5 Things

Happy Friday or should I say TGIF. I know I promised ya'll some fashion pics of me in my birthday week outfits and it's Friday and there is still no post and I am super sorry. Its been a hectic week! The hubs has been working late most nights, my mother-in-law came in town for a visit and on top of that my sweet baby has been sick. So, no time to be vain and take pictures of myself. I promise my best to have it ready for next week. In the meantime...

The gorgeous and insanely sweet Michaela tagged me in the "Name 5 Things You Can't live Without" Series. This was kind of a tough assignment. I mean there are alot of things you can live without, so I tried to think past the obvious food, shelter, and clothing. I feel pretty confident with my answers (although a few are probably a little shallow, but I'm just being honest)!

ONE: IPhone

I just got this bad boy about 3 weeks ago and we are officially attached by the hip. Before my Iphone I had a love affair with my Blackberry. So you see I really can't live without my phones.

TWO: DVR

Yes, sadly two things on my list are technology related! I watch alot of TV and most of it I can't watch while Matt is home because, he despises Reality TV and Teeny Bopper Shows, which are really what I love to watch. I usually end up recording most of my shows and watching them while he is at work thanks to my DVR

THREE: Cooking + Fashion

Ok, I kind of cheated and grouped two things together but they are my two biggest passions and I can't imagine my life without them! Here is my girl crush showing how its done in her bad ass dress and dream kitchen. The perfect combo of food and fashion!

FOUR: Wine

Technically I can live without this. I mean I did go 10 months with almost no booze, but I sure do love my glass of wine!

FIVE: My Family + Friends

My family means the world to me. Matt and Sterling are the two loves of my life. My parents, sister and brother are also some very important peeps! I don't know what I would do without all their love and support. I love them all to the moon and back again a million times. I feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful family and close group of friends.

Now I am going to tag one of my favorites, the fabulous Jill at A Beautiful Life! Have a Great Weekend! xoxo

Home Tour- Guest Bedroom

I have really been enjoying all the Home Tours in the blogasphere recently. I mean who doesn't love a sneak peek in others homes? I thought I would join in and share one of the rooms in my house. This is probably my favorite room in our house because it is almost completely finished. I am constantly changing things around and decorating, so it is hard for me to ever admit a room is totally finished. This room is pretty close though....

There are only a few things I want to change. I would like a bigger rug, perhaps with a geometric pattern and a new bedskirt. Oh, and maybe some custom curtains. Otherwise I am quite smitten with the way our guest room has turned out. Anyone else have a favorite room in their house or one room that is completely done and you love it?

And please ignore the plastic blackout shade hanging down from the window we would remove them but the curtains are sheer and it gets so bright in there in the am. They may be butt ugly but serve a purpose.

Confetti Corn

This recipe is compliments of my home girl Ina. It comes from her cookbook "Back to Basics." We were grilling burgers this weekend and I was looking for a healthy side to accompany our burgers and this fit the bill. It was so easy to make and only involves a few ingredients. The best part is all the ingredients are fresh veggies and herbs, so you can feel good about chowing down on this! I ate this again the next day and it was just as tasty served cold. This is the perfect summer side for any cookout. Even the hubs who snubs his nose at all veggies loved this and ate it two nights in a row. Enjoy!







Confetti Corn
Ingredients
2 tablespoons good olive oil
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 small orange bell pepper, 1/2-inch diced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Kernels cut from 5 ears yellow or white corn (4 cups)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons julienned fresh basil, minced fresh chives, and/or minced fresh parsley leaves

Directions
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large saute pan. Add the onion and saute for 5 minutes, until the onion is soft. Stir in the bell pepper and saute for 2 more minutes.

Add the butter to the pan and allow it to melt. Over medium heat, add the corn, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, until the corn just loses its starchiness. Season to taste, gently stir in the basil or other green herbs, and serve hot.

