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October 27, 2020

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DIY Garden Gnome Costume with OOMOMO BC

As you all know, we are a family who loves to create. We love creating new recipes in the kitchen, home DIY’s, painting and best of all, creating for Halloween! Each year we try and think of something outside the box, something unique, but also something that is true to our family, a hobby, a favorite color or favorite food to name a few inspirational themes. This year we chose one of our favorite summer activities – GARDENING! This theme was a homerun for the girls because they love the movies Trolls and Gnomeo+Juliet and our little garden gnome we paint each year in our garden.

This year we worked with OOMOMO to create the perfect (and cutest) little Garden Gnome costume for Ezra. OOMOMO is a Japanese Lifestyle brand with a LARGE selection of crafting materials, the selection ranges from a variety of markers, wooden pieces, faux floral, stickers galore and anything else you could think of when you get that creative itch! It really is incredible the amount of items they have in store, you can create anything. All materials I used for this costume can be found at OOMOMO.

GARDEN GNOME COSTUME

Garden Box Materials:

  • Variety of Faux Floral  (30+ depending how full you want your garden box to be)
  • Craft Straw x 3
  • Felt Fabric Rolls (Brown + Green)
  • Mushroom Magnets x 2
  • Variety of Faux Greenery Garden
  • Fencing x 6
  • Luggage Straps x 2
  • Woven String + Leaves x 2
  • Wooden Sign

Garden Box Instructions:

  1. Assemble garden box & base (we used a staple gun for this).
  2. Apply fabric to backing of garden fencing using glue gun.
  3. Attach luggage straps in criss cross pattern using staple gun.

Floral + Greenery:

  1. Fill box with floral using glue gun.
  2. Add extra greenery + mushrooms.
  3. Paint garden sign with whatever wording you would like and place in box.

Gnome Hat Materials:

  • Felt Fabric Sheet (Bright Blue) x 1
  • Foam Floral Stickers x 1 pack

Gnome Hat Instructions:

  1. Use blue felt piece, pull both shortest corners together making an ice cream cone shape and measure on child’s head, then glue the sides together to complete.  
  2. Add floral stickers where desired.

Trick or Treat Bag Materials:

  • Garden Pot Cover
  • Garden String
  • Treats – Panda Cookies, Koala Cookies, HiChew and Pocky

Trick or Treat Bag Instructions:

  1. Poke one hole at top on each side of Garden Pot Cover
  2. Measure string to desired length for handle
  3. Thread string through holes and tie knots on each side to hold its place.
  4. Add treats.

Halloween is looking a little bit different this year for everyone but no matter what we’re doing on the 31st, I know my girls will still be dressed to the nines having a great time thanks to OOMOMO.

If you are using OOMOMO to help create your Halloween costume this year please tag me in your photos, I would love to see what you create!

OOMOMO also carries a large assortment of Halloween décor, pre assembled costumes, treats and fun trick or treating bags to make October 31st perfect for you and your family! You can shop online in their E-Shop and pick up the NEXT day after 11AM! (https://www.oomomostore.com/ ) or head out to one of their many locations. There are four locations in BC, Aberdeen Centre(Richmond), Metrotown(Burnaby), Robson St(Opening November) and Lougheed Town Centre(Burnaby). They also have other locations in Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba!

Take care and Stay Safe everyone!

XOX Cassandra

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October 16, 2018

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A Dock for my Tots : The most dreamy twinning you ever did see.

The Dock A Tot is widely known for encouraging longer naps, portable and convenient size and the great aid they have for transitioning from crib to toddler bed.  When we first received our Grand Dock for Ezra, she was over the moon. Instead of setting up pillows every time she watched a show or when she napped in mommy’s bed, she had her own spot dedicated to her!

There was a few times (and still is) where the Dock will somehow turn into a car, an airplane, or most recently a castle – yeah, go figure out that one. (She balanced the Dock A Tot over the ottoman and the edge of the couch.) She has also slowly began to imitate how we put her to bed, the routine she went through at night and how we would greet her when she awoke in the morning. This was also so sweet because she was going to soon be a big sister and watching her care for her dollies and teddy bear just melted our hearts.

You might also like : Cadenshae – Active wear for the pregnant and nursing mother.

The Dock A Tot is available in two different sizes, the Deluxe for Infants (0 – 9 months) and the Grand for toddlers ( 9 – 36 months ) . Our Deluxe Dock A Tot arrived a little bit after Ezra’s arrived and to see the look on her face when she opened up one that was miniature size to hers, was priceless! Instantly she knew it was for the little baby growing in my tummy and that it was something very special for her and her sibling on the way.

Ezra is usually really good with going down for her naps and doesn’t have much of a struggle when going into her crib in the afternoon. The day that her Dock A Tot arrived she asked if she could nap in it and naturally, I said “No”. She then persisted and usually I don’t give in to whining with her, but she promised that she would sleep, so we tried it out. She fell asleep within minutes. I’m not sure if it was the struggle of asking to sleep in the Dock A Tot that tired her out or if there really was some special magic sleepy dust in the Dock. There she was, two hours later, air conditioner on, sun shining through the windows and the serenade of her oh so lady-like snoring.

You may also like : Saying no to the ‘Mom-Bod’

Fast forward 5 months and here we are with our two girls. We use our Dock A Tot DAILY. I might even go ahead to say hourly. It has been such a blessing in our household to be able to lay down Isla when I need to quickly help Ezra with something, or having Ezra nap in her room and Isla nap beside me, giving me a chance to relax. I have even had her in the kitchen with me, on the floor of course on the carpeted hallway, while I was making scones last week!

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Our Deluxe Dock has been a lifesaver for myself and helped ME get a couple extra hours of sleep in the mornings! After my husband goes to work, I am usually up nursing Isla, but my toddler isn’t awake yet so I usually try and stay in bed until she wakes up. When I am done nursing Isla, she usually will fall back asleep in the mornings, but she has been showing us that she likes to be held upright when falling asleep so this makes it a little bit more tricky and tiring when it is 6AM. I have found that Isla will also sleep longer if I am near her, therefore I usually sleep with my head rested right beside the Dock, but that’s okay, I sometimes miss my own sleep because I’m stuck staring at her beautiful sleeping face. I am nervous about having her directly on the mattress beside me so I just pop the Dock up on the bed beside me and off the dreamland we go! L I F E  S A V E R. There is just something about the coziness of the Dock that surrounds them and offers that comfort of a mother’s arms.

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Twinkle Stars Newborn Gown : Nixilauroo

Here’s Why I Love The Dock

  • Perfect solution to co-sleeping – as I mentioned above, Isla still has her days and nights mixed up, so we are getting 3 hours sleep on a good night! Having the Dock in bed with us has given us a couple extra Z’s.
  • Washable – At first I was so nervous about ordering their beautiful marble cover, but after the first encounter with BBQ sauce and it came right out, my fears are gone!
  • Portable and functional for travelling families – we plan on taking ours on a few over night trips this spring and are so excited to have both for the girls.
  • Interchangeable Covers with a huge selection to choose from. The perfect addition to any nursery, no matter what the theme, style and colour, there is something for every babe!
  • Eco – Friendly – This is something I haven’t really thought about before, but when I was looking in to the Dock A Tot and what set them apart, this was really something that stood out to me. Unlike regular crib mattresses, the Dock A Tot is hypo-allergenic, all natural 100% cotton.

The dock has been a little piece of heaven for my girls as we transition in to this new chapter of life with two girls, sisters and best friends. Having their matching ‘beds’ has been so fun and created a bond even before Isla was born.

We are looking forward to more bonding while enjoying Saturday morning cartoons and taking our docks on trips with us this Winter and Spring!

XoXo

Cass

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November 10, 2017

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10 Tips to start a Capsule Wardrobe

I’ve been hearing more and more about these ‘capsule wardrobes’ and the challenge to live a minimal lifestyle, and I’m intrigued. I’ve done my ‘research’ and have  compiled a list and pictures of what my capsule will include and the various ways I am going to style it throughout the month!

A Capsule wardrobe consists of 30 or less pieces of clothing, including shoes, accessories etc. But this time around I started with 30 pieces of clothing and then add ons – it’s my first time okay! The biggest thing that really attracted me to trying out my own capsule was the amount of time I waste trying to figure out what I am going to wear every morning and then I always come back to the same old thing.

REASONS TO START A CAPSULE WARDROBE:

  • De-clutter your closet and say goodbye to what doesn’t bring you joy!
  • Minimize the ever-daunting question ‘what should i wear today’
  • Be ready 10x faster

HERE ARE 10 TIPS TO GET STARTED!

1// IT’S NOT HARD : It really is that simple. Make sure you start in a month that would be ‘easier'(where you don’t have 6 weddings to attend!) for you so you do not get discouraged. Remember, it’s only a month, make sure you’ve grabbed your favourites and MUST HAVES and try! Next time I do a capsule wardrobe, I’m going to take the plunge and do the complete 30 piece wardrobe, clothes, shoes, accessories and all.

2// YOU’RE PROBABLY ALREADY DOING IT : Most likely, you already have a list of your favourites tucked away in your mind. If you’re having a lazy day, you have those tights and shirt you like to wear. If you’re going out, you have that little black dress and long dangly necklace you love so much. Lastly, if you’re going to a soccer game you’ve got those nice pair of jeans that make your butt look good and that fitted tee to be game ready! So putting together a 30 piece capsule shouldn’t be too hard!

This grey sweater below is one of my top 5 items – I HAD to include a pic of the back! 

You may also like Keepin’ Comfy No Matter What Hat I’m Wearing

3// DECLUTTER : Are you (like me) one of those people who have a closet that is BURSTING at the seems and has found it’s way to under your bed, down the hall and in your husband’s dresser? If you have been looking for a way to kind of kick-start a purge, then I would highly suggest a capsule wardrobe!

4// BE SEASONAL : When putting together your capsule, keep in mind the season and the weather. Will it be changing? Will you be needing to layer up at all? Especially if you are branching out and decide to do a 3 month capsule, this is a MUST!

5// KEEP IT NEUTRAL : I chose not to have many prints in my capsule, unless they were black and white. I find patterns and more eccentric prints aren’t that forgiving when trying to pair with the rest of the wardrobe. Maybe next time, if I am feeling more daring, I’ll throw a bright print in! This time I stuck to black, white, grey’s, neutrals and jean.

6// HAVE A BASE : You’ll find as you thread through all the different capsules out there, there is always an underlying base colour. I found the most popular are either BLACK OR NAVY. My capsule had a base of black pieces.

You may also like : Beach Ready From Head to Tote

7// THE 3 PIECE RULE : Can I wear this item with at least 3 other pieces in my capsule. For example, I included my long black tank because I love to wear it with my tights and a hoodie but also wear it with my leather leggings, brown booties and a necklace. TADA – Transformed!

8// FITS YOUR LIFESTYLE : As I started my capsule wardrobe, I began with what do I love as the driving force to start choosing what to include. I love playing with Ez so I checked off items one and two with a long slinky tank and tights combo! Then just go from there!

You may also like : Apple Cider Sippin’

9// SWITCH IT OUT : I kind of made this up, but it really helped me along the way when deciding what I was going to include. I made my capsule and had the full intention of sticking to it, but then I was about a week and a half in and there was a shirt I just didn’t see myself wearing. PLUS the Whitecaps were in the playoffs and I had forgotten to put my jersey in – so SWITCH!

10// SPREAD THE LOVE : Why just keep it to yourself? Challenge your family to do just the same! Next season around or even in the midst, try it out. I’ve noticed that a lot of the time when I am dressing Ez, I am constantly looking for my favourites and dressing her in the same 10 outfits every week. (yes I realize there’s only 7 days in a week, but, #toddlerlife). Try it out, test it and see if it’s a good fit for your family, it may be a fun ‘challenge’ to see who can do it and stick to it!

BONUS : MY TOP 5 PIECES TO START YOUR CAPSULE

  1. Black maxi dress
  2. Light jean jacket
  3. White runners
  4. Black ripped jeans
  5. Grey slouchy t shirt

BONUS #2 : TIPS FOR CHILDS CAPSULE WARDROBE

  • Stick to solid colours / black&white prints
  • 5 piece ‘Rule’ – choose 5 of each (pants&tights / shirts / long sleeve / dress / shorts, depending on season)
  • Don’t include accessories/under garments/outerwear
  • By starting a capsule for your children you are also limiting their options and therefor encouraging and making it easier for them to start dressing themselves!

In review: At the beginning of the ‘challenge’ I was feeling a bit intimidated and felt like I wasn’t going to be able to do it, but then I got to about number 23 for pieces of clothing and I was done. There was no more pieces I would LOVE to include, so I threw in a few extra tanks and a pair of SWEATS! Lol Something that also made it easier for me to stick to the capsule was separating it from my own closet. I went out and purchased a clothing rack from IKEA ($16!) and had it just against the wall for the month.

I do have to admit though, when I was about halfway through I totally forgot about some family photos we had done with Kaptured.by.Kay and had to break the 30 piece wardrobe and wear a long slinky white knitted sweater I had at the back of my closet, oh no!(eye roll) So here’s a couple photos to justify the add-on!

Thanks for reading through my personal experience with the capsule wardrobe and I hope you’re feeling encouraged to try it out yourself! It’s amazing coming to the realization that I really only wear about 20 different pieces of clothing out of what I have! Makes me more consciously aware of buying items and encouraged to get rid of them! 

LEAVE A NOTE – I would love to hear from you and your own experience in creating and wearing a capsule wardrobe! It was such a fun challenge, and would love any extra tips or tricks on staying faithful to the one rack!

XOX Cass

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June 30, 2017

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BEACH READY – From Head to Tote.

Now that the sun is out in full bloom and is not showing any signs of going away (*happy dance*) I’ve gathered together my favorite pieces that are tried&true to enjoy the rays with and would love to share them with you! To start things off, here is my go-to, large-enough-to-carry-your-baby-in, spacious and beautiful, BeachBag.

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Beach Bag

H&M – It is always essential to have a generously large beach bag to keep all your essentials in one place. I found this one at H&M and am in love!

Sunscreen

K’Pure Naturals – Protect your skin! Make sure you’re lathering up with sun screen half an hour before you’re heading out in to the sun. K’Pure Naturals has recently changed the name of their miracle-screen, so when you’re looking to put it in your cart, make sure to search for ‘Beach Babe.’

 

this one

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Lip Balm

EOS – When I spend a day in the sun, I find that your lips tend to dry out, even if I’m staying hydrated! So I make sure that I’ve always got lip balm on hand.

Sunglasses

Bluenotes – Usually when I am heading out on any roadtrip, day trip or beach day, I always bring my sunnies. Even in the thick of winter you can find me wearing a crown of shades lol! That white snow is bright! Check here for these heart shaped beauties. HeadtoTote08

 

West Coast Round Towel

Tofino Towel Co. – This beauty will be my summer go to for sure. The classic Tofino towel has a nice weight to it that it’s not going to flip over the second you walk on it, this is a BIG plus. The wide circular shape of their towels allows additional space for magazines, snacks and large sun hats but ALSO large enough to cuddle under the stars for those dreamy summer nights.

Wide-Brim Sunhat

Even though you are most likely already lathered up in sunscreen or tanning oils, a big hat is always a good idea. Whether it be to hide your crazy beach hair, cover your shoulders or provide shade for a snooze, go big or go home!

