Shades of Spring: Pastel Nails

Shown here Essie: Splash of Grenadine

Spring is finally here and it's time to ditch the dark winter nail polish and opt for something fresh and new. What can I say, I am a sucker for new nail polish. Maybe it's because I typically do my nails myself versus go to the salon. Don't get me wrong, I love a good manicure but when you change your polish as often as I do, sometimes it's worth it to just do it yourself.

 

Many brands have introduced their new Spring collections with everything from bold brights to classic pastels and I'm loving the all. I have been particularly drawn to the pastels though. I've put together a list of some of my favorites below.
 

 

                                                                        

Strawberry Cheesecake Bars with Golden Oreos

I mentioned in yesterday's post that I made a few desserts this past weekend for our Easter lunch with the family.  I had all intentions of playing it safe and making my go to Blueberry Delight, that was until I started browsing Pinterest. I came across a dessert that not only sounded delicious, but also screamed Spring.  I decided I had to make these Golden Oreo Strawberry Cheesecake Bars adapted from This Silly Girls Life Blog, with a few minor substitutions. They were a hit!

I will definitely be adding these to my go to dessert files. To be quite honest, I've never actually made cheesecake before, so this was a little intimidating at first. It ended up being simple to make and didn't require too much time in the kitchen.

Do yourself a favor and make these heavenly little squares for your next gathering.

Recipe adapted from here.  Enjoy!

Strawberry Cheesecake Bars with Golden Oreos

Ingredients  (Makes 24 Bars)

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 package of golden Oreos, divided

1 ¼ cup strawberries, diced

2 tablespoons of sugar

1 tablespoon of water

2 teaspoons of lime juice

½ teaspoon cornstarch

8 ounces of cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup of non-fat plain Greek yogurt

1/3 cup sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg 

Instructions

1.       Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.       Place approximately 20 of the golden Oreos in a food processor and blend until crumbs form.

3.       Slowly pour the melted butter in with the Oreo crumbs and pulse until mixed well.

4.       Remove crumbs from the food processor and press into an 11 inch square baking pan lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes, remove from oven and let cool.

5.       Place diced strawberries in saucepan with 1 tablespoon of water and one tablespoon of sugar.

6.       Bring the strawberries to a boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes, or until soft, stirring frequently.

7.       Combine lime juice and cornstarch into a mixture. Add to the strawberries, simmering for another minute until thickened.

8.       Pour strawberry mixture into the food processor and pulse until smooth. Place into a bowl and set aside.

9.       Place softened cream cheese, yogurt, 1/3 cup of sugar, vanilla, and egg into the food processor and pulse until combined.

10.   Spread the cream cheese mixture on top of the Oreo crust.

11.   Next carefully spread the strawberry mixture on top of the cream cheese layer.

12.   Bake at 325 for 35 minutes or until done.

13.   Remove from oven and let cool.

14.   Crush remaining Oreos into pieces and lightly press into the bars.

15.   Refrigerate for at least  3 hours before slicing and serving.

Weekend Recap + BB Dakota Summer Dress Picks

I hope everyone had a nice Easter! It was so great to have that one extra day added to the weekend. I could definitely use more of those.  Our Easter was spent with my in-laws in Surfside Beach.  We arrived just in time to catch this gorgeous view before the sun disappeared.

The view was just as beautiful when the moon came out. Although it was not an easy thing to capture in a photo...this is about as good as it got. 

 

 

We enjoyed a nice dinner with the family and called it an early night. 

 

Sunday morning we were up and out of the house early for church so we could get back in time to prepare lunch. How pretty is this table scape that my mother in law put together?!?

 

 

I loved the use of the mint julep cups as vases for the tulips.

 

 

I didn't get photos of the large spread we had (or many photos at all for that matter), but it sure was delicious. My contributions were dessert and this cheese ball, which you can find the recipe for here. In case your wondering what in the world it's shaped like... it's my poor attempt at a bunny. I was running low on sleep when I made this Friday night. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

 

 

I also attempted to make Oreo pops for the kids. They turned out alright for my first try, but I could use a little more practice. My main dessert on the other hand, turned out really well. I will be sharing that recipe with you tomorrow.

 

 

I wore this BB Dakota dress, which I snagged from a cute little boutique on a past trip to Key West, FL. It's so comfortable, has a great fit and is affordable,  needless to say, I'm a big fan of this brand. Below are a few pieces that I'm currently eyeing from their Spring and Summer collections.

 

Charlotte Lace Dress

 

Colleen Mini Tank Dress

 

 

Karlene Dress

 

Amelia Dress



Deklyn Dress

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easter Egg Recipes

With Easter just a few days away many of us have plans underway. From brunches to lunches, to dying eggs and hiding them, everyone has their own traditions.

 

Eggs play a large role in this particular holiday, and let's not forget they aren't  just for hiding. I've rounded up 8 different egg recipes offering a perfect range of options for your Easter gathering.

