The Best Mojito Recipe + Labor Day Scenes

Happy Tuesday Y'all!

I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. Ours was busy but so fun.

I have to share this recipe for the best mojito ever.  My brother in law, makes the best one I have ever tasted.  I am not big on mixed drinks usually they are too sweet for me, but he makes this one perfectly.  He said it was inspired by a Mojito he had in Puerto Vallarta.  It is the perfect mix of fizz, mint, and lime. Here is what you need (also not pictured is a muddler)

Take your glasses and line them up.  Place a tablespoon of sugar in each glass, the juice of one lime per glass, and a handful of mint.  Muddle all that together.  Then add a 1 oz shot of Rum and 2 oz of club soda.  Add ice and serve. I promise you will love these.

Us ladies sure did!

Rory Beca Dress (same print in romper version) | Kendra Scott Necklace

The best part of this weekend was spending time with my family.  We always love having cousin Finley in town.  These three are just the sweetest together.

and we have a new cousin addition!! My brother and his wife had their baby boy, Maxton, last week!  I can't wait to meet him and for him to join this crazy crew!  He is just the cutest thing ever, makes me miss the sweet newborn days (minus the no sleep).  Can't wait to snuggle him soon!

Friday my mom and I did a little shopping.  I have still been looking for a rug for our screen porch but can't find exactly what I have envisioned yet.  We headed to Celadon.  They have a great rug selection, and while they didn't have what I wanted for the porch I did snag one for our kitchen and two lamps for our bedroom!  Frances loved checking out the rug selection.

Our new kitchen rug, I just adore it.

Saturday we went for a boat ride bright and early.  We have to go early these days because of the kids, it just gets too hot.

Ray Ban Rose Mirrored Glasses | Babiators glasses on the kids

I made the most delicious Breakfast Casserole before our boat ride.

It is super easy and so good \\  BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Layer a roll of crescent rolls in the bottom of baking dish.  Top with cooked crumbled sausage (I use the hot kind), then top with two cups of cheese (I do a blend of mozzarella and Gouda).  Whisk 6 eggs with one cup of milk and pour over everything.  Bake at 400 degrees about 25 minutes. Enjoy!

Saturday night we ate at Big Belly again, it was so good and love that it is kid friendly.  Their wings are the best wings I have ever had!  I tried their beer flights this time, it was fun to sample different beers.

Sunday we hit up the Yacht Club, our favorite activity with the kids:)  I just adore this family photo Matt's friend snapped of us!

A great weekend over all but I have to admit I am ready for a routine and school to start!  Frances Moon sure is pooped from all the fun though!

On a side note don't miss the Nordstrom Clearance Sale.

I finally ordered these Tory Burch sandals I had been eyeing.  Once they arrive I will report back if they are as good in person as the look online.  Sizes are going fast so buy while you can!  It stays warm here for awhile so I figured I had plenty of time left to wear them paired with jeans.

|| Tory Burch Phoebe Sandals

A few other great deals from the sale- scroll thru to view.

I own the House of Harlow leather station necklace and love it, such a great deal now.

 Shop the whole sale HERE

Life Lately

Happy Friday Y'all!!  I am so excited for the long weekend, my family is here plus one of Matt's best friends is staying with us this weekend.  It will be a busy weekend but a fun one!!  So for the past week I have been sick, I finally went to the doctor Tuesday and was diagnosed with bronchitis, a sinus infection + an asthma flare up.  Anyone who knows me well, knows I don't go to the doctor unless I am bad off, I hate medicine but in this case thank goodness for modern medicine I am finally feeling better and on the road to recovery!!  Being sick and taking care of two little kids is hard!

While I was sick, I decided I needed some homemade muffins to feel better.  I made these Zucchini Carrot and Coconut Muffins- recipe HERE.  I forgot how good these babies were!

I have three new make-up items to share I am loving.  

Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner- I am a big fan of pencil eyeliners.  This one works great, goes on well and even. 

Chanel Eyeshadow-  this is my first Chanel eyeshadow and I have to say I love it.  You can wear it light during the day or do a great smokey eye at night.  I have the sable color combo.

Burts Bees Deep Pore Scrub- this stuff is amazing for exfoliating.  I use it with my clarisonic in the shower about every other day.  

I am a huge fan of May books.  I love to use them for my to-do lists.  I usually keep one at home beside my desk and one in my purse.  Lately Sterling has gotten really into drawing too so I ordered him his own book for doodles back when they had the 40% off sale.  He keeps it on his night table and draws before bed, it is so cute.

