I have two pairs of Tory Burch sunglasses and just love them. Next on my list these aviators in a fun color. I think aviators are flattering on everyone.
Equipment is also running their Friends and Family Event. Use code EQFRIENDS for 25% all purchases. I love Equipment blouses and dresses such great pieces to add to your closet.
I received a request from a reader on how to create the perfect cheese tray/appetizer spread. Honestly a cheese tray is one of my favorite appetizers. Sometimes when Matt works late it is what I have for dinner and I secretly love it. I really enjoy a cheese plate and a glass of wine. My family jokes that I always make my cheese trays look so perfect. It is my job at happy hour to put together our nibbles. There is no real art to making it look pretty I just find the way you group things helps. I try to keep on hand many of the items needed for a cheese tray so if we have company I can easily whip it together.
\\ A few items that I try to always keep on hand for last minute entertaining:
- pickled okra and/or mini pickles
- pepperoni and/or salami
- truffled dijon mustard (I find this at tjmaxx)
- 34 degrees crackers- I love these so thin and crispy
- pretzel thins
- cheese sticks (harris teeter and trader joes make great versions of these)
- cracker barrel cheese
- manchego, gouda, and brie are favorites
- pimento cheese
- olives
- hummus
- veggies carrots or celery
If you have the above ingredients or at least a few of them it makes throwing together an appetizer easy.
\\ A few tips:
- I always drizzle my hummus with olive oil and salt and pepper. If I have pint nuts I sprinkle that on top. It makes it look fancy.
- I stopped buying my cheese at Costco because it was just too much and went bad too quickly. Just buy at your local grocery store or if you live in Charleston check out Goat Sheep Cow- amazing selection of wine and cheese.
- Keep fig or apricot preserves on hand they are great served with brie
- fresh figs, blue cheese, and honey are a killer combo
- check the food section at TJMaxx, this is where I find my favorite truffled mustard, specialty jams, and pickled veggies.
- Carrots and Celery are the best veggies because they last the longest in your fridge. I always slice my own carrots I swear they taste better than the baby ones.
- Buy the large rolls of pepperoni and salami and slice them yourself. I also think these taste better then the packaged kind and they will last awhile in your fridge.
- The mini french pickles are the best- you can buy them in bulk at Earthfare or in a small jar at the grocery store
- I like to keep the softer cheeses like brie or goat cheese whole and slice the harder cheeses.
- Buy a good white serving platter or wooden board- food always looks prettier on white or wood.
West Elm has some of my favorite serving ware but you can often times find a white platter for cheap at Homegoods or TJMaxx as well.
- A cute set of cheese knives is also good to have on hand.
I went thru my instagram and had to laugh about the amount of cheese tray/happy hour posts I had. This girl loves happy hour:) Here are a few pictures for inspiration.
A few new favorite wines because you need a good wine to pair with all your delicious eats.
WACCAMAW
Loved the Chardonnay and red blend pictured below
Charlotte friends this is carried at the Wine Store.
Alright ladies you know the drill by now. Email me at nataliemason24@yahoo.com if you are interested in anything. I invoice thru paypal and shipping is $5 except for the boots they are $15.
I will ship everything out Monday morning.
Rag and Bone Newbury Booties
Long story short these were my first pair of Newbury booties but I bought them too small and could not return. Gave them to my sister but they were too small for her too so they are now up for grabs. They have never been worn and are brand new. The color is a dark hunter green but they honestly look black in most lights.
Size 39
$200
SOLD
Joie Silk Blouse
Size Small
$70
SOLD
Joie Shift Dress
size small
$70
SOLD
JCrew Stripe Tunic Sweater
Size xs (runs on the large side)
$35
SOLD
JCrew Blush Blouse
Size 4
$40
Shoshanna Halter Dress
Size 2
$70
JCrew Jacket
New with Tags, retailed for $135
Size Small
$65
SOLD
Marc Jacobs Double Pocket Tee
Size Small
$30
Vince Tunic
This is a great pregnant top but is a bit too loose on me now. It is sheer and needs a tank underneath
Confession, sometimes I love shopping for the kids more than me. Kid stuff is just so adorable and fun to shop for. I know one day soon they will talk back and not want to wear what I pick out so for now I enjoy dressing them (although Sterling can have quite the opinion sometimes). Lately I have been hooked on the line Tucker and Tate carried at Nordstrom. It is not too expensive and the clothes are super adorable. While I was home a few weeks ago my mom and I took the kids back to school shopping. We picked out the cutest outfits- well Sterling actually picked out his outfit:)
The pants are lined with the same material as the hoodie and are so cute folded up with the matching cuff.
Sterling was ecstatic to find his dinosaur tee. I kid you not when we bought he insisted on changing in Nordstrom right then and wearing it. It also comes in a dog version that is pretty darn cute too.
He also insisted he needed a hoodie to go with it. I swear he has like 4
hoodies but he loves them so I obliged. This one hands down was the softest hoodie
plus I loved the color of blue on him.
