Strawberry Banana Bread + Roasted Carrots with Harissa Yogurt Sauce

Happy Humpday loves.  I am coming at you with two recipes today.  Both I posted on instagram and didn't necessarily intend to post on the blog but several of you asked!  Ask and you shall receive.  Both are totally delicious and both feature Greek Yogurt as one of the key ingredients.  Meaning they are healthy! 

I set off to make the bread last week only to realize I had only 1/2 a cup of all purpose flour left, after I had already bought all the other ingredients.  Don't you hate when that happens!  I had a bag of wheat flour though so I substituted that for the rest of the flour.  You know what the bread turned out great so I will continue using wheat flour.  Both the kids loved it.  It is super delicious with a drizzle of honey too!  This is the perfect time to make this bread since strawberries are in season and sweet as candy right now!.

|| S T R A W B E R Y  B A N A N A  B R E A D ||

via Closet Cooking

ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour  (I used half whole wheat half all purpose flour)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 large over-ripe bananas (mashed)
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 cup strawberries, sliced

directions

1. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
2. Mix brown sugar, bananas, eggs, vanilla extract, yogurt and strawberries in another large bowl.
3. Mix the dryy ingredients into the wet ingredients.
4. Pour the mixture into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan.
5. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until golden brown and a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean, about 60 minutes.

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This recipe was inspired by a dish I had Leon's Oyster Shop.  The roasted carrots on their menu were just incredible- order them if you ever go there!  I found my jar of harissa at Goat Sheep Cow.  They also have a red version but I went with the green.  I would imagine most specialty grocery stores carry harissa.  I was able to find the red version online. Below is what is looks like.

These carrots may be my new favorite veggie dish.  They are fairly simple to make and so full of flavor.  The fresh mint pairs perfectly with the carrots.   Plus the presentation is just gorgeous!

|| R O A S T E D   C A R R O T S  W I T H  Y O G U R T  H A R I S S A ||

- 1 bunch stem on carrots

- 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain and I prefer the 2% kind)

- green harissa

- fresh mint

- pistachios

Clean the carrots and peel them.  Slice in half, some of the smaller ones I left whole.  Toss with olive oil and salt and pepper and roast at 350 degrees about 30 minutes or until tender.  Meanwhile mix Greek yogurt with several spoonfuls harissa sauce.   Chop mint and pistachios.

 Layer yogurt sauce on bottom of plate and layer carrots.  Then top with fresh mint and pistachios.  I drizzled a bit of olive oil over it all afterwards too.

Enjoy!

The Beach Edit Obsessions

I can't believe our trip to the Caribbean is 4 weeks away.  It feels like we booked it so long ago!  Our pool just opened this last weekend too so between that and our upcoming vacation I have swimwear, cover-ups and resort wear on the brain.  I wanted to share a few favorites.

|| Beach Blouse

I love the gorgeous colors and embroidery. 

|| Madewell Bikini

I love this Madewell bikini.

  || Sun Maxi Dress

This dress comes in 5 different colors and is under $100.  It can double as a cover-up or dress.

|| Madewell Woven Tassel Tote'

The cutest beach bag.

|| Milly Cover-up (on sale)

Love the white with neon accents!

|| OndadeMar Cover-up (on sale)

This cover-up was just reduced and I can't stop thinking about it!

|| Luli Fama Cuba Bikini

I think this is the cutest bikini.  The back of the top has tassel details too. 

 || Le Specs

Love these sunnies and the price is great too only $69!

|| Pineapple Straw Tote

You might remember this from my post yesterday.  I bought this tote and just love it.  It is even better in person than I thought it would be.  Such a great beach tote and not terribly expensive under $55.

Also comes in a clutch version

|| Cecily Beach Hat

The black and white stripes are so chic.  I love a wide rim hat to block my face from the sun.

|| Hana Blouse

I love the idea of this paired with jean shorts.

|| Elephant Tank

Love the adorable print on this tank. I live in cotton tees and tanks in the Summer paired with my cut-off jean shorts.

|| DV Gladiator Sandals

Huge fan of Dolce Vita shoes, for the price they are always on point.  These come in silver and black too.

 || Kate Spade Flamingo Cover-up

 I am sucker for anythng with a flamingo.  The back of this cover-up is just as cute as the front.

