dinner by pinterest v. 3 aaand, winner winner.

dbp is back!  i'm ready to show a couple more delicious recipes that were made by yours truly.  

sweet chili lime chicken with cilantro couscous.

the mcfadden family loves couscous.  we are definitely fans.  this was so easy to make.  if you can boil liquid, you can make couscous.  the couscous cooks on its own while you cook the chicken, mix the glaze and then glaze the chicken.  very yummy and flavorful.  we served ours with szechuan green beans b\c we're eating more vegetables (successfully) this year!  can't wait to make this again!  pinned here.

slow cooker cilantro lime chicken

slow cookers are genius inventions.  they basically mean i don't have to do anything but throw a bunch of uncooked stuff in and then smell my dinner being cooked all day.  this one took 4 ingredients (5 if you want jalapenos) that you pour on top of chicken breasts.  plus, depending on what kind of salsa you choose- this could taste different every time you make it.  we used a corn & black bean salsa from archer farms.  the recipe suggested eating it alone, but we had leftover corn tortillas, so we made mini tacos.  pinned here.

 yummy tacos + a closer look!

and now for the moment you've all been waiting for (or at least 2 of you)... the winner of my sibu beauty giveaway is....  

congratulations julie!  you lucky girl!  email me!!!  

review (and giveaway)!! sibu beauty! - giveaway closed

this giveaway is closed.  check back for the winner!

i am so sorry i have been behind with blogging lately- ian runs around like crazy + i've been doing a lot of work from home + i've been reading the hunger games... so, you know.  i'm back though and i have a really exciting review and giveaway for you!!

image

about sea-buckthorn:  i'll admit that i didn't know what a sea-buckthorn was.  so, a botany lesson- sea-buckthorn is a shrub that grows mainly in china/tibet.  from this shrub grow sea-buckthorn berries.  these berries are full of bioactive compounds, a good source of omegas 3, 6, 9 & 7.  what this means for you is good news for your skin, nails and hair!  this tiny little berry is packed with power!!  you can read more about sea-buckthorn here.

about sibu beauty:  sibu beauty was founded in 2009 with the sea-buckthorn as the foundation of all sibu's products.  sibu carries 2 types of products- topical (soaps, lotions) and ingestible (gel caps & liquid supplements).  i think my favorite thing is that their products are very pure:  sibu is certified organic, 100% natural and contains no dairy, wheat, gluten, sodium, or yeast.  everything in sibu's line is also paraben free and cruelty free, and all products are sourced through fair trade. 

i got a chance to sample and review sibu beauty's repair & protect daytime facial cream.  the highlights:

• promotes tissue recover & healing
• rejuvenates sun-damaged skin
• protects against environmental stress
• preserves healthy skin tone & texture
• boosts collagen production.  

 i normally use a moisturizer with a sunscreen in it- which this doesn't have- but since i use a foundation containing sunscreen, it wasn't really a big deal to me.  right away i liked the scent- it's citrusy, but at the same time almost a little woodsy- i can't really put my finger on it.  just in the 2 short weeks that i've been using repair & protect- my skin already feels softer- which is saying a lot when you're living in illinois in the winter.  it doesn't feel greasy like other moisturizers i've used in the past- when i put it on- i don't have to play the "wait until my moisturizer is dry to put on my makeup" game.  it absorbs into my skin immediately- and makes my skin feel really supple!  i've enjoyed the daytime facial cream so much- i'm even using it on any dry spots that may show up after i wash my face- and once i put it on, they're immediately gone.  i really like the packaging too!  i've been looking for a line to make an investment in and if the rest of sibu's product line is half as good as the facial cream- i think i'm set!

want to win sibu beauty's repair & protect facial cream for yourself?  yes?  here's how to enter:

please leave a separate comment for each additional entry in order for it to be counted!

1.  you must be a follower of my blog via google friend connect- and don't just follow to enter and then un-follow later.  that would be not nice and give me the sadz.  comment with your gfc name.

2.  "like" sibu beauty on facebook!  (i hear they give out samples sometimes).  let me know you did.

3.  follow @sibu_beauty on the twitters.  leave your handle. 

4.  follow me (@mcmellll) on the twitters.  leave your handle

5.  blog or facebook or tweet about this giveaway (if tweeting, make sure you use @sibu_beauty & @mcmellll) - leave your twitter link!

so you have 5 chances to win!!!  giveaway will run until 11:59 pm on Sunday, March 4th.  I'll announce the winner here and on twitter Monday, March 5th!!!

good luck!! 

