Thoughts For Friday

I am so glad it is finally Friday.  Our weekend plans include grilling out at the Yacht Club tonight, Farmers Market and a Derby Party tomorrow!

Has anyone watched The Conversation yet with Amanda DeCadenet?  It comes on Lifetime and it is awesome.  She interviews celebrities but it is in such a casual way, almost as if girlfriends are chatting.  Amanda is hilarious and she has had some great celebrities on so far.  It is super interesting.  My girl Gwennie was on the premiere episode last week and it just made me love her even more!  She talked about motherhood and her father's death and seems so strong and wise beyond her years.

I am loving this Chambray shirt from JCrew.  Pretty sure she will look perfect with my new white jeans! 

Can we talk about how excited I am about the Smitten Kitchen Cookbook?  Deb puts together the most amazing recipes and her photography skills are off the charts.  I can't tell you how many of her recipes I have made and loved!  The book will be released in October.  I already pre-ordered my copy on Amazon:)

Wednesday night we made our own taco seasoning.  Lately the packet kind has tasted so processed to me.  It leaves a disgusting taste in my mouth and the sodium in it makes me super thirsty.   I am not sure why I waited so long to make mine own, it was fabulous.  It was the perfect combo of spices and heat.   Here is the RECIPE I used.  I highly recommend it.  It will be all I use from now on.

I saw these shoes on Pinterest and thought these should be mine. So I clicked on the site only to learn these babies are $805-WTH?? Why do they have to be so darn expensive!!  I guess I will admire them from afar because I will never pay that for shoes but how sick are they with the hot pink and patterns?

Jessica Simpson finally had her baby.  I feel like she was pregnant forever.  I mean she looked ready pop after New Years.  I was starting to think there were twins in there.  Her baby weighed 9lbs, 13 oz which is actually a pretty big baby in my opinion.  I actually don't hate the name Maxwell Drew that she choose for her baby girl. But I see the baby being nicknamed Maxi for sure.  I can't wait to get a peek of the baby.

Speaking of babies my friend Caycee is having her baby girl this morning!  Send some prayers her way that everything goes smoothly.  I can't wait to meet baby girl Taylor!  I know she will be beautiful just like her Momma!

Have a wonderful Derby/Cinco De Mayo Weekend!  Check back tomorrow I have a great cocktail for Cinco De Mayo!



Forever 21, White Jeans Update, and a Haircut

So I have two pretty bad ass looks for less for you today, both from Forever 21.

LOOK ONE:
Now you all know I own the Joie Blouse and love it but I actually dig the Forever 21 version as well and I kind of want it too!

JOIE DOT BLOUSE, $218

FOREVER 21 SPOTTED BLOUSE, $19.80



LOOK TWO:
I adore both of these looks with a Blush Blazer. 

BLUSH BLAZER

FOREVER 21 BLUSH BLAZER, $29.80

In other news, I tried The Rag and Bone jeans like Gwennie and loved them.  They are high waisted, have just the right amount of stretch and fit really well.  They actually cover my muffin top which is always key after a baby. This is honestly the first pair of white jeans I actually like and feel comfortable in.  I am starting to think Rag and Bone makes the perfect jeans.

{Rag and Bone High Waisted Bright White Skinny Jeans}

and excuse the butt shot, but I wanted to show that they are not see thru and how great they fit.  I feel like a new woman owning white jeans!  Now I need to put together some outfits to wear with my white jeans!  What are your favorite white jean combos?

I finally bite the bullet and cut Sterling's hair.  He got called a "she" one too many times last week.  As sad I was to cut the curls he looks so handsome and like such a little boy with his new haircut, I am loving it.  He actually loved getting his haircut and laughed the whole time!

And how good do these Snickers and Chocolate Chip Cookies look?  I saw the recipe on Pinterest, I swear Pinterest is going to be the demise of me weight wise.  There are way too many good recipes on there!  I really want to make them this weekend but I am scared I won't fit in my white jeans if I do.  I have no self control with cookies!  Get recipe HERE.

Happy Thursday!

Ten June: 3 Wishes

Today I am over at Michelle's fabulous blog, Ten June,  participating in her Genie Series. 

If you are not reading Michelle's blog you totally should be. She is stylish, adorably pregnant, and has a golden finger when it comes to decorating.  Girl can do no wrong in my book!  Her blog is one of the first blogs I started reading and still one of my favorites.  You can check out my guest post here and see what my three wishes would be.  Here is a little sneak peek!

Fish Tacos With Creamy Lime Guacamole

Since it is Cinco De Mayo on Saturday I thought it was only appropriate to share a Mexican themed recipe today!  We made these tacos last week and they were delicious.  But lets be honest I love any fish tacos!  We baked our fish in the oven instead of grilling and it turned out flaky and perfect.  I used Cod for our tacos but you could easily substitute Mahi, Tialapa or any white fish that is in season that your grocery store has.  We served ours with a side of black beans and rice. Add some some ritas and tequila and you have yourself a sweet Mexican fiesta!  Btw sorry for the lack of pictures.  By the time our tacos were done it was pushing 9:00 and I was too darn hungry to stop and take photos before I demolished my tacos!

