Hump Day Highlights // Birthday Edition!

Happy Hump Day! Every Wednesday five other mommas and I list some things from the past week that we are loving, can't live without, are on our wishlists, or are things we are just plain obsessed with - and we will even add links (when applicable) so you can check out or scoop up anything you love, too. 

Your weekly hosts are Misty, April, Shannon, Amanda, Danica, and me! We would love for you to add your post to our link up of the things you are loving this week, too. And please spread the love by following the other blogs in the link up/commenting on their posts. This is such a great way to meet like-minded mamas and make new friends, all while showing off your blog, too. The Hump Day Highlights weekly link up is going to be a blast, I hope you link up and follow along!

• Misty http://www.usandhim.com/ 
• April http://thejoyfultribe.blogspot.com/
• Shannon http://ladyslittleloves.com
• Amanda http://littlesouthernlife.com
• Danica http://thememoirsofamommy.blogspot.com
• Kaitlyn http://thebirdsnestblog.com

It's my BIRTHDAY!! Today I turn 29...the last year of my twenties and I'm really looking forward to seeing what this year brings!  My twin sister and I have a fun day planned with our families and I thought it would be fun to do this week's Hump Day Highlights all about festive birthday goodies! 

Tell me that doesn't look like Olivia & Brynn??

{Source:GlamFete}

I'm loving this garland from GlamFete! I'm a huge pink and gold fan and this would be perfect for an adult birthday or kids birthday.  I'd also put this in our playroom...so fun and adds a touch of glam!

{Source: Recipe Girl}

I have a serious love for cupcakes.  I've made this cupcake recipe multiple times and it continues to be a favorite.  It starts with a boxed cake and adds a touch of homemade and has a great texture and so yummy.   This cupcake with some mocha or lemon coconut frosting and this birthday girl would be happy! 

My hubby is making the Pioneer Woman's Penne Ala Betsy.  It. Is. Delicious. Probably one of my favorite dinners and he makes it so good!  If you've never tried this, it's a must. I'm really looking forward to having someone else cook dinner ;) After dinner, we'll be having a yellow cake with mocha frosting made by our mom.  Can't wait for the girls to join in on singing Happy Birthday, as Olivia's version is "Happy Bebo Mommy!" 

What are some of your favorite birthday picks?  Do you have a favorite dinner or special cake that you have every year? 

See you next Wednesday for more Hump Day Highlights! Click the next blog in the link up to head over and see their favorites, and don't forget to link up your blog below.

Grab our graphic, link back to one, some or all of us and add your link below! Also, follow along on Instagram (@thebirdsnestblog) #humpdayhighlights 

An InLinkz Link-up

Hump Day Highlights || Easter Edition + Link Up

Happy Hump Day! Every Wednesday five other mommas and I list some things from the past week that we are loving, can't live without, are on our wishlists, or are things we are just plain obsessed with - and we will even add links (when applicable) so you can check out or scoop up anything you love, too. 

Your weekly hosts are Misty, April, Shannon, Amanda, Danica, and me! We would love for you to add your post to our link up of the things you are loving this week, too. And please spread the love by following the other blogs in the link up/commenting on their posts. This is such a great way to meet like-minded mamas and make new friends, all while showing off your blog, too. The Hump Day Highlights weekly link up is going to be a blast, I hope you link up and follow along!

• Misty http://www.usandhim.com/ 
• April http://thejoyfultribe.blogspot.com/
• Shannon http://ladyslittleloves.com
• Amanda http://littlesouthernlife.com
• Danica http://thememoirsofamommy.blogspot.com
• Kaitlyn http://thebirdsnestblog.com

This past week our weather has been so crazy here in NY. It's literally flurrying as I'm writing this...it's time to bring on the sunshine!! In order to not go stir crazy and get out some energy, I took Olivia to the park where she went down the big slide completely on her own - proud mommy moment! She also went hunting for rocks, which is her favorite new pastime - toddlers are so funny. 

