52 TuTu's Week 11

I couldn't pick just 1 picture this week.  The older she gets the more fun these photo shoots become.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! 

52 TuTu’s Week 10

Happy St. Patricks Day!

 

52 TuTu's Week 6

Treat Yourself to a Valentine's Day Spa Experience

Today we have a guest feature post from Michelle Pino. Michelle is seeking new ways to provide tips and tricks for women who can't afford the luxury of the spa to feel that same sense of luxury right in their own home for a fraction of the cost.  I was thrilled when she contacted me to provide my readers with tips directly from her spa.   I decided to try out one of her body scrubs and photograph my little DIY pampering project.  I hope you enjoy!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and there is nothing better to celebrate with than a DIY spa treatment in the comfort of your home. Every woman deserves a day of pampering and self-care. These delicious berry recipes will create relaxing spa treatments that you can use in preparation for a night with a significant other, or as a couple's activity if your other half enjoys being pampered too. These recipes are perfect for the single ladies as well. Enjoy some alone time with these luxury spa experiences or share them with a group of friends.

Berry Delightful Body Scrub

Ingredients:
1/2 pint Fresh Crushed Strawberries
1 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Directions:

Mix the strawberries, brown sugar, and olive oil together to form a grainy paste. Apply the scrub to your body after bathing and rub the scrub mixture over your skin in circular motions. The mixture can be applied with your hand, washcloth, bath sponge, or exfoliating gloves. Rinse off the scrub and moisturize your skin with leftover olive oil. 

Simple all natural ingredients that you probably already have in your home

I just thought this was a pretty picture so I added it..

My crushed up berries

Bottled Up!

Happy Valentines Day

Berry Chocolate Pedicure Recipe

Ingredients

¼ cup Cocoa

2 tbsp Non Fragrance Lotion
4 tbsp Honey

Directions:
Mix the ingredients together in a small bowl; this will be the ‘foot mask’ of your pedicure.

To begin your pedicure heat up water in a large bowl, one that will fit both of your feet at the same time. Relax with your feet in the water. Remove any nail polish, clip your toenails and cut your cuticles. Place your feet back in the water (You may need to heat the water up again). Next, use you berry body scrub to give your feet a good scrub. Rinse, pat dry and drain the water from your bowl. Now, apply the foot mask to your feet and up your calves. Apply a little extra pressure to really get the true feel of a spa pedicure. Allow the mask to sit for about 10 minutes. Wash off and pat dry. Now you are ready to paint!

Create an atmosphere worthy of Valentine's Day by lighting scented candles in your bathroom, bedroom, or whichever location you'll be using as your at home spa. Don a silk robe to enhance your femininity, or a warm terrycloth robe for comfort. Prepare strawberries, apples, cherries or any fruit for dipping in chocolate while indulging in a glass of white wine. Put on some mood music to create romantic vibes, or a favorite movie for a fun night with the girls. A DIY spa session with the perfect atmosphere will engage all of your senses and leave you feeling amazing and cared for, making it a perfect Valentine's Day treat.

Michelle Pino provided this DIY Berry-Chocolate recipe. Michelle enjoys sharing her ideas and helping other women feel great about them self. Her ideas stem from her knowledge and experience at Skana, a luxurious spa in central, NY. She also spends her time crafting, laughing, living healthy and learning as she goes!

52 TuTu's Week 5

You see the Hello Kitty paper in her hand? Well, that was the backdrop.  The hardest part about 52 TuTu's each week is deciding which picture to use! 

Valentine's Day Special: Visit La Bella Creations and use code tutulove30 at check out and receive 30% off  of any tutu in celebration of Valentine's Day!! Code expires on February 14!

Mommy Management

I made it through the work week. The first day was really hard as I missed Brianna very much! The excitement of starting a new job, meeting new people and adapting to the new work environment was not enough to keep me from missing my Bri.  I had moments of tearing up but then I would glance at her picture on my phone and it would plaster a huge smile across my face.  Never mind the people who would walk past my desk at that same moment that I am smiling to myself and probably think "who hired this creep" but I did what worked for me.  According to our sitter Brianna did very well this week which was great to hear.

Now comes the hard part, the balancing act...Bri Bri, Hubby, House, Work and myself and that is in no particular order.  I'm sure I will figure it all out in due time, how to balance all of the above but for now I am going to take my time and allow myself to transition into this new role gradually.  I would love for you to share some tips, schedules or whatever you have in place to help you manage your home and time effectively.  I'm not even going to pretend that I wear an "S" on my chest because I would only be lying to myself.

Here is a glimpse of what my schedule looked like last week:

5:30 a.m Wake-get dressed

6:00 a. m. Wake up Brianna and get her dressed

6:30 a. m Leave the house

6:50 a.m. arrive at the sitters

7:05 a.m. hop on train

8:00-5 work (Eat at my desk, and work out during my lunch)

5:19 p.m. catch the train

5:55 p.m. pick up Brianna

6:20 p.m. arrive home (unless I have to stop at the grocery store, or Tuesday is Brianna's swim class!!)

6:30 p.m. Play and catch up with Brianna

7:00 p.m  start dinner

7:30-8 Bath, Book, Bottle, Bed for Brianna

8:30 p.m.take my shower, read some blogs, watch a little TV

10:00 pm Bed

12:00 a.m. Brianna wakes up (Yes!! she is still not sleeping through the night!)

4:00 a. m. Brianna wakes up again (seriously considering the Ferber sleep training method but that's a whole separate blog post)

Notice cleaning did not make the list.  I hate cleaning and coming home to clean up after a long day is the last thing on my mind.  On Tuesday's my schedule is a little different because Brianna has swim class at 6:00 p.m. but I think I'm going to switch her to the Saturday morning class to maximize my weekday time.  I also try to prep our clothes on Sunday so that I am not worrying about that during the week and to help with time.  

I would love for you to send me some quick 30 minute meals that I could feature on the blog and also just simple tips that you found effective and works for you. When do you take your mommy moment?  

"I made vow to myself that I would get a manicure every week and a pedicure and my eyebrow's done every two weeks...I just haven't found the time yet."  

I am open to all possibilities.  

52 TuTu's Week 4

 

Valentine's Day Special: Visit La Bella Creations and use code tutulove30 at check out and receive 30% off  of any tutu in celebration of Valentine's Day!! Code expires on February 14!