DIY Baby Onesies

I have two friends who recently coupled up. A couple I never saw coming but love none the less. You see, she is outgoing, studies yoga and dabbles in vegan, gluten free, raw diets. He on the other hand is a bit more laid back, a very man's man who sports flannel plaid button downs to match his beard and stocks his freezer with his latest trophy. Two complete worlds that balance each other in one adorable, sweet, giggly relationship.

When the day came where their baby shower invitation arrived in the mail, I was so excited! Like every other shower invite, I quickly scoped out their registry and shopped away. But, since this is such a unique couple, containing now one of my oldest friends, I had to do something different. I searched high and low and decided it was going to have to be a custom job..... "One of a Kind Onesies".

The great thing about customizing onesies is the possibilities are endless. You can create any image you want on the onesies, with any saying, in any color. You also can use a plethora of tools to create the looks: felt tip fabric markers, fabric, paint, dye, embellishments, you name it! The first step in the process is to collect your inspirations and gather your materials.

For these two I wanted to represent two very distinct hobbies their lives: yoga and fishing. I chose to do two phrases with these onesies accompanied by fabric embellishment.

What you need for this is:
Onesies, cleaned

Fabric (fat quarters and quilt squares are perfect for this!)
Fabric Mod Podge
Fabric Permanent Markers
Paint brush
Fabric scissors

((Hot tip: chose a variety of sizes for the onesies ranging from 3-12 months because Mom & Dad might get a lot of one particular size from other guests & your gift can keep going!)


What to do:
1) Place cardboard inside of your onesie so that nothing seeps through to the other side. 2) Cut your shape from the fabric, I chose a complimenting color and drew my shape on the backside of my fabric. 3) Take your paint brush a place a good amount of fabric adhesive on the backside of the shape. Place the fabric shape on the onesie, adhesive side down, and smooth out. Let set for two hours before moving on. 4) Once ready, you can use the fabric markers or paint to write your quote out. 5) Once dry, take the paint brush and lightly brush the fabric adhesive over the fabric shape to seal. 6) Wait two more hours, once try you can turn insides out and wash in the gentle cycle. This process helps set the design as well as remove toxins to help keep the peanut safe. :-)

((Hot tip: Use scotch tape to create straight lines and start your quote in the middle of the phrase to create even spacing))

Once it's all done, you have adorable, personalized onesies for your friends!

***Recommendation: I highly recommend not using Tulip brand "Permanent Fabric Markers" because they are not easy to write with. As you can see in my onesies, the writing looks a bit sloppy because I was having such a hard time with the markers. I found that using Tulip fabric paint straight out of the mini plastic bottle works well because the bottle is easy to control and comes pre-made with a small "fine point" opening.***

*****UPDATE!!!***** Here's precious lil Ana wearing her yoga onesie in happy baby pose! 

Mini Baby Moon!

I've been seeing all these women lately grabbing their husbands and heading out of dodge for a long weekend before their newest arrival came. I had a rare opportunity to tag along with D on one of his out of the area jobs to Frankenmuth, MI.

Now, the last time we went was kind of a bust. About 5 years ago, we had a similar opportunity and took a little trip on the Friday night before Easter. Well... we could only afford a room far down at the Holiday Inn, who's pool was closed. After dinner at Zhender's everything was closed. We got so desperate we wanted to just go back to the room and drink a few beers but couldn't even find a liquor store open past 9:00 PM. In the morning, we only had a short amount of time before we had to head back to one of our family's celebrations. Being a holiday weekend, many places were already closed. We got to play in the mirror house and grab some cheese from Cheese Haus before we basically were forced to head home early from lack of entertainment.

However, this time around I'm not working and not much on my plate with my impending arrival so I made the trip! Except this time instead of my baby moon being with baby daddy, I had a mini baby moon with my sone. What a blast! To be honest, any day with a toddler at 9 months pregnant can be completely exhausting and two on the road in Frankenmuth took a physical toll worse than I could have imagined but it was so worth it and I don't regret a second. I feel that its almost more important for us to spend these last few weeks bonding with our first baby before he gets his promotion and a serious decrease in quality time. At least for the first few months. He's also at a very impressionable phase and these days can be crucial to his emotional and mental development.

