Tuesday, August 31, 2010

The Thrill of the Hunt

Normally I am not a Goodwill shopper, which is funny because I enjoy scouring consignment and antique stores for great home finds. After reading Emily A Clark's blog and learning about all the great goodies she has found at Goodwill, I was inspired! My mother-in-law is also a big Goodwill shopper, so when she was in town last week I suggested we check it out. Now trust me when I say most of it is junk. You have to be lucky or have a good eye. Right when we walked in there was a fur coat on a mannequin that had literally been brought in that day. It was in mint condition for $30! I quickly scarfed that up, as I adore faux and real fur (sorry to any PETA lovers). I mean where can you find a real fur coat for that cheap? How fabulous is this jacket going to look with a turtleneck, skinny jeans and boots this fall!



Lately, I had been looking for something to hang Sterling's outfits on above his changing table. I came across this and thought, perfect! Best part it was only $2.95!

Hideous colors, but nothing a can of white gloss spray paint couldn't fix!
This is what it looked like after! Pretty cute I think!


While I won't be shopping at Goodwill everyday, I am now alot more open to the idea of looking for some treasures here! So, next time I go on one of my cleaning sprees and drop my old junk off, I might just pop in and check out other people's old junk!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Our Staycation

As many of you know my hubby was laid off a few weeks ago. The good news is he quickly found a new job, but still had a few weeks of downtime before he started back to work. So we have been having a staycation right here in Charleston. We have been trying to do all local things that we never seem to have the time to do!

First on our list was a visit to Charlestown Landing. The oldest spot in town where the first low country settlers landed in 1670. It was neat, they had a zoo filled with bison, bears, deer, bobcats, and turkeys. Sterling was very intrigued by all the animals. They also had a re-creation of the original settlement and a trading vessel from the era. It was fun minus the swarms of mosquitoes and 105 heat index. I stupidly tried to dress cute in my Rebecca Taylor blouse that was later covered in bug spray and sweat.


This was a cool monument at Charlestown Landing

Matt and Sterling (Matt has clearly sweated through his shirt at this point.)

Me in my cute sweat soaked blouse and sweet baby boy

Next we went to a local Mexican restaurant, La Carreta, to celebrate a friend getting into nursing school. On Friday nights they do free tequila shots, so we all had a very good time!

Sterling loved the mariachi band!

Sterling putting the moves on an older baby, Maggie. We have a flirt on our hands!


Our next local spot was Folly Beach. We live literally 10 minutes from the beach but we never go to just relax! We have never taken Sterling to the beach before and he absolutely loved it!




Finally we ended up on Matt's dad's sailboat at the Ashley Marina downtown. We enjoyed a few beers with a spectacular view. Overall our staycation a success.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Seafood Lasagna


This is another family recipe I am sharing this week. I remember when I was growing up my mother and grandmother would get together, drink wine and make this lasagna. We ate it alot when I was younger but it had been years since I had this lasagna again until Sterling was born. After he was born my mom made us this lasagna and I was like why I have not been making this all these years!! It is so rich and creamy and amazing! We made it a few weeks ago for dinner club and it was a huge hit. Like any lasagna it takes a little time to assemble but it is so worth it. It makes a huge batch so you could make one huge lasagna or two smaller ones and freeze one to save.

Confession- this picture is not the actual lasagna I made (although I am sure you already knew that since the quality of the picture is way better than what my camera produces). It is a random seafood lasagna picture but you get the idea of what it should look like. I forgot to take a picture when I made this for dinner club. But picture or not I promise you are going to love this lasagna! It is filled with seafood and so tasty!
PHOTO: timeinc.net

