Last Minute Halloween Decor

Halloween is not my favorite, never has been probably never will be. Christmas on the other hand, I'm pretty anxious to get into my decoration boxes, that topic is for another day or month haha. Earlier this week I went to the what I like to call the trifecta of craft stores (Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Jo-Ann's) bonus they are all super close to one another. Every store had Halloween items on clearance...

The Motherhood Battleground

When did the motherhood community become so ugly? Before I was mother I assumed motherhood was a community where moms would encourage, support and offer help to fellow moms. A tight knit sisterhood where the love for our children joined us together. Lifetime friendships would be formed on the playground while our children had fun together.  Judging didn't exist, well because we all have our...

A Mommy App Review

I am so excited to share A Mommy App with you. I've had the opportunity to review this super cute and helpful app and I'm loving it. It can be used from pregnancy and beyond! Where was this when M was born?! First off the app is really easy to use and has some great features to offer:  | My Kids | This is a fun way to keep track of milestones, appointments, and likes/dislikes...

Blogtober 14 | Catch Up |

This weekend I missed my day to schedule all my posts, my husband took that day off YAY! Then I got sick, booooo. So I'm 5 days behind on posting and instead of writing 5 posts I am going to do a little catching up.... | Best Advice I've Been Given | Advice is one of those things that you have to take with a grain of salt. I feel as though a lot of people enjoy sharing their best piece of advice,...

Blogtober14 | If I were President |

Todays prompt is one that I am going to skip, but not with out a few words. I love watching Scandal and all the political drama it makes for great TV. Random fun fact about me, I was the school president in high school it was fun! To be honest, I have no interest in politics and I don't follow politics. I have to be true to myself therefore, I have nothing to say on this topic. I will be back tomorrow...

Blogtober14 | I Never Thought Blogging Would... |

| One | Be so much fun! Call me crazy but I actually liked writing essays in school. Writing is fun and is the easiest way to express myself. | Two | Allow me to make new friends. The blogging community is amazing. The idea of online friends seemed silly to me at one point, totally don't think that anymore. Being a SAHM keeps me pretty busy, but it can get lonely at times, I cherish the friends...

Blogtober14 | TBT Halloween Memories |

I am not super into Halloween, I hate scary things and I haven't dressed up in a long time. As a child my mom made all our costumes and they were awesome. My favorite was when I was Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. I loved that movie so much I broke the VHS tape. I'm sure there were tears and I got another one. Last year we attempted to do a family themed costume and failed, M was the star of our Halloween...

Blogtober14 | A Letter to Myself in 10 Years |

Dear Ileana, The past ten years went by incredibly fast. I'm sure you say that all the time. You are near the end of your 30's and slowly approaching 40. Please don't say you feel old, 40 is not old haha! I know that you are still very happily married to Richard and have just recently celebrated 15 years of marriage. As a joke a while back you said new rings at 15. So, did you upgrade your ring?? Thankfully...

Blogtober14 | Best Vacation |

The best vacation I've ever had was our last trip before having my son. We went to Europe, it was something I really wanted to visit before starting a family. We took an Eastern European cruise and visited Italy, Turkey, Greece and Rome. We got to see the Coliseum, went to Ephesus and walked streets that Jesus walked, we went to Athens and the Vatican. I know we saw more but I cannot remember the...

Blogtober 14 | 10 Things I'd Tell Myself When I First Started Blogging |

First off, it took me a really long time to make a blog. I wanted to make one for years and was really nervous then one night I figured out a name (which has changed) and I just went for it. I had no idea what I was doing, I am by no means an expert but I have learned a bit in my (almost) 2 years blogging. | One | It doesn't matter if no one is reading your blog. Don't focus on page views...

Blogtober 14 | Fall Bucket List |

Day 5 of #blogtober14 and I'm super late posting today.  Time to make some fall plans!! I failed at making my own bucket list in time so I cannot take any credit for this cute fall bucket list I found on Pinterest, I like it a lot :)  What are your Fall plans? ...

