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The White Linen Blazer Under $50 That You're Going To Want To Wear With Everything This Season
If there's one layering staple that you're looking to add to your closet this season I highly recommend this linen double breasted belted blazer. Honestly, I was on the fence when I was ordering it but after it came I instantly knew I was going to be wearing it all season long with EVERYTHING and anything. I threw it in my suitcase to head to New Orleans this week and it's been the perfect pairing with all of my outfits throughout the trip. I'm trying to keep my fair skin covered and this is light enough to wear in 80˚ weather without feeling overloaded with clothes. I LOVED how it looked with this vintage leather belt and snake print midi skirt, it was just the right pop of texture and color to match my French Quarter backdrop.
Stay tuned, you're going to be seeing a lot more of this blazer in the coming days, weeks and months...
Blazer Who What Wear Collection via Target // Skirt ASOS (similar)// Shoes Dolce Vita via DSW // Bag ASOS
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How To Throw An Easy Last Minute Brunch Birthday Party with The Cutest Mini Breakfast Bites
A few weeks back we decided to throw a last minute surprise party to celebrate Evan's 8th birthday. Honestly, I just threw it together with a little help from Coterie Party and Whole Foods on Prime Now (honestly it's my new best friend to have groceries delivered within a two-hour window, for free).
Instead of just ordering the kids pizza, which probably would have been the easiest thing ever I decided to lead with a mini bites brunch theme. Fact: mini bites create less mess which was amazing when it came to cleaning up after 10 kids left the house after the party ended.
Grab yourself some mini pancakes, mini muffins and some Bantam Bagels (bagel bites stuffed with cream cheese). Chicken and waffle bites with mini waffles and popcorn chicken were as huge hit. I ate way more than I care to admit, but at least I also stuffed my face with some kale caesar salad and layered fruit salad. I also added a quiche, mini pizza bites, potato wedges and bacon to the spread to keep the options open. Drinks are where I kept it simple with a tropical juice to go with the bright party decor theme and added champagne to the parent's glasses because if you're going to have a party at noon on a Saturday you better be packing the booze...
Am I right or am I right?
For decorations, Coterie came through with some awesome supplies! We mixed the Flying Colors Birthday Set with the Fruit Punch Balloon Bunch - there was a lot of color and of course I loved it.
The Style staple that you should absolutely be packing for all of your trips this season
My suitcase is chalked full of style staples but I have to admit my most favorite is this navy floral jumpsuit that I scored last summer at H&M. I almost always wear it on the plane to and from my destination because it's insanely comfortable and can be worn for HOURS on end. Sure, it's a jumpsuit so you have to pull it all the way down when it comes to using the facilities but it's a small price to pay for STYLE AND COMFORT.
So, yes, you definitely need to get yourself a comfy jumpsuit for all of your summer travel. I found a handful of similar styles that I think are the perfect pieces for your suitcase!
Here's some tips for finding the perfect match! Elastic waistbands are clutch when it comes to comfort. I also love a wide legs silhouette and a slightly more relaxed fit. If you're going to be wearing it awhile, you definitely need it to have some give. And finally, pick a fabric that breathes and is comfortable for hours on end like cottons, lines and rayon.
Check out these Jumpsuits under $100
Here's How To Make The Easiest, Most Delicious Strawberry Lemonade Marmalade For Your Summer Table
This post is sponsored by Newell Brands, makers of Ball® Home Canning products; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have fond memories of eating marmalade spread over toast with my grandparents as a kid. It was always a tart orange marmalade and I loved biting into tiny zests of orange peel on my perfectly crisp toast. We all sat around the bar in the kitchen while my grandparents drank their coffee and we ate slice after slice after slice until our hearts were content. I still can taste that special sweet and slightly bitter flavor when I think about it. So, when Ball® Home Canning asked if I would like to try my hand at doing a little canning and preserving at home to celebrate 135 years of Ball® Heritage, I knew I had to do it. Who says no to homemade jams, marmalades and sauces? And who among us doesn't have at least one or two Ball® jars sitting in their cabinet for one reason or another? It's no surprise to me that they're the #1 consumer brand for mason jars. I also love that they're BPA free.
Because we're at the peak of strawberry season I thought it the perfect time to test my canning skills with my new Ball® Preserving Starter Kit and create a Strawberry Lemonade Marmalade with the kids to enjoy with all of our favorite carbs this summer. I imagine this is going to be a family favorite because we went through one jar, a loaf of French bread and a slab of brie in half a sitting! Hello picnics in Washington Square Park! (obviously on a bright picnic blanket) With slices of crusty bread slathered with this insanely good spread in our mitts. It took serious willpower not to pop open another jar after finishing off the first one so quickly. But, I guess I could just whip up a whole new batch - turns out it actually is really easy to do. I surprised myself.
That all being said, I'm sharing the recipe, my favorite tips and how easy it is to recreate it all at home.
Grab yourself a Ball® Preserving Starter kit ($17.99), at Target. It comes with all of the tools you'll need to be the small-batch canning professional of you dreams. It also makes a great gift idea year round. I suggest you whip up some of these Strawberry Lemonade Marmalades, write down the recipe, and give a jar to a friend or family member with a Ball® Preserving Starter Kit of their own!
Strawberry Lemonade Marmalade
(yields 7 8oz, half-pint jars)
1/4 Cup Thinly Sliced Lemon Peel (about two large lemons)
4 Cups Crushed Strawberries (about 4 - 16oz packages)
1 Tbsp. Fresh Lemon Juice
6 Tbsp. Ball® Real Fruit Classic Pectin
6 Cups Of Sugar
7 Ball® (8oz) Half Pint Preserving Jars with Lids and Bands
1. Prepare Boiling Water Canner (I used a large pot with Preserving Rack included in the Ball® Preserving Starter Kit). Heat jars in simmering water until ready to use. Do not boil. Wash lids and rings with warm soapy water. Set aside.
2. Combine lemon peel and water to cover in a 6-8qt. sauce pan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and let boil for 5 minutes or until the peels are softened. Drain and discard liquid.
3. Return peels to pan. Add strawberries and lemon juice. Mix well. Gradually stir in pectin. Bring mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly.
4. Add 6 cups of sugar, stirring to dissolve. Return mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
5. Remove jars from Water Canner with the Jar lifter.
6. Laddle hot jam into jars leaving 1/4" of a headspace (measure using headspace/bubble remover tool from kit). Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band until fit is a fingertip tight. *I suggest using a dish towel to hold jars for these steps- they will be hot!
6. With the jar lifter, put the jars back into the boiling water canner and process for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude.
7. Remove jars and cool for 12-24 hours. Check lid for seal after 24 hours. *Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed down.
Enjoy with fresh crusty bread, brie and a sprig of basil for the perfect summer snack.
The Custom Floral Wrap Dress From Eshatki that belongs in your summer wardrobe
The dress without fail is probably one of the biggest staples in my closet. I'm constantly on the hunt for new styles, prints and colors to add to my lineup especially once spring and summer finally roll around. I've talked about Eshatki here a few times in the past but I have to say this dress is my favorite to come from their site. I was able to customize it a bit to make it ankle length on my petite frame so I can wear flats and sneakers without it dragging.
Only have Three Days In Charleston? Here's What To Do, Where To Eat and What To See Before You Leave
The Cutest Little Black and White Floral Dress Under $30 That You Can Find at Target
Let's talk Spring and Summer staples! I do love a good pair of denim but my heart lies with an easy, breezy dress that I can wear over and over and over again. This beaut from The Who What Wear Collection at Target does exactly that. You already saw me in the black version, which I love but this one is giving me all of the Mariemekko spring vibes.
The Easiest Summer Accessories To Wear and Why They're Being Worn on Repeat This Season
It's taken me a bit to admit this but I LOVE ACCESSORIES. Give a girl a statement earring, belt, great shoe and a show stopping bag and she can do anything...Or at least that's what I think. Plus accessories give you the opportunity to wear one piece of clothing over-and-over-and-over again. Some of my current favorites that are getting the gold old repeat offense treatment are these double hoop dangle earrings, my yellow mules (I really had no idea these were going to be so good) and colorful knotted headbands to wipe away even the worst of hairdays (er, roots).
Of course, my summer style isn't complete without a basket bag of some sort and while I'm usually a vintage gal when it comes to these, I'm loving this ring handle version!
The Dress
The Earrings
The Shoes
Headbands
