Saturday, September 6, 2014

Saturdays Steals and Splurges

I am back with a fun weekend roundup of some great deals.

Gap is running their big Baby + Kids Sale.  Almost everything is 40% off.
Shop the sale HERE and use code EXTRA to get an additional 20% off.   This makes things dirt cheap!!
A few things I snagged for Frances this Fall.


gap sale



And for my little man, love all the Camo!

gap kids 2


Chambray Top | Stripe Sweater | Camo Tee | Camo Shorts | Jeans | Aviators | High Tops


The Nordstrom Clearance sale is still going on. 
A bunch of Zella stuff just got marked down  and added to the sale.  I own a few pairs of the Zella Leggings and love them, I would love to add that hoodie to my collection.  All three are a steal at 40% off.
Live in Triple Block Leggings | Hoodie | Floral Leggings
 

zella

There some great home selections included in the sale as well.  I own several wood serving pieces and love them.  I feel like they really make your food stand out.  This would be beautiful with a salad in it or used as a fruit bowl.
|| Acacia Bowl
This tie dye blanket is pretty awesome.  I am thinking about it for the foot of Sterling's bed.
|| Tie Dye Blanket




JCREW is offering 25% off Fall Must haves, use code SHOPTIME
The perfect time to buy the swing sweater.  I added the Mustard yellow to my collection.
|| Swing Sweater

I also really like this mixed Media Sweater.  I love the cut up sides and the stripe back.
|| Mixed Media Sweater

Pottery Barn Kids is running a big Summer Sale.  Shop the sale HERE
I am pretty sure Sterling would flip if I bought this Shark Sprinkler- how cool is it?


I also think these stuffed animals are the most adorable things.  A great baby or birthday gift.  I really want the flamingo for Frances Moon but love the octopus too!
|| Plush Animals


Shopbop just marked down these JBrand JeansI love the midrise ones and both of these colors are perfect for Fall.
|| JBrand Midrise Skinnies


Happy Saturday and Happy Shopping!





Friday, September 5, 2014

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole + On My Mind


Just in time for your weekend, I have a kick ass potato casserole recipe.  Its like a stuffed loaded baked potato but in a casserole form. Its amazing quite simply put.  We served ours with Filets and it was a perfect meal.  Enjoy.

|| L O A D E D   B A K E D  P O T A T O  C A S S E R O L E ||

- 5-6 russet or baking potatoes
- 4oz cream cheese
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 oz sour cream
- sliced green onions
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar (white and yellow)
- Crumbled Pancetta or Bacon


Peel and slice potatoes into circles.  Fill a large pot with water and place the potatoes and some salt in to boil.  Let the potatoes boil about 25 minutes until fork tender.  Drain off all water and leave potatoes in pot.  Add in cream cheese cubed, butter, and milk.  Use a hand held mixer to whip potatoes.  Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed, you also may want to add more butter or milk.   Spread the whipped potatoes in a baking dish and spread the sour cream over top.  Then cover with shredded cheese.  Bake about 20-30 minutes until cheese is bubbly.  Remove from oven and sprinkle the top with green onions and crispy pancetta.

....................................................................................
I am so sad about Joan Rivers passing away.   I know she lived a long life, but its still sad.  My heart breaks for her daughter because I know how close they were.  She was a pretty hilarious lady, I hope she is living it up in heaven now.


I am really loving these flat Madewell boots.  I always think Madewell makes great shoes. 


I just started reading Big Little Lies and I am loving it!!  I loved the Husband's Secret so much I can tell this is going to be another great read.

 

Sterling started school this week, his first day of 4k.  I just want to freeze time.  Between school for him and Frances Moon's first birthday rapidly approaching I feel like time is flying by the blink of an eye.


I always have a hard time styling my square coffee table.  I love how this one is styled.  Plus I really love that antelope rug underneath!


Charleston friends, Mosaic one of my favorite online shops (the actual store is in Lake City, SC) is a having a trunk show here!!  Check out her website too, she is running some great end of Summer Sales.


Happy Friday!!






Thursday, September 4, 2014

Let's Talk About Foundation

Foundation.  It's tricky.  It can either make your skin look flawless and perfect or make your face look darker or lighter than the rest of your body.  Lets be real we have all seen women with super pale or tan faces as a result of their foundation. It is a bad look.  I do most of my make-up shopping at Nordstrom, they offer free shipping and returns and just make my life easy.  Plus they carry all the lines I love like Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Nars, Chanel, and Dior.

Personally, I like a combo of a liquid tint plus a powder for an even coverage.  For years I have used Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer.  It works great, goes on smoothly and I love that it has SPF in it. It works fine but I have the itch to try something new. 


I did a little research and asked around and these came up as top foundation recommendations:

 I always love Bobbi Brown make-up and heard this duo is awesome.
I like that the powder provides full coverage and for me I find powders help cover my blemishes and lines better than a liquid.  I like that you can then apply the foundation stick as needed.  
Right now at Nordstrom if you spend $50 on Bobbi Brown cosmetics you get a free mini foundation stick- so a great time to try it out!

makeup


 
The other three foundations I have heard amazing things about are:

makeup 2

I read in Allure that a lot of make-up artists to the stars swear by the Dior foundation.   It is supposed to be super light feeling with great coverage, plus it has SPF which is necessary in my opinion for daily wear.

