Channeling Capri

Many years ago, in a lifetime far away, Matt and I spent 5 glorious days in Capri. It was the last leg of our honeymoon. We lounged on our terrace overlooking the Med, ate three course meals at least twice a day, roamed the cobble stone streets while eating gelato, and took breezy salt aired boat rides. 

Heaven. 

And frankly does not even sound real now as I sip cold coffee and watch it drizzle outside. We will go back one day we always say. Which I believe and will of course look forward to. Even if it is a decade or more from now. 

I remember we shopped a bit while we were there, but I only really treasure one piece from that trip. A pair of handmade sandals I bought from the sweetest little Italian man who also gave us great advice on where to eat lunch that day. I have not worn them much in the last few years, but simple leather sandals are having a moment right now and they have come out of hiding. 

I even found a very similar pair on Shopbop. I did some more browsing and found some other options that I am loving. A clean modern sandal that will stand the test of time. They look great with summer dresses and cuffed jeans. It makes skipping heels (which I do more often then not these days) a much easier decision and elevates errand running and pool trips. 

1. Madewell

2. Splendid 

3. Loeffler Randall

4. Dolce Vita

5. Vince

6. Ancient Greek

xo

Erin 

Cold Shouldering

 I could tell from my last posts that included off shoulder looks that you were all into it. And frankly, so am I. Exposing a little shoulder is chic, sexy, and an easy way to show some skin for any age and shape. Details like ruffles, stripes, and embroidery make these looks unique. Happy cold shouldering...

Some dresses...

1. A modern take on the trend by by Likely. 

2. This Joie would be a great investment piece for summer and travel.

3. I love this sweet print. Asks 

4. Worship this perfect striped dress by Derek Lam. 

5. A great smocked dress with sweet details by Pepin Sylvie .

Rompers...

1. A denim ruffled romper for $39? Yes, please. Asks

2. Love that this embroidered Parker looks like two pieces. 

3. The perfect soft romper to wear every day by Ella Moss. 

Tops...

1. Love the breezy shape and print. Lucky. 

2. A satin and sporty version from Asos. LOVE

3. The perfect shape and color by Asos. 

4. The eyelet and front tie are so sweet. Madewell

5. Love the pink gingham on this Club Monaco top. 

6. A gauzy ruffled Rebecca Minkoff

xo

Erin 

Weeknight Dinner: Chicken Burgers & Lemony Kale Salad

This is my favorite dinner right now. You can prep it in advance, but it also can come together in 20 minutes and you have a fresh, healthy dinner that is beyond satisfying. I have written abut this salad before, but it is good enough for a repeat. The kids are not into salad, (weird I know) so I just give them some fruit and extra rice dressed with olive oil, salt, and pepper on the side. Anything with lemon feels like Summer, and I think it is actually happening. So cheers to that and I hope you like this one! Ingredients are in bold to help with your grocery list. 

              

Chicken Burgers & Lemony Kale Salad

Serves 4

Step 1, make the burgers: 

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard

1 egg

1/2 Tablespoon Worchestire sauce

1.5 lbs ground chicken (turkey would be fine too)

In a large bowl, mix together the first 4 ingredients with some salt and pepper. Add the chicken and combine softly, but well, with a fork. Form into patties (they will seem really wet, this is ok) and stick in the fridge to set for a few minutes or up to day before. 

Step 2, make the salad dressing: 

juice of one lemon

salt & pepper

1 minced garlic clove

1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons light mayo (leave out if you are not into it)

2 tablespoons olive oil (4 if not using the mayo)

Whisk all the ingredients except the oil together in a small bowl, then stream the oil in and whisk to combine well. Taste and adjust for seasoning. If you have a really juicy lemon, you may need more oil/mayo. Set aside in fridge hours or even days ahead. 

Step 3, prep the salad: 

6 cups chopped kale, I like to slice thin, but any way is fine

2 cups cooked brown rice, cooled (I cheat and buy the pouches of it, perfect every time)

handful of chopped almonds, Marcona are the best, but any are fine

Combine all three ingredients in a large bowl and set in the fridge. 

