Scenes From Our Weekend

I can not believe it is August already!!  Sterling doesn't start school til after labor so we still have about 4 weeks of Summer left but, man this Summer flew by!!  I headed to Charlotte on Thursday to visit my parents and pick up Sterling who had been there since Sunday. I missed that sweet boy so much!

My mom took Sterling to do some back to school shopping and got him the camo pants he is wearing, they are so cute!  On sale with 40% off right now!

\\ Crewcuts Camo Pants

My favorite thing to do while I am in Charlotte is to hit up Southpark Mall.  I think because Charleston doesn't have a great mall, I love walking around Southpark and browsing.  Sterling loves to go to the fountain every time and throw pennies in and make a wish.

I am wearing:

Equipment Blouse |  Rag and Bone Shorts (on sale )

While I was home we pulled out some old pictures for kicks.  I have always thought Frances Moon looked more like Matt than me, but my parents said they thought she looked a lot like me. We compared these two pictures and I do see some similarities.

I always love happy hour at my parents because my Dad makes the best martini ever.  He makes homemade blue cheese stuffed olives.  They are insanely good!

Saturday morning my sister brought us all Krispy Kreme doughnuts.  We decided to give Frances Moon one and her face was priceless.  She loved the doughnut of course.  My girl loves to dominate some food.

I always love when Frances and Finley can hang out. It is so special to have cousins so close in age.  They are 9 months apart, I remember I found out I was pregnant right before she delivered Finley.

I wore my new JCrew blouse three days in a row.  Don't judge just buy yourself one while they are such a good deal!  They come in two other colors too.  Use code DEPTOFSALE to get additional off.

\\ JCrew PomPom Blouse

 We hosted a baby shower for our dear family friend Lauren on Saturday.

  

  My sister is wearing my Equipment Leopard Dress (on sale) and I am in BCBG Dress from Mosaic Clothing.

Lauren decided not to find out what they are having and I love this idea of filling plastic champagne glasses with pink and blue M&M'S topped with mini cupcakes.

All of the hosts plus the adorable Mom to be!

I worked a little more on our screen porch makeover and assembled our Ikea Shelves.  I could have sworn I bought the double shelves but either I was wrong or Ikea gave me the wrong the box.  I may head back next time I am in Charlotte and get another row to add on top.  The porch is coming together slowly, next up we need to hang our new fan, install a glass door, and find a rug.

Sunday we got back in town and we were so excited to see Matt. We decided to grill out.  Matt did filets and I did a wedge salad- recipe coming soon.

Here's to a great week! 

Saturdays Steals and Splurges

I have been in Charlotte the past two days visiting my parents and I always love shopping in the mall.  We don't have a great mall in Charleston so I look forward to browsing the stores!

I had been thinking about ordering this tank top for awhile but never bit the bullet.  I tried it on in the store and loved it.  It is on sale and then you get additional 40% off with code TREAT.  It runs on the large side, I bought a size 2.

and yes that is Sterling making a run for it out of his stroller:)  Shopping with kids ain't easy!

\\ JCREW POMPOM BLOUSE

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These are the last two days for the Nordstrom sale, prices go back up August 4th.

Not sure how I missed this before but they have a LaMer special for the sale.  My aunt used to work for LaMer and would give me samples all the time and it really lives up to the hype.  It is still the best face cream I have ever used.

\\ LaMer Face Set

I always love all Jo Malone scents.  This is a great deal for the perfume, lotion, and candle.  Her scents are amazing.

\\ Jo Malone Beauty Set

This Nars Dolce Vita color is my favorite go-to everyday lipstick.  It is such a great color without being too over powering.

// Nars Beauty Set 

 I am also in love with these Alor bracelets.

They are expensive but such classic pieces to add to your jewelry collection.  My mom has several of these and I am always borrowing them.  Great for layering!

\\ Alor Bracelet

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Rag and Bone Jeans are a must have.  I swear they suck you in and make you look so slim.  These blush ones are the perfect color and on sale!

\\ Rag and Bone Blush Jeans

also on sale is this Rag and Bone Pull Over.  Love the subtle detail.

