Thoughts For Thursday

I can't tell you how excited I was to see this peek of Jessica and Justin's wedding day on the cover of People.  I really like them together and can't wait to devour this issue.  I think she looks stunning and I read he played the guitar and serenaded her as she walked down the aisle (tear,  so sweet).

Has anyone heard of the Kid Fresh line before?  I stumbled upon this while aimlessly browsing at Harris Teeter yesterday while Sterling was in school- ah the joys of grocery shopping alone.  Anyways it is a kid line that has hidden veggies in the food.  I served Sterling the mac and cheese that had carrots mixed in last night for dinner and he gobbled it up.  Now I know, some of you are thinking you could just puree carrots and do that yourself,  but I am too lazy this is way easier. (Mel this is precisely why your baby food line will rock!)

I just found the perfect little black shift dress (and statement necklace too).    This dress is on its way to me and I just adore it, especially the exposed zipper in the back.  Of course I had to have the necklace to go with it.  Great Fall Outfit.

{Velvet Tara Ponte Dress} and {Kenneth Jay Lane Agate Necklace}

My latest book I am reading from the Library is Andy Cohen's "Most Talkative".  This book has been pretty funny and I have loved all the gossip on the Housewives in it.  If you are obsessed with the Housewives likes me you should check this book out.   It is a great easy breezy read.  Plus how can you not love Andy?

Thanks to my friend Katie I think I found the light fixture for Sterling's room.  She sent me this link from Land of Nod and I am sold.  This light is adorable and super affordable.    It looks similar to the Sputnik but I like that it is a more kid friendly version.
{Up and Atom Chandelier}

I am obsessed with the new Mumford and Sons CD, Babel.  If you loved their first CD you must buy this one.  Every single song is good.  It currently on repeat in my car (I love songs 1,6, and 10).

We got some sad news this week that one of my friends fathers passed away.  It got me thinking alot about things and how we need to really embrace and appreciate our time on Earth for it is fleeting.   We need to tell our families we love them everyday.   It made me realize things quite often don't go the way we had planned them but we have to trust God and his master plan.  I ask for you all to say a little prayer for my sweet friend during this difficult time to give her strength to get through this.

Roasted Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas

If you are like me you may have seen this recipe floating around the blogasphere and thought,  dang I need to make that!  The original recipe comes from Marina's gorgeous blog Yummy Mummy- a must read if you don't already check out her recipes.  Marina makes healthy delicious meals all accompanied by beautiful photographs and she is coming out with a cookbook soon!   I originally saved this recipe from Marina's blog then saw my girl Natasha gave it raving reviews so I knew I needed to try it.  I made a few adaptions to the recipe to make it spicier because we love some flavor in the Mason Household.  I adored this meal, like seriously I am dreaming about leftovers.  Best part is this is such a healthy meal packed with flavor.  The sauce on it is made with Greek Yogurt not sour cream and it is filled with veggies.    Please make this dish you will not be disappointed!!

{Roasted Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas}

Adapted from Yummy Mummy Kitchen ( I denoted my changes in pink)

Serves 4

2 1/2 cups 1/2-inch cubed butternut squash (12-ounces, or about 1 small-medium peeled, seeded squash) - I used the pre diced kind saves so much time and arm strength!

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1-2 teaspoons chili powder

15 ounces cooked or canned black beans, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup chopped yellow onion

2 jalapenos seeded and diced

Tabasco Green Sauce

1 1/2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, plus more cilantro for garnish

12 ounces jarred or fresh mild green salsa

1/4 cup 2% plain Greek yogurt (such as Chobani)

1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

Queso Fresco Crumbled

8 corn tortillas (I used Flour Tortillas)

1 large ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced

1 cup low fat sour cream

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place cubed butternut squash on a large baking pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper and Chili Powder. Toss to coat. Roast for 20 minutes or until tender. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, stir together roasted butternut squash, beans, chopped onion, jalapeno, and cilantro. In another medium bowl, stir together salsa and yogurt and several dashes Tabasco green sauce. 

Pour a thin layer of the salsa sauce over the bottom of 10" x 7" casserole dish. The 10x7-inch dish is perfect for corn tortillas, but an 8-inch square baking dish would work as well. Place 1/3 cup of the squash and bean mixture into each tortilla. Top with 1 tablespoon of cheese and roll up. Place seam-side-down in the baking dish. Continue until all the squash mixture is used up. Pour the remaining salsa sauce over the top of enchiladas. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until cheese has melted and starting to brown in places, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve with sour cream and avocado.

Sterling's Big Boy Room Reveal

Instead of my normal Obsessions Post today I thought I would switch gears and go ahead and show you Sterling's Big Boy Room.  I have hyped it up so much now you are all probably sick of hearing about it.  I knew I wanted to create a space that was not babyish and had no theme (ugh I hate themed rooms).  I wanted it to be a space he grow into for many years.

I am pretty darn proud of the space and how I transformed it.  I had more fun designing this space than his nursery.  Best part is I really didn't spend too much money on anything.  I worked with alot of pieces we already had and just moved things around in our house.  One thing that is still not complete is the overhead light.  I am saving to get a Sputnik and when I do I will post pictures (so just use your imagination its gonna look fab) but it may be awhile what with the holidays right around the corner, mama needs to be saving for gifts. 

  Photographing a small room is hard as heck.  It was impossible to get good angles, but here we go!