SEAFOOD LASAGNA
-1 CUP CHOPPED ONION
-2TBSP BUTTER
-1 8OZ PACKAGE CREAM CHEESE
-1.5 CUPS COTTAGE CHEESE
-1 EGG
-2 TSP DRIED BASIL
-1/2 TSP SALT
-1/8 TSP PEPPER
-2 10 3/4 OZ CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP
-1/3 CUP MILK
-1/3 CUP WHITE WINE
-1.5 POUNDS SHRIMP COOKED
-8 OZ LUMP CRAB MEAT
-8 LASAGNA NOODLES COOKED
-1/4 CUP GRATED PARMESAN
-1 CUP GRATED SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES. GREASE A 13X9 OVEN PROOF DISH. SAUTE ONION IN BUTTER UNTIL BROWN. BLEND IN CREAM CHEESE. ADD COTTAGE CHEESE, EGG, BASIL, SALT AND PEPPER. IN ANOTHER BOWL COMBINE SOUP, MILK, WINE AND STIR. ADD IN SHRIMP AND CRAB MEAT. PLACE 4 LASAGNA NOODLES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE DISH. SPREAD 1/2 THE CHEESE MIXTURE AND THEN 1/2 THE SHRIMP MIXTURE. REPEAT LAYERS. SPRINKLE WITH PARMESAN CHEESE AND CHEDDAR CHEESE. BAKE UNCOVERED FOR 45-55 MINS.
THIS DISH CAN BE FROZEN AFTER COOKING.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

My Missoni Wish List

I love M Missoni. I own three dresses and a skirt and they are some of my favorite pieces in my closet. I think they are classic and I always love them even years after I have bought them. Their clothing is definitely an investment but it is worth it. I always watch and wait til it goes on sale and scarf it up! Neiman Marcus runs great sales on M Missoni frequently, so keep an eye out for great deals there. These are two pieces I am lusting after for my fall wardrobe. I can so see Rachel Zoe sporting the cardigan which makes me love it even more!


PHOTOS: NEIMAN MARCUS

They also have some fabulous home accessories like pillows, throws and blankets.
I adore this pillow, in one of their signature zigzag prints.

I love this outdoor seat cushion. It is so cute in the black and white pattern!

I am dying to have this fabulous pouf in my den!

Normally I am a fan of an all white bed, but I love the idea of this zigzag blanket as a throw on a chair or foot of a bed.

Best of all, all of this Missoni home collection is on sale at Unica Home right now through September!
PHOTOS: UNICA HOME

Monday, August 23, 2010

I love Target


I love Target for many reasons. The clothes, home decor, beauty, and baby sections are awesome. How sad is it that I actually look forward to my weekly Target trips to buy diapers and formula? I could walk around that store for hours! No matter how often I go, I swear I end up spending a $100 easily each time. Toiletries, Baby stuff and food really add up fast (especially with the occasional bottle of wine and clothing purchase added in)!

I now have a new reason to love Target even more. Caldrea, one of my absolute favorite lines of soaps and candles has partnered with Target to create a line just for their stores. It is called the Caldrea Essential Collection and prices range from $5.99 to $19.99. If you have ever purchased Caldrea products before you know this is a steal! The three scents they offer are Citron Ginger, Olive Oil and Herbs de Provence. They all smell fabulous but I am especially loving the Olive Oil scent. It is such a fresh, light and clean smell, not over powering at all. I bought the three pack set which includes; hand soap, counter top spray, and dish soap all in a stainless steel caddy, for only $19.99!

I am kind of obsessed with this new line. My counters are definitely cleaner because I love smelling my new spray! And an added bonus the bottles are packaged beautifully and look great sitting out on my kitchen counter. I highly suggest you pick up some of the Caldrea products next time you are at Target, you won't be disappointed!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

I've Been Tagged

My beautiful friend Erin at HuddyP tagged me for this questionnaire. If you have never read her blog, check it out, she is hilarious! We have been friends for 10 plus years and even though we are in different cities now we still remain besties!

1)What is your signature color?
My first instinct is white. It is so fresh, modern and truly me. I love all white decor, especially an all white fluffy bed! If I didn't have a baby and a dog I would most definitely have a white couch. For as long as I am can remember I have always loved an all white room. I almost did Sterling's nursery all white and my mom talked me out of it. While I love his chocolate brown walls, I am still thinking my next baby is getting an all white nursery. I adore white and how clean it is!


