Found it: The Perfect Chambray Shirt

Good Monday Morning Ladies!  I am happy to report I am back from vacation, well rested and ready to tackle the world including the extra 5 lbs I gained while consuming way too much of anything and everything at the beach!

 The good news is, I have finally found the perfect Chambray Shirt.  Trust me when I say I have looked everywhere:  JCrew, Old Navy, Gap the list goes on.  Every shirt I tried on was too thick of a material, the wrong shade and/or made me look butch (ladies you all know what I am talking about,  some button-ups can make you look butch).  While on our beach vacay, my sister in law was wearing the cutest Chambray Shirt.  She let me try it on and it was love at first site. 

I introduce to you the Madewell Chambray Ex- Boyfriend Shirt in Ferrous Wash

Here is what I like about this Chambray shirt compared to others: 

• Fitted but not too fitted.
• Love the lighter blue color
• Super light weight.
• Super comfortable and cute

Right now I love pairing the shirt with my white jean shorts.  Added bonus it looks cute with all my statement necklaces. (Don't mind the dead orchid in the corner of the top picture, I swear I can't keep any indoor plants alive).

  This is how I would rock the Chambray shirt this fall with two different looks.

{Madewell Chambray Ex-Boyfriend Shirt, 7 for all Mankind The Skinny Jeans, JBrand Skinny Jeans, Matt Bernson Leather Booties, Tory Burch Eddie Flats, Rachel Zoe Necklace, American Outfitters Scarf}

Ladies, seriously go to your nearest Madewell store or order online here.    It is free shipping and no sales tax for us Charleston gals or any city that doesnt have an actual Madewell storefront.  Trust me, you are going to want to add this shirt to your closet. 
Heads up it runs on the large side.  Mine is an extra-small and I usually wear a small, so order accordingly!

Cucumber Gimlet + Friday Randoms

I am writing this post from our balcony over looking the ocean, savoring our last day of beach vacation.   This has been a much needed week of relaxation for me and my family.

I wanted to pop in today and share a new cocktail we made this week that was hit with everyone.  I introduce to you the Cucumber Gimlet.  It is light, refreshing,  and ridiculously good.

It all started with our girls lunch at a restaurant here in Pawleys Island called Chive Blossom.  We all ordered the Cucumber Gimlet and became obsessed with it.  We knew we had to recreate it!

The original recipe at Chive Blossom called for Gin but all of us ladies subbed Vodka for Gin.  Is it just me or does Gin taste like Christmas trees?  I just can't drink it.  Could also be the fact that in college my drink of choice was gin and tonic.  I drank so many of those I will never touch it again.   This cocktail is pretty simple, all you need is Vodka, Cucumber, limes,  and a touch of simple syrup.

CUCUMBER GIMLET

- 1 English Cucumber peeled and half finely diced, half sliced

-6-7 limes

-1/2 cup simple Syrup (simmer 1/2 cup sugar in 1 cup of water on stove til sugar has melted)

-Vodka

Take the diced cucumber and the juice of 6 limes and slightly puree in a blender with ice. You don't want it to be pure liquid just slightly pulsed.  In glasses add ice and few pieces of the sliced cucumber.  Pour about a shot glass worth of the pureed cucumber/lime mix over the ice in a glass and add in 2 shots of vodka and let it sit for a few minutes.  It helps to let it sit to infuse the cucumber flavor in the vodka.  After a few minutes add in simple syrup to your liking.  We each added in about 2 teaspoons per drink.  You can make as sweet as you want but we don't like our drinks too sweet.  We also squeezed an additional half a lime over the top of each drink.

Enjoy!

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I found a new nail polish color I am obsessed with thanks to my sister- Essie E-nuf is E-nuf.  It is a gorgeous color.  Perfect for the end of Summer.

 I had to share our attempts to try and get a family photo this week.  We really don't have many photos of the three of us so I really wanted a good one.  This is so not easy with a two year old.  This was the beginning of the week.  Pretty standard he cries everytime the camera comes out.

{Attempt One}

{Attempt Two}

This time he wouldn't take his hands out of his mouth.  Plus my hair is a hot mess.

{Attempt Three}

Finally by the end of the week we got this quasi successful picture.  We are totally shaded out by the sun but oh well at least we are all looking at the camera!

Also, just because I can't resist, I have to share one picture of my little man looking adorable.  This is our last summer in jon-jons so I have to relish it!

In keeping with my fabulous guest posts from this week, I purchased the first item for Sterling's Big Boy Room at a shop here in Pawleys Island.  How adorable is this Burlap Pillow?  I am going to use it on his Eames Rocker.

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Lastly,  I am guest posting over at Lindsay's blog Sadie + Stella.

 I am sharing my recipe for this amazing Butterbean and Shaved Zucchini Salad. Trust me you are going to want to make it,  and frankly I need to eat it everyday next week to make up for all the junk I consumed this week.  You can check out my recipe HERE.

Have a great weekend!  I will be savoring every last minute til back to reality Monday!

Pawleys Island Posh: Design For Sterling's Big Boy Room

To finish off Sterling's big boy room series I have my real life friend and blogging bestie,  Julia from Pawleys Island Posh.

 I seriously adore Julia and I am so sad she no longer lives right around the corner from me.   She is a sweet Southern girl with two of the cutest kids around.  I am already scheming ways to get Sterling set up with her gorgeous daughter Wells.   Julia can do pretty much anything and she does it all well.  She cooks, she paints amazing art, she is always working on some fabulous DIY projects,  she has great taste in fashion, and she puts together a mean mood board.  Girl can really decorate.   I am so happy to have her here today sharing her vision for my sweet boy's room.   I can already tell you I need a piece of her artwork in his room!  Thanks for an amazing design Julia!
 xoxo
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Hey friends!  I'm Julia from Pawleys Island Posh and I'm so thrilled to be here filling in for Nat while she's in Pawleys.  I actually live in Richmond now so I'm super jealous of her sandy beach trip!

She's asked me to design a little board for Sterling's Big Boy Room to share with all of y'all.

For those of you that don't know our girl Natalie in real life, let me tell you she's every bit as pretty and nice as she seems on her blog.  And Sterling is even cuter in person.  Let's chat about that.

His big eyes and longer than life eyelashes, curly hair, cute clothes, and that smile.  

He immediately made it onto Wells' very short approved dating list!

It's a very masculine little man room.  I'm not into children's rooms that are dumbed down with "kids themes" just because they're young.  I think this promotes adventure and imagination.  And it's full of pieces with good bones that can grow with him.  Pretty much all of this can be used in his first apartment in college so your investment is well spent.

It's very similar to how I plan to design my baby boy Tagg's room when he upgrades from his crib and changing table in a few years.

But without further ado, here's my interpretation of Sterling's new room!

Sadie+Stella Sterling's Big Boy Room Design

Today I am pretty pumped to have Lindsay from Sadie + Stella sharing her ideas for Sterling's big boy room.  

Lindsay has quickly become one of my favorite reads everyday.  She is not only hilarious but has a great eye for design as well.  And in case you are wondering Sadie and Stella are her two adorable fur babies!  Of course I am loving her entire board, girl has serious talent.  Take it away Lindsay!

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Hi DBDD lovelies! I am Lindsay from Sadie + Stella and I am totally loving Natalie's digs over here. The irony is that while I am guesting for Natalie today because she is on vacay, I am actually doing the same! Sunning myself out on the seas on a serious cruise. Natalie and I are vacationing together remotely. I am sure you are all FULLY aware and knowing of Natalie's perfect son, Sterling. I mean let's be honest here. He is baby model worthy! Just want to put him on a freaking Gerber jar. Well, Sterling is becoming quite a young little man and he needs to the room to match his new found maturity. Don't all men? I have compiled what I find to be the perfect room for a classy yet adventurous young little man. 

Get the Look: Chair/Porthole Mirrors/Headboard/Art/Art/Art/Sconces/Rug/Striped shams/Solid Shams/Federalist Mirror/Bedding/Table/Hippo

If I had a son, I would totally be implementing this design ASAP. Since I do not, I will fashion this room for Stella. She likes all types of style...

Thank you so much for having me today while Natalie and I are both off frolicking and working on our burn, I mean tan. Loves!

Things That Sparkle: Sterling's Big Boy Room Design

Today I am so excited to have Alex from Things That Sparkle sharing a design for Sterling's big boy room.  

As you all know I am in the process of starting to work on his room and thought why not get some inspiration from my favorite bloggers.  Alex is insanely talented, gorgeous, and sweet.   Everytime I see one of her designs I am blown away- including her house it is design perfection   So I knew she would have some killer ideas for Sterling's room.  I love the masculine rustic feel of the room.  Thanks for a fabulous design Alex!
xoxo
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Hi DB&DD readers! I am Alex from Things That Sparkle and I am so excited to be here today filling in for Natalie and offering some inspiration for Sterling's Big Boy Room!

