Seeing Red

Since this month is Valentines and Heart Awareness month,  I have been in the mood for red- clothes, wine, purses,  nail polish, and the list goes on.  While I was in Charlotte last week I was lucky enough to get to stop by The Social Dress Shop Studio.   Let me tell you I was in hog heaven, it was so fun to see and try on all my favorite dresses I had been stalking online!  

I took two beauties home with me and I could not be more excited about my new red shift dress since I am so into red lately  (you have to wait til next week to see the other one I snagged).  It is the perfect little shift dress.   You can dress it for a night out with booties and a fun necklace or wear it casually during the day with flats.  And it is affordable- only $78!! 

Plus, Sarah with Social Dress Shop has graciously offered any of my readers 25% off any full priced dresses.  Ladies you must take advantage of this offer.  I promise I won't be mad if you copy me and order the same red dress, in fact you should with the extra 25% off it is such a steal!!  Use the code LOVE25 at checkout.

{NOLAND DRESS}

I couldn't get a good picture of the back on me, but look how cute it is.

 So Seriously go to Social Dress Shop and take advantage of the discount (LOVE25)!  There are some fabulous summer dresses on the site now too.  This dress was another favorite of mine it is more of an orangey red but totally gorgeous on.  It is on my wishlist!
{GEMMA T-BACK MAXI IN WATERMELON}

 And did you notice any thing?  I have decided I am going to start parting my hair down the middle.  It is a fun new change.  I was getting sick of my side part.

Back to the topic of red I just found out JCREW came out with a new lounge pant.  It looks similar to my favorite, the Saturday Pant, and they come in red!  I can guarantee you I need a pair of red lounge pants- LOVE!  They also come in Navy and Gray.

{Skinny Fleece Pant}

 It comes in a short version too that is super cute for summer.  Comfy and Chic!

{Fleece Short}

If you are looking for a delicious affordable red wine, you must try Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir.  It is around $10 and really tastes like a way more expensive wine.  I was shocked to find out what it cost.  Highly recommend- I think they sell it at Total Wine.

Lastly, I am pretty sure I need a bright red clutch.  It would go with everything.  The perfect way to jazz up a dull outfit.  My current favorite red clutch is:

{Botkier Valentina Mini}

 

Any other red items I need in my life?  I would love a good red lipstick if anyone has recs.  Cheers to a glass of red wine tonight because I detoxed last night!

xoxo

Blueberry Streusel Muffins

I don't make muffins often because lets be real when I make them I just want to eat them all day.  This recipe had been tempting me for awhile now so I figured it was time to give it a go.  My girl Ina never disappoints with her recipes, these muffins were ridiculously good.  I made a dozen muffins and 24 hours later they were all gone, that is how good they were.  I promise you won't be disappointed.  The topping is the best part so don't scrimp on it!

{BLUEBERRY STREUSEL MUFFINS}

Adapted From: Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 2¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup buttermilk, shaken
• 4 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 Meyer lemon
• 1 large egg
• 6 oz. fresh blueberries
• ½ cup + 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoon cold unsalted butter

~ Preparation ~

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper liners.
2. Zest Meyer lemon; set zest aside and save lemon for another use.
3. Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl and blend with your hands. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, butter, lemon zest, and eggs. Stir the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture with a fork, mixing just until blended. Fold the blueberries into the batter. Don’t over-mix! With a standard (2¼-inch) ice-cream scoop or large spoon. Scoop the batter into the prepared cups, filling them almost full.
4. For the topping, place all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse until the butter is in very small pieces. Pour into a bowl and rub with your fingers until crumbly. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the streusel on top of each muffin. Bake the muffins for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown.

Meet My Newest House Addition

While I was in Charlotte I found this amazing Barrel Cane Back Chair for really cheap.  I have wanted a pair of Cane back chairs forever, so when I came across this one I knew she needed to come home with me.  Only thing that would have made it better was if she had a mate.  I could have really used two of them but she was too good a deal to pass up.

And for those of you who asked yesterday my favorite Consignment Stores in Charlotte are:  Classic Attic, Clearing House, South End Exchange, and The Pompous Pheasant.

 The chair is in excellent condition.  Only thing is the fabric has a few small spots so I want to recover it.  I thought it would be easy to recover myself but it looks a little more detailed because the bottom is all stapled up and the corners seem hard.  Has anyone recovered a chair like this on their own? 

Now on to the decisions.  The wood is in such great condition I hate to paint it.  Do you think it is granny to leave the wood as is and just recover the cushion and add a fun pillow?  The wood actually looks good in our den and matches some of our pieces.  I feel like white would be too bright- I could paint it black or off-white though.

Below are a few pictures I saved for inspiration:

Help me out what should I do?  I like the tufted one but think that is more work and $$ than it is worth.  I thought a navy velvet fabric could look cool and tie in with my rug well- but I worry will the wood + navy be too dark? 

