I am probably one of the least crafty people I know. I try... heaven knows I try. I pin all the things. I have great intentions. I just don't make the cut. I own a sewing machine and figured out how to sew squares to make pillows. I probably made 20 of those things just because it is the only thing I could figure out. 

I wanted a Beaufort Bonnet for my baby girl SO badly. They are just way too cute! Unfortunately their regular price tag was no where near my budget, and definitely not something I could hide from my husband. Ha! I was scouring different Facebook buy/sell/trade groups for a used one, and this one came up for only $15 shipped! The only problem? It had a monogram, and it definitely wasn't Kate's! But, I was determined to make this work.

I started looking up different methods of removal... lots included buying a fancy tool to help remove the threads, but then I stumbled on a method that looked easy enough. All you need? A disposable razor and a baseball.

To begin, I turned the bonnet inside out. I wrapped the embroidery over the baseball and I started gently shaving the embroidery on the inside. I turned the bonnet back over and would scratch it with my nails and the threads came right up! It was WAY easier than I expected! Supposedly after you wash it the fibers will fluff back up and make that old monogram hard to see. I am so happy with the outcome and that money saved! :)

Kate- 2 Months!

This was as good as it was going to get with little Miss Sass this month. Kate turned 2 months on March 27. I totally forgot to post this! 

• She smiles all the time (unless I get the camera out!) 

• She has the sweetest little voice when she "talks" to us. 

• She sleeps through the night! (Momma's favorite thing this month!)

• She still looooooves kisses. 

• She's very easy going and loves to be worn in a carrier or held.We love this sweet girl so much. 

She is the perfect addition to our family. 

Home Updates: The Impact of Curtains

Sorry for the lack of quality photos! Cell phone shots were as good as it was going to get this time. ;) 

I am always amazed at the impact curtains make in a room. This room of our house is the room you enter into, and we literally have NO idea what to do with it. I believe the original intention of the builder was a formal dining room, but I don't like the idea of it being the first thing I see when I come in the house. We are slowly but surely bringing this room together, and added these dirt cheap curtain sheers this past week. My favorite pinterest tip is hanging curtains at ceiling height. It makes the room look (insert best Donald Trump voice here) HUUUGE! 

The curtains rang in at a whopping $14.99 per window. Thanks, Amazon! ;) The rods were a little over $11. It was a super cheap way to make a dramatic impact on the space. 

Curtains: Click Here

Curtain Rod: Click Here

I think in the long run I'd love to make this room a sitting area with a piano, comfy chairs, and hide some toys in a coffee table with storage. It would be a much better fit for this point in our lives with young kiddos as we have no need for a formal dining room quite yet. I want my home to be a place that fits our needs instead of a place with a formal set up and breakables everywhere. Child friendly and pretty is my goal. 

Taco Noodles- Easy Dinner Night

Phew! It's been a busy week! One of the best parts of my husband being a teacher are his vacations. He is just finishing up his spring break, and it was so great to spend so much time with him! I wasn't prepared to have to make so many meals since he's been gone so much this school year. Basketball season brought him home most nights around 8-9 o'clock, so I didn't cook big meals often. When he's home I actually have to think through recipes so I don't repeat them! One of our favorites was introduced to me by my cousin Melody. She brought me a meal after I had my son, and it quickly became a favorite. There are many similar recipes out there for this meal. :) This was what worked for us!

Taco Noodles/ Mexican Shells

What you need:

Salsa

Jumbo Noodles (16)

Ground Beef (a little over half a pound)

1 can black beans

Taco Seasoning (This is our favorite recipe for seasoning!)

Cheese

4oz Cream Cheese

Taco Sauce (We use Taco Bell mild sauce!)

How to make them:

1. Preheat your oven to 350*F

2. Coat the bottom of a 9x13 pan with a light layer of Salsa. We prefer to blend our salsa to get a more even taste.

3. Brown your ground beef (We typically use a half pound) and add your black beans. Sprinkle a layer of Taco Seasoning on top. Add in your cream cheese and melt it in. Add 1/4 cup water to the beef/bean mixture. Let simmer until cream cheese is fully melted and mixed, then let cool.

4.  Boil Noodles and place them in your pan on top of the salsa in your 9x13 dish.

5. Stuff each noodle with your meat mixture and pour a thin layer of Taco Sauce on top. Cover with foil and place in oven for 25-30 minutes.

6. Remove from oven and top with a nice heavy layer of cheese. Bake for 10 more minutes without the foil.

Enjoy! It's a super tasty meal. We typically serve with sour cream, guac, and lettuce. Best tip? My mom always told me to clean as I go. It makes cleanup a breeze!