Obsessions

DVF AINIA DRESS

This dress reminds me a little of the popular Heidi Merrick Dress from last season that I never got my hands on.  Love the navy/pink combo.  Would be super versatile and it is less than the HM version.

MINNETONKA MOCCASINS

Sterling's Minnetonkas that we ordered for fall just came and I could not be more obsessed.   I mean how freaking cute are these for little boys?  They also have a cute girls selection and they are affordable compared to other kids shoes. I found mine here:)

TRADER JOE'S HERB POPCORN

Thanks to my friend Katie I demolished half a bag of this yesterday while shopping at TJ.  She recommended I try it and I loved it (so did Sterling).  It is full of flavor and a great snack!

Best part is a bag is only $1.99.

METALLIC SUBWAY TILE

Adore this tile.

PRAYER

We have really been working with Sterling trying to teach him to say his prayers at night before bed and before we eat.  Love this sweet simple prayer for before meals.



Blouse Hoarder

Confession I have a thing for blouses.  They are probably my favorite clothing item to buy.  Ask any of my friends who have peeked in my closet and they will tell you they are shocked at how many I own.  Here is a sneak peek in my closet.....
The whole top row is pretty much filled with blouses.

Since I love blouses so much and you know I will be adding some new ones to my wardrobe for fall. I thought I would share my top blouse picks for this fall.

[EQUIPMENT KEIRA PYTHON BLOUSE]

This blouse is python, enough said.  It is perfect in my book.

[JOIE MARLO BLOUSE]

I am obsessed with this blouse.  I own one and I want it in every color.  It is the perfect blouse with skinny jeans.  Since it is solid it is great to dress up with fun necklaces.

[JCREW SHORT-SLEEVE CREPE BLOUSE]

I am obsessed with this blouse.  I love the Cabernet and Burnished Rose colors for fall.  JCrew always makes the best blouses.

[GREYLIN INK FAUNA RUFFLE SLEEVE BOW FRONT]

Everybody needs a tie front blouse in their wardrobe.  It is great for professional things but also looks just as chic with skinny jeans for casual wear.  I love the pattern on this one and it is a steal at less than $100.

[MADEWELL SILK PEPLUM TOP]

I am dying to add a Peplum top to my wardrobe and I think this is the perfect one.  It is a great price and I always love all my Madewell pieces.  It comes in ivory and pink, both would be fab for fall.  Another great piece that could be worn for work or play.  This would look so cute under a blazer.

[TIBI PRINTED EYELET TIE BACK TOP]

I love this top.  I so wish I had bought the dress version awhile back.  This is on my fall wishlist.  Not cheap but such a cool blouse.

[GREYLIN SILK BUTTON-UP BLOUSE]

This is such a great classic blouse to have in your closet.  It looks good with shorts, jeans, skirts, you name it.  I own it in pink and wear it all the time. A great blouse that you can dress up or down.  I am loving the green or navy for fall.  It is also under $100.

Thoughts For Friday

Have you gals heard about the new jeans by 7 for All Mankind called "The Slim Illusion" Skinny jeans.  They are fan freaking tastic.  Please do yourself a favor and order a pair for Fall.  They suck you in, like seriously suck you in and I swear they make you look 5 lbs thinner.  Its likes spanx but jeans!  For all you moms they sit a little higher on the waist,  which I love to suck in my muffin top.

This is how the 7 For All Mankind team describes them "Intense stretch creates a sexy slim silhouette. Exclusive technology provides total shape recovery. Makes you feel at least one size smaller. Tighter construction creates a perfect fit."

 I just got them in the Blackberry (dark purple) color for fall and love them. I love them so much I am seriously considering getting another pair.  I will post some pictures soon but trust me on this one and go ahead and order a pair STAT.  They come in some really fab colors for fall.

{Slim Illusion Ginger}

{Teal Slim Illusion}

{Slim Illusion Blackberry}

{Slim Illusion Fuchsia}

 

While I was at the beach I read Gone Girl and Where We Belong.  Both were great reads, I highly recommend them.

 Next, I just picked up Bringing up Bebe to start reading.  I heard it is super interesting about the differences in how the French discipline and raise their kids compared to the US.  I need all the help I can get, because my little man has turned into quite a handful these days!

How great are these monogrammed hand towels from Etsy?  They are only $22.90 for the pair.  You can do any mix of colors but I am loving the pink and orange.  I think this would be such a cute hostess gift.  Check out the Etsy Shop  HERE.

I am really digging Gwyneth Paltrow's Boho look at the End of Watch movie premiere this week.  Love the dress, although I might would have preferred her hair straightened.

Our Strawberry Infused Vodka we made for our beach trip was a huge hit.  All we did was quarter a pint of strawberries and then pour a fifth of vodka over it.  Let it sit in a cool dark place for 4 days and then enjoy.  We served ours over ice and it was delicious!  You must make this!

This Ecard cracks me up.  Only because Matt and I joke it about it all the time.  Our recycling bin is usually filled with beer and wine bottles:)

We don't have too many plans this weekend just a birthday party for Sterling's friend Harper tomorrow and then drinks with friends after.  I do plan on making my mom's Seafood Lasagna this weekend.  It is truly amazing, I posted the recipe here awhile back- it is so good!  I am thinking I am going to add Spinach to it this time like this recipe.  I'm drooling thinking about it!

 

Happy weekend!

Pixie Lily Fall + My Little Super Model

I think you all know about my love affair with Pixie Lily Baby Clothes.  They are quite possibly the cutest baby clothes around.  I was so excited when Leda Jackson, the designer and creator of Pixie Lily,  decided to start making clothes past the 24 month mark and up to 3T.   My little man can still rock these precious clothes for another year (yeah me)!

Well good news is the Pixie Lily fall line is set to launch next week and it is super cute.    I want every single piece for Sterling.   And even bigger news- do you recognize the tiny model with the curly hair??  Yep, that's my sweet boy Sterling doing his first professional modeling gig for my favorite baby line.  I about died.  I am one happy and proud Mama!  And Sterling ate it up, he actually cried when his camera time was over.  I think I might have a little male model diva on my hands.

For all you Charleston Locals.  Pixie Lily will be hosting a Fall Trunk Show:

Monday August 27 thru Thursday August 30 from 9-2

48 Society Street (corner of Anson and Society)
Charleston, SC 29401 

Here is a sneak peak at some of the new fall items you will see at the trunk show and online.

{Sailor Suit and Sailor Dress}

{Long Button On Suit}

{Red Poet Smocked Dress and Short Button on Suit}

{Buff Apron Suit}

{Blue Apron Suit}

{Poet Dress}

{Ruffle Dress}

{Smocked Dress}

The Fall line is pretty adorable right??  All you locals should definitely stop by the Trunk Show next Monday-Thursday,  and for all you non-locals you can shop online HERE.  If you are out of town and have to miss the trunk show you can always call 843-579-0364 to set up an appointment to stop in the Pixie Lily Studio!

Black Bean Cakes With Corn Salsa and Avocado Cream

For all my Vegetarian readers (and trust me you non-vegetarians will love this too) I have a kick ass recipe.  Matt had a late night at work last night which = the freedom to cook anything I want to cook, and that is always a vegetarian meal.   These cakes were surprisingly easy to make and full of so many delicious flavors.  Trust me when I say, Vegetarian meals do not have to be bland and boring.

 

Small piece of advice do not skip the refrigeration part with the cakes before you cook them.  It really helps to bind them together before you cook them so they don't fall apart.  The corn salsa and avocado cream were amazing.  I was shoveling down spoonfuls of them while I waited on the black bean cakes to cook.  This recipe was good, real good.  It will be made many more times in the Mason Household (even if it is only when Matt works late).  Plus it is healthy.  Two bonuses.  I served my cakes with a healthy dose of hot sauce, no meal is complete for me without some sort of hot sauce.  No brainer you should make this meal asap.

Black Bean Cakes With Corn Salsa and Avocado Cream {Adapted From Baked Bree}

Black Bean Cakes:
1 (14-ounce) can black beans, drained
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup red onion
1/2 cup red pepper
1/2 cup corn kernel
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder (I didn't have this spice so I just doubled the Chili Powder)
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper
1 cup bread crumbs

Corn Salsa:
1 cup corn kernels
1/4 cup red pepper
2 green onions
10 teardrop tomatoes (I used diced regular tomatoes)
juice of 2 limes (I only used the juice of one lime)
salt and pepper
(I added a few dashes of Texas Pete and one diced Jalapeno)

Avocado Cream:
1 avocado
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon cumin
1 Tablespoon lime juice
salt and pepper

Instructions:

1.Mix together garlic, onion, red pepper, corn, egg, chili powders, oregano, and cumin. Season with salt and pepper.

2.Mash the black beans a bit and add to the bowl.

3.Stir in the bread crumbs.

4.Form into patties, and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes or so. It helps keep the patties together.

5.Mix together all of the ingredients for the salsa while the black bean patties are chilling.

6.To make the avocado sauce, put the avocado, sour cream, lime, and cumin, in the blender. Blend until smooth. It is a very thick sauce, you can thin it with more lime juice or some water. (I did not use a blender I mashed my avocado with a fork and then hand mixed it with the sour cream and lime juice).

7.Heat a pan over medium heat. Pour in a few Tablespoons of olive oil and put the patties in the pan. Resist the urge to flip the cakes to soon. They will fall apart. Cook until they brown and then flip. Cook the other side.

8. I put mine on a bed of chopped spinach leaves. Top with corn salsa and avocado sauce. And hot sauce if you like.

 **If you have never checked out the Baked Bree Website, you should.  It is chocked full of so many fabulous recipes.**