The Ultimate Tomato Salad + OOTD + Home on Sale

I have been obsessed with tomatoes this Summer.  I found a booth at the Farmer's Market and the guy has like 20 different varieties of heirloom tomatoes.  I have loved trying them all.   I have not found one heirloom varietal I don't like.   This salad can be made with any tomatoes but I like using the heirlooms because the colors are so vibrant and gorgeous.  The dressing and fried almonds take this salad to whole new level.  That combined with the ripe tomatoes and fresh herbs make for one amazing salad.   I also learned something new from this recipe, that soaking onions in ice cold water makes them not as strong.  A trick I will be using often because sometimes they can be over powering and if you soak them they are not.  This salad is a must try this Summer.  Just try not and eat the whole platter, I had a hard time restraining myself! 

Enjoy!

||  H E I R L O O M  T O M A T O   S A L A D || 

adapted via Food and Wine Magazine

- 1/2 cup sliced almonds

- 1/4 cup olive oil

- 1 garlic clove minced

- 1/4 red wine vinegar

- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

- 1 teaspoon sugar

- salt and pepper

- 2 lbs mixed heirloom tomatoes, sliced

- 1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion, soaked in ice water for 10 minutes

- 1 jalapeno, minced

- 1/4 cup torn mint leaves

- 1/4 torn fresh basil

In a medium skillet, cook the almonds in oil over low heat stirring occasionally until slightly browned.  Strain the oil through a fine sieve into a bowl.  Lay the almonds on a paper towel and sprinkle with salt.  

Immediately whisk the garlic into the warm oil and let cool slightly.  Then whisk in lime juice, red wine vinegar, and sugar.  Season with salt and pepper.  

Spread the tomatoes on a baking sheet or paper towel and sprinkle with salt.  Let stand 5 minutes.

Drain the soaked onions and pat dry.  Scatter half the almonds on a platter then top with tomatoes.  Drizzle with the dressing and top with onion, jalapeno, mint, basil and remaining almonds.

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HOME SALE

I finally had some time to peruse the Nordstrom home sale selection.  There are some really great deals still left.   This sale ends August 8th, so only a few days to shop.  

I love this round wooden board for entertaining.  

It is the perfect size for a small happy hour nibble.

Wooden Board

It also comes in a long oval version.  These make such great gifts at around $25 a piece. 

We have this indoor/outdoor rug in Sterling's room and it is the best.  Easy to clean because you know how messy boys can be!  

Rug 

A few other favorites

Abstract Art | 400 Thread Count Sheets | Cooler Bag | Gold Glasses | Rug 
Turkish Towels | Wooden Board | Wooden Salad Bowl | Kiss Art 
Rug | Pom Pom Throw | Leopard Rug | Candle | Ombre Bowls
Champagne Glasses | Basket | Rug


OOTD
Last Night I had Supper Club with a few of my best girlfriends. This dress is an oldie but a goodie 3 years later.  I bought this before I had Frances Moon and still love it.  It is also a great non-maternity, maternity dress because it is so loose.  I wore it often while I was pregnant with Frances and then passed it along to my sister and sister-in-law to borrow while they were pregnant.  Now it is back to me and I am loving it for the Summer.  It is super light weight and airy, perfect for these hot days we keep having.   It is under $100 and comes in 15 color options.  Sizing wise it runs TTS, I am in a size 4.

I also had a few questions about what bra I wear with this dress and I wear this one, it is nice because it has no back.   You can also wear a regular strapless one you just have to make sure the back is pulled down so it doesn't show.  This style is my go-to regular strapless bra.

Dress | Sandals | Necklace on sale in bronze color

Style Files Vol 12 | $27 Blouse and The Best High Waisted Workout Pants

I know it is beyond hot outside (like crazy hot here- hello pool again today!) but I wanted to share a Fall outfit because it is all part of the Nordstrom Anniversary sale which ends in a week. 

 I have to admit as much as I love Summer I can't wait for some cool, crisp Fall air.  

Blouse | Jeans | Hat | Sunglasses | Wedges similar (also similar) | Earrings

I mentioned this blouse last week and y'all for $27 its a must have for Fall or now.  I paired mine with jean shorts and sandals the other day and I know I will wear it with jeans often this Fall.  The blouse is very light weight so it is a great transitional piece.   I am tempted to get the black I love my green one so much.  It runs TTS, I am wearing a small.  

It comes in 4 other colors besides green.  

Blouse

Hat

I have become newly obsessed with hats.  They are the best for bad hair days.  This one is great for now and into the Fall.

It also comes in gray and black, I especially love the gray.  It is only $19 right now.  A great price if you want to try out the hat trend.

If you like a more rigid hat and not quite as floppy,  this one is on sale for $28.  It comes in 3 color options.

Hat

Jeans

These jeans are selling out fast with only a few select sizes.   They run TTS.  I love the frayed bottoms.  

I also love these gray jeans for Fall.  A great color that you could dress up or down.

Sunglasses

These sold out in many of the colors on sale but a few options are still available.  I like this particular style because of the fit, they don't slide down your face and they stay put.  I also think they are flattering on most face shapes. 

They are also available in a few new colors for Fall, although these colors are not on sale.

I love the blue and leopard ones.

