Thoughts For Friday

Have ya'll heard the rumors that Emily and Chris Harrison are dating?  I don't know what to make of this.  Wondering if it is true or a publicity stunt.   Supposedly she ends up with none of the guys on the show this season and is currently with Chris.  And Chris did just separate from his wife of 18 years.  I could see Emily liking Chris because he is famous and wealthy.  Hmm, makes you think...... 

We had a stellar 4th of July.  We grilled out with some friends and watched the fireworks downtown.  Managed to snap one family picture.  I love that Matt is covering his privates because Sterling kept kicking him because he did not want to take a picture!

 I went all out and got very Patriotic with my outfit this year.  And of course I start off any holiday with my favorite drink,  a Lemon Martini.  You can see the pure excitement on Sterling's face over my outfit. 

Gotta love a holiday sale.  I snagged this dress I have been eyeing forever, finally for 60% off!  Nothing makes me happier than leopard.

{A.P.C Leopard Smocked Dress}

I am officially obsessed with The Lumineers,  they are my new favorite band.  Similar to Mumford and Sons.  ITunes them, I promise you will love the song "Ho Hey."  I downloaded the whole CD and it is all I want to listen to.  I highly recommend!

I made these pesto pizzas for dinner last night.  I substituted Mozzarella because the hubs does not love goat cheese and they were amazing!  I used pre-bought flat bread (ie. Naan) and just layered with Pesto, Tomatoes, and Cheese.  Bake and Enjoy.

I am so proud of my girl, Britney.  I feel like she is really trying hard and getting her life together.  She has been looking gorgeous lately!  I miss the "Slave for you" days.  Can't wait to watch her on the X-Factor.

I have put alot of thought into this and if I could have dinner with a group of celebrities it would be: Anderson Cooper, Kelly Ripa, and Neil Patrick Harris.  Call me crazy but I think this would = the best night ever.   I have been obsessed with The Silver Fox forever and I love me some Kelly and Neil.

  

How adorable is this precious little boy?  It has me convinced I need a pair of Kelly Green boat shoes for Sterling!

 Have a great weekend!

Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip, Coconut Cookies + Happy July 4th

First of all Happy 4th of July and Happy Birthday America.  I am so blessed to live in this amazing country and so grateful for all the men and women who work so hard to protect this nation for us.  We are all so lucky to have the freedoms we do.  God Bless America.  I hope you all have a fantastic day!

I just realized I have not done a dessert recipe post in forever!  I made these cookies this weekend and they are off the hook good.  I need them out of my house stat because I have been eating 3 everyday since I made them and I may or may not have gained 5lbs in the process.  If you like cookies and stuffing your face and gaining weight then you should make these.  Perfect for a 4th of July party.  They are melt in your mouth good. 

OATMEAL, CHOCOLATE CHIP AND COCONUT COOKIES

1 1/4 c. oatmeal

1 c. flour

1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 c. flake coconut
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. oil
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all dry ingredients together in bowl. Then add oil, egg, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly. Drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly before removing from pan.

Obsessions

ANN TAYLOR PERFORATED LEATHER TOTE

Ever since I saw this purse on Melanie's blog I have been obsessed.  It was just reduced which makes me want to splurge and get it even more!  It would be the perfect everyday tote.  It looks like it should cost way more than it does.  Shocked this beauty is from Ann Taylor.

MONOGRAM PILLOW

I adore this pillow from The Zhush.  I am thinking I want to order one for Sterling's big boy room to sit on his Eames Rocker.  Love the Navy and White Combo and I think it is a bit more masculine monogram that would be perfect for my little man!

PARKER V-NECK ZIP SHOULDER BLOUSE

I am smitten with this Parker Blouse.  I love the zipper detail on the sleeve.  It would look so cute with my white jeans/shorts.  Leaning towards the pink version since I have been on quite the pink kick lately!

Side note- this blouse is from Shopbop and if you didn't know they are having their huge Summer sale right now with stuff up to 70% off!  Some great deals on there!

TURKISH KILIM RUG

Lately I have been convinced I need a Kilim Runner for my hallway to spice things up.  I found this rug on Ebay and I have been stalking it.  Such a steal at $189 directly from Turkey!

CHANEL MAGNOLIA LIPSTICK

I am obsessed with the new Chanel Magnolia lipstick.   It is the perfect shade of neutral pink.  I went to try and buy it this week at Blue Mercury and they were all sold out:(  Love it- actually love all the make-up this model is wearing.

