Thoughts For Thursday

One week from Saturday we are headed back to St Maarten.  We went last year for 5 days and this year we decided to do a full week.  There was so much we didn't get to see or do because we were lazy our first few days.  So I want to know from anyone who has traveled to St Maarten what are your favorite spots, restaurants, beaches etc!  We want to see and do it all this time!

Two Recent OOTD's.

My addiction with off shoulder outfits continues.  I bought this dress on a whim from the Junior's section and I really like it.  It is lightweight material and I like the looser sleeves. I am wearing a size small in the dress, runs TTS.

Off Shoulders + Tassel Earrings both under $50 + Purse on sale + Sandals

This Equipment Blouse is currently 40% off.  Size down runs on the large side, I am wearing XS.

It also comes in white.

Blouse | Necklace | Purse | Sunglasses | Jean Shorts | Sandals

This picture of Frances Moon makes me smile every time I look at it. I kid you not she accessorized all this by herself down to the phone and purse.   And her sassy stance just makes it even better.  

Romper is Shrimp and Grits Kids

Thanks to the rec from my friend Caycee I ordered these hair vitamins and I really feel like they are working on my hair.  I have been taking them a little over a month and I feel like my breakage is not so bad and they are helping my hair to grow.

Sugarbear Hair Vitamins

I can't believe Sterling is done with Kindergarten, sniff sniff.  He seems so grown-up all of a sudden.  The good news is he still loves to cuddle and I am soaking up every minute of that.   I am excited for a fun Summer with him.

Selfie in my favorite mirror (from Crate and Barrel) at my parent's condo.  Plus this tee shirt is on repeat every week. 

Tee Shirt (wearing size 1) + Necklace

I made a spin on my Roasted Veggie Rice Bowls and subbed Quinoa for the rice and they were so good.

For the veggies I did roasted broccoli, sweet potatoes, purple cabbage, and avocado with green goddess dressing.

I love this idea of a hummus salad.  I eat hummus most days for lunch and I want to try this out.

I stopped by the Celadon Warehouse with the kids this week and they had some really cool stuff.  Every Sunday they have a fun Warehouse Event where you can take an additional 20% off prices.  They also have food trucks, jump castles and local vendors!  A fun Sunday activity with or without kids!

The event is at the warehouse not the actual store- the warehouse is located at 2221 Noisette Blvd)

The kids really wanted this bench:)

 and I fell in love with this teak table and stools.

Celadon just revamped their online site too and now anyone can shop not just locals! 

I am obsessed with these Vintage Turkish Yastik Rugs.  

I really want one for our house.

I also love these Charleston glasses.  How cute would these be for entertaining or as a gift? 

Also yes please to these Rebecca Atwood Pillows.

I just downloaded The Nest to read next.  I can't wait to have some down time to read while on vacation.  These days I have been too tired at night to read more than a couple pages.  I am hoping to read a few books while we are  gone.

Happy Almost Weekend! 

The Best Veggie and Chicken Stir Fry + Cooler Favorites for Summer

Every now and then I crave a good stir fry.   I shared this chicken stir fry recipe from Gwyneth Paltrow's cookbook a few years ago but this time I wanted to add veggies.  I was just going to buy a jar of sauce to use but then read all the ingredients and decided why not make my own.  This meal takes a little effort but it is well worth it. You can always pre chop all the veggies ahead of time to have one less step at dinner time.  

The chicken is hands down the best stir fry chicken I have ever made or tasted.  The sauce is just amazing.  Sterling kept asking for more.

You can use any veggies you choose, I used what I had on hand.  

If you have never tried the Brown Rice from Trader Joe's in the freezer section it is a must.  My friend Ann recommended it to me and now I buy it every time I go.  The rice gets sticky like sticky white rice which I think is perfect for Asian inspired meals.

Enjoy!

|| T H E   B E S T  S T I R   F R Y ||

 1 bunch broccoli

 2 zucchini

1 red bell pepper thinly sliced

 1 red onion thinly sliced

brown rice or white

 green onions for garnish

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon hot sauce

 1 tablespoon fish sauce

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1.5 teaspoons sesame oil

 3/4 tablespoon corn starch

Bring a pot of water to boil and add broccoli and cook about 3-5 minutes.  If you just want to slightly cook the broccoli.   Drain and set aside.  In a large skillet over medium heat add 2-3 tablespoons of oil( I used peanut oil but any kind will work)  add in red onion, bell pepper and zucchini.  Saute about 5 minutes until starting to wilt slightly and then add in broccoli.   Cook for a few minutes.  Season all with salt and pepper.

Whisk together all ingredients from the brown sugar through the corn starch.  Then pour over veggies and let cook a few minutes.  Remove from heat and sprinkle with green onions if desired and serve with rice and chicken.

 || C H I C K E N ||

via My Father's Daughter

4 skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes

2 tablespoons cornstarch 
 Coarse salt
 freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup peeled and minced garlic
1/4 cup peeled and minced ginger
1/2 cup minced scallions (white and green parts)
Pinch red chile flakes
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce


Toss the chicken with the cornstarch, a large pinch of salt, and quite a bit of pepper. 
Heat the oil in a large nonstick wok over medium-high heat (this is a gentle stir-fry). 
Add the garlic, ginger, scallions, and chile flakes if using them and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. 
Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar and 6 grinds of black pepper. 
Boil on high for 5 minutes, or until the sugar has really caramelized, the vinegar has mellowed a bit, and the whole mixture is dark brown and sticky and lovely. 
Add the soy sauce and let simmer about 20 mins on low heat.

