Trial and Error... The Risks of Pinterest

So far my Pinterest finds have resulted in more successes than failures in several areas- recipes, organization tips, hair styles, crafts and lots of fun with Anna. However, it doesn't have a perfect record. But that's how you learn, right? Try something new and see if it works for you!

Here are some of my favorite "wins"-

• Box O' Princesses / Boyville: I loved tapping into my creative side with these projects. They were Christmas gifts for 2 of my cousins and they loved them.

Here's Lilly with her princesses!



Ariel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Jasmine, Belle, Tiana and Rapunzel

• Up do's: I have found several wonderful hairstyles that are very elegant but are very simple to do. One is a half up look that is now my go-to hair style if my hair doesn't want to cooperate. The 2 others are up do's which are great for everyday chic and keep my hair out of my face. I've decided to use the simple Gibson tuck (below) for when Baby P arrives instead of a ponytail because it's easier to lay back with it.

Source: saralynnpaige.com via Kelly on Pinterest

• Cloud Dough: This is the latest of several things that I've made for Anna. It's 8 cups of flour & 1 cup of baby oil. It stays flour consistency until you squish it then it becomes moldable into shapes like playdough.
• Cinnamon Rolls: Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmy! is really all I can say. OK, perhaps I can say a little bit more. Despite being a little difficult to roll out, the recipe was straightforward and didn't require any yeast so I didn't need to wait for any 'rising' to happen. The cream cheese frosting recipe that came with it was also very good!

And some less than successful things I've tried:

• Homemade fingerpaints: While they were lots of fun, they are perishable! They grew mold after a few days even though they were stored in airtight containers. I'll definitely make them again, but plan to make a smaller batch or have Anna's friends over to help use it up!
• Marble cookies: The marbling was a success, the cookies were bleh.... way too dry and not chocolatey enough. They were supposed to be peanut butter chocolate cookies. The marbling technique was a mess but I eventually got it to work, but that is the only redeeming thing about the cookies.
• Bantu Knot Out Curls: The idea is to twist your wet hair into sections and secure with a pony tail holder. When it dries, it will be curly or wavey depending on how many sections you did. I did it to see if it would make my hair curlier than a sock bun which has been pretty successful. And while the curls were a bit curlier, it was really uncomfortable to sleep in! Definitely off my list for hairstyles during third trimester- I have enough trouble sleeping already!

So there they are, some wins and losses of my Pinterest attempts. I have lots more to try and I'll be posting more about them as I get to them!

Back for 2012... and hopefully more regular posts!

So it's been quite awhile since I posted, but here's a quick recap on where we are:

• We moved to Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS in August for Daniel's new training (Undergraduate Cber Training).
• We LOVE our new home on base and have made lots of good friends over the past few months.
• We're expecting a bundle of joy in mid-March and couldn't be happier about it!
• We hosted our first Thanksgiving in our home when Daniel's parents & brother came in for the holiday.
• We spent Christmas and New Year's in Pittsburgh and are now home and back to 'normal.'

Over the past month or so, I've discovered a love for Pinterest which is an online 'pin' board to help keep all the cool recipes, ideas, crafts, etc I find online organized and in one place! I'll be sharing some of those ideas here (and how successful (or not) I've found them to be) and some that I've come up with on my own. Hope you'll join me!