Scenes From Our Weekend

Dear Monday, you always sneak up way too fast.

Thank you for all the great book recommendations.  I just downloaded several of them and can't wait to start reading them.  I love a good book.

We kicked off the weekend with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, since Friday was national doughnut day.

Frances went to town with hers.

Followed by a some time at the park, to burn off the sugar high.

We met the nicest police officer who let Sterling get in his car and work his lights and sirens.

It made his day, he was so excited.

Chilling with Sterling.

Sunglasses

Friday night we headed out for date night.  

Trying to talk Matt into a picture- as you may notice he does not like to be photographed.

Ended up with this cheeseball smile.

Wearing | Topshop Dress | TB Flats 

We tried out Screen Door, a new restaurant on James Island.  The food was really good as was our server.  The delivery of the food was a bit slow and oddly spaced we got our meals before our appetizers, but they were so apologetic and comped our apps.  They apparently have two kitchens and are working on syncing them up.  As far as food we had the egg pizza, the pork pizza, cheeseburger, hanger steak, ricotta app and wings.  Everything was delicious.  I will 100% be back, plus the atmosphere was cool.

Below is the egg pizza which i ordered for my meal, I devoured the entire thing.  Don't be scared off by the anchovies on it, they give it great flavor.

Saturday morning I got up bright and early to run.  I have almost reached my goal of 4 miles I made it 3.8 miles.

Threw on my favorite tee again.  The pink is my new jam.

Free People Tee | Necklace is Theodosia

Enjoyed the best Shrimp po boy from The Glass Onion for lunch.

One of my oldest and dearest friends stopped through town and we were able to catch up.  Nothing better than picking right up with old friends. Lauren and I lived together in college and I miss her so much now that she is in California.  We don't get to see each other often so it is extra special when we do.

Sunday was low key.  We went to a family breakfast at Bagel Nation and grocery shopping.  Then we hit up the pool!

I had several request about my swim suit.  I bought this 4 years ago after I had Sterling and I still love it!  The fit is great, and I always love rouching for disguising belly flab.

Twist Front One Piece  

also on sale in blue

Sunglasses

 Frances loves the water, actually is scary because she has no fear and will just walk right in.  

Looking adorable in her flamingo suit- I found this at the Gap Outlet.

Today the Gigi New York Friends and Family Sale starts! Use code Friends15 to get 15% off the site!

I own several Gigi Purses and love them all.  Fantastic quality and love their color selection too. A few of my favorites.

Teddie Tote

Bucket Tote

Foldover Clutch

Happy.Monday.  Hope you all have a great start to your week.

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.