Step 4, cook burgers: 

Heat a skillet over medium high heat on the stove or heat your grill up. Cook burgers for a few minutes on each side. Depending on the thickness, it should be about 3-5 minutes per side. When it is firm, it is done. 

      

Step 5, plate: 

While the burgers are cooking, dress the salad with the vinaigrette to desired taste and toss until well combined. Place a big mound on each plate. Then add the burgers to the plate and enjoy! 

xo

Erin 

Happy Mothers Day

I have a written a few different types of Mother's Day posts over the years. Tributes to my lovely mother, acknowledging how hard motherhood is, and lists of what I want (ha). They all have their place and all are a bit of a reflection of where I was at during that particular stage of actually being a mother or not. 

I know that many of you are in different stages of motherhood. 

Some are seasoned vets and may even have a grand child or two, some are held deep in the midst of teenage wrath, others might be half watching their toddlers just miss the edge of the coffee table as they jumped off the couch while you were reading this, one also might be reading this blurred eyed in the middle of the night with a newborn cradled in your arms, some might be anticipating their bump to become their child, and others may be experiencing the heartbreak of fertility issues.  

Regardless where we are, we are all in it together. I mean really no one is doing this alone. Through the ups and downs of the whole damn experience! And I am saying this only four years into it. 

I get it. 

I know you do too. 

Internet trolls may be commenting with extreme judgement on that Facebook Mom group you belong to, but I know you are rolling your eyes. 

And I know you are also telling your friend who just called balling because she just CAN'T breastfeed anymore, but she wants to, and she feels guilty, that you are so awesome for making it this far (1 day even!) and you will go get the formula for her. 

I also know you are the friend deflecting an annoying stranger who is telling your friend (who secretly has been trying for years to have a child) she shouldn't wait ANY longer to have a baby.

 I also know that you're the Mom who tells the gossipy moms watching XYZ sporting event that they need to get a life when they will not stop making comments about someone else's kid. 

I know you are all of these people and I love you. And I want to wish you a Happy Mother's Day. Because you are awesome and because I/we need you in our lives. 

Everywhere. All the time. 

xo

Erin 

Outdoor Toys Round Up

It is almost that time of year when it is time to kick the kids outside for a good chunk of the day. Which of course is exciting, but there is some prep involved. We live out in the country and the kids get a kick out of exploring, digging in the dirt, and playing on the swing set. But, other distraction is always needed at some point. I dug through Amazon to come up with  options for us all so maybe we can kick back a bit while they entertain themselves. 

I wish that I loved bubbles as much as my kids. Never gets old. 

1. This bubble robot roams around and blows bubbles for you. 

1. I love these little sticks and again, someone is doing the blowing for you. Am I the laziest or what? 

3. I always get a huge jug of bubbles to have in stock. 

4. This is a little intense, but I feel like this machine won'e blow away and will go the distance. 

 Anything that moves usually gets a lot of play...

1. They have these swings at Maggie Daley Park (GO if you have not been) and they are so fun. The new tire swing I think. 

2. We have this roller coaster and even bring it inside in the winter. 

3. These little swivel cars look so fun (lots of colors). 

4. A classic car that gets years of play. 

5. The kids have been begging for a scooter. This one is good for the little ones (other colors) and this one for the bigger kids. 

 The kids love a little hang out...

1. This little play house is so charming. And apparently easy to put together. 

2. We have this classic little table. Great for eating, painting, play doh, everything. 

3. I am kind of into a tent this year. We tried putting our teepee outside, but was I would get annoyed having to bring it in. A tent could handle a rain storm or four. 

For the curious little one...

1. A little science experiment kit to keep them curious all Summer. 

2. Nice to switch up the usual sidewalk chalk with chalk paint. 

3. When you are expecting a crowd of kids, having a box of flying saucers around would be a good distraction. 

4. A sweet little gardening kit so they can help you. 

Sports fun and beyond...

