Saturdays Steals and Splurges

Serena and Lily started their Memorial Day sale early.  With code VIP20 you can take 20% off the whole site including sale stuff.  Shop site here.

I love these blue and white outdoor chairs, they are a steal!  Already on sale, I think they will come to under $100 with the coupon.

Also love these Stoneware dinner plates in Bark.  It looks the the perfect blush colored plate.  They are already 50% percent off and then you get an additional 20%!  They also have the salad plates that match.

how gorgeous would these bark napkins look with the plates?

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Horchow is also running a big sale that ends the 20th.  It is free shipping and 25-30% off.  Shop whole sale HERE

This Capiz inlayed mirror is a major steal.  It would look awesome in an entryway or over a vanity.

 I just love Sferra Throws.  This one is $100 off! The colors are the perfect neutral for any room.  This would be a great wedding gift for someone.

Sferra Emma Throw

These mirrored shelves are so cool.  They would look awesome in a nursery.

 

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The toddler girl stuff on Gap Kids is so awesome right now,

Love this ombre dress and strawberry tank

 

and this romper is amazing.

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I just found a new line on Piperlime I am loving called Amour Vert.  How awesome is this tee shirt dress?  It has pink pineapples on it!

Armour Vert Tee Shirt Dress

also loving the Ruth Tee.  It come in two cute patterns.  A cute tee to throw on with jean shorts or jeans.

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JCrew is offering 25% off their packing picks and it is actually really cute stuff!  Use code PACKME at checkout

I love the Boyfriend Tee.  It is such a great fitting tee shirt and comes in so many great colors. I have it in white and wear it often.

I tried this tunic on in the store and wish I bought it.  It was a great fit, super flattering.  Definitely ordering one now that it is on sale.

Side Split Tunic

 I always a JCrew Cover-up.  Love the classic black and white pattern on this one.

Gauze Tunic

Happy Saturday and Happy Shopping!

Fridays Favs

ONE \\  Shopbop + BornFree

Have you guys checked out the Shopbop and Born Free Collab?  I am swooning over all the little girl outfits!  This Chloe dress is my absolute favorite.  I also love this two piece set and the Lemlem kids patio dress is amaze.  I always love supporting a good cause while I shop.

Chloe Born Free Dress

I love the TB bags as well.  The tote is reversable and I love both the patterns.

TB Reversable Tote

and my other favorite is this Isabelle Marant Blouse.  You all know I love a blouse and this pattern is fabulous.

TWO \\ French Connection Bikini Top
and Bottoms + Cover up

My exercise motivation arrived yesterday in the form of a cute bikini and cover up from FC. I am obsessed with the Palm Print.  Normally bandeau tops never fit right coverage wise but this one fits great!

THREE \\ Kate Spade On Purpose Collection

I am loving the new Kate Spade On Purpose Collection.  Everything is hand made by artisans in Rwanda.  This collection is helping to inspire women there to support themselves.  I had to have this floral clutch.  I love that you can slip your hand under the bow to carry it.  Plus the vibrant floral colors are perfect for Summer.

I also love the Pom Pom Scarf.

and how cool are these fabric necklaces?? Only $50 and if you sign up for emails you can get additional 10% off your order.  They would be so cute with a white tee or tank.

FOUR \\ KRAVE BEEF JERKY

This beef jerky is amazing. Best beef jerky I have ever had.  It is all natural no weird ingredients.

 The two flavors below are the only two I have tried but they are off the hook good.  So much flavor and the meat is so tender unlike standard tough beef jerky.

FIVE \\ Homemade Baby Food with Beaba

I am all about homemade baby food this time around thanks to my friend Melisas who created Giggle Bites.  She really opened my eyes to how processed baby food even the organic kind is.  I normally feed Frances Giggle Bites but ran out and had to buy the premade kind.  The texture and color really turned me off, so I decided to bust out my Beaba which I love and make a few batches of homemade baby food.  It is so easy to make and so much cheaper.  Plus it is satisfying in a weird way.  I kind of love making baby food:)

This cookbook has great baby food ideas

  and these storage containers are awsome. You can pop them in the freezer and then just pop out a 2 oz serving portion when you are ready.

 SIX \\ Tory Burch Sale

TB just marked down a bunch of new stuff including swimwear!  I am kind of obsessed with this black bathing suit and these flats need to be mine.  My mom just got these black wedges and they are such a great everyday shoe. Scroll thru to see my favorites.

SEVEN \\ The Fault in Our Stars

I am almost done with this book, it is sad but really good!  I need a new book recommendation so lay them on me!

