Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Homemade Big Macs


I figured some of you might be getting sick of my vegetarian recipes and want one with some meat.   Ask and you shall receive.  I posted this picture on Instagram and got an overwhelming response of people wanting the recipe.  This recipe is so easy- well it was easy for me because Matt did all the prep work and cooking.  These burgers were magical, maybe because I hadn't had red meat in two weeks but either way they were good.

A few notes we were lazy and used 1000 Island Dressing instead of making our own Special Sauce. We decided at about 5 that night to make the Big Macs and that didn't give us enough time to let the Special Sauce sit for hours.   It was good with 1000 Island but I imagine it is even better with the homemade sauce, I included the recipe below.   We tried to cut and recreate everything else just like McDonalds.  Finely diced onion and Shredded Iceberg lettuce are key.  As for pickles we found all the pre-sliced jarred kinds tasted processed and funny so we bought the Boars Head Pickle Halves and then sliced them ourselves as thinly as we could, they worked out perfectly.

Take a close look at the picture below that is my stomach poking over the counter:)



|| H O M E M A D E  B I G  M A C S ||

1-2 Pounds Ground Beef (80/20)
1/2 white onion diced
sliced pickles (we used Boars Head Pickle Halves and thinly sliced them)
shredded iceberg lettuce
American Cheese
Sesame Seed Buns
1000 Island Dressing or Special Sauce (recipe below)

Shape meat into balls then flatten into thin flat patties- 2 patties per burger.  Salt and pepper each side of the patties.  Try not to mess too much with the patties while you flatten them it will make them tough.   Lay them on parchment paper after shaping so they are easy to remove and get to grill.  Heat grill cook burgers about 10 minutes 5 on each side or until cooked thru.  Take off grill and top each patty with a slice of American Cheese.  Layer special sauce. lettuce, onions and pickles and first burger patty on bun.  Place middle bun on and repeat layer process.  Add next patty and top bun.

|| S P E C I A L   S A U C E ||
1/2  cup mayo
2 tablespoons French Dressing
4 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
1 tablespoon finely minced onion
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon pepper

combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well to combine,  Place in a covered container and refrigerate overnight or at least a few hours for flavors to combine.



Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Obsessions

|| TIEKS SNAKESKIN BALLET FLATS || 
I am a huge fan of Tieks, I have lusted after their flats for awhile now.  So I was super excited when they sent me a pair of their ballet flats to try out.  They are so comfortable I am smitten with them.  I chose a snakeskin pair because duh, I love anything animal print,  but they have tons of solid options as well, check out the whole selection here.  I highly recommend these!  I chose the mocha snakeskin but I actually love the copperhead version as well.  The shipping was super fast and they came packaged in the cutest box with a tote for your shoes.  They are real leather and flexible which I love. A++ ballet flats!




I am dying for a Clover Canyon Dress.  Every time I see someone in one they look stunning, always such a good fit and love the designs.  Might bite the bullet and treat myself to one while Piperlime is offering 25% off all dresses with code DRESS!

Thru Friday JCrew is having 25% off if you spend $100 or more.  I tried this necklace on in the store and fell in love with it!   Really love the art deco vintage feel.
Use code GOSHOP.

I just busted out my Nest Holiday Candles this week and I forgot how amazing they smell.  My favorite Holiday candle by far!!

|| VINCE DOUBLE V DOLMAIN TEE ||
These Vince Tees are my favorite.  They are so soft and the perfect tee to throw on with anything from leggings to jeans.  On sale now at Bloomingdales, plus with code BFAM you can get an additional 20% all purchases at Bloomingdales thru Friday!




|| CHARRIOL DIAMOND BRACELET ||
Totally a dream item for me but I am trying to talk my mom into buying this Charriol bracelet while it is part of the Nordstrom sale.   That way I can borrow it, smart, right?  It is hard to find these on sale!  This one is so gorgeous!  It would look amazing stacked with a few other bracelets.  Shop the rest of the Nordstrom sale HERE.


|| BERAND OLIVE WOOD BASKET ||
I have a wooden platter that I use all the time for cheese and crackers.  I just love the rustic look.  This one would be perfect with a sliced baguette or crackers served along side a dip for entertaining.  A great Christmas gift for someone you know who loves to entertain plus it is 40% off right now part of the Nordstrom sale.

|| GAP SIDE ZIP DRESS ||
This classic shift dress is too cute from the Gap.  The Red would be awesome for the holidays paired with a fun necklace and booties.   You can get an additional 35% off your order with GAPFRIENDS thru tonight at midnight.


also I kind of dig the leopard version as well.



Monday, November 11, 2013

Mom's Snakeskin Blouse

I received several requests for the source of my Mom's blouse from the picture I posted this morning.  My mom is one stylish lady isn't she?? She is way more petite than me but luckily I can still share some of her blouses and this one is one of my favorites!  


 The Blouse is Joie and it is on sale right now.


Here are a few similar options as well.  Snakeskin is always a good choice!


Scenes From Our Weekend

How was everyone's weekends? Mine was busy and fun! I am trying to stay busy and forget about the fact that it is looming over my head I soon have to push a baby out.

My parents came in town for one last visit before baby girl comes.  I just love having them here.  I of course put my dad to work and mom and I did some Christmas shopping.
Friday night they took us out to eat at The Lot one of my favorite restaurants on James Island.

I snapped this picture right before dinner, look at the size of that belly!
Me and my rents.
Outfit details if curious:
 Me and my boys enjoying one of our last weekends as a threesome.

Dinner at The Lot was amazing, two of our favorites,  the Market Plate and stuffed Pumpkin Blossoms.  We also had a kale soup that was incredible!



Saturday was project nursery day, we are finally done with everything.  My dad helped me install these awesome star decals from Urban Walls- more details coming soon.  My friend Brook is coming over today to snap nursery pictures so I hope to be able to show you guys the finished room very soon!

Shopping wise I finally snagged this 10 Crosby Derek Lam Dress I have been stalking forever on major sale.  Can't wait to wear her post baby.
Available HERE, HERE


Took long walks both days trying to get this baby to come out.  I think she has dropped some my belly is lower.

Sunday night we made homemade Big Macs that were incredible.   They were super easy, happy to share our recipe if peeps are interested!

Have a great Monday!





Sunday, November 10, 2013

JCrew Swing Sweater is Back In Stock

Ladies, get it while you can! My favorite sweater at JCrew is back in stock,  the Merino Swing Sweater. I have it in three colors that is how much I love it! It is a great pregnancy sweater and great not pregnant as well. So comfy!  It is onsale too for $69 Shop it HERE. Plus you can get 25% orders over a $100 with code GOSHOP.
I have the purple featured below and love it!
 


Saturday, November 9, 2013

Weekend Style Files: Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale Top Picks



Alright ladies doesn't it seem like everyone runs their sales at the same time? But what better time than when we all have Christmas shopping to do. I rounded up my top picks from the Nordstrom Semi Annual sale, everything is pretty much 40% off and there are some amazing buys!  Happy Saturday and Happy Shopping Loves.  You can shop the entire sale HERE.


Friday, November 8, 2013

My Pregnancy This Far + 40 % Sale at Hampden


15 days til my due date.  That is plain crazy ya'll.  I am freaking out a little.  This pregnancy has flown by.  I was just going back and reading old posts and I re-read my post from January about our struggle to get pregnant,  crazy how fast things change and now here I am with a full heart and full belly getting ready to welcome our second child. I am filled with so many different emotions right now from being so excited to being scared shitless to somewhere in between.


If I am being totally honest pregnancy the second time around for me has been much harder.  For one I was so nauseous in the beginning, then the varicose veins started popping up and they are really painful.  Plus from the get go I have had extreme pressure in my pelvis.  Nothing that requires bedrest or anything but still it has been hard.  Add a three year on top of that and I am constantly exhausted.  My mom said the other day " you sure sound tired, are you? " and I said Mom the answer to that question is always yes I am freaking exhausted all the time.  I hate to even complain when others are on bed rest and have much worse issues but this pregnancy has definitely been more taxing on my body.
I snapped this picture last weekend, it feels like a basketball in my stomach!

