Clean Sweep

As I have proclaimed and you can clearly see from my beauty posts, I have no self control when it comes to skin products. I have had acne most of my adult life, so that, along with aging, is something that I feel I am always "fighting." Well little did I know that what I was really fighting with was all of those products. 

Let me explain. 

I got a weird rash around my nose a few months ago. I chalked it up to a break out and tried all my fancy products and prescriptions to cure it with zero success. And then it started to hurt, so I saw my dermo. Turns out I had Perioral Dermatitis  (this is such a sexy post, right? ha), a rash that is very common but you have no idea how you got it. I had to go bare bones with a plain face wash, lotion, no make up, and sensitive skin sunscreen. No serums, no retinol, no masks, basically nothing that I was currently using. This shows you maybe half of the products that I was using on my face. 

                     

             

Once the antibiotics you take are gone and everything is cleared up (thank goodness it did), you can slowly introduce products one by one every few weeks back into your routine. But I never did because the most surprising part is that my skin had never been clearer (not one pimple in sight), it had never been smoother (wait, I don't need to exfoliate a few times a week?), and it had never been calmer (redness be damned). Not that somehow I have perfect skin now, but going make up free is now the norm and I am not annoyed by my skin at all. So basically I discovered I have sensitive skin and have swept my counter clean to these new standbys. 

           

CeraVe Face Wash & Lotion

EltaMD Face Sunscreen

EltaMD Body Sunscreen

Simple Micellar Wash for when I do wear make up

Glossier Soothing Face Mist because it feels awesome and smells lovely

HQRA+ An Rx from my dermo (using just twice a week)

I am only sharing this because I know I am not the only one that fights with their skin and buys every product known to man. I do not know if this could help you, but I will tell you that a 30 day skin product detox can do some good. Now my hard earned dollars can go to better things. Like dresses and shoes. ha 

xo

Erin 

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Summer Staple: The Embroidered Dress

There are those magic pieces of clothing in your closet that you reach for all summer long. You might wear it so much it does not survive the next year. And that is okay because it means you made a sweet investment. A boho-meets-preppy embroidered dress can absolutely be that work horse piece that takes you from errand running, to the pool, and out for an al fresco dinner. Just add leather sandals for day and your favorite wedges for night. Here are twelve options that I am lusting after. 

1. Vineyard Vines / 2. Roberta Roller Rabbit / 3. Sea (on sale) / 4. Madewell 

5. Sequin Hearts / 6. Madewell / 7. Madewell  / 8. Lucky 

9. Michael Kors (on sale) / 10. Ulla Johnson (on sale) / 11. Sea / 12. Rebecca Taylor

Happy Weekend! 

xo

Erin 

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Shady Business Does Good

Have you ever tried Warby Parker? In a world where your sunglasses can go missing at any moment (cringe face, it happened recently) it is nice to know you can get a chic, quality pair for under $100. Warby Parker takes the middle man of retail out of the sunglasses business and brings you designer quality shades for half the cost or more. They also do prescription eyeglasses. The fun part is that for free they will send you five pairs to try on at home. Then you just send them all back and order the pair you love. They also use USPS, so it is as simple as a trip to your mailbox. I recently needed a new pair of dark shades and picked out the five that I liked best. 

                   

Trying them all on at home made it easy and fun to see what they might look like in real life and not in a well lit department store. 

                          

Styles clockwise from top left: Reilly, Banks, Raglan, Lowry, Robinson

These are actually a lot different even though they kind of all look the same. ha This go around I went with Reilly, which have always been my go to classics. Although the Banks were a close second. 

I am eyeing so many other shapes and colors too. Like the Raglan in pink and Banks in peach. There are honestly so many great options. 

Bonus about Warby Parker is that for ever pair they sell, they donate a pair of eyeglasses to someone around that world that needs them (read more about it here). So you look great, but you feel even better knowing you are helping someone see more clearly who needs it.  Feel good fashion is kind of the best. 

And note that this is not a paid ad. I really just love this company so much. 

xo

Erin 

Meet in the Midi

There is something so fresh and ladylike about a midi length dress. It is a great way to cover up a bit while still showing off a little leg and some gorgeous shoes. They do look best with a heel or wedge and could be your summer staple from weddings to backyard bbqs. 

 1. Wayf $68 (also in coral) / 2. Mara Hoffman $198 / 3. Jill Stuart $271 / 4. Sea $330 / 5. BB Dakota $55 / 6. Love Sam $208 / 7. J. Crew $148 (also in black)

I snatched up that Wayf dress already and it is a huge steal. Fits perfectly. I also am loving that hassled Love Sam so much for the summer! So many cute options. 

xo

Erin 

Roasted Vegetable Salad with Tahini Lemon Dressing

This salad is so simple and so unexpected. A nice departure from your usual rotation. If you brought this to your next backyard bbq, you would be judged as someone that clearly knows how to cook. And I promise it is all smoke and mirrors because it is so simple. Just a few ingredients and you have yourself a bright, healthy, nutty salad that took about 10 minutes of work. I roast extra vegetables so I can have it for lunch the next day. And extra dressing is perfect for dipping. So make more than you need, you will thank me. Oh, and tahini. Use the rest of the jar to make hummus or sesame noodles. 

