Thoughts For Friday

Who else is excited for the weekend?  We have fun Easter plans both Saturday and Sunday! 

My sweet Sterling lost his second tooth! We knew it was coming soon since the x-rays at the dentist showed his bottom 2 permanent teeth coming in. He was so excited:)

We have been in Charlotte this week and I stopped in an amazing home store, Slate Interiors.  I loved everything!!  Such cool vintage pieces. If you live in Charlotte or are visiting it is located on Central Ave.

Have you all seen the adorable Pom-Pom totes at Old Navy?  So cute!

This week I made Ina Garten's Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus with truffle butter.  It was amazing.  I highly recommend.  We served it as an app for Happy Hour.  This Chloe Pinot Grigio is also really good!

We did an Easter Egg at my parents house and my sweet Dad made the kids baskets just like we had growing up.  I still need to paint them, but they are so special.

 Sterling decided to decorate my mom's pot and I was pretty impressed with his art skills.

Found the cutest Romper at JCrew, it has tassels on the ties.

Frances in her sweet embroidered romper from Gap:)  Currently 40% off with code NEW.

While I was in Charlotte I stopped in The Wine Store, one of my favorite wine stores because they have tasting machines so you can try before you buy.  If you like rose I recommend the Lafage, ts awesome!

Can't stop dreaming about this Palm Print Mara Hoffman Dress.

The ct out back is stunning.

Found the cutest shades for Sterling and Finley.

Have a wonderful Easter Weekend!

Finicky Filly New Arrivals + Brown Box Update

Update: I wanted to clarify a few things that I keep getting questions about.  The Finicky Filly Brown Box Club is a free service.  The $18 fee for shipping is waived if you decide to keep any item in your box.  You however are not obligated to keep anything .  When you sign up for the box you fill out a questionnaire about your size and style and what price range you prefer.  Your box is then tailored just for you!   The items below are what they hand selected for me.  I did not keep all the items below, I am merely showing what they look like on me as a model  Also there are no links for the items because Finicky Filly does not have a website where you can purchase items.  They have a website but not for online ordering.  If you want to buy anything or want further pricing feel free to call Finicky Filly or check them out on the House Account App. All new arrivals are posted there.

I also do not receive a commission if you buy anything or sign up for a box.  I have denoted items I was gifted with c/o which I also mentioned at the bottom of the post.  I also purchased a few items.  I love supporting local Charleston Shops.

For my future boxes I will include prices if you want to order. I have also estimated prices for the items below, although since I have sent my box back I am unsure of exact prices.  Thanks for all the feedback.

Thanks Ladies!

Happy Thursday y'all!  I hope you guys are having a great week.  We are enjoying every minute of Spring Break so far!! 

A few weeks ago I posted about The Brown Box Club, a free personal shopping service with a local boutique here called Finicky Filly.  I know many of you signed up and why not it is such an incredible service!!  If you have not signed up and still want to you can sign up HERE. 

I decided to team up with Finicky Filly and every few weeks I will share some of their new arrivals and what was in my Brown Box.  For those of you that signed up for the Brown Box Club if you ever want to request any of the items I feature you can simply comment on Finicky Filly's House Account App under the item that you would like it be included in your next box. 

 House Account App is free and a great way to see new arrivals at your favorite stores.

 If you are not a Brown Box Member or if you just want to buy anything featured you can call 843.534.0203 to order.

My second Brown Box was even better than my first which is saying a lot.  I loved every piece.  I feel like the girls really get my style and what I like,  which is the great thing about The Brown Box Club.

Two of my favorite items that were in my box that I am sure you have seen pictured on my instagram and blog last week were these two blouses.

As soon as I saw the print and style of this blouse I knew it was keeper.  Beautiful colors for Spring and I love the loose flowy fit.  The brand is called Essential Antwerp $200 .  I had never heard of the brand before but the quality is fabulous!  The horn necklace I am wearing was also included in my box.   This blouse looks great with blue jeans, nude jeans, and white jeans- really versatile.

