What I Wore: Anniversary Dinner

If we are connected through facebook or instagram then you may have seen this outfit when I posted a photo from our 5th anniversary dinner. I almost didn't end up buying this dress a couple years ago but I'm so glad I did. It has a fun open back for a night out or is great for work with a blazer.

Teal and black striped dress: Francesca's, similar, similar chevron, maxi
Black flats (not pictured but same ones as here): Anne Klein iflex bam bam, also have seen at Marshall's
White clutch: gift, very similar, similar, similar
Black pendant necklace: Towne & Reese, similar, similar
Black earrings: Towne & Reese, similar, similar, similar
Gold ball bracelet: Towne & Reese, very similar

Not a surprise all my jewelry is from Towne & Reese. Gotta love their sample sale! I hardly ever wear bracelets because I have small wrists and most fall off but luckily this one is elastic instead of a bangle so it works! Wish I could get into the bangle trend though.. maybe they'll eventually make petite ones.


Linking up to: What I Wore Wednesday, What I Wore to Work, Because Shanna Said So, Tucker Up, PTMT Get Pin-spired, Tip Junkie,

Summer Mantle

I realized I never shared my Summer mantle. It was actually my Spring mantle too minus the "Shine" banner that I added up there when Summer came. I think it works for Spring or Summer :)

Here's a rundown of where everything came from.

Mercury glass candle holders: World Market (from a Christmas sale... apparently they considered these to be Christmasy)
Teal battery operated flicker candles: HomeGoods - I looked for teal candles at various places for months and got lucky on a HomeGoods visit... gotta go often!
Painted Love sign: Pick Your Plum
Tall silver vase: wedding gift
Yellow flowers: Michaels
Grassy filler: Target
Shine doily banner: DIY - make one yourself with any phrase you want! tutorial here

Oh and the deep teal wingback chair partially in the photo is from World Market. It's called the Pacific Blue Elliott Wingback.

Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs

Since I am successfully growing basil this summer, I was really excited when I saw this recipe. It called for more basil that I had on my one plant so I bought and potted another one so now I have plenty of basil growing between the two plants. I adapted the recipe a little bit because the pesto didn't look like it had enough basil in it and had too much olive oil just following the original recipe.

Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs

Adapted from Skinnytaste, serves 5-6 with sides or 8 as an appetizer; 195-235 calories per serving for 5-6 servings

Ingredients:

- 1 1/4 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/4 lbs chicken breast, cut into about one inch cubes
- pint of cherry tomatoes
- skewers - we have these great black metal ones from Walmart but you could also use wooden ones as long as you soak them first and double up on them since they aren't as sturdy (the metal ones are fantastic since they are sturdy, have a handle and don't have to pre-soak)


In a food processor, pulse first 4 ingredients while slowly adding the olive oil to make the pesto. Do this until smooth. Mine never did look quite as smooth as the original (I blame my ancient food processor) but that's okay. If you wanted to save time, you could use store bought pesto but just know that it won't be as healthy as this pesto.

Combine the raw chicken and the pesto and marinate at least a few hours in covered bowl in your refrigerator. You can leave it overnight too. Heat your grill. Beginning and ending each skewer with chicken, thread the chicken and tomatoes on. Spray grill with grill spray so chicken does not stick and grill about 3 minutes on each side making sure not to overcook the kebabs.

Might as well grill up some zucchini or other vegetable while you're at it and serve with some brown rice. Note: put the veggies on the grill about 10 minutes before the kebabs. This would also be great over pasta or as an appetizer as Gina suggests.

This would be delicious and colorful for 4th of July weekend! Especially on blue plates :)  Enjoy!

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What I Wore: Country Concert

 

Get excited, y'all are going to get two great outfit ideas in this one post since I'm doing my outfit and Megan's :)

 

Almost exactly a month and a half ago, we went to a concert one night after work with Keith and Megan. Reckless Kelly, a red dirt/country rock band from Austin, comes to Charlotte a couple times a year and it is one of Eric and Keith's favorites. They even own hats and shirts that say Reckless Kelly so some serious fans here ;)  This time they were playing at a venue in NoDa called the Chop Shop. We grabbed dinner at Revolution Pizza before the concert.

 

Of course no country concert is complete without cowboy boots! Mine even came froma trip to Austin, how fitting! Oh and my dress is the one that you might remember as the rescued craft fail. 

Pink and white dress: Made by my mom, similar, similar, similar - all under $50
Denim jacket: Old Navy, similar, similar
Cowboy boots: Abilene
Pink pendant necklace:Towne & Reese, similar, similar
Pink chandelier earrings: Towne & Reese, similar, similar,

Chambray dress: similar, similar, similar, similar - all under $50
Long purple necklace: similar, similar
Purple hoop earrings: similar, similar
Purple multi-strand bracelet: similar, similar
Purple cowboy boots: Lucchese - just a warning that these are expensive but in San Antonio where Megan got them you could maybe get a little better deal, similar, similar

Seems like the perfect recipe for a country concert is cowboy boots and at least one denim piece!


Linking up to: What I Wore Wednesday, What I Wore to Work, Because Shanna Said So, Tucker Up, PTMT Get Pin-spired, Tip Junkie, PMT Summer Style Link up