1. Functional and cute, love this catch and throw set.

2. Because every kids loves a catapult of some variety.  

3. This is a sweet badminton, tennis, and pickle ball set.

4. A great way to get your little baseball player started.  

5. A fun set to get little ones to learn to play catch. 

A bigger investment, but hours can be spent on these tramps and bounce houses...

1. This tramp is on the smaller side, but big enough for a few kids. 

2. Great tramp for the little ones.

3. A classic sized tramp with a great net and good price.  

4. We have a similar bounce house in our basement. The kids still play in it every day even two years later. 

5. A total kids fantasy. Bounce house and Tramp in one. 

6. This combines water, a slide, and a bounce house. Killer. 

 And finally, all things water for those hot days...

1. I love a splash pad instead of a pool. They are so cold and a pain. This one would get a lot of play from toddlers. 

2. Whoever invented the water table is a straight up genius. All the water fun with no danger of drowning. 

3. This sprinkler looks fun and shoots balls out of the top. 

4. If you are going to have a pool, then go with one with a roof. 

5. This little sprinkler is great for the little ones. 

6. And this slip and slide is down right perfect for hot summer days. 

Would love to know your favorite outdoor toys! I hope this helps you out. My prime is filled up with a lot of these. Cannot wait until it is actually warm! 

xo

Erin 

Met Ball 2016: Best & Worst Dressed

The Met Ball can be seriously scary and beautiful all at the same time. People want to take a risk, but they want to still be chic. And then there are those that take a risk just for the shock factor and it is a hot mess. There was a little bit of both last night, and I want to start with my favorites. 

From Left: Kate always verges on severe, but this dress is a true work of art and I love the headpiece with it. Cindy slays. She looks beautiful, works in the theme (ManusXMachina) but looks effortless doing so. Poppy looks both from the future and Victorian past with make up from the 90s. Which I would never put all together, but somehow it all works flawlessly. Kate's Versace is truly a work of art. We knew we would be seeing cut outs, because it is the trend that won't quit, but this dress is unreal and fits to perfection. 

This will be Beyonce's first time at the top of my list I think. Maybe because she is showing less skin?? The dress is incredible and her hair and make up look so fresh. Brie needs to lose the severe hair AND make up, but I love this Proenza Scholer. I am forgetting this gorgeous girl's name, but I LOVE this dress. Sienna nails the dress and the beauty this time. Again, I am not sure I can handle the super dark lip on Rachel, but I do love this Valentino. I would have lined it instead of the nude undies, but other than that I love it. 

Claire Danes had a full Cinderella moment in Zac Posen, which looks stunning and then this happened when she went inside to the low lit room. Unreal and SO amazing. 

There were a lot of great looks too...

There were quite a few vets of the Ball that I liked. 

Haven't seen Katie in awhile, the hair is intense, but I like the dress. Naomi looks stunning per usual, but this is really similar to her Oscar dress. Anna gets a little playful in fringe. Kind of over the cape, but this futuristic look on Nicole is nice. Rose just had a baby and looks pretty in this Ralph Lauren. 

The pretty young things came too...

Kate is not dressed up at all. Short and See through with basic shoes, not enough for this event. But don't hate it either. Hailee in a dark lip and emerald green. Nothing show stopping, but pretty. Lily looks chic in Chanel. Mackenzie pulls off the cape way better than Nicole and this dress is gorgeous. Chloe is standing so awkwardly, but this dress is young and cool. 

Lorde also has the most awkward pose ever, but this Valentino is pretty. Anna needs to smile, big time, but love the color of this blue. Alexa Chung goes sparkly tuxedo and I love it. I love this geometric on Zoe (?). Not sure I love all the fathers and random butterfly on Saorise, but like that she did something different. 

There were a few grand entrances that worked I thought...

Allison's cut out is a little strange, but the dress is a work of art. Bee Shafer pretty much slays every year, this is great but also reminds me of her dress last year. Emma's dress has a strange kilt attached to it, but somehow she pulls it off. Zoe brought the drama in Dolce and it is pretty. 

