Friday Favorites #61

Hey y'all! Here we are again. Another week has flown by. Before I know it, summer will be over and Katie will be going back to school which will actually mean going to Italy. She's going to study abroad in Florence this fall and is super stoked about it. What an experience she'll have.

It's time to catch up on the week and let you see what made my favorites. As always, I'm linking up with some other bloggers. I love linking up to see what everyone else is up to, but it's also a great way to find new blogs and be found.

~one~

Having a workout buddy is definitely a favorite. We've exercised almost every day since getting home from Nashville.

~two~

I think I need to make a weekly "feature" somehow of some of the funny things that come down on my Facebook feed. This week it was this. So true...except for me it's the middle brownie without a doubt.

~three~

Yesterday I shared this recipe for Fresh Salsa. You just might want to go ahead and add this to your July 4th menu.

~four~

I'm so excited!!! Yesterday this sweet girl right here signed up to be a Rodan + Fields consultant on my team. I can't wait to work with her and get her new business off the ground. She's going to do big things!

We'd love to have you partner with us too if you are looking for a new opportunity to be your own boss.

~five~

Two things in this picture are actually favorites. Pedicures and getting them with Katie. We love getting our toes all pretty and relaxing.

So do you have big plans for the weekend? I've got no idea what we will end up doing but you can be sure I'll fill you in on Monday.

If haven't already signed up to receive email notification of all new posts, scroll back up and SUBSCRIBE. You can also follow me on Bloglovin', Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. Blogging is spread through sharing. I love it when you share my posts on Facebook or any form of social media and help me grow my audience. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to stop by and read about what I've been up to. I love your comments and try to respond to each and every one.

Lisa

XOXO

❤️

Linking up with...

The Slaughters / Grace and Love / Momfessionals

Bright on a Budget / Cup of Tea /  Della Devoted

Smidge of This / Carolina Charm / Hello Happiness

Style Elixir

A Summer Time Favorite

There are certain things that are synonymous with summer. Sunshine,  swimming pools, strawberries, ice cream, picnics, backyard BBQ's and fresh salsa.

This is a recipe I was introduced to by one of my besties, Dawn. She made this for us one time and we were immediate fans. Not only is it refreshing and delicious but it's also healthy, fresh and low calorie. The clean and crisp combination of peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, jalapeno and tart Granny Smith apple may sound like an unlikely marriage, but it's a match made in salsa heaven.

You might describe it as a labor of love due to all the chopping, but believe me when I say it's worth it.

If you live by the motto of "eat the rainbow" then this is going to be right up your alley.

Our favorite way to eat it is with some kind of tortilla chips.

But it's also delicious on fish tacos.

Fresh Salsa

1 yellow bell pepper

1 orange bell pepper

8-10 Roma tomatoes (seeded)

1 English cucumber (seeded)

1 jalapeno

1 can shoe peg corn

1 Granny Smith apple

1/2 bottle seasoned rice vinegar

Dice all veggies and apple in small dice. Rinse and drain corn.

Place everything in a large bowl and pour half a bottle of seasoned rice vinegar on top and stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste.

This stores great in the refrigerator for about a week so it can be made ahead of time for a party.

Try this and let me know what you think.

Lisa

XOXO

❤️

Linking up with 

A Gal Named Al / The Blended Blog / Borm & Co. / Home of Malones

This Years Version of Last Years Top

Have you ever noticed that sometimes retailers will bring a popular item back from year to year with just a slight variation? This black linen top with white embroidery is one I got last year at the J. Crew Factory Store. I loved the embroidery and the the gathering at the yoke along with the cute keyhole closure in the back. I really am a sucker for details.

Fast forward to this years version of last years top. They brought it back with just a few changes. It's available in white and navy (which I think just might be the new black - you heard it here first😉)

I love the sweet colorful embroidery on the front of this top. With so many colors it lends itself to being paired with numerous bottoms from colored jeans, to denim to and an array of solid colored shorts and it's a perfect weight for warm summer days.

Take a look at the beautiful embroidery and color palette on the navy option and just imagine how many different bottoms you could pair it with. I think it would be super cute with my coral pants from Loft I'm wearing with the black version from last year.

Both of these tops also come in the form of shift dress. I love how J.Crew thinks about the quality and wearability of items. The white dress is lined so there's no worry about seeing through it but since that's not a problem for the navy, it's unlined.

 navy dress

white dress

If you've been looking for something with embroidery this add to your closet than one of these would be perfect. 

navy top // white top // coral pants // navy dress // white dress

Hope you're having a great week. We're half way to another Friday.

