Fall Favorites | Splurge vs Steal

I don't mind splurging on some core closet items but it is always nice to find a good deal too.  Everyone has different things they don't mind spending a little more money on.  I rounded up a few Fall trends in a splurge and steal version- you decide which one you like best!

ONE | Lace Up Flats

This is one shoe trend I am loving for Fall.

Aquazzura $675 |Topshop Lace up Flats $98

TWO | Distressed Jeans

I finally jumped on the band wagon to try the Blank Denim Jeans.  They are under $100 and honestly really impressed me.  I still love my Rag and Bone jeans but for the price these are awesome.  They offer a bit more stretch which I really like.

Rag and Bone $220 | Blank Denim $88

 THREE | Leather Jacket

I have to say I own both these jackets.  I was lucky enough to score my Vince one several years ago on major sale and while I prefer it, the BB Dakota jacket is a great option for less money.  The BB Dakota is faux leather and the fit is great. I own the brown version.

Vince Leather Jacket $995 | BB Dakota Drape Jacket $95

FOUR | Stripe Clutch

I have lusted after this Clare V Clutch forever.  I was in Old Navy this week and saw an almost identical one. Both are great for year round.

Clare V $225 | Old Navy $29

FIVE | Plaid Blouse

I always love plaid come Fall.  I actually picked up the Loft version this week.  It is fabulous on (see below)

Equipment Blouse $268 | Loft Plaid Blouse $59.50

SIX| Fringe Bootie

I am convinced I need some fringe booties this Fall.

Aquazurra $995 | Sam Edelman $170

and if you perfer a bit thicker heel or no heel these are two great options.

Ivanka Trump $179 | Bettye Muller (comes in 4 colors) $159

SEVEN | Sweatshirt Dress 

Nothing better than a cozy sweatshirt dress.  Love it alone or over leggings.

AG Sweatshirt Dress $178 | Glamorous Sweatshirt Dress $59 (also in burgundy) 

EIGHT | Off Shoulder Blouse

You all know I love this trend.  I will be rocking it into Fall!

Joie Off Shoulder $268 | Eight Sixty Blouse $70

 NINE | Drape Neck Coat

This is one of my favorite styles of Fall/Winter Coats.

Vince Drape Neck Coat $675 | Dreamers Drape Neck Coat $64

TEN | Horn Necklace

Perfect for layering this Fall.

Tory Burch Horn $250 | Vince Camuto Horn $48

ELEVEN | Stripe Poncho 

Ponchos are great to toss on over any outfit.

Tejido Poncho $242 | BP Stripe Poncho $42

TWELVE | Pointed Toe Loafers 

I keep seeing pointed toe shoes everywhere for Fall. 

Nicholas Kirkwood $395 | Jeffery Campbell $99

THIRTEEN | Embriodered Denim Dress

Kate Spade $348 | Old Navy $39

 FOURTEEN | Bucket Tote

 I own a bucket tote and love it.  You can actually fit way more inside than you think.

Tory Burch Robinson Bucket Tote $520 | Sole Society Bucket Tote $59

FIFTEEN | Stripe Tee 

A stripe tee is a closet staple year round.  I actually love both these versions.

Rag and Bone Camden Tee  $125 |  Lush Stripe Tee $34

Shrimp Tacos + Peach Salsa

Tacos are definitely in my top 10 favorite foods.  I love them and I love trying to dream up new combinations.  We make a pineapple salsa that we absolutely love but after recently reading my friend Liz's blog and seeing her peach salsa, I was inspired.  Especially since peaches are in season and so delicious right now! This meal would have perfect except our shrimp just did not taste that fresh.  I usually try and buy our seafood from a local shop but this time I was lazy and bought at the grocery store and they just tasted old.  So buy good shrimp it makes a difference.  When it was all said and done we ended up eating veggie tacos minus the shrimp and they were still amazing.  All the flavors still work together with or without the shrimp.  If you don't want to do shrimp because I scared you with my bad shrimp (haha) these would be awesome with a flaky white fish like mahi, or flounder.  The star is the peach salsa.   A touch of sweetness and spiciness pairs so well with seafood.  Also letting the shredded cabbage sit in lime juice and salt really brings out some nice flavor. It is a tip I learned from Gwyneth Paltrow and I do it every time we make fish tacos.

The salsa does not really save for more than a day so try and enjoy it the day you make it!

|| S H R I M P   T A C O S  +  P E A C H  S A L S A ||

- 1 pound peeled and devined shrimp

- 2 tablespoons taco seasonings

- 1 bag shredded cabbage

- I lime

- 1 can refried black beans

- Mexican quesco fresco cheese

- 4 ripe peaches, diced

- 1 jalapeno

- 3 ears corn

- 1/2 red onion finely diced 

- flour shells

Toss shrimp with 1 tablespoon oil and taco seasoning plus a few dashes of hot sauce.  In a large skillet add a little canola oil and heat it up.  Add shrimp and cook until pink about 5-7 minutes, tossing a few times.

Roast ears of corn at 350 degrees about 10-15 mins just to slightly cook.  You can wrap in foil or just lay on a baking sheet.

Toss the shredded cabbage with the juice of one lime and salt.  Let sit about 30 minutes before serving.

Heat refried beans.  Wrap flour shells in foil and briefly heat in oven.

Mix peaches, red onion, corn, and jalapeno in a bowl.  Add salt to taste and if desred a little lime juice.

To serve layer shell with beans, cabbage, shrimp, crumbled queso freso and salsa!

