Obsessions

SIMON PEARCE

My mom recently bought some gorgeous Simon Pearce hurricanes and now I am obsessed with his line. He makes the most beautiful glassware you will ever see. Some of it is quite simple but it still stands out so much. I am hoping to acquire a few pieces one day. Check out his website to HERE to view the whole collection.

MICHEAL KORS IPAD CASE

My sister-in-law just got one these IPad cases and it is using it as a clutch. A genius idea and now I want one! They are bigger than a regular clutch so you have room to fit all your stuff in it, and we all know oversize clutches are in for fall. They retail for about $128 which I don't think is horrible for a cute purse.

PICKLED VEGETABLES

My parents had the most delicious jar of pickled vegetables while I was home. It was filled with cauliflower, red peppers, celery, carrots and peppers. It was so tasty I ate it everyday for a snack! If you love pickles you need to get some pickles veggies asap. I was no stranger to pickled veggies as we always eat pickled okra but this mix was so good. My rents bought theirs at Costco but I came across a great recipe on Smitten Kitchen HERE to make your own.

THE PERFECT WHITE BLOUSE

I am on the hunt for the perfect white blouse. I am not a huge fan of plain white button-up blouses, just because they don't look great on me and aren't my style. I tend to gravitate towards towards a looser, flowier look. Here are 3 I am considering. I think they will pair great with skinny jeans and colored jeans for the fall.
Blouses: Madison Marcus, Elizabeth and James, Elizabeth and James. All via Shopbop.

BLACK FRONT DOOR

After seeing Nancy's amazing transformation of her front door on Marcus Design, I am smitten. I am going to try and tackle this project this weekend and paint my front door black. I love that she painted the outside and inside black as well. I am also in love with her lion head knocker, I need one of these! Check out Nancy's project HERE

Happy Tuesday! xoxo

Weekend Happenings

This weekend I came home to Charlotte to attend a bridal shower and engagement party for one of my best friends, Lauren. We have known each other since Junior High and lived together for several years before I got married. I adore her and her finance Chris. I had the best time with all my girlfriends. This mama partied like a rock star. I thought I would share a few pictures and please excuse the quality of the pictures I only had my iPhone!

The bride to be Lauren is in the blue and Melissa one of my other best friends

My favorite ladies: Courtney, Melissa and Hope

You will know I have been overserved when I drink a beer. I am so not a beer drinker so this photo makes me laugh.

The happy couple and soon to be Mr. and Mrs!

I had to share this photo because Melissa's shoes hurt her feet so bad she changed into these random Vans. I laughed so hard looking at her wearing these with her cocktail dress.

In other news, my little man has officially learned to feed himself. This is him enjoying his new favorite breakfast of cereal.

My in-laws were nice enough to keep him overnight Saturday since my parents had plans so it was so nice to get out and enjoy myself. Sterling loves staying with his Mimi and Pop and they take such good care of him. They are so sweet and always send me pictures of him when they keep him. They sent me this picture of him sleeping while I was out, how cute is this?? Looks like I have a reader on my hands. Not sure why the picture is fuzzy it kept uploading like that, but it is still cute.

While I was home my mom treated me to this fabulous Joie blouse. I can't wait to wear it this fall. Now I just need my high waisted wide leg jeans to complete my fall look.

How were your weekends?

Recommendations

Ok ladies I need some recommendations on a few things.

1) EYE CREAM
Do ya'll have an eye cream you love? I absolutely love LaMer but I am looking for a less expensive version to alternate with. Currently I have been using Clinque Daily Eye Benefit. I like it ok but wish it was a little thicker.

2) BOOKS
I need a new book to read now that I finished The Help. I loved it and Firefly Lane which I read right before it. I want a great new book to read that is as good as those two were!

I appreciate any recommendations! Have a great weekend! I am off to Charlotte for an engagement party for a dear friend. I can't wait to see all my favorite ladies and my parents! xoxo

Seeing Spots

I am really loving the polka dot trend for fall. This look is my inspiration to add some polka dots into my life. I adore this outfit.