FISH TACOS WITH CREAMY LIME GUACAMOLE AND CABBAGE SLAW

Ingredients

2 Hass avocados—halved, pitted and peeled

1/4 cup low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt

1 small jalapeño, seeded and thinly sliced

2 tablespoons minced red onion

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

5 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 small head of napa cabbage, shredded (4 cups)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for brushing

2 pounds thick red snapper fillets with skin, cut crosswise into ten 2-inch-wide strips

Ten 7-inch flour tortillas, warmed

2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced

Hot sauce, for serving

Lime wedges, for serving

1.Light a grill. In a medium bowl, mash the avocados, sour cream, jalapeño, red onion, cilantro and 3 tablespoons of the lime juice. Season the guacamole with salt and pepper and press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole.

2.In a large bowl, toss the cabbage with the 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and the remaining 2 tablespoons of lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.

3.Brush the fish with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over moderately high heat until lightly charred and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer the fish to a platter and pull off the skin.

4.To assemble each taco, spread a dollop of guacamole on a tortilla. Top with a piece of fish, a few tomato slices and a large spoonful of the cabbage slaw. Serve with the hot sauce and lime wedges.

Original Recipe and Photo from FOOD AND WINE

Obsessions

SPEARMINT BAUBLE BIB

I am loving this necklace from The Bauble Bar.  It comes in Mint and Orange, but I think the Mint is my favorite.   It is only $36!!  It reminds me so much of the JCrew version pictured below that retails for $150. 

FOREVER 21 COLORBLOCK SHIFT DRESS

How cute is this F21 dress?  The perfect shift dress for summer.  Reminds me of some Phillip Lim and Chole dresses that retail for $400+.  This dress won't break the bank at $32!

NOVAS SAUVIGNON BLANC

I found this gem on special at Bi Lo of all places.  It normally retailed for $15.99 but was in the discount wine bin for $8.99.  A stellar Sauvignon Blanc I would buy again and even pay full price for!

LULU DK CHILD WALLPAPER FOR SCHUMACHER

I just read about this wallpaper in Elle Decor and then I came across it again on Pinterest.  It is absolutely adorable for a child's bedroom.

PIM + LARKIN STRIPED MAXI DRESS

I have long been on the lookout for a striped maxi dress and yesterday Julia reminded me to amp up my search.  Well I found this on Piperlime and love it.  Navy/White stripes are so classic and neutral that I plan to funk it up with some chunky bright colored necklaces and shoes. 

NEON PAINTED POTS

This is so going to happen on my patio.  Hope the hubby can deal with some neon pink.  This looks like a pretty easy DIY.

New Line You Need to Know: Pippa

No, this line is not named after Pippa Middleton.  It is actually created by the peeps who run French Connection and it is my new favorite line.  While I was home in Charlotte I spied the line at Belks.   It is not carried in many stores yet,  but you can find it online at Bloomingdales  I think you all know how much I love blouses well,  Pippa has great blouses and the prices are super reasonable.  Nothing is more than $220,  and most of the blouses are right around $100. The line has super fun prints and everything fit really well.   I found it ran true to size if you order.  The sales lady told me the line was designed for young working women to double as work and evening clothes.  I can see why the pieces are smart and sophisticated but fun at the same time.

 {Pippa Red and Tan Silk Stripped Top}

 {Pippa Silk Stripe Long Sleeved Top}

Lucky for me I still had a Belk giftcard from my birthday so I used it to buy the red and tan stripped shirt and my mom got the Turquoise one so we can trade.  I am really thinking about ordering the black/tan stripped dress as well.  I think it could double for a church dress and then funk it up for a night out.  Some other favorites from the line:

Silk Stripe Dress, Peacock Feather Print Blouse, Silk Solid Blouse, Ikat Spot Silk Dress, Belted ColorBlock Dress, Scales Blue Blouse, Scales Dress, Silk Short Sleeve Blouse in Lemon

So tell me what do you think?  Have you heard of this line before?  I am pretty smitten with it!

Make This Cocktail + Guest Post

Happy Saturday Loves.  Hope you are enjoying your weekend.  I had to share my newest drink Obsession: Elderflower Mint Prosecco Cocktail.  This drink is pure heaven in a glass.  You might think it is weird to add cucumber and mint to your champagne but I assure it is not.  It gives the drink such a lovely fresh taste.  The perfect bubbly drink for a summer night!  Enjoy!

ELDERFLOWER MINT PROSECCO COCKTAIL

Ingredients

Prosecco, chilled

St-Germain (elderflower liquor)

mint leaves

finely sliced cucumbers

Instructions

Fill a tumbler glass about half way with super chilled prosecco

Throw in a few mint leaves and cucumber slices

Top with about 3/4 oz of St-Germain

Also I am guest posting over at Cassie's amazeballs blog Hi SugarPlum. 

 

I know you all read her blog and love her ( I know I do, she is like the Martha Stewart of the Blog world always amazing me with her design, entertaining and cooking skills).  Well she is on vacay right now (I am super jealous) and I am playing her fun game:  Marry, Make Out, and Muzzle.  Here is a sneak peak at one of my choices you will have to click here to see what category I put him in:)  And don't act like you don't like Zac Efron, those eyes get me everytime.  Yeah I know I am cougar, but proud of it.