Thursday, August 11, 2016

Mom Confessions


Happy Thursday.  It's that time again for mom confessions.  Keeping it real. 

- I took Frances to get her first manicure yesterday.  I was so excited to share this moment with her and do something girly.   She loves to paint her nails at home so I knew she would love it.  She did great but while we were there she kept saying "what is that smell? "  I kept
 telling her its just the nail polish or the remover.  Then she starts dying laughing and goes I know what that smell is it's my fanny.  She then keeps proceeding to say very loudly that her fanny smells.  
Then the guy doing my nails looks at Frances and goes tell your Mommy you need an Asian brother.  I started laughing uncomfortably and he kept repeating it.  When we left he goes tell your daddy your Mom wants an Asian brother- I was like well that was a weird and uncomfortable manicure.

- We went to the library this week, a favorite activity for the kids.  I always let the kids pick out a few books and a movie or two.  Frances brought me the movie below and said she wanted to check it out.  I was like ummm no this is a grown up movie.  She starts crying and screaming very loudly throwing a full on tantrum.  She then tells me it's her favorite movie because the old man gets hit in the face- say what????  

- I can't stop watching Bachelor in Paradise.  I don't even like any of the people on the show but for some reason it just hooks me in.  It is horrible tv and so cheesy but so good.  I have no shame in my love for bad reality tv.  

- I am so over trying to diet.  I have only lost 4 pounds so far.  It is nuts how easy it is to gain weight and how hard it is to lose it.  It has been so hard not eating the kid's extra goldfish or dinner and last night I baked them cookies and I just stood there and smelled them for 5 minutes since I wouldn't let myself eat one.  

- I am loving instastories so much.  To be honest I could never figure out snapchat.  I had the hardest time figuring out how to follow people and see their stories.  I chalked it up to the fact that I was old and lazy but instastories is so much easier.  I love seeing peeks into other's lives and sharing more of ours.  I like that it is a little more real than all the staged pictures on instagram, you get to know people and their personalities better.  Although in just a few days it has become quite the addiction:) 
If you don't know how to see my instastories just go to my instagram page @snoopnattynat and click on my round profile picture and you can watch what I have posted.

- I have recently noticed I have major armpit flab.  You know what I am talking about the skin that hangs over your bra and sports bra.   How the heck do I rid myself of this????

- I am starting to become Rose obsessed.  It is the only wine I want to drink lately. I need to branch back out and try some other kinds but I just love it too much.  I even have Matt hooked on it too.

- I secretly love watching the men's diving and swimming on the Olympics.  Their bodies are insane and their bathing suits are so small.  I just read the funniest article about how the black bars at the bottom make it look like they are censored porn- haha.  You can see the article here with more hilarious photos.


- I got dressed the other night to go out to dinner with my mom and sister and before we left Sterling goes that dress is way too Summery.  It is just not right for your dinner.  I was laughing at this point and said well it is still Summer.  He goes you need to be wearing that on a sailboat or yacht.  I said well if only I was invited on a yacht- I would:)  

- That same night they had a new babysitter since we were in Charlotte. We used my nephew's teacher who is just the sweetest and was amazing with the kids.    At the end of the night she sends me a video and it is Frances telling her she has big boobies.  Watch and enjoy:)




- I bought these chewy melatonin pills to take at night before I go to bed in hopes that they would help me sleep.  Well the two nights I took them I had the worst dreams ever.  I had one dream that I killed someone and I was trying to cover up what I did.   It was so scary.   I asked Matt and he said the same thing had happened to him and he had really strange dreams too after taking it.  Adios melatonin I would rather not sleep that great than have creepy dreams. 

- Sterling and Frances Moon's new favorite activity is to empty every toy bin in the house and then tell me they are bored.  
side note: Frances just looked at this picture while I was typing and goes " get all the toys out,  can we do that again now?"


