Scenes From Our Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Tuesday y'all, although it kind of still feels like Monday to me.  Four day weekends always throw me off.  This is our first real week home with no school.  We are ready to enjoy our Summer, although I do kind of like a schedule:)

I hope you all had a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend. I am always forever grateful to those men and women who so fearlessly serve and protect our country. 

 Matt had a few of his best friends come stay for the weekend, they do this every year.  So I packed up and headed to my parents condo down here for a mini staycation with my parents and sister and brother in law.  We had a blast and it is always nice to have extra help with the kids.

Friday morning we took the kids to Wonderworks to play.  We just love that toy store, they have the coolest toys and gifts.

Matt came over for happy hour Friday night before his friends arrived and we managed to get a pretty good family picture.

Wearing Embroidered Top + White Jeans

Frances Moon's Flamingo romper is only $16!

Close up of the detail of my top.  I love the embroidery detail.  It runs tts, I am in a size 4.

Of course on the first day a horse fly bit my foot and I had a major allergic reaction.  My foot was so swollen and painful the entire weekend.

We spent much of the weekend at the pool.  

Marysia Bathing Suit | Sunglasses | Frances Moon's Swim suit

Barbara Cobb was sweet enough to send me and Frances beach hats and we adore them!!  You create your own by picking your inner and outer fabrics and monogram. You can see all the fabric choices and create your own here.  She also makes matching beach totes:)  I decided to make our hats coordinate with the same inner black and white fabric.

We enjoyed a fabulous dinner out at Big Belly.  I am totally obsessed with their tempura flounder tacos. Try them next time you go!

Wearing my palm print blouse.  It has been on heavy rotation lately.

We loved having cousin Finley in town too.  These 3 have so much fun together.

I couldn't resist the matching pjs for Frances and Sterling.

The kids with my parents.  Of course they all would not look at the camera.  Just missing our other sweet cousin Maxton!

Sunday we attempted to take our boat out but it was pretty rough so we just sent the men and enjoyed a few cocktails at the Yacht Club after plus a killer sunset.

Joe Fresh Cover-up

Monday was super low key but ended with a fabulous cocktail my Dad created.  This cucumber martini is so refreshing!!

Followed by a kick ass Salsa Verde Enchilada Casserole.  I will share the recipe tomorrow!

Let's do this Tuesday!

Favorite Items on Sale This Weekend

ONE | Vince Camuto Fringe Sandals

Currently 40% off, they also come in black!

TWO | Lulu and Georgia Ink Dye Rug

All items on the L&G site are 25% off with code TAKE25

This is my favorite rug in our house.

THREE | Rebeca Taylor Print Silk Dress

I actually ordered this and love it! The blues are so pretty in person.  40% off.

FOUR | GAP

All regular priced items ate 40% off.  These are a few favorites I bought for Frances Moon.

 Use code Summer.

Blue Bathing Suit | Happy Straw Tote | Zebra Bathing suit| Fish Sunglasses

FIVE| Joe Fresh Cover-Up

All regular priced items on Joe Fresh are 3o% off.  I recently ordered this cover-up and really like it.  It is so soft and with the discount it is only $19!

SIX | Jcrew Tassel Jumpsuit

I love my romper and it is on major sale right now you can take additional 50% off bringing it to $45!

SEVEN | Equipment Snakeskin Blouse and Floral Dress

All sale items on Equipment are additional 20% off. I own both of these and wear them often.

Use code MD2015.

EIGHT | Rebecca Minkoff Tote

This beauty is now 50%.  Such a great everyday purse. Rebecca Minkoff purses always hold up really well and are great quality.

NINE | Kate Spade Polarized Sunglasses

40% off, also come in brown.

TEN | Tory Burch Sandals

These are a Summer staple for me.

also in black.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!  

Summer Vegetable Chopped Salad with Jalapeno Viniagrette + Weekend Sales

If you are looking for a great salad recipe for the holiday weekend, look no further! 

I have a tendency to hoard old cooking magazines.  Any other magazines I toss in the recycling bin but I have a hard time parting with my old cooking ones.  I found this recipe in an old issue of Food and Wine as I was going through them to toss out.  This salad blew my mind.  The jalapeno dressing is so bright and flavorful.  It really makes this salad pop.  The original recipe calls for nectarines too but I could not find any and honestly it was great as is.  The original recipe also calls for fresh lima beans but I used frozen and cooked them myself. 

