EAT : Halloween Bark

This recipe for Halloween Bark is one of our favorites! It's so easy and so yummy, you’ll want to make it all year round! ...Just swap out the Halloween candy for your favorite treats! This recipe is perfect for any holiday or occasion and would be super cute for a birthday party treat or party favor!

I don't know about you, but if I'm going to splurge on something decedent, it needs to be crunchy, sweet and a little bit salty! Well, this bark is all of those things, & you won't believe how easy it is to make! 

Halloween Bark Recipe: 

1 pound vanilla (white) candy melts

mini pretzels (sticks or twists)

chocolate sandwich cookies

candy corn, we LOVE YumEarth!

assorted Halloween sprinkles

Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper; set aside. Chop or break any larger candies, cookies, or pretzels; set aside.

Melt the vanilla candy melts as directed on package. If heating in the microwave, use 50% power to prevent overheating the candy/chocolate. Pour about half of the melted chocolate onto the lined baking sheet, then spread about 1/4 inch thick.

Working quickly, add an assortment of pretzels, cookie pieces, and candy corn in a single layer.

Pour the remaining melted chocolate on top of the pretzels and cookies, then add additional toppings, including sprinkles. Set aside and allow the chocolate to cool fully. You can place the entire baking sheet in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to speed up the process.

Once the chocolate is fully set and cool, break the candy bark into pieces. Store Halloween Candy Bark in an airtight container for up to a week.

ENJOY!! 

xo,

R

Mini style - 'GRID' edition

This is probably one of my all time favorite looks. LOOK at that taco wearing a mustache! Just too adorable & there is just something about layering itty bitty bloomers over tights that just makes me so happy!

I am a cool weather lover, so give me all the layers!

Find all items here:
'grid' bloomers | taco graphic top | toms | tights | bow

xo, R & A

April Fools' Day / Food pranks

For April Fool’s Day, we like pranks that are easy to pull off at the last minute. 

Here are a few of our favorite food related pranks! 

1. Fake Ice cream spill via Studio DIY 

2. Googly eyes via OH HAPPY DAY 

3. "Corn on the cob" cupcakes via Martha Stewart

4. Faux fried eggs via Babble 

Love, Eddy tee

This is Eddy and he needs our help!

Eddy was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 22 months. It is an incurable autoimmune disease that can affect anyone regardless of age, diet, or family history. The blood sugar of a non-diabetic rarely dips below 80. Eddy experiences numbers lower than this daily and has gone as low as 30. It makes him feel awful. His sweet mama Kacie, is selling tees to help raise funds for a diabetic alert dog that will help detect drops in Eddy's blood sugar levels.

These adorable tees; designed by Eddy, will be available today at 10 am (central time)

www.mamacaseprints.com

Mini outfit inspiration 1.1

one //  Hudson and Ruthie peacock playsuit 

two // 31bits #bitsies collection friendship bracelets 

three // Freshly Picked + Oh joy! Cake walk moccasins 

four // House of Mia coral polka dot bloomers 

DRINK - Margarita recipe

Margarita recipe (THE BEST MARGARITAS EVER!) 

3-4 oz. Tequila (good quality)
1 oz. Simple syrup (Equal parts water & sugar, combined over low heat until the sugar is dissolved) 

2-3 oz. Freshly squeezed lime juice

Rim glass with a equal parts // salt, sugar, and lime zest (YUM!)

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Enjoy! xx

Happy Friday

Chia Seed Pudding 

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk

1 cup vanilla yogurt

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

pinch Kosher salt

1/4 cup chia seeds

1/2 cup berries (we used frozen blueberries, thawed) 

1/4 cup sliced almonds

1/4 cup coconut chips (we use Trader Joe brand)

In a medium bowl, gently whisk the coconut milk, yogurt, honey, vanilla and salt until just blended. Whisk in the chia seeds; let stand 30 minutes. Stir to distribute the seeds if they have settled. 

Spoon mixture into 4 bowls or glasses. 

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

 The next morning, top with berries, almonds & coconut. 

Enjoy! 

XO,

R & A

Gluten free salt dough ornaments

This recipe couldn't be easier and makes those last minute holiday crafts a cinch! You may know already know that Mia is allergic to gluten so we are always adapting "regular" recipes to fit her lifestyle. 

Recipe: 

1 cup of water

1 cup of salt

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1 cup of cornstarch 

Bring the water to a boil. Add the salt and stir for 1 minute to dissolve the salt. (some salt may not dissolve, this is fine)

Turn off the heat and stir the coconut oil into the salt and hot water mixture. Set aside.

Combine cornstarch and salt mixture.

Stir the mixture carefully. (be careful, it's HOT) 

Let the dough cool until you can touch it with your hands.

Knead the dough.

Roll dough out and cut! be sure to punch a hole for adding a string before baking. 

Bake at 200 degrees for several hours or until completely dried.

DECORATE! 

xo, 

R & A 

Mia's MUST HAVES // Buffalo plaid edition

Buffalo plaid coat here // Hello raglan here // shoes here // dark denim here // heart scarf here // beanie hat here

XO

R & A 

House of Mia for North American Bear Co.