So off we went!

We stayed at Bavarian Inn

For lunch day one we went to Le Crepe du Jour, H loved his strawberry banana crepe.

He met a bear at the gift shop where he gave it lots of hugs & kisses.

I tried. lol

We went swimming & H got to go into the toddler pool "by himself", he loved this too!

We met Daddy for dinner where he found this solider & kept calling his buttons "ball"

Our insanely large dinner, he ate most of it too except the bean salad and cole slaw.

Then he ate my hair <3

His face says it all, "Mom please stop taking pictures of me, people are looking!"

My buddy & I at Bronner's before we went to the outlets.

 It was a quick trip but we had so much fun. Found out H likes to eat peas and to pick out Christmas ornaments. :-)

Highly suggest carving out a little time for a trip yourself if you're expecting a little one soon. We are extra bonded now before his baby brother comes.

We're Open For Business!

I've been writing for some time now about my lifestyle as a ginger and there have been quite a few goods along the way. Craft projects to decorate you home, personalized gifts, party décor, etc. Why make you do all the work when you can just get them from me? Starting today The Gingerista is open for business at an Etsy shop! There isn't a lot up yet but we'll be rolling much more out soon.

Shop The Gingerista here!

Minion Party

For my son's first birthday he didn't give us much to work with. Not at all interested in TV, the only things he showed a passion for were balls, the dog & putting things in his mouth (including the aforementioned). Therefore, I decided Minion Party it was! Here are the many components put into play for creating a fun, functionally large first birthday.

DECORATIONS

Picture display with a "1" 3D display made of cardboard and tissue paper

Minion Lanterns and Paper Roll Minions, there were literally 100 minions in the house

"Life sized minions" made of sonic tube, paper and paint.

FOOD/BEVERAGE

Minion silverware rolls! Made with paper, marker and googlie eyes

His cake, Daddy's favorite chocolate on chocolate cause doesn't know better!

Dessert table

Special Rice Krispy 1 made by Grandpa

Anti-Gravity Serum aka Lemonade with fresh lemons and limes that can be made into adult versions.

ACTIVITY TABLE

Minionize Yourself Table

Stickers and Temporary Tattoos with Freeze Guns full of water

Minion eyes and minion language so the kids can learn how to speak minion

PARTY FAVORS

Party Favors for all the minions

Little Minion Bags with an activity pack, cup & minion snacks

Big Minion Bags with a cup, freeze gun and minion snacks

Baby Minion Bags with a Frisbee, bubbles and minion snacks

Minion Favor Bags: Little Minion, Baby Minion and Big Minion

 

Needless to say, the party was a success! H had a great time with all his minion friends.

And yes, we even let him have his first (and so far only) sweet.... Daddy's favorite chocolate cake!

 

Me & my boys, including H2 dressed in theme!!!


Still to come: Adorable pictures of him in his bday shirt and some with his life sized minion buddies!!!!
 

How Celebrate the Kentucky Derby.

 My husband decided to do a last minute Kentucky Derby party tonight. Now, I can't help myself and have to celebrate in theme. Here are some quick ways to get yourself in the races and celebrate the derby in style. 

Every good Southern women knows it's all about the details, especially down to the nails. Here's the perfect Jamberry nail cover, appropriately names Mint Chevron, to get those details in place. 

You can shop for it here: http://www.jamberrynails.net/product/mint-green-chevron-#.VUS8c9q9KSM 

One of the best parts about the Kentucky Derby is the fashion. It's a Southern Red Carpet displaying this year's best sundress. I love this one from Lily Boutique. It's a great silhouette for many body types, the pattern is on par with the derby and the color palette pulls this year's hottest "best friend color trend" mixing in yellow with the traditional mint/teal. 

