TOTALLY BANANAS

I am so ready for this 110 degree heat to go away I am going bananas!  I find myself dreaming of Fall/Winter weather and all of the new clothes & accessories I want to buy!  From left to right....

1. Christian Louboutin Rolando Heels

2.  Hunter Rain Boots for my Seattle trip!

3.   Forever 21 LIP cargo pants only $27

4.  I have been looking for the perfect camel/stone/beige colored leather jacket

5. DVF animal print scarf I love these colors

Purchase info & Photo credits in order :

http://www.net-a-porter.com/

http://www.nordstrom.com/

http://www.forever21.com/ 

http://www.shopbop.com/

http://www.net-a-porter.com/

PLAID PLEASE

I love Kristin Cavallari's style these days she is the definition of "casual chic".  I like this look because I have most of these pieces but I wouldn't have thought to throw them all together like this.  I love her red plaid shirt by Elizabeth & James paired with black skinny jeans, Alexander Wang purse, and Louboutin heels.  The shirt is sold out on http://www.net-a-porter.com/ but I am sure you can find a similar plaid shirt to recreate this look.  

Photo credit: http://www.fabsugar.com/  

REMI & REID

Found this Remi & Reid purse that I love on http://www.karmaloop.com/ if you enter FUN15 when you checkout you will get 15% off!!  I will do the math for you :)  The purse is $75 and with 15% off it knocks it down to $63.75 not bad for this fun purse! Oh BTW it is faux leather. 

DINNER DATE

I have been eating SUPER healthy all week and so my poor hubby has suffered at night trying to figure out what he is going to eat for dinner.  So I am going to treat us both with a nice dinner date.....here is what I was thinking for the menu. A little bruschetta with pancetta, a caprese salad, and an angel hair with goat cheese pasta!  Thought this might inspire your dinner plans for the weekend! 

NO COASTER NEEDED

 Loving this "Martini" side table from West Elm for $129.  These are great little side tables next to a couch or between a pair of chairs.  Perfect to set a drink, book, bowl of nuts to snack on, cup of coffee, and or your remote control!  I love the orange or as they call it "persimmon" for a pop of color or the silver for a more classic look.  Picture and purchase info found at www.westelm.com

GUILTY PLEASURES

Check out these websites....Designer Clothes, Home Decor, & Accessories at 70% off retail!!  WOOHOO

http://www.gilt.com/invite/kristin558

http://www.hautelook.com/invite/KEdwards863

http://www.ruelala.com/invite/sry1snkt

http://www.onekingslane.com/

PUMP UP THE VOLUME

I went shopping with my Mom yesterday and found so many things that I want this season.  I found lots of great pieces at Ted Baker London like these heels.  Both are great staple items for work or play.  The black "Daiyu Sandal" is just the right height for work and for $145 you know you will get your monies worth out of these.  The "Haute Peep Toe Platform" is super hot and I love the camel color it goes with everything, they can be yours for $135.  I found both of these at http://www.endless.com/  or visit http://www.tedbaker.com/ to view his whole collection.

Photo credit: Endless.com

PAMPER YOUR KITCHEN

These are the 3 essentials in my kitchen right now! 

1. Every kitchen deserves fresh flowers...I love orchids because they can live for 3 months

2. A nice hand soap & lotion like this White Tea scent from William Sonoma

3. Clean dish towels to dry your hands & or items not safe for your dishwasher

Photo credit: William Sonoma

SOFT & SWEET

I love this look because it's casual yet soft & feminine.  The sandals are on sale right now at ALDO for $50 and the sweater is at J Crew for $98.  Pair it with your own cut offs and a white tank and WA-LAH you have a fabulous summer outfit!

