Thoughts For Friday

I am pretty much a stalker when it comes to Gwyneth Paltrow.  She always has and always will be my number one girl crush.   Love everything she does.  First she kills it with this casual outfit.  Now I am convinced I need red booties too.  

Then on Goop she modeled some amazing outfits from JCrew and of course now I want to recreate all these as well.   She has such amazing style.

Remember our new Hutch in our dining room?  Well I think I found a color a want to paint it, this dark gray and I think I may style it similarly as this bar.  Problem is Matt says I can't paint it.  He says he grew up with it the color it is and it reminds him of his childhood (lame).  How do you persuade stubborn husbands that your vision is the right thing to do??  Or should I just ignore him and paint it anyways- ha!

I am still struggling to shed the 5lbs I put on this summer.  I work out and I eat fairly healthy so I am not sure what gives.  Might help if I cut out alcohol but that's a joke.  Not happening.  So awhile back I read that Fergie drinks Apple Cider Vinegar 3x a day.  Then I saw on Jenny's blog that she does too and it helped her shed her extra baby weight.  I am home visiting the family this week and my mom has been drinking it too,  so now I am on the bandwagon.  3 tablespoons 3x a day in 8 oz of water.  It is said to speed up your metabolism and help with digestive issues. I will report back with details and results.  This is the kind you need to buy.

Can we talk about Blake Lively's wedding ring??  First she gets sexy Ryan and then this amazing ring?  Plus you know her closet is fabulous.  Can a girl be any luckier??

Latest obsession for my little man= High Top Chuck Taylors.  Found these at Marshalls.  Sterling loves them already.  His outfit of choice to sport with his new shoes, Elmo PJs.   My man is very opionated about what he wears!

Had a great girls night out Monday with my gals Caycee, Chassity, and Amy.  Here is what I wore:  A.P.C Leopard Dress.  Love this dress and really anything by A.P.C, it is one of my favorite brands.

My particular dress is sold out, but they have a fab turtleneck version for fall that I am pretty sure I need!

{A.P.C Leopard TurtleNeck Dress}

This pretty much sums it up.  Happy Weekend.

I am also guesting posting today over at Alex's blog, Things That Sparkle sharing one of my favorite end of summer recipes.  Be sure to check it out HERE. Alex is getting married this weekend so send her lots of best wishes!  I know her wedding will be perfectly planned and gorgeous just like her!

have a great weekend! xoxo

The Look For Less + Novel Sale

Remember this Heidi Merrick Tommy Blouse??  Oh how I loved her, but not the $350 price tag. 

Well, I was browsing Piperlime and came across this almost identical blouse.  The colors are different but it's exactly the same style for only $69.50.  Get yours before they sell out!

{Collective Concepts Stripe Blouse}

After I found the fabulous stripe blouse, I stalked all the Collective Concepts Stuff.  They have some super cute blouses for cheap!  These are three other favorites I found!

{Collective Concepts Soho Color Block Blouse}

{Collective Concepts Palm Beach Nights Blouse} 

{Collective Concepts Short Sleeve Stripe Peplum Top}

And speaking of shopping, for any of you locals, Novel is having their big end of Summer Sale today from 12-7:30.  Trust me you don't want to miss this!  Huge discounts on all Blue Chickadee, Vintage Library Summer Clothes, Bon Vivant Custom Stationary, and Balboa Jewelry!   Definitely worth stopping in and I think there are mimosas too- that's enough reason in itself to shop!
Novel is located at 341 King Street, Suite B!

Enchilada Lasagna

Let me start by saying the top picture is not mine.  The hubs and I scarfed this meal down so fast we forgot to even take a picture.  It was just that good.  I made this casserole for a friend who had surgery and made enough for us to have one as well. It was so super easy to make and off the charts good.  If you discriminate against casseroles and using cream of anything soups then this recipe is not for you.  But if you are like me and love a casserole and Mexican food,  this will be right up your alley.  It was so creamy and delish.  Serve with a side of black or pinto beans and you have an easy weeknight dinner.  It also reheats just as well the next day!  Next time I may try it with beef and for any vegetarians you could definitely sub beans or sauteed veggies for the chicken. Enjoy you will want to add this tasty meal into your weekly dinner rotations!

{Enchilada Lasagna}

adapted from Mogwai Soup

Ingredients:

2 tbsp of vegetable oil

1 lbs chicken breast, chopped to bite pieces

5 cups of Mexican blend cheese

1 can of cream of celery

1 can of cream of chicken

1 1/2 cups sour cream

1/4 cup canned and chopped green chillies (drained)

small corn tortillas

1 tsp cumin

2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:

Brown chicken in a pan on 2 tbsp of oil. Season with salt and pepper.  (For this step I used a Rotisserie Chicken)  I shredded it and then tossed it with salt and pepper and cumin.  Then I added some of our homemade taco seasoning. just a few sprinkles of it for more flavor.

In a bowl combine cream of celery, cream of chicken, sour cream and green chillies.

Prepare a bowl of water that you will dip your corn tortillas in (dipping them in water keeps them from getting dried out in the casserole) and the dish you will assemble the lasagna in.

