Products we Love

February 11, 2018

Fawn Design Diaper Bag Review

If you know me, or have been following me for long, you know that I am a diaper bag fanatic. I have tried so many styles and brands, and although I think that some service a specific purpose, I always come back to my Fawn Design diaper bags.

I have owned one since Avé was an infant, and now switch between two and love them. I thought I would do a Fawn Design review for all of you, when you’re searching for a bag of you own.

*product was received in exchange for review. Read more here

Fawn Design Diaper Bag Review

I can not be alone in the fact that fashion and function are equal for me when it comes to a diaper bag. I do not carry a purse with my diaper bag, so for the past 5 years 90% when I am leaving my house my diaper bag is my purse….so what it looks like MATTERS!

The Fawn Design Diaper bag is faux leather with gold hardware and accents that are gorgeous. I was actually stopped at the airport the first time I traveled with the bag by 3 NON MOMS asking where I got my backpack because they wanted one. That is a total diaper bag win.

Fawn Design Diaper Bag Functionality

On top of being fashionable it has 10 pockets and you can pull the inside out to wipe out, which comes in super handy when you have 10 bags of goldfish crumbs in there. There is a key hook for your keys, and you can use the backpack straps or attach the messenger strap.

I personally typically leave both straps on. If I’m only running in the store I’ll throw it on with the messenger strap, but if I’m walking far, a backpack style diaper bag is the only way to go!

I am able to take enough in my Fawn Design bag for all three kids for a full day. We traveled across the country last month and I had enough for all three kids for the full day the full-time we were there in my bag.

One thing I will note about the bag is that the inner pockets don’t keep a ton in them so I do like to use my own small bags to organize my bag.

Fawn Design Mini

I recently got Avé the mini (because I won’t stop twinning with her until she makes me) and it is LOVE. She loves to carry it, so many times she takes her own little stuff and a snack for Jack in her bag.

I love that I could easily carry it as a small purse for a ball game – which will happen, so it was well worth the investment for me. I will say if you are looking to buy this for your kiddo, it would be great for preschool but once they hit the age where they need a folder a full-sized folder won’t fit.

Update… Avé now uses it as her dance bag too and it is perfect for that, and I loved it so much that I bought the black one for myself to use when we go on dates where a backpack would be best!!

Let me know what you think of the Fawn Design Diaper bag if you give it a try, and let me know if you have any questions.

Also I am sure that if you’re looking for a review on the Fawn Design Diaper bag, you have considered the Freshly Picked bag. I did a comparison of the two here to help you decide which works best for you!

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Family

February 8, 2018

Toddler Valentine’s Day Party

I am so excited about todays guest blog post. Since I know so many of you loved my Valentines Day party post a few days ago, I thought it would be fun to share Chelsee’s ADORABLE Toddler Valentines Day party she put together. Be sure to check out Chelsee on Instagram and her blog for more amazing posts like this!!

Valentine’s Day Party

I’ll take any excuse to plan a party and a day all about love is one of them! My bff has kids close in age to mine (thank goodness-it’s so fun to get together with littles that can play!) and we decided to plan a little Valentine’s shindig.

I know it’s totally early but Valentine’s day will be here before you know it so why not start celebrating now?! It was a good excuse to have some fun treats and let the kiddos make some easy crafts.

I will try to tag everything, but please let me know if you have any questions!

Bag

rug / glitter banner / wool garland / love balloon / hats / tutus /Flower Clips

Our Valentine’s Craft

We have bins of trinkets, pom poms, googley eyes, pipe cleaners, etc. The girls love gluing them to paper and making fun designs.

I decided to pull out all the Valentine’s Day colored pom poms, pipe cleaners, and construction paper and let them go to town creating whatever their little hearts desired. I also added in some foam hearts and mini doilies that I got from Walmart. It was simple but they loved it!

Hopefully this will give you some fun ideas for a Valentine’s Day party of your own! See our other Valentine’s Day photos here from last year. Thanks for reading!

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Food

February 6, 2018

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Superfood Protein Smoothie

This weeks Guest Recipe Post will have you craving that fall pumpkin year round!! Alex from Queen Culinare is sharing this amazing Vegan Pumpkin Spice Superfood Smoothie, and it is AMAZING!! Drink this as a smoothie, or poor it in a glass to enjoy with a straw, either way you are going to love it!

