Monday's Musings

Happy Monday. How was everyone's weekend? Friday night Matt took Sterling to the Monster Truck show with a few other dads and Sterling's friends.  It went pretty well til Matt said a fire breathing mechanical dragon came out and Sterling freaked out and started crying.  Maybe a touch too young for the Monster Truck show this year:)

Meanwhile Frances and I had a nice ladies night in.  We watched a Lifetime movie that was actually really good and enjoyed a cheese plate for dinner.  Not gonna lie it was nice to have the house to myself!

This weekend I tried out a new healthy breakfast.  A quinoa yogurt bowl.  Basically all I did was smash some blackberries in regular plain Greek Yogurt.  Then I topped it with cooked quinoa, slivered almonds, sunflower seeds, fresh blackberries, mint and a drizzle of honey.  It was really filling and delicious.

We made our Braised Beef Tacos  (recipe here) for our company Saturday night and they amazing again.  I used the leftover beef the next day to make a Braised Beef Quinoa bowl.

My sister gave us the most awesome gift basket from Burts Bees Baby.  It came with bibs, onesies, pjs, a blanket,  and a hat.  I have to say I am obsessed with everything in it.  The onesies and pjs are my favorite, they are so soft and I love the pattern.  This would make such a great shower gift for someone.

|| BURTS BEES BABY 6 PIECE SET ||

This is Frances in the onesie and the pjs  You can order a three pack of the onesies Here.  I am definitely ordering more they are my favorite!

I love Monday nights now that the Bachelor has started back up, it is my guilty pleasure.  I have to admit I was not thrilled when they picked Juan Pablo as the new bachelor but he grew on me a little last week.  But lets be real I watch it more for the crazy ladies than him.  I heard this season had the highest rating yet, so I guess Juan has some fans.

I ran out of eyeliner and was at Target the other day and decided to buy a cheap kind just to tide me over til I could buy my more expensive kind.  I picked out this Sonia Kashuk twist up eyeliner and actually I really like it.  Worth the money for $7.  Not sold online so look for it for in your store.  Has anyone else every used any Sonia Kashuk beauty products?  I am tempted to try her eyeshadows.

 This weekend Sterling said to me " I wish God would make Rufus real."  I love his sweet soul.  Rufus goes everywhere with us and gets an outfit change each morning from Frances's closet.  Rufus is one well dressed monster.

Have a great start to your week!

Saturday's Steals and Splurges

Happy Saturday friends.  I hope you all are having a great weekend.  Good news things finally warmed up here but now its raining all weekend, go figure.  But I would take the rain any day over the frigid cold!

Lets start with the steals because don't we all love a good deal!
 I was lucky enough to score this Cashmere Vince tee at TJMaxx.  I am totally in love with it.  It is so soft and perfect for that in between weather.  I plan to wear it all thru the spring as well.  It is great spin on a tee, I feel like the cashmere can be dressed up or down.

  I couldn't find it in the same mustard color online but I did find it in black which would go with everything on major sale at Last Call.

|| VINCE BLACK CASHMERE SWEATER ||

I also found it in the most perfect shade of brown also on major sale.

|| VINCE CASHERE TEE IN MAHOGONY ||

I have this Missoni Infinity Scarf and hands down it is my favorite scarf, I wear it all the time.  What I love about it most is you don't have to loop it or tie it, you just slip it on and it always lies perfectly.   I am tempted to buy it in this new color combo I love mine so much.  This is one of those good investment pieces like I talked about Thursday.  Missoni is always classic.

|| MISSONI INFINITY SCARF ||

 Another steal is these Alexis Bittar bracelets.   I love Alexis Bittar jewelry it is Lucite combined with semi precious stones.  I have been collecting his pieces for years. If you can find them on sale buy them.  Love the idea of mixing these bracelets with others or 2-3 stacked together.  These are currently 50% an awesome deal!

|| ALEXIS BITTAR BEL AIR TWISTED BRACELETS ||

 This stacking style is also on sale.

