Thoughts For Friday

I am so glad it is Friday!  And guess why?  My in-laws are keeping Sterling for the night (and I mean overnight) so Matt and I can go to a wine tasting and then date night!  We have not been out on a date in forever!   Oh the joys of finally having family living in town!

I picked up my Silhouette of Sterling that WayWay did and I could not be more pleased. I love it in a major way, it is pure perfection!!  If you are looking to get a Silhouette done of your child you must contact WayWay.  She did a stellar job.  Now I am trying to decide where to hang in his room or our hallway? You can check out more of WayWay's work HERE.

Speaking of WayWay she turned me on the best way to cook Okra, roasting it.  All you do is slice down the middle, toss with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Roast at 400 degrees about 20 mins.  It is

so good.  Matt and I were eating them right off the pan like they were fries.

I need some reader help.  I am obsessed with this Milly Sari Hostess Dress.  I really want it for a wedding I have later this month but I can't find it in my size anywhere.  I found it online at Neimans and had it in my basket when someone else (snatched) bought it while I was looking.  I need it on sale not full price for sure..  So tell me where can I find it???   I saw it on Rent The Runway but I would rather own it.  I hate to pay $100 just to wear it once.

I went to Banana Republic yesterday to check out the Trina Turk Collection and I was not too impressed.  Nothing fit me just right so I left empty handed.  This dress was probably the cutest I tried on but just not digging it for me.

{Cochella One Shoulder Dress}

Is it weird I want to go see Magic Mike?  I know it will be a cheesy movie but,  tell me it isn't wrong to want to look at all those hot men shirtless?

My sister has me intrigued about a drink she and my mom made this week, a beet martini.  I have been all about drinking my beet juice in the mornings to cleanse my liver but I am just not sure about a beet martini.  She promises it will rock my world.  May try this weekend, wish me luck!

LOVE this wallpaper.  I need to wallpaper a room so bad. 

Happy Friday!  Don't forget to enter the Stella and Dot giveaway it ends Sunday!

Stella and Dot Giveaway!

Hey ladies!  I am so happy to host the best giveaway ever today.  I am pretty sure we all know and love some Stella and Dot jewelry.   Well today I am offering one lucky reader the chance to win this amazeballs necklace!

{Stella and Dot Bahari Necklace}

I think you all know I have been quite obsessed with statement necklaces lately.  This is one beauty I would love to add to my collection.  It retails for $98 and I think it would go with anything!

The gorgeous Katherine Heigel has been spotted out and about wearing it more than once.

Doesn't it make you want one too?  It is such an awesome necklace!

You have several chances to win, make sure you leave a separate comment for each one and that you include your email address.

1) You must be a follower of Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers

2) Like Ashley's Stella and Dot FB Page

3) Like Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers FB Page

and if you want 5 extra entries......

4) Place an online order HERE and tell me what you ordered.

And seriously even if you win the necklace isn't there something else you would like to order from Stella and Dot??  If not for yourself,  the pieces make the perfect gift!  If you need ideas of what to order two of my most favorite Stella and Dot Purchases are The Clover Necklace and Serpent Bracelet.  I wear them both all the time, really almost daily!

And on my current wishlist, that I want to order:
Clover Double Wrap Leather Bracelet

Zahara Bib Necklace

Pegasus Gold Bib Feather Necklace

Harmony Band Rings Set of 3

On The Mark Necklace

This the perfect necklace for layering.  As seen on LC.

Graceful Nomad Necklace

As seen on my favorite girl Giulianna.

Good Luck Ladies!  You have til Sunday at midnight to enter.  I will announce the winner Monday Morning!

xoxo

Addictive Brussels Sprouts Salad

I don't know about you guys but for a long time I hated Brussels Sprouts. I remember my mom cooking them all the time while we were kids and I had to be bribed to eat them. A few years ago I tried them roasted and I was a changed woman. Now I love them. I recently bought some fresh ones at the Farmers Market and knew immediately what I wanted to do with them. Of course this recipe comes from Pinterest, my new cooking bible. This salad is ridic. I could not stopping eating it.  I am sure you are thinking a raw Brussels sprouts salad can not be that good, but it is!!!  I promise you will be pleasantly surprised by this gem of a salad.  The flavors were so fresh and crisp. Try this salad and tell me you don't like Brussels Sprouts.

 

ADDICTIVE BRUSSELS SPROUTS SALAD- adapted from Shutterbean

•24 Brussels sprouts, shredded

•1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated

•1 cup toasted walnuts, in pieces

•9 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

•3 tablespoons apple cinder vinegar

•2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

•salt & pepper

Shred the Brussels sprouts in a food processor, mandolin or chop with a knife! Toss the sprouts in a bowl, top with toasted walnuts & grated cheese. In a small jar, add the olive oil, apple cider vinegar and mustard with a sprinkle of salt & pepper. Put a lid on the jar and shake it up! Pour the dressing over the salad and stir thoroughly! Best served immediately, although I ate leftovers the next day and it still held up well!

