About deanna


Website: http://www.theschweitzers.com
deanna has written 91 articles so far, you can find them below.


Gigi Hill Bag Review

Filed under Gear by on December 16, 2011 at 6:46 am {no comments}

I am thrilled to bring you not only a review of three Gigi Hill bags, but a giveaway that will allow you to experience a truly unique product developed by two busy moms. Each bag, although varying in design, offers the on-the-go mom and the modern busy woman superior functionality and fashionability. Gigi Hill prides itself in its “Signature Pocket Design”, which ensures that you will find a pocket for everything in each fully lined interior–keys, pens, sunglasses, cell phone or PDA, water bottles, and all those other personal items. Handcrafted and made cruelty free, Gigi Hill bags are both smart and stylish.

GiGi Hill Bag's Signature Pocket

The CarolThe Carol from Gigi Hill Bags

Because I am a new mom, the Carol is probably my favorite Gigi Hill bag. It is the ultimate diaper bag! I love the messenger-style design with an outer pocket in the front and back, a generous outer pocket on each side for a cell phone or PDA, large adjustable strap and detachable identification holder. The laminated body in the “Dusk” fabric is also the perfect match for my everyday style.

The interior of this bag features the Signature Pocket Design Gigi Hill is known for. There is a place for all of baby’s needs—diapers, bottles, change of clothes, you name it. The bag is deep and roomy. Accompanying the bag is a thick (and I bet comfy) changing pad covered in the bag’s coordinating fabrics. It too is laminated for easy cleaning. The ladies at Gigi Hill obviously put a lot of thought into designing this bag!

The Katharine Katharine in Infatuation pattern from Gigi Hill Bags

I love this bag for many reasons. The first is for its simplicity. It has an inner and outer pocket, two shoulder straps that allow for easy access to the inside without having to take the bag completely off the shoulder and a deep inner compartment.

The second thing I like about this bag is that it can serve multiple purposes. As a teacher, I would use this bag to carry picture books, papers that needed to be graded, and my lunch. As a mom, I would use this bag on those short trips out with my little one. You know, the trips that don’t require the use of a large diaper bag that is overpacked with everything but the kitchen sink. I would even use this as a shopping bag to carry fresh fruits and vegetables, bread and all those little items acquired on those quick trips to the store.

My favorite thing about this bag is that it is reversible. Even the solid bottom that helps give the bag shape and stand up is made with each coordinating fabric. And speaking of fabric, the bag is made of two different kinds of durable material; both sturdy, yet flexible for ease of use. Inside and out, this bag features a fashionable pattern that will surely please most any palette. Whatever the purpose, I love that this bag can be cleaned easily by just wiping it with a damp cloth.

The AudreyThe Audrey in Fleur De Lis from Gigi Hill Bags

The size of this bag makes it the perfect companion for any busy mom and/or fashionista. It has enough room to store all of baby’s (and mom’s) needs, carry weekend essentials when on that romantic getaway or organize all of life’s necessities when out and about for the day. The outside features durable, easy to clean fabric in colors and patterns that represent the latest fashion. The same durability extends to the shoulder straps, which are the perfect length and allow one to gather things inside the bag all while keeping it on the shoulder. I also love the chunky hardware that attaches the shoulder straps to the bag—very stylish! An outer pocket, magnetic snap closure and hardware on the bottom to keep the bag off of the floor add to the functionality of this bag. The inside offers a tremendous amount of room and Gigi Hill’s Signature Pocket Design to keep everything organized and easy to find. For me, the greatest features of the Signature Pocket Design are the built-in key fob and cell phone pocket. I hate searching for my keys and cell phone, especially when it is dark out!

Want to experience Gigi Hill Bags? There are several ways to get yours. Here’s how:

  1. Enter to win one of these amazingly fashionable and functional bags through our Baby’s First Christmas Photo Contest.
  2. Become a Gigi Hill stylist! Gigi Hill allows women to enjoy their bags all while building a rewarding career.
  3. Host a party! Find a stylist near you to learn more about this month’s hostess specials.
  4. Purchase your favorites on the Gigi Hill website.

For more information about Gigi Hill, the products and how to become a personal stylist, visit the Gigi Hill website.

Lentil Soup Recipe

Filed under Deanna's Blog by on December 9, 2011 at 11:16 am {no comments}

For some reason, I have always thought that making a lentil soup and having it actually taste good would be difficult. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I made this vegan lentil soup the other day and it was not only easy to make, but it was hearty and delicious–perfect for the cold days of winter.

In case you didn’t know, lentils offer many nutritional benefits that include being high in protein, dietary fiber, folate and vitamin B1. And unlike beans, they do not require soaking before cooking. Yay!

Ingredients:

1 tsp olive oil

1 onion, diced

1 large carrot, cut

4 cups vegetable broth

1 cup dry lentils

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp dry thyme

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

In a large pot, sautee carrots and onion until onion looks clear. Add broth, lentils, bay leaf, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes or until lentils are soft. Serve with your favorite Artisan Bread. Don’t forget to remove that Bay leaf!

