To Gerber or not to Gerber...

By: Danie

That is the question! For all of you moms to be and new moms, there comes a time when you have to decide how you will approach solid foods for your little bundle of joy. I am a chronic over thinker and I like to plan ahead and RESEARCH! Many hours had gone into trying to decide if we would go Gerber or homemade. My final decision was to make our son's food myself and the major contributor to that decision was the fact that a jar of baby food has an extremely long shelf life. We have been trying to cut down our consumption of things that come out of boxes, bags and cans i.e. things that have preservatives, so once we made that switch jars of baby food were really out of the question.

Making my sons baby food has been very rewarding, I feel like I am getting him off to a good start and it has been surprisingly easy. It has given me the opportunity to introduce seasonal fruit and vegetables into the little ones diet. For the first few months (4-6 mons) it is super simple- pureed veggies with water or pureed fruits with water. You should always mix fruits with cereal when you feed it to your little one. Then as you progress you can start to mix different vegetables (make sure that you have tested both veggies individually for allergies) start them on meats and even add some seasonings.

I use the Beaba Babycook it is an all in one steamer and processor. If you plan on making a large quantity, the steamer is not ideal however I usually make smaller quantities so it works for me. Since the little one isn't eating as much right now I also use covered ice trays to store, these are the least expensive that I have found. The wells are exactly 1oz, if you freeze your food in the tray then transfer the cubes into Ziploc freezer bags you have perfect servings and you don't need a lot or freezer trays. Veggies and fruit can last in the freezer for about six months.

Making your own baby food is a fun and rewarding activity. It may not be ideal for the mom that is constantly on the go but if you have the opportunity to do it even every once in a while, go for it! There is nothing wrong with using Gerber if you decide to go that route but always keep in mind that there really is nothing to it as far as making baby food if you have the time and tools.

Fitness Friday

We thought it would be a good idea to have the blog focus on fitness on Fridays.  It's an awful feeling when you spend all week long eating right and working out and then go on a 3-day binge come Friday through Sunday.  I'm not saying to hold back on the weekends from happy hour and social outings... but I always feel more confident in my body after a really good workout.  The bottom line for me is that working out = being able to relax and have fun later.

I definitely know what it's like to be in a workout slump.  Sometimes I go to the gym and just stare {literally} at the equipment... there's nothing new to do.... it gets boring... or {worst of all} I realize I am the only female in the gym and you don't want to draw attention to yourself.

Source: reasonstobefit.tumblr.com via Cris on Pinterest

I'm always letting these fears/hesitations get the best of me.  I've got to get it through my thick head that the gym doesn't belong to the men, and there are thousands {or millions?} of resources on the web with new exercises for me to try. And MOST IMPORTANTLY... I will NOT look like the hulk if I life some weights.

I'm also always checking out social sites like Groupon or Living Social - there are deals for month of unlimited yoga or boxing... or even those Pole Dancing classes {that I really want to do but I'm too scared!!!}. It could be a great opportunity to try something new and get fit at the same time.

Ok - well I can't sign off on a Fitness Friday post without providing you with some fitness tips. So here is one idea that I've seen floating around Pinterest:

                                                                  Source: sidebysideblog.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

 Happy weekend y'all! 

H&M, where TRENDY meets ADORABLE

by Ashley

You know what today is? Well... for those of you in the Dallas area you know it's the day that H&M opens in Willow Bend. And even if you're not in Dallas, H&Ms are opening up ALL OVER! They are taking over, and I ain't mad at them. (Yes I say ain't.)  Where else can does trendy meet adorable in a YOWZA kinda way...

Well H&M is nothing new but there may be four collections you aren't aware of:

1. The Versace collection!! Some pieces are a little too out there for me but here are a couple pieces I adore:

2. Kids collection so you can keep your little one's stylish too:

3. A collection for mama's to be:

4. A cosmetics collection:

Cosmetics at H&M by datelesstoido on polyvore.com

I love it all... and better yet - I LOVE that it's all within my budget!

