Baby Favorites: The Magic Stroller

When my family threw me a surprise baby shower, my sisters gifted me with a gorgeous car seat/stroller set (the Chicco Cortina Travel System in Azura). I absolutely love this system. The car seat snaps right from the base in the car into the stroller itself. And the stroller can be used on its own once she is big enough for it.

But...in addition to this fancy stroller, we were looking for something a bit more lightweight and compact for ease of travel (especially in our tiny car). My mom suggested an umbrella stroller.

Well, my friends...Penelope absolutely ADORES this stroller.

And let's call that the understatment of the century. Not only is she completely comfortable in the slightly reclined, unstructured position, but this stroller enables her to look out and see the world...something that she has made clear to us is priority numero uno. It also acts as a vessel of serenity...even in her fussiest moments, as soon as we deposit her in the stroller, she is instantly calmed. 

And that is why we have deemed it the Magic Stroller. 

Favorite Uses for The Magic Stroller:

• acting as a high chair, when she refuses her bottle in any other position
• the only way to get a teething baby to nap (yup, I set it up right in her nursery)

• as a beach chair

• as a recliner for watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (yup, I set it up right in my bedroom)
• as a seat while out at restaurants
• as an immediate pacifier when having a meltdown at relatives' homes
• as an immediate pacifier when Aunt Christine is babysitting and nothing else will get her to stop screaming while Mom and Dad are enjoying their anniversary dinner
• as an appropriate positioner to encourage bowel movements (you read that right)
• as a kitchen seat for watching Mom and Dad cook

I'm sure as time goes along we'll find many, many other uses for this glorious item. I'd say this is the number one item we've gotten for Sweet P thus far, and it rings in at a mere $50!

So that's what we're loving these days and dare I call it...a lifesaver for those meltdown moments?

What baby products are your must-haves?

Any products that really save you from entering baby meltdown mode?

Bacon Jalapeno Cheese Ball

We had a great and busy weekend once again. On Saturday, we drove out to Lindsey and Eric's house for a barbecue. It was our first time visiting their new home and we had a blast. Sweet P was a champ! Since Secret Recipe Club was coming up, I decided to pick out an appetizer from Juanita's Cocina to bring with us. When I found this gorgeous and delicious bacon jalapeno cheese ball, I knew it would be the perfect party food to share. It was so good that I made it again on Sunday for a little belated birthday celebration at my parents' house.

So many of Jen's recipes looked incredible (hello microwaved cakes in jars?!) but I'm so glad that I picked this recipe. By cleaning the jalapenos completely - removing each and every seed and rib - this cheseball had just the slightest kick with an otherwise peppery, bacony, cheesy flavor. And the best part? It came together very quickly with no baking required!

Bacon Jalapeno Cheese Ball

*Adapted from Juanita's Cocina

8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature

1/2 C shredded cheddar cheese

2 Tbsp cilantro, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, mince

1/4 tsp cumin

1 tsp lime juice

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

2 jalapenos, seeded and deveined, chopped finely

6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

Salt & pepper to taste

1/2 C chopped walnuts or pecans

Crackers for serving (I like Club Multigrain)

In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, cheddar, cilantro, garlic, cumin, lime juice, Worcestershire, diced jalapenos, and half of the crumbled bacon. Season with salt and pepper. Once completely combined, shape into a ball, wrap with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 15-30 min. When firmed slightly, roll in chopped nuts until completely coated. Serve with crackers, or your choice of dippers.

What are your go-to party foods?

This cheese ball is going to be my new go-to!

To see other great recipes from Secret Recipe Club members, visit the links below!

Caramel Topped Mini Cheesecakes   Cherry Cake   Toasted Coconut Marshmallow   Rosemary & Sea Salt Sweet Potato Chips   Bacon and Spicy Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms   Cajun {pastured} Chicken & Mango Avocado Salsa   Quinoa Fiesta Salad   Caramelized Brussels Sprout Bruschetta   Baked Poblano Fries with Spicy Ranch   Coconut Macaroons   Blueberry Muffins   Raspberry Crumb Bars   Best Banana Muffins   Candy Caramel Corn   Nutella Filled Sugar Cookies   Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies   Ooey Gooey Mounds Cookies   PECAN PIE MUFFINS DRIZZLED WITH WARM CARAMEL   Coimbra-style Bread Pudding   Drizzled Cherry Scones   Mozzarella Sticks   Alfredo Sauce   Mango Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette   Baked Zucchini with Cheese   Peanut Butter Cup Bars   Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookie   Chicken, walnut and cranberry salad   Sweet & Tangy Chili   Cranberry Cinnamon Sugar Walnuts   Lemon Cheesecake Bars   Parmesan Tilapia   Roasted Chickpeas   Blueberry Lemon Curd   Tomato Soup Sloppy Joes   Peanut Butter Oreo Magic Bars   Cherry Hand Pies   Spinach Pasta with Bolognese Sauce   White Beans, Ham & Bacon Skillet   Bacon Jalapeno Cheese Ball   Spicy Sweet Potato Fries

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Hating the Heat (and other thoughts)

It's been a serious heatwave in the tri-state area this week. And I think across the nation. Anyone who knows me, knows that me + heat do not mix. We hate each other, in fact. Though I love summertime for the beach, grilling and ice cream, I am a sweater...and oh how I despise sweating. To keep cool, I've been sporting nothing but lightweight dresses (like this structured Maggy London print) to the office and drinking large iced coffees in the morning (which also double as a facial ice pack during my walk to the office).

Now that some big trips and events have passed us by, I'm ready to get to work on some home projects. With Sweet P joining the ranks, we've found that we have less and less space in our home. To make our current place last as long as possible, I've got a giant list of projects to tackle, ranging from hanging artwork to replacing couches.

Speaking of artwork, when we were down the shore last weekend, we passed a street called Penny Lane! I of course made Shaun drive back so that I could snap a proper photo. I think this will be a cute addition to the wall behind P's changing table. 

I currently have no artwork there, but my plan is to put a decal of her name over the table, and then hang some family photos and other artwork/photography next to it (just out of reach of little hands).

Monday was my 31st birthday and Shaun got me a really beautiful cake from Whole Foods. Side bar: have you ever walked passed their dessert case? Ohmigod. Anyhow, isn't it pretty? It was a small layer cake of vanilla and chocolate cake with fudge in the middle, and topped with silky vanilla frosting. Yums.

This weekend we plan to give Sweet P her first taste of solid food. I'm planning to make my own to start and see how that goes. I can't wait to get this on video. My hope is to introduce her to lots of different fruits and veggies over the next few months and hope that she develops a liking for all kinds of food and flavors! 

Here's hoping this heat breaks soon so we can go back to enjoying the summertime!

What's going on with you lately?

How do you survive the heat?