Summer Cookout

We had been at the beach house all weekend and nothing sounded better than having our own little cookout and spending the evening at home. I ran by a local market to pick up the freshest vegetables and headed to the grocery store for all the essentials. What was on the menu, might you ask? Nothing better than charcoal grilled hamburgers, cucumber and tomato salad AND fried green tomatoes. Yep.

So the fried green tomatoes were sort of an afterthought after I saw them at the veggie stand. We usually have them a few times each summer and so far we had not devoured any. I used this recipe to fry up that delicious goodness. Have you ever had a fried green tomato?

 Don't cringe until you try one.

In times past, I have served mine with pimiento cheese. It just doesn't get any more southern. But, I had an itch to try something new and I have to say it was absolutely divine. In fact, I served both in case nobody liked my new version, but in fact everyone preferred it! All you have to do is add goat cheese crumbles and a spoonful of pepper jelly to the top of your tomato. Truly amazing.

I also made another southern staple, the Cucumber + Tomato Salad. Lucky for us, Stephen had his first cucumber fresh from the garden ready to eat that night.

I used Paula Deen's Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad Recipe and it did not disappoint. I added a little more apple cider vinegar because too much is never enough for this salad.

When we sat down for dinner I was thoroughly excited. Stephen's parents joined us at the last minute and also brought over some macaroni and cheese.

This menu might be making an appearance again sometime soon- it was that good! Especially for a weekend night when it is time to indulge. What is on your summer cookout menu? Do share! 

Thank you for your sweet comments and messages yesterday- y'all are the best! 

Hope you have a great Thursday- xo.

Memorial Day Weekend

 

I know I am a little late on the pictures but I didn't have the heart yesterday to post on a happy weekend when we are so saddened over Stephen's sweet Grandma being in the hospital since Monday morning. {And she actually drove herself there, she is that kind of lady} We are hoping and praying for some good news today and the rest of the week. If there was ever a man that loved his Grandma with all his heart, it is my husband.

 Everyone in the South stay safe and dry in this nasty weather! 

Friday Finds: Memorial Day Weekend

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Summer holidays are my absolute favorite and I am so excited Memorial Day weekend is here. What do you all have in store? I plan on relaxing, going for a few boat rides and making those raspberry beer cocktails {thanks to you all!}.

And lets not forget the reason for this important holiday...thank you to all of those who have served and who are still serving today. Thank you so much.

 Hope you have a safe and fun weekend! xoxo.

psst: the first image is my own, I am happy to create your own personal graphic as commissioned.

 Let me know what you think! :)

Happy Hour Help

Happy Thursday y'all! This week has flown by and I am anxiously awaiting the five o'clock hour tomorrow :) With that being said, who is ready for a cocktail this weekend? We are having a little get together at my parents beach house Sunday night to sort of kick of summer and celebrate the weekend. I am in charge of the cocktail/drink to serve and here is what I have narrowed it down to so far.  Of course we will have beer and wine but we want to serve a yummy drink as an alternative. Give me your votes for what I should serve Sunday night!! 

This one looks delicious and pretty, right?

{Raspberry Beer Cocktail}

I have been wanting to try the oh-so-popular elderflower cocktail...will anyone be excited about this other than me though? Or does anyone have really simple recipe for one?

{Elderflower Champagne Cocktail}

While I am not a huge Daiquiri fan, I love the idea of the red, white and blue drinks with strawberries.

{Daiquiris}

I have never had a white wine sangria but I fell in love with the real thing when we were in Spain last year. Is it good?

{Red White and Blue Sangria}

This one looks simple and I love the name. I'm all about simple.

{Americas Sweetheart}

Alright ladies, give me your votes and let me know what you would like to sip on if you were celebrating summer with us on Sunday night {wish ya were}!

XOXO

Coffee Table Shake Up

First of all, you might notice something different. Something went crazzzy this morning with my blog design and I had to switch to this one, unless everyone wanted to see some crazy photobucket banner spread across the page. Not what was expecting this morning! Anyhow...

I love reaarranging our coffee table. I don't know about you but things on our coffee table tend to take a beating and things need to be switched out. Coasters are always on rotation, magazines get thrown out and books get pulled from other parts of the house. It keeps things fresh. Enter my new little ceramic elephant- what an adorable little guy he is! I found him a few weeks ago at TJ Maxx for about $7, but he just now found a home this morning. We had a thunderstorm when it was time to wake up and sleeping in and doing things around the house were chosen instead of the gym!

I also found a lamp for my desk/guest room which is still...wait for it...wrapped up in plastic. I know, it's a little ridiculous. 

Also...Happy 31st Anniversary to my sweet parents! You have been a great example for myself and my siblings for love, marriage and family.

{Mom and Dad seen on the right, from our photo collection at our wedding}

Have a great day y'all!! xoxo.

Art Inspiration: Silk Scarves

I can never get enough of seeing a framed silk scarf, don't they just draw you in? I wish I could visit these rooms to take a closer look at the unique and intricate designs.

This one was cut up into two pieces and then framed- genius! 

This might be on my list of things to do someday. These are prints from the book, The Hermes Scarf. If you don't have the real thing, might as well frame one of these beauties.

So feminine and chic.

