Hump Day Highlights || Organization Edition

 

Hi Friends! It's another Hump Day Highlights - this week's edition is all about organization! 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 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

Organization is something I think we all need in our lives.  It brings calmness and clear spaces equals a clear mind for me. I'd love to say I'm super organized and my house is always clean and tidy but that's far from the truth.  With a toddler, husband, dog and cat - and myself but I don't count because I clean it all up;) - it's really hard to keep a consistently clean and organized home.  I really do enjoy cleaning (I know that's weird!) but it brings me peace and I feel calmer when everything is in it's place. This past week I found some great pins on Pinterest so I thought I'd put together an organization post to give myself some inspiration...and hopefully you'll feel inspired too! 

{@thebirdsnestblog}

I love to organize Olivia's toys and I frequently switch them in and out to keep her interest.  Her puzzles were always bothering me because pieces would be all over the place and missing.  For each puzzle, I took out all of the pieces and put them in a plastic bag.  Now whenever she wants to do a puzzle, she grabs the board and the bag that goes with it.  Simple, right?!  Definitely saves the missing piece headache ;)

{Source: Julie Blanner}

Julie Blanner is one of my favorite bloggers.  Are you a reader of hers? If not, it's a must - so inspiring. Isn't her kitchen gorgeous?  Creating a pretty,  yet functional and organized space is my main goal for my kitchen. This kitchen is super functional and inspires me to use every inch of my cabinets! I really like how she hung her mixing tools on the cabinet door. I also have the gallon jars from Target for my sugar and flour and they're pretty on the counter.  

{Source: The DIY Playbook}

I've seen this pin quite a few times and I'm loving how its rustic and pretty, yet fully functional.  It's a cute way to keep those toiletry items organized.  I especially love the brush area, as Olivia is always stealing my makeup brushes to play with.  It would keep those away from little hands ;) 

{Source: Lovely Crafty Home}

This is probably the one organization item that I need the most: a command center. I've tried quite a few different things to organize our mail, bills, receipts, etc. Nothing has worked for me!  I'm a true piler (i.e. I move this neat pile to the next area and create another neat pile).  I mean my mom is normally horrified at the one section of our kitchen that mail, keys, random chapstick, paint brushes(?!) is dumped onto. That being said, this command center looks simple and easy to maintain so I think I'll try it. Do you have any mail/command center tips? Please share!

{Source: Stilettos & Diapers}

Another one of my favorite bloggers is Molly from Stilettos & Diapers and I love her meal planning techniques.  I really need to start meal planning more.  It helps to save money and definitely helps reduce the "what's for dinner?!" stress.    I think meal planning also inspires me to cook different meals and not get in a rut.  Don't ask my hubby how many times we had chili this winter ;) Something as simple as taking the time to organize your meals really worth it.  

*Be sure to check back at noon EST to enter my "Two" Sweet GIVEAWAY!! So many fun prizes and one winner takes all!!

That's it for me this week! I hope my Hump Day Highlights inspire you to organize your home!  Do you have a tried and true organization technique that you'd love to share?  What has worked the best for you in your own home? 

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

Olivia's Wishlist || Second Birthday

1 2 3 4 5 6

I cannot believe Olivia will be two at the end of the month! Time is flying by!  The saying really is true that these years go so fast.  I always want her to think of her birthday as a magical day so I made a fun little wish list of some things I think she may like. 

My husband and I are making her a teepee, which I think she will love!  I'll have a full tutorial up once it's all finished.  I can't wait to see her face when she sees it.  The teepee above is similar to the set up of ours and I love that floral pattern.  She is so busy all the time so I know she would love some toddler activity sets, such as this color sorting mat.  It's also a great size to throw in the diaper bag to bring to church, restaurants, car rides...perfect for keeping little minds thinking and little hands busy.  I also love everything we have from BYOImagination, and these popsicles are the cutest! Perfect for summer play in her kitchen. 

Fact: My toddler is addicted to chapstick.  I've mentioned before that she constantly asks for chapstick during the day and has learned to unzip all of my bags to reach in and grab her own.  I love the idea of these toddler safe chapsticks from Messy Little Smiles.  Ingredients such as coconut oil, strawberry juice and essential oils would definitely make her more at ease with her using them, especially since she tends to sneak in some licks ;) 

I've heard so many great things about the book, I Had a Favorite Dress so this is definitely on her birthday list. She loves to read and I think this book will be really fun for her. She loves to play with bracelets and jewelry so I know she'll love dressing up after reading this with her.

She loves stickers and these reusable stickers from Melissa & Doug are brilliant.  My mom has some for her at her house and Livvy loves to play with them.  It's also especially nice that these don't stick to the floors, couch, walls, etc...ahem incase that ever happens in anyone else's house... 

What would be on your toddler's wish list? I'd love some more ideas;) XO

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!