Monday, December 12, 2016

Scenes From Our Weekend

Hello Monday.  Can you believe Christmas is 13 days away??  I have lots of shopping and wrapping left to do.  Hoping to knock it out this week!

Thursday was a long day after my girl's Christmas party.  Taco Bell was needed.  I know Taco Bell can be so gross but I secretly love it, especially a Mexican Pizza.

Later that night we met up with my parents for dinner. 
I had several questions about sizing for this sweater and it runs TTS, I am wearing a small.


For the next 2 days Baublebar is offering 30% off the site with code LOVE30.  This is a great time to buy gifts. These Crispin drops are my favorite.  They are light weight and come in so many great colors.  I am wearing the royal blue above.  
The Pinata tassels are another favorite of mine.  I wear my pink and ivory ones often but all the colors are gorgeous.



Friday morning it was so cold here!  I loved how adorable Sterling looked in his cold weather get up.

My mom and I did a little Christmas shopping and stopped in Antiques of Windemere.  Frances was really trying to convince me she needed this leopard chaise.  It was pj day at school that day hence her Christmas jammies.  

Friday night we had our next door neighbors over for happy hour.   
My blouse has the cutest split back, I own the white version too.  They are great basic blouses to dress up or down.  
What I wore:

I made sugar cookies for the kids to decorate and they had a blast! 

My neighbor Rick (he does amazing photography) entertaining the kids.

Saturday's outfit.  I ran a few errands and tackled laundry.
My sweater is now 40% off and only $23! 


I whipped up a chopped salad for dinner.  This is my favorite chopped salad I make it frequently for lunch. 
I use a combo of kale/romaine then add toppings:  chickpeas + cucumber + cherry tomatoes + hearts of palm + yellow bell pepper + red onion + kalamata olives + pepperoncinis.  
I usually just mix olive oil and red wine vinegar for the dressing.  

Sunday I took the kids to see the Nutcracker with a few of their friends.  I had grand visions of a fun afternoon but the kids weren't feeling it.  They told me they were bored a million times and kept asking when they could leave.  Then Frances started making farting noises and Sterling was asking why the boy's pants were see through. It was then I decided we should leave:)  I thought Sterling would be old enough to enjoy it but I knew Frances would be a wild card.  I will say at the Gaillard before the show they had cookies, ornament decorating and pictures with Santa that the kids really enjoyed.

Frances Moon's dress is available HERE.  If you love smocked clothes Smockingbirds has a great selection and great prices too!!  I just love her Christmas dress.

Frances Moon and her best friend Anna Louis.
Sterling and his best friend Oliver.
We didn't want to spend a ton on tickets since we didn't know how the kids would do so we were pretty high up.  I still really enjoyed the performance.  My friend Sarah and I joked that next year we would leave the kids and come alone!
This face cracks me up.

What I wore:
Have a great start to your week!





Friday, December 9, 2016

Obsessions | Under $100

Happy Friday!  I wanted to share a few goodies today that are all under $100.  These would make Christmas gifts or treat yourself:)  Check back this weekend as I will be sharing a gift guide for the men!  

gifts under $100

I ordered this and really like it. It is a great slouchy fit and I love the shade of brown.  I am wearing a size small. 

I wore it last night!

Drop Earrings more colors here and here
My earrings are also on sale for 25% off making them only $36.  I own 4 pairs I love them so much.  They are light weight and I am loving all the new colors/patterns they are coming out with.


I love the ruffle detail on this and its under $100.

I love this shade of pink.    The ruffle sleeves are so cute, it also comes in black. 

My favorite high waisted leggings are now out in full length.  Of course I ordered a pair!  

My sister in law told me about this top.  I love my lululemon tie back tops like this and this one is 1/3 the price!  So many great colors too!

For the price this scarf is amazing. The size is awesome and so is the material.


I just ordered this blouse and I will report back if it is cute.  It has one not so great review but I am hoping it is better in person.  I love the style and colors.


I saw one of these once I loved and it was $100, these are only $20.  Perfect stocking stuffer or hostess gift!  They come in 4 different colors.

I love my smashbox lipsticks they really stay on well.  This is such a fabulous deal you get all these lipsticks for $29!  I am pretty sure that is what one would cost.  
I flipped through this book the other day, and really liked it.  I love all Gray Malin's photos and this would make such a pretty coffee table book.

The cutest ruffle back sweater and it looks really cozy too!