And if you aren't into framing your scarves, stitch them into throw pillows! Use two different scarves on each side and change your look as desired.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

So, who is pulling out those old silk scarves tucked away in your drawer?!

What's inspiring you today? 

PS- my painted buffet table got a little more love at Mod Vintage Life- check out the feature here! Thanks Nita!! 

Weekend Recap

How was your weekend? I can't complain I felt like my weekend was a mini vacation after the long week I had. We both had lots of time to relax. I shopped and sat on the beach. Stephen worked in the yard a little bit and got to hit some golf balls. We wined and dined with my parents. Not too bad right? Oh and we enjoyed a little of this.

 One of the most exciting things of my weekend was when I stopped in the fabric store to check on my dining room chairs being slipcovered that are taking forever. {See here}I asked if she could also recover my outdoor sofa cushions, and she can for $45 a cushion. Sold. Outdoor cushions are way, way expensive and this is one thing I have wanted for so long. What makes it difficult is that this is a full fledged tufted sofa. You can't just run out to Pier 1 and buy a few new seat cushions and call it a day. {That would be way too easy!} I picked up a swatch of fabric that is in the running for this project, but I couldn't help but look at more fabric online.

via fabric.com

Stripes are always a favorite and I could switch out throw pillows easily all year long.

And we can't help but get excited about the summer holidays that are upon us. Poor Tucker was the victim this weekend. Summer holidays are my FAVORITE!

Happy Monday loves! xo.

Friday Finds: Happy Weekend

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Notice that bubble necklace again? I think I really need it in white now.

Hope your weekend is full of sweet summertime delights (it's already summer here, by the way).
I'm making it a point to take the beach cruiser out for a ride and I can't wait! xoxo.

A Little Bit of This...

Happy Thursday y'all! Hope everyone is having a great week so far- I am so ready for the weekend. It's been one of those weeks where every day I wake up feeling like it should be Friday! I have a few simple recipes I wanted to share, just in time for our favorite part of the week.
Get ready for some randomness...

I made this Blueberry Breakfast Cake for Mother's Day breakfast that I posted last week. I loved how it wasn't too sweet, not dry at all, and had one of my favorite breakfast fruits-blueberries! From the family reviews, it sounds like a keeper. I think it will be even better once fresh, local blueberries are in season.

And mine..

BUTTERMILK BLUEBERRY BREAKFAST CAKE

Serves 6-8

½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

2 tsp. lemon zest or more — zest from 1 large lemon

7/8 cup* + 1 tablespoon sugar**

1 egg, room temperature

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. kosher salt

2 cups fresh blueberries

½ cup buttermilk

* 7/8 cup = 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons

** This 1 tablespoon is for sprinkling on top

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Cream butter with lemon zest and 7/8 cup of the sugar until light and fluffy.

2. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Meanwhile, toss the blueberries with ¼ cup of flour, then whisk together the remaining flour, baking powder and salt.

3. Add the flour mixture to the batter a little at a time, alternating with the buttermilk. Fold in the blueberries.

4. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan (or something similar) with butter or coat with non-stick spray. Spread batter into pan. Sprinkle batter with remaining tablespoon of sugar. Bake for 35 minutes. Check with a toothpick for doneness. If necessary, return pan to oven for a couple of more minutes. (Note: Baking for as long as 10 minutes more might be necessary.) Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

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Now, totally switching directions, I have an insanely easy dip recipe you need to serve at your next get together. I made this last week when we had Buffalo Chicken Tacos with friends- I served this first and I kid you not, the entire thing was eaten! 

Sadly this is the only photo of the dip- absolutely does not do it any justice but just believe me.

REFRIED BEAN DIP

1/2 cups cream cheese (flat pkg)
1 (14 ounce) can refried beans
1 3/4 cups salsa, medium works best
2 cups mozzarella-cheddar blend cheese

Directions:

-Flatten softened cream cheese in bottom of a pie plate or shallow dish.
-Spread the re-fried beans over top.
-Cover with salsa.
-Cover this with the cheese blend.
-Bake 350* for 10 minutes.

It is that easy- I have also made this recipe plenty of times prior to this minus the beans if you aren't into them. This was just the first time I have tried the beans and it was a hit.


Tried any new recipes lately? Have a great day y'all!!

Featured + Inspired

I was so excited and honored last week when my dining room buffet makeover was featured on Better After, which has the wheels turning once again for the room. I also picked up the paintbrush again and started playing with abstract designs, {coincidentally on the same day Linsdey featured me} so I'm going with the notion that's a good sign! If you missed the feature, check it out here! 

Now onto the inspired part, this photo of Tory Burch's beach home has always been in the back of my mind since I saw it. Tory uses her Mottahedeh Tobacco Leaf China in her poolhouse {same place I use mine, duh} and I absolutely love it paired with more blue and white!

Here's a refresher for the tobacco leaf pattern...

Which has me thinking, I need some pops of blue and white. Preferably not in a dish, but maybe a small dose in the form of throw pillows on the chairs that are going to flank the windows. Update- I took my chairs {with arms- two of them} to my go to lady who is working on slipcovering them in a white canvas/denim fabric. I think the softer look will be divine if she can do it!

So that's where we stand on the dining room ladies. Any thoughts, or amazing fabrics I should look into? I think it needs to be a chinoiserie or floral. As always, would love to hear your ideas! 

Have a fab day! xo.