I'm super behind on all things Easter...how is it on Sunday already?! I haven't even taken her to see the Easter bunny.  We always go to my dad's side of the family and there's so much food.  I look forward to it every year! I can't wait to watch Livvy hunt for eggs and open her Easter basket now that she's a little older and can understand more.  P.S. - anyone who says they enjoy and savor moments of dying Easter eggs with a toddler is l.y.i.n.g. I see that as an all over the house-ceiling-floor-mess.  All kidding aside, I'm totally planning on dying some with her but pretty sure by the end I'll be sticking to letting her decorate one with markers or stickers. Am I the only mama who feels that way? ;)  I decorated some during nap time, which was a little treat for me.  I really love creating fun things and these watercolor eggs were fun to make!

{Seen on my Instagram @thebirdsnestblog}

On to some Easter picks that I'm loving...

{Source: PagingSuperMom}

1.  This adorable printable is from Paging Super Mom and perfect for EOS lip balm.  Olivia is obsessed with lip balm and she is going to love this in her basket!  When she's requesting some, she smacks her lips together like a fish.  No words, just lip smacking...#toddlerlife.  Now she can stop stealing mine ;)

{Source: RainingHotCoupons}

2.  I love everything coconut and these remind me of Mounds bars. These coconut cream eggs seem really simple to make and the egg shape is perfect for an Easter treat. You could use white chocolate and make them pretty with designs too. 

3.  My hubby bought me some delicious smelling candles from Candelles for Christmas and I thought this one would be perfect for spring.  Sweet gardenia with hints of jasmine and citrus...yum! I also really love their packaging, simple and pretty enough to display.  Have you tried them? What's your favorite scent?

{Source:Baby Gap}

4.  This will be going in my shopping cart asap for Olivia's birthday.  I love that her birthday is in April so we can celebrate with bunny everything all month long! How adorable is this bunny wristlet from BabyGap?!  Between her love of bunnies and purses...I'm sure this will be a huge hit with her! 

What are some of your favorite Easter picks and must haves? Do you have any family desserts or festive activities you'd like to share? I love to hear what others families do! See you next Wednesday for more Hump Day Highlights! Click the next blog in the link up to head over and see their favorites, and don't forget to link up your blog below.

Grab our graphic, link back to one, some or all of us and add your link below! Also, follow along on Instagram (@thebirdsnestblog) #humpdayhighlights 

An InLinkz Link-up

Streusel Topped Oatmeal Applesauce Muffins || Recipe

Good morning! I made these muffins over the weekend and have been enjoying them ever since, perfect for breakfast or a snack. They're super easy and customizable to your family's taste.  I added some chia seeds in for added nutrition.  You could also add peanut butter, chopped pecans, chocolate chips...whatever your little heart desires. I love recipes that are one bowl and into the oven, less dishes and I'm more inclined to bake if it's simple.  Here's the recipe...

Streusel Topped Oatmeal Applesauce Muffins

1 1/2 cups of oats (I used quick cooking rolled oats) 

1 1/4 cups of flour

1 teaspoon of baking powder

3/4 teaspoon of baking soda

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1 cup of unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup of firmly packed brown sugar 

1/2 cup of milk

3 tablespoons of vegetable oil

1 egg

Chia seeds (however much you'd like)

Topping (optional):

1/4 cup of oats 

2 tablespoons of brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon

1 tablespoon of melted butter

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 
2. Combine the oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.  Add in the applesauce, brown sugar, milk, oil and egg.  Stir to combine. 
3. Fill muffin tins until almost full.
4. Top muffins evenly with the streusel topping.
5. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until slightly browned. 

This made 12 regular sized muffins and 6 mini muffins.  The muffins would freeze really well too. I liked that they have texture to them so it feels like a hearty breakfast and Olivia enjoyed them too. If you're not a texture loving person, I'd ground the oats first. Do you have a favorite muffin recipe? I'd love for you to share.  Enjoy! 

