Baby Registry Picks and The App You Didn't Know You Needed!

Well, now that baby news has officially made it to my blogosphere, I figured that it would be a good time to share some of my favorite Baby Registry finds! I'll admit that as soon as that little stick read "Pregnant", I was ready to start registering. I did refrain and ended up waiting until we knew if we were having a boy or a girl to help streamline things but I can't say that the process was simple. There are so. many. baby things! 

Oh, and let's be honest, becoming a new mom is daunting and everyone has their opinion.... everyone. 

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I've legit been stopped in Nordstrom's and a woman told me I didn't need a wipe warmer. Ok, cool... but can I proceed with purchasing these Kate Spade earrings? Some tips have been helpful but most of it comes off as really patronizing and when your filled with hormones, it's really not what you want to hear. 

My husband and I did hit up the usual registry suspects (Buy Buy Baby, Babies R Us, Pottery Barn Kids and Target) which was fun but again, insanely overwhelming. All I wanted to do was have someone else scan all the stuff I actually needed while I sat in a corner and ate FroYo. 

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All joking aside, the process has been really eye opening and thanks to my Mr., LOTS of research went into the items that ended up on our registry. That being said, we ended up finding lots of things that we new we wanted but weren't sold in the usual registry stores. That's when I found BabyList. BabyList is an app (and website) that lets you put pretty much anything (yes... anything) on your baby registry. You can pull from boutique stores, Etsy pages, department stores or even register for some home cooked meals or spa treatments, because let's get real, Mama's gonna need a little pampering before and after baby arrives. 

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BabyList is a great resource not only for registering but there are tons of articles under the "Hello Baby" that cover everything from baby gear, bringing home baby, and my faves, the "Best Lists" that cover pretty much everything! 

Lists such as Best Disposable Diapers, Best Baby Carriers of 2016, and Best Strollers of 2016, were all crucial in helping us pick our registry items! 

As I mentioned, aside from the awesome lists and resources the biggest perk of BabyList is that you can pull items from virtually anywhere! Here's a list of some of my favorite registry items to show you what I mean. 

1. Nuna Mixx Jett Collection, Nordstrom 

We (ok, my husband) did a ton of research on strollers and we landed on the Nuna Mixx after trying out what felt like hundreds at different stores. For me, it was all about being able to close it easy. The "one hand folds" of other strollers were useless on me because I'm so short and some others felt like I was working on a Rubik's cube. I loved the ease of the Mixx and how I could roll it like a suitcase when it's closed if I wanted. Oh, and it also looks pretty badass too. 

Nordstrom was having their anniversary sale and launched an exclusive offer on the Nuna Mixx for a steep discount and it came with a bassinet attachment, which had never been sold before. We loved it! Only issue, Nordstrom doesn't have a registry option. Luckily, with just one click of a button on my browser (you can save the BabyList button to your web browser and pin from any page!) it was added to my registry! 

*the Anniversary sale price has since been removed but the product is still available. 

2. Milkmaid Goods Nursing Cover and Swaddlers 

I had originally seen these super cute swaddle sets from Milkmaid Goods on Instagram. I mean, how adorable is that photo? After checking out their website a bit more, I started to see the nursing covers that they had too. I had always dreaded the ugly smock-like nursing covers that I had seen in the past but these poncho-esque covers seem like they would make everything a breeze. Oh and multi-use? Yes, please! Needless to say a few styles ended up on my registry. 

Milkmaid Goods from Dreamboat Productions on Vimeo.

3. Ju-Ju-Be BFF Convertible Diaper Bag

Hi, my name is Kasey and I'm a bagaholic. I think it's hereditary actually, my mom has a ridiculous amount of handbags and tote bags and beach bags so I surely followed suit. When it came to a baby bag I instantly thought, "Oh, Kate Spade diaper bag, DONE!" but the more I started looking around, the more I realized I needed to put my #adulting hat on and find something practical.
That's when I found the Ju-Ju-Be brand. They had the find prints of Kate but the practicality of a North Face backpack so it was a no brainer that this piece would be added to my registry.