Roasted Vegetable Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing

Imperfect Polish 2016

makes 4 side portions or two entree portions

For the dressing: 

Juice of two lemons

1/3 cup of tahini (in Asian/middle eastern food section or in refrigerated section near the hummus usually)

1 garlic clove

1 teaspoon honey or agave

salt and pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil 

water to thin if needed

For the salad: 

1/2 sweet onion or 1 shallot, diced

1 zucchini, diced

1 yellow squash, diced

5 -6 asparagus spears, cut in 2 inch pieces 

1 eggplant, diced 

*Add or subtract and veggies you want! Anything works

olive oil

about 6 cups of greens/lettuce of your choice (use what you love best!)

handful of chopped cilantro or parsley if you have it 

Roasted pumpkin seeds, optional

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 

In a small bowl, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients expect the water. Taste and adjust for seasoning and thin with a bit of warm water if it is too thick. Continue to add a bit until it is the consistency you like. The more water you add the more salt and pepper you will need. Refrigerate until ready to use. Can be made up to 2 days in advance. 

Cover 1 or 2 large baking sheets with foil depending on how much vegetables you have. place the vegetables in one single payer on the sheet(s), drizzle with a bit of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss with clean hands until well covered and spread out again. Roast in the oven for about 30 minutes, tossing once half way, until veggies are cooked and a bit golden brown. Place the cooked veggies on a plate or platter and let come to room temperature (the freezer or fridge helps move this along if needed). Can be made one day in advance. 

To assemble the salad, use a large bowl. Place the greens on the bottom, veggies on top, and dress with desired amount of dressing to taste. Sprinkle the chopped herbs and pumpkin seeds on top if using. 

Enjoy! 

xo

Erin 

Chandelier Shopping

I have been talking about giving our dining room a refresh for quite some time. And I am starting to feel motivated for some reason. It is hilarious how you can live somewhere for years and put things off for so long. But I always tell clients, better to really live somewhere for a bit before you dive into projects. So I guess I am taking my own advice. This is the dining room currently. Boring. ha

All the furniture was Matt's great grandmother's (chairs new, buffet and breakfront not pictured) and those random things all over the mantel were from the holidays (old photo). All this place needs is a bit of paint (dark navy above chair rail), some additional moldings (under chair rail all painted white), a new light fixture, a great mirror for above the fireplace, and a big piece of art for over the buffet. Lighting is probably my least favorite thing to choose because like rugs, I torture myself with the decision. I actually love the fixture we have, but it does not go with the style of our home or the furniture (If interested in buying lmk). I have narrowed down the field for a replacement and thought you might be looking as well, so here are the options...

Some simple, but pretty pieces...

1. Really loving the lines of this Thomas O'Brien $735 (four finish options) 

2. Just enough curve on this one by Barbara Berry $945 

3. Simple but such a statement maker Anthropologie $1750

 Some more feminine, but not too ornate options...

1. Really love the rope like feel of this E.F. Chapman $895 

2. This is such a classic shape and I love the star One Kings Lane $1195

3. Not sure I want to do a shade again, but this is pretty. Bloomingdales $1170

4. The scrolling is so pretty One Kings Lane $1155

 And some other shapes that I love...

1.Such a unique shape, a little modern, but cool One Kings Lane $1399

2. This is the lantern everyone wants, always a good choice One Kings Lane $629

3. The round shape and shades feel very grown up One Kings Lane $1155

Clearly this is an investment, so I want to choose correctly. I will keep you posted when something gets put up. As for paint, that might have to wait until this Fall. Some fun projects to come that I cannot wait to share. 

xo

Erin 

Weeknight Dinner: Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Corn & Green Beans

I make this pork all of the time. The marinade tenderizes the meat and gives it this great tangy flavor. You can serve it with any sides you like, but the corn is looking really good at the market and green beans are always a hit with the kids. This pork is great for company too, so add it in to the men for your next BBQ. 

             

Honey Mustard Grilled Pork Tenderloin

serves 4-6

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

a few chopped herbs if you have them. Like Rosemary or Thyme 

2 lbs pork tenderloin

In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together all the ingredients expect the pork. Add in some salt and pepper. Place the pork in a plastic bag, pour marinade over, seal bag, then massage into the meat. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before cooking and up to the morning of. 

Heat grill or grill pan to medium high heat. Grill pork on all sides for about 3 minutes each, depending on thickness. 15-20 minutes should be all you need. You want the meat to feel a bit firm, but not too much. Pull meat off grill and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. 

Classic Green Beans

make as much as you want

Enough green beans to feed your crowd

olive oil

garlic, smashed or sliced

butter

Trim green beans and keep whole or cut into pieces. Place in a pot and cover with just enough water to cover. Add a good slug of olive oil, salt, and the garlic. Place the pot on the stove over high heat. once boiling, turn heat down to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes. Green beans should be just tender. Drain well and return back to the pot. Toss with a bit of butter and season with salt and pepper. 

2 Minute Corn on Cob

make as much as you want

Get as much corn as you need, shuck and clean it. Wrap each cob with plastic wrap and place in the microwave. Cook on high for 1 minute. Check if done. Corn will be tender and turn a bright yellow when it is done cooking. If not there yet, add 30 seconds and repeat until done. So easy right? 

xo

Erin