The Best Sloppy Joes

We used to eat Sloppy Joe's all the time while growing up. It was seriously one of my favorite meals and my mom always served it with Velveeta Mac and Cheese. The two just seemed to go together perfectly. Now I have nothing against Manwich Sloppy Joe Mix, I don't hate it all but it is pretty processed.  I got to thinking maybe I could make a healthier version. 

My sister recommended this recipe and it blew my mind.  So much better than the canned kind.  It tasted so fresh and full of flavor.  I won't ever go back to the Manwich kind.  This honestly took no time to toss together and you could even save time by dicing the vegetables earlier in the day.  And in case you are wondering yep I served ours with Velveeta Mac and Cheese just like Mom did because somethings are meant to be together.  This is a meal that will definitely be on regular rotation in the Mason Household!

**If you don't like red meat you could easily sub ground turkey or ground chicken for this recipe**

:: S L O P P Y  J O E S ::

Recipe adapted from The Neely's 

Ingredients  

• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped 
• 1/2 white onion diced
• 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup barbecue sauce (we used Stubb's Spicy BBQ Sauce)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (we used Texas Pete)
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 4 hamburger buns, split

Directions

Heat oil in a large skillet with straight sides. Add the bell peppers, onion, and garlic. Saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the ground beef to the vegetables. Stir and cook about 8 minutes, until the meat is no longer pink and fully cooked. I added a little salt and pepper at this point.

Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire, ketchup and hot sauce into the skillet. Stir. Simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Serve on hamburger bun with extra sauce.

Obsessions

{OLD NAVY ONE PIECES}

Ok, who knew Old Navy had such cute one pieces and all are under $40! My four favorites.  I ordered one to try out while preggo, guess which one?

ONE | TWO | THREE | FOUR

{JOIE BROCK MAXI DRESS}

 I actually own this dress and love it. I have been living in it. It is so lightweight and the color is just gorgeous.   Seriously it feels like you are wearing pajamas it is that comfy!

{SPLENDID RESEDA PERF BOOTIES}

Loving these Splendid Booties.  I have been on a real bootie kick lately and I need these to add to my collection.

{EQUIPMENT LUCIDA DRESS}

This dress is even prettier in person. I looked at it last week and I am regretting not buying it.  The colors are fantastic and who doesn't need more leopard in their life?

{PLANTER COVER}

How freaking cool is this Planter cover from Furbish?   It would look so good with a Fiddle Fig Tree in.  I also think it could be cool in a nursery for toy storage.

{WAREHOUSE TOTEM PRINT MAXI}

Tell me this dress does not look just like Mara Hoffman, in fact I thought it was until I clicked on it.  It looks just like MH but for a fraction of the price, this maxi is only $76!!  Get it while its hot!

{GOMAX CALANTHA 06 HEELS}
This weekend while trying to put together outfits for our wedding weekend I realized I am majorly lacking in the heels department.  I could really use a few new pairs of heels for special occassions. I came across these and then saw the price and it made me love them even more.  I think they would be great for special events or even paired with skinny jeans for a night out.

{BEN AND JERRY COFFEE HEATHBAR CRUNCH}
I am not a big ice cream person but every now and then I like a couple bites.  This is hands down the best ice cream flavor ever.  Matt and I are addicted.  It has huge chunks of Heath Bars in it, my favorite part.

Scenes From Our Weekend

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend, we sure did! Matt's best friend got married and the whole weekend was perfection. We ate amazing food all weekend and enjoyed such great company.

Friday marked Sterling's last day of Vacation Bible School, he loved it!  Sometimes I can't believe how fast he is growing up.

 Friday night we had the Rehearsal Dinner at Magnolias and it was beyond delicious. As usual I waited til the last minute to decide what to wear, my clothes are all starting to be a little tight  but somehow I managed to zip my belly up in my favorite Milly Dress. 

Saturday was the wedding and it was beautiful.  Matt and I somehow managed to color coordinate our outfits without planning to.  Probably the last time I wear this cute dress til after the baby it was definitely borderline too tight!

I am wearing Rebecca Taylor Dress + Baublebar Necklace

The bride and groom.  Such a great couple.  And her sweet dog Scout walked down the aisle with her.

Matt and his two best friends. I have started calling Matt the Silver Fox- check out all the gray hair happening.  He claims it is from Sterling and I and all the stress we bring:)   I give him a hard time but I actually find it really attractive.

Sunday we attended the most amazing brunch at the house of Callie (her daughter created Callies Biscuits)  The view and food was incredible.  By far one of the best meals I have ever had!

Wore these shoes basically all weekend.  They are my new favorite shoes and on sale right now for 40% off- the black ones are an even better deal at 60% off!

{Enzo Katira Sandals}

Finally my little man is officially loving the water now.  Huge accomplishment.  Still trying to get him to swim or jump in with a float but we are making progress!

Thoughts For Friday

I have a new obsession, and it is the clothing line Demylee. They carry this line at Hampden Clothing a local boutique here in Charleston where I bought my pieces (it is also on their website) and Revolve Clothing carries it as well.  It is non- maternity but it is perfect for us preggo girls.  It is super soft tee shirts and dresses with a loose trapeze like silhouette.  I have been living in the two I own,  case and point below.  Next I am stalking this dress.

{Navy Swing Top | Black Madison Top}

If you looking for the cutest kids book you must check out Mustache Baby.  We checked it out at the library recently and Sterling loves it, we read it every night!

 Best potato chips ever- Zappos Voodoo Potato Chips.  These are my favorite crunchy snack, you will not be able to stop eating them.

I am loving these Baggu Bags from JCREW.  They are only $10 and fold up so small so you can keep them stuffed in your purse.  I use mine every weekend at the Farmers Market.

I am totally not buying any new swim suits this year because lets be real by the end of the summer my stomach is going to be huge I will most likely just be in a cover-up!  But I am already scouting ones out for next year.  I am in love with this cute one piece from Anthro.  It is so chic and stylish I see myself wearing it all Summer at the pool with Sterling. 

{Kushcush One Piece}

So Kristen Cavallari and Jay Cutler finally tied the knot.  I actually really like her gown and she seems to have grown up alot since having her son.  Still kind of surprised how tame she seems now compared to her Hills days.

I am obsessed with all Greek food lately so as soon as I saw this recipe I knew I had to make it.  Totally making a batch next week for my lunches.

{GREEK TORTELLINI SALAD}

Several of you emailed me saying you tried to order the Noland dress and it was sold out- well per Sarah @ Social Dress Shop it is back in stock for a limited time- you can order HERE!

Have a great weekend- we have a busy one filled with a fun wedding for Matt's best friend and a baby shower for my sister in law!  Oh and in honor of Father's Day, I leave you with this.

(ps doesn't the lady in the ecard look totally like Kris Kardashian?)

xoxo

The Nursery Of My Dreams

Happy Thursday Loves. This week is flying by, Sterling is in vacation Bible School at our church all week which has been so nice. I have been cleaning out and purging. Our little three bedroom house is filled to the brim and we need to make room for baby number two. Speaking of I had a doc appointment yesterday, everyday looked well, fast heartbeat of 145 and technically they could tell us the sex now but alas we have to wait for 5 more weeks for our next big ultrasound. So we continue to play the waiting game. 

 In meantime I am already dreaming about decorating the nursery.  Truthfully I want a pretty gender neutral nursery no matter what the sex.  I don't like things too pink and girly or too boy and blue.  I like a modern neutral nursery.  I came across Erin Williamson's nursery and lets' just say I am obsessed,  this is exactly what I am dreaming of for my little one.

All pictures via

Freaking gorgeous right??  Erin has a little boy, Luke and he is one lucky dude to have this nursery.  If I had a girl I would make a few tweaks but overall the vibe of her room is what I am going for.  We basically have the same crib (The Oeuf Sparrow) and I have a white dresser that I plan to order some new brass hardware for.  I have a white rocking chair from Sterling's nursery (and by white I mean it is yellow now- white rocking chairs in a boy's nursery is never a good idea) that I plan to recover in a similar fabric to the chair above if I can find one that is affordable.  I googled the Togo fabric above but can't find it anywhere if you know someone that carries it shoot me an email.  I am hoping to enlist my sweet Dad to help me paint, he is the master painter.  He can paint a room perfectly without taping it off and so quickly!

Luckily I don't really have to buy any new furniture just a few accessories to spruce things up here is what I am hoping to buy accessory wise. 

Souk Wool Rug / Serena & Lily Black French Tassel Window Panel / White Moroccan Leather Pouf / Up and Atom Chandelier / Menagerie Bookend Grey Hippo / Baby Zebra Close-Up The Animal Print Shop by Sharon Montrose / Baby Elephant - The Animal Print Shop by Sharon Montrose / Menagerie Bookend White Giraffe

Lastly while browsing for nursery stuff I had to look for my little man too and I found him the cutest Hanna Anderson PJ's at Serena and Lily.  They are some of my favorite PJ's yet, I highly recommend them.  And how about the bed head on my little man?  He has the best head of hair that he certainly did not get from me (Thank you Matt for your thick hair).

{Hanna Anderson Fish PJ's}

Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp

This is a dish my mom and I whipped together last time I was home.  It was super easy and so fresh.  You could really add any veggies in here and it would be amazing.  I found it was best served at room temperature.  We made this after my grandfather passed away and were cooking for alot of people so you can edit the recipe and just use less of everything to make a smaller batch or have lots of leftovers!  The perfect light Summer Pasta!

Enjoy!

:: A N G E L  H A I R  P A S T A  W I T H   S H R I M P ::

- 1 box angel hair pasta

- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined

- 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes

- 1-2 cups fresh spinach

- 1/4 cup sliced green olives

- 1/2 pint cherry tomatoes halved or quartered

- 1/4 cup fresh sliced basil

- Annies Roasted Red Bell Pepper Dressing

- Fresh grated Parmesan Cheese

Sautee Shrimp in olive oil about 4-5 minutes til pink and cooked thru.  Add in spinach and cherry tomatoes and cook til wilted.  Remove from heat and stir in sun-dried tomatoes and olives.  Season with salt and pepper.  Cook angel hair according to package.  Drain and toss in bowl with Annies dressings- use as much or as little as you like.  Stir in shrimp and veggie mixture.  Add fresh Basil and lots of Parmesan cheese.