Man Pleaser = Beef Stew

I am really not a beef stew lover, I like it fine, but it is probably not what I would choose to eat. Matt on the otherhand loves it, it is one of his favorite meals. The last time we had this stew was the week Sterling was born. My mom made it for us and it was delicious, perfect for this time of year. I decided since it had been almost a year, it was time for me to bust out the recipe and surprise the hubs with one of his favorite meals last night. The stew did not disappoint! It is so rich and tasty, the meat literally falls apart when you bite into it. We served ours with toasted French Bread slathered in butter, pure heaven. The best part is since this recipe calls for wine, you can finish drinking the bottle you opened while it cooks! I used a tasty Malbec in mine, delish!
Ingredients

Meat with Onion Soup Mixture

Meat and Veggies covered with Cream of Celery and Wine Mixture, ready to bake

5 hours later....

Dinner is Served

This beef stew really did not photograph well, I promise it tastes better than it looks!

BEEF STEW
- 2LBS BEEF STEW MEAT
- 6-8 SMALL POTATOES QUARTERED
- 2-3 LARGE ONIONS QUARTERED
- 7-8 CARROTS SLICED
- 1 PACKAGE DRY ONION SOUP MIX
- 1 CAN CREAM OF CELERY SOUP
- 1/2 CUP RED OR ROSE WINE
- 1/2 CUP WATER

SPREAD MEAT IN BOTTOM OF BAKING DISH. SPRINKLE WITH SALT AND PEPPER AND ONION SOUP DRY MIX. ADD IN SLICED CARROTS, POTATOES, AND ONIONS. IN A BOWL MIX SOUP WITH WATER AND WINE. POUR OVER MEAT AND VEGGIES. COVER WITH FOIL. BAKE AT 250 DEGREES FOR 5 HOURS.

What I'm Drinking + Eating

Happy Friday Loves. I just had to share with you three of my favorite new wines and a fabulous pimento cheese to go with. It's the weekend (finally!) so it is time to indulge! I highly suggest you check these babies out.

St. Francis Chardonnay
This wine is amazing! So smooth and creamy. Retails for about $14.


Dynamite Cabernet
I was pleasantly surprised when I tried this wine, I bought it at a wine sidewalk sale and the vendor really talked me into trying it. It is awesome! A perfect Cab. It retails for about $21 but right now for some reason at the grocery stores (at least here in Charleston) it is on sale for $10.99.


Alamos Malbec
I have been having a love affair with Malbec's lately. This one is very tasty for only $8.99.



Lilly Farms Pimento Cheese



Who doesn't love pimento cheese, well at least what Southerner doesn't love it? This cheese is made nearby in Chester, SC and it is divine. I hate when pimento cheese is too mayonnaisey, it makes the cheese super greasy. This is not. It is the perfect blend of cheese with light sauce. I have been enjoying the "It's a Gouda Day" filled with Gouda, sweet pimentos and hickory smoked bacon. Trust me this pairs perfectly with the wines I mentioned! They also offer two other flavors "The Original" and "South by Southwest." Most of the Piggly Wigglys here are Charleston are carrying this spread so try it asap!

Go stock up and get your wine and cheese on this weekend:)
BTW Check back tomorrow I have a recipe to share!

Pillow Drama

Ok, faithful readers, I need your help deciding which pillow combination to go with on my sofa in the den. I have desperately been wanting to add some pink accents in my house. Well, I found some pink pillows at Tuesday Mornings of all places. I mean that place is seriously creepy and I did feel like I needed to take a shower after I left there, but they did have some decent rugs and pillows. I think this pink might be too bright in my den. I was looking for more of a peony/honeysuckle pink but for the price ($19.99) I thought I had to try these out (and they are returnable). I have taken pictures of the 4 different combos of pillows for my den. Take a look and vote for your favorite or please give me a suggestion for a different pillow to add to the mix! Thanks girls! xoxo

COMBO ONE: LEOPARD NEEDLEPOINT + HOT PINK



COMBO TWO: LEOPARD NEEDLEPOINT + SOLID GREEN



COMBO THREE: CHOCOLATE BROWN GEOMETRIC + MONOGRAM "M"



COMBO FOUR: LEOPARD NEEDLEPOINT + MONOGRAM "M"



Thoughts? After looking at these pictures I am not sure I love the pink. Curious what ya'll think.

Mommy Style Envy

I came across these pictures of Claudia Schiffer picking her kids up from school and was impressed. This is how I hope to look after 3 kids. Her outfit is put together but not too much. Loves. I am loving the purple, gray and cognac color combo too. If anyone knows where I can find some fab over the knee boots like this, please share.

