Date Night In, Spaghetti and Stratego

 

I am a firm believer in setting aside one-on-one time with your spouse or significant other. In an ideal world, I feel like we should have at least one "date night" a week. However, with babies and budgets sometimes that is just not feasible for us. One of the things that I love the most about my relationship with my husband is that we are really good at making the most of whatever time we do have together. 

It takes effort, but we have learned to be creative. I wanted to do something special for Bryce, but I didn't have much time, energy or a babysitter. I thought I would try to make dinner feel like we were "out" with some special touches like sparkling cider and dinner mints. I also made it a "courses" meal by adding a cucumber, tomato, onion salad and bread. I worked mostly with what I had already in the fridge, but with a few small additions it was fun and festive. 

Then, for meal time entertainment I broke out one of our only two person games, Stratego. We both love this game, and it made for a competitive dinner (I won, of course). 

It is amazing how spending quality time together can rejuvenate a relationship so easily.

Here's to keeping love alive :)

 

Our Week in Pins and Photographs

Please exercise pin etiquette. If you like an idea, click to the source and pin the original post!

When I first found this breakfast casserole that cooks overnight in the crockpot I immediately thought of Christmas morning breakfast, because with two babies running around it sounded so nice to have all the work done the night before. Well, we finally made it this week and let me tell you, it was! It was super yummy too. For next time, I would only put in 8 oz of cheese (and I love cheese, but it didn't need it) and do 1 tsp. of mustard instead of 1 tablespoon. All in all though it was a great success and I can't wait to adapt it and make it over and over again. Thanks, All Kinds of Yumm!

DIY: Tissue Paper Tassel Garland

Oh how I loved making this garland! It's super easy to make and so pretty up on my wall. I can't stop staring at it! This glitzy garland is perfect for a New Years party but would work for any kind of party really. And it's cheap to make too!

How to Ensure Your Marriage Will Get Better with Age

I have been really hesitant to write this post, not only because it is a personal subject, but because I don’t want anyone to think I’m claiming to be a marriage expert. I’m not one, but I just couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to write this. Finally, I decided that even if this post helped to strengthen just one marriage, it would be worth writing.  Every marriage is different, everyone has their own struggles and challenges, and I don’t claim that this is a comprehensive list.  It is a sincere attempt at dissecting why my marriage is the best thing in my life, and what it is that makes ours and other marriages successful. 
 

Today is our five year anniversary. I can’t believe how fast five years has gone. It’s crazy how in a way five years seems like a big deal, but at the same time it really feels like we’ve been together so much longer than that. Recently we traveled home to attend Bryce’s little sister’s wedding. One morning all the girls went for a walk and my MIL asked us if we wished we could go back to being “newlyweds.” I was shocked at how quickly everyone responded “no way,” including myself. Although I loved being a newlywed and cherish those memories, I could never give up the things I have learned in these five short years. We have grown so much. Overcoming challenges, making decisions together, growing together, changing together, really getting to know this amazing man I married, I could never give up what we have learned and shared. Yes, things change. Bodies change, lifestyles change, children come and eventually they will go out on their own, but one thing I will always have is my husband, so here’s to making sure marriage gets better with age. 

How to Set Realistic Goals

With the new year approaching it's a safe guess that I'm not alone in thinking about what goals I would like to achieve within the next year. I don't like to call them "new years resolutions" because we all know that those have a bad rep for not lasting. But maybe the reason they don't last is because they aren't fully developed! To be successful in achieving a goal, you need to not only decide what the goal is, but decide what steps you need to take to make sure you achieve it.

The Best Early Christmas Gift Ever

I am so excited to announce the birth of my sweet baby girl:

Nora Diane Bailey.

Born 12.19.12 at 2:44 p.m. 

6 lbs. 9 oz. 20 inches long. 

Born at 38 weeks and 3 days, we did it! 

I have been dying to share my big news, but coincidentally the night before I went into labor my laptop cord broke and so I have been out of commission. We are so excited that she is here! Everything went well with labor and we are all home and adjusting to our new lives. If you don't mind, I'd love to share some pictures of our little angel. 

Right after she was born and dressed.

Our first picture as a family of four.

A Daddy's girl already.

Just cuddling.

It is amazing how fast I forgot what it was like to have a newborn (it has only been 18 months after all.) You forget how completely wonderful and completely draining these little bundles are. Wish me luck as I try to figure out how in the world I am going to handle being the mother of two sweet babies!

On another note, I hope you all have a wonderful and merry Christmas. Having Nora come has totally taken my mind off the "store bought" side of the holidays. Even things that I typically love like giving neighbor gifts and sending Christmas cards just aren't going to happen this year. Instead, I am focused on my little family, and what a precious and amazing gift they are to me. I am filled with gratitude for my Savior, because of his sacrifice, I get to keep my family forever. There is no way to repay that debt, but I am grateful to have a few days to focus on the miracle of His birth as I snuggle a new little babe of my own.