Lisa

XOXO

❤️

Linking up with 

Jo-Lynne Shane / GYPO / The Blended Blog / Pumps & Push Ups 

Style Elixir / Elegantly Dressed / I Do deClaire / Walking in Memphis in High Heels  

The Queen In Between / J Petite / Jersey Girl, Texan Heart / Tucker Up

Northwest Mountain Living / Lady in Violet

White Jeans and Poppy Top

Hey there friends! It's day 2 of our week. Yesterday I was busy all day and it went by so quickly. I wonder if today will be the same?  Now that Katie is home I'm trying to get her to be my personal photographer. We were going out Saturday and I told her I wanted some shots in this combo to share with y'all. She did a great job and we had a fun time playing around.

I love everything about this outfit...except that the top is already sold out. Boooo! I'm linking some options that are really cute in the same color family and similar style here, here, here, & here.

I can't begin to tell you how much I love these white frayed hem jeans. I searched and searched for just the right pair. These are perfect. They aren't thin and and have just the right amount of stretch but still hold their shape. My exact pair is not surprisingly sold out, but here is another very similar pair also from Loft and another pair here that look identical.

This pair of sandals are a great dupe to the pricier version that have been floating around blogland. They are comfy and much easier to walk in than you'd think thanks to the tall platform at the front. I can stand and walk in these wedges a lot longer than some of my other heels. 

I wore my new Kinsley Armelle bracelets that I find myself grabbing over and over. They have a great selection of jewelry at very reasonable prices. Pieces that are eye catching and comment grabbing and who doesn't like that combo?

(use code Coasttocoast2 for 15% off your order)

This Kendra Scott necklace is an all time favorite. I wear it a couple times a week and love not only the design, but the mixed metal allowing me to combine gold and silver flawlessly. I have the silver earrings, but have every intention of adding the gold ones to my collection in the future.

We have a lot of wind and it was really blowing the day we took these making it a challenge for my hair.

white jean option // another white jean option // top options here // here // here // here

wedges // bracelets // necklace // earrings

Have a great day!

Lisa

XOXO

❤️

Linking up with:

Style Elixir / Elegantly Dressed / I Do deClaire / GYPO 

Walking in Memphis in High Heels / The Queen In Between / J Petite 

  Jersey Girl, Texas Heart / The Blended Blog  / Pumps and Push Ups

Tucker Up  / I Do deClaire /  Jo-Lynne Shane / Northwest Mountain Living / Lady in Violet

A Whole Lot Of Random

Hey friends! Did y'all have a good weekend? I sure hope so. We did. It was busy and went by really quickly. The weather was gorgeous and we spent a little time outside. Today I'm sharing a whole lot of random in this brain dump.

I mentioned the other day that Katie and I are on a clean eating program, which of course pretty much means Kent is by default. He's being a real trooper. We love to have pancakes for dinner from time to time and were talking over the weekend about how we are really missing them. Don't these look delicious? Well don't worry, we didn't fall off the wagon...yet.😉 I can tell you that in 5 weeks when we finish we will be enjoying some for dinner.

But until then we're sticking to the plan and our food is looking more like this.

For the most part we are doing grain and dairy free and I'm really missing my yogurt and cheese. Nothing makes you want some cheese like being told you aren't supposed to have it. LOL

The other day I had to take my car to have it smog checked. 

#thankscalifornia 

When I was in the lobby of the little place doing it I spotted this caddy and had a flood of memories from my childhood.  My grandfather owned a Texaco distributorship in a small town so we always had trinkets and things with the Texaco logo on them. I remember a time or two getting to go for a ride in the big trucks and thought it was so cool. I sent a Snapchat to my brother and suspect he had the same memories come to mind.

Katie and I ran into the Dollar Tree Friday and found all sorts of fun stuff. If you are in need of July 4th goodies, get in there before all the good stuff is gone.

I bet I don't even have to tell you about this. We got to Facetime with Benny and Erin last night and hear all about Benny's first week of work. It was pretty cute to listen to him as he described how it felt to realize this is how every day will be. It's going well, but it's definitely an adjustment for him. He likes the job but there is a learning curve. Once he gets acclimated I think he'll love it.

I'd like to introduce you to our friend Paul and the love of his life. Well not really, that would be my friend Elizabeth, but coffee is pretty high on the list. I've mentioned before how Elizabeth and I are always exchanging gifts and I take something to her every time we visit. We didn't want Mr. Paul (as our kids have always called him) to feel left out so I finally had an idea. He's a huge fan of Caribou coffee so we sent him this case of it and he sent us this message. We like to spread joy any way we can. #thatshowweroll

What's on our agenda this week? First up for me is my workout.

Have a great day!

