Obsessions

LOREN HOPE JEWELRY
I am sure you have seen some pictures of Loren's necklaces floating around Pinterest and the blog land. Well I am officially obsessed. Here are three of my favorites. Check out her whole shop HERE it is filled with lots of beauties.

PIM AND LARKIN FLORAL BLAZER
I am all about the floral trend this Spring. I am really digging this blazer. It looks so cute with the colored jeans and shorts. I bet it would even be cute over a dress. And the best part, its super affordable, only $79!

SCHUG CHARDONNAY

I picked up a bottle of this Chardonnay at Costco and it knocked my socks. It was one of the smoothest Chardonnays I have ever had. Not sure what it retails for elsewhere but it is $16 at Costco. A great buy!

OFF THE MENU COOKBOOK
I recently got this cookbook and love it. It is filled with staff favorite recipes from restaurants across the US. A few I can't wait to make: Brown Sugar and Bacon Cookies, Tuscan Kale Salad, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, and Ground Beef Tostadas. The book is also filled with gorgeous pictures of the food and a question and answer section about each chef. A fabulous cookbook!

HEIDI MERRICK HUNTINGTON DRESS

This dress is just so "me". The style, the colors, the fit. The price tag not so much, but I am stalking it on Shopbop and as soon as it goes on sale I am buying this dress. I see myself wearing her all the time. I can't decide which color I like better though!

Scenes From Our Weekend

We had a lazy and relaxing weekend which was perfect since it rained cats and dogs here most of the weekend!
We snuck in a quick walk to the beach near our house Saturday morning before the rain. Nothing warms my heart more than seeing my two boys hanging out together.

We enjoyed some lemon martinis Saturday night. So delish that I swear I got tipsy off just one (I blame the hubs he makes a stiff drink)!

My little man has decided he has no need for diapers during nap time. I peaked in on him Friday and found him just letting it all hang out. Luckily no accidents were had!

Sterling and Matt grilled me some Hot Dogs for dinner Friday night- Thanks to my parents for the grill they gave Sterling for his birthday! He loves it so much.

I finally got to wear my JCrew floral dress to church on Sunday. Love it and so glad I snagged it on sale.

Speaking of JCrew, I am obsessed with this maxi skirt in the new catalog. It looks like it has side pockets though which are a definite no go for me. Pockets on the hips can really ruin a outfit in my opinion. Makes me sad because it is a great color!

I found this awesome bracelet on Hautelook this weekend. It looks just like the Jennifer Zeuner Cross Bracelet I blogged about but for a fraction of the cost. Only $42, I am so excited about it.

Got back into my Chopped Greek Salads for lunch, see recipe Here. I took a break for awhile but now I am back on to this tasty lunch!

Hope you all had a great weekend too! xoxo

Thoughts For Friday

Please tell me you saw the latest post on Gwennie's blog GOOP. It is Gwyneth modeling different outfits and showing how to go from day to night. It provides links to buy each outfit, so loving it! I really want to try and recreate several of these looks. Here are a few of my favs, check out the others HERE

I think Molly Sims is the cutest pregnant lady ever! How stylish does she look with her little baby bump!

I went in a Lululemon store for the first time yesterday thanks to my pal Katie. Have I been living under a rock?? These workout clothes are freaking amazing. I swear they sucked me in all the right places and looked stylish at the same time. I am hoping to get these 3 staples for my birthday at the end of the month. Tried on the shorts and pants and LOVE them!

Our neighbor just delivered our three boxes of girl scout cookies I ordered this week and I can't stop eating them. I ordered Samoas, Thin Mints, and Shout-Outs (a new cookie this year). I am really digging the Shout-Outs, they are light, crisp, caramelized, and you can eat 4 for only 130 calories!

I am seriously considering making these Bacon, Egg, and Blue Cheese sandwiches from Smitten Kitchen this weekend. How amaze do they look?

I am obsessed with this Mara Hoffman cover-up. Has anyone seen it for sale anywhere?

Your quote for the day. Happiness.

And I couldn't resist one funny quote. Because let's be real all I want to watch is the Housewives, Bethenny, and Gossip Girl, and all Matt wants to watch is sports and the history channel. Nothing in common TV wise unless we are watching Diners, Drive in and Dives (yep I admit it I kind of like a Guy Fieri show- don't judge).

Have a fabulous weekend!!

The Look For Less

MILLY VS OLD NAVY
I so wish the Old Navy version of this blouse was out last year when I dropped a pretty penny on my Milly Sailboat Blouse. They look pretty similar. I am sure the quality of the Milly Blouse is better, or at least that is what I am telling myself since I already own it! The Old Navy one is so cute for a fraction of the price! Get yours HERE!

