Carrie Bradshaw Lied

Friday’s Five

– I don’t typically choose sunflowers for my weekly flower purchase but these were too cheerful to turn down –

– finding coconut La Croix after looking for it for a year –

– seeing okra for the first time since we’ve moved to California and fryin’ it up like a good Southern girl –

– this face – she owns me –

– this song (with an even cuter video) that has me dancin’ in the car every morning –

This week was been a nice change of pace than the past several weeks that were so jam-packed. To be honest, I’ve felt like I’ve had more time every night to relax after work and I think it’s because I’ve been skipping cooking every night to try out this green smoothie cleanse to recharge my batteries. I’ve noticed myself being so rushed I’m just eating whatever I can find or cook the fastest, which unfortunately often means I’m just making guacamole and eating chips straight out of the bag – no portion control over here! Because I’m on day three of green smoothies, I haven’t been cooking dinner like I normally do for Christian and MAN – it really shows me how much time cooking and cleaning up takes out of my nightly schedule.

Poor Christian – he’s on his own for 10 days and I’m loving all my free time over here! I’ll have to keep y’all posted at the end of this cleanse on how I felt and the results. So far it’s totally great until about 4pm, then I’m pretty hungry. I eat veggies and some fruit in addition to the smoothies, but I hear the first four days are the hardest. I’ve also read this cleanse is supposed to help train your body to crave more healthy foods (and don’t we all need that?). More to come!

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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DIY: Painted Turtle Shells

Ever since I saw these sun-bleached turtle shells on Jayson Home, I knew I wanted something similar without paying hundreds for it. I found these two beauties while thrifting and knew it was meant to be at $30. I used leftover Benjamin Moore Cloud White paint from when we painted our new place, and quickly brushed a coat on the outer shell.

After the paint dried, I sanded away parts here and there and voila! I had my own set of distressed shells. #turtletime

Fun fact: Christian is completely grossed out with turtles. I’ve been with the guy for seven years, but this was something I did not know. SO, my plan to hang these babies by the front door was a bust when he was fake gagging while looking at them (similar to Vicki Gunvalson on RHOC being carsick on the bus in Bali…who else saw that and laughed like crazy!?). I was forced to find a new hanging spot – one that he wasn’t necessarily forced to look at all the time, so I thought this little nook above our den blankets would be just right.

What do you think? Are y’all into it or not so much?

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Neon Kimono Maxi Dress

I’ve shared this kimono briefly here, but I couldn’t wait to slip it on. I had intentionally purchased it to wear on my birthday dinner to bouchon in Santa Barbara with Christian, but we ended up visiting too many tasting rooms (and I felt the need to start my birthday with bottomless mimosas) and we may have napped through our dinner reservations. We ended up sharing bbq nachos and beers instead, which I’m totally down with, however it didn’t require a dress like this!

Since I missed wearing it then, what better time than the present to slip this number on for a proper date night with CHBoo. And this time, just one glass of wine would do.

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Kale & Quinoa Salad

I was in the kitchen at work one day and noticed a coworker putting together a delicious kale and quinoa salad. If I was a Californian, I would have observed from afar, trying to piece together the ingredients. However I am Southern, so I poked my head in her salad and immediately asked, “what all you got in there!?”

She sweetly shared the ingredients with me (and didn’t ask me to get my face out of her lunch), and I knew I would be recreating this salad at home. So fresh, healthy and delicious – it’s been one of my go-to packed lunches and I wanted to share.

You’ll Need:

kale
shredded brussels sprouts (optional – I just love some sprouts!)
1/3 cup cooked quinoa
1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
1/4 cup red or green onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
a few slices of avocado
Dressing: 1 TB whole grain dijon mustard
Dressing: 2 parts balsamic vinegar to 1 part olive oil (to taste)
Dressing: salt & pepper to taste

Chop the veggies (excluding avocado) and toss in a bowl (or on a plate). Mix the dressing together in a sealed container (I use a mason jar) and shake well. Pour over salad and veggies, layer avocado over the top of the salad and bon appétit!

Do you have a favorite kale salad? Do share! Thanks so much for reading and don’t forget to enter the Kiki La’Rue giveaway! XO –

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Coffee Table Guide

1. Mirrored Coffee Table 2. Chrome-Metal Coffee Table 3. Peekaboo Clear Coffee Table 4. Leather Tufted Ottoman 5. Safavieh Dennis Coffee Table 6. Renate Coffee Table (the one I bought!)

(image via instagram)

A lot of you have been asking about my new coffee table and I wanted to give you all the details! For a short period of time this tufted beauty was out of stock, but I’m pleased to see it back on the market.

Let’s talk coffee tables, shall we? For the past year, Christian and I have been using an old cedar chest of his grandfather’s as our coffee table, allowing us to store items inside and make the most use of our small space. It definitely worked well for us for a little while, but now that we have moved to a larger spot (!!!), we agreed we wanted something more comfortable.

As soon as I started to look online, I was like, whoa there Sally. I’m not paying $800 for a coffee table that I will inevitably spill sweet & sour sauce on at some point in the near future. Enter this guide – some of my favorite pics under $300. We ended up purchasing an ottoman-style coffee table because we both like to prop our feet up and it seemed to best serve what we were looking for, but it was so hard for me to take the plunge because I liked so many!

I hope you find this small guide helpful – let me know if you have questions and tell me – what’s your favorite pick? What led you to your coffee table and why do you love it (or not love it)? Thanks so much for reading and sharing! Don’t forget to enter the Kiki La’Rue givaway! XO –

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Blushington

I was thrilled to recently work with Blushington Fashion Island to visit the new salon in Newport Beach! Such a darling spot and a great location to pop in and out – a necessity in my book for visiting salons to get beautified.

