Gigi New York Friends and Family Event

This week is the Gigi New York Friends and Family Event.  I am a huge fan of their line.  I actually had the pleasure of meeting the owners when I was in Dallas at a blog conference and they are such nice gracious people.  The quality of their bags and accessories is impeccable.  You can't go wrong with any of them.

I wanted to highlight a few of my favorites.

Use code FRIENDS15 for 15% site wide.

Teddie Tote

This is the perfect everyday tote.  My mom and sister liked mine so much they bought one too.   My sister uses hers for work and you can actually fit a laptop inside.

It comes in so many great colors.

Bucket Tote

This is what I have been carrying the past few months as my everyday purse.  It actually fits way more inside than you would think.  I love the two different strap options as well.

I have the dessert rose color and it is the perfect neutral.

Carly Convertible Clutch

This is my go to bag for a night out.  You can carry it as a clutch or cross body.  I have the harbour blue color.

Madison Crossbody

I pack this purse whenever I travel.  It is small enough to easily fit in your suitcase and great for a night out or during the day.

IPhone Wallet Case

This was a gift at our conference and I have to say I am loving it.  It has a detachable iphone case inside the wallet.  The phone case matches the wallet and sometimes I just carry it and leave the wallet or carry both.  I chose the dessert rose color, it is my favorite neutral.

Uber Clutch

This is the perfect over size clutch.  You can fit everything you need inside in.

A few other favorites.  The sale ends this Sunday so take advantage of the discount while you can.

Soba Noodle Salad with Creamy Peanut Butter Dressing

I love pretty much any sort of noodle or pasta salad.  I also love peanut butter sauce, so this recipe was a no brainer.  The sauce is freaking amazing.  It has so much flavor.  Sterling and I licked the bowl clean after we made it.  Speaking of kids helping to cook, this dish is totally kid friendly.   Both my kids devoured it.  I have recently come to really love soba noodles, they are fairly bland but have a slight almost nutty taste. I think they are the perfect noodle for this salad but you could use spaghetti or rice noodles as well.

The original recipe calls for snow peas but I used edamame.  You could really use any sort of veggies you want.  This was almost even better the next day, I ate it chilled right out of the fridge and it was so good.  Perfect for a Summer Picnic.  This our main meal but it would be awesome with some grilled chicken or shrimp.

Heads up | my favorite entertaining store, Open Door Shop, is running their Half Yearly Sale starting tomorrow but offering early access for you today!  You can take 15% off the site with code SUMMERTIME. 

I love the terrafirma line, the bowl I used for this salad is terrafirma.  I love all the fun patterns and they can go in your dishwasher!  They are my absolute favorite serving dishes and a great time to buy them at 15% off!  Open Door Shop carries so many other fun entertaining pieces as well.

|| S O B A   N O O D L E  S A L A D  W I T H   C R E A M Y  P E A N U T  

B U T T E R  S A U C E ||

via Endless Summer Cookbook

1 ounces dried soba noodles

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger

1 cup shelled edamame

1 cup grated carrots

4 sliced green onions

1 red bell pepper

cook the noodles according to the package instructions, drain and rinse.

While the noodles are cooking in a small saucepan over low heat, whisk the peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, lime juice, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger together until the peanut butter melts and the dressing is smooth.

In a large bowl combine the noodles and dressing, toss until evenly coated.  Add the edamame, carrots, red bell pepper and green onions.  Garnish with toasted sesame seeds if desired.  Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Father's Day Gift Ideas Part 3

Happy Tuesday Friends.  I am back with the third and final Father's Day gift guide.  This guide features all sorts of great gift ideas for any Dad at several different price points.  I broke it down into categories. 

Often my brother and sister and I split a gift so we can get my dad something a little bit nicer. He only gets one gift but it is usually something he really wants.  So while some of these are pricey, you could share the cost.  Can't wait to celebrate my Dad and Matt in a little over a week!