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Water Bottle – Stay hydrated!

Free Reign Campaign – There are so many bottles out there that have different lids, textures and prints to fit anyone’s style. One of my favourites is this one from Melanie at Free Reign Campaign. The JOURNEY style bottle has a narrow top, therefore minimizing the amount of sand that may find its way in while at the beach.

Hand Sanitizer

Bed Bath & Bodyworks – Even though we swim and lounge in the river and sea, I find that when I come back to the towel for a snack I always give my hands a quick clean. Have you tried the relax-eucalyptuses line they have? Omigoodness!! Go now.

Snacks

Craisins & Granola Bars – Everyone can always use a little snack here and there, especially if you’re spending some time in the sun. Here are some ideas for quick snacks on the go that don’t need to be prepped or refrigerated; Craisins, Granola bars, fishies (yes, the little crackers), trail mix, apples, grapes, you get the idea!

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Trinket Pouch

Essence – I found this little treasure at Shoppers Drugmart- Make sure you’ve got a pouch that zips to place your jewelry, watch or phone in to make sure that they aren’t buried in the sand, misplaced or drenched in salt water!

Hair Ties

Plum Polka Dot – One of my most frustrating things about having long hair is the summer time sweat that it brings. Keep that hair off the back of your neck by tying it up with one of these adorable knotted ties from Plum Polka Dot.

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Hair Care

Bumble & Bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil Protective Primer – This is another thing I have recently made sure I have on hand, leave in conditioner ‘Hairdressers Invisible Oil Protective Primer’ or ‘Surf Spray’ from Bumble & Bumble. These have been my saving grace on crazy beach days that turn in to summer night BBQ’s. You spray it in your hair when its damp and let is air dry or you can add a little to dry hair get that texturized beach babe look.

Head phones / Wireless Adapter

Outdoor Tech/ Bose Speaker & Portable Charger – When I go to the beach, or at least used to go without child, I would spend some time basking in the sun, heating up and then plunging in to the water. I have recently discovered this AMAZing product from Outdoor Tech. It is a small device that makes anything wireless. Yup, you heard me, anything. You could go the route of wearing headphones and that’s cool, but you could also go the route of plugging in your OT piece to wireless speakers and having your phone tucked away safe from water and sand in your bag. Genius if you ask me.

Also – don’t forget that portable charger if you’re planning on doing an all day trip or your waterproof zip for electronics!

headphones

 

Notebook/Calendar

Chapters Indigo – Obviously something I love to do and am always thinking of is my blog. Jotting down ideas, inspirations and people I want to partner with on this journey! I go nowhere without it. I tend to find my most inspirational moments when I am out of the house, whether it be a walk in the park, laying on the beach, or coffee with friends (this last one if a big one, you guys inspire me so much!). If this isn’t your jam, no big deal, bring one of your favourite books along for a good read and some sun time.

Swim Suit

Nettles Tale – I cannot say enough good things and happy vibes about this company. This suit specifically carried me through the fourth trimester. When I was only a couple months postpartum this suit allowed me to still sun bath in July and have my little one close in a PeaPod up at camp. It is versatile, hugs and loves every body type, and is reversible. My favourite part about these suits is the bottoms though, their magic bottoms. Pulled those panels all the way up after just having Ez and it was like suddenly I was comfortable and confident to be in a bikini.

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Flip Flops

American Eagle – I now have two pairs of flip flops from American Eagle and I am obsessed with them both! The pair I’ve chose for this haul are my beautiful nude flip flops. I just love how neutral and dainty they are. The other pair I have that I hardcore love are a criss-cross leather style (I have bought two of these pairs and will continue to do so lol). Come to think of it, I actually bought the nude flip flops when Payless was having a sale – great deals!

I hope you have found this post helpful and maybe even discovered some new items to add to your beach bag this summer! I would love to hear from YOU and what your never-leave-behind items are on beach days. This year with having a little one I don’t plan anything to go as expected and I’m okay with that. We’re summer ready and I’m excited about beach bums, sandy toes and summer nights.

Take care lovelies & enjoy the sun ❤

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May 30, 2017

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Breastfed to Finger fed – easing the transition to solid foods

Breastfed to Finger fed – transitioning to solid foods and supporting your child in this whole new world of taste buds!

     I am so eager to get this post out that I write to you from the car! My husband is driving us to our second-in-laws for a BBQ and some pool time. This post has been on my mind for about six months now and I’ve finally buckled down and put in the ground work to bring it to you, so I hope you get lots out of it!

     Over the past few weeks we’ve been discovering new recipes and recreating old ones to adapt to Ezra’s little taste buds. (Nothing too high class – ex: Ez loves bananas, so when we discovered she wasn’t allergic to PB, we made her PB & banana sandwiches!)  The transition from breastfed to finger fed hasn’t been a struggle and Ez LOVES food, but she does have her moments where we just need to revisit a few foods after her first encounter. Example: banana at 6 months; not a fan. Banana at 8 months; has eaten it everyday since.

     Friends and family have both shared with me that babies take up to 5 times to actually like something. If you are trying to transition your babe to solids or even just purees, keep trying, it may just be the texture or even the sweetness/tartness. This is one thing that I’ve kept in mind when trying out new and different tastes/textures with Ez. At first when we started to give Ezra solids, we started with banana and rice cereal (I know, not so much a solid as it is a puree). As I wrote above, she was not a fan of banana and frankly, I was terrified to give her anything that wasn’t smooth sailin’ like water or milk.