I met with Jasmine and she helped me choose the look I wanted to achieve – a subtle smoky eye and natural complexion, called “Smoke & Mirrors.” With champagne in hand, I watched her work her magic. I loved that she would ask me questions along the way, customizing my look for me with a matte lip and bronze cheeks.

And I mean, this salon…can we talk about how fabulous the decor is? It made me want to go home and revamp my bathroom and desk pronto.

And on insta:

It was such a treat to visit this adorable salon and if you are in the West Hollywood, Newport Beach or Dallas areas – I can’t encourage you enough to give Blushington a try. I felt pampered and fabulous and was so glad I was smart enough to have plans after so I could show off my new look! Have any of you ever stopped by this beauty salon and if so, which look did you choose?

Thanks so much for reading and a big thank you to Blushington. Don’t forget to enter the Kiki La’Rue giveaway! XO –

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Sequined Mini Skirt

What could be a better tee for a (self-proclaimed) fashionista than an OOTD tee? I’m pretty into it. Luckily this super soft cotton tee can easily be knotted and layered, so I predict wearing this comfy piece often this summer (over a maxi dress, over an empire waisted cocktail dress, y’all may have seen it with some jumper pants on instagram…).

And yes, I bought a sequined mini in two colors, you might remember the orange and blue version here. Guilty! A girl can never have too much sparkle in her closet…right?

Thanks so much for checking in and reading! Stay tuned tomorrow for the announcement of the winner of the Eva Rose giveaway! XO –

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Homemade Horchata Recipe

Christian loves some horchata. I was always a little hesitant to try it – this mysteriously sweet milky concoction that I wasn’t even sure what the ingredients were. BUT, a sip here and a sip there of his drink and I was like, “alright, I’ve got to figure out what’s in this.”

After doing some research I was so surprised how simple it was to make. I made a batch at home in no time and Christian couldn’t have been happier! This is definitely a great little dessert drink and I look forward to occasionally spiking it.

You’ll need:

1 cup uncooked white rice
5 cups water
1/2 cup milk
1/2 TB vanilla extract
1/2 TB ground cinnamon
1/2 cup white sugar

Blend the rice and water in a blender for about a minute. Let this mixture sit overnight at room temperature (I let it sit about seven hours). Strain the rice-water mixture in a nut milk bag (I used a nut milk bag that I often use for juicing, but I noticed when I was pouring the mixture into a bowl the majority of the rice was stuck to the bottom of the blender so it was really easy). Stir in milk, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar. Pour into pitcher and serve over ice.

Do you like horchata? And more importantly, have you ever spiked it?

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale II

You can see my first round of favorites here, but I wanted to follow up with some more of my favorite items from the fabulous Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Serious discounts on Jo Malone and cute booties – I don’t know where to draw the line.

I’ve snagged some great pieces for fall and I can’t wait to show them off (like this faux fur collar, hello), and I finally pulled the trigger on these Frye beauties. What have you snagged? You must share!!

Thanks for reading – XO –

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Sherbert in Santa Barbara

Some of you might remember this vintage scarf worn as a top here, but when I was looking for something colorful and cheerful to wear on my birthday in Santa Barbara, I saw this baby and knew she was the one.

Plus – what color is better for the birthday girl than pink!? We snapped these photos in a little garden on the way to brunch – more photos from this trip here.

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Moved by Music

This is a different post than I normally share – a bit more personal, but I was led to write it and wanted to see if it resonated with any of you.

The other day as I was sitting in traffic in my new delightful commute home (while I do adore our new place, I live further away from work and the commute is tragically twice as long), “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” came on my iPod and my eyes got a little teary. This was the song I walked down the aisle to when I married my college sweetheart.

When I was trying to select music for our wedding ceremony, I was stumped on what I should choose to walk down the aisle to. We knew we wanted it to be meaningful, but just didn’t know what that was. I called my sister to help us and she encouraged us to choose something that not only represented our love for each other, but also represented what walking the aisle symbolizes – to reflect that we as believers, the bride of Christ, wait with anticipation for the day we will be reunited with our Bridegroom.

When she said this, I knew “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” was the song I wanted to walk down the aisle to. Now that it has this deeper meaning to me, when I sing this song in church or hear it on my iPod, I’m always overwhelmed with love, gratitude, thankfulness and peace. It now represents the love and respect I have for the person I will live my earthly life with and with the One who created me.

I think it’s amazing that music can be so moving – taking you back to memories and experiences so quickly. When my mom was a senior in high school her grandfather (a man who came to America with a dream, his bride and a couple bills in his pocket) died at Christmas time. When she was a junior in college, my uncle was diagnosed with a brain tumor around Christmas and then died several years later during the Christmas season. Because of this, my mom almost always tears up at the Christmas Eve church service when we’re singing hymns. Literally, when the lights go out and we hold our individual candles, there are more often than not tears rolling down her cheeks. Tears for both the loss she has experienced and gratefulness for the blessings she’s been given.

Do you ever feel moved to tears by music? Is there a song in particular that triggers emotions or specific experiences for you? I would love to hear about how music or a specific song has been meaningful in your own life.

Thanks so much for reading and sharing! XO –

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Sequined Mini Skirt in Malibu

I shared my birthday weekend in Malibu and Santa Barbara here, but I wanted to show some more photos that we snapped while in Malibu. When I saw this sequin mini at Forever21 online, I bought it in both colors. I loved the geometric print and knew that I wouldn’t be devastated if the sequins popped off after a few wears – one of the great things about a $40 skirt!

I was all shades of blue with a blue lifeguard tower and the blue Pacific waters, watching the sunset on a Friday night – a kind night I wish I could have more of.