weekly roundup

Hello, weekend!  We are heading to Beaufort to see two dear friends tie the knot.  The forecast is calling for thunderstorms all weekend and into next week, but I'm packing my bathing suit anyway.  Rain or shine, it will be a nice little getaway and a chance for us to spend time with family back "home."

Here are some bits of my week.

//  Watched this very inspiring talk on the importance of getting uncomfortable and creating a meaningful life.

//  Received this dress in the mail and have wanted to wear it every day.

//  Really, really need two of these.

//  Loved viewing Elle Decor's Most Fashionable Rooms of the Week.

// Discovered this tumblr and am wondering what took me so long.

// Couldn't help but smile at this photo.  When did I turn into a cat lady?

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weekly roundup

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Really enjoyed this article on the paleo diet.  I honestly don't think I could do it, but would love to ease into it.

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Received new goodies from Southern Belle Glitz.  This online shop has the cutest jewelry at pretty awesome prices.

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Watched Safe Haven more times than I'd like to admit.  We also saw The Internship last night at the Cinebarre.  It was hilarious!

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Swooned over the bones of this kitchen in the works.  Those beams!  I would kill to see the rest of the house.

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Pondered a new hair cut, but will probably chicken out.  I see my stylist on Tuesday and am thinking about a cut like this, but just a little longer.  I had it that way 2yrs ago and thought it was a nice change.

Yay or nay?

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Enjoyed this SATC Fashion Flashback.

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Made roasted tomato bisque.  So, so good.

I made this soup just for two -strictly because I only had four tomatoes on hand and didn't feel like going to the store.  It was a perfect amount, although I wish I would have made more for leftovers.

Here's the recipe.  By the way, when I cook, I don't really go by measurements, so I will share this the best that I can.

Serving size: 2

4 large tomatoes

3/4 of a medium size onion

five cloves of garlic

handful basil leaves

a few tablespoons olive oil

1 cup chicken broth (amount may vary)

1 cup heavy cream (amount may vary)

butter, baby!

lemon juice

2 bay leaves

dried herbs de provence (any yummy herbs will do.)

salt & pepper

Chop up tomatoes, onion, garlic, and basil leaves and lay it all on a baking sheet.  Drizzle olive oil over the top.  Add salt ,pepper, and herbs de provence.

Bake for 25 minutes or so at 325 degrees F.  You want to make sure the tomatoes are shriveled up, but not dry.

After removing from oven, put this mixture in a blender and blend until the soup is at the consistency that you desire. 

Pour the tomato mixture into a pot and put on the stove at low to medium heat.  Add two bay leaves.  Pour in about a half cup of the chicken broth and a half cup of heavy cream.  Stir that in and add more if desired.  You really have to play the tasting game to decide.  I also added in a tablespoon of butter and a teaspoon or two of lemon juice.  Add more spices to taste (herbs de provence, seasoned salt, kosher salt, and pepper).  Basically, just add a little at a time, taste, and repeat!  

I'm not much of a tomato soup gal, but I'm telling you... it's GOOD.

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We have a friend coming into town to stay with us this weekend.  I foresee a trip to the farmer's market, a couple boat rides (& an afternoon spent at Morris Island), sleeping in just enough, and some shopping on King Street.
Happy weekend, friends!


P.S.  Did you hear that Kimye named their baby North West?  What is happening with the world?

weekly roundup

Tried out this recipe for Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken.  So, so good.

Rocked Bourbon & Boweties all week.  It's amazing how many combinations you can create with just four bracelets.  Here's two looks I wore this week.  Obsessed.

I decided I really need this Rory Beca romper and this Jules Smith Katy Spike Necklace.  

and these shoes.

I discovered this Sriracha Citrus Remoulade Recipe that was posted on Garden & Gun.  This has to happen soon.

I LOVED Michaela Warner's studio apartment tour in the latest issue of Rue Magazine.  Talk about an amazing way to style a small space.

Pinned this photo.  What a good use of closet space.

Tonight, Brandon and I are doing a cooking class at Charleston Cooks!  We've got a couples shower out of town tomorrow.  Sunday, a church picnic.  Busy weekend ahead!

what i did this week

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We had our friends over for dinner and ate off of our wedding china for the first time.  Steaks with brandy cream sauce, twice baked potatoes, caesar salad, cheese bread, and for dessert, mini strawberry shortcakes.  It was all so, so good.

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I've been wanting a print of this abstract dress painting by Clare Elsaesser for the longest time.  I decided to order it this week and plan on propping it up on my nightstand in a silver frame when it arrives.

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I took everything off of our built in shelves and only added neutrals back on it.  I'm really enjoying the simple look.

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Speaking of neutrals, I completely drooled over this kitchen this week.  I think I could live in there.

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Our bed was delivered!
We used the money we received from the wedding to purchase a Drexel Heritage Postobello king bed.  There she is in all her glory ...naked and all.  (We also bought a Serta iComfort "Insight" mattress and it's amazing.)

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 I really took appreciation of this quote.

What did YOU do this week?
TGIF, ladies!

P.S. Wedding photos will resume on Monday.

weekly roundup

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I unsubscribed from a ton of emails ...like, promotional emails from almost all of my favorite stores.  My influx of junk mail was getting to be ridiculous.  Not only that, but it was constant temptation to check out the latest sale.  It was so refreshing (and something I've been wanting to do since reading The Happiness Project). I also deleted almost all of my emails that weren't necessary to keep.  Currently, I have FOUR emails in my inbox.  I can't tell you how great that feels!

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I looked through all of our 1000 wedding photos, organized them, plastered them on Facebook, and relived every moment.  Don't worry, I plan on sharing some with you next week.

Marni Rothschild Pictures

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Made this bruschetta and loved it.

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We celebrated Brandon and his best friend, Jonathan's victory in winning the Beaufort Charities Invitational Golf Tournament.  Remember how I told you we were there at Fripp Island last week?

As part of the prize, they each won an original painting by Bill Mead.  These paintings are a little off the wall, but we love them!  ...and they are HUGE.  At least 4 ft by 4ft, if not bigger.

We chose the one above and Jonathan chose the one below.  Veerryyy interesting, to say the least.

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Finally ordered some Bourbon & Boweties bangles and couldn't be more thrilled for them to come in!

 Happy Memorial Day weekend!  We have been so on the go since the wedding, we plan on totally relaxing and getting some chores done that have been hanging over our heads.  It's supposed to be gorgeous here, so I'll definitely have my toes in the sand at some point!