Obsessions

I can't believe April is half way over already! This year feels like it is flying by! Here is what I can't stop obsessing about this week!
xoxo

ROBERT PATTINSON

Yes, I admit I am a Twilight fan. Loved the books and especially love Robert's character. He is so darn good-looking! I can't wait to see Water for Elephants. I loved the book and I couldn't think of two better actors to play the lead roles. I am loving that Robert is making all the rounds on the morning shows this week. Why does he have to date bad attitude Kristen? He is way too Hot for her!

THIS ROOM

It is perfection. I love the wall color, furniture, art work and especially the rug. GORGEOUS!

MY FATHER'S DAUGHTER

I can't wait to test out some of the recipes in here, starting with the Tuna Burger. I saw GP make it on Regis and Kelly and it looks delish and super easy. Fresh tuna and ginger is the perfect combo in my book!

BEADED CLUTCHES FROM BANANA REPUBLIC

How awesome are these beaded clutches from Banana Republic? I love the turquoise one, perfect for a summer night out! Via

TIBI MAXI DRESS



I am seriously obsessed with Tibi. I would fill my closet with their entire Spring/Summer line if I could. This dress is way out of my price range, but I love it! via

MY HERB + VEGETABLE GARDEN

I finally finished planting all my herbs this weekend: Rosemary, Basil, Thyme, Parsley and Chives. There is nothing better than growing your own fresh herbs. I have already been using the basil like crazy! I also planted some arugula, mixed greens, jalapenos and habanero peppers. If our yard wasn't so sandy I would grow all kinds of vegetables, it is so rewarding to grow your own.

Review Time

I ended up ordering the black version of this dress, that I blogged about last weekend since they sold out of my size in the floral one.


I figured for $30 plus free shipping it was worth a shot. Well, I should have to stuck to my original opinions about Old Navy. The dress was a poor fit. I have a curvy figure and the drawstring waist did nothing but make me look wide. It bunched up in all the wrong places and just looked unflattering on me. This might be cute on someone with no hips that is super skinny. The material also felt cheap to me, but I expected that from Old Navy. I promptly returned this, but I am at least glad I tried it on and gave it shot. I still think the floral one looks super cute on all the celebs.




I also tried on these two one pieces at Old Navy (sorry no pics of that, I am not brave enough to post my bathing suit bod online). They were super cute. I didn't buy either because I already own so many bathing suits, but if you need a one piece for the summer these were flattering and only $29.50. The black was my favorite, it looked like an expensive suit. It was low cut but classy at the same time, plus the ruching at the stomach would cover any bulges!




You all know I love the Tracy Anderson Mat DVD so I decided to step it up and try out her Metamorphosis DVD's series.



Don't judge but the infomercial did inspire me to order these DVDS. The results looked amazing and we all know how fab Gwynnie looks from her TA workouts. What this consists of is a set of 4 DVDS, one cardio and three body sculpts. 6 days a week you are to do the 30 minute Cardio DVD followed by a 30 minute Body Sculpt DVD. The Body Sculpt DVDS change every 10 days so your body never gets used to the same workout. This is a 90 day program so you get 9 different Body Sculpt workouts.

I am on day number 3 of this and it is the hardest workout I have ever done. 5 minutes into the cardio I wanted to call my mom and cry but I powered through. It is alot of jumping and leg lifts, you never stop for 30 whole minutes . After it was done I wanted to crawl into fetal position but I popped in the Body Sculpt DVD thinking this must be easier. I was wrong! The arms and abs part is pretty easy but the leg portion is killer. My butt and thighs burned like never before! I honestly think it would be easier to run 6 miles.

That being said I can tell this is going to produce some results, I am sore in places all over. I am not necessarily looking to lose weight, although 5 lbs would be nice. I am really looking to tone up for summer. I figure I better bust out a bikini this year before I have my next baby and its even harder to lose the weight! I highly recommend this DVD series if you are dedicated, don't mind sweating and feeling like you want to die afterwards. But seriously this is a good workout! I heart Tracey and want my body to look like hers or Gwyneth's so I will be sticking with this workout.

Lastly, I want to give a shout out to my girlfriend Jill.



She just returned from Florence and brought me back this gorgeous leather clutch for my birthday! I am smitten with it!



We went to church yesterday and then to brunch that lingered on until 3! Sometimes spending time with a girlfriend is just what the doctor ordered after a long week! We had alot of girl talk and enjoyed some seriously delicious champagne. I highly recommend this Rose Brut Bouvet Champagne.




and if you live in Charleston you can't beat the service and food at Rue de Jean!




Happy Monday! Hope you all are having a great start to your week!

Rose Gold Love

Lately I have been loving Rose Gold. I think it is such a flattering color for all skin types. I also think it is a nice change from the standard Gold and Silver look. These are a few pieces I have my eyes on at my favorite online shop, SHOPBOP! Anyone else love Rose Gold? I don't actually own anything Rose Gold at the moment but that just might have to change!

Halston Heritage Ruffle Chiffon Dress

Halston Heritage Pleated Chiffon Long Dress

Dannijo Cocktail Ring

Dalia Nonna Rose Gold Little Letter Necklace

Micheal Kors Rose Gold Watch

Erica Klein Rose Gold Drip Earrings

I am especially loving the letter necklace. I would love that with an "s" for Sterling. So sweet!