Our Week in Pins and Photographs

Please exercise pin etiquette. If you like an idea, click to the source and pin the original post!

I am obsessed with this moss graffiti! It would be amazing to have this on the side of your house or fence or something with a favorite quote or your name, and not to mention great for wedding decor! Apparently all you do is mix yogurt, water and live moss in a blender, paint it on and then let it grow! (Don't forget to water.) Moss by Anna Garforth. More images of the project here.

This is definitely the prettiest way I have ever seen kitchen wrap and paper towels stored. I wonder if it would be hard to DIY? Might be worth just buying. Not sure. Either way it's a great idea! Thanks Houzz.

This week was spent sleeping in and car shopping. We found a new car and got a great deal on it and I'm so excited about it! It's a Mazda 6, and the best part it has leather interior and heated seats! It is a manual though and I do not know how to drive manual yet so the lessons begin today! I'm glad I have a very patient husband to teach me!

I can't believe it's the weekend before Christmas!! We have family parties all weekend and there will be great company and great food. I hope you all have a fun and festive weekend! For Christmas Eve my husband and I are on our own this year and we are looking forward to starting a new family tradition that's just ours, but we haven't decided what to do yet! I would love to hear about your fun holiday traditions, any good ideas for me?

Deal Spotting: Give the gift of a fun outing!

Groupon has some GREAT gift deals going on right now for the holidays. They have deals for cooking classes, spa days, yoga, zip line adventures, meals at delicious restaurants and a bunch of other fun experiences that someone maybe wouldn't normally splurge on. These make perfect gifts! So if you have some last minute shopping to do before the holiday next week grab a Groupon  for one of these fun things to do, print it out and stick it in a card. I love gifts where I get to go out and do something later! I especially love going out to eat so those are the best for me, my husband loves to get a massage once in a while. Have you ever gotten something like that? What's your favorite "experience" gift?

Delicious Orange Rolls

In my home growing up, like so many others, the go-to roll recipe was the Lion House's rolls...soooo yummy! If you haven't had these rolls yet, you are in for a huge treat. They are perfectly buttery and delicious in their original state, but the best thing about them is how easily they transform into the most delectable orange rolls.

I can't find the source for the original "Lion House" recipe, but here is the recipe as i'm looking at it in my mom's handwriting on a yellow lined piece of notebook paper.

Basics of Frugality

Today I am so excited to introduce our newest page. It's something we've wanted to do for a long time, but it is difficult to find the words to explain our value for frugality. I finally found them! Click over to our Basics of Frugality page to read more about why we share the things we share here at Pretty Providence and what is behind our deep love for frugality!

10 Easy + Cute Skirt Tutorials

Never miss a post! We share tons of cute & cheap fashion here at Pretty Providence, so follow us  on GFC (right sidebar) or Feedburner, Twitter, FB, Bloglovin', G+, etc. and save $ while you update your wardrobe!

Okay since I am done with school now I've been thinking I want to try my hand at more sewing projects! It's so intimidating to me... but skirts are always a good place to start because they tend to be more simple than other garments. Also, it is next to impossible to find modest skirts that I like, and it's much cheaper to just make one if you can score some pretty fabric on sale or at a thrift store! I found these 10 different tutes and I can't decide which one to use. I'm thinking just a basic gathered elastic waist first maybe... Which one of these is your favorite?

10 Easy Weeknight Meals I Keep Stocked in My Pantry

If you follow the blog then you know that recently I have discovered freezer cooking and I am completely obsessed! There is no better feeling in the world on a busy day than making dinner without having to actually make a thing. However, because I love freezer meals so much sometimes it seems like they disappear faster than I can make them. So, in addition to my freezer meals I always keep ingredients for my "go-to" easy weeknight dinners stocked in my pantry and freezer.

Today, I am going to share my top ten favorite recipes that I keep stocked with links to recipes. Also, I have broken down each recipe into what you need in your pantry, what you need in your freezer, and what you would need fresh (fresh items are minimal in these recipes so that you can keep them on hand all the time.)

I hope you enjoy the recipes!

Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken
Pantry: apricot or peach preserves, catalina salad dressing, 1 package onion soup mix
Freezer: chicken breasts

My Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
Pantry: 2 cans shredded chicken breast, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 can green enchilada sauce, chili powder, garlic powder
Freezer: shredded cheese, green onion
Fresh: tortillas, sour cream

Our Week In Pins and Photographs

Please exercise pin etiquette. If you like an idea, click to the source and pin the original post!

I am obsessed with chubby baby legs, especially when they are stuffed in super cute baby leggings! Only two pieces of fabric? Looks like my kind of sewing project. Thanks, Make It and Love It! 

