Fall 5

As fall nears I always start making a list of the items I want to add to my wardrobe for the new season. Fall is by far my favorite season. I love the cool weather, the holidays, and especially the clothes. I always get so excited when I get my September magazines in the mail because they are filled to the brim with great fall fashions. These are my top 5 picks for this fall that I want to add to my closet. I feel like they are pieces that will work with things I already own and that I will wear all the time.

DVF ACQUILINA BLOUSE IN APRICOT
I never tire of blouses and this is the perfect neutral color to go with everything!

JOE'S JEANS ALICE SKINNY VISIONAIRE
I love the dark camel color of these skinny jeans and the fact that they sit high up on your waist which means no muffin top. I think they would look great with flats, boots or heels. The perfect jean addition to my closet!

PARKER FLARED SLEEVE DRESS
I think this dress could be worn with or without tights and could be dressed up or dressed down. A very versatile dress in a great emerald color.

TORY BURCH BOOTS
I have blogged about these boots before and I am stalking the websites til they go on sale and I can buy them. Or maybe Santa is reading this and will bring them to me for Christmas:)

REBECCA MINKOFF BECKY JACKET
I don't own a blazer and I am thinking I need to add one to my wardrobe. I love the style of this and the color red. Most of my jackets are neutral colors so I think it would be fun to have a colored coat.

What is on your Fall Must Buy List?

Tomato Pie

Let me warn you this dish is addictive. I could easily eat half a pie by myself but I try to restrain myself. This is probably not the most healthy dish but it sure is good. If you have never heard of tomato pie it is basically tomatoes, onions, cheese and fresh basil baked in a crusty pie shell. It is divine. It is super easy to make and reheats well. I made this recipe up on my own after googling tons of recipes. I like to think it is the best of the best.

TOMATO PIE -1 store bought pie crust (or if you are ambitious make your own!)
-2-3 ripe tomatoes yellow or red sliced
-1/2 white onion sliced thinly
-3/4 cup mayonnaise
-1 teaspoon hot sauce
-2 cups grated cheese (I used cheddar with a little mozzarella on top)
-1/4 cup fresh basil julienned
-salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS Lay tomato slices on paper towels for about 30 minutes to an hour to help remove excess water. Pat dry.

Mold pie shell into pie dish. Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove and let cool.

Mix together mayonnaise, 2 cups cheese, hot sauce and salt and pepper to taste.

Start layering in the pie shell: Onions, tomatoes, basil and 1/2 cheese mixture. Repeat layers one more time. You should end with the remaining cheese sauce on top. I always sprinkle a little extra cheese over the top.

Bake at 375 degrees about 30 minutes or until cheese bubbles.

Obsessions

I am shocked that August is almost over! Where has this year gone? It is going to be the Holidays before we know it- which makes me very happy because I love the Holidays. Here is what I am loving this week!

IKAT MONGRAMMED NAPKINS
I came across these napkins on the Horchow website and I am in love. I have a slight obsession with monograms and ikat so these are perfect for me!

CLARISONIC MIA
I am embarrased to admit but I got this Clarisonic for Christmas a year ago and I have just recently started using it. Why it took me so long to bust out I have no idea. I have been using it daily when I shower and I swear it makes such a difference in my skin. It is smoother and looks brighter. This thing is a miracle worker.

ATLANTIC PACIFIC BLOG
I am sure most of you are already familiar with this blog but I just found it and I am obsessed. Blair has the best style ever, I am so inspired by all the outfits she puts together. Most are mix of high and low end which I love. These are a few of my favorite looks I found on her blog while blog stalking her! Check out all her fabulous fashions HERE.

CHARLES KRUG SAUVIGNON BLANC
This wine is fabulous. I have recently really gotten into Sauvignon Blancs, I think they are a great summer wine. This wine is light and citrusy but not too fruity or sweet. It retails for about $13 so it is great buy!

TOMATO PIE
I have made this fabulous dish twice in the last week. I absolutely love it. Fresh tomatoes, basil and cheese- does it get any better? If you are not a Southerner you may have never even had tomato pie before, but I promise it is amazing! I have a great recipe to share tomorrow:)

Happy Tuesday! xoxo

Color Crush: Camel

I am having a very serious love affair with Camel right now. I think it is the perfect neutral. It looks great with other neutrals or paired with a pop of color. I am dying to add some Camel colored pieces to my wardrobe this fall.