EIGHT \\ Quote

This quote really spoke to me.  So true.

Happy Friday!

Working on My Fitness + Zella Favorites

I have decided it is finally time to get real and lose the last of my baby weight that is lingering.   Everyone said oh, nursing will burn off all that weight just you wait.  Well guess what it never did.  Then people told me once I stopped nursing I would lose the last of it because my body was holding on to it while nursing.  I stopped nursing 3 weeks ago and still no magical weight loss.  The truth is I have found it really hard to lose the last of the weight with baby number two.  I have also had a hard time finding the time to exercise with two kids.  I am run ragged most days and don't have the time or energy to get to the gym.  I run about once a week on the weekends but that is the extent of my exercise these days.  I know I need to make exercise a priority not only to tone up and shed a few pounds but for my mental sanity.  I am a happier person when I have some physical activity in my life.  I am writing all this on here to try and hold myself accountable.  My plan is to wake up early two days a week and run while the kids are still asleep and then also run once each weekend.  Now that it is lighter in the morning I am hoping I can get my butt out of bed and take advantage of the extra daylight.  In addition to that I would like to do a Tracy Anderson video or Barre class once a week.  That gives me 4 days of exercise and I would be happy with that.  Any tips from moms on scheduling workouts, finding the time and holding yourself accountable?

I decided some new workout clothes were just what I needed to inspire me.  I wish Charleston had a great department store but sadly we don't.  So last weekend when I was in Charlotte I hit up Nordstrom and checked out the Zella line in person.  I have heard nothing but amazing things about Zella and the clothes did not disappoint.  I took my mom with me and tried on almost every piece they had in stock.  I needed an honest opinion on what looked good and what didn't- that is what mom's are best at, telling you the truth!  It was hard to narrow down what to buy because I loved it all.  These were two of my favorite pieces I picked up.

Zella Tank Top | Zella Streamline Capri Leggings  also in purple | Puma Tennis Shoes

I just love the capri pants.  They fit like a glove and I felt like they really helped to suck in my flabby stomach.  I honestly had a hard time deciding what color to go with.  If you are between sizes go down a size for the extra support.

  I chose the navy version because it was different from my standard black ones.  The live in slim fit capri is the style I am wearing.  It also comes in this gorgeous purple color.

I almost bought these leopard ones, I kind of loved them and they will probably be my next pair.

I also really loved the space dye version as well.  It comes in three fabulous colors.  All are the same style as the navy ones I am wearing.

The tank top is plain awesome.  I can usually find pants that I like but tops are hard for me.  I hate nothing more than a workout top that is too clingy and shows all your lines and bulges.  This top fits great not too tight, not too loose- the perfect fit.

It comes in five different colors.  I really love this royal blue color too.

For the price it is such a great workout top.  I am wearing a size medium for those curious.

Double Scoopneck Tank

I also loved this compression tank.  It is super cute on.

Seamless Compression Tank

Just so you can get a good laugh and see me being really "active" in the clothes here you go!

The best arm workout is lifting this guy!

For those curious my shoes are Puma but they are an older version.  This is a similar version and a great running shoe!

Puma Narita V2 Running Shoe

and how amazing are these hot pink pumas?

You can shop my whole look below and my other Zella Favorites!

This post was sponsored by Nordstrom.  All thoughts, opinions, and clothing choices are always my own!

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

 

 

Confession I love box mac and cheese.  I know it is so processed and not good for you but I can put down some Velveeta shells or Kraft Mac and Cheese.   However, I got to thinking I wonder if I could make my own.  A few google searches later and a scan of our pantry and I was in business.  The homemade kind is super easy and oh so good!  You can use any noodles you have and any cheese you have.  I happened to have half a box of elbows left and white cheddar cheese.  This mac and cheese was so creamy and delicious!

Enjoy!

|| S T O V E T O P   M A C   A N D   C H E E S E ||

1 pound pasta (elbows, penne, rigatoni, whatever you like)
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2 Tablespoons flour
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
Pinch cayenne

 

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside. 
2. Warm 1 cup of milk over medium heat. Whisk together the remaining milk and flour until there are no lumps. When the milk begins to steam, whisk in the flour mixture. Whisk until it begins to thicken, about 3 to 4 minutes. It will be the consistency of heavy cream. Gradually whisk in the cheese. Add salt, pepper, dry mustard, cayenne, and nutmeg. When the cheese has completely melted, add the pasta.
3. Coat the pasta completely in cheese sauce. Serve immediately.