I am never disappointed with Nars, I swear by their Laguna Bronzer, and Lipstick in Dolce Vita and Gypsy. So I have a feeling the foundation would be great plus their colors matches are pretty extensive.
The Laura Mercier Smooth Finish seems to have more pigment than the tinted moisturizer.

On a side note if you have not checked out the Nars nail polish collaboration with 3.1 Phillip Lim, you must!  The colors are gorgeous, I want them all.



What foundation do you swear by?  I would love to hear thoughts if you use any of the above that I am considering.






This post was sponsored by Nordstrom.  All thoughts and opinions are my own always.




Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Cheap and Chic Under $100

I got several requests to feature more budget friendly items.  I love to mix things up with nice items and less expensive ones.  I think my obsessions list tends to be things I am lusting after so the prices are higher but today I rounded up some really cute and affordable items all for under $100.  They would be great additions to any closet.

I always love a black and white combo.  It is classic and I of course love the animal print.  This dress is perfect for now and then toss on a black leather jacket for colder days.

Digging these booties from Gap.   A great shorter heeled pair for everyday.


This top looks so cozy.  I picture it with leggings and booties for such a casual and comfy, yet still pulled together look.

I have heard rave reviews about Blank denim, I really want to try them!!  These look awesome for the price.

I own two pairs of Yosi flats and they are the most comfortable ballet flats, they feel like you are wearing slippers.  Loving the stud detail for Fall, these also come in Black.  I love the leopard pair here as well or these solid ones.


I love the colors of this top, perfect blues.

I am so in love with this cardigan, it is sitting in my shopping basket.  I think it would be great paired with skinny distressed jeans or leggingsEasy to toss on over anything.


This reminds me so much of the Vince Ombre sweater I wanted last season for a fraction of the price.  I love the loose open back too.

You can't beat these for the price at $35.  Perfect everyday earrings.

 I also love the House of Harlow Leather Station Necklace.  I own the black but the olive green is on sale and I actually really love it for Fall.


This is the perfect little shift dress.  I love the idea of the black because you could do so much with jewelry and shoes to make it stand out and look different but the purple is such a gorgeous color.



This is such a good looking purse.  I love the mushroom color.


I am all about navy for Fall.  This clutch is over sized and a steal at $45. 


In my opinion this is the best Chambray shirt and trust me I tried on a gazillion ones to find one that fit just right.  This runs on the large side so order down, I have an XS.  It is so soft and goes with everything.  I have the lighter color pictured below but it also comes in a darker wash here






Tuesday, September 2, 2014

The Best Mojito Recipe + Labor Day Scenes

Happy Tuesday Y'all!
I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. Ours was busy but so fun.

I have to share this recipe for the best mojito ever.  My brother in law, makes the best one I have ever tasted.  I am not big on mixed drinks usually they are too sweet for me, but he makes this one perfectly.  He said it was inspired by a Mojito he had in Puerto Vallarta.  It is the perfect mix of fizz, mint, and lime. Here is what you need (also not pictured is a muddler)

Take your glasses and line them up.  Place a tablespoon of sugar in each glass, the juice of one lime per glass, and a handful of mint.  Muddle all that together.  Then add a 1 oz shot of Rum and 2 oz of club soda.  Add ice and serve. I promise you will love these.


Us ladies sure did!


The best part of this weekend was spending time with my family.  We always love having cousin Finley in town.  These three are just the sweetest together.



and we have a new cousin addition!! My brother and his wife had their baby boy, Maxton, last week!  I can't wait to meet him and for him to join this crazy crew!  He is just the cutest thing ever, makes me miss the sweet newborn days (minus the no sleep).  Can't wait to snuggle him soon!


Friday my mom and I did a little shopping.  I have still been looking for a rug for our screen porch but can't find exactly what I have envisioned yet.  We headed to Celadon.  They have a great rug selection, and while they didn't have what I wanted for the porch I did snag one for our kitchen and two lamps for our bedroom!  Frances loved checking out the rug selection.


Our new kitchen rug, I just adore it.


Saturday we went for a boat ride bright and early.  We have to go early these days because of the kids, it just gets too hot.

I made the most delicious Breakfast Casserole before our boat ride.
It is super easy and so good \\  BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
Layer a roll of crescent rolls in the bottom of baking dish.  Top with cooked crumbled sausage (I use the hot kind), then top with two cups of cheese (I do a blend of mozzarella and Gouda).  Whisk 6 eggs with one cup of milk and pour over everything.  Bake at 400 degrees about 25 minutes. Enjoy!


Saturday night we ate at Big Belly again, it was so good and love that it is kid friendly.  Their wings are the best wings I have ever had!  I tried their beer flights this time, it was fun to sample different beers.


Sunday we hit up the Yacht Club, our favorite activity with the kids:)  I just adore this family photo Matt's friend snapped of us!


A great weekend over all but I have to admit I am ready for a routine and school to start!  Frances Moon sure is pooped from all the fun though!


On a side note don't miss the Nordstrom Clearance Sale.
I finally ordered these Tory Burch sandals I had been eyeing.  Once they arrive I will report back if they are as good in person as the look online.  Sizes are going fast so buy while you can!  It stays warm here for awhile so I figured I had plenty of time left to wear them paired with jeans.


A few other great deals from the sale- scroll thru to view.
I own the House of Harlow leather station necklace and love it, such a great deal now.
 Shop the whole sale HERE