Scenes From Our Weekend

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I know we certainly did.  Although I must say I ate and drank way too much all weekend.  Back to reality today and back to the gym for shizzle.  

I have to brag for a minute because my husband cooks the most perfect beautiful turkey ever.  He is so good at it.  I don't even love turkey but I love his.  He takes it very seriously and brines it for two days and then stuffs it full of veggies and herbs.  It is mouth wateringly good!

  

We tried to snap a family picture which is always difficult.  I think Sterling does this on purpose when the camera comes out so we can't get a good picture.  He cried  the whole time.

I did think this one with our furbaby was pretty funny!

Here is my Thanksgiving Outfit:

{Theory Blouse, JBrand Bourbon Jeans, JCrew Necklace (old)}

I found the cutest pair of slippers for Sterling during Black Friday sales.  They came in several different options but he loved the alligator ones. They are the softest things ever!  They were supposed to be a Christmas gift but I am a sucker and gave them to him early.  He has worn them everyday since!

{Hatley Alligator Slippers}

We started decorating our house for Christmas.  I always start the day after Thanksgiving, I like to enjoy my decorations as long as I can! 

This year is especially fun decorating because Sterling is so into it.  He has loved getting all the decorations out and helping me put them up!

Saturday I had a fun night with these pretty ladies at Pearlz in West Ashley.

I rocked a blouse my sister in law shared with me that came from Forever 21.  It was $19 ladies!! Doesn't it look just like Milly?  I could not find it online but found mine in the store on King Street.

Thanks to Matt I discovered the most amazing ginger ale ever.  Now I normally don't drink soft drinks but this ginger ale is freaking amazing.  I drank two this weekend.  Unheard of normally.  It is made with fresh ginger and not sweet at all.  Perfectly carbonated.  We found it in the chilled section at the Piggly Wiggly.  You must try it!!

 I found a new iphone app I am obsessed with called "PocketBooth".  It is like a photo booth on your iphone.  We used it last night and had so much fun with it!

Alright, that's all I have today!  Off to the gym to work off all the crap I ate this week!

xoxo

Black Friday Steals

There is nothing I love more than a good sale and Black Friday is the best shopping day of the year!  Here are my picks:

SHOPBOP is having a big event with code BIGEVENT12 you can save up to 35%

Saks, Neimans, and Nordstrom are all also having great sales. 

I am off to shop and you should too!

Thankful

As Thanksgiving approaches (holy crap where did this year go?) I want to take a minute to thank God for all the Blessings in my life.  Alot of times around the Holidays we get wrapped up thinking about what we are going eat or drink, how we are going to decorate our houses,  and all the things we need to create this beautiful image in our heads.  Yes, Thanksgiving is about good food (and even better drinks) but it is also about appreciating the things we have in our lives and spending time with loved ones.

  So here is my thankful list:

-Sterling.  Any parents knows that a child is the greatest blessing you can ever be given.  Sterling is the light of life.  He brings more joy and love to my life than I ever thought possible.

- My family.  I thank God everyday for Matt, my parents that are still in good health, and my brother and sister.  I am beyond lucky to have this family.  They are my support system.  They are my everything.

- My In-laws and sister-in-law.  My in-laws are so good to us and since they moved down to Charleston this year my life has been so much easier.  I love having them in town.  It is so nice to have family here.

- My friends.  I am so lucky to have made a great circle of friends here in Charleston that are near and dear to my heart.  When I moved here 5 years ago I knew two people.  Crazy how in 5 years the girls that I have met here have become like family to me.  I love them all like sisters.  They help keep me sane.  I of course still love all my Charlotte friends too:)

- Sterling's friends.  I love his friends like I love him.  They are the sweetest group around.  They hold such a special place in my heart because they bring him so much happiness.

- My blog and all my wonderful readers.  This blog is my happy place.  It is my place to be creative, to vent, to post pictures of things I am lusting after,  and a place to just be real and myself.  I love every comment and email I get, they always make my day.  Thank you for all your support and for taking the time to read my blog each day.

- Wine,  duh that is a no brainer.

-Good Food. Being able to dine out and cook what I want is a true luxury.  It is my greatest passion (well beside shopping).

- My house.  Yes we are cramped as crap in our little house and I hate most of my furniture but we are lucky to have a roof over our heads.  I love this little house because it holds so many special memories for my family.

-On a random note I am also thankful for my first event I am helping to co-host next week.  Any locals please stop by and see us.  It will be fun- there is free champagne and shopping discounts, enough said!  I am so flattered to be helping to host this awesome event.

