Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Obsessions

KENNETH JAY LANE TURQUOISE STICK NECKLACE
I love this necklace in a major way. I picture pairing it with this bright orange dress I have or a black maxi dress. I think it would be so versatile and turquoise never goes out of style!



FIDDLE FIG TREE
I don't have alot of greenery in our house. I will be the first to admit I am bad about keeping plants alive indoors, but a tree seems like it would be easier maintenance. I love the look of a Fiddle Fig Tree and the way the greenery brightens up a room.





JOIE MADERA SCRATCH DOT BLOUSE
I need this blouse, really thinking about biting the bullet and ordering it. It would look great with any pair of colored jeans or shorts. The black and white dot print would go with everything! A classic blouse I feel like I would never tire of!



CONFETTI SPRINKLED LINEN COCKTAIL NAPKINS

How awesome are these cocktail napkins? Perfect for an Outdoor Dinner Party. Best part is these are homemade made with linen napkins and gold paint. Design Mom sewed her own napkins but I would totally buy a pack of pre-made napkins (because I am lazy like that) and then go to town painting. You can check out how to make your own napkins HERE on Design Mom.



CONTEMPO PROSECCO
This is my latest addiction. It is light refreshing and affordable- $8.99 a bottle currently on special, normally retails for $11.99. Now that the weather is warm there is nothing I like more than a chilled glass of bubbly. I originally was drawn to this Prosecco because of the bottle/label (I do indeed judge wines by their covers) it had a simple, clean and modern look. I bought one bottle to try and loved it so much I went back and pretty much cleaned my grocery store out. I served it at Easter Playgroup last week and it was a hit. They also make a line of wines but I have yet to try them.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Scenes From Our Easter Weekend

I hope everyone had a great Easter Weekend!! Ours was excellent, super relaxing filled with lots of quality family time!


I tried out the stripes and brights trend.


You won't believe this but I found these jeans at Target. They are only $22 and I swear the fit is as good as expensive jeans. They have stretch in them which I love and they were long enough for me (I am almost 5"10 so finding long jeans is always an issue). My Target was pretty much sold out of all colors and sizes but I did manage to snag my size in the Lemon Yellow. I looked online when I got home and they have red, purple, green, blue, pink, really any color you could want (HERE). I will say order up a size from what you normally wear, these jeans run on the small side (I could not even get the 7 up over my hips and had to get a size 9).
Mossimo Juniors Colored Jeans



On Saturday we enjoyed some quality family time.







We painted some Easter Eggs. I figured Sterling was still a little young to paint actual eggs so we did paper ones. I swear my little man is going to be an artist, he's got some major talent.


Later that afternoon Matt whipped up a batch of mojitos made with fresh mint from our garden. They were so good, I gulped down three (quickly)!




Our sweet next door neighbor steamed us the most amazing crab legs. Pure heaven and yes, we ate every last one of them



On Sunday we headed to church. But first little man got a peak at what the Easter Bunny brought him. He loved all the chocolate and his bunny ears.


My Easter Sunday Dress: Tibi Dress (from about 3 years ago).



I tried to snap a picture post church but it is next to impossible to get this little guy to stay still for a second!


Later I finally got him to pose for a solo picture!

Happy Monday! Hope your week is off to a great start!

Friday, April 6, 2012

Thoughts For Friday!

Happy Easter to everyone. I am looking forward to this weekend with my two boys. We always stay in Charleston and celebrate just the three of us. It is a holiday I hold special because it is just us!

First of all I am so excited to share with you with you something I have been working on for awhile. Charleston Magazine has asked me to be a contributor to their new blog "Charleston Grit" and it is officially live! The peeps at Charleston magazine have worked so hard getting this blog ready to go live and it's awesome! It has already become a daily obsession for me. It is filled with so many topics from home decor and food to local happenings. Please check it out, there are some amazing bloggers on there!

I ended up making the Baked Hummus and Spinach Dip I blogged about last week. It was so good. You must make it next time you entertain. It is only 3 ingredients, hummus, spinach, and cheese!

Last year Sterling was too young to actually understand an egg hunt but this year he loved it. I hosted one at our weekly playgroup and he went crazy! His favorite part was scarfing down all the chocolate I hid inside the eggs.


I hit up Target for stuff for Sterling's Easter Basket and found this adorable Maxi Dress. Why I can't I ever just stick to my shopping list there?? It is only $27, such a steal girls. I live in cotton dresses during the summer and I love finding cute inexpensive ones. It also came in a really cute navy color. if your store doesn't carry it, it is online HERE.





Call me lame but I am a sucker for a Nicholas Sparks movie. I think it is the previews paired with the awesome music and pretty boys. Matt asked if the only reason I wanted to see this movie was because they played Adele and had Zac Efron in the movie. Who cares about the story line I just want to look at Zac's pretty face.




