Thoughts For Friday

Happy Friday Friends. The hubs is off fishing all weekend so me and little man are going to have alot of quality time together. We have big plans to to have a movie date and see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. 

With Columbus Day on Monday lots of places are having sales.  Tibi is having their Friends and Family Sale, 25% off full priced merchandise.  A few of my favorites, scroll thru to view and use code FRIENDS25 at check out. I love Tibi, always such good quality pieces.

Thanks to Megan, I snagged the most fabulous agate bookends for the nursery at Marshalls for $12.99.  If you need a blue pair I spied an awesome set at West Elm for only $19 (view here).  These things normally sell for $200+!

My Serena and Lily Pom-Pom Curtains arrived for the nursery, and I am obsessed.  You can still take advantage of the Friends and Family event thru Monday.  I highly recommend these curtains, use code HEART20 to get 20% off.

 I am already dreaming about getting back in regular clothes.  I am so over wearing the same few outfits and feeling like a cow, only good thing is I have not been shopping so I am saving money.  First on my post baby purchase list is a pair of MOTHER jeans.  I have heard rave reviews about these!  They are high waisted which I really like and are supposed to be really flattering.

I am smitten with this Python Clutch from Banana Republic.  It is a great price for a cool oversized clutch.  I am debating between the navy and grey.  Banana Republic has actually had some cute stuff this fall.

Sandra Bullock has been looking amazing lately at all the Gravity premieres (that movie still freaks me out and gives me anxiety, I could never watch it)!  She is 49 and looks fabulous.  I am wondering if she has a new stylist.  Loving this look in a major way.

Sterling has been such a doll lately, loving on my tummy and talking to his sister.  Melts my heart.

How awesome is this take on kids sushi?  I am thinking Sterling and I are going to make it this weekend.  It is just bananas, peanut butter, and rice krispies.  Too cute.

and because I am dreaming of the day when I can have more than a sip of wine, this ecard made me laugh!

 Have a great weekend!

 xoxo

My Next Diaper Bag AKA Purse

Ah, the important things about having a baby like selecting the perfect diaper bag. I am so not a fan of traditional diaper bags that scream "I'm a mom." I prefer to invest in a tote/handbag that could be used for an everyday bag as well. Before Sterling was born I invested in a kick ass Gucci Tote that I still love and carry as my purse frequently. Those were the days back when I was working full time and could afford luxuries like that, now I can't be dropping that kind of money even though I wish I could. I have narrowed down the bag to a few options so help a sista out and tell me which you think would make the perfect diaper bag for baby girl.   Keep in mind I will most likely use as my purse too.

OPTION ONE ||  GIGI NEW YORK PYTHON TOTE

 I adore this tote, its python and the perfect size, plus they will emboss initials in gold that look so good.  I am torn between going the neutral route and getting the black or tan or getting a fun color like magenta.

OPTION TWO || MADEWELL TRANSPORTATION TOTE

This one by far is the best price but I just can't decide if it is too boring.  It is a great size and also can initials embossed on it in gold.

OPTION THREE || MISSONI WOVEN TOTE

I have a soft spot in my heart for all things Missoni.  This is a bag I could pass down to baby girl one day.  Such a fun pattern, but would I tire of it?

OPTION FOUR || REBECCA MINKOFF TOTE

My mom found this tote at TJMaxx and I am kind of smitten with it.  Love the leopard and hot pink combo.  It zips and is the perfect size.

OPTION FIVE || ANNABEL INGALL LARGE TOTE

Love this tote, would love it just to have as a purse, but of course it is the most expensive.  Is it worth the money? 

and I ordered this pouch for Diapers and Wipes, so cute right?  Plus it can double as a clutch for me.

Flamingo Pouch

Take a vote and tell me which diaper bag you think is best for baby girl- option 1,2,3, 4, or 5?

Kale Ceasar Salad With Crispy Chickpeas

  

I love kale, in a major way. I add it in my juices, saute it for lunch,  and love to make salads with it. This was a recipe I have been wanting to try for awhile.  It is off the charts amazing.  I think the dressing is what makes it so good.  It is creamy and filled with Parmesan Cheese and the crunchy chickpeas are the perfect addition to top the salad..  You can dress the salad well ahead of time because the Kale won't get soggy but I would wait and add the chickpeas right before you serve so they don't get soggy.   I actually ate this salad again the next day and the kale stood up to the dressing fine, it was still delicious and firm.   This is by far my new favorite kale salad, I will be making this frequently.

Enjoy!

|| K A L E  C E A S A R  S A L A D   W I T H   C R I S P Y   C H I C K P E A S ||

recipe adapted via Mountain Mama Cooks

For the Dressing:
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise or vegan mayonnaise
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 3-4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1-2 teaspoons of water to thin if necessary
• salt and pepper to taste

For the Garbanzo Beans:
• 1 15oz can garbanzo beans
• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
• salt and pepper

For the Salad:
• 1 head lacianto kale
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Caesar dressing
• crispy garbanzo beans

Instructions

For the Crispy Garbanzo Beans:
1. Preheat the oven to 375F degrees.
2. Rinse and drain the garbanzo beans; lay them on a double layer of paper towels and dry them as much as you can. Slightly rub each garbanzo bean between your fingers to remove the thin layer.
3. Line the dried garbanzo beans on a baking sheet and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.
4. Roast the garbanzo beans for 35-40 minutes until brown and crispy.
While the garbanzos are roasting, make the dressing:
5. Combine all ingredients except oil, salt and pepper in the base of a blender.
6. With the motor running, slowly add the oil in a thin stream into the blender.
7. When the dressing is thoroughly mixed, test for desired thickness. If you want it a little thinner, add the water a teaspoon at a time.
8. Season with salt and pepper.
To assemble the salad:
9. Clean the kale and remove the leaves from the thick inner stalk.
10. Chop the kale and transfer to a large bowl.
11. Dress with desired amount of Caesar dressing (I used about 1/2-2/3 of this batch) and grated parmesan cheese.
12. Top with crispy garbanzo beans.

