"It's Us"...

This print reads "It's Us" in French. Wouldn't this make the perfect Valentine's Gift? 

by the lovely Morgan and Carrie of Ampersand Design Studio

It's just the beginning...

If you are on Instagram, you have probably seen the tidal wave better known as "Vine". This new app, developed by Twitter is insane, and for us bloggers (and for business owners) I imagine this new app is going to be huge.

It gives you the ability to create a few seconds of video and immediately upload it. No editing required. It's instant. 

I think it's pretty fantastic so far, but I do think they need to install a privacy option, and a blocking feature like Instagram has. 

For those of you who are on Vine, what do you think? Are you a fan too? 

Calling all small business owners!

I am so excited to be coordinating the third annual, Spring into Hope shopping event to benefit the Marian Hope Center for Children's Therapy located in Independence, Missouri.  If you are not familiar, the Marian Hope Center is a non-profit organization servicing children with Autism, Down syndrome and other special needs throughout the metro Kansas City area.  The center offers a variety of therapeutic programs and consultative services to meet the array of needs of children in our community. With 1 in 6 children being diagnosed with special 

needs, it is important for our community to come together to embrace our children and families. 

Having a booth at an event like this is a great way to expose your business/shop/items to a large group of women (WHO LOVE TO SHOP!) and most importantly it is to support an incredible cause! 

If you or someone you know would like to sponsor a booth, have them email me for more information. Mel.knopke@gmail.com

I need the Petty...

After searching high and low for just the right bootie, I think I have found it. It's the Petty by Sam Edelman. This is the PERFECT transitional boot. Looks great with colored denim, camo pants, you name it. The Target Does It Again girls rock them (and look amazing, of course) quite frequently, which pretty much sealed the deal for me...

Pin it * Shop It

I love this look. Simple, layered, and transitional. All of these pieces are fantastic basics that everyone should have in their closet...

Source: songofstyle.blogspot.com via Melanie on Pinterest

A great Stripe...

 A chambray shirt 

 White Jeans 

A classic Brown or Black Belt

A timeless satchel...

And for Spring, a pop of color is a must! Love this cheerful yellow tweed blazer...

Dreaming about...

TGIF...it's been a crazy week! Both kiddos have been sick. One with his first ever ear infection (at 4 1/2 years old!) and the other with major congestion, teething and a runny nose that won't stop. I am fighting this bad boy with all my might...Airborne, Netti Pot, Sudafed, Emergen-C's...do your thing!

So, today I just leave you with some things that I have been dreaming about...

a family room makeover and fun mis-matched pillows to hide our awful couch (which won't be replaced until the babies aren't snotting...spitting...rough housing all over it...)

New art for the family room...aren't these colors amazing?

Papering the inside of a side table we have in the baby girl's nursery...

cute ideas for the upcoming holidays...

bunny jars via

Happy Weekend all! Hope your families are healthy and ready to take on the weekend1 

Healthy Snacks 101

Thank you to all of you who commented on my post last week. I love all of your suggestions! I am going to share some of my favorite pickups that are getting me through the hunger pains and then I will share some of the ideas that were given by other friends/bloggers.

1. Edamame Hummus-this stuff is the bomb. I like it so much more than original Chickpea hummus. It has less sodium and is gluten and cholesterol free. We found this at Target and it's been a huge hit!

2. These almonds are like butter, but way healthier of course. They are perfectly salted and I like that they are skinless too! They are a great source of Protein and are perfect around 3:00

3. Looking for a sweet snack? Justin's all natural Hazelnut butter will do it! I will have a tiny spoon of this or I will put it on a banana. yummm.

4. If you are a salty snacker, these Special K Popcorn chips are insanely good and not all that terrible for you...120 calories for 28 chips. They just came out, I got them at our grocery store on special...2 for $5!

We have also been doing a lot of cuties, baby carrots and hard boiled eggs. I have also found hot tea (sleepytime by Celestial Seasonings) at night has kind of curbed my sweet tooth. We have also been making either a chocolate protein shake with banana and peanut butter or a fruit shake with almond milk, ice and frozen berries. Both are fantastic and your kids will like them too!