Put 1/2 cup of cream mix on the bottom of the baking dish and spread. Layer a row of tortillas followed with cream mix, chicken and cheese. You should be able to make 3 layers like this. Last layer doesn't need chicken, just a ton of cheese.  

We served ours with sour cream, fresh diced jalapenos, and taco sauce.

Bake at 350 degrees about 30-40 minutes.   

-Photo via Mogwai Soup-

Blog Sale: Women and Kids

It's your lucky day because I am in a cleaning out mode again- here is what I am looking to unload:)  Email me at nataliemason24@yahoo.com if you are interested.  I will invoice thru paypal.  Shipping is $5 and I will combine if you order multiplies.  Stay tuned because there may be more to come:)

TIBI SHIFT DRESS

size- 4

worn once- its just a touch too short on me.  Great dress though

Retailed for $325

$150

J.CREW ANCHORS AWEIGH SILK BLOUSE
SOLD

Size= 4

New with Tags, Sold Out

Retailed for $135

$75

ENVI ONE SHOULDER OMBRE DRESS

SIZE= small

worn twice, mint condition

96% Rayon, 4% Spandex

Retailed for $198

$70

FANTAISIE KIDS SMOCKED SHORT SLEEVE LONG JON

 SOLD

Size= 24 months

New with tags

$25

RAGSLAND SEERSUCKER JON-JON

SOLD

Size= 2T

New without Tags

$25

RAGSLAND SEERSUCKER JON-JON

SOLD

Size= 2T

New with Tags

$25

Obsessions

{CLUB MONACO DIAMOND SHIRT}

Awhile ago I saw this image on Pinterest and I loved it.  Loved the girls hair, but I especially loved her shirt.  Well I found it online and it is just lovely.  Dying to add this to my blouse collection!

 {BB DAKOTA JETTA VEST}

BB Dakota is quickly becoming one of my new favorite brands because everything is so affordable. 

I love vests for the fall.  They can really spice up an outfit.  You could throw on this vest over anything and it would look cute.  I picture if with a blouse and skinny jeans or for an edgier look with liquid leggings and a tee shirt.

{FRONT PORCH}

This front porch is simple yet chic.  I would love to do something similar for our screened in porch.

{OLD NAVY STRIPPED DRESSES}

Ladies you need to get to Old Navy STAT.  They had some really cute stripped dresses for only $19.94.  They are light weight and perfect for this time of the year.  I think they will also be great when it gets cooler with boots.

I didn't see this version in our store but found it online.  Love the neon yellow stripe dress.  You could buy 4 of these for less than $100! A real steal.  Such versatile dresses and great for layering pieces.

{Old Navy Stripped Jersey Dress}

{BLACK BEAN BURGERS}

This has become one of my favorite meals.  I have been eating Black Beans burgers like crazy whenever we eat out.  Anyone have a good recipe to make them at home?  The burger below is from Triangle Grill here in Charleston and it remains one of my favorite Black Bean Burgers.  Served with a side of Collards= best meal ever!

{REESES WHOPPERS}

This is so random but I picked these up the other day at the Grocery store while I was checking out- dang you grocery store and your food displays near the register, they suck me and Sterling in everytime.  These are so bad for you but so good.  I allow myself 5 a day to have a sweet snack and they are so delish I always want to shovel the whole box in my mouth.

Scenes From Our Weekend

Monday is always here way too soon.  We had such a nice weekend.  Matt and I even got a solo night to ourselves because his parents kept Sterling over night Saturday and we got to sleep in til 8:30- such a treat I tell you!  I can't remember the last time I laid in bed past 7!  After a kid its the little things!

Friday I was inspired by Cassie's F21 post so I popped in there to browse.  Found this great blouse- the color is even better in person.  Such a steal at $19.00
{Sheer Smocked Tie-Neck Blouse}

Friday night we cooked out at my sister in law and brother in laws house.  They are staying in one of his family's houses downtown on The Battery and it is fabulous.  I didn't get any family pictures of course but I did snap a picture of this vintage wallpaper in one of the bathrooms.  How great is it for kids?

Saturday we started off our anniversary with a family bike ride to the park.

We then cooled off with some beers and pizza.  I am so not a beer drinker- like I probably have not had a beer in months but for some reason it sounded good yesterday and it was tasty as well!

I busted out my Parker Dress, from last year to wear for our Anniversary Date Night.  I love that the weather here is not quite so humid and it is cooler in the evening,  so I can wear some fall clothes!

 Before our Anniversary Dinner we stopped by a party at our Yacht Club to celebrate our neighbor Pete, who was  being inducted to President.  It was the perfect evening to be out on the water!

We ate at one of our favorite restaurants for dinner.  I had Salmon over arugula with heirloom tomatoes and fresh goat cheese and Matt had Flounder- like literally a whole flounder!  They were both incredible!

We of course had to snap the obligatory self portraits!  Cheers to 5 years.

Sunday we relaxed.  Poor Sterling has a touch of a cold.  I took him on an afternoon jog with me and he passed out cold.  Look at that sweet face!   I have started calling him Mr.  Scrumptious because I just can't get enough of him!  This is such a fun and loving age!