Here's the catch (and where BabyList saves the day). There are a TON of retailers that sell these bags and each of them can tweak the price a little bit. By adding this item to my BabyList registry, it automatically generated a list of retailers that sell the bag and the price so my shower guests could instantly see where they could score the best deal. #winning!


4. Anything on Etsy

I'm a huge fan of Etsy, I've been using it ever since it was in beta. I think that a place where artisans and crafters can share their goods with the masses is fabulous! This is where BabyList really shines because it lets you add any item to your registry without having to set up a designated registry through Etsy.

As some of you know, I'm a BIG fan of Lilly Pulitzer... like really big, so it was no surprise when I wanted to make sure that I had lots of matching "Mommy & Minnie" sets with my older prints, Etsy was the place to go. Lots of the sellers on Etsy have access to authentic LP fabric and make beautiful pieces that you can't find in LP stores, so it's not like they are knocking-off the OG.
I found Southern Stitch Company to have the cutest pieces for my little one to match some of my favorite Lilly items currently hanging in my closet. The owner of the shop was a delight to work which always seals the deal for me! Above is a look at the fun set she put together for my registry!



5. All your other registries in one place!

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So by now you might be thinking, "Well, what about diapers and the other basics that I want to register for?" BabyList has you covered there too! You can add your other store registries to your BabyList site so your gift-givers only have to go to one place! We added our Target, Babies R' Us, and Pottery Barn Kids registry to BabyList and guests had no problem navigating... even those over 60 ;-)


I can't wait to share photos with you all of our little lady using all the great things we've received off our registry! Stay tuned for lots more coming your way while I try to navigate this whole pregnancy and new-mom thing!



FCC Disclaimer: This post was created in part with partnerships from the vendors listed above. All opinions are my own. 
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Baby News and a Kate Spade Baby Shower!

I know, I know, it's been awhile since I've done a new blog post... like a LONG while but let's just say things have been a little busy. If you follow along on social media then you may have seen the news that it's not just food baking in the oven over here... that's right, we're expecting! We are thrilled to welcome our little lady into this world this November!

So, in addition to sharing this exciting news, I thought I would also share with you some images from the beautiful baby shower that my friends threw for us here in California. (You'll get a peek at our Lilly Pulitzer Themed East Coast Baby Shower in another post soon!)

Now, I maaaaay have dropped a few hints here and there but my girlfriends knew the perfect theme to pick for my baby shower out here in Cali, Kate Spade. I must stop and say that I am fully aware planning a baby shower for a hormonal, OCD, control freak cannot be an easy task so I have to commend my girls Shirin, Kim and Jen for doing such an amazing job!

I had a bunch of ideas that my girls executed perfectly from onesie stations to photo booth props. I also have to thank my team at work for putting together such an amazing menu filled with my favorite craving foods!

Take a look at the photos below and hopefully they will inspire you!

Guests took home polka-dot clad tins filled with loose leaf tea and "Baby Potts is Brewing" stickers on them with the instructions to brew up a cup when they get the news that our little lady has made her debut!

For activities, they had onesies and bibs out for guests to decorate... some got a little too creative with this! They also had a basket of diapers for everyone to write some "words of encouragement" on which came out pretty hilarious too!

Adorable Tea Sandwiches and Wedge Salads with the perfect shade of pink pickled onions!

Watermelon Feta Skewers, Roasted Asparagus Salad, "Godmother" Sandwiches,
 Cucumber Sandwiches (my major pregnancy craving!), Pasta Salad, Pickled Veggies, and Hummus/Pita.

Cake Pops, Key Lime Parfaits, Blueberry Tarts, Peach Hand Pies,
Pink Velvet Twinkies and Kate Spade approved  Cupcakes! 

Can't forget about the incredible food! It pays off to work for a world-renowned Chef and catering company on days like this! Adorable tea sandwiches, fresh salads and scrumptious desserts were aplenty and beautifully presented. My wiz-of-a-baker friend Jen made the awesome themed cupcakes and my husband made sure to scoop up some rosé flavored gummies from Sugarfina to compliment to stunning venue, Malibu Wines.

