Classy and Beautiful Baby Girl's Nursery

 I haven't posted in a while, and I apologize.  We moved in March of last year, I was pregnant and miserable all Summer and then had my 4th baby August 17th.  It's been quite the roller coaster trying to settle into a new home all while being pregnant and then having a new baby. But, if you're interested, I do add a lot of recipes to my Instagam page! 

So, back to me having a baby. I had 3 boys and I was so excited, beyond words, to finally have a little girl.  When I found out I was having a girl I knew I wanted to decorate her nursery girly, but not the kind of girly that looks like a unicorn came in and threw up everywhere, you know? I wanted something classy and beautiful.  I decided on the colors, blush pink, creams and gold.  After looking around for decor, I realized it was a lot harder than I anticipated to find just blush pink, so I went for different shades of pink and also added in hints of grey with the gold and creams.  I had most of her room done before she was born, but some parts took a lot longer than I anticipated and I just now finally finished everything....although, if my husband is reading, I still want an area rug ;)

I love how her room came together! I think it's the perfect blend of classy, beautiful and girl.

PS These pictures are the best I could do with my only camera, aka: my phone.

Introducing Lacey Louise Long's Nursery...

I took forever trying to find the perfect "L".  Seriously, ya'll have no idea how hard it is to find! They have plenty of boring regular L's and then oddly shaped L's, so I finally gave in and bought one that was the perfect shaped cursive "L" from etsy (link below).  I then modge podged gold glitter card stock to the letter, I was going to use gold glitter, but I had the card stock on hand.  I lined the frame with lace and then glued the "L" on top.  I love how it turned out.  This was the last thing I finished in the room.

This amazing photo and the one of Lacey wrapped in lace were taken by my talented friend Lori, of LC Photography.

I knew if I ever had a little girl then I NEEDED a long blessing dress. I was so surprised to find that most of them are outrageously priced! I was so excited to find this beautiful vintage looking dress.  I was even more impressed when I found out it was hand-stitched by women in Mexico. I also knew I wanted to display her dress so it wasn't just hidden and tucked away in her closet. I searched for a while to find a cute way to display it, and thankfully I found this adorable hanger so I could hang it from the adorable framed hook showing Lacey on her blessing day. Gotta love Etsy! (Link found below.)

I would've made her bedding, but I got super lazy and found this cute bedding and went w/ that instead.  The quality of the bumper pad isn't as well as what I could've done, but boy did I save a lot of time by just buying it!!

I love how her water color art name turned out! I have some talented friends!

My mom would be very disappointed if I didn't point out that this framed print was given to us as a gift from her.  Thanks Momma ;)

I so wish I had a better camera, but you get the idea, right?! 

Wall Color: Perfect Greige by Sherwin Williams (Just as it sounds, a mix between grey and beige)

Mirror: Hobby Lobby (I got it on sale for 50% off, which happens often)

Flowers on the Mirror: A headband given as a gift.

Framed prints: Hobby Lobby (I got them on sale for 50% off, which happens often)

Pink and cream frames (collage): Garage sale, I painted them using a mixture of colors until I was happy with the outcome.

Frame with Lace and "L" initial: I bought the lace from Hobby Lobby, the "L" is from Etsy and I modge podged glitter card stock (from Hobby Lobby) to the wooden letter.

Dresser: KSL Classifieds purchased for $100, it was already painted

Flower Knobs: Home Depot

Cream/Golden Knobs: Hobby Lobby (50% off sale)

Lamp: Ikea (given as a gift)

Jewelry Box: given as a gift

Changing Pad Cover: Amazon

Squeaky Toy Lamb: a Gift from Target

Basket: Full of headbands and bows, given as a gift

Hamper: TJ Maxx

Chandelier: Ikea

Curtain Panels: Amazon

Lace Curtain Panels: Amazon

Blanket Draped over Glider: Target (given as a gift)

Vintage Gold Shelf: Etsy

White Frame: Ikea

Watercolor Name: Made by a very talented friend, Malia Creative

White Crate: Garage Sale

Gold Basket: Tai Pan Trading

Bumper Pad: Ebay

Pink Floral Muslin Crib Sheet: Ebay

Dust Ruffle: Amazon

Hand and Foot Print Frame: Amazon

Gold and Blush Glitter Garland: Etsy

Frame with Hook: Michael's Craft Store

Pearl Hanger: Etsy

Ivory Blessing Gown: Etsy 

Any questions just let me know!!! I'm in love with her room, and if I can help make just one other momma's dreams come true w/ their little lady's room, I'd be so happy! Thanks to Pinterest and years and years of dreaming of my own little girl's nursery, this room came to be. Enjoy!