 I have mentioned before how much I love my devotional Jesus Calling.  I read it every night and  it has provided me with alot of comfort and inspiration this year.  I wanted to share this one verse that I think particularly relates to Thanksgiving.  I don't normally do this on here and in no means am trying to be preachy just wanted to share this because it holds very true to me and something I want to remember daily, to be thankful with exactly what I have in this moment.

"Bring me the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving.  Take nothing for granted, not even the rising of the sun.  When you focus on things you don't have or situations that displease you your mind also becomes darkened.  You take for granted life, salvation, sunshine, flowers and countless other gifts from me.  You look for what is wrong and refuse to enjoy life until it is fixed.  When you approach me with Thanksgiving the light of my presence pours into you transforming you."

  Happy Thanksgiving sweet friends!  I am off to cook my booty off today!

Obsessions: AKA Things You Need in Your Life

{JOIE POLLINI FAUX-WRAP DRESS}
We have quite a few holiday parties this year and my parents were sweet enough to treat me to a dress for the holidays.  I thought about going all glitzy and glam but decided if they were treating I wanted something I could wear all the time.  This dress is amazing.  I swear it looks awesome on.  What I love about it is you can dress it up or down.  Add a fun jeweled necklace and heels and you are ready for any Holiday party.  I sported mine this Saturday for our girls night out.  Oh and it is on major sale right now- get it before it sales out.  I paired mine with grey tights and booties.  I pictured it with two necklaces below so you could see how it works with all kinds of jewelry!

{HONEY TRUFFLE MUSTARD}

This is the stuff dreams are made of, so good!  I randomly found this at Homegoods and it was well worth the $4.  We served ours spread on fresh pepperoni with cheese this weekend and it was amazing.  I found it online here too- would be a great hostess gift.

{TOO FACED THREE WAY LASH LINING TOOL}

My mom had been raving about this eyeliner forever and I finally tried hers while I was home.  It works great.  It draws a perfect line on top and bottom.  Goes on super smooth and precisely.  I of course had to get one for myself I am always searching for the perfect eyeliner and I think this may be it!
This is how the beauty site describes it (better than I can):

"Lash-Emphasizing: Unique triple tip easily stamps dots between lashes for a naturally thicker lash look instantly!
Tight Lining: Fine points make it easy to line inside of eyes, or at the base of lashes for a more wide-eyed and brighter look.
Eye Lining: 3 tips ensure a triple coating of the blackest black line while they also ensure a smoother, more steady line. Great for cat eyes!"

{GAP STUDIO SWEATER}
This is the softest most comfortable sweater you will ever put on.  I did not want to take it off.  They are made of a blend of wool, acrylic, and nylon which = the most luxurious sweater ever.
  I have the black and blue versions.  They would be great to wear out running errands but I have been wearing mine around the house with my JCrew Saturday pants or leggings.  They are also cute to throw on over workout clothes.  They would make a great Christmas gift for someone plus they are on sale right now!  The perfect lounge wear sweater.

{MAGNOLIA WREATHS}
I have wanted a Magnolia wreath since I saw it in Southern Living a few years ago.  I heard a rumor there is a guy at the Farmers Market who sells them.  You better believe I am headed there Saturday to try and score one before he sells out.  I adore this look for the holidays.  This is probably an easy DIY so if anybody wants to make one for me, I will happily take it:)

{NATE BERKUS METALLIC PILLOW}

I love the idea of adding fun pillows for the Holidays and what better way to spruce up your house than with a few metallic pillows.  I am obsessed with these from the Nate Berkus line.  I know alot the stores are sold out but there is alot of his stuff still online!

Cooking With Crock Pots: Truffled Beef Pot Pie

Ready for yet another confession??   We received a crock pot for a wedding gift 5 years ago and I have never used it, not once.   I have nothing against crock pots, but normally I just cook things in my LeCreuset pots.   So when crock pot contacted me and asked if I wanted to participate in a crock pot cooking contest, I immediately thought, yes!  It was the perfect nudge to inspire me and get me using my crock pot.  

Crock Pot recently came out with 3 new seasoning packets (beef stew, pot roast, and BBQ)  and the challenge was to create a recipe that used one of the seasoning packets.   Easy enough, right?  Let your imaginations run wild.  Best part is the contest is still open and anyone can enter thru November 25th.   If you have a fabulous crock pot recipe,  just submit it here.  The winner gets a years supply of groceries valued at $8500.  I know I would be all over some free groceries. 