Happy Friday! I hope all you lovelies have a wonderful weekend! xoxo

As Promised

So I must confess I feel totally silly posting pictures of myself solo. But, I do love to stalk other people's blog's that show themselves in their outfits. It is great inspiration for me. As promised, here are pics of me in a few of my birthday outfits and the deets on where to find them.

First up is my Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Dress, that I blogged about Here. The small fit perfect and I can't get enough of the vibrant pattern.

The dress is now sold out online at Bloomingdales but Piperline and ShopBop both have it on their websites.

Next is my lovely DVF top. I absolutely love it! I have already worn it several times. Is it wrong I want the yellow version too? It is the perfect summer top with jeans or shorts. Only problem is Sterling loves to tug on the tassels that hang down! Excuse my giddy smile here, I have had like 3 glasses of wine:)

The yellow version is available online at Bloomingdales

This is my Tibi Dress I wore the first night of my Birthday week to dinner at Husk. I love this dress. Matt said the pattern on the dress looked like the crazy photo backgrounds they used to have when you did your Junior High Pictures, but I don't care. What does he know about fashion? I think it is cute and I love the geometric print and colors.

Dress is on sale right now at Bloomingdales

My last outfit is the Tibi top I wore out to celebrate with my girlfriends. I got the most comments about this top wondering where to buy and what brand it was. My mom actually bought it for me at a Boutique here in Charleston called I Heart. If you live in Charleston, they have great Tibi stuff!

I searched online and the only place I could find this top was at Tibi.com. They actually have it two different colors.

So there you have it, a few pics of me in my clothes. At some point I hope to learn how to use the self timer on my camera so I don't have to snap the pics of myself. Until then you will be getting IPhone pics. Now its ya'lls turn to show me some of your favorite outfits!

Sausage, Chard, and Lemon Lasagna

For some reason I randomly get a subscription to Martha Stewart Living. I don't love this magazine but I do love the recipes in it. This magazine is filled with tons of crafts and DIY projects. I don't mind an occasional DIY but I kind of hate crafts. I don't have the patience to make paper machie Easter Eggs or a bouquet of flowers from paper. But that's just me! No offense to those of you who love to craft, I wish for Sterling's sake I enjoyed it! The recipes in this magazine never disappoint though.

This recipe comes from the March 2011 Issue and the lasagna is truly amazing! I made it last week while my mother-in-law was visiting and we all loved it. I mean honestly I can't say enough good things about this recipe. It was very easy to prepare, as far as lasagnas go. I also love that it is filled to the brim with swiss chard one of the leafiest, healthiest greens for you! I highly suggest you try this recipe out!

Swiss Chard if you have never seen it before, because Matt thought Swiss Chard was a type of cheese:)

The Parmesan Cheese and Swiss Chard Sauce

Boiled Lemons

Cooked Sausage, I used Hot Italian Sausage because we like it spicy in the Mason House.

Assembled and Ready to bake!

Pure Deliciousness!

Sausage, Chard and Lemon Lasagna

Ingredients
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (about 4 ounces)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
5 cups coarsely chopped Swiss chard (about 1 bunch)
1 pound sweet italian sausage, casings removed
1 lemon, very thinly sliced
6 no-boil lasagna noodles, preferably Barilla

Directions

1.Melt butter in a saucepan over high heat. Stir in flour; cook for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring. Reduce heat. Simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Whisk in 3/4 cup cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir in chard.

2.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook sausage in a skillet over high heat, breaking up pieces, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes.

3.Cover lemon slices with cold water by 3 inches in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 7 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon.

4.Spread 1/4 cup sauce in an 8-inch square nonreactive baking dish. Top with 2 noodles, half the sausage, and 1 cup sauce. Repeat. Top with a layer of lemons, 2 noodles, then remaining sauce and lemons. Bake, covered with parchment-lined foil, for 27 minutes.

5.Remove from oven. Heat broiler. Uncover lasagna; top with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Broil until bubbling, 2 to 3 minutes.

Print Recipe HERE

Obsessions- Hanging With the Hewitts

Today I am super duper excited to have my true life friend Caycee sharing her Obsessions. I love this girl to pieces and feel so lucky to have her in my life. She is drop dead gorgeous (aka Jessica Simpson's twin) and has the biggest heart ever! If you have never checked out her blog it is a must read!! Thanks for guest posting today Caycee, can't wait for our next wine date:)



Hello to all you designer bags and dirty diapers readers! As many of you know Natalie and I are friends in real life, and get to have a date together once a week, jealous yet? The girl is just as funny, beautiful, and sweet in person as she is in blog land! We swear we were sisters separated at birth, and over the last year I really feel like we are sisters ;) OK enough rambling, on to the things that I am obsessing over right now!

 All white nursery's- really is there anything better? I have been obsessed with these for quite a while, and have a feeling this will never change! next baby(if I can be talked into doing it again) is totally getting an all white nursery!

Under Armour running shorts- Girls if you run, or even if you don't I highly recommend these! They are the perfect length, don't poof in the crotch, and make the booty look fabulous! Absolutely my favorite workout shorts!

Tory Burch- Need I say more! love everything this beautiful lady makes! I know this is something me and my girl Nat have in common. Here are a few of my favorite things right now!

 

Lily Pulitzer- The girl can do no wrong! To say I love Lily would be a understatement, honestly if I had it my way my closet would be Lily from top to bottom. 

Like this?

 

Last, but certainly not least, these two precious boys! Yup it's safe to say they are a big obsession! I don't know what I would do without these two sweet souls in my life! 

Thanks so much for having me over today Natalie, this was fun!

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