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

I had a request to share what coolers we use when we hit up the beach, pool or boat. 

Last year for Christmas my parents gave Matt a Yeti Cooler and it is honestly the best cooler.  He uses his often for fishing but we also use it for boat rides and longer excursions.   We have left drinks in there for 24 hours plus and it still will have ice and be super cold.

We have this white version.

Next up I want this version.  Our friends have it and I like it is a bit more portable than our bigger one.

Yeti Cooler

If we are just going to the pool for a few hours I love this Sunny Life Cooler.  It is the perfect size for water bottles, juice boxes and a few snacks- it will also hold a bottle of wine:)

Also HERE and HERE in different patterns

I was browsing through the Mark and Graham catalog last night and they had some really cute options.  I have never ordered from there before but may just change that with this cute wine cooler!  This would make a great graduation gift or hostess gift.  It comes with a wine opener and cheese board as well.  We often go to dinner parties when I want to bring chilled wine and this cooler would be perfect for that!  It also comes in a single version.

Wine Cooler

I also really like this matching insulated tote.  It looks like a nice size for a picnic or playground playdate.

Insulated Tote

I have heard great things about The Scout Coolers as well.  May have to get one of these next.  Our friends last weekend on the boat had one and I really liked the size.  They had this square one and it was the perfect size for food and snacks.

Any other cooler favorites?? 

Obsessions | Under $100

A few pretties all under $100.

BB Dakota Off Shoulder Dress

Scallop Tee

Free Smocked Off Shoulder Dress

Le Specs Mirrored Glasses

V-Back Cover-Up

Capwell and CO Necklace

I have the earring version of these which has now sold out but love them.  Great quality for the price.

Kenneth Jay Lane Earrings

SunnyLife Speakers

My friend Ashley had these at the pool the other day and they were awesome.  I juts ordered them for our upcoming vacations.  Your phone hooks up inside and it is water-proof.

Dolce Vita Flats

Off Shoulder Denim Dress

Also comes in a red color and is under $50!

Cosmetic Pouch

I love this adorable pouch, also comes in blue.

Colorblock One Piece

Ruffle Tank

Plaid Straw Tote

Off Shoulder Top in Ratti Print

I have this same top in the yellow and really like it.

Tassel Shoes

Currently 40% off right now making them under $50!

Blank Denim Shorts

Scenes From Our Weekend

Thursday was our last official day of school so to celebrate we headed to the pool to meet my friend Ashley and her kids.  Sterling is finally learning how to swim on his own and I couldn't be prouder! 

A few Summer favorites that I have been using/wearing lately.  The kids are obsessed with the doughnut float (which took me forever to blow up).  I am wearing the cover-up I mentioned last week.  It is seriously so soft I sleep in it too sometimes, I am tempted to order another color!   Hayden Reis Beach Totes are the best because they have so many pockets to store things and they are super easy to wipe down and clean.  Sterling insisted we needed the skull and cross bone bag for this summer:)  I have to admit I kind of love it too.

Doughnut float + Cover-Up (also in long version) + Beach Tote + Sunglasses

I love this sweet picture of the kids.  Frances is always so enamoured with Sterling.

Saturday we had our first neighborhood parade and kid's party. The older kid's decorated their bikes and Sterling was so proud of his.

Frances was over all the heat at this point.  If you are looking for jean shorts I recently bought this Frame Denim pair I am wearing and I really like the fit and the fact that they are not quite as short as some other ones I have tried.  

My Outfit:  Burnout Tee + Jean Shorts + Sunglasses

That afternoon we headed out with some good friends on their boat.   I made some finger sandwiches for the ride.  I always use the Peperidge Farms thin white bread for finger sandwiches.  

BLT - Bibb Lettuce + Bacon + Tomato + Mayo + salt and pepper

Pimento Cheese - Pimento Cheese + Mayo

Cucumber- Mix 1 8oz softened cream cheese with 2-3 tablespoons chopped dill, juice from one lemon and salt and pepper + thinly sliced English cucumber

It was such a beautiful afternoon.  The kids helping to drive the boat ( well Frances was intent on eating her fruit roll up).

Two of my favorite girls, Lindsey and Erin.

Wine with a view.

Matt's boufaunt was in full effect from all the wind.

Wearing: One Shoulder Suit  (also in white ) + Sunglasses

Sunday everyone slept in late post boat ride and I got up early and cooked banana pancakes and bacon to surprise the kids.  They always want pancakes! Sterling and Rodney were not so patiently waiting.

Sunday afternoon we stopped by the Spoletto event at Marion Square.  The kids of course wanted cotton candy.  It was bigger than their heads:0

There were so many cool art booths but we really fell in love with Mike Rocher's Photographs.  Sterling really loved this one photo so we bought him a print of it for his bedroom that we are currently working on updating. 

Ended the day with Shrimp + Succotash + Skillet Cobbler.

I did cherries and blueberries instead of peaches this time and it was delicious.  This is one of my favorite cobbler recipes because it is so easy and always tastes amazing.

I also wanted to share my tiered dress I showed Friday was just reduced and is now 40% off!! 

Size down as it runs on the large side, I am wearing an XS. It also comes in hot pink, such a great versatile dress.

VC Dress

Here's to a great week.