Scenes From Our Weekend

How is it possibly Monday already? This weekend flew by, like all they always do! 

 I started off the weekend with a girls shopping date with Caycee, I wanted to look for cute stuff for baby girl but found nothing! 

 I did however manage to snag these Rebecca Minkoff sandals for half price. I found them at Shoes on King- can you believe I have never been in there before? They have a great shoe selection, and a huge sale going on right now,  and the owners were super nice and helpful- not pushy at all! I am so in love with my shoes, they are suede so I plan to wear to them into fall too! 

  

I could not find the flat version anywhere online but they had a few sizes left at Shoes on King for any of you locals.  I did find the heel version online at Revolve Clothing, which I equally love.

{Rebecca Minkoff Mirra Heels} 

 

I tried on this super cute long sleeve maxi at F21 but didn't buy it, probably should have for $19.  It was so comfortable.  It comes in gray and black too.  I love the idea of long sleeved maxis for the fall.

{F21 Basic Stripped Maxi}

 

Friday night we ate dinner at the Yacht Club. My sister and her husband were in town and we had so much fun.  My sister is the skinniest person ever post baby.

 I got in alot of quality time with my nephew.  Its a good thing I am already pregnant or he would be giving me baby fever.  He is the sweetest baby ever.

My sister bought all the new flavors of the Lays chips and we tried out the Sriracha.

They were good with a bit of heat but didn't really taste that much like srirachia.

We actually ate alot of junk food all weekend.  Sterling and I stopped at the gas station and we picked up some Bugles.  I used to love these growing up and had not had them in years.  Sterling loved them and I guess all kids think to put them on their fingers- I know my sister and I always did.

For brunch we tried out a new restaurant on James Island, Cory's Grilled Cheese.  They have a food truck and just opened a place off Maybank.  We tried 4 sandwiches off the menu and they all were awesome!  We will most definitely be eating here again!  I had Cory's Famous Grilled Cheese it seems weird but it was so good- Cinnamon Raisin Bread with Muenster Cheese, Bacon, and Honey Mustard. 

I had the best surprise gift in the mail this weekend.  Sweet Sarah from Social Dress Shop sent me this dress I had been eyeing as a congrats on having a baby girl.   The dress is on sale right now and I can't say enough good things about it.  The colors are so gorgeous in person.  It is such a fabulous maxi, there are only a few left so snag one before they are gone!  It is perfect of you are pregnant because the body part is loose.

{Annie Griffin Maxi Dress} 

Have a great Monday!  I am off to pick up paint samples for the nursery, I have to make a decision by this weekend so my Dad can help me paint!

xoxo

Weekend Style Files: Stripes x 2

I am such a Fall person. I love Fall clothes, jeans, boots, jackets you name it! I can't wait for some cooler temps here. I adore this outfit. It is so chic. Its from the Blog Tuula Vintage.
The blog is by Jessica Stein and she is stunning with mad style!  I have been stalking her past posts and have a crazy girl crush on her now.

I seriously want every item Jessica is wearing!  I included two different tee styles.  The longer sleeve tee is the same style as my blush Joie top I blogged about Monday and its on super sale. Pretty sure I need it in the stripe version.
 I had to include my favorite Rag and Bone high waisted jeans, can not wait to fit back in mine again! The shoes she is wearing are freaking amazing but crazy expensive, I included some flats for more practical wear!  I have wanted that Marc Jacobs cross body bag forever.  That and the wishbone necklace need to be mine- push presents maybe??

JOIE STRIPED TEE | ALEXANDER WANG STRIPED TEE | RAG AND BONE HIGH WAISTED SKINNY JEANS | ASOS COAT | MICHAEL KORS WATCH | JENNIFER ZUENER WISHBONE NECKLACE | SEE BY CHOLE STUDDED FLATS | MARC JACOBS CROSS BODY BAG | ISABEL MARNAT STUDDED SHOES

Happy Weekend!
xoxo

Thoughts For Friday

Thanks for all your input yesterday on the fabric, one was the clear winner but I have to be honest I still have not stopped thinking about option two, but at least it is narrowed down from 3 to 2 options!   May reconsider doing the chairs first too.

I am so honored to be a part of The EveryGirl's Feature "Lesson's in Motherhood."  13 blogger moms are featured and we all share our advice on Motherhood!  It is a great read check it out HERE!  Seriously some amazing advice on what products are useful and not useful and some real honesty about the trials and triumphs of being a Mom.

I feel like lately my mind is going in a million directions, I can't just focus on just one project.  In addition to the den I am already envisioning and planning out baby girl's nursery.  I have at least narrowed down fabric selections for her nursery and that is half the battle.  You will have to wait and see how I use these- and not all of them made the cut.

I was totally sold on a light gray/purple nursery but after talking with my friend Katie I am now considering one pink option- Farrow and Ball's Pink Ground.  It is more of a fleshy light pink and I really dig that.  So the nursery will either be a pale purple/gray or Pink Ground.

This is Pink Ground in a Living Room, so subtle it really is gorgeous.

