Friday, March 2, 2012

Thoughts For Friday

Please tell me you saw the latest post on Gwennie's blog GOOP. It is Gwyneth modeling different outfits and showing how to go from day to night. It provides links to buy each outfit, so loving it! I really want to try and recreate several of these looks. Here are a few of my favs, check out the others HERE





I think Molly Sims is the cutest pregnant lady ever! How stylish does she look with her little baby bump!






I went in a Lululemon store for the first time yesterday thanks to my pal Katie. Have I been living under a rock?? These workout clothes are freaking amazing. I swear they sucked me in all the right places and looked stylish at the same time. I am hoping to get these 3 staples for my birthday at the end of the month. Tried on the shorts and pants and LOVE them!






Our neighbor just delivered our three boxes of girl scout cookies I ordered this week and I can't stop eating them. I ordered Samoas, Thin Mints, and Shout-Outs (a new cookie this year). I am really digging the Shout-Outs, they are light, crisp, caramelized, and you can eat 4 for only 130 calories!




I am seriously considering making these Bacon, Egg, and Blue Cheese sandwiches from Smitten Kitchen this weekend. How amaze do they look?




I am obsessed with this Mara Hoffman cover-up. Has anyone seen it for sale anywhere?




Your quote for the day. Happiness.




And I couldn't resist one funny quote. Because let's be real all I want to watch is the Housewives, Bethenny, and Gossip Girl, and all Matt wants to watch is sports and the history channel. Nothing in common TV wise unless we are watching Diners, Drive in and Dives (yep I admit it I kind of like a Guy Fieri show- don't judge).



Have a fabulous weekend!!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Look For Less

MILLY VS OLD NAVY
I so wish the Old Navy version of this blouse was out last year when I dropped a pretty penny on my Milly Sailboat Blouse. They look pretty similar. I am sure the quality of the Milly Blouse is better, or at least that is what I am telling myself since I already own it! The Old Navy one is so cute for a fraction of the price! Get yours HERE!

MILLY VERSION SPRING 2011, $295





OLD NAVY VERSION, $29.94


Do A Little Good With Rue La La


Ladies you must check out Rue La La today. Rue La La partnered with celebrity mom Busy Philipps to create a boutique that not only beckons you to live out loud, but helps do a little good. The boutique is filled with Busy’s favorites from Tibi, Tutu Couture, Alex Toys, Twirls & Twigs and more. In turn, Rue La La is donating part of the proceeds to the Step Up Women’s Foundation in Busy’s name. The Step up Network for those who don't know is an organization that does two things simultaneously: It puts professional women in a mentoring position with undeserved teen girls, and puts like-minded professional women in contact with each other, helping to advance women all across the board. So go and get your shop on for a good cause! The sale starts at 11 today.



Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Foil Baked Fish With Black Beans and Corn


Fish it's whats for dinner. At least in the Mason household. I have been trying to incorporate more fish into our diets. I mean we live at the coast we should be eating fresh fish all the time. I found this recipe on Pinterest and made a few changes (I highlighted my adaptations in pink). This dish was cheap, healthy, so easy to whip together, and super tasty. I made it for dinner while one of Matt's friends was in town visiting and we all cleaned our plates. The sign of a great meal. Then I proceeded to break my plate (wine at playgroup + more wine later= broken plates). I have a feeling we will be making this meal many more times. Perfect for entertaining. Here is my picture of our packets- not as pretty but oh so good! Enjoy!


Foil-Baked Fish with Black Beans and Corn
•4 skinless white fish fillets (6 to 8 oz each), 1-inch thick (we used Mahi)
•salt and pepper
•4 Tbs unsalted butter, softened
•2 tsp minced chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (I couldn't find so I omitted)
•1 tsp grated orange zest
•2 Tbs freshly squeezed orange juice
•2 cloves garlic, minced
•1 (16-oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
•2 cups corn kernels (I used 3 ears fresh corn shucked)
•1/2 red onion, minced
•2 scallions, minced
•1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat to 450 degrees.

Pat the fish dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Using a fork, mix together the butter, 1 teaspoon chipotle, orange zest, half the garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper in a medium bowl until well-combined. Spread butter mixture over the fish. ( I only mixed my butter with garlic and salt and pepper)

Combine the beans, corn, onion, scallions, 2 tablespoons of cilantro, orange juice, remaining chipotle, remaining garlic, scallions, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl.

Lay four 14-inch lengths of foil on the counter and divide the bean mixture evenly over the lower half of each piece of foil. Top with fish, and fold the foil over the fish, folding the edges to seal.

Arrange the packets in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the fish is just cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully open the packets and sprinkle with remaining cilantro. Serve.

