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July 30, 2014

fashion finds // necklaces

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Hi there!  How is your week going?  Can you believe it will be August 1st in two more days...what??  I kind of freaked out the other day, thinking about all the "summer bucket list" activities I still wanted to do before the kids go back to school.  I'm just not to the point of being ready for all the schedules yet.  You?

Anyways...are you a big statement necklace lover or do you prefer a more simple style necklace?  For me it depends on the occasion.  The big necklaces are super popular and it seems like the bigger and more colorful the necklace the better.  I'm all about a statement necklace if I'm a little more dressy, but I still seem to be more drawn to a little more simple piece for everyday occasions.  And yellow gold jewelry is my favorite!  I don't even know if I own a piece of silver jewelry ;)  So, because I have an important event coming up soon, I've been browsing outfits and accessories as well.  These necklaces below were some of my favorites for a more simple gold piece!

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1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

Are you a silver or gold jewelry lover?  Or maybe you love both??

Have a great day!!

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P.S. Update!!!  This beauty above is on sale!  Even though I love all the lovely gold ones for everyday wear, I couldn't pass up this one today!  I just love all the different colors and shapes!  Head over to Off 5th and get you one!  I couldn't find the link online, otherwise I would share it :)

July 28, 2014

Window Seat / Electrical Cord Concealor

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Hi there!  How was your weekend?  We stayed in town and knocked out a couple of projects that have been on our to-do-list forever!  And one of those projects was to fix our electrical cord problem in our home office.  As you can see in the pictures below, it was a mess.  At one time, when we first moved into our home, we had the desk in front of the window and it concealed all the cords, the modem, phone receiver, etc.   But when we painted and rearranged our office furniture over a year ago, we were left with a mess of cords.

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So last week when Lyla and I were passing time while Preston was at baseball camp, I spotted this storage bench and knew it would be a perfect solution to this problem.  The only modification we had to make was to drill a hole in the back panel for the cords.  Easy, peasy!! 

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I can't tell you how happy I am with this project!  It was such an eye soar in this space and it could all be seen when you entered the door to our study!  I hope to find some new throw pillows to add to it as well.  When I looked back at the office pictures that I shared here on my blog, I realized that we've made a few updates in this room that I never shared, so I hope to share a few more pics later this week.


Have a beautiful day!


July 23, 2014

Shop It // Summer Sales

Good Morning!  How is your week going?  We are having a fun week of baseball and girl time.  Preston is attending a baseball camp at Rice University this week, which is about a 45 min drive for us (with no traffic).  And because it's only 4 hours long, a drive back home is really not worth it.  So, Lyla and I have been hanging out and getting a little shopping in at some shops near the University.  She is so funny now and really enjoys shopping and trying on clothes.  I feel like she has grown up so much and is now becoming a fun little shopping buddy :) 

I shared this picture below yesterday on instagram, of this cute cover-up from Anthropolgie I've been crushing on lately.  It was a little more than I wanted to spend at the original price, so you can imagine how excited I was to find it on sale yesterday while we were out and about!  I just love it!

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I was also browsing on J.Crew Factory's website last night and they are having a CLEAR THE CLEARANCE SALE, and are offering an additional 50% off clearance prices with the code EXTRA50!  It's definitely worth checking out, but it ends tonight so you need to hurry.


And have you shopped any of the Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale?  I ordered this (in the gray) and this (in the ivory), but still waiting for them to arrive in the mail.  Because it continues through Aug 4th, I'm thinking Lyla and I may pop in there one day this week while Preston finishes up camp to see if there is anything else I can't live without ;)


Are there any other good summer sales going on right now?  I would love to hear what deals you've scored :)


Have a great day!



July 21, 2014

Fresh Mango Salsa

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Good Morning!  I hope everyone had a lovely weekend!  My husband went on a fishing trip last week and came home with lots of trout and redfish.  We did our usual grilling some and frying some, but because he likes to make it all pretty quick after he catches it (while it's still fresh) we needed another way to prepare it, so we tried fish tacos with fresh mango sauce.  We used the mango salsa both as a topping and dip and it was so yummy!  The recipe is from my SIL.  She made it on our last beach trip paired with shrimp which is also really scrumptious!

And the best part is that it is super easy to make!