If you have not signed up for it yet, you must sign up for the Skimm.  It is a great daily newsletter that is emailed to you every morning and it includes a brief version of all the latest news around the world.  I just love it, it makes me feel updated on all the current events and I don't have to read a huge long article. Sign up Here.

I have been loving my JCrew laser cut shirt I blogged about last week.  I wore it twice this week.  Use code WEEKEND to get 40% off.  It runs large order down a size and several of you asked if it was cropped, and it is not cropped at all, I am almost 5'10 and the length is fine.  It comes to $35 with the discount!

and The House of Harlow Sunburst Necklace is one of my favorites, it goes with everything.  Right now it is on major sale (50% off in an olive snakeskin color) here

JCrew Laser Cut Shirt |  House of Harlow Necklace

Right now at Nordstrom a lot of their House of Harlow jewelry is 50% off.  I love this sharks tooth necklace.  It was $72, down to $35- such a great price.  You could wear it alone or layer it with a longer pendant necklace.

House of Harlow Sharks Tooth Necklace 

Sterling went to his first soccer practice this week and he did so well.  I was a proud Mama.  He knew no one on his team which is hard for him sometimes but he got out there and played really well

I recently ordered this book, The Glow.  It is filled with such inspiring stories from moms about childbirth and after.  I have really enjoyed reading.  This would make a great gift for an expectant Mom.

Frances is not yet crawling but has started to get pretty mobile.  I thought of this genius idea to contain her while we had happy hour outside. She loved being in the laundry bin and thought it was so funny.

We enjoyed a new tequila (to us) that we loved.  Muy Bueno!

 Milk and Honey Luxuries was so sweet to send us this adorable spoon.  Sterling and I say this everyday to each other so the spoon was very fitting.  I am now kind of obsessed with her shop and adorable spoons.  Shop her Etsy site HERE.

And speaking of cereal that is the Publix version of Captain Crunch or Monkey cereal as Sterling calls it and it is good for like half the price!

I took Sterling and Frances plant shopping with me.  If you have kids Hyams Garden Store is such a great activity.  They love riding on the carts and feeding the koi fish.  Then I get to browse their gorgeous garden selection.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Labor Day Weekend!!

A few Labor Day sales to note:

Tory Burch you can save up to 30% off your order.  Use code LABORDAY14

I am kind of obsessed with this horse blouse.  A few of my favorite new arrivals below.

Lulu and Georgia is offering 25% off the whole site use code LABORDAY25

Kendra Scott is offering 15% off the whole site.  I love my Rayne Necklace.

JCrew is offering 40% off all sale, use code WEEKEND.  A great time to snag this Pom-Pom shirt and spike bracelet- I love mine!

Furbish Studio is offering 15% off everything.  Use code ENDOFSUMMER.

CWonder is offering 30% off all full priced items.  I just adore these gold print animal glasses.

The Zhush is offering 20% off site wide use code LABORDAY2014.  I really want this coffee mug.

Shop Buru is offering 25% off all purchases , use code LABORDAY. I am tempted to buy this Mara Hoffman Dress, I love the snake print!!

Singer22 is offering up to 20% off, use code LABOR14.  I can't stop thinking about this coat, want it for Fall.

6 Basics for Fall

I wanted to do a list of Fall Basics.  I got a request for this type of post and it made me so excited.   Fall is by far my favorite season.  I love the weather and love the clothes. I seriously get excited about dressing for Fall.  I may do a part two to this list with accessories but ran out of time for this post- it is hard getting posts done with Sterling out of school!

ONE || JEANS

I am still really into the Distressed look.  I actually own all three pairs of jeans below.  They are staples in my closet year round really.  I would say I have found JBrand and Rag and Bone Jeans fit my body best.  They don't stretch too much, sit higher up, and suck you in for a flattering fit.  The Rag and Bone Skinny Jeans are great if you need just a classic well fitting pair of skinny jeans, totally worth the money.

Rag and Bone The Skinny Jeans | JBrand Jeans | Rag and Bone Ripped Skinny Jeans

TWO || BLOUSES

It is no secret I am a blouse hoarder.  I can't get enough of them.  They are my daily uniform.  I love them paired with shorts or jeans.  Come Fall I am in blouses almost daily.  I get a lot of questions about dry cleaning and the truth is I wear my blouses several times before I dry clean them. That way you aren't spending too much at the dry cleaners, as long as there are no big stains or the arm pits don't stink I keep wearing them.  I tend to gravitate towards floral blouses but I also love a great Chambray blouse- it looks great with black or colored jeans.

