Scenes From Our Weekend + 7 Layer Mexican Dip Recipe

Happy MLK Day. I hope everyone has enjoyed the long weekend.

Matt bought Sterling a trampoline a few months ago and we finally had it put together last week.  So we spent a lot of time on the trampoline this weekend. Sterling loves that thing, and I have to admit it is pretty fun and good exercise jumping on it.   I was out of breath after every time we played on it (or maybe I am just out of shape).

I snapped this picture Friday night before bath time.  I love Frances Moon's enormous belly.

Friday night we celebrated my Mother-in- laws birthday.  I made my favorite 7 layer Mexican dip. Several of you wanted the recipe, so here it is :

 7 LAYER MEXICAN DIP

Layer one | Refried Beans 

Layer Two | Guacamole

Layer Three | 16 oz sour cream mixed with taco seasoning (I use our homemade kind but you can use a packet as well)

Layer Four | Shredded Cheese ( I grate my own and use Cracker Barrel Sharp White Cheddar)

Layer Five | Diced Tomatoes

Layer Six | Sliced Black Olives

Layer Seven | chopped green onions

Saturday I got up early and went on a run.  I am slowly getting back into a workout routine.

Speaking of working out- I am totally obsessed with the new high waisted Lululemon workout pants.  Get a pair, worth every penny.  They are amazing and suck in all the flab!  I have one pair in black but now I want every color they come in!

|| High Times Pant

I did some pantry organizing Saturday. I found these clear bins at TJMaxx and they work perfect for storing the kids snacks.

I also cleaned out and organized the snack drawer of our fridge.  I am totally that mom that they targeted with the snack drawer.  It is actually what sold me on the fridge and is honestly my favorite part.

Between Matt and the kids we spend some money on snack food.

Saturday night I made Barefoot Contessa's Marinated Feta for Happy Hour.  The recipe is in her new cookbook and was so delicious.  As was this wine from my Wine Awesomeness box.  Love the butterfly label.

Saturday night Sterling lost his first tooth!  The day before he told me he had a wiggly tooth and sure enough it was loose.  So Saturday night I asked him how his wiggly tooth was and he opened his mouth and it was gone.  I think he swallowed it or something, who knows.  I was trying to be excited for him but inside I was crying because loosing that tooth meant my sweet baby was growing up.

He however was so excited ( and I am awaiting a tooth to appear in his poop).

Thank goodness I actually had some cash on me.  It was either a $5 or a $20 so we went with a $5.  

 I had several requests about the shark tooth fairy pillow.  My mom bought it somewhere out of town but I was able to find the same one online HERE.

We had chili cheese dogs and truffled tots for dinner that night that were out of this world good!

Wore double plaid for church.

Dress | Coat

Sunday night we celebrated one of our good friend's birthdays. Caycee and I could not resist the photo op:)

Outfit Details:

 Blouse (similar) | Necklace (use code DBDD-LSJ for free shipping | Jeans (use code GOODJEANS for 30% off) | Pumps

 

 Piperlime is offering 30% off all their jeans with code GOODJEANS!

If you want a distressed pair, these are my favorite.  A great time to buy new jeans if you need them.

Here's to a great week!

(I have been listening to my Eckhart Tolle book A New Earth and really liking it, some inspiring stuff).

Top 5 Buys for the Weekend

ONE || Gigi New York Olivia Purse

The Gigi New York sale is still on and they just added this style.  I own the Olivia purse and love it!  I like that you can carry it with a long strap or with the double handles.  Plus it is big, plenty of room for my stuff and the kids.  This weekend only if you spend $75 at Gigi New York you get a free 2015 agenda.

I have the pebbled stone color and that color is not on sale but the pebbled navy is and I love it.  I think Navy is such a great neutral you could carry year round.  You can shop the rest of the sale HERE.

If you don't need an everyday purse, I love this clutch in the pebbled saddle color.  It also comes in black, such a classic clutch that would go with everything.

|| Pebble Uber Clutch

TWO || JCREW TASSLE BLOUSE

I have this blouse in two colors I love it so much.  It is on sale and you can take additional 50% off with code SHOPNOW.  It brings the blouse to like $25.  It runs large I am wearing a size 2.

THREE || RAG AND BONE SKINNY DISTRESSED JEANS

I actually just ordered these in the gray because I didn't have a gray distressed pair.  I love Rag and Bone jeans they fit so well.  The gray color is such a great neutral.

These are 50% off!  Also love this leopard calf hair clutch also 50% off.

FOUR || EQUIPMENT KEIRA BLOUSE

This blouse is new for spring and full price everywhere but for some reason it is 40% off at Shopbop.  I just love the floral pattern for Spring.  I picture it with white jeans or my cut off jean shorts.

FIVE || REBECCA TAYLOR LEOPARD SCARF + BLOUSE

Rebecca Taylor is now offering additional 40% off all sale, there are some great buys still left!

Love this leopard infinity scarf and the navy blouse.  Use code FINAL40 to take 40% off all sale.

