Project #101: Nursing Cover

Now that I'm settled at my parents' house for the rest of the week (and have a few extra pairs of hands to help with the baby), I'm going to start on my new DIY project - my new nursing cover!  We're heading to the store later to buy supplies and then I'll warm up my sewing skills.

Source: sewmuchado.blogspot.com via Maryrose on Pinterest

Thanks again Pinterest for another great inspiration!

Chicken Lasagna Roll-ups

Source: ivillage.com via Maryrose on Pinterest

I was planning on making these tonight because of how easy the recipe seemed to be.  Unfortunately, I bought the wrong lasagna noodles.  I bought a no-cook Barilla noodle and realized that the only way to soften them (that I was aware of) was actually make a lasagna and cook it.  :(

So bummed - my ingredients on hand didn't quite meet the requirements for a full platter of lasagna, so it wasn't too successful.

Oh well - lesson learned.  Next time!

Garden Time...

Every year, I try my hand at gardening.  This year is no different.  And since Winter seems to be giving way to very Spring-like weather (and I've got a baby on the way) - I thought I'd get an early jump start.

Of course, Mike got some jabs in calling me the 'plant-killer' since I haven't been very successful at gardening in the past.  LOL!  I am approaching it a little differently and starting with plants that are native to California and are supposedly easy to care for.  As much as I love hydrangeas, orchids and gardenias, they aren't quite native to California and require more work....at least for me.

So my bedroom balcony now has a new pot of California Poppies, Anemones and a Dwarf (bonsai) Calamondin (or Calamansi in our household).

The bonsai Calamondin was awesome at the store.  It came in a nice pot and had plenty of fruit and blooms.  It's perfect for my patio dining set.  The tag says it likes plenty of sun and needs minimal watering.  So fingers crossed!  I hope it survives because it's so adorable and will give me the coveted citrus plant that I've always wanted on my balcony.  And seriously - it's so cute!

The California Poppies and the Anemone should bring some great pops of color throughout the balcony.  Luckily, both like the sun so the balcony is a great location.  So spring and summer should be truly beautiful.  Maybe I can finally enjoy my morning coffee out there, bonding with baby girl.

I also re-potted my peppermint into a larger container.  I want that to grow full so that we can enjoy the fresh smell and make some great mint-sugar water for afternoon tea.  I plan on adding lavendar and basil to my little herb garden too - so it should be nice and green out there.

Fingers crossed!

Easy Curls!

I think I finally found a savior for my hair!
Since I'm not a morning person and my hair doesn't have a wash and go style, that means I have to either use a lot of product or put it through a lot of heat.

But last night I discovered the sock bun method!  I cut up one of the hubby's old socks, rolled my hair in it and woke up to great curls!  No heat, no product and so comfortable to sleep in.  Hopefully this method will help keep my hair healthier and stronger.

I've always had a hard time growing my hair longer than bra level, so I hope the reduced stress on my hair will help it get longer so my hair will look like this!  :)

Source: aspottedpony.com via Maryrose on Pinterest

Pinterest DIY Project: Lampshade

Source: designsponge.com via Maryrose on Pinterest

I can't wait to take on this project for the baby room.  The current lamp has a boring plain shade.  I'm going to refurbish it with a white island fabric I got from Hawaii.  It's simple, has a nice pattern that should show up really beautifully when the lamp is lit and it should provide great illumination.

Fingers crossed!  Stay tuned for the before and after.  :)

This week's Pinterest

Have I told you yet how much I love this site?

Here are some of my finds for this week:

Home Decor

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Maryrose on Pinterest

I would LOVE to have the shelving built in our Master Bath.  And the crown moulding is great too!

Food

Source: aisletoaloha.blogspot.com via Maryrose on Pinterest

Photo Inspiration

 Source: google.com via Maryrose on Pinterest

Stay tuned for next week's finds!

What to do....

There are plenty of people out there that probably love not having to go to work.  And while I admit that being on maternity leave has done wonders for my blood pressure, I miss the social interaction, the routine tasks and projects that keep my mind busy, and the feeling of productivity that I get from work.

I'm in week #2 of maternity leave and I find myself alone most of the time, trying to find something to do that goes beyond laundry or cooking.  And while I'm trying to be more crafty, crocheting and sewing can only take you so far.  It'd be easier if I could move around the way I'd like too - bike rides, morning jogs, or even an early morning photo walk-about to get me inspired.  But being this far along in my pregnancy, I don't want to venture too far or put unnecessary stress on me or the baby.

I suppose I should take the advice of all the other mother's out there and get my rest when I can.  But I'm not very good at that.  LOL

Oh well....