House Updates + Super Duper Easy Meal

I hope you all had a fabulous Labor Day Weekend.  I know I did.  Much of mine was spent re-arranging and decorating but I love doing that kind of stuff.  We made some great house progress and I will share a few pictures of what we accomplished.

First off, I am pretty happy with my Entryway and how it turned out. I moved the table that our TV was sitting on in the den and switched out the mirror and lamps.  One thing I still want to change is,  I would like two stools instead of the one big one under the table.  Problem is they need to be fairly narrow to fit two, so I am still searching for the perfect ones.

In our den I moved this piece that was in my Dining Room to sit the TV on.  Yes, our TV really is that giant thanks to the hubs.  It is an eyesore to decorate around but great for watching TV:)  Wingback chairs still need to be recovered.  Maybe that will happen one day soon.....

And you might notice my two little friends peeking out.  I finally found the perfect spot for my Foo Dogs I won off Cassie's blog!

Here is our new piece for the Dining Room.  I am not finished with the shelves,  I am sure they will be restyled many more times. 

Here are my thoughts- should I repaint the whole Hutch?  Or just repaint/wallpaper the back area?  Or leave as is?  For now it is staying as is, but since Sterling is starting school back I now have time to tackle some projects and I'm contemplating painting it.  Thoughts?

I finally hung my sweet Silhouette of Sterling that WayWay painted. I was going to hang it in his room but ended up hanging it in the Dining Room and I love it!  Its right by my wine so I can look at that sweet face everytime I pop a bottle.

I made alot of progress in Sterling's Big Boy Room and I will reveal pictures soon when I have it completed. I had hoped to have it done this weekend but part of his headboard got left in Charlotte so I was not able to assemble the whole bed. Currently there is a mattress and box springs just sitting on the ground on his room, but guess what Sterling didn't care! He was so excited to sleep in his big boy bed.  I feel like I really did the switch to the Big Boy bed at the perfect age.   Two nights and two naps in and he is doing great- no late night visits to our room yet!

Here is my sweets sleeping away, so darn cute but it does make me a little sad he is growing up so fast.

Lots of good stuff going but still more work to be done!

 Now onto food.  I made this pizza probably 4 times over the past week.  It is only 5 ingredients and super easy.  I am drooling just thinking about it. 

{Mini Pizzas with Tomatoes, Arugula and Cilantro Lime Sauce}

Thanks to Trader Joes for offering samples while I shopped last week.  I would have normally never bought this Cilantro Lime dressing, but they had samples of it and I loved it!  And if you have never bought their Naan bread you must.  The Whole Wheat version is so good.  Here is what you need for these tasty pizzas.

{MINI PIZZAS WITH TOMATO, ARUGULA, AND CILANTRO LIME SAUCE}

-Whole Wheat Naan Bread

- TJ Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing

-Arugula

-1 Tomato sliced

-any cheese you choose (I had Manchego on hand and used it)

Bake Naan for about 3-5 minutes.  I bake it first so it doesn't get too soggy with the sauce sitting it on it.  Take out of oven and spread Cilantro Lime sauce over it.  Layer with Tomatoes (sprinkle with salt and pepper), Arugula, and Cheese.  Bake about 10 minutes until cheese melts.  Slice and Enjoy!

Thoughts For Friday

TGIF my friends.  Can I get a Hallelujah for the long weekend coming up!  My family gets in town today and I could not be more excited!!  We have lots of fun stuff planned for this weekend including lots of work around our house:)

Last night the hubs and I had a fabulous evening out at the Charleston Food and Wine Festival Ticket Launch Event.  I can't even begin to describe the tasty food and drinks that were there,  trust me we were well fed and boozed up!  It was held at the Charleston Resort and Marina which had some pretty sweet views as well!

I am obsessed with this gorgeous Atelier Versace Dress Kate Hudson wore to the The Reluctant Fudamentalist premeire.  Love the color, design, fit, everything!!   Is it just me or is Kate Hudson so adorable?   Not to sound stalkerish but I feel like we would really hit it off if we met.  I kind of want to be one of her friends.

Yesterday I took my little man downtown to stroll because we had been cooped up inside the past few days from the rain.  We stopped in F21 because I have had a gift card there since my Birthday.  That place is so hit or miss.  Today they actually had some really cute stuff for Fall.  I came home with this gorgeous Blazer.  I had been wanting one for fall and you can't beat a jacket for $29.95.  It is the perfect shade of pale pink/peach.  Now I just need some cooler weather to come to the Low Country so I can bust this jacket out.

