Again For Mom ;)
I had to share Eshakti one more time. I couldn’t help it. They are just that awesome!
I was on the hunt for the perfect fall into winter dress… and knew just where to look. Eshakti! Plus, I’m on a major leopard kick right now! 🤣
Again I was able to fully customize this dress. The sleeve length, the hem length, the neck line, and even my size measurements. And again it fits perfectly and looks just like I had envisioned.
This one happens to be a crepe material, is double lined, has modesty buttons so that you can open up some in the neck or bottom, and has pockets too! Love!
I wore this out for my birthday dinner the other night and had so many compliments. I just can’t help but to keep telling everyone, its Eshakti, check them out!
Don’t forget that you can use code JESSI10 on their gorgeous dresses and clothes too!
XX,
Jess
Coolest New Gadget
I have a new gadget. I’m in love. Meet Lollipop baby camera.
This thing is so cool. We have always loved our baby monitor and it did a great job for years. But the battery is dying and we knew we needed something updated. Six years is quite a long time to use and abuse an electronic. We had heard awesome things about the Lollipop baby camera and really wanted to try it. So glad we got the chance!
First of all, how cute is this design?! I love the modern, simple look. They come in this blue, a pink, a yellow, and now they have a new gray cover option too.
The lollipop itself is bendable and can be posed or twisted to suit your needs and space. You can wrap it around the crib rail or twist it to perch on a shelf. It also came with a little branch to attach to the wall to wrap it around and an attachment that holds the end wrapped around a crib rail. This is what we have used here.
So not only is this guy cute and fun, but he’s also so versatile! This actually makes traveling with this monitor much easier than with our old one. We can simply twist and place in a new location, no charging station or monitor screen to bring… because of the other perk… it shows to an app on your phone!
Yes, that’s Barrett all curled up in the corner. 🤣 Silly goose. But I can see him, hear him, and monitor everything, right from my phone.
And since you use wifi… you can even access the picture when you are away from home! What?! I can check in on the kiddos even when we have a sitter!
It also alerts you of room environment factors like temperature, and if the baby is crying. You can zoom in. And you can record snapshots or video clips of what is going on.
I’m in love. It’s been a huge help for us! Check them out on IG!
Xx, Jess
(I was gifted this Lollipop baby camera to try and review, however, all opinions are my own!)
Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
If you know me at all, you know I’m no cook. It’s never been something I enjoy to do, so I have never gotten much better than “able to keep my kids alive” level. 🤣
But, I have a few recipes up my sleeve that make it seem like I know what I’m doing just a little. This is a family favorite. So easy, probably 10 minute prep time, inexpensive, and both adults and kids love it. It makes enough for the 5 of us for dinner plus leftovers. Leftovers are almost even better with this dish! 😉
Ingredients
2 c shredded chicken
1 box spaghetti
2 can cream of chicken soup
1 can original Rotel
1 8oz package sour cream
Large sprinkling of shredded cheese
Tips: use a broasted chicken from the store. Easiest to shred when its warm. Shred then refrigerate if making tomorrow. Shred an overly full 2 cups. There will be just enough left for a couple of legs for kids lunch or to put on a salad, etc.
Instructions: Boil the entire package of spaghetti. Mix with all other ingredients except cheese in a 9×13 casserole pan. Cover in foil. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes. Remove the foil and add a full sprinkling of your favorite shredded cheese. Bake for another 10 minutes.
Viola!
One more tip, a sprinkling of crumbled potato chips tops it excellently. Especially day 2 leftovers! Yumm!
Xx,
Jess
Perfect Mama Gift
Are you a mom? Do you know one? This is something you will want to see! I have the perfect gift for a mama you know or even for yourself!
My new necklace by Forever Anniversary is a sound wave of a clip I recorded of my boys!
How amazingly sweet is that? This has got to be the ultimate keepsake!
Visit here for their custom soundwave necklace.
They have lots of unique and customizable jewelry options that are all stunning. I think they would all make amazing gifts. I personally adore the soundwave and all it represents for me, so I can vouch that any mama would love to receive one! 😉
My husband recorded my 1 year old saying “mama, mama” and then my 6 year old says “we love you.” I find it so sweet that I haven’t stopped wearing this since I got it!
