Thoughts For Friday

TGIF!  We have survived our first week back to school and back to the grind!  Thank goodness Sterling loves his teacher and his class, he has not complained once this week about having to go to school and that makes me so happy.  I feel so blessed we are zoned for such a great school. 

My neighbors gave me this coffee mug and I think it is so funny!  Drinking my coffee in it this morning:)

I can't get over how grown up Sterling looks after this Summer.  He really is the sweetest boy, he makes me so proud. 

I could not help but laugh on the first day I took Sterling to school.  Once he was gone Frances made a beeline to his room and grabbed all his favorite stuffed animals that he never lets her touch.  She was so proud of herself.

Frances doesn't start school til after Labor Day and it has been nice to have some one on one time with her.  With two I never feel like I give either of them enough one on one time.   She is rocking my sunglasses on our lunch date. 

Dress (use code REFRESH for extra 30% off)

My Off Shoulder Dress from this Summer is now on sale plus extra 30% off.  Not many sizes left, I just wore it again this week.   It is such a great easy and effortless dress.

We are having happy hour with our neighbors tonight and I think I am going to make these heirloom tomato cups.  I have so many cherry tomatoes from the Farmer's Market and this will be a great way to use them! 

I have started 3 books in the past few weeks and I can't seem to get into any of them.  I want a book I am excited to get in bed to read- any fabulous book recs?  I just downloaded the new Jane Green book Falling and I am hoping it does the trick I usually love her books- and if you have not read any of her books I highly recommend Tempting Fate, Saving Grace, Summer Secrets, and Family Pictures.

I am loving all the new Mara Hoffman pieces that are coming out.  I recently ordered this dress and I am planning to wear it Saturday night.  

Mara Hoffman Dress

It also comes in this blue color combo.

As many of you have probably heard the big Lily Pulitzer sale starts Monday.  In the past I have not had a ton of luck for myself at Lily but I am really loving some of the new styles.  I have found a few dresses I love and I always love the Elsa blouse.  I also adore the little girls dresses, I am hoping to snag a few for Frances Monday morning. 

This is a recent Lily dress I bought and wore last night.  I love the fit, it is loose swing style.  I am wearing a small if you are curious about sizing.  

Swing Dress

A close up of the colors, they are so pretty.

I randomly bought these quinoa bowls because they were on sale at Harris Teeter and I really love them.  They are a great easy lunch.  I even mix them into my greek salads if I don't want to eat them plain.  You don't have to cook them or anything you just mix.  Super easy and tasty.

It is no secret I am a huge fan of Beauty Counter products.  My sister and I recently decided to team up and be consultants.  It was a no brainer because we love the line so much.  I will share more about that and our favorites next week,  but if you love face masks as much as I do you must try this new Charcoal face mask!!  It exfoliates and detoxifies your skin with a mix of clay and charcoal.  It really makes your skin feel and look amazing.

Face Mask

Happy Friday! 

End of Season Swim on Sale

Lots of sites have majorly reduced their swim wear.  This is a great time to buy for next year.  Although if you live in Charleston like me or anywhere with a similar climate we will still be rocking our bathing suits well into October.

I adore this Lablanc one piece and the back is even more stunning.  It is now under $100.

One Piece

I am a huge Marysia fan so whenever I can find it on sale I scarf it up!  I have this cover-up dress and love it.  It is super light weight so it dries quickly if it gets wet. 

Dress

Another one piece I own and love.  The back dips into a low v and it is such a flattering fit and the colors are gorgeous in person. I wear a medium in this style for reference.

One Piece

also comes in this ikat print.

I have two suits in this same style.  The high neckline is so flattering and great when dealing with kids because it stays put.  I wear a small in this style for reference.

Scallop One Piece

This bright blue cover-up is so gorgeous.  

Cover-up

I also wanted to share my favorite cover-up is back in stock!!  It is not on sale but a great price, under $100.  This is hands down my favorite cover-up this season.  Super soft and so comfortable. 

Short Sleeve Version

Long Dress

I just ordered this new pom-pom style.  Love it!

Scroll though to see some other amazing swim deals. 

Artist Spotlight | Nan Jones

Meet Nan Jones!  

There are so many things that inspire me and art is a big one!  I love finding new artists and being able to share them.  Nan is an artist based out of Raleigh, NC and it is such a small world because it turns out Nan is good friends with two of my childhood friends.  What I love most about Nan's art is the layering and deep textures.  Nan uses a variety of knives, brushes, and paint to achieve this look.  She does mainly abstract landscapes  

We own two pieces by Nan.  Our most recent piece is a painting I had her to do for Sterling's room.  I am still trying to tweak his room and make some updates since I really have not done much to it since he was 2.5 and moved into a big boy bed.  Next up is a fresh coat of paint for the walls.     