Scenes From Our Weekend + Ebay Source

How is it Monday already??  This weekend flew by but I have to say we had a nice and relaxing weekend.

On Friday several of you asked me the source of my Ebay JCrew Necklace.

Here is the sellers page.  It looks like he currently has no similar necklaces listed but I would assume he will list more.  If you want to buy thru a different seller I always look for the top-rated sellers with high feedback.  I am pretty obsessed with mine- wore it to church Sunday.  Loving the Yellow on Yellow combo.

On Friday Sterling and I started our day at the beach.  It was so hot here all weekend so I figured best to hit up the beach before the heat set in.  Sterling looks like such a little frat star in this picture.  He even popped his own collar.

While I was home last week my mom bought Sterling these navy boat shoes and now they are all he wants to wear.  They are so cute for little boys!

{Sperry Boat Shoes}

Friday night we took a quick evening boat ride (aka booze cruise).

Here is my sexy Captain, so proud of his boat.

For some reason this year Sterling is terrfied of the boat.  He clings to me and won't leave my lap the whole time.  Last year he loved so not sure what happened.  Not that I mind the cuddling.

We managed to catch this amazing sunset.

Saturday Sterling and I hit up the Farmers Market and Glazed.  It is our new tradtion to buy our produce and then get doughnuts afterwards.  I am still dreaming of the Maple Bacon Doughnut.

Here is one outfit from the weekend.  I may or may not have worn my Coral J Brand shorts all three days.  Don't judge,  when I find something I like I wear it all the time.   Proably time to wash them though....

My sister-in-law had on the Anthropologie necklace last weekend that I blogged about awhile back but never bought.  After seeing her in it and how cute it looked I convinced my mom we needed one too, so she treated me while I was home.  Love how it is smaller and daintier than some of my other necklaces.

{Anthro Sugar Coated Necklace}

I tried out two new recipes to come later this week:)

{Puff Pastry Goat Cheese Asparagus & Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip, Coconut Cookies}

Lastly can we discuss Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes divorcing?  I am so not surprised by this.  I guess they had a 5 year contract because it has been exactly 5 years since they married.   I am quite certain Katie got sick of all his weird Scientology beliefs.  Now Tom is playing the feel sorry for me card,  acting like he had no idea she was filing divorce papers.  I find that hard to believe!  Matt still swears Chris Klein is Suri's real father.  So many questions....

Happpy Monday.  Stay Cool looks like we are in for another hot week!

Tequila Soaked Watermelon + Sale + Necklace+ Winner

Happy Friday Ladies.  I am so ready for a low key weekend here in town with my boys!  Sadly the high here this weekend is going to be 100 degrees.  That is hot- btw today I muttered to myself "it is hot as balls outside" and now Sterling keeps saying "hot as balls."  Looks like I need to check my mouth in the future.  Since it is going to be super hot everywhere I have a cool treat that is perfect to help you beat the heat, Tequila Soaked Watermelon. 

This is like a margarita infused Watermelon.  It is so light and refreshing but beware you can get tipsy off these babies.  I made them last night for our Taco Night and they were delish.  I adapted Martha Stewart's recipe.  Hers calls for triple sec and sugar but that is not how I like my magaritas anyways.  I basically made a batch of my skinny ritas and poured that over the watermelon and let it soak. 

TEQUILA SOAKED WATERMELON

1 Baby Seedless Watermelon sliced

1/2 cup good tequila ( I use Hornitos for our Ritas, it is not crazy expensive but it is good)

1-2 limes juiced

2 tablespoons agave Nectar

Coarse Salt

Layer the Watermelon in baking dish.  Mix next three ingredients and pour over Watermelon.  Let sit in fridge at least 45 minutes or longer.  Sprinkle with Coarse Salt when ready to serve.

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I know everyone and their brother has bought the Ebay JCrew Bauble Necklace and I swore I wouldn't just because of that.   Normally I try not to do what everyone else is doing but I could not resist.  I kept seeing several friends in these necklaces and they looked and felt like the real ones.  I compared in store and they seemed identical.  So call me a poser or a copy cat but I ordered one too.  For a mere $14 (its free shipping too) you can have one of these beauties.  I went with yellow and I love it.  Here is to hoping if everyone jumps off a bridge I stay strong and do my own thing.

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Pixie Lily one of my all time favorite baby lines just started their 50 percent off Summer Sale.  If you need a baby gift or clothes for your sweet baby check out the sale HERE!

