Coveting: The Maxi Dress

It is no secret my favorite item to buy for the Summer is by far a Maxi Dress.  I live in them once the weather turns warm.  I have found if you don't start snatching them up now all the good ones are sold out come the Summer.  So I complied a little list of my favorite maxi dresses that you should buy!

This first dress I actually own and have it stashed away for this Summer.  It is the Rory Becca T-Back Gown in Cosmo print,  from Social Dress Shop.  I am absolutely obsessed with it.  You can still get an extra 25% off it thru Thursday with code: Love25.
It is such a flattering  and great fitting maxi dress!  The pattern and colors are even more gorgeous in person!
 

{Rory Becca T-Back Gown in Cosmo}

Social Dress Shop just got it in stock in this fabulous Mint color as well.  I picture this with a tan,  some killer nude sandals, and maybe a long chain necklace.   I think I just convinced myself I need it too:)  Take advantage of the 25% off and grab one of these before  they sell out again!  It also comes in a reddish orange color I wrote about last week.

{Rory Becca Gemma T-Back in Mint}

Is it just me or does it look exactly like this Tibi Maxi that retails for $575??  Seriously buy the Rory Becca version for a fraction of the cost!  I can't imagine dropping that kind of money on a Maxi dress- $600 could buy alot of clothes!

Next on my list are all these beauties.  Such classic Maxi dresses that are so versatile.  Hoping they will all make their way to my closet!  The middle black one by Rachel Pally is my favorite.  You can never go wrong with a black maxi dress!

Young Fabulous and Broke Tie Dye Maxi | Susana Monaco Josephine Dress | Rachel Pally Nita Dress |  Splendid Strapless Maxi  |  T-Bags Hi-Lo Dress

And if you are looking for pattern. These are my favorite patterned Maxi dresses. The first dress by Sabine is a steal less than $100.   I tried on the Ella Moss one and adore it!

Sabine Ikat Print Maxi | Ella Moss Santa Fe Maxi |  Velvet Bali Print Maxi |  Young and Broke Palm Maxi

Lastly,  the best cheap and chic Maxi I found.  This Maxi is only $29 from F21!!  Does it not look like a way more expensive dress?   It is headed my way as I type.  Such a steal!

{F21 Tribal Print Maxi}

So,  just do it and get on the Maxi Train.  They are easy, effortless, and chic!

How to Style an Orchid like a Pro

I love an orchid, I really do.  I feel like they can really make a room pop.  Every time I see one in someone else's  home I love the look! 

My mom and my sister in law have these beautiful orchids in their homes that a local florist (Jessie Campbell) in Charlotte designed for them.  They are gorgeous and it got me thinking I could recreate that for cheaper. I could not be more thrilled with my results.  

So, it is your lucky day I am dishing all my secrets so you can create a sick nasty arrangement like this too!

First obviously you need to pick up an Orchid.  Trader Joes has great orchids starting at $8.95.  They are my go-to place to buy orchids.  This time I found mine at Costco.  It was around $15 because it is a huge one.   I wanted a larger one to work on our coffee table.  Just pick an orchid according to where you want to keep it in your house.  There are some with just one stem and some with multiples.

 

Next pick a bowl you want to pot the orchid in.  I always love the look of Orchids in glass containers, so I chose this glass bowl my mom gave me.  Other ideas are silver bowls, brass pots,  ceramic bowls etc.  If you don't have one you can easily find something like this at a Consignment store or even Goodwill.

Next you need to trim the plastic around the top of the Orchid so it doesn't stick out in your bowl.  Trim it about 1/2 inch to an inch down.  You want to keep the bottom in the plastic for watering purposes.

 

You will need two types of moss.  The light gray kind I found in our neighborhood.  If you live in the South this stuff is everywhere.   Hanging from trees and piled on the ground.  Sterling and I went on a bike ride and collected it one afternoon. The green moss pieces you can find at Micheals.

 

Place your orchid in the center of your bowl.  And then start spreading the gray moss all around it.  You want it packed in to keep the orchid from moving.

