Obsessions

GAP FLOPPY SUN HAT
Now that the weather has been warm here we have been spending alot of time outdoors and at the beach. I think a sun hat looks so chic. I picture this with my black strapless one piece. It is a steal from The Gap of all places!

NEAR EAST TABOULE SALAD
This is my latest lunch obsession. I make a batch at the beginning of the week and then eat it all week long for lunch. I usually serve it with hummus, pita chips, and sauteed kale. All you have to do is add hot water to the mix and let it sit for 30 mins. I always add fresh lemon juice, olive oil, chopped tomato, onion, and fresh mint to mine. This salad is so good!

INFLUENCE BY MARY KATE AND ASHLEY OLSEN
I just got this book and love it. It is filled with interviews with so many great people like DVF, Lauren Hutton and MK and Ashley. It is gorgeous coffee table book.

TIBI IKAT SHORTS
I heart these shorts. I only own plain jean shorts and I am looking to spice up my shorts wardrobe this summer. Would you believe I never owned a pair of shorts til after I had Sterling! I never thought I was a shorts type of girl. But now I love them. I think this Tibi pair is perfect because they would be cute for running errands with a white tee or dressed up with a blouse and heels!
TIBI LAYLA IKAT SHORTS

SABINE NECKLACE
I have really been into statement necklaces lately. I love this one and it is only $24! The white would go with everything!

Must Drink Cocktail + Our Weekend

I have to share with you the tastiest cocktail ever. One of my readers (Thanks Mandy) emailed me a recipe for an Elderflower Martini. I made them Friday night for my sister and I and we both loved them! It was such a fun new cocktail to try! Elderflower Liquor is so good. It is a little sweet and normally I don't like sweet drinks but the acidity of the lemon and grapefruit really helped to cut the sweetness down. We both happily went back for seconds.

ELDERFLOWER MARTINI (makes two cocktails)
4 shots Vodka
half a grapefruit squeezed
2 shots St Germain Elderflower Liquor
1 lemon juiced
Shake all in a martini shaker and enjoy.

If you aren't familiar, this what Elderflower Liquor looks like. It is a flavored liquor and so tasty. I think it would also be delish in champagne.

Here we are enjoying our martinis!

On Saturday night we had a sprinkle for my dear friend Caycee. She is due in 3 weeks and looks amazing! She is having a baby girl and couldn't be more excited! I wish I had taken more pictures but she got the cutest gifts.

My little man is obsessed with sunglasses. He wants to wear them all the time. He even accosted a little girl at the park trying to take her glasses.

If you need a new activity to try with your kids try shell painting. My friend Erin told me about this idea and Sterling loved it. We went to beach Saturday and collected shells and then sat outside and painted them. I always save old egg cartons to use to squirt the paint in, keeps the colors separated and works great. Sterling still keeps saying "paint shells." Kept him occupied for a little which was nice:)

Piperlime is having 20 percent off the whole site today, so go get your shop on!
I am thinking about getting this maxi dress. It is only $69, so with the additional 20 percent off it will be a real steal.
Ark and Co Colorblock Maxi Dress

I also really want this Michael Stars maxi dress. I love Michael Stars dresses. They fit so well and you can wash them (I hate dry cleaning it is so expensive). They have alot of stretch in them too, so you preggers girls could totally wear them now and later. This dress comes in turquoise and orange which color do ya'll like best?
Michael Stars Smocked Strapless Maxi

Can you tell I love a Maxi Dress? I live in them during the Summer! Happy Monday, hope your week is off to a great start!

The Look For Less: Color Block Maxi Dress

I blogged about this super cute Splendid Dress last week. And while it is a pretty good price for a maxi dress I found an even better deal!
{SPLENDID TEE MAXI DRESS}, $138

{F21 COLORBLOCK MAXI DRESS}, $14.50
I honestly think I like this dress even better because it doesn't cut off right at the hips. It would look so cute with a belt or a statement necklace. Consider her mine.

And speaking of Forever 21 I picked up this cute dress in the store. I could not find it online yet but it is currently in the King Street store. It came with a belt but I ditched because it looked cheapo. It is a great mustard yellow color and I see myself wearing it all summer. It has such a loose easy fit!

