Weekend Wear - Sale Time!

Labor day marks the {un}official end of summer and while I love fall fashions more then anything, I am not ready for the warm weather to depart just yet. The good news is the crazy good sales going on with so many fab online stores. Check out the ensemble below put together with all fabulous fashions that are generously marked down - fist pump for the old bank account!

dress // earrings // ring // sunglasses // clutch // sandals 

Hope you have a fabulous long weekend celebrating summer!

Labor Day Entertaining

We are off to Shelter Island for one last long weekend of fun in the sun with the family. This summer has by far been the best for me as I have had the luxury to spend lots of time with the people I love and enjoy a flexible schedule for the first time in my life. I am so grateful to have all the amazing memories I have created the past few months. While we don't have a ton of plans during our stay I do love the idea of entertaining in style for any occasion under & Labor Day is no exception. Luckily the fine folks over at Martha Stewart took the bull by the horns and created a tasty menu, simple decor and fabulous paper products to host a BBQ for the long weekend...I hope you have the best weekend celebrating summer with your loved ones!

free printable's

lemony spiked tea & seersucker napkins

guacamole hummus

planter & beverage centerpiece

cheese stuffed burgers

tangy potato salad & goat cheese stuffed tomatoes

coconut cake with berries & cream

 

Happy Weekend!

Sip & Snack - Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches & Spiked Espresso

Today's post sort of humored me as I really don't ever crave ice cream or ever drink coffee. However, my main squeeze loves both so I thought I would create a special treat just for him! I first remember making snickerdoodles in seventh grade home economics class where we learned the basics of baking along with a slew of other domestic duties that I am sure was meant to stick with me for when I became a Mrs. I unfortunately am not always a successful baker so I thought I would take a short cut and use the most delicious soft cookie ever made. While my husband almost always prefers anything chocolate flavored I thought vanilla would work best with this chewy cinnamon cookie. I added some other favorite ingredients and created a mini ice cream sandwich that is quite memorable and pairs perfectly with a creamy spiked espresso. Check out all the delicious details below!

Honey-Walnut Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwiches 

{makes 5 mini ice cream sandwiches}

Ingredients 

3 scoops vanilla ice cream {I used haagen das}

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

1 box snickerdoodle cookies

Directions

on a cold marble slab mix ice cream with honey & walnuts

{try to work quickly as ice cream melts at fast & furious rates}

take one spoonful of ice cream mixture and place on cookie & top with another

place in freezer for one hour to solidify or enjoy right away

Chocolate-Cinnamon Espresso

Ingredients 

1/2 oz godiva white chocolate liqueur

1/2 oz baileys irish cream

1 nespresso capsule {I used livanto}

6 mini chocolate chips

sprinkle of cinnamon 

Directions

sprinkle chocolate chips into the bottom of espresso cup

add in liqueur & stir

brew coffee & stir while brewing

sprinkle with cinnamon

Enjoy!

Flower Potluck

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a fabulous event called The Flower Potluck at Boston's West Elm. It was hosted by three super talented local ladies in the wedding industry, Lauren of Lauren Wells Events, Krissy of Pollen Floral Design and Cambria of Cambria Grace Photography created an event portraying all their amazing talents and giving us a peak into their stylish world. The evening was chock full of pretty and an absolute blast! I wasn't sure what a flower potluck would entail but it wound up being a lovely night of mingling with other Boston bloggers, getting introduced to amazing new local vendors and even a little floral crown DIY.

Get comfy and check out all the swoon-worthy details below!

all the guests contributed to the selection of flowers by bringing a dozen of their favorite blooms to create the most beautiful variety for our selecting

before the flowers arrived

after

gilded garland by Pollen floral 

all the pretty paper goods were carefully executed with style by the super sweet Lauren Wells

I sipped the delicious orchard fizz by the mixologist behind Flask & Funnel and made with local ingredients from Downeast Cider House

snacked on a divine charcuterie selection

 nibbled on heavenly desserts from Mayflour Confections

the cutest milk bar with vintage glass bottles

decorated ourselves with tattly temporary tattoos

created the prettiest floral crowns for all the ladies to adorn their hair with

listened to an excellent string band 

and at the end of the night I made a colorful bouquet to bring home with some of the extra flowers

Thank you to the three beautiful hostesses for putting together such a fun evening - I look forward to seeing all your amazing talents being utilized in events around Boston!

The Classic Black Tote

When it comes to fall fashion the one item that I will consistently have on me is my favorite black tote. I always have felt that a great bag is a good investment especially in a dark color that wears well. Most recently I had the misfortune of learning the hard way that some high end designer bags doesn't always mean they provide the best quality. Which inspired me to find a plethora of fabulous designer bags in my favorite shade {and a little fabulous leopard embellishment too} at all different price points for toting around town! Which one is your favorite???

under $1,500

Gucci Park Avenue Small Tote // Saint Laurent Reversible Shopper Tote // Prada Vitello Danino Snap Top Tote

under $1,000

Loeffler Randall Work Tote // Kate Spade New York Tote - Two Park Avenue Leopard Beau Shopper // 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Large Tote

under $500

ZAC Zac Posen Eartha Large Soft Shopper // Clare Vivier La Tropezienne 5" // MICHAEL Michael Kors Tote - Large North South Selma

Happy Shopping!

