A New Look!

You may have noticed The Black's Best got a whole new outfit!

 

I have got to thank Melanie at Elegant Custom Blogs for the hard work she did.  I loved letting someone else do most of the design work for me for the first time!  

I am now officially spoiled.

  Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!  Go and check out her blog header portfolio.  I think you'll be as impressed as I was.

Oh, and I even got this done for free after winning a giveaway hosted by Beth over at Home Stories A2Z.  A shout out to her too!

Diaper Tote

This was one of the more challenging things I've done recently.  One of those little things that can make you lose it just a bit, or maybe make ya stark raving mad (speaking from my own experience).

My family steered clear yesterday afternoon.

You see, I needed a diaper bag for the new one coming in just a bit.  I also didn't want to pay $50 -$80 for the adorable ones I was seeing on Etsy.

The following came out of my decision to make something myself.  It ended up costing me about $30 to put together.  I had to actually buy a pattern...and follow it...for the first time ever.

I now think that the $80 would have been completely worth it!

It did all turn out in the end.

A LOT of blood, sweat, and near tears later.  Just kidding, but it was a painful process!

There are four exterior pockets for bottles or anything and everything.  The interior only has a couple of pockets but that should do considering I usually just chuck everything into the center anyway.

This sucker even involved using interfacing, something I hadn't really heard of until I decided to make my own diaper bag. 

Yes, I am really good at getting myself in waaaaay over my head! 

There is absolutely NO tutorial for this bag because I can't say that it is perfect.  In fact, pretty much the opposite.;)  What matters to me is that it is done and will be functional when it's needed.

Linking to:

Just a Girl 
Tatertots and Jello 
The Shabby Nest 
Be Different Act Normal 
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating 
The DIY Showoff 
Under the Table and Dreaming 
Dittle Dattle 
The DIY Home Sweet Home Project 
Between Naps on the Porch 
Boogieboard Cottage 
Pinkapotamus 
Coastal Charm 
A Bowl Full of Lemons 
Not Just a Housewife 
Today's Creative Blog 
Type A 
New Nostalgia 
Savvy Southern Style 
Blue Cricket Design 
Sweet Little Gals 
JAQS Studio 
The Thrifty Home 
Someday Crafts 
The Shabby Creek Cottage 
Somewhat Simple 
Creations By Kara 
The Shabby Nest 
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

Chocolate Cookie Surprise!

I just wanted to share a yummy little treat the kids and I whipped up last night. I got this recipe from the blog Six Sisters' Stuff.  It is super fast and super easy.

Please excuse my photography as the pictures were taken at night.  I knew the cookies wouldn't be around for pretty pics this morning.

 

 They even have a little surprise in the middle.  Yeah, that's caramel...why not?!  It's actually a Rolo nestled right in the middle of the chocolate goodness.

Why did I think an orange plate would make these cookies look good?  Oh well, you get the idea.

Here's the simple recipe:

1 Devil's Food Cake mix (I used chocolate fudge and these still tasted great.)
2 eggs
1/3 c. oil
Rolos - about 1/2 a bag.

Mix the top three ingredients together.  Took about 2 minutes with my Kitchen Aid mixer.  After doing this, I coated my hands with a little non-stick cooking spray. I grabbed a small ball of dough and then pressed the Rolo into the middle.  My boys thought this was a.maz.ing!

Bake at 350 degrees for 7 or 8 minutes. 

Voila!

  Six Sister's used some powdered sugar on top.  I decided to do something with a little Halloween color and drizzled a powdered sugar/milk orange colored glaze over the top.

These are some pretty decadent cookies for about 15 min. worth of work.

Right up my alley!

Linking to:

The Shabby Creek Cottage
The 36th Avenue 
Delightful Order 
Somewhat Simple 
House of Hepworths 
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating 
Jane Deer 
Addicted to Decorating 
The DIY Showoff 
Dittle Dattle 
The DIY Home Sweet Home Project 
Boogieboard Cottage

Loved My Time Off!

I am back from my mini vacation to Sun Valley, ID. and it was great! 

The scenery was GOR.GEOUS!  Even better, it was a kid free weekend (thanks grandma)!

Honestly, with me being about 36 weeks pregnant and my husband having a nasty cold, this was a pretty low key, low activity vacation.

We found this country road that sported beautiful gold leafed aspens, amazing lodges, and hot springs after a nice breakfast at a local restaurant called Perry's.

