Artist Spotlight | Nan Jones

Meet Nan Jones!  

There are so many things that inspire me and art is a big one!  I love finding new artists and being able to share them.  Nan is an artist based out of Raleigh, NC and it is such a small world because it turns out Nan is good friends with two of my childhood friends.  What I love most about Nan's art is the layering and deep textures.  Nan uses a variety of knives, brushes, and paint to achieve this look.  She does mainly abstract landscapes  

We own two pieces by Nan.  Our most recent piece is a painting I had her to do for Sterling's room.  I am still trying to tweak his room and make some updates since I really have not done much to it since he was 2.5 and moved into a big boy bed.  Next up is a fresh coat of paint for the walls.     

Sterling loves anything nautical and sea related so I knew I wanted a painting of the ocean for his gallery wall in his room that we are slowly making progress on.    

Nan's painting fits in perfectly.  

My mom found that shark's head at Target- how cute is it?

I just love the painting.  I gave Nan an idea of colors and what we wanted and it was even better than what I had envisioned.   Matt loved it so much he tried to high jack it for his office.  The colors are perfect and so soothing.  

We also have this painting by Nan hanging in our hallway.   We have had it several years now and it keeps moving places but always seems to look good wherever we hang it.   It is a bit different style than what we did in Sterling's room.  This style is more of the textured layering.  

 Nan has graciously offered 10 % off the purchase of any of her works with code ARTLOVE. The discount will last til September 1st!  These are the 3 websites where you can find her work and use the discount code.

www.nanjonesart.com
http://www.wellandwondercollective.com/artist/nan-jones

http://www.themakersmercantile.com/nan-jones-art/

Nan also does commissioned pieces as well. You can email her for more details on that.

nan@nanjonesart.com.

A few other paintings by Nan that I love.   They are all so gorgeous! 

If only I had space for all of these beautiful paintings!  

Thanks to Nan for letting me feature her artwork!

Stuffed Poblano Peppers + Favorite White Blouse Back in Stock + Tory Burch Private Sale

Truth, I never get tired of Mexican food. Also it is the easiest meat free genre to cook.  Always full of such good flavor so you don't even miss the meat.  These stuffed Poblano Peppers are kind of a hybrid between enchiladas and chile rellenos but healthier.   Don't get discouraged by the fact you have to roast the peppers and peel the skin.  I promise it is not hard and it gives the peppers great flavor.  I used Carolina Gold rice for our filling.  I buy it at our local Farmer's Market and it is so good.  I am not a huge rice person but I love the Carolina Gold Rice, it is almost creamy and so good! You could easily use just plain white rice, brown rice, or even quinoa though.  I cut the peppers in half to stuff them because mine were huge, if your peppers are not that big keep them whole and just slice down the middle to stuff,  the stuffing will stay in better that way.   Pile on the enchilada sauce and cheese and enjoy!

|| V E G G I E  S T U F F E D  P O B L A N O  P E P P E R S ||

- 4-6 poblano peppers

- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

- 2 ears corn

- 1 small tomato diced

- 2 jalapenos diced

- 1 cup dried rice cooked

- 1 tablespoon chili powder

- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

- 1 tablespoon cumin

- 1/3 cup diced red onion (about 1/2 an onion)

- 8 oz shredded quesadilla cheese

- 4 oz crumbled queso fresco

- 1 can/package enchilada sauce (I love Fronterra in the white package)

Place the peppers on a baking sheet and put oven on broil high.  Cook the peppers about 5- 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.  You want the skin blistered and charred.  Remove from oven and place in a bowl and cover with saran wrap.  Let sit 15-20 minutes,  

You can boil or roast the corn.  I roasted ours at 350 for about 20 minutes and then shuck it.  

Once the peppers are cooled peel the skin off.  This should be easy.  Then slice in halve and remove the seeds.  If you can't get every single seed don't worry it is hard to get them out.  

In a large bowl mix, rice, beans, corn, tomatoes, jalapenos, onions, shredded cheese, cumin, chili powder, and red pepper flakes.  Add salt and pepper to taste. 

In a baking dish pour half the enchilada sauce on the bottom.  Take each half of a pepper and fill with the rice mixture.  It will be messy and they will be hard to fold up.  Just place them close together in the baking dish so each pepper supports the next pepper.  Top with the rest of the enchilada sauce and crumbled queso fresco.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes until the cheese and sauce is bubbly.

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I posted this blouse on instagram yesterday and it quickly sold out.  Well I checked this morning and it is back in stock!  I love mine.  The lace detail and embroidery make for such a gorgeous blouse.  I am wearing a size small.  I promise you will love this blouse! Oh and my all time favorite white jeans are on sale, I am wearing them in this picture.  They have the perfect amount of stretch and are not see through!
White Blouse | Earrings | Jeans (on sale) 

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The Tory Burch Private Sale started yesterday.  Lots of amazing deals.  

I love this style cardigan I am debating ordering the blue for Fall. I have a red and brown one and wear them often! 

Sweater

I love this simple gold horn necklace.  It would be great alone or layered.

Horn Necklace

I also love these gold/tan wedges.  They would go with everything!

The cutest dress and it also comes in red.

These cosmetic cases would make great gifts.  They come in 4 colors.

Cosmetic Case

Scroll through to see some other amazing deals!  Shop fast though because many sizes are already sold out!