Malibu Wines Upper Deck

A huge thanks to everyone who attended and made us feel so ridiculously loved. We are truly lucky to bring our little girl into this world filled with such a supportive group of friends.

Want to grab these printables? Just shoot me an email or comment below and I'd be happy to share!

Kasey's Kitchen Essentials

Illustration by Evelyn Henson

I've been feeling a lot like an adult recently. With all the engagement parties, and showers, and weddings, and housewarmings that I've been attending it has become obvious that my friends and I are entering into adulthood and locking 'ish down! Yay, us! 

In this new-found adulthood, I decided that it was time to share my guide to Kitchen Essentials. That's right, it's time to toss the IKEA knife set you bought in college and ditch that one pan your mom gave you when you moved out. 

The fabulous Evelyn Henson did me the honor of illustrating some of my essentials for you too. Aren't they fabulous!? Check out more of her work on her site and on Instagram. I swear she illustrates everything that's in my mind.

So now, without further ado, here are Kasey's Kitchen Essentials!

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer

This item is without a doubt a staple. Call if your membership card to the Cool Kitchen Club. Coming in a variety of colors, it’s the perfect countertop accessory. Now since we’re all about beauty AND brains, I can’t leave out the incredible functionality of this machine. Aside from the awesome attachments that you can get to make pasta, juice fruit, and stuff sausage, the machine itself can do wonders! My favorite use (that not many people even think of), shred meat! I throw in cooked chicken or pork and use the paddle attachment to break it right up. Hello easy pulled pork!

Silicone Kitchen Utensils

I have dozens of silicone spatulas around my kitchen because I use at least two or three while I prepare every meal. The material prevents scratching so it prolongs the life of your cookware, plus if you get a good brand, it can withstand tons of heat!

Non-Stick Cookware Set

If you know me at all, you know that I’m not one for cleaning. Having a great set of non-stick pans is essential in any kitchen. Take the time to invest in a quality set that is oven-safe and ones that can go in the dishwasher. Good bye scrubbing!

High Quality Knife Block Set

Every kitchen needs a nice set of knives. There are plenty out there but do yourself the favor and invest in quality. I’m a big fan of brands like Henckel and Wusthof. Another trick, make sure that the Chef’s knife (the big one) has good weight to it. You can test this by balancing the knife on your finger where the blade meets the handle. If it tips in either direction, it’s not balanced.

Garlic Press

This little gadget can save you an insane amount of time in the kitchen. Just peel your garlic, give it a squeeze and you’re good to go. Sometimes they are a pain to clean, so look for one that can come apart or has a flap to push out the remnants.

Cooking Tongs

Get them in all shapes and sizes. Seriously. I use tongs to turn meat, toss salads, pull things off high shelves… everything! Get them made of different materials as well like silicone, metal and wood. You’ll find different purposes for each one!

Balsamic Vinegar

Or really any sort of vinegar, but balsamic is my favorite. A friend of mine who is a fabulous chef once told me that if you taste your food and it’s missing that “something” then it’s either salt or acidity.  Adding a touch of vinegar to dishes can help bump it up to a whole new level. In my opinion, balsamic is the most versatile in the kitchen. Afraid of the color? Grab a white balsamic to get that same sweet tangy taste without the dark coloring!

Slow Cooker

We all have busy lives and sometimes we know that if we don’t plan ahead, we’ll end up with some fast food garbage for dinner. Thanks to the slow cooker you can prep all your ingredients in the morning (or even the night before) and just plug it in, turn it on, and let it do its thing while you’re doing yours. When you get home later that night you have a delicious home cooked meal waiting for you! 

I Drank The Essential Oils Kool-Aid.

A few months back, I started seeing a ton of post on social media about Essential Oils and how great they are for anxiety, focus, weight loss, hair growth and everything in between. My skeptic hat instantly went on and I thought that this had to be a bunch of crunchy-granola-hippy-dippy shiznit. I shook my head and brushed off all these fabulous claims thinking that there’s no way it could actually work.