My first experience with the crock pot turned out amazing.  Why did I wait so long to use this easy appliance.  I tossed everything in around lunch and come dinner time it was perfectly cooked and I had nothing more to do than sip my wine. 

Here is the recipe Matt and I came up with.  It is a mix between beef stew and chicken pot pie.  Oh and it is truffled.  This one decadent comfort food dish you will love!   We decided to mix it up and use two seasoning packets in our dish.  We loved the Beef Stew and Pot Roast mixes so much we combined them.  I would say it was a genius idea.  Best of both worlds.  This is was so easy to whip together and super delicious.  Here's to hoping I win:)  You should totally make this for your family and enter the contest.

Seriously though if anybody has great slow cooker recipes send them my way.  I loved how easy it was to throw all this in the pot and then dinner was ready!

{TRUFFLED BEEF POT PIE WITH PUFF PASTRY CRUST}

- 2 LBS BEEF STEW MEAT

- 2 CARROTS SLICED

- 2 PARSNIPS SLICED

- I PINT SLICED WHITE MUSHROOMS

- 4 YUKON GOLD POTATOES DICED

- 1 CUP FROZEN PEARL ONIONS

- 1 CUP FROZEN PEAS

- 1 CREAM OF CELERY SOUP

- 1/2 CUP RED WINE

- 1/2 CUP WATER

- 1/2 BEEF STEW SEASONING PACKET

- 1/2 POT ROAST SEASONING PACKET

- PUFF PASTRY SHELLS (IN FREEZER SECTION)

-  3 TABLESPOONS TRUFFLE OIL

- 3 TABLESPOONS FLOUR

- PARSLEY FOR GARNISH (OPTIONAL)

SPREAD THE MEAT IN BOTTOM OF YOUR SLOW COOKER AND SPRINKLE WITH 1/2 PACKET BEEF STEW MIX AND 1/2 PACKET POT ROAST MIX.  LAYER ON NEXT 6 INGREDIENTS.  IN A SEPARATE BOWL WHISK TOGETHER CREAM OF CELERY, RED WINE AND WATER.  SPREAD MIXTURE OVER BEEF IN CROCK POT.  COOK ON LOW 8 HOURS.  WHEN MEAT MIXTURE IS DONE STIR IN 3 TABLESPOONS FLOUR AND 3 TABLESPOONS TRUFFLE OIL.  

PREHEAT OVEN TO 425 DEGREES AND COOK PUFF PASTRY SHELLS 20 MINUTES.

SPILT SHELLS INTO 2-3 PIECES.  LAYER SHELLS IN BOWL AND SPOON BEEF POT PIE MIXTURE OVER THEM.  DRIZZLE WITH TRUFFLE OIL AND GARNISH WITH FRESH PARSLEY.

Blog Sale

Email me at nataliemason24@yahoo.com if you are interested in anything!  Shipping is $5 for shirts and $7 for jeans and purses and I will combine if you purchase more than one item.

Thanks!

JOE'S JEANS THE SKINNY HIGH WAISTED VISONAIRE IN BURGUNDY

SIZE 28

WORN ONCE AND WASHED, MINT CONDITION

$75
SOLD

DIANE VON FUSTENBURG BLOUSE

SIZE= 2

100% SILK

$80

JOIE RUFFLED BLOUSE

NEW WITH TAGS

RETAILED FOR $218

SIZE = SMALL

100% SILK

$80
SOLD

T-BAGS DOLMAIN SHIRT

SIZE= MEDIUM

$50

JOIE BLOUSE

SIZE SMALL

100% SILK

$65
SOLD

JBRAND JEANS

SIZE 28

6 INCH LEG OPENING

MINT CONDITION, NOT SURE I EVER EVEN WORE THESE

$65
SOLD

JBRAND JEANS

SIZE=28

7 INCH LEG OPENING

ONE END IS A BIT FRAYED BUT OTHERWISE EXECLLENT CONDITION

$60
SOLD

TIBI SHIFT DRESS

SIZE= 4

$90

BANANA REPUBLIC LARGE BRONZE TOTE

RETAILED FOR $25O

SHIPPING IS $9 BECAUSE OF ITS WEIGHT

$55

SOLD

COACH LOGO PURSE

8 X 11 (WITH STRAPS 8 X 15)

$50

HYPE SNAKESKIN PURSE

15 X 13 INCLUDING STRAPS

$50

COACH PURPLE PURSE

7.5 X 10 (10X13.5 WITH STRAPS)

$40

REBECCA TAYLOR SNAKESKIN/FLORAL BLOUSE

SIZE=0 (RUNS SUPER LARGE MORE LIKE A 4)

$70