Monday, June 27, 2016

Mara Hoffman Mega Summer Sale Starts Today + Back to Reality

Happy Monday Friends!  We are back in Charleston and trying to get back in the swing of things this week after a wonderful week in St Maarten.  I will share all my photos and recommendations tomorrow but today I am trying to focus on unpacking and laundry!   Sterling started nature camp today and how amazing is this view??  I wanted to stay and explore with the kids!   Charleston has some really cool Summer camps:)


I did want to share that the Mara Hoffman Summer Sale started today.  Many items are up to 70% off.  I ordered a few more things to add to my collection, I can't ever resist Mara.  Sizes are going fast so shop early for the best selection!

Here are a few items I own and love that are now on sale.  I packed several of these last week for our trip.


This is one of my favorite Mara styles.  Such a great casual dress.  I am wearing an XS.


I am wearing a medium.  I feel like her suits run on the small side.  This also comes in a lighter color option as well.


I am wearing a size small.

I am wearing a size small in this style.  I love the bright colors.

Actually borrowed this one from my mom for our vacation.   I own a few dresses in this same style though but different patterns.  My mom and I are both big fans of this style.  I am wearing size XS.

I wore this dress to a wedding recently.  This print is a favorite of mine.  I am wearing a size 4.

This tie back dress is only $80, making it 70% off.  I am wearing a size 4 for reference.
The Swing style dress in the same print is also 70% off.

Scroll through to see some other favorites all on sale.






Friday, June 24, 2016

Style Files Vol 11 | The Off Shoulder Dress x 2

Happy Friday!  This is our last full day in St Maarten.  We have had such a wonderful time and I can't wait to share some of our pictures and favorite spots we visited next week when I can upload them!  I feel like this week has both flown by and gone by slowly because I am missing Sterling and Frances Moon like crazy.  This is the longest I have been away from them.  I know once I get back home and in the grind of things I will be missing the island life but for now I am missing them and their sweet faces!

My Off Shoulder Obsession continues.  I wanted to share 2 outfits I wore this week, both off shoulder of course:)

I showed this dress a few weeks ago and most sizes were sold out but it is now restocked.  I am wearing a size small for reference.  I love how lightweight this dress is, easy to pack and I didn't have to iron it (always a plus).  It also comes in a really pretty red color.

Here is another way I styled the dress a few weeks ago.

I am a sucker for a white dress in the Summer.  I wore this one recently for dinner with my parents and knew the white would be perfect at the beach.  I found the dress on sale on several sites.
Neiman Marcus has the best price right now because today
 you can take an additional 25% off the sale price, making the dress $168 almost 60% off the original price (original price $375).  There are only a few sizes left though.  

I also found the dress on sale at Saks for $225 in all sizes.  
I am wearing a 2 for sizing reference.
Another view of the dress from a few weeks ago.  I paired it with the same necklaces.  I love these Twine and Twig colored ones for layering.
Also don't forget today is the last day to take advantage of the Shopbop sale.  Use code 25EXTRA to take an additional 25% off sale prices. 
This Equipment Dress is hands down one of the most versatile dresses I own.  I can't tell you how often I wear it!  It comes to almost 50% with the sale.  I am wearing a size small.
I just ordered this snakeskin dress, fingers crossed it fits!

Have a great weekend friends!





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.