Joie Blouse | Rebecca Taylor Blouse ( on sale) | Equipment Blouse (on sale)

 THREE || SHIFT DRESS
I love a shift dress because you can wear it so many different ways.  Toss it on with flats, knee high boots or tights and booties and you have three different looks.   I own the middle dress and actually just ordered the first one after seeing Liz look so amazing in it.  The BB Dakota Dress is such a great price and comes in black too.
 

Joie Dress | Equipment Dress |  BB Dakota Dress

FOUR || DRAPE FRONT JACKET
This is my favorite style jacket.  Major love.  I own a Vince jacket in this style and wear it often.  The two BB Dakota versions below are on my wish list, gorgeous jackets and a great price point!

Alice and Olivia Jacket | BB Dakota Ombre Coat |  BB Dakota Leather Jacket

FIVE || VEST
I love a vest for Fall.  It is fun way to jazz up a plain tee shirt.  It make can make a boring outfit pop.

Velvet by Graham and Spencer Vest | BB Dakota Vest |  Free People Vest

SIX || BOOTIES
I own the Harrow booties, I bought them on sale last year and have to say they are worth the money.  Great fit, comfortable and I find they go with everything.  I love the lower heel and price point of the Sam Edleman Booties, really considering them in the taupe color.  I have seen a lot of celebrities rocking the Rachel Comey ones which of course makes me want a pair of them:)

Rag and Bone Harrow Booties | Rachel Comey Booties | Sam Edlemen Petty Boots


What are your staples for Fall?

Closet Favorites on Sale

I wanted to take a minute to pop and share a few of my closet favorites that are on sale and part of the Neiman Marcus Real Deal Sale.  There are some great items on sale- shop the sale HERE.

\\ Equipment Kyle Top

I have literally lived in this top all Summer.  I love the pattern and the loose fit.  

\\ EQUIPMENT AUDREY DRESS

Such a great dress, I have worn this a gazillion times.  So versatile I wear it to church, parties, girls night out you name it.

\\ TBAGS MAXI DRESS

I own several of these T-Bags Maxi Dresses and this one is now only $67!  A real steal.

Red Snapper with Tangelo Cucumber Mint Relish

I realized it has been awhile since I last posted a fish recipe.  Matt has been burned out on meatless Monday meals so he suggested we start doing fresh fish on Mondays which I am all for.  If you have a local fish market I highly suggest buying the fish there, it just tastes so much better and is fresh not frozen.  I buy ours at Huffs Seafood on Folly Road and I know in Charlotte at the Kings Street Farmers Market they have great fish too.  I usually just ask the people what the freshest fish is and go with that.  This recipe is adapted from a recipe in Gwyneth's Cookbook Its All Good- I still love my girl and her cookbook, it never disappoints.  The original recipe calls for clementines which I could not find so I subbed tangelos.  I think this relish would also be great with peaches or pineapple instead.   The cucumber, mint, hot pepper, and fresh citrus fruit are so such a vibrant flavorful combo.  I also think you could use other fish for this recipe like Mahi or Salmon- whatever you can find.   This is the perfect Summer meal. 

|| S N A P P E R   W I T H   T A N G E L O + C U C U M B E R + M I N T  R E L I S H ||

- 1-2 lbs fresh white fish, we used Snapper

- 3-4 tangelos, oranges or clementines diced

- 1/2 red onion sliced very thinly

- 1/2 hothouse cucumber diced

- 1-2 red chili peppers diced ( I used two we like heat)

- fresh mint chopped

- juice of 1/2 lime 

- salt and pepper

- olive oil

Wash off fish and make sure all bones are removed.  Pat dry then drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper.  Bake at 350 degrees about 20 minutes or until fish is able to flake apart easily.  Meanwhile mix up the relish (tangelos thru lime juice) and season with salt.   Remove fish from oven and serve with relish!

Newbury Boots Major Sale!

I have mentioned them several times before but my Rag and Bone Newbury Booties are my favorite booties for fall.  They are now 50% off at Shopbop in the Camel color.  A real steal you will not find them cheaper than this.  I highly recommend them!!  Order up a 1/2 size as I found they ran on the smaller side.

\\ Rag and Bone Newbury Booties

Also just marked down are the Rag and Bone Distressed skinny jeans which I also own and love.

Another great pair of jeans is these Jbrand Maria Highrise in white.  These are great white jeans.

I love the JBrand Maria Highrise jeans, they really suck you and are flattering especially post baby.

 

 A few other new markdowns and great deals: