Thoughts For Friday

TGIF Friends!  Hard to believe next weekend is Halloween!

We have no real plans tonight but we have a date night planned for tomorrow night and my parents are keeping the kids overnight- it will be such a treat to sleep in. 

Papa ZuZu's has quite possibly the best Greek Salad in town.  I used to pick this up all the time when I was pregnant because it was close to my doctor's office but I had not had it since.  I picked it up this week and devoured it. 

This JCrew turtleneck has been on repeat lately.  I love the loose boxy fit.

The kids talked me into buying this eyeball balloon at the grocery store.  I have to say it was excellent purchase, it has kept them entertained for days.  They love to bring it everywhere with us.

I met a few girlfriends at Edmunds Oast for drinks and apps Wednesday night.  The first time I ate here I was disappointed in my meal this time it was much better.  The cheese and meat plate was delish.

 Found a new favorite blouse at Loft this week.

I bought it in two colors. Runs on the large side size down.

Collarless Blouse | Necklace is Julie Vos

I snapped this picture of Frances sleeping.  I love that she is sleeping with her legs crossed and cuddling her baby.  She always tosses her blanket off. It melted my heart.

I am hooked on these new coconut oil face wipes from RMS Beauty.  I usually use coconut oil to remove my makeup but these are so much easier.  A little trick is I cut mine in half to make them last longer.   They are great for travel or just being on the go.

Gap Kids has the cutest stuff right now.  A few things I snagged for Frances Moon. 

I think I am going to put her in the plaid dress for Christmas pictures. Loving the penguin print too.

Use code WARM for 40% off all purchases.

Plaid dress | Penguin Dress | Geo Sweater Dress | Penguin Blouse

I decided to download and read Andy Cohen's book for a lighter change of pace.  It is written in a diary style and I am enjoying his stories and honesty. It's pretty darn funny.

The Tory Burch Private Sale started yesterday.

These cardigans are my favorite.  I just this white version.  I love the long loose fit.

Simone Cardigan

a few other favorites.  Such good deals many items are 70% off.

I have a hair appointment in a two weeks and I am still considering a long bob.  I found this picture of Molly Sims and it is exactly what I want.  Not too long or too short.

Happy Friday!

Loving Lately

Jeffery Campbell Ballet Flats

I still love the lace up ballet flat trend.  The navy and wine colors are perfect for Fall.  Plus they are not crazy expensive.

Parker Off Shoulder Top

I am convinced I need this for the holidays.  Love the gold lace.  It is so festive and fun.

Space Dye Sweater Dress

I love simple easy dresses like this one.  The price is great, under $50.

One Kings Lane Leopard Pillows

I just love these pillows, they are leopard but still a neutral.  They are very similar to what we have on our couch in the den.

 

Free People Sweater

This sweater looks so soft. It looks like it would be long enough to wear with leggings and skinny jeans.  It also comes in a beautiful ivory color.

Madewell Grid Scarf

This scarf is so pretty.  The gray and white would go with everything.

Free People Mini Dress

I wore this dress/tunic in blue over the weekend.  It is now out in a black version that I equally love.  It is light weight and I really like the pattern.  Runs pretty TTS.  I am in XS.

 

 

Banana Republic Shirt Dress

I have had some great luck at Banana Republic lately.  This dress reminds me so much of Rebecca Taylor.  It is my favorite shade of blue.  Perfect for work or play.

Polka Dot Blouse

Loft is having 50% off the entire site today.  I ordered a few things including this blouse.  So classic.

Use code HALFTIME

 

Kashmir Glass Set

Shopbop has started adding some great new gifts on their site for the upcoming holidays.  I love these gold glasses.  They would be perfect for water or wine.  I have actually started really enjoying serving wine in different glass types.

Colorblock Wool Jacket

This is such an adorable casual jacket.  I love the colorblock detail.  Also comes in a black and red version.

 

Splendid Booties

I have been looking for a shorter heeled bootie and really like these.  They come in gray in too.

 

Wool Poncho

The neutral colors of this poncho are perfect to toss on over any outfit.

Madewell Tribal Print Dress

I love love love the print of this dress.

Chopped Fall Harvest Salad With Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

I told you guys I would be back with a recipe involving some meat:)  This salad is the bomb diggity.  Super filling and full of so many killer flavors.  I of course have a slight kale obsession so I used that for my lettuce base but you could totally used mixed greens if you prefer.  I like the lettuce shredded because it is easier to mix it all up and bite size.  Radicchio is a slightly bitter lettuce which I really like.  If you don't like it leave it out or sub red cabbage.  I love the color of the purple in the salad.

There is this salad at Cypress, a local restaurant here in Charleston,  that has Brie in it and is good.  It inspired me to add it to my salad.  I normally would have done a blue cheese or goat cheese but brie takes it to another level. The creamy brie is a winner, especially paired with the apples.  The chicken helps the salad to be more filling and bacon is always a good idea. 

A little tip for the butternut squash buy it already diced.  It saves you so much time and arm pain.  Butternut squash is so hard to peel and dice up.  Most grocery stores now carry it already peeled and diced.  Makes things so much easier.  

Two other quick tips : I buy a rotisserie chicken and just shred the meat off that.  Saves so much time and I don't have to dirty up extra dishes cooking the chicken- plus I hate dealing with raw meat.   I also buy microwave bacon (boars head is the best) and I just slightly reheat between paper towels to crisp it up about 30 secs.