Sterling loves anything nautical and sea related so I knew I wanted a painting of the ocean for his gallery wall in his room that we are slowly making progress on.    

Nan's painting fits in perfectly.  

My mom found that shark's head at Target- how cute is it?

I just love the painting.  I gave Nan an idea of colors and what we wanted and it was even better than what I had envisioned.   Matt loved it so much he tried to high jack it for his office.  The colors are perfect and so soothing.  

We also have this painting by Nan hanging in our hallway.   We have had it several years now and it keeps moving places but always seems to look good wherever we hang it.   It is a bit different style than what we did in Sterling's room.  This style is more of the textured layering.  

 Nan has graciously offered 10 % off the purchase of any of her works with code ARTLOVE. The discount will last til September 1st!  These are the 3 websites where you can find her work and use the discount code.

www.nanjonesart.com
http://www.wellandwondercollective.com/artist/nan-jones

http://www.themakersmercantile.com/nan-jones-art/

Nan also does commissioned pieces as well. You can email her for more details on that.

nan@nanjonesart.com.

A few other paintings by Nan that I love.   They are all so gorgeous! 

If only I had space for all of these beautiful paintings!  

Thanks to Nan for letting me feature her artwork!

Stuffed Poblano Peppers + Favorite White Blouse Back in Stock + Tory Burch Private Sale

Truth, I never get tired of Mexican food. Also it is the easiest meat free genre to cook.  Always full of such good flavor so you don't even miss the meat.  These stuffed Poblano Peppers are kind of a hybrid between enchiladas and chile rellenos but healthier.   Don't get discouraged by the fact you have to roast the peppers and peel the skin.  I promise it is not hard and it gives the peppers great flavor.  I used Carolina Gold rice for our filling.  I buy it at our local Farmer's Market and it is so good.  I am not a huge rice person but I love the Carolina Gold Rice, it is almost creamy and so good! You could easily use just plain white rice, brown rice, or even quinoa though.  I cut the peppers in half to stuff them because mine were huge, if your peppers are not that big keep them whole and just slice down the middle to stuff,  the stuffing will stay in better that way.   Pile on the enchilada sauce and cheese and enjoy!

|| V E G G I E  S T U F F E D  P O B L A N O  P E P P E R S ||

- 4-6 poblano peppers

- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

- 2 ears corn

- 1 small tomato diced

- 2 jalapenos diced

- 1 cup dried rice cooked

- 1 tablespoon chili powder

- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

- 1 tablespoon cumin

- 1/3 cup diced red onion (about 1/2 an onion)

- 8 oz shredded quesadilla cheese

- 4 oz crumbled queso fresco

- 1 can/package enchilada sauce (I love Fronterra in the white package)

Place the peppers on a baking sheet and put oven on broil high.  Cook the peppers about 5- 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.  You want the skin blistered and charred.  Remove from oven and place in a bowl and cover with saran wrap.  Let sit 15-20 minutes,  

You can boil or roast the corn.  I roasted ours at 350 for about 20 minutes and then shuck it.  

Once the peppers are cooled peel the skin off.  This should be easy.  Then slice in halve and remove the seeds.  If you can't get every single seed don't worry it is hard to get them out.  

In a large bowl mix, rice, beans, corn, tomatoes, jalapenos, onions, shredded cheese, cumin, chili powder, and red pepper flakes.  Add salt and pepper to taste. 

In a baking dish pour half the enchilada sauce on the bottom.  Take each half of a pepper and fill with the rice mixture.  It will be messy and they will be hard to fold up.  Just place them close together in the baking dish so each pepper supports the next pepper.  Top with the rest of the enchilada sauce and crumbled queso fresco.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes until the cheese and sauce is bubbly.

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I posted this blouse on instagram yesterday and it quickly sold out.  Well I checked this morning and it is back in stock!  I love mine.  The lace detail and embroidery make for such a gorgeous blouse.  I am wearing a size small.  I promise you will love this blouse! Oh and my all time favorite white jeans are on sale, I am wearing them in this picture.  They have the perfect amount of stretch and are not see through!
White Blouse | Earrings | Jeans (on sale) 

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The Tory Burch Private Sale started yesterday.  Lots of amazing deals.  

I love this style cardigan I am debating ordering the blue for Fall. I have a red and brown one and wear them often! 

Sweater

I love this simple gold horn necklace.  It would be great alone or layered.

Horn Necklace

I also love these gold/tan wedges.  They would go with everything!

The cutest dress and it also comes in red.

These cosmetic cases would make great gifts.  They come in 4 colors.

Cosmetic Case

Scroll through to see some other amazing deals!  Shop fast though because many sizes are already sold out!