Last year my mom bought me some super nice eye makeup for Christmas, way nicer than I could ever buy for myself. Unfortunately, I ran out a little while ago and when I went back to the cheapest store kind my eyes freaked out. I was so excited to find this pin that compares designer makeup to its closest drugstore brand. Here's hoping I can find a good fit. Thanks, Drugstore Princess!  

Poor Luke spent most of this week working on getting rid of his croup. Ugh. I had to post this picture of the one and only time he's ever fallen asleep in his car seat (that should be an indicator of how much he has been sleeping..or not sleeping.. at night.) In other news, my family is in town for the weekend to celebrate my beautiful cousin Broklyn marrying her sweetheart Garrett. It is always so good to be all together, celebrating something so special.

 

P.S. 38 weeks today! If you want to keep up with me during the week on instagram my username is baije1, I can't believe baby girl could be here any day.

 

 This centerpiece is amazing and I want to make one for my kitchen table and have it there forever! via Bridal Guide

This caught my attention because I have been looking for a black skirt for a while now and I can't find anything I like in the stores. Everything I find is that short in front, long in back business and I just don't love that look on me. So this tutorial looks like an easy and fun one to try, and I love the lace! Basic but still beautiful! Thanks Lipstick and a White Tee!

This week was a bittersweet one. I finished college. It's over! There is no ceremony til April so I feel like I need to do something to acknowledge it so it feels real. I did get to go to lunch and shopping with two of my girlfriends and I loved it! I even got my make-up done at Nordstrom. This weekend is the beginning of Christmas festivities. We are having early Christmas with my husband's side of the family because everyone is going out of town. These next few weeks are going to be so full of parties and I love parties so basically I am in heaven.

If you want to keep up with me elsewhere, I'm on Twitter, Instagram and at my personal blog! What are you guys planning to do for the holidays? Is there a certain party or activity you look forward to the most every year?

Style for a Song: Holiday Sequins!

sequin bows // forever 21 -  sequin heart sweater // forever 21 - sequin lace tee // forever 21 - sequin stripes pullover // forever 21 - jones new york slim sequin skirt // amazon - sequin peter pan collar tee // amazon - sequin flats // amazon

I know I can't be the only one who just wants to wear everything sparkly and sequined around the holidays. Maybe it's an unconscious desire to outshine the Christmas tree, I don't know. So I put together this little round-up of glorious sequiny goodness and all of it is around or under $25 of course.

Creamy and Delicious Homemade Fudge

I love fudge. In fact, I love it in almost any form. I guess it is the chocoholic in me. I figure it is about time that I shared the basic holiday fudge that has been in my family forever and that I grew up eating. Typically when I was growing up we made it without nuts, because my sister Kelsey is deathly allergic. One of the best things about this fudge is that you can add pretty much anything to change your flavor. For example, switch the nuts for baby marshmallows or broken up heath bar, or omit it altogether and opt for plain chocolate!

Recipe:
4 1/2 cups sugar
1 can evaporated milk
1/3 lb real butter (no substitutes on this one)
18 oz. of semisweet chocolate chips
8 oz. marshmallow creme
1 tablespoon vanilla
optional: 1 1/2 cups walnuts or pecans, chopped

Guest Post: DIY Snowglobes for Under $10!

Greetings my fellow pretties!  I am thrilled to be guest posting today for the lovely Sarah and Jessica! I'm Meg, and I blog over at The Cool Girl.  Today's agenda, DIY snow globes!!

Pre-globe making:

Turn on some lovely tunes to get you in the perfect mood.

Put something nice in the air (cinnamon roll candles, simmering cinnamon sticks on the stove, etc.).
Put on your most festive sweater.

Let me set you up for success:

DIY: Make Glass Ball Ornaments Any Color You Want!

This year I wanted my tree to be super bright and colorful, but I didn't feel like I should go out and buy all brand new ornaments. I thought I would try painting some glass ball ornaments in fun colors with acrylic paint instead. It worked like a dream and it was so easy! I opted for hot pink and turquoise, but you can do any colors your heart desires. Here's what you need: 

Clear glass ball ornaments (I got mine at Hobby Lobby, 12 pack for $3.50) 

Acrylic paint in various pleasing colors

Wear clothes you can get paint on (it's not that messy but just in case) 

Step 1: Remove the top from the ornament.

Step 2: Squeeze a generous dollop of paint directly into the ornament. I learned after my first try, that it's helpful to put the whole thing into a ziploc baggie, keep the top off and then put part of the bag and your finger over the opening. Less mess that way. Now you do a little dance. Shake the ornament in all directions to spread the paint all over inside.

Repeat as many times as you want and let them dry for 20 minutes or so. Then put the caps back on and they are ready for your tree!