Then layer the green moss all over the top.

 

Then, my friends you are done.  It is as easy as that.   This whole thing cost less than $20.  Pretty great for a fabulous arrangement, that will hopefully last for awhile.

 The final step is to find a home for your sweet new plant.  Ours is pretty happy in our den.

Only problem is my orchids don't live for long.  Supposedly they are the easiest plant to keep alive, but then why do mine always die?  I have a black thumb for real I can't seem to keep anything green living for long.  Any secrets to an Orchids longevity?

Happy Monday.  Its a dreary one here, which means alot of indoor playtime!

xoxo

Things I am Loving this Friday

TGIF my sweet friends.  On the docket for us this weekend is an Oyster Roast with friends and hopefully some time out on our boat, weather permitting!  Plus I need to spend some time learning to style my new middle part myself:)

Here are a few things I am loving as of lately.

{JCREW Chambray Dress}

I am so obsessed with my Chambray shirt so it is a no brainer I need this dress in my life.  I could see myself wearing this all the time.  Perfect dress for running errands.

{My New Go to Snack}

Back to Nature Crispy Wheat Crackers + Life is Good Spicy Lentil Hummus

Best combo ever.

{Girls Season One}

I realize I am so far behind on watching all the "cool" TV shows but I just picked up the Girls Season one DVDS and I am loving it.  It is just so real and refreshing.  Lena Dunham trips me out.

{Adia Kibur Short Stone Necklace}

I have the short version of this necklace in hot pink and love it!  I wear it all the time.  I love the blush color this would go with everything!

{Alternative Eco Racer Maxi Dress}

Obsessed with this Charcoal Maxi dress.  What a great staple for Summer.  Love it casual or funked up with a statement necklace.  I love both ways it is styled on the Piperlime site.

{Joie A La Plague Sandals}

I think these are going to be my new sandals for summer.  They would go with everything! 

{Valentines Pretzels}

Sterling and I made these last night and they turned out fabulous.  They taste as good as they look.  Thank you pinterest!

 

{Quote}

Fabulous quote from the Everyday Girl!

Have a great weekend!

xoxo

You Guys are Fast!!

Sarah from Social Dress Shop called me this morning to say that the red dress I posted sold out in two hours!  Whoever snagged this dress you obviously have good taste (haha).    But for all you who are just now reading the blog and missed out on the red dress I wanted to highlight a few of my other favorites I tried on while in Charlotte.  I wish I could have brought them all home with me.  Such cute affordable dresses!  Sarah has offered to extent the 25% discount til Valentines Day!  So take advantage of this great deal and get you a dress!  The code once again is LOVE25.

Ritsa Dress | Mint Wrap Dress | Lakota Dress | Colorblock Dress

Seeing Red

Since this month is Valentines and Heart Awareness month,  I have been in the mood for red- clothes, wine, purses,  nail polish, and the list goes on.  While I was in Charlotte last week I was lucky enough to get to stop by The Social Dress Shop Studio.   Let me tell you I was in hog heaven, it was so fun to see and try on all my favorite dresses I had been stalking online!  

I took two beauties home with me and I could not be more excited about my new red shift dress since I am so into red lately  (you have to wait til next week to see the other one I snagged).  It is the perfect little shift dress.   You can dress it for a night out with booties and a fun necklace or wear it casually during the day with flats.  And it is affordable- only $78!! 

Plus, Sarah with Social Dress Shop has graciously offered any of my readers 25% off any full priced dresses.  Ladies you must take advantage of this offer.  I promise I won't be mad if you copy me and order the same red dress, in fact you should with the extra 25% off it is such a steal!!  Use the code LOVE25 at checkout.

{NOLAND DRESS}

I couldn't get a good picture of the back on me, but look how cute it is.

 So Seriously go to Social Dress Shop and take advantage of the discount (LOVE25)!  There are some fabulous summer dresses on the site now too.  This dress was another favorite of mine it is more of an orangey red but totally gorgeous on.  It is on my wishlist!
{GEMMA T-BACK MAXI IN WATERMELON}

 And did you notice any thing?  I have decided I am going to start parting my hair down the middle.  It is a fun new change.  I was getting sick of my side part.

