Start with a Stone

$41 for 41 Amazing Years!

I love staying up until midnight to celebrate the first day of each month! This is why!!!

You can tell you how excited I am about this opportunity in the video below. This gives everyone the chance to start their business and get easily reimbursed with your first paycheck! I'll even host your launch party for you!

Not only that, but you can earn LOTS of FREE GOODIES (in the comments) in addition to a bi-monthly paychecks!!!

Small investment to give it a shot!!!!

pamperedchef.com/pws/citygirl/be-a-consultant

City Girl in the Kitchen!!!!

Wow! Life has it's ways of changing quickly. I've got some news that may or may not surprise you! 

I wanted to take a minute to tell you a little bit about why I became an Independent Consultant with Pampered Chef! As most of you know, I’ve always loved to cook and create! I love making things that make people happy! Whether that be personalized items or food, I’m for sure a people pleaser! 

I went to my first in-home Pampered Chef party years ago and fell in love! I’ve always said if I ever sold anything like this, it would be Pampered Chef! So, years later (really wishing I would’ve done it sooner), here I am! I gave myself the starter kit for my birthday and I’m thinking it’s the best gift I could give myself! 

I’d love to help you in any way you need it: 
-earn free products by hosting
-gift-giving 
-stock your kitchen
-earn some fun money
-build a career 
-just help in menu planning and new recipes!

That said, as I launch my business, I wanted all of you to be invited so that you could share in my new venture and know that there’s a new Pampered Chef girl around if you or anyone you know ever needs a PC Girl! 

Here's the link to browse and shop: PamperedChef.com/pws/CityGirl

Here's the link to join my Facebook group to follow along with recipes, giveaways, and new products: City Girl in a Small Town Kitchen

My hope is to be more active on the blog and to share some recipes and DIY's, but to also keep you up to date on other adventures as I have before. 

Thanks for following!
Cheers!
Blair 

Backpacking....Italian Style

I have a confession. I'm an over-packer. Not just an over-packer, but a procrastinating over-packer. There you have it. When I pack for a trip, it's usually last minute, and I'm usually spending the last moments before a trip grabbing any and everything I MIGHT (or might not) need for my adventure. Do you do that? Or am I the only one?

So, the thought of packing everything I needed for an international cross-country trip was totally FOREIGN to me!

However, when we (my 2 friends Brittany and I) began to think about out traveling to multiple cities, on and off of planes, trains and automobiles, the idea of "backpacking" intrigued us. We were not completely sold on the idea until our husbands told us we couldn't do it. The doubted us......so, we accepted the challenge! You hear me?

The closer the trip got, the idea of packing ALL THE THINGS in a backpack became tremendously more difficult! But, I'm here to say that we did it, and we survived! AND, I actually had room to spare!!!!

So, how did I do it?

First things first, I researched backpacks. I found an amazing one in the eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible. It has so many perfect pockets and details that I would've never thought of! (Side note: the little video on the product page really sold me on it).

Another item that was helpful was this set of packing cubes! Initially, I really didn't understand the need for these, but was thankful for them, and will definitely use them in future packing endeavors. So, with these, I rolled my clothing and sorted by style, and by traveler (mine or my hubby). It made it a lot easier to pack, rather than just putting items directly into my backpack.

One of the perks of "backpacking" is not having to check you luggage, and wait for baggage claim! That's HUGE! The downside of that is that everything has to be carry-on friendly. Liquids bag....the dreaded quart-sized bag, limited to 3.4oz per item, stared us in the face just as David did Goliath. Ya'll, it seemed nearly impossible. But, as any warrior faces a challenge, we set our eyes on the end goal, and overcame it. This challenge gave me the excuse to buy those super cute trial size goodies that you always want to buy on the toiletry aisle. And, that I did.....as well as putting a couple of my toiletry products in these little dishes (I actually had extras on-hand, because I use them to sort my earrings in my jewelry armoire). 

Oh, and clothes......I know the question is: WHAT clothes did you bring?? 