A few weeks later I was on a girls getaway and suffered from an unexpected anxiety attack (for those of you who have never experienced one, you don’t always know what causes it or how to prevent it, so it can be a major pain in the 'arse'). After a sleepless night I treated myself to a massage hoping that it would help. The therapist asked if there was a certain scent I wanted used for my massage and I told her whatever would help kick anxiety out. She claimed that she had just the thing. I saw her shake two little bottles into her hand and quickly rub them together. She told me to close my eyes and take three deep breaths. With each breath, a sense of calming came over me and I got this weird tingly feeling. I instantly had to remind myself that there’s no way this is actually working – but then I took another breath and felt even more relaxed, ok, maybe there’s something to this… with the third breath I was in a deeply relaxed state and the therapist had yet to lay a finger on me. After our 60 minutes were up, I asked her what she used in the beginning. She told me it was a combination of Lavender and Orange essential oils and that there are millions of little sensors in our nose that help transmit emotions and (a bunch of other hippy-dippy words) to our brains.

This sent me into a researching frenzy. I read blog after blog about how Essentials Oils worked, the different brands, the different ways you get duped, everything! I figured I would try it out and ordered a set via Amazon. Word the wise, don’t bother. The ones on Amazon are crap. There are only two brands that are certified to be ingested (taken orally) and that’s DoTerra or Young Living. I did a lot more research after sending back the bogus Amazon set (thank you Amazon Prime) I decided to go with one of the bigger brands – Young Living.

Featured Today on I Am That Girl!

I am so thrilled to be featured today on I Am That Girl! Click here to see the full story! 

Kasey's Kitchen 5 Year Bloggerversary Bash!

If you follow along on Facebook and Instagram, you'll know that I recently celebrated the 5 Year "Bloggerversary" of Kasey's Kitchen! Holy Moly... I can't believe it myself! In honor of the milestone, I teamed up with Sugarfina in Beverly Hills to host a sweet soiree filled with fans, followers, friends and delicious food!

My friend and supporter Nika of Sugar Studio created the most amazing presentation cake for Kasey's Kitchen. It had everything I could have asked for, my logos, polka dots, some sparkle and a bow! Pure perfection!



Rounding out the sweets, Nika also prepared some mini sweets such as Mango Buttercream Cupcakes, Chocolate Hazelnut Tarts, Coffee Buttercream Cupcakes, and Marscapone Tarts topped with fresh berries. Every bite was exquisite!

A special thanks to our bartender Jen who poured our specialty cocktails made with Cascade Ice Water and Revel Spirits! We whipped up a Simple Paloma, a Turquoise Tonic, and a Sparkling Sangria! Recipes for those tasty libations will be up on the blog soon, so stay tuned!

I am so grateful for the support system I have. The guest list was filled with friends, fellow bloggers, and some of the wonderful sponsors I've worked with over the years. Without them, this event wouldn't have been the same. Literally, some of them were helping me stuff goodie bags right before the party started! :-)

Speaking of which, what is a party without a killer swag bag?! A special thanks to Treat Street, Revel Spirits, Cascade Ice, Stonefire Flatbread, Petite Baker, Sugar Studio, Lorna Jane, Shoe Bakery, Magee's, Salem Baking Company, Call Me Cookie, and Pretzel Crisps for making these bags so delicious!

Even at my own party, I have to keep my "Food Blogger" hat on! The cake was too perfect not to show off at every possible chance!

Obviously my wardrobe for this event had to match the Kasey's Kitchen brand and that meant the perfect shade of turquoise! Thank goodness that my favorite designer, Lilly Pulitzer had just the dress for the occasion!

However, no outfit is complete without the perfect pair of shoes, am I right? Shoe Bakery came to the rescue and created the most amazing pair of custom heels to replicate the icing on a cake. They were without a doubt a show stopper. I don't think I've ever had so many pictures taken of my feet before! 

Again, a huge thank you to all the partners who participated in this wonderful event. And a big thank you to all the guests who came out and showed their support for this crazy dream of mine!

Stay tuned for some recipes from the events and check out more photos from the event on Facebook!

Cheers to the next 5 years!!

xoxo
Kasey