Going to the Chapel

We celebrated our 7 year anniversary with a dinner date to Cotton Row restaurant this weekend. Since I'm a stay-at-home mom who rarely has an excuse to dress up, I love getting dressed for date night. But even on a date I'm still all about easy and comfy! I have finally figured out I'm most comfortable in flowy tops that don't cling, like this white one from years ago. And a good, dressy pair of shorts is my best friend. It's nice when I can dress up and still feel like "me."

My earrings up close. I'm obsessed with these! 

What's your date night style? Would love to know!

Shirt: Francesca's (old); Shorts: Loft; Shoes: Nine West; Clutch: Marc Jacobs for Target; Ring and Earrings: Chloe + Isabel

Weekender

Y'all. We had an absolutely awesome weekend. But I didn't have my camera. Does that ever happen to you? I mean, really. I should know better. We took a whirlwind trip up to Louisville, Ky., which is the hometown of my husband, to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of his cousin. It was fun. We had a delicious breakfast at Toast on Market in downtown Louisville, visited family and friends, and I even put on a decent outfit for once. But these iPhone pictures just do not do the weekend justice. Sorry. But nevertheless, it's what I have to show for it.

A little couple pose at the wedding party (after a long night and power outage). 

I gotta say, I love Tim's crazy cousins :)

At Toast on Market in downtown Louisville, Ky.

Ok, so I don't have the best pic, but this breakfast sandwich was delish. Egg, bacon, gorgonzola and sprouts. Also really good coffee.  

We did win the newlywed game. So that's good. FYI we've been married 7 years. Huh. 

Oh, and we left our child here while we had fun in Kentucky. So we spoiled him with S'mores when we got home.

Top 3 Summer Sides

I love a good side more than anything else on my dinner plate. This summer I've had several in constant rotation that I thought I would share with you. They are delicious and, more importantly, very quick and and a cinch to make.

Asian Slaw

This slaw is absolutely delicious. Here's the recipe (another one of my favorites from my church cookbook). It's a great side to grilled chicken, pork tenderloin, BBQ, or hamburgers.

1 bag broccoli slaw (or traditional coleslaw mix)
2-3 green onion, sliced
1/4 toasted slivered almonds
1 pack Ramen noodles (uncooked, any flavor)
1/2 cup shelled sunflower seeds
1 Tbs sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper
2 Tbs vinegar
1 flavor packet from Ramen noodles

Combine slaw, onion, almonds, crumbled Ramen noodles, and sunflower seeds in a bowl. Combine sugar, oil, s&p, vinegar and flavor packet in a small bowl, and pour over slaw mixture just before serving.

Panzanella

If you've read this blog for long you know I love Ina Garten. I first saw her make this years ago on an episode of Barefoot Contessa. I adapted her recipe to include what was in my garden. We actually grilled the vegetables for flavor, but you don't have to do that.

Salad:
3 Tbs olive oil
1 loaf french bread (I actually used focaccia and it was good), cut into cubes
1 tsp salt
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped 1 inch dice
1 zucchini, chopped 1 inch dice
1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 inch dice
1 red bell pepper, chopped 1 inch dice
3 green onions, sliced in thirds
fresh basil leaves

Dressing:
1 tsp garlic, finely minced
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbs champagne vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Heat oil in large skillet and add the bread and salt; cook about 10 min or until the bread is brown and crisp. Whisk the dressing ingredients together and set aside. Toss salad ingredients and cooked bread together in a large bowl, toss with dressing. Note: This gets better if it sits a bit.

Zucchini Cakes

Ok, so this side can be a meal in itself. But I think it's great with a big green salad, and really delicious with fresh fish. It's another Barefoot Contessa favorite, and especially yummy when the zucchini are growing like crazy.

2 medium zucchini, grated
2 Tbs grated red onion
2 eggs, lightly beaten
6-8 Tbs all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
unsalted butter and vegetable oil

Add zucchini and onion to a large bowl. Add the eggs and stir well. Mix in 6 Tbs of flour, baking powder, s&p. If batter becomes thin, add extra flour. In a large skillet, add 1/2 Tbs butter and 1/2 Tbs oil. When hot, add zucchini batter (I use a 1/4 cup measuring cup). Cook 2 minutes on each side until brown and crisp around the edges. Keep them warm in a 200 degree oven up to 30 minutes.

Weekender

The rain put a bit of a damper on our Friday night plans, but I still got to meet author Jen Doll at a fun event downtown, so it wasn't a complete wash. Doll just released her first book, Save the Date. She's from here originally (click here to read more), so it's a little exciting for this small town to have her back for a book signing.

Two of my favorite people and best friends (Kate on left and Jama on right). 

Jen Doll

In true Southern form, we welcomed her with silver platters and punch. 

Sweet friends! And in case you're curious, I'm wearing: Shorts: Loft (also seen here); Top: TJ Maxx; Jacket: Anthropologie (found recently on sale and LOVE IT); Necklace and studs (hard to see): Chloe + Isabel

She was super down to earth and I find her inspiring. Ok I'm done. 

These were the super cute shoes I was wearing...until this happened....

