I need your help

Dear prudent people who read Prudent Baby, I need your advice. During my trip to Canton, I acquired these two adorable rocking chairs. What should I do with them?

Should I leave this one as is, maybe just give the wood a dark stain? Or re-upholster?

I definitely want to reupholster this one. It has a crazy 1976 bicentennial fabric. You remember, it was on your grandpa’s recliner? But should I keep the box pleat style at the bottom? It needs some type of skirt. Should I paint the wood? What color scheme? I want it to work for a boy down the road, is that not realistic? Any fabric ideas?

I have plans to actually get to some of these thrifting makeover projects this month because (1) they are starting to pile up and it’s embarrassing and (2) I’m going to have my third child in January and will never have time to do anything ever, ever again. What do you think? Make it good and you will win that pretty Alexander Henry fat quarter up there.

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Flea Market Finds

Last weekend, I ventured out of my Texas Summer hibernation and returned to Canton with a few pals and Miss Quinn Frances who, I must note, was the most chill baby ever to ride in a car for 3 hours and ride in a stroller for 3 hours without a fuss. Thank you for being you Quinn!

SO… I thought I would share some of the goodies that I spotted. It’s like watching American Pickers. Vicarious thrifting!

Rows and rows of vintage boot. Can someone get me over my fear of used shoes? It would open a world of footwear opportunity for me.

Board game covers would be so excellent framed in the nursery.

As would vintage pennants. Wish I had snagged a few at $1 each!

And there’s more after the jump! Remember any comment you leave this week could win you the pretty Alexander Henry fat quarter. Tell me what you can’t believe I left behind. Or tell me what you have found lately. Or tell me what I need to do to get over my fear of used shoes. I’m listening…
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GIVEAWAY: The America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook


Oh man. I could eat veggie pasta dishes like these from ATK Healthy Family Cookbook every day! Don’t they look amazing?
The first is Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad and the second is Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Basil (with yummy mushrooms added) featuring Jaime’s garden fresh herbs and veggies. Nice!

The America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook has an AWESOME pasta section which, among many killer recipes,  includes a few classic Asian dishes. I’m especially excited to try the Lo Mein because Rick and I learned in a cooking class that Lo Mein literally has CUPS of oil in it. That’s why it’s so glossy and delicious. ATK’s recipe has 4.5 tsp canola and 1.5 Tbs toasted sesame oil… and I’m sure it tastes even better!

Click here to learn how to enter for a chance to win a copy of this great cookbook. Remember, you can enter every day!

Today… Tell us what your favorite pasta dish is. I love it all! I grew up on Italian food so I love everything from Lasagna to Linguini and clam sauce. Any pasta with any meat or veggies and their variations from around the world. Don’t even get me started on my love of Vietnamese noodle dishes. How about you?

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How to Sew A Drawstring Backpack





How to make a drawstring backpack for back-to-school the easy way. Are Scarlet and her BFF Niko the most gorg or what? No, don’t answer that: They are the cutest. Well, here’s a fun & quick DIY we created for a drawstring backpack at the request of our friends at Small. Check them out, they have the best kids stuff and are sharing this today.

Get the full DIY Drawstring Backpack Tutorial after the jump…

So, will you give it a shot? It’s seriously so quick and simple. Let us know what you think in the comments and you could win that Alexander Henry fat quarter to make your own backpack with!

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GIVEAWAY: The America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook

This is the Five-Minute Lowfat Chocolate Frosting from The America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook. That’s right, lowfat. It skips most of the butter, leaving only 2 tablespoons, but still has a rich, fluffy texture from being blended in the food processor rather than a mixer. Genius! As for the raffle ticket, Jaime will have to explain that one.

Click here to learn how to enter for a chance to win a copy of this great cookbook. Remember, you can enter every day!

Today… Tell us if your family eats dessert after dinner. What do you have? How often?

The girls will have fruit at the table right after dinner and then some nights, after the baby is in bed, we will have ice cream with Clare. I’m the only one around here who likes baked good so they don’t make an appearance very often. Donuts are a different story.

Spill it!

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Recycled Ruffle Sleeve Bubble T


Look at little Dove, daughter of my dear friend Rebecca, who writes the awesome site Cooking With My Kid! Could she be any cuter? She came thisclose to being a native New Yorker, but was born here in LA (just like me, aww). So I had to make her a little I HEART NY tee, but I wanted it more girly than the usual.

It has a little gathered waist and chest, and some cap sleeves.  Super simple, a little elastic thread and you can make your own too! I kind of want to make a big one for me.  In fact, I think I will.

Get the full Recycled Bubble Sleeve T Tutorial after the jump!

And remember, leave a comment and you could win that gorg Alexander Henry fat Quarter up on the left.  BTW, I’m going to be saying “gorg” in every post this week in honor of Jacinda’s husband.  Long story.
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GIVEAWAY: The America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook


Today Jaime presents The America’s Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook Layered Tortilla Tart with Black Beans and Corn. I’m so hungry.

Click here to learn how to enter for a chance to win a copy of this great cookbook. Remember, you can enter every day!

Today… Tell us if your family would welcome a Vegetarian Dinner if it looked this good. It would be a tough sell for my husband but I think the girls would love this!

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