\\ Rag and Bone Pullover

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Equipment is offering 20% off all sale.  Use code EXTRA20OFF

I think by now you know how much I love Equipment! I own this dress in the leopard print it is a great shift dress.

\\ Equipment Audrey Dress

 The colors in this blouse are stunning.  I would love this for Fall!

\\ Lynn Blouse

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 Pottery Barns Kids is running a great sale on their Summer stuff.  We have this hooded towel for Frances and love it.  They are 50% off now.  They would make a great baby gift.  Shop all sale towels HERE

\\ Flamingo Hooded Towel

 I love the sharks for a little boy.

 A great time to stock up for back to school too.  All lunch boxes and book bags are 50% off.

Shop all book bags and lunch boxes HERE

Love this Stingray set.

I loved Sterling's duffel bag so much I decided I wanted to order Frances Moon one, and of course the Flamingo sold me!  50% off, and if you don't like the flamingo you can just do the stripes.

\\ Stripe Tote

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NM Last Call is running a great sale.  I own this blouse and love it.  It is now 60% off!

\\ Joie Blouse

Happy Saturday and Happy Shopping!

Hosting Dinner Club : All The Details

I love nothing more then entertaining.  I love planning a menu, the table, my outfit- all of it.  About 3 months after Sterling was born we started doing a monthly girls Dinner Club.  At the first of each year we each sign up for a month and host dinner club at our house.  When it is your month to host you cook, provide the booze, everything.   Since we each only host once a year it is not too much work.  We normally time the dinner for 7 so kids can be bathed and ready for bed.  The husbands are usually banned to take care of the kids and get them to bed while us ladies socialize.   I am embarrassed to admit it has been two years since I last hosted.  I played the pregnant card last year because I was so nauseous and cooking made me ill.  So this month it was due time for me to host.

First thing I always do is plan my menu menu.  I knew I wanted to do an Asian theme, something a little different than I had cooked before.

I typically plan the menu and buy all the groceries the day before.  I do as much prep work the day before so I can enjoy myself once the girls arrive.  On Tuesday I made the Cabbage Salad, diced all the veggies, and cooked the meat for the noodles and lettuce wraps.

The Cabbage Salad also know as Asian Slaw is one of my favorite sides.  It is best made the day before so the flavors can sit.  (recipes at bottom of post)

Fresh flowers are must for any dinner party.  Thank goodness for Trader Joes and their cheap flower section.  I picked up a new orchid for our dining room table and some gladiolas, less than $20 for all flowers not bad plus the orchid will last awhile.

Next up setting the table.  I always do this early in the day so it is done.  One less thing to worry about come dinner time.

I like a fairly simple table.  I love my napkins from Furbish Studio and my crystal napkin rings from Open Door Shop.  I always use white plates.  I prefer how food looks served on a white background.  The white plates are our everyday plates from Crate and Barrel we registered for when we got married and I still love them.

Dot Napkins | Crystal Napkin Rings

Then, outfit time.  I had been waiting to wear my new Sabine Dress from Piperlime.  To say I am obsessed with it is an understatement.  I love the bright blue embellishment and it is so comfortable.  It runs TTS, I am wearing a size small.

\\ Sabine Maxi Dress

After I am dressed I assemble the appetizer.  I remember a tip from Barefoot Contessa that if you are cooking a big dinner do a store bought app- something that you don't have to cook.  I knew I wanted to serve Callie's Pimento Cheese and Dillicious Dip.  So easy just to pick it all up in one shop and throw on a platter. I added some sliced cucumbers from my CSA Basket.

Once the ladies arrive it is wine time while I start to heat up the meat I had cooked the day before.

Once all the food is ready, I find it is easiest just to serve everyone's plate and set the table.  That way no one has to reach to serve and we can all sit down at the same time.

This dinner was a huge hit.  I highly recommend the whole menu!  

Good times with my best friends.  I truly love these ladies.  So lucky to have them in my life. We are missing one friend in the picture Lindsey who came a little late!

 || RECIPES ||

LETTUCE WRAPS

I posted this recipe a few months ago from Gwyneth Paltrows Cookbook It's All Good.

