Thoughts For Thursday

This week it has been hotter than hot here.  It has me a little worried that it is already so hot in May.  Makes me wonder our Summer will entail.  Oh, and my car AC stopped working yesterday- perfect timing:)

Run don't walk to your Rite Aid and buy this face oil.  It is about $20 and works wonders.  I apply it in the morning before anything else.  Vitamin C is so good for your skin and I swear my skin looks brighter and fresher.

I ordered a bikini from a new to me line called Triangl Swim.  The suits are made out of neoprene and fit really well.  A few of you wanted to know about sizing.  I ordered a medium in both the top and bottom and found them pretty TTS.  The top fits me perfectly and offers so much support.  The bottoms are a touch skimpy for me (I am pretty grandma when it comes to bikinis) but they fit fine otherwise.  I love the bright colors.  Compared to other swim suits their prices are not bad either.  I like that they are made out of thicker neoprene material,  I feel like it almost sucks you in.

Aqua Punch Lily Bikini

I just finished two easy reads if you are looking for something lighter to read.

I have become addicted to Jane Green's books.  They always suck you right in and have a great story line.  Amy is just hilarious and so was her book.

I saw this palm print blouse in the Nordstrom catalog and quickly ordered it.  I love a good Palm 

Print.  It runs on the large side though so order down.  I am wearing an XS.  It is light weight and fully lined.

Palm Print Blouse | Shorts are older version | Shoes on sale (only $50 in some colors)

The earrings Hyla was sweet enough to send me, check out her site if you have not.   She makes some really beautiful jewelry.

 You can wear it off shoulder or up on both shoulders and it looks cute either way.

My good friend Ann just painted the most beautiful paintings for beside our bed.  I am going to frame them in a thin floating gold frame and then they will flank each side of our bed.  I am so excited they are going to look awesome!  You can check out Ann's work HERE and she takes custom orders too.

I just downloaded the 7 minute workout app and I have vowed to do it everyday til our vacation.  I mean I can spare 7 minutes a day right?  The app is free and I have heard some rave reviews.

I am on 3 day and not gonna lie I am sore, so it must be working some I hope:)

Two new songs added to my running playlist that I am addicted to.  I could listen to Vance Joy all day and I love me some Britney.

The sunrise I caught on Monday morning was so gorgeous.  Loving my morning runs and proud of myself I can now run 3.5 miles without stopping- this is big for me as I am no runner.  My goal is to get up to 4 miles about 4 times a week.

How amazing are these stairs?  If we end up doing an addition here this is what I would do leading up to the kids playroom.

Totally making this smoothie for me and the kids from Creme de la Crumb 

1 C frozen pineapple, 1/2 med banana, 1/2 C crushed ice, 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt, 1 1/2 C skim milk OR coconut milk.

 

Happy Thursday

Strawberry Banana Bread + Roasted Carrots with Harissa Yogurt Sauce

Happy Humpday loves.  I am coming at you with two recipes today.  Both I posted on instagram and didn't necessarily intend to post on the blog but several of you asked!  Ask and you shall receive.  Both are totally delicious and both feature Greek Yogurt as one of the key ingredients.  Meaning they are healthy! 

I set off to make the bread last week only to realize I had only 1/2 a cup of all purpose flour left, after I had already bought all the other ingredients.  Don't you hate when that happens!  I had a bag of wheat flour though so I substituted that for the rest of the flour.  You know what the bread turned out great so I will continue using wheat flour.  Both the kids loved it.  It is super delicious with a drizzle of honey too!  This is the perfect time to make this bread since strawberries are in season and sweet as candy right now!.

|| S T R A W B E R Y  B A N A N A  B R E A D ||

via Closet Cooking

ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour  (I used half whole wheat half all purpose flour)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 large over-ripe bananas (mashed)
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 cup strawberries, sliced

directions

1. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
2. Mix brown sugar, bananas, eggs, vanilla extract, yogurt and strawberries in another large bowl.
3. Mix the dryy ingredients into the wet ingredients.
4. Pour the mixture into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan.
5. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until golden brown and a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean, about 60 minutes.

 .....................................................................................

This recipe was inspired by a dish I had Leon's Oyster Shop.  The roasted carrots on their menu were just incredible- order them if you ever go there!  I found my jar of harissa at Goat Sheep Cow.  They also have a red version but I went with the green.  I would imagine most specialty grocery stores carry harissa.  I was able to find the red version online. Below is what is looks like.

These carrots may be my new favorite veggie dish.  They are fairly simple to make and so full of flavor.  The fresh mint pairs perfectly with the carrots.   Plus the presentation is just gorgeous!

|| R O A S T E D   C A R R O T S  W I T H  Y O G U R T  H A R I S S A ||

- 1 bunch stem on carrots

- 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain and I prefer the 2% kind)

- green harissa

- fresh mint

- pistachios

Clean the carrots and peel them.  Slice in half, some of the smaller ones I left whole.  Toss with olive oil and salt and pepper and roast at 350 degrees about 30 minutes or until tender.  Meanwhile mix Greek yogurt with several spoonfuls harissa sauce.   Chop mint and pistachios.

