Cheese Boards

My recent obsession for Friday evenings, baby showers, casual get togethers with friends and family, you name it, is a cheese board. I just love a good cheese board and have really had a great time recently "styling" my cheese boards.

So coffee table styling and bookshelf styling are really "in" right now and try as I might...I am just not that great at it. However, when it comes to food and styling a cheese board...I feel like I can really get into that. Pretty sure that's my inner foodie coming out...

Here is my most recent cheese board styling project:

I've been practicing...and Adam and I have definitely enjoyed the fruits of my "practice" cheese boards. But I owe a lot of my self-proclaimed success to two things...

Emily, at Cupcakes and Cashmere has an excellent post on The Modern Cheese Plate. And her finished product is pretty beautiful...makes me have some serious cheese envy...

(Photo from Cupcakes and Cashmere)

Natalie, at Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers also makes some killer cheese plates. I would highly recommend following her on Instagram, @snoopnattynat. I love her post on creating the perfect happy hour spread...and her photos can't lie...these are perfection!

Photo from Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers

Here are a few of the tips that I have found to be very helpful:

1. Choose a good serving piece as your backdrop. I love using a big wooden board (like a bread board...), or a nice white platter. If I know I'm going to have a lot going on in terms of food, I try to keep the serving piece neutral.

2. Limit your large ingredients. I used to make cheese boards with like five different types of cheese...I have since learned to stick with only two or three and let the garnishes really dress everything else up. 

3. Try to include at least one garnish item that is tart, one that is sweet, and something that is salty. For instance, I love to put pickled okra and olives for something tart, almonds for something salty, and grapes and fig preserves for something sweet.

4. Table water crackers are kind of a must have. They are a great base for all cheeses and can handle all sorts of flavors. That said, I also try to include a wheat or flaxseed cracker as well.

5. Go ahead and cut up some of the cheese. I think it gives some people anxiety to be the first person to "dig in" to a big block of cheese...help a sister out, and cut or even break off a few pieces.

6. Think about texture when you put it all together. You want a cheese that is soft, a cheese that is hard, something crunchy like a cracker or a cornichon, something soft like figs, and something with a little punch, like grapes or apples. 

To get you started...here are a few serving platters I love...happy styling (and more importantly...eating...)

Fall Trends: Field Jacket

I am really starting to crave fall weather...and, white girl that I am, the pumpkin spice latte, yoga pants, boots, etc.

All of that said, I'm actually most excited about dark nail polish, skinny jeans, and field jackets...seriously, I'm obsessed. I recently added this beauty to my closet...

Perfection, yes?

Field jackets seem to be all the rage for fall and I can't wait for the opportunity to wear mine! Unfortunately, South Carolina weather only begins to cool enough for a jacket by late October so I've still got some waiting to do...BUT in the meantime, if you don't have one...here are a few of my favorites.

And let's be honest...who wasn't excited about the announcement of Pumpkin Spice M&Ms???

What trends are you looking forward to rocking this fall?

Baby Essentials: Part 1

Now that we're seven months into this whole parenting thing...and we are definitely thriving, versus just surviving (which we were doing just a few short months ago...) I thought it was time to give you a run down of some of our favorite baby essentials!

The Boppy Newborn Lounger

This was perfect for me in Chandler's first few months. 

She could be close by, but I could still get things done!

Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Carseat and Caddy

We are still loving the Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Carseat and up until very recently, we also loved the Chicco Keyfit Caddy, snap and go stroller. I kept the Caddy in the back of my car and it was perfect for running errands. The only reason we aren't using it now, is that Chandler prefers to sit up now and can safely ride in the grocery cart, or one of her other strollers (I have a stroller obsession...)

BOB Revolution Flex

This stroller is one we could not live without...even now. We are big walkers and runners at our house and this stroller is perfect for both of those activities. We got an adapter for our infant seat to use when Chandler was a teeny baby, but now she rides in the stroller sitting up and she is happy, even for an hour long walk! We have taken this stroller to the zoo, the beach, it goes everywhere!

The Boon Patch Drying Rack and Accessories

This drying rack is cute, easy to use and clean, and perfect for our windowsill over our kitchen sink. We have actually gotten compliments on how cute it is!

Okay, by now you are bored with our baby favorites, but we have more! Stay tuned for round two!!!

theSkimm

So I found out about this little gem a couple of years ago...and I'm ashamed it has taken me so long to pass this info along!

I started subscribing to theSkimm about two years ago and I seriously look forward to reading it every week day morning. 

It's a newsletter, delivered to your e-mail inbox each weekday, that summarizes the big things happening in the news. The authors are witty, sarcastic, and most importantly, they get to the point. I feel like I know what's going on in the world without having to spend 30 minutes watching TV or reading on the internet. 

If you're looking for a great way to stay up to date on current events, without a whole lot of effort...this is for you!

I'm hoping to become a "Skimm-bassador" so if you want to get the news, sign up here using my link!

http://www.theskimm.com/?r=2ASHA

Life Lately

Where has the summer gone! I owe you a six month post on our sweet Chandler and so many other updates! In the meantime, here are a few snaps from our summer...starting solids, swimming lessons, riding in the grocery cart, and more...

Our little one has quite the silly personality and Adam and I say every day that this 

has been the best yet! 

Avocado mustache

First Sunday outing to Mass...first...and only...
maybe we're not quite ready yet...

Play date with our sweet friend

Grocery store adventures...Publix has so much to look at!

Prunes...everywhere...like literally, everywhere...

Sleepy girl after swimming lessons

Getting ready for the pool

Nap time paci princess with her treasures...

Learning to float! (Photo courtesy of Stephen Padgett)

Happy stroller!

One of the many faces of Chan...she keeps us laughing for sure!

Post bath snuggles

Shirtless Sunday....

Happy Shopper!

Sweet baby girl, sporting a vintage frock...circa when Mommy was a baby...

She's getting to be quite the little ham!

More to come...I promise!

J. Crew SHOPMORE Sale

Speaking of end of summer sales...

J.Crew's fall looks and end of summer looks are making me lust for cooler weather, boots, and of course, the standard pumpkin spice latte.

Check out the J. Crew sale today! Purchases of $200 or more get 30% off and $100 or more get 25% off...it's a great time to get a few of my favorites! Enter code SHOPMORE at checkout for your discount!

Here are a few of my favorites!

Recent Scores from the Loft

I've been trying to hold back on shopping, but lately these end of summer sales have been killing me! So, I finally caved. I picked up some really cute tops at the Loft. They are perfect to dress up my mom uniform of denim shorts...or on an extra special day, white denim shorts! I've been wearing the heck out of these three tops. The prices are GREAT, and you know the Loft, if it's not on sale now, just wait a few days and it will be!

I'm also really getting excited about fall clothes and once again, the Loft does not disappoint. Here are a few of my fall favorites:

Happy Shopping!