Many celebs have been seen sporting this look already.

Here are two fabulous options for fall. Kelly Wearstler Scarf and Marc Jacobs Dress both via netaporter. I really want the scarf I think it would go with everything!



I also love the idea of incorporating polka dots into a child's room or nursery. Here are some fabulous ways to add some spots.

I even love the idea of it as artwork in your home like this gorgeous painting by Jen Ramos at Made By Girl. She just recently started selling her artwork on her website Cocoa and Hearts. Her work is gorgeous and I can't wait to get a piece for my house!

So are you seeing spots too? Do you love this trend as much as I do?

Watermelon and Arugula Salad

In light of my not so healthy recipe last week, I thought I would share a delicious salad this week. I have been dying to make a watermelon salad. I have seen so many different variations but I knew I couldn't go wrong with Ina's version. I served this a few weekends ago and it was a huge hit. The pepperiness of the arugula, the sweetness of the watermelon and the saltiness of the Parmesan cheese are the perfect combination. Enjoy!

Watermelon, Arugula and Parmesan Salad

Ingredients
1/2 pound baby arugula leaves
2 pounds seedless watermelon, 3/4-inch-diced (3 pounds with the rind)
1/3 cup good olive oil
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2-pound chunk Parmesan cheese

Directions
Place the arugula and watermelon in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pour enough dressing on the arugula to moisten. Toss well and place on 6 salad plates.

With a very sharp knife or a vegetable peeler, shave the Parmesan into large shards and sprinkle them on the arugula and watermelon. Sprinkle with salt and serve

**On another note I am having major issues with blogger. My left and ride side bars are all the way down at the bottom near my footer. Has anyone ever had this happen? and any idea how to fix it? Any tips would be appreciated! **

Obsessions

THE PERFECT FALL OUTFIT
I saw this outfit on shopbop and now I am obsessed. I need that blouse and those high waisted jeans. The blouse is Elizabeth and James and the jeans are Lover. I am so ready for fall and I think this outfit would be the perfect addition to my closet.

BRASS SEA URCHIN
Ever since seeing this baby appear on several blogs, I am convinced I need one for my entryway table. I think this little sea urchin may be the perfect accessory! This beauty can be found online at Furbishstudio.com. The Furbish store is in Raleigh, so if any of you live nearby you should stop in, it looks amazing!

KIRKLAND LAVASH CHIPS
I ate lunch the other day at Carolinas, one of my favorite local restaurants and they served us lavash chips with homemade hummus when we were seated instead of bread. I loved the lavash chips so much. They are like pita chips but thinner. I found these at Costco and they are amaze. I have been dipping them in everything! They are seasoned with Rosemary, Sesame and Olive Oil and taste great dipped in hummus.
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UNOAKED CHARDONNAY
I have recently really been into Chardonnays which I previously thought I hated. I still love LaCrema but while we were in Hilton Head I tasted several Unoaked Chardonnays and really liked them. If you don't like the oakiness of Chardonnay then you should try Unoaked Chardonnay. They were very smooth with no hint of oak at all. The only name I can remember that I tried was Saddleback Unoaked Chardonnay and it was great. However I am sure if you ask at your local wine shop they have several varieties.

STILA LIP GLOSS
Normally I am very loyal to my Chanel lipgloss, but my aunt, who is a make-up artist recommended this lipgloss and gave me a tube and I absolutely love it. It goes on really well and gives your lips the perfect hint of color. It is a little stickier than Chanel's lipgloss, but I think it lasts longer. I read this is what they always used on the Sex and the City girls while filming. I have the color Guava and love it, it is the perfect pink.

Refreshed

That is how I feel after our long weekend away, refreshed. It was so nice to have have a baby free weekend (although I thought about Sterling every minute and missed him like crazy). It was nice to go out to dinner, have adult conversations and bond again. We had an amazing time. This was pretty much our favorite evening activity, lounging by the pool with cocktails. I totally need to diet and detox this week, after what I put in my body in HH.

