French Kids Eat Everything?

So recently I was babysitting my cousin's kids and I was shocked to see how well and diverse Adelle (2) eats! Salley, her mama, told me about this fabulous book she read. She said it is one of the very best parenting books she has ever read. Naturally I was intrigued. The book is called French Kids Eat Everything by Karen Le Billon. (I have linked the book to Karen's blog, which is excellent!) This book is a great biography of Karen and her family who moved from Canada to rural France. I did tons of research before I bought the ebook version of this book. My research online proved Karen's theories correct. Tons of people have had great success exposing their kids to foods they never dreamed they would eat. Sadly, I do not have any children yet so I can't test the theory for myself. If anyone is willing to let me use their children as guinea pigs please let me know! (haha) French Kids Eat Everything has 10 "rules." I say this hesitantly because even the author says to use these as guidelines. Here is an illustration from the back of the book of the French Food Rules…

One of my favorite guidelines is that kids don't have to like something the first time they taste it. It is important that they taste it though! Le Billon suggests it can take up to 10 tastes to finally LIKE something. I think this is so true! I know a lot of times I don't like something the first time I eat it but it can grow on me and eventually I like it! I could go on and on raving about this book. I think you should do some research for yourself though and see if this would work for your family. As a plus this book contains some great recipe's that children would like, as well as adults!

Please comment below! I love to hear from all of you!

Gift it to Me

I hope everyone had a great Turkey Day! I know I ate way too much good food. I think of it as a test run for Christmas gorging! So today, in honor of Black Friday I thought I would share some gift ideas that don't require hours of standing in line or me putting on "real" clothes. These are some cool things I would love to give or receive.

I know some guys that might have a little too much fun with this on their desk!

I love this plate. I think it would look so beautiful in the summer on my table!

I think this is a cool stocking stuffer! You wrap your headphones around it and then suction the back to your phone! Hello, no tangled or lost cords sounds pretty nice!

This is a beautiful accent pillow from Anthropologie. It is colorful but not over powering.

This is a great gift idea for your co-workers or anyone in a tight office setting! I love this product!

This is a gorgeous Rachel Zoe Collection tassel necklace that I am dying for. Its pretty bananas!

I love this gift for all my new mommy friends! This appliance functions as a steamer, blender, warmer and defroster to prepare fresh, healthy meals for all the babies I love!

This is a great gift for your girlfriends. Especially if you have a budget you are "trying" to stick too, like me. Tassel bracelets (tassel anything) is very IN right now! I would love to give or receive this as a gift.

I think this would be a good gift for my favorite seniors. You wouldn't think you would use a cookbook but they come in handy! Especially one like this that tells you what to get at Trader Joe's. One stop shop!

I love this glass milk carton for creamer or milk. Just so cute!

I know you laughed when you saw this.. Its pretty funny. This is for my best friends! They get my sense of humor. lol

For the chef in your life! This measuring cup also weighs its contents. Nifty right?

My little pup would love this chew toy. It is made with recycled materials! Win win.

Do you think I have a tassel obsession? This bracelet is beautiful. I love the colors.

I think this is a cute hostess gift. Just a little something to say thank you. How cute is the hedgehog?

I love this. No further comment needed. Its gorge!

So those are a few gift ideas I think would be fun to give and get! What is on your shopping list? Leave me a comment! I love hearing from all of you. Now time to nap! Let the holiday season begin!

Tis the Season

Fa la la la la  la la la  la! You may have guessed I am one of "those" people who gets into decorating and Christmas music a little before it is probably "time." None the less, I really don't care when it is. I would leave my tree up all year if I could! I love lights and the ambiance they create. 

So.. to get into the spirit I have been stalking, yes stalking, Pinterest and blogs for some new takes on my old favorites! Here is what I found:

I like this white tree with the red and green theme.

I really enjoy the rustic elements of this mantle garland.

Very elegant.

I love all things with antlers. Therefore, I had to add this as a fave!

Love how fresh and green this is! Not a fan of writing on the door.

I thought this peppermint wreath was very youthful and fun!

This picture was actually the inspiration for my tree! I love all the colors and big flowers!

Gorge place setting, no? Would love to be invited to a dinner party and sit down to this beauty!

This looks fairly simple and I really delight in the rustic element the pinecones bring to this arrangement.

I die.

Dixie (my pup) would not fully appreciate the work I would have to go to for this to happen at my house. I still think it is precious and someone is very creative to come up with this.

Fairly simple name card idea! Again, do you see a theme with my like for rustic/outdoorsy elements?

These would be so cute on the mantle or entry way table!

My biffle Kellam got this colorful manger scene as a wedding gift. I am now obsessed. Who says there wasn't an elephant and big bird at the birth of Jesus?

So cute for the kitchen window!

Oh antlers... how I love you

These dried boxwood wreaths are so bright and fresh! I just adore them.

Pretty accent to add to your Christmas table setting.

Now this is just beyond. Nothing says hello, please come in quite like this statement!

How pretty are these vintage ornaments?

Great color scheme.

If I was on the committee, or whatever its called, that decorates the town for Christmas this would be so pretty and romantic!

This reminds me of the movie The Holiday.. Not sure why. 

Really like the idea of the big Santa hat as the tree topper.

This is quite possibly my favorite porch decor I have found.

When I grow up this shall be my living room.

Or maybe this...

What a tree! Love the classic colors.

Every year at Thanksgiving my Aunt Paige gets all the grandchildren together (all twelve of us) and we decorate a gingerbread house. Some of us eat a little more of the decorations than we use. Isn't that the rule though? 

I just think this seaside tree is fabulous!

How cute is this chalkboard tree?

What are some of your favorite elements of Christmas decor? Please leave me a comment and let me know. I love hearing everyone's thoughts and opinions. This is a NO judgement zone. Feel free to share!

I hope you enjoyed my first post! Don't forget to follow the blog so you can keep up with me!

Back with a BANG!

Hey guys! Oh it feels so good to be back on the blog scene! Hope you all missed me. I was revamping the look of my blog. The fabulous Aubrey did the best job on my design, no? I am so happy with it. Such an easy and painless process as well. I highly recommend letting someone who knows whats up to do your blog design for you, as opposed to doing it yourself! That is unless of course you know what you are doing.

So hang on to your keyboards guys. Its on now.. Get ready for new posts, inspiration, and all around delight! Stay tuned...