Our Engagement Party

Well how about it….I am FINALLY getting around to sharing some pics from our engagement party that our wonderful families threw for us. This was waaayyyy back in October and we had such a lovely time. We only invited close local family and our friends who were in our wedding party. We wanted to keep the night intimate where we could just focus on food, family and fun. 

the future Mr. & Mrs. D. Complete with crystal stemware, so fancy.

I also knew I wanted to use this party as a time to ask my girls, well rather pop the question if they would be my bridesmaids. Not all my bridesmaids could come, since they are scattered all over the place, but I did infact, pop the big question to my ladies who were there.

Each got a little box with their name on it, a card from me, a mini bottle of wine, some yummy chocolates, a fun Essie nail polish, and cake batter flavored (yes, you heard that right!) chapstick. Just some little goodies to make the night more special.

I also saw this adorable idea of Etsy with diamond ring shaped toothpicks, that when popped on the top of a doughnut, make them look like little diamond rings. So cute right? I had a platter set out of apple cider donuts (because it was October) a we snapped the cute pic above!

I got to spend time with my girlfriends, some who I don't get to see very often so it was really a nice night.

D serenaded me with songs as D does on more than one occasion ;)

 And overall it was such a lovely night. Our families have already gotten to know each other over the years since we've been together for a while, and because they get along so well, everyone had a blast. Some may have even had a little too much to drink! ;) When people have to spend the night at your place unexpectedly because they may have indulged in a few too many libations, you know it's been a great night! 

xo Steph

Life Lately: Summer Stragglers

Cleaning out the iPhone, I found a bunch of summer stragglers that I'd thought I could share on the blog. Old pics from a vintage car show D and I went to with his family, and old recipe I intended to share on the blog, and other random stuff. So enjoy this post of complete randomness.

A few weeks ago at the Monmouth Race Track Vintage car show. I say we bring back the days of the drive-in movie? How charming is this little tray of drive-in food. Who's with me??

I think red might be his color :)

And then I forgot to share this recipe for marinated pork chops, which by the way, was banging!! It was kind of like a mix of tangy BBQ/Asian inspired. I usually never cook pork (I don't know why, just always stick with chicken) and I rarely play around with making my own marinades. But to avoid the dinner blahs I got bored and found this marinade recipe on pinterest -- and it was a total hit! Not only was it delicious and D and I both loved it, but I had all the ingredients on hand to make the marinade/sauce. So it was soooooo simple. I'm hoping to make this recipe again with chicken, and making extra sauce to to drizzle on top of veggies or my mashed cauliflower shown here. 

 Did I mention mashed cauliflower is the most amazing substitute for mashed potatoes?? It's the easiest thing ever, and guilt free when I feel like I want to carboload on a big bowl of mashed potatoes. A big bowl of mashed cauliflower seems like the perfect option!

 Breaded chicken cutlets topped with fresh arugula, fresh mozzarella, roma tomatoes and drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette. I got this dish titled "Chicken Guiseppe" the other day while dining with some girlfriends and I became obsessed.  This is on my to-do list of dishes to recreate at home. 

I also polished the entire thing off :)

 Super moon over NYC.

Does anyone else's dog like to spoon? Or is my dog the only weirdo??

But I have to admit, she is one of the best snuggle partners you will ever meet!!

Happy Monday friends!

xo Steph

How I've been Spending my Summer Days

I've been vary fortunate to have time off this summer from work (ahhhh the perks of working in a school) so I've been using that time to catch up with friends, eat lots of good food, and visit with some of my friend's new born babies. It serisouly been the summer of babies I tell you!! Anyway, here's a little peak of what's been going on around here. 

I took a trip up to CT and finally got a chance to visit my best friend's baby. Isn't he just the cutest?? 

He has years of spoiling ahead from this auntie ;)

Also took a trip out to the country of New Jersey (yes, there is country/farm land in New Jersey) to visit with another friend and her new little one. This one called for some vino out on the deck on this lovely summer afternoon. 

 What a doll this little one is!

D and I have taken some random trips into the city for day dates. We stopped at this cute little cafe near his office that serves all locally grown and sourced veggies. So I had this little platter of all veggies (garlic mashed potatoes are veggies you know!) for dinner with a nice glass of white wine.

I could totally be a vegetarian if all my meals looked like this.

Bar wisdom.

Ain't that the truth!

Dinner with my college girls. Love getting together with them as if no time has passed!

So how have you been spending these last days of summer?

xo Steph

Birthday Week, and being MIA

It's been my birthday week this past week (yes, I do an entire week, don't judge me!) and I have to say 31 hasn't been so bad! In fact, 31 is feeling like it's going to be a good year. Here's a recap of what I've been up to lately.