Thoughts For Friday

I am so excited because this weekend is the opening of the Calypso St Barth store in Charleston! I am sad because I had to miss the opening party last night. Having a kid plus a husband that works late= I never get to go to things!
I bought this cover-up/dress at the Chicago Calypso store years ago and I still love it.
Cool Change Pull On Mini

And these are two things I have my eye on in the new store:

Hanne Bloch One-Piece, Irene Ikat Skirt,

I think I want to buy a Popsicle maker for Sterling. My GF told me that she uses the leftover juice from her juicer to make pops for her son. She said he will even eat beet/veggie ones. This is genius to me since Sterling has a major aversion to most vegetables. I looked at the ZOKU one at Williams Sonoma but did not buy it. I would prefer one that would make more pops at once. But then again maybe I don't need to make that many all at once. Any recommendations? Anyone own the ZOKU?

I am hooked on this Citrus Kale salad I made for lunch the other day. Several of you asked what was in it so here is the recipe. The dressing is so good and the citrus in it helps cut the bitterness of the kale. I added fresh shreds of Parmesan to mine.

I am finally finishing up the Hunger Games books. I am on the third book, sad for it to end but this one has not been nearly as good as the first two. Next on my reading list is Fifty Shades of Gray. I keep hearing about this book and want to see what all the hype is about.

I also picked up Hoda's biography. I have kind of been obsessed with her ever since she was on Bethenny plus I love the third hour of the Today Show with her and Katie Lee. Hoda seems so sweet and down to earth, can't wait to read her story.

What are your thoughts on denim shirts? I really dig the look in picture (I think it might be Emily Maynard) but I can't get past the fact that I used to wear denim shirts in like 8th grade. Are they still cool?

I have my eye on this one by Joie. Thinking it would look cute with my colored jeans, white jeans, or black jeans.
Joie Pinot Denim Shirt

Sterling has been on Spring Break all week. I never realized how much I needed those 3 hours every Tuesday/Thursday morning. It has been a long week. and this quote is too true around here (applies to the husband too)!

Have a great weekend!

8 Things You Should Try at Trader Joe's

I have to admit when Trader Joe's first opened here in Charleston I wasn't sure what all the hype was all about. A new grocery store? What could be so awesome about a grocery store? Well primarily their prices are amazing. I can grocery shop here for super cheap and the store is filled with all sorts of fun new food items to try. I live about 20 minutes away from the Mt Pleasant store that opened here, yet I find myself making the trek pretty much every other week to stock up. I now see what all the hype was about. I thought I would share with you my staples that I buy every time I shop here. These are tried and true favorites that I love. So, now you dish and tell me what are your favorite things to buy at Traders Joe's!

WILD MUSHROOM AND BLACK TRUFFLE FLATBREAD
This is so good. I am sucker for anything with truffles in it and you can really taste the truffles in the pizza. Side note- I do always add extra cheese to ours before I bake it.

SAVORY THIN MINI EDAMAME CRACKERS
These crackers are my favorite snack. They are tiny, (which makes me think I can eat alot of them), crispy, and salty. Perfect to dip in hummus or enjoy with cheese. I buy two bags every time I go because we eat so many of them!

ARCANCINI BITES
These little rice balls are addictive. Heat them up and dip them in tomato sauce and you have the perfect appetizer or meal served with a salad. Even my little man gobbles these up.

CILANTRO JALAPENO HUMMUS
This is hummus is so good. The jalapeno and fresh cilantro combo works together perfectly. It has a slight bite to it which we love. Try dipping the edamame crackers in this, it is my favorite snack!

PICTON BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC
This wine sells for $7.99 and it is delicious. I am picky about Sauvignon Blancs I do not like it when they are too sweet. This one is not. It is light, crisp and refreshing. I always pick up a bottle or two to have on hand.

RISING SUN FARMS CHEESE TORTAS
For $5.50 a piece these tortas make the perfect quick appetizer to put out when entertaining. They both are delish but the Sundried Tomato and Pesto one is my favorite. It looks beautiful sitting out and tastes just as good.