Obsessions

|| GAP SWEATER ZIP CAPE ||

This cape is kind of amazing and the price even more so.  A must have for Fall.  It comes in Camel and Gray such great neutrals for fall.

|| BAUBLEBAR ONYX CLEO NECKLACE ||

This is such a great versatile necklace.  I love how it is longer so you could even layer some other smaller necklaces with it.  It kind of reminds me of House of Harlow pieces but it is only $36.   Plus right now Baublebar is having their Friends and Family event, use code FRIENDS to get up to 20% off your purchase.

|| JOIE CRUSH SWEATER ||

I think this might be the perfect fall sweater.  Pretty sure I am going to invest in it.  It would look great with skinny jeans or faux leather leggings.

|| BB DAKOTA MILES JACKET ||

This reminds me alot of the faux leather jacket I ordered from BB Dakota.  It is such a classic black jacket that you could toss on with anything. 

 || POLKA DOT / CHEERS COASTERS ||

Lulu and Georgia just started offering a fabulous selection of gifts on their website.  These coasters are two of my favorite things.  They would be adorable to put out for a girls night or a great hostess gift.

Also side note my friend Michaela Noelle who works with Lulu and Georgia just started her own design business, you must check out here site here.  My girl has major talent she is going to be a huge success in the design world.

|| TINLEY ROAD METALLIC POLKA DOT BLOUSE ||

Last year Milly came out with a blouse almost identical to this one.  I have a similar version from Forever 21 that I wore all the time last year over the Holidays.  Such a fun and festive blouse.  Right now you can get an additional 30% off this blouse with code FALL.

|| FOX SHEETS ||

I am convinced Sterling needs these Fox sheets for his bed and the fact that Serena and Lily is having 20% off everything right now makes me even more certain they need to be ours.  Use code HEART20 to get 20% off the entire site.  Also loving this Fox Pillow,  Zebra Pjs, and Penguin Bookends.

|| RAG AND BONE FOR HUNTER RAIN BOOTS ||

Dying over this Rag and Bone- Hunter Collaboration.  Those are some amazing rainboots. 

Scenes From Our Weekend + Two of my Favorite Outfits

We had a jam packed weekend this weekend. Plans everyday, so it flew by and boy was I tired by Sunday night (and a little pissed that Breaking Bad was over so we had nothing good to watch).

Friday night I went out to dinner with Sam,  Caycee and our friend Kyle who flew in from NYC.  I met Kyle through blogging so it was so fun to finally meet in person!

I wore my new favorite dress out to dinner.  Ladies this is the perfect dress to wear while pregnant and its non-maternity so you can wear it after too.  I am so getting another color in it.  It is under $100 (such a steal) and so comfortable.  I am going to wear it well into Fall with my BB Dakota Jasper Leather Jacket.  The back is super cute too.

|| Pink Stitch Maxi Dress ||

necklace is vintage from my grandmother and shoes Tory Burch Emmy Flats

We ate dinner at Indaco a fairly new restaurant here in Charleston and it was really good.  We ordered several apps and pizzas to share.  I wish I had a taken a picture of the crispy chickpeas because it was one of our favorite apps.  We also had the prosciutto and burrata that were awesome. Then we had the Brussels Sprout and Margarita Pizzas.

  

We had a lovely evening.  Good friends and good food is always a fab time!

Saturday I took my little man to the Farmers Market.  He is full on ready for Halloween.  He insisted on wearing his Pirate costume.  He is gobbling down a doughnut from Glazed our favorite stop before the Farmers Market.

Later that afternoon we had a Birthday Party for one of Sterling's friends.  I found the most adorable mustache paper at TJMaxx, I was pretty happy with my professional looking wrap job:)

It was way out in the country and all the kids had so much fun.  There were jump castles, hay rides, and food galore.

Matt and I even got a few minutes of alone time out by the docks.

 I ate entirely too many Lucky Charms all weekend.  It is my latest pregnant obsession, why are they so good?

Sunday I participated in the Wine, Women, and Shoes Charity Event.  Such a fun event for a great cause.  Had a blast with my ladies Amy, Chassity, and Caycee.  I walked the runway modeling two pairs of shoes and didn't fall- huge sucess!

Wore a fitted Vince Shift dress to show off my massive bump.  Because at this point there is no hiding it, you just have to show it off.   The Vince Dress is great pregnant because it is so stretchy.  It really is the perfect black dress to add to your closet pregnant or not.  Such a timeless and classic piece.  I can't tell you how many times I have worn mine.

|| Vince Pencil Dress ||

ok, that's all I have got!  Have a great Monday!

Weekend Style Files : Best of Tory Burch Sale

Tory Burch is having their Friends and Family event right now and everything is 25% off with the code FRIENDS. This is such a great deal considering alot of her classics like shoes and handbags never go onsale.
I am a huge Tory Burch fan.  Now alot of her clothes don't fit my body type well, but I do love her blouses and sweaters.  I have the Simone Boyfriend sweater in two different colors and wear it all the time.  It is the perfect sweater to toss with skinny jeans or leggings and a tank and you look put together and cute.  It is a looser fit which I like for pairing with leggings and boots.  I also own a similar version to the dress featured that I wear often.  It is great for church, showers etc.

 I own like 6 pairs of the Reva flats and swear by them.   I love the metallic version for Fall.
I am this close to ordering the Thea cross body purse I featured below, its amazing.
Scroll thru to see my top picks!
Go check out the site HERE to shop everything!
Happy Saturday and Happy Shopping!