My shades are Ray Bans:)

Second favorite was this Joie Blouse $180 c/o.  I am a sucker for any Joie Blouse.  The floral pattern is so pretty and I love the smocked neckline and loose fit. 

Some other items in my Brown Box this month.  Before this shipment I mentioned we had two vacations coming up so my box was geared more towards some vacation items.

Annie Griffith Maxi $400 c/o || I feel in love this beauty.  The pattern is stunning in person and the fit is amazing.  This was a definite keeper for me:)  If you look on the FF House Account App this dress also comes in a beautiful pink pattern!

Soft Joie Tie Dye Cover-up $180 || This was the softest thing ever.  Perfect for lounging.

Echo Cover-up $55 || Love the colors and this cover-up was a steal under $60!

Mara Hoffman Shoes $80 || These are fabulous for the beach.

Tory Burch Wooden Purse + Annabel Ingall Clutch $300 + $200 || Two great going out purses.

Soft Joie Tassel Blouse $140 |  Great as a blouse or cover-up.

Rebecca Minkoff Romper  $290|| This romper is awesome because it looks like a two piece outfit.  The color is gorgeous in person.

The detail on the romper was so cute it was almost like tiny pom-poms!

Jewelry | I loved all the jewelry in this month's box.  I ended up keeping the tassel earrings and the pink horn necklace.

 Gorjana Leaf Earrings $40| T Marie Tassel Earrings $100 | Sangria Necklaces $65

The box also had three pairs of jeans, another dress and tee shirt.
prices range from $175-$300.

I wanted to mention that while The Brown Box Club is still a free service, they are now charging an $18 fee for packing expenses.  If you buy anything from the box, you will not be charged the fee.  If you keep nothing then you will be charged $18 to cover packing and mailing expenses. 

One additional new part of the Brown Box Club is it now comes with a feedback card that you need to fill out when you send it back.  This is simply to help the girls at Finicky Filly for your next Brown Box to know items you liked or what you would like to see more or less of next time!  Don't forget to fill it out! 
I can't wait fot my next Brown Box shipment!

- Thanks to Finicky Filly for partnering with me on this post.  I was not paid to write this but gifted some merchandise.  The Brown Box Club is still something I love and personally choose to do!  It is a fabulous service!

Asian Mandarin Orange + Spinach Pasta Salad

I absolutely love coming home.  My parents always take such good care of me.  This was the lunch that my Mom made the day I arrived in town.  It was so delicious and full of such flavor.  The dressing is amazing.  It would be great on a salad or even fish or meat as well.  I also think next time I may add in some cheese,  thinking either Parmesan, feta or goat cheese.   This would be perfect for a Summer picnic or even outdoor dinner party.  You could even serve it with some grilled eat like chicken or shrimp!  Saves well in the fridge for several days and is best served at room temperature!

Enjoy!

|| A S I A N   M A N D A R I  N  S P I N A C H   P A S T A   S A L A D ||

Thank you to everyone who alerted me to the original source of this recipe.  The recipe was passed to my mom from a friend on a note card so I had no idea.

via Creme de La Crumb

-8oz Bowtie Pasta

- 4 cups spinach

- 1/2 crasins or dried cherries

- 1/3 cup pine nuts

- 4 oz can mandarin oranges

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

DRESSING

1/3 cup teriyaki sauce (recommend Kikkoman)

1/3 rice wine vinegar

1/2 garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp salt and pepper

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 cup olive oil or canola

Whisk all dressing ingredients together.  Cook pasta according to box.  Drain and place in large bowl.  Add in other salad ingredients and pour dressing over.  Toss all together and enjoy!

My Favorite $15 Dress!