I am kind of obsessed with Kelly Weartsler's Bengal Bazaar fabric.  How would it look for pillows or the cushions?

 

Also adore this KW Groundworks

 

I bet I only need two yards of fabric so I don't mind spending a little more for a kick ass fabric.  Any other thoughts for fabric- solid etc?  And should I paint it? 

Lay the decorating advice on me, this is when I wish I had a decorator friend to come over and help me make decisions!

Scenes From Our Weekend

Happy Monday Friends!  I have been in Charlotte since Wednesday visiting my family and it has lovely.   Time home soothes the soul.

When I am in town my mom and I always love to do some shopping and our favorite is hitting up consignment stores.  I scored these gorgeous vintage pink wine glasses and could not be more thrilled.  Every girl should have pink glasses.

Saturday night we attended a really fun engagement party for one of our friends, Lauren.  I rocked my red dress from Hampden Clothing with a fabulous Pave necklace that Baublebar was gracious enough to send me!  The necklace provides the perfect sparkle to any outfit, I even rocked it with a tee-shirt this weekend.
 I managed to spill everything I ate down the front of my dress.  Why is it when I am in silk I inevitably spill things??  

My mom treated me to a much needed manicure and I used Essie Power Clutch. I was so obsessed with it I bought a bottle at the nail salon.  Really the perfect grey color.

My sweet Dad, bless his heart,  told me he would take Sterling to get a haircut while mom and I got manis.  We got home and Sterling's hair was butchered,  all of his sweet curls were chopped off.  Precisely why a man should never be in charge of haircuts.  Here is the before and after.  Makes me sad everytime I look at it.

The whole reason I came in town this week was for my sister's baby shower on Sunday.  It was such a fun time, I am so happy for her and can't wait to meet my sweet little nephew.  

Big Thanks to Bon Vivant Style for creating the perfect invites for me.  I adore them.  I also had Liza make Sterling's birthday invites- if you need invites she is the girl to contact!  Her work is flawless and so original.

I wore my Rory Becca Dress  from Social Dress Shop.  I was obviously getting in the spirit of Valentines Day with my pink and red dresses this weekend:)

{Rory Becca Dress, House of Harlow Necklace}

I made my favorite cucumber sandwiches for the party.  Always a hit!

 If any of you girls are pregnant I highly recommend this baby bouncer.  It is freaking amazing.  We gave it to my sister as her shower gift.  It moves side to side and up and down instead of just back and forth.  It is so cool and sleek.   I wish I had this when Sterling was a baby. 

{MamaRoo Bouncer Seat}

Thanks to my parents I have a new wine Obsession: Cakebread Chardonnay.  Get it you won't be disappointed.

This quote really resonated with me after dealing with some draining people recently.  Surround yourself with positive people that make you feel good about yourself not bad!

xoxo
Natalie

Valentines Day Yay or Nay?

Valentines day is right around the corner.   Valentines Day was my original due date for Sterling (he ended up coming two days later) and Valentines marks Matt and I's first date 11 years ago.  Total cheeseball our first date was on Valentines Day- but it worked we are still going strong.   It's kind of weird that two big events mark that day for me, but I am still really not that into Valentines Day.   Do I expect Matt to bring me champagne and flowers?  Absolutely but that is about as far as our Valentines celebrations go.  We never go out on Valentines Day.  I feel like it is kind of silly, especially after you are married I feel like your wedding anniversary trumps Valentines Day.  But I am curious are any of you die-hard Valentines celebrators?  What do you do to celebrate the day?  Maybe we should be more romantic and put more effort into it.

This year since Sterling is so into all the Holidays I am getting a little more into the VDay spirit.  

I am planning on making either Valentines bark or Valentines Pretzels with him.  My little man just loves helping me in the kitchen and both of these would be super easy to do with kids.

Valentines Bark | Valentine's Pretzels

I am also thinking about getting crafty and making these Valentines cards for the kids in Sterling's class.   Maybe- I could see myself just getting lazy and buying the box kind, but these are so darn cute.

and I can guarantee you this sandwich will be in Sterling's lunch box on Valentines day- we have a heart cookie cutter already so this one will be happening.  He will flip when he sees sprinkles on his PB&J.

Now what about for moi??  I am honestly happy with a bottle of Mumm Rose Brut or Veuve.  But these Grapefruit Cocktails have been tempting me lately so they just might have to be made.

We don't exchange gifts but if money were no object I would love this Stella McCartney Nightgown.

How gorgeous and sexy is it?   

In all honesty cocktails and pizza in with my man would be the perfect evening by me (but seriously Matt I still expect champagne and flowers- tulips or peonies).