To say that I am completely thrilled to be working with North American Bear Co. is definitely an understatement! If you follow along with us on Instagram and Facebook then you have heard the news of this adorable limited edition collaboration. 

We have been long-time fans of Rosy Cheeks baby, in fact, she was one of Mia's first dolls. 

Seeing her wrapped in House of Mia is like a dream come true! 

  

The set includes : (1) Kimono top,  (1) swaddle blanket, (1) knotted newborn hat and is available for purchase here. 

XO

R & A 

Mia's Must Haves - Summer Edition // ACCESSORIES

It's no secret that Mia LOVES accessories! They are so fun and can make any outfit pop. 

We shared the entire list of Mia's Must Haves over on our Instagram page, but here is a closer look at one of our favorites! 

NEST PRETTY THINGS

(Tamar Schechner)

etsy shop // instagram // website 

Pretty, right?! 

ps. hope you love this new Summer Series! We will continue to share and highlight Mia's Must Haves! 

xo,

R & A 

EAT : Coconut Almond Granola

Almond coconut granola recipe: 

Ingredients: 

1 cup rolled oats (We use Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free oats) 

1/2 sliced almonds

1/4 cup coconut chips (trader joes are amazing!)

1 Tbsp hemp seeds

1/3 cup honey

1 Tbsp oil 

2 Tbsp apricot jam

pinch salt 

Mix the oats, almonds and salt together in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, combine oil, honey, and jam. Pour wet ingredients over the dry and mix well. Spread mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 325 degrees for approximately 10 mins. 

Let cool and add coconut chips and hemp seeds. 

Enjoy!

xo, 

R & A 

"VINTAGE" Sophie & Lili | outfit inspiration

watercolor | Jen Vallez

It's no secret that Mia & I share a love for all things Sophie & Lili. Jennifer Vallez, the artist behind the brand is so incredibly talented, inspiring, & not to mention super sweet! I am so honored that she chose HoM to collaborate with last year, and it seems that we are a perfect fit! :) 

When you hear Sophie & Lili you probably think about her adorable dolls, & her amazing custom watercolors, but did you know that Jen used to have a children's clothing line that was once carried in over 500 boutiques and in Saks Fifth Avenue?! That is how I first found out about S&L. I was immediately drawn to her use of color and prints, BUT one print in particular quickly become my favorite. 

Needless to say when Jen approached me with the idea to bring back her signature floral print for our Spring '14 release, I jumped at the chance!  So cheerful & bright! ...doesn't it just make you happy?!

I am loving the leggings paired with a denim shirt and our favorite pink Toms, but honestly, this print looks great with everything! 

Leggings (COMING SOON) // Glitter Toms // Gapkids chambray button down // BonLook ROCKSTAR sunnies 

S&L vintage floral print will be available in leggings, headbands, baby essential sets, & scarves on March 4th.  

www.houseofmia.com

xo, R & A 

W E A R | Mia's FAVORITE raglan T // styled four ways

Mia & and I are definitely T-shirt and jeans kinda girls. HELLO Apparel is definitely one of our go-to shops for great sweatshirts & T's, and this Heart raglan has become one of our all time favorites! It was released just in time for Valentine's Day and looks so cute with just about everything... 

Here are four looks featuring some of our favs! 

HELLO Valentine's Day 3/4 Raglan T // GAPkids Boyfriend Jeans & heart sunnies (last year) // House of Mia + Sophie & Lili XOXO infinity scarf

HELLO Valentine's Day 3/4 Raglan T // House of Mia signature b+w heart leggings & knotted headband 

HELLO Valentine's Day 3/4 Raglan T // Freshly Picked gold moccasins // House of Mia + Sophie & Lili XOXO leggings // JCREW cambray button down // GAPkids polka dot beanie (last year)

HELLO Valentine's Day 3/4 Raglan T // TARGET b+w striped leggings // House of Mia Arrow infinity scarf // House of Mia signature heart knotted headband 

Cute, huh? What's your favorite look? 

xo, R & A

Guest Blogger: Love, Joleen | 6 Tips for Photographing Your Toddler | XOXO Sophie & Lili for House of Mia Photoshoot

Photographing your toddler can be is usually a pretty challenging task. Let's face it -- at this age, they're movers and shakers, and it's typically not very FUN sitting for your portrait being taken. As a photographer and mama to a 14 month old terror toddler, myself, I have learned a lot of tricks along the way. I know, first hand, that it's easier to work with other people's children than your own in many ways. I will be honest and say that my feelings toward photographing my son, as a newly established runner, were not the most pleasant for a while. It was really, rather frustrating for me. I had to take a step back, mentally, and think about what I was doing all of this for. As a professional photographer and blogger, I take photos of Benjamin constantly. Instead of being stressed about everything being "perfect" [especially for product reviews], I've learned to [mostly] let it be. I never want my son or myself to look back on our experiences, with this, negatively. Since changing my attitude and approach, we have produced some of my most favorite photos of him to date! It is in this spirit that I've come up with 6 tips to share with you, for photographing your own toddler!