And of course the super models were out in full force...

Joan, Doetzen, and Alexandra all in Balmain, Love Doetzen's best. Feel like we have seen those other dresses before. I think the work gets lost on Bella's black gown, but she looks pretty. 

Normally I loathe the naked dress, but this is a tailoring masterpiece on Karlie. I kind of wish that Amber's dress did not have a slit, but I love her entire look. Kendal's dress is kind of cool, just wish those cut outs were smaller, too bathing suit-y. Karolina's Marchesa is beautiful. 

Gigi looks gorg, but so over this sheer over leotard/underwear look. Miranda's LV is not my fave. Naomi looks 22, so I guess the cheese factor of her dress is kind of ok. RHW is a goddess, seriously is she a real person? Simple, but lovely. Lara is a kind of unreal in tom Ford. like a living Bridgette Bardot. 

Two bumps done so right on the red carpet...

Emily looks amazing and Olivia (never without a choker or course) looks radiant. 

Some other looks I loved...

LSD can wear anything. Not sure I love the silhouette, but the dress is rad. Blake's matching earrings, dress, and lipstick are a little saccharine, but it is really pretty. This dress looks a little awkward in Emma, but certainly a strong look for the theme. I do not know this girls name, but this is a floral I can get behind. Love it with the hair. 

I would not call this boring, but certainly safer looks of the night...

A Lauren in Lauren, I think it is a little old for her, but I love it. Margot got seriously sprayed up for tonight, but it is pretty. Elle looks gown up and gorgeous. Amber goes full vamp in nude. Maybe too nude, but great. 

There were a couple squads there...

Haim the Band is cool enough to pull off mismatched Rodarte. Those headbands are pretty and I love the black dress. And Lena Dunham with her co creator of Girls escorted by Jenna Lyons is SO genius. I loved this so much. And I want those shoes Lena has on stat. 

And then there were some risk takers. Not on the worst dressed, but controversial...

These first three ladies are all wearing Louis Vuitton and trying to bring back Doc Martins. Which I can appreciate, but not on this carpet. I actually love all of the dresses on their own. And Selena's make up and hair looks so fresh. Taylor is really intense with this new look. Like did you really need to throw on the black lip too? The boots are killer and I am sure she was dressed by Anna, but cut outs again??? Not terrible though. 

Now on to the my worst dressed of the night...

Kylie has worn this dress before and the ice skating/pageant look is lame. Wows Kerry Washington. Let's begin with those gloves, then move to the hair, then the ill fitting dress and slit. Not great. If Gaga had worn bottoms to this jacket we would probably all be surprised, but bare legs and the boots is too much. Kim is actually not bad, but nothing revolutionary. Kanye's jeans, boots, sparkly jacket, and contacts throw them down at the bottom. 

Rita is wearing Beyonce's naked dress form last year. Katie is over gothed. Zoe is actually not bad, but those shoes are so weird to me. Lupita was trying to make a statement and the dress comes off kind of cheesy. The hair is interesting, but not sure it makes the right statement. 

Jared is just missing his monocle and looks creepy as s*it. Nicki is like a S&M Jessica Rabbit and she got the idea for those mesh gloves from Kerry. Oh Amy, I love her so much. But I cannot get behind this look. All very matchy and her dress comes off little cheap. Ugh that feels mean, but she could be in something SO much better. Chloe, come on now. Those boots and curls are not okay. 

Madonna literally just got custody back of her teenage son and THIS is what she choses to wear. Again, that feels mean, but you are over 50! This look does not do Madge any justice. Alicia is kind of my favorite and this dress makes me want to curl into a ball. It kind of cannot be described. Ice skating costume/go go dancer/hiking boots. I am so sad. Speaking of sad, SJP. Come on lady, you always delight us with something fun and crazy and this is a big wha-wa. Demi, no. This is just a no. 

So what do you think? Any I missed or you thought I got wrong? Would love to hear! 

xo

Erin