Friday, October 31, 2014

Dogs and Babies




Do you have a dog (or two in our case) and have little kids?  What has your experience been introducing them?  We have a baby coming in March and have two dogs....I wonder what their introduction will be like?

 Our two dogs, Boone and Cash, are both sweet but are a tad unwieldy.  Boone is three and has turned into a big lovable boy.  You could squeeze Boone, hug him all day, pull on his hair and he would love you all the more.  Cash is only a year and half and is a bit unpredictable to say the least.  We call Cash our sour patch kid..."first they're sour, then they're sweet".  That phrase describes Cash perfectly.  When you squeeze him, he makes a groaning noise like he is annoyed and hates you and then stares into your eyes and gives you a kiss.  But he is such a little dumpling.

These pictures give me hope that the intros will go well. I can't handle the cuteness.

And this is what I am untimely hoping for. Best friends.


Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Thank You Notes


We are so thankful to already receive gifts for the baby!  Books, mittens, toys and now Clemson socks (thanks Christie) theses are just a few of the adorable items we have received. Now that we are half way to the due date, being proactive is key.  One thing that I want to cross off my list are thank you notes.  I'm trying to order something cute, unique and inexpensive in bulk.  I want to decide soon-ish so I can start writing!

I've decided to go with a postcard version of a thank you note...the hard part is picking a design! Also, if I choose to order them now, I have to stick with a gender neutral look.

Here are some of my options:
  • I do love this printable note....could be a more economical option to just pay for printing?  I will have to price that out
  • Another cute option 
  • For the tandem bike lover...which I am
  • Possibly my favorite

Friday, October 24, 2014

Noonday Collection



Have you heard of the jewelry/accessories company called Noonday Collection?  They have unique and beautiful items that are all made in third world countries, creating opportunities for people to provide for themselves and their families when there may be no other option.

The business has a truly incredible story and is worth reading. I am actually hosting a party at my house in 2 weeks so you can come over and buy something OR buy something through my party online.

If you can't attend, please feel free to shop online using the directions below.
  • Go to www.amandawommack.noondaycollection.com
  • Shop and add items to cart.
  • On check out, type Meghan Newman into Trunk Show Name at the top of check out page.
  • Remember, this show closes on, November 7th so be sure to place your online order on time!
I love the cuff above, below are a few other items I love!




Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Planners

So I was desperately in need of a planner for work.  I have currently taken on the new role of managing my work website and blog which will require a great deal of organization and scheduling on my part.  Obvious solution: get a cute planner.  

I stopped by a local paper store, Paper Skyscraper and picked up an incredible planner/calendar made by Peter Pauper Press.  I already adore it!  On their website there are several fabulous designs, I may have picked out this one if it was at the store.  Anyway, the calendar starts in September 2014, and can be used till December 2015. I highly recommend this if you are in market for a planner.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Remember when?


Remember when....

I didn't write a blog post for about 4 months???  Oh yea I do!  Aside, from being a bit lazy, that vacation from the blog would mainly contribute to the fact that I am pregnant and have been too tired to do anything but go to work!

Luckily I have begun to feel better in the past few weeks now that I have reached 19 weeks.  Overall I have felt reasonably well, except for easily getting exhausted.  We have our big appointment on Wednesday where we can find out the sex of the baby- but we have decided to wait and not find out!  At this appointment the doctors also looks for any health issues that may be present, so keep us in mind and pray that our little babe is safe and healthy!

SO what have I been up to?  Well since I felt nauseous for the first 14 weeks on my pregnancy I did very little cooking which was odd seeing as I normally cook every meal in our house. When I have felt up to do anything, here are some things that are worth while to share....


  • Have you ever checked out the blog Oh She Glows?  It is a fabulous resource for quick, easy and simple meals.  I recently made this recipe and loved it.  I'm looking forward to making this treat.
  • I was so thrilled to find out the J.Crew has a maternity section!
  • Love this jacket and this dress
  • We have been discussing parenting styles of the french with this book.
  • I very rarely spend money on makeup, but this item is on my wish list.
  • Have you read this article about the Pumpkin Spice Latte...makes me sad even though we all know the truth deep down. Sadly I still want a PSL.
  • Interesting article on raising your child gender neutral.
  • Baby names by decades...I love the early 1900 names
  • Finally, I started to create a registry and am using Myregistry.com, this is the best for weddings and baby registries, I highly recommend it.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Some things....


Well the past two weeks have been busy. Between work, housing two different people and just the business of life, it has been nice to just relax this weekend. I have a friend who is heading to Italy next week which has brought my memories back to our Italy trip earlier this summer.

I'm about to encounter week 4 of no sugar.  And I am certainly feeling it!  I love fruit so much so it has been hard not to eat any.  I also love baked goods even more, I'm just itching to do some baking.

Here are some things I have been thinking about this week....

-What's on the menu for dinner tonight.
-Bon Appetit's July grilling issue has been a great read.
-I'm about to purchase a one-piece bathing suit, thinking of this one or this.
-We have a dessert party at our house tomorrow, I'm thinking about making this treat.

Have a great week!

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Almond Meal


As I mentioned in a previous post, a benefit from making almond milk at home is that you get almond meal!  When I make the almond milk, I purchase one cup of blanched almonds from the bulk section (around two dollars), which not only produces almond milk, but I also get about 3/4 cup of almond meal.  It is actually pretty economical!