MILLY VERSION SPRING 2011, $295

OLD NAVY VERSION, $29.94

Do A Little Good With Rue La La

Ladies you must check out Rue La La today. Rue La La partnered with celebrity mom Busy Philipps to create a boutique that not only beckons you to live out loud, but helps do a little good. The boutique is filled with Busy’s favorites from Tibi, Tutu Couture, Alex Toys, Twirls & Twigs and more. In turn, Rue La La is donating part of the proceeds to the Step Up Women’s Foundation in Busy’s name. The Step up Network for those who don't know is an organization that does two things simultaneously: It puts professional women in a mentoring position with undeserved teen girls, and puts like-minded professional women in contact with each other, helping to advance women all across the board. So go and get your shop on for a good cause! The sale starts at 11 today.

Foil Baked Fish With Black Beans and Corn

Fish it's whats for dinner. At least in the Mason household. I have been trying to incorporate more fish into our diets. I mean we live at the coast we should be eating fresh fish all the time. I found this recipe on Pinterest and made a few changes (I highlighted my adaptations in pink). This dish was cheap, healthy, so easy to whip together, and super tasty. I made it for dinner while one of Matt's friends was in town visiting and we all cleaned our plates. The sign of a great meal. Then I proceeded to break my plate (wine at playgroup + more wine later= broken plates). I have a feeling we will be making this meal many more times. Perfect for entertaining. Here is my picture of our packets- not as pretty but oh so good! Enjoy!


Foil-Baked Fish with Black Beans and Corn
•4 skinless white fish fillets (6 to 8 oz each), 1-inch thick (we used Mahi)
•salt and pepper
•4 Tbs unsalted butter, softened
•2 tsp minced chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (I couldn't find so I omitted)
•1 tsp grated orange zest
•2 Tbs freshly squeezed orange juice
•2 cloves garlic, minced
•1 (16-oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
•2 cups corn kernels (I used 3 ears fresh corn shucked)
•1/2 red onion, minced
•2 scallions, minced
•1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat to 450 degrees.

Pat the fish dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Using a fork, mix together the butter, 1 teaspoon chipotle, orange zest, half the garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper in a medium bowl until well-combined. Spread butter mixture over the fish. ( I only mixed my butter with garlic and salt and pepper)

Combine the beans, corn, onion, scallions, 2 tablespoons of cilantro, orange juice, remaining chipotle, remaining garlic, scallions, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl.

Lay four 14-inch lengths of foil on the counter and divide the bean mixture evenly over the lower half of each piece of foil. Top with fish, and fold the foil over the fish, folding the edges to seal.

Arrange the packets in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the fish is just cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully open the packets and sprinkle with remaining cilantro. Serve.

Top picture and original recipe Via

Obsessions

ABSTRACT ART BY SARAH SWANSON
I am so excited I won this beauty by Sarah Swanson over at Eileen's blog this week. If you have not checked out Sarah's Etsy site you must. All her abstract paintings are only $10. Such a steal for beautiful artwork. I love the idea of grouping several of these together on a wall to make a statement. I am going to order a few more now that I own one to hang over my desk. Hard part will be narrowing down which other ones I want!

PHILLIP LIM 3.1 SLEEVELESS TANK DRESS
Man do I love Phillip Lim. This dress is perfection in my book. The perfect color and fit. I need this baby for summer.

YELLOW, AQUA, AND BROWN COLOR COMBO
I would never think to pair these 3 colors together but I am digging it in a major way.

OLD NAVY SWIMWEAR
I was shocked when I saw these bathing suits were from Old Navy. Normally I never have luck at Old Navy but these swim suits are so cute and the prices are even better! A tript to Old Navy may be in my future!




PARTIDA ANEJO TEQUILA
I admit it, I am a true tequila lover. I know most of you are cringing picturing yourself taking a shot of rank cheap tequila and wanting to vomit right now. But trust me, if you buy good tequila you will love it too. This is the best tequila I have ever had, hands down. It is so smooth with no after taste or burn. I tried it first during a trip to NYC a few years ago and have been hooked ever since. Sadly, they don't sell this tasty gem in North or South Carolina. My sister just traveled to PA last week for work and brought down a bottle this weekend that we enjoyed. Reminded me how good the stuff is. Good tequila is made to be served room temperature straight up and sipped slowly. If you ever come across this tequila I highly recommend you buy some, it is amazing.