Alright ladies, I have to share with you this dress that is only $15!  I know hard to believe, right??  I am pretty smitten with mine.  It is light weight and the perfect little Summer Dress, plus it comes in 5 different colors ( also comes in cream, coral, blue, and olive).  Buy one of each and its still under $100!  I bought two I loved mine so much!

For those curious it runs TTS, I am wearing a size small.

Dress | Necklace | Sunglasses (back in stock!) | Tote | Sandals

I am sucker for this mustard color, I always seem to love it.  Plus I love it paired with the turquoise for Summer.  

My turquoise rice bead necklace is made my my local friend Deirdre and designer for Candy Shop Vintage.  I toss it on with everything!  I also love the coral version for Summer.

My sunglasses are also just back in stock.  I have the tortoise shell version but they also come in black.

The sandals are a Summer favorite and under $75.  A great nude sandal that goes with everything.

This tote is a must have, especially if you have kids.  It still looks chic but can fit all your baby stuff plus your personal stuff inside.  You can also easily wipe it down.  I had mine monogrammed which I especially love.

I am pretty certain I will be living in this dress all Summer.

You can shop my whole look below.

Photo Credit || The amazing Rick Dean Photography

Scenes From Our Weekend

I don't know about ya'll but it was cold here this weekend!  At least cold for Charleston March standards.  Luckily the sun was out so it was at least gorgeous. Today starts Spring Break.  I am excited for a week with no real schedule!

Friday for lunch I decided I had to have some chips and queso.  I stopped by Barberitos for a kick ass burrito and cheese dip.  Their queso is some of my favorite.

Friday early evening I stopped by the Shop Buru Event.  Shop Buru is a fantastic website filled with all my favorite designers.  They travel with a van filled with clothes so you can shop in person. Frances Moon and I had a blast shopping.

I picked up the cutest tee shirt for Frances Moon.

Pants are from Tarjay.

I got myself this gorgeous Mara Hoffman Dress.

It is the perfect casual Summer Caftan Dress.  Also comes in a beautiful lavender color.

Friday night was ended in my pjs (which Matt said looked like I was going to jail) with a vodka cocktail and the rest of House of Cards, we powered through the 3rd season.  I liked it but not as much as the first two seasons.

Saturday I decided it was time for a run.   Everyone was doing the bridge run but I don't do bridges nor 6 miles, so I did my short run and caught a glimpse of some of the hard core bridge runners:)

After my run we headed to Sterling's first soccer game of the season.

I think little kids are just adorable in uniforms.

Then we hit up Smokey Oak for a delicious Southern lunch.

Their chicken tenders and sides were on point!

My brother was in town for the bridge run so we had him and his wife over for happy hour.  I don't get to see him nearly enough so it was great to catch up.

Wearing my Tassel Candy Shop Earrings that are a new favorite.

Jeans | Shoes

We ended the weekend some Rose and a sweet happy hour spread.

Serval of you wanted to know where I found my marble cheese board. I was lucky and scored this at TJMaxx but here are a few that are really similar that I like:

Marble Tray 1 | Marble Tray 2 | Marble Tray 3 (this one comes with a set of gold cheese knives)

 

I made another recipe from Ina Garten's new cookbook | Parmesan Chive Smashed Potatoes. 

 It was so good.  Ina never disappoints.

1 pound mixed small Yukon Gold and red new potatoes, scrubbed
-Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
-3 tablespoons good olive oil
-½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
-2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
-Fleur de sel or sea salt

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Place the potatoes and 1 tablespoon salt in a large saucepan and add enough water to cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 17 to 20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a skewer. Drain the potatoes and place on a sheet pan. With a potato masher or metal measuring cup, press each potato until it’s about ½ inch thick (they will be messy). Toss the potatoes with the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¾ teaspoon pepper.

Roast the potatoes for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once, until the skins have become nicely browned. Sprinkle the potatoes with the Parmesan cheese and roast for another 2 to 3 minutes, just until the cheese melts. Sprinkle the potatoes with the chives and fleur de sel and serve hot.