Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Shopbop Sale!

Happy Wednesday!  Today starts the Shopbop sale on sale!  Use code 25EXTRA to take an additional 25% off all sale items.  Sizes and items tend to go fast so definitely shop early!  The sale runs through Friday the 24th,

I have this blouse and love it.  The colors are so pretty.


It also comes in a long sleeve version that would be great paired with skinny jeans or cut-offs.


A few other fabulous items on major sale! Scroll through to see my favorite picks!





Monday, June 20, 2016

Hello From Paradise + 3 Mara Hoffman Favorites on Major Sale

Greetings from St Maarten!  We are here for the week and it truly is paradise.   I am not going to lie we are 2 days in and I am already missing my kids (I have mom issues), thank goodness for FaceTime and pictures from my parents!  This is the view from one side of the resort we are staying in- so gorgeous!

I wanted to share 3 Mara Hoffman favorites that I have worn while we were here.  They are all on major sale!  

Mara Stars Dress 50% off | also HERE
I actually borrowed this dress from my mom but I love it so much I may order it for myself!  I wore this for our plane flight.  It is a great travel dress because it is so comfortable and not too short.
Sizing wise I find this style runs on the large side, I am wearing a XS.   The dress also comes in a lighter print as well.
And how cute is my sweet nephew Rutledge?  I was so happy to get time to snuggle with him before we left!




This is such a fun style dress.  It ties in the back, which is super cute.   I have this in another print as well from last year but I especially love these bright colors for Summer!  I am wearing a size 4.  It also comes the same print but darker colors.



I bought this right before our trip and I am loving it.  You know I love anything off shoulder!   It is not see through at all so you could actually wear this as a dress too.  I am wearing the XS/S.  You can knot the front and back too, if you want it shorter.


Have a great Monday! 



Friday, June 17, 2016

St Maarten | What's In My Suitcase + What I will be Reading



On Saturday we fly out to St Maarten.  I can't believe our trip is here already!  I feel like the time has flown by since we booked our trip.  We are going with our same friends we went with last year, Erin and Jason.  Erin and I have been best friends since high school.  We no longer live in the same city so I really treasure the time I get to spend with her.  Our kids love each other too but this will be fun to have an adult only vacation.   

I finally bought myself some luggage.  Would you believe in the past I have just borrowed suitcases from my parents?  I decided it was time to own some of my own luggage.   I really liked that the luggage was hard (easy to clean) and that it was a color (so it will be easy to spot).  I actually lucked out and found my set at TJMaxx but they have the same set on Amazon in several color options.  The smaller suitcase not pictured is the perfect carry on size.



I will be the first to admit I always over pack.   I like to have options.  I know during the day I will mostly be in bathing suits and cover-ups but at night we do like to get dressed up a bit for dinners out.
I am sure more items will be added to my suitcase before I am done but these pieces are definitely coming with me.



Can't forget accessories!  A woman can never have too many accessories, something Frances Moon has clearly learned from her Momma:)

Of course I did a little pre vacation shopping and picked up this off shoulder dress from JCrew.  I love the fun print, perfect for Summer.  Sizing wise it runs TTS, I am wearing a 4.  Sterling came back to try on a few things for him too.  Would you believe he is wearing a size 8 now!!


And how amazing is this twin suit??
I am wearing an XS in the top and 4 in the shorts.
Use code SHOP40 to save 40% on both!!

I am so excited to have some downtime to actually read.  Lately I have been too tired at night to read more than a few pages, so I am looking forward to laying by the beach and reading.  So many of my favorite authors are releasing new books this Summer that I can't wait to read.  Of course I won't be reading all these books next week, but they will be read this Summer!

Book List



Have a great weekend!!




Thursday, June 16, 2016

Home and Entertaining Favorites

Hello Thursday!  Today I wanted to share a few favorites for the home.  

I recently picked up a few new entertaining items from Nordstrom and have been loving them.  It is no secret I love a good happy hour spread and this is what ours looked like last night.  We frequently have neighbors and friends over for happy so I knew this runner and napkins would be used often!   I never met a cheese board I didn't like.  What I love about this one though is it is only $34 and the perfect size for light pre dinner nibbles.
A few other cheese board options all under $50.  These would make a great gift, especially a hostess gift!


cheese boards



The Nordstrom Home Department has you covered whatever you need.  They have so many great options for your home, bedding, bath, kitchen and entertaining!  I desperately need some new bath towels and I really love these with the fringe detail.
I am also convinced I need a round beach towel.   I love the colors in this one.

