It's True....

...I think I am ready for fall. Or at least fall fashions. Now, I'm not one to wish away summer, but I can't help get a little, teensy bit excited for fall. These are the last five images I have pinned to my Fashion board. All of which are the perfect transition wear, which I always seem to struggle with. 

Are you on board for Fall too?

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And, yes I will be needing a gorgeous tan leather jacket because I really, really want one now. I don't care if its faux or not, I just want one that looks good! Anybody have any luck in that category?

xoxo.

Easy Pinterest Pretty

We've all seen these images circulating around pinterest {follow me here} and loved the chic and simple organized way to store your polish. 

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I also shared a photo last week of this fun way to display those pretty colors...

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 I figured, why not do this? Easiest pinspiration ever. I bought a footed candle jar for about $5 at Michaels, and boom, done.

To keep things looking clean, I just put my Essie polishes in this container, along with some Chanel lipsticks for fun. It sits on my bathroom counter and I love it!

A lightbulb went off in my head and I realized I had plenty of those small square flower vases, leftover from arrangements that I don't ever use but can't bear to throw away. You probably have some of these sitting under your kitchen sink as well! I downsized the amount of products I have sitting on the counter and put the few that I use every single day into one of these old vases.

 

While at Target this weekend, I picked up some new hand soap in a clean white container. Love. It. Reminds me of being at a spa...don't mind if I do. 

 

For the rest of the polishes, I used another square vase that I will store underneath the counter. See that Insta-Dri top coat? The ONLY reason I am patient enough to paint my own nails, thanks for introducing me Steph! And thank you, Sally Hansen.

Cotton balls have a new home as well.

And just a few of my other favorite products I had to narrow down onto this little snakeskin tray.

Shall I show the the scary before picture? This is legit what the counter looks like after the morning Katie tornado sweeps through the bathroom in a rush. Clutter, clutter, clutter.

And after...I actually can see and enjoy my bathroom counter!

One more pretty polish shot, just for fun.

Have a great Monday y'all! xoxo.

Weekend Plans

Well we made it to the weekend, finally! I'm super excited to have a weekend at home {it's been quite a while since we have had one of those} and I've got lots of things on my radar. Stephen is playing in the annual member/member golf tournament, which means I am taking the time to do a little shopping in a nearby city. Folks, there is no Target in this area which means I have to drive 40 minutes to get my fix. It actually works in my favor most of the time because I don't wander in there for one thing and leave $100 poorer every week! Once I tackle my to-do list I will be treating myself to some solo time on the beach. 

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Also on my agenda...is everyone going to watch the Olympics? Summer Olympics are my favorite and I still remember loving the gymnastics from when I was little. I'm hoping to tune in a lot this weekend and get into it. Why not?

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One thing on my list, is to finally add some fun to our chalkboard I made way back in the winter with my Mom. It's been hanging lonely and boring for months and I'm going to use these tips for spiffing it up.

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And a deep thought for the day, go out and be happy this weekend! I admit that sometimes my thoughts venture on to the negative side but I really have been trying to be better about that lately. This is perfect.

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Happy Weekend! xoxo.

Making Things Happen

This week I have been major productive and crossed lots of things off of my to do list. I'm the queen of running out and buying my next project before I have finished the other ten things lying around my house. I'm feeling good that I made the decision to get some of these things done! Hopefully, next week I will have some fun things to show you! Until then, here are some pretties to keep me {and you} going strong on the motivation train. 

{I'm actually not doing a ton of organizing, but these get my creativeness flowing!}

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XOXO.

Recipe: Easy Guacamole Dip

I think I have stated before that I love me some appetizers, especially in the form of a dip. I mentioned in our house boat recap that I whipped up a guacamole dip for us to enjoy. I needed something simple and quick, with a few ingredients. The first time I had this was several years ago when we were out on the boat...I of course asked this lady how to make it and when I tried her directions, it was definitely not the same recipe! Has that ever happened to you?  I have tweaked it and this is honest to goodness, how I make this dip.

EASY GUACAMOLE DIP

Ingredients:

-2 Ripe Avocados

-1/4 cup of Sour Cream

-3 Tablespoons of Salsa

-Salt and Pepper

Directions:

-Peel and mash avocados in medium bowl.

