Ailee Petrovic

Mom Talk August 12, 2015

Finger Painting with a Toddler (In the Bathtub!)

After Isla woke up from her nap yesterday afternoon, we played in the yard for ten minutes before heading back inside, both red in the face and sweaty from the record breaking Houston temperatures (humidity factor made it feel like 110 degrees). I decided we needed to do something fun indoors, so I grabbed some paper, tape, Greek yogurt (which Isla loves) and food coloring and we painted in the bath tub.

At first, Isla was hesitant to “get into” the paint, but after I did some splatters myself, she went crazy with it. Of course, we were playing in the bathtub, so I was very excited about her enthusiasm, which was peppered with little moments of silence as she stopped to eat her ‘paint.’

Beauty August 11, 2015

Beauty Basics with Butter: Favorite Products (Plus, A Giveaway!)

Today, my super sweet friend, Britt Lais Williams, is announcing the launch of her new makeup and hair business called Butter. Britt is so incredibly talented (she glammed me up for these fitness pictures and Isla’s first birthday photos and most recently did the same to Kristina this hippie shoot), and I know she will do great things with her new business. She’s been working in the industry for years and years, and has lots of amazing credits to her name.

As part of the official announcement today on Instagram, Brittany is doing a giveaway (valued at over $325!) which includes a complimentary hair and makeup session, as well as a Tom Ford lipstick in the color of your choice and the entire Fave4 line of hair sprays. And it’s super easy to enter:

Follow @butterartistry on Instagram
Like the launch photo (shown above)
Tag three friends who would love to win these goodies!
You can repost Britt’s post for an additional entry (make sure to tag @butterartistry and use #butterartistry in your caption/comment)

The contest ends at midnight on August 14. The winner will be announced by August 16.

In addition to the launch, Britt is sharing 9 of her favorite products with my blog readers! She wrote descriptions for all of the items below. I’m going to be ordering all of them (or adding to my Christmas list, ahem, Sasha!).

Personal August 10, 2015

Week in Review

Is it Friday yet? Kidding, but only slightly. The past seven days flew by, and I’m definitely planning a much more relaxed weekend ahead! As I mentioned on Instagram last night, I am definitely not complaining, as we got to see lots of friends and family, meet new blogger friends (and old Instagram friends!), take lots of photos (with Cake & Confetti, Willow Crowns, Feather Thread, Butter and two first birthday shoots – one for Meg!), swim multiple times, praise God at one of the most incredible concerts I’ve ever attended and decorate a new set of bookshelves!

In a little more detail, here are some of my favorite moments from the week:

Attending the Outcry tour with Hillsong, Bethel Music and Kari Jobe (amongst others!) with my friend, Ashley, and catching up over food and drinks at The Grove beforehand. While we were gone, Sasha had three of his friends over with their little kids, and I managed to snap some cute pictures of Isla and Ellery before I left. She is such a little lady! I love her.
Going to the first Blogger Brunch hosted by Justin James and Carrie of Wear Where Well at Tout Suite on Sunday after church at Bayou City Fellowship. It was a lot of fun meeting ladies I’ve followed on Instagram for a long time.
Swimming and barbecuing at our friends’ house. I want to move into their home immediately. Everything is so gorgeous, and Nina is so sweet and is letting me do a home tour post, so be on the lookout for that soon!
Having couples over for dinner on Saturday to discuss Paris plans (they’re going next weekend, and I’m so jealous!) and then playing a few games of Taboo and Bananagrams (I’m such a game nerd!).
Shooting the fall line with Willow Crowns at Megan’s house on Tuesday. Her and Olivia, her daughter, are truly the sweetest, and we had the best time playing after we took product pictures. The new bows, headbands, clips, etc. are gorgeous, and I cannot wait for the launch!
Taking two sets of first birthday photographs – one for Sophia and another for Caroline (Meg’s daughter). Both girls were super cute and happy, which makes my job lots of fun.
Shooting photos for Jessica’s blog – Feather Thread – and hair styling photos for Brittany’s partnership with a hair product company. So much girliness going on!
Swimming multiple days at our sweet neighbor’s house – we’re so blessed to live next to her. Isla and Sasha also headed to my parent’s house after church on Sunday while I was at the Blogger Brunch to swim with them! She’s a fish.
Receiving our new Sawyer bookshelves from Crate & Barrel and getting to work on decorating them. They’ll likely change ten times in the next two weeks, but this is how they look right now!
Spoiling Isla with some Bahama Bucks (taste testing all of the sugar free snow cone places in Houston!) and cotton candy (made by Meredith for an upcoming cocktail!). She’s a lucky lady!

Food August 7, 2015

Strawberry Hibiscus Hard Lemonade Recipe

Low Calorie Simple Summer Cocktail - Strawberry Hibiscus Hard Lemonade (Brought to you by Snapshots & My Thoughts x Cake & Confetti).

After Meredith (Owner of Cake & Confetti) whipped up a delicious (and rather stiff!) Texas cocktail for 5 O’Clock Fashionistas last week (which I photographed), we thought… why not make this a weekly thing? Genius, right? Ha. Instead of bringing you a typical bar cocktail, which includes ten or more fancy ingredients and is loaded with calories, Meredith had the genius idea of having a low-calorie cocktail series made with four or less ingredients. I obviously loved the idea!

So the first cocktail in the series is a Strawberry Hibiscus Hard Lemonade made with kombucha, lemon vodka and lemon juice. It is delicious. I literally slurped it down in a matter of minutes (I think Meredith added less vodka in my drink because I’m a baby!). It’s so light and refreshing, and perfect for a hot summer day.

Food August 4, 2015

Healthy Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

It has been far too long since I baked anything, as I went a litttttle crazy after Mara gave me this raw vegan cookbook for Christmas (it’s amazing, and I highly recommend you buy it!). After making delicious treats almost every other day, I think Sasha and I both needed a cleanse from pitted dates (essentials in raw ‘baking,’ and also one of my favorite foods on the planet).

After shooting Meredith’s cocktail last week, I remembered how much fun I have doing recipe posts and so decided to play around in the kitchen to create a delicious healthy chocolate cupcake. After a few (ahem) failed attempts, I have created a delicious and fudgy cake that tastes delicious even without the vegan cream cheese icing (but it’s definitely a yummy bonus).

As soon as the cupcakes had cooled from the oven, I let Isla taste test the first one. She literally smooshed it into her mouth in order to eat it quicker (and I had to squat Belle away, as she kept trying to get a bite). Then Isla stood with her hands on the kitchen cabinets and said, “Mowwwwww” (her attempt at “More”). Then Sasha got home and ate about five. So needless to say, they’re tasty – and easy to make! If the photos tickle your fancy, then give them a try and make sure to let me know if you love them!