Saturday, December 12, 2015

Palmetto Bluff with Toyota

Happy Saturday Friends!  
Today I wanted to share a few pictures from our girl's trip last weekend.  
If you follow me on instagram (@snoopnattynat) then you already saw a few snaps of Caycee, Krystine and I last weekend.  I mentioned before but Toyota contacted us about doing a sponsored road trip and test driving their new Camry.  I had heard nothing but great things about their Camry so I was excited to test drive it.  
We picked Palmetto Bluff as our destination because it was an easy drive from Charleston (about 2 hours) and it sounded amazing.  I had heard such amazing things about Bluffton and Palmetto Bluff but had never been. 
You can tell we were just a little bit excited for a weekend away.
We picked the car up at our local dealership- if you live in Charleston there is one in West Ashley on Hwy 17.
The girls let me drive and I was so excited- I secretly love being the driver.

Do you think we packed enough luggage for the weekend?  but seriously this Barrington Luggage is my favorite.  You can custom design your bags with so many different patterns.  Of course I chose leopard.

The Camry was so spacious inside and the drive was super smooth.  Not to mention beautiful, I sometimes forget how spectacular the Low Country can be. 
We pulled up to Palmetto Bluff and I knew we would love it.  So charming.

Traveling to Palmetto Bluff around the holidays was such a treat with all the gorgeous decorations.


We stayed in one of the new rooms at the Inn that were just finished last month.  If you need more space they also have cottages you can rent.
I loved the light details at all the rooms at the Inn.

Ready for a night out.  The first night we dined at The River House restaurant, located right inside the main building at Palmetto Bluff.  The Gem salad was my favorite!

The next morning we awoke to this view from our patio.  The pool is heated too, so you can swim year round.

The next day we wanted to explore Palmetto Bluff.
I loved this sweet Chapel.  Two wedding happened here while we were in town.

We loved the restaurant Buffalos.  Their breakfast was amazing.  This egg croissant sandwich and grits were out of this world good.  They also had a killer biscuit bar with the most delicious homemade gravy and jalapeƱo cheddar biscuits.

Around the corner was the cutest little market filled gourmet goodies and treats.  We stopped for some snacks and I ended up buying Christmas gifts for the kids and an amazing smelling candle for my mom.

That afternoon we had the most insane massage at the spa and then relaxed by the water.


At night they use these fire pit for s'mores!

Then we got ready for another night out.
Can you tell we loved the large mirror in our bathroom??

The cutest details on our walk to dinner.

The next morning we got up bright and early to leave and caught the most gorgeous sunrise.

Palmetto Bluff was one of the most beautiful and serene places I have been.  It was so relaxing and nice to have girl time.  Next time I would love to visit in the Summer and bring the whole family with me.  I know the kids would love it!


A huge thank you to Toyota for sponsoring this trip and letting us drive the Camry for our weekend.  A few things about the Camry I loved:
 The gas mileage was amazing.  We drove 4 hours total and that only used up a quarter a tank of gas.  Seriously amazing gas mileage.   Secondly, the car was roomy and so comfortable.  I am used to driving a SUV and thought a car would feel tight and cramped but that was not the case at all.  This Camry was so incredibly spacious.  
As mom I am also concerned about safety and I loved that the Camry had front and back air bags.
The trunk was also large for storage purposes.
Plus the car just looked sleek, a very attractive sedan. 


Thank you Toyota for an amazing trip!
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (“Toyota”) provided me with compensation and use of a VEHICLE for a short period of time. The opinions I have shared about this vehicle are my own.”


Friday, December 11, 2015

Holiday Party | Food + Decorations + Outfit

Last night I hosted my annual Girl's Christmas Party.  I love these ladies so much and feel so grateful to have them in my life.  I wanted to share a few details.
Waiting for my guests to arrive:) I wanted to be festive so I wore a red blouse and statement necklace.

I just love holiday decorations.  They make me so happy and that is why I love entertaining during the holidays.  All the bright lights and colors are so magical.
Minted Artwork | Trees are from B.D Jefferies in Charlotte

I love nutcrackers.   I think they are so cute and festive for the holidays and my kids love them.  My brother and sister in law actually gift my nephew a new nutcracker every year and I think that is a sweet tradition.

I love to use wreaths placed around vases or candles for a different look. I found the wreath at World Market, looks like the exact one is not online but I really like this Eucalyptus one.

I also found this adorable antler wreath at World Market as well.