Dope, right? I love the brightness of my tree and I especially love that they cost me .29 cents each.

If you like this post check out our other Christmas-y posts:

50+ Christmas Printables

How to Stuff a Stocking for Under $20!

The Ultimate Christmas Playlist 

Fun and Festive DIY Advent Calendar

How to Plan Now for Less Stressful, Happy Holidays!

Holiday Gifts for HER Under $25 

Holiday Gifts for HIM Under $25

Holiday Gifts for WHOEVER Under $25 

+This post may be linked up to one of these link parties.

Super Nachos

I have to give the credit for this recipe once again to mama Kim. Growing up, we loved super nachos. Now, as a busy wife and mom I love this dish even more than I did back in the day. Who couldn't use another easy, quick, cost effective and delicious weeknight meal?

One of the things I love about this meal is that it is so adaptable. If you don't have (or don't like) something that the recipe calls for, chances are it will be just fine without it! Work with what you've got. For example, corn isn't typically in the recipe, but I had some on hand so I just threw it in and it was delicious. Anything that you typically enjoy in tacos or on nachos should work just fine in this dish. 

Here's the original recipe, take it and make it your own!

Our Week In Pins and Photographs

Please exercise pin etiquette. If you like an idea, click to the source and pin the original post!

I am loving these easy painted ornaments! I am heading to hobby lobby to see if I can find a couple of those kraft paper ornaments so I can do a few of my own for the tree! Thanks, Oh Happy Day!

Free $5 in music at Amazon MP3! and Sarah's favorite Christmas songs!

To get this $5 freebie, all you have to do is take two minutes out of your day to sign up at Scott Shared Values and then answer a few short questions for them. Like I said, two minutes! Totally worth it. Then just go to Amazon to redeem your code and download away! Anyone been wishing for new Christmas music?

Jessica shared her favorite Christmas songs here. My faves are:

White Christmas by The Drifters
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee
Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley

If you are interested you can listen to the entirety of my fave playlist for free, here. Hope it gets you into the spirit of the season!

Homestyle Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

I have gotten such a great response from these loaded crock-pot mashed potatoes and tons of questions about potatoes in the crock-pot in general. I cannot believe how many people have never made potatoes in the crock-pot before. Obviously, they are the best kept secret there is.


I can almost guarantee, that once you've tried them, they will become a staple in your meal planning arsenal. Why, you may ask?? They are so easy and better yet they are delicious. They use one pot, and that is the crock-pot. No transferring. No prior boiling.

Without further ado, the info:

Awesome Holiday Card Deal!

Groupon has an offer from Picaboo right now, on holiday cards! You can get 40 cards + envelopes for $19, 70 for $29 or 100 for $39 + free shipping! I just purchased mine. Can't wait til they arrive so I can send them out. This will be my husband & my first holiday card. Head over to Groupon now if you've been planning on sending out cards this year! (It should be on the right hand side bar of your local page!)

How to Entertain Holiday Guests on a Budget

Oh, the holidays—the season of gift buying, turkey dinners, and annual visits from parents and in-laws. If you’re feeling anxious about cash flow and keeping visiting relatives entertained, don’t worry. You’re not alone, and whether your relatives are coming to visit for a night, a weekend, or a week, we have five cash saving, parent-impressing ideas just for you:

1) Create your own city tour—Take your family or friends on a dumpling crawl of Chinatown or a trip to your favorite antique and thrift shops—show them what makes you love the place you call home.

2) Learn something—Do your guests have a passion for great food or a curiosity for the arts? Find a local sushi-making class or go to a museum—spend some quality time together, while enjoying things you already love.

3) Go see a show—Whether you live in the big city or in the middle of America, there are always dozens of plays, comedy shows and concerts to enjoy.  Groupon, and Living Social frequently offer half-price tickets to events so you might be able to find some in your budget and be able treat your guests to a night out, for less!

4) Just ask—Before they come to town, ask what they want to see most—it will save you from spending money on things that don’t interest them, and give you a chance to budget for what they like most.

5) Take a break from hosting—As much as they love you, even relatives may want some alone time to explore. Give your guests the gift of local insight with a homemade city guide, detailing all the places they should go visit…or eat, on their own.

Do you have any other good ideas for ways to entertain family and friends for cheap? 

50+ Free Christmas Printables of All Types

I love it when I find the perfect free printable for that empty space in my house that was just crying out to be decorated. I have found so many cute ones this year browsing pinterest and I obviously can't use them all, so I thought I would gather my favorite tags, party printables, home decor printables, and kids printables all in one post for you guys. I hope you will all get good use out of them and that I can spread some traffic around to fellow bloggers who I admire and respect.

GIFT TAGS AND PARTY PRINTABLES:

12 Days of Christmas Printable Tags and Printable Gift Tags