Halloween Hijinx



 I walked into Wal-Mart on September first to see the beginnings of Halloween shopping. I stopped dead (hehe) in my tracks and realized I was not prepared for this year. What was I going to do?! AHHH!!

Lily loves Halloween too!  October, 2012

Halloween has always been my favorite Holiday.  Sure, you get presents on Christmas, but for some reason the thought of dressing up and prancing around the neighborhood with friends and family gathering candy takes the cake for me.  What's better is now I can dress Lily up now, too!  Double the fun for the Mama!

Last year I did a costume review for Anytime Costumes (see review here) and dressed Lily Bud in a cute Lion costume once Halloween came around.  I was definitely more excited than she was! 

Last year I came up with my own costume on-the-fly as I honestly had let the idea slip past me.  Lily was taken care of so I didn't have too much to worry about.  Right?  Well, I ended up looking like a vampire pirate.  It was a little cool, but frustrating when I was totally uncomfortable walking up and down the street with everything falling off.

NOT THIS YEAR!

This year I have taken the early initiative to make sure my family is prepared for Halloween with a cute theme that is not only fun but affordable and comfortable. 

What theme is that, you ask?  Drumroll.... (badabadabadabadabada...)

Little Red Riding Hood!!!

 

Lily and I are going to be Red Riding Hoods and Joseph will be the Wolf.  Thought about being the grandma, but I already have some components of an adult Red Riding Hood costume and surprisingly none of the grandma.  Nope, no nightgowns, robes or slippers here.  Weird, huh?  Always preferred shorts and a t-shirt...

Anyway, for affordability's sake we went to the thrift store today and picked up some wicked-cute baskets for a dollar each for candy-holding and to transport goodies to Grandma's house.

Thrift store love <3



As I get more things together I will update here.

Does anyone have any tips on keeping Halloween affordable and fun? If so, totally share :)





Most Dangerous Pictures I've Taken

Oh my gosh it's been a wild trip the past couple of days. Lily cut her first tooth, she's been clingy and separation anxious, as well as constipated.

Wednesday was exciting when a mama deer left her baby under the front porch for the day. I got pictures of her, which was the most awesome but dangerous thing I think I have ever done. At one point the fawn followed me and started crying.yelling at me and when I turned around she ran right up to me and deer-hugged me. At that moment I heard a crashing in the woods -- Mama Doe. I already saw her go after Tike for getting too close so I ran like hell back inside. I looked back only when I was at the door and mama came out of the woods looking for me. I'm very thankful I didn't stick around...

We had to move the fawn when the people came to take care of the lawn (we being me). Carrying a wild newborn fawn was pretty awesome and scary when I had no idea where the mama was.

But Mama Doe gave birth to her second a little after dropping this one off.  I think I need to say this fawn was at most a couple of hours old when he/she was brought over.

Wordless Wednesday

Catch-up In Pictures

I finally found the camera cord, so now I can update the awesome happenings of the past week or so via pictures!  Yay! 

We're da Bob-omb

Wild onion I foraged and ate. Definitely cook with other items.

Tike don't play no games.

Turtle buddy

I let her feed herself yogurt.

Naked time.

That's not how you take your vitamins, Lilz...

Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway! Ends 5/28

Welcome to the Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway!

Bright Starts and Mom to Bed by 8, the Iowa-Mom have teamed to offer an amazing Bright Starts Sunnyside Safari Collection giveaway to one lucky reader!

This includes the Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair, Playard, Plug in Sway & Swing, Portable Swing and Saucer making this truly the Ultimate Baby Shower Gift.

Special thank you to the wonderful bloggers who made this possible including our co-hosts: To Sew with Love, The Lucky Ladybug and Mom Blog Society.

I think the animal theme is just adorable and will go with any fun nursery.  I know Lily loves her animals! Every day is a Safari with this set. I would have loved to have gotten all of this at a baby shower -- it's everything a baby could need fun-wise!

Big smiles and bright adventures go hand in hand in this exciting, fun-filled collection!

Take a walk on the sunny side-where baby gear goes together in delightful new ways. It's a win for infants and parents alike, with irresistable jungle characters adorning an array of fun coordinated products you'll use every day. Each piece of the collection does its job charmingly, with non-stop fun at an unbeatable value.

The Bright Starts Sunnyside Collection is available at Wal-Mart!

Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair
A good high chair is a must for moms, and Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Chair Top High Chair is as good as they come! It does what a full-sized model does and more, adjusting to four different heights (and nearly any table), reclining to three positions, and converting to a booster seat for smooth transition to the toddler years.
The reversible seat pad is made of stain-resistant fabric you can wipe clean or machine-wash. The removable Stay Level Tray™ remains flat even when the seat is reclining. All this, plus the friendly characters of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Make mealtime and snack time more enjoyable for baby and you. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• Convenient 2 piece reversible seat pad is made of stain resistant fabric that is wipeable and machine washable
• 4 height positions to fit most table sizes
• 3 position recline
• Removable Stay Level Tray™ remains level even when seat is reclined
• 3 locking positions to grow with baby
• Built-in holders are convenient for drinks or snacks
• Converts to booster for easy toddler transition
• 5 point convertible safety harness

