Thoughts For Thursday

Happy Thursday!  

Last night I went out with my mom and a few girlfriends to try SIP a new wine/bar taproom.

Wearing :

Joie Blouse | McGuire Jeans | Target Shoes | RM Purse | Necklace and Bracelet are Hyla Dewitt

Use code BIGEVENT16 to save on the blouse, jeans and purse!

What I love about this Joie blouse is I can wear it during the day and then transition it to night easily.  During the day I just paired it with my Tkees flip-flops but at night I dressed it up a bit with heels and fun jewelry.  It is part of the Shopbop spring event so you can save up to 25% depending on how much you spend.

The idea of the tap room was really cool.  I didn't think their wine selection was great and I was a little disappointed in their charcuterie board too.  If you like beer though they had a great selection.

We ended up liking this wine (of course it was the most expensive one on the menu).  It was a nice white wine though. 

A close up view of the color of my Rebecca Minkoff Purse.  It is the sandstone color and it is a great neutral.  

Frances is still bathing suit obsessed.  At least we had warm weather this week so I actually let her outside to play in her suit.

Bathing Suit | Shoes (both are on sale right now too)

I am just finishing up 800 Grapes which I have enjoyed.  It has been a great light and easy read.  I am looking for something to read next any suggestions?

I recently this ordered this Oribe Shampoo and Conditioner and I am loving it.  I swear it really helps my color look brighter and it smells amazing.  It also doesn't make my hair greasy at all.  I can go several days without washing it and it still looks fresh and clean.

Barrington Gifts just came out with their new Spring Monogram line.   I spent way too long playing around with patterns and colors but I eventually decided on this tote and I also got the matching lap top case well.  I love the new look reminds me of Goyard.

Tote | Laptop case

This has been Dr Seuss week at Sterling's school so each day they get to dress up as something different.  Sterling has been loving it.  Today was rockstar today.  Sterling had a vision and he did such a great job putting together his costume!

My Etsy pillows arrived and I love them!  Our den is slowing coming together!

This weekend I am so excited because I am attending the Food and Wine Festival.  I can not wait to enjoy some delicious food and wine and the weather is supposed to be amazing!  I ended up ordering this blouse to hopefully wear! 

Oh and my friend Annie (who is the cutest)  asked me to answer a few questions on her blog Home of Malones today- you can check it out HERE!

Spaghetti With Mushroom Bolognese

Since Matt doesn't eat meat anymore and I eat very little meat I am always looking for filling vegetarian recipes.  This pasta is just that.  It is so hearty and the flavors are so rich and complex.  I didn't even miss the meat and my kids didn't even notice there wasn't meat.   This is such a delicious vegetarian meal.   We all gobbled this up.  I served it with toasted a wheat baguette and it was perfect.   The sauce can most definitely be made ahead of time and reheated if need be.

Enjoy!

|| S P A G H E T T I   W I T H   M U S H R O O M  B O L O G N E S E ||

adapted via Bon Appetit

- 1/4 cup dried porcini mushrooms

- 6 tablespoons olive oil

- 1 small white onion diced finely

- 3 carrots peeled and diced

- 1 baby eggplant peeled and diced into small squares

- 8 oz shiitake mushrooms, diced

- 4 garlic cloves minced

- 2 tablespoons tomato paste

- 1 tablespoon white miso

- 1 34 oz box crushed tomatoes

- 1 2 inch chunk Parmesan-Reggiano plus extra grated for serving

- 1 thyme sprig

- 1/2 teaspoon sugar

- 12 oz spaghetti

- 2 tablespoons parsley

In a small bowl cover the porcini mushrooms with 1 cup boiling water, soak until softened about 30 minutes.  Finely chop the mushrooms and discard any tough pieces.  Reserve 1/2 cup the soaking liquid.

In a large pan heat 2 tablespoons olive oil.  Add the onion and carrots and cook over medium heat until light golden, about 8 minutes.  Add the eggplant and 2 tablespoons olive oil and cook stirring occasionally until softened about another 8 minutes.  Stir in the porcini and shiitake mushrooms and 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Cook stirring occasionally about 8-10 minutes.  stir in garlic, tomato paste, miso and cook another 2 minutes.  Add in the chunk of cheese, the crushed tomatoes, the thyme and sugar and reserved mushroom liquid and bring to a simmer.

Cover and cook on low heat until sauce is thick about 1 hour.  Discard the thyme sprig and season with salt and pepper.