And here are the comments from other readers/ bloggers with their favorite healthy but satisfying (even for those with a big sweet tooth!)...

"I have been eating spinach, cuties, and strawberries for a mid-afternoon snack lately"

"I eat Trader Joe's dark chocolate almond biscotti for dessert(only 120 calories per cookie and they are big and chocolatey:) and a cup of decaf, very satisfying and it keeps me from eating cupcakes!! "

"34 degrees crackers I eat those alot with a small amount of cheese for a snack. You can eat a ton for no calories. I also like popchips, string cheese, or oddly enough I have been into olives lately. I am way more of a salty than sweet person though. Sometimes an apple with PB can help curb your sweet craving"

"A couple squares of dark chocolate? can you squeeze those in maybe in week 2? And for mid-day cravings....make a fruit and vegetable smoothie! my favorite right now is this: 1 apple, 3 cutie oranges, 2 big handfuls of fresh spinach, 1 banana, 1 cup of crushed ice (cubed works too but crushed is easier on the blender/vitamix), and 8-10 fresh or frozen strawberries. blend and enjoy! Note: fresh strawberries work better, but frozen are fine if you let them sit out for like 15 min before blending..... 

"I love to get greek yogurt and brown sugar and whip them together and top with berries. My midday snack go-to is carrots with this yummy greek yogurt jalapeno dip http://www.skotidakis.com/en/products/product-dip-jalapeno-24oz.php"

"This is delicious: http://www.giadadelaurentiis.com/recipes/997/chocolate-avocado-mousse
When she made it on her show she also added 1/3 cup of almond milk to help it not be so thick, so be sure to add that. I'm not sure why it's not included in the ingredients/recipe online"

"I know you don't want sugar, but I find Skinny Cow dream clusters a good dessert or snack at 120 calories. I eat the dark chocolate and it does take the edge off of my sweet tooth"
1.)Justin's Almond Butter with Maple-on spoon or half a banana
2.)Banana smoothie- blend ice, skim milk, cinnamon and add a little cool whip on top.
3.)Think Thin Bars
4.) 34 Degrees crackers-they are paper thin. 
I also try and eat a ton of almonds, egg whites and fish. A good afternoon snack can be celery stuffed with a tiny bit of cream cheese. That usually works for me. I hear you about the 3:00 hunger pains!
P.S. When you have GD they tell you no fruit before 12pm because it can spike blood sugars! I usually try and stick to that"

"i keep dark chocolate bars in the fridge and just break off a square or two. i figure the antioxidents cancel out the sugar!! but i can justify anything. i also keep 100% fruit pops in the freezer - only 80 calories. "

"I do the dark chocolate thing too, just a square or two. At least dark chocolate is supposed to have health benefits. I recently have been having a cup of hot brewed chai tea, just add a bit of milk and a tiny bit of sugar. It's filling and has a hint of sweetness"

" I would have pudding for dessert...kind of gross, but it definitely hit that sweet tooth craving. Also, hot chocolate! 

Thanks guys for all of your suggestions and ideas, you are the best! 

The Spring Shape Up

How is this for a little inspiration? Insane, right? My husband and I are on a major health kick. I am trying to lose the last of the baby weight (and post-holiday weight) and he's just trying to look like Chris Hemsworth 

He is even doing the Thor workout and diet plan that Chris used in the movie. I wish I was kidding...

Although if he comes home with guns like that, I won't complain!

The first week has been pretty hard core; we haven't touched carbs, sugar or alcohol. I am doing a 5 day workout plan with my Tracy Anderson videos and he's just hitting it hard at the gym. 

We have both taken the approach of eating frequently, having small bites throughout the day which actually works pretty well. I am still hungry, but not as bad as I was the first day I did it. I think I actually had headaches from the lack of "junk". 

My only problem is that I have a major sweet tooth, and the need for something sweet after dinner. I hate it! I have resorted to a spoon of peanut butter, but that still isn't quite doing it. Do any of you have some great healthy snacks that will cure a sweet tooth? 