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Mango Salsa
 
Ingredients
  • 1 serrano chile diced (no seeds)
  • 1 medium mango peeled and diced
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/4 cup diced bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup diced pineapple
 
Method
  1. Mixed in blender to desired chunkiness. 
  2. Serve with tortilla chips or as topping.
*I made a double batch and let it chill for a few hours before serving.


Hope you enjoy!

Have a great day!!





July 18, 2014

Friday Favorites

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1.  A perfect cover-up for your next trip to the pool or beach.

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2.  Hello gorgeous mirror.   Love the scalloped shape and of course gold leaf color.  You might be surprised where you can score this beauty!


one.september Tyndal Tank

3.  Adore this tank.  It's just the right shade of yellow and the perfect length!  Yes, please!!

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4.  How cute is this All American Nursery Bedding Set created by my friend Emily?  Now available in her Etsy shop Dear Owen & Co

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Emily has amazing style as you can see how precious her son's nursery is in the picture upon.  Love every detail!!


5.  And finally, my most favorite sale of the year....Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale starts today!! 

 Have a wonderful summer weekend! XO



July 16, 2014

Summer Mantel

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Hi there everyone!  How is your week going?  Ours has been a pretty slow one, so I've been walking around the house tweaking everything.  There's been lots of musical décor going on in several rooms including our den.  I changed up our mantel a bit, pretty much clearing everything off and adding back only a couple of elements.
 
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If you've been around here awhile, you know my motto "style simplified" is pretty much how I like my home décor to look.  So I went with a simple, laid-back summertime feel and just let the beautiful white rock and dark cedar mantel be the main focus.  I added this pink floral pillow back in the mix for now and of course my favorite boxwood wreath is back with a fresh white ribbon.

Are you like me when you're home...walking around moving stuff from room to room?

Have a beautiful summer day!



July 14, 2014

fashion favorites

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Happy Monday Morning!  I hope you all had a fun weekend!  One other thing I love about summertime is the clothing!  Easy, comfortable pieces are always on my list!  And a cute tote is essential :)  Here are a handful of fashion pieces I'm currently loving. 

Have a lovely summer day :)


*P.S.  SALES*
MADEWELL - IN STORES & ONLINE: EXTRA 40% OFF ALL SALE STYLES. USE CODE HIGHSUMMER
J.CREW - 40% OFF HOT-WEATHER SYTLES FOR WOMEN, MEN, GIRLS & BOYS.
PLUS, EXTRA 40% OFF FINAL STYLES.  CODE HOTOUT.

NORDSTROM - ANNIVERSARY SALE EARLY ACESSS GOING ON NOW.  PLUS FREE SHIPPING AND FREE RETURNS ALL THE TIME



July 10, 2014

Homemade Sour Cream Pancakes

Good Morning!  Seems that this summer I have been on a food kick lately.  Here is another yummy recipe I've been wanting to try and finally had a free Saturday morning to give it a try and IT.IS.WONDERFUL!!!


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Homemade Sour Cream Pancakes
 
Ingredients
 
1 cup sour cream
7 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
Butter
Syrup
 
Method
  1. Whisk together eggs and vanilla in a small bowl and set aside.
  2. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.
  3. Then add sour cream to dry ingredients and stir just to combine (don't over mix.)
  4. Whisk in the egg and vanilla mixture until just combined.
  5. Heat griddle over medium-low heat.  Spray with cooking spray or coat with melted butter.  Drop batter  about 1/4 cup onto griddle.  Cook first side until bubble start to form on surface and edges start to brown.  Flip and cook the other side for about a minute.
  6. Serve with softened butter and syrup.  I used Brummel and Brown Yogurt Butter for extra yumminess.
*recipe adapted from here

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I love this recipe! Simple ingredients that everyone has on hand and then adding in the sour cream to make the most perfect, soft, wonderful pancake!

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Give'em a try on your next free weekend...they won't disappoint! 

Have a wonderful day everyone!




July 9, 2014

Books for Smiles

Good Morning!  Today, on behalf of Campus Book Rentals, I'm switching gears to discuss an amazing international charity, Operation Smiles.  As one of the most prominent charities for children in the world, they work in over 60 countries to heal children’s smiles and bring hope for a better future for these children.  This is a charity that is dear to me.  I worked in Pediatric and Neonatal ICU for 11 years, and took care of many babies who were born with cleft lip and cleft palate.  I know first hand the struggles these babies have, and an organization like Operation Smiles provides these children with a future filled with hope.