     Slowly we moved forward in the solids department and have now made our way to fully finger-fed, no more boobie for baby. I’ve gathered up some of our tried & true favourites, both in my opinion and Ezra’s. Most of these are easy to make and can be put together with the ingredients you already have!

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Let’s get started!

 

1. Raspberry, Coconut & Rolled Oats (NO BAKE)

     Don’t worry my dears, these delicious looking treats come with a recipe and take less than 15 minutes to muster up! All you need are four ingredients, but make sure to keep these puppies refrigerated or in the freezer until you want to eat them!

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Raspberry, Coconut & Oat Balls (&& a little flour)

Ingredients:

1Cup Rolled OatsRaspberry Coconut Balls

1/2Cup Flour (add more as needed if they’re too moist!)

1/3Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

1/2Cup defrosted and crushed frozen raspberries

Directions: Add all ingredients into bowl, mix with spoon or hands & roll into loonie sized balls, place on baking sheet or plate to store in fridge/freezer.

That’s it! You’re done!

2. PB & Banana rice cakes

     One of Ez’s, and many babies, favourite foods is banana. It’s easy to hold on to, you can chop it up or slice it down the middle. squishy, but holds shape, that is, if it’s not too ripe! I usually just buy the plain rice cakes, don’t really need to add any extra taste to these delicious snacks. (Sometimes when I am at restaurants I sneak a couple PB’s into my diaper bag – the perfect extra little protein on the go! shhhhh!)

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3. Gnocchi

     These little guys have a texture of somewhere in-between a banana and a noodle. Perfect sizing for the fist of a little one who’s just started discovering how to eat! Prep time? Boil the water, throw them in the pot, 2 minutes later, take em’ out and serve. Super simple and your little one will love being able to have independence in feeding themselves one teeny bite of potato at a time. (If you’re not making them from scratch, I am not this ambitious, I would suggest the Oliveri brand. I bought mine at Save on Foods in the deli section)

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4. Fruit, Fruit, & More Fruit!

     My little bean just loves fruit. Any kind and all the time. I have been giving her everything under the sun and she just makes it disappear! Some fun ones to cut in to sticks/slices are the ones pictures below. Grapefruit not so much a stick but the pieces are small and squishy, kind of makes them work for the sweetness of the fruit! Just make sure you are checking your fruits for seeds/rinds.

Fruits

5. PIZZA – the remix.

     As much fun as pizza is to give to a toddler, I find the dough to be a bit too much for them and they more than often dont get enough of the good stuff on the top! I opted out for doing a ham and cheese pizza for Ez with flat bread and some left overs in my fridge. I took some left over pasta sauce, deli ham and shredded cheese from a pizza soup hubby had made earlier in the week (YUM! – check that out here, super yummy!). I prepared the oven at 350, put my toppings on and placed the flat breaded pizza straight on to the rack, let cook for 10 minutes and then sit for 5 minutes on the counter to let it cool. I made it a little bit easier for Ez to eat by cutting the pizza into strips so she could hold on to it and munch away.

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6. EGG – just egg.

     Holy guacamole does this little girl love egg! Scrambled, hard boiled, fried, she’ll take it all. My most recent and creative way to give her egg is on an individual cast iron skillet. This is GENIOUS. We went out for sushi a couple months ago and we had ordered a huge variation and assortment of dishes. One of which showed up and was a huge hunk of egg on rice. I wasn’t about to eat it but I knew someone who may just love it; lil’ Ez. It took her awhile but after about 20 minutes, the egg and rice underneath was gone. So when I found a cast iron skillet to re create the style and texture of egg, you know I was on board right away. And so was she!

     For the eggs on the skillet, I usually will scramble two in a small bowl with a fork and then pour hem in the skillet. Wait a couple minutes until the top of the egg starts to firm. I then place the whole skillet into the over at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes. This ensures the egg is cooked fully, but also the perfect texture to cut in to strips for easy finger feeding!

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       I would also like to add here that if you’re having a tough time getting your little to try eggs, let alone even like them, one of my girlfriend’s, Sam, mashes banana and egg together to create pancakes. You may also find you can use sweet potato as well and her little one just eats it up!!

7. Pizza Pretzel. That is it. One love baby.

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8. Pancakes & Berries

     Last weekend I had the utmost pleasure of helping host a bridal shower for my beautiful friend Dianne. She makes my heart sing, she is such a beautiful soul, so naturally when she asked for a PANCAKES&PANTIES BRIDAL SHOWER (how stinkin’ cute is that? This will definitely be up on the blog) I couldn’t say no. Naturally, after the day had passed, there was some mini pancakes left over. Hmm I wonder who would love these mini pancakes? EZ. Finger fed, hand held, teeny tiny pancakes. This little miss was on cloud nine that morning! I put the pancakes on her tray with an assortment of berries, she loved it!