- We took Frances to the urgent care last weekend because I was afraid she had broken her wrist luckily it was fine.  While we were there Sterling goes " I love this place, we should really come here more often."  The nurses were dying laughing and said well that is a comment we have never heard before. 

 - 3 weeks ago one of my sister's best friends died.  Then I found out a good friend had cancer.  I have been so pre occupied with death lately and dying.  It is all consuming to me right now and scary how  how short life can be. 


Lastly,  this is so true.  My kids have had major tantrums lately if we go to a store and I don't buy them anything.  Even at the grocery store they want some sort of a trinket and I am over it.  I am trying to teach them they do not get something in every store we go in and it has been hard.  Lots of tears and screaming and telling me I am a mean mom and the worst mom ever.  






Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Eggplant Stacks + Antipasto Wraps + OOTDS + Loft Friends and Family

Today I have two recent recipes to share with you that I recently posted on Instagram.  First up is Eggplant Stacks.  I made this for our meatless Monday meal this week and they were so good.  I was originally going to make eggplant parmesan but wanted something a little lighter.  I found a few recipes on line but kind of made this up with ingredients I had on hand.  It turned out great and was almost even better the second day I ate it.


|| E G G P L A N T  S T A C K S ||

- 4 small eggplants sliced
- 1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese
- 1.5 cups feta cheese
- 1 cup pesto
- 1.5 cups marinera sauce (about 1/2 a jar)
- 3 tomatoes sliced
-fresh basil

Cut the eggplant into slices and then lay flat on paper towels.  Sprinkle with salt and let sit 30 minutes.  This will help absorb moisture.  Blot the tops with a paper towel too.  

Heat a grill pan with olive oil over medium.  Drizzle eggplants with olive oil and cook on grill pan about 3 minutes a side.  You want the eggplant to soften up.  Remove and lay on paper towels to drain extra oil off.  

In a baking dish layer one layer of the eggplant.  Then top with tomato slices, pesto and feta.   Then do another layer of eggplant, tomato and marinera sauce.  Top all stacks with slices of fresh mozzarella and basil. 

Bake at 350 degrees about 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.  

This is what it looked like before I baked it.   I can't wait to make this again! Such a great way to use up eggplant.  

Several of you also wanted the antipasto roll up from this past weekend that I made for our boat ride.  I found this recipe on pinterest.  The only thing I changed was I didn't use ham.  I just used pepperoni and salami.  I also used whole wheat olive oil shells instead of flour.  These were a huge hit with everyone.  A great appetizer I will make again!


|| A N T I P A S T O   R O L L U P S ||
recipe Via Mother Thyme

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, soften
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of salt and pepper
  • 5 (8-inch) flour tortillas- (I used whole wheat and olive oil shells)
  • 10 slices provolone cheese, thinly sliced
  • 15 slices Genoa salami
  • 10 slices deli/sandwich style pepperoni
  • 10 slices ham, thinly sliced (I omitted this) 
  • ½ cup sliced roasted red peppers, patted dry
  • ½ cup mild banana pepper rings, patted dry

  1. In a small bowl mix cream cheese with Italian seasoning with garlic powder until combined.
  2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese mixture on flour tortilla.
  4. Top with 2 slices of provolone, then 3 slices of salami, 2 slices of pepperoni and 2 slices of ham.
  5. Top ham with some sliced roasted red peppers and banana peppers.
  6. Tightly roll up tortilla and wrap in plastic wrap.
  7. Repeat until all tortillas are rolled up.
  8. Place in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
  9. When ready to serve cut off ends and cut into slices.

.............................................................................
A few recent OOTDS. 
I recently ordered this peplum blouse and for the price it is such a steal.   It is under $40 and also comes in black.  I am wearing a size small.
This Madewell Dress is now 40% off.  
I am wearing an XS it ran on the large side. 
Dress

Snapped this picture with my sweet little man this week before we headed to the pool.  
These sunnies are a new favorite and under $80.  The tote is also under $100.  

