Thoughts For Thursday

Happy almost weekend! My parents get in town today and I could not be more excited.  They have not been down here since before Christmas!  My mom and I are off to walk around downtown today. 

We are making some slow progress in our den.  I just ordered these awesome pillows for my wing back chairs.  Check out Talia's etsy shop, she makes some really cool custom boho pillows.

I love the idea of this pink one in a little girl's bedroom.

We celebrated Sterling's birthday on Monday at Camp Perri.  Perri offers many after school activities and does birthday parties too.  Perri is awesome with kids and she came up with the funnest games and crafts for the kids to do at the party.  Sterling is shark obsessed these days so we went with a shark theme.  Perri took care of everything all I had to do was show up with a cake, super easy:)  Sterling is still talking about how much fun he had!

 How adorable are the decorations?  Sterling was so excited.

Ashley's daughters are his favorites.  We joke one day it will be hard when he has to choose between the two.

The entire crew.

My loves.

His favorite part the shark cake.  I used Luckhaus and Brubaker in West Ashley for the cake.

Still can't believe this sweet boy is 6!

Can we discuss the fact that I am so excited Chrissy Teigan is coming out with a cookbook.  I of course already pre-ordered mine.  I have such a girl crush on her.  I love a girl that loves to eat and who doesn't love John Legend.

A recent outfit this week.

Butterfly Blouse | Sweater is sold out similar | Jeans | Flats | Holst and Lee Necklace

I am not sure why but this new Mara Hoffman Dress is on sale.  Some sizes are 50% and some are 20%.  I have it in a different color option and love it. It runs on the large side I have an XS. It is perfect year round, I wear mine now with a cardigan and then solo when it warms up.

If you need nude pumps these Loeffler Randall ones are 60% off, its says the total savings is $227!  The pumps come to under $100.  I love the embossed detail.   I swear Amazon has the best deals.  I didn't think to look for clothes on Amazon until recently and now I always check there before I purchase something because it is frequently cheaper.

Several of you asked for my green juice recipe after I shared this picture on instagram.

This makes two glasses.  I have recently gotten Matt on the green juice train so we both enjoy it.

GREEN JUICE

2 granny smith apples, 1 bunch kale, 1 lemon peeled, 1 inch piece ginger peeled, 3 celery stalks, large handful spinach, 1 jalapeño seeded, and 1 baby cucumber.

I am completely addicted the new app Face Swap Live.  Do yourself a favor and download it.  It is hilarious.  The kids and I have so much fun with it- although sometimes the pictures are creepy!

This is me and Sterling with our faces swapped.

Matt and I.  Seriously your stomach will hurt from laughing so much after you play around on this app.

Local Friends stop by Finicky Filly tonight if you are out and about for a fun event! I will be probably get there a little after 5 to hang out!

Stay tuned because this weekend I will be reviewing our new mattress and giving one away!  All I can say is this mattress has been truly amazing.The kids love it too!

Enjoy your day! It's all about balance!

Garden Veggie Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Black Beans + Green Goddess Dressing

I have recently become a huge fan of lettuce wraps.  It is a great way to eat a healthy meal minus the carbs.  They are also great for entertaining because you can make a huge platter and everyone can serve themselves.  That being said if you don't love lettuce wraps you can easily sub out the lettuce and use flour or corn shells to make tacos.  If you want to add meat I would recommend using ground turkey, chicken or beef.  They really are awesome without the meat though.

This recipe came about as a way to clean out our fridge.  Every week on taco night I make a big batch of black beans in the slow cooker so I always have extra on hand.   You can most definitely use canned black beans or canned refried beans for this recipe but slow cooking the dried ones tastes so much better and it is really easy too. If you make a big batch every week or two you will always have some on hand for quick dinners.  

I love the combination of the creamy green goddess dressing with all the crisp veggies, and spicy beans.  It is such a great flavor combination. I eventually want to try and make my own green goddess dressing but I used store bought this time.   

Enjoy!

|| G A R D E N   V E G G I E  W R A P S ||

- 1 cup spicy black beans (recipe below)

- 1 squash sliced thinly

- 1 zucchini sliced thinly

-3 ears of corn cooked and shucked

- handful cherry tomatoes diced

- 1 jalapeno sliced

- 2 green onions sliced

- crumbled Queso Fresco cheese

- 1/2 avocado sliced

- Bibb lettuce (you could also use Romaine)

- Green Goddess Dressing (I used Annie's brand)

Heat about 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet and add in the squash and zucchini.  Season with salt and pepper and cook on medium heat about 5-10 minutes until they are slightly cooked.  Remove from heat.

Bring water to a boil with corn and cook about 15 minutes until corn is cooked but still slightly firm.  Remove corn from water and cut off kernels.

Reheat spicy black beans and I like to mash them as they cook.

Wash the lettuce leaves and arrange on platter with other ingredients.  Layer black beans, corn and zucchini\squash mixture.  Then top with cherry tomatoes, green onions, avocado, and crumbled cheese.  Drizzle with green goddess dressing and hot sauce.

|| S L O W  C O O K E R  S P I C Y  B L A C K  B E A N S ||

- 1 bag dried black beans

- 3-4 tablespoons sliced pickled jalapenos

- 1 vegetable boullion cube

- 1 tablespoon hot sauce

- 1 tablespoon cumin

- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

- 2 tablespoons chili powder

- 1 teaspoon garlic salt

- 3 tablespoons butter

- salt and pepper to taste

Place the black beans in a pot on the stove filled with water.  Bring to a boil then turn off the heat and then let them sit covered 1-2 hours.  This helps the black beans cook quicker.  You can place them straight in your slow cooker but keep in mind they will need all day to cook prob at least 8-10 hours.  Black beans cook really slow and by boiling them first it helps speed up the process a little bit.

