Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Years ago I had the good fortune of being in Oxford, UK just before Easter. I recall walking passed sweets shops filled with giant, elaborate chocolate eggs and bunnies and bakeries displays filled with hot cross buns. I'll admit that up to this point, I did not know that hot cross buns were a real thing. I had only heard it mentioned in that one nursery rhyme! Ever since that trip to Oxford, I've been wanting to make hot cross buns for Easter and I think this year is going to be the year. I love to bake but baking bread is not really my thing so this is a little scary. I'm going to use the recipe I found on JoCooks since the measurements are available in cups and teaspoons. 

Hot Cross Bun Superstitions

-Sharing a hot cross bun with someone with will ensure friendship throughout the coming year.

-Buns should be kissed before eating because they have a cross on them.

-To avoid shipwreck, bring a hot cross bun on board with you.

-Hang a bun in your kitchen to protect again fires and ensure that all breads baked that year will turn our perfectly.

[Hot Cross Buns spotted via JoCooks]

Happy Spring!

[Originally spotted on Design Seeds]

Deep Space Crib Bedding from Land of Nod

Well crafted, adorable and brightly colored. Check, check, check! The new "Deep Space" bedding from Land of Nod is perfection. The collection includes a quilt, crib skirt, crib sheet, changing pad cover and toddler sheet set.

Tiny Whales SS15 Tee Collection

The "winter storm," aka 3 days of rain, that just passed through has me daydreaming about summer. I can't wait for the longer days and our trip to Cabo. Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that I stumbled across photos of Tiny Whales SS15 collection on Instagram. It makes you want to put your shortest shorts on and head to the beach, no? I want it all. These shirts would pair perfectly with the Sam Shorts from Cotton On Kids.

[Dreamin' Tee $26]

[Golden Child Tank $26]

[Golden Hits Raglan $34]

[Snack Shack Tee $26]

Projects, Projects, Projects

Moving never fails to open up a Pandora's box of projects that need to be done in order for us to settle in. My poor husband is tired of hearing me say, "I have an idea!" If you've been following me on Instagram (@sdmama), you know I've been staining and painting IKEA furniture like mad and reorganizing elements of Parker's baby room into his toddler room. I can't wait to post photos and tutorials soon!

Completed projects
1. Install recessed lighting
2. Unpack
3. Paint/stain IKEA TARVA dresser and nightstands
4. Paint every room in the damn house
5. Cut and hang curtains

To Do
1. Paint and makeover for Parker's playhouse
2. Backyard overhaul
3. Kitchen command center
4. Hang frames
5. Chalkboard for Parker's room
6. Paint pergola

[Two IKEA Tarva nightstands sanded and ready for staining.]

Closet Envy: I'm All That and Dim Sum Tee

You know me. I love a good tee. I spotted this tee on Food52 during the holidays and put it on Parker's Christmas list. Since no one bought it, I decided to get it for him myself because the foodie humor is too much for me to resist. He wore it to the Valentine's Day dinner party we attended over the weekend and looked super festive.

Check out Bad Pickle Tees Etsy shop to see the full collection of kids, mens and womens foodie tees. I'm am positive I need this "Duck, Duck, Confit" tank top.

[Tee from Bad Pickle Tees // $15]

Here are a few more pictures from the party and a short clip of Parker being shy while blowing out his birthday candles. I couldn't let his birthday pass without a cake! Follow me on Instagram @sdmama33.

[My Valentine. He looks pretty good after working on the house all day.]

[This picture cracks me up. All the boys want to give Eden some Valentine's love and she is totally ignoring them.]

[Here's the cake I ordered from Edelweiss European Bakery. It turned out cute but the cake itself was too sweet. $50 for a 8 inch round. I would not order from there again.]

[Morgan, Parker and Madden hanging out and watching Youtube videos in their pajamas. The kids kept trying to use the TV as a touch screen. Oh kids these days!]

[I hope they grow up to be lifelong friends.]

[Thanks for the adorable personalized Planes blanket, Auntie Linda! He slept with it on his first night in his big boy bed.]

#happybirthday Parker! Another day, another cake. My shy guy can't handle the attention. // #parkerprojectblog #totlife #happybirthday #birthdaycake #cake

A video posted by Mary Chu (@sdmama33) on Feb 14, 2015 at 9:17pm PST

Parker Turns 2

Parker is two! Things have been a little chaotic with the move so we didn't throw a party this year. I know, I know...I experienced some major guilt over not throwing him a kick ass superhero party. Instead, we took him to California Adventure for a fun day of meeting some of his favorite Disney characters. We watched shows and parades, ate ice cream, opened Kinder eggs (thanks Auntie Casey!) and went on rides. Little man had so much fun he didn't want to go to sleep when we finally got home. Unfortunately for him, Mommy and Daddy had to go to work the next day. Hope you guys enjoy my iPhone pics of our fun day.

Cheers to you, Parker! You are such an amazing kid and you surprise us everyday with your growing vocabulary. We love you to pieces. Happy Birthday!!

[Parker woke up at 5:45 AM and was very excited to receive his first gift. Avengers Assemble! The bed head is adorable.]

[I managed to hang a banner in the kitchen the night before. He was so happy to take a photo with his favorite superhero friends.]

[Showing grandpa "Thor hammer". You see that box to the right? That's Tuan's gift to Parker. Superhero pajamas from Pottery Barn Kids. Now he will match his pillow case.]

[Family selfie. Parker was busy playing his his birthday pin.]

[On Daddy's shoulders walking through Carsland.]

[I love his birthday shirt. Purchased from SandiLake Clothing on Etsy.]

[Flik, Kaden, Princess Eden and the Birthday Boy.]

[Instead of cake, we got an ice cream sundae from Ghiradelli and put some candles on it. It took a lot of baby wipes to clean up the aftermath.]

[Messing around with his auntie while we waited for the Pixar parade.]

[Starting to look a little rough as the day winds down.]

[He got to meet Princess Let it Go! That's what he calls Elsa and Anna.]

[Relaxing in his stroller as we leave the park. Must be nice to not have to make the trek back to the tram and through the parking structure. I'm going to suggest that we find a double stroller that Tuan can push us around in.]

[I can't believe he stayed awake for the whole ride home and didn't want to go to bed. Here's my last snap of the day. Parker in his pajamas hanging out in bed with his new toys.]