baking bread...

so, my hubby gave me the above book and knife for Christmas this year.  i really want to make bread, i do; don't ask me why it is has taken me this long to actually open the book, read it, and discover some of the other tools i need.  

now that i have acquired this list of bread making tools: 

the book

the knife

the pizza peel

the oven thermometer

and 

the dough storage container

i'm now ready to bake some serious bread. 

i can't wait to post photos of my first loaf! 

*check out the Artisan Bread in Five site for tons of bread-baking information if you are a bread novice like me.

*also check out King Arthur Flour for great ingredients, baking tools, and more wonderful baking information as well. 

begin your bread making journey with me!

or, if you are already an experienced bread-maker i'm VERY open to comments and suggestions!

Wednesday Giveaway from HAPPYBABY!

HAPPYBABY organic foods for your family are well-crafted, tasty, nutrient-packed, organic baby foods, cereals, snacks, and finger foods.  i first encountered HAPPYBABY when my kiddo was around 5 months old when we introduced rice cereal.  i immediately purchased HAPPYBELLIES organic brown rice cereal because of it's nutrient-packed formula including the DHA for brain development and the probiotics for his sensitive belly.  i wanted his first foods to be meaningful contributors to his development.  also, the canister packaging makes for easy storing and use; plus, it's tasty, which is more than i can say for most rice cereals. 

after rice cereal, we moved on to the oatmeal and multi-grain HAPPYBELLIES, which he still enjoys today at 21 months. 

HAPPYPUFFS were my kiddo's first addiction at 6 months and remained so well after his first birthday.  While there are many varieties of puffs, HAPPYPUFFS are packed with vitamins and minerals and packed in sturdy, well-designed containers that are perfect for storing toys, crafts supplies and other odds n' ends. (see here for post on using these containers)

HAPPYMELTS and HAPPYBITES are two products that my kiddo has enjoyed in toddler-hood.  He LOVES HAPPYMELTS; they are a great snack with protein and nutrients, rather than loads of simple carbohydrates.  HAPPYBITES veggie tots and breakfast pockets help me to get him to enjoy some "hidden veggies" when he otherwise balks at the sight of them. 

check out their shop to order some of these goodies, organic apparel, gifts sets, a good read and even a prenatal yoga dvd!

the giveaway

HAPPYBABY is generously offering...

2 Free Trials of their entire product line (HAPPYBABY frozen and pouches, HAPPYPUFFS, HAPPYBELLIES, HAPPYMELTS, HAPPYTOT, and HAPPYBITES)

1 FAQ on Probiotics & DHA
1 Infant & Toddler Nutrition Guide co-authored by Dr. Sears
1 HAPPYFAMILY Recipes

to win

1. Comment on this post with the HAPPYBABY product you are most interested in trying.

2. For one extra entry, become a fan of the30girl on facebook. 

3. For one extra entry, become a fan of HAPPYFAMILY on facebook.
4.  For one extra entry, follow HAPPYBABY on twitter.

5. For one extra entry, become a follower of the30girl.
6. For three extra entries, blog about my giveaway!

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and your email address(just on one comment) so I can contact you if you win!

This giveaway is open until Tuesday, May 4th at 11:59pm CST.  The winner will be selected using random.org and I will announce her/him on the30girl on Wednesday, May 5th.  I will contact the winner via email.  Thanks for entering a 30girl giveaway! Good luck and have fun!

The products in this giveaway were provided free of charge by HAPPYBABY. The above opinions are my own and not influenced by any other party.

zulily...

(pic adapted from Daily Candy)

This site came to my attention via a DailyCandy Kids Dedicated Email. If you don't get these already, sign up. I love their spam, I do. 

Click here to become a member and snap up these great deals before they are all gone!

from Dogwood

($13.99)

($13.99)

from Hooligans

($44.99)

from Cybex Strollers

($209.99)

from Country Kids

($19.99)

from ImagiPLAY

($12.99)

($19.99)

the kiddo's nursery...the end.

well folks, it's official.  the nursery is now a toddler room. after tempting fate too long with this climbing out of the crib business, the kiddo made the official switch last night with only 40 minutes of crying and being put back to bed. followed up by a couple of hours with mom sleeping on the floor during the night. i guess its a start, right?

with the impending move from his crib to a toddler bed, i've been feeling a little sad that my baby boy is growing up.  to capture the memory, i thought i would take you on a photo tour.  

(1st photo)

the crib: sorelle regal in cherry 

we've been very pleased with the crib and it's sturdy nature.  we've not been so pleased with the over- one-year-back-order on the toddler rail that ultimately led us to purchasing a toddler bed (that post to come...)

magnet board: fun find from home goods for $16.99

chair: 1st b-day gift from our friends

coat corner: coat rack from the $1 spot at target ($2.50),

lion made by grandma

(2nd photo)

bookcase: jcpenney for about $100 (no longer available, but something similar here)

safari chair and table: gifts from my aunt for connor's birth and 1st birthday

cream twill blackout curtains: jcpenney for about $17.99 each (something similar here)

dresser/changer: sorelle regal combo unit

(3rd photo)

name sign: made from two $2.50 coat racks from the $1 spot at target and small wood letters from michaels

artwork: painted with love by moi while pregnant

blanket: made with love by grandma

side table: solid wood from target for $29.99

chair: ordered from Lewis of London (also where we ordered the Sorelle furniture) in St. Louis (the store has since closed its retail children's furniture store)

the kiddo's nursery is truly a labor of love that is filled with our special touches as well as many lovely gifts from our family and friends. when we moved in i was seven months pregnant and every room in the house truly needed fresh paint for a number of reasons and the nursery was no exception. 