Back to the topic of red I just found out JCREW came out with a new lounge pant.  It looks similar to my favorite, the Saturday Pant, and they come in red!  I can guarantee you I need a pair of red lounge pants- LOVE!  They also come in Navy and Gray.

{Skinny Fleece Pant}

 It comes in a short version too that is super cute for summer.  Comfy and Chic!

{Fleece Short}

If you are looking for a delicious affordable red wine, you must try Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir.  It is around $10 and really tastes like a way more expensive wine.  I was shocked to find out what it cost.  Highly recommend- I think they sell it at Total Wine.

Lastly, I am pretty sure I need a bright red clutch.  It would go with everything.  The perfect way to jazz up a dull outfit.  My current favorite red clutch is:

{Botkier Valentina Mini}

 

Any other red items I need in my life?  I would love a good red lipstick if anyone has recs.  Cheers to a glass of red wine tonight because I detoxed last night!

xoxo

Blueberry Streusel Muffins

I don't make muffins often because lets be real when I make them I just want to eat them all day.  This recipe had been tempting me for awhile now so I figured it was time to give it a go.  My girl Ina never disappoints with her recipes, these muffins were ridiculously good.  I made a dozen muffins and 24 hours later they were all gone, that is how good they were.  I promise you won't be disappointed.  The topping is the best part so don't scrimp on it!

{BLUEBERRY STREUSEL MUFFINS}

Adapted From: Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 2¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup buttermilk, shaken
• 4 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 Meyer lemon
• 1 large egg
• 6 oz. fresh blueberries
• ½ cup + 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoon cold unsalted butter

~ Preparation ~

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper liners.
2. Zest Meyer lemon; set zest aside and save lemon for another use.
3. Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl and blend with your hands. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, butter, lemon zest, and eggs. Stir the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture with a fork, mixing just until blended. Fold the blueberries into the batter. Don’t over-mix! With a standard (2¼-inch) ice-cream scoop or large spoon. Scoop the batter into the prepared cups, filling them almost full.
4. For the topping, place all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse until the butter is in very small pieces. Pour into a bowl and rub with your fingers until crumbly. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the streusel on top of each muffin. Bake the muffins for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown.

Meet My Newest House Addition

While I was in Charlotte I found this amazing Barrel Cane Back Chair for really cheap.  I have wanted a pair of Cane back chairs forever, so when I came across this one I knew she needed to come home with me.  Only thing that would have made it better was if she had a mate.  I could have really used two of them but she was too good a deal to pass up.

And for those of you who asked yesterday my favorite Consignment Stores in Charlotte are:  Classic Attic, Clearing House, South End Exchange, and The Pompous Pheasant.

 The chair is in excellent condition.  Only thing is the fabric has a few small spots so I want to recover it.  I thought it would be easy to recover myself but it looks a little more detailed because the bottom is all stapled up and the corners seem hard.  Has anyone recovered a chair like this on their own? 

Now on to the decisions.  The wood is in such great condition I hate to paint it.  Do you think it is granny to leave the wood as is and just recover the cushion and add a fun pillow?  The wood actually looks good in our den and matches some of our pieces.  I feel like white would be too bright- I could paint it black or off-white though.

Below are a few pictures I saved for inspiration:

Help me out what should I do?  I like the tufted one but think that is more work and $$ than it is worth.  I thought a navy velvet fabric could look cool and tie in with my rug well- but I worry will the wood + navy be too dark? 

I am kind of obsessed with Kelly Weartsler's Bengal Bazaar fabric.  How would it look for pillows or the cushions?

 

Also adore this KW Groundworks

 

I bet I only need two yards of fabric so I don't mind spending a little more for a kick ass fabric.  Any other thoughts for fabric- solid etc?  And should I paint it? 

Lay the decorating advice on me, this is when I wish I had a decorator friend to come over and help me make decisions!