Playroom Progress: Part Two {Floors & A Wall}

The playroom is so close to being finished I can't even wait! Olivia has been testing out the floors and already loves to go down there.  If you'd like to see Part One of our progress, click here. Since the last update, the wall has been painted and the floors have been put down.  We also added a huge chalkboard wall, which I'm itching to draw on! Everyone always likes to see a good before and after, so here is the before:

Here is our progress leading up to today....

The staircase is now fully enclosed, especially important with little ones running around. I love it and almost can't remember what it was like before. 

The dog's "suite" is now under the stairs and we installed a small sensor light in there incase it gets too dark under the stairs.  It can be set to automatic or turn on and off manually.  We'll be adding a door so it can be closed...I'm voting for barn door style. 

Olivia was in her glory helping Daddy and Grandpa

The chalkboard wall will be so much fun for her!  I couldn't get a great picture because of the lighting, but I'm really happy with how it turned out. 

Grandpa had a great helper the whole time. After Olivia drew on the freshly painted wall with red carpenter pencil, we were asked to leave ;)

The floors are vinyl planks from Lowes: Style Selections in Antique Woodland.  My hubby was hesitant on using them but I researched a ton and we're SO happy with how they came out.  We've had multiple people thinking they were real wood floors when they see the progress.  They were fairly easy to install as well, says the wife who watched;) but seriously only a few cuts and they were installed so quickly. 

To figure out the correct placement, you lay down a line then another starting in the middle of that line and so on. Olivia had a ball stomping on each one to "make sure they stick".  She'll grow up to love DIY, it's in her genes. Now on to the reveal of the finished floor...

One more "Before"...

...and "After"

I let the girls play on the poufs that I found at Target and they were clearly loving it!

I can't wait for everything to come together!  We'll be picking up the couch this week and hopefully doing a little decorating as well.  Our tv was just mounted and it looks awesome.  We used stained a board and mounted it with plumbing pieces. Can't wait to show you more! 

Amazing Lemon Butter Chicken // Recipe

Alternatively titled: So Good You'll Drink the Sauce Chicken.  If you follow me on Pinterest, you probably notice I'm a big pinner of recipes, fun kids stuff, and home decor.   Most of my pins sit nicely under my food boards and I literally can't think of a thing to make for dinner ;)  Do you do that too?? I love Pinterest so I'll need to start actually using it, instead of pinning pretty things.  

I did once tell my mom that I had big plans of organizing my Pinterest boards over the weekend... Let's not take a minute to realize how sad that is ;) Um, also why are there no emojis for blogs.  I could have used the monkey covering its eyes one.  

Moving on, this chicken is amazing. It's so easy and seriously delicious.  I adjusted the recipe slightly, here is the original recipe from Damn Delicious.  

{Source: Damn Delicious}

Lemon Butter Chicken

Chicken thighs - skin on, bones in 

1 tablespoon of paprika

Salt + Pepper

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup of chicken stock (I used homemade bone broth)

1/2 cup of heavy cream

Juice + Zest of one lemon

2 cups of fresh baby spinach

1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme

1 clove of garlic

Parmesan Cheese 

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 
2. Melt two tablespoons of butter in a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven.  Sprinkle chicken thighs with salt, pepper and paprika, coating both sides. Brown on both sides and remove from pan.
3. Add minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan and cook until fragrant. 
4. Add the chicken stock, heavy cream, juice and zest of lemon, parmesan cheese (I just sprinkled in), and thyme.  Bring to a boil and stir in the fresh spinach. Simmer until sauce has slightly thickened and spinach has wilted.  Add chicken back into the pan. 
5. Roast in the oven (uncovered for about 15 mins) for 25-30 minutes, or until cooked through. 