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9. Steamed Veggies

     Part of your little ones teething experience and being introduced to solids is the sensation of teeth taring through their gums. Not a very nice feeling AMIRIGHT? Hot and cold foods help with soothing this sensation. Brocolli and carrots have been a go to for these past few weeks. Here are my the two time frames I find work best for self-fed babies. Leaving the vegetables firm enough that they dont squish right in to their fingers as soon as they pick them up! (&& maybe a little bit of cheese is delicious too!)

Broccoli – Boil 4min

Carrots – Boil 7 min

steamed veggies

Adorable Mountain Dinner Plate by Timber Child

10. Leftovers

     What better meal prep than leftovers? Not only are you keeping your sanity, but baby is fed and enjoy their cold macaroni, pasta or even tuna helper! I just noticed all of those are pastas… Baby loves pasta! Ez also loves to eat whole tiny pickles, here’s a photo below of an average snack time at our house hold!

BONUS Extras:

Some of the ones I haven’t posted above are:

  • Grilled Cheese (cut in to slices)
  • Dill Pickles
  • Veggieballs – IKEA (seriously!)
  • Tomato pasta
  • Cheese stick

Let me know what you’ve found easiest/hardest in your own adventure going through the transition of breastfed to finger fed. I would love to hear your own ideas and answer any questions you may have for me!

Take care && Happy feeding!

xox Cass

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May 5, 2017

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The BEST Butter Chicken Sauce!!

Butter Chicken. Mm mmm. Delicious. If you love butter chicken as much as I do, you have try this combo of Naan and Butter Chicken!!

Grab your frying pan & rice cooker and let’s get started! I have a small, three cup, black&decker rice cooker and we’ve had it since we’ve been married and use it all the time! It’s small, easy to clean and we never really need more than 3 cups of rice!

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Butter Chicken Sauce : Umi’s Kitchen Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce. I picked up two bottles of it from a past market I just attended but you can get your sauce here , your local Save on Foods and Granville Island Market!

Naan : CRISPY Traditional Style Tandoori Naan. We grab ours from Walmart

Basmati Rice : Kirkland Brand

Two Chicken Breasts

**We also like to add a veggie option for a side! Tonight we chose red pepper**

You know when you start a meal and you’re so excited to get it going, and then you cook the carrots first to perfection but then the potatoes are still going to be another twenty minutes? Man! That is so annoying; I hate it when that happens! So below I have written out your schedule to the perfect butter chicken that will all be pipin’ hot when you plate to serve!

First Step: Prep

Ÿ Cut your chicken breasts into cubes

Ÿ Place 2 cups of rice in rice cooker & fill to 2 cup line

 

Step 2: Turn on rice cooker (roughly 20minutes) & Preheat oven to 200degrees

Step 3: Start cooking chicken in frying pan with a drop of vegetable oil in pan

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Step 4: When chicken is all cooked, add in entire jar of Umi’s Kitchen Butter Chicken Sauce into pan. Place lid and let simmer.

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Step 5: Place naan directly on middle oven rack and sprinkle with water on each side, cook 2minutes.

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Plate & Serve

Enjoy!

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After making this meal, I feel like I ate the whole plate in one bite. I’ve also included an after photo of my little girl at the end of her dinner time tonight for a few laughs. Hope you enjoy it!

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Send me a note after you try this sauce and tell me what you think!! I’d love to hear your thoughts or about your own Butter Chicken dinners!

 

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May 2, 2017

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What to Expect When you’re Scorekeeping

Thinking about venturing out for the first time since babe has come along? Here are a few tips on how to keep it as simple and efficient as possible without having a meltdown (or at least only one or two!)

Last week my husband and I decided we were going to go to a White Caps game; being very loyal and faithful fans, having a baby and staying home for the games has definitely taken a toll and bruised our fan ego. You know those things that make you feel alive, you’re so in tune with the moment that it’s almost surreal? Yeah. That was game day for us!

As the week began to close in on game day, we started to pack our diaper bag, pack the essentials and look into what was the most helpful things other parents had found when doing a day trip. It began to gather up quit quickly, below is a list of items we brought (we ended up tossing our diaper bag to the side and packing a backpack for easier maneuvering at the stadium! << do this!)

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Baby Carrier: Beluga Wrap (One of the best choices by far because not only is it super comfortable while standing up and sitting down cheering for both parents and their babe, it is compact! So if you need to take out your little while at the game you don’t have any large extra cargo to be lugging around on top of babe!) This wrap will literally fit in your pocket.

Head Gear: Sports games, especially VWFC, can get pretty rowdy if you are in the supporters section and you want to make sure your little one is enjoying it as much as you so com prepared! We were fortunate enough to borrow these BabyBANZ from my sister in law, but you can also find them at BestBuy or at Once Upon a Child and other consignment stores. They are pricey but worth its weight in gold, especially if it helps your babe to NAP while everyone around is cheering and yelling their socks off! We also brought a toque for Ez just in case the roof was open, and it was!IMG_3118

Pacifier Clip: Glitter and Spice When you’re in the midst of a crowds, the last thing you want to do is drop that golden pacifier on the busy crowded gross floor.

Toy: Make sure to bring a toy that is easily attached with a pacifier clip, because also, you want to make sure that this does not fall on the ground and get trampled! I would suggest bringing something that is multi-sensory. One of those Lamaze stroller toys that are plush, have a Velcro piece, shaker piece and maybe even a mirror. Ezra has one that is a knight on a horse, each hoof has a different texture!

