Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Edamame + Avocado + Radish Salad


I came across this recipe on Pinterest awhile back and knew I had to make it!  It was so light and refreshing.  It would be perfect for a Summer Dinner or Picnic Party.  I will say it was best the first day I made it, it was not as good the next day mainly because the radishes got a bit soft and the avocado starts to go bad, so I recommend eating it the first day if possible. The flavors in the dressing were amazing- the ginger paired with garlic, honey, and fresh lime juice were just delicious.  Best part this is a super healthy salad no cheese or anything bad just all fresh ingredients so you can eat it guilt free!
Enjoy!


\\ E D A M A M E + A V O C A D O + R A D I S H   S A L A D 
adapted via Joy the Baker

Serves 4 large or 6 small servings

1 16-ounce bag frozen shelled edamame, thawed
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
2 teaspoons honey
Scant 1/4 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 lime
Pinch of salt and fresh cracked pepper
1/2 cup sliced green onion(about 4 onions)
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  8 radishes, sliced
1 ripe avocado, sliced

Bring about four cups of water to boil in a medium saucepan. Add edamame and boil for just a few minutes, until cooked through but still with a slight bite to them. Drain and allow to cool.

In the meantime, make the dressing.

In a small bowl, whisk together rice wine vinegar, oil, garlic, ginger, lime, honey, and salt and pepper. Whisk together until completely incorporated. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine cooled edamame, green onion, parsley, radishes, and a sprinkling of sesame seeds. Toss together. Add dressing to desired amount. It’s that easy!
 



Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Obsessions + Shopbop's Friends and Family Event!

First things first get excited because today starts the first day of the Shopbop Friends and Family sale!  You can take 25% off your entire order and this includes sale items too!  Now is the time to snag those items you have been eyeing!  I am finally gong to snag the floral Joie blouse I have been wanting and this tee shirt that is the same style as my tee shirt dress I live in! 
Start shopping HERE! and use code INTHEFAMILY14.

I rounded up my top picks, I am sure one or two will be headed my way:) Scroll thru to see them all.



I love a great striped tee shirt.  So classic.  I would pair this with my distressed jeans or white skinny jeans.  Don't forget to use Shopbop code INTHEFAMILY14

I just love the neon pink embroidery on this white dress!!  Such a great Summer dress and a great price less than $100 (also part of shopbop ff)


I am obsessed with DV sandals.  I am digging these tan ones and love the studs around the sides.
And my favorite Daffodil DV Sandals just went on sale- get them while you can- Here in the tan color I own and here in black!
I just found these RayBans on sale!! They are pink + polarized winning combo!!


Hard to believe Easter is this weekend!  I am obsessed with this bunny dress from the Gap.  Frances has the top version and it is so adorable!!

Piperlime is offering 25% off select merchandise with code MAXCHIC.  This dress is included and you know I love it because it is snakeskin print.


I am loving the new pattern on these West Elm Serving Bowls.  Great for a Summer Party!

 
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and for all you locals, shop by Thera M and try some DL1961 jeans!  They are running a great promo right now if you try a pair you get entered to win a pair.  I am definitely stopping by to try a pair!





Monday, April 14, 2014

Dressing the Littles

I get alot of requests to share some ideas of kids clothing and I what I buy for Sterling and Frances.  Nordstrom has quickly become one of my favorite sites for kids clothes because they carry all my favorite brands  plus they always have free shipping and returns.

One brand I have been loving lately is Mini Boden.
The prices are not too outrageous and the clothing quality is excellent plus I love their fun boyish prints.  I got the skull tee and shorts for Sterling.  It is so funny because once upon a time I swore I never dress my child in skull tee shirts and now that is all Sterling wants to wear so I oblige and actually I find them kind of cute now!

mini boden

I am also a huge fan of Tea Collection. I dress Sterling in Tea Collection all the time and I just recently got a few precious dresses for Frances too.  Sterling has both the stripe and dinosaur tees below and lives in them!
Chameleon Tee + Pants | Flutter Dress | Dinosaur Tee | Mosaic Bubble | Stripe Tee | Floral Dress


Tea Collection


A new line that I came across while browsing in the Charlotte Nordstrom store is Tucker + Tate.  their kids stuff is seriously adorable.  Also great price point, not too expensive and lots of things are on sale right now too!

tucker and tate


and if money were no object, I would dress Frances in the Stella McCartney kids line.  I just adore it!  Her designs are so fresh and whimsical!

stella



What are your favorite kids lines at Nordstrom?
A few other favorites of mine:
This post was brought to you by Nordstrom all opinions and outfit choices are always my own!
 