 

The splurge this week, is my GIGI NY planner that came in the mail finally.  I am obsessed with it.  It makes me happy every morning when I open it to write out my to-do list.  I love that it has monthly calendars at the front, then the weekly calendar with an adjacent page to write notes.  I also love that is has my initial and is snakeskin. I think it is the prettiest little planner ever.  Its amazing, a little pricey for a planner but totally worth it in my opinion.

|| GIGI NEW YORK PLANNER ||

XOXO

On My Nightstand and Sterling's

I have really been into reading lately. Since I am up late night nursing Frances, I bring my Kindle in her room get cozy in the rocking chair and read while I nurse her- FYI if your Kindle is not back lit and mine isn't you can download the kindle app for free and read on your ipad or phone. It automatically sincs up all devices which is nice. This way I can read in the dark while I feed her.
 This is a list of my recent reads including a few new cookbooks that I love. 

CALLIES BISCUITS AND SOUTHERN TRADITIONS-  I am a huge fan of Callie and her delicious biscuits.  She is a Charleston girl after my own heart with her amazing recipes.  This cookbook is awesome and side note if you see Callie's Pimento Cheese or biscuits at your grocery store buy them they are amazing. If your grocery doesn't sell them you can order the biscuits HERE and Pimento Cheese HERE.

GIADAS FEEL GOOD FOOD- I received this book as a Christmas Gift and immediately devoured it front to back.  Not only does it have really gorgeous recipes but it is also filled with health and beauty tips from Giada who at 40+ looks pretty freaking amazing.  I have tried several recipes from here and they were all awesome and full of flavor.

REAL GIRLS KITCHEN- This book is by Haylie Duff, Hilary Duff's sister. I bet you are thinking it is random she has a cookbook and it kind of is, but the cookbook is legit.   I first started following her on instagram where she posted some really delicious looking recipes which got me intrigued.  Her cookbook is actually pretty awesome.  I have made a few recipes, the veggie sandwich and kale salad which did not disappoint.  The book is paperback and I usually prefer hardback cookbooks but it is a nice size.

AERIN LAUDER BEAUTY AT HOME- I have a major girl crush on Aerin, love her and her style.  This is one gorgeous coffee table book.

THE HUSBAND'S SECRET- I mentioned this book Monday but it was one of the best books I have read in a long time.  I devoured it and was sad when it was over.

WHAT ALICE FORGOT- This is by Laine Moriaty as well and also a really awesome thought provoking book.  Alice falls and hits her head and forgets the last ten years of her life.  She is currently in the middle of divorcing her husband but only remembers from when she was first pregnant with their first child.  It is a really good story that makes you think about relationships.

THE SILVER GIRL- I have really been into Elin Hilderbrand books since this Summer.  I think I have read 5 of them so far.  They are all easy reads and the characters are easy to relate to.   This one is about a woman whose husband pulls a sort of ponzi scheme and she is left penniless and shocked that the man she new did this without her knowledge.  During the prosecution and trial she goes to Nantucket to live with an old friend and rediscover herself.

THE LAST ORIGINAL HOUSEWIFE- I loved this book.  Another relationship story about a woman ending her 20+ year marriage to her husband.   Part of it was set in Charleston which I especially loved.

TORI SPELLING: SPELLING LIKE IT IS- I am a bit embarrassed to admit I read this book but it was actually pretty interesting.  It talks about Tori's last pregnancy which she nearly died from and how she lost all her money.  I read this in two days.  It is from Tori's first person point of view so it feels like you are talking with her in person. and don't hate but I am a Tori fan.

I think my love for reading is hopefully rubbing off on Sterling.  He loves story time.  I read to him before his nap and at bedtime Matt and I each read him a book.  These are our all time favorite books they are aways on heavy rotation in our house.  The Peter Brown Books are awesome I highly recommend them all, they are cute and funny.  Dragons Love Tacos is our book we always read on Mason Taco Night:)

Please send some new book recs for me and Sterling our way!  We love finding new favorites!