I served ours over jasmine rice and sprinkled fresh parsley over the top. My hubby is not a huge fan of thighs (that's hilarious but I can't say it any other way) so I may use chicken breast next time...but they add so much flavor so he may just have to get over that ;)  The original recipe called for much more garlic and more thyme but the first time it was slightly too strong so I cut down the amount of thyme.  I also didn't have fresh parmesan cheese and it worked out just fine.  It's seriously so good and I couldn't wait to have leftovers the next day.  Olivia ate almost two entire chicken thighs on her own! Considering she's been eating a stick of butter over actual food lately, I'll take that as a win. 

Hope you enjoy! Let me know if you try it! 

Hump Day Highlights // Spring Beauty Picks + Link Up

Happy Hump Day!  Welcome to our weekly "Hump Day Highlights".  Each Wednesday we will list some things from the past week that we are loving, can't live without, are on our wishlists, or are things we are just plain obsessed with - and we will even add links (when applicable) so you can check out or scoop up anything you love, too.

Your weekly hosts are Misty, April, Kyra, Shannon, Amanda, Danica, Candice, and me! We would love for you to add your post to our link up of the things you are loving this week, too. And please spread the love by following the other blogs in the link up/commenting on their posts. This is such a great way to meet like-minded ladies and make new friends, all while showing off your blog, too. The Hump Day Highlights weekly link up is going to be a blast, I hope you link up and follow along!

• Misty http://usandhim.com/ 
• April http://thejoyfultribe.blogspot.com/
• Kyra http://kyrafaulkner.com/
• Shannon http://ladyslittleloves.com
• Amanda http://littlesouthernlife.com
• Danica http://thememoirsofamommy.blogspot.com
• Candice http://raisingliberty.blogspot.com
• Kaitlyn http://thebirdsnestblog.com

This week I wanted to share some of my favorite beauty picks for the spring.  I can't wait for warmer weather and sunshine! Those cold winter months can do a number on your skin, nails, and lips so I've put together a list of some of my faves to share with you.  I hope these will leave you feeling springy ;)

1.  Bloke Body Scrubs - These delicious scrubs are perfect for exfoliating your skin and filled with antioxidants and skin soothing ingredients like green tea and coconut oil.  The other body scrubs include vanilla chai + sugar and coffee + orange...yum!! They also have hair and lip products as well.  I follow them on instagram @blokebody.

2.  I'm obsessed with all things coconut and this Say Yes to Coconut lip oil does not disappoint. This is a mix between chapstick and lipgloss and it goes on smooth and somewhat tingly.  My lips definitely feel softer after and it tastes yummy too! 

3.  This French Lavender & Honey body cream is my new favorite from Bath & Body Works. I prefer the body cream to the lotion because it's slightly thicker.  It's so calming after an evening shower and has a light, slightly floral scent. 

4.  I really love this Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Styling Treatment. It smells so good and you only need a tiny bit.  It adds volume, shine, and overall strength. I really want to try the hairspray and shampoo and conditioner, too. 

5.  This Essie polish is so pretty for spring! Hubby for Dessert is the perfect candied lilac...a must for spring nails! I love to top my nail color with this top coat from Julep to create a gel-like finish.

That's it for my spring beauty picks!  What are some of your favorites for spring?  Do you have a must to repair your skin from winter?  I'd love for you to share.  

An InLinkz Link-up

Caramelized Grapefruit // Simple & Delicious

Grapefruits are one of my favorite fruits...especially enjoyable after a long, cold winter.  While it's still cold here, there's glimmers of sunshine and I wanted to try out a yummy breakfast.  Caramelized grapefruit is where it's at.  Sweet and sour, crisp and juicy...so fresh and simple.  This would be good for an afternoon snack as well.

Caramelized Grapefruit

One Ruby Red or Pink Grapefruit

Sugar - white, raw, or brown

• Slice the grapefruit in half, section pieces, and remove pits
• Sprinkle on sugar - however much you prefer
• Place under broiler or use a small dessert torch to caramelize

Enjoy!