I am in love with Rachel Zoe's new Spring/Summer Collection. Girl can do no wrong! I have my eye on this dress and think I am going to use my birthday gift card to buy it. Stripes + a shift dress = the perfect little summer dress. I am thinking it will look great with my hot pink necklace from the Bauble Bar!
Rachel Zoe Madison Colorblock Shift Dress


Your quote for the weekend, so true my friends. Something important for us all to remember.



Have a lovely Easter Friends!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Let's Talk About Porches

I have a dirty little secret. We have a screened in porch and it is probably the most neglected area of our house. As of lately I have gotten the itch to redecorate it because it is a great little area we should use more often. I am going to share some pictures because we are all friends here but please don't judge this sad little area of our house.

Let's start with some pretty pictures before we get to my sad porch. These two photos are my inspiration for sprucing things up. I like the pops of color with the clean and fresh back drop. Plus I really dig the light fixtures in both.




Here is our neglected porch. Currently it serves as a storage porch for Sterling's toys and our recycling bins. Don't be jealous of the sweet horse my parents cleaned out of their attic and brought to us.



A few thoughts. I plan to paint the rocking chairs a glossy white. And add some bright cushions. I love Trina Turk's Outdoor Fabric choices. I just can't decide if I want a pattern or solid color.






I am pretty sure I am going to paint the floors this dark charcoal color: Downpipe by Farrow and Ball- Thanks to WayWay for introducing me to this fab color. I like the idea of glossy white furniture with dark charcoal floors.




I am also thinking about painting my Bamboo pots a glossy white and will use them as small tables or put some cool green plants in them.



Sterling loves hanging out on the porch so it needs to be kid friendly. What are your thoughts? Any other ideas?



Oh and our neighbors found this beauty in their backyard yesterday, Lord help us. You know I am going to be dreaming about snakes tonight. Snakes are my numero uno fear (well besides sharks and flying), so I am freaking out!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Summer Squash Gratin



This dish is a tried and true family favorite. My grandmother and mom made it all the time for us growing up and now it is a favorite for my boys (well Matt at least, Sterling has turned into quite the picky eater these days.) It is so super easy to whip together and deliciously tasty. Mt grandmother would totally call this a casserole but Gratin sounds much fancier, right?? You all know I love a casserole because it can be made ahead of time and just popped in the oven at dinner. I usually serve this with grilled chicken or fish and add another veggie and you have a well rounded meal!




SUMMER SQUASH GRATIN-2 LBS SQUASH AND ZUCCHINI CHOPPED
-1 SMALL ONION CHOPPED
-1 CUP MAYO
-2 TABLESPOONS SOUR CREAM
-1 CUP GRUYERE CHEESE
- 1/2 CUP PARMESAN CHEESE
-2 EGGS BEATEN
-1/2 TSP SALT
-1/4 TSP PEPPER

TOPPING:
-1 CUP PLAIN BREAD CRUMBS, PANKO OR RITZ CRACKERS CRUSHED
-2 TABLESPOON BUTTER

MIX ALL INGREDIENTS TOGETHER AND POUR INTO GREASED CASSEROLE DISH. MIX BREAD CRUMBS AND MELTED BUTTER AND POUR OVER THE CASSEROLE. BAKE AT 350 DEGREES 35-45 MINS UNTIL TOP BROWNS.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Obsessions

RAG AND BONE THE LEGGING JEAN IN MIDNIGHT
I have found the most perfect fitting pair of jeans. You will never want to wear any other jeans. These jeans are high waisted and suck you in like crazy. I swear I looked like I lost 10 lbs as soon as I zipped them up. Try them you will love them. And the are the perfect Midnight color a mix between black and navy. You are welcome these will be your new obsession too.



FABRIC
Anyone know who makes this fabric? I love it. Like really love it. Need it in my house somewhere. I found it on Pinterest and of course the link did not lead me to the fabric. I am thinking this would look sick on my wingback chairs.

ORGANIX MOROCCAN ARGAN OIL SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
My mom brought me some of this Shampoo and Conditioner and I am hooked. It like 1/3 the cost of the regular Moroccan oil shampoo and conditioner and works just as well if not better. It smells clean and made my hair super sleek.




SPLENDID TEE MAXI DRESS
Julia first alerted me to this adorable Maxi Dress. It is a great price and I love that it looks like a maxi skirt paired with a white tee. The perfect casual cotton dress to run around town in. I think it could also be easily dressed up with a great statement necklace. Hardest thing is deciding what color I want to order. Leaning towards Blue, but I do love the pink.







LINE AND DOT PRINTED DIAMOND DRESS
Ladies this dress is only $69!! How cute is it? I am totally ordering it for this Summer. I love mini dresses paired with flats. I see myself wearing this all summer!