Update: Baby Girl Gifts- Leg Warmers

When I posted the DIY leg warmers a few weeks ago a reader asked how I tied them into a bow. Here’s how I did it...These steps would apply to a fabric or ribbon bow too. Hope it helps!

1. Start with one pair of leg warmers.
2. Take one of the leg warmers (A) and tuck one end into the other.
3. Take the other leg warmer (B) and fold (lengthwise) the edges towards the middle to make it narrower.
4. Place A on top B.
5. Tie B around A.
6. Variations:
v     Pull ends of B left and right so it extends past the ends of A.
v     Pull ends of B downwards so it hangs below A.
7. Turn it over and readjust as necessary. Super simple, no?

linked up with Little Miss Momma's I-SPY and:

Erin's Baptism

Baby Erin’s baptism was this past weekend. I was designated to be photog, but thanks to Doug’s last minute Mother’s Day shopping, we missed half of it! But I suppose his frantic find of a gift made up for it J I looove White House | Black Market dresses.  Doug wasn’t sure, but (like a wise man should) opted for the smaller size. Luckily my (15 month) post-baby body fit in my pre-baby size and the silhouette was flattering despite the 5-10lb donut Mia left me. Ha, aaaaaanyway…

Doug picked out another really cute gift, but for Erin. Have you checked out the Calypso St. Barth for Target line yet? He picked out (all by himself!) this adorable romper…in case it ever decides to get warm here in Chicago. I definitely preferred rompers over dress & underwear cover sets at that baby girl age.

To get the romper and cd of pictures (finally finished editing!) gift ready, I neatly wrapped the dress around the cd case and finished it off with a long ribbon. To get to this bow, tie gift like a normal present. Then you’ll have realllllly long ends left. Tie another bow. And another and another until you have no more ribbon left.

Sorry we missed half the baptism Erin! But we can't wait to take you to the lakefront in your little romper like we did with Mia last year J  

Family Reunion: Mini-me Cousins!

So last weekend, the Monster First Birthday Party (inspiration board here) was sandwiched in between an {almost complete} family reunion. The last time ALL my cousins, aunts and uncles got together was four years ago for my Grandma’s 85^th birthday.  Fast forward to this year, and we have two more husbands and three more babies to add to the family! It was great to have the mini-me cousins meet.

It was so much fun watching how much Kingston (2) and Kira (3) enjoyed each other’s company....Mia (1) wandered around minding her own business....

And Ryu (6) probably would’ve had more fun if Peter (7) and Brenden (5) could make it since they’re closer in age.  Hopefully someday we can get everyone together. But it’s not easy when we’re talking 25 people from Hawaii to Florida! 

The weekend was packed with good food and wine (I was too busy eating to take pictures of the food)...

...kids running around and getting black eyes from moms dancing to the wii...

...gambling over card games (I almost beat my Dad!)...

...and hours at casinos (thanks Great Grandma for the gambling blood that we all have). I love family time and oftentimes just sat back and smiled as I enjoyed us being together. I’m guessing that’s what Great Grandma did too considering she is the foundation of this family and her house has been everyone's home base for 30+ years. Thank goodness my parents are never moving, we LOVE that backyard! J  I’m so glad that we could get {almost} everyone together since it doesn't happen that often. Hope you guys enjoyed your time in Chicago J Love you guys!

Just Like Mommy

♥ Mama and Mini-me ♥

Funny thing is that I didn’t even buy this coat for her. And Uncle Jun Jun didn’t even know I had a red coat myself haha. Good job Dad for following my instructions on how to get this shot J

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day!

linked up here:

Even Smells from the Street – Cumin

When my jet setter was back in town last time (also my first blog post ever!), we went to Cumin and decided to go back again for some Indian food. When paying for parking at the box, we could smell the place all the way from the street! Even when I got home Doug said I smelled. And that’s saying a lot considering he has to stick his nose in Mia’s diaper before he can tell how offensive her poop smells.

Aaaaanyway, just like last time we had vegetable samosas, Chakra beer, lamb vindaalu and naan. We also decided to try a new dish, chicken madras (chicken cooked in a savory and exotic flavored coconut broth, indian spices and creamy curry sauce). Also like last time, I couldn’t stop eating the little chip and sauce thingies. Yummy yummy yummy. Their service could be a little more attentive and the book for a menu is overwhelming, but nonetheless, it was a good night out so I could hear all about my friend’s adventures and new found love for Asia.

Sorry for the lack of photos/crafts this week. I’m trying to catch up on editing sets of Baby Erin, Baby Noah, and the Monster First Birthday party (which I still need to show you!). There's only so much I can do between the hours of 9pm and midnight! L Have a great weekend, kiss your momma for me!

Machu Picchu...Meat + BYOB..again

I took my dear friend out for her birthday dinner to Machu Picchu, at the recommendation of her coworkers. The Peruvian restaurant has a lot of meat on the menu and is BYOB just like Tango Sur and Las Tablas. 

It was pretty empty when we got there, which made me a little skeptical. But since her coworkers come here often, I had a little more faith. I ordered the Lomo Fino Machu Picchu (Filet Mignon cooked on the grill. Served with Machu Picchu diced potatoes, seasoned with Aji Panca (sun-dried red chili) and steamed vegetables) and my birthday princess had Bistec a lo Pobre (Steak served with fried eggs, fries, fried plantains and rice).  I also ordered a side of plantains because I ♥ them.

A few disappointments that night:

1. I forgot my bottle of wine! I knew we wouldn’t finish a bottle between the two of us, but I still just felt so incomplete L
2. So I decided to order a Coke instead. And got a can. For $2! Dangit I wish I had that bottle of wine (still have leftovers from my wine and cheese party)!
3. They were out of plantains! Are you serious?! That’s like a Mexican place being out of chips and salsa, no?! Oh well, I’ll survive. Without wine or plantains L
4. I ordered my meat to be cooked medium. And it was definitely soft and red, more like medium rare. Since I’m not opposed to medium rare, it was fine, just not how I ordered it.

Despite these disappointments, we got big plates of food, the sides were good and at a decent price. We also got a basket of bread with a side of some green sauce. That green sauce was taaay-stee! I have no idea what it was, but I ate a whole basket of bread just so I could have more of it. So all in all, I think I’ll come back and give it another try, making sure I don’t forget the booze.

As Seen On {Thrifty Decorating}

Nicole over at Thrifty Decorating featured Maya’s First Birthday Party today! J

The $1 budget fit in perfectly with Nicole’s motto of living thrifty in an expensive world.  Go check her out for more thriftiness. Thanks Nicole!