To make the almond meal, you will take the strained pulp from the milk and put on a baking tray. Bake in the oven at 250 degrees for a few hours, until the meal dries out.  Once it dries out (it will start to look toasted) take out of the oven and let cool. Once cool, run meal in the food processor for a food minutes and you are all set!



Chocolate Coconut Granola


We are about to start week three of no sugar....as the book that we are following says, the doubt will begin to creep in.  And oh my it has.  Late afternoon, I have been dying for something sweet, which is why we are doing this!  The Newman's have been sugar addicts.

This granola recipe has helped me get my sweet fix in the afternoon, and it is packed with protein so I get full easily.  I made an alteration to this recipe which the book provides.  Add two cups of oats, 1/2 cup of cocoa powder and a little bit more oil.  I also used small pieces of coconut because I could not find unsweetened coconut flakes.  Enjoy!



Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Homemade Almond Milk


Towards the end of college, I babysat for a family pretty regularly. This was the year I became a vegan, and was so lovingly given a sweet nickname from these kids...."Meeeeeghan the Veeeeegan" (that has to be pronounced so that Meghan rhymes with vegan).  Get it?  Knowing I was a weird vegan, the kids asked me all sorts of hilarious inquiries.  On this particular day, I was asked "how is almond milk made?".
Obviously, I made up an extravagant answer describing how each almond is squeezed until one little drop of milk comes out.  Clearly it takes a big batch of almonds to make one container.  If memory serves me right, they believed me :)

Truth:  Making homemade almond milk feels a bit like my answer.

Truth II: It is totally worth the work.

Well, it is officially day two of no sugar and I feel pretty good.  The hard part starts this weekend when we head to the beach and will be surrounded by all sorts of goodies that I will sadly turn down.

What have I eaten so far?  Lots of avocados, a few hashes, quinoa salads, homemade granola and lots of chia seeds.  However, making the almond milk has been my favorite activity so far.  The greatest part about making almond milk is that you get almond meal out of it!  That is when I felt as thought I squeezed a thousand individual almonds....









Sunday, June 29, 2014

I Quit Sugar


Yes, this is really happening, the Newmans are about the quit sugar! Starting tomorrow, we will embark on a dreadful, yet exciting (?), cleanse.  I'm going to post some of our weekly meals and snacks so you can see what our life is like during the next eight weeks.  I can't speak for Andrew, but I am a sugar addict and it is time to go on a bit of a cleanse...

Sarah Wilson, an Australian blogger, journalist and food nut has written an incredibly informative and scientific book about the need for more fat in our diet and less sugar. Well fructose to be exact.  Not only is there a great deal of food science in this book, but there are also recipes, beautiful pictures, drawings and a specific 8 week plan to follow. We are ready to get healthy again.  



Click to find out more about Sarah Wilson and I Quit Sugar.


Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Italy Part 2


Italy Part 2- these are some of the mobile pictures when the big camera didn't make the cut....












Monday, June 23, 2014

Italy Part 1


Wow, I've taken a little vacation from the blog!  Andrew and I just got from Italy with my family and it was and incredible trip.  Even though we got back two weeks ago, we are still feeling jet lagged...is that possible?

We spent most of our time in Florence, where my parents had rented an apartment right in the city center, located between the Duomo and the Uffizi Museum- we were perfectly located in the city.  One day we went on a wine tour.  There we toured the vineyard, and ate a five course meal where they paired a flight of wine with each course.  It was fantastic!

We headed to Venice for one night and met up with Andrew's Aunt and Grandmother.  His Aunt Melanie lives in Vicenza and teaches art on a military base and his Grandmother had been visiting.  It was so sweet to spend time with them in Italy!  On the way home from Venice we stopped in Vicenza to see where Melanie lives.  Now we have some context where we hear her talk about life in Vicenza.  On our final night we headed to Fiesole, a little town on the mountain that overlooks Florence.  We had a delicious meal with and an unreal view, it was a perfect way to end our tip.



The Duomo di Firenze

Santa Croce, Florence


The Ponte Vecchio, Firenze



Fiesole.  The joke of the trip was that Greg somehow ended up in the background of almost all of our couple pictures. #photobomb





The view from Fiesole

Greg's arm to the right....

Friday, May 9, 2014

Elle & Co.



Today I was featured on a friends blog!  The blog is called Elle & Co.

My friend Lauren, who runs the blog and company, asked if I would be a part of her Friday coffee date series...I was so happy to do so!  Aside my my guest appearance, you should check out her site.  She has her own design company, driven by her love for organization.  You can purchase so many cute and useful items from Elle and Co.  I personally love the item featured above.  It is a family starter kit for organization.  How unique and helpful!

Thanks Lauren!

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Homemade Sushi


I can eat some serious sushi.  And by that, I mean a lot.  We have reached the point where Andrew and I can no longer just go out for sushi and order a few rolls.  Nope, no longer our style.  At this point, we can only go to all-you-can-eat sushi buffets.  Glutenous or amazing?  I will go with amazing.

Since we love sushi so much, I thought I would try to make some at home.  It was so easy!  I do happen to have a sushi making kit, which includes a rolling mat.  This is one tool you absolutely need to make sushi at home. Another thing to note, make sure you get sushi rice, it makes a world of difference!  For a healthier option, get short grain brown rice.

My kit came with a "how to" book, so I received instructions from that.  But you could just as easily watch some youtube videos to get tips.  For Andrew, I made rolls with teriyaki salmon and avocado.  For me, I made veggie rolls. The great thing about sushi is that you can make so many different varieties!


 My ingredients

 Dinner time