New Favorite Cocktail + Other Random Thoughts

Hooray for the weekend!  Matt and I are off to dinner tonight with another couple and we are going to try a new restaurant called here on James Island called the Screen Door.  I love trying new restaurants and I am so excited for a date night.

First things first since it is Friday I want to share a new favorite cocktail.  It is so easy and resfreshing:

Vodka + Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice + jalapenos + salt rim

Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice is key, don't use store bought.  It tastes so much better if you juice a fresh grapefruit.

I don't even like a salt rim on a margarita but I love it on this cocktail.  It just pairs perfectly with the citrus and jalapeno.

I have no actual measurements but this is an estimate of what I did.

In a martini shaker add ice.  Add a doubleshot of vodka per person, add the juice of 2 grapefruits, and one sliced jalapeno.  Shake all together.  Rim glass with kosher salt and pour drink and enjoy!

Who has been watching the Bachelorette? I am so glad Kaitlyn won, I just love her personality.

What do y'all think about the bromance on the show??  It just seems so staged me, I bet they are actors.  I have a few favorite guys and look forward to seeing who wins.  On another note who is shocked Chris and Whitney split?  Not me, she seemed way more into him than he was into her.

I can't wait to pick up this issue of Vanity Fair.  This is all still a bit shocking to me, but I am so incredibly proud of Bruce for being true to himself.  I am also proud we live in a world today where this is accepted.  Everyone should be who they are at heart.  I know this was a tough decision for him to make, but also so brave and empowering.

One of my favorite lines just got picked up at Nordstrom.  Cooper and Ella was started by a fellow mom friend Kara, and I am so happy for her!

I am wearing the Rose Print Tee paired with my JCrew Tassel earrings (30% off)

Last night I enjoyed one of my all time favorite meals : Tomato Pie and Kale Caeasr Salad.  A perfect meatless meal.  Both recipes are under the recipes tab up top and I just updated it with all my recent recipes.

We leave for our vacation in a week!  I am so excited for some rest, relaxation. and adult only time- although I am already stressing about leaving my kids.  They are with me all the time so I know I am going to miss them like crazy.

A few pretties from JCrew coming with me.

Tassel Tunic | Red Dress | Tassel Necklace | Tassel Earrings

All 30% off right now with code SHOPNOW

These two melt my heart.  Now that Frances is getting a bit older they play together all the time and have the best time together.  I just love hearing them laugh and play.

If you are looking for a great Father's gift, check out JL The Brand socks.  These are Matt's favorite socks.  The quality is amazing and we love all the fun patterns.  You can use code SOCKS4POPS to get 25% off any purchase.

Rodney has been fitting right in over here.  He is such a sweetheart.  He loves to lay his head in your lap.

I have a new favorite lip color, thanks to Laura Mercier.  At my event last weekend the girls talked me into trying on this coral color and I fell in love with it.  It goes on like a lipgloss but lasts like a lipstick.  It is such  great color for Summer.

|| Laura Mercier Paint Wash in Coral Reef||

I need sone fun beach book recommendations for our trip.  Anyone read anything good?

I have been slowly reading books from this list Erin from Elements of Style recommended.  

Any favorites on this list?  I love the Language of Flowers and The Light Between the Oceans.

 Have a fabulous Friday!

Best Of Beach On Sale

Some great Beach Items are newly reduced.  I rounded up a few favorites that are all on sale.

|| Tory Burch Cover-up ||

|| J Crew Strapless One Piece ||

 30% off with code SUMMERSTYLE.  Comes in several different colors too.

|| Loft Tassel Blouse ||

40% off, no code needed

 ||Joie Drew Silk Tank ||

Only $55!  Great paired with white shorts.

|| Cara Set of 6 Bracelets ||

Only $15! So cute to toss on with a cover-up.

 || Milly Tropical Tassel Cover-Up ||

 || Milly Strapless Bikini ||

I have this in the green color from last year and love it.  It's a great fit.

 || Tory Burch Pineapple Bikini ||

|| MICHAEL KORS TWIST FRONT ONE PIECE ||

Classic black one pieces never go out of style.

|| Loft Tye Dye Tee Shirt Dress ||

40% off, no code needed.  Great as a cover-up or dress.

|| Indah Maxi Dress ||

|| Mara Hoffman Strappy Swing Dress ||

|| Milly Cover-Up ||

Now 70% off.

|| Clover Canyon Cut Out One Piece ||

|| Old Navy Cover-up ||

|| Roberta Roller Rabbit Cover-up ||

|| Samdura Beach Bag ||

|| Madewell Tassel Scarf Dress ||

25% off with code YESPLEASE

 || Madewell Rose Gold Lace Up Thong ||

25% off with code YESPLEASE.  Also comes in black.

Fancy Caprese Salad + Roasted Chicken with Goat Cheese and Lemon

Don't you just love when a fabulous meal comes together?  We had this meal last night and it was such a great Summer meal!  I could not help but go in for seconds.   I had planned to only share the salad recipe but thought maybe it would be helpful to share both recipes to make a complete meal!

I consider this a "fancy" caprese salad, mainly because it looks gorgeous when plated. What makes this caprese a bit different is the addition of pesto and fresh prosciutto.  This takes minutes to whip together and will wow any guests!  I really recommend buying good prosciutto from a local butcher or sliced at the deli counter.  It is so much better than the packaged kind.  Funny story I went outside to clean up our dishes after dinner (we ate outside because it was such a beautiful night) and Rodney apparently saw the leftovers of this salad on the kitchen counter and ate it all.  I had no idea he could even get up that high up but he licked the plate clean.  Lesson learned never leave food out around Rodney.  This salad is so fresh and vibrant, it could honestly be meal by itself if you wanted.  You can definitely make this ahead too.  I made it earlier in the day and then about 30 mins before we ate I set it out to come to room temperature.

|| F A N C Y   C A P R E S E   S A L A D ||

- 4 medium size tomatoes, sliced

- 1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

- pesto store bought or homemade

- fresh basil 

- prosciutto

- olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Layer tomatoes, pesto, mozzarella and fresh basil.   Sprinkle thinly sliced prosciutto over the top. Drizzle all with olive oil and salt and pepper.   Enjoy!

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

 This recipe came from one of my favorite cookbooks, Donna Hay Fresh and Light.  The cookbook is fabulous, filled with so many great recipes and gorgeous photos.

 This dish seriously takes 5 minutes to assemble, it is so easy.  The flavors of the thyme, lemon, and goat cheese pair together really well.  They really are the perfect flavor combo.  I bought smaller chicken breasts, so depending on the size you buy your cook time will vary.

This would also be great paired with a beautiful kale salad or roasted vegetables.

||  R O A S T  C H I C K E N   W I T H  G O A T  C H E E S E   A N D  L E M O N S ||

- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of all fat

- goat cheese

- fresh thyme

- 2 lemons

- olive oil

In a baking dish sprinkle the thyme sprigs on the bottom.  Layer the chicken breasts.  Season really well with salt and pepper.  Add sliced or crumbled goat cheese.  Layer on lemon slices.  Drizzle all with olive oil.  Bake at 375 degrees about 20-25 mins until chicken is fully cooked.  For the last 1-2 minutes I broiled mine to slightly brown the lemons and cheese.

Obsessions

 A few favorites as of lately. 

|| JCrew Woven Fringe Earrings ||

All the JCrew jewelry has been on point lately.  Such fabulous pieces for Summer.

|| Madewell Embroidered Dress ||

I tried this dress on in person and it is so pretty.  Such a great little summer dress.  The embroidery detail is really gorgeous.

|| Free People Beach Tank ||

This looks like a great tank top and the price tag is even better only, $20.  It comes in 8 different colors.  Free People makes the best tops.

|| Honey Punch Tee Shirt Dress ||

I adore this fun spin on a tee shirt dress.

|| Leith Crop Top + Shorts ||

I am loving this crop top + shorts combo.  Such a chic casual look.

 || Ray Ban Erika Glasses ||

Really digging this new style of Ray-Bans.

|| Maaji Fringe Cover-up ||

Gorgeous colors and fringe detail, currently 40% off.

 || TopShop  Embroidered Sundress ||

Another fab dress from Topshop.

|| Sole Society Sandals ||

These look almost identical to the Joie ones but are 1/2 the price.

 || Lulu DK Framed Prints ||

I am so in love with all the Lulu DK prints on One Kings Lane right now.  I would love to get one for Frances Moon's room.

|| Free People Wrap Sandals ||

These are a steal at $68.  They also come in brown.

|| Tacana Tank ||

  Great embroidery detail and love the loose flowy fit.

|| Derenda Straw Hat ||

Such a great hat for the pool or beach.  I like the black/natural combo and fringe.

|| Tory Burch Colorblock Necklace ||

I think this is such a fun necklace.  Great for everyday with a plain tee shirt or cute tossed on with your bathing suit.  It was just marked down 50% off.  Also comes in a cool orange color.  Love the art deco feel.

|| Shipwreck Bar Collection ||

I love this adorable bar collection set.  It would make such a cute hostess gift.  I was originally wrong about the price, looks like you can purchase each item separately for about $20 or all 4 items for $70.

|| Vince Camuto Palm Tank ||

I have had my eye on this tank for a few weeks.  Love the palm print and it is newly reduced 40% off.

|| Nordstrom Spike Bracelet || 

This bracelet looks so similar to my spike Stella and Dot one I wear everyday but it is only $13!  This would be such a great bracelet layered with others.

|| Skagen Watch ||

I have been considering a Skagen watch lately.  I really like the sleek modern look.  This one is currently on sale, 40% off.  I think it would make a great everyday watch.

|| Sam Edelman Clutch ||

If you are looking for a fun summer clutch, this is it!  Great tassel details and beaded accents- and only $35.