Also, do you have a favorite healthy snack, the 3:00 cravings are killing me...

share any of your favorite snacks/recipes/food, we are in need of some creative ideas over here! 

Favorite Baby Toys...EVER!

I am sure I am not the only one who is annoyed with "toy clutter". You know what I mean; toys that seem to show up in every corner of the house. It's sort of inevitable, right? And truthfully, we don't even have a lot of toys! I have really tried to keep the clutter to a minimum.

We definitely have favorites in this house. It even seems that the toys our son loved the most are also the ones are daughter loves too. I thought I would share since I know parents are always looking for the "next best thing" that will keep their child entertained for more than a minute!

One of the first toys we ever bought was the "Winkel" by Manhattan Toy. This is great for new babies. They are easy to grasp, and it helps them develop good hand eye coordination. I have found both my kids like to chew on it too, which makes it good for little teethers! 

We got a set of basic blocks when my son was just an infant and they have definitely stood the test of time. When they are babies, they like to just bang the blocks together, but as they get older they can stack and knock down...which is the most fun, obviously :). These by Melissa and Doug are cute and colorful. 

These SUPER inexpensive Fisher Price shape blocks and storage container have been probably one of the favorites for both of my children. They love to put the shapes in the bucket, take them out, bang them together, you name it...then as they get older they can actually put the shapes through the correct slot and name colors and shapes. It's a great toy and also a fabulous learning tool! 

This wooden activity cube is not only well made, but it is also fun for many ages. My daughter loves it now at  9 months; opening the doors and moving the little animals and balls on the top. My son will still study the letters and animals and help his litter sister learn her letters too. If you are having your first child and plan on having more, this is a great investment

I have Bailey from Peppermint Bliss to thank for this toy recommendation. We bought these Peek n Peep eggs by Kidoozie for our baby girl this Christmas. She LOVES them. There is a lot of learning opportunities in this compact toy. They can learn colors, the tops of the eggs all have matching eyes to match the inside (so they can learn to match) and there are also shapes under each egg in which you have to match with the carton. The eggs also peep when you push them, which is definitely interesting for the little ones. It's adorable and only around $12!

Do you have a favorite toy in your household? If you do, please share! We are always looking for new ones to add to our "clutter". 

The Top 25...would love your vote!

I am flattered and honored to be in the running for the Top 25 Circle of Moms Fashion/Beauty Bloggers. I would love your vote! You can vote once a day until January 15th. There is no sign in required, just click on THIS LINK and scroll down to find Scout. Thanks everyone! And congrats to the other KC Mom Bloggers in the running...Chasing Davies, Merci Blah Blah and Sandy A La Mode

Girls Weekend

Girls Weekend by stylescout1 featuring a zippered tote bag

1.Sunnies 

2.Sandals

3.Essie Butler Please

4.Peplum

5.Carryall 

Everyday Pretties

For everyday, you will often find me in a pair of earrings and simple necklaces. I find that I am in need of a shorter necklace, something to layer my longer pendants with. I love that there are so many cute, dainty pieces to choose from!

 like this Rebecca Minkoff studded bar necklace...

Or the Gorjana Knox necklace which is a great price at only $62

Or how adorable is the Jennifer Zeuner mini wishbone? 

Sally and Molly from A Piece of Toast were sporting some Dana Rebecca over the holidays and now I am completely obsessed. The Samantha Lynn necklace is dainty, sparkly perfection...

Do you have an everyday "go-to" piece of jewelry? 

My Favorite Pants

I am not going to lie, I love my Lululemon pants...there is nothing more comfortable. But, I don't like to spend every day in my workout clothes. On the flip side, as much as I love my skinny jeans, they aren't the most comfortable to wear all day long.

So, if you are looking for a denim alternative, then you will love these Zipper twill pants from The Gap. They look great with flats or even a wedge sandal for spring. I own them in grey from a couple of years ago and they are my favorite pants. I am so glad they brought them back in white, they will definitely be on my Spring "to buy" list! They are also available in Grey and Red.