Tibi, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Vince, Rachel Zoe, Rachel Zoe. VIA
I also love Camel for interiors mixed with a pop of color. It is such an easy color to decorate around.

VIA
My favorite Camel Accessory for the fall are these Christain Louboutin Camel Pumps and Peep-toes. One day I will own a pair of these!

Friday Musings

Thank you so much for all your recommendations last week. I picked up a sample of the Bobbi Brown eye cream that most of all ya'll recommended and so far I am loving it. I am also considering their eye gel. The make-up artist at the counter told me it was great for de-puffing eyes as it is made with pure cucumber.

I just started reading Sarah's Key and so far I love it. Ya'll gave me so many great book recommendations I can't wait to read them all.

You might remember a few weeks ago I blogged about a blouse I tried on at Marshalls in Charlotte and wish I bought. Well when I was home my mom and I actually found it again. What are the odds?? She is proudly hanging in my closet now! If you live in Charlotte you should definitely check out the Msrshalls at Cotswold they had some great clothes!

While I was home my mom and I tried a new restaurant called Luna's Living Kitchen, it is located in Atherton Mills. It is a vegan restaurant but it was amazing! We spilt a veggie burger and a wrap. They were both wrapped in collard green leaves instead of using bread and they both were so good. Their homemade hummus trio was also delish. You must try this place if you live in Charlotte.

I am so ready for Fall, especially Fall temperatures! These boots are top on my list of fall items I want to add to my wardrobe. I love them, the price tag not so much but maybe they will go on sale.

I am thinking about making this Taco Pizza or Mexican Lasagna this weekend. Has anyone made either? They both look so good, but I dolove me some Mexican food.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

I Heart Gwennie

I couldn't believe my lucky stars when I got my new Elle in the mail and found none other than GP on the cover! You all know how much I love me some Gwyneth. Her pictures are stunning. She really is my idol: she can sing, cook, act, has a great body, and is such a stylish mom. Here are a few pics from her beyond gorgeous spread in Elle.

She was also featured in Elle Decor this month sharing 12 things she can't live without.

A few things on her "can't live without list":
DeGourney Hand Painted Wallpaper

Darren Almond's Photography

Charles Edwards Star Lanterns- she hung these at different levels in her stairway and I love that idea.

Clothbound Penguin Classics

Antonio Lupi Baia Tub- she says she has this in the middle of her bedroom....interesting place for a bath tub.

Seasonal Flowers in a single variety arrangement like peonies, hydrangeas and white lilies

Apparently in addition to everything else she is a design buff too. She and Chris Martin with the help of his architect brother just renovated and turned two London townhouses into one. She said she did a skull and cross bone motif in her library. I would love to get a sneak peak and see what else she did inside! She is hoping to one day design a furniture and accessory line and coming this fall GOOP will have an app for iphones and ipads. I can't wait:)

Asparagus, Corn, and Mozzarella Salad

Since summer is almost over I thought I would share another great salad recipe to enjoy before the fall, while the produce is still so fresh. I have been on a real corn kick this summer. Now I know corn is not great for you and has really no nutritional value but I sure do love it. Nothing is better than fresh corn in a salad. I also love asparagus so this salad was a real winner in my book. It was super easy to make so delicious. The adddition of the of the fresh mozzarella and basil really made this salad insanely good. It would be great to serve at a dinner party or cookout because it looks so pretty. Enjoy!

ASPARAGUS, CORN AND MOZZARELLA SALAD
Ingredients
4 ears corn, husks removed
2 tbsp butter
1 bunch asparagus
1/2 cup mozzarella balls, cut in half
10 basil leaves, cut into a chiffonade
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil

Directions
1. Prepare your grill. (I sauteed my corn instead of grilling it)
2. Rub the ears of corn with butter and place over the flame, rotating every few minutes until the corn is lightly charred. Remove from the grill and let cool. Once cooled, cut off the kernels and place into a large bowl. Set aside.
3. Trim the asparagus and then cut it into 1 inch pieces. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and blanch the asparagus for about 3-4 minutes. Remove the asparagus and douse with cold water to stop the cooking. Add the asparagus to the bowl of corn.
4. To the bowl of corn and asparagus, add the mozzarella, basil, salt, pepper, balsamic and olive oil. Gently combine with a fork and serve. Can be served at room temperature or chilled.

You can print the recipe HERE

**The picture at the top is not mine. it is from What Gaby Cooks. I took lots of pictures of my salad but I am at my parents this week and their computer is not letting me upload pics! But this picture is probably prettier than mine.**