The matching bikini is also adorable.

and these flamingo shoes- love!

|| Tassel Necklace

This would look great with a maxi or tossed on with a cover-up.  Under $40.

|| Splendid Crete Flats

I love the metallic gold.  It would look so good with shorts or dresses.

|| Marc Jacobs One Piece

I have a black strapless one piece that is hands down my favorite suit.  I bought it before I had Sterling and I still wear it.  They never go out of style and are always classic.  I love the back detail of this one too.

|| Beach Towel

I love this large beach towel with fringe detail. It comes in 3 other colors too.

 || Beauty Counter Sunscreen

I will be using this sunscreen all Summer.  No chemicals or anything weird in it.

 

Life Lately

I hope everyone had a super special Mother's Day.  I know I certainly did.

A few snippets of life lately.

Monday after school I took the kids to Sugar Bakeshop.  I had not been there in forever and forgot how amazing all their treats are.  The kids were in hog heaven with their cupcakes.  We sampled 4 different ones and they all were delicious.  My favorite was the mint.

Last week's repeat outfit.

Blouse (on sale ) | Shoes | Shorts | Necklace | Sunglasses

Potted some new plants for our front porch.

Found a new lunch I am addicted to, thanks to my friend Liz.

Lettuce wraps.  Layer lettuce with mashed avocado with lemon juice and red pepper flakes + roasted white beans + hard boiled eggs + radishes.  So easy and tasty.

To roast white beans- just toss in olive oil with salt and pepper and roast at 350 degrees about 20 minutes.  It gives them great flavor and a bit of crunch.

 This maxi dress arrived that I ordered.  It is such a steal under $85 and the colors are amazing in person.  This would be great for a Summer wedding or event.

|| BB Dakota Maxi Dress

Could not stop laughing at Frances as she tried to casually steal a chocolate milk at Starbucks.  She looked so guilty like who me??

Friday night we ordered pizza and played games.  Sterling picked Go Fish. We love our Friday pizza + game nights.

I am getting so excited about our vacation in 4 weeks!  I finally busted out of my comfort zone and bought a bikini.

Pom Pom Dress | Gold Shoes | Palm Romper | Pineapple Tote | Cowrie Necklace | Bikini

 Saturday we went to Taylor's 3rd Birthday Party.   I swear my girl Caycee hosts the best birthday parties. She gets every single detail right.  

How gorgeous are the flowers??

All the ladies had a blast catching up!

I spent Sunday with the family. I hate I didn't get to spend it with my mom but grateful for these two angels.

We enjoyed a lunch picnic.

Then Matt took Sterling to go swim since our pool just opened and I got to enjoy some time alone.  I actually read a few magazines it was so nice.

Then we headed to the Yacht Club for happy hour and to let the kids play.  After rain for a few days it was nice for some sun.

Sterling snapped this picture of me and I love it, I was so happy I had such a special Mother's Day.

Tee | Shorts | Sandals | Glasses

I requested hot dogs for my dinner.  I love a good chili dog and these were amazing.

Perfect ending to Mother's Day.

Happy Monday

Saturday's Top 5 Deals

 Happy Saturday!  We are up bright and early for a soccer game! 

ONE | Saks did some new markdowns

This Joie Top I own is reduced. 40% off.

|| Joie Esme Blouse

This Mara Hoffman fabulous dress is also reduced!  I just ordered for our upcoming vacation!

|| Mara Hoffman Dress

Love the pattern on this Tory Burch tee shirt Dress.  

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TWO | Several of you wanted to know about the dress I wore this week. It was sold out but is now back in stock!  Not on sale but it sales out fast so wanted to share

|| Mara Hoffman Dress 

also in purple

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THREE | 30% off all sale merchandise at JCrew.

Use code SALETREAT

Frances has this dress and it is just the cutest thing.  On sale plus 30% off

Neon Dress

 

We also have this tassel stripe top.  On sale as well.

and I picked up this in the store.  Such a cute fit.

Combo Sweater- runs really large I am wearing the xxs

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FOUR | 30% off regular merchandise at Banana Republic

Loving this patio dress from Banana Republic, currently 30% off.

|| Tie Dye Patio Dress

Also really like this ikat bikini and it's reversible.  I have a bikini from BR that is probably 5 years old and still in great shape!  Currently on sale as well.

|| Ikat Suit

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FIVE | Forever 21 Tee Shirt Dress

This beauty is $15 and so comfy!  I am wearing a size medium.

Happy Saturday and Happy Shopping!