Monday's Must Have

I recently had my first gel manicure and fell in love.

I will never go back to getting regular manicures.

I am SO rough on my hands.

But the gel manicure lasted a full two weeks.

LOVE.

While the gel manicure was more expensive than a regular mani, it was so, so worth it!

I just can't spend that much money on a mani every two weeks.

 I walked into Sephora yesterday to buy a few last minutes things for our trip this week.

I was so shocked to see their new and HUGE nail kiosk in the middle of the store.

Way more polish, more brands, tons of cool tools and crazy colors. 

I thought I was in Heaven.

It got even better when I laid my eyes on this little wonder.

The Sephora by OPI gelshine At-Home Gel Colour System

WHAT?!?

At first I was like Britney at the 1:14 mark on this video.

Ignore the title, I am sure she's just "exhausted and dehydrated."

Where have I been!?!?

I know it's $160. But I know I will get my money's worth.

Look at all of the awesome stuff the "system" includes...

Base Coat

Top Coat

Gel Colour

gelshine LED light

25 Nail Pads

3 Removal Nail Wraps

Nail Cleanser

Buffing Block

Nail & Gel Colour Remover

Brush-On Cuticle Oil

Cuticle Pusher

3 sets of Gloves

Instructions, of course

That's pretty much everything you would need to start your own at-home nail studio!

This product received 4.7 out of 5 stars on Sephora's reviews.

I read a lot of them and it seems like it's easy to use and lasts a long time but there are not enough color options.

My birthday is coming up so please feel free to get this for me :)

BTW this is my 100th blog post! 

I can't believe it went by this quickly! 

Thank you to EVERYONE who reads my blog and supports this little outlet of mine.

 It means more to me than you will EVER know!

This blog has been such a great thing for me.

I hope you will continue to enjoy it!

5 Things I Love

"Bentley the Bulldog is fussy"

Thank you to Chaille Shelby soon-to-be Chaille BROWN for pinning this!

KOTUR Pink Clutch

It's like a lava lamp. Dying!

LOVE.




Made chocolate chip cookies instead of dinner last night.

This pic is taken from the back porch of the home that we are supposed to be staying at next week. 

PLEASE say a prayer for safety, good weather,and no hurricane!

Cape it up

Black with white detail/Off the shoulder striped poncho/Purple wool cape
Green plaid poncho/Faux fur jacket/Black and white plaid poncho/Printed cape


Y'all. I want a cape.

I know that the fur jacket is not technically a cape or poncho but I do not care.

I also know it's a bazillion degrees outside and I am already thinking about my fall wardrobe.

They are loose, comfy, and can be dressed up or down.

You can wear them anywhere.
Grocery Store, Football Games, Out to dinner...

AND...

You can wear them with a lot of different things

For instance, I plan on wearing my hypothetical poncho with leather leggings and ankle boots.

For a more casual look, you could wear jeans and flats or flat boots.

This look is PERFECT for the holidays when my pants are usually a BIT lot too tight :)

Just throw on a cape or poncho and unbutton your pants.

Voila!

Gallery Girls

Hot Mess.

Train wreck.

Chantal.

Those are the words that come to my mind when I watch this show.

It comes on Bravo, Monday nights at 9 pm Central time.

You have your Manhattan gallery girls.

Blonde, expensive clothing, nice bags

And then you have your Brooklyn gallery girls.

Quirky, kind of grungy, and completely out of touch with reality

For example, Chantal...

I want to kill her.

At first I was like "oh she's cute, fun, and reminds me of Jade from Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros."

Let me tell you...

She's no Jade.

A little back story, Chantal and her friend Claudia (they pronounce it like clow-dia, so weird)

have opened a small gallery to sell up and coming artist's clothing, accessories, and paintings.

They have all put money into the store but Clowdia has put $15,000 of her parents money in the gallery.

The majority of the gallery's money.

So understandably, she's concerned about making a profit and paying her family back.

Chantal could care less.

Chantal gets wasted at their grand opening party, tells Clowdia to make sure and be and work early,and then doesn't show up.

During her interview Chantal explains that, "I woke up, I did some yoga, I had a french press coffee, and now i'm ready."

2 and a half hours late.

While poor Clowdia is sweating all over the camera and trying to clean up and open the store

Great friends!!

I love to hate this show and will most likely watch every episode.

Here are some of my favorite Gallery Girls quotes from just the first two episodes.

"Like don't get bechamel sauce all over my clothes." - Angela (Asian wannabe model, who says she's obsessed with men)

"I don't like....wines from Oregon." - my fave Chantal

"Do you like how I light up when we talk about me?" - Angela

"I'm ready to flee for Cuba and just chill." - Chantal (at the grand opening party for her OWN gallery)

When asked how work is going Chantal replies, "work is good, it's just a lot of work."

"I'm very lucky to have a father that takes care of me so that I can work for free as an intern." - Amy (She's def my second favorite)

In reference to being sent on a errand to Brooklyn, Manhattan gallery girl Maggie explains "It looks like a zombie Apocalypse has come through."

I can't wait for the next epsisode. 

Who doesn't love Olivia Palermo?

I have one more beach getaway planned and then I will be 100% ready for fall.

I've been obsessing over Olivia Palermo more than usual lately.

So I decided to share some of my faves pics of her.

She always look so put together but in the fall and winter months she looks especially chic. 

via who what wear

via pinterest

via MTV

via Outfit ID

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

 via OliviaPalermofashion.blogspot.com

via OliviaPalermofashion.blogspot.com

via Oliviastyle.blogspot.com

5 Things I Love

These flats from ShoeDazzle

Loving the fabrics and colors in this bedroom from Elledecor.com

 This collage from Mrs. Lillien...LOVE!

Ready for some beach and pool time asap.

Ole Miss Dorm Room designed by Dawn Thomas of Jackson,MS

SO cute!

Italian Chicken Casserole I made this week. Yum!

What I Want

Heels - Miu Miu Leopard Slingbacks 

Pink Bag - Rebecca Minkoff Swing Bag

Blue Dress - TopShop

Bamboo Mirror - Shades of Light

Shift Dress - Forever 21

Loafers - Gap Embroidered Loafers

iPhone case - Tory Burch

Leopard Bag - Prada

Kaftan -  Mara Hoffman

Sweater  - Old Navy

Easy Patty Melt

I am the absolute worst at being able to look into my refrigerator or pantry and come up with a meal.

I usually end up wanting to go out to eat.

Last week, I had the same problem. I hadn't planned dinner and Cam was going to be home soon.

I stumbled upon this Pioneer Woman recipe and was saved!

The patty melts (or Susie melts as Cam now calls them) were delicious and so filling!

Here's what you need:

1 stick of butter

1 onion

1 1/2 lb of ground beef

Salt

Pepper

5 dashes of Worcestershire sauce

8 slices of Swiss cheese

8 slices of Rye bread

*I halved the portions of onion, ground beef, cheese, and bread because I was only making two patty melts.

*I used wheat bread. 

1. Slice however much onion you prefer for your melt.

2. Add two tablespoons of butter to a skillet and toss in the onions.

Cook slowly for 20-25 mins. Stirring occasionally.

3. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Then form them into 2 patties. 

4. In another skillet, melt two tablespoons of butter and cook the patties until they are cooked to your liking. (Make sure they are cooked through of course)

*Try to only flip them once.

5. In another skillet, (I used my cast iron skillet or you can use a griddle) melt two tablespoons of butter and add a piece of the bread. Push the bread around the skillet to "sop" up some of the butter.

6. Once the bread has begun to brown, add a slice of the Swiss cheese.

7. By now, your burgers and onions should be ready to start assembling the patty melt.

Top the burgers with however much onion your prefer.

8. Take the patty topped with onions and place it on top of the bread and slice of Swiss cheese that were cooking in another skillet.

9. Add another slice of Swiss Cheese.

10. Top with another piece of wheat bread.

11. Take the sandwich out of the skillet and melt two more tablespoons of butter.

12. Toast the bread, melt the cheese, and make sure your patty is still warm. Flip the sandwich and brown the other side. You can add more butter here if you want to but I didn't feel the need. 

And you're done!

 Plate, slice, and eat!

The patty melts were SO good and SO filling!

Quick, easy, and made from ingredients already in my pantry and refrigerator.

Doesn't get much easier than that.

Again, I apologize for the quality of the pics. I will have my camera back in two weeks.

Onward Reserve

Guys can be so hard to buy for. 

While they usually have plenty of interest and hobbies, it's usually man stuff like hunting or fishing.

I know nothing about either.

I don't have this problem. Drop me off at Saks or Neimans and I will have no problem at all creating an extensive wish list for you.

My fave new site for "man shopping" is Onward Reserve. 

They have everything from bow ties to coolers.

Be sure to check out Onward Reserve on Facebook here.

Here a few of my faves from Onward Reserve.

Smathers & Branson

Jolly Roger Flask

Coast Apparel

Huntington Shirt

(Hotty Toddy!!!!!!!!!!!!)

The Croc "Mock"

This is the description of this pair of shoes from OnwardReserve.com

"Your date to the semi-formal won’t be able to tell that these bad boys are not real crocodile. And if she does, tell her that you are conscious of the needs of the world’s wildlife population and want to do your part in stopping the illegal trade of crocodile skins. We trust you have better ways to spend the extra $1,000 you save by going “mock” with your croc."

Love it!

Can't leave my UGA people out.

Smathers & Branson

UGA Belt

Filson

Travel Kit

Every guy needs a dopp kit. 

This particular one is special because of the quality and the color. 

Great durability and won't show stains!

The Ultimate Man Gift

Completely worth the money & EVERY guy wants one

Yeti Cooler

Be sure to check out Onward Reserve 

&

Five Mile Club

 Five Mile Club is a members only site that offers "insider prices"

also from the creators of Onward Reserve

& like them on Facebook here and here. 

Absolutely perfect for "man shopping"!

Enjoy!

5 Things I Love

Glitter Guide's feature on the home of one of my favorite designers Jamie Mears

This Herend monkey in a house styled by Jamie Mears

Poppy Delevigne

Obsessed with her and her name.
REALLY obsessed with her name.

Tibi is having a SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLEEEEEEEEE!

(said in my Oprah yell)

someecards

John's #1 Meal

 Whenever it came time for my brother-in-law John's birthday or just sometime special with family, my mother-in-law Lynn would let him pick what he wanted for dinner. He always wanted the same meal of pork tenderloin with mustard sauce and hash brown casserole. 

This dinner became "John's #1 meal". 

When John's first baby was born last October, Cam and I drove over to Texas that next weekend to visit and snug with our first nephew Jack. Being such a wonderful and VERY special time, my mother-in-law made this meal and I got to assist her. I didn't realize it at the time, but we were making such a happy memory that I will always think of when I make this. 

I stopped by in-law's earlier this week to get the recipes and snapped a few pics of her recipe book and the actual recipe she tore out of a magazine. Love it. 

Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Sauce

Here's what you need for the pork:

2 tbsp Vegetable Oil

2 tbsp Coarse-grained Mustard

1/4 tsp Salt

1/4 tsp Coarsely Ground Pepper

1 1/2 lbs Pork Tenderloin

1/4 cup Dry White Wine

1. Combine all of the ingredients EXCEPT FOR THE WINE in a large Ziploc bag. 

2. Refrigerate & marinate for 4-8 hrs

3. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. 

*The recipe says to use a roasting pan. I did and about half-way through, I realized it wasn't cooking fast enough. So I switched to a foil lined, rimmed baking sheet.

4. After 15 minutes, reduce to temperature to 400 degrees and baste with the wine every 10 minutes until cooked though.

Here's what you need for the mustard sauce:

1 1/4 cup Whipping Cream

1/4 cup Coarse-Grained Mustard

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1/8 teaspoon White Pepper

*I also added about a 1/4 cup of Dijon Mustard

1. Heat the whipping cream in a saucepan over medium heat. Allow it reduce to 1 1/4 cups. Recipe says about 20 mins. DO NOT BOIL.

2. Stir in the remaining ingredients until combined.

Hashbrown Casserole

Here's what you need:

2 lbs frozen Hash browns

1 stick softened Butter

1 can Cream of Chicken soup

1/2 cup Sour Cream

2 - 3 cups shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Salt 

Pepper

1. Put the hash browns in a bowl and microwave for 8 minutes.

2. In the same bowl, add the butter, soup, sour cream, salt, pepper, and two cups of the cheese.

3. Mix well and make sure the butter has melted.

4. Empty the mixture into an ungreased 9x13 casserole dish. Top with the rest of the cheese. 

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

After letting the pork rest, I sliced it, plated it, and topped it with the mustard sauce.

Delicious meal to add to your recipe book or box!

Enjoy!