Yummy Yummy Banana Bread

I'm not much of a cook, but thanks to Pinterest I've been trying out some new things. Yesterday I attempted to make some banana bread using a combination of about 10 different recipes. I combined things and omitted things based on what we had in our cabinets. Of course it could have turned out horribly, but it was a huge hit!

What you'll need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2-3 med. mashed ripe bananas
• 1/3 cup milk 
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or applesauce as a substitution) 
• 1 egg 
• 1 TBS vanilla
• Any add ins - nuts, chocolate chips, sunflower seeds etc
• Loaf Pan
• cooking spray

Mix your dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt) together in a large mixing bowl. You can use a stand mixer for this recipe but it really isn't necessary.

In a separate bowl mash your bananas until they're nice and soft. Your bananas should be pretty close to the consistency of stage 3 baby food.

In your bowl of dry ingredients add your milk, vegetable oil, egg and vanilla, then add in your bowl of bananas. If you choose to add in nuts, chocolate chips etc you would do so now.

Mix until your dry ingredients are completely damp and then pour your mixture into your sprayed loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 60 minutes of until an inserted knife comes out clean.

Now you have some yummy banana bread! Our family loved it so much that I have our second batch in the oven right now. Let me know how this recipe works for you,, or if you have your own favorite recipe feel free to share it in the comments below.

A Little Pinsperation

It's been awhile since we've had had a Pinterest post, so I think it's about time we have A Little Pinsperation again! As always, you can follow me on Pinterest to see all the fun things I find during the week.

How cute are these party trays? They'd be great for a kids party or summer cookout. 3 trays + 2 candle stick holders = awesome cupcake display! Of course you could use different colors for different holidays. How about red and green for Christmas? Purple and green for Halloween? Red and blue for Independence Day? The possibilities are endless!

Sometimes the answer is just so simple that you overlook it. I mean things can't be that easy right?I've been looking for ways to cover the lids to the 9 million baby food jars that I have around the house. I plan on cleaning them out, covering the lids with cute paper and using them for crafting  & office supplies.

This is a really busy month for us with a wedding to attend, my youngest sister's high school graduation and the twins turning one all in the next 4 weeks! I love cute gift wrapping but sometimes I feel like I spend as much on wrapping a gift as the actual gift itself cost! This super easy tutorial shows you how to make your own big fluffy bow at home.

Sensory bottles were my favorite thing to make with my kids when I was teaching preschool. They're fun, easy, and will keep them entertained for hours. All you need is a plastic bottle, water, some small objects and hot glue. Fill your bottle up half way, add your fun stuff (glitter, pom poms, food coloring, ribbon, beads etc), fill the bottle the rest of the way and hot glue it shut. I think we'll be making a few of these this week!

Wordless Wednesday - Para-Sailing in Mexico

Last month Zach and I went on our first kids free vacation, where I concurred my fear of heights by para-sailing in Cozumel, Mexico. Of course I asked every single person that I asked about the possibility of somehow being eaten by a shark in the process. I was told that sharks only live on the other side of the island (not sure how that's possible), so I did it!

Getting ready for lift off 

 

Up, Up, Up!

Mother's Day Giveaway - EdenFantasys

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SwaddleDesigns Angry Bird Baby Collection Review & Giveaway

SwaddleDesigns® is introducing the Angry Birds Baby Collection!

 

Angry Birds have found happiness with SwaddleDesigns baby products! We are honored that Rovio chose SwaddleDesigns to manufacture Angry Birds Baby items based on our high quality products.

Angry Birds by Rovio is a phenomenally popular game.  Angry Birds is the fastest growing brand in the world with over 600 million downloads.  Boys, girls, men, women, grandmas and grandpas – all love playing Angry Birds.  The game is entertaining to people of all ages, genders and geographies.

SwaddleDesigns was founded by Lynette Damir, RN, Designer and Mom in 2002, and SwaddleDesigns was the first company to introduce the large square swaddling blanket to the US and many countries around the world.  SwaddleDesigns is known for their premium quality fabric, fabulous colors and prints, decorative edge, and the innovative 123 Swaddle® instructional label that helps new parents master the art of swaddling. SwaddleDesigns blankets come in a variety of weights and are perfect for many uses such as a privacy throw for breastfeeding moms, a tummy time play mat, a cover over the stroller as well as swaddling.  

 

The Ultimate Receiving Blanket® is a lightweight premium cotton flannel blanket – for moderate to cooler environmental temperatures.

The Marquisette Swaddling Blanket® is a very lightweight openweave high quality cotton blanket – for warmer environmental temperatures.

Angry Birds by Rovio is a phenomenally popular game.  Angry Birds is the fastest growing brand in the world with over 600 million downloads.  Little boys and girls, teens, men, women, grandmas and grandpas – all love playing Angry Birds.  The game is entertaining to people of all ages, genders and geographies, and is fun for family members to play together during snuggle time

Angry Birds is just one of the many collections SwaddleDesigns offers. We have many new exciting new prints and a variety of blankets and other products for 2012!"

To find out more about the benefits of swaddling your baby and how to help protect your children against SIDS, please visit Swaddle Designs Safe Sleep Page.

In the past I've posted about how much we love SwaddleDesigns, and the new Angry Birds Collection is no exception! It's the same great quality products that we've come to expect (and love) from SwaddleDesigns, now combined with the hot new trend of Angry Birds. I'll admit that I personally haven't played Angry Birds yet, but my soon to be sister in law was super excited when she saw Ella wearing her new onesie!

 

I love that SwaddleDesigns has really expanded this collection and included onesies and stuffed animals. Think of how cute an Angry Birds gift basket would be at a baby shower for a "geeky" couple! I have so many friends who would go crazy over them. I know what our new "go to" baby gift will be!

Where to Buy:

You can purchase the SwaddleDesigns Angry Bird Collection on their website, or use their handy store locator to find a retailer near you that carries SwaddleDesigns products.

How to Win:

SwaddleDesigns would like to offer one lucky winner their choice of an Angry Birds Onesie or marquisette blanket. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Open to Us and Canadian residents ages 18 and older only please. 

I received one or more of the above mentioned products in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

Bloggers sign up for FREE Louis Vuitton giveaway!

Yep, you read that right! FREE sign ups for a Louis Vuitton purse through Madame Deals. The event will take place from May 12- June 12th and is a great way to gain new followers. Sign up HERE and let them know that Life Unexpected sent you. This is one event you won't want to miss!