As you all know I am starting on Sterlings Big Boy room this weekend.  My mom bought him his first set of Big Boy Sheets and how cute are they??  They are from Pottery Barn Kids.  I wanted cute sheets that he would be excited to sleep on but nothing too childish.  I like how geometric these are and I feel like he could sleep on them for years and not outgrow them too quick.

Have you tried Hummus Chips?  These chips are so good.  I picked up a bag at TJMaxx- and don't judge me for buying food there,  Sterling was hungry and all he wanted were the chips so I happily bought them to keep him occupied.  Anyways,  I snuck a few (like half the bag) and they were so darn good.  And they are not bad for you.  Pick some up for reals.  We had the Tomato Basil Flavor.

After watching the Real Housewives of NY I am convinced I need a trip to St. Barths.  That place looks insane- minus the tiny plane you have to fly in to get there, that really scares me. I can't even handle commercial flights, so not sure how I would manage on that tiny plane.  But I would try if it got me to that  gorgeous paradise!

I am also convinced I have a girl cruch on Carol.  She seems so cool, calm, and collected all the time.  Also really loving me some Sonja this season, she is hillarious.

Happy Friday.  Enjoy the long weekend!

Watermelon Margaritas + Entryways

Last Friday Matt and I made the tastiest Ritas, Watermelon Margaritas.  You must make these they are the bomb.com. 

I had a bunch of watermelon left from our weekend boat ride and thought hmmm.... what should I use this for??   It was way too much to eat before it went bad so I juiced it.  Then I just added the juice to my regular skinny margaritas, pure goodness I tell you.  If you don't have a juicer you could still do the watermelon in a blender.   However I might strain it through a colander unless you want chunks of watermelon in your drink. 

 How cute are my little glasses and pitcher?  That was a vacay score in Pawleys at a totally random Consignment store,  for get this, $11 for the pitcher and 6 glasses- I kid you not!  I love this vintage glass set and have already gotten my $11 worth out of it!

Here is what you need for this tasty drink.

WATERMELON MARGARITAS

{makes 2 ritas}

- 4 shots Tequila

-2 Limes juiced

- 1 Tablespoon Agave Nectar

-4 shots Watermelon juice

Pour all in a shaker over ice.  Shake and pour into salted glasses.

___________________________

My parents are coming in town this weekend and we are rearranging a few things in my house.  For some reason I have a hard time redecorating or moving things around without my mom's input.  She always knows best!   I always love having a second opinion because if it was left to just Matt we would have surf boards and fishing rods hanging on every wall in our house, no joke.  He once asked me if we could hang his fishing rods above our bed and he was dead serious that he thought that was the perfect decor.

 We are primarily working on Sterling's Big Boy Room plus moving a few things around in our dining room/den.  When my in-laws moved here Matt and I were lucky enough to score their old Hutch and it is coming to my house this weekend to reside in our Dining Room.   Which means our buffet is getting moved to our den and our TV table will become our Entryway Table. That is one of the main areas I can't wait to spruce up!   Here a few entryways I love.

So, dish what do you love in an entryway?  Mirrors?  Framed Pictures?  Flowers?  Artwork?  Stacks of Books?  Don't worry hopefully I will have pictures next week of our progress.  Happy Thursday!

Salmon With Creamy Dijon Dill Sauce

I know most people are either Salmon lovers or haters.  I for one love it and it is so good for you.  It is one of the top ten Superfoods you can eat.   It is rich in Omega-3's which keep your heart and brain healthy.   However if you hate salmon (Matt does, claims it is is fishy)  you could easily substitute another fish to serve with this sauce.  Because it is the sauce that makes the meal so darn good.  My mom cooked this for me while I was home and I have been hooked ever since.  The sauce is so creamy and good,  you will just want to eat spoonfuls of it!  It is an easy yet elegant meal that would be great for a dinner party because the sauce can be made ahead.  Toss the sauce in a pretty serving bowl and you will look like Martha Stewart, trust me.  Bon Appetit!

SALMON WITH CREAMY DIJON DILL SAUCE

{serves 6 people}

-6 pieces of Salmon or any fish (or you can cook one large piece of Salmon and slice later)

-1 Teaspoon Shallot (about one shallot minced)

-2 Teaspoons Minced Garlic

-1 Teaspoon Dill (Fresh or dried)

-2 Teaspoons Capers

-2 Teaspoons Dijon Mustard

-1 16 oz Heavy Cream

-2 Tablespoons Butter

Cover Fish with Olive Oil and Salt and Pepper.  Bake at 400 degrees about 20-25 mins.  May differ depending on what fish you use. 

For the Sauce: Sautee Shallot and Garlic in butter, be careful not to burn garlic.  Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil.   Let it boil and reduce a bit and then it is ready to serve.  This can be made ahead and stored in the fridge and reheated when ready to use.

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.