Have a great weekend dolls!

xoxo

Bikini Shopping

This week while I was in Target browsing I noticed their bathing suits were out- yes in January.  I saw two cute ones and figured why not?  I should try these on.  Bad idea.  Why is bathing suit shopping so horrible.  The lighting, the gigantic mirrors.  It was a nightmare.   I wanted to cry when I put on the bikinis.  I was pale and flabby.  Now don't get me wrong I don't think I am fat by any means, my body was just loose and gross.   My stomach area really needs some work.  And the sad thing is I have been eating pretty healthy and working out.  UHHH I obviously need to be doing more before I get a bikini.  But it got me thinking I would love a kick ass bikini for this summer. 

I don't think I bought a single bathing suit last year, its time for a new two piece for mama.  I own quite a few one pieces I love but no bikinis that I love. I figure I am not getting any younger so I might as well rock one while I can.
This is my inspiration for the summer.  I want to look as good as Gwyneth in her bikini.  I mean she is 40 and looks freaking amazing.

Who makes the most flattering bikinis?  I may order online and try on in my house because I am traumatized by my Target experience.   I am not afraid to spend a little dough on a bikini I feel comfortable in because I don't buy them often.  I want a classic one to last me a awhile.

Here are a few I have narrowed it down to:

{Marysia Scallop Bikini}

This one is a fore runner I have wanted it forever.  It is not cheap but looks amazing and might just be worth the money.

{Eberjey Tutu Bikini}
Classic black and love the cute ruffle.  I am partial to strapless bathing suits too because of tan lines.  Although Matt claims one with straps are more flattering....

{Splendid One Piece}

I already own a few one pieces but this one is so classic and flattering, I would love to have it!

 {Missoni Bikini}
Remember this beauty from my obsessions post?    I really want her, like bad.  Even though it is skimpy,  some people swear string bikinis are the way to go.  That they are more flattering than regular bikinis because they don't cut in at your hips.  This is the priciest option though.  Anyone own a Missoni bikini?  How do they fit/hold up?

 I really want a long cover up this year too.  I have lots and lots of short ones but want a really fabulous long one.  My top picks:

{Indah Strapless Maxi| Indah Empire Cover-up | LemLem Patio Dress | Bop Basics Maxi}

 Ok so take a vote and tell me which of the top 3 bikinis I should buy??  or where else I should be shopping for a fabulous bikini- one that will make me look like Gwyneth:)

Thai Chicken Pizza

Get ready for your new favorite pizza, for real.  This pizza is off the hook good,  bursting with so many different flavor combos.  My mouth is watering just looking at it. You can save time by buying a premade pizza dough.  We just called our local pizza shop and picked up a ball of dough from there which was so easy.   This was such a light, fun spin on pizza.  The combination of the chicken, zucchini, chili sauce,  and mozzarella was amazing.  Don't be afraid of the crushed peanuts on top they give the pizza a great crunch and Thai flavor.   We of course drizzled sriracha over the top which gave it some extra heat- so I highly recommend that if you like things spicy.   I would eat this every week if I could.

**This called for the pizza to be cooked on a pizza stone but we used a round pizza pan and it worked just fine**

{THAI CHICKEN PIZZA}

Adapted from Tasty Kitchen

Ingredients

• 1 whole Batch Of Your Favorite Pizza Dough, Rolled Out To About A 1/4 Inch, 12 Inch Diameter
• ¼ cups Flour
• 1 Tablespoon Fine Corn Meal (We never used the corn meal)
• ½ cups Sweet Asian Chili Sauce, Plus 1 Tablespoon For Drizzle
• 1 whole Shallot, Thinly Sliced
• ½ whole Zucchini, Thinly Sliced
• 1 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes
• 1 cup Cooked Chicken Shredded
• ⅔ cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• ¼ cups Chopped Peanuts
• 2 Tablespoons Fresh Cilantro
• 2 Tablespoons Fresh Basil (optional) 
•  Sriracha for drizzling
  Preparation Instructions Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F with a pizza stone in the oven. If you do not have a pizza stone, put a large baking sheet in the oven (make sure to use one that is large enough to house your dough).
  
  Begin by adding some flour to your rolling surface. Take your dough that has already risen, and lightly knead it. Roll out the dough to about a 1/4 inch thick, or however your like the thickness of your crust.
  
  Lay the dough down on a pizza peel (if you have one) that’s covered with corn meal. Otherwise put the dough on a surface that you can use to slide the entire pizza onto the hot pizza stone or pan. The corn meal helps assist with the pizza dough – so it slides off easily.
  
  Spread the Asian chili sauce on the surface of the dough. Not too thick, not too thin. Add the sliced shallots and zucchini. Top with the red chili flakes and shredded chicken. Top with the cheese.
  
  Using your pizza peel, place the pizza into the oven on your cooking surface (stone or pan) and cook for about 15 minutes, keeping an eye on your crust and toppings so they do not burn. Every oven is different.
  
  Once the pizza dough is golden around the edges and the cheese is nice and bubbly, remove pizza from the oven.
  
  Drizzle more of the Asian chili sauce over the top, top with the crushed peanuts and fresh cilantro and fresh basil.