Available for $60 here: http://www.lilyboutique.com/dresses/in-bloom-green-and-beige-ditsy-floral-designer-dress.html 

Another iconic fashion staple of the races is the hat. Most patrons spends weeks designing their custom caps. However, you can go grab this classy piece from JC Penney this afternoon! 

More colors and styles available at www.jcpenney.com

Give a nod to the winner's circle with roses! They can be used as a hostess gift or for decorating your party!

These gorgeous roses are $30 from Pro Flowers, order online here: http://www.proflowers.com/product/One-Dozen-Red-Roses-4537?REF=KKARSRCHmsftkwdgeminigemini_roses_t_e_&productgroup=ros&viewpos=7&ratings=4.3443&reviews=61&trackingpgroup=ros

Another key ingredient to celebrating the Derby in style is the food. Shrimp is a staple in the south and decadent shrimp cocktails are no stranger to classy events. 

I found this recipe from the queen of entertaining  Ina Garten with The Food Network, her French flare really gives the vibe of a Southern like fete!  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-shrimp-cocktail-recipe.html 

Last but absolutely not least, the Mint Julep. I can't think of one southern event where this isn't in high demand. No one doesn't it like the Derby. The Kentucky Derby is the home of the $1000 Mint Julep by  Woodruff Reserve (https://www.woodfordreservemintjulep.com) where only a certain number, this year is 90, are made and the proceeds go to charity. 

I don't know about you but $1000 is a bit out of my drinking budget, so here is the official Kentucky Derby alternative: http://www.kentuckyderby.com/experience/traditions/mint-julep2

According to the derby you also want to serve/enjoy Grey Goose Vodka to celebrate another tradition. Find many more insiders and celebratory tips by downloading their app from www.kentuckyderby.com. 

Let's Get Oily!

Haven't written much lately, life has been a roller coaster. Brought on by myself. 😊 You saw we hosted Easter. Then the plague returned to my house. Hosted a "Essential Oils Make & Take Class" and before I'm thoroughly bogged down with my birthday boys... I should share it with you!!

So, my friend Christina represents Young Living Essential Oils. I have been openly skeptic of their abilities. On some level I still am. BUT I will say that topically and through aromatherapy I have seen them work. Right before we moved, H was sick (again) with a cold. My lovely friend came over on her lunch break armed with Thieves and Lavender. She grabbed my coconut oil, mixed it and gave H a baby massage. He passed out, for the first time in days, for a four hour nap! The next day he was noticeably improving. Ever since then I have been intrigued. 

When she invited me to a make and take class at her work, I was bummed that I couldn't go. But it got me thinking, could I host one?! Thankfully, she said yes. 

Armed with bags full of ingredients, supplies and oils she arrived to set up. Four stations total were completed to make healthy living products with essential oils: laundry detergent, bath salts, sugar scrub and bug spray. She had everything prepare so it was super easy to complete but you felt involved enough to feel like you worked. When it was all said and done, we had a new understanding of what the oils can do for you, how to make the products and a bag full of goodies to try. 

Let me tell you, the sugar scrub has been awesome! I have had the driest skin I've ever had this winter and the scrub buffed it all way! The bug spray has been great for disinfecting bed linens and ours and the baby's room. Because we've all been so sick I've been using it almost daily. The laundry detergent has made our clothes not only clean but smell clean in a non offensive say to pregnant people. 😉 the bath salts and I have a date for this weekend. I'll let you know how much (I'm sure I will) love them too. 

All in all this is a cool way to introduce yourself to living healthy with oils. While I am not jumping into the capsulation of oils for medicinal purposes I am LOVING what I've discovered so far. If you know someone who represents essential oils you should ask if they can help you host a party like this too. That is, if they are as awesome as Christina! 😘 Or if you want to try her oils, contact her! 

****UPDATE****

Christina just posted this recipe for the bug spray we made. Now after you grab the ingredients from her you can try it! 

Side note: it's also a fun way to get cute babies together.