Tip #1 PROPS!
Even if you don't have a full-on set up like this, you can still incorporate props. You want to engage your toddler by having them HOLD something. This can even be part of their wardrobe, in the form of accessories like a hat, scarf, or sunglasses. Other ideas include signs, favorite toys or books, and various garland, depending on the theme or time of year. Don't worry if they're not holding it "right". For example, even though Miss Harper is covering portions of "Be Mine" and "Love", we still know what it says!

Tip #2 Don't Fret!
During my photo sessions and shoots, you will never hear me say, "Say Cheese". I might say, "Show me your smile" at some point, if I'm unable to conjure one up naturally, but that's not very common. In most instances, I truly don't mind no smiling. In fact, my advice to you is simply, don't fret! Kid's tend to offer up a plethora of expressions, from the most serious and thoughtful, to the hysterical. If your toddler won't even look at the camera, don't fret about that either! Photos of children engaging in their own little world, oftentimes make for the most interesting photos in a series. Try to think up a couple go-to "make you laugh" scenarios before attempting your "session". For my son, it means saying, "I'm going to tickle you!", in a sing song voice while moving toward him. Harper's mama knew the trick with her was to have her sing to us! 

Tip #3 Engage! 
Another way to engage with your toddler and get cute, natural poses at the same time, would be to ask questions ("Where is your belly button?") or offer gentle and fun directions ("Blow Mommy  kisses!").

Tip #4 Incorporate Something "Special"! 
Most children adore balloons! Try to think of something new or special to introduce during your photo session. Want something special in your toddler's birthday photos? These balloons, the handmade tissue paper tassels, and felt hearts, though they did take quite a bit of time, cost me less than $15 total. Bam. Also, consider a "special" seat and say things like, "Can you be a big girl (or boy) and sit in this special seat?" And if that doesn't work and you're in a safe environment with another adult to help you, you might consider allowing something truly different on the special seat - standing! *gasp*

Tip #5 Bribes? I think YES! 
This tip isn't for everyone, which is totally fine, but I am definitely not above bribery. I will even ask parent clients of toddlers/young children if "trading" in this way is okay and half the time they've already bribed their kid on the way over to our shoot location anyway. The trick for photographing my nephew is jellybeans. For some babes, Cheerios or gold fish work just fine. You can get organic suckers from Trader Joe's, like we do, for just such special occasions. Food, in general, can make a really cute prop, too! I recently did a "hot chocolate picnic" themed session with sisters, that turned out super cute! In this photo shoot, we used gum balls as a prop for color, with no intentions at all for her to eat, (which she didn't, though she tried).. and how adorable is she with them?! Nom nom.

Tip #6 It's All in the Details! 
This might actually be my favorite tips because this is what it's all about: the details. Photographing your toddler is about capturing that moment in time. You'll look back at your photos with wonder and nostalgia. Your children will adore pouring over the albums and scrapbooks you put together with photos and memories of them. They will thank you for capturing the most "mundane" of details. The pigtails. The chubby fingers. The pure joy. The tears. All of it is important. All of it is what makes up your toddler. Next time you have 5 minutes to chase around your toddler taking photos, try to zoom in and see what you get. I think you're going to like it!

All photos are from my recent photo shoot for the new XOXO print from Sophie & Lili for House of Mia.

Photography: Joleen Pete Photography
Model: Miss Harper, daughter of Jessica from Little Baby Garvin
Prop/Set Design + Styling: Joleen Pete Photography // Love, Joleen
Chalkboard: J&Paper // Little Baby Garvin
Wardrobe: Sophie & Lili for House of Mia XOXO print leggings, headband, and infinity scarf // Frosted Rose and Cherry Moccasins c/o Freshly Picked // J&Paper for SaSeaDecor "Olive You" Raglan Baseball Tee

 

Joleen Pete is a Southern California transplant, living and loving it in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and their son, Benjamin. She's the professional photographer behind Joleen Pete Photography and the mama/blogger behind the Lifestyle/Baby blog, Love, Joleen. She blogs about family life, fashion, shopping, and crafty goodness. She loves books and a good DIY. 
 

Love, Joleen

I'm so excited to be a guest blogger on Love, Joleen today! I'm sharing Mia's OOTD - vday edition. Oh, and there might be an exclusive discount offered, so go check it out!

xo, R & A

Pop of color

I'm sure by now, it is pretty clear to see that we love black and white around here. Besides being simple & classic, the combination of black and white is proving its staying power by being one of the top trends of 2014. No surprise here!  While shopping for Mia's birthday I saw b+w everywhere. GapKids has so many adorable options. I fell in love with this quilted knit jacket and these black on black polka dot jeans.  I knew our HoM polka dot scarf would pair perfectly and this mustard color crossbody bag ...come on! 

Outfit details:

GapKids quilted jacket // polka dot jeans // crossbody bag // House of Mia scarf

xo, R & A