It’s made of steel, and just gorgeous. The simplicity of it is stunning with any outfit. I love that it’s my little secret as to what it really means. 💙
Here is the clip of my boys, just so you can hear (not much to see) what I gave them to customize this.
You will not be sorry if you visit Forever Anniversaryfor your next gift or treat!
Xx, Jess
*I recieved this necklace from Forrever Anniversary in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own! 😘
Just for Mama
Had to share something else that I got to try out recently and fell in love with. Eshakti! They are an online women’s clothing store. They specialize in customize clothes to your specifications and size. And let me tell you, their dress selection is almost overwhelming! 😍
I was on the hunt for a dress to wear to my cousin’s wedding and found Eshakti just in time.
I was not only able to make sure my dress would fit my size and shape exactly, but I also chose to make a dress they showed as long sleeved into a sleeveless one. You even get to see immediately online what it will look like! Wow! And it came out perfect!!
I absolutely loved the casual vibe of this dress with an almost denim look to it and the white stitching. The dupioni silk and long length dress it up just enough.
But the point isn’t the dress. It’s that you can design whatever you want! And the perfect fit! Plus, they had it to me in under two weeks. I’m going back. For all kinds of clothes. I love them all!!
One last tid bit. You get all of this, without an exorbitant cost! It was totally affordable! I mean it. We are looking for the step-daughter’s prom dress there too.
Right now, use cose JESSI10 on your purchase too!! 😘
Xx
Jess
Save That Money!
I’m sure you all try to save money, especially if you are a parent! Kids are expensive, am I right?! So I love finding new ways to save and still be able to do the things we want and have the things we need. And I found a new, awesome way!
Kids on 45th! You’ve got kids? You like to keep them clothed but also like to keep your money? Yeah, you need to check them out! 😅
This is a mama-founded company that’s all about helping mamas like you save money (yay!) and time (yes!) on your kiddos’ everyday clothes. They ship “surprise” boxes of gently-used (and some new with tags) clothes to moms around the country for super-low prices (items start at $1.99 and max out at $12.99 for a winter coat!).
They were so kind and generous to gift my boys a box to try. We are definitely going back for more.
My favorite part? That they customized the items to my kiddos. I could specify what we do or do not want and even what types of things or colors my boys like or don’t. We said we like camo and animals. And look what they sent! Spot on!!
They even have a ‘Happiness Policy’! They build a surprise box of clothes tailored to your kiddo’s style, but if there is ever an item you are not in love with, two taps on your device will get you a credit for the item.
I love the low prices. You can get quality kids clothes for cheap! They have sizes newborn to 14/16 clothes, all in excellent condition. Prices start at $1.99 for baby items and max out at $12.99 for big kid jackets! You get free shipping when you spend $65 too. And, there is no subscription needed and no styling fees. You get what you need ans that’s it!
I love that this saves me time along with money! No trip to the mall needed. Two minutes for online shopping was all that I needed. I didn’t have to search and scour at retailers, thrift racks, or pages cans pages online. No coupon hunting. And no gas spent. You don’t even have to get dressed. 🤣
One more plus? This is green! We all want to reuse and reduce are footprint here. This is another way!
So, my verdict? We are Kids on 45th shoppers for life. Truly. We are so tickled about our experience and cannot wait to make more orders!
Xx
Jess
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We were gifted a box of clothes in exchange for a review of the service, but all opinions expreases are our own!
Boys’ Room Reveal
I’ve worked on it for a year and I can finally say it’s as done as it’s getting right now. 🤣 When we moved to this house a year ago and I was pregnant, we decided the boys would share a room. This way I could have an office, and the office would double as a play room/workout room, so that kids could be in there while I worked if needed. I also knew that I wanted an outdoors-y theme that could work for both a baby and a young boy. Brantley already had a farm theme as a baby, with many pieces we wanted to incorporate, and he asked for camo bedding in his new room. If you’ve been here before, you also know that when we moved to this house it needed a lot of work. A lot. We ripped carpet out of this room, added electrical outlets and a light fixture, painted… and we still have more to do…eventually. But for now, here it is!