Operation Smile has a gift catalog  or a monthly donation program where you can help these precious children.  And if you're in college or if you have a family member in college, know that Campus Book Rentals donates to Operation Smile with every textbook rented.  They've already donated over 1,000 cleft lip surgeries this year. 
 
Here are the perks of renting your textbooks with Campus Book Rentals:
  • save 40-90% off of bookstore prices
  • free shipping both ways
  • can highlight in the textbooks
  • flexible renting periods
  • and they donate to Operation Smile with each textbook rented
 
Here's a short video to show you how it works.
 

Lastly, Campus Book Rentals now has a new initiative that can earn you some money.  Rent Back allows students to rent the textbooks they own to other students.  Which can make you 2-4 times more money compared to what you would make through a buyback option.

So in closing, here are the highlights: 
  1. Campus Book Rentals saves you money when you rent your textbooks.
  2. Rent Back gives you the option to make money on the textbooks you own and
  3. Operation Smiles receives a donation with each textbook rented.
 
I hope you'll consider Operation Smiles for your next charitable contribution and Campus Book Rentals for your next textbook purchase.


Have a great day everyone!
 

July 8, 2014

Half Moon Holidays

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Hi there!  I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!   We spent ours in Shiner, TX celebrating the fourth with my side of the family.  The town has a small town celebration called the Half Moon Holidays that involves a parade and a picnic with live music, food, kiddie rides, etc.  It used to be one of my all-time favorite times of the year growing up there.  So fun to see my kids enjoy it too :)

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This waterslide has been the best little piece of entertainment for the kids this summer!  We have considered getting one the last couple of summers, but always talked ourselves out of it.  But we finally made the purchase and have enjoyed it so much already!  We even packed it up and brought it with us to Shiner and the kids spent hours on it with their cousins. 

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The best part about spending time in the country is just letting the kids run free outside all day! 

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I hope your July fourth holiday was memorable as well!  Have a great day!



July 3, 2014

No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Lush

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Good morning!  I hope everyone's week is going well!  Only a few more hours until a long holiday weekend is upon us...Yay!!  I have several new recipes that I have been wanting to try, and this summer has finally given me a chance to do that.  Just reading the ingredients in this one, you know it is going to be amazingly good!  The cookie crust is one of my all-time favorite crust! 

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No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Lush
Ingredients

1 package Golden Oreos (36 whole cookies)
6 tablespoons butter, melted
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 (8 ounce) containers of Cool Whip
4 (1 ounce) boxes of sugar free cheesecake instant pudding mix
3 cups of milk
3 1/2 cups slices strawberries

 
Method
  1. Crush the entire package of Golden Oreos (both cookie and filling).  A food processor would work best, but I used a gallon Ziplock bag and crushed mine with a rolling pin and meat tenderizer, until I had fine crumbs. 
  2. Transfer to large bowl and mix with 6 tablespoons of melted butter.  Then press cookie mixture into a 9 x 13 pan and refrigerate while you prepare the remaining layers.
  3. Next beat together 1 cup of powdered sugar, cream cheese and 1 cup of cool whip.  Spread over cookie crust layer.
  4. For the next layer, mix together all 4 boxes of pudding mix (just the powder), 3 cups of milk, and another 1 cup of cool whip.  Spread over cream cheese layer.  *The texture of this layer is a bit lumpy, but not to worry, it will taste amazing!
  5. Refrigerate until ready to serve and then top with cool whip and sliced strawberries.  I refrigerated overnight and served the next day.
  6. Enjoy!
*recipe adapted from here

Quick, easy, no-bake recipe with yummy layers of goodness...it's a perfect summertime recipe for your next occasion!

Have a great day everyone!



July 1, 2014

Just three things...

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Anthropologie has their summer tag sale going on and lots of goodies on sale.  I especially love to shop Anthro's sales for gifts.  Here are three of my favorites.

navagio headband - on sale $19.95
woven baskets - on sale $7.95-$19.95
pippi tank - on sale $29.95

Have a great day!