chanelmovingforward

Easy Baked Brie Thanksgiving Appetizer

November 22, 2016

This Thanksgiving my husband and I will be hosting family at our house. 10 adults and 2 toddlers under one roof can be overwhelming enough, but add in cooking, meal prep, and cleaning? It’s enough to make anyone go slightly insane. The last thing you need is hangry guests hovering in the kitchen watching you peel 20 potatoes by hand. To keep those growling tummies at bay, I’m sharing an easy appetizer (with wine!) to ensure everyone is happy. Baked Brie is my go to appetizer because you can buy everything pre-made. There is no chopping or prep work involved. Place in the oven before your guests come over and pop open some Merlot to ensure you can cook in peace!

Baked Brie with Cranberry Jam

Ingredients

1 tube of refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

1 round of Brie cheese (do not remove rind)

2 Tablespoons Cranberry Jam

Honey for topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F

Line baking sheet with parchment paper

Roll out crescent dough and divide into two

Place brie rind into center of dough & top with jam

Fold dough over the brie and wrap with remaining piece

Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes

Drizzle honey on top before serving

Add some crackers, apple slices, honey for dipping and voila! You have a simple appetizer that your guests will love. This baked brie pairs perfectly with Wente Vineyards Sandstone Merlot. To learn more about Wente Wines and to find out where you can purchase, go to their website here. If you live near the Bay Area, you can visit their vineyards too!

Do you have a go to appetizer that you love? Share it in the comments below!

The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide for Toddler Boys!

November 21, 2016

Henry will turn 4 1/2 three days after Christmas. He loves what most boys love at this age: Ninja Turtles, Robots, Hot Wheels and make believe. For Christmas this year I have tried to only select things which I know will last him a while and that also don’t have 1,342 pieces (since they will be lost within a few days!) I’ve rounded up something unique for every toddler boy in this guide, so let’s get shopping!

1. Magnetic Farm Truck – Like most boys, mine loves anything that moves. This wooden, hand painted truck is simply adorable. I love how all the pieces are magnetic so they don’t fall off when your child is pushing it across the floor. I cannot tell you how many times Henry has been frustrated when his people fall off their vehicles. Anything that can prevent toddler meltdowns is a win in my book! $40

2. Space Station Tent & Tunnel – This is going to be a special Santa present to Henry. Since it will need to be opened and set up prior to Christmas morning, it’ll already be ready for him when he comes down to the living room. What most attracted me to this were the four tunnels attached to the space station. I love that the kids will be able to enjoy this together and Henry and his friends can use on playdates too. $139

3. Robot Backpack & Cup – Come January, Henry will be in desperate need for a new backpack. The one he has been using since August is getting so ratty and worn. Since he loves Robots, this backpack and matching cup will be perfect for school and lunch. $33, $25

4. Crayola Emoji Maker – Can I just put it out there that I have enjoyed this as much as Henry has. From mixing the colors to assembling the markers and stamps, it was so much fun to make all the emoji stamps. We got to spend some one on one time together playing with this while Evelyn napped. It is the perfect rainy day activity too. And you can’t beat the $15 price tag.

5. Barked Tree Building Blocks – When Henry was around 16 months old, he really started showing signs that he was a child who loved to stack and build. I am so glad that this still interests him. These wonderful handmade blocks are perfect for gross motor skills and expanding their imagination and creativity. Definitely a must for all the future architects out there! $30

6. Space Plush Toy Set – Just like the Fairy Cottage and Castle featured in my girl gift guide, this one is from the same amazing brand, Oskar & Ellen. Henry is learning all about space and planets in school and this set will really let his imagination run wild. $40

7. TMNT Battle Truck Construction Set – You may remember that Henry had a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle themed party for his 4th birthday. He has been obsessed with all things TMNT for nearly a year now and is going to flip his lid when he opens this. If you have a ninja turtle lover in your life, this is the gift for them! $33

8. Wooden Parking Garage – I showed this to Henry a few months ago and he literally spent 30 minutes staring at the pictures and watching the video. I’ve probably said the phrase “You better stop hitting your sister or else Santa is not going to bring you the parking garage!” over two thousand times in the past few months. Since he already has so many different cars, this will be the perfect addition to collection and I know he will love lining them all up in their parking spaces. $109

Do you have a favorite toy I’ve listed above? I would love to hear what you would get for your little man! Let me know in the comments!

