Monday, July 11, 2016

Scenes From Our Beach Week + Weekend + Grapefruit Habanero Cocktail Recipe

Happy Monday Friends!  This week both Sterling and Frances are in camp so I am hoping to accomplish so many things on my to-do list!  After being out of town two basically back to back weeks I have a list a mile long.

We had such a great week at the beach with my parents and brother and sister.  This is one of the few family pictures we got with all 4 of us and I love it!  
My dress I am wearing was just reduced and is now 40% off.  I am wearing a size small for reference. 
My mom and sister.
My sweet parents who always make this the most fun week.  They fill goodie bags for the kids and always cook us amazing meals.  I am still dreaming about my Dad's fried shrimp.

The cousins.   It makes me so happy that these little ones are so close and love hanging out together.


 By far our favorite part of the beach was the tidal pools.  The kids loved playing in them and it was stress free for us adults.  I am not a big ocean person (sharks and other things I can't see scare the heck out of me) so I really enjoyed just chilling in the tidal pools.


I bought this pink dress/cover-up during our shopping day in Wilmington at Monkee's.  I am a sucker anything embellished, it also comes in blue.  It is fully lined so technically you could wear it as a dress as well but you would need a tank or special bra underneath.

The girls always take one day and go into Wilmington to shop and eat lunch, otherwise we really enjoy just relaxing at our beach house.  One of our favorite restaurants in Wilmington is Brasserie du Soleil.  I am slightly obsessed with their salads, french fries, and mac and cheese.  The Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Salad was a special and it was so good!



This off shoulder dress was perfect for our last night.  I love the fun floral print.  I had a few questions about fit and I found it ran tts.  I am wearing a size 4.

Frances Moon rocking her Marysia Suit.
I can't believe how grown-up Sterling is these days.

Family lunch at the pool.  
The boy cousins minus Rutledge.  So far Frances is the only girl.

We did dinner out one night at a place called Cape Fear Seafood Company.  The food was really good.  Sterling and I shared the fried flounder and osyters and both were very fresh.  Their fried okra was also a favorite.

This picture is blurry and not the best lighting but I love it of me and the kids.

The last night we watched a crazy storm roll in, the clouds were incredible.

We got back Friday afternoon and I quickly unpacked everything.  I always like to unpack as soon as I get home.  Then Matt made us a delicious habanero grapefruit cocktail.   Several of you wanted the recipe.  I don't have exact measurements but here is how you make it:
HABANERO GRAPEFRUIT COCKTAIL

Juice one grapefruit.  We typically microwave the whole grapefruit for about 10-15 secs, this helps more juice come out.  Pour the juice in a martini shaker.  Thinly slice 1 habanero and place in the shaker.  Add vodka and ice and shake well.  Usually the grapefruits are sweet enough on their own but if you find it is not add a little honey to the mixture to cut the sourness.

Saturday the kids and I went to the Farmer's Market.  I promptly came home and made gazpacho.  It was good but not great anyone have a recipe they would recommend?


Saturday night Matt and I took it easy and finished Mad Men.  I am so sad it is over, I really loved that show and the characters.  We are thinking about starting back up Bloodline next. 

I picked up this new cookbook after the Farmer's Market and so far I am obsessed.  Every recipe looks amazing.  This detox face works wonders on your skin, I try and use mine twice a week.

Sunday we went to church and then worked around the house.  I have been living in this Mara Hoffman Stars dress, I love the print (it also comes in a lighter version) and fit.  My Annabel Ingall Tote is also reduced in a few colors.  


I love snapping pictures of the kids are these stairs on our walk to church.   We saw the Secret Life of Pets Saturday and loved it- highly recommend it!  That is Gidget from the movie that Sterling is holding the kids loved her character:)
Have a great day.





11 comments:

Darci said...

Great pictures! This is my favorite gazpacho recipe:
http://www.doitdelicious.com/recipes/make_it/gazpacho/

It's good and easy but I also like Gwyneth's recipe from My Father's Daughter.

natasha {schue love} said...

Can I be adopted into your family please?! Your parents are adorable for putting together a weekend like that every year...so special!

Lauren Corbett said...

Love the family pics! Looks like ya'll are having a great summer!

East Coast Chic {Natalie} said...

Your beach vacation with your family looks like such a good time. That cocktail sounds so good, I might need to try it this weekend!

nhunt said...

Your family is just precious!

moi said...

Hi,
Which beach is that with the tidal pools? Also, I really like the floral Jcrew dress! Thanks for all the pics!

Danielle said...

Love family time!

moi said...

Hi! Which beach is that with the tidal pools? The Jcrew dress looks great...really fresh and easy! Thanks for all the posts.

Unknown said...

I second using Gwyneth's recipe from My Father's Daughter cookbook. It is delish!

Cameron Kendrick said...

Ina Garten's gazpacho is THE BEST! I have been making it on the reg this summer. Very "zingy" due to the addition of red wine vinegar, and just so much flavor....http://www.barefootcontessa.com/recipes.aspx?RecipeID=946&S=0

E Hayes said...

Sounds like a great week, we just got back from myrtle beach. We finished Mad Men a few months ago, definitely took a break from binging because it was too good to jump into something else. I did watch Downton Abbey by myself and we just finished the first season of Mr. Robot (SO GOOD!!).