Clothing: I would definitely go with tights and socks for baby, or something that you KNOW wont fall off (Velcro shoes) or be uncomfortable for lounging in! And for an extra set of clothes just bring some PJ’s, compact and easy to put on.

Food: We opted for fries here, but we also brought two pouches just in case (which she devoured on the way home, this saved us!)

Diapers&Wipes: Here we opted out our regular diaper bag, as I’d mentioned earlier, and just brought the clutch that includes a detachable mat and zipper for wipes.

Packed away tightly in the backpack there was still some room for a blanket!

At the end of the game we were able to take off effortlessly as Kenz had left on the wrap throughout the game and we just put Ez back in!

If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you! Leave your words behind in the section below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!

Take careIMG_3161

Xox

Cassandra

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April 25, 2017

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TOP TEN GIFTS FOR THE MOM WHO DOES IT ALL

Have you been racking your brain on what to get your mom, grandma, mother-in-law or even mama friends for Mother’s Day? Well you’re in luck. Here is one of the best cheat sheets you will ever lay your eyes on. We all know you can’t buy a mother’s love but you sure can buy her cool gifts! Each and every one of these gifts has the capacity to surprise, excite and may even cause tears when given. Grab some tea and a biscuit or two (maybe five) and let’s get started!

Top Ten Mother's Day

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1. MINT & BIRCH||

Jewelry; one of the most sought after mother’s day gifts. These necklaces are not only beautiful AND handmade, but they are customizable. Have your journey, hopes and loves displayed & worn proudly each and everyday for all to see. Displaying the proud, strong and courageous mama in your life. These necklaces & bracelets are made of heavy gold fill and will not wear off or tarnish, a treasure for years to come. Mint&Birch also creates these absolutely beautiful nests, custom to your family and children. Each piece is hand crafted and stamped with love by the shop owner herself; Jessica. Here is an excerpt from her site on WHO she is and where her heart is when creating each piece of jewelry. “I have the honour of hearing the stories behind the pieces that are commissioned. Stories of new life, milestones, celebration, weddings, joyous events, but also of grief and loss. I am so humbled to be making these special pieces.” Check out Mint&Birch whole collection and find the perfect gift for your own FOREVER MAMA. 

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2. BELUGA BABY||

A perfect gift for new or first time mamas. Celebrate the joy and love for your little ones that made you a mama; keeping them close, safe and snuggled in sweet, soft bamboo against your heart. With the beautiful, fun variety of colours they have, your hardest choice may be choosing which one, but you can always get two! “As for mom, sometimes she simply needs her hands free. That’s where baby wearing comes in. And you don’t need any sort of high tech equipment. Women have been wearing their babies for thousands of years. All you need is a Beluga Baby Wrap to keep your little one close. Shop the Beluga Wrap!” – Haley. If you haven’t met the shop owner Haley, you’re seriously missing out! She is a crazy firm believer and advocate for wearing your bundle of joy at all times. And I’ve gotta say, I agree 110% Grocery shopping? Wrap your babe. Housework? Wrap your babe. Mother’s Day Gift shopping? WRAP. YOUR. BABE.

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3. BEBE DE LUXE||

Who doesn’t love to be pampered? Seriously. Hand a bag or Luxe glass jar of this magical stuff to your mother/wife/sister, heck, even your brother (maybe not for mothers day though) and they will be forever grateful. THIS is the good stuff. Bébé de Luxe Coconut & Oat Milk Bath is natural, vegan and free of all nasties (toxins and carcinogens). It is made with 100% certified organic, food-grade ingredients.  The combination of organic coconut milk and organic oatmeal gently cleanses baby’s skin and enhances their natural baby softness without stripping the natural oils. Perfect for either a mommy&me tub time or a wine&cheese tub time. Pick yours up here and pamper your mama this Mother’s Day!

&& if you really want to spoil your mama you’ll pair it with a mini mama&me Bebe de Luxe floral bath, here is a few photos of one my daughter and I did just last week. Photos by the lovely & talented Sasha Cooper Photography.

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4. ALYSSA KELLART PHOTOGRAPHY||

WATCH THIS & THEN READ.  Are you in love? Is your heart just pounding right now.

Mamas everywhere deserve to be celebrated! I love to see moms interacting with their littles and it’s something that I truly believe makes a mama’s heart beat stronger. This Mother’s Day, take those moms that are behind the scenes, behind the meltdowns and behind the messy lunches and put them in front of the lens. Glorify them and thank them for all they do, each and everyday. It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle that life is, time to take a second, rejoice and be joyful for the wonderful world of motherhood. What better gift then one that can be cherished forever? Alyssa has a few different packages to choose from to fit any budget, Seriously! Check her out! Documentary Motherhood Mini Sessions & photo packages available here. She is so sweet, she also offers this UH-MAZING option of a gift registry. If you have a whole family who is giving to a grandmother/mother/friend, you can all contribute to this amazing blessing and keepsake. What a gift. 