Obsessions- Michaela Noelle Designs

This week the gorgeous Michaela Noelle is contributing to my weekly "Obsessions" series and sharing what she is currently loving.
If you have not checked out Michaela's blog, it is a must read! Not only is she beautiful, but she is super sweet and very talented!


(I told you she was gorgeous!)
Her blog is one of my favorite daily reads! She is constantly inspiring me with her eye for design and Fashion Friday posts. Although we have never met in person, I feel like she is a dear friend through all our online exchanges. Michaela you rock, thanks for participating in my series! xoxo

Hi there, fabulous readers of Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers! It's Michaela from Michaela Noelle Designs.  I'm so thrilled to be here! I was so excited when my girl Natalie asked me to guest post about things I'm obsessing over.  Funny thing is, whenever I see something I love I always say, "I'm obsessed with that!" {Even if it's the first time I've seen it} So today I'll be sharing a million five things I'm obsessed with as of lately.

1.

{My room at home}

2.

This kitchen is literally my dream kitchen. I want the fireplace, the backsplash, the rustic barn ceilings.  Obsessed is an understatement.

3.

This is my favorite way to take an outfit from ordinary to unique! Even someone who's read my Fashion Friday posts just once would know I'm infatuated with headbands and flowers.

4.

I want every single piece of clothing the spring line has to offer. Like, right now please (:

I love how they're mixing pastels and bold colors with prints and neutrals! 

5.

How'd this get in here?!  Somehow she makes it into most of my posts.  How could I not be obsessed with the cutest golden retriever ever?  She's will shake your hand, be your defender when you're practicing football {obviously I'm talking about my brother practicing football...I can't play sports to save my curls in a rain storm!}, she'll pick up her toys when she's done playing with them and put them back in her bucket, she won't leave our property {except that one time when she went to go say hello to her BFF Roxy, aka the neighbor dog} and she'll eat your carrots from under the table when you don't want them.  

Thanks so much for having me, Natalie! You're beautiful inside and out, and I hope I will be just as stylish and wonderful when I'm a mama one day.  I just love this series and can't wait to see what others come up with!

xoxo, Michaela

Happy Valentine's Day to Me

Hard to believe Valentine's Day is about a week away. Last year on Valentine's Day we shared a delicious Mexican dinner with my parents and then I ended up going into labor later that night. Valentine's Day was my actual due date (although Sterling was born two days later on the 16th), so it holds a very special place in my heart. Not to mention, Valentine's Day was Matt and I's first date together 10 years ago! This will be my first Valentines spent with my two boys and I can't wait! These are a few gifts I would not be sad to get from the hubs (Matt, for once I hope you are reading)!
Alexis Bittar Crystal Encrusted Pave Ring
Alexis Bittar Crystal Encrusted Gold Extra Large Hoops
Can you tell I love me some Alexis Bittar, especially his new Miss Havisham line. The colors are so my style.
Alexis Bittar Crystal Encrusted Gold Medium Pave Hinge Bracelet
This perfume smells like pure heaven filled with the scent of Gardenias, my favorite!
Chantecaille Petals Perfume

I never met a Tibi Dress I didn't like. Loving the color and style.
Tibi Calla Lily V-neck Dress

and if he's feeling extra saucy, I love this nightgown.
Only Hearts Venice Teddy
What are you wishing/lusting for on Valentine's Day? In reality I am just looking forward to not being in labor, awaiting hospital admittance and an epidural on Vday, and enjoying some quality time and delicious champagne with Matt. No gifts needed.

Hammocks and High Tea

Thank you to House Beautiful for alerting me to this fabulous website!! Every month when I get my new issue of House Beautiful in the mail I get so excited. It is one of my all time favorite magazines. The new March issue is awesome, it is the spring color issue and is filled with pink! You all know I love me some pink. If you don't subscribe go pick up this issue, it is filled with lots of goodies.

Ok, so back to the topic of Hammocks and High Tea. HB featured these adorable totes.


They listed the website, HammocksandHighTea and I have been browsing on it all morning. The totes are $130 and come in such cute patterns. They also have amazing pillows, napkins, drawer liners and runners. I adore this black and white pattern called Sumba.



The other patterns are equally as stunning!




Do yourself a favor and go check out the Hammocks and High Tea Website today! I am wanting to order one of each thing! I especially love the napkins for entertaining and the pillows!