What's cooking good looking!!

Each week I am going to recap some of my favorite meals and recipe links! I am starting to get into more of a routine with cooking/grocery store shopping which has resulted in lots of new culinary delights and some frustration

This past week I have made...

First up was ... I saw this German Sausages with Quick Kraut and Curry Ketchup recipe on the October Martha Stewart issue. It was easy (I cheated by buying shredded cabbage, carrots and chopped onions!!). Super easy to make however I didn't realize the sausages were supposed to be cooked until after the cabbage/combo was ready. Whoops! Check out the recipe here...

Wednesday night I broke out the Crock Pot to try Carolina Charm's recipe for chicken enchilada soup. I should have put the crock pot away when I realized I forgot the first ingredient of chicken stock. Well I was able to make it back from the grocery store in time so that it would be ready around 7. This was super easy to prep especially since I bought the vegetable ingredients chopped. Towards the end I added the cojita cheese which I never used before. Anyway, since it was a late dinner we were starving by the time it was finished. And it was soooooo hot we couldn't really enjoy the flavors. But let me tell you that cojita cheese adhered to my bowls and serving spoons like you wouldn't believe. I had to go out and buy a new scraper sponge and I still feel like my ladle has the cheese still on it. Needless to say I am afraid to reheat the leftovers after I had such a hard time cleaning up after our first serving. My recommendation is definitely make this but leave out the cojita cheese!!

Next up we went back to Martha Stewart with a Pizza with Kielbasa, Apple and Cheddar Pretzel Tart recipe. So again this was a user error. I wanted my pizza stone to get hot for a crispy crust even though the recipe called for using a jelly pan/cookie sheet. Well... What I didn't think about was how to get the pizza from the peel to the stone. Anyway we ended up with this discrete...

Haha so it is not the prettiest but the tastes were still delicious!!

And for dessert...

ShopBop Friends and Family Picks - Fall 2015

Too many sales I can't take it. When am I going to win the lotto? Please too much cute stuff and I want it all. Here are a few of my favorites from the SHOPBOP friends and family sale. And if you are a Amazon Prime member you get free shipping! So think about all the extra savings!! If you are not a member you canTry Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial.

ShopBop Friends and Family Picks - Fall 2015 by jennifer-leonard featuring a white crew neck sweater

Please note affiliate links are used in this post but does not influence my opinion on the products mentioned.

Linking up with: Style Elixir // The Fashion Canvas // Martinis and Bikinis // Ladybug Blessings // I do DeClaire 

Baby Registry Ideas: Nursing and Feeding

I think that this can be one of the more difficult things to register for, because really it is up to the bambino on what they prefer. So make sure to hedge your bets and buy a few things. And make sure to keep those receipts and return what you don't need. make sure to check out my other registry ideas at the bottom of the page!

I registered at Buy Buy Baby and Pottery Barn, but ended up completing all my registry items on Amazon. Looking back I should have gone with Amazon over Buy Buy Baby. If you haven't started your registry yet I would check out Amazon to Create an Amazon Baby Registry.

• Breast Pump and Accessories - Insurance should cover a Medela double pump (similar). I bought all the Medela accessorie and buy 3 of everything. They need to be washed after every use. Do not wash/steralize tubing. Also make sure to get the pumping hands free bra. Then you can attempt to play on your phone while pumping. 
• Breast Milk Storage Containers - We used Medela as well! 
• Steam Steralizer - We use Medela Steam bags for travel, and then at home I just boil everything in a pot. I would order a new stockpot so you don't ruin your good pots. I just couldn't imagine another thing on my counter with the other steralizers. 
• Nursing Bras - Never found anything I liked. Just ordered the tanks and bras from target. 
• Nipple Cream - I used the Earth Mama Baby Angel which is vegan and organic. 
• Burp Cloths - Aden and Anais all the way. Get the bibs and the burpy bibs, we also liked the Burts Bees burp clothes . You can't have enough of these. I would order at least 10-12. 
• Bibs - Aden and Anais and make sure to return anything else! Hahaha! Anything with plastic in the back doesn't absorb as well. You want to make sure they are soft and big. Especially if you have a spitter upper like me. Order at least 10-12
• Bottles and Nipples - We use Medela and the Enfamil disposable nipples. We used Tommy Tippee as well and transitioned to Avent when A was 5 months old. 
• Bottle Brush and Drying rack - Love everything OXO. we have the drying rack, bottle brushes, the travel drying rack, and then my newest discovery is the Boon bottle brush. This is great and I pop it in the dishwasher to clean. Not to mention I have had it for a few months and still in great condition. 
• Dishwasher basket - we have the oxo and munchkin baskets. Both are good. I used both of them when I was nursing and using bottles. However, these days I am down to one basket. 
• Bottle warmer - got the munchkin one but returned it. 
• Infant Bowls and Spoons - We use OXO and have a variety. We have the spoons, bowls, etc. I liked the bowls with covers when A was eating cereal. Made it so much easier to go out to dinner since I only had to add water. 
• High Chair - wanted a Stokke and OXO but got overruled. Went with the Eddie Bauer wood chair. The Eddie Bauer is fine however I like when the straps come over the shoulders, especially when A was smaller.
• Booster Seat - My mother-in-law bought the Fisher Price Rainforest seat and it worked really well when A was eating baby food. But then when it came time for big kid food she would get it into every toy crevice! Haha! So we had to take off the fun part. But it still worked. 
• Snack Dispensers - I registered for OXO but didn't get them, and then recently bough that munchkin brand which works well so far. 
• Formula Dispensers - We have Tommy Tippee (good if you use Tommy Tippee bottles) as well as OXO. OXO I found hard to get the lid off and they always spilled. I use them to hold snacks more then anything. 
• Make your own Baby Food - Santa brought me the Cuisnart Baby Food processor where you can steam and make the food in one. I love it! It was so incredibly simple to use and made a lot of food. Especially good for the first 2-3 months for food. Now I use it more as a vegetable steamer. 
• Storage Containers - OXO is what we used the most. I use them also for snacks when we are out and about. 
• If nursing want to consider a insulted bottle tote or lunch bag. I used my Tory Burch for Target lunchbox from a few years ago. 
• Feeder for strained foods - we got a Munchkin mesh feeder. I really don't get how to use it. Makes a mess and is hard to clean!
• Nursing Pillow - We have a Boppy and My Breast Friend. We use the Boppy still to help prop A up. My Best Friend I just never got the hang of. But I know so many people that swear by it. For the Boppy you need to buy the pillow and cover. I would get two covers so you can swap them. Babies spitup a lot! Haha!
• Pacifiers - We got Wubbanubs, Philips Avent both soothie and traditional pacifier. 
• Toddler Cups - We use the NUBY and I really want to get a Lollacup too!
• Teethers - I got a few random ones as shower presents but no preference!

