Obsessions

To spice things up I am going to start a weekly post called Obsessions, where I will share a few things I am currently obsessed with. I am also asking some of my favorite fellow bloggers to participate as well, as guest bloggers. I am so excited to learn about other's favorite things and share my favs too! Here is my current list of things I am dreaming about:

IKAT
I love everything about it, it even inspired my new header. I am desperately trying to incorporate some in my house!



CHANEL'S NEW NAIL POLISH: ORANGE FIZZ
This makes me ready for Spring! I love the pinkish coral color. This would look amazeballs on tan hands!

LAURA MERCIER BRUSH CLEANER
This stuff is the bomb. It cleans brushes so easily. I use gel eyeliner so I use it daily to clean my brushes. I can't get enough of it!

NEUTRALS
I am so happy that neutrals are "in" for this spring/summer. I love, love, love a nude dress (especially with a tan, because right now my white legs would blind you)!


Here are two neutral dresses, I would love to have in my closet!

Shakuhachi Dress

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Dress
IPAD
My parents just bought an ipad and I played with it all last week while I was home. I am now officially obsessed. I need one asap! I am hoping for my birthday in March, I will get one of these beauties (hint, hint).


What are your obsessions? Let me know if you are interested in doing a guest post for me for this weekly series!

Parents, Parties, and Good Wine

I have been home for the last week visiting my parents and it has been wonderful! I love visiting them. My mom cooks, my dad makes me coffee every morning, they help out with Sterling, and they always have the best wine! Way better than what I can afford. I found a new favorite wine while trying out all their goodies, the Bianchi Cabernet. This is seriously good wine! You should definitely try this if you love Cabs. It is so smooth and tasty (sorry to tempt my preggo friends). I think it retails for about $30, out of my price range for daily drinking but maybe for a special occasion.

Sterling was majorly spoiled by my sister and parents! He loves all the attention he gets while we are home.



While I was home we also had an engagement party for my brother. I love an engagement party because its a great excuse to dress up. I decided to go with a sequined dress again (big surprise)! I tried to attempt a self portrait to show you my cute dress, but it didn't quite work out so well, but you get the idea!






The week and weekend were a fabulous time! Now its back to reality. It's Monday and I am solo at home with my little man and cheap wine!

Girl Crush- Nicole Richie

I have several ladies that I crush on, for their style. You already know I love Gwyneth and Olivia Palermo, but I also have a major girl crush on Nicole Richie. I love her Bohemian style and ever-changing hair! Remember the good old days when she and Rachel Zoe were BF'S? I think Rachel definitely helped transform her into the style icon she is today. Thought I would leave you with these inspirational style pics for the weekend. I hope you have a fashionable Friday!

Knock Your Socks Off Collard Greens and Artichoke Dip

I guess I am a true Southerner. I just made my first collard greens dip. Yep, you heard me right! This dip is similar to spinach artichoke dip but I love the different flair the Collards give the dip. I literally could not stop eating this. It oozes with two different cheeses and is filled to the brim with artichokes and collards. I like to think this counted as my veggie of the day! Next time you need a special appetizer to bring to a party, make this dip!

COLLARD GREENS AND ARTICHOKE DIP
INGREDIENTS
4 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 shallot, chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 pint heavy whipping cream
2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 lemon, juiced
Dash hot sauce
Dash Worcestershire sauce
2 (10-ounce) boxes collard greens, thawed and drained
1 (14-ounce) jar artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and shallots and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute until it reaches a golden blonde color. Slowly whisk in the cream and turn up heat until it thickens.

Add the Parmesan and Cheddar. Stir until the cheese has melted. Add salt, pepper, lemon juice, hot sauce and Worcestershire. Fold in the collard greens and artichoke hearts.

Add mixture to a casserole dish. Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown.

Serve this dip with baked pita chips

Print Recipe HERE

Subway Tile Love

Lately I have been obsessed with Subway tile. I love the clean, sleek look of it! If we ever redo our kitchen or bathroom, (which I hope to do one day if we don't move first) I plan to most definitely incorporate subway tile. These are some inspiration images I have saved. What do you think? Do you love subway tile or think its too plain?

Tory Burch Resort 2011

You all know I love me a Tory Burch Reva Ballet Flat. I own about 8 pairs, sad I know! But I swear they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever put on! Tory's 2011Resort Collection is beautiful. Filled with vibrant colors, patterns and different textures. There are so many dresses and accessories I would love to add to my summer wardrobe! Here are my favorites.

Cacilla Sweater

Clarimond Diamond Long Dress

Achima Shorts

Small Jaden Quilted Leather Tote

Laricia Printed Chiffon Top

Petula Silk Georgette Maxi Dress

Reva Ballet Flats in Ray Yellow

Verona Embellished Suede Sandals
Are you a Tory Burch lover? What do you think of her Resort Collection?

Our Weekend

We had a busy weekend! Plans both nights plus a birthday party in between.
Friday night we met up with Matt's sister Britton and her husband Rob for some drinks and dinner at the High Spirits Lounge. Don't judge us, this a bar inside a Holiday Inn, but it has some of the best views of city.

Matt is a gold card member, meaning $1.50 glasses of wine and $3 liquor drinks. You can't beat that! We had a great time catching up and hearing all about their recent honeymoon to South Africa.

Not sure what Sterling and I thought was so funny!

On Saturday we headed to Carson's Second Birthday Party. Sadly I didn't get any pictures of the birthday boy or my girl Caycee, but the party was amazing! Caycee did an awesome job putting everything together. She had a huge jump castle out back, that Matt and Sterling enjoyed!

Sterling eating all the birthday boy's toys!


After the birthday party we headed over to our friends, Alissa and Alec's house for some homemade Beef Stew and delicious red wine!
Second family picture of the weekend, I feel like we never get pictures with all three of us, usually just one or the other with Sterling!

Our gracious hosts, Alissa and Alec who have a gorgeous house downtown!

The boys trying their best to look manly!

Oh, and Sterling has become obsessed with toilets, Lord help us. He wants to stick his hands in one anytime he sees it!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!