 

Beauty Items I am Loving

I always love hearing about the skincare products others use, so today I thought I would share some of my favorites.  Since last year I have really tried to take better care of my skin and be aware of what I am putting on my skin.  I have switched out many of the products I used to use for more clean versions without weird chemicals,  and you know what my skin has honestly never looked better.   Not every product I use is clean but many are and that is better than I was doing this time last year.  The older I get the more important skin care becomes, but for all you younger gals the earlier you start the better your skin will be as you age.  One huge tip that I think really helps is to drink lots of water.  I try to drink water throughout the day and hot lemon water at night or in the morning.  It really helps your skin not look dull.

Below are my current favorite beauty, make-up and hair items.  Most of these are fairly new items to my routine but I am hooked.  This post is not sponsored, I truly love these face products and swear by them

S K I N C A R E 

These are my current nightly skin care products.

\\ Countertime Enlightening Treatment Pads

For the price these pads are awesome.  You can even cut them in half to make them last longer.  I swipe my whole face and neck after I wash my face and before I moisturize.  I swear it has brightened my skin.  It also lessens the look of your pores as well.

\\ La Mer Moisturizing Cream

This cream is a real treat and one of my all time favorites.  It is damn expensive but it lasts a long time.  It really moisturizes my skin so well and leaves it super hydrated, more so than other face creams I have tried.  Fun fact my aunt used to work for La Mer and introduced me to it probably 15 years ago.  She would always bring us samples, sadly she longer works for them but thanks to her I am hooked on the line.

\\ Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence

I got this as a sample with my Tata Harper Face Mask and was skeptical at first.  I was like what will this spray even do??  But now I am hooked, I just ordered the large size.  It is a toner but it really moisturizes and makes your skin dewy.   I spray this on in the morning and at night before I moisturize.  I swear this has helped my dry skin so much this winter.   It really freshens your skin and leaves it tight and hydrated.

\\ Tata Harper Eye Cream

Love this eye cream.  I have such bad under eye circles I am pretty sure no cream will ever make them disappear, but I really like this one.  I like the way it pumps out and goes on not too thick and not too thin.  What I love about Tata Harper products is they really seem to refresh my skin.

\\ Tata Harper Face Mask

I mention this all the time but this face mask is good stuff.  I had to include it again.  I use it 2-3 times a week.  It makes your face get super tight while you are wearing it, so I feel like it is helping to tighten and firm my skin.

B E A U T Y  A N D  H A I R

\\ Beauty Counter Lip Tint

I bought this lip tint in the twig color last Summer at a Beauty Counter Party I went to.  I loved it so much I ordered the Petal color.  It is such a gorgeous shade of pink.  The lip tint goes on so smooth and is the perfect hint of color. Plus I am sucker for packaging and I love the beautiful gold tube it comes in.

\\ Beauty Counter Touch Up Concealor

I just ordered this concealor and I am hooked.  It reminds me alot of the Yves St laurent Touche Elcat. You pump the stick and it comes out onto a brush.  It is light weight but really provides decent coverage.  I use this with my Cle De Peau stick concealer (because this tired mama needs double duty).  I have the Medium 1 color.

\\ Beauty Counter Face Tint

I decided to try this face tint out after loving all my other Beauty Counter products and this was no exception.  It provides excellent coverage and moisturizes at the same time.  I have the sand color.

\\ Living Proof Shampoo and Conditioner

I got the travel set of the Living Proof Shampoo and Conditioner in my stocking this Christmas.  I had heard such rave reviews about the line and it did not disappoint.  I swear it made my hair so sleek afterwards.  The travel kit is a great way to try it out before investing in the big bottles.  I did the Restore version because I figured it was best for my color treated hair.  They also have a Full (volume) , and No Frizz set.

\\ Wet Brush

This baby changed my life.  My hair gets so tangled after I shower and can be a real pain to brush out.  This brush makes it super easy.  LOVE it.

I leave you with this quote from the wise Diane Von Furstenberg.  So True.

Life Lately

Happy Thursday.  I don't know about ya'll but my kids are out of school today, tomorrow , and Monday- it may be a LONG couple of days.  Frances is obviously not thrilled her alone time with me is interrupted by her brother:)

Last weekend Matt and I went out to dinner with a few of our friends for restaurant week.  I am about to give up on restaurant week, the food is just never that good.  We did however have a great time!

The top I am wearing I picked up at local shop Thera M, they have a medium still in stock!

Blouse (also in white) | Jeans | Purse  | Shoes

and I have to show off my shoes, I bought after Christmas for 75% off!  They are calf hair and kind of amazing.

Vince Calf Hair Pumps

My arm candy is my go to comb these days 

Spike Bracelet | Crystal Bracelet

Us ladies at dinner.

I snapped this adorable picture of Frances napping with her baby and purse.  Two of her favorite gifts!