I brought:

4 pair of pants: white skinny jeans, black skinny jeans, tailored jeans, and black leggings

5 shirts: 2 white shirts, black shirt, chambray shirt and a striped shirt

2 tanks: black and white

2 scarves

3 jackets: black bomber, white long coat, white packable rain jacket 

2 shoes: Black Native Audreys and Tan GB low boots 

2 necklaces and 3 pair of earrings 

Along with the packing cubes, I also used these space saving bags for my jackets and then also for dirty clothes (until we washed at our next stop). 

I'll end with a few of my favorite items I brought along with me: 

So, what packing questions do you have for me? I'm an open book (or backpack)....if I don't have the answer, I'll do my best to find one or give you my best advice! 

Oh, and there is plenty more to come about our trip.....this is only the beginning!

Ciao!

I Wanna Go to Chick Fil-A

Once upon a time, in a small college town, there appeared.....a CHICK-FIL-A! AND, the crowds went WILD!!!

Y'all. This long awaited day has been prayed for, literally and figuratively!

That said, I'm loading my crew up and we are CAMPING OUT, yes, camping out at Chick Fil-A for 24 hours!!! The First 100 campout is actually a pretty big deal! Some folks are like "it's just free chicken!", but, to me, it's much bigger than that.

This campout represents time with my boys, camping out (which they've been begging for, all [Louisiana] summer long!). It represents supporting the Ruston community and the growth in our city! It supports a fellow Louisiana Tech alumni couple and sorority sister in their venture to open the business! It supports Chick-fil-A, a company that has given back so much, one that my family (and, let's face it...all moms) loves and supports!

Oh, and speaking of a supportive company, we are bringing 2 big bags of books to donate to their book drive for the local Boys and Girls club! As well as, I believe, part of the day tomorrow, we will be assembling meals for those in need. This is a great opportunity to show my kids ways to give back.

So, as I have my list made for "what to bring" and my kids 'wishing it were tomorrow', I hope there is a great turnout tomorrow morning (at 5:30AM) but not more than 100, so we don't have to do the lottery!

If you're thinking about it, come join us! For more info in the rules, click here!


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BIG Reveals

Life has been a little busy lately. Catching up on my blog is something that I really plan on doing soon. In the meantime, I'll fill you in on a couple of big announcements in the Walpole household! 

So, baby Walpole #2 is on it's way, but what about a the gender reveal? 

We threw together an impromptuEaster Egg Hunt with family and friends to reveal the gender. My parents happened to be coming in so they were able to join in on the fun! It just so happened that Ryder (with my mom's help) found the 'golden egg'! Here's the egg that they found, and the surprise inside: 

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE being a BOY MOM! I have so much fun with Ryder, and look forward to Ryder having a baby brother that he will be best buds with. I look forward to watching them grow together, and build that strong brotherly bond. 

Now, on to the name. What's in a name?!?! We had a difficult time coming up with a name that just 'clicked'. I found one that I really liked, but J. wasn't 100% with it, and J. found one that he really liked, but I ended up nixing it. Then, one day when I was in PotteryBarn with my mom in Baton Rouge, J. called me and said "I know the name!". He mentioned it, and I smiled. The name that he mentioned had been on my list, but I had not mentioned it to him at that point, as I thought it may be too 'different'. But, we like different names. We always have. So, the BIG REVEAL: 

RIVER BRANTLEY WALPOLE

will be here on August 26th, if not before! We are already in love with this sweet baby boy and cannot wait for his arrival. Let me tell you, Mommy CANNOT WAIT! :) We started working in the nursery this weekend, and I am so excited that things are starting to come together. Oh, and thanks to Rachel at Peek-a-Bootique for the super cute canvas painting! 

In other news, as we have been working around the house, we've moved Ryder to his BIG BOY BED in his new room! He is really excited about it, and can't wait to show everyone his new bed! We did really well yesterday during nap time, with a 3.5 hour nap. Last night, we didn't do so well. It was difficult getting him down, but he did sleep all night until 7am. He wasn't feeling 100% yesterday, and woke up not feeling well. It's gradually gotten worse, and I'm thinking we've got a double ear infection on our hands, so sleeping well is not really in the cards. I hope to have a good progress update on him soon! I'll post pics of Ryder's Big Boy Room when it's finished....still working on details! 

In the meantime, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to my sweet hubby, my wonderful daddy, and all of the other daddy's out there! 

