Friday Favorites: Love me some bows!

When it comes to fashion, I'll admit that I'm incredibly simple. Most days I wear my mom uniform (yoga pants and a t-shirt ) and the days that I am going out I will usually wear a black or gray shirt with skinny jeans and flats. One thing I do love though are fun details and accessories like polka dots, red lipstick, and bows. I adore bows. I think they are a sweet and a simple way to add detail and visual interested to an outfit. I've been collecting my favorite bow accessories and outfits on Pinterest for awhile now, so I decided to share them with you for Friday Favorites!

Every girl needs a little black dress and this is my dream dress. I love the open back tied together with a bow, it's simple and classy.

Nothing is better than bows and polka dots, and this modern mini dress has the best of both worlds. I would wear this to a bridal shower or wedding and pair it with red lipstick and black pumps!

Even though I don't get the opportunity to wear them much anymore, I love high heels. The higher the better. Pre-baby I was working in an office and wearing 5 inch heels every single day. These black shoes are simple but fun with the bow detail on the front and perfect for a fancy date night! I am obsessed!

This ballet pink is one of my favorite colors and I think it works perfect with this high waisted skirt. The simple white button up shirt compliments the bow detail and I love the vintage feel it has to it!

Now these shoes I could wear on a day to day basis. They are cute and casual and perfect for spring and summer! These would work perfect with rolled-cuff jeans or a summer dress!

I've seen a lot of bow rings around lately, including an adorable one from Tiffany's, but this Marc Jacobs ring is an easy winner. The size of the bow is perfect and it looks so sweet and simple. I would DIE for this ring, people!

These suede mary-janes are perfect for walking around in... the heel isn't too high and they look easy and comfortable! I love the charcoal gray color and the cute bow on the strap.

I love eggplant, I think it is such a pretty color. This bag is just the right size for my make-up and wallet and also some diapers, wipes, and snacks if need be! It is sweet and simple and I adore it!

These bow earrings are so cute! I love how teeny tiny they are and the gun metal gray color make them easy to pair with any outfit!

I wear my hair in a messy bun almost every day, and a sweet bow hair accessory like this one is the perfect way to dress up a normally blah hairdo!



Happy Friday and I hope you all have a GREAT long holiday weekend! We're going to 2 different family BBQ's and planning Cayden's birthday party I'm so excited!

***All image sources can be found on my Pinterest fashion board here.

Wordless Wednesday - 10 months old

Daily goals

When I first started considering the idea of me as a stay at home mom I'll admit, I was scared. Having worked full time since I was 17 years old, I am not used to being home day after day. One of the toughest challenges for me at the beginning was balance. I'd spend all day cleaning the house and cooking the meals and end up neglecting Cayden. Or I'll spend all day playing with Cayden and the dishes would pile up and dinner would be late. Then, I launched Mama Matryoshka and I had no idea it would take off like it did. I was so busy with my orders my blog was abandoned and I didn't have time to do my personal crafting anymore. Finally I came up with a plan that's ridiculously simple but incredibly helpful. Every morning when I wake up I write my goals for the day. I divide them in 3 categories: home, creative, and Cayden. By choosing a few tasks to do each day from each category I'm able to keep up with my cleaning, satisfy my creative appetite, and be a good mama to Cayden. It honestly makes everything really manageable and I rarely feel overwhelmed anymore. I also feel more accomplished every time I check something off my list which is a GREAT feeling! Because most of my readers and friends are also stay at home moms I thought I'd share this method and how it works for me! I'm sure each of you seasoned mamas have your own methods already, but here's a peak of how I manage!

Now I can check blogging off my list and begin the rest of my day! And if you have a tried and true system to staying organized and balanced I'd love to hear it!

Easy and delicious pasta salad recipe

My mama has been making this delicious pasta salad as far back as I can remember. There wasn't a holiday dinner, family get together, or summer BBQ without it. I'm not sure of the exact origin of the recipe (or if my mom just made it up), but it's always a hit when people come over and try it. Personally, I think it's due to how simple the recipe really is. Even Mando likes it, and he doesn't eat anything... pickiest eater EVER! There are only 5 ingredients and it's super easy to make. When we had a few days of really hot temperatures last week I knew I wanted to make some because it's served cold and refreshing with any meal! I put some pork chops and baked potatoes on the grill and got to work!

Pasta salad

Ingredients:

• 2 12 ounce bags of tri-color rotelle noodles
• 1 bottle Italian dressing
• 1 can of black olives
• 1 14 ounce bag frozen broccoli florets
• 1 small jar of artichoke hearts

First, fill a pot about halfway with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add both bags of rotelle noodles and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

While your pasta is cooking, put your frozen broccoli florets in a steamer basket, and place it into a pot with about an inch of water. Cover and cook for about 7 minutes or until you can easily poke a fork into it.

When your pasta is done drain the water out and place it into a large bowl. Shake your bottle of Italian dressing and then pour the entire thing into your bowl of pasta. Mix well.

Once the broccoli is done cooking, throw it into the bowl of pasta. Add 1 can of black olives and a small jar of artichoke hearts. I used whole olives in the bowl below, but sliced olives might be better. I also didn't have any artichoke hearts on hand, but you can add or do without them... it tastes good either way!