 Layer yogurt sauce on bottom of plate and layer carrots.  Then top with fresh mint and pistachios.  I drizzled a bit of olive oil over it all afterwards too.

Enjoy!

The Beach Edit Obsessions

I can't believe our trip to the Caribbean is 4 weeks away.  It feels like we booked it so long ago!  Our pool just opened this last weekend too so between that and our upcoming vacation I have swimwear, cover-ups and resort wear on the brain.  I wanted to share a few favorites.

|| Beach Blouse

I love the gorgeous colors and embroidery. 

|| Madewell Bikini

I love this Madewell bikini.

  || Sun Maxi Dress

This dress comes in 5 different colors and is under $100.  It can double as a cover-up or dress.

|| Madewell Woven Tassel Tote'

The cutest beach bag.

|| Milly Cover-up (on sale)

Love the white with neon accents!

|| OndadeMar Cover-up (on sale)

This cover-up was just reduced and I can't stop thinking about it!

|| Luli Fama Cuba Bikini

I think this is the cutest bikini.  The back of the top has tassel details too. 

 || Le Specs

Love these sunnies and the price is great too only $69!

|| Pineapple Straw Tote

You might remember this from my post yesterday.  I bought this tote and just love it.  It is even better in person than I thought it would be.  Such a great beach tote and not terribly expensive under $55.

Also comes in a clutch version

|| Cecily Beach Hat

The black and white stripes are so chic.  I love a wide rim hat to block my face from the sun.

|| Hana Blouse

I love the idea of this paired with jean shorts.

|| Elephant Tank

Love the adorable print on this tank. I live in cotton tees and tanks in the Summer paired with my cut-off jean shorts.

|| DV Gladiator Sandals

Huge fan of Dolce Vita shoes, for the price they are always on point.  These come in silver and black too.

 || Kate Spade Flamingo Cover-up

 I am sucker for anythng with a flamingo.  The back of this cover-up is just as cute as the front.

The matching bikini is also adorable.

and these flamingo shoes- love!

|| Tassel Necklace

This would look great with a maxi or tossed on with a cover-up.  Under $40.

|| Splendid Crete Flats

I love the metallic gold.  It would look so good with shorts or dresses.

|| Marc Jacobs One Piece

I have a black strapless one piece that is hands down my favorite suit.  I bought it before I had Sterling and I still wear it.  They never go out of style and are always classic.  I love the back detail of this one too.

|| Beach Towel

I love this large beach towel with fringe detail. It comes in 3 other colors too.

 || Beauty Counter Sunscreen

I will be using this sunscreen all Summer.  No chemicals or anything weird in it.

 

Life Lately

I hope everyone had a super special Mother's Day.  I know I certainly did.

A few snippets of life lately.

Monday after school I took the kids to Sugar Bakeshop.  I had not been there in forever and forgot how amazing all their treats are.  The kids were in hog heaven with their cupcakes.  We sampled 4 different ones and they all were delicious.  My favorite was the mint.

Last week's repeat outfit.

Blouse (on sale ) | Shoes | Shorts | Necklace | Sunglasses

Potted some new plants for our front porch.

Found a new lunch I am addicted to, thanks to my friend Liz.

Lettuce wraps.  Layer lettuce with mashed avocado with lemon juice and red pepper flakes + roasted white beans + hard boiled eggs + radishes.  So easy and tasty.

To roast white beans- just toss in olive oil with salt and pepper and roast at 350 degrees about 20 minutes.  It gives them great flavor and a bit of crunch.

 This maxi dress arrived that I ordered.  It is such a steal under $85 and the colors are amazing in person.  This would be great for a Summer wedding or event.

|| BB Dakota Maxi Dress

Could not stop laughing at Frances as she tried to casually steal a chocolate milk at Starbucks.  She looked so guilty like who me??

Friday night we ordered pizza and played games.  Sterling picked Go Fish. We love our Friday pizza + game nights.

I am getting so excited about our vacation in 4 weeks!  I finally busted out of my comfort zone and bought a bikini.

Pom Pom Dress | Gold Shoes | Palm Romper | Pineapple Tote | Cowrie Necklace | Bikini

 Saturday we went to Taylor's 3rd Birthday Party.   I swear my girl Caycee hosts the best birthday parties. She gets every single detail right.  

How gorgeous are the flowers??

All the ladies had a blast catching up!

I spent Sunday with the family. I hate I didn't get to spend it with my mom but grateful for these two angels.

We enjoyed a lunch picnic.

Then Matt took Sterling to go swim since our pool just opened and I got to enjoy some time alone.  I actually read a few magazines it was so nice.

Then we headed to the Yacht Club for happy hour and to let the kids play.  After rain for a few days it was nice for some sun.

Sterling snapped this picture of me and I love it, I was so happy I had such a special Mother's Day.

Tee | Shorts | Sandals | Glasses

I requested hot dogs for my dinner.  I love a good chili dog and these were amazing.

Perfect ending to Mother's Day.

Happy Monday