The Loft Friends and Family Sale starts today you can take 40% off the entire site.
A few current favorites sitting in my shopping cart.
Blouson Dress

I have this dress and love it!! I am wearing a size small.
Tank Dress


I love the print on dress! 
Babydoll Dress

This is such a greta blouse that could work for work or play.  It also comes in white.  
Henley Blouse
I own this and love it.  I am wearing a size small.
Off Shoulder Blouse

Have a great Wednesday!  



Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Style Files Vol 14 | The Maxi Dress

Do you ever find a dress that just instantly makes you happy??  Well this dress does just that for me.  I bought this dress before our Summer Vacation and it has quickly become a favorite. 
I love that it can easily be dressed up or down.

  I always love DVF, her pieces are timeless.  They are not cheap but they are great investment pieces to add to your closet.  They never go out of style.  I have a DVF maxi dress I bought for our honeymoon 9 years ago that I still wear and love and know this dress will be the same. 
These lace up sandals are another Summer favorite.  They won't break the bank and go with everything.  I have worn mine with jeans, shorts and dresses.  I am wearing the tan suede but they also come in black and gold.  Size up a half size as they do run on the small side.
Sizing wise I am wearing a 4 in the maxi dress.  I found it ran TTS.

I love the vibrant print on my dress, the green is even prettier in person.  It also comes in this shorter style. 
I rounded up a few other Maxi's that would be perfect to dress up or down.  Scroll through to see them all. 






You can shop my look below!


Thanks to Nordstrom for partnering on this post
Photography: Athena Crofts



Monday, August 8, 2016

Scenes From Our Weekend

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.  It is hard to believe Summer is coming to a close.  We have had a really good one though.

Friday the kids and I headed back from Charlotte bright and early.  I had a lunch date with my sister in law.  I wore this chambray dress perfect for traveling.  I love the silhouette.   I am wearing a size small, it runs slightly on the large side.  
We had lunch at Bambu and after lunch I stopped in Bottles.  I have never been in there before and wow, what a great selection of wine.  I picked up a few new ones to try.

Friday night we had to take Frances to urgent care, I thought she broke her wrist.  Luckily after a few X-rays they told us nothing was broken.  We got home in time to catch a gorgeous sunset.
Our neighbors brought over the most delicious homemade egg rolls.  They had chicken, black beans, corn, onion, and spinach and were so tasty.
One of my favorite dresses from this Summer is back out in a new stripe color for Fall.  I found it when I bought my chambray dress in Charlotte.  Sizes sold out pretty quickly last time and a few are already sold out.  I am wearing a size 6 for reference.  I am usually a 4 in dresses but the 4 was a little snug at my hips.

Saturday morning the boys went fishing so I got to have some one on one time with Frances Moon.  We went to get doughnuts and to the Farmer's Market.  I didn't order a doughnut because I was trying to be good and I asked Frances for a bite of hers and this was the face I got- haha don't mess with her food!

That afternoon we went boating with a few friends over to Morris Island.  I always love bringing fun snack on the boat.  I made pimento cheese sandwiches and Antipasto Roll-ups.  I will share that recipe Wednesday!

We had such a blast on the water. 


We even managed to get a few family photos of everyone together.

No one wanted to look at the camera.

Matt + I.  My bathing suit is now on sale.  It has the prettiest low back.  It runs TTS, I am wearing a medium.
Sunday we went to church and back to school shopping and then the pool!  My swimsuit and hat are on sale and I love the new pink/blush color of Tkees.

For dinner we made veggie plates.  I love this easy Summer Salad and it is only 4 ingredients.
Cherry Tomatoes + Fresh mozzarella balls + basil + pesto.   Also add a little salt and pepper:)

This wine was a favorite from Bottles.  Super light and refreshing. 


Have a great start to your week.  Sterling is doing tennis camp this week, it is his favorite camp.  This is our 3rd year doing it.   Looking forward to getting organized this week before school starts back!