Mix together all ingredients, and refrigerate for 2-3 hours. You want to serve this cold! When you're done, you can put foil over the bowl and refrigerate the leftovers for tomorrow's lunch. YUM!

Friday Favorites: Pinterest home edition

Pinterest is a constant source of inspiration for me, and home inspiration is no exception. From houses I like and organization ideas, to cute kitchen-ware, Pinterest has it all. Lately Mando and I have been planning our possible move to Oregon next year and I've been daydreaming about my own house with a yard and a fresh start for decorating. This week, Friday Favorites is all about my dream house and the things I want to put in it!

Honestly you guys, this is my dream house. It's small (I hate huge houses), it's quaint, it has french doors. Enough said right? I love the stone patio and I just can't wait to have a backyard space like this to have brunches in.

You know my obsession with lace and doilies, and I am loving white dishes right now (so ready to get replace my red ones). I think these white lace bowls are so sweet and simple.

I love wall art, and if it's functional too? Total win. This design would be perfect in the entryway of my home, because it has a place for mail, a place for messages and lists, and a place to store those things you're always looking for like scissors! I also love the wooden initial and hanging cups

I only recently discovered milk glass and I must say, I'm in love. This stuff has been around forever and most of it is antique. I really want to scour the antique shops around here and start up a collection. It would be so pretty displayed in a curio cabinet in the dining room!

I love creative organization. Painting the inside of your pantry doors with chalkboard paint is so clever and a great way to write your grocery list!

There's no hiding it, I'm 100% obsessed with bows. Put a bow on anything and I automatically want it. This bow pillow is so sweet but I think the gray stripes make it really chic too. Luckily, my sister is amazing with a sewing machine and she said she can whip one of these up in 10 minutes.

I love this. I want to put my bare feet on the soft squishy yarn and never, ever leave. Simple white rugs and hardwood floors? Yes please!

This living room is the stuff dreams are made of. Things I love: Aqua door, white couch, gallery wall, and BIG WINDOWS. I have ONE window in my apartment right now... ONE!

I've mentioned before how I love chevron stripes and aqua is one of my favorite colors. This duvet looks so fluffy and comfortable I just want to lay in bed and read books all day!

Now I'm even more ready to move out of this stuffy apartment. Oregon here we come!

(Also, don't forget to check out Alyson's blog to see more Pinterest home inspiration!)



Wordless Wednesday - Disneyland

Happy Mother's Day

Today is my first Mother's Day. It would be impossible to put into words the way I feel about being a mother, but I will say this: I finally feel like I'm doing what I was meant to do in my life. Everyone dreams of the perfect career, buying the perfect home, taking the perfect vacations, but for me, being a mama is all I need. Motherhood is tough, and being a young mom is even tougher. Everyday I put myself, my wants and needs last and sometimes I wish for the days I could blow all my money on clothes and sleep until noon. But when I stop and really think about it I realize that I wasn't happy then, and I'm truly happy now. I'm happier than I've ever been. Cayden is truly a gift, one that I don't deserve but one that I cherish everyday. I love him and our family more than words can express. I'm so excited for our future together, and I know that no matter what happens I will be happy because I am with my sweet boy. Happy Mother's Day everyone. I hope all of you mamas are being celebrated today, and every day.

Friday Favorites: Yellow & Gray

We all know I'm crazy about red and aqua, but I've had my eye on a new color combination as of late, and it's quickly becoming a new favorite. I've seen yellow and gray together a lot this Spring and I have to admit that I'm falling in love. I think the contrast of the two is what makes it work... Bright sunny days mixed with cloudy gray skies? It looks so chic to me.

I'll admit, since my Pinterest discovery I have been neglecting my first love, Etsy. So I dedicated my time last night to getting reacquainted. As soon as I chose this theme for Friday Favorites I got so inspired and literally couldn't stop finding amazing things which leads me to believe this is truly a match made in heaven.

I almost can't even talk about this clutch wallet without feeling physical pain, that's how badly I want it. Neutral with a pop of color is so my style. I'm wondering if it's too late to convince Mando to get me this for Mother's day...

This one I couldn't resist and I'm actually buying today. I love, love, LOVE fabric flowers and I'm kind of obsessed with this necklace.

I love me some stripes and this note card set is so perfect with it's mustard yellow envelope. Doesn't the quality just look amazing? LOVE.

I used to be happy with my polka dot and damask camera strap until I saw this beauty last night and now my heart is broken. Love the ruffles and the flowers, and and and.... I WANT IT.

I've seen so many yellow and gray nurseries lately and I think they are lovely. This print would be so sweet hanging on the wall, don't you think?

You may have noticed a pattern by now. Yes, I'm obsessed with ruffles. Actually, I like any sweet, feminine accent whether it be ruffle, bows, or polka dots. I love it all. The butter yellow color of this clutch is just the icing on the cake!

Another spring trend I'm seeing are chevron stripes and I'll admit, they've grown on me. I love the simplicity of this light gray throw pillow, and I think it would add just the right amount of interest in your space.

I seriously contemplated yellow and gray as my future wedding colors when I saw these invites. I love her original, water color artwork. I think they are so lovely!

I could have gone on forever, but I didn't want to lose my readers so I ended it there! Have a great weekend, and I want to give some extra special lovin' to all the mamas out there... Happy Mothers Day!