Do your own Professional-looking Photos!

I recently welcomed my little man, Roman into the world on Sept. 5, 2012.  What I decided to do for Roman that I regretfully didn't do for my daughter, Reese, was a professional newborn photo shoot.  It was such a blast.  My photographer came over with a HUGE bin of different props and hats.  It was then that I discovered the tricks of the trade with baby and kid's photographers.  She whipped out this rubber faux-wood "floor" (mat) and lined it up to the crown molding on my wall to make it look like my apartment had hardwood!  Genius!  After the photoshoot I immediately bought my own mat from a shop on Etsy and I plan to use it for any little spontaneous photoshoots I want to have with my kids.  I can't wait.  They are in such high demand so if you want your own make sure you order it weeks before you need to use it!  

BEST RECIPE EVER!**

Ok I don't know about you - but I'm getting a little freaked out by the holiday music and the Christmas decor everywhere while I'm in shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops in the 80 degree weather here in Houston!  But hey - I love the holidays!  What I really love most is knowing that the family will be able to spend real quality time together.  It's always a blast to cook or bake some good food, share stories and live out the holiday traditions.  Or make new traditions!

To get your mind in gear for the holiday season, I'm posting a recipe that is just the most delicious thing you will ever taste.  I consider it a fall recipe, because there's pumpkin in it!  And don't be fooled by where it came from- The Sesame Street Kids "B is for Baking" Cookbook!  :)  It is so yummy and not all that bad for you!  I was forced to get this book to appease my daughter while we were shopping and then lo ahold the recipes were actually really awesome!  Why you don't you get a cute apron for your kids while you're at it, and you can bake together (www.thelemonadecakeboutique.com) !  My daughter Reese and I love to bake.  My job- baking.  Her job- eating.  :) Hope you enjoy! *Ally

Pumpkin Bars with Butterscotch Chips Makes 24 squares Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon baking soda ¾ teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1¼ cups granulated or brown sugar 1 large egg 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup pumpkin puree 1 cup chocolate chips 1½ cups butterscotch chips ½ cup chopped, toasted nuts (optional) Directions: Heat oven to 350º. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with foil or parchment, leaving an overhang on the long sides. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Add the pumpkin puree and continue mixing until well combined. On low speed, add the flour mixture and mix just until incorporated. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the  chocolate and 1 cup of the butterscotch chips (and nuts, if using). Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan, then sprinkle the remaining butterscotch chips over the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Transfer pan to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before cutting. Use the foil/parchment handles to lift the dessert from the baking dish. Cut into 24 squares. Store in an airtight container www.thelemonadecakeboutique.com   ... Embroider an Appetizing Apron for your helper! Only $15

I love a good homemade Halloween costume!

Yesterday i finally gave in and decided to go looking for Halloween costumes for my little babies - Reese (who's 2 1/2) and Roman (newborn).  I was going to be lame and use a "costume" for Reese that she already had in her closet and liked to wear on a normal day, her Princess Belle costume.  But then I decided okay we are going to Disney on Ice in November so she can wear that then.  I will try to find her a costume, or make one.

After speaking to several Texas ladies where the conversation turns to Halloween costumes, I am appalled and amazed really at the effort parents put into their kids costumes around here!!  One friend told me her husband has been working on their son's costume for about a month now.  Her son can't be more than about 5 years old and him and his dad decided he would be Iron Man.  This wouldn't be an ordinary red and gold spandex one- piece from the costume store.  Oh no... he was creating a true to form solid METAL costume that lit up and everything!  I wouldn't be surprised if it had jet packs on the back and the kid flew through the neighborhood to Trick-or-Treat!    Now I consider myself a pretty crafty person but I know I couldn't pull something like that off!

I decided to take a different approach.  My kids would be my childhood favorites- Big Bird and Elmo!  I found a one piece romper with a hoodie in red (for my newborn, Roman), and went to a craft store to piece together his Elmo costume.  I used that red ostrich feather boa material and I hot glued it on the rim of the hoodie, and also some on the front of the romper (There was an embroidered moose I had to cover up! ).  Then I glued those google eyes on the top, and I'm planning on painting his nose orange. :)  Then for Reese I found the bottom half of a Big Bird outfit from an actual costume store in her closet (never worn) and I decided to make a headband for it.  I got tons of yellow feathers and glued them to a crown shaped visor.  Then I also put the google eyes on it!   Voile!  A homemade costume!  Homemade costumes are the best. :) ... these 2 pictured are my favorites I saw online!! GOOD JOB PARENTS!

my latest obsession

Okay - so how many of us have time to go to the store, print out all your pictures from a memory card, and then get a photo album, label the pictures and put them all in there?  Not me!  And it doesn't look cute either.  I'm all about keeping memories, and I'm a HUGE photo-taker so I am just obsessed with making these photo books I have featured.  Most people know of Shutterfly, but there are many many different photo websites where you can upload your pics from your computer, and create photo books with different embellishments and backgrounds.   It makes a wonderful keepsake, and the best coffee table books.  My son Roman is just 3 weeks old and I'm in the process of making a photo book of his newborn photos.  There are all different themes:  Wedding albums, Baby, Vacation, School, etc. etc.  They even have an option to place the photos in the book automatically for you.  And it's all affordable!  But really these books are priceless... check it out for yourself!  www.shutterfly.com