Style Files Vol 16 | The Shift Dress + Dress Favorites Under $100

This little shift dress is the kind of dress every girl needs in her closet.  It comes in 13 different colors and is under $100.  I am thinking I need to add a few more colors to my closet I love my green one so much.  I am wearing the Jade color but I also really love the black, cobalt, and purple.   It is the perfect little dress for any occasion.  You could wear this for church, work, date night- really anything! 

Outfit Details:

Dress | Clutch | Shoes | Sunglasses

Sizing wise I found the dress ran TTS.  I am wearing a size small and I am 5'9.  Do you spy my little photo shoot helper in the background?  

The shoes are a recent purchase and so comfortable!  They go with everything too, they are a great neutral color.  They are not crazy expensive either, right under $100.

and the clutch- This "Leo" style clutch is one of my favorites by Rebecca Minkoff.  I have 2 different colors.   It is a great size, not too big and not too small and of course I love the embroidery detail on this version.  The plain version is a little cheaper and under $100.

A few other dress options,  the majority of these are well under $100 but a few are right over $100.

I just ordered this dress.  I adore the style and it will be perfect for Fall.  It also comes in black.   I went with the wine color though because I feel like I have so much black in my closet already.

Dee Dee Dress

This is the perfect dress for now and into Fall.  I love the side detail.  Also in 3 other color options here.

Geo Dress

I love the simple white detail on this Chambray dress.

Off Shoulder Dress

I am obsessed with this dress, I am always a sucker for embroidery.  I love the idea of this paired with booties for a fun boho look this Fall or now with gladiator sandals. 

Grecian Dress

I so wish I had a wedding or fun event to wear this dress to.  It is under $100 and comes in 4 color options.  I love the hot pink though, such a gorgeous dress and great price point.

High Low Dress

You can't go wrong with a plain shift dress.  You could easily dress this up or down.  

Shift Dress

This is made out of cotton,  so super comfortable for daily wear but the pleats dress it up a bit.

Pleated Dress

This green is one of my favorite colors!  I love the tassel detail too.

Woven Dress

This is my favorite style dress.   A tunic style dress is just so effortlessly easy.

Ikat Tunic

Fringe Jersey Dress

I really like the fringe detail on this one.

Crepe Shift Dress

You could wear this dress a million ways.  So many possibilities.  The navy is perfect for Fall! 

Long Sleeve Shirt Dress

This also comes in Charcoal gray.  A great basic dress.

You can shop my look here:

Thanks to Nordstrom for partnering on this post. 

Photography | Athena Crofts

Scenes From Our Weekend

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a great weekend.  We were up bright and early to get Sterling off to his first day of first grade.  He is excited so that makes me feel so much better.  Last year when he started kindergarten I was so nervous and apprehensive but this year I don't feel that way as much.  I am sad Summer is over I truly wish we could have had like 2 more weeks.  But not my choice so back to the grind we go.  I took this picture this morning before we dropped him off- he seems so grown up.  

Friday morning we stopped in to meet his teacher and see his classroom.  Frances kept asking if this was her desk too.  

After that Sterling had his last day of tennis camp and Frances and I headed to Huriyali.  I had heard so many great things about it and was excited to try it out.  I got a green juice that had kale, cucumber, green algae, and spirulina and avocado toast.  Loved them both, I will be back again.

Frances is in a phase where she likes to take a book everywhere.  Usually it has to be a paperback book not a kid's book and it makes me laugh:)  She pretends to flip through and read it.

Her dress and blouse in this same stripe are on sale.  I love the rainbow stripes so much!

Friday night we went to our friend's pool and swam and ordered pizza.  The kids had a blast.  

Loving this tassel + stripe cover-up.  It is under $100 and also comes in this fun print.

Frances playing with her cousins Drew and Avery.  Because a water spout is more fun than the pool sometimes.  

Saturday I hit up the gym and then ran a few errands.  A friend sent us this picture from last weekend and I love it.  A definite framer.

My bathing suit is still on sale- I am in a size medium.

Saturday night Sterling had a friend sleepover.  Matt and I cooked a delicious veggie dinner and watched Bloodline.  We made Cauliflower steaks and they were so good.  I used this recipe and used capers instead of pine nuts because I didn't have any. 

Anyone else love these mini Sofia cans?  I always buy them at Target they are great because sometimes I just want a glass of champagne and hate to waste a bottle after opening it.  My embroidered blouse is now 60% off!  Size down it runs on the large side.  I am wearing XS.

Blouse + Shorts

Sunday morning the kids were up super early so we headed to the Variety Store for breakfast.  You can't beat the views.

I love their Greek Omelet and of course I always need a side of bacon.

Sunday's Best.  I picked up this dress during the Loft sale and really love the fit.  It is great for church or work.  The material is thicker and I like the black/tan stripe combo.

Dress + Necklace + Shoes

That night Matt picked up some fresh fish for dinner and I made this chopped Thai Salad.  It is hands down one of my favorite salads.  It is so light and refreshing!  Perfect for Summer- you can see the recipe HERE.

As a treat I sometimes let Sterling sleep with me.  I remember growing up when my Dad was out of town and my mom would let us take turns sleeping with her and I always loved it.   So since last night was the night before school started and he was a little nervous I let him sleep with me:) I snapped this right before we went to sleep.  Love my sweet baby boy so much.  

Have a great start to your week.