I got Sterling this adorable outfit

 

I adore both of these outfits as well.  You can get the sweetest outfits for $25 and under now.  The clothes are great quality and timeless classics for babies!  Go shop some Pixie Lily now!

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Finally the winner of the SwimSpot Giveaway is:

Regina!
Regina said...

I need the St. John - Simply Chic Bandeau One Piece Bathing Suit!!
Crossing my fingers I win!

I will email you with all the details!  Congrats, I hope you love your St. John Suit!

Thoughts For Thursday

Is anyone else completely bored with the Bachelorette this season?  It has been snoozville.  The puppet date with Jef on Monday night was the most akward thing ever.  I am guessing she chooses Ari because I hear his family is loaded.  I am ready for a new season already. 

Speaking of another Reality Show, does everyone agree that Vicki is completely off her rocker on the OC Housewives?   If your daughter and all your friends hate your boyfriend you might should listen.  Also I am pretty sure he did not buy her that fur coat.  This season I actually liked Gretchen a little more and Heather became my favorite.  I did feel bad for Alexis for like a second when everyone ganged up on her but it was all true.  and can we talk about the vest her husband wore to Heather's party, what was that??

 

As Sterling and I were driving back in town from Charlotte Tuesday,  I looked in the rearview mirror and saw this.  Not sure if I should be worried or impressed at his ability.  I mean he tried to draw eyelashes and with no mirror!

This has been my latest lunch obsession lately.  Mediterrean Platter:  CousCous, Sauteed Kale, Hummus, Tomatoes and Mozarella, and Pretzel Thins.  It is so darn good and very filling!

I am loving my bright coral J Brand shorts.  They actually go with way more than I thought they would.  I am so glad I jumped on the colored jean short band wagon!  This my newest favorite color combo: Navy + Coral. 

{J Brand Cut-offs, Ann Taylor Blouse}

I think I have found the perfect red nail polish.  I found this in my mom's drawer while I was home and promptly painted my nails.  It is Essie Lollipop.  It is such a classic color.  And if you need another reason to wear it look how great it looks on Olivia Palermo.

My Tilly Maison Tray came and I love it.  She makes the best trays!  This is my second one and I am thinking of putting it on our entryway table to catch keys and mail.

 I forgot to mention yesterday I was guest posting over at Brooke's blog Decorgreat sharing my favorite and least favorite baby items.  You can check out my post HERE.   

Also stay tuned becasue I will annouce the SwimSpot Winner tomorrow! 

And I finally updated my Recipes tab.  I don't think I had added my recipes since January but now they are all there!  While updating I came across this recipe from last year that I plan to make tonight:

{Asparagus, Corn, and Mozzarella Salad}

Crab Cakes With Spicy Sriracha Aioli + Wine

I have to thank my friend Erin for this recipe idea.  She had been telling me for weeks to try Paula Deens Crab Cakes.  This was my second go at them and rest assured they are delicious y'all.  I made this meal for my dad's birthday this past weekend and it was a huge hit.  The crab cakes can be made ahead and then stored in the fridge til you are ready to fry them up.  The Sriracha Aioli makes the crab cakes pop.  We kind of just made up the aioli recipe and it turned out fantastic.  If you like a hint of heat you will love the sauce.  We served our crab cakes with Succotash, my dad's favorite.

I highly recommend serving the Crab Cakes with this Sauvignon Blanc.  So there you go: Crab Cakes + Succotash + Sauvignon Blanc = the perfect meal.

CRAB CAKES WITH SPICY SRIRACHA AIOLI

1 pound crabmeat, picked free of shells

1/3 cup crushed crackers (recommended: Ritz)

3 green onions (green and white parts), finely chopped

1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 egg

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 lemon, juiced

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon salt

Dash cayenne pepper

Flour, for dusting

1/2 cup peanut oil

Directions

In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients, except for the flour and peanut oil. Shape into patties and dust with flour.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot, carefully place crab cakes, in batches, in pan and fry until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip crab cakes and fry on other side until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Serve warm with preferred sauce

SPICY SRIRACHA AIOLI

Mayonaise

Sriracha

Wasabi Powder

Soy Sauce

Since we made the sauce up I have no measurements.  I just kind of mixed and tasted as I went.  So mix to your liking.  I would guess about 3/4- 1 cup mayo and then about 1 teaspoon of each following..