Life Lately

Happy Monday.  

We lucked out this week and had some pretty incredible weather.  It always puts me in a good mood when the sun is shining! 

Spent a lot of time outdoors with these two.

I bought sidewalk chalk which I thought was a genius idea to occupy the kids til found this beautiful drawing all over our front door.  At least chalk washes off:)

 Then I busted this little lady chugging all her brother's chocolate milk.

Love that guilty little face though.

I tried roasting purple cabbage instead of green.  I also brushed it with Dijon mustard and olive oil, it was so tasty.

Thursday night we out for a girls dinner since one of our best friends Amanda was back in town visiting.

Fringe Blouse | Jeans | Clutch | Shoes

Snapped the cutest picture of Frances Moon sleeping.  I swear it looks like she is wearing lipstick.

Friday night we had happy hour with some friends and I made the most delicious and easy 5 ingredient app||

Layer Cream Cheese | Onion Relish ( I actually used a local apricot jalapeno jelly that was awesome) | Black Beans | Crumbled Bacon | Chives

Serve with crackers

Visited with my sweet niece Avery this week, she is such a doll!  Love seeing her in Frances Moon's old clothes!

 wearing my tie dye dress again it's a favorite already.

On Saturday we went to a birthday party for my friend Krystine's two sons.  The kids had a blast.  She had a shaved ice truck come in, the kids were in hog heaven!

Saturday night we went out with some friends in town from Charlotte.  If you are looking for a great white blouse, I love the one I am wearing.  The embroidery and tiny pom-poms won me over!

Blouse | Jeans

We ate the Rarebit, which I had never eaten at before.  We all really enjoyed our food and drinks.

I had the Patty Melt and Onion Rings + Succotash and it was so good- no dieting on the weekend.

Found the cutest embroidered tunic/dress from F21.  It also comes in white/orange.

Embroidered Tunic

Sunday after church  I made a big batch of chicken salad.   The secret ingredients are celery seed and dried basil.  They give it awesome flavor.

Spent Sundays outside.  Sterling would not eve pause to be in a photo, he was off running the whole time!

Wearing her Tarjay Dress:)

I am really enjoying the book Diane Von Furstenberg wrote, I have been reading it at night.  Love this quote and I think it's pretty true.

Hobo Loving + Tie Dye

One bag silhouette I will always love is the Hobo Bag.

I think it is classic plus I love that it is roomy enough to fit all my crap in it.

I have been a huge Kooba fan for years so when they offered to send me a bag from the new Spring line I was thrilled.

I selected the Mickey Hobo, because as I mentioned before I love the Hobo style.  The quality is just amazing and it is made out of the softest leather.   I swear the leather is butter soft.  I always love the Kooba line and this bag was no exception.

Tie Dye Dress | Kooba Mickey Hobo c/o | Sunglasses | Earrings | SE Flats 

I choose the Earth color, which to me is the perfect everyday neutral. I liked that it also had cut python on the side.  But it also comes in creme as well if you don't love the earth color.

My sandals are a Summer favorite and under $75.

I bought this dress during the Shopbop sale and I am loving it.  Ya'll know I love a good tie dye print.  The material is lightweight and I love the detail.  The perfect boho summer dress.

Just FYI the material is gauze and slightly sheer.  I am wearing my spanx slip underneath which I wear all the time. Seems to run TTS, I am in a small.  I think would also be cute as a bathing suit cover up as well, but I plan to wear mine as a dress.

Tie Dye Dress

But back to the purse, check out the strap detail. and the Python detail too. 

Diamond Bracelet | Loren Hope Cuff

Have to give a shout to my new favorite everyday earrings and shades.

Earrings | Sunglasses

KOOBA has graciously offered you gals 20% off all the Spring bags!  Use code SNOOPNATTYNAT20 for the discount.  

Don't forget to sign up for their mailing list either so you won't miss out on sales and other future discounts.  Right now they are running a contest to win a $500 shopping spree,  which when you leave your email address you are automatically entered to win!

Just a few of my other favorites from the New Arrivals.  The Spring colors are all so gorgeous.

Shore Tote |  Morrison Mini | Jonnie

Echo |  Mini Jonnie | Jonnie Clutch

You can shop my whole look below:

Big Thanks to my neighbor and photographer extraordinaire,  Rick Dean Photography for taking these pictures!!   You will be seeing more his work on the blog in the future!

The Things I Think About Before I Fall Asleep

I know I mentioned before but I frequently have a hard time falling asleep at night.  I am also a light sleeper, the lightest noise like the dog snoring or a whimper from Frances will wake me right up. I am pretty sure before kids I slept like a baby (or a man) but honestly I can't even remember now.  These days my mind wonders like crazy before bed and thinks the most random thoughts. The longer it takes me to fall asleep,  the more on edge I get counting exactly how many hours of sleep I can actually get if I fall asleep at that exact moment before the kids wake up.

This week I decided to make a list of everything that runs thru my mind at night before I fall asleep.  It's pretty random what I think about, is this normal haha???? 

I actually kept a pad of paper beside my bed and wrote down these thoughts, they are real.  Indulge me and share what goes thru your mind before bed.

- Are the kids ok?  I hope they are still breathing.  I should go check on them and make sure they are ok - and I always do this and get out of bed and check them once more to ease my mind.

- Is that nightlight in Sterling's room going to start a fire?  I should go turn it off now that he is alseep.

-Death.  I frequently think about death before I fall asleep, especially my parents.  I am terrified of them dying.  I actually have been talking to a therapist about this death scares me so much.  The fear of the unknown keeps me up at night but I know death is the one certainty in life.