Not. Cool. Especially since this is only wear #2 and they aren't returnable. 

The rest of my weekend consisted of family and reading this. 

Have you read Save the Date or is it on your list? I'll let you know what I think!

Before & After

I scored this chair at Habitat Restore for $15 several years ago (this photo is terrible by the way). I loved the shape and detail of the chair, so I thought it had potential. 

Before

After

Isn't it amazing what a little new fabric will do? There are so many things in my home that have been reupholstered. I'm addicted! Habitat Restore is one of my favorite places to score chairs and sofas (among other things). After purchasing the fabric on sale and paying the upholsterer, I spent less than $300 on this makeover. This black and white chair was also a Restore find. I don't have a before photo of it, but it was a very bad floral fabric. Now it's my favorite chair. 

Do you scour places for projects like this? I would love to see your reupholstered beauties!

Easy Like Sunday Morning

I can't even count the reasons why I love this little black dress. It's several years old, but has been one of the most versatile things in my closet. It's cotton, so can be dressed up or down and so very comfortable in the heat of a Southern summer. I wear it with comfy flats to run errands. I wear it with boots, tights and a jacket in the cooler months. I also wear it with wedges or chunky heels to dress it up from time to time. It has been a good investment. This morning, it was my go to for church when I slept too late to think about what to wear.

Dress: Anthropologie (old); Heels: Jessica Simpson via Dillards (scored recently on major sale!); Necklace: TJ Maxx; Wrap Bracelet: chloe + isabel

*FACT: Getting a photo with a 2-year-old is impossible. What are your closet staples that you wear over and over again?

Weekender

This weekend we did some grilling (as usual) on Friday, and then we road tripped to Nashville for a birthday party on Saturday. We had planned to go to the Nashville Flea Market (it is amazing!) but it was pouring rain when we got up there, so we didn't get to. SAD. But we had so much fun visiting with old friends. Remember this post? This is the same friend who hosted the 1st birthday party for her own little girl this weekend. Of course the party was precious. So that's that.

Grilled chicken with panzanella  (I will share recipe soon b/c it was delish)

Bea's lovely garden party 

Sweet kid's table

Baby Bea eating her cake

Rowe and me

And a little Sunday afternoon yard work to top it off

Baby to Big Boy

This week Rowe moved out of his crib and into his "big boy bed." This is something we had been working on doing for a while, but Rowe always slept so good in his crib, so I just kept putting it off. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Am I right?

But I kept feeling like it was time. So the other night, we did it. We broke down his sweet little Jenny Lind crib, and put in its place an actual twin-size bed. He was beyond excited about this, which was cute. I had no idea how this little milestone would elicit such emotion from me. I was not prepared. But it did. I shed a few tears for that crib, and for the chapter of my life that went out the door with it. Putting Rowe in his big bed was much more significant than just a new place to sleep and an updated room. It signified the passage from baby to big boy, and it now seems so official.

There are so many milestones that we anticipate as parents: first smile, first steps, one year, and so on. Moving to a big boy bed was not on my list of highly anticipated events. But it prompted me to reflect on how quickly the time passes, and on how rewarding and, at the same time, difficult it is to watch your children grow up before your eyes. I've been warned over and over about this: "They grow up so fast; enjoy it!" I'm trying to. I really am.

Rowe's nursery in our first house (2011).

Last photo of Rowe's room (in current house) before we said bye to the crib (excuse the mess). 

Taking it down. 

The new bed (room still in progress)

We still have a long way to go before it's finished, but alas, the big boy era has begun. 

Weekender

This weekend consisted of food, food and more food. We had a delayed Father's Day celebration with my dad and sisters, and it was downright delicious. That's pretty much the highlight. Otherwise, I barely changed out of a t-shirt and bathing suit, except to go to church.

The elements of shrimp boil goodness

First timers

So. Good. 

Dad!

Fruit cookie cake dessert (funny how fruit on top of a cookie makes you feel better about eating said cookie).

Shirt: Target (old); Skirt: Jcrew; Necklace: Chloe + Isabel

Oh I did do one majorly exciting thing: I became a Merchandiser for Chloe + Isabel, which means I got a very fun delivery filled with jewelry.

Hope your weekend was wonderful! 

Before & After

My goodness, what did I do with all my extra time before blogs existed? I mean really. I spend a ridiculous amount of time reading blogs at night after Rowe goes to bed. But I love them. And here's why. 

See this eye sore? This was in our foyer when we bought this house two years ago. I've looked high and low for a light to replace this for well over a year. I just won't settle for something that I don't love. I mean it is the very first thing you see when you walk in my house. 

So the other day I was doing my usual daily blog reading, and I ran across this post. OMG! The light looked eerily familiar, and her solution was ridiculously simple. But alas, this exact concept just did not work out. But it did give me the confidence boost I needed to tackle that light once and for all. It can at least look good while I'm searching for perfection! So I spray painted that bad boy right in place (minus the glass part, which I took apart and painted outside).

It just doesn't get simpler than that. Oh, and see that black spot on the ceiling? I'm not the most experienced spray painter. You live and learn. What blogs have inspired projects in your home?

L