magazine round up

a few of my favorite magazines:

O (the oprah magazine) | always full of great information 

Midwest Living | because when in Rome

Eating Well | delicious recipes to help inspire cleaner, healthier eating (because I always need that!)

Real Simple | love all of the tips, tricks, and ideas... Always looking to simplify

Mother Earth Living | think Martha Stewart (minus the jail time) meets eco friendly

I read my magazines which are usually hand me downs from my mom. I tear out recipes and ideas occasionally. When I am finished with the magazine and if it doesn't look like teen wolf got a hold of it, I bring it to my neighborhood library for the magazine exchange so someone else can enjoy it and hopefully recycle it or pass it along. 

What are your favorite magazines?

Hello | Goodbye

Creamy Baked Ziti

I like to cook. Before Pinterest (love Pinterest!), I had a composition notebook. I would tear recipes from magazines and tape the tear-outs in the notebook.

I have pinned tons of recipes, some better than others... but this one from mostly homemade mom for Creamy Baked Ziti is pretty darn easy to make and was a real hit with Q.

The original recipe from Mostly Homemade Mom and to the right the changes I made.

Creamy Baked Ziti

1 box ziti pasta     (i used penne pasta, because i had it in the pantry)
2 jars spaghetti sauce     (i used 1, i would definitely use 2 the next time)
1-1 1/2 lbs of ground beef     (you could sub ground turkey or Italian sausage or a 50/50 mix)
1 small onion diced
1 cup sour cream     (i might try cottage cheese or Greek yogurt next time)
1/4 pound sliced provolone cheese     (i used prepackaged shredded cheese)
1/4 pound sliced mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tablespoon of oregano


Cook pasta until al dente. Meanwhile, brown ground beef and diced onion in a large skillet, drain. Add two jars spaghetti sauce, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray. Spread half of ziti on bottom of dish. Layer with alternating slices of mozzarella and provolone cheese. Ladle half of meat sauce over cheese. Place dollops of the sour cream over the meat sauce (use all of the sour cream, not half as this will be the only layer of sour cream). Repeat layers as listed ending with the meat sauce. Sprinkle top with grated parmesan cheese and oregano. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

I  tweaked the recipe just a bit one way was adding pasta sauce to the bottom of the pan before layering the ingredients.
P.S. This bakeware from Celebrating Home is pretty great.

What is your favorite or best recipe from Pinterest?

HGTV crazy! or just crazy :0)

I have a love for most things HGTV. I am not a do it yourself person, I have no plans on moving, or remodeling, but I will watch HGTV nonstop for hours on end. (probably a lot less now that I am a mom!) When it comes to houses and design I can't get enough!

These are some of my favorite blogs and websites for all things house:

Hooked on Houses |  it incorporates celeb houses, remodel before and afters, and cool houses around the US.

real e stalker  |  celeb owned homes and luxury real estate, lots of homes to drool over... And some added snark

houzz  |  duh, this is a no brainier, best house photos ever!

rate my space  |  on hgtv.com viewers upload pics and other people can comment or ask questions sort of a precursor to houzz.com


What are your favorite websites and blogs for all things design?

blue light special | best deals for August

Z and I are lonely on our morning walks. All the fun and laughter ringing up and down the streets in our neighborhood has come to an end. The kids are all loaded up on the busses and off to school.

I always looked forward to heading back to school. New clothes, fresh school supplies, what more could a girl want?

Although I am not headed back to school, I do still love all the fall fashions. :0)

Here are some of the best sales and deals around the web:

1. GAP 40% off your purchase (thru 8/27) with the code DEAL at checkout.
2. Anthropologie 20% off sale.
3. JCREW 25% off select styles and final sales items.

Happy shopping!

Totally Target | my dollhouse bookcase adventure

Z is growing up so fast! It seems like each day is gone in a blink, and I cannot believe how fast the last 8 months have gone! She is growing and changing each day and it is awesome to watch. She also is collecting more, and more, and more TOYS!!!! I went on a search for some book and toy storage that would work in her room now and later in a toy  room. I love all things girlie for this little one!

I searched for awhile and settled on a dollhouse bookcase. There are so many amazing choices out there from pretty reasonable in price to I hope I will the lottery soon!

1. Pottery Barn (always a perfect pick!) super cute at $499
2. Land of Nod at $299 (plus right now 15% off with the code BUDDY at checkout!)
3. Posh Tots (for the mom with a bigger budget) a very cute option at $899
4. Target (the bookcase in this blog) $99 (including shipping!!!!)

I looked and looked and decided on the dollhouse bookcase from Target, available here.

I am not going to lie, it was a little overwhelming when I opened the box.  

I was excited to see how simple it actually was to put together. I was able to complete the project within about an hour.

with this little bird cheering me on!

(that face!)

almost finished!

with some of Z's books and a couple of her toys


All in all I am pleased with the results. I highly recommend  an electric drill for the backing or going to the hardware store and replacing the tiny screws with little tack nails.

Mr.Clean, Mr. Clean

I grew up in a pretty eco friendly home although at the time eco friendly wasn't on anyone's radar. After having my daughter, my quest for chemical free, low voc, organic products and food is at an all time high. There is a famous quote by Mya Angelou that states, "when you know better you do better." I recently stumbled on the Environmental Working Group ewg.org website. The people behind the EWG (a non profit, non partisan) are out to help people lead healthier lives. Because when you know better, you live healthier lives! How much better can you get than that? I am not advocating throwing out everything in your home and starting over, rather making changes as you see fit to lead a healthier life.

On that note, I have been exploring using vinegar for cleaning and disinfecting around the house. With little Z spending so much time on the floor and those little hands always in her mouth, I want to be as chemical free as possible! Did you know that vinegar is non-toxic yet kills 99% of bacteria! Pretty great! 

vinegar solution for cleaning toys:

1 cup of hot water and 1 cup of distilled vinegar in a spray bottle, spray toys and wipe with a clean towel.

for cleaning tile floors (DO NOT use on marble as vinegar is a light acid):

1/2 cup of distilled vinegar with 1 gallon of hot water


For more natural cleaning check out REAL SIMPLE for 66 all-natural cleaning tips to try around your house!