Reflecting + A Giveaway with Jord Watches

Do certain times of the year ever remind you of specific memories and big milestones in your life? It happens to me all the time. That and well my Timehop app quickly reminds me daily of what was going on in my life in previous years. This time four years ago, I was attending the last of my bridal showers, finishing up my wedding plans, and my husband Whit and I were moving into our very first home together. 

It's hard to believe we bought our house four years ago. I thought Whit was crazy the day that he told me he wanted to put an offer in, as I quickly realized that would mean we would be moving in just two months before we said "I do." It was a bit chaotic at the time, but I'm so thankful we did it. It was so nice to come home after our wedding and honeymoon to a home that was ours. 

We've done little projects here and there and still don't have everything exactly how we want it, but rumor has it we never will. Who knew owning a home would be so much work? But on that same note, who knew that turning a house into a home would be so rewarding. They say time flys when you're having fun. And on that note.....

I have an awesome giveaway for you. Today it's one for the the guys! I was so excited for the opportunity to partner with Jord watches. Whit loves a good watch and I couldn't wait for him to get one of these versatile beauties to add to his collection. 

These are very unique men's watches because the band is made out of wood. This particular watch is made out of dark sandlewood and looks so sleek with the emerald green face. Don't worry, if you aren't into the emerald green, there are other color options to choose from. 

I also love that Jord offers engraving. An engraved wooden watch makes for the perfect gift! They have so many beautiful options to choose from. The full selection can be seen here. The watch itself also comes beautifully packed in a nice wooden box. I'm a sucker for good packaging. One thing to note if ordering one of these, specific measurements of the wrist are necessary in ensuring they send the right size for a proper fit.

In case your wondering, Jord also offers a unique selection of women's watches as well. I'll be adding one of these to my wishlist! 

I'm excited to share a giveaway with you for one a $100 E Gift code to use on of these dapper men's watches! Click here to enter!

The giveaway will close September 10th at 11:59pm. As a reminder, winner receives $100 E Gift Code. All other entrants receive a $25 E Gift Code. The $100 and $25 Gift Codes will expire October 31st, 2017.

Watch Gift Ideas

Simple Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberries — the one fruit that I just can't get enough of. When I was a kid my mom would cut them up into little chunks, cover them in sugar and let them marinate in the fridge. A few hours later, I would have a bowl full of bright red syrupy berries to snack on. These days I enjoy them in my cereal from time to time, occasionally on a salad and in various desserts. 

Whit and I had friends over for a dinner party a few months ago and I wanted to add a little something sweet to the menu. I was going for a light summary meal and strawberries immediately came to mind. Strawberry shortcake seemed like the perfect dessert to add to the meal. I was (and still am) a big fan of strawberry shortcake but I've honestly never made it.

I wanted to prepare this classic dessert but with a homemade touch. I decided to forego the dessert shells and use biscuits instead.  I cheated a little and used biscuits from a can but I would have totally made them from scratch if I had more time. But as for the whip cream topping, it was not out of a can. I was so surprised at how easy this was to make. No more can whipped cream toppings for this girl. It took no time to make and was so good!

What are some of your favorite strawberry dishes?

Simple Strawberry Shortcake

Ingredients

1 can Grands! ™ Southern Homestyle Buttermilk Biscuits

1 container fresh strawberries

2 tablespoons sugar

For the Whipped Cream:

1 cup heavy cream

¼ cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.     Cook the biscuits according to directions on the can.

3.     While the biscuits are cooking, cut the strawberries into quarter size pieces.

4.     Add the strawberries to a bowl and mix with 2 teaspoons of sugar. Let sit in the refrigerator until ready to assemble.

5.     In a mixing bowl, combine heavy cream, sugar and vanilla. Mix on low speed for 1-2 minutes.

6.     Gradually increase the speed and whip until soft peaks form. *Note, careful not to over mix or it will begin to form butter.

7.     Remove the biscuits from the oven, slice in half and plate.

8.     Add the strawberry mixture on one side of the biscuit and a few dollops of whipped cream.

9.     Put the other half of the biscuit on top and serve!

Currently Loving | Beverage Edition

It's been far too long since I've sharing a round up of things that I'm currently loving. This time I decided to keep within a specific category. Beverages seemed like a good ideas since the weekend is near! I love reading these types of posts from other bloggers.  It's a fun way to discover new things. So here's my list...