Leonard Sunglasses

You can shop this look below:

I mentioned on instagram yesterday I started a new diet and exercise plan.  After a very indulgent summer I need to shed a few pounds.  I am working on a post soon to share what I am eating and my exercise routine.  I did want to share these workout leggings I bought from the sale because they are selling out fast.   I like that they are high waisted, they suck in all my extra flab!   Sizing wise I went with a small.  I know some Zella can run the small side but these are TTS.

Leggings | Nikes (on sale)  

You can shop all the Zella on sale HERE

Zella High Waisted Pants

My green version is also on sale in this fun print.

High Waisted Long Leggings

This pair is not reduced but I love the black and white pattern! 

High Waisted Crop Leggings

I am loving all these fun patterns and the little cut out detail on the legs.  This style comes in 4 pattern options. 

I tend to like just solid color tanks to workout in and this style is now reduced.  It would pair great with any of the leggings.

Tank

Thanks to Nordstrom for partnering on this post! 

Photos by Athena Crofts

Scenes From Our Weekend

Can y'all believe this is the last Monday in July??  Where has the Summer gone?  Hard to believe school starts in 3 weeks.  I will be sad for Summer to be over, but looking forward to getting back in a routine.  A few snippets from our weekend. 

Friday night happy hour spread.  

My neighbor Kat made this dip last weekend and I loved it so I made it again.  You just layer hummus, chopped cherry tomatoes and feta.  Then sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil.  Serve with toasted naan.    That's the crispy okra from Trader Joe's beside the naan, its really good.

I got a much needed manicure Friday and branched out with white nails and I am loving them.  I used OPI Alpine Snow.

We picked up Glazed Doughnuts Saturday morning.  They had new doughnut called The Samoa and it tasted just like the girl scout cookie!

After the Farmers Market the kids and I usually stop in Blue Bicycle books.  It is the cutest little bookstore on King Street.  They have a fun kid's room with toys and books.  I think I was more excited than Frances to find this Coco Chanel book.

Oh and those are my Nikes from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale.  There are only a few sizes left.  I am loving them, def size up a half size though they run small.   

Nikes | Purse (on sale) | Coco Chanel Book

Saturday night we had a couple's date night with some of our good friends.  I have said it before but these white jeans are simply the best.   They are not see through and offer the perfect amount of stretch.

Blouse | Jeans | Wedges | Necklace

We started at Raw167 for dinner.   Their oysters are seriously the best.   They also have really good rose.

Then we ended the evening at Zero George.  We love their bar and the bartender, Kincaid is the best!   That's him in the back beside me, he let us all sneak behind the bar!

Sunday we hit up the pool and Sunrise Park, a beach that is a mile from our house.   The kids love to collect seashells and shark's teeth here.

I love the view of Mt Pleasant and downtown from the beach.  A little cloudy but still beautiful.

This tee shirt dress is a recent find.  I loved the fit and style so much I bought the stripes version too.  I live in these easy dresses during the Summer.  I am wearing a size small for reference.

Tee Shirt Dress (under $50) | Sunglasses | Sandals | Necklace

Sunday Dinner.  A delcious vegetarian spread.  I can't get enough of all the in season produce like tomatoes.  They are so good right now.

Roasted Okra | Garden Veggie Pie | Asian Kale Salad

While I was making my tomato pie, Sterling wanted to make his own pie with some leftover dough.  He actually did a pretty good job.  He used strawberries, brown sugar and sprinkles.  I love that he likes to cook like I do.  He was very proud of his pie.

I am working on an upcoming post about my diet and workout routine this Summer.  I just noticed my all time favorite running shorts are part of the Anniversary sale.  I love these because they sit higher up and don't fit too tight.  I have two pairs and they are all I wear in the Summer.

Brooks Running Shorts

They also come in two different stripe options and navy.  I am tempted to buy the navy I love my black ones so much.  Sizing wise I have a medium, I don't like my workout gear too fitted.

Stripe Shorts

Have a great Monday! 

Weekend Style | Best Deals

ANTHROPOLOGIE

Anthropologie is offering 20% off all full price items this weekend.  I have had a lot of luck there lately.  A few of my recent purchases, all now 20% off and no code needed. 

Tee Shirt Dress

I wore this out for happy hour this week.  I sized up and went with a medium because I didn't want it too clingy.  

Necklace + Sandals (on sale)

Shift Dress

Also available in black online.  I am wearing a small.

Swing Dress

I am wearing an XS.  Finally back in stock and ready to ship!

GIGI NEW YORK

Spend $250 and a free Navy Clutch, valued at $125.  There are so many great deals at Gigi right now too! 

I love this snakeskin clutch and it is now under $100.

This Stella Clutch is another favorite.  It can be worn as a cross body or carried as a clutch.  This blush is the perfect neutral it goes with everything.

Several of you asked about my Trina Turk bathing suit from the Nordstrom sale and as of this morning it has still not been restocked.  I will of course report back if it is.  I was able to find it in online but not on sale and also in different color version.  The style is exactly the same.  I love the bright colors too.  Sizing wise I am in a 6- showing my black and white version so you can see fit.  

Trina Turk Suit

Also in a strapless version!

TT Suit  also HERE 

Happy Saturday and Happy Shopping!