Each of the boys has a bit different theme on their side of the room, but with light gray walls, tree curtains, tree decals, and some animals throughout, it seems to flow for now.
Barrett’s baby shower theme was woodland animals, knowing that I would use the animal and nature idea for his room.
Brantley has kept some of his farm theme and added the camo to just be plain outdoorsy!
I made both of the boys’ mobiles, which Brantley has outgrown the need for, but are both too cute to get rid of for now.
What do you think? The way we organize clothes will change as the boys grow and we remodel some more. The room currently has no closet. Thanks, old 1862 house. It’s an evolving work in progress. But the boys love having their own space and even love sharing for now. 😆
XOXO,
Jess
The Fake Chimney
This ancient house once had a chimney, two actually. In fact, one is still partially there. In the living room, you can see the shape of the old chimney up one wall. Usually I love character and uniqueness from times past. In this case, though, they covered this chimney up since there was no longer a fireplace. Then, since you could still see the shape of it, they added faux brick to it. Horrible, ugly, pinkish faux brick. It didn’t stand out nearly so bad when the little old lady who lived here previously had the room dark, dingy, and covered in nude paint and odd decor. But once we painted the walls grey, lightened the room, and completed changed the style, the chimney stood out like a sad, sore thumb.0ec56792a3b0f484bcf03c32a4763bf50bca28e68adedf8191
You get the picture here, but unfortunately this is even a mid-project shot. I really wish I had a picture of the drab room when the previous owner lived here to show!
We debated for a while. Do we tear it out? Do we paint it? Do we just take the faux brick off and embrace the odd shape in the room?
One day I said I was painting the bricks white and because we owned the paint and this was “free”, it would at the very least be a temporary solution and that we could always do something different down the road when we had more time. (Ha!)
No one stopped me, so I went forward with a brush and some paint. My plan was to add a couple of coats and make them completely white. One coat in I found that it was actually a bit difficult to get the paint down in all the crevices. We left the one, imperfect coat to dry for a night. The next day we realized the this “whitewashed” look was it. I didn’t need a second coat at all.
Then I wanted a faux mantel to finish it off. Several weeks of debating with each other ensued. I had a very specific picture in my mind of color, shape and size.
We finally have that little mantel, made of 100-some year old barnwood, added to our chimney. And I LOVE it.
Sometimes tiny, simple, easy projects turn into more lengthy and complex ones. Ok, usually. But, when you are done and sit back and look at your work, that makes it all worth it
Don’t mind the empty wall next to it, at least the Christmas tree fills the space for now. I have plans for huge floating shelves all up and down there as “built-ins” for the room. Any guess how long that will take us? 😂
Teen Bedroom Redo
So, I’ve mentioned that this new-to-us old house is in pretty ugly shape and that we have been redoing all the rooms bit by bit. One of the rooms that hadn’t gotten any love since we moved in was Jordin’s room. Check out these dingy, bland, old lady looking photos:
We hadn’t even hung anything on the walls because we knew we wanted to paint. Poor girl! Plus, the rooms all need to have more outlets put in (how is one outlet nearly enough?!) and overhead lights with switches added (hello?!). Needless to say, she was not thrilled in her set up. But, enter her 16th birthday, and we had the perfect excuse to make ourselves get the room beautified and surprise her with completely glammed out digs. Annnd… after:
Ta da! Total teen girl. Her jaw dropped. Win!
This was the mint turquoise color she had picked for her bedroom at our previous house and she was really wanting it again. It is super pretty, and not quite as bright in person. She also loves pink and peach. I added some navy to calm and tie the colors in and some gold hints for glam factor. Sounds busy. Totally goes.
Some old, some new, plenty of Hobby Lobby help. She wanted a little girly and a little rustic. She also wanted “fairy lights” so fairy lights she got.
We can’t change the brown furniture (it was her grandmas), and new carpet isn’t going to happen just yet, so working with what you’ve got sometimes has to just work… but…
Truly I love how it turned out. Dont tell her but Santa is thinking about a rug and a chandelier, along with new knobs for the drawers. 😍