Zesty Tomato, Sausage Pasta

Remember a little while ago I shared Pioneer Woman's seafood pasta in a foil package on Instagram? I made it again the other night! But, this time I did sausages instead of shrimp and I skipped the baking part. It was delicious!! I love the little kick it has and how fresh tasting it was. You can of course make her recipe, which is great too! But I actually like this a little better. Let me know what you think!

Zesty Tomato, Sausage Pasta

Ingredients

1 lb Curly Pasta, or favorite pasta
4 Cloves Garlic, minced
2 T Butter
2 T Olive Oil
1/2 c Dry White Wine (or white wine vinegar) 
3 - 14.5 oz Cans Diced (or whole) Tomatoes
Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper
Red Pepper Flakes1 lb Smoked Sausage Links, sliced

Cook the pasta according to box directions.

In a skillet, cook the garlic in the butter and olive oil for a few minutes, and then pour in the wine. Allow this to reduce for a couple of minutes, and then pour in the tomatoes. Stir the mixture together, season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.  Stir in sliced Sausage and allow to cook for 10 minutes.

Mix the drained pasta with the sauce.  Optional: Drizzle warm cream over the top and sprinkle with torn basil and parsley. Or just top off with shredded Mozzarella Cheese. Enjoy!


Recipe Adapted from: Pioneer Woman

Beef Stew (Crock Pot)

After being sick the last few weeks, and morning sickness in the evenings the last couple of months, I figured it was high time I made my man one of his favorite dishes.  Beef Stew, a man's food!  But, I had yet to find one I really loved or could perfect.  So, I went searching for one that wasn't tomato based,  b/c I just don't like them, like really at all.  Then, I found this one and it was perfect bc it was a brown gravy and Lipton onion soup mix base. We all loved it! Especially my husband!  Another bonus? It's all literally just thrown in the crockpot and that's it!

Beef Stew (Crock Pot)

2.5-3 lbs Beef Stew Meat

4-5 Large Carrots, Sliced

4 Large Potatoes, cubed (skin still on)

1 c Frozen Corn

1 Small Onion, diced

1 Package Powdered Brown Gravy Mix

1 Package Lipton Onion Soup Mix

2 1/4 c Water

2 T Flour

Combine all ingredients in the order listed (minus 1/4 c water and flour) in a slow cooker.
Cook on low for approx 10 hours or on high for 5 hours.
Stir ingredients half way through to mix items together.

In the last 15-30 minutes of cooking, if thickening is required, stir remaining water and the flour in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth. Stir the flour mixture in the cooker. Cover and finish cooking.

Serve with crackers or buttered bread. Enjoy!

Recipe Adapted from: Food.com

One Pan Tuscan Pork Chops

 

I'm sorry I'm just now getting around to posting this recipe! But, as promised here's the recipe! It's so quick and easy, and I love the combination of flavors.  I think my favorite way to serve the pork chops so far was on a bed of brown rice.  I feel like it's a pretty guilt free meal as well! Last time I made this I made it in my dutch oven and followed the steps all the way up until simmering the last few minutes, instead I put the lid on and put on low for an hour or two until we were ready to eat.  It was very tender and cooked to perfection. 

Heat a large, heavy pan on high until warm.  Add oil and heat until shimmery (but NOT burning/smoking) about 20 seconds.  Brown pork chops on each side, about 1 minute each.  Reduce heat to medium-low, add onions.  Stir onions and flip pork chops after 2 minutes on each side.  Add tomatoes, garlic and spices, mix.

Mix spices and tomatoes.

Simmer until tomatoes are soft and sauce has set up- about 5-8 minutes.

Serve on a bed of pasta or brown rice....

One Pan Tuscan Pork Chops

4 pork chops, fat trimmed
1 tbsp oil (olive, coconut, butter)
5 cloves of garlic, diced
1 1/2 cups fresh or 14.5 oz canned tomatoes, diced (include liquid if cutting)*
1 large onion, diced
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp sage
1 tsp basil

Heat a large, heavy pan on high until warm.
Add oil and heat until shimmery (but NOT burning/smoking) about 20 seconds.
Brown pork chops on each side, about 1 minute each.
Reduce heat to medium-low, add onions.
Stir onions and flip pork chops after 2 minutes on each side.
Add tomatoes, garlic and spices, mix.
Simmer until tomatoes are soft and sauce has set up- about 5-8 minutes.
Serve on a bed of pasta, brown rice or zucchini noodles. Optional, garnish with cilantro, parsley or basil. Enjoy!!