I am loving velvet this Fall.   This crossbody is gorgeous and only $39!  I really love the dark green but it also comes in burgundy.




Thursday, December 8, 2016

Holiday Party | Food + My Outfit

Last night I hosted my annual girl's Christmas party.  This is our third year doing it and we always have a blast.  We do a dirty santa gift exchange and let me tell you the gifts are hilarious!   

I always like to dress a little festive for the party so I knew I wanted a red or green blouse.  I bought this blouse over Thanksgiving and for the price it is a winner.  Best part it is 40% off right now with code STYLEVENT, making it only $30.  I couldn't decide if I wanted to pair it with fun earrings or a statement necklace but I ended up going with the necklace.
 I am wearing a size small it runs TTS.

Here is a view of it while I am standing up so you can get an idea of the fit.  The shoulders have a really cute ruffle detail. 
If you looking for a green holiday blouse I bought this one as well and it's super cute.  The back is adorable.
I love the darker color of this one as well and both are 40% off.

The menu is always my favorite part of entertaining.  I usually do heavy apps and serve wine.  
I knew I wanted to do a cheese board.   I picked up the cheese and meat at Goat Sheep Cow my favorite local cheese shop.  They have an amazing selection of cheese, meat, and wine.  

My parents gave me this cheese board last year for Christmas and it is perfect for entertaining.  It comes in several sizes, I have the large size.  I like the large size because you can fit everything on it. 
I added honeycomb, candied pecans, olives, dijon mustard, and baby pickles to dress up the board.  
I also served:
Avocado Dip with Veggies
My next door neighbor Rick gave me this recipe and it is so easy and delicious!
To make this you just puree 1 and 1/2 avocados + 8 oz cream cheese + 1/2 white onion finely diced + juice from 1/2  lemon + 2 minced garlic cloves + salt to taste. 

Bacon Wrapped Dates
To make you just slice the dates in half but not all the way through and remove the seeds.  Then stuff with cheese, you can really use any kind I used white cheddar. They are also great with blue cheese and gruyere. Then wrap with bacon, I use the pre cooked kind.  Bake 350 degrees 15 mins or until cheese is melted.

I forgot the cream cheese layer this time around and honestly it was still great.


Spinach Artichoke Balls
I will post this recipe next week, I need to write down exactly what I put in these as I made this recipe up! 

A view of our spread.
Our tree, I am telling you I am loving having a fake tree this year!  Less mess and I think it looks pretty good! 

My favorite girls, minus two (Sarah and Lindsey) that left earlier.    Love these gals so much, I feel so lucky to have them in my life.
 Lastly, how funny are these little men drink markers??  My mom sent them to me to use for the party.  They were a big hit with the girls and then I had the genius idea to use them later with the elf.  The kids loved it.




Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Fall Harvest Pasta Salad + Holiday PJ Ideas for Her + The Cutest Stripe Top


I love love love pasta salad.  I would eat it everyday if it weren't for all the carbs.  I have a standard version that I make frequently but I am always looking for new ones.  I love the addition of sweet potatoes and broccoli in this one.  They pair so well with the creamy goat cheese and tangy dried cherries.  This is definitely best at room temperature so let it sit out about 15-20 minutes before serving.  
Enjoy! 

|| F A L L   H A R V E S T   P A S T A   S A L A D ||
adapted via Inspired by Charm

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 pound multi-colored pasta
3 cups broccoli, chopped (about 1-inch pieces)
1 cup dried cherries 
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cup poppy seed dressing  (I used the Brianna kind)
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F. Place the sweet potato pieces on a large baking sheet. Drizzle them with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and then toss. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions. You'll want the pasta to be al dente. Drain the pasta, allow it to cool, and place it in a large bowl.
To the bowl of pasta, add the roasted sweet potatoes, broccoli, dried cranberries, pine nuts, and red onions. Toss with the poppy seed dressing until evenly coated. Crumble in the goat cheese and gently stir again until combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.
Stir before serving, adding more dressing if needed.
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I don't know about y'all but I love having cute holiday PJ's.  I rounded up a few of my favorites below.   I have the gold slippers and fleece pants.  They are both so comfy.
holiday pjs

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I found the cutest blouse while shopping the other day.  It would be great for the holidays paired with a fun statement necklace or earrings.  Who doesn't love stripes + ruffles??  Sizing wise it is pretty TTS.  I am wearing a size small.  
Stripe Blouse Use code GETGIFTS to save 30% today