Next we took a short, ok, veerrry short 2 mile hike up Bald Mountain Trail and took in a gorgeous view. 

I'm definitely going to need to go back sometime and get to the top of this trail that has a lookout.  It is a little frustrating that I didn't complete the hike, but poor lung expansion due to my huge belly and the need for oxygen slowed me down just a bit.

I just couldn't get enough of all the places to just sit and enjoy within 5 minutes of our hotel.  Usually, there is a ton of entertainment and events happening in the area.  It is a pretty big ski, mountain biking, and you name it, outdoor activity destination.

We happened to hit the area in the off season, so there wasn't much going on but it almost felt like we had the place to ourselves.  Quiet is the best description I can come up with and the best way to enjoy views like this one.  Of course, that's my unsolicited opinion.;)

The pictures above and below were taken standing on a bridge over the river.  It was pretty much just us.

I am so ready to get rid of the extra weight I've put on everywhere, including my face.  Ok, ok, moving on.

This little pond is right outside of the Sun Valley Inn where we were staying.  It is surrounded by big grass fields, an outdoor swimming pool and plenty of cute shops and gourmet restaurants.  Supposedly the lodge has a great day spa, but it was closed for maintenance.  

Oh well, next time.  We probably could have just stayed here all weekend and had everything we needed to enjoy ourselves.

A shot of the back entrance.

This just gives you an overall feel of the area...very European chalet.  At lease what I imagine European chalet would look like, haha!

It was the perfect chance to relax and just spend time together.  Loved it!

I'm a Guest

I sure hope everyone is having a great weekend!  I know I am.  My husband and I (minus the kids, squeee!) are spending a well deserved couple of days in Sun Valley, ID.

It is gorgeous!  Expect pictures of our wanderings later this week.

I just wanted to invite everyone over to Sarah's place at Three Boys today.  I'm guest posting with a new junk to treasure project.

Take some time to look at all of the great furniture makeovers she does!  Her talent is beyond belief!

Oh and she is a Shaklee distributor too.  Right now you can get a great 15% discount on Shaklee products.  They are my standout favorites for low cost and versatile cleaning capability.

 

I'll be back up and running again next week so check back to see what I've been up to.

An Award!

Johnnie over at Johnnie's Junk decided for some reason to  pass this award onto me.  I think it's pretty cool!  This is my first blogging award.

The rules of receiving this award are as follows:

             - I get to torture you by telling 7 things about myself.

             - I get to pass this award onto 7 other bloggers.

Here I go with the 7 things you may or may not want to know about me.

1.  I have moved a total of 12 different times in my life.  This means that change is one of those    
     things that I love.  It could be why I love DIY projects so much!

2.  I love to read just about anything I can get my hands on.  I read books (love my Kindle), blogs,
     catalogues, magazines...you name it.

3.  I was a gymnast for about 8 years when I was younger and love the sport still!  I have to get one
     of my boys into it!

4.  I am an old Labor and Delivery/Infertility nurse.  I now get to stay home with my young kiddos
     and work very part time as a nurse in Home Health.

5.  I love to run...when I'm in shape.  Right now at 8 1/2 months pregnant I'd rather die.  I admire
     people who run while pregnant, I really do.  I just don't believe in practicing misery which is
     what running while pregnant is to me.

6.  I CAN.NOT stand when people scrape their fork across their teeth while eating.  Gives me some
     major heeby jeebies.

7.  I tend to collect animals.  Right now I have two dogs and two cats, but have had three dogs
     and two cats all at one time.  My husband has had to limit me...I have a real weak spot for them.
     Oh and my dogs tend to be big ones, typically around 100 lbs, and yes, my house is chaotic with
     3 (almost 4) boys and all my animals.  I live for chaos!

Well that's about it.  I know, real wild and crazy, right?  I'm obscenely normal, what can I say?

Now it's time to pass on the favor.  I chose these bloggers because they have either been great supporters of me (which always amazes me) or they just make me laugh my head off.  Maybe even both.:) The award winners are...

Ellie @ Beauty for Ashes    

Erin @ Home Savvy A to Z    

Christina @ The Tattered Tag  

Tausha @ Sassy Style  

Sarah @ Three Boys   

Natalie @ Lehi Wright’s    

Mandi @ Tidbits from the Tremaynes

 

Stop by and check these ladies work out.  One warning, they'll suck you in, and you'll be a fan.