I plan to test out the paints next week and make a decision!

I am loving my Marc Jacobs Smash Dress.  The colors I ordered are sold out but it is available in this other color palette that I equally love for 50%, you can't beat that for a Marc Jacobs Dress!

{Marc Jacobs Smash Dress}

I am thinking about snagging this Splendid Dress for the rest of my pregnancy and after.  I mean it is only $57.  It comes in 3 different colors, all are neutral and I love that because they can be worn anytime of the year!   Now that I have a full on bump I am into wearing tighter fitting dresses to show off my bump.  I love the idea of this not pregnant too with my Rag and Bone Booties or flats for casual wear.

{Splendid Tank Dress}

We have had an abundance of Zucchini lately, these are two recipes I can't wait to try out:  Zucchini and Carrot Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting and Zucchini Chips.

I feel like there is nothing on TV to watch this Summer (two weeks til Breaking Bad starts back thank goodness).  I have however started watching Devious Maids on Lifetime and love it.  It is produced by Eva Longoria and pretty darn entertaining.  Kind of like a soap opera and juicy! Anything else on that I should be watching?

 Saturday is my handsome Hubby's Birthday.   We have alot to celebrate this year as he just started his own law firm this month.  I am so incredibly proud of him and if you need an attorney please contact Matt!

Have a great weekend!

xoxo

Let's Talk Fabric- I Need Help + Winner

I am slowly but surely crossing things off my house to-do list for 2013. Painting the den and hallway was such a huge task looming over me and now that it is done I am ready to focus on seating in our den.  My parents have a great upholsterer in Charlotte who is super affordable.  He made my mom and sister in law some custom ottomans for a steal that look awesome - think small square nail head cubes.  Anyways I would love a pair for our den to have some extra seating.  

Here is our den layout right now.

This is the size and shape the ottomans would be.  My Den is not huge so I don't have room for massive ottomans.

 

 I would use the two ottomans on the other side of the coffee table across from the couch. This would be more conducive for entertaining.  I also still need another cane back chair to flank the other side of the coffee table- if you find one let me know, I am still searching! 

I have narrowed down the fabric to three choices- but I open to suggestions if anyone has any.  I am clueless when it comes to decorating decisions.  

FABRIC ONE

FABRIC TWO

FABRIC THREE

This is what they all look like on my rug to give you a better idea.  Our den is pretty neutral with the rug being the most colorful aspect we need to match.  The Cane back Chair is upholstered in navy velvet.  

So which fabric should I go with?  I was pretty sold on option two til I came across one, I think three is my least favorite.  And another option is to scratch the ottomans and recover my wing back chairs in one of these fabrics- it will be much pricier of a project though, but maybe I should do that first and the ottomans second.  I mainly want to do the ottomans first because we are desperate for extra seating!

In case you don't remember our wing backs flank our TV (which is massive, thanks to Matt- men and their TVs).  They are a gold plaid fabric right now.  The fabric is in excellent condition I just don't love it.  They will eventually be recovered too just can't decide if I should do them in a solid color with some piping or a pattern.

Help a sista out and give me some decorating advice!!

xoxo

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The Winner of the $100 Lulu & Georgia Giftcard is Juliana (Ocean Akers)!  We will email you with details how to redeem your gift certificate.  Enjoy shopping!!

You can still use code DBDD20 thru today for 20% off all purchases!

 

Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

I can't take full credit for this recipe, it is my Dad's specialty.  I love a good Spinach Salad and my Dad's is out of this world!  It is perfect for entertaining because you can make the dressing ahead of time and just reheat when ready to serve.  We like to mix the hot bacon dressing and store bought honey mustard (we always use Marzetti) it is such a good combo!  You can toss anything you like in this salad but we like to use the classic spinach salad ingredients.  It kind of makes me want to add hard boiled eggs to all my salads, they are so good in this!

Enjoy!

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

- Fresh baby spinach

- Diced cherry tomatoes

- Thinly sliced red onion

- sliced mushrooms

- diced hard boiled eggs

- goat cheese

-8 pieces thick-sliced bacon, chopped
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

- Honey Mustard Dressing

Combine Spinach and next 5 ingredients in a large bowl.

Fry the bacon and remove to a paper towel to drain, reserving 3 tablespoons of the rendered fat. Crumble the bacon and set aside.

Transfer the fat to a small saucepan set over low heat and whisk in the red wine vinegar, sugar and Dijon mustard. Season with a small pinch each of kosher salt and black pepper.  Add in crumbled bacon.

Drizzle over salad, we also drizzle a little honey mustard with the bacon dressing, such a great combo!

** I recommend doubling or tripling the dressing if you are entertaining several people.  It will save in the fridge for several days.**

Obsessions

{JOIE ASHLEE LINEN TEE} 

I posted this pic on Instagram yesterday and several people wanted to know where this shirt was from. It is not maternity, it is Joie and I have been living in this tee shirt. It is so comfy and goes with everything. I could not find the blush color online but found the charcoal which to me is even better for now and into Fall. I picture it with leggings and booties come Fall. A great tee to wear pregnant and afterwards since it is non maternity.  Pretty sure I will be adding the charcoal one to my collection too!

ps- how sweet is my nephew Finley?