View the Recipe HERE

CABBAGE SALAD

Ingredients for dressing:  (I double this)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons sugar

1 ramen noodle seasoning package

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

Ingredients for salad:

1 small head green cabbage shredded (I buy the pre shredded kind at Trader Joes.  I used 3 bags which made a huge bowl of salad) 

4 green onions, chopped

2 packages oriental ramen noodles, crushed

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup sliced almonds

1.Make dressing by combining ingredients in a large bowl. Stir to dissolve sugar.

2. Combine all salad ingredients and then add dressing to salad and toss again.

3. Let chill at least 8 hours in fridge

DAN DAN NOODLES

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 8-oz dried fettuccine or linguine noodles
• 2 TB Asian sesame oil
• 2 TB cooking oil
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• ¾ cup regular soy sauce
• 1½ cup good chicken broth
• ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp Sriracha
• 6 tsp cornstarch, dissolved in ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cucumber, peeled and julienned
• ½ cup chopped peanuts or cashews for topping
• chopped green onions for garnish

Directions

1. Set aside cooked/minced chicken.
2. In a large heavy pot, cook noodles in salted water until al dente (don’t over-cook) according to package. Drain and toss with Asian sesame oil to prevent sticking and for flavor infusion. Set aside.
3. In a saucepan, heat cooking oil over medium heat. Add garlic and stir until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add soy sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, and Sriracha. Stir well. Add cornstarch dissolved in broth. Stir constantly while simmering, until sauce thickens.
4. Once sauce has thickened, add the minced/cooked chicken and simmer in the sauce for about 5 minutes.
5. If noodles have cooled too much, warm it up in microwave. Toss noodles with desired amount of chicken/sauce mixture, or just toss it all in! Toss in julienned cucumber to combine.
6. Divide onto serving plates or bowls. Garnish with green onions and nuts, if desired.
7. Leftover noodles should be wrapped tightly and chilled. Just heat up in microwave when ready for leftovers!

Things You Need in Your Life

Wanted to share a few things in my life I am loving.

ONE \\ EQUIPMENT LIAM BLOUSE 

My love affair with Equipment continues.  I snagged this blouse on sale awhile back and I am pretty smitten with it.  Equipment blouses are great everyday staples.  They are well made and last forever!!  also available here and here on sale in (size small and large).

TWO \\ EQUIPMENT LEOPARD SHORTS

Also speaking of Equipment my Leopard shorts are now on sale.  I wear these babies all the time!  They run true to size, I am wearing a small.  I love that they zip up in the back and have no pockets for a seamless and flattering fit.

I love how Julia styled hers with a Chambray shirt.  These shorts are so versatile!

THREE \\ Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Bar with Caramel and Black Sea Salt

This chocolate is freaking amazing.  I almost polished the whole bar off in one sitting.  Pick one (or five) up next time you are shopping at Trader Joes.

FOUR \\ GRIS BLANC ROSE WINE

I found this wine at Harris Teeter and loved it!!  If you like a dry non-sweet rose please try this wine!

FIVE \\ BABY GAP AVIATOR SUNGLASSES

These glasses are on sale for $3.99 now, enough said right??  Sterling loves his (and so does Frances)!  We went with the yellow but they also come in blue as well.

SIX \\ BOON FEEDING TOOLS

I am loving these two feeding tools from Boon.  They are awesome and both are under $10.  I highly recommend.  The spoon I take everywhere with us.  You can put your homemade baby food in it or squeeze a premade pouch into it.  It makes feeding on the go so easy!

Boon Spoon

I also love this silicone feeder.  It s great for teething babies.  I put bananas, avocados, and cold fruits in ours for Frances and she loves it.  

This Boon drying rack is also part of the Nordstrom sale, we have two and love them.  This one is great for bottle parts.

Boon Silcone Feeder

SEVEN \\ FURBISH SPOTTED NAPKINS

I bought these napkins back when Furbish hosted a pop up show here and I just love them.  I use them everytime I entertain.  I used them last night for a supper club I hosted (more details and pictures of that tomorrow).  The black and white goes with everything!

EIGHT \\ GOOD ADVICE