Top picture and original recipe Via

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Obsessions

ABSTRACT ART BY SARAH SWANSON
I am so excited I won this beauty by Sarah Swanson over at Eileen's blog this week. If you have not checked out Sarah's Etsy site you must. All her abstract paintings are only $10. Such a steal for beautiful artwork. I love the idea of grouping several of these together on a wall to make a statement. I am going to order a few more now that I own one to hang over my desk. Hard part will be narrowing down which other ones I want!




PHILLIP LIM 3.1 SLEEVELESS TANK DRESS
Man do I love Phillip Lim. This dress is perfection in my book. The perfect color and fit. I need this baby for summer.




YELLOW, AQUA, AND BROWN COLOR COMBO
I would never think to pair these 3 colors together but I am digging it in a major way.



OLD NAVY SWIMWEAR
I was shocked when I saw these bathing suits were from Old Navy. Normally I never have luck at Old Navy but these swim suits are so cute and the prices are even better! A tript to Old Navy may be in my future!




PARTIDA ANEJO TEQUILA
I admit it, I am a true tequila lover. I know most of you are cringing picturing yourself taking a shot of rank cheap tequila and wanting to vomit right now. But trust me, if you buy good tequila you will love it too. This is the best tequila I have ever had, hands down. It is so smooth with no after taste or burn. I tried it first during a trip to NYC a few years ago and have been hooked ever since. Sadly, they don't sell this tasty gem in North or South Carolina. My sister just traveled to PA last week for work and brought down a bottle this weekend that we enjoyed. Reminded me how good the stuff is. Good tequila is made to be served room temperature straight up and sipped slowly. If you ever come across this tequila I highly recommend you buy some, it is amazing.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Tibi Stalking...

You might remember this dress I blogged about awhile back. I have been stalking the Tibi site weekly to see if it has been released yet.


Well it turns out this is actually a camisole and skirt.
I still really like it, but I am not sure how that pleated skirt would look on my hips. I feel like I might look huge in it. For some reason maxi skirts are not the best look for me. I am curvy and have wide hips so this is a hard look for me to pull off. And adding pleats is a look that is never cute on me!
{TIBI ARIZONA CAMI}




During my Tibi stalking session I found this other dress. Same pattern but a different style and I really love it. I think it would be so versatile. Cute with heels for a night out or flats to run errands during the day. It comes in lavender and tan. I am thinking I like the tan better. I feel like I would wear this more than the cami/skirt combo. Other thought is to order just the Camisole which I could wear with jeans or shorts. Thoughts?
{TIBI ARIZONA SLIP DRESS}





And I think these DV Dolce Vita shoes would go perfectly with the slip dress or any outfit. A real steal for $69. I seriously want to buy the black, tan, and hot pink for that price! Get yours HERE



For all my preggo friends. I think this Tibi dress would be the cutest maternity dress ever. I think it would be hard to pull off not preggo but so adorable with a baby bump!
{TIBI ARIZONA LONG DRESS}



Friday, February 24, 2012

Thoughts For Friday

Happy Friday Loves. This has been a long week for me in more ways than one. I am glad its the weekend and I am even more excited my sister is coming in town. We have a wine date planned for Saturday afternoon and I can't wait!
Get ready for some randomness...

I am really drawn to this dining room. It is gorgeous. It is filled with so many unique things but they all seem to go together perfectly. I love the table, pillows, wall color, and light fixture in a major way.

I picked up Alicia Sliverstone's cookbook The Kind Diet a few weeks ago. I found it on clearance for $10 and figured I couldn't go wrong for that price (although maybe it was on sale so cheap because it sucks). The cookbook seems a little on the hippie side but alot of the recipes actually look pretty good. Anyone own it and have recipe recs?


I am thinking this is going to be the first recipe I test out, Cheesy Guacamole Bean Dip.



I did my Tracy Anderson DVDs this week for the first time in weeks. Man am I sore today. I forgot what a good workout those DVDs are. I heard now that Tracy is pregnant she is working on a set of pregnancy DVDS for each month of your pregnancy. Supposedly Gwyneth recommended the idea to her and it will document her pregnancy. I hope these come out by the time I decide to get pregnant again!



I am loving my Hive and Honey Maxi Dress.



My mother in law gave Sterling this book for his birthday. Read this book if you never have it is the sweetest story. Although I will say neither Matt nor I could finish it without shedding a tear.

Liz posted this outfit inspiration on her blog, Sequins and Stripes yesterday and I am officially obsessed. Now I want a bright yellow maxi skirt. Well really I want the whole outfit.

My two old is a wild man. Seriously, every night after bath time it is a struggle to catch him and put his PJ's on. This is what he normally does. Every. Single. Night.

Thank goodness for my nightly glass of wine, helps me deal with the craziness. I picked up this Cab at Earthfare this week and it is awesome. It is on sale for $13.99 and it is excellent! 14 Hand 2009 Cabernet, go buy some you will love it!

This quote has provided me with alot of inspiration lately.



Have a great weekend! xoxo