Before: 

After:

Before: 

 

After:

Parties I'm Linking To Today: 

Get Your Craft On Tuesday at Today's Creative Blog

Tip Me Tuesday at the Tip Junkie

Gifts for Mom Under $50

mom's day is may 9th people. here are few ideas for your mom under $50:

1. Morning Joe: a vintage jadite mug ($25.00), her favorite coffee blend ($11.00),
and a good read ($10.67)=$46.67

2. Her Garden Grows: a strawberry pot($39.95), organic strawberry plants ($2.95ea)=$50.00

3. Essence of Herbs: a basil pot($9.99), organic herbs ($15.00), garden tags($18.00)=$42.99

4. Get Cooking: an apron ($28.00) and a few good garden eats ($17.46 with code GETBOOKS)=$45.46

5. Dress-Up: forget-me-not earrings ($46.00)

5. Hard Day's Night: comfy pjs ($40.00)

whatisblik?

i'm really digging these alphabet wall decals from blik. they re-stik and are perfect for the playroom.  i'm thinking of getting them in sky blue with white letters. 

other blik re-stick decals that i'm fond of are:

perhaps for a future big-boy room or another wall in the playroom?

also a pick for a future big-boy room.

last love.

a quick frame makeover and a giveaway winner

recently, i made over the above picture frames with a little paint and distressing to complete the "picture wall and ledge" along the staircase into our basement. it was a quick job to make the area feel more pulled together and complete.  

 

oh, the wedding day...do you see my reflection in this pic? nice photog skills today, huh.

 

overtime, my plan is to continue to expand the white frames on the wall as well as to update the images and art to create a more eclectic, artistic feel.  i really like this little nook in our home where i can put all the cheesy pictures that i want to see, but maybe not show off to the world in our more visited rooms.  

by the way, all the frames on the wall were originally silver or oak-colored and purchased at a super discount or at good will.  i spray painted them white, even the mats in some cases, to create this budget-friendly wall collage. it's amazing the cohesion a little spay paint can give you, right?

this week's giveaway winner: Practically Spent who is a faithful YoBaby mom of two girls. enjoy the raspberry-pear on the house ladies!

thanks to all those who entered the YoBaby and Eric Carle giveaway this week.  come back next week for a very generous giveaway from HAPPYBABY! 

Parties I'm Linking To Today: 

Whatever goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts

Power of Paint at Domestically Speaking 

Be Inspired at Room to Inspire

 

it's fun to share.

a few things...

pretty flower garland-wouldn't this be grand for the mantel, a patio party, the staircase, etc.
and this one too,
crochet pennant garland-i also really like this; i think this would be adorable for a nursery...

i can do this....simple to make, looks good, and changing your mind doesn't break the bank.

i like this magnet puzzle at sweetmuffin.com, this bamboo plane, bee and butterfly farm, and dolphin explorer from store.greengenes.com

kidskonserve.com-great eco-friendly lunch packing products.  great encouragement to stop using plastic and look better while doing so. check them out.

oh, moomah, if only we had you in St. Louis.  i love this place, this site, this concept...

these typeface bath accessories from potterybarn.com, now on sale, are just what i need in the morning for a little pick-me-up.

this berry basket inspires me to plant some backyard blueberries and raspberries, doesn't it you too? explore this site; they have such a wonderful selection of naturally inspired products for your home and life.  also, check out their etsy shop for homemade stuff too.

art wall

i have been wanting to make a wall space for the kiddo's playroom that would display his artist creations.  i had seen these from the landofnod.com and i loved the idea of using clothes pins.  i definitely wanted something that would make it easy to change the display.  since, currently, letters are developing a bit of a theme in the playroom, i thought that using A-R-T was both fitting and straightforward.

to make this A-R-T wall, i used three natural wood letters from wal-mart purchased for $1.88 each, some hemp twine, white paint, nail tacks, and command picture hangers.  I already had the twine, paint, and tacks; so, this project was VERY budget-friendly.  

i painted the letters with two coats of polar bear white paint, attached the hemp twine with the nail tacks and a hammer and hung the three letters with adjoined twine on the wall using command picture hangers.  simple and easy, but cute and functional.  perfect for my little guy's artist endeavors and grandma's alphabet quilt. 

*Don't forget to enter to win my giveaway this week from YoBaby!*

Parties I'm Linking to Today: 

Made By You Mondays at Skip to My Lou

Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative

Making the World Cuter Monday's at Making the World Cuter

Hotslings Giveaway Winner!