Sunnyside Safari™ Playard
A bright, sunny place for baby to rest, play, get a quick diaper change and spend a few moments with some friendly jungle pals! That's the Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Playard. This playard includes a removable bassinet with our time-saving One Less Step™ feature for easy fold-and-go mobility.
There's a convenient changing table, a handy side storage pocket, easy-roll wheels, a travel bag, plus a colorful toy bar to delight baby. And like all Bright Starts™ products, this playard is an unbeatable value. Part of our coordinated Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• Removable bassinet with One Less Step™ to quickly fold and go
• Convenient changing table
• Toy bar with 2 fun toys
• Side storage pocket
• Wheels for easy portability
• Includes travel bag

Sunnyside Safari™ Plug in Sway & Swing™
Some swings go back and forth. Some go side to side. This one does both—and does it with music, toys, and delightful jungle style. With a seat designed for 180° rotation, allowing three swing directions, the Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Plug in Sway & Swing™ uses our unique TrueSpeed™ technology to sense baby's weight and adjust for consistent speed—so it grows along with baby.
The swing also boasts a volume-adjustable 20 minutes of melodies and nature sounds, an overhead mobile—even an AC adaptor to save on battery expense. And it features the fun and engaging characters of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• Seat rotates 180° for 3 swing directions
• TrueSpeed™ technology maintains 6 speeds as baby grows
• Mobiles with 2 playtime toys easily pivots out of the way
• 20 minutes of melodies and nature sounds with volume control and auto shut-off
• AC adaptor saves money on batteries
• Swing time with 3 settings: 30, 45 and 60 minutes
• Whisper Quiet™ operation
• 5 point harness
• Machine washable seat pad
• Non-slip feet

Sunnyside Safari™ Portable Swing
Find baby's favorite speed with this innovative portable swing. The Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Portable Swing is a win for parents and babies—from its machine-washable padded seat right down to its bright yellow, non-slip feet. With six distinct speeds to choose from, you'll find it easy to suit your little one's mood—and our patented TrueSpeed™ technology keeps those speeds consistent even as baby grows.
The Comfort Recline™ seat gives you a choice of two positions, and WhisperQuiet™ operation makes this swing silent in use. Wrap it all up in the super-fun animal decor and you've got a perfect travel companion. Part of Bright Starts™’ Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Features:

• TrueSpeed™ Technology maintains 6 speeds as baby grows
• Comfort Recline™ seat with 2 positions
• Whisper Quiet™ operation
• Easily folds for storage or travel
• 5 point harness
• Machine washable seat pad
• Non-slip feet

Sunnyside Safari™ Saucer
This is where babies go for serious fun. A Walmart exclusive, the 7-activity Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Saucer offers entertainment options galore—and a lighthearted jungle theme with fun characters you'll adore.
The seat rotates a full 360° for endless interaction with the activity stations. Twin overhead toy arms provide even more entertainment options. And the three different height positions make this one saucer your baby won't soon outgrow. Four link loops mean still more toys can be attached. Part of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection, this saucer will quickly become a family favorite. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

• 3 adjustable height positions allows entertainer to grow with baby
• Seat rotates 360° for nonstop interaction with 7 activity stations
• 2 overhead toy bar arms with mirror, hanging toy and fabric crinkle leaves
• Hanging elephant toy
• Bendy giraffe teething stalk
• Bead chaser with easy to grip textured beads
• Lion popper with spiraling beads
• Rotating ladybug barrels with fun textures and beads
• Rocking toucan on leaf stalk
• 4 link loops for attaching more toys
• Lays flat for storage
• Built-in toy tray is easy to clean

Giveaway starts on May 7 at 12:01AM and ends May 28 at 11:59PM. Open to the US residents only; must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Enter to win the Bright Starts Ultimate Baby Shower Giveaway including the Sunnyside Safari Collection on the rafflecopter form below.

Just hit Read More, and if the form does not appear refresh your page :)

Wordless Wednesday: What you lookin' at?

Happy Earth Day!

Lily and I celebrated Earth Day by planting some flower seeds yesterday because the weather was going to be too windy today.  Here is our day yesterday in pictures!
Have a great Earth Day!
Every day can be a green one :)

Fashionable Friday!!!

I'm not a gigantic fashion guru, but I do like to look nice.  I also like to make sure Lily is at the top of her game with her outfits and accessories.

Just a few shout-outs here, before I begin.  NoMoreRack.com is a GREAT place to pick up affordable fashionable items without having to leave your house.  I love a lot of their outfits and accessories, and you never know when an Insanity Deal is going to pop up!

Fab.com also has some great styles and accessories at a discount.  They also have a lot of designer and unique items, so don't forget to check them out daily!

Lastly, Listia.com is an awesome place to find FREE clothes, accessories, and anything else under the sun.  I have gotten some awesome things for Lily on Listia and will continue to do so!

Now onward to the fashion!

This outfit is by Authentic Baby and is 100% cotton.  It's stretchy and comfortable and is one of the few outfits Lily doesn't try to rip off.

This outfit is by Carter's and is 100% cotton.  It's a cute little romper with an adorable pattern.  Unfortunately, this is Lily's last wearing because she is finally growing out of it.

Last is a headband Lily's daddy bought for her.  It was an Ebay find, and the cool part is the flower clip comes off.  So we can get some pretty awesome use out of it.

Do you have any fashion secrets?  Don't hesitate to share!!