Print Recipe HERE

** Be sure to check out my friend Caycee's Blog today.

She has lost a bunch of weight (I'm so proud of her) and is selling some of her super cute clothes on her blog. Here is the LINK, so shop away! **

Obsessions

Happy Tuesday Loves. I can't believe it is April already! Today I am back to kick off the month of April with my current Obsessions.

1) White Cow Hide Rugs
I love this look. Especially the cowhide in the neutral color. I really, really want one for my den or bedroom. I even like the idea of it layered over another rug.








Photos via Material Girls, Southern Accents, Kim Christie, Unknown, Decorpad and Suzanne- Kasler

2) Bravo


A whole new slew of reality TV shows are starting this week on Bravo. Including The Real Housewives of New York, Pregnant in Heels, and Million Dollar Decorators. God Bless Bravo, it is honestly my favorite channel hands down. Where else can you watch so many crazies all in one place?





3) Missoni's Swimwear Line
I heart Missoni. I would love to have a whole closet filled with their signature zig-zag prints. The colors are so bright and happy. I adore these cover-ups and bikinis.







All can be found at SAKS

4) Reese Witherspoon's Wedding
I think Reese is the sweetest Southern Girl. I am so happy she has found love again. Jim seems like such a catch and he is easy on the eyes too. How gorgeous does she look? Loving that she chose pale pink for her wedding dress and wore her hair down. I can't wait to see more wedding pictures (yes, I can be a celebrity stalker sometimes).



5) My Baby Boy
Last but certainly not least, this sweet face. I can't get enough of him, seriously! He is 13 months now and has developed such a sweet and loving personality. He is all boy, into everything and never stops to sit down (ever!) but I love him so much. He is the light of my day and to say I am obsessed is quite the understatement!

Banana Who?

I keep coming across images of Banana Republic's Spring 2011 Line in all my fashion magazines. First InStyle featured a maxi dress and then I noticed a blurb in Bazaar too. I was pleasantly surprised. I am usually not a huge Banana Republic fan. I have bought some shoes and jewelry there but for the most part their clothes are just not my style and never really fit me right.

Their new Spring line has me rethinking things. It is feminine and slightly edgy. I am digging the florals and 70's vibe. I totally agree with Bazaar's statement, "Banana Republic's new collection of flowerly summer frocks gives new meaning to the term Garden Party."

The best part is the prices only range from $70 to $300. The blue floral Maxi dress, shown in the third picture (online now Here) is only $140 and I consider that a real steal for a fabulous maxi dress. I for one am thinking about giving Banana Republic another try, starting with one of the maxi dresses. What are your thoughts? Here are a few pics from the BR Runway.










All photos via

April Fools Birthday Girl + Headed My Way

First of all Happy Birthday to my sweet sister Taylor.



April Fools holds a special meaning for our family since it's her birthday. When she was born my dad actually called and told everyone she was a boy as an April Fools joke. Happy Birthday Taylor, I hope you have a wonderful day! Sisters by Chance, Friends by Choice! Miss you!

Although my Birthday was over a week ago (I might still be celebrating a little bit), I have two gifts headed my way that I am super excited about.

1) IPAD2
I have been wanting one of these babies forever and they came out with the new version just in time for my Birthday. Sadly, of course all the stores are sold out, an elaborate ploy by Apple no doubt. But my parents have ordered me one and it should get here in a week. To say I am excited is an understatement.


2) TWELFTH STREET BY CYNTHIA VINCENT DRESS
I tried this dress on at Copper Penny last week but all they had was an extra-small and medium. I fit right in the middle of the two. I scoured online and found it in a small and Bloomingdales and bonus they are having an extra 20% off for friends and family right now through Sunday. The promo code is SPRINGFF. Go check out the website, they have tons of cute stuff right!



Have a wonderful weekend. Check back next week as I am going to do an outfits post. I had so many comments about my outfits from my birthday I am going to do a post devoted to that! xoxo