Immediate Gratification

Immediate Gratification, this is something I struggle with in several aspects of my life.  I like immediate results, I don't like waiting.   For example when I am decorating my house and lets say I want new pillows, I immediately go out and start looking for a pair.   I usually buy the first pair that I kind of like, take them home knowing they are just so-so but keep them because I want an immediate change and then 3 months later I am sick of them.   When what I should have done is taken the time to search for just the right fabric and had them made.  Yes it would have cost me more money but in the long run I would still have those pillows and love them.  I finally did this recently had pillows and ottomans custom made and I could not be happier with them.

Same with clothes,  when I find a good deal or something on sale I am tempted to buy it.   Not because I love the item or need it but because it was a bargain (and I love the thrill of a good deal) and several months later I am over it.    I get quick fixes at places like TJMaxx and Forever 21 when I am just in the mood to shop and buy something.    Most of the time within a year I am sick of those items.  I need to shop with a purpose with a specific item in mind instead of aimlessly shopping.   I spend way more money on all these little so called bargains than if  I had just saved up and bought one thing I truly loved and needed.

People are the same way in life too.  For instance when I wanted baby number two I immediately wanted to get pregnant right away on our first month of trying and that is so unrealistic.  I had to learn to slow down, have patience and trust in God.  We all need to learn that sometimes good things take time and are worth the wait.   We need to have a little faith in God.  Wheter you are trying to get pregnant yourself, or searching for a new job, or even searching for a significant other these things take time.

This year my goal is to try and save and buy more investment long term pieces.  The items in my house and closet that I spend a little more money and thought on are always my favorites.  Yes they cost more but year to year I never tire of them so in the end they are the better investment.   For example my Rag and Bone Booties, Vince Leather Jacket, and my Gucci Tote ; all examples of things I paid quite a bit for but truly love them and get my money's worth out of them.  

I decided to compile a list (I love making lists) of a few investment pieces I want to add to my closet, I have a home list as well.  I would love to know what you deem a good investment and if there is anything I should add to my list.  New motto is quality over quantity. 

Although its gonna be hard for me to kick my TJMaxx habit, there is just something about the thrill of a good bargain! 

|| CHLOE MARCIE LARGE SHOULDER BAG ||

This is my dream purse.  If I saved (for a very long time) I could eventually buy this beauty and I bet I would carry it for years like my Louis Vuitton I got in college and have carried for 10+ years.

|| RAY BAN SUNGLASSES ||

I owned a pair of these once and either lost them or they were stolen from my car and they were my favorites.  I have bought several cheapie pairs of sunglasses at TJMaxx but I never love them like I did these.

|| RAG AND BONE SKINNY JEANS ||

I have one pair of these but would really love another pair in a different wash.  They are worth every penny.

|| LOEFFLER RANDALL SCALLOPED BALLET FLATS ||

I really want to invest in a pair of good black ballet flats.  My last pair were Cole Haan and I paid close to $200 for them but they have lasted me forever.  Love the scalloped detail that makes these stand out a bit.

|| MARYSIA BATHING SUIT ||

Once this baby weight is gone I am treating myself to an awesome bikini.  In the past I have just bought cheap bikinis that I don't love and that don't fit well. I never feel confident or good in them.  I want a bathing suit that I feel amazing in even if I wear the same one all summer long.  I have been in love with this Marysia Bikini for several years.  Classic perfection. 

|| CHARRIOL STATION BRACELET ||

I borrow my mom's bracelets like these every time I am home.  It is time to start my own collection that I can hopefully pass on to Frances one day.  These bracelets are awesome alone or stacked together.

What is on your investment list? 

Kale + Quinoa Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing

I have decided for the month of January I am going to try and stick to healthy recipes for my Wednesday posts.  I think we are all looking to detox a bit after the holidays and eat healthier as part of our New Years Resolutions.   

I am addicted to Kale Salads.  I usually make the New York Times Tuscan Kale Salad for lunch every week but I got the itch to try something new.  This months Cooking Light had a whole page of new Kale Salads to try and this is my spin on one of the recipes. I find Kale salads are better the longer you let them sit with the dressing on.  The leaves are heartier and won't get soggy so you can make this the day ahead and it just keeps getting better.  The dressing is the best part of this salad it is so flavorful.   I love that the salad incorporates quinoa, a grain, because it helps fill you up.  Lets be real sometimes an hour after I eat a salad I am still hungry. The quinoa gives the salad some bulk.  I added in pistachios because I love them and really like the crunch it gives the salad.

Next time I think I am going to add in some roasted mushrooms for an extra veggie and goat cheese.

Note- I doubled the dressing for one bunch of curly organic kale.  I try to always buy the organic kale.  I felt like it needed more dressing because the leaves were so dense.  If you use Tuscan Kale also called Lacinato Kale (the long thin leaved kind ) the measurements below may be enough.  When in doubt double it and add as needed.  Also if you aren't familiar Tahini can be found in the peanut butter section of the grocery store in a jar.  It is great to make hummus with as well.

|| K A L E + Q U I N O A  S A L A D  W I T H  L E M O N  T A H I N I  D R E S S I N G ||

- 1 bunch kale, stemmed and sliced into thin strips

- 1/4 cup pistachios chopped

- 1 cup cooked quinoa

- fresh grated Parmesan cheese

- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (approx one lemon juiced)

- 1 tablespoon olive oil

- 1 tablespoon water

- 1 tablespoon tahini

- 2 teaspoons soy sauce

- 1/4 teaspoon pepper

combine the kale and quinoa.  Mix together lemon juice and next 5 ingredients.  Toss over salad.   Grate fresh parmesan over top and sprinkle with pistachios.

Obsessions

||VINCE LONG SLEEVE PINTUCK FRONT TEE ||
Vince tees are my favorite.  This gray tee would be a staple in any closet.   You could layer it for winter or it is lightweight enough for Summer.   Love the pintuck detail.

 
|| GREYLIN SILK MAXI DRESS||
Am I the only one ready for warmer temps and summer dressing?  I love this maxi from Greylin.  It would be perfect now with a leather jacket  or sweater as seen below and then alone for summer.

|| MALACHITE DESSERT PLATES ||
I have lusted after these beautiful plates forever.  They are finally on sale (still expensive though) but I think they would be something you would use all the time when entertaining.  And how gorgeous would the green be at Christmas??  An investment but just think I have had the same dishes for almost 7 years now, you would get your moneys worth for sure.

||AEROLATTE FROTHER ||

While I patiently wait and save to buy my Nepresso, I have been using my Aerolatte Frother.  I had forgotten I had bought this because I didn't drink much coffee while I was pregnant but I busted it out this weekend and I have been enjoying the perfect Cappuccino every morning.  It honestly makes getting up so early not so bad to know I can have a tasty cappuccino.  This little handheld device is only $16 totally worth it!

|| T BY ALEXANDER WANG STRIPPED TEE DRESS||

I am a sucker for stripped dresses and tee shirt dresses.  This fits the bill plus I love the T by Alexander Wang line. It also comes in a Mint\black color combo that I really love.

|| CHASER BASEBALL TEE||
I just got my first Chaser tee and I am obsessed with it.  You know those super soft worn in feeling tee shirts?  Well that is just want these feel like.  They are a looser fit and not clingy which I love.  I have a solid color one but really want this Baseball Tee for the Summer.

||REBECCA TAYLORCLIP DOT BLOUSE||
There is nothing I love more than a good white blouse.  It can go with anything and always looks classy.  This is the perfect Spring/Summer blouse.

|| IKAT NAPKINS ||
I have really been into cute napkins lately, they make entertaining and setting the table so much more fun.   These are currently on sale 50% off and I love them.  Great for a Summer Outdoor Party!

|| TORTOISE DAPHNE DROP EARRINGS ||
I have been seeing alot of Tortoise in the spring/summer trends forecast.  I love these earrings and the price ($34) even better.   They would go with everything.  The tortoise bracelets are already sold out so snag these earrings before they do too!

|| DOLCE VITA ALPHA SHOES||
I love this Summer spin on the D'Orsay flats.  These come in camel and black and would go with everything!  I am partial to the camel color it would look so good paired with white skinny jeans or white shorts!