Happy New Year, Friends! It's been a while since I've been blogging. Noelle, m.s.inspired, and life have really kept me busy the past few months! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and that you all have a fantastic 2014. I am certain that 2014 will be a great year for our family and look forward to what it will bring very much!

A while ago my mom wrote this short essay that she shared with my sister and me. In the spirit of the New Year and the hundreds of thousands of people who will make a resolution to lose weight, eat better, be  healthier, etc. I thought it would be the perfect time to share it with you all (with mom's permission of course).

My wish for you this New Year is to be happy, whatever that is for you.

It's no secret that fall is my favorite season. And, no, it's not because of Halloween (though I have been having fun at the shop making Halloween accessories). I love fall because the weather cools down, the leaves start to change into glowing shades of yellow, orange and red, and you can have pumpkin anything! I love pumpkin.

In this month's Food Network Magazine they provided an insert for '50 Things to make with Canned Pumpkin.' Yes, this is heaven. I've only tried one of the recipes so far (hubs isn't a huge pumpkin fan unless it's in the pie form) because it's hard to eat so much pumpkin by yourself without it going bad first. Here is Pumpkin Oatmeal! SOOO GOOD.

I apologize that this picture is awful. In my defense, oatmeal is really hard to photograph, and I hadn't even thought about the blog when I snapped this shot.

1 ½ milk

1 cup instant oats

½ cup canned pumpkin

*Simmer the above

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp butter

½ tsp pumpkin pie spice (I feel like you could put more than this if you wanted)

Pinch of salt

*Stir and let thicken

I threw some blueberries and banana in mine…YUM!

ENJOY!

The day finally arrived. My shop is open - for almost a day now - m.s.inspired is live! I have some of my basic bows listed currently, along side a few Halloween items. As soon as the rest of my Halloween bow, and bow tie supplies arrive those will be listed, too!

I'm really excited about this new venture, and thank you all in advance for your support and encouragement. If you have something custom in mind (I've posted a lot of other headbands on instagram) I'd be happy to collaborate with you to create something special. I already have some winter ideas brewing, and will be introducing some crocheted pieces to the shop in time for the cold weather.

I know this is short ... Noelle turned 11 months yesterday, and this last month of her first year is sure to fly by ... just like all of the others did. Shesh!

Hi Friends! I apologize for the radio silence over here. I've been working on some super fun stuff away from the blog, and am finally prepared enough to share it with you!

I've shared some pictures of my sewing projects before, and have been dusting off my skills for the past week or so. Seriously, it had been about 12 years since I last did any major sewing. But, I'm back in the groove, and have some awesome projects in the works.

Within the next week (hopefully) I'll have my very own Etsy shop up and running! My current focus is on Halloween and Christmas. The shop will have goodies for boys and girls, so nobody is left out!

If you follow me on Instagram you can find more regular updates on my shop. I will take custom orders (if you're inspired by anything you see that's not in the shop) so please email me at mallorysilverman@gmail.com if you are.

I'll see you at the shop when our doors are open!

P.S. All of the headbands in this post I have made. They all won't be immediately available, I'm starting with Fall (think, your favorite team colors) and Halloween! If you see something you like that's not up, let me know and I'll accommodate a special order.

Another weekend is in the books. This one was a bigger one, too.

The return of college football, and Labor Day which meant a long weekend for mom.

(Unfortunately, dad had to work on Saturday, and Monday, but we soaked up every bit of Sunday!)

 After a quick run to Target for a few essentials, we were home and rooting on the

Wolverines in the first game of the season. Touchdown! Go Blue!

Instead of photographing Sunday's events we enjoyed them.

Daddy worked on a project for Noelle and her little friends,

while we (Nono and me) got some chores done, watched a chick flick, and relaxed indoors. 

 Monday started with a walk to Starbucks.

Night terrors have started, and "they" must have known that mom didn't work the next day.

Baby girl and I had lots of sleepy snuggles (on the couch, almost all night,) so coffee for mom was a necessity!

 During Nono's morning nap I finished sewing her birthday banner.

Now all that's left is some stenciling, and a final once over ironing.

This has inspired me to possibly make a holiday banner.

I'm enjoying the whimsical touch it adds to the apartment. We'll see!

 Our next door neighbor's Great Neice was over for a family bbq,

so before all of their company arrived, we had a little play time.

It was so cute. They're just a month apart in age, so were perfect for each other!

Noelle explored the toy cabinet. 

 Tried on some shoes for fall. Baby's first Stuart Weitzmans, compliments of Aunt Erica!

And, continued her musical education with Glastonbury 2013. Thank you, Palladia!