For The Tech Loving Dad

I am pretty sure any Dad would love a gift from Bose.  Their products are amazing.  My Dad swears by the noise cancelling headphones.  He travels often and always packs them.  

Mini Bluetooth Speaker | Noise Cancelling Headphones | Blue Tooth Mobile Speaker | In Ear Buds

For the Dad that likes to Groom

I always think gift sets are a great gift because it allows them to try multiple products.  I love Kiehls and have heard fabulous things about Jack Black and The Art of Shaving Products.

Kiehls Men's Gift Set | Jack Black Travel Gift Set | Kiehls Body Fuel | Kiehls Close Shave Cream | Carven Cologne | Carven Cologne | The Art of Shaving Ocean Gift Set | Jack Black Double Edge Safety Razor | Jack Black Shave Brush

For the Styling Dad
Matt has been wanting a new briefcase and I love the idea of that as a gift.  The one below is a favorite.

David Donahue Dress Shirt | Prada Sunglasses | Braided Robe Belt | David Donahue Tie |
Leather Briefcase | Stripe Suspenders | Enamel Cuff Links | DD Bowtie

 For the Dad that Loves Shoes
You can't go wrong with a pair of Sperry Shoes.  They are favorites of my Dad and Matt.  Their boat shoes make a great gift and their flip flops are such a great deal.  My Dad loves his Sharktooth pair.


Sperry Gold Cup Driving Shoes | Cole Haan Driving Shoe | Sperry Baitfish Flip Flop
Camo Tennis Shoes | Sperry Sharktooth Flip Flop | Original Boat Shoe
Cole Haan Britton Loafer | Sperry Sneaker | Sperry Classic Boat Shoe 

Cool Gifts
A few really cool and different gift ideas.
Fitbit | Portable Grill | Bowling Game
Wooden Ipad Stand | Water Resistant Speakers | Wine Set

All these fabulous gifts can be found at Nordstrom.
Always free shipping and returns.

Thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post.

Scenes From Our Weekend

Dear Monday, you always sneak up way too fast.

Thank you for all the great book recommendations.  I just downloaded several of them and can't wait to start reading them.  I love a good book.

We kicked off the weekend with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, since Friday was national doughnut day.

Frances went to town with hers.

Followed by a some time at the park, to burn off the sugar high.

We met the nicest police officer who let Sterling get in his car and work his lights and sirens.

It made his day, he was so excited.

Chilling with Sterling.

Sunglasses

Friday night we headed out for date night.  

Trying to talk Matt into a picture- as you may notice he does not like to be photographed.

Ended up with this cheeseball smile.

Wearing | Topshop Dress | TB Flats 

We tried out Screen Door, a new restaurant on James Island.  The food was really good as was our server.  The delivery of the food was a bit slow and oddly spaced we got our meals before our appetizers, but they were so apologetic and comped our apps.  They apparently have two kitchens and are working on syncing them up.  As far as food we had the egg pizza, the pork pizza, cheeseburger, hanger steak, ricotta app and wings.  Everything was delicious.  I will 100% be back, plus the atmosphere was cool.

Below is the egg pizza which i ordered for my meal, I devoured the entire thing.  Don't be scared off by the anchovies on it, they give it great flavor.

Saturday morning I got up bright and early to run.  I have almost reached my goal of 4 miles I made it 3.8 miles.

Threw on my favorite tee again.  The pink is my new jam.

Free People Tee | Necklace is Theodosia

Enjoyed the best Shrimp po boy from The Glass Onion for lunch.

One of my oldest and dearest friends stopped through town and we were able to catch up.  Nothing better than picking right up with old friends. Lauren and I lived together in college and I miss her so much now that she is in California.  We don't get to see each other often so it is extra special when we do.

Sunday was low key.  We went to a family breakfast at Bagel Nation and grocery shopping.  Then we hit up the pool!

