Booboos' Bonnets || Instagram Giveaway!

Little L is such a sweet bean. She is smiling most of the time and if she's not smiling, she's squishing her face up to make you laugh. It amazes me how much personality you can see if kids at such a young age. The only thing that makes L even cuter is when she is wearing a bonnet (for O, whenever he wears overalls, he can basically throw milk on the floor and it'll look adorable). Booboos' Bonnets are the best mix of classic, playful and wearable bonnets for kids up to 4 years old. I'm seriously in love with the bonnet Sophie sent Lenora. The fabric is thick, but even in the summer sun, it didn't make L overheat or seem uncomfortable (perfect for the nice fall weather we're seeing now!). Sopie makes sure to use really fine materials for her bonnets, which makes these so special and really something to treasure. There are a lot of girl colors, but there is this beautiful Navy one for the boys (yes, I totally would have had O in one when he was a babe:). L is wearing a 12-18 month size, so while a tad roomy right now, she'll have plenty of time to grow with the bonnet. Thank you so much Sophie for the sweet bonnet!

Check out Booboos' Bonnets and make sure to follow Sophie on Instagram and Facebook.

While you're browsing her shop, pick your favorite and head over to my Instagram (@jmtrovato) for a giveaway where you can win your choice of a bonnet!

The giveaway will be open until next Friday.

instastopityouretoogoodagram

Ok, I have to brag on my husband a little bit. I have been blown away lately by his instagram. Yes, he does get a *little* obsessed with it, but its seriously worth a little obsession. I'm obsessed with it anyway...

He recently went on a business trip to California and this is what he came back with.

I mean, c'mon: 

You can see more of his perfectly wonderful little space on instagram by following @horacekenneth or you can see more at instagram.com/horacekenneth

*He would want me to tell you that he loves the VscoCam app like its his own child. Owen would like me to tell you that really its ok. He knows who dad sings to sleep at night.*

Recipe: East Coast Mussels

Having grown up in Maryland, seafood took up a hefty portion of our food pyramid. While at college in Idaho, I was this close to ordering steamed crabs from home to be shipped out. I was never a huge fan of the oyster, clam and mussel clan, but after trying this recipe, I fell in love with the savory dish, full of garlic and sweetened by wine. The best part of this recipe is that it take 10 minutes tops to throw together. Serve it with some crusty bread and the leftover wine and you've got yourself a meal.

I remember spending Sunday afternoons at my Grandad's river house, swimming off the pier until our fingers got wrinkled and then drying off and eating crabs. The saltiness of the river and the seasoning made the taste such a strong memory. 

When my Dad would make oyster soup, he made a cream base and would pick out the oysters so that us kids could have some soup with him. Of course, we added the oyster crackers, so basically we had cracker soup, but oh was it good.

There is this place in Baltimore called L. P. Steamers that has a rooftop deck overlooking the city. Its a divey bar restaurant, but the rooftop takes the cake. They haul trays of crab, steamed shrimp, hush puppies and everything else up three flights of outdoor stairs to your table. On a summer night, this felt like the epitome of fine dining:)

The first time I made mussels, we were newly married and I was (and still am) trying to figure out good dishes that my husband liked. I was so happy when he scraped the bowl clean with his bread. One more recipe added to my stash.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook

All photos were taken by my lovely husband Horace on VSCOcam.

Don't forget to enter the last of the Christmas Giveaways with Kallio NYC here! 

(For a bonus entry, pin the giveaway on Pinterest:)

Almost

I cannot wait for it.

Mini Road Trip

We woke up bright and early last Saturday and decided to head up to Lancaster for the day. I hadn't been in years and was very excited to get out of the house and go for a little road trip. My momma came along and we had just the sweetest day of strolling around downtown, drinking up some coffee and searching out a nearby town. Of course at some point in Lancaster, you have to get stuck behind an Amish buggy. Its just part of the experience.

Owen is a great road tripper!

Don't forget to enter the first of many Christmas giveaways on the blog for your chance to win a gift set from Bohemian Atelier! 

And here is a little preview of next week's giveaway: Etsy front page featured seller Wassupbrothers

Have a great weekend!

p.s. you can follow me on instagram at jmtrovato!

Birthday Love

Oh, I just had such a great birthday. I was greeted by two handsome faces in the frosty morning to take me to breakfast at the local coffee shop. At lunchtime, we hit up Wawa and the library to vote. And for dinner, we left the boy and went to Woodberry Kitchen. Horace got me the coolest instant camera and so much film that I've been snapping pics all over the place. Can't wait to stick these in little letters to friends and photo albums!

1. Best way to wake up 2. First frost of the year 3. Breakfast at Bean Rush 4. Fuji Instax Mini 

5. Da Boys 6. New Levi's from the mother in law 7. Macchiato greatness 8. GO HERE

9. Delicious espresso.

Thanks so much for the wonderful day!

You can follow me on instagram at jmtrovato!

Check out my sweet profile here: http://instagram.com/jmtrovato

Learning Curve

Parenthood has such a learning curve. I knew life would be different, but there are just so many things that I'm learning to do daily with Owen. It's funny how I've been out of school for a couple of years, but I do feel like a student in some ways: researching immunizations, planning out the week for food and meals, fixing lunches for the hubby, keeping Owen on a schedule (of sorts) and of course having Netflix on during many of those projects:) 

I realized a mistake I made a few weeks ago and I had to stop and remind myself that this takes time, and I am learning and I will make mistakes. Thank the Lord for my husband and his guidance and wisdom, as well as God's sovereignty over our parenting. I'm learning everyday about loving Owen, diligence in taking care of him, respecting and submitting to my husband and so many other aspects of our lives. People say that you get to know your spouse best once you have children and that is just so true. There is no study session like those midnight feedings and early morning diaper changes to teach you about your spouse. I have found that mine is an absolute saint.

Our life is so different now in many ways, but also very much the same. Its a new chapter in our story with another little character in the mix.  

P.S. Don't forget to enter the Bee Unique Bowtique Giveaway! You can enter right here.

Linking up with: Bits of Splendor / Lowercase Letters / Covered in Grace

37 Weeks

37 Weeks today! I feel like I have a lot left to get ready (pack my hospital bag, wash baby clothes, etc) but all of the things on my mind will take 15 minutes to do. I just need to do them. My job ends in two weeks (!) so at that point I will have plenty of time to nest and clean and do all the things that are on my mental list. I've loved my job and was so blessed by being able to work from home, but I'm really excited to start my new career:)

Yes, I am aware that there are strange lines going through my belly in those pictures. My sister always makes fun of me because I still wear my pre-pregnancy undershirts and of course they are too short. Oh well. 

We spent Memorial Day collecting sea glass on the Chesapeake and what a great time we had. I brought my Zenit with me so I'll have to get those developed soon. I decided a few weeks ago to get the stuff to start making some sea glass jewelry and I made my first piece the other night. I  LOVE it. I'm so excited to try a new hobby and have little gifts to send to my friends:)

In other news, I'm finally on Instagram! I got a new phone and am able to pay the same price as my verizon stupid 5 year old flippy phone for a smart phone. So happy to have a phone with a better camera to carry around. If you want to follow along, my username is jmtrovato. 

How was your long weekend?






Linking up with: The Simple Things / Bits of Splendor / Lowercase Letters / The Foley Fam / Covered in Grace / The Weekend File