The Last Days of Summer

I can't believe our Summer has come to an end.  I honestly feel like it flew by this year.  This morning I will take Sterling to his first day of kindergarten.  Thank goodness they let us walk them in the first week although I am terrified I am going to start bawling the moment I get to his classroom.   He is ready but I am not.  This is my first born, my baby and I am not quite ready for this step.  For 5 years he has been my side kick and while I will be happy for some alone time and one on one time with Frances I will dearly miss him.  But alas this is part of life and having kids. You have to let them grow up a little.

This past week I really tried to spend some one on one time with Sterling.  I sent Frances to stay with my parents for a few days so I could focus on just him before school started.

We hit up the Riverbank Zoo which was really fun.  The kids loved seeing all the animals.  The Riverbanks zoo was nice because you could navigate thru there fairly quickly and it was an easy day trip from Charleston.  We toured the zoo in about 2 hours then had a delicious lunch at Dipratos!

Free People Tee Shirt | Sunglasses | Shorts |Gigi New York Purse (on sale)

We loved the lion and flamingos, they were our favorite animals.

and this little monkey loved Sterling, he got right up to the glass to look at him.

After the zoo my mom took Frances back to Charlotte and I had two and half days just with Sterling.

We enjoyed a few meals out which was so nice because Frances is difficult to dine out with these days.  We saw the Minions movie and did some back to school shopping.

Enjoyed a beautiful evening walk.

Plaid Blouse | Jeans 

We also hit up our pool.

Cooked two of my favorite meatless meals.  Matt and I have still been trying to eat primarily vegetarian meals and we are feeling really good.

Roasted Veggie Couscous | Vegetarian Taco Salad

My parents brought Frances back in town so we got to spend time with them as well. 

We always love happy hour on their deck.

Wearing Free People Dress.

Ended our weekend labeling things and getting ready for school.

The labels are Minted, they are waterproof and so awesome.

For all you Lily lovers the big sale starts this morning at 8:00am.  I am hoping to snag a few dresses and rompers for Frances Moon!  You can shop it all HERE.

Good Luck this week Mamas.

Weekend Style | Free People

Happy Saturday Loves!  We are enjoying our last weekend of Summer (sniff, sniff).  Hitting up the pool then hanging out with my parents who came in town to visit!

I wanted to share a dress I am super in love with.  

The colors and pattern are just gorgeous.  It is a loose fit so it totally could be worn while pregnant too.  I am wearing a size small for sizing reference.

Free People Fiesta Dress also Here

It is light weight, so it is perfect to wear now but I will totally wear it into Fall paired with tights and booties.  I wore it last night for happy hour and dinner.

This is my third recent Free People purchase and I have to say I am loving that line. It is not crazy expensive and the designs have a bohemian vibe that I really love.

This dress is another favorite.

Free People Victorian Dress

This is another Free People Dress, that I bought a few months ago.  It is now on sale in the berry color I am wearing and white.

Emma Trapeze Dress

I rounded up some other Free People Favorites.  Scroll thru to see them all!

Artist Spotlight | 10 Artists I am Loving

The older I have gotten the more interested I have become in art.  There are so many amazing artists out there.  I wanted to share a few artists and their work that I am loving.  I tend to gravitate towards more abstract and modern art, I know everyone likes different art but these are a few artist's whose work I am swooning over. 

 M I L E S  P U R V I S 

 Miles just painted this figure for us and I just adore it.   The detail in person is even more gorgeous.

A N N  B  S C H W A R T Z  

I am lucky to call Ann one of my best friends.  She just recently started her Etsy shop and is super talented.  Plus her prices are very reasonable.  These are two of my favorite paintings she has done.

K E R R Y  S T E E L E 

I would love to own one of Kerry's pieces for my home.   She does amazing abstract work.

J E N N Y  A N D R E W S  A N D E R S O N

I originally became a fan of Jenny's thru her blog.  Now I am obsessed with her artwork.  I own a small piece that is hanging in Frances Moon's room.  She does beautiful abstracts but I am loving her new jelly fish series.

H A Y L E Y  M I T C H E L L |  A R T  H K M

Miles introduced me to this artist and I love her style especially the faces.  When I re-do Frances Moon's room I definitely plan on using one!

R A V E N  R O X A N N E 

Raven is a local Charleston artist and I was just introduced to her work.  I immediately fell in love with it- especially the girl with flowers series.  She is actually releasing a whole new batch of them today at 9:30 am!

K A T E  L O N G  S T E V E N S O N 

Katie is also a dear friend of mine.  Her art is incredible.  I would love to own a nude and abstract one day soon!

L I N D S A Y  C O W L E S 

Lindsay not only does gorgeous paintings but also wallpaper, textiles and pillows.  I am 100% obsessed with her wallpaper and need to find a use for it.

M A R Q U I N  D E S I G N S 

Marquin actually did a beautiful painting for us.  It was in our dining room but I just moved it to our den and I am loving it there.  She does some beautiful abstract landscapes.  She also has some cool pillow covers, cocktail napkins and even pacis made with her art!

S U S I  E   B E T T E R H A U S E N 

I came across Susie thru Instagram and immediately began following her. She has the cutest family, her two sons are gorgeous just like her.  She paints at beach and I love the vibe it gives her art.  It all feels peaceful and relaxing to me.

If you can't afford the real thing, One Kings Lane has some fabulous prints and other options.  Most of these are 50-70% off and come already framed and ready to hang.  I bought a Teil Duncan print from OKL , that I love.