White Claw Spiked Sparkling Water

These are the perfect refreshing beverages to sip on during the summer. The hint of lime adds just the right amount of flavor. They also make ruby grapefruit and black cherry flavors but the lime is my favorite.

Big Easy Bucha

I'll be honest, I tried kombucha once and thought it tasted awful. A friend of mind recently told me about this particular kombucha and knowing all of the health benefits it has, I thought I would give it another go. I tried the strawberry + honeysuckle flavor and had a completely different opinion. There is still a bit of a vinegar flavor which I don't mind, but the strawberry and honeysuckle give it a nice taste. I'm looking forward to trying out some of their other flavors.

Summer in a Bottle Rosé

Yes way rosé! I am a fan of the wine in general, but this particular one happens to be a favorite. It also doesn't hurt that the bottle is pretty either. And just like the name says, it tastes like summer in a bottle.

DASANI® SPARKLING Strawberry Guava

I'm usually not a fan of sparkling water, but this one is actually pretty good. I wouldn't reach for it to quench my thirst but it's nice to sip on when I want a little something different. It also works well as a cocktail mixer, adding a little splash of flavor and a little bubble.

Abita Strawberry Harvest

Another New Orleans originator, I tried this beer a few years ago and loved it! It's the first seasonal beer that I've ever become attached too. Needless to say, when it hits the shelves, Whit and I make sure to stock up for the season.

Blender Bombs

Last but not least, if you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen my story about these yummy little things called blender bombs. Add them to your smoothies for a delightful treat. The ingredients consist organic dates, hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, local honey, bee pollen, pecans, and walnuts. Together these ingredients have every essential amino acid and every essential fatty acid. And they make one tasty smoothie!

What are some of your favorite beverages?

Cheers to the weekend!

Raspberry Muffins with Lemon Cream Cheese Streusel

I was so excited when a little package from Blackberry Patch showed up at my doorstep. Handcrafted in the small town of Thomasville, Georgia, Blackberry Patch produces a variety of small batch fruit syrups, toppings, preserves and salsas made with all-natural flavors and ingredients. I received a bottle of their raspberry ice cream topping and was immediately inspired to create something with it other than what it was intended for. My first thought — muffins!

Muffins are a great quick snack option, and are even better enjoyed with a cup of coffee in the morning. I knew I wanted to find a way to incorporate the ice cream topping without making them too sweet. Adding just a small amount to the batter and then a little more to the drizzle on the top was the perfect combination. And this streusel topping is the key to crumbly goodness!

Did I mention that this raspberry topping only has three ingredients?!

The lemon cream cheese drizzle on top really balances it all out. These are the perfect treat without being too sweet!

What are some creative ways you would incorporate this topping other than on ice cream?

Raspberry Muffins with Lemon Cream Cheese Streusel

Ingredients

Muffins:

1¾ cup flour

1 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

3 eggs

1 cup plain greek yogurt

1¼ teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries

3 teaspoons of Blackberry Patch Raspberry ice cream topping

Crumb Topping:

1 cup flour

⅔ sugar

zest of 1 lemon

8 tablespoons butter, melted

Glaze Topping:

½ cup of powdered sugar

2 teaspoons of Blackberry Patch raspberry ice cream topping

Juice from half of a lemon

2 ounces of softened cream cheese

Instructions

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper liners.

2.     For the crumb topping: stir together flour, sugar, and lemon zest. Add melted butter and stir to combine.

3.     For the glaze: soften the cream cheese and then add in the powdered sugar, ice cream topping, lemon juice and mix.

4.     For the batter: whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a larger bowl mix eggs, Greek yogurt, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until incorporated (avoid over mixing).

5.     Fill muffin liners ¾ full with batter. Top with raspberries, (covering the batter) and then sprinkle the crumble topping over the raspberries.

6.     Bake for 20 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Immediately transfer the muffins to a cooling rack so they do not continue to cook in the tin.

7.     Drizzle the glaze over the top of the warm muffins.

8.     Serve warm, at room temperature, or store in airtight container. 

Recipe adapted from Creme de la Crumb

Life Lately June | Charleston

Is it just me or does summer seem to be flying by? Maybe it's because Halloween decorations are out on display everywhere or maybe it's because of the holiday emails that I'm already receiving. Whatever it may be, I fully intend to enjoy the remainder of summer. Here's an iphone lens look into what we've been up to lately.

The Charleston Blog Society partnered with Barre Evolution and Verde for a fun outdoor event. You can't beat taking a barre class outdoors with a view like this. And if you haven't had a salad from Verde before, you're missing out. Their cold pressed juices are also amazing!

