Obsessions

TIBI LONG SLEEVE DRESS

I am loving this Tibi Shift Dress.  So flattering and the perfect easy dress for any occasion. Hardest part is deciding what Color I would choose, really love them all!  

JBRAND CUT-OFF SHORTS
I finally bit the bullet and got some colored jean shorts.  I tried on many a pair but these fit perfectly.    Not too short or too long.  Can't say enough good things about them.  I got the bright coral and they look so cute with a white t-shirt and statement necklace.  The coral is also super cute with navy.

THIS WRAP
Found this recipe on Pinterest and this is soon to be my newest daily lunch.  How amazing does it look?  and it is healthy! The recipe comes from a great site called Oh She Glows.  Check it out she has some fabulous looking recipes!  Side note- just clicked on the site and there is no actual recipe for this wrap it was a meal from a restaurant but would be super easy to recreate.
{Spicy Black beans with chipotle avocado sauce, cilantro, tomato, cucumber, lettuce, red onions and sprouts}.

ARTWORK
Really digging this artwork.  Love the colors and how it is framed.  Gorgy.  Might just try to recreate something similar.

TICKLE MONSTER BOOK KIT
This is Sterling's latest obsession.  This book is so adorable and it comes with the gloves to tickle your child as you read the story.   I promise your kids will love it- and if you don't have kids this would be a great gift for a child's birthday.   Sterling requests "the tickle monster book" every night!   Do any of you remember Josie Bissett from Melrose Place?  Well apparently she wrote this book.  Guess that is what she has been up to since MP ended, kind of random!

Thank You + Scenes From Our Weekend

Thank you all so much for the out pouring of support Friday.  I swear your prayers really worked because my grandfather made some improvements.  He passed his swallow test which means he won't have to have a feeding tube.  They thought he would need one permanently so this was nothing short of a miracle and how prayer really works.  He is still in the hospital and it is going to be a long road to recovery but he is getting a little better.  I thank you for praying and thinking of my family during this difficult time.

Since he was doing better on Friday my parents encouraged Matt and I to go to my friend Jenna's wedding in Blowing Rock.  In light of everything we had been dealing with all week it was nice to get away for the weekend.  

Thanks to my girl Katherine who helped me find the Milly Sari Hostess dress I wanted on sale!  I am so happy with it and feel like it is something I will love forever!

Matt bought Sterling his first pair of Cowboy Boots while we were there.  Yes they are pleather- this is what happens when men are allowed to shop.  I have to admit I made fun of Matt for buying them but Sterling loves them.

He has been wearing them everyday!  Kind of cute in a tacky way right?

I was sad to leave Blowing Rock it is so beautiful up there and such a nice change from the beach.

But as sad as I was to leave I was so happy to get home to see my little nugget.  I missed him like crazy!

He is now obsessed with Hammocks since my sister has one and he has played on it all week.  Looks like we need one too now.

Cuddling with my favorite man!

I hope everyone's week is off to a great start and once again Thank you for the prayers and keep them coming!   

Prayers Needed

I strongly believe that Prayer changes things.  I pray every single day and most times more than once.  I need your prayers today.   I have been home all week because on Tuesday my grandfather was admitted to the hospital for surgery.  So far things are not going well as expected when someone older has surgery.   I need your prayers for my grandfather to heal and for my mom and her brothers to have the strength to deal with this difficult situation.  It has been a long week and we are all exhausted.  

My grandfather lives 5 houses up the street from my parents.   We are all super close and see him daily which makes this even harder.  He is such a kind soul and we just pray for a quick recovery and for him to heal as painlessly as possible.  My mom and her brothers are having to make the kind of decisions you never wish to make about a loved one and quality of life.  Please think of us in your prayers.

 I am sorry for my lack of comments in the blog world this week, I have been missing all my favorite blogs but I am just trying to be strong for my family and help as needed here.  

In light of all this I will announce the Swim Spot Winner next week, so you guys can still enter through the weekend.

Thanks for your prayers, it does indeed change things.

Have a lovely weekend.

xoxo

Natalie

Feeling Pink

Lately I have had pink on the brain.  First I started noticing on Pinterest all my recent pins were revolving around pink.

Then I noticed all my outfits last weekend were pink. Every single one and I didn't even plan it, just kind of happened.   Point and case.

Friday Outfit:

{JCrew T-Shirt, Gap Skinny Neon Jeans (similar HERE)}
side note- Matt informed me I looked like a highlighter in these jeans and requested I change.  But I ignored his request I think they are cute.

Saturday Outfit:

{Gap Neon Crewneck Dress}

I know my dress looks crazy wrinkled.  We had been on the boat or I would have ironed it!  After loving my stripped Gap t-shirt dress so much I searched long and hard for the pink one and found it online finally!

Sunday Outfit:
{Ann Taylor Sheath, Necklace}
I wore this to church and our Father's Day brunch.  At first I worried is the pink on pink too much but I actually kind of love the necklace and pink dress together.  