{CHUCK TAYLORS STREET SNEAKERS}

My mom took Sterling to do a little back to school shopping this weekend and we picked up these Converse shoes at the Nordstrom sale.  I love Chuck Taylor's but the high top ones can be a pain to get on, not these they have a built in stretch panel on the side so they are super easy to side on and off.  I love the gray paired with the blue laces.  They are a steal right now at $19!  Plus they are adorable on!

 {LINE AND DOT COLORBLOCK DRESS}

I am seriously contemplating getting this dress.  I love the black and white and it would be perfect to wear pregnant since it looks loose.  

{FREE PEOPLE ESSENTIAL SCRUNCH SKIRT}

This skirt reminds me of my Pleasure Doing Business mini skirt I wear all the time!  I love a mini skirt like this paired with a loose flowy top.  It comes in three fabulous colors black, brown, and pink and I want them all and it is under $50!

{LOREAL COLOR VIBRANCY SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER}

I kept reading rave reviews about this shampoo and conditioner and decided to try it out.  I am really loving it.  It smells great and I swear my hair is sleeker and less dried out when I use it.  And its super cheap, less than $10.

{BABY GAP BLOOMERS}

I picked up a few pairs of these for baby girl while I was home this weekend and I am obsessed.  They are the cutest things ever and on super sale.

CHAMBRAY BLOOMERS | POLKA DOT BLOOMERS | PEAR BLOOMERS

{REBECCA TAYLOR COLORBLOCK SILK TOP}

My mom got this blouse at the Nordstrom sale and I so wanted it.  It is the cutest blouse on, and the perfect Mint color.  Sadly it was too snug on my belly but you better believe I will be borrowing it post baby. It is still on sale at the Nordstrom Sale so snag one before they gone!

{EQUIPMENT STRIPPED BLOUSE}

Equipment has quickly become one of my favorite brands for blouses.  They fit so well and I love the patterns.  I snagged this one this weekend on super sale, it is like 60% off right now.  It looks great with jean shorts or white jeans for Summer, then in the Fall I will pair it with dark skinny jeans!  It is under a $100 and trust me that is a steal for an Equipment Blouse.

I am telling you the Nordstrom sale has some pretty sweet deals!

Summer Reading: What's On my Nightstand Part 2

Remember that Jamie Foxx song, "Blame it on the Alcohol"? Well that is what I blame my surge in reading on this Summer,  the lack of alcohol in my life.  I don't have happy hour anymore so I get in bed with my full wits about me ready to read.   Plus I get in bed super early so I have more time to read now too (ah the joys of pregnancy).  I have been powering through like a book a week.  Such a book worm, I know.  I have read some really great books though and wanted to share.  Here is what I plowed through:

BEAUTIFUL RUINS- Several of you recommended this book to me last time I did my books post.  It was a really entertaining story about an old Hollywood actress and a secret she kept for years.  

BEBE DAY BY DAY- I really liked the first book by Pamela Druckerman, Bringing up Bebe, so I checked this one out at the library.  It is a super short read just 100 little blurbs and tips on French parenting. Everything in it made so much sense to me.  I mean seriously the French have this parenting thing down way better than us.

ROB LOWE STORIES I ONLY TELL MY FRIENDS- I have always loved Rob Lowe but my love for him grew even more after he was on Brothers and Sisters- why was that show canceled again??  This was a juicy autobiography about his life in Hollywood and growing up, it made me like him even more.

WHISKEY BEACH- I am a huge Nora Roberts fan I always love all her books.  This one has it all from mystery to romance.

GUILTY WIVES CLUB- My mom recommended this book to me and I read in 3 days, it was so good.  It is about a group of 4 women arrested in Monaco and put in jail for a crime they did not commit.  James Patterson books are always such quick easy reads

PROOF OF HEAVEN- I have wanted to read this book for a long time and I finally decided to read it after my grandfather died.  I no doubt believe in Heaven but it is so interesting to me to read others accounts of near death experience's.  Eben's story is amazing, he was a neurosurgeon who was more scientific than religious until he contracted meningitis and was in a coma for 7 days.  It is a miracle he survived.  While in his coma he visits Heaven and this is his story of his coma, near death experience and life after.

ENGAGEMENTS- I kept reading write ups for this book in all my fashion magazines.  It was such a compelling story following 5 people around thru their lives.  Each person had a different story relating to marriage, adultery, divorce, or the decision not to be married.  I loved that the chapters switched from one persons perspective to another.  I could not put this book down.  Interesting views on marriage and what it means to others.

REVENGE WEARS PRADA- I loved this sequel as much as the original.  Highly recommend if you loved The Devil Wears Prada.  Such a fun read filled with fun fashions and life in the magazine world.

Now I need to know what to read next, please share some great book recommendations!
xoxo