Baby Registry Ideas for Carseat Strollers and Accessories
Baby Registry Ideas for Nursery and Decor
 Baby Registry Ideas for Baby Gear

Please note that affiliate links have been used in these posts but in no way did they influence my opinion of the product.

Linking up with: Style Elixir // The Fashion Canvas // Martinis and Bikinis // Ladybug Blessings // I do DeClaire 

Forever 21 Finds

The other day I was waiting for my Apple technician appointment and I wandered into Forever21. I haven't been in there in years and I really wasn't looking to shop there. However, within one minute of being in the store I found two things. I only had 15 minutes and managed to get 5-6 things. Everything fit perfectly too. When I got home I went on the website and couldn't believe all their cute items. I am definitely adding this store back into the rotation. I purchased everything on the top row and have my eyes on the bottom row items.

Forever 21 Finds by jennifer-leonard featuring turtleneck tops

Linking up with Still Being Molly // Fizz & Frosting // Watch Out for the Woestmans // More Pieces of Me // Rhea Et Cetera // B Loved Boston // Bella and the City // Fashionably Employed // Cha Cha the Fashion Genius

Five on Friday - Shopping Deal Websites!!!

I am naturally a deal shopper! Always waiting and waiting for coupons or items to go on sale. In the past few months I have started to follow a few new Facebook groups that I have purchased from. Be warned these are highly addictive!!

Organic Mama Deals and Organic Mama Deals Clothing Companion
Heather finds the cutest stuff and super cheap. I love Organic Mama Deals for household/beauty items that are all natural. And I might as well just give Heather all my money for the baby and kids items. Here are a few items that I have purchased! I couldn't find pictures of the rest. How cute are these pajamas going to look with a green monogram? If you are interested in joining either group send me a private message and I will add you.

2. Sample Sale Mom Deals
Sarah is a genius! I don't know how she finds these deals on Amazon and a the web but she finds the best stuff for super cheap. All Clad set of 10 pots for $299, Hunter Rain Boots at Costco for $79, to name a few. This is one of those Facebook groups that I have an alert for so I don't miss any deals!

3. Smocking Hot Mamas on Facebook
My friend Lori from Everyday Lovliness introduced me to this group and I have found the best kids clothes. Most of the time New With Tags or items that have only been worn once for pictures. If you are a fan of smocked clothing then you definitely have to check this Facebook group out. And it is a great place to sell items that you don't need anymore. Most items sell within an hour! Just make sure to check the rules and see if your brand is listed on the approved brands list.

4. The Beaufort Bonnet Resale on Facebook
Not only does this site have great deals on used Beaufort Bonnet items but I learn so much about other brands, coordinating items, etc. The group is so helpful if you have questions about cleaning your Beaufort Bonnet items, sizing, monograms, and even suggestions on naming your child. I love this group and have bought a few items from it too!

5. Okay, this one isn't officially a deal site but did you here that Amazon has launched Introducing Amazon Handmade? I saw some adorable items and can't wait to do more searching/buying. Interested to see how this competes with Etsy. And right now the quality is far from Etsy. However this teepee is cute!

Teepee Tent

Linking up with the Five on Friday ladies!!

 a. liz adventures, carolina charm, hello! happiness and the good life blog)

Fall in Boston Outfits!

I am headed to Boston in a few weeks for my sister-in-laws baby shower and of course don't have anything to wear. I was at the mall the other day and thinking about getting the following outfits. Well technically I already own the shoes, jeans and necklace. I just need the dress and top. Ann Taylor Loft has the BEST blouses this season. I seriously want to buy everyone. The turtleneck is from JCrew but I can't decide between the medium and small. I need to wear my skinny jeans on and try them on again. I like the length of the medium but the fit of the small. Oh the drama! Haha!

Untitled #17 by jennifer-leonard featuring a long sleeve blouse