Fab Baby Shop: Sweet William

Oh dear, I am in love. Found via kenziepoo, some of you may have already heard of Sweet William. I, however, am just discovering the adorable-ness that is this children's store.

I have a soft spot for moccasins.

I also can't resist anything with ears!

Baby V's Dad would definitely approve of this one.

If I had a girl she would definitely wear these bling shoes.

This toadstool is a night light!

Again, if I had a girl, she would sport this awesome feather headband.

I could go on forever, check out the shop for more.



Fab Artist: The Eye

Check out the beautiful photography at the eye's Etsy shop.

She specializes in fine nature photography and she has everything from prints to calendars you can buy. This is just a small sampling of the intricate photographs. Check out her shop for more!

Up & Away

I just found this image and it made me think of the movie Up.

Source found via

We rented the movie a few weeks ago and I thought it was really cute. It's a little bizarre because in the beginning it seems more like an adult movie than for kids even though it is animated. However, in the middle of the movie it gets very silly and sort of loses the adult appeal. Overall though it was entertaining and has a sad but good ending!



Fab Artist: Alain Delorme

 I adore this collection of photographs by Alain Delorme that I found via Black Eiffel. They remind me of one of my favorite books as a little kid called On Market Street by Arnold Lobel.

 

He also has a collection called Little Dolls. These photos are sort of ethereal and creepy but captivating at the same time. 

A Real New England Costume

How cute is this??

Source

We're a bit behind on costume planning with Baby V! So it's doubtful he'll be something this creative but hopefully we can whip him up a cute costume in time for Halloween!

Caramelized onion & Goat cheese tarts

I made these the other night for dinner and they were so delicious! I know not everyone loves goat cheese but it's one of my favorites. Now I have to think of an interesting recipe of my own to use with the left over puff pastry! I actually substitued cheddar for parmesan but I'm sure it's fantastic either way. Find the recipe here.

Blanket Forts

I remember every time we had a thunder & lightning storm when we were kids, my brother and I would make a blanket fort in the house. We would often bring books and stuffed animals in and I remember them as safe and cozy retreats! I hope one day Baby V can enjoy them as well. This memory inspired me to search for other people's forts.

Sources: Fort 1, Fort 2, Fort 3, Fort 4, Fort 5, Fort 6, Fort 7

Beautiful Objects

Found via, Oh Joy!

Gorgeous blown glass ornaments filled with feathers at Kate's Paperie.

I also found this precious knitting suitcase that I am in love with among all the beautiful paper products.



Light show

I just had fun the other night snapping photos out the window of the car while driving through Boston.

 I love the way the Zakim Bridge looks in this one.



10 weeks

Happy 10 weeks Baby V!

He loves to wring his little hands, and he has such large hands and long fingers for a 2 month old! Baby V has brought such happiness and light into our little family. He is getting chubbier everyday and his little elbows have adorable baby dimples, and the fat roll bracelets have begun to form around his wrists and ankles. He laughs and makes an assortment of noises now that sometimes sound like real words such as "Ma" and "Hi" but it will be a while before he can actually speak. I wish I could stall time and spend more than a week in this cuddly phase. He is the perfect size for hugging close, and some of my favorite times are naps in the big bed with him.

Tuna Casserole

I never liked tuna casserole until recently. This recipe makes me go back for more and more!

Tuna Casserole

2 cans of Chunk Light Tuna

1 bag of Egg Noodles

1 bag of Frozen Peas, Thawed

1 Medium Onion, diced

1 clove of Garlic, minced

4 Tablepoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 tsp. dill

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 tsp. dry mustard

1 cup of grated Cheddar Cheese

2 cups of 1 % milk

3 Tablespoons of Butter

2 Tablespoons of Flour

Breadcrumbs

Salt & Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Set pot of water to a boil.

In the meantime, sauté onions in olive oil until slightly soft. Then add tuna, peas, garlic, and spices, and sauté until peas are warm and flavors have combined, remove from heat.

When water boils, salt, and add egg noodles.

Make a roux with 2 Tbs. of the butter and flour over low heat, add half of the cheese and whisk until melted.

Once pasta has cooked, combine with milk & cheese mixture and then combine this mixture with tuna and peas.

Butter a 13 x 9 glass baking dish. Pour ½ of pasta mixture into baking dish, top with the rest of the cheese, and pour the rest of the pasta on top of that.

Mix 1 Tbsp. of butter with breadcrumbs and mix with fingers until small balls form. Top casserole with breadcrumb mixture.

Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Salem Adventure & The Landing Restaurant

Sorry I've been on a little hiatus. Saturday we went to Salem, MA because even though I've lived in New England my whole life I have never been there, nevermind been there in October for all the spooky Halloween festivities. However, it was a huge and extreme bust! We got there and it was mobbed, we drove around for an hour and a half and NEVER found a parking spot! I saw so many cool shops and activites that I wanted to visit but was unable to. So the plan is to definitely go back someday but NOT IN OCTOBER!

Picture taken through the car window while driving by in Salem.

The trip's saving grace was that we were starving and needed to find food somewhere nearby before making the hour and a half trek home. We ended up in Marblehead and the Baby's Daddy pulled into a parking lot at a random place to turn around. I saw a sign for dining at a pub next to the ocean. He exclaimed, "We are not bringing a baby into a bar!" But I insisted that it said 'Dining' and would be fine. Upon entering we were quite surprised to find a nice restaurant!

We asked the hostess to seat us at a booth since we had the baby in his carseat with us and she graciously obliged. We ended up in a cozy nook next to the window right next to the fantastic ocean view of mansions and sailboats. The low ceilings and dark exterior makes one feel as if they have stepped into the galley of an ancient sailboat. A waiter came by to light the small oil lit candle on our table, and baby V rested peacefully beside me in my booth seat. We both ordered clam chowder to start and after the first bite glanced up at each other and smiled in delicious approval. This was good!

I didn't have to look at the menu long before deciding on Lobster Mac 'N Cheese. I have only had it once made by mother on Christmas day and it was wonderful but I don't trust that the lobster will be fresh enough at many restaurants. Here, with a small dock bobbing on the water right next to me, I figured it was safe to bet the lobster would be fresh. Baby's Daddy ordered Cajun Blackened Swordfish with rice pilaf and a pineapple salsa.

Needless to say, both our meals were delicious. My Mac 'N Cheese came out piping hot and bubbly. The gooey, cheesiness was hidden beneath a herb-infused breadcrumb crust. Large chunks of lobster were studded throughout, including 3 whole luscious claws. The swordfish was perfectly cooked and tasted amazing when paired with the pineapple salsa that was mixed with strawberries.

Have I forgotten to mention the name of this fabulous restaurant; The Landing, found in Marblehead, MA, certainly a gem, though maybe not so hidden. My only regret is that we could not try more of the menu.