Thoughts For Thursday

Happy Thursday Friends. I keep meaning to mention how much I loved everyone's Mommy Confessions on Friday, they made my day. Not gonna lie I have gone back and read them several times and they all had me smiling and laughing. Us moms gotta stick together!! 

First off today I want to mention the amazing Kim Keller, she is a designer out of Charleston but has an online Etsy shop so anyone anywhere can shop her designs.  Her Etsy Shop is Keller Creative Designs and she designs everything from invitations, to birth announcements,  to wedding invitations.  She can really create anything you want her to.  Kim was sweet enough to design me some note cards after Frances Moon was born and I adore them.  She does custom work as well as premade items so definitely check her site out HERE.  She has graciously offered a 10% discount for you guys with code LOVE10 good for the month of February.

You can email Kim at kim@keller-creative.com for pricing and design questions.  I highly recommend her!
See how beautiful my note cards turned out- I just love them!!

  . 

I have been organizing  our house like crazy, I always do this post New Year.

 I was working in Frances Moon's room yesterday and her swimsuit collection makes me very happy. Girl swimsuits are more fun than boy ones!

Burberry | Baby Gap | Marysia Swim | Baby Gap

Per Amy's request (my girl always has great book recs) I have been reading Jodi Picoult's Keeping Faith.  It is so good and thought provoking.   I can't wait to see how it ends.  If you need a new book check this one out!

 We actually turned on the tv last night for a little while and watched Andy Sambergs show Brooklyn Nine-Nine.  It was actually really funny and I would totally watch it again.  Check it out if you have not yet!  Is it weird I have a crush on Andy?  I have a thing for funny guys....

I am so darn ready for Summer.  I have a real weakness for cover-ups.  I can't stop thinking about this one from Anthro.
|| Waverly Tunic ||

 If you need pants for your little guys, these colored skinny jeans from the Gap are my absolute favorite for Sterling.  They fit so well.  Nothing I hate more than baggy pants on little boys.  I just ordered him the terra coral color.  I think they are gonna look awesome with navy + white.  I also snagged this major cute dress for Frances.

|| Colored Skinny Jeans ||

We had our monthly girls Supper Club last night and I wore my Current/Elliot Dress.  I told ya'll it was the perfect tee shirt dress, shop it here and here

If you like to cook you must check out my friend Liz's blog.  She just started it and has the most amazing recipes.  It is called Beets and Bratwurst.  Not only is she an amazing cook but she is a wonderful writer and always gives me the best wine recs.  An all around stellar gal.

I can't wait to make this pork and black bean chili.  Check out her blog HERE and follow along her culinary adventures!

Lastly, a huge thank you to Sara at A Dose of Pretty who redid my blog design for me.  I have worked with her the last two re-dos and she does amazing work!!  Email her at adoseofprettyblog@gmail.com if you need blog help!

GP's Chicken Lettuce Wraps

We have still been eating pretty healthy in the Mason Household.  I have been making my way thru Gwyneth's Cookbook, It's All Good trying out lots of new recipes.  This one may just be my new favorite.  We loved these and they are so healthy and good for you!  Even Sterling ate one, although I had to roll his in a flour taco shell instead of lettuce.  He freaks about lettuce, kids and their veggies.

 The recipe calls for homemade Lee's Hoisin and Lee's Sriracha sauce.  I had good intentions to make the homemade Hoisin sauce but could not find the red miso paste,  so I used store bought Hoisin,  and you know what it worked out just fine.  So if you want to save time and money just buy a jar of the premade kind (I included the link at the bottom if you want to make GP's version).  I did not use lotus root either- I am honestly not even sure what it is.  Next time Matt and I both agreed we would add diced water chestnuts for some crunch.  This dish can be made ahead and then just reheated and assembled at dinner time.