As for cocktails I decided to serve champagne with frozen cranberries for a festive touch.
 If you are looking for champagne glasses, I love these stemless ones.  They are light weight and come in a box of 4 with 4 different patterns from World Market.  Looks like they are sold out online right now, but I also love these too.

How adorable is this Cheers Drink Dispenser.  I thought it would be fun to do lemon water, but next time I may try and make spa water with cucumbers.

The food is always my favorite part of entertaining.




This was my first time making them and they are so good!  You can stick a pretzel in them right before serving to make them easier to pick up.


The ladies loved their wine and ornaments.
Antler Tray is on sale now! I think I mentioned yesterday but I love this Rose and it on sale at World Market right now for $8.  I am very picky about wine and for the price this one is really good.

All in all we had a great time!





Thanks to World Market for partnering on this post.



Thursday, December 10, 2015

Thoughts For Thursday + Recent Outfits

I am kind of in shock that Christmas Eve is two weeks from today.  I finally just started tackling some of my shopping this week, but I still have quite a bit more to do!

We decided that next Summer we want to take another trip to the Caribbean.  I get so excited just thinking about the crystal clear water, white sand, and fun drinks.  We loved St. Maarten so much but decided we want to visit a new island this time.  We like a short direct flight and are thinking possibly all inclusive.  I got some recommendations on instagram this week so thank you to everyone who commented.  
So far we have kind of narrowed it down to Turks and Caicos, Antigua, and possibly Tulum or the Riveria Maya.  We are hoping to book by January.

The kids were so excited to get this cute christmas mat in the mail.  You can use code SNOOP for 10% off your order:)


Frances Moon got her first headband for her Birthday and I have to say I love it.  Although she looks so grown up here.

Last weekend I took a trip to Palmetto Bluff with my girl friends.  Toyota sponsored the trip for us and we had so much fun.  Palmetto Bluff is just darling. This was the perfect time of year to go,  I loved seeing all the Holiday decorations.

I am gearing up for my girl's Christmas Party tonight.  I will share all the details and what I cooked hopefully tomorrow.  I have little gifts ready for my friends. I love the idea of gifting a bottle of wine with an ornament.  The wine and ornaments are from World Market.
I loved the deer tray too, it is the perfect size for entertaining.


I am just finishing up my second Jo Jo Moyes book.  I read Me before You and I am finishing up After You.  I have really enjoyed both books.  Anyone else read anything good lately?


Now onto a few recent outfits. Many of these are still on sale and marked down even more.

I never met a leopard print I didn't love.  This style Equipment Dress is one of my favorites.   


I mentioned this Vince Blouse I bought during the Black Friday sales.  I wore it over the weekend in Palmetto Bluff.  It runs on the large side so I recommend ordering down a size.  I am wearing a size XS. It is currently 60% off and under $100.


The Girls at Lake Pajamas were sweet enough to send me a new winter pair and I love them.  I swear their jammies are the softest things ever.  They wash really well and look cute for lounging. They would make such a great Christmas gift, the 16th is the deadline for Christmas orders.

One of my favorites tee shirts was just reduced to 40% off and is only $20 now.  I love the loose swing style fit. I am wearing a size small.  

I stopped in JCrew this week to Christmas shop and found the best stripe tee shirt. I always think stripe shirts are so classic.  This one comes in 3 different colors.  It does run on the large side, I ended up buying size XS.

Have a great day!  I am off to clean house and cook for my party tonight and of course of all days Sterling is home sick with a horrible cough.  Wish me luck!




Wednesday, December 9, 2015

6 Easy Appetizers for the Holiday Season + Hostess Gift Ideas

I am hosting my second annual girl's Christmas party on Thursday night.  I always serve wine and heavy apps.  it got me thinking about my favorite appetizers.  Since there are lots of parties this time of the year I thought I would share a few of my all time favorite appetizers.

|| P E A R S + B L U E  C H E E S E & P R O S C I U T TO ||
This is a new appetizer that I tried out this week for my annual girl's Christmas party I am hosting tomorrow night.  It could not be easier and so delicious.
You will need:
2 pears sliced thinly
arugula
blue cheese (buy the Danish block kind)
Prosciutto slices
Balsamic vinegar
Drizzle pears with lemon juice to prevent browning.  Lay on side and place a few pieces of arugula and a chunk of blue cheese on pear.  Wrap with a thin piece of prosciutto.  Drizzle all with balsamic vinegar.

This could not be easier to whip together and it is always a hit whenever I bring it.



There are so many options for stuffing endive but it doesn't get much easier than Boursin and Pimento   Cheese.