We had a work team building event at Callie's Biscuit House. I was in total biscuit heaven! Read the full recap here. 

I finally got the chance to eat at Básico. All the photos I've ever seen from there look so delicious. I see more taco Tuesdays in my future!

I'm loving the new neighborhood brewery, Frothy Beard. And the fact that they serve slices of pizza bigger than your face is just an added bonus. 

One of my favorite things to do during the summer is to take a late afternoon boat cruise. These lowcountry views will never get old. And in other news, I've discovered I'm a fan of the White Claw lime flavored hard seltzer. It's light and refreshing and perfect for the boat. 

An oldie but a goodie — Sesame Burgers and Beer. Whit and I find ourselves at this little burger joint every now and then when we are looking for a good, quick bite to eat. I normally get a burger in a bowl but I decided to try something different. I highly recommend the Gourmet and Napa Valley sliders. 

We had our good friends Megan and Brandon over for dinner one night. I wanted to make something light and refreshing for both dinner and dessert. I ended up making a delicious orzo salad with shrimp, feta and basil and for dessert — strawberry shortcake! Recipes coming soon!

The best way to beat the heat in Charleston is to spend the day on the water!

I joined a few hundred other women from all across the U.S. for a two-day educational and inspirational course for women in the hospitality industry called FAB. Although I'm not technically in hospitality, the retail cookware industry is very similar. My company was also a sponsor, so I jumped at the opportunity to attend. 

There were so many inspiring speakers including Dana Cowin - former Editor-in-Chief of Food & Wine, Amanda Kludt - Editor in Chief of Eater, Maneet Chauhan- chef and judge on Food Network’s “Chopped" among many others. Thanks to all of the wonderful women we heard from, I left feeling inspired and motivated to set goals and not be afraid to do what I have to do to achieve them.

When your friend has a June birthday, you spend it on the water, with shark floats...

and all the rosé!

I took a tour of one of the suites at the Planter's Inn and immediately wanted to plan a stay-cation. How charming is this?

A few of my co-workers and I popped in the cutest little wine bar called Wine & Company for a glass of one of my favorite rosés, Wölffer Estate Summer in a Bottle.

Our annual company conference was held in downtown Charleston this year. We were one of the first groups to check out Charleston's newest Taproom. Located on the 9th floor of Historic District Hyatt, it is the tallest rooftop bar in Charleston, and has a selection of 70 craft beers, wines and cocktails. I can't wait to go back!

During our conference, I also had the pleasure of spending some time with chef, author, and PBS personality from Deep Run, NC  — Vivian Howard.

We ended the conference with a beautiful dinner at Cannon Green. This place is absolutely stunning inside and the food is great too!

Cheers to summer!

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Favorites

I'm pretty sure most of you are aware of Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale by now, unless you've been living under a rock. And I'm sure your inboxes and news feeds have been flooded with new outfit posts and giveaways, so I apologize in advance. I won't blow up your social feeds, but I did want to share a few things that I'm loving from the sale. I've included some of my favorite clothes and shoes as well as things for the home. The sale is currently running now through August 6th and you can beat their free shipping and returns policy! Stock up before these deals are gone!

I realized after the fact that most everything I saved in my favorites is black. Many of the items posted come in a variety of colors. I guess I've just got winter on the brain.

For the Home

Trip Planning| And Our Next Stop Is.....

ITALY!!! It still hasn't really sunk in yet, but we are planning a trip along the Amalfi Coast and I couldn't be more excited! 

Every year my husband and I plan a getaway in celebration of our wedding anniversary in October. The travel bug started when we made the trip to St. Lucia for our honeymoon. We had such an amazing time that it only seemed fitting to continue celebrating our anniversaries in places that have been on our bucket list. You can read more about our first, second and third anniversary trips by following the links. Our two year anniversary trip was a big one so we decided to not go so far last year. This year we decided it was time for another big one and we won't be taking the trip alone.  We are so excited to be traveling with some of our best friends, Melissa and Jay! We recently traveled with them to New Orleans and can't wait for our next adventure. 

Right now our rough agenda includes stops in Positano, Ravello, Capri and Tuscany. So, please send all the travel tips, advice, places to eat, tour, visit, do, see, you name it! I love hearing firsthand from others who have visited! I'm welcoming any and all information I can get. Grazie!!

Image source: Francesco Riccardo Iacomino/Getty Images