I always arrange my salads on a platter like this because well it just looks pretty and it saves well.  I normally prepare dinner during nap time and then just pull it out at dinner.  This way each person can scoop and serve what they like to eat.  My kids won't eat the lettuce but I can serve them the other ingredients. For my vegetarian friends this salad is still delicious without the meat so leave it off if you want.

Enjoy!

|| C H O P P E D  F A L L  H A R V E S T  S A L A D ||

-1 Bunch green or red kale shredded (I used a combo of both)

- 1/2 head radicchio shredded

- 1/2 avocado chopped

- shredded chicken (I used a rotisserie chicken)

- roasted butternut squash

- 1/2 apple sliced (I used a Pink Lady)

- 6-8 pieces cooked bacon crumbled

- roasted and salted sunflower seeds

- chopped Brie

Toss the chopped butternut squash with olive oil and salt and pepper.  Place on a baking sheet and roast at 350 degrees about 20-25 minutes until fork tender. Don't overcook because it will get too mushy.

Assemble all other chopped ingredients on a platter.

|| M A P L E  D I J O N  V I N A I G R E T T E ||

- 1/3 cup olive oil

- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

- 1 tablespoon maple syrup

- 2 teaspoons chopped shallot

- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

- salt and pepper

whisk all together.

Assemble Salad and serve with dressing.

Sweater Weather

Sweater Weather is my favorite kind of weather.  Not too cold but just the right amount of chill in the air.  Each season I like to add a few new sweaters to my closet.

I have two new sweaters to share today that are perfect for this crisp air.

SWEATER ONE | Nic and Zoe Fringe Cardigan

I am a sucker fringe and I'll be honest that is what sold me on this sweater.  Plus I loved the colors.  Great neutrals that you could wear with so many different outfits. 

Sizing wise this is pretty true to size, I am in a size XS.

Nic + Zoe Sweater | White Tee | Kendra Scott Necklace | Jeans (ON SALE) | 

 Newbury Booties

Similar booties less expensive

A close up of the detail.  It is so soft and not itchy at all.  I really like the Nic and Zoe line carried at Nordstrom.  It is not crazy expensive and the quality is excellent.  I have a few pieces I bought last year that have held up great.  This cardigan is no exception.  It really reminds me of some more expensive ones I have seen from Vince and Joie but half the price.

The Kendra Scott Rayne necklace is a favorite of mine.  I own two colors and wear them often. 

Shop the Look

SWEATER TWO | Halogen Stripe Cardigan

This sweater is a little cheaper price point, under $90.  It comes in 4 different color options.  I loved the black/blush combo but I also really liked the purple stripes too.

I am wearing a size XS.

Stripe Sweater | Turtleneck Dress | Booties

The dress is such a great Basic Fall staple and is only $58.  It comes in 5 different colors but I loved the black.  It runs TTS I am wearing a size small.  I figure once it gets cold I can pair it with tights and a cute blazer + scarf for another look.

The sweater is so soft, it almost feels like cashmere.

Shop the Look

A few other sweaters I am loving from Nordstrom.  They have a killer selection of sweaters right now.  They always offer free shipping and returns which makes online shopping so much easier.  I ordered 2 sizes in one of the sweaters since I was unsure about sizing, so it made it super easy to return.

Thanks to Nordstrom for partnering on this post.

Scenes From Our Weekend

I hope everyone is refreshed from the weekend and ready to get back in the swing of things.  Monday morning always comes way too fast around here!

Thursday night I headed to diner with some girlfriends.  We ate at The Screen Door on James Island.  The fried Brussels sprouts were amazing but I have to say the rest of the food was just ok.

I wore my dress I ordered during the Shopbop sale.  I felt like it was a touch short on me as dress but made a great tunic.  I also plan to wear it with black leggings. I am wearing size small.

TBags Dress | DL1961 Jeans | Madewell Pumps | Candyshop Vintage Necklace

 

I always love the tacos at Bon Bahn Mi but lately I have been all about their salad.  I get mine with the lemongrass chicken.  The ginger dressing is amazing. It is a great lunch on the go.

Friday after school we made some spooky treats since my nephew Finley was coming in town.  Rodney clearly wanted to dig in too.  The spider gummies are actually the octopus ones because I could not find spider ones.  I just cut their heads and reattached them to look like spiders:)

I finally found a mirror for our Dining Room and the rest of our chairs were delivered.  Just a few more finihsing touches and the room will be done.  I am so thriled with how its turning out.

Friday night we had happy hour with my parents and sister and brother in law.

Loving this Free People Tunic.  

It runs to true to size.  I am in a size small.  The blue is so such a pretty shade.

 Necklace is Waffles and Honey.  It is such a great necklace to toss on and layer.

Carrying Tory Burch Purse

Saturday we kept my nehew Finley overnight.  Holy wow it made me realize how hard twins would be.  Major props to you moms of multiples. 

Sunday we awoke to cooler temps and it was delightful.  Fall is hands down my favorite season.

I was more than happy to bust out a sweater and boots.

BR Fringe Sweater | The Skinny Jeans | Minnetonka Booties | Shanlou Necklace  |Teddie Tote

Our favorite way to the end the weekend is usually a golf cart ride to the Yacht Club it was chilly but the kids had a blast playing.

Have a great Monday.