A Few of Our Favorite Things Series: Part 1

Is everyone having a good Wednesday?  I know I am!  I finally have some energy after that terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, stomach bug.  The sun is shining (even though it's 30 degrees outside) and my kids are all resting at the same time!

So, last week I put a teaser on our blog that Jen and I are starting a new series called "Our Favorite Things."  I know what you're thinking, and yes, Oprah did steal that from us.  This June my little sister and Jen's little sister are marrying identical twins.  I guess that sort of makes Jen and I related, which is what we've always wanted, and aside from her son marrying one of my daughters, this is how it's going to have to happen :)  Moving on......

Kerri (my sister) had asked me for some tips on registering for her wedding.  And here they are in no particular order, my 5 rules for brides and grooms registering.

1.  Register at a variety of stores.  Stores that have the option of ordering online and shipping. This is so convenient for out of town family and guests who may not be able to make it to a shower or the wedding.  And pick at least one store like Target, Walmart, or Bed Bath and Beyond that are easily found in most cities and towns.

2. Register for items in a variety of price points.  If all you register for is deluxe china, and crystal, you won't be getting a lot of items from your college roomies.  It's important to be respectful of people's budgets.  Giving them the option of buying you a $15 can opener instead of a $75 place setting of china, will make your gift giver feel like they've gotten you something you really wanted because it came from your registry.

3. Register for things that you really want.  You may not get everything off your registry, but you might as well put it on there.  A lot of stores give you the option of purchasing the remaining items off your registry at a discounted price after the wedding.

4.  Ask the department stores what perks they have for you, if you register with them.  For example, Macy's does free makeovers for everyone in your bridal party the day of the wedding.  Keep in mind I'm not a spokesperson for Macy's, so if they've changed their policy- sorry :)

5. Quality matters!!! With some items, it may not matter if they're top of the line, but with some it does matter.  You might not need that 50,000 count Egyptian silk sheet set for $200, but you WILL need a vacuum that can do it's job well.  You may not need that $25 Ralph Lauren bath towel, but you WILL need a blender that works for years to come.  Keep in mind when to splurge on quality and when a less expensive version might do.

Hopefully, this helps some of our brides to be, sisters of the brides, mothers of the brides, grooms of the brides, dads of the brides, dogs of the brides.  You get the idea.

Stay tuned for Jen posting about one of her favorite things next!!!

~Emily

14 Days of Valentines: Day 14- The Greatest Love

I would feel remiss, if in these 14 days of valentine posts, I didn't post about TRUE LOVE.  I'm not talking about the mushy, gushy feelings you have towards your significant other, or your kids, I'm talking about perfect love.  The kind of love that is unconditional, unwavering, and comes from above.  God's love.  He loves us in the deepest way possible.  A way in which we can not comprehend. 

Here are some wonderful reminders of God's great love for His children and the love He expects us to show to others.

1 John 3:3- See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 

1 John 3:16-This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? ¹⁸ Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.


1 John 4:10-This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.


And of course we are given a wonderful definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13. 
LOVE.....
Patient
Kind
Not envious
Not boastful
Not proud
Not selfish
Does not hold grudges
Not easily provoked
Rejoices with the truth
Hopes
Trusts
Endures


We can make the cutest crafts, whip up the tastiest desserts, decorate the most creative valentines cards, but if we haven't love, it profits us nothing.  Let us practice this perfect love on Valentine's Day and all the days thereafter.  

~ Emily

14 Days of Valentines: Day 13- Fun with a dictionary

A few days ago I was at my friend, Beth's house, and she had some darling decorations up in her home that I wanted to share on our blog.  Her husband is a teacher and he had brought home an old dictionary that he didn't need anymore, and thus her valentine decor was born.

Of course, I'm having technical difficulties, and I can't upload the pictures to our blog page, so if you visit my facebook page (Emily Alex Velez) you can see pictures of her adorable decor.

She cut out strips and shaped them into hearts and strung them onto rope to create a garland.  She also cut out hearts and modpodged them onto mason jars.  And if you know me, you know my love of mason jars.

Despite defacing a book (just kidding, Beth), she is a great example of how to use unexpected resources to create inexpensive holiday decorations.  Good work Beth, thanks for inspiring our readers!

~Emily

14 Days of Valentines: Day 12- Guilt free Valentine Dessert

Here is a SUPER easy way to please your Valentines!

1. Mix one box of any type of chocolate cake mix and one 15 oz can of pumpkin puree.
2. Mix until there are no more lumps.
3. Fill your muffin tin and bake for about 20 minutes at 325.  Makes 12 muffins.

Seriously!  That's it!  They are moist, and (from a non-pumpkin lover's perspective) they don't taste like pumpkin at all.  Shhhhhh......I will feed these to my kids for breakfast.  Make a bunch and freeze them, or give them away.  Can't get any easier than that!  Happy baking!

~Emily

14 Days of Valentines: Day 11- Fleece Heart Pillows

Between Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day, my kids have had more than their fair share of sugar.  I wanted to make them something for Valentine's Day that did not involve sugar in way, shape, or form.  So, I decided to make them fleece pillows.  These are a great size that they can use to snuggle with while watching TV, or they can take them in the car for road trips.  They are super simple and easy to make!

1/2 yard each of coordinating fleece fabrics.  Make sure to get them on sale, as they are a little pricey.  These were 40% off.

Cut a semicircle on the edge so when you unfold it becomes a heart.  Cut as big as you can!  Once you snip and start tying, it will get drastically smaller in shape.

Here it is unfolded.

Lay the first heart on the edge of the other fabric, so that you get the same shape heart.

Lay one fabric on top of the other and with SUPER sharp scissors, snip 2 inch strips all the way around.

Here you can see the coordinating fabric underneath.  You will need to snip in about 2 1/2 inches to have enough length to tie knots.

Take the fabric and start tying them together in knots.  All the way around.  Once you get to a point where there's a space only big enough to fit it, start filling it with fiber fill.  

Finish tying it off, and you have a heart shaped pillow perfect for a Valentines present that won't rot their teeth :)

~Emily

14 Days of Valentines: Day 10- Chocolate Pretzels

I think one of my favorite snacks is chocolate covered pretzels.  Here is a super simple and quick way to whip up a Valentine's treat that's sure to please your sweet and salty tastebuds!  Get the kiddos in on the action and have fun!

All you need is bakers chocolate (I chose white so I could add food coloring), pretzels, sprinkles and food coloring.

Melt the chocolate according to directions and dip the pretzels in.  Let the kiddos sprinkle the decorations on.

My big helper!

I put mine in a mason jar for a sweet gift for a friend.  

This is not an earth shattering idea, but it's a classic snack with a Valentine twist!  Enjoy!

~Emily

14 Days of Valentines : Day 9- Special mailbox

Ok, so if you're a red-blooded American, you will have to agree with me that the dollar spot at Target is THE BOMB!!!!!  Today, while I was shopping for some groceries and picking up 20 other things I didn't really need, I came across these darling mailboxes for $1.00!!!!

I wrote my kiddos names on their mailboxes in sharpie.

I set them at their places at the dinner table.  My plan is to put in little treats first thing in the morning, so they have something to run downstairs to.  You could put in candies, notes, stickers, coupons for special privileges, etc...

These are wonderful for Valentine's Day, but I may use them for birthdays, or  other special occasions.

You may not find these exact mailboxes at a Target near you, but if you can, check for them.  You can always make your kiddos, or your significant other, a mailbox out of a milk carton, or a shoebox.  I have also seen people sew little pouches out of felt and hang them on the backs of the kids chairs.  The possibilities are endless!

The point is, to shower your Valentines with a little extra attention and love during this time of year.  However you choose to do that, make it special for them and for you!

~Emily