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Protein Superfood Smoothie

Smoothies

1 cup Non-Dairy Milk of Choice (unsweetened almond milk is a great choice)
1/2 cup Pumpkin Pureé
1 1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
1-2 cups Ice
2 scoops Vanilla Vegan Protein Powder (Optional but recommended)
1/4 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Toppings

2 Tbsp Non-dairy Yogurt
2 tsp Shelled Hemp Seeds
2 tsp Chia Seeds
2 tsp Cacao Nibs

Place all the smoothie ingredients into a high powered blender (Vitamix or Nutribullet kinda thing) and blend until smooth and thick.

Divide between two glasses and top with a little yogurt. Go wild with your toppings, pop in a straw and enjoy!

If you have unflavoured protein powder, this works great too. Just be sure to add a little stevia or other sweetener to taste (honey, maple syrup etc) and 1 tsp vanilla extract.

I hope you all enjoy this Vegan Pumpkin Spice Superfood smoothie, and make sure you check out the rest of Alex’s recipes and let her know how much you love this!

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Food

January 30, 2018

Homemade Granola Recipe

This weeks guest recipe post does not disappoint you guys!! Jessica, from The Simplicity Journal was sweet enough to share with you all her Homemade Granola Recipe. Before I posted it, I had to give it a try, and is amazing!! Make sure you guys jump over to Jessica’s blog and Instagram to check out more amazing recipes, home decor, and posts on motherhood!!

Homemade Granola Recipe

1/2 cup melted butter* (If you’re looking for something healthier I suggest doing an oil such as avocado or olive)

1/2 cup brown sugar* (Again a healthier alternative could be honey or pure maple syrup)

3 cups oats (I used old fashioned oats)

Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl and stir until evenly coated. At this point you can add in dried fruits. I will add chocolate chips to the one for Lizzy but obviously those won’t be added until later. PREHEAT the oven to 375 and bake for 12 minutes. I opened the oven and stirred them around even three minutes so that they didn’t burn. Allow them to cool for about 10ish minutes.

To make into a parfait:

Layer vanilla yogurt, fresh strawberries, and the granola and there you go in less than 20 minutes you have a wonderful homemade breakfast with granola to spare for the next few days.

Make sure you check out Jessica and let her know what you thought of this recipe!! Check out her original post here.

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Family

January 26, 2018

The Perfection Perception

There has been so much talk the last couple of weeks about Instagram. About the perception of perfection that is portrayed, and the feelings that is leaving people with. It is a lot to wrap my head around, especially when that area of the Internet serves as a place for me to do work, and put in a lot of time. It also is a place where I have made some of the most genuine connections of my life…because hello 21st century haha.

So I got to thinking about why we post “perfect squares,” and if it is right…or are we really doing harm? I feel like thats a loaded question WITH NO RIGHT ANSWER. But for me, when I post pictures on Instagram, or take photos for my blog I feel good about it. I don’t feel I am doing a disservice, or like I am faking out all of my followers. I feel like I am showing a highlight real with 20 others on the cutting room floor, but also showing what is a pretty accurate depiction of our lives. Wellllll okay the one thing I would say is less than accurate is that my kids normally aren’t wearing pants…but I feel like you can all forgive me for making them suit, er pants up for a photo.

But really, the Pinterest breakfasts, and the homemade crafty mom school snacks, and the perfectly clean rooms really are me. And Im not saying that to brag. I am saying that to be truthful. To tell you that those things I post are the exact aspects of my life that led me to think that sharing our creative life and home would be perfect for a blog. I don’t do those things for the blog, but rather I started blogging because those were things I LOVED to do as a mom. On the flip side there are so many things that I see other people do, and post that AREN’T ME, and I wish they were. I wish I cooked amazing meals for my family every night, and I wish that I dressed super put together everyday, BUT I DONT. That isn’t me, and you know what…I am SO glad that although those aren’t my strengths as a wife and a mom, or a person, that they are the strengths of others.

I am glad that I have friends that I can text and ask medical advice because they are nurses and have the heart (and stomach) to have amazing knowledge and skills I don’t have. So many times they have calmed my nerves and saved my butt! I am so glad that my best friend is a total boss babe who kicks butt all day in the work place, and I can ask her advice about business sides of my blog when they come up. I am SO glad that God gave us all individual strengths and weaknesses and interweaved us to come together to lift one another up and help each other be the best wife, mom, friend, woman we can be!

