Broccoli Salad + Saks Sale

I originally was not going to post this recipe, I figured not too many peeps cared about broccoli salad but after posting a sneak peek of it on insatgram I got several requests for the recipe so here you go.  This salad would actually be perfect for the holiday weekend.  This particular version is mayo free, now don't get me wrong I love the mayo version but I was looking for something a bit healthier so I created this version and honestly it is really good. If you can buy the tomatoes at your local farmers market, they add such good flavor.  I used a pack of the microwave bacon because it was quicker but I imagine this would be even better with fresh cooked bacon.  The dressing is a light Dijon vinaigrette and it pairs really well with the broccoli.  I had all intentions of putting feta in this, but of course forgot it at the grocery store, so I subbed white cheddar.  I always grate my own and use Cabot or Cracker Barrel they have the best flavor!  The white cheddar was really good.  This saves well in the fridge for several days.  Enjoy!

|| B R O C C O L I    S A L A D ||

- 1-2 heads broccoli chopped up into fairly small pieces

- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (quartered or halved)

- 4-5 green onions sliced

- 1 package bacon cooked and crumbled

- Sharp white cheddar cheese shredded

- 1/3 cup olive oil

- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard

- 1 garlic clove minced

- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar

-salt and pepper

Whick together olive oil, dijon, vinegar, garlic, and salt and pepper.  Place all the veggies in a bowl with bacon and cheese and toss with dressing.

And if you need an idea for sandwiches to go with this salad try these out.  We bought a fresh loaf of bread at the Farmers Market and then layered whole grain mustard, sliced salami, and brie.  They were out of this world good!  We packed all this up for an evening boat ride but it would be great for a picnic too!

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Saks just started a huge sale 70% off!  My favorite tie dye sweater is 70% off, I just love mine!!  

The Rag and Bone Nicole tank is now only $50!  Shop the whole sale here.  I rounded up my top picks.

Obsessions

|| The Lady and The Sailor Tee Shirt Dress ||

I love a good tee shirt dress.  They are super easy with kids.  The material is thick on this dress which I like,  if the material is too cheap and thin it is such a bad look and fit.  This one just got marked down- I am wearing a size 2 which is equivalent to a medium it runs on the small side.

|| Gap Leaf Clutch ||

I am so excited to find this print in the clutch version!! Such a great price.  For any of you new moms this would be so cute with diapers and wipes inside your regular purse!

|| Free People Marlow Dress ||

I love a good boho dress.  This one comes in 3 cute colors.  Looks so light and airy.

|| ESN Artisan Bracelet ||

I am so in love with my bracelet from ESN.  English the designer was sweet enough to send me one with the kids names engraved and I just adore it.  I have been wearing it every single day.  It is such a great bracelet alone or layered.  English crafts and stamps each bracelet in her home studio in Atlanta, GA.  I just love that they are each individually made and have such special meaning. You can do just silver but I loved the silver with the gold dots. And you don't have to do just names, you can do dates or whatever combo you prefer.   This is such a great gift for any new mom or a mothers day gift. Check out English's whole site it is filled with beautiful handmade jewelry.  I also love the namesake necklace.  Shop all these beautiful handcrafted bracelets and jewelry HERE.

|| Dolce Vita Maxi Dress ||

Love the colors, pattern, and style of this beautiful maxi!

 

|| French Connection Penn Shoe ||

The perfect shoe to take you from Summer to Fall.

|| Current and Elliot Polka Dot Tee ||

I love the look of this over sized tee.  Always love a fan of polka dots.

|| Serafina Tassel Necklace ||

Who doesn't love a tassel?  This necklace is too cute.

|| Joie Brighton B Silk Tank ||

This is such a great solid color tank.  I find cute solid color tanks in great colors are hard to find.  I love the peacock blue. This would look great under a blazer in the Fall too.

|| Tory Burch Phoebe Sandals || 

I think these are going to be my next summer sandals.  They would go with everything.

|| Claire Vivier Fold Over Clutch ||

This is my favorite Claire V Clutch yet, the spots are perfection!!

Art + Wine + Beauty Favs

Good Monday morning.  Today is a lot of randomness but I want to share it all. Hope you all had a fab weekend!

First off lets talk art.  One of my best friends here in Charleston, Amanda,  just started an Etsy shop selling her paintings and they are just gorgeous.  We have been telling her for years to do this because she is so talented and I am so glad she finally did.  I just had my own piece framed and I just adore it.  She paints a lot Lowcountry landscape scenes and also does some children's art as well.

Her prices are really awesome right now since she is just starting out so buy before they go up!  You can view her Etsy shop HERE.  A few other favorites, but they all are really stunning even more so in person.  A great gift idea too, I actually got ours for Matt for Father's Day but then we loved it so much we decided we wanted to hang it in our dining room!

\\ Amanda Parrott Etsy Shop

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Next up wine.  These are 3 wines that are in heavy rotation around here. They are all delicious and all under $15.  I have really been into Roses and Sauvignon Blancs this summer.  They are so light and refreshing.  I hate sweet wine so none of these are sweet, they are crisp.  I bought all three of these at our local wine/ABC Store (on Harborview for those locals) but they may be carried at Total wine too I am just not sure.

 Sierra Cantabria Rose | Honig Sauvignon Blanc | Mittlebach Rose

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Lastly make-up.  These are a few new products I am loving!

REDKEN BLONDE IDOL BBB SPRAY \\ My hairdresser recommended this spray for my hair.  My hair gets really tangled after I shower.  This spray makes it so easy to brush my hair while wet and it makes my hair so soft.  Plus it smells amazing.