I received a sample of the above product to try for free and keep in exchange for a review.  I received no further compensation.

review & giveaway! dinner revolution!

if you know anything about me, you know i love to cook.  i live for it.  it's my greatest source of relaxation & frustration!  i also tend not to cook a lot of the same things over & over- i always want to try something new.  i do have favorites, but i love being adventurous- always trying something new!  i was so thrilled when i got the opportunity to review & share with you a fabulous new cookbook- dinner revolution.

cooking has become less of a joy & more of a frustration since having ian.  it's hard to cook when you're chasing a baby.  whether it's stopping him from breaking dishes or going through all our cabinets, or having him pull at my leg screaming for me to feed him what i'm attempting to cook- when i can't even get it in the pan!  i tend to go for the complicated when i need to go for the simple.

chef jeff's dinner revolution is full of family friendly recipes (over 200!), with 10 ingredients (or less) and they take 30 minutes or less to prepare (really)!  i wanted to prepare a couple recipes before i shared this with you- and i can't wait to prepare more....  oh, and the simplicity of these dishes means less dishes (to wash).  boy is dave happy about that!

in our house, monday & thursday are pizza/corndogs/easy food night.  i have to work, and don't have time to cook.  i was actually able to make a dinner revolution meal- sit down & eat with my family- and get out the door to work- so much better than the same old frozen pizza.  added bonus- ian ate these meals with us!  we're in the picky toddler stage now- so anything i can get him to eat is points in my book!!

what i made: palak paneer & apricot chicken!  palak paneer:  i've dabbled in indian cooking once or twice before, but i've never made palak paneer.  i've had it as a frozen meal though, so i wasn't expecting much.  well, it was really good- and this was one that really shocked me when ian ate it- dave enjoyed it as well.  plus, it made so much that we had leftovers.  apricot chicken:  sweet chili sauce is a favorite in our house, so i was immediately drawn to this recipe- plus, i seriously couldn't believe that i would be finished making chicken in 20 minutes.  add in a simple side- and i had dinner ready when dave was walking in the door from work!

 (palak paneer with whole wheat naan)

next up in our kitchen:  buffalo chicken & bleu cheese meatloaf, and from there, i can't decide, there are so many delicious options, and if you know me, i'm going to try them all!!

so i know you want a copy of this too!  well, one of you all of you are winners!!!  chef jeff has been gracious enough to allow me to share this cookbook with all of my readers!!  all you have to do is click here for your free copy of dinner revolution!  there's something for everyone in your family in this book and i know you will all find recipes that you love!  i hope that you guys will enjoy it as much as i have!  now get in the kitchen!

baby gourmet winner!

Congratulations to Shannon!  I'll be in touch with you on how to get your prize!!  Enjoy!

review & giveaway! baby gourmet organic baby food - giveaway ended!

this giveaway has ended!  did you win?!?

i was so lucky to receive a sample of baby gourmet organic baby food... or should i say ian was.  my boy loves his food- and there is nothing worse for me than to be stuck out somewhere without food for my little guy.  i love all the squeezable baby food options that are out there- it's so much easier (and MUCH tastier) than conventional jarred baby food.  just pop a couple packs in your purse or diaper bag & you've got a meal for your baby or toddler on the go.  if i'm out somewhere with ian, there's a chance i have at least one baby food item with me!  i also love these pouches b\c they're perfect for self-feeding.  ian usually downs his in record time, coming up for air long enough to ask that you push the leftovers to the top so he can then get them out himself!!  these are perfect for everywhere- sporting events, church, babysitter, day care, shopping trips- no need to worry about tubs & jars of food... and no need to worry about silverware!

i was really excited to try baby gourmet.  another reason that we love the squeeze pouches of baby food is that they are perfect for getting picky babies/toddlers to eat fruits & veggies that they might not regularly eat.  as i said before- ian is a really good eater, but we've run into some issues lately where he refuses to eat things that he normally does, or he refuses to eat the non-pureed version of many veggies.  baby gourmet combines those veggies with delicious fruits and makes it so yummy, your baby won't even know they're eating veggies!  from juicy pear & garden greens to roasted squash & fruit medley- your baby is getting a fruit & a veggie in one delicious dish.

i made ian's baby food myself, i liked the fact that what i was feeding him was fresh- made by me.  baby gourmet isn't made by me, but it's 100%, no thickeners or fillers, no added sugar or salt and bpa free packaging.  i can also vouch for how yummy these are- i figure if i'm making him eat it, i can at least try it myself- and these are good.  the old fashioned apple crisp has been my favorite... so far!  i'm really looking forward to giving ian the vanilla, banana, berry risotto, so i can try that one as well- sounds so yummy!

so, i couldn't just try all this yummy baby food without sharing!  i have a sample for you too!  your sample will be the roasted squash & fruit medley.  delicious banana, apple & pear with vanilla & roasted squash!  plus it contains 70% of baby's daily vitamin c requirement!  we have had some allergy problems with squash in the past- so i thought who better to share with than my readers!!  the roasted squash & fruit medley is a level 2 (yummy combos) food.  this is best suited for 7-8 mo+ as most children by this age have gotten to try a variety of foods & textures.  this sounds like a truly yummy combo to introduce that i'm sure your little one will love!

 i know somebody that loves it!! 

wanna win it?!

just leave a comment telling me what your little one's favorite food is- or if they aren't to that stage yet, let me know what you're looking forward to introducing to them!

so easy!  

want to increase your odds of winning?  

