Pineapples: Splurge Vs. Steal

Hi Lovelies!

I am so excited that it’s almost the weekend again! I have been anxiously awaiting this weekend for one reason. We are doing nothing. That’s right, absolutely nothing. I am in such need of a relaxing weekend since the last 4 have been nothing but busy busy busy!

I have not indulged myself in the pineapple trend yet, but I have been scoping it out for a while. Today I thought I would share what has been on my list of things I might decide I need:) I don’t know about you, but I will be looking in that steal column on the right. In my mind, there is no reason to splurge on items that are trendy and won’t necessarily be in style next season/year. Now, I know pineapples will never be “out of style”, but they aren’t worth $143 to me…that’s just how it is.

What’s the most recent trend you’ve been dying to try?

The Best Place On Earth

Hi Lovelies!

It has already been over a week since we got back from our Michigan vacation. It feels like yesterday and it makes me so sad that we won’t be back for another year. Well, we may be in Michigan before then, but we won’t be up north on the lake:( Today’s photos are from the family reunion, the one above is of me and my cousin, Stephanie. It’s her birthday today! (Happy Birthday, Steph!)

Wes and I where we got engaged 2 years ago.

Sophie even got her own little photo shoot. Doesn’t she look happy?

Beautiful sunset from the first night.

My beautiful niece, Hailey, and I on the 4th of July.

Wes and our brother in law, Chris. Yes, my husband is wearing a storm trooper shirt. Yes, it is on a pink surf board. Yes, it is a tank top. You can thank our friend Bryan who kidnapped us for 3 days with no extra clothing. You can also thank Walmart.

Sophie took a dip in the lake. She didn’t like it.

The bro-in-law and I.

Jump! The 4 cousins always get a picture in the sunset:)

And then we die of laughter….

The most beautiful view on earth.

Wesley and myself…we totally look photoshopped into this one. Weird.

We don’t like each other at all:)

Sunset.

Best friends.

It really is the most beautiful place I have seen and I wait anxiously every single year for the summer to come so that I can lay on the beach and read, watch the sunset, and get ice cream at the local ice cream shop. <sigh> Only 352 (or so) more days to go until next year!

Baked Caprese Pasta

Hi Lovelies!

Yum. That’s all I have to say about this recipe. It’s pretty basic, but it’s just one of those comfort type foods for me. I just can’t get enough of tomato, mozzarella, and basil lately. (Like this recipe) Really anything with basil in it since I bought my own basil plant! I used Italian sausage in this version, but you could really substitute ground beef or chicken if you wanted to make it a little more kid friendly.

Ingredients:

Rigatoni
Olive Oil
Tomato Sauce
Grape Tomatoes
Basil leaves
Mozzarella
Italian Sausage
Heavy Cream
Parmesan

Directions:

Start boiling some water for the pasta, be sure to add a little olive oil to the water in order to keep the noodles from sticking together.
I used sausage that was already cooked, it just needed to be grilled, so this is where we started the grill and threw those babies on.
Once the water is boiling, add your rigatoni.
While the pasta is boiling chop up the fresh basil and cut your tomatoes into halves. Chop your fresh mozzarella into 1/4 inch cubes.
In a saucepan mix your tomato sauce with about 1/3 a cup of heavy cream.
Mix the basil, tomatoes, about 1/2 a cup of parmesan into the creamy tomato sauce.
Once the parmesan is melted, your sauce is ready.
When the sausage is grilled and ready, slice into 1/2 inch pieces and put into sauce.
When the noodles are tender, drain them and put them into an oven safe casserole dish. Pour the sauce over the pasta and mix it up until all noodles are coated.
Take your mozzarella cubes and fold them into the noodles.
Put the casserole dish in the oven at 450 for about 25-35 minutes.
Serve the ooey gooey goodness:)

Linking up with: Treasure Box Tuesday

Always <3

Hi Lovelies!

I figured that since this past weekend was #Potterhead weekend on ABC Family this outfit was appropriate. I don’t care how old I get I will always be a Harry Potter girl, and I will always re-read the books whenever I feel down. Harry Potter was a huge part of my childhood and I am a Harry Potter nerd through and through:)

Get The Look:
Etsy Tank/ Delias’ Shorts/ Target Keds/ Nordstrom Rack Clutch/ Groopdealz Necklace/ Etsy Ring/ Charming Charlie Bracelet & Fedora

This tank top was a gift from my husband for my birthday back in June, as was the ring. I am pretty sure I have more Harry Potter shirts than should be considered necessary, but I saw this one and fell in love. I don’t want a tattoo and I will never get one, but if I did, it would for sure be the deathly hallows symbol:) I’m feeling a sudden urge to go read all of the books again now…

Linking up with: Because Shanna Said So, I Feel Pretty, What I Wore, Tucker Up

Coral & Navy

Hi Lovelies!

I think I am pretty much in post-vacation depression. Lol. I guess that’s what happens when you spend 12 days being on lakes and visiting with family and friends then get thrown back in to work. Either that, or it’s because I miss my puppy like CRAZY! She is with her grandparents until Saturday because they drove her up to Michigan last week. I don’t know how people live without dogs in their lives…I am just about to go nuts! I need my Sophie cuddles! Regardless of the reason, I just want to go lay in the sun, read, and maybe take a boat ride. Stupid grown up life that requires making money! Oh well, I am pretty much back into the swing of things at work, and I really do like my job so I guess I am lucky there:) I am already planning my next vacation though…I’m thinking London and France next summer? Sounds great to me!

Get The Look:
Francesca’s Skirt/ Charming Charlie Top/ Payless Clutch/ DSW Sandals/ Charming Charlie Necklace/ Aldo Sunglasses

Shop Similar:

Our visit to Michigan really was a blast. The first day we went to lunch in our old stomping ground with Wes’ mother and stepdad. Day two was spent at my sister’s new place, at the pool, and then shopping. The next couple of days were spent with friends in Detroit and Port Huron. I got to meet one of my best friends little babies and he is just the sweetest little thing you ever did see. Wednesday night we met some friends for dinner in East Lansing on the way up north, and then Thursday through Monday morning were spent at my grandparents cottage up north. I absolutely love it up there and it is such a blast to hang out on the boat and the beach with my entire family. I wish I could just pick up that tiny little town and move it down here to Texas where it doesn’t get so darn cold! Overall, it was a great time and I am sad that it’s over, but I am SO glad to be home in my pretty house with my comfy bed. All I need is to get my puppy back and everything will be perfect.

Today’s outfit was something I wore for work the week before I left. I bought this top with my $10 birthday coupon at Charming Charlie, so it ended up being $5. (Score for me!) I tried it on with about a million things before I decided on the coral skirt, and I really liked the way it turned out. The bow handbag was bought the same day as the shirt at Payless, and I am loving stripes with floral right now, so it was an obvious match:)

What’s your favorite pattern mix?

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