BEAUTYCOUNTER EVERYDAY FACE LOTION \\ I am sure most of you have heard of beauty counter products by now, it is the new wave in good for you beauty products.  The company mission is so amazing not to use any chemicals or weird products.  I swear by all the products I have from Beauty Counter.  I love this face moisturizer.  I use it in the morning before I put on my make-up and it feels like silk.  So refreshing on my skin.  I also love the rose water spray, body lotion, and face oil.  The kids products are also legit.  You can shop the whole line here, really good stuff.

LAROCHE-POSAY EFFACLAR FACE WASH // For some time now my mom and sister have told me to try this line that is carried at Walgreens.  I finally bought the face wash and love it.  The line is created in France and I have heard nothing but rave things about it.  I love a face wash that really foams up and gets all my make-up off and this one does just that.  It comes highly recommended by most dermatologists.

IT COSMETICS COLOR CORRECTING COVERAGE CREAM\\  I used to swear by Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer but I now I love this line so much more.  This is basically a tinted moisturizer but it feels so much lighter and goes on more seamlessly than the Laura Mercier one.  It has SPF 50 which is awesome.

IT COSMETICS BYE BYE UNDEREYES \\ I am a loyal fan of the Clu De Peau concealer but this one rocked my world.  I still use both sometimes together.  This one is created by a plastic surgeon and I swear it makes me look less tired and hides my under eye circles better than any concealer and a little goes a long way.  It is waterproof, yet moisturizing and stays in place pretty much all day.  Contains high concentrations of Vitamins K, A, C, E and Collagen, which help reduce under eye puffiness and discoloration while strengthening the delicate skin  under your eye area.  You can't beat the price for only $30, this stuff works miracles.  I use the medium color.

LAURA MERCIER RED RASPBERRY LIPSTICK \\ I have found this is my new go-to shade this Summer.  It is such a great pink/red combo.

M61 JET GLOW SERUM \\ This is the first serum I have used and I have to say I love it.  It has really made my skin feel hydrated and smooth.  I use this after I wash my face and before I put on lotion at night for an extra layer.  This is carried at Blue Mercury here in Charleston.

3D FIBER LASH \\ If you want your lashes to look super long please buy this mascara it is freaking amazing.  After my quest to find the perfect mascara one of my readers sent me this mascara and it blow my socks off.  You apply it on top of a coat of your regular mascara and it is fibers that attach to to your lashes and it makes them look super thick and long.  I know it sounds a little weird but it really isn't.  It is so easy to use and just washes right off with your face wash.  I could tell a major difference with the length and thickness of my lashes.  I don't use this everyday but I do use whenever I have an event, dinner plans, etc. 

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Today is the last day to get 25% off any Gigi New York Teddie Tote.  I just love mine. 

Use code DBDD25

Plus they just started their Summer Sale, shop it HERE.

 

 

Piperlime Designer Sale Last Few Hours!!

Piperlime is having their Designer Sale where you can take an additional 20% off reduced prices.  Use code DESIGNER at checkout.  It ends tonight at midnight

My favorite Rag and Bone Giada Tee is on sale, I love mine!    I have small in this top, keep in mind it is an over sized tee, so maybe size down.  It is so incredibly comfy and soft and it is machine washable.

Also on sale are the Equipment Lewis shorts.  I have these in leopard print and have lived in them this summer!!  I have a small in mine they run TTS.  They are cute with a white tee shirt or dressier with a blouse!

These are my other top favorites!  Scroll thru to shop or click Here to view the whole sale.

Den Update: Piper Collection Pillows and Whats Next

Our den is the one room in our house that is almost where I want it to be.  The things I have left to do are recover my wing back chairs, find a matching cane back chair, and possibly curtains.  New pillows for our couch was on my list but I just crossed that off last week, thanks to Piper Collection.  If  you have not heard of Piper Collection you are missing out.  A local Charlotte friend and University of Alabama grad started the company with her interior designer mom and the pillows are just gorgeous.

Featuring bold color combinations and graphic textures, Piper strives to bring a youthful sophistication to contemporary home décor.  I loved all the pillows and had a hard time choosing!

 Of course I had to go with leopard for our den.  I love an animal print.  The fabric is so gorgeous and soft, it was exactly what I wanted for our den!

\\ Kendrick Pillow

They also come in this gorgeous purple color.

A few other favorites from Piper Collection:

You can shop the pillows online at Domino, Cozy Stylish Chic, and Remodo

In Charlotte they are carried at Traditions, Circa, Isabella, and A Hoke.  In Charleston they have a few at A Domaine.

If you want more info or have questions about ordering you can email whitney@piper-collection.com and follow along on instgram, she is always posting fun new pillows. #pipercollection

Next on my den to do list is find a matching cane back chair- anyone in Charleston have one the want to sell me?

I Recently had these two ottomans made so I want the additional cane back to flank the other side of the coffee table to offer more seating.

and the main project that I promised myself would happen in 2014 recovering these chairs.  I have two of them from my parents that I love.  I enlisted my friend Krystine to help me find fabric because I can't make a decision!!

I envision something like this, but I can't afford the gorgeous Les Touches fabric.  I like a mix between traditional and modern, so I am thinking a more modern fabric for the chairs.  Any suggestions designer friends?

So, the search continues.  Any great fabric shops in Charleston or Charlotte I should check out?  Don't forget to check out Piper Collection!

Happy Friday!