WORKING OUT
With Sterling I walked 4 miles everyday.  This pregnancy I have hardly worked out, it is too painful to walk for long.  Up until about 6 months I did the Tracey Anderson DVDs about 2-3 times a week but then exhaustion set in.   After taking care of Sterling and tending to the house I am just too tired most days to workout.  I do have a routine I do 4-5 nights a week which consists of leg lifts, squats, arm exercises and stretches.  It is really the only exercise I do just trying to keep things toned.  I just don't have it in me this time to be very active.  I do look forward to breaking a good sweat with a run post baby and getting my figure back.

FOOD AND WEIGHT GAIN
With Sterling I gained 37 pounds while I was pregnant,  totally in the normal range but I still didn't want to gain quite as much this time.  My goal was 25 lbs but uh that was unrealistic for me obviously:)  I am at the 30 lb mark now at 38 weeks and hopefully won't gain much more than a pound or two.  I have eaten pretty healthy this pregnancy besides my major indulgence of sweets and kids cereal.  Seriously I am obsessed with kids cereals, I eat a bowl most nights after dinner.   I have found with your pregnancy your body is going to gain weight and do what it needs for the baby so don't stress about it.  You will gain weight but it will come off afterwards.


BABY NAMES
So many people have asked if we have a baby name picked out and yes we do.  I actually knew from the moment I found out it was a girl what I would name her.  Our close friends know the name but I probably won't reveal it until she is born.

HARDEST PART
For me this is two fold.  It has been hard being present and in the moment with Sterling during this pregnancy.  I am most tired in the afternoons and just want to turn on the tv and lounge. It is a whole different ball game being pregnant with another child at home.  I have had a hard time with this and felt guilty for resting when I should be entertaining him.  I just don't have the energy like I used too.  Equally as hard I have missed my wine and vodka.  After a long day a glass of wine had become my go to stress relief.  and it was not just the wine I miss it was the happy hour aspect of chatting and catching up while you enjoy your drink- and no mocktails aren't the same.   

DRESSING THE BUMP: BEST MATERNITY INVESTMENTS
I really have not bought any maternity clothes this time around, I found them unnecessary when so many clothes are made to fit loose these days.  I did splurge (and I mean my parents splurged ) and bought me the JBrand cut-off maternity shorts.  Worth every penny I promise you.  I have worn the heck out of them since I was 11 weeks pregnant.

Other maternity favorites are Old Navy Skinny JeansDavid Lerner Coated Leggings, Vince Ribbed Poncho,and Demylee Swing Tee Shirts (this exact shirt is actually packed in my hospital bag:)
This time around too I have been about showing the bump off in form fitting clothing.  This is the only time we don't have to suck our stomachs in so why not show it off!  Two of my favorite dresses to showcase your bump (and both are non maternity so you can wear after as well):

It is crazy this time around I am much more anxious about labor and delivery and I have done it before!  You would think I would have been more scared the first time around.  I just hate needles, and IVs, and hospitals.  I feel like a ticking time bomb. 
I have talked with my doctor about a possible induction before Thanksgiving if she is not born before then,  anyone had an induction before?   It sure would make planning things for Sterling easy. 

Other than being nervous I am so uncomfortable and so ready to meet our baby.  I even started packing my hospital bag this week- and yes that is wine a necessity post labor and delivery!  So stay tuned on this crazy ride hopefully in the two weeks or so I will be happy to announce the birth of our precious daughter!
One thing I know for sure and what makes me most excited is knowing this little guy is going to be the best big brother ever!


Lastly, I have to give one shout out for the sale that starts today at Hampden Clothing, my favorite local store!  Tons of stuff just got marked down to 40% off!  Locals you must stop in and non-locals you can shop online,  they always offer free shipping!
A few of my favorites!  I own the Rag and Bone Stripped Dress and love it! It works great for pregnancy too!  But what I really want is the first Rebecca Taylor Blouse.  Just scroll thru and click on pictures to take you to website:)
Happy Friday Friends!