1.  like baby gourmet on facebook or follow them on twitter @babygourmet

2.  follow me on twitter for pointless tweets @mcmellll or tweet about this giveaway...  including my handle & baby gourmet's handle. 

3.  i'd love if you were a regular reader- so follow my blog!

so, you could have 4 entries total

don't forget to leave a separate comment for your additional entries to count!  giveaway ends sunday 8/21 @ 11:59 pm.  winner announced on monday 8/22!

*disclaimer:  i was not compensated monetarily for this review or giveaway.  the products were sent to me in exchange for a review, in which i chose to giveaway part of what i received.  the opinions stated here are mine and mine only and cannot be bought!

giveaway time!

i have at least 3 giveaways lined up for next week!  i promise i'll be back blogging and reading blogs consistently by that time!! 

giveaway extended

just wanted everyone to know that i've extended the date of my giveaway end to thursday 6/2.  come on, people.  it's free stuff- and good free stuff at that!  so you now have until 11:59 pm thursday to enter, if not, maegan will be the lucky winner!  be sure to enter on the actual giveaway page!

giveaway!!! cio prints

GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!  CHECK BACK TO SEE IF YOU'VE WON!  GOOD LUCK!

i'm so exciting to be hosting my 2nd giveaway ever!  this giveaway comes to you from cio prints!  cio prints is an atlanta-based company (and if you don't know, that's where my heart is) that specializes in diy party invites!  not just any diy party invites- adorable diy party invites.  

 

see, i told you they were adorable..

here's how it works, and it's so easy.  1.  purchase a listing on etsy.  2.  leave detailed information during the checkout project (who, what, when, where, etc), plus you can modify colors!  3.  wait 24-48 hours for your proof.  4.  make changes or approve.  5.  receive your digital file to print your invites from your home!  basically, they're as customizable as you want!  

don't have a birthday coming up?  throwing another bash- say a baby shower or 4th of july blowout- cio prints has you covered.  they have tons of cute designs to choose from- you can even include a photo with some designs.  they don't stop at invitations though- they also specialize in little details to make the party extra special- goody bag labels, cupcake toppers & birthday banners.  besides the cute invites, one of my favorite items are the mommy calling cards- adorbs!

so you wanna win?  one (1) winner will receive a (from within the shop) diy digital download.  you can customize colors, arrangement and party info.  you receive your file and print at home!  printing services are available, but must be purchased separately.

also cio prints is offering EVERYONE will receive a 25% discount on their purchase!  ohbabyitsababy readers can receive a discount through the end of the YEAR(!) just by entering PARTYTIME at checkout!

winner must respond within a week after winning or i will have to draw someone else.  after that, winners have 30 days to claim or reserve (for a later date) their prize.  winners drawn via random.org

there are a few ways to win:

1.  you must be a follower of ohbabyitsababy- so leave a comment with your follower name thru gfc or bloglovin' (mandatory)

2.  visit cio prints on etsy- tell me what your favorite item is (optional- but recommended!)

3.  heart them on etsy, like them on facebook or follow on twitter (or do all  3!)  (optional)

4.  tweet or share this giveaway on facebook (optional).  sample tweet:  enter to win a customizable diy digital download for print-at-home invites from @cioprints hosted by @mcmellll 

so there you have it, 4 simple ways to enter & win!!  this giveaway will be open until 11:59 pm tuesday night (5.31).  i will announce a winner next wednesday (6.01)!  

good luck!

happy easter

up from the grave He arose

with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;

He arose a victor from the dark domain

and He lives forever, with His saints to reign.

He arose!  He arose!  hallelujah Christ arose!

-lowery

happy easter everyone!

last day to enter my vera giveaway!  i will draw the winner when we are back from atlanta!  good luck!

My 1st Giveaway!- ENDED

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!

I'm so excited to be hosting my very 1st giveaway after nearly 2 years of blogging!!  This weekend i attended Vera Bradley's annual outlet sale.  This is my 3rd year attending- my mother-in-law goes every year- and it's a really fun thing for me & her to do together!  She manages to outspend me every year though- and that's probably a very good thing!  Anyway, they have amazing deals, and with such amazing deals, I couldn't resist picking up something for you guys!  So here's what i'm giving away!