So I won’t stop posting the things that I am great at, and I hope that they make you smile, knowing that those are aspects of my life that bring myself and our family great joy, and a sense of normal. And I hope you don’t stop posting all of your strengths and you keep kicking butt in what brings you joy, or helps your family!! Our time on Earth is hard enough without being happy for each other, and without lifting each other up. So lets be each others biggest cheerleaders and spend a little more time smiling together!!

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Food

January 23, 2018

Healthy Chicken Nugget Recipe

This weeks healthy recipe is one for the kids! My friend Jenny from Chocolate and Lace sent over her Healthy Chicken Nugget Recipe and I couldn’t wait to share it with you!! I feel like the only thing harder than coming up with simple, heathy recipes for myself, is coming up with options that are kiddo approved! This recipe will be sure to please the whole family!!

Jenny’s blog is full of amazing recipes, motherhood, travel, fashion and more! She has two beautiful daughters, and is about the most beautiful mom you will ever see!! So make sure you check out her blog to learn a little more about her and get more great recipes!

Healthy Chicken Nugget Recipe

Author: Chocolate and Lace

Recipe type: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Total time: 30 mins

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

1 lb chicken tenders, sliced in half
1½ cups bread crumbs
¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic, grated or finely minced
1 egg
1 cup flour
salt and pepper to taste
EVOO
For the sauces choose your favorite BBQ sauce.
For the Honey Mustard use 2 TBSP of honey mixed with ½ cup of dijon or brown mustard.

Instructions

In a large skillet, heat 1 TBSP of EVOO over medium high heat
In a shallow dish mix together bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley flakes and salt and pepper to taste.
In a second shallow dish place the one cup flour.
In a third shallow dish beat one egg with a fork.
Please the dishes in a row. Flour dish, egg dish and bread crumbs dish.
Dip each piece of tender in flour on both sides, then the egg on both sides and then cover in bread crumbs.
Place into the hot skillet.
Cook on each side until golden brown.
Serve with sauces + ketchup for the kiddos!

Be sure you check out Jenny’s blog to get more recipes like this one, and I would love to hear what you and your family think of this recipe!!

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Holidays

January 22, 2018

Valentines Day Favorites

If you follow me on Instagram you have likely gathered that I LOVE Valentines Day. I mean what is better than a holiday where yo get to decorate with pink and hearts, and share love with everyone around you? I rounded up my Valentines Day Favorites for you guys, so you can jump on my bandwagon and get into the holiday spirit!

* this post contains affiliate links. Read more about that here.

Valentines Day Favorites

1. Little Girls Heart Pajamas. // 2. Heart Pom Pom Pillow. // 3. Pink Baby Mary Janes. //. 4.Glitter Heart Purse. // 5. Gold Heart Balloons // 6. Heart Baby Quilt // 7. Pink Skater Dress // 8. Black and White Blanket // 9. ABC Love Book // 10. Hanging Heart Wall Art // 11. Heart Knee High Socks // 12. Lilly’s Chocolate Heart // 13. Valentines PJs

I hope you find some Valentines Day Favorites that you love on this list!! If you’re looking for more Valentines Day goodies, head over to my girl, Navy’s Blog to check out her favorite finds!!

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Food

January 15, 2018

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar Recipe

This weeks guest recipe post is from my friend Nadia! I have been following Nadia on Instagram for nearly a year and her recipes make me salivate every time she posts. She has a way of making super healthy meals look elegant and delicious, and such a balance in the way she cooks which I love. Make sure to check her out on Instagram, and her fabulous blog to see more recipes like this. She was sweet enough to share a Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar Recipe with me today. These babies are gluten, diary, and refined sugar free!

A little note from Nadia

Simply put, I live for food. Now I know that sounds dramatic, but cooking/eating is my biggest passion in life. Growing up multicultural (Mexican mother & Syrian/French father, raised in Mexico, lived in France and finally the US) really developed my love for food and cooking style. I started my blog and Instagram account about a year ago to share my food point of view with the world. I used to be a restaurant chef, who fell in love with healthy living so most of the recipes I create will have a healthy twist to them, but I will share indulgent eats here and there because I am all about living a truly balanced life. Plus, what’s life without good wine and dessert, right?