PHOTOS: HOUSE BEAUTIFUL

2)What is your most embarrassing moment?
Probably when I was about 10 years old I fell in the big fountain in the middle of SouthPark Mall. All you native Charlotteans, I know you remember this fountain. I was a chubby kid too busy eating my Baskin and Robins ice cream cone and I tripped and fell in. Humiliating considering I had to walk through the whole mall dripping wet to get back to my parents car.

PHOTO:FLICKR BY YAHOO

3)Would you get anything pierced other than your ears? If so what?
Definitely not. However, I will admit that in high school I pierced the top part of my ear (so tacky, I know that now). It lasted all of two weeks before I got annoyed with it and took it out.

4)Are you a social butterfly or homebody?
I fall right in the middle. More often than not I prefer a relaxing evening at home with my hubs, baby boy and a bottle of wine. The Bravo TV shows have more than entertained me this summer- thank you Mrs. Zoe, Bethenny and the Housewives. But I really do enjoyed getting gussied up and going on a date night or out with the girls!


PHOTO:BRAVO


5)Are you done having babies or do you want more?

Definitely more!



6)Are you loyal to your hairstylist or do you try every new salon in town?
Very loyal. so loyal that I drive three hours to Charlotte every month to get my roots done. Love you Pooran, at Poza Salon. Best hair color ever!


7)How many times have you moved in your life?
10 times! All have been in Chapel Hill (college years), Charlotte (post college) and Charleston (married life). My poor dad has been such a trooper helping me move my stuff every time! I am exhausted just thinking about all that moving but I am sure if and when our family expands we will move again. Our goal is to ultimately have a house on the water down here one day!


8)If you could take a vacation for just you and your love where would it be?
Anywhere tropical but I think I would pick Bora Bora after watching the last season of the Bachelorette. I want to stay in one of those huts in the middle of crystal blue waters!! That is my idea of paradise!! Now if only I could afford to get there!

PHOTOS: GOOGLE IMAGES

Now I am supposed to tag some people. I'm going to tag:

Caycee over at Hanging with the Hewitts

Melanie at Your Style Scout

Natalie at Everyday Sunshine

CA Wife at Life as a California Wife

Gigi at A Non-Desperate Housewife (unless you are busy having that new baby girl!)


Eggplant Casserole


Like any true Southerner, I love a casserole. All that ooey gooey goodness, whats not to love? And now that I have a baby and my time for cooking has dwindled, I love casseroles even more. They are super easy to make and can easily be made ahead of time and served later. This recipe is for a casserole that my mom and grandmother made all the time when I was growing up. I have tweaked it a bit and this is my adapted version. If you love eggplant you are going to love this casserole! So Paula Deen, eat your heart out (although I promise my casserole is healthier than what she would make)!

EGGPLANT CASSEROLE

-1 LARGE EGGPLANT- PEELED AND SLICED INTO THIN ROUNDS
-2-3 TOMATOES, SLICED
-1 WHITE ONION, SLICED
-1 BAG FRESH SPINACH
-1 BOTTLE OF ANNIES ROASTED RED PEPPER DRESSING
-SLICED CHEESE (I USE CRACKER BARREL WHITE CHEDDAR OR REGULAR CHEDDAR)

IN A CASSEROLE DISH (I USE THE 9X13 RECTANGLE SIZE)LAYER FIRST THE EGGPLANT, THEN TOMATO, ONIONS, AND SPINACH. POUR HALF THE BOTTLE OF DRESSING OVER THESE LAYERS. ADD A LAYER OF CHEESE. THEN REPEAT THE LAYERS ONCE MORE. POUR THE REMAINING DRESSING (SOMETIMES I DON'T USE THE WHOLE BOTTLE, DEPENDS HOW LIQUIDY YOU LIKE YOUR CASSEROLE). TOP WITH CHEESE. BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES OR UNTIL BUBBLY.

**NOTE- YOU CAN REALLY USE ANY DRESSING YOU LOVE ON THIS CASSEROLE. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL BUT PREFER THE ANNIES. IT IS ALSO GOOD WITH SUN DRIED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE OR ITALIAN. MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO MAKE HERS WITH CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP.