Thoughts For Friday

Since I have been reading Grace Coddington's Memoir I was inspired to watch The September Issue (not sure why I never watched this before).  Anyways I rented it from my favorite place the library and really enjoyed it.  I loved seeing a sneak peek in Ana's life and loved that it featured Sienna Miller my favorite girl!!

I found the cutest neon drawstring dress at Target this week.   The dress is so comfortable, the perfect little weekend dress for running errands or lounging.  Check out my little man in the background, he likes trying on clothes too:)

{Mossimo Drawstring Dress}

Rembrandt was nice enough to send me there THERSday kit.  It was filled with so many great goodies.  My sister and I had a ball using them all and my mother in law loved the Cosmo mix! Might I add Sterling was obsessed with the band-aids.  What is with kids and band-aids?  Thank you Rembrandt for a fab kit!

I think I have narrowed down the paint for our living room to two colors.  Revere Pewter and Horizon both Benjamin Moore.  Ordering samples to try out and then deciding!

I think you all know I am a cookbook hoarder, I can never have enough.  I received this one for Christmas and have really enjoyed reading it.  I have earmarked a few recipes to make.  Alex used to write the food column for House Beautiful.  He is funny, gay, and likes Southern Cooking so of course I love him.  A great cookbook!

Has anyone tried this Revlon Lipstick/Lip gloss?  I keep hearing they are the best neutral lip color.  Think I am going to try them out, but would love to hear from someone who has actually used them.

The lipstick is called Soft Nude and the Lip gloss is called Peach Petal. It would be great to find a cheap version I love because right now I am hooked on Chanel.

Matt did not think this E-card was funny at all.  But I sure did- kind of true (sorry honey).

 I hope everyone has a great weekend!

xoxo

Coffee Tables + Ottomans.

I am slowly but surely crossing shiz off my house to-do list.  I have wanted a new coffee table for awhile now.  Our old one which I had since my pre-marriage days was just way too big in our den.  It dominated the room.  I wanted something smaller and sleeker so I could have room to do two ottomans on the side for extra seating.  

I first spied the perfect coffee table on Pinterest (of course) and stalked it to find it was from Urban Outfitters of all places.  Here is the original picture I saw that sold me on the table.

 

{Criss Cross Coffee Table}
A great table right???  I loved the sleek modern look and the fact that it was not too big.  Plus Urban Outfitters has great prices and free shipping over $50.  A no brainer when ordering furniture.

Here she is in our den.  I think it is just the look I was going for.  It made our room feel so much more spacious without our giant coffee table.
(sorry for the grainy pics I was lazy just using my iphone plus our camera sucks)

  Now I just need two ottomans for the other side.  I can't decide if I want X-Bench ones or small square nailhead ones.

I adore the snakeskin x-bench ones in Jen Ramos's home.  Just perfect, they make me lean in the direction of x-bench.

However I also love these square ones.

I have been scoping out these two from Ballard Designs.  The prices are pretty good although not sure about quality because I have never ordered from there.   There are also alot of fabric choices which is nice.

Then I found this set on Overstock.  Such a freaking steal.  $199 for the pair!  Only thing is they are made with faux leather can't decide if that would look cheap in person and bother me.  Is faux leather lame?

Lastly here is my other concern, this bench under our entryway table.  I don't want it to look like too many similar benches in our den.   Or do I want them all to relate and look similar.  I can always move it to a bedroom but it fits perfectly under the table right now.

So what would you do?  X-bench or small square ones?  Any other places to shop for them?  Any of the above winners?  Give me your best decorating advice!  What should a girl do??

Blog Sale!

I thought it might be fitting to run a blog sale after my closet feature:)  You know me with the New Year I am cleaning things out making room for new.  I do this every few months.  So here you go.  Shipping is $5 and email me at nataliemason24@yahoo.com if you are interested in anything!  I will combine shipping if you buy more than one thing.

BANANA REPUBLIC GEOMETRIC SHIFT DRESS

SIZE= 4

MINT CONDITION, WORN LIKE ONCE

$35
SOLD

BANANA REPUBLIC NAVY GEOMETRIC SHIFT DRESS

SIZE= 4

MINT CONDITION

$35
SOLD

MISSONI FOR TARGET CHEVRON BUTTON UP BLOUSE

SIZE= SMALL

NEW WITHOUT TAGS

$20
SOLD

MISSONI FOR TARGET RAINBOW CHEVRON BALLET FLATS

SIZE= 9

NEW WITH TAGS

$20
SOLD

 DIANE VON FURSTENBERG BLOUSE

SIZE= 2

RUNS ON THE LARGE SIDE

MINT CONDITION

$65
SOLD

ENVI ONE SHOULDER DRESS

SIZE= SMALL

MINT CONDITION WORN TWICE

$60

COLLECTIVE CONCEPTS STRIPPED TUNIC

SIZE= SMALL

WORN ONCE

$45
SOLD

RORY BECCA SHORT SLEEVE BLOUSE

SIZE= SMALL

MINT CONDITION

THIS BLOUSE IS A REALLY PRETTY ROYAL BLUE JUST NOT PHOTOGRAPHING THAT COLOR

$55
SOLD
 

BANANA REPUBLIC IKAT BLOUSE

SIZE= XS

WORN ONCE

$35

REBECCA TAYLOR BLOUSE

SIZE= 2

WORN ONCE, MINT CONDITION

$75

JBRAND GRAY JEANS

SIZE= 28

NEW WITH TAGS, RETAILED FOR $158

STYLE OF JEANS IS SOME FADING ON FRONT

$60

AKA NEW YORK TUNIC/DRESS

SIZE= SMALL

NEW WITHOUT TAGS

IF YOU ARE SHORT THIS COULD TOTALLY BE A DRESS BUT IT WAS MORE TUNIC LIKE ON ME BC I AM TALL (5'9)

$50
SOLD

T-BAGS SHIRT

SIZE= MEDIUM

MINT CONDITION

$40

Baked Crab and Artichoke Dip

Random confession but I have never made a crab dip before.  Not sure why because I love crab dip but never have!  Our friends had us over for dinner Sunday night and I knew it was the perfect time to try out a crab dip recipe.  Matt and I scoured the internet trying to find the best one and this one fit the bill.  It was so easy to whip together and delish! The crab and artichoke pair perfectly together and it is filled with lots of cheese.  So darn good- but not for your waist line:)

It is super important to buy good crab meat.  I bought the lump kind in a can you can get near the fresh seafood.  Costs a little more but so worth it flavor and texture wise.
We served our dip with Pretzel Thins and Bagel Crisps.   Enjoy but be forewarned its is hard to stop eating this dip, it melts in your mouth!

**The original recipe called for pico de gallo to be sprinkled over the top but we were lazy and left that part out but I included it on the directions in case you guys want to try it.  I don't think it needs it but it could be good with it.**

BAKED CRAB AND ARTICHOKE DIP 
(adapted from Confections of a Food Bride)
Ingredients:

• For the crab dip:
• 8 oz cream cheese (I use reduced-fat)
• 1/2 cup mayo (I use light)
• 1/2 cup fat-free greek yogurt (I used 0% Fage)
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 1 1/2 cup grated Asiago cheese, divided (I regularly split with Fontina, can also sub Monterrey jack or Mozzarella)
• 14 oz can of quartered artichoke hearts, drained
• 8-12 oz jumbo lump crab meat
• Salt
• Pepper

• For the pico de gallo:
• 2 roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
• 1 handful cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup green onion tops, chopped
• Squeeze of lime juice
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Beat the cream cheese, mayo, and yogurt together until smooth.
2. Add the white and light parts of the green onions (dark green parts will be used for the pico), lemon juice, and 1 1/4 cup grated cheese.
3. Fold in artichokes and crab.
4. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Transfer to a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish and spread evenly, sprinkling the remaining cheese on top..
6. Bake for ~20 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.
7. To make the pico, toss all ingredients together and set aside until ready to serve.
8. Remove the dip from the oven, top with pico, and serve with blue corn tortilla chips, crackers, or toasted crostini.
9. Best when hot or very warm, leftovers will keep a couple of days. Can be assembled ahead of time and then baked at the last minute.

Want to See my Closet??

Want to see a sneak peak in my closet??  Well, the girls over at Style Spies asked me to participate in their Open Closet Series and I was more than thrilled to show off my goods. 

  Don't get too excited we live in a tiny house which means tiny closets but my closet is still my happy place.  I like to keep it organized and accessible because it houses all my favorite things!  And lets be real I did take over two of the closets in our house.

 

 You can check out my interview HERE and see some pics of my closet!  And a big thank you to my girl Katherine for taking my pictures!!  If you live in Charlotte you should contact her for pictures she rocks!