All images are from H&M.com

Designer Burp Cloths

By: Danie

Happy Hump Day! Well it would be a lot happier if my son would let me sleep more, good thing he is so cute :) I cant take all the credit for this next DIY, some must be given to Ashely's mom and sister. They had given me the cutest burp cloths for my baby shower and to my surprise I found out they had actually made them!

Small disclaimer you have to have a sewing machine for this easy project. Good news is that sewing isn't as hard as it looks! I got my sewing machine LITERALLY the day before I had made these, we got a cheapy $70 brother machine. Other than a tiny plastic machine I had when I was 7, I had no experience sewing- as in zilch, zero, nada.

Tools

Sewing Machine

Fabric {I used fleece, my son likes to snuggle with the burp cloths}

Burp Cloths {Gerber or Carters}

First you will need to cut the fabric to fit the center of the cloth, leave a extra 1/4 inch all the way around so that you can fold it over for a more finished look. You will also need to pin the fabric to the cloth before you start sewing.

Then you will need to sew your fabric onto the burp cloth, this will take all of five minutes. Just make sure that you are sewing where you pinned down your 1/4 inch flap.

BAM!

You are donesky.

Personalizing your children's stuff helps you keep track of their stuff! Slowly but surely I am getting a hang of this mommy business. Really this is an awesome project because you can have so much fun with it...dye the burp cloth, sew fabric or ribbon around the edges? These are awesome gifts for a baby shower {mine actually decorated my diaper cake}.

Ashley's sister made the one on the left, I made the ones to the right of that.

This really is an amazingly quick way to say bye bye to those boring white burp cloths. {So quick I went through the whole process again to refresh my memory and it took all of 15 minutes}.

You can doooo eet!!



Tuesday Shoesday #2 - Florence and the Machine

Today is a very special Tuesday Shoesday because not only do I get to showcase shoes that I love, but I get to base my picks on an amazing artist.  Florence and the Machine released "Ceremonials" today (which I can't wait to rock out to!).  I'm so excited that I took on Florence as my inspiration because she has AMAZING style sense.  Her outfits are absolutely to die for and her strong personality shines through them all.  So I'm sure you won't be surprised at all to learn that I couldn't choose just one....

1. Glorious Gold

Florence - B-Sides Gold Outfit by datelesstoido featuring stiletto high heels

Laundry by shelli segal dress, $225
Pelle Moda stiletto high heels, $200
Earrings

2.  Lovely in Lace

Florence Lace Dress by datelesstoido featuring a lace dress

Lace dress, $298
Steve madden
Heart jewelry, $68
Daring Clutch - Francesca's Collections, $28
Passiflora Posts, $28


3. And the grand finale is none other than CEREMONIALS

Florence and the Machine Ceremonials by datelesstoido featuring wristlet handbags

Eliza J empire waist cocktail dress, $158
Open toe shoes, $70
Wristlet handbag, $28
Cz jewelry, $20
Florence And The Machine | Ceremonials, $25


I hope you love these picks as much as I do!! And they are perfect for upcoming holiday parties!!


Happy Tuesday Shoesday :)

You Know How I Know We're Getting Older

Guess who went out for Halloween this year? These roaming gnomes! Yes, these not so single ladies braved the Dallas cold in our homemade arden gnome outfits. Ashley is newly engaged and Danie entered "the mommyhood" not too long ago, life has been busy to say the least. We were overjoyed at the opportunity to get out and have some fun. Our night was an eventful array of hopping bar to bar, people watching and meeting interesting creatures.

Let me preface this by letting you know, I HAVE SO MUCH TO TELL YOU (said in my best Agnes from Despicable Me voice)! The night started off slowly, with a staple bar we enjoyed in our single days. Compliments were coming left and right even with the sparse 10pm crowd, yes that is when our night started! It became apparent very quickly that we were over dressed for this party! It was around forty degrees yesterday night my friends. There were cute little {some not so little} co-eds in nearly nothing mini dresses, well I think its considered a dress? It covered most of their behinds. Which sent Ashley and I into the "you know how I know we are getting old" conversation. To get to the point I'll give you the highlights of the conversation.

5. We are covered from head to toe, literally.

4. Yes, we checked the forecast before heading out.

3. For Halloween we were not "sexy" gnomes.

2. We wore walking shoes.

1. There was no way we were paying $60 for something that had as much fabric as my five month old's onesie.

As the night went on we had some very colorful characters approach us and ask if we were any of the following...

5. David the Gnome

4. One of R.L. Steins creations {Goosebumps?}

3. Coneheads {What the what?!}

2. Elfs

1. Noddy {An Irish laddie informed us that this was one of the greatest cartoons that Ireland has ever seen, we think the emerald isle would appreciate if this gentleman, whom had butter knives taped to his wrist, would stop speaking on their behalf}

Reminiscing on the evening I cant help but laugh when I think about the guy who asked me if I could guess what he is. Well, I knew what he wanted to be, Kenny Powers... I didn't tell him that he actually looked like the lead singer of "Sexual Chocolate" from Coming to America {if the reference escapes you, click on the link}. This leads me to our list of costumes that were overdone.

5. Mario & Luigi {We didn't think it was possible}

4. Black Swan {Small disclaimer, it's really awesome if your makeup looked amazing or if you dress up as white swan and your BOYFRIEND dresses up like black swan, kudos to that couple}

3. Pocahottie {I am pretty sure we saw about seven and those are just the ones we saw}

2. Snookie {They were spitting images or her- tube tops as dresses, fur boots, rhinestone sunglasses and most of them were just as round as her ;)}

1.Napoli {In the wake of our unfortunate loss, this was inappropriate}

This leads me to the winner of the best costume award 2011, not quite sure what he was but he was creepy as all get out. Not only was our winner at least 6'5 but he was roaming around the bars alone and he moved like the wind, one minute he was there and the next he was gone. So when he walked past us in a bar, we seized the moment and decided to take our photo op.

Unfortunately our night had to come to an end but on a high note, our feet didn't hurt and we didn't complain about being tired- not even once! With the conclusion of every successful bar outing comes the 2am snack, I wont lie over the years it has been my favorite part of the night. Taco Bell tastes especially good after midnight and Ashley and I have come up with some of our greatest ideas at 2am in the Taco Bell line {Blogging being one of them}.

Tissue + Liquid Latex = Flesh

Halloween is creeping up on us and everyone is trying to think of last minute costumes! We have one in mind for those who enjoy The Walking Dead, zombies and other fleshy creatures.

Tools

Tissue Paper 

Liquid Latex

Halloween Makeup
Makeup Sponge 

First you will need to get your tissue paper out and cut it into strips or squares depending on the effect you want to have. If you want a gash or large open wound you might want to use strips and for puncture wounds or pieces of hanging flesh you will want to use squares.

Next paint your pieces of tissue paper with liquid latex and let dry {you will need to do a few layers of liquid latex, dabbing is better}.

Finally you will need to take the dry pieces of "flesh" and put them where you want your rotting flesh to be, your face perhaps? To get the pieces to stay you will need to use the liquid latex {little word to the wise, test a little on your skin before using to make sure you aren't allergic; wouldn't want you to really look like a creature on Halloween}.

You can get super creative with this project! The flesh pieces are very versatile you can make it look like you have a gunshot wound:
Hollow out the center of a square piece of flesh, attach to your face with latex. Fill in the "gunshot wound" with fake blood and some black makeup and match the skin around to your skin tone and BAM BAM you've been shot!

You can really have some cheap Halloween fun with a little tissue paper and liquid latex. Get creative and show us what you come up with!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

From The Roaming Gnomes