 

Photos courtesy of the links mentioned below

 

 

ONE

Deviled Eggs with Smoked Salmon and Herbs

TWO

Eggs Baked Over Sautéed Mushrooms & Spinach

 

THREE

Scrambled Egg and Swiss Chard Tacos

 

FOUR

Baked Eggs en Cocotte with Basil

 

FIVE

Spaghetti with Herbs, Chilies, and Eggs

 

SIX

Egg White Frittata

 

 SEVEN

Avocado & Egg Breakfast Muffin

 

EIGHT

Frisee with Bacon & Soft-Cooked Eggs

 

 

Wind Down Wednesday: Pampering Essentials

 

Photo Credit: Semerijan Interiors

I must admit, some of my best thoughts and ideas come to me while I'm in the shower. This isn't the most convenient time, given that I can't write anything down, however I do my best to remember. Then there are those people that have a million things running through their heads at night while they are patiently trying to go sleep. I'm not one of those people. Normally I'm so exhausted I don't have time to think before I'm out like a light.

 

I bring all of this up for three reasons:

1. Sometimes it's necessary to force yourself to sit back and relax and forget about the day, your to do list, and all those other things running through your mind.

2. This post is a result of some of those thoughts I had while in the shower so I'm sharing them before I forget.

3. And, well not everyone has time to clear their mind with a yoga class or trip to the spa (although both are nice.)

 

So here is a list of just a few personal favorites for an evening of pampering at home. Although this doesn't erase the ever growing to do list we all have, it can certainly help you forget about it for a few minutes. So take a moment, sit back and unwind.

 

 

Island Mango Bathy Fizzie

 

 

 

Mint Julep Honey Soap

 

 

Laura Mercier Crème Brulee Honey Bath

 

 

 

Sara Happ Peony Lip Exfoliator

 

 

Eucalyptus Spearmint Aromatherapy Candle

 

 

 

 

Aveda Hand Relief Hand Cream

 

 

 

Bliss Foot Patrol

 

 

 

Fresh & Clean Body Lotion

 

 

 

Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Scrub

 

 

 

 

Biore Charcoal Face Mask

 

 

 

Happy Wednesday!!

 

 

 

 

Pan Seared Salmon

I'm a big fan of fresh fish, especially salmon. My husband on the other hand has not always shared the love. However, I'm thankful he has grown to like it.  We finally found a great way to prepare it that we can both agree on. Now it's pretty much in our dinner line up at least once a week.

 

This really is an easy recipe not to mention healthy. Simply marinate the fish in orange juice, slather with Dijon mustard, coat with whole wheat breadcrumbs and sear using a nonstick shallow fry pan.

 

Oh and as for the colorful sides you see in the photo, I wish I could take credit for those but sadly I can't. The kale salad and sweet potato salad were from Salthouse Catering and if you haven't tried them, I highly recommend you do for your next event.

 

 

 

We normally eat this over a bed of wilted spinach drizzled with an Asian sesame dressing. The dressing is great on the fish too, however the mustard gives it so much flavor that you don't really need it.

 

 

How's that for a dose of omega 3's!

 

Pan Seared Salmon

Ingredients

2 Fresh Salmon Fillets (skin removed)

½ Cup Whole Wheat Seasoned Bread Crumbs

1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger

1 Teaspoon Pepper

½ Cup Dijon Mustard

1 Orange

Olive Oil

Instructions

1.       Remove skin and dark spots around the center of the fish.

2.       Place fillets in a bowl or plastic bag and marinate for 25 to 30 minutes in the juice of a fresh orange.

3.       Coat the bottom of a non-stick skillet with olive oil and warm over medium heat.

4.       Meanwhile, remove the fillets from the orange juice, and generously slather with Dijon mustard.

5.       In a separate bowl mix bread crumbs, pepper, and ginger.

6.       Lightly coat the fillets with the bread crumb mixture.

7.       Place the fillets in the hot skillet and sear for approximately 10 minutes on each side or until cooked to your preference.



 

Weekend Recap

Well, I think it's safe to say that the Bridge Run Weekend was a success. Although we didn't run, we did make it downtown to celebrate in the midst of those who did. A small part of me wished that I had run, but the early morning process deterred me. Instead we opted for a barre class before heading out for the afternoon. Here are a few scenes from the weekend.

 

 

Our first stop was Bay Street Biergarten. I like that they have an indoor and outdoor option for seating. The outdoor area is a great spot in the summer. It was a little chilly on Saturday so most of our time was spent inside.

 

Oh, and I highly recommend the "freaky taters" as well as the fried pickles and okra. You can't go wrong with fried food topped with cheese.

 

 

Our next stop....Tavern & Table, a newer spot located on Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant. 

 

 

This place is so cute inside. It has a rustic chic vibe to it, however the stunning view outside is even better.

 

 

Shem Creek is such a great spot especially during the summer. You just can't beat the scenery.

 

 

We decided we wanted sushi for dinner so we headed across the street to Bambu.  This place is a hidden gem, tucked away in the corner of a small shopping center.

 

 

We were pleasantly surprised to have the place to ourselves that evening. Our server was kind of enough to let us connect a phone behind the bar and play our own music. I think it made me love this place even more.

 

 

I had the potato roll, which was delicious.

 

 

After dinner we made our way to The Roost to end our evening with some live music.  We covered a lot of ground in a short amount of time on Saturday, so needless to say I was exhausted on Sunday. It was well worth it though. It's always a good time with these ladies!

 

 

 Have a great week!