Blogtober 14 | Insta Favorite |

I really love Instagram, it is such a fun way to connect with other moms. If you aren't following me on Instagram you can do so here. Now as far as my favorite picture I've shared.... I know you've seen this picture before, hence why it's my favorite! I have been wanting to decorate our room since we got married and it always got put to the side for another room. This year I made it a priority...

Blogtober 14 | The Thing I Can't Live Without |

Of course I cannot live without my family, friends, FOOD- quite literally but I just love it a lot and Jesus. But we are talking about one single thing so I narrowed it down. This is an easy one and I'm sure most would agree...my phone! It is so much more than a phone though, it is my camera, my e-reader, my way of keeping in touch with others. Lets talk about pictures, I have literally thousands...

Blogtober 14 | My Dream Job |

When I was younger my first dream job was to work at a department store. I really wanted to be a cashier! As I got older I wanted to be a pediatrician not taking into consideration the emotional connection to my patients and the occasional blood which I do not have the stomach for. I went to college with my heart set on becoming and elementary school teacher. After I graduated I was ready to apply...

Blogtober 14 | If I Won the Lottery, Part 2 |

Today is day one of the Blogtober challenge. Lucky me, I actually wrote a post like this before, here. Since I haven't won the lottery that list is still current! My husband and I are very humble people, we wouldn't let the money get to our heads. He is a big saver, so a lot of the money would go straight to savings, college funds would be plentiful, our families would share in our newfound wealth...

Five Parenting Confessions

| One | My son makes my coffee (caaa-keee) everyday. When he wakes up I go in we say good morning, hugs and kisses, change his diaper and he walks to the kitchen pointing at the coffee maker to turn it on. It all started one day when he was extra fussy and I let him press the button now he feels it's his duty. Who am I to crush his dreams to be my Barsita? | Two | Sleep is a BIG deal to me. Naps...

DIY Cardboard Box Play Kitchen

This weekend we bought M a set of pots/pans and kitchen utensils from Ikea. He loves pretending to cook when I'm in the kitchen, it's pretty adorable. He has me pretend to taste everything and patiently waits for me to say "mmmmmm thats good" and he repeats it and goes back to cooking more. I started looking at DIY kitchens. Sidenote: Have you see how people have repurposed nigh stands...

0-6 Month Favorites | Guest Posting at Joyful Life |

Hello everyone :)  I'm Ileana and share about our life, delicious recipes and the occasional DIY project at Illy Who. Hannah I hope your sweet baby girl makes her arrival soon! I cannot wait to "meet" her via your blog and social media. Something I like to do is share our some of our favorites, items that we use (or used) and highly recommend. The newborn phase...

Dessert, YES PLEASE!

I am so excited to be linking up with Karli and Amy for Oh Hey Friday! A few weeks ago I shared my favorite Pinterest dinner recipes. But lets be honest I am way more excited about dessert! This week I am bringing you my favorite 5 dessert recipes, some found on Pinterest some in my cookbooks. Enjoy, and remember life is short eat dessert first! | One | Yellow Buttermilk Cupcakes I struggle at...

How to Wash Toms

After this incident occurred it was pretty clear to me that my Toms needed a bath. I turned to Google because lets be honest Google can answer almost all life's problems, almost. On the Toms site it states,"We highly recommend hand washing TOMS® Shoes in cold water with a gentle detergent and letting them air dry. We do not recommend putting TOMS® Shoes in the dryer under any circumstances. Please...

Cake Batter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Over the past few months my close friend and I have become obsessed lovers of anything cake batter flavored. I really, REALLY like cake batter and sprinkles a lot. I mean who doesn't though? I even order sprinkle donuts like a big girl :) For mothers day this year my friend gave me this awesome baking cookbook. Sally has a baking blog where is all started then she wrote the cookbook. Every recipes...

5 on Friday: Recipe Edition

It's been a while since I've done a 5 on Friday post. I'm shaking things up a bit and sharing with you 5 of my favorite recipes found on none other than Pinterest. I find myself pinning away delicious recipes and then not trying them out. I get stuck in a rut of what to cook (who's been there?) and end up making the same favorites in a clever rotation. B O R I N G if you ask me. So my goal is to try...