Enjoy!

|| G P ' S    C H I C K E N  L E T T U C E  W R A P S ||

Serves 4Neutral oil (like canola, grapeseed, or safflower oil)
1 lb. ground chicken (preferably dark meat), at room temperature
Coarse sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 yellow onion, peeled and finely diced
4 garlic cloves, finely minced
2 tbsp. finely minced fresh ginger
2 small carrots or 1 large carrot, peeled and finely diced (about ½ c.)
½ c. finely diced lotus root (optional)
Lee’s Hoisin Sauce, divided
1 head of bibb or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated
A handful of cilantro leaves
A few scallions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
Lee’s Sriracha, for serving

Heat a few tablespoonfuls of oil in a large, heavy skillet set over medium-high heat and add chicken, along with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Cook, stirring to break the chicken up, until browned, about 10 to15 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat few more spoonfuls of oil in a separate skillet over medium-high heat and add onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Add carrot, lotus root, and a pinch of salt. Cook until the carrot just begins to soften, about 10 minutes. 

Combine chicken and vegetables in 1 pan and add ½ c. of Lee’s Hoisin Sauce along with ½ cup of water; cook for a final minute or 2 to just bring everything together. Place spoonfuls of the mixture on the lettuce leaves until you’ve used it all up. (This recipe makes about a dozen wraps, but it depends how big your lettuce leaves are.)

Thin the remainder of the Lee’s Hoisin Sauce with ½ cup of water and drizzle a bit on top of each lettuce cup. Scatter the cilantro and scallions over the lettuce cups and serve with Lee’s Sriracha if anyone wants a little kick.

click here for recipe for Lee's Hoisin Sauce

Shopbop up to 70% Off!

Shopbop just reduced a bunch of merchandise and there are some really good deals on there. I rounded up my top sale picks. Shop the whole sale here.

Blog Sale 3

I am still cleaning out. Matt tells me he has no man space so I am trying to make room for him to have at least one closet:) Help a sista out! Shipping is $5 for clothes (if you buy more than one item its an additional $2)  and $12 for boots. I have the boxes for both pairs of boots and will ship in box. Email me at nataliemason24@yahoo.com 

BANANA REPUBLIC SILK BLOUSE

SIZE XS

$35

H&M DRESS

97% POLYESTER, 3% ELASTANE

SIZE 4

$35

SOLD

BANANA REPUBLIC SHIFT DRESS

SILK AND IT HAS A DETACHABLE SLIP

SIZE 4

$40

SOLD

REBECCA TAYLOR SILK BLOUSE

SIZE 0 (MORE LIKE 2/4 VERY LOOSE)

$65

THEORY BLOUSE

SIZE P 

68% COTTON 22% SILK

IT IS SHEER YOU WOULD NEED A TANK UNDERNEATH

$40

PIPPA STRIPE SILK BLOUSE

SIZE 0 MUCH MORE LIKE A 2 RUNS BIG

$45

SOLD

VANESSA VIRGINIA SILK BLOUSE FROM ANTHROPOLOGIE

SIZE 0- ALSO RUNS LARGE MUCH MORE LIKE A 2/4

IT IS ALSO SHEER NEED WHITE TANK UNDERNEATH

$50

SOLD

ANN TAYLOR NAVY SILK BLOUSE

SIZE 4

$35

REBECCA TAYLOR SILK DRESS

SIZE 4

$70

JCREW GOLD METALLIC SWEATER

SIZE SMALL

NEW WITHOUT TAGS

$30

BANANA REPUBLIC  SUEDE TAN BOOTS

SIZE 9

WORN TWICE MINT CONDITION

$65

ELIE TAHARI DARK BROWN SUEDE BOOTS

SIZE 40 (US 10 ALTHOUGH THEY RUN ON THE SMALL SIDE)

BRAND NEW IN BOX RETAILED FOR $625

$150

ADRIENNE VITTADINI GREEN CALFHAIR CLUTCH

NEW WITH TAGS, RETAILED FOR $125

$50

Obsessions

|| LIGHT WEIGHT MERINO TUNIC ||

I am pretty sure this is going to be the Swing Sweater of the summer.  Love the long loose fit and it comes in some great colors!!

