Recipe- Pimento Cheese

If you follow me on Instagram, then you know it's no secret that I love pimento cheese.  It's a southern staple food.  I like it on loaf bread, biscuits, hot dogs, crackers and with veggies to dip.  My grandmother use to give it to me as a child on just plain ole white bread.  If I see pimento cheese on the menu of a restaurant, it's almost a sure thing that I'll try it.  Side note: the best I’ve ever had at a restaurant so far was at Husk in Charleston.

I've tried a few different recipes for it that have all been good but not great.  I recently came upon a new recipe that I thought I'd give a shot and let me tell you, it's great.  I followed the recipe exactly as is except I left out the bourbon.  Yes, this recipe called for bourbon!  I'm sure it would have been a great addition but I didn't want to include it this time.  I'll link the recipe below if you're interested in trying it.  I have to say though that it makes A LOT.  So if you're just making it for yourself or yourself and one other person then I would cut it in half.  Below are my pictures I snapped of how mine looked.  This time we put it on biscuits with bacon and tomatoes.  

Recipe found Here

Monday Must-Haves- Sweater

I can't believe that October is almost over.  It's been the fastest month this year, in my opinion.   We're all geared up for Halloween at our house.  Mary-Grace is very excited.  She will be Elsa from Frozen and Benton will be Spider-Man.  I've bought some cute little things for Halloween day: paper plates, napkins, cupcake toppers (we plan to make cupcakes) and I have a Halloween banner from last year.  We plan to take the kids trick-or-treating in our neighborhood after dinner.  We went in our neighborhood last year and it was a lot fun.  Some of the neighbors really go all out with decorations and candy, and there were a ton of kids dressed up.  What are your plans?  

The weather finally turned cool here a week or so ago.  I've pulled out my sweaters, leggings, jeans, tights for Mary-Grace, and so on.  I have my eye on a few more sweaters (shown below).  I think they all would look great with jeans, dress slacks, or a cute wool skirt.

Navy: here | Cream Cableknit: here | Gray: here | Light teal: here | Light Pink: here | Cream Ribbed: here

Life Update- Starting School and Hurricane Florence

I thought for today I'd share a life update and what we've been up to!  Mary-Grace started preschool last week and is loving it!  She goes half days on MWF with Friday being a little bit longer since the school has a lunch buddy program and she will stay there for lunch.  Her teacher is the sweetest and her classroom is so cute.  She carries her little book bag into school with her and it makes me smile but also breaks my heart a little.  I realize that she is growing up so fast and will shortly be starting regular school and I hear that's when time really starts to fly.  I'm thankful that she loves learning and meeting new friends.  It makes it easier for me to drop her off.  Her starting school has changed up our morning routine but it's for the best.  We're all up early and ready to go!  It's also good for me that she is going to school a few mornings.  I still have Benton with me but it's so much easier taking care of errands and things at home with one child, especially since he is a fairly easy child to entertain and is laid back for the most part.  I've shared some pictures below of her first day at school.  I already had the chalkboard that I bought during my pregnancy with her and found the cute apple banner at the dollar section in Target!  Her ABC dress is from Beaufort Bonnet that I bought last winter to save for when she started school.

We've also been to the pool a few times.  Both of the kids love the water which makes going to the pool a fun activity for everyone.  We've also been to the science museum downtown, shopping a few different days, Mary-Grace and I had a mommy and me date for cupcakes, playing with friends, and soaking up these last couple of weeks before the weather turns cooler.  We'll hopefully still spend a good bit of time outside, just not swimming of course.

I'm sure you've all heard about Hurricane Florence.  We live in Raleigh and will somehow be affected by the storm but not as much as the coast since we're about 100 miles inland.  It's been crazy around here the past few days.  People have been stocking up on water since last week!  I bought a few extra non-perishable items, an extra power pack for the phones and iPad, drinks, water, and filled up my car with gas.  I had to go to a few different places yesterday to find gas then after that I heard about the app Gas Buddy that tells you which stations aren't out. They were forecasting for the eye of the storm to come near Raleigh but as of this morning it has changed and looks like it will head to South Carolina so we will see what happens.  My thoughts and prayers are with everyone, especially those living in flood prone areas who have had their homes flooded during Matthew and Floyd, and those with special needs.  That would add so much more stress.  I lived in NC during Fran back in the 90's and we lost power for about a week and several roads flooded but fortunately our house was spared.  I'm sure wherever this storm hits the impacts will not be good.  Please try to stay safe everyone! I'm praying hard for the Carolinas!

Outfit- Fall Transition

The temps here in NC are still hot as heck so it's hard not to dream about fall and cooler weather.  I've said this a few other times here on the blog but fall is my favorite season for a few reasons.  I'm really hoping for some cooler temps in the next few weeks... at least maybe cool enough to wear a sweater or light jacket in the mornings and at night.  I've been eyeing all of the fall collections that have been slowly taking over Instagram and my email since July.  The jacket I have shown below is perfect for those cool mornings I was describing and would also be great to take to a football game if in your teams color (which the red happens to be ours)!  Also, I got these Paige denim jeans last fall and love them.  They're have the perfect amount of stretch and length.

Jacket: here | Top: here | Jeans: here | Ballet Shoes: here | 

Home Inspiration- Gallery Walls

We have a gallery wall of pictures on one of the walls in our living room.  Since we've recently repainted the walls, I thought it'd be a good time to update the photos and frames.  I have ordered a few framed prints from Framebridge that was my birthday present and they turned out so good.  I was hoping they would look good with two wooden frames I already have, but I really don't like them together so I think I'll just get two additional frames.  I'll share before and after pictures in a post once I get them hung.  We also have a gallery wall of frames going up the stairwell to our bedrooms.  I'd love to add another antique frame or two like some of the ones shown below.

All photos via Pinterest

Recipe- Shrimp Scampi

A couple of weeks ago we decided to make our own take on shrimp scampi.   We don't have our own recipe but we used one as a guideline and made it to our liking. We bought Argentinian shrimp because they were on sale.  The employee working in the seafood department told us they were sweeter than other shrimp and tasted similar to lobster.  We thought "yeah ok" but we were pleasantly surprised that they did taste similar to lobster! The texture wasn't as soft as lobster but the taste was very similar.  If you love shrimp, it's a definite must to try.

Here is the recipe that we used as a guideline for the sauce.  We added more garlic and butter because we love garlic and butter.  

The photo of our final dish is poor quality since it was taken in bad lighting with my iPhone but it gives you an idea of how it looked!

Life Update- Beach Trip

Instead of a Monday Must-Haves post I thought I'd share a life update with what we've been up to the past week or so!  We've had a whirlwind past week and the next couple of weeks will be the same. I celebrated my birthday last Saturday, the 14th.  To celebrate, I got a pedicure and went to dinner with my family at a local Italian restaurant.  My mom and stepdad got the best strawberry shortcake for my birthday cake.    Even Josh who typically doesn't like cake loved it.  The very next morning, we packed up and headed to the beach for a short getaway. We only stayed 4 days/3 nights but it looked like we had packed to stay for a couple of weeks!  When you have a 3 year old and a 1 year old there's just too much to pack (and unpack).  We stayed at my grandmother's beach condo while we were there.  She's owned it for more than 20 years now so I have a lot of my own childhood memories there.  Both kids absolutely loved the beach and pool.  Benton didn't hate the sand but didn't really love it either, however, he loved the ocean.  We sat him between our legs and let the little waves come up over his legs.  He would squeal and giggle when a wave would come.  Mary-Grace loved the water too and wanted us to take her in deeper, but we didn't because rip currents have been bad lately plus Josh and I are a little nervous swimming in the oceans.  We had storms about half the time we were there but it would stop long enough for us to run out and have some fun before the next storm would come.  We tried to get seafood at a semi-nice restaurant one night but that didn't go so well.  We had to wait forever for a high chair so Benton sat in Josh's lap.  As soon as we got the high chair and tried to put him in it he wouldn't have it so there went that.  Any other parents who can relate?  On our last day, we rode the ferry to Southport to shop around and have lunch.  We try to go with the flow but also somewhat stick to a routine and not completely throw it out the window while on vacation.  Of course I took a ton of pictures and shared a few below.  I think I may frame the top one of them together walking on the sand.

This week we're getting things ready to paint our living room which we're planning to do this Saturday and we're getting things for Mary-Grace's birthday party which will be August 5th.  We also have some other events coming up that we're planning for and that will keep us busy!  What are y'all up to this week?

Outfit- Summer Casual Under $50

Happy Tuesday!  I hope your week has started off well.  We've been busy running errands, going to gymnastics and I'm about to start cooking dinner for our friends coming over tonight.  We're planning for an upcoming trip to the beach and I've been thinking of cute outfits that are casual but still put together enough to be thrown on to go shopping, out to eat seafood, or to the pier.  I can imagine the outfit below just for those outings!  The plus, every piece is under $50 and can be paired with so many more outfits.

Dress: here

Bag: here

Slides: here

SaveSave

Outfit- Fourth of July

I can't believe tomorrow is the 4th of July!  This summer is starting to fly by.  We decided to host a small cookout at our house tomorrow with my dad, uncle, and grandmother coming over.  We will have hot dogs, hot dog chili, baked beans, chips with dip, and I'm still deciding on a dessert (maybe the s'mores I mentioned yesterday?).

The 4th is one of my favorite holidays.  I love all of the decor, American flags, fireworks, hot dogs, and spending time with family and friends. I especially love a holiday that includes an outfit "theme".  Most people wear red, white, and blue, and/or something with Americana design.  

Mary-Grace and Benton will be wearing these outfits pictured below, from Little English.  They also wore them for Memorial Day and it was so precious.  

Tomorrow I'll be wearing these shorts with this shirt.  I have these earrings in red that I'll pair with the outfit but they are currently sold out in that color.  You can check it all out on Instagram!

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday!

Monday Must-Haves for Fourth of July

Last week was a crazy week for me which is why I only posted once.  Josh was in San Diego for work so I was home alone with the kids.  We were all very excited when he arrived back home!  I got by just fine but I did miss his help during dinner and bath time.  We stayed busy with play dates, gymnastics, swimming, and plus the usual responsibilities.  We have a good bit going on this week too but at least I'll have help at night! Do you have plans for the fourth?  We had some tentative plans but I'm not sure if they'll hold up so we're thinking of new plans.  I'd love to go see fireworks but with a 16 month old who goes to bed a couple of hours before the show usually starts, it's not really feasible.  The poor little guy just can't stay awake past 7:30 and it wouldn't be fair to him to drag him out somewhere that late.  What are your plans?  Do you have any traditions?

For those of having cookouts or parties, how cute is this set up below? You can shop here for the look.  Also, how stinking cute is the cupcake kit? Found here.  It would be fun to have the little ones help bake and decorate some cupcakes to take to a cookout or share with friends.

These sparklers would be a lot of fun to pass out to guests at a party.  You can print out the sleeves here.  

And how perfect are these s'mores kits?  S'mores kits are easy and simple to put together.  You don't have to go all out with a label. A clear box or plastic baking bag from the dollar store or craft store with some festive ribbon would also look great!  I can't take credit for the ones below though... you can find the creative gal here.  

SaveSave

Outfit- Summer Jumpsuit

I love dressing for summer with all of the cute shorts, sundresses, and rompers.  I have to admit though that I haven't been a huge fan of rompers because I feel like some look too juvenile or that they don't fit right around the hips and rear.  This jumpsuit I have featured looks sophisticated though and I have seen on a few different body types and it looks amazing on everyone!  I could picture this outfit at a fun summer cookout, dinner out with friends and family, or going to a fun event.  

Jumpsuit: here

Bag: here

Earrings: here

SaveSaveSaveSave

Home Inspiration- Linens

It feels like I just said "Happy Hump Day".  The past 7 days have flown by!  As I said in my post from yesterday, it's hot as an oven here in NC.  The kids and I took a break from everything today and just stayed home in the air conditioning.  We read a ton of books, played make-believe, I organized some of Mary-Grace's baby clothes that I'm letting go of, cooked meals, watched cartoons, and just enjoyed staying cool and not rushing around (although I do like staying busy).  It's just nice to have a break sometimes.  Do you agree?  

For today's home inspiration post, I wanted to share some of my favorite linen items for the home.  She are very affordable and some are dream items.  

 Pillow Sham

I absolutely love love love this scalloped sham with the cornflower blue trim.  They are very pricey and not currently in my budget of what I can spend on pillow shams, but if I had an unlimited budget I would love to have them.  They also come in several other color choices. 

 Sheets

From the same company as the above shams, these gorgeous embroidered sheets are also on my list. Speaking of sheets, I just read an article from Town & Country about using a top sheet and how it's becoming more popular to not use one. Do you use one?

Napkins

A southern home is never complete without a monogram.  These monogramed cocktail napkins are the perfect keepsake for any home and make any gathering a touch more sophisticated.  

These solid white buffet napkins are a great steal at 9.99 for a set of 6.  They would match any table or holiday decor and can be bleached in the wash.  

I also have a love for vintage and think these vintage napkins found on Etsy are beautiful and tell a story of the household that used them prior. Found here and here.