Beach, Baby!!! Top 5 things to Bring....and MORE!

Beach 2012

We just returned from a week of sun and sand, and I couldn't feel more refreshed. I had so much help on this trip, and needed it! Being 6 months pregnant and chasing a 20 month old around can be a handful. We are blessed that we have the opportunity to go to my in-laws condo in Orange Beach each year, and sometimes more than once. I'm not sure if I'd say that I'm a 'seasoned' beach-goer, but my mother-in-law certainly is. We've learned a few tricks of the trade over the years, and especially over the past 2 years having a child with us. I've been asked multiple times for a must-have list, and thought the best way to share it, would be here.

1. Blow-up pool -Don't get scared when I say blow-up pool. It's just a small pool to keep a little one confined. Whether it has water in it, or not, it's great for play time or nap time. We used this a lot last summer, before Ryder was 'toddling'. It was great!!!

Nap Time

Play Time

2. Paint Brush - Let me explain. My mother-in-law has found that this is a 'secret tool' to getting sand off of your legs, feet, arms, and anywhere else that sand coats to your body! Just a cheap one with soft bristles will do. She got a little crafty and painted my handle pink and put a ribbon around it, which is not necessary, but definitely adds some style!

3. Baby Powder - Just a travel size will do. This is another 'secret' that I am revealing to getting sand off. Just shake the baby powder on your sand-covered legs, and brush right off with your hands, and MAGICALLY, the sand is GONE!

4. Beach Toys - These are important, yet there are not specific 'must haves'! I would say, just from experience, a bucket, a couple of shovels,  something to throw (sometimes you just need to stand and get some sun on your backside....especially if you're pregnant!), something that floats (like a boat or rubber ducky) for the blow-up pool, or those spots on the beach where the water forms a puddle (GREAT spot for little ones).

Coleman Road Trip Beach Shade 

5. Pop-up Tent - Okay, now this is a GREAT item to have, especially for the infant stage....it worked wonderfully last year! Nap time on the beach was AWESOME, so we didn't have to have someone go up to the room on a perfectly good beach day! We had a different one last year, that ended up breaking, but we saw a TON of the Coleman Beach Shade Tent's this year. You need something that will provide shade, and that has a floor mat, to prevent sand invasion.

We will probably purchase this one, or something similar for our next trip, as we will have a newborn. These are GREAT for nap-time, we laid some towels in there, and we were good to go. They are also great for providing privacy for diaper changing, nursing, or similar private moments.

6. Pack and Play - We have a large closet at our condo, where a pack and play will fit. This is where Ryder sleeps when we go to the beach. 


It works for us.... We don't close the door all of the way, leaving it cracked for air. He is completely content with this...we bring our monitor and his noise maker and we are all set. This may not be for you, but it works for us!

A few more suggestions that worked great for us are:

-Umbrella Stroller - especially when you're short on hands.
-Hat - They won't always keep it on, but at least you tried.
-Sunglasses - See above.
-Camera - Make sure you have this to capture the memories!
-Snacks - Snacks for baby, snacks for kids, snacks for mama! Just nothing that will melt!
-Drinks - Make sure to drink plenty of WATER, but bring something else (in addition), whatever your drink of choice is.
-Extra Hands - This trip was very relaxing to me, as I had extra hands. If you're able to, it's nice to have an extra set of hands, but if not, you find ways to 'make do'! :)


I'll add more if I think of other things. But, this should be a good list to get you started!

Enjoy the sand and sun!

Happy Valentine's Day....From All FOUR of us!

I apologize. I've been really bad about keeping up with my blog over the past year and a half, and I have a feeling that it's not going to get easier over the next few months and years! :)  

I will do my best to keep up with my blog as things just continue to get busier; and I know that when August rolls around, I will have my hands full.

August will be a big month for Ryder; not only will he turn 2 but will also become a BIG BROTHER! We are super excited to announce our baby news! 

So many thoughts going through my head, but for now, we will enjoy the excitement, enjoy our sweet and ever-so-busy 18 month old, enjoy our new home (that's another post in itself), and most of all ENJOY LIFE! I can't wait to share details along the way. 

On behalf of The Walpole Family, Happy Valentine's Day! We hope you had a blessed day! We did! :)