Friday, April 11, 2014

Easiest Appetizer + Life Lately

I can't believe I have not shared this super easy appetizer yet.  It is three ingredients and so tasty!
All you need are phyllo shells (usually found in the freezer section), pimento cheese, and red pepper jelly.  Place the  phyllo shells on a baking sheet and fill with pimento cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees about 10-15 mins until cheese is bubbly.  Remove  let cool just a minute add a dollop of red pepper jelly. These babies are super easy and tasty!


Rebecca Taylor is currently having their Friends and Family Sale you can get 25% off any purchase with code RTSPRINGFF14  Shop the whole site here.  Her Spring line is stunning.
My top pick is this gorgeous watercolor blouse .

I also love this white embroidered top.  The perfect white blouse for Summer. Would look awesome with white jeans or jean shorts.

Last Saturday night we tried out the Bay Street Beirgarten with my brother and sister in law.  We had a blast.  It was such a fun place with a cool atmosphere.


I did my first shotski (and shot post baby).  Things get crazy when my brother is in town:)  Luckily I only did one shot so I was not hungover the next day:)
Andy Cohen would be proud.


  Then Sunday we heaeded to Charlotte for my nephew Finleys first Birthday.  They did a Mexican theme party and it was awesome.  I am talking a margarita machine and taco bell soft tacos!  We had a blast!  How precious is sweet Finley?  I still can't believe he is one already!




I love Spring in Charleston.  We went on a walk the other day and collected the most gorgeous flowers, that smelled amazing.


I got my second Clover Canyon Dress and I can't wait to wear her.  I am planning on rocking her to an upcoming trip to Dallas.   Ladies she is on sale right now and I highly recommend, it fits like a glove!


If you live in Charlotte you must eat at the Wolfgang Puck Restaurant at Phillips Place.  My mom and I took the kids there this week and it was so good.  We had the short rib pizza, chicken meatball pizza, and kale salad.  They all were awesome. Plus they have a great outdoor seating area perfect for kids!


I am starting to realize how much Sterling and Frances Moon look alike they are such twins.  Love how sweet they are to each other.



Have a great weekend friends!



Thursday, April 10, 2014

NDM Style : Its Wedding Season

I feel like April marks the beginning of wedding season.  We had a lull last year but this year we will end up having five weddings to attend.   I am always on the lookout for dresses I can wear to both weddings and Rehearsal Dinners.  I recently found this Trina Turk dress at Nordstrom and fell in love with it.  The color is magnificent!  It is such a vibrant coral color.   Nordstrom has such a great selection of dresses always- now if only Charleston would get an actual store!




I always love a shift dress, I feel like they are flattering and easy to dress up or down.
The back of the dress is pretty awesome too.  I love how it cuts in for a fun detail.


I am really loving the Baublebar for Nordstrom Collection.  There are some seriously fabulous pieces.  The necklaces are affordable and super chic.  I love the hot pink color of the one I am wearing.  Pink is always a good idea.


I paired it with my Baublebar for Nordstrom bracelet as well.  Nordstrom was sweet enough to send me both as a gift and I was blown away by the quality for the price, its only $28!  I have been layering this bracelet with my others for everyday wear!  It comes in 4 colors too if you don't like the pink.


My shoes are old Cole Haan, so sadly they are no longer available.  I love a good nude sandal and pump, they elongate your legs and go with everything!  These Sam Edleman Nude pumps are gorgeous.  Everyone needs to own a good pair of nude pumps.   I am loving the new SJP line as well, these nude sandals are awesome.