The bed was Matt's grandparents and worked perfect because it was low to the ground. I was originally going to paint it decided I loved all the dark wood for a little boy room and he can totally grow into it and use this furniture for years. The frog was a gift from my mom before Sterling was born and he insists on sleeping with it everynight!

The ottoman was my parents and I just had the top recovered.  It is awesome because the top comes off and I can store toys inside.  Sterling also uses it as kind of a step stool to climb into his bed!

This is the view directly across from Sterling's bed.  His room is super small but the space works perfect for him.

The wood cabinet was a piece that was in our guest room.  I decided to move it because I liked the wood paired with his bed.

I have come to realize that bookcases are impossible to arrange or maybe I just suck at it.  I will never be totally happy with how these look but for now this works.

Sterling is still not potty trained so I decided to leave his changing table in his room for now.  I removed the top pad and just change him on the bed now but I still use the inside for diaper and health care storage. I moved the snakeskin mirror from our foyer because I loved the idea of it in a little boys room.   Eventually I would like a small Campaign dresser for this space or a Lucite desk that he could use as he gets older and has homework.

So there you have it, a masculine yet playful room that hopefully Sterling can grow into for years to come! 

SOURCES:

Paint Color:  Benjamin Moore:  Toasted Walnut

Rug: HomeGoods (Similar Here)

Bed: Antique

Whale Sheets: Pottery Barn Kids (no longer available)

White Coverlet and Shams: Homegoods

Monogrammed Pillow: Monogram done at O'Connor Monogramming

Ottoman: Hand me Down

Abstract Art:  Sally King Benedict

Animal Art Prints:  Estate Sale Score, Frames from Micheals

White Lamp:  Homegoods

3 Sprouts Elephant Storage Bin:  Sugar Snap Pea or Diapers.com

Eames Rocker: Consignment

Love You Pillow: Purchased in Pawleys Island at store called Breathe

Bookcase: My dad made

Curtains:  Restoration Hardware Baby and Child

Changing Table: My dad made

3 Sprouts Seal Diaper Caddy: Sugar Snap Pea or Diapers.com

Scenes From Our Weekend

I met my Mom Thursday in Columbia so she could take Sterling for the weekend.  Let me tell you it was a long weekend without my little nugget and I missed him like crazy.  Mom and I did a little shopping in Columbia because that is what we do best.  I found this great silver pumpkin for our front porch.  Nothing wrong with a fake pumpkin:)

I made the Compost Cookies featured on Glitter Guide last week.  Wowza, they were good.  I loved the potato chips in them but next time I may leave out the caramel rice cakes I didn't like the consistency they made the cookies.  But I loved the salty sweet combo.

Friday I worked on cleaning and organizing Sterling's Room.  And I finally took pictures so I will reveal his big boy room this week:)  It is much easier to photgraph a room without a two year old throwing toys everywhere!  Here is one more teaser- how adorable are the whale sheets from PB?

Friday Night we went to the best Halloween Party at my girl Caycee's house. We had so much fun. I went as a Hippie and Matt went as a Hot Dog.  My dress was true vintage,  it was my mom's from when she was in college, I love that I have so many of her old clothes.

 Here are a few shots from the party....

We had such a fun time, Caycee always throws the best parties.  Saturday we slept in and enjoyed a leisure kid free lunch.  We tried out a new spot on James Island called the Sloppy Cow.  I loved my Black Bean burger, but Matt had mixed feelings about his stuffed Spicy Burger.  I would still eat there again.

After lunch Matt and I went a long boat ride for the rest of the afternoon.  It was the perfect weather for a boat ride and since we had no baby with us we could take our time and enjoy ourselves.  I caught up on a stack of magazines I had been wanting to read and enjoyed some delicious vino!

Sunday I was thrilled to be reunited with my little man.  It was crazy how much I missed that sweet face!

Happy Monday Dolls!

xoxo

Blog Sale Time!

Ladies I am knee deep cleaning out our closets while my little man is away.  Here are a few pieces for sale.  I may add more so be on the lookout!  Shipping is $5 and I will combine if you buy more than one item.  Email me with questions or if you want to buy: nataliemason24@yahoo.com

J CREW TIPPI HEARTS SWEATER

SIZE= SMALL

RETAILED FOR $89.50

NEW WITHOUT TAGS

$40
(SOLD)

REBECCA TAYLOR SNAKESKIN/FLORAL BLOUSE

SIZE=0 (PLEASE NOTE THIS RUNS BIG I WOULD SAY IT IS CLOSER TO A SIZE 2/4)

RETAILED FOR $295

$85

REBECCA TAYLOR HEARTS BLOUSE

SIZE=4

RETAILED FOR $325

$85
(SOLD)

REBECCA TAYLOR SEQUINED BLOUSE

SIZE=4

RETAILED FOR $350

$100

I OWN THIS BLOUSE IN THE WHITE VERSION AND IT IS FABULOUS!! PERFECT FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
(SOLD)

AMANDA UPRICHARD DRESS

SIZE= SMALL

RETAILED FOR $198

$65

PEARS AND BEARS GREEN JON-JON

SIZE 24 MONTHS

$20
(SOLD)

STRASBURG BEAR JON-JON

SIZE=18 MONTHS (RUNS ON THE LARGE SIDE MORE LIKE 24 MONTHS/2T)

$18

COLLECTION BEBE SMOCKED FIRETRUCK LONG JON

SIZE= 24 MONTHS

$25

(SOLD)