Photos and purchase info:  http://www.jcrew.com/  http://www.aldoshoes.com/

TRY ME

My confidence in the kitchen has been growing lately & so I decided to step outside the box of my usual dinner ideas and I picked up some fresh scallops.  My Hubby loves seafood and I rarely make it for him because I am not a huge fan.  Don't get me wrong I do eat seafood but I only trust the fine steak houses to prepare it, I know that sounds LAME but I have a weird thing when it comes to seafood.  If I am in the right place and I am feeling it I love king crab legs, lobster, halibut, and shrimp.  Scallops however not so much until NOW!  I was nervous about preparing them myself but thought what the heck I can do this! I am so happy I did because our dinner last night was amazing and it was so easy!  I posted the link to the recipe below!  I paired ours with a light pasta dish! 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/seared-scallops-recipe/index.html

FLOATING IN AIR

Loving this "Tobias" chair from http://www.ikea.com/ priced at $99.  This chair would be great for a desk chair, modern dining chairs, or in a kids game room!  Lucite furniture is popular right now and this chair is a great accent piece for any space. 

* Update if interested there is a pair of these chairs for sale on craigslist in Scottsdale for $125 !

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/fuo/1850068148.html

 

ITALIAN AFFAIR

So my cousin just got back from Italy and she brought back this to die for balsamic glaze.  It is much thicker than the typical balsamic vinaigrette's and so calling it a glaze best describes its consistency.  So this morning I decided to hunt some down online because it was that good! I came across this brand Mussini Crema & it looks very similar to the one I tried last night.  I am going to order a bottle & give this one a try.  Pair it with a glass of wine and put it out with brie cheese, crackers, pear slices, nuts, cranberries, a sliced baguette, etc... and have a anti pasta plate for dinner!  For a package of two it will cost you $21 and it is well worth it!  Purchase info:

 http://www.amazon.com/Mussini-Balsamic-Vinegar-5-07-Ounce-Bottles/dp/B001EO6DBG

***Update I found a great balsamic glaze Cucina Viva at The Oakville Grocery at Scottsdale Rd. & Greenway for $4.99!!

COLOR ME PRETTY

So as I look at my nails right now I realieze that my mani-pedi appointment is well over due.  I also feel like I deserve a little pampering and an hour in a massage chair will do the trick! I really like Deborah Lippmann's line of polishes and accessories.  From left to right...These slippers are a MUST they have loofah soles that exfoliate your feet & keep them free of dry skin/heels and ready for your strappy sandals, next we have a polish named "daytripper" a color I seem to always reach for I think it works well with my skin tone, the next color is a top seller titled "waking up in vegas" it's a fabulous creme/grey color I can't wait to try, & lastly "superstar" how can you not like this one! 

All found at http://www.lippmanncollection.com/

COLD AS ICE

Add a little flavor to your drinking water by placing mint leaves, berries, and or lemon/lime/orange zest to your ice trays!  When I get bored with water I also like to add cucumbers to freshen things up!  These ice cubes are also delicious with fresh lemonade & sparkling water. 

Photo credit http://www.marthastewart.com/

GAME TIME

I LOVE this idea for entertaining it is so fun and different!  My hubs and I like to have game night with our friends and I thought that this would be sooo perfect for the next time we host a get together.  You could use this idea for any occasion really, to spell out Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas, Trick or Treat, etc... have fun with this one! 

Pictures and inspiration from http://www.mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com/

SUMMER GRILLING

Grilled Artichokes are so EASY and totally addicting!

All you will need is.....
A jar of artichoke hearts (we get ours from Costco the Kirkland brand) that are soaked in olive oil
BBQ Skewers
Grated Parmesan

Skewer the artichokes and don't worry about the excess oil it will grill right off.  Sprinkle them generously with Parmesan cheese on both sides.  Grill on medium heat for 10 minutes or until edges are browned.  Serve and Enjoy!

Picture provided by delallo.com

HAUTE HIPPEE

I am so inspired by the Haute Hippe dresses at http://www.nordstrom.com/.  They have interesting lines, fun textures, glam & glitz, & yet they look so easy and flirty! If only I had the $$$ to buy them ALL!