You can shop my whole look here:


This post was brought to you by Nordstrom.  All thoughts and opinions are my own always:)


Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Roasted Veggie Lasagna


I always love a good lasagna recipe.  This one is a delicious vegetarian version.  It is loaded with tons of fresh veggies roasted til they caramelize producing such a vibrant taste.  The roasted veggies paired with the creamy Bechemel and cheese give this lasagna incredible flavor.  This is a great dish to make ahead,  you can freeze or store in your fridge a day before you cook it.  We served ours with a salad and crusty bread and it was a homerun dinner.
Enjoy!

|| R O A S T E D  V E G G I E  L A S A G N A ||
adapted via The Italian Dish
Ingredients:
 for the bechamel:
  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 4 cups milk
  • some grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
  • 1 chicken bouillion cube (amount that you would dissolve in 1 cup water)
  • Vegetables to roast : I used two small zucchinis, two small squash, 1 small head of broccoli, shredded carrots, diced onion, 3 garlic cloves minced
  • Shredded fresh spinach about 2 cups
  • Lasagna noodles for one 13x9 inch baking pan
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
For the bechamel:
In a medium sized saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for just a minute or so. Slowly add the milk and keep whisking. Add the nutmeg, white pepper and bouillion cube and whisk. Cook for a few minutes, whisking, until the bechamel has thickened slightly. Set aside to cool. Stir it once in a while so a skin doesn't form.

For the vegetables:
Chop vegetables uniformly. Mince garlic. Combine the mixed vegetables on a large baking sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for about 30-40 minutes at 400 degrees. Stir them about halfway thru.  I like my veggies slightly carmelized if you don't just roast for a shorter amount of time.  Set aside to cool slightly.

Cook lasagna noodles for 5 minutes, until soft. Shock in a bowl of ice water, lay on towels to dry.
Spray a 13x9 baking pan with a little cooking spray. Spoon some bechamel thinly on the bottom of the pan. Start with a layer of noodles, a layer of bechamel, some vegetables, shredded spinach, and then a layer of a little parmesan and mozzarella. Repeat layers until you have 3 layers of noodles. On top of the last layer, don't use any vegetables, just some bechamel and the remaining cheeses. Cover tightly with foil.
 Bake for 50 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Remove foil. Bake for a little longer until top is slightly golden. Let sit for about 15 minutes before slicing.


Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Obsessions

I spied this purse in the Nordstrom catalog and fell in love with it.  I love the studded detail and the colors are great for spring. The handle detaches too so you can also carry it as a clutch.


I love this shift dress.  The floral print is just perfect for Spring and Summer.  You could wear this for so many different occasions from church to a shower.  Plus it just got marked down on Shopbop!


Really digging these colorblock flats.  They are so simple and would go with everything!


I can't say enough great things about this tank top.  I lived in mine while I was pregnant and still love it.  It looks awesome with skinny jeans or fitted mini skirts because it is looser.  and pregnant friends I wore mine the whole nine months.  It just got back in stock in 3 great neutral colors.  Runs on the large side I had an xs.

If you follow me on instagram you saw I attended the Marysia event at Everything but Water last week. I was finally able to try on her suits in person and let me tell you they did not disappoint.  They are the most flattering suits ever.  I was smitten with this one piece.  Normally I would not post a picture of myself in a bathing suit but I wanted to show how flattering it is especially post baby.  It runs on the large side- I have on a small and I am normally a medium in swimwear. This bathing suit is an investment but you feel like a million bucks in it.  It comes in a bunch of great colors too.


This blouse is the most perfect neutral color.  It would look so great with white skinny jeans.
Equipment makes the best blouses.   I tried it on in size small and loved it!



I love the sleek modern look of this pool tote.   It would make a great gift too.  If you have not checked out the Mark and Graham site you should it is filled with tons of cute monogrammed things!


I also thought these seersucker napkins were pretty darn cute.
Love the print and style of this skirt.  So cute with just a plain white tee and some cute flats.