After an hour or so dump the beans and the water into your slow cooker.   Add the next 6 ingredients.  I always cook mine on high for 4 hours first and then I switch to low until they are ready.  When the 4 hours on high are done add in butter and then switch the setting  to low.  I usually cook another 3-4 hours or until we are ready to eat.  Taste the beans and season to make sure they have enough salt and pepper.

Obsessions

Fringe Cover-Up

This cover-up is only $33!  it comes in 6 different colors and you better believe I ordered one for our upcoming vacation!

Endless Rose Embroidered Dress

I love the detail and tassels, plus it is only $77.

Rebecca Minkoff Saddle Bag

This is on my Spring wishlist.  The color and style are perfection.

Jeffery Campbell Armour Suede Flats

I love Jeffery Campbell shoes and they are always a great price point.  I would love the tan color of these.

Equipment Aubrey Dress in Grid Stripe

This is my favorite style Equipment dress because it is so versatile.  I own this in the leopard version and wear it all the time.  I actually just ordered this one for an upcoming party we have.  I love the rich blues for Spring.

Topshop Off Shoulder Dress

I bought this same dress last year in the black version and loved it.  The fit is great and I loved the embroidery detail.  It sold out last year so I have a feeling sizes may go quickly.

The black version from last year.

McGuire Jeans

Meet my new favorite jeans.  Totally obsessed.  The fit is TTS.  I like them because they sit higher up and don't stretch out too much.  They are a slim,  sleek,  and flattering fit.

Splendid Jessa Sandals

I really like the style of these with the thicker heel and cut out detail.   

Gilded Retro Sunglasses

I just bought these sunglasses over the weekend and love them.  They remind me of some more expensive brands I have seen but they are only $15!

Mara Hoffman Dress

Mara does it again with this fabulous dress.  Love the pattern and colors! 

Rebecca Minkoff Tassel Purse

They just released a new version of the tassel purse I have.  I love this smaller circle size, such a fun purse.

Astr Cold Shoulder Blouse

This is a trend I am really still loving.  This is a great way to try out the open shoulder trend without breaking the bank, its under $70. It also comes in white.

Madewell Fringe Cardigan

I tried this on in the store and loved it.  It was too similar to a Joie Cardigan I already own or I would have bought it.

 This would be a great transitional piece for now and later.  It also comes in black.

Kendra Scott Rayne Necklace

This is such a great versatile necklace for layering or alone.  I love this new color they came out with for the Spring.  It would look so good paired with white.

Tory Burch Peasant Top

I have been loving so many of Tory's new arrivals.  The print on this blouse is so gorgeous and I love that it can be worn on your shoulders or off.

Dolce Vita Mules

I have been wanting to try a pair of mules.  These would go with so many different outfits.

Old Navy Camisole

Looks so much like Tibi but it is Old Navy!  This would be cute now layered under a cardigan and alone come Summer.

Tkees Flip Flops

These are hands down the best flip flops so comfortable and just out in 2 new colors.  I love the rose gold and gray.

Scenes From Our Weekend

Happy President's Day!  Since school is out today I am having a birthday party for Sterling and a few friends because he turns 6 tomorrow.  I honestly can't believe he will be 6!  Time flies. 

Thursday night we had a girl's night at Bin 152.  It is hands down one of my favorite wine bars in town.  I had not been in almost year, so I was thrilled to go back.  They have a such a great wine selection and their charcuterie boards are the best I have ever had.

A few things I am loving these days | Tassels + Fringe + Embroidery 

The shoes are only $32 and you can use code PRES today to save additional 25% off.

Purse | Fringe Heels | Embroidered Dress (sold out similar style) | Embroidered Blouse (on sale)

Frances Moon after her Valentine's Party.  She was so excited about all the candy she got:)

I enjoyed lunch at CO, a spot I often forget about,  their food is always on point.  We started with edamame spring rolls and beef kimchi dumplings.

Friday night Matt and I tried a new restaurant with a few friends called The Watch.

It is located on the rooftop of a new boutique hotel on Wentworth Street called The Restoration.  I definitely want to find an excuse to spend a night at The Restoration.  I loved the atmosphere and decor.   

The menu had lots of great options.

Wearing Julie Vos Ring

I enjoyed the Roasted Vegetable Salad and Cauliflower Soup and Matt had the lobster roll, served with the most delicious homemade chips.

I wore my first Lily Pulitzer purchase for me, The Elsa Blouse.  My girlfriends talked into buying one and I have to say I love the fit and the bright pink.  Sometimes the Lily patterns can be too much for me but I loved this solid version. The pink is the perfect shade of hot pink.  Sizing wise I recommend sizing down, I am in an XS.

Elsa Blouse in Tropical Pink color

Saturday we had a low key afternoon and then headed to our neighbors for Happy Hour and pizza.

I made my Greek Salad Bites again, always a favorite and easy appetizer to whip together.  

How cute are the Koi Fish appetizer plates??  They come in 4 different colors. 

Sunday Matt brought us all Bojangles for our Valentine's Breakfast.  Gotta love The Bo.

Then we headed to The Southeastern Wildlife Festival.  We had never been before.  I feel like every year one of us is usually sick this weekend so we were excited to check it out.

Sterling rode a camel and loved it!

The kids also loved the petting zoo.

Thanks to our friend Thomas we managed to get a family picture where everyone was looking at the camera and smiling:)

My Missoni Scarf is on sale in a pink version.  It is also on sale in a non infinity version too.  My mom gave me this scarf 3 years for Christmas and it is still my favorite scarf ever.

After we put the kids to bed Matt and I celebrated Valentine's Day with some champagne, our favorite vodka penne, and tiramisu.

Have a great week.