Vera Bradley metal reusable water bottle in Simply Violet. A great alternative to plastic bottles!  

Vera Bradley Shopper Tote.  Sturdy reusable bag!  Stop bringing home grocery store plastic bags!  I'll let you choose which color you want!

Vera Bradley Birdie Wallet

One lucky reader will walk away with ALL of these items! 

So easy to enter (2 ways):

1.  be a follower of my blog via Google Reader or Bloglovin' (required- leave your follower name).  new followers are welcome- but i'd love you to actually read my blog!

and for an additional entry

2.  Tweet, Facebook or Blog about this giveaway (link back to your blog- or leave your twitter name)

make sure you leave a separate comment for each!

I will announce the winner, which i will let random.org choose- on monday or tuesday after we are back from atlanta!  i will stop taking entries sunday @ 11:59 pm.

good luck!!

this giveaway is not sponsored by vera bradley.  i am not affiliated with vera bradley in any way.  the gifts were bought with my own money!

elephant parade

i had a hard time deciding what kind of room to do for the baby. i didn't want a cartoon character, i didn't want sports if it was a boy, and i really didn't want a mess of flowers if it was a girl. in the end we (i) decided it would be birds if it was a girl, and elephants for a boy because i had found some bedding i really liked.

why elephants? well, besides being so darn cute, they're known for their intelligence and memory- i just liked the whole theme. maybe we "overdid" it with the room, but this is probably the only time i'll have a major say in the decor in his room. i thought we did a pretty good job with everything.



here is the dresser/changing area. i opted against a changing table because it's just a waste of money if you have a really good dresser. this dresser was mine when i was living on my own in atlanta. dave and i sanded the finish off a bit, then painted it brown. then i went back and painted the knobs to match the wall. i like the way it turned out because the brown isn't perfect. we have the changing pad and diaper station on top and then his humidifier and monitor as well. the lamp is the lighting for the room because there's no light fixture (boo). we have the diaper genie on one side and dirty clothes hamper on the other.




here are some shelves we put up. we got a lot of stuffed animals, etc. we needed a place to put that stuff and something to break up the empty wall. below is our play gym. he is really loving that thing these days.



here is the crib. it's where you really see the theme of the room. perhaps we overdid it? i think not for a baby room. we have the rug since the entire house is wood/tile. the bedding is elephants and circles. i really like the cute wall art and his name above the bed. i'm sure the letters are crooked, but we are the least artsy people around. beside the bed is an adorable hippo chair we received as a gift from pbkids! then there's the rocking and reading corner...



i love this! we got the chair off of craig's list for practically nothing. i hate that it's not the same color wood, but after the adventure of painting the dresser and room, dave wouldn't let me anywhere near that chair with paint. it's right by the windows so the light is wonderful during the day. we have blankets for covering up if it gets chilly over there, and our little table with a cute little elephant lamp.

i think we did a pretty darn good job. now i wanted to do some other kind of elephant something for our 4th wall (the longest, which has nothing on it).

i don't know if i want to do another elephant or something else. Chronicles of a Babywise Mom is doing a great giveaway from Lola Decor. there are so many cute vinyls on here, and they would be perfect for our sad empty wall (also perfect, a bookshelf with tons of kids books, but one step at a time)...

i can't decide what i would even pick if i won. if i had had a little girl and gone with the aforementioned bird theme, there would be lots of choose from, as i couldn't even pick which bird vinyl i liked best. but i have a few things i like for our little guy. (images below from Lola Decor)


i really love that verse. i also like the quote, "let him sleep, for when he wakes he will move mountains."

choices, choices.

anyway, i'm really proud of how the room came together! i think husband and i did a wonderful job on our little man's room!

piggies in a blanket

so, it's march 9th, and it's finally starting to get warm enough to go outside here. by "warm enough" i sadly mean 40-50 degrees. i'd love to start taking ian out for strolls around the block once it gets slightly warmer, but i worry about him being cold (we have 4 month old snow on the ground still).

so although this wouldn't really work for him now, i totally see it working this fall perhaps, and definitely this spring. what is it? this adorable baby stroller blanket. it's got a pocket for baby's feet so he/she is all cocooned in. it's like a baby snuggie, but with feet, and for your stroller. this is pretty awesome for anywhere you'd be taking your little one outdoors, especially before summer gets here.

i'd like to win one. you can too. just head to Chronicles of a Babywise Mom. you have up to 7 chances to enter. btw, i love this blog. it's saved me from many a baby meltdown.