Lentil Soup Recipe

Shuterfly Photobook 40% off Coupon

Filed under Deanna's Blog by on December 8, 2011 at 9:09 pm {no comments}

This is a great deal. We ordered one of these to tell the story of Nathan’s first few weeks and the book turned out awesome! It is actually a little book we could read to him as it has his photos and short paragraphs on each page. What a treasure to share and keep for years to come.

Grab this special discount while it is here!

Shutterfly.com

Super Simple Peanut Butter Pie

Filed under Deanna's Blog by on December 8, 2011 at 11:16 am {no comments}

I originally came across this recipe in one of my Gooseberry Patch recipe books. I have since made some modifications and have even simplified the recipe from its original form. If you love peanut butter and chocolate, you’re gonna flip over this pie. It has been the rave of many potlucks since its discovery. I have to caution you that this pie is highly addictive. Give it a go and see what I mean…

Ingredients:

1 Oreo Cookie Pie Crust

1 cup Natural Peanut Butter (smooth or chunky can be used)**

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened (low fat versions can be used)

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups Cool Whip, thawed

2 Reese’s Peanut Butter cups, chopped

Directions:

With an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, peanut butter, and sugar. Fold in Cool Whip. Spread mixture into Oreo crust. Garnish with Reese’s cups. Chill for at least 3 hours. Makes 8 servings.

**You can use peanut butter brands that already have sugar in them.

Super Simple Peanut Butter Pie      Easy Peanut Butter Pie

He’s Here!

Filed under Deanna's Blog by on October 12, 2011 at 4:59 am {no comments}

My baby boy has finally arrived! Nathan Andrew entered the world on October 12 at 2:35 a.m. I am in the process of writing my birthing story. Overall, everything went really well. My labor and delivery was as amazing as my pregnancy. I feel very blessed to have had such a wonderful experience both in pregnancy and in giving birth. I am now left with the task of figuring out how to be a mom. For now, it is easy just staring at my little one, thanking God for every breath he takes and feeling amazed at the fact that I am now a mom.

34 Weeks Pregnant

Filed under Deanna's Blog by on September 9, 2011 at 5:29 am {no comments}

Its been two more weeks and I am in week 34 of pregnancy. I am constantly amazed at how fast the weeks are flying by. My baby boy will be here before I know it! For the most part, I am still feeling really good. The only pregnancy symptoms that are most bothersome for me are tiredness and shortness of breath. As my bump continues to grow, I am becoming increasingly concerned about the shortness of breath part. It doesn’t really seem to matter if I am lying down, sitting or standing. I often feel like someone is sitting on my chest and I can’t take in a sufficient amount of air. I have to admit that there have been a couple of instances when it has actually scared me. This is an issue that I have mentioned to my doctor. She said that it is common, especially in the third trimester when the baby will be growing significantly and pressing on things. With up to 7 more weeks to go in my pregnancy, I am wondering how uncomfortable are things really going to get?

34 Weeks Pregnant

Tired, After a Day of Cleaning

32 Weeks Pregnant

Filed under Deanna's Blog by on August 25, 2011 at 1:08 am {no comments}

Now that I am past 30 weeks pregnant, I am seeing my doctor every 2 weeks. Things are going really well. It is encouraging when the doctor says, “perfect” after checking out me and the baby. In terms of the baby, he’s getting big! He now weighs about 4.8 lbs. and is an active one. I feel him move consistently throughout the day. He seems to become most active when I lie down at night to watch a movie. Maybe it’s the emotion that movies evoke in me : )

32 Weeks Pregnant

 

Mommy is also doing well. My bump is getting bigger and rounder as the weeks past. I am sleeping less during the night, which now warrants a nap during the day. My nights are spent with at least one trip to the bathroom. The rest of the night is spent in and out of sleep. Just my body’s way of preparing me for baby, I ‘m sure. I usually wake around 4 a.m. only to return to bed for a catnap around mid-morning.

 

 

The only other pregnancy symptoms I have had is shortness of breath. This has been quite bothersome and scary at times. I usually feel a bit of tightness and a feeling like I can not catch my breath. This seems to only happen to me when I am lying down. The weird thing about this is that I only lie on my side. It was recommended by my doctor (and other medical sites) that once a pregnant woman reaches about 30 weeks, she should lie on her side to avoid shortness of breath and dizziness. This is because the uterus is too heavy. It can actually put pressure on the baby (and other internally important stuff like the diaphragm) and cause the mother to feel those symptoms. To combat the issue, I am trying to sleep propped up with pillows. It is not the most comfortable way to sleep, but then again, no position is ideal at the present time. For now, I will just look forward to being able to sleep comfortably (although not for very long) on my back after the baby is born.

Pregnancy Cravings

Filed under Deanna's Blog by on August 23, 2011 at 4:01 am {no comments}

Throughout my pregnancy, I have taken special care to eat healthy and nourish my body (and baby) with things that are of nutritional value. I have, of course, had some cravings during pregnancy that have required a little indulgence. (more…)

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