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5. NETTLES TALE||

Nettle’s Tale is a local BC grown company, made for, sized after and modelled for women everywhere! I completely adore this company. Their heart & mind speaks directly to women of all stages of life and have adorable, funky, and neutral suits to choose from. My current favourite is ‘The Britney’ it is a limited edition from last year, pair it with some beautiful magic bottoms and you’re on your way to comfort AND class. Nettle’s Tale also offers gift cards if you are unsure of which amazing suit to purchase for the mama in your life! Before I forget, if you’re local to Vancouver you are in luck! They JUST opened a Nettle’s Tale STOREFRONT! So exciting. Their brand new shop is now open in the heart of Vancouver’s Historic Gastown. This store is the flagship retail outlet for Nettle’s Tale Swimwear. If you know your mother/wife would love Nettle’s Tale come this way! Stock photos from Nettle’s Tale

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6. VICTORIA SENGES||

I’m a huge fan of their monthly planner notepad and larger notepads. As most moms, I am constantly making lists and always double checking dates/groceries etc. It just makes it that much more fun when you’ve got a beautiful pad to write on! Make sure you also check out her perpetual wall calendar; these beauties are perfect for any small nook in your home, living room, entranceway, or even the kitchen! I also just want to zone in a little bit about the woman behind the paper; Victoria. Victoria created her own company and sought to build her design portfolio by branding companies, designing wedding invitations, and saying yes to just about anyone who was in need of design help. Eager to design things that reflected Victoria’s personal design style, she began designing inspiring prints for her mother to help during cancer treatments. When she realized she could be using the prints as a tool to raise money for cancer awareness. Each piece is printed, cut, glued, scored, foiled, and packaged by hand. A lot of love goes into the production of each individual piece. One of my biggest joys in supporting and shopping ‘small’ is the stories behind the owners and the passions that drive them onward and up! Shop her stuff now here and enjoy all her awesome&creative designs!

Photos by Julie Christine Photography

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View More: http://juliechristinephotos.pass.us/calendars

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7. DIAPER BAG – HERSCHEL||

Herschel? Herschel for a diaper bag? Yes. So much yes. The perfect in between, bag for a mom on the go. Looking for something with a little more class, diaper pouch and sousou clip? Simple add-ons my friend! I have been carrying around an oversized Herschel Strand Duffle since Ez’ was born and I love it! Very versatile and big enough to just throw a few diapers a pouch for babe or to unpack and bring shopping. Also, I should note, the hubz doesn’t really mind that it’s a ‘cool looking bag’ either! (The only downside is that I added a poo emoji to the side, so that makes shopping fun when babe isn’t around. HA.)

HERSCHEL

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8. REMZO APPAREL||

Mommy&Me sets? Yes please! Time to celebrate mama and the little one who MADE that beautiful, strong, loving women a mama. Remzo Apparel has tons of great sets to choose from, or individuals if you are just looking for mom. But come on, who doesn’t love matching mom and babe clothes! They have almost all of their clothing is gender neutral and super fun to dress up with pigtails or ball caps. One of my all time favs is their ‘I need a nap’ shirts. Ez has yet to grow into hers, but soon, maybe in the summer, we will be posting for this awesome company once more. Rocking our matching T’s in the sunshine! Check them out here for their selection of awesome unique tee’s. Stock photos from Remzo Apparel.

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9. GLITTER+SPICE||

‘Teething might be ugly, but the solution doesn’t have to be. Who said you can’t have both style & function! Inspired to find a teething solution that was safe yet stylish when our youngest started teething, we created Glitter & Spice Accessories Inc. for modern day parents that are safe and fun for babies to chew.’ –Lorene, owner of G&S.

These necklaces are 100% food grade silicone, perfect for baby’s gums, BPA free and no yuckies (Phthalate’s, Lead, or PVC’s) and they use only Organic untreated wood. My absolute favourite thing that G+S does is the wooden top clasp they use, it is so baby friendly and unlike any other company that resembles their pacifier clips. One thing that a lot of mamas go through is the teething stages. Dads go through it to, believe me! But mamas are usually the day in, day out comforters for the wee ones. Glitter+Spice has come out with some of the most beautiful CHEWllery pieces for the moms in your life. I love these beads for the beautiful neutral sets they have and they are perfect to aid your sweet little ones while in depths of teething season. Head on over to their page and check out their endless assortment of colours, styles, beads and lengths to make the perfect piece. Your mama’s and your baby’s will thank you for this! Stock Photos from Glitter&Spice.

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10. THE CEDAR TRIBE||

Do you have a mama in your life who loves home décor? These beautiful handmade, custom crafted, painted and stained pieces are breathtaking. Seascapes, sunrises and sunsets are the heart beat to this talented woman. If your mama has an artist’s soul or a love for handmade beauty, this is it! Perfect for any type of mama, grandma, auntie mama, or sister mama! Enjoy and you’re welcome. Check her out on instagram (@thecedartribe) or facebook! She is new on there, so lets give Stephanie some love! Head on over to her Etsy page to see what new and custom designs she’s come up with this week. Always changing and bringing something new to the table, no two are alike!

Well, there you have it! That sums up our top ten gifts for mothers day! I hope you found something new to gift to that special woman in your life. If you found a new product or have been encouraged by some of the stories of the mamas behind each of these products, that brings me deep, deep joy! Make sure to head on over to the right of this page to find out how you can follow along and never miss a post! Enjoy your Mother’s Day!

X0X – CASS