Lisa

XOXO

❤️

Friday Favorites #60

Happy Friday friends! Can y'all believe we are officially in June? One thought keeps popping into my mind and I just keep trying to shove it right out...Can you guess what it is? Dare I say it out loud? It begins with a Christ and ends with a mas. You know what I'm talking about. We're going to turn around 3 times and it'll be upon us. And of course if we walk in Hobby Lobby next month they will literally have the decorations showing up on the shelves. STOP IT!

Back to the topic at hand. Friday Favorites.

~one~

I started a new workout and clean eating program this week that I will eventually share with y'all, but for now I'll tell you it takes a bit of thought and preparation. It feels like most of what I'm doing is trying to figure out what I can make for meals that fall within the parameters of the plan. Katie jumped right in and is doing it along with me which is making it oh so much better. Having a partner makes it 110% easier.

~two~

HAHAHA! This is not what I've been doing, but it did crack me up when I saw it.

~three~

#truth

You (peri)menopause mama's know exactly what I'm talking about...right? Please say yes and tell me I'm not alone. I have to thank my friend Jami for this. She had it on Facebook and I had to steal it. Have I shown you this before? Just kidding!

~four~

I shared this adorable top yesterday on my Casual Summer Essentials post, but it's so cute I had to add it to my favorites. I found it on Nordstrom's website one day this week and I have a big crush on it. It has me all heart eyed and sweaty palmed and I'm really thinking it might need to come live at my house. I would have already ordered it, but I don't think I really have any place to wear it.

#werekindaboring

~five~

If you like to make protein drinks, shakes or smoothies you might want to give this a try.

I found this recipe on Pinterest and tried it for a snack yesterday afternoon. It was pretty good. I used this protein powder↓

We made one earlier in the week with almond butter and a banana, but this way was much better and I figure the coffee is a little pick me up too.

It was a slow week around our house and that's all I've got to share today. Hope you enjoyed your 4 day week. I'd be okay with every week being a 4 day week. Wouldn't you?

Have a great weekend!

Lisa

XOXO

❤️

If haven't already signed up to receive email notification of all new posts, scroll back up and SUBSCRIBE. You can also follow me on Bloglovin', Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to stop by and read about what I've been up to. I love your comments and try to respond to each and every one.

Linking up with these ladies

The Slaughters / Grace and Love / Momfessionals

Bright on a Budget / Cup of Tea /  Della Devoted

Smidge of This / Carolina Charm / Hello Happiness

Style Elixir

Casual Summer Essentials

Helloooo June!

Can you even believe just how fast 2017 is flying by. The months are screaming by at a record pace. Are you ready for summer? I have 3 words for you. 

Bring.It.On

Before the temperatures sky rocket it's time to get your summer wardrobe ready. With some basic pieces and by adding a few of this summers hottest trends you'll be able 

 mix and match and create different looks and still remain comfortable and put together while beating the heat. 

A good pair of white jeans are a summer staple, and depending on how much of a stickler you are about the whole white after Labor Day rule can be worn year round.

It's always a good idea to have a jacket with you during the summer if you're eating out or shopping. I can't even think if I'm freezing and wanting to get out of store. This denim jacket is the perfect weight and has just the right amount of stretch. It lacks that straight jacket quality that a lot of jean jackets have.

Throw on a  great pair of jean shorts and a cute tee and your ready for the grocery, the kids ball games, running errands or weekend at the beach. Just make sure you grab your swimsuit and cover up before heading out the door.

Staying cool and comfy is easy in a stretchy little dress paired with a cute sandal. I wear my leopard sandals all the time and love to mix them with stripes.

The color blush is on of the it colors for this summer along with orange. Wear stripes paired with a peplum or bell sleeve and you've just upped your game twice as fast and will look darling while doing it.

I came across this adorable top that has so much cuteness I can hardly stand it. One shoulder...love that. Scalloped hem...perfection. Sweet bow on the shoulder....yes, please! It's also available in another one of the hottest trends, black and white check. If this doesn't make your heart race just a little, I'm not sure what will.

Do you have any of these? Maybe you're ahead of the game and already have all of them. Do you have a favorite summer color. I think my new favorite for this summer just might be orange.

If haven't already signed up to receive email notification of all new posts, scroll back up and SUBSCRIBE. You can also follow me on Bloglovin', Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to stop by and read about what I've been up to. I love your comments and try to respond to each and every one.

Hope you're having a great week.

Lisa

XOXO

❤️

Joining these link ups today

Living on Cloud 9 / Sincerely Paula / Living in Color  

Stylin' In St. Louis / Doused In Pink / Curly Crafty Mom / GYPO 

 The Pleated Poppy /  Classy Yet Trendy / Pumps & Push Ups 

 I Do DeClaire / Walking in Memphis in High Heels / Jo-Lynne