plastic grass

I am loving these happy party scenes with plastic grass!

The first is from orange and blossom via pink cupcake vintage and the next two are from alannah rose via sara's party perfect.

today's breakfast

Kayce's photo

I am a breakfast girl. Breakfast must be awesome or my day goes down hill from there. This morning it was English breakfast tea with honey and half and half and fresh from the oven oatmeal muffins. (After I took the picture I sliced the muffins in half and added a liberal amount of butter.) I have had this recipe for over 10 years and apologize that I don't know where I found it.

OATMEAL MUFFINS

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup rolled oats

1 egg

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Combine the buttermilk and oatmeal and let stand for 5 min. Add the egg and brown sugar and mix well. Add the other ingredients and mix by hand. Spoon the mixture into a greased muffin tin and bake for 15-20 min at 400.

favorite toys

This week we had some friends over and this was one of their favorite things to do. We have amassed a rather large collection of dress up/costumes, almost all from thrift stores. These are some of the things that I won't be able to part with even when they can no longer squeeze into them. (Note Audrey's chicken out fit that is 6 sizes too small)

children's consignment sale

If you are looking for a place to sell your little ones gently used clothes or want to pick up some goodies this is the place to go. They are having a sale this weekend.

FYI

Just in case you don't get our email blasts....all of our spring line is now 50% off.

Happy Birthday Samantha

Today is my little sister's birthday. She now has children around the same age as she is in this picture with me. She is still as smart, funny and a blast to be with as she was when she was little. Back then she wanted to have braces and pierced ears like me. I wonder if now she is wanting grey hair and wrinkles?

fast food

Some of my favorite things to eat aren't really "recipes". Lunch today: one ripe avocado drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and add some salt and cracked pepper.

date night

My husband and I have gone on a date every Saturday night for at least 10 years. I think that it is a wonderful habit if you don't have kids. If you do I consider it a necessity. Every date night should be as individual as every couple.

This is what works for us... Same day and same time. We kept it the same so that we never had to remember to call a sitter or a restaurant, we just booked both for the year. For me dressing up is fun so I always love to make an effort to look my best. I want to stress that it is not about spending a lot of money. Be creative and carve out some time to enjoy each other and talk...with out being interrupted.

This is what I wore last night. My white jeans by 7 for all mankind and my bamboo clutch by Glorinha Paranagua. My wedges are by Ugg that I got last year for $10 at TJ Max. These are 3 of my essentials that I can wear with different tops. Last night I wore them with a vintage top by Chetta B.

Dancer

We just repainted Sophie's rooms. For a few days before we moved the furniture back in she used it as a dance studio. (note the socks to protect the floor) Can you imagine anything better than a big sister who loves to spend hours teaching you ballet? They all love it.

winging it recipes

These are two of my favorite winging it recipes (which is what I did tonight).

BROWN RICE STIR FRY

I make a huge batch of brown rice and use it over 2 meals and a lunch. I love to throw in what ever looks good at the market. To cook everything other than the rice. I heat a little oil in a big skillet and cook on high (onions first for a minute and then add in the rest) until the edges are a little golden brown. Then I add some Braggs (a healthy version of soy sauce). Some of my favorite things to add are: onion, fresh ginger, tofu,yellow squash, zucchini and bean sprouts.

SMOOTHIES

My family loves smoothies (a lot more than my stir fry). Tonight we used peaches,banana, pineapple, watermelon, strawberries and lime.

Big Picure, small picture

As I have said, this has been the summer of projects. One of them was painting our bedroom etc to go with the curtains that we snagged from our guest room now daughters room. My husband is big picture...he painted the room. I am small picture. I covered all of the closet shelves in fabric.

Olivia (who will one day have her own line of clothing) had a blast taking my extra fabric and creating a host of goodies. I didn't take a picture of the bookmarks or colored belts but I am loving these shoes....

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend!

xokc

summer recipies

Here is an old favorite from Martha Stewart Living May 2002. I usually pair it with salmon and tomato salad. I have been meaning to try it with brown rice.