Now more about these crazy good chocolate chip bars. I have 2 cookie monsters at home, so this was created with them in mind. I am pleased to report that my husband (basically healthy food hater) was a fan, he ate ½ the batch by himself and actually asked for more, Aleluya!

A really good tip here is that if you don’t have oat flour, it is really easy to make. For this recipe, I actually just blended 1 ¾ cup of gluten free oats until it was fine enough to look like flour. Another thing I will add, is that I use the KAL brand of liquid stevia because it is the one that tastes best to me, but feel free to use whichever one you have. You can also use any chocolate chips you want, I use the Lily’s brand because they are sweetened with stevia.

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar Recipe

Prep time: 10-12 minutes

Cook time: 15-17 minutes

Total time: 25-29 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups gluten free oat flour

4 tbsp coconut flour

1 tsp baking powder (aluminum free)

3 eggs

1 tbsp xylitol

¼ cup coconut oil

1 ½ cup unsweetened almond milk

5 tbsp almond butter

¼ tsp cinnamon

Dash of seasalt

Liquid Stevia (to taste but I use 2 droppers for the whole recipe)

1/2 cup Lily’s dark chocolate chips (stevia sweetened)

Directions:

1.- In a bowl, mix together the oat flour, salt, baking powder, xylitol, cinnamon and coconut flour.

2.- Whisk the eggs in a bowl with the almond milk.

3.- Melt the coconut oil and whisk into the egg mixture.

4.- Add almond butter and stevia into the egg and milk mixture.

5.- Add the wet ingredients into the dry and mix well.

6.- Add in the chocolate chips.

7.- Grease an 11 x 7 baking dish.

8.- Pour in the batter.

9.- Bake at 350 for 15-17 min.

10.- Cool before cutting into squares.

I can’t wait for you guys to try this recipe out, and be sure to let Nadia and I know what you think of it!!

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Family

January 10, 2018

Being a more Grateful Mom

I have shared our home goals, and shown my organization goals for this new year, but I also have much more important personal goals this year. When I think about life in the past year, I have taken on a busy life with blogging and added a human to our family, so needless to say – LIFE IS STRESSFUL. I knew that there were no HUGE changes I could make with my family to make things less stressful. That this was the season of life we are in with 3 small children, so rather I realized the change had to be with me. When I sat back and REALLY thought about the things causing me stress I realized how thankful I am to have those stresses. That they are all stemming from immense blessings. So I had my resolution: to be a more grateful mom. And not just a more grateful mom, but a more grateful wife, and person.

I think as moms, or women in general, when we think about the things that cause us the most stress, they are probably the things we would be the most sad to lose. I prayed and hoped for nothing more in life than to be a wife and mom, and when I lay my head down at night, know that I am living my dream. ALL I ever wanted to grow up to be was a mom, and those three small babies upstairs causing me stress are literally fulfilling my dream daily. So if I could be more grateful for their lives and their spirits, then I should be able to be less angry and stressed over the messes and meltdowns.

This is not to say I am not a grateful mom now, but I think knowing you are grateful in your heart, and living and showing that on your outward demeanor is a totally different story. I don’t think that many times I come across grateful for my kids, because I am too busy being stressed and busy with the life we have. I don’t want to look back at these years that are going all too quickly and know that missed it all by being far too stressed!

I am sure for some of you reading this, this seems like a no brainer, but for me I am hoping it is a great change on my life this year. To live my life with gratitude in my heart for Gods blessings. To understand that those blessings don’t come with no work and no messes, but are huge blessings none the less and those messes are very worth it!

Do you set resolutions, or think of the new year as a new start? I would love to hear what your resolutions are, or if you have any tips on being a more grateful mom this year.

Photos by Cindy Lee Photography

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Holidays

January 9, 2018

Galentines Day Printables

Looking for fun Galentines to send to your besties? I am a Valentines Day lover, so feel like spreading that love to my friends and kids is too fun to pass up. I made some fun little Galentines Day Printables for you to attach to some candy, wine, or just send with a note in the mail!! Enjoy!