I had no idea that Nordstrom carried LeCreuset until I started browsing.  LeCreuset pots are hands down some of my favorite pots to cook with!  We received several pieces as wedding gifts and are still using them 8 years later.  This skillet is one of my favorites- I just recently used mine for our blueberry crumble and it is perfect for cornbread too!  I have the white but I love this new Hibiscus color.
I also love this Oval Dutch Oven.  I use this size frequently for cooking veggies and beans.



A few other home favorites and guess what??  Everything here is under $100!  I have the Mexico Cookbook and not only are the recipes great, it is a gorgeous coffee table book as well.  We also have the steak knife set, I love the pretty bold colors when I set the table!

home


So many fabulous options for your home!  Nordstrom always price matches and offers free shipping and returns.  They also offer gift boxing if you wanted to send a gift.



Thanks to Nordstrom for partnering on this post! 



Wednesday, June 15, 2016

3 Veggie Sides + All White OOTD

Hello Wednesday.  I have a list a mile long of things to get done before we leave town and of course I have waited til the last minute to do it all and now I am stressed out! Today I wanted to share 3 easy veggie recipes plus an outfit.  I think I shared the cauliflower recipe on here awhile ago but I had a request to share again, so here you go!  These 3 veggie sides are made almost every week in our house.  They are easy to make and added bonus my kids will eat them and they are PICKY about veggies these days.  Monday night we had the cauliflower and okra with navy beans for our "Meatless Monday" meal. Btw I am obsessed with purple cauliflower it is such a gorgeous shade of purple.   I have been mixing it with the white cauliflower the past few times I have made this dish but feel free to just use the regular white cauliflower. 
 I hope you love these sides as much as we do!


S P I C Y  R O A S T E D  O K R A

1-2 pounds okra
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp paprika
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a bowl toss the okra with the olive oil and hot sauce and then add in red pepper flakes, garlic salt, and paprika.  Mix all together and season with salt and pepper.  Place on a baking sheet and bake 20-25 minutes.  I like my okra crispy so I cook it a little longer. 


R O A S T E D  C A U L I F L O W E R +  C H I C K P E A S

1 14-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed, drained and dried
1 head of cauliflower, outer leaves removed and discarded, cut into bite-sized florets
3 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
Coarse sea salt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon seeded mustard (i.e., grainy mustard)
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and set the rack in the middle. Toss chickpeas and cauliflower together in a large roasting pan with 3 tablespoons olive oil and a big pinch of salt. Roast, stirring now and then, until everything is dark brown and the cauliflower is quite soft, about 45 minutes. 
2. Meanwhile, whisk together mustards, vinegar, and 1/4 cup of olive oil with a big pinch of salt and a few healthy grinds of black pepper. While the chickpeas and cauliflower are still warm, toss them with the mustard dressing and the parsley. Serve warm or at room temperature.
P A R M E S A N   R O A S T E D   B R O C C O L I 
4 to 5 pounds broccoli 
4 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced 
Good olive oil 
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt 
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest 
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 
3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted 
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 
2 tablespoons julienned fresh basil leaves
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Cut the broccoli florets from the thick stalks, leaving an inch or two of stalk attached to the florets, discarding the rest of the stalks. Cut the larger pieces through the base of the head with a small knife, pulling the florets apart. You should have about 8 cups of florets. Place the broccoli florets on a sheet pan large enough to hold them in a single layer. Toss the garlic on the broccoli and drizzle with 5 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until crisp-tender and the tips of some of the florets are browned. 

Remove the broccoli from the oven and immediately toss with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, the lemon zest, lemon juice, pine nuts, Parmesan, and basil. Serve hot. 
.......................................................
I also wanted to share my outfit from yesterday.  I have been loving some all white this Summer.
I have this tee shirt in green as well and loved it so much I bought the white.  It is from the junior's section so I sized up and went with a medium because I like a looser tee shirt fit.  It also comes in black and wine.
Another all white look from last month.  These jeans are the best white jeans!  They offer the perfect amount of stretch, and are not see through.




Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Obsessions | The Cover-Up Edit

Today it is all about the Cover-up!  I love a cute cover-up.  Between boat rides, beach trips and taking the kids to the pool I feel like I am frequently in a cover-up.  
Below are a few I have my eye on and I am also sharing some personal favorites as well. 

cover ups
ONE | TWO | THREE | FOUR | FIVE SIX
SEVEN EIGHT | NINE TEN | ELEVEN TWELVE | THIRTEEN


I love this one so much I ordered a second color for our upcoming trip.  It is the softest thing ever!   Feels like you are wearing a worn in tee shirt but way cuter. 
It also comes in a long version.
also pictured: Doughnut Float+ Tote + Sunglasses


I am always a fan of anything Mara designs.  This cover-up as been my go-to lately.  I like the slouchy fit and how it ties in the front. 
also pictured: sunglasses + cooler + bathing suit

I bought this before I went to Dallas and it has been pretty much sold out but I found it in a few sizes and also in red!  
also pictured: sunglasses + earrings + tote

Mara always comes out with this swing dress in a few patterns every year.  I love this style and you can actually wear it as a dress too.  It is currently 50% off 4 patterns.  I am wearing a size XS, runs on the large side.
also pictured: sunglasses
also on major sale in this color option.


I will be packing many of these for our two upcoming beach trips in the next month!





Monday, June 13, 2016

Scenes From Our Weekend + Shaved Zucchini Salad Recipe

Happy Monday!

Thursday night I headed out for a girl's night with a few of my best friends.  We hit up The Avondale Wine and Cheese Bar which is always a favorite spot.  They have a great wine selection, and so many delicious meat and cheese choices! We devoured this platter. 
Starting to pack for vacation!
Tee Shirt + Bathing Suit + Necklace (available at Beckett Boutique in town)+ Shorts + Tote

Friday we took the kid's shark teeth hunting after dinner.  Sterling is so good at finding them.  
We caught a pretty gorgeous sunset too.

Sterling and Matt found all these in like 20 minutes. It slightly terrifies me that there were this many teeth on our beach! 

Sweet Frances Moon.
Friday's OOTD
This dress just came out in 2 new color options.  It is such a great easy tee shirt dress.   I am wearing a size 1 for reference.
Saturday was the Farmer's Market.  I have a new breakfast obsession from The Outta My Huevos food booth.  It is Carolina gold rice with local veggies, feta, chimichurri sauce and 2 eggs over easy.  It is so good.
Right after the Farmer's Market we hit up the pool because it was such a hot day!
Wearing:  Hat + Caftan

That night we met up with my parents for happy hour who were in town with some friends for the weekend.  I am so thankful I get to see them often because I really miss living in the same city.
Mom's Blouse was just restocked too, such a great white blouse.
My Outfit details:
My dress was just reduced.  It runs on the large side so size down at least one size. I am wearing a 2 but almost could have worn a 0.  It is fully lined and I really like the lace detail.

Sunday we went to church and then lunch with my Father-in-law to celebrate father's day early.  

Then a boat ride to No Name Beach.

I asked Frances Moon for a pretzel and clearly she was not in a sharing mood.
All that anger made her sleepy on the ride home.
I also wanted to mention Progeny Shoppe one of my favorite shops for the kid's is running a sale right now and most summer items are already 30% off and then you can use code SCHOOLSOUT to save another 10% making everything 40% off! 
This romper is one of my favorite outfits for Frances Moon.
A few other precious finds.  Photos by Petite Simone


A few people wanted the recipe for this Shaved Zucchini Salad I made over the weekend.  It could not be easier! 
|| S H A V E D  Z U C C H I N I   S A L A D ||
- 2 squash
- 2 zucchini
- 1 small bag sliced almonds
- fresh basil
- juice from one lemon
- olive oil
- parmesan cheese
Using a vegetable peeler slice the squash, zucchini and parmesan cheese into strips and place in a bowl.  Drizzle with olive oil, juice of one lemon and salt and pepper.  Sprinkle in basil and toss all together.  Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil on medium heat and cook the sliced almonds about 4-5 minutes stirring frequently so they don't burn.  remove from heat and place on a paper towel and sprinkle with salt.  Add to salad right before serving.
Smile Today!