Monochrome Gifts for the Modern Baby!

November 19, 2016

My love for monochrome knows no bounds. I love black and white for many reasons but mostly because it never goes out of style. It’s trendy and classy and everything made looks good in those two colors. I am always on the lookout for unique gifts to share with you and I have found some great items for you today. If you are a mom to be looking for items to register for, or shopping for a baby shower, these monochrome goodies are for you!

Ju-Ju-Be Diaper Bag – The print on this is what first attracted me. This is not your typical diaper bag or backpack. The slimming design is modern and sleek and incredibly spacious, without being too bulky. It’s also ergonomically curved with padded shoulder straps. The bag adjusts easily and can fit everything you need since there are so many pockets. It also has a fabric protector to help protect stains. This backpack will carry you through those early newborn months well into the toddler years.

Parasol Diapers – Not only are these diapers so cute with all the fun prints, but they actually do the job. Evelyn has never experienced any leaks or blowouts in these and she can even wear them at night. The diapers are chlorine free, fragrance-free and contain no lotions, making them ideal for soft baby skin! You can learn more about their testing and high standards here.

Modern Baby Bib – I have never been a fan of baby bibs. Neither one of my kids were every drooly babies and until recently baby bibs were not cute. They had monkeys on them with silly sayings and looked awful when put over a cute outfit. My how that has changed. There has been a wave of adorable handmade shops coming out with unique designs that actually enhance your babies outfit. One of my new favorite shops is Indigo Bloom. A portion of their proceeds are donated to Direct Relief International, which is a nonprofit that focuses on “improving the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies.” How amazing is that? I just love supporting shops that give back. All of their bibs are handmade with the cutest fabrics around! They are also offering free shipping with code CHANELFREESHIP.

Addison Belle Swaddle Blanket – Henry, who is almost 4.5, was never a fan of swaddle blankets. He took more a liking to his animal loveys. When I found out I was pregnant with Evelyn, I assumed she would be the same (not sure why I would think that, it’s not like they’re robots). Anyway, I received a few muslin swaddle blankets at my shower and it turns out, she loved them. It doesn’t even matter what brand the swaddle is, it’s the breathable muslin material she likes. Addison Belle offers organic muslin swaddles and toddler blankets in the cutest patterns and they come packaged nicely in boxes or wrapped with ribbon. All swaddles are currently on sale so be sure to stock up!

The Mama Tribe Teething Necklaces – If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that Evelyn has been getting her two-year molars in. It’s been so hard on her and she has been in a lot of pain. She has been very clingy and wants to be held for like 23 hours a day. To combat these issues, I have been wearing these teething necklaces non stop. They definitely have been providing her with relief. If you don’t have a teething baby, these stylish necklaces look great on and you wouldn’t even be able to tell they’re meant for little ones.

Raccoon Burp Cloth – Young & Free Apparel sells primarily clothing but they have the cutest burp cloths in the world. I love that they’re gender neutral and super soft and absorbent. They are 100% cotton made out of terry cloth so they don’t irritate your babies delicate skin. If you are wanting a unique gift for a mom to be, this is a must. Be sure to use code MYFIRSTORDER for 20% off your first purchase!

Round Floor Blanket – This modern striped blanket is ideal for babies that can’t quite crawl around yet. You can pack it in your bag for a trip to the park or the beach. It’s made out of 100% organic cotton so it’s super soft. The Spunky Stork offers some of my favorite black and white looks. Be sure check out their adorable little girl clothes too.

Do you have any favorite monochrome baby items? Let me know in the comments below!

Unique Holiday Gifts for Toddler Girls

November 17, 2016

Evelyn would be totally happy if I put 1000 stuffed Minnie Mouse dolls under the tree. Since clearly that would be idiotic, I wanted to find some gifts to stimulate her imagination. I love searching for unique toys that don’t take up a lot of space, like those Personalized Stuffed Animals by Lavington Designs, and today I’m sharing with you my top 5 favorites. They all happen to be under $40 as well!

1. Monsieur Lapin (The Stuffed Bunny) – Evelyn is not into baby dolls whatsoever – perhaps in part due to her older brother’s influence. She has taken a liking to stuffed animals over dolls and bunnies are quickly making their way up the totem pole of favorites. This adorable bunny is 13 inches tall and suitable for birth+. How cute would this little guy be in a babies stocking too? I cannot wait for Evelyn to see him Christmas morning!