Sunday evening, the pink necklace makes another cameo on our evening boat ride.  I had to end my weekend with a hint of pink.

I can't say enough good things about this necklace. Worth every penny.  I wear it all the time.
{Adia Kibur Necklace}

Maybe this weekend I will branch out and wear a new color but for now I am smitten with pink!

Spicy CousCous Kale Wrap

This lunch came about as a way to clean out my fridge before heading out of town this week..  I had a bunch of CousCous and Kale left that I wanted to not go to waste.   This wrap was a tasty little surprise.  It is chocked full of flavor and actually really healthy.

I used Spinach and Tomato CousCous and Spicy Chipotle Hummus but you could really use any hummus or couscous you had on hand.  I must admit this Spicy Chipotle Hummus is amazing.  It has a bite so beware but if you love spicy food it is so good.

These are all the ingredients I used.  I think it would be stellar with any veggies though.

SPICY COUSCOUS KALE WRAP

-CousCous (I used Tomato Spinach flavor)

-Spicy Chipotle Hummus

-Sauteed Kale

-Diced Tomato

-Diced Yellow Bell Pepper

-Sun-dried Tomato Wrap

Chop the Kale, removing all stems.  Sautee in about a tablespoon of olive.  Add in salt and pepper.  After this has cooked a few minutes add in about a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and continue sauteeing a few more minutes. While Kale cooks spread hummus on wrap.  Layer on Couscous, tomatoes, bell pepper and kale.  Roll up and enjoy.

Obsessions

SUSANA MONACO ZOLA DRESS

I am a huge fan of Susana Monaco Dresses.  They are soft, comfortable and can be washed not dry cleaned which is a big plus in my book.  I am smitten with this summer maxi dress.   Needed her like yesterday.  Really love the alight cut-out and navy color.

CLIFFORD BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC

I picked up this wine at Costco last week to serve at my Supper Club because it was on sale for $6.50 a bottle.  I figured if I was serving that many people wine I needed to go on the cheap side.  Normally in my opinion cheap wine = bad wine,  but not this beauty.  This Sauvignon Blanc really surprised me, it was delish.  I think it normally retails for $10-11 a bottle but if you are a Costco member,  get your butt over there and snatch it up while it is $6.50.  I bought 4 bottles to save.

RACHEL ZOE GLADYS FLAT SANDAL

I have been eyeing these sandals for awhile now ever since seeing cute Reese Witherspoon wear them, and btw how adorable is she pregnant?.  They seem like the perfect casual summer sandal.  I think they would look cute with dresses, jeans or shorts, super versatile.  Can't decide if I want the nude or brown color....

PRAIRIE HARVEST CRISP CRACKERS

These little crackers are my new snack obsession.  i can't wait for my afternoon snack everyday because of this tasty treat.  I pair them Aged Gouda and it is so darn good.  They come in a few different flavors but I bought the Sunflower seed, Millet, and Oat version.  They are super crispy with just the right amount of savory/sweet flavor.

 

ALEXIS BITTAR CRYSTAL ENCRUSTED HORSE SHOE PENDANT

My mom just got this necklace and now I am convinced I need it too.  It looks great with everything and it is short enough to layer with other necklaces.  It is a real stunner in person, just gorgeous.

A.P.C BLOTCH PRINT DRESS

I picked up this dress a few months ago from our local Boutique Hampden Clothing and have been obsessed with it.  It is the perfect easy summer dress.  I wear it at least once a week. Usually Matt is not a fan of most of my clothes but he actually commented on this dress and said he really liked it.   Added bonus it is cotton so you can wash it too!  I am always looking for cute washable clothes because my two year old keeps my dry cleaning bill super high!

SwimSpot Giveaway

Happy Monday Dolls!  Hope you all had a nice weekend celebrating Father's Day!  Let me start by saying I don't go giveaways often.  I don't love reading blogs that just do a bunch of random giveaways.  I think long and hard when I am contacted about doing a giveaway and make sure it is something that I would be excited to win.  I know I just did a Stella and Dot giveaway two weeks ago but this one was too good to pass up.  I am offering one Lucky reader the chance to win a $50 giftcard to Swimspot. 

If you are not familiar with Swimspot they are an online Swim Boutique with Fit specialists to help you find the best and most flattering swim suit for your figure.   The webpage features videos of models in the bath suits walking so you can see every angle and detail.  They even offer a way to shop by your body type. pretty genius.   They carry so many lines but my two favorites they carry are Ella Moss and Splendid.  I like to buy a new swim suit each year and now is your chance to win $50 towards any swimsuit or cover-up you choose! 

Here are a few of my favorites I am eyeing.  I am a one piece and bikini kind of girl.  I like bikinis for skinny days and one pieces for bloated days.  Go visit SwimSpot.com and check out their amazing selection!

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/

In order to win:

1) You must be a Follower of Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers

2) Visit the SwimSpot webpage and leave a comment letting me know which swimsuit you would buy if you won

3) Like Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers Facebook page

You have til midnight Thursday the 21st to enter.  I will announce the winner on Friday.  Good luck!