Take Me Away - When Pigs Swim

Over the weekend I received the most amazing email from my cousin who shared her brothers most recent vacation to Exuma, Bahamas. She called me in advance to explain what I would be looking at and as soon as we hung up I was dying over the adorable images. Pig Beach is an uninhabited island in the Bahamas that is home to some oinkers likely left behind from some sailors who intended on returning to get them for food but luckily for us they never did. These adorable piggies since have called the island home and are gentle enough to become a major tourist attraction. As I was told, your tour boat pulls up, the little swine swim out to the boats for snacks {all the boats bring something so this is what they expect}. Then you get to jump in the water, photograph & swim with the little cuties. Can you stand it??? I practically have my reservations made for a last minute trip to the Bahamas to do just this.  Check out all the fabulous photos my cousin got below. The color of the water and the smiling porkers absolutely slay me. I might have to give up bacon after this. {Please note my comments will be read as what I think the pig is thinking like I do with my own pets all too often}.

Oh look the boats are back!

Snacks first, photo opp second

I am ready for my close up!

Where you going??? Come back...

Want more amazing ideas with other Bahama creatures visit this list of fun activities during your vacation and get traveling...oh & this hotel looks like it's the one to stay at while visiting!

weekend wear - j.crew head to toe

J.Crew has long been known for their preppy roots and classic closet staples. However this fall's collection is rocking a bit more of an edgier look with mixing a lot of textures, patterns and embellishments on their accessories. I thought I would take advantage of their amazing sale going on right now and create a look that is head to toe J.Crew without looking like you would typically expect from this brand. So this leaves me curious on your opinions...what do you think, is their revamping style for you or do you want them to keep with the traditional looks you know and love???

clutch // mini emergency kit // belt // iphone case // lip pencil // pumps // necklace // top // denim

JA + SD 4EVA

I have shared numerous Jonathan Adler items in posts on interior design and couldn't resist their new Shelter Island home when they moved away from our side of the island. It's safe to say I adore his "happy chic" style and their philosophy on decorating that your home should be your antidepressant. His bold decor items and unique style have made me a permanent fan of his work. So when I was sent a video series he did with AOL I was thrilled to get a little peak into what inspires this creative genius as well as tid bits of their Manhattan home  {I mean a paisley ping pong table is now on my must have house list} and some antique shops on our beloved island I knew I had to share it with you all. I mean, how flipping adorable are these two...answer = pretty dang cute. Enjoy the short episodes below and see what I am talking about!

Sip & Snack - Thai One On

Inspired by last weeks Japanese snack and cocktail, I thought I would share another favorite meal that I make at least once a week for my husband and I. I always know when a recipe is a hit when I make it for my family and everyone goes back for seconds and thirds. Isn't it just the best feeling when you make something that everyone loves??? I was originally inspired by this recipe after a meal we had on my birthday at Spice Market in NYC earlier this year. Our delicious soup appetizer was so refreshing and satisfying yet some flavors were a little more pungent then others and I knew I could tweak it to our tastes. Check out all the delicious details below!

Ingredients

{makes four servings}

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon sriracha sauce

2 tablespoons fresh chopped ginger

2 tablespoons fresh chopped garlic

3 chicken breasts

1 family sized quart of chicken broth

1 box rice thin rice noodles

1 stalk dried lemongrass

1 jalepenó 

1 container of fresh shitake mushrooms {sliced thin}

1 can coconut milk

Instructions

Roast chicken breast in olive oil, salt & pepper at 375 degrees for 30 minutes, cool & shred. Set aside.  Slice jalepenó in half & remove seeds {if you like super spicy, feel free to leave in}. Peel ginger & garlic and throw all three ingredients in food processor till evenly chopped. Sauté all three ingredients in olive oil over medium low heat till tender {be careful to not overcook your garlic}. Add in soy sauce & satué till liquid is absorbed into vegetables. Add in sliced mushrooms & sauté till tender. Pour in chicken broth and lemongrass stalk & bring to a simmer. Once all the ingredients are all evenly blended and broth is almost at a boil, add in the can of coconut milk & stir. Add in shredded chicken & sriracha, stir & simmer for 5 minutes. Remove lemongrass & serve over noodles.

In a separate pot boil rice noodles in salted water for 4 minutes or package instructions, drain & set aside. {tip, these stick together very easily, I use tongs to serve them in the bottom of every bowl & when broth is served over them they will separate the noodles}.

noodle bowl // spoon // napkin // placemat

When we go out for Thai, my husband always opts for a Thai iced tea but I always crave a tropical cocktail. I think a fruity drink is so refreshing and works well with spicy foods so whenever we are having something with a little firey punch I am drawn to cooling cocktails with one of my favorite fruits like mango. This recipe is super easy and delicious. Enjoy!

Ingredients

{makes two servings}

2 oz premium vodka

2 oz triple sec 

2 oz fresh orange juice {I use mango/orange}

1 cup mango nectar {I use Goya}

Directions 

fill cocktail shaker with ice & all ingredients

shake & pour into chilled martini glass

garnish with orange or mango slice 

Cheers!