This dip tastes just like pizza.  Be sure to use pretzels, baguette chips or some sort of sturdy chip to dip with because the cheese can make thin chips break.

I love how festive this cheese ball is for a holiday party.  you can easily make the ball ahead of time just wait til right before your party to roll it in the pomegranate seeds.

and this is a new dip I just tried out for my party Thursday.  I went ahead and prepared it ahead of time.  It still needs to bake in the oven but even unbaked it is damn tasty.

Since it is the season for entertaining I thought I would share a few Hostess gift ideas.

hostess ideas

Cheese Board- This is a beautiful serving board and only $28.  If you wanted to add something extra I would throw in some speciality cheese for a beautiful gift.
Nest Beach Diffuser- Everyone loves these diffusers.  The Beach scent is so fresh.
Decanter Tags- I have a set of decanter tags and I always get asked where they are from.  I love these.   You could also add a bottle of their favorite liquor with this gift.
Nest Lotion and Nest Hand Soap- The Bamboo scent is my favorite scent in the Nest hand soap and lotion.  You could gift these together or separate.  If you gift them separate I like the idea of a hand towel with each one. Trust me these are the best smelling soaps and lotions.
Hand Towel- Would pair perfect with the soap or lotion.
Pineapple Martini Shaker- I really want this beauty for me.  It is adorable.
Hexagon bottle Opener- I love the idea of a cute bottle opener paired with a 6 pack of speciality beers.
In Good Taste- I always love to gift books.  This Kate Spade book is just as cute inside.
Nambre Ornament- I love to tie an ornament around a bottle of wine for a cute gift. I love anything and everything Nambre.  Their items are so beautiful.
Jonathan Adler Ornament- JA ornaments are my favorite and they come in the cutest boxes.
Cheese Knives- I love that this comes packaged in a nice wooden box.
Christmas Plates-  I adore these gold Christmas Plates, such a great gift over the holidays.





Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Gift Guide for the Jewelry Lover

What woman doesn't love jewelry?? For this gift guide I wanted to round up a few of my favorite jewelry staples.  I am not a big jewelry person but that doesn't mean I don't love jewelry.  When I find something I love it is on constant rotation.  I like items that I can wear often.  Below are a few of my jewelry favorites that would make a great gift for any mom, sister, wife or daughter in your life!

jewelry favs
Julie Vos Initial Necklace- this is a great longer necklace, goes with everything
Twine and Twig Tassel Necklace- I love anything Twine and Twig
Kate Spade Studs- I wear mine all the time.  So versatile
ESN Cross Bangle - this makes such a special gift.  I gave my mom one not too long ago
Alor Diamond bracelet- one of my favorite gifts ever
Kendra Scott Rayne Necklace- I own this in 2 colors!
Candyshop Vintage Rice Beads Bracelet- locally made and under $30! Great stocking stuffer
Julie Vos Greek Key Cocktail Ring- a fun cocktail ring for a night out
Alexis Bittar Earrings- a fun spin on an everyday stud.


This stack of bangles is on constant repeat.  I wanted to show a close up of the bracelets actually on my arm.  I wear them almost everyday.
Alor Bracelet- my parents gave me this as a Birthday gift a few years ago and I wear it everyday.
Stella and Dot Bracelet- This is great for layering and a steal for the price.
ESN Cross Bangle- English's jewelry is handmade and some of my favorite pieces I own.  I love the simplicity of this bracelet.


Another favorite jewelry line of mine is Waffles and Honey.
This necklace is even more beautiful in person.  It is longer and great for layering.


For the holidays Waffles and Honey has come out with the cutest little gift boxes with studs for everyday wear.  There are several different stone choices and the studs are only $70.  This makes such a great gift.  They come packaged so adorably. 

This necklace is so special to me because it has my children's names engraved on the tags.  My mom, sister and sister in law all have one of these necklaces after seeing mine.  English, the jewelry designer has graciously extended the deadline for personalized gifts til this Thursday.  This is an especially great gift for a new mom or grandma:)

If you want more of a statement necklace.  I love this Julie Vos bib.
It really goes with so many outfits.  

I love these Leather Tassel Earrings for a night out. Elle + J is a jewelry line based out of Charlotte and she has some cool stuff at great prices.  These earrings are only $30:)

Because you need somewhere pretty to store your jewelry.  I love so many of these options and many are under $30.  I especially like the lucite ring holder and travel case.

jewelry storage


I have a few items I am currently lusting after.  Santa if you are reading I would like one of each please:)


wish list