I am almost finished with The Help, I have like 20 pages left and might just finish it tonight. I love it and will be so sad when it is done. I can't wait to see the movie, what a wonderful story.

We managed to squeeze in a little time for shopping while we were in Hilton Head, mainly for Matt some new clothes but we did find this adorable sweater for Sterling. How cute is this?

On Sunday we came back to a spotless house, I mean really. My parents had mopped floors, scrubbed doors and windows and did all our laundry. My dad even put new hinges on all my kitchen cabinets and recovered my vanity stool that Sterling ruined with his passion for ink pens. Such great surprises. I really should have my parents babysit more often if this is what I come home to!

Sunday afternoon when we got back in town we did a family boat ride that was perfection. Sterling loved every minute of it.

I feel like myself again. I felt like my life was kind of like groundhog day for a little while. Being a stay at home mom is the best job in the world but I am not going to lie, your days are long and are usually the same thing over and over again. It can really wear you out. This trip made me realize how important it is to take time for your relationship and to have some adult time! Enjoy your Mondays!

Adult Time

The hubby and I are off for an adult only getaway. It will be our first solo vacation since our honeymoon almost 4 years ago. We have taken many vacays since but usually with my whole family- who can turn down an all expense paid vacay by your parents? This trip will be a little work and play. Matt will have to attend some meetings during the day and we will have cocktail parties at night but we will still have alot of free time.

We are staying at the Westin in Hilton Head.

I can't wait to lay by the pool.

and read this huge stack of magazines I never quite have the time to read. I am going to start The Help (I am know I am probably the last person to catch on to reading this book).

Hopefully enjoy a few of these.

and best of all sleep in late.
I am sad though I am missing one of my best friends bachelorette parties. I mean what are the odds that both events fell on the same weekend. It sucks, but my wifely duties prevail. Happy weekend dolls.

Dear Diet, I am Sorry.

Please apologize to your diets because this recipe is going to ruin them. This is quite possibly the tastiest pie ever. I am huge peanut butter lover for dessert, with peanut butter pie being top on my list of favorite desserts. I knew when I saw this recipe it was love at first site. Oreos for the crust and crushed Reeses Cups inside- can a dessert really get any better? Not only is this pie delish but it is so easy to make. No baking except a few minutes for the crust. You just pop it in the freezer and enjoy a few hours later. I polished off my piece and the hubby's this weekend and have been enjoying the leftovers everyday. You're welcome, this recipe rocks.

Frozen Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie

Makes one 9 inch pie or three 4 inch mini pies.

Preparation: Lightly butter springform pan if it is not non-stick. If you do not have a springform pan line a cake pan with a piece of lightly buttered foil leaving a one inch over hang around the edges for easy pie removal or alternately use a traditional pie pan.

•24 oreo cookies, crushed
•4 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
•2 ½ cups Cool Whip
•¾ cup creamy peanut butter
•½ cup confectioner sugar
•½ cup crushed Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

Oreo Crust Instructions:
1.Place Oreos in a food processor or blender and pulse until cookies are finely crumbed. Alternatively, place Oreos in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin. Mix in the melted butter and then firmly press crumbs into pan to create a crust. Bake crust at 350 degrees F for 7-10 minutes.

Reese Peanut Butter Pie Filling Instructions:
1.Place peanut butter and confectioner sugar in a pan over low heat and stir until combined and peanut butter is melted. Set aside for five minutes to cool. Gently fold in peanut butter mixture into Cool Whip until combined. Gently fold in crushed Reese’s pieces into peanut butter Cool Whip mixture.
2.Pour mixture into Oreo crust and freeze for 3 hours. Garnish with caramel and chocolate drizzle (for added decadence rim with chopped Reese’s pieces).

** I made one pie in a springform pan but really think any pie pan would work. I also added more cool whip than the recipe called for to make the filling fluffier. The photo is not mine, the pie was already half eaten when I realized I forgot to take a picture of ours. That is how good it is, no time to even think about photos.**

photo via

You can check out the original recipe HERE