-Stir in sour cream and salsa

-Season generously with salt and pepper 

{I say generously, but I am usually really light on salt and pepper...so this is just more than what I usually add!}

-Serve with tortilla tips and enjoy!

Since this dip has sour cream, it is cold which makes it so perfect for a hot summer day. I checked out some other recipes, which use onions and peppers and spices, etc. The salsa gives you all the flavor and kick you need in my recipe. You can always add more salsa if you wish to do so. We enjoyed it so much on the house boat that I made it again Monday night.

Enjoy!

Recent Finds I Love

Morning everyone! Did everyone have a good weekend? {I know I am a tad late on that question} We headed to Raleigh again and I attended a "Sprinkle" for one of my dear friends, Ashley, expecting her second baby girl. It's hard to get our whole group together so it was exciting to see everyone! How cute was this cupcake? It was definitely as good as it looked!

Saturday I shopped with Mom and I found this World Market "Flower Market" sign. {See similar here, on sale for $12.49!} I loved the flower stands on corners when I was in Europe, and this is just a little reminder of those. Seriously, why do we not have fresh flower stands on street corners here? I would visit almost every day.

This is a wall in our hallway that leads from the front of the house to the back. It's a gallery wall in progress and needs a fresh coat of paint- for sure.

The sunburst mirror was a DIY that I did last fall...

Yesterday, after reading A Creative Day, I hopped on over to Lands End to check out their sale items. I haven't owned anything from Lands End since probably my backpack in 4th grade, so I was pleasantly surprised. I scored these adorable shoes for around $20, originally $88! I am looking forward to a comfy shoe for fall. Everything is additional 30% off, ending today. Hurry on ladies!

I also picked up this shirt in Cozumel Blue for the hubs. He is pretty picky and usually likes a select few brands, so this is a trial run. For less than $20, it is worth a shot! My grand total for the two, with tax and free shipping was $38. Unreal.

I found some fabric that I love for the dining room pillows on the chairs with arms {currently being held hostage at the upholsterer}. If you missed my post on the dining room status, see here and here. I wanted to incorporate blue or navy to match our Tobacco Leaf salad plates. What do you think?

Found anything that you love lately? Have a great Tuesday! xoxo.

Friday Finds: Eye Candy

How fun is this home? I love the youthful energy the green injects and all the playful patterns {especially those drapes!} And, that gorgeous sunburst mirror is actually tucked in a former coat closet. Genius. To see the rest of the home, visit here.

Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend friends! xoxo.

Birthday + House Boat Fun

We kicked off the birthday celebrations Thursday night for dinner out at one of our favorite restaurants...

Stephen was excited, yet a little "iffy" about the house boat stay I planned for us. He worried about the details like having the right weather. I told him I had no choice, I planned this about a month ago so I had to hope for the best weather possible. It ended up being one of the most gorgeous days of the summer, we could not have been any luckier! 

We met up with some friends boating Sunday afternoon before residing back at our home for the night. Once we got back we wanted to enjoy one more swim before cleaning up.

Obligatory canonball. This picture cracks me up! 

Of course I did not do a cannon ball. I played it safe and just jumped and screamed.

Boat snacks were fresh guacamole dip {mouth watering amazing} I made in just a few minutes.

 Yep, we ate the chips straight outta' the bag.

It was still really hot sitting on the porch below, so we headed to the roof! I assured my parents that the roof is in fact, made for company. 

The built in ladder gets you up there and then you get to enjoy pure bliss. 

Curly hair gone wild! It was just the two of us so these shots are the only version we have.

Warning: if you get bored with pictures of sunsets, you should not read any further. The highlight of our night was watching this incredible sunset though, so hopefully you will take a peek! ;)

The sun sinking low...

We planned an easy meal for dinner: homemade pasta salad and brats on the grill. We wanted to enjoy as much time outside as possible, which ended up being the perfect plan. Later on, another boat nearby shot off fireworks, an unexpected treat! 

To cap off the night, we made s'mores! 

And we were up at sunrise the next morning. Major feat for myself.

It was such a fantastic getaway and we are already planning the next time we can do this again. 

Thanks for reading along for our little adventure! xoxo.