Free Galentines Day Printables

Love You Mean It – CLICK HERE TO PRINT

100% Boys Tears – CLICK HERE TO PRINT

Girls Rule – CLICK HERE TO PRINT

Fries Before Guys – CLICK HERE TO PRINT

All the Single Ladies – CLICK HERE TO PRINT

You’re Like a Box of Fine Wine – CLICK HERE TO PRINT

PRINT ALL HERE

Don’t forget to check out these fun, Free Valentines Day Printables, and I would love to see how you use the Galentines Day Printables for your besties!!

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Food

January 8, 2018

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe

Another week, another guest blog post with a recipe!! This time one of my favorite moms I meant via Instagram is sharing one of her peanut butter banana smoothie recipe! Tiffany has been super inspiring and is very devoted to getting healthy (while still enjoying life!) to get back in shape after her daughter was born! She has the cutest blog with wonderful recipes, fashion, and other lifestyle topics you have to check out!! I love her recipes, and smoothies are a great option for me, so I am sharing her smoothie recipe, and it is so good!!

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe

8 oz unsweetened almond/coconut milk (I find the blend makes it more creamy, you can use plain almond or plain coconut milk if you prefer)
1/2 scoop chocolate whey protein
2 tbs PB2
3/4 frozen banana (tip – cut the banana into quarters before you freeze)
1-2 ice cubes

Throw all of the ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth. Pour into your favorite glass and enjoy!

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe - www.arinsolangeathome.com

So easy, right? and I know I have lots of Breastfeeding mom friends who are avoiding dairy, so this is a great one for them too. I am planning to make these for myself and the kids tomorrow morning! I hope you all have an awesome week, and be sure to check back in a few days with more fun posts.

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Organization

January 5, 2018

Organization Favorites

Friday Favorites are back friends!! I figured it was time to do another Favorites post, and in the spirit of the new year, I thought I would post about some of the organization favorites I use around my home to keep us up and running!

Organization Favorites

Cube Organizer – These are seriously my favorite things for kids toys especially, but I have seen some awesome ways to use them in adult spaces too on Pinterest! I prefer this one with the thicker sides that looks a bit less flimsy than others.
Wall Hooks – If you have kids especially you can never have enough wall hooks. I love these accordion style ones that have made a comeback, but use hooks all over the house. They are great for bags, coats, dress up clothes, baby carriers – you name it!
Acrylic Cup Organizers – I use these for everything. You can use them in drawers in any room, on your desk, and I even use them in my kids coloring basket for crayons (see here)
Drawer Organizers – If your things have a place you won’t have to waste time cleaning drawers out all the time. I use a variety of drawer organizers ( this and this in my kitchen and this in my bathroom).
Plastic Storage Baskets – These are seriously my Go- to bins! I use them in my linen closets, Pantry, Laundry room, Coat closet, and Playroom. They are life savers!! (those particular bins are no longer sold but I have since started buying the ones I linked and use them all over, including my garage and car!)
Photo Ledge – These are great for displaying Kids books like this, so they can see what they have to pick from!
Mason Jars – Keep these on hand and you can use them FOR EVERYTHING.
Hanging closet organizer – I have talked about how I use this on our main floor, but I think all in all they are just an inexpensive way to add storage!
Rope Baskets – I have these on my main floor (see here) and I am obsessed with them!
Large Wicker Baskets – For blankets or pillows or toys you can’t go wrong!

For more Organization Posts Check out these:

Stylish Toy Storage on a Budget and Toy Storage Guide

Pantry Organization

Kid Cupboard Organization

Organizing Bills and Paperwork

Do you have any organization favorites I should know about? If you do please let me know…because its kind of my thing! If you want to see some more organization favorites check out my Friend Ashley’s favorites from Amazon and, my Friend Navy has some adorable Favorites over on her Blog!

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*product was received in exchange for review. Read more here

Fawn Design Diaper Bag Review

Fawn Design Diaper Bag Functionality

Fawn Design Mini

Valentine’s Day Party

Our Valentine’s Craft

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Protein Superfood Smoothie

Smoothies

Toppings

Homemade Granola Recipe

To make into a parfait:

Healthy Chicken Nugget Recipe

* this post contains affiliate links. Read more about that here.

Valentines Day Favorites

A little note from Nadia

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar Recipe

Free Galentines Day Printables

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe

Organization Favorites

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