THE ACCIDENTALLY AMAZING GLUTEN – FREE LEMON LOAF

Leah is definitely “the baker” between the two of us. I just fake it. I will get recipes from friends when they bake something I love, but there is no adding a little of this or that for me. I follow the recipe step by step!
I recently tried this lemon loaf that a friend made. I loved the texture and I loved how it wasn’t on the extreme side with the lemon flavor ( I am NOT a lemon fan). It is also gluten free!!! Something I am not necessarily trying to be either. However, when its good…. its good. I dare you to try this even if you  roll your eyes at gluten-free eaters. 😉 You can certainly choose a regular cake mix instead of a gluten – free one if you desire. We went to dinner at our friends’ house last night, and I baked the gluten – free recipe for dessert. I made substitutions where my friend did. It was so delish!! This would be a great brunch food for Mothers’ Day also!! I know my mom loves this.

**If you truly want it to be reminiscent of the Starbucks lemon loaf, then I recommend using lemon pudding instead of vanilla**
Recipe:
1 box cake mix ( I used gluten – free yellow)
4 eggs
1/2 c milk
1 box vanilla or lemon pudding mix ( I used vanilla)
1/2 c vegetable oil
8 oz. sour cream ( or you can substitute for mayo, which is what I used and it was still amazing!)
6 T lemon juice
Icing:
3 c powdered sugar 
4 T lemon juice ( I used less and added milk in its place – 2 T lemon juice & 2 T milk)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 50 minutes ( no less)
Are there any amazing gluten – free desserts that we MUST try?! Send them our way!!!
Enjoy!!
-J

TEACHER’S TOTE BAG – FREE DOWNLOAD

For teacher appreciation week I made Ari’s teachers these cheeky tote bags, and wanted to share with you! Every teacher needs a tote right? And they certainly need to know how much they are appreciated. You can fill your teacher’s tote with flowers, school supplies, or simply a handwritten note to tell them how much of a difference they have made in your child’s life. I know Ari’s teachers have a LOT to deal with! Oh the potty training years are fun, aren’t they? 
Scroll down for instructions and download.
“You’re TOTES the best teacher ever” Totes. It’s a tote. (Get it, Dad?)
Stuff you need:
Canvas tote bag (craft store)
Iron transfer paper
Iron
Scissors
1. Download the apple image HERE
2. Print image, following instructions given with your transfer paper pack
3. CUT carefully around image
4. Place image FACE DOWN and follow ironing instructions in your transfer paper pack
5. Wait until image is completely cool before carefully peeling off
For the GIFT TAG, download HERE.
For more teacher gift ideas see THIS POST.
Happy teacher appreciation week!
-L

TEACHER GIFTS ROUNDUP

Teacher appreciation day is coming up, and we know a lot of you busy mamas have been asking for some easy gift ideas. Let’s treat the (very patient) people who take care of our kids, feed them, change them, clean them, teach them, love them… and they’re not even their own kids! Who does that? Not these ladies right here. No thank you.
Here are some of our fav DIY/free printable gifts plus more on our Pinterest board HERE
Click numbers for links: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8
See more HERE
Remember A+ for effort, right?

SETTING A SIMPLE TABLE

We put our house on the market Sunday and it’s already under contract… keep your fingers crossed! When we were getting ready for pictures, our real estate agent suggested to set the table in the dining room. I wanted to share a super simple table setting with you. 
This would be perfect for a mother’s day brunch! Scroll down for the how-to. 
Here’s my dining room! Best room in the house. I’ll be sad to leave all this light. Though not sad to leave that green… I’m think I’m going gray or white in the next home… what do you think?
1. Ombre flowers: These are the cheapos you can find at any grocery store. I got these in pinks from dark to light to create an ombre effect. It would look awesome to get 4-5 different types of flowers but all in the same color scheme. I put these in different shape/size milk glass vases found at antique shops. Oh and add candles. Everyone looks better in candle light. They should make an iPhone candle light app and I’d just walk around with it projected on my face all day. 
2. Table setting: charger, dinner plate, napkin, silverware, and glass. That’s really all you need! Napkins and wine glasses from Anthropologie that I’m freaking obsessed with- a birthday gift- thanks, Lauren
3. Name cards: if you want to go one extra step for a sweet personalized touch, tie the silverware with twine and a simple name tag. I cut a rectangle out of kraft paper and used a silver Sharpie. 
4. Become the effortless hostess with the mostess. 
-L

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

Kids!! ( I am talking to you dads!) Mother’s Day will be here before you know it. We have once again assembled a gift guide to help you pick the PERFECT gift for the special mom(s) in your life, no matter what her lifestyle may be. We absolutely cannot get enough of these goodies. We would be happy to receive any of these from our littles….. hint hint. 
Leah and I are fond of the sentimental (me) and super thoughtful (Leah) gifts on these special occasions, however, who doesn’t love a fab handbag, jewels to wear on a date night or girls’ night out, or a box of gourmet chocolates?? They pair perfectly with our DIY tea towel, beautifully framed artwork from your little or an instagram photo book. 
On – the – go: Iphone case / sunglasses / handbag / tassel keychain
Stylish: tee / shorts / scarf / sandals
If you want to see more of what we are loving for Mother’s Day and why, just follow our Pinterest board! We will be happily pinning leading up to that day.
Enjoy your day, friends!! We sure do appreciate you!