  Congratulations to Diana from The Long Family! She was comment #14 and has won a Hotslings Adjustable Sling in Tokyo and a MilkDaze Cami!  

Thanks to all those who participated in the first 30girl giveaway.  Please enter to win the YoBaby and Eric Carle giveaway this week.

  

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 14 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

 

Wednesday Giveaway from YoBaby

yobaby yogurts were frequently found in my refrigerator before my kiddo arrived, but, since he was about 8 months old, they have become a staple.

for my kiddo, transitioning to cow's milk from breast milk and soy milk was a long and difficult process. yobaby yogurt was and is a dairy item that never caused my kiddo any stomach troubles.  yobaby definitely eased our transition, which i attribute to the probiotics found in each of their products.

now that my kiddo has reached toddlerhood and is quite the picky eater, yobaby has come to the rescue again.  it is the one thing i know that he will eat anytime, anyplace; luckily, i can feel good that he's getting protein, calcium, and fruits and/or veggies. click here for more info on why you should yobaby!

lastly, yobaby strives to make their products affordable by providing coupons to registered customers; plus, they occasionally send coupons via email.  also, my local grocers and target frequently print coupons at the register for yobaby for consistent purchasers.

the giveaway

YoBaby is generously offering: 

2 Free Trials for YoBaby yogurt 4-packs

+

1 Eric Carle Growth Chart

to win

1. Comment on this post with you or your kiddo's favorite YoBaby flavor or product.

2. For one extra entry, become a fan of the30girl on facebook. 

3. For one extra entry, become a fan of stoneyfield farm on facebook.
4. For one extra entry, become a follower of the30girl.
5. For three extra entries, blog about my giveaway!

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and your email address(just on one comment) so I can contact you if you win!

This giveaway is open until April  20 at 11:59pm CST.  The winner will be selected using random.org and I will announce her/him on the30girl on Wednesday, April 21th.  I will contact the winner via email.  Thanks for entering a 30girl giveaway! Good luck and have fun!

The products in this giveaway were provided free of charge by Stoneyfield Farms via HAPPYBABY. The above opinions are my own and not influenced by any other party.

shop local, buy handmade

***don't forget to enter to win my giveaway from Hotslings ending tonight!***

a few St. Louis local etsy shops that are making some mighty fine wares.

bailey's little bites handmade felt play food

(link)

doesn't your kiddo need a felt lunch to enjoy.  he/she can make a sandwich and peel a banana while you make lunch. 

(link)

or how about a yummy pepperoni pizza?

design lab 443

(link)

betty the bumble bee looks like a nice friend, doesn't she?

(link)

or how about a chickenpox monster?  i love this guy; he's so goofy and sweet at the same time!

the fancy lamb reinvented vintage goods

(link)

how cool are these mugs!

(link)

or how about an original brownie hawkeye? 

(link)

or a book journal? you can even have one custom-made from a selection of vintage books. 

there you have it folks. a few cool things from a few cool locals.

fabric flower hairclips for a 30-something?

lately, i've been itching to make some fabric flowers: a few for statement hair pieces and a few for pillow adornments and a bunch for a spring/summer wreath. 

my mother-in-law and i did a few google searches and WOW there are a plethora of fabric flower tutorials! but, i must say that i actually harnessed most of my inspiration from the paper and fabric flower slideshow at martha stewart weddings. i imagine you may see a few of those flowers make their way onto this blog in the future. 

the above flowers are really my own creation based, but you could look here and here for some of the basic concepts. 

what i did: 

1. cut two strips of fabric the length (longer = more "smooshed") and width (bigger overall layer) that you desire for your flower layers. for this flower, you want one strip that is longer and wider than the other to create the two layers.

2. fold one strip in half and hand sew a running stitch along the cut sides, not the fold. then, join the two sides together and pull to create a ruffly circle.  (click here for clear instructions from a similar tutorial)

3. repeat step 2 for other strip.

4. hand stitch together each seam to prevent fraying and to join the two ends together to form a complete circle.  in addition to stitching the ends, you could also use fray check. 

5. using 7/8" covered buttons, follow the package instructions and cover a button with your selected fabric. 

  6. put it together: i chose to hot glue my layers and button together because i'm a big fan of the glue gun.  you could, however, stitch the button to each layer and each layer together.  

7. attach the flower to a pin, hair clip, etc.

i've been wanting a few statement hair pieces lately for spring, so i hot glued my flowers to snap hair clips.

viola! making each flower literally takes less than 15 minutes and requires just scrapes of any fabric. so, go ahead, make some!

Parties I'm Linking To Today:
Talented Tuesday at My Frugal Family
Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative
DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land
Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts

Don't forget to enter my giveaway from Hotslings ending tomorrow night! 

on my radar...

a few things, now on sale, that i'm thinking about...

also,  these spice jars that i really don't need.

and these dressers for the kiddo's big-boy room, not on sale, but from walmart.com at a good price.  check them out.  non-toxic, made of wood, and quite modern and stylish.

what's on your radar today?

don't forget to enter my giveaway this week from Hotslings!