Original Recipe and photos 2 and 3 Via

My Entertaining Essentials

Having a toddler means that we entertain at our house alot.  It is easy to put our little one to bed and then have friends over for happy hour.   Sterling is at the age where he is not fun to take out to restaurants.  All he wants to do is run around and pour salt and pepper all the table.  I can't ever really relax so it is much easier to entertain at home sometimes.   I have a few essentials that I always keep on hand in the fridge for quick or last minute entertaining purposes.  If you stock up on these things during your regular grocery store visit you will always be prepared for invited or uninvited guests!  Plus who doesn't like tasty snacks and booze sitting around their house?

The most important thing in my opinion is alcohol.  Duh.  That is what happy hour revolves around.  My three favorite wines that I always keep in on hand are:

FOXGLOVE CHARDONNAY, $13.50

CHALK HILL SAUVIGNON BLANC, $13.99

B.R. COHN CABERNET, $14.99

All three wines are under $15 and always crowd pleasers. I buy FoxGlove at our local ABC store (on Harborview) and you can find the Chalk Hill and B.R. Cohn at Costco.  If you are looking for a great bubbly to have on hand I highly recommend Contempo Prosecco.  It is light and refreshing and not too sweet.  Most grocery stores carry the Contempo line.

CONTEMPO PROSECCO, $11.99

My favorite go-to appetizer is a cheese tray.  I like to always have three different varieties of cheese on hand.  Usually an Aged Gouda, Soft Brie/Goat Cheese, and a white Cheddar.

My favorites are:  A Dutch Masterpiece aged Gouda, KerryGold White Cheddar, Triple Creme Goat Brie.

In addition to the three cheeses,  I always put out a dish with Kalamata Olives and Pickled Okra.   If I have time I like to buy fresh olives from the case but I usually keep a jar on hand for times when I can't stop at the store.

I like to serve one meat with the cheese, either Pepperoni or Salami.    Harris Teeter has some great pre-sliced meats right under the deli meat case.  They are vacuum sealed and really quite tasty.

Add a few crackers and you have the perfect, easy to throw together appetizer. Currently I am loving the 34 degrees Crispbread Crackers.  They are so thin and super crispy and pair great with cheese.  I buy these in bulk at Costco but Earthfare carries them as well.

 

This is a tray I threw together last minute a few weeks ago with what I had on hand.  See, it pays to keep these few things stocked up in your house for unexpected guests.

Two other staples I also always keep on hand are Sabra Hummus and Palmetto Pimento Cheese.  Both are my favorite snacks and easy to toss in a dish and serve with crackers for guests.  I always put the hummus in a dish and drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper and paprika- it makes it look fancy!

Keeping a few simple things on hand makes your entertaining life much easier!  So sit back enjoy that wine and don't stress about uninvited guests!

Scenes From Our Weekend

Lets dish.  We had a great weekend, did you?  My parents and sister were here plus my in-laws officially moved here this week so we had a crazy busy weekend!

Remember when I told you about my in-laws Estate sale? Well this rug is one of the pieces we were lucky enough to score.  We were originally planning to put it in our dining room but decided she was more Den worthy.  What do you think?  I am pretty smitten with her, pretty amazing how a rug can transform a room.

I had the best time with my sister. Seriously she is my best friend and I love hanging out her.  We definitely didn't plan to both wear matching orange shirts.  Sisters Intuition I guess.

My parents brought Sterling one of my old CareBears and he is obsessed with it.  My mom saved everything from when we were kids which is kind of awesome.  The Vintage Toys are so much better. You can see the CareBear peeking out below.

Did a little shopping with my mom and scored these Dolce Vita Sandals at TJMaxx, yes I am serious.  $29.99. (Don't judge my giant size 9.5 feet).

Mom also treated me to this perfect silk shirt from Banana Republic.  The back is so cute.  Sported it with my blush jeans this weekend.  And yes that is a giant stain at the bottom.  Silk shirts with a two year are a bad idea but I refuse to sacrifice my style now that I am a Mommy....
Luckily this is the type of silk that can be washed not drycleaned.

{BR Lauren Silk Flutter Top}

We caught another awesome sunset and Sterling saw his first Fireworks at The Yacht Club on Saturday.

I have a new favorite drink.  The good Old Greyhound.  Only it must be made with fresh squeezed, not bottled Grapefruit Juice.  It is so refreshing.

Cooked the New York Times Recipe for Spicy Quinoa, Cucumber, and Tomato Salad. and it was awesome!  Recipe HERE.

My little man is growing up so fast. How do I slow down the time???

Doesn't he totally look like a fraternity boy in the first picture?  Just chilling with his crazy hair.

Have a great Monday.  Looks like its gonna be a rainy day here spent indoors!