- I should have worked out today, why didn't I work out? My stomach is flabby and vacation is 3 months away.  I need to get my shit together and tighten up this body.  I should set my alarm and get up tomorrow morning and run.  I then pull out my phone and set an alarm, which I then snooze thru the next day, everyday.

- Was I a good mom today?  I shouldn't have raised my voice at Sterling or let him eat two Uncrustables.  They are so bad for him but he loves them so much.  I should tell my kids I love them more and be in the moment.  I will do that tomorrow.....

- Is that weird ache in my armpit cancer?  I have had it for months now.  Must be something serious.  I should google arm pit cancer symptoms.

- What is that weird twinge in my head?  I hope its not brain cancer.   I should google symptoms.

- Should I wash my hair in the morning?  Lets see if it smells.  Sniff hair, not too bad maybe some Oribe texturzing spray and I can skip washing it again in the morning.

- Are the doors locked, cars locked, and flood lights on?  Was that a noise I heard outside?

- What is a cronut?  Do they even sell those in Charleston?  Where can I find one to try?

- My to-do list for the next day. 

-  Is that Matt snoring already?  Of course he fell asleep in two seconds and now I won't be able to fall asleep with his snores.

- I should tell Matt I love him more.

- terror attacks and the world our kids will grow up in.

- Is Adam Levine really happy with Behati?  I wonder what would happen if I ever met him in person.  Man I love his new song Sugar.

- What should I eat for breakfast tomorrow? Avocado toast? No, too burned out on that.  Cereal, no too many carbs and processed.   Eggs?  Maybe.

- Should I check on the kids one more time?

- I forgot to switch the laundry again.  I hope it doesn't smell like mildew tomorrow.

- Wonder whats happening on instagram?  I should check right now since I'm about to fall asleep.

 

Lay it on me, do you fall right asleep?  and if not what do you think about?

Asian Cobb Salad

I don't know about y'all but this warmer weather has me craving salads.   I found the inspiration for this recipe on pinterest and made a few changes.  I thought it was super tasty but lately I have been all about ethnic food so maybe that's why I loved it so much.

I frequently layer my salads like this on plates so they save better.  The ingredients don't get as soggy laid out like this plus it just looks pretty.  You can serve as much as you want and save the rest for the next day.

I doubled the dressing recipe, I love dressing and it will save in your fridge up to about a week.  I saved time and just bought a Rotisserie chicken and shredded it, but you could cook or grill your own chicken if you want.

I decided last minute to add some sliced almonds and I am so glad I did, the crunch and saltiness was the perfect addition to the salad.

Enjoy!

The best part is it makes a great meal for kids too.  This was Frances Moon's dinner and she loved it.  Sterling my picky eater would only eat chicken and oranges:)

|| A S I A N   C O B B  S A L A D ||

adapted via Damn Delicious

Ingredients

• chopped romaine lettuce
• 1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges in light syrup, drained
• shredded chicken
• grated carrots
• 1 avocado diced
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, diced
• 3-4 sliced green onions 
• shelled and cooked edamame
• sliced almonds

For the sesame vinaigrette ( I actually doubled this)
• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, pressed
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

• To make the vinaigrette, whisk together rice wine vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, sugar, ginger and soy sauce in a small bowl; set aside.
• To assemble the salad,  greens in a large bowl; top with arranged rows of mandarin oranges, chicken, carrots, avocado, eggs, edamame, green onions, and almonds.
• Serve immediately with sesame vinaigrette.

Spring Pretties Under $100

I decided to do a round-up of some cute Spring items all under $100!

|| Issac Mizarhi Tassel Sandals

I think these shoes are awesome.  They are the one item right over $100 at $119 but I had to include them because I own them in the black and love them.

They come in 4 different colors.

 || Geo Eyelet Shell ||

I always like a white blouse, especially love the detail on this one.

|| Burnout Blouse ||

Another classic white blouse but long sleeve version.  You could still wear this in the Summer with jean shorts as well.

|| Tory Burch Pierced T Bracelet

A great everyday bracelet to wear alone or stacked.

|| Vava Tank ||

Love the adorable Pom-Pom details at the bottom of this tank.

|| Renamed Floral Maxi

I was shocked when I saw the price tag on this maxi, only $57.  It is so gorgeous, love the floral pattern.  I would however pair it with different shoes than what the model is wearing:)

|| Fringe Bucket Bag ||

I still keep wanting a fringe bag but not sure I want to spend a ton of money on one.  This version is killer and only $44.

|| Hobie Bathing Suit ||

Super cute suit reminds me of Mara Hoffman but less expensive.

|| Fleeting One Dress ||

This boho dress also comes in black as well.   I picture it paired with cute flats for daytime wear.

|| Fringe Poncho ||

Just love the black and white combo.  I like the unique fringe detail too.

|| Madewell Silk Medallion Tee

Colors and style are perfection.

 || Ipanena Maya Studded Sandals ||

I am a sucker for nude sandals.  These won't break the bank at $28.

|| Pom Pom Beach Tunic ||

This is already on sale then you can take additional 25% off with code SPRINGSTYLE.

|| Baggu Leather Clutch

I have seen this clutch in person and it looks way more expensive than it is.  I love the brown color, a great neutral to go with anything.  Also comes in black.

 || Elephant Earrings

I have been lusting over these adorable elephant earrings.

|| Embroidered Peasant Top

You knew I would include something embroidered!  

Under $30, would look great paired with white jeans and wedges.