2. Bla Bla Kids Doll, Rattle & Book – We are long time lovers of Bla Bla Kids dolls. They are an Atlanta based company with commitment to fair trade practice. Their dolls are the best of the best and are so unique. The recently launched their board book collection featuring two of their dolls. I love the idea of turning their beloved dolls into characters in a book.

3. Mini Farm Rollers – Evelyn has just started showing an interest in things that move. She is currently playing with her older brothers Hot Wheels and I think it’s time for me to get her something more age appropriate. These Farm Animal Rollers are so adorable, gender neutral and great for learning. She is definitely in an animal phase and can’t get enough of cows and horses. I have a feeling Henry will be playing with these too come Christmas morning.

4. Fairy Cottage – This plush play set is perfect for getting your little ones imaginations flowing. The cottage comes with a unicorn, carriage and two fairies. Oskar + Ellen is a family owned business in Stockholm who created soft toys that were easy for traveling and transporting (so they wouldn’t disturb fellow passengers on an airplane). I’m sure many parents can agree with how peaceful plush toys are, especially during those evening witching hours! I love that the small pieces easily fit into the cottage so they don’t get lost.

5. Pink Medieval Castle – Another amazing plush set from Oskar + Ellen. This cheerful and colorful set include a prince, princess, horse, dragon, witch, and treasure chest. Like the Fairy Cottage, all items store easily within the castle to avoid missing pieces. I love that these toys are self containing and can easily be carried by kids since they are so lightweight.

What Christmas ideas do you have for your kids this year? Have they started asking for anything in particular? I can’t wait to hear your answers!

Living The Good Life

November 15, 2016

Hot days are officially behind us here in Georgia which means we can actually enjoy being outdoors. Luckily our backyard is super spacious and kid friendly and Henry & Evelyn love to run around playing pretend. I had been on the lookout for something that could replace the outdoor water toys now that the temps are cooling down. It can be hard keeping kids entertained in the off-season and I was so excited when I stumbled upon this VW Camper Play Tent by The Monster Factory.

This adorable indoor/outdoor tent is perfect for my kids (ages 4 and almost 2). It easily folds up and fits nicely in a round tire shaped bag and is extremely lightweight. When we have it inside, they love to put everything they can find in it and make it their own little fort. They throw pillows, blankets, 500 different toys and even the cat into the tent and there is still room for more. The material is waterproof, fire retardant and has UV protection when using outdoors, making it ideal for the beach. The price point is very reasonable and how cute would any of these colors look sitting under the Christmas Tree?

You know I love coordinating the kids without being too matchy and these adorable The Good Life tees from Funky & Little are perfect for playtime. They are super soft, unisex, and black and white so they live up to my monochrome dreams. Evelyn is also wearing her brothers old Adidas sneakers and I am so glad I saved them. Who knew they could look so cute on a girl? I might have to get some Adidas Ultraboost sneakers for her next!

VW Tent (c/o Monster Factory) The Good Life Tees (c/o Funky & Little) Knee High Socks (June & January)

So, if you’re wondering what I want for Christmas, I’ll take one tent and one tee – in adult size of course. Because, why should kids have all the fun?

The Dwell Hotel, Chattanooga

November 10, 2016

Before visiting Chattanooga I had researched a few hotels in the area. My husband and I love to stay in boutique hotels when possible because they are usually independently owned and provide more intimacy over a larger chain. The Dwell Hotel is newly renovated and reopened in 2016. It’s the brainchild of Seija Ojanpera, a worldwide traveler with a background in the service industry. The hotel is now head to toe mid-century modern with a touch of old Hollywood glam.

Conveniently located to several restaurants and Warehouse Row, The Dwell Hotel offers exceptional service, a friendly staff, valet parking and incredible attention to detail. The bright colors and pleasant decor throughout the hotel bring instant happiness.

Each room is uniquely designed and different. With the original floors and bones of the building still intact, it feels like you’re staying in a bed and breakfast. We stayed in the New Yorker King Balcony Suite which has a sitting area, gas fireplace, downtown views, a soaking tub and a stand alone shower. I immediately fell in love with the bright orange and green colors that filled the room. There was even prosecco waiting for us upon our arrival (it was our anniversary weekend). I spent a good hour soaking in the amazing tub and sipping champagne nearly every day. I loved the overall relaxing vibe from our room.

Not only were we thrilled with our room and the wonderful service, but the downstairs bar and restaurant were equally as inviting. Matilda Midnight offers several specialty cocktails and appetizers that definitely hit the spot before a night out or as a night cap. I highly recommend the Pommes Frites and Spinach & Goat Cheese Cigars. The Magician craft cocktail definitely caught my eye with melon vodka, honeydew shrub, cocchi rosa and blue curacao. I love that the bar sits so conveniently hidden behind the lobby and gives guests a sense of privacy from the outside.

Located on the main floor of the Dwell is Terra Mae. With an adorable mix of retro furniture and beautiful paintings, the decor is almost as good as the food. Their menu aims to please and has everything from Belgium Waffles to Pork Cheek Benedict. Brunch at Terra Mae had me wish I was staying another night so I could indulge just one more morning. Another plus side to staying at the Dwell, the amazing breakfast is included in your stay.

If your travel plans take you to Chattanooga anytime soon, you must stay at The Dwell Hotel. It was by far the highlight of our entire trip and one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever stayed at. I cannot wait to return!

*Our stay was in partnership with the Dwell Hotel. As always, all opinions expressed are my own*

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Local Eats: Stir, Chattanooga

November 7, 2016

For our 5th wedding anniversary, my husband and I took a short weekend getaway to Chattanooga. Our first night there we had the privilege of eating at an amazing restaurant called Stir. Located on Market Street, Stir offers modern American eats, craft cocktails and a full Oyster bar. They use farm fresh, local ingredients and make everything from scratch in-house.

Stir is known for their artesianal ice and they demonstrate the process right at your table. The ice melts at a slower pace so your drinks stay colder and stronger for longer. The spherical ice ball maker is so fun to watch in action and if you have kids in your group, they will love it. All of the bartenders are so knowledgable about what they’re serving and really put in the time to make sure each drink is quality. Stir could easily survive as a craft-cocktail establishment. I started off with the Whiskey Bramble (bourbon, cherry amarascata, lemon juice, orange blossom water and sugar can syrup). I could have enjoyed them all night because those flavors together were impressive. My husband stuck with the George Dickel Barrel select and water. The drink menu at Stir is astounding. With over 300+ liquors, wine, and beer to choose from, there is something for everyone. buy tenormin online https://blackmenheal.org/wp-content/languages/new/tenormin.html no prescription

Our appetizers were the Fried Oysters Casino (bacon, parmesan, green onions, garlic, shallot and butter atop fried oysters) and the Crab Bisque (crab, sherry, basil oil, crostini, celery leaves and micro greens). Even people who don’t like oysters and crab will love these small plates. The bisque was rich, creamy and filling: perfect as a starter and for sharing. And anything with bacon, parmesan, and garlic is a win in my book. For some fun while waiting the food at the restaurant, visit dadu online and play some of their games, buy tricor online https://blackmenheal.org/wp-content/languages/new/tricor.html no prescription

If you’re a long-time reader of my blog, you know that I cannot say no to anything with scallops. Naturally, I chose the Scallop & Shrimp Mac and Cheese (cavatappi pasta, asparagus, and white truffle oil) and was blown away by all the rich flavors. The pasta dish has a generous amount of seafood and the noodles and cheese combination was out of this world. This is one of those recipes where all the ingredients truly mesh well together. I cut up the shrimp and scallops so that each bite had a little bit of everything. If I lived closer to Chattanooga I would have to get this dish once a week. My husband chose the Seared Tuna with kale, bacon, red onion, farro, basil, and sriracha potato crumbles in a citrus soy sauce. Like all their other seafood, the Tuna was fresh and seared nicely. The kale salad was phenomenal and my husband and I are not even huge kale fans. We loved the unique pairings of that dish more than anything else we tried. buy valtrex online https://blackmenheal.org/wp-content/languages/new/valtrex.html no prescription

If you are local to the Chattanooga area or plan on taking a trip there, do yourself a favor and indulge in Stir for a meal you won’t forget.

*Our meal & drinks were provided by Stir. As always, all opinions expressed are my own*

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