This salad will be made all Summer long.

|| S U M M E R  V E G E T A B L E  C H O P P E D  S A L A D  + J A LA P E N O  

 V I N A I G R E T T E ||

adapted via old issue of Food and Wine

- 1 small bag frozen lima beans

- 1/3 cup fresh lime juice ( 2 limes juiced)

-1/4 cup olive oil

- 1 scallion thinly sliced

- 1 jalapeno thinly sliced

- 1 small shallot thinly sliced

- 2- 3 ears of corn cut off the cob.

- 1 avocado diced

- 1 pint heirloom cherry tomatoes halved

- 1 orange bell pepper thinly sliced

- fresh basil chopped

Place lime beans in a pot filled with water and bring to a boil.  After water comes to a boil cover and let simmer about 15-20 minutes.  When they are fork tender drain and immediately season with coarse salt.

In a large bowl whisk together lime juice, olive oil, scallion, jalapeno, and shallot.  Season with salt and pepper.

Fold in lima beans, corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, and avocado.  Add basil right before serving.

If you want to make this ahead wait and add the avocado right before serving too.

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

MEMORIAL DAY SALES

-Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale- 40% off. 

-Rebecca Taylor extra 25% off sale use code SALE25

-JCREW - 30% off sale and regular items with code WEEKEND

This tassel cover-up is headed my way!

 - Gigi New York- free shipping and free gift if you spend $200.

This is my favorite purse these days.

- Neiman Marcus- 25% off shoes and swim.  Plus 40% off new contemporary styles

-Baublebar- 20% off site with code MEMORIALDAY20

these are my favorite everyday earrings.

- Loft - 40% off site wide

- Serena and Lily - 20% off sitewide use code ALLOUT

-Gap- 40% off regular priced items use code SUMMER

- Old Navy - up to 50% off everything.

Thoughts For Thursday

This has been a whirlwind week of major events.  It has been an emotional one for sure.

Last week we lost our sweet boxer Nelson.  She lived a long life, she was almost 13.  Matt got her right before he started law school and before we got married.  She was sick towards the end and not herself the past few months but that still doesn't make it any easier to lose a pet. Our house is so lonely without her constant sweet company.  I know she is in doggie heaven now with her family. Just looking at this picture makes me want to cry.  She was the best dog and so great with Sterling and Frances.  She is dearly missed.

Yesterday Sterling graduated from pre-k.  I can't believe he is starting kindergarten this fall.  Like I said it has been an emotional few days.  I cried as soon as all the kids walked out in their tiny graduation hats.  They are all splitting up and going to different kindergartens.  I loved his sweet crew he has been with the past 3 years.  Sterling however was super excited to be out for Summer!

This was Frances Moon on her last day of school.  I feel like I blinked and she was no longer a baby.

Several of you asked about the shoes she is wearing, they are called Natives.  I actually went to buy Sterling a pair and she would not put them down so I bought her a pair too. They are a great for Summer because they are rubber and you can wash them.

These are the ones she is wearing- Natives

I wore my Equipment Dress to the graduation ceremony.  It was just reduced this week.  I wear mine often and love the floral print.

I am wearing a size small for reference.

|| Equipment Dress

My tiny graduate:)  We had someone snap family photos but all they turned out fuzzy.  I can't wait for my iphone upgrade mine is a hot mess!

New favorite pizza, The BBQ chicken from Pasianos.  I love the addition of jalapenos.

Speaking of jalapenos.  I just started adding them to our avocado toast in the morning thanks to Matt's idea.  It is a genius combo with the crunch and heat.

Sterling also had his last soccer game this week and got his second trophy. So proud of my little man.

Had some fun in the sprinkler this past weekend.

Frances is rocking her favorite shoes again, I am telling you they are all she wants to wear!

Working it like a supermodel.

I had a little more time to browse the Nordstrom sale.  I ended up ordering this Rag and Bone tank.  It is 60% off right off right.   Figured it would be great with shorts and especially white jeans.

|| Rag and Bone Tank

Rebecca Taylor just started their Memorial Day Sale.  You can take additional 25% off sale merchandise.  Use code SALE25.  I am obsessed with this bright poppy print.

Short Sleeve Blouse | Dress | Long Sleeve Blouse

I wanted to mention next Saturday May 30th I will be helping to host an event at Gwynn's in Mount Pleasant debuting the new Laura Mercier Spring line!    The event is 10-7 and there is a fabulous gift with your purchase.  If you want to schedule an appointment to have your make-up done which I highly recommend call Britney at 843.849.9667

She did my make-up and is amazing!  I will be there in the morning and there will be fun drinks and nibbles!

Happy Thursday!