ROSEMARY RAISIN CRACKERS
I always serve these with the Sundried Tomato/Pesto Cheese Torta. Seems like a weird combination but I promise the flavors work great together. These crackers are tasty alone or paired with plain cheese too.

ORCHIDS
The orchids at Trader Joe's are gorgeous and only $12.99. A real steal. I buy a fresh one for my house every few months. They also make great hostess and birthday gifts for friends. This is my orchid I bought there a few weeks ago on my foyer table, beautiful right?

Carmelized Onion, Mushroom, and Gruyere Tartlets

Let me start by saying these tarts are insanely good. I dare you to try and eat just one, you can't trust me. These would be great to serve at a party but I ended up making them for lunch when I had my friend Katie over. I served the tarts with a Citrus Kale Salad and it was in my humble opinion the perfect lunch- well perhaps a glass of chilled white wine would have made it better.

You can cut the tarts as big or as small as you like. I used my second largest biscuit cutter which is approx 3 inches wide. I thought the tarts were the perfect size not too small or big. I see these tarts being made very often in my future! You could honestly do any toppings but the mushrooms, onions, and Gruyere pair together perfectly. These little tarts are melt in your mouth good!



Caramelized Onion, Mushroom & Gruyere Tartlets
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
16 ounces white button mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, chopped
½ teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
¼ cup white wine (can substitute chicken or vegetable broth)
2 sheets puff pastry (thawed according to directions on package)
1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese (can substitute any variety of Swiss cheese)
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese (I like mine cheesy so I added this cheese on top)
1 egg + 1 tablespoon water, beaten together (for the egg wash)
Handful of parsley, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Heat the olive oil in a wide, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-low heat and add the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to caramelize, about 20 minutes.

3. Add the butter to the pan. Once melted, add the mushrooms and saute, stirring occasionally, until they are completely soft and all of the liquid evaporates, about 20 minutes.

4. Add the garlic and the thyme and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Add the wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to pull up all of the browned bits, and cook until all of the liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat.

6. Unfold the thawed sheets of puff pastry and cut out circles from the dough, placing them evenly spaced on the baking sheets. Using a very sharp knife, make four small scores around the perimeter of the dough, about ¼ to ½-inch from the edge.

7. Top the rounds of puff pastry with a small spoonful of the onion and mushroom mixture, trying to keep the filling within the score marks. Top with the shredded Gruyere cheese. Brush the edges of the dough rounds with the egg wash.

8. Bake until the pastry is golden brown, about 15 to 25 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Recipe and top photo adapted from The Brown Eyed Baker

Obsessions

KENNETH JAY LANE TURQUOISE STICK NECKLACE
I love this necklace in a major way. I picture pairing it with this bright orange dress I have or a black maxi dress. I think it would be so versatile and turquoise never goes out of style!

FIDDLE FIG TREE
I don't have alot of greenery in our house. I will be the first to admit I am bad about keeping plants alive indoors, but a tree seems like it would be easier maintenance. I love the look of a Fiddle Fig Tree and the way the greenery brightens up a room.

JOIE MADERA SCRATCH DOT BLOUSE
I need this blouse, really thinking about biting the bullet and ordering it. It would look great with any pair of colored jeans or shorts. The black and white dot print would go with everything! A classic blouse I feel like I would never tire of!

CONFETTI SPRINKLED LINEN COCKTAIL NAPKINS
How awesome are these cocktail napkins? Perfect for an Outdoor Dinner Party. Best part is these are homemade made with linen napkins and gold paint. Design Mom sewed her own napkins but I would totally buy a pack of pre-made napkins (because I am lazy like that) and then go to town painting. You can check out how to make your own napkins HERE on Design Mom.

CONTEMPO PROSECCO
This is my latest addiction. It is light refreshing and affordable- $8.99 a bottle currently on special, normally retails for $11.99. Now that the weather is warm there is nothing I like more than a chilled glass of bubbly. I originally was drawn to this Prosecco because of the bottle/label (I do indeed judge wines by their covers) it had a simple, clean and modern look. I bought one bottle to try and loved it so much I went back and pretty much cleaned my grocery store out. I served it at Easter Playgroup last week and it was a hit. They also make a line of wines but I have yet to try them.