Dinner Party Details

Tonight is a very exciting night... We're having our first party of the summer. Yes I realize that summer is almost over, but S was gone for most of May and June so July has really been summer for us. It is also going to be my very first night away from BK {say some prayers that this mama can make it}. I thought in honor of our dinner party I would share my five favorite things. 

dinner party basis

1}. Mason Jars. I'm loving them right now. They're not only the perfect party cup, but you can also use them as vases and candle holders. Tonight we're using them as water jars and popping in fancy paper straws.
2} Burlap. It's e.v.e.r.y.where! I picked up some polka dot printed burlap and made a table runner and napkin rings. Inexpensive and super fun.
3} Color on your tablescape is a MUST. Tonight we have pink, navy, and orange. Its very boho chic and I'm really liking it.
4} Cocktails. Every good party has a good mix. I picked up a few bottles of Traders Joes brand two buck chuck and of course we have a hearty mix of beers.
5} Lighting. I love finding creative ways to bring in lighting. We transformed BK's playroom into our dinner party room and there are christmas lights all over the ceiling. It's so fun, and I think they'll stay forever.

What are your dinner party tips and tricks? I'd love to hear.




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Mint-Lemon Pound Cake

Y'all I am back. Last week I took a little sabbatical to just enjoy life. I ate up the little moments. BK's new smile, the 3 new words she started saying, dinners with my husband, pretty afternoons sunbathing in the backyard. It was wonderful and it was much needed. 

I spent a day on blog organization and flow. I've decided that my week will look like this:

Monday - Recipes

Tuesday - BK + Motherhood

Wednesday - Lifestyle

Thursday - Lifestyle

Friday - Fashion / DIY / Randoms

Hopefully those are all things that will interest you. My advertising spots got a makeover and I'm pretty excited about them. Take a look, this week you can get 30% off using code REVAMP. 

I also made a super delicious Mint-Lemon Pound Cake that I am super excited to share the recipe... 

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix

1 package lemon pudding mix 

1/2 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

1/2 cup milk

8 oz. sour cream

6 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice (it took me 3 lemons)

1/4 cup fresh mint + more for garnish

Icing:

2.5 cups powdered sugar

4 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice 

1 - 2 tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease your pan. Mix cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, and milk. Add mint, oil, sour cream, and lemon juice to a blender. Blend until smooth. Add mint mixture to cake mixture. Pour into pan. Bake on middle rack for 35-40 minutes or until knife comes out of cake clean. Run butter knife around the edge of pan for easier removal. Let cake cool for ten minutes.

For glaze add all icing ingredients together until preferred consistency. Pour glaze over cake. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and add mint for garnish. 

{Mine didnt have a very strong mint taste coming through so feel free to add more if you want a stronger taste}

Enjoy!

I have a vegetarian baby

Truth. I think my baby is a vegetarian. This doesn't bother me except for the fact that I dont know very many recipes to keep her satisfied. 9 times out of ten that I offer her meat {unless it is Chick Fil A and even then she will only eat so much}, this is the reaction that I get...

Ok, not really, but she does turn her head and clamp her mouth closed. She will go to town on some fish, veggies and carbs though. To be honest, it doesnt completely surprise me. For one, I hated meat when I was pregnant with her. Like I probably ate meat less than a dozen times the whole ten months. And even now I'm still not a huge meat eater. Unless we're talking about Chick Fil A or seafood. Every once in a while I will get a hankering for a nice juicy steak, but it isnt very often. I dont eat ground beef at all. Most chicken meals I make are kind of carb and veggie heavy because I tend to fill up on more carbs + veggies than chicken. So maybe she kinda gets it from me. Maybe she will grow out of it. I dont know.

I do know that I am thankful for summer. With summer comes better fruits and veggies and much better seafood. So our options are about to expand. I do need to grow my vegetarian recipe collection though. Are any of yall vegetarians or know any super yummy meatless meals? I'm open to all suggestions.

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I also wanted to introduce some of the fabulous ladies that have graced my sidebar this past month!

My sister from another mister, Ashley from It Is What You Make It

My favorite part about spring is the beautiful flowers that it brings out. People seem to start taking time to literally stop and smell the roses. I love seeing families out taking pictures in the bluebonnets that we have all along every road in Texas. 

My go to spring recipe or cocktail.....hmmmm good question.... I'll have to go with a mojito... I could sip them all day while sitting by the pool or the beach or on our boat. hehe 

My staple piece in my spring wardrobe are my fuschia pants or my white tops. I have an obsession with white tops and LOVE wearing them during spring with fun colors to spice it up a little. 

Kiersten from A Good Day Sunshine 

1) My favorite part of spring is that everything starts blooming again, and the snow finally melts.

   2) I know it's not really a recipe, but I seem to eat more fruit in the spring and summer.  I guess it's the warm weather.

   3) My spring wardrobe staple is Flip flops.  Everything else seems to change from year to year, but you'll always find at least a few pairs of flip flops in my closet.

Lacey from Charm and Sass

1) My favorite part of Spring is all of the festivals!

2) My favorite recipe is my mother in laws' noodle salad. No one makes it quite like her - it's so fresh and light. I can't get enough!

3) My Spring wardwrobe staple are my flip flops, but then again, they are always my staple piece :)