Dress | Crib Sheet (use code FRESH for 20% off)

Purse (it comes with keys, a credit card, and phone too)

I made Gwyneth Paltrow's Slow Roasted Tomato Soup this week and it was so good.  The tomatoes give it great flavor.  I added a little fresh Parmesan and used whole milk for those with her cookbook following.  I served it with cheese toast sticks which is just bread toasted with cheese (I use sharp cheddar and guoda) and cut into strips, perfect for dipping!

Thanks for all the book recs! I just started reading The Langauge of Flowers and I am already hooked.  Such a great read, I am already almost halfway through it!

I also ordered Molly Sim's new book.  I am a huge fan of hers and I have to say the book is really informative, and I am loving it so far.  I am going to make her green soup recipe this weekend and I have been doing her yoga sequence everynight.

We finally booked our first vacation in 8 years.  Besides going on our family beach week and out of town for weddings Matt and I have not had an adult vacation with no kids!  We are going to St Maarteen for a week in June!!  We are going with one of my best friends and her husband and I could not be more excited!  I would love recs from anyone who has visited the island before!

Since we booked out trip all I can think about is resort wear!  Stay tuned for many wish lists on what I hope to pack.  This cover-up is top of my list.

|| Emborderied Cover-up

They finished painting our kitchen cabinets yesterday and I am thrilled with the results.  They look awesome.  I went with Benjamin Moore Decorators White.  Next up is a new back splash and we are thinking wood floors instead of the tile also.

Ignore all the crap on the counters- true life crap eveywhere always.

I went on my first run in almost two months this week.  It was beyond painful, I am still sore but it felt so good to really sweat and work out hard.  I enjoyed a glass of the most delicious cab afterwards while we cooked our dinner.  Highly recommend it!

Running Shoes ( on sale)

Meet my new favorite jeans, The Emma from DL1961 (remmington wash).  They suck you in and don't stretch.  Love the color and the distressed look.  They run TTS.

We have had the yuckiest weather this week.  Thank goodness for the library, I took the kids there every afternoon.

Frances' Faux Fur Jacket is our favorite and currently 50% off!

Enjoy your day!

Home Obsessions

This year I am inspired to finish up some rooms in our house,  mainly our master bedroom and Sterling's room.  I also have a few things I want to switch up in our dining room, mainly our dining room chairs.  I am also planning to tear down the bead board in our dining room and do some sheet rock and either paint or wallpaper it.  Our kitchen is in the middle of being updated right now. We had the built-ins done last month and this week the cabinets are being painted so that is exciting.  I think the bright white will help brighten up the space!   

I feel good like we are making some progress.  We have still not decided if eventually we will move or add on but for now these changes are keeping me happy and only adding value to our house if we do sell. Although more and more we discuss going the addition route.  We love our neighborhood and have a big lot with space to add on.

 Charleston readers- any recommendations of architects who do home additions/updates?  I would love to meet with someone and get their thoughts and plans drawn for a possible addition.

Below are a few things I love and a few I actually bought for our house.

|| Halifax Bed

Pretty sure I am going to order this for our bedroom.  I am debating between the talc and gray color.

Since I can't seem to keep any plants alive, I am leaning towards investing in some gorgeous fake ones.  Love these two orchids.

|| Orchid + Succulent

 || Large Orchid

|| Stemless Champagne Glasses

I just love these stemless champagne glasses. So chic, love the gold accents.

|| Root Party Platter

I had to share this because this is the same wooden platter I have, and I always get asked where it is from.  It is back in stock and on sale!

|| Link Sheets

Serena and Lily is offering 20% off all their bedding.  I would love some fresh new bedding for our king bed.  I love the classic look of these link sheets.  Use code FRESH to get 20% off.

|| Bohan Mirror

This mirror is so gorgeous!!  Would look great in an entryway, over a vanity, or in a bathroom.

|| Blue Garden Reed Diffuser 

+ Candle

After the New Year I always treat myself to fresh new candles and a diffuser.  This is my new favorite Nest scent, it is so good!

|| Tufted Bench

I was so excited when I saw Target had these benches in stock again, I promptly ordered 2 for our bedroom.  I wanted two to look like a longer bench, my sister had done this in her house and they looked so good. They are such great quality!

|| Set of Two Mirrored Trays

I have been trying to style my coffee table and love the idea of a tray filled with books or small objects.  

|| Pair of Petrified Wood Book Ends

Now that our tv is hanging, I am looking for ways to style the top of the piece of furniture it used to sit on.  These book ends are so cool and unique.

|| Jennifer Moreman Art

I am looking for a new piece or pieces of art to hang over Sterling's bed and I think Jennifer Moreman's art is so cool.  I love the bear and the bull.

|| Hobstar Glasses

I have a weakness for cute glasses.  I love small glasses like these for juice or wine.  Been wanting some pink ones to add to my collection!

|| Jay Street Pom Pom Pillows

I am digging these Pom Pom pillows if I could find somewhere to put them.  

also love the gray and blue colors.

|| Agate Frames

I just love these agate frames.  My mom has a few and they just look so cool sitting out.

In a larger size and more neutral color below.