Thursday, July 21, 2011

DVF Rocks My World

It is no secret I am a huge fan of DVF's clothing line. I absolutely adore her dresses and blouses. They are staples in my closet that I never tire of and always want to wear. I am smitten with her fall line. Bloomingdales showed a sneak peek of all her fall clothes and they are simply gorgeous. The color palette is beautiful and the styles are so flattering. Here are a few I am lusting after!









All can found at Bloomingdales


For fun I thought I would share some of my favorite DVF pieces. These are three of my all time favorite DVF blouses that I wear all the time! I can't wait to add more to my growing collection!






Wednesday, July 20, 2011

7 Layer Greek Dip


So I went with the Greek dip last weekend for dinner with our friends. Are you surprised? I am a Greek food freak, can't get enough of it. This dip was amazing!! Even my hubby who usually doesn't love hummus or feta was scarfing it down. It was easy to prepare early in the day and then just let it sit in the fridge for a few hours. I think it gets even better as it sits and the flavors mold together. I think overall this is a pretty healthy dip that you don't have to feel guilty eating. I served ours with whole wheat pita chips.

My dip is not quite as pretty as Ourbestbite's photo up top but I assure you it tasted great. I really need to take a class in food photography 101!


7-Layer Greek Dip
Adapted by Our Best Bites from the Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook

1 8-oz. package cream cheese, softened (I used low-fat)
1 tsp. dill weed or Greek seasoning (salt free–go for a mix that just has herbs)
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 1/2 c. hummus
1 c. seeded, diced cucumbers
1 c. seeded, diced tomatoes
1/2 c. chopped Kalamata olives
1/3 c. chopped green onions (about 3 green onions completely chopped)
1/2 c. crumbled Feta cheese
1/8-1/4 c. minced fresh parsley

With an electric mixer, combine the cream cheese, seasoning, garlic, and lemon juice until light and fluffy. Spread in the bottom of a pie plate or a small, shallow baking dish. Then spread a layer of hummus. In order, create layers by sprinkling the cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, onions, Feta cheese, and parsley. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours. Serve with pita chips, fresh vegetables, and/or flatbread

check out Ourbestbites HERE to see some assembly pictures of the 7 layer dip and to view a really fabulous food blog.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Obsessions

PINK DINING ROOM CHAIRS
I am currently lusting after pink dining room chairs. My dining room walls are a pale gray so I think pink could look really great in there. I love all these dining rooms with their gorgeous pink chairs!






AUGUSTA'S OLIVE PIMENTO CHEESE
This is a company based out of Charlotte that makes delish pimento cheese. I just tried their new white cheddar olive pimento cheese and it was off the hook. I adore cheese and olives so this was the perfect spread for me. They also make original and jalapeno flavors. The best part is you can read and understand all the ingredients on the label. There are no weird additives or flavors. Just pure delicious cheese. Another reason I love it, Augusta is my sister's middle name:) They are sold at Harris Teeter. I couldn't find a website for them but they do have a facebook page, so check them out!





MINT ICE CUBES
I frequently make lemon and lime ice cubes and love them. I had an abundance of mint in my garden and decided to make mint ice cubes. They are so refreshing and tasty. I use them in water and my green tea, they give the perfect touch of mint to your drink!





FIREFLY LANE BY KRISTIN HANNAH
I just started reading this book and I am already almost half way through it. Without sounding like too much of a nerd I look forward to reading it every night and don't want to put it down! It is the story of the friendship of two girls and it follows them over a 30 year time span. I highly recommend this!! Has anyone read any of Kristin's other novels? Just curious as this is the first book I have read by her and might want to check out her others.




MARA HOFFMAN MAXI DRESS
I am in love with this maxi dress. I love the twisted strap, the colors and everything! It is still out of my price range even though it is one sale, but maybe if it gets reduced again I can snag it!


via


I hope you all have a lovely Tuesday!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Party Time

I don't actually have plans to throw a party anytime soon, but all these amazing party ideas I keep coming across are giving me the itch to entertain. I am thinking maybe I need to throw an end of summer party, so I can put some of these fabulous ideas to use!



Individual champagnes, love this!!


Margarita jello shooters- this would be so cute for a cinco de mayo party. And yes I do still like jello shots:)



Popsicles in champagne= delicious



Tequila poured over lime sorbet. I am a true tequila lover so this is right up my alley.



Trix on stick, def using for Sterling's next party.



Veggies in tiny bread bowls, adorable.



Watermelon punch bowl, love this. Wish I had seen it to use for the 4th of July.


The most gorgeous veggie spread I have ever seen.



Pizza muffins, seriously get in my belly!
Any other great party ideas, send them my way!
All ideas via

Friday, July 15, 2011

Trip Home

I have been home this week visiting my parents and it has been lovely. I was able to get a mani/pedi which was a real luxury since I never really have time to get one these days. I did my nails in OPI Bubble Bath one of my all time favorite neutral colors.



I did my toe nails in OPI My Chiuaua Bites. A great reddish coral for the summer.




While I was home we enjoyed a delicious bottle of red wine, Midsummer Cellars Cabernet. It was one of the best bottles of red wine I have tried lately. My mom found it on special at Harris Teeter for $34.99 but it had originally been $50. I highly recommend this wine, if you find it somewhere you should def pick up a bottle.



My mom and I did some shopping and hit up Marshalls, one of our favorite bargain shopping spots. I am really regretting not buying this patterned blouse and yellow silk jacket. Don't you hate when you have buyers remorse? Now I am back in Charleston so I can't even go back and try to find them. Guess it wasn't meant to be!




When I got back home and was unpacking my little man got his hands on a pen and pretty much colored on everything white in our house. My pillows, my vanity stool, and white leather desk chair. I guess that now that I have a kid the white furniture needs to go. My poor vanity stool:(



I am thinking about making either this Loaded Baked Potato Dip or 7 Layer Greek Dip this weekend. Has anyone made either before? I found both recipes on Pinterest. They both make my mouth water so I am having a hard time deciding!




BTW does anyone think it is funny that Kate Hudson had a boy after the whole time she was pregnant she kept saying she was certain it was a girl. Goes to show you mother's intuition is not always right. Trust me I know because I too was convinced I was having a girl. What about the name they chose, The little guy's name is Bingham "Bing" Hawn Bellamy. It reminds me of Chandler Bing, but I think it is kind of cute and I love that she used her mom's last name. Congrats to them and Ryder for becoming a big brother!

Happy Friday! I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! xoxo


I am also guest posting today over at Lisa's fabulous blog, Stilettos and Diaper Bags, doing what I do best and sharing my obsessions! Check out the post here!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Aged to Perfection

I think I am not alone in worrying about aging. I frequently think about wrinkles, crows feet, and saggy boobs. After turning 30 last year and having a baby I can already tell a difference in my body. I have to workout harder to maintain my same weight and I religiously wash and moisturize my face. My mom looks amazing for her age, so I can only hope I will age as well as her! These celebs give me great inspiration too. They are all moms pushing 40 or older and I think they look the best they ever have!

GWYNETH PALTROW
My numero uno girl crush looks amazing for 38. She has two kids and still rocks a bikini and has an envious figure (thank you Tracy Anderson and why don't I look like that after your videos?)




COURTNEY COX
Courtney is 47 and looks better than ever. Her skin is flawless. I know she swears by Kinerase skin products. I have never tried them but probably should if it would make my skin look like hers!





CINDY CRAWFORD
Is another celeb that has aged fabulously. Granted she was a supermodel so maybe it is in her genes, but for 45 she looks about 25 years old. She has her own beauty and skincare line called Meaningful Beauty that obviously works!





CHRISTIE BRINKLEY
At 57 years Christie is a true bombshell. She may not be lucky in love but man does she look stunning for someone pushing 60.





KELLY RIPA
She just turned 40 last year and I think she looks better than ever. She is a workout machine, running 4-5 miles daily and swearing by Physique 57 and spinning classes. For having 3 kids she has an amazing body. She honestly looks like a 20 year old in these pictures.




Granted all these celebs have personal trainers and chefs, but here is too hoping with some good skincare, diet and exercise regimes we can look this good past 40 too! Which means I probably shouldn't have skipped my workout this morning and should reconsider eating tacos tonight....

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Chopped Greek Salad

Alot of you asked me to share my daily lunch recipe for my chopped Greek Salad. I have been making small tweaks weekly but this is currently what I think is the perfect combo. I use spinach as my lettuce because I love it and dark greens are so good for you. I have tried it with Romain and it is good as well, so use whatever lettuce you have/like. I have also used white beans if I am out of chickpeas, so make substitutions with what you have. I love the addition of the crumbled pita chips it gives the salad a great crunch.

I added the ingredients of this salad in my "Lose It" app on my iPhone to calculate the calories and it came in right over 400 calories which I think is perfect for a lunch. Trust me I always make a huge salad, so you can eat alot for 400 calories. This is a healthy lunch you don't have to feel guilty eating because you are getting so many fresh vegetables in one serving. Enjoy!





CHOPPED GREEK SALAD
-spinach julienne sliced
-handful chickpeas rinsed
-1 small tomato diced
-diced cucumber
-diced red onion
-diced yellow bell pepper (I usually quarter it so I can use it for 4 salads)
-diced kalamata olives (I always use 7)
-crumbled feta cheese (I think it makes such a difference to buy fresh good feta. I use the kind that comes in water.)
-handful of crumbled pita chips (I prefer Stacy's whole wheat pita chips)


Mix all ingredients together and toss with red wine vinegar dressing. I usually let my salad sit for a minute or two so the dressing gets absorbed and covers everything.




RED WINE VINEGAR DRESSING
-about 1 tablespoon olive oil
-about 1/8 cup Red Wine Vinegar
-dash of salt and pepper
Whisk all together. Add more red wine vinegar if needed. I occasionally add in a bit of fresh lemon juice if I have a lemon. I sometimes also add a little chopped fresh dill or parsley to the dressing. Just taste as you make it, I love the red wine vinegar flavor so I use alot of it, but you can definitely do less.