Thoughts For Thursday

Do you ever feel like when you get back in town from a trip it takes you a week to get back in your routine?  I am still doing laundry, cleaning house, catching up on emails and work and it all seems to never end!  I am struggling on the blog front coming up with interesting stuff to write about so if you guys have any topics you want me to write about leave a comment with an idea or email me!  Today you get my random thoughts- lucky you.

Confession, sometimes I buy food at TJMaxx- is that gross?  Anyways this is the latest gem I found there.  This popcorn was amazing.  It is no secret I love truffles and this had great truffle flavor.  My mom, Sterling, and I ate the entire box in seconds.  I am pretty sure they carry this brand at Whole Foods too if TjMaxx food makes you weary, but its cheaper there!

I have been trying to build my Summer wardrobe on a budget this year.  This is my latest find.  This ASOS Dress is my newest obsession.  It is cotton and comfortable so I know I will live in it all Summer and I love the tie dye colors.  I highly recommend.

:: A S O S  T I E   D Y E  D R E S S ::

My sister and her husband gave me a Kindle for my Birthday and I am so excited.  They know me well they picked a hot pink leather cover that I adore!  I just picked up Mrs. Kennedy and Me and The Honest Life but what should I read next?  I need some good recommendations.

I finally hung my piece of art from Jenny. I am so in love with it, it makes me happy every time I walk by it.

While I was home my mom had this vintage sofa of my great grandmothers recovered.  I love transforming a vintage piece.  They are so unique and bring such character to a room.  This is my new favorite spot in the house.  She had some of the fabric leftover that she gave me to make into custom ottomans for my den.  I can't wait to get them back!

Newest perfume obsession is balenciaga florabotanica.  This is the best scent I have smelled in forever!!   I could not stop smelling my wrists after I tried it last week.  Although side note it makes me not want to buy it because Kristen Stewart is the face of it- I can't stand her pouty attitude.  She never smiles.

Now that the weather is warm all I can think about is Happy Hour.  How good do these pink tequila drinks look?

Have a great Thursday!

Brown Sugar Pound Cake With Caramel Icing

I have to hand it to Pinterest for directing me to yet another fabulous recipe.  I pinned this recipe weeks ago and had been dreaming of it ever since.  While I was home my mom and I decided to make it.  This is one of the best cakes I have ever made.  Keep in mind it is not good for you- it has 3 sticks of butter and lots of sugar but trust me it is worth the extra calories.  The inside has toffee bits mixed in and the top is covered with the most delish caramel icing- are you drooling yet?  Trust me and make this cake for your next big occasion!

Brown Sugar Pound Cake Recipe (serves 12 to 16)

Original Recipe from Lady Behind the Curtain

 

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups butter, softened

2 cups light brown sugar, packed

1 cup granulated sugar

5 large eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup whole milk

1 – 8 ounce bag of toffee bits

1 cup pecans, chopped

1 recipe CARAMEL DRIZZLE  (caramel drizzle recipe below)

Caramel Drizzle Recipe (makes 1-1/2 cups)

Ingredients

1 – 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

In a medium saucepan, combine condensed milk and brown sugar; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking frequently.  Reduce heat, and SIMMER for 8 minutes, whisking frequently.  Remove from heat; whisk in butter and vanilla.  Let cool for 5 minutes before using.  NOTE:  Make sure you drizzle the caramel while it’s still HOT.  When cooled the caramel does somewhat harden.

Cake Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Spray a 12 cup Bundt pan with nonstick baking spray with flour.  Set aside.

Beat the butter until creamy.  Add sugars, beating until fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.  Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture in thirds, alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.  Beat until just combined.  Stir in toffee bits and pecans.  Spoon batter into prepared pan.  Bake until a wood pick inserted near the center of cake comes out clean, 75 to 85 minutes.  TIP:  Cover the top with foil to prevent excess browning is necessary.  Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes.  Remove from pan, and let cool completely on a wire rack.  Spoon Caramel Drizzle over cooled cake.  This recipe is from The Taste of the South’s Southern Cakes Magazine.

Obsessions

:: L I N E  A N D  D O T  P L E A T E D   T R A P E Z E  D R E S S ::

I am smitten with this emerald green maxi dress.  It is the perfect color and I love the loose trapeze style.  A great price too.

:: N A R S   D O L C E  V I T A  L I P S T I C K ::

My mom got me hooked on this lipstick while I was home.  It is the perfect in between nude color.  Not too dark, not too light.  Perfect for everyday wear.

:: J A C K  B Y  B B  D A K O T A  M A X I   D R E S S ::

This dress is only $88!  Love the print.  Such a great maxi dress.  I may have already pre-ordered mine:)

:: D O L C E   V I T A  H E L I A   S A N D A L S ::

Dolce Vita is quickly becoming my go-to brand for Summer sandals.  They are affordable and hold up well!  I love this fun spin on a gladiator sandal.

:: M I S S O N I   H E A D B A N D ::

I would wear this as an actual headband not across my forehead like this model, it looks like she is going to jazzercise.  But I love a headband for the beach and when we are on the boat to keep my hair at bay.  This one is so so chic!

:: A S O S   C O L O R B L O C K  M A X I ::

Loving this colorblock maxi.  It reminds me so much of Tibi but for a fraction of the price.  Can't decide which color I love more.  It would look great with just a white or black tee for a simple summer outfit.

:: B A U B L E B A R   E N G R A V E D  B A R   N E C K L A C E ::

This is the sweetest necklace.  I would love to order this with Sterling's name on it.  I could see myself wearing it everyday.  It would look great alone or layered with some other gold chains.  

I am thinking about ordering my sister one too with her son's name- it would be a great gift for a new mom.

:: P A S T E L  Z I E G F E I L D  N E C K L A C E ::

I am also really digging this new Baublebar necklace.  The colors are perfection for Spring!

Scenes From our Spring Break

Happy Monday Friends!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  We have been in Charlotte for the last week and it has been glorious.   Sometimes it is so nice to have a change of scenery.  Here is a little peak at our Spring Break.

We got in town to await the birth of my nephew.  This is my sister two days before she gave birth, she looks amazing right??

While I was home Mom and I did what we love best, shopping.  We found some great deals at The Gap, all on Super sale!  You can 15% off everything online with code GAPSTYLE.

{ Neon Stripped Tote |  Stripped Tee |  Blue Tunic Dress }

The next day my sister went into labor.  I have to admit I was a bit envious of her labor.  I was in labor for 32 long hours.  She arrived at the hospital at 8am and had her baby at noon.  A super fast delivery right?  and she looked amazing afterwards.  Even my dad joked how rough I looked post birth compared to her!  I cried the second I met my nephew- who they named Finley Wilburn Powell.  I was so overcome with joy.  I was filled with so much emotion seeing my sister become a mom and welcome this perfect baby into our lives.  Witnessing a newborn enter the world reminds you there is a God and babies are such miracles.  I am such a proud aunt and filled with so much love for this sweet fella. (No pictures of my sister she didn't want hospital pics of her floating around the internet).

We decided to surprise my sister with some of her favorite cake.  It is the caramel cake from Reids.  If you live in Charlotte you must try it.  It is hands down the best cake I have ever tasted.  It is 13 layers of icing, enough said!

I rocked my new Baublebar necklace alot.  It is the perfect statement necklace to wear with a tee!

I also wore my Camilla and Marc Dress from Social Dress shop.  It is on major sale,  somebody needs to snag the last ones left.  I got so many compliments all day!  I have been living in it since I got it.  It is the perfect Summer Dress and so comfortable!

Sunday we hit up Freedom Park.  I forgot what a great park it was.  Sterling absolutely loved it!

We definitely had a great and relaxing Spring Break!  Cheers to Monday!

xoxo

Happy Weekend + Girl Crush

Happy Friday Friends.  This week flew by!  Sterling and I decided to stay in Charlotte a few more days to visit with my parents since we won't see them again for over a month til they are down in Charleston again!  We have had the best week here so far! We have had some incredible meals, done some fun shopping- and I became an Aunt!  Details to come on Monday!  Todays' post is short and sweet!

Today I am also so flattered to be featured over at Tartans and Sequins as their Girl Crush of the week.  Please check out my feature HERE!

Have a great weekend friends,  I know I will.  Nothing better than your parents spoiling you and helping out with your kid!  I have not cooked once this week, such a luxury for someone to cook for me!
xoxo

Blazers Yes or No?

I have to be honest I always feel like a man when I put on a blazer.  I have a complex- I had the same complex about denim shirts but I got over that quickly.  I love, love, love blazers on other people but for a long time I thought they weren't for me.   You see my friend Katie, inspired me.  She was on the search for the perfect blazer and it made me think I need one too. About a year ago my mom gave me this Tahari Boyfriend Blazer that she no longer wanted.  It hung in my closet a very long time before I busted it out.  I wore it last week and really quite liked it.  You know I feel like I might be starting to like blazers now.

Look even my girl GP Loves a good blazer, I can be converted to wear anything if GP does.

There are so many cute ways to wear a blazer Spring or Fall.

Here are a few of my favorites I am stalking.  Tell me do you rock a blazer and if so who makes the best ones?

Shrimp Sandwiches with Jalapeno Coleslaw.

This was my Birthday Dinner from last week.  Matt and I were inspired by the new cover of Bon Appetit to create a kick ass sandwich.  This one did not disappoint.

 The original recipe called for fried chicken which I am sure is amazing but we were in a seafood mood so we used Shrimp instead. The spicy mayo and jalapeno coleslaw paired perfectly with the shrimp.  I ate my whole sandwich in minutes it was that good.  The coleslaw is better as it sits and soaks in the juices.  I used a mandolin to get the cabbage, onion, and jalapeno sliced super thinly.

My mouth is watering just thinking about this spicy goodness. 

Enjoy!

:: S H R I M P   S A N D W I C H E S  W I T H   J A L A P E N O    C O L E S L A W::

Ingredients 

• 1 lb Shrimp peeled and devined
• Whole Wheat Buns (or any buns you prefer)

Spicy Mayo and Slaw

• 1 garlic clove, finely grated
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Louisiana-style hot pepper sauce
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
• 4 cups thinly sliced cabbage
• 1/2 cup Bread-and-Butter Pickle slices, plus 1/4 cup pickle juice

Directions

Marinate Shrimp in Olive Oil, Salt and Pepper and a few dashes of Siricha.  

 Mix garlic, mayonnaise, and hot pepper sauce in a small bowl; cover and chill. 

Toss onion, jalapeño, cabbage, pickles, and pickle juice in a large bowl to combine; cover and chill. 

Heat a medium- large skillet with Olive or Vegetable Oil.  Cook Shrimps until Pink about 5-6 minutes.  Toast Buns in oven (we added a touch of butter to our buns before toasting to make them crisp up nicely).  Spread bun with spicy mayo, layer on shrimp and jalapeno coleslaw.