RICE SALAD WITH LEMON,DILL, AND RED ONION

1 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, plus more for cooking water

2 cup white long-grain rice

1 small red onion, finely chopped

6 tablespoons red-wine vinegar

6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)

5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3 teaspoons finely chopped garlic

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

6 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh dill

grated zest of 2 lemons

1. Bring a medium saucepan three-quarters full of water to a boil:add salt. Stir in rice, and return water to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer:cook uncovered until rice is tender, about 14 minutes. Drain rice in a sieve, and transfer to a medium bowl.

2. Meanwhile, mix together red onion and vinegar in a small bowl. Let sit 5 minutes; strain onion in a sieve, discarding vinegar. Place lemon juice, oil, garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the pepper in another small bowl, and whisk to combine.

3. Drizzle lemon mixture over hot rice. Add reserved onion, dill, and lemon zest; toss to combine. Serve.

summer recipes

This has been one of my favorites for 10 years. I got it from Martha Stewart Living Magazine July/August 2000. It is not only delicious but 100% good for you as well. If I have any left over I throw it in a quesadilla with some cheese for lunch. I usually pair it with Salmon and rice but it is great with almost everything.

Mixed Tomato Salad for 8

2 pints red cherry tomatoes

2 pints yellow pear tomatoes

1 large red onion, finely diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup fresh basil, washed and chopped

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, washed and coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

salt and freshly ground pepper

1. Halve the cherry and pear tomatoes. In a large bowl, mix the tomato halves with the onion and garlic.

2. Stir in the basil, cilantro, and cumin. Season the mixture with salt and pepper. Let stand for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors meld. Garnish with basil springs.

j'aime ces belles choses

I was delighted to find this beautiful web site today. Reverie Daydream has a little something special for everyone on your gift list. I want to do a whole room around the LOVE pillows.

Happy Birthday Kelley

That is me on the left and my sister Kelley on the right. She is the funniest person that I have ever met. Siblings are one of life's greatest blessings. Who would have guessed back then that we would grow up to have 15 children between us. Yes she beat me..by one.

breakfast, lunch or dinner?

Sitting down at our round pine table for family meals is a big priority for us. Even if I haven't cooked the meal I love to set a pretty table. I picked four of our favorite fabrics and had them made into napkins. What do you think? Are there any of our other fabrics that you would like have as a napkin?

In honor of our new napkins I will be sharing some of my favorite summer recipes with you this week.

H2O

My friends at Style Blueprint did a post on infused waters today. I am not good at drinking enough water every day but this might change it for me. How about you? Do you add anything to your water?

party

I am in love with all of the goodies at fort and field. I found them via Caitlin at Caitlin Creer. What is it about vintage things that makes my heart beat a little faster?

sweet dreams

I am really happy with these pictures of Brooke that we took at my friend Tracy's home. These night shirts are what I wear every night and for the next 5 days you can snatch them up at 50% off. Just enter the code sweet dreams at check out.

love...

Is it just me or is this fabric way to beautiful to cost $11.60 per yard? I have been in love with it for some time. I found it at a local fabric store for $19 which seemed like a steal until I found it on line for $11.60. Don't you just love google?

decor

We have been deep in room swapping and redecorating this summer. I am not a real decorator and my "clients" are my teenage daughters. But if I were a decorator I would like my work to look a lot like these rooms by Phoebe Howard.

tin can treats

I am so excited for my friends Melodie and Matty. They have just launched a new business called Tin Can Treats! They have turned their adorable vintage camper into a vintage Ice Cream Truck that will sell all of the "old school" favorites like Bomb Pops, Nutty Cones, Ice Cream Sandwiches and Snow Cones! This Saturday will be their grand opening in Nashville, and what better way to celebrate than with the Musicians Corner FREE music festivalin Centennial Park. Artists will include Damien Horne, Mindy Smith and others and will be from 3-6pm. For more information on how to book Tin Can Treats for your next event, or to find us around town, visit our blog or twitter page

Happy 4th a little late

We had a very simple fourth. Just our family, yummy burgers, sparklers and a short but awesome fireworks show.