New Music: You Make Me Brave

I wanted to share this new album with you- I am loving it and hope you do too!

 {You Make Me Brave by Bethel Music is FANTASTIC worship! If you have not listened to any of their music, I suggest purchasing all of their albums! Go to this LINK and watch the videos}

{This is my favorite song "We Dance"- listen and crank it up!}

The Best Nail Polish!!

I am so excited to share this product with you all! First, I want to make clear that no one asked me to try this product- I simply went in to Beauty Brands desperate for a product that would help my manicures last longer and found it! I really like to have my nails painted..at all times... however, I have been fed up with them chipping every 2 days and looking horrible. Even when I have them professionally done, they chip in 2 days. I also do not like gels for the simple fact that you have to go back in and have them done, and lets face it, I am not in a spot where I can have a standing mani appointment! Anyway, I went in to Beauty Brands and decided to try CND Vinylux. It claims to last 7 days with no special light needed. I have heard that people love it, but I sort of expected it to be all hype! Let me tell you girls...it is amazing! It lasts without chipping (I would say 5 days for me, which is a miracle- I am so rough on my nails), it comes off easily, it dries perfectly (in about 8 minutes), the colors are awesome, it is super easy...I cannot tell you how excited I am about it (I know, first world excitement). {note, these are around $9 at Beauty Brands (same as OPI) however they around $6-7 on Amazon}
This is how I prep my nails:
1. Remove polish (even if you are not wearing any, wipe with Nail polish remover)
2. Shape nails as needed (with clippers or a file)
3. Push Back cuticles- I use CND Cuticle Remover with a Cuticle Pusher (wash after)
4. Use a buffer block on all of the nails- wash hands really well
5. Use the CND Scrub Fresh (this little bottle will last forever)
6. Paint on Color- 2 coats
7. Paint on 1 layer of the CND Vinylux Top Coat
8. Let dry for 8 minutes and you are good to go for the week!

Here are my favorite colors so far: (but seriously, there are so many awesome options)
+ Studio White
+ Cake Pop
+ Tropix

{Here are my nails after 5 very busy days}

Baby Shower Recap!

We hosted a baby shower for a dear friend last weekend and I thought I would share it with you! My favorite part to plan is the food/drinks of course! Here is the scoop: (her colors are coral, navy and white)

{Here is the table- Table Cloth: HERE, Tissue Pom Pom: HERE- my girl Christina helped me with the set up- those tissue poms are a serious challenge- but cute!}

{Another glance at the food- recipes to come. White Hydrangeas are my absolute favorite!}

{I love a good mimosa bar! This was my first time trying Blueberry juice- I will ditch that idea next time- but Mango and Orange are a must!}

{I have seen this a million times on Pinterest- the veggie cups added fun color to the table! I might use this idea for every occasion!}

{We did parfait cups in stemless martini glasses- I like Vanilla Greek Yogurt from Trader Joes, and Bare Naked fit Granola (vanilla almond crunch) is the best!}

{I just love fresh flowers! Christina ordered the darling cookies- they were delightful!}

{Drink Station}

{Christina and our other co-host Nikki did these favors- they were darling!}

{ok- those Blueberry Oat Bars are my new favorite things! We LOVE the Starbucks Blueberry Oat Bars and they stopped selling them. So I googled the recipe and found one that was perfect (well, I did add more blueberries and oats) HERE is the link}

{One of my favorite things we do in our hometown is the "group gift"- everyone sends in $30-$35 and we get to give the mom-to-be one of her large items. We got to give Liza her Pack n'play and some people brought gifts as well. We also brought her books instead of cards- love that!}

Here is my menu: (click for recipe link)

> Blueberry Oat Bars

> Killer Rolls

> Yogurt Parfaits ("recipe" above)

> Veggie Cups (ranch at the bottom- nothing fancy there)

> Banana Bread

> Sausage Egg Casserole (from my friend Lisa- seriously the best!)

Lisa's Sausage Egg Casserole

8 slices white bread cubed and decrusted

2 1/2 cup Monterrey Jack Cheese, Grated  (sometimes use the monterrey jack and cheddar mix)

1 pound Regular Sausage

1/2 pound Hot Sausage   

9 eggs

1 4 oz chopped green chilies

1 1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp salt

-Brown and drain sausage.  Set aside

-Grease 9X13  pyrex dish

-Line with Bread cubes

-Sprinkle 2 cups grated cheese and green chilies

-Add sausage on top

-Mix eggs, milk and spices- Pour over mixture.  

-Add remaining cheese on top.  

Cover and refrigerate overnight

Bake 1 hour at 350

{Finally, the activities! We had everyone write a note on a diaper for the parents to read while changing those late night diapers}

{We also did a questionnaire for the mom and dad-to-be and everyone had to guess who said which answer (I stole this idea from my friend Amy)- the answers were awesome and it was a fun activity! (please excuse the horrible photo!)}