*Double the tomatoes if you want more sauce, I prefer my rice or noodles to be drenched.  If you are eating by its self or you prefer a dryer sauce, then follow directions above. Canned diced tomatoes work great!

Update, this can also be made in a dutch oven ahead of time, see my comments up top for details.

Recipe Source: Sweet C's Designs

Caramel Apple Cheesecake

If you know me at all, you know I LOVE Cheesecake, and I've mentioned that a few times on here already.  For Christmas I decided I wanted to make a cheesecake, but not cheesecake bars like I've always done, an actual cheesecake.  So! I found a couple of Caramel Apple Cheesecake bar recipes and decided to combine them and try them out, but made it in a cheesecake pan instead.  You know what? It turned out amazing! It tastes just like an apple pie with a cream filling.  I was told by some people I shared with that it looked and tasted like restaurant quality, so I guess that's saying something! Oh, and you know what? It was a lot easier to make than I expected! Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of steps, but easy!

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Isn't it funny the different ways each of us were all brought up? One thing that stands out about the way I was raised, that might be different than most people, is the fact that I never had jarred or canned spaghetti sauce until I went to college and had roommates cook for me.  My mom always made her own spaghetti sauce.  I figure this was one way she was able to save money with having 10 kids.  Her recipe makes a lot more than one jar and tastes amazing too.  I first made this on my own when I started cooking in college. I would make it for me and my roommates, then freeze leftovers to make goulash for another day. (What is goulash? It's like spaghetti but you mix the sauce and any noodles together in a 9x13 baking dish and top off with cheese and bake.) Anyways, I love this spaghetti, it's a little taste of home for me.

One Pot Salmon Coconut Curry Pasta

Remember how I told ya'll how much I love one pot meals? Well I really do! The other night I planned on making salmon, but last minute decided I was tired of the same salmon fillet I always end up making, so Pinterest shopping I went.  I came across this amazing looking dish, and bonus, it was one pot!  I wasn’t sure about adding a large piece of uncooked salmon in with everything else but it ended up being cooked perfectly at the same time the pasta was done. By cooking everything together, the salmon was perfectly tender and flavored and the creamy sauce was amazing.  My husband said, "If Cheesecake Factory's bang bang chicken and shrimp were a pasta then this would be it." I myself loved every bite. This dish will be making another appearance in our home very soon.

Baked French Toast

Finally, the long awaited recipe for Baked French Toast.  I don't know if ya'll have noticed, but I loved baked french toast recipes.  And, honestly, this is one of the best I've tried! I mean, it's not enough that the french toast itself is so amazing, add the buttermilk syrup and MAN! IT'S AMAZING! If you ever want to make a breakfast to impress, but you don't want to get up super early and mess up several pots and pans, then this is the way to go for sure! Another great thing about this is you can use whatever berry you feel in the mood for! I've used raspberries and blueberries, both were great!  My friend Ryan...who am I kidding...everyone who matters calls him Morty ;), made this for my sister and I when we visited him and his family a while back.  I've made it twice since, which is not near enough haha.  Anyways, give it a try, let me know what you think, I know it won't disappoint. Please don't be intimidated by the long recipe, it's actually very simple and is very quick to make!

Herb and Citrus Oven Roasted Chicken

I have been wanting to try this recipe out ever since my friend Emily, over at Little Momma and Company, made it.  It looked so refreshing and delicious.  Well, you know what? It is! It was really quick to throw together too.  It calls for quite a few ingredients, but you seriously just toss those on the chicken, that simple! My middle kid ate more than all of us, he at 4 whole drumsticks! He loved it, and as I'm posting this he's drooling over the picture and reminding me of how much he loved this dish.  Anyways, I'd say this is a must try dish.

Basil Artichoke Chicken Bake

 After a crazy Summer of being home all day, every day, with my busy 3 boys, visitors and a recent cruise, I should probably get back into the game. 

So, to start out this game, here's an amazing recipe I just made  last night! Basil Artichoke Chicken Bake.  I've had this recipe pinned on my Pinterest for a while now, I finally made it! And, it did not disappoint.  It was honestly so great, fresh tasting and really pretty healthy! My hubby loved it! The great thing about this dish is you can eat they chicken with noodles or without, it all depends on how good you wanna be.  I was only so good to eat it over healthy choice noodles ;)