I had several request about my swim suit.  I bought this 4 years ago after I had Sterling and I still love it!  The fit is great, and I always love rouching for disguising belly flab.

Twist Front One Piece  

also on sale in blue

Sunglasses

 Frances loves the water, actually is scary because she has no fear and will just walk right in.  

Looking adorable in her flamingo suit- I found this at the Gap Outlet.

Today the Gigi New York Friends and Family Sale starts! Use code Friends15 to get 15% off the site!

I own several Gigi Purses and love them all.  Fantastic quality and love their color selection too. A few of my favorites.

Teddie Tote

Bucket Tote

Foldover Clutch

Happy.Monday.  Hope you all have a great start to your week.

New Favorite Cocktail + Other Random Thoughts

Hooray for the weekend!  Matt and I are off to dinner tonight with another couple and we are going to try a new restaurant called here on James Island called the Screen Door.  I love trying new restaurants and I am so excited for a date night.

First things first since it is Friday I want to share a new favorite cocktail.  It is so easy and resfreshing:

Vodka + Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice + jalapenos + salt rim

Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice is key, don't use store bought.  It tastes so much better if you juice a fresh grapefruit.

I don't even like a salt rim on a margarita but I love it on this cocktail.  It just pairs perfectly with the citrus and jalapeno.

I have no actual measurements but this is an estimate of what I did.

In a martini shaker add ice.  Add a doubleshot of vodka per person, add the juice of 2 grapefruits, and one sliced jalapeno.  Shake all together.  Rim glass with kosher salt and pour drink and enjoy!

Who has been watching the Bachelorette? I am so glad Kaitlyn won, I just love her personality.

What do y'all think about the bromance on the show??  It just seems so staged me, I bet they are actors.  I have a few favorite guys and look forward to seeing who wins.  On another note who is shocked Chris and Whitney split?  Not me, she seemed way more into him than he was into her.

I can't wait to pick up this issue of Vanity Fair.  This is all still a bit shocking to me, but I am so incredibly proud of Bruce for being true to himself.  I am also proud we live in a world today where this is accepted.  Everyone should be who they are at heart.  I know this was a tough decision for him to make, but also so brave and empowering.

One of my favorite lines just got picked up at Nordstrom.  Cooper and Ella was started by a fellow mom friend Kara, and I am so happy for her!

I am wearing the Rose Print Tee paired with my JCrew Tassel earrings (30% off)

Last night I enjoyed one of my all time favorite meals : Tomato Pie and Kale Caeasr Salad.  A perfect meatless meal.  Both recipes are under the recipes tab up top and I just updated it with all my recent recipes.

We leave for our vacation in a week!  I am so excited for some rest, relaxation. and adult only time- although I am already stressing about leaving my kids.  They are with me all the time so I know I am going to miss them like crazy.

A few pretties from JCrew coming with me.

Tassel Tunic | Red Dress | Tassel Necklace | Tassel Earrings

All 30% off right now with code SHOPNOW

These two melt my heart.  Now that Frances is getting a bit older they play together all the time and have the best time together.  I just love hearing them laugh and play.

If you are looking for a great Father's gift, check out JL The Brand socks.  These are Matt's favorite socks.  The quality is amazing and we love all the fun patterns.  You can use code SOCKS4POPS to get 25% off any purchase.

Rodney has been fitting right in over here.  He is such a sweetheart.  He loves to lay his head in your lap.

I have a new favorite lip color, thanks to Laura Mercier.  At my event last weekend the girls talked me into trying on this coral color and I fell in love with it.  It goes on like a lipgloss but lasts like a lipstick.  It is such  great color for Summer.

|| Laura Mercier Paint Wash in Coral Reef||

I need sone fun beach book recommendations for our trip.  Anyone read anything good?

I have been slowly reading books from this list Erin from Elements of Style recommended.  

Any favorites on this list?  I love the Language of Flowers and The Light Between the Oceans.

 Have a fabulous Friday!