My idea came from the idea of rustic elements mixed with geometric, more modern patterns.

The grey, taupe and blue is masculine but still perfectly fitting for a growing young man.

bedding

bed

pillows

clock

rug

pendant 

paint: dolphin fin by behr

 Cannot wait to see what you end up doing Natalie. I know it will be adorable!

 

Scenes From Pawleys + She's Got Style

Happy Monday Friends.  First off I am over at Eileen's blog A Creative Day, 

 today participating in her She's Got Style series.  I am sharing one of my favorite outfits and how to transition it to fall.  And get excited I learned how to do a clothes mood board, you should be impressed because I am pretty proud of myself.  Here is a sneak peak.  You can read my whole post here and show Eileen some blog love!

As most of you know I am on vacation this week.  I have a few posts lined up for the next few days but thought I would pop in today and share some pictures from our weekend here at Pawleys Island.  We are having the best time.  This is our beach house, my parents did an awesome job picking out our house this year.   We are beach front and then have the marsh with a dock behind us- and yes Matt towed the boat here, of course.

We have spent alot of time on the dock fishing.

This is me repulsed that Sterling actually touched these fish and picked them up.  I am trying not to freak out.   Typical boy.

I have enjoyed many glasses of wine on our back deck.

We celebrated Matt and my Sister-in-law Katie's Birthdays with the most amazing cupcakes.  If you live Charlotte please do yourself a favor and pick up cupcakes from Gigi's- in Sharon Corners Shopping Center.  These cupcakes were off the hook amazing.  everyone loved the Banana Pudding ones and the Cookie Dough ones.

Had some alone time with my man, so nice having so many babysitters around:)

 

Sterling is having the best time getting spoiled by everybody.  

 Best of all we keep having the most amazing sunsets every night.  Look at this view.

I hope you all have a great week.  I am off to sit on the beach and read and relax- BTW I am reading Gone Girl Thanks for the recommendations!  Check back tomorrow for a great guest post from Alex at Things That Sparkle!  xoxo

Thoughts For Friday

I have to admit I have not been glued to the Olympics like most people- don't judge I just have a short attention span for sports and they make me so anxious.   I used to get so anxious at my little brother's basketball games.  Competitive sports bring out crazy anxiety in me!   I have tuned in for a few events mainly the swimming for one reason: Ryan Lochte.  Ok, is he not incredibly sexy?  I can't take my eyes off him and that body.

My little man has decided he now wants to dress himself.  He pitches a fit if I put him in something he doesn't like.  Makes me a little sad that our days of smocked outfits and jons-jons are coming to an end.  This is what he picked out this week.  Jeans and a sweater hat for 90 degree day + a t-shirt.  Ugh.

Went to an event for Fringe Boutique last and scored this adorable Maxi dress.  You can order one here.  Super affordable and super cute!

We are headed to the beach tomorrow for a week long vacay with my whole family!  I seriously live for this week every year.  We always have so much fun.  To spice things up a bit I am making infused Strawberry Vodka.  To use for Strawberry Basil Martinis.  I will report back if it is as good as it looks!

The Gap Friends and Family Event started yesterday and lasts thru Sunday, if you enter the code GAPFRIENDS, you get 30% off your entire purchase.  I think I am going to get a pair of these ankle zip jeans for fall.  Also loving the stripe cardigan.   They look so cute together and I feel like they would pieces I would wear often.

{Gap Ankle Zip Jeans, Stripped Drape Front Cardigan}

I also really want these for my little man.  They are skinny and kind of trendy but I think paired with a button up or classic sweater they would be so darn cute.  and with 30% they are pretty good deal!

{Colored Skinny Jeans}

I am smitten with this new Zucchini recipe I found on WayWay's blog.  It is so delish.  I had it for dinner and then again for lunch the next day.  Lately I can't get enough zucchini!

It is so simple all you do is slice Zucchini and roast with olive and oil and salt pepper at 400 degrees for about 20 mins.  Take out of oven and while warm toss with dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic and S&P.  Then add fresh basil and Parmesan cheese!

In case you are wondering my big "detox" lasted one day.  I am pathetic.  Oh well,  I ran today to combat the booze and food.  I am just not a summer dieter.  I have some great guest posts lined up for next week while I am vacationing,  involving designs for Sterling Big Boy Room, trust me you are going to want to see these!  Hopefully I will be back with a few pics from vacay to share as well.   Have a great weekend and stay cool!