|| BB DAKOTA VEGAN LEATHER JACKET ||

Until I saw Megan's post yesterday I had no idea this coat was back out in a new color for Spring.  I own this in the dark brown and love it. I get compliments every time I wear it. It looks way more expensive than it is, at only$84!! I love the ivory color so much for Spring.

|| TORY BURCH STACKED T CROSSBODY PURSE ||

I have been obsessed with crossbody bags lately. I love my everyday one but I wish it was a touch bigger.  This one is my fore runner I am considering.  It comes in black too but I love the tan!

|| LOEFFLER RANDALL CALFHAIR SANDALS ||

Its official I need these for Summer.  The perfect leopard sandal.

|| CUFFED PANTS ||

These are hands down my most favorite pants for Frances, she is in them most days.   They fit well, wash well and are just plain cute!

pink combo- green combo

 

|| CURRENT ELLIOT TEE SHIRT DRESS ||

I bought this dress and love it.  It really is a great casual tee shirt dress.  I will do a style post soon and show how it looks on.  But trust me it is a must have.  Runs true to size, I got a size one which is a small. It has already sold out at Shopbop and Revolve Clothing, so order it if you want one!

|| JENNIFER ZUENER HEART NECKLACE||

Jennifer Zuener jewelry is my absolute favorite.  I own several pieces of hers and they are all fabulous quality and perfect for everyday wear.  This necklace would be such a sweet Valentines gift.  

  

 || NIKE PRO-HYPERWARM TRAINING TOP ||

I just love this Nike workout top with the little bow on the neck. It comes in 6 different colors and is on sale right now!  Such a cute workout top!

 

NDM Style: Clover Canyon

Normally I won't do these outfit posts so close together but we actually had plans this weekend so mama had a reason to bust out one of my favorite dresses and get dolled up!  One of Matt's best friends from law school got married this past weekend and we had the best time.  Don't even get me started on the food, I swear I gained 5 lbs it was so incredible- there was a bar with lump crab meat and melted butter- enough said.   Plus egg rolls, mini grilled cheese, a shrimp bar, and delish beverages!

This dress has been patiently hanging in my closet waiting for me not to be pregnant to wear it.  I wasn't sure my body was ready to rock such a form fitting dress so soon after baby but let me tell you this dress is a miracle worker.  Its all smoke and mirrors people.  It is like built in spanx.  Ladies, it sucks everything in seamlessly.  I am about to buy several more Clover Canyon pieces that is how much I love them.  They are so flattering.

I am wearing a size medium.  I do recommend maybe ordering up a size in this dress because it is so fitted.  It is made out of neoprene so it is a thicker material which I like so you cant see lines and bulges.   The material is super stretchy but I still felt like it ran on the smaller side.

You can find it HERE on sale right now but it is also available HERE and HERE as well.

I just love the fun pattern.   Clover Canyon is such a cool line because they do such innovative designs.   You are sure to stand out in a good way in one of their dresses.

My mom let me borrow her John Hardy Dot Hoops and I am kind of obsessed with them, probably not giving them back.  I also really like the smaller version here

|| John Hardy Dot Hoops || 

 I carried my Celine Tri-Color Purse.  It goes with everything!

Similar versions HERE and HERE

I wore nude pumps with the dress.  The dress was so loud it needed a subdued shoe.   A great pair of nude pumps is such an essential item for any closet.  They elongate your legs and go with everything.  Love both these pairs for under $100!
Sam Edleman D'Orsay Pumps  || Boutique 9 Nude Pumps ||

A few pics from the wedding.  It was so nice to get out for two nights in a row.  Although it was like Frances could sense I was tired and instead of waking up just once a night she woke up twice a night. Now I am officially exhausted!

 Here are a few of my favorite Clover Canyon pieces. It really is such a fabulous line.  I love that it is such a great price point and the dresses are so fun and unique. They just came out with swimwear and cover-ups and they are amazing.  Hoping I get one for my upcoming birthday!!  I highly recommend you give this fabulous line a try!