging though containers looking for books that have been packed away since we moved to add to the books I've recently bought on the cheap.

I came across so many books I missed, including a ton of books my mom bought us. She bought us a ton of great books on gardening, home improvement, and party basics. Thanks again mom. I really glad I looked our garage, because I found a trio of books I really missed a , The Little Lady Agency books by Hester Browne. I love reading books set in England, so your looking for a summer read check this series out.

After removing the book covers on the books, I began sorting the books spine color. I ended up with a stacks of white books, blue books and black books. Out of all the stacks, I loved the colored stacks the most.

We have a good collection of hardback books and softcover books.

While I was looking for books in the garage, I came across a few few Jane Austen novels, I own - love her. I've always wanted to own a few of her books in hardback.  I decided to get to buy two of her books from Penguin Classics via the great deal from Amazon.com. I'm buying Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice for a mere $ 13.60 each. In the future I'll likely end up buying the The Odyssey, this is a classic I've yet to read and have been wanting to read it for sometime.

{ via design sponge }

Next I need to decide where the books will land on the shelves and apply some styling tips I mentioned today in this post. I'm pretty sure I'm heading to a thrift store tonight, you never know what you'll find there that just needs some paint.

Don't you just love the Penguin Classics book cover designs. So timeless and elegant. What's on your summer reading list?

Nate Berkus: Bedroom Rules

A few days ago my husband and I took our son to the library to check out some books. Our plan is for our son to write a few book reports over the summer (I know were mean parents). While our son was in the kids section of the library, I somehow maneged to find myself looking at Interior Design books. One book, I came across and have been wanting to buy for quite some time is Home Rules, by Nate Berkus. I flipped though the book and decided to check it out before I buy it, its all mine until June 1, 2010.

I flipped to the bedroom section, since we are currently working on our bedroom. Remember two weeks ago  I shared with you a ghastly { in my best English Accent } before photo. I know our bedroom looked awful, I'm just keeping it real.

I like this bedroom Nate designed, it feels serene and fresh. I like the crisp white bedding and the neutral headboard and how not one thing overpowers another. Everything is just layered in so nice.

{ source }

Here are 5 of Nate Burkas Bedroom Rules, I'm applying in our bedroom

1. Make the bedroom luxurious and inviting. 

CLH: I bought all new sheets, duvet, shams, coverlet and am making velvet shams for our Euro pillows. I    think the bedding always helps add that luxe feel.

2. Serenity is the key, keep the wall color soothing and the trip crisp

CLH: We beefed up our baseboards, like we did in our kitchen and painted them a crisp white. For the wall color we choose a grey, that looks amazing in sunlight and at night.

3. Have all lights on dimmers and shades and drapes that are easy to open and lower.

CHL: Our chandelier arrived yesterday and Mr. CLH will be putting that light on a dimmer. I'm swapping out our high voltage bedside lights for a lower watts. To help create more ambiance at night. Our curtains will be stationary and were keeping our wood blinds.

4. Create a reading Nook, keep a stack of books on hand

CLH: This will be the most changeling - but I think I can pull it off. I've always wanted a reading space in our bedroom, so I'll be looking for a chair I can reupholster form a thrift store or on Craiglist.

5. A mix of bedroom furniture.

CLH: We have matching night stands and a mix of dark wood furniture and painted furniture. It's a good mix of my style and my husbands.

Next week, I should have lots of photos of our bedroom as we get closer to our after. Its going to be a busy weekend, but that makes it so much more fun!

Do you own a copy of Home Rules? Have you applied Nate's suggestions to your spaces, if so which ones?

{ Don't forget to enter my giveaway! Measure It  & At Nova Lighting Store, you can save up to 20% off your lighting using the CHICSALE code at checkout. For more information, click here }

 

More Books on the Cheap

A few months back while at Goodwill, I found some great reads on the cheap. I read all the books I bought last time, and was in need of more good reads. I popped into Goodwill and got more books on the cheap. I few ladies suggested I join a book club,so that's something I'll likely do soon, its cool to hear other peoples thoughts a book you've just read/reading.

Reading List:

The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd  { I've seen the movie, and now can't wait to read the book! I do that a lot see a movie and then get really into the book....same with Twilight }

Jemma J, by Jane Green

Drowning Ruth, by Christa Schwarz { An Oprah Book Club Read, So I'm pretty sure it will be good }

Something Borrowed, Emily Giffin { I recently read Baby Proof LOVE LOVED. I'm thinking of Dayka right now saying I really should read her books in order! I'm back on track now, after I finish this one, I'll be looking for Something Blue }