In a pot of salted water cook the spaghetti until al dente

Add the pasta and a little paste water to the sauce and toss.  Top with parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.  

Favorites in my Closet and Part of the Shopbop Sale

The Shopbop Spring event started today.  It is a tiered event so the more you spend the more you save.  I wanted to share a few favorites in my closet.  Sizes tend to go fast with these sales so I recommend ordering soon!   Don't forget to use code BIGEVENT16.

I ended up ordering this blouse and these wedges.  A little early birthday gift for myself:)

ONE | Rebecca Taylor Blouse

I love this flirty blouse.   The embroidery is so pretty and I like the ruffle hem.  I am wearing a size 4.

TWO | McGuire Jeans

New favorite jeans.  They sit higher up and suck you in, enough said.  They run TTS.

THREE | Equipment Milla Top

I love the style of this top and the pattern.  Looks great paired with skinny jeans.  I own a size XS, this style definately runs on the large side.  This would be a great pregnancy blouse too because of the looser fit.

FOUR | Mara Hoffman Dress

I own this dress in 3 different patterns I love it so much.  It does run on the large side so I recommend sizing down, I have a size XS.  The fun thing about this dress is you can also knot the from up for a more casual beachy look. 

FIVE | MLM Off Shoulder Blouse

This was just recently restocked and trust me it always sells out fast.   I am wearing a size XS.

SIX| Joie Rankin Blouse

This is such a great blouse for the Spring.   I was finally able to wear mine this week with the warmer temperatures here!

SEVEN | Rebecca Minkoff Finn Cross body

This purse is a recent purse and I am loving it.  The fringe makes for a fun detail and I find this color goes with everything.

EIGHT | Equipment Aubrey Dress

This is the same style dress I featured last week in the blue.  I can't say enough about the versatility of this dress.  You know me and my leopard too, I consider it a neutral! 

NINE | Rebecca Taylor White Blouse

I always love a good white blouse.  I like the faint pattern on this one.  It is on sale right now too:) You do need a tank underneath because it is slightly sheer.

TEN | LeSpecs Sunglasses

These are my new favorite sunglasses and you can't beat the price.  These are a great add on purchase if you are not quite to the $250 minimum. 

ELEVEN | Rag and Bone Newbury Booties and Harrow Booties

This is a great time to buy these booties because they are an investment.  I love both the Newbury and Harrow Styles. They are seriously my favorite booties I wear them all the time and they are so comfortable too!

12 | Sundress Cover-up

I bought one of these cover-ups at the end of the season last year and can't wait to wear it.  It comes in so many gorgeous colors.  Runs large, size down.

13 | Free People Dress

Such a fabulous day dress.  I own this in two colors and have a size small for sizing reference. 

Style Files Vol 4 | Alesya Dinner and Drinks Clutch + Embroidered Dress + Shopbop Spring Event

Today it is such a treat to feature a bag from a local Charleston designer, Alesya.  I have long been a fan of her handbags.  What I love most about them is their functionality.  This has quickly become my favorite clutch.  I find myself carrying it almost every time I go out.  I also love her "work satchel" that doubles as a laptop case as well. You can check out Alesya's other designs here which include a gorgeous wallet and business card holders.

Outfit Details:

Love Sam Dress | Alesya Clutch c/o | Twine and Twig Bracelets | Julie Vos Ring | Rebecca Minkoff Sandals

I really like the fold over style of the purse.  It can actually hold more than you think.  I can easily fit my wallet, keys, cell phone, and lipsticks inside. 

 I use the zippered portion for my phone.  I am always digging for my phone in other purses and I love having a designated spot for it!

You know I love anything and everything embroidered so this dress was a no brainer. 

The nice part is it comes fully lined with a cotton slip, so it is not see through.

It runs TTS I am wearing a small. 

I bought these shoes last summer and I am so glad to see they are back in stock again.   They are not crazy expensive and they are surprisingly comfortable. 

They are available in gold, silver and black.

Back to the dinner and drinks clutch.  

A few details about it I love:

It has an exterior zip pocket for my phone

It has an interior slot for business cards

It comes in 4 gorgeous colors.  I am carrying the saddle but it also comes in vermillion, navy and black.

It is made out of the softest leather.

Also don't miss out Shopbop's new Spring Event just started!  You can save on my dress and sandals which are both from Shopbop!

I rounded up a few other embroidered looks I am loving as well (many from Shopbop so you can save).  I included a few options for the little girls as well. Scroll through to see them all!

Photos by Rick Dean