Fact: Funfetti cupcakes are a perfectly suitable breakfast item on your birthday. It's weird because I don't typically like cake, but put me around a funfetti cupcake (or any cupcake in general) and all bets are off! Thanks momma for make these for me! My actual birthday, since it was a Monday, was pretty low key. D brought me home flowers and we got sushi take out for dinner which is pretty amazing.

Birthdays for me also tend to feel like New Years, complete with setting new resolution and goals for yourself. For me? Get back in shape!! Why is this so hard for me to do? Oh I remember why. Because I love to eat food and strongly dislike working out. Killer combo, I know. So on my birthday I got all revved up and cleaned out my fridge, making sure it was packed with fruits and veggies and greek yogurt to keep me on track. Please disregard the bottom shelf full of beer. Old habits die hard. You can take the girl out of college, but you can't take college out of the girl :)

On Wednesday of birthday week, D and I headed to Brooklyn to see John Legend in concert. Ummm, he is awesome. The concert was amazing, and Mr. Legend has this gift of turning a huge arena into what feels like an intimate setting. D and I had a great time and was even debating on potential wedding songs. We had a bet that if we heard our "favorite song" that night, we would make it our song. He didn't play it (damn you John Legend!) - but we might just choose it anyway.

Also, concert going already took the healthy eating lifestyle off track…..that very same night I gave my fridge a makeover. #FAIL #fatkidproblems

On a side note, these loaded nachos were in fact, worth it. 

Feeling kinda corny when having dinner at a friend's house. This is what happens when you have too much wine.

 Just yesterday was my "Sunday Funday Birthday" day drinking party at Pier 13 in Hoboken. It was a suuuuuper hot day, but overall a beautiful one. We had a great turn out (thanks to all my friends and family who came out!!) You all know how to make a girl feel special! ;)

It was soooo hot I felt like I was literally melting. I had my hair all cute and curled when I showed up, but up it went because of the stifling heat. My God, the heat.

Me, D, my brother and his gf Jenn

 Me and my girl Colleen. 16 + years of friendship.

So that's what I've been kind of up to lately. D and I have also been doing some wedding planning (still looking for a venue and "setting a date") and also dabbled in some house hounding. On top of all that, him and I are even toying with the idea of picking up and moving somewhere else. So stay tuned as that all develops. Until then……I promise I'll be back to blogging more! ;)

Happy Monday friends! 

xo Steph

Love Lately: Summer Edition

The thing I love about summer most (other than my birthday) is that things just move a little slower. Everything is approached with an easy breezy laid back approach. I guess I could say the same thing for me and blogging lately….I must be in summer mode! Anyway, I wanted to share some of my current favorite summer things that help me enjoy this blissful and worry free season.

1. Detox Spa Water. This is my favorite go-to drink for the summer, and I drink it alllll dayyyyy loooong. It's simply water infused with lemons, cucumbers and fresh mint leaves…..but the result is so incredibly refreshing and hydrating, you can't help but guzzling it down by the gallon all day. To make it even easier (for those who hate drinking water) make a huge pitcher for the whole day and leave it on your kitchen counter or somewhere else you pass by frequently. Make sure you keep filling up every time you pass by. For me, using straws always makes me drink more too. So find a fun adult sippy cup and get to hydrating and feeling like you're at the day spa :)

2. Summer brights. I am obsessed with this bright coral/turquoise scarf I picked up on clearance at Old Navy. It looks so cute with my black maxi dress here, or even a crisp white tank or tee, jean shorts and flip flops. I also love when my mani inadvertently matches my outfit. It's the little things people.

3. Nail Polish Rotation. Being newly engaged, I have been loving getting fresh manicures even more. People are always asking to see your ring, so you can't have your nails and cuticles looking like a hot mess. Plus it's fun for me to see which colors look best with my ring (hmmm, pretty much all the colors) but these are my current favorites in rotation. All of which look pretty with a tan. 

Deborah Lippman Break 4 Love // Essie Fiji // Essie Go Ginza // Deborah Lippman Tip Toe Through the Tulips

 4. New Planners and Organizers. I have always been a nerd when it comes to getting new school supplies, and especially getting my new planner every year. I am a planner at heart. D usually tells me I plan to much (ex. already getting excited about fall) and that I need to live more in the moment. He may be right, but old habits die hard. I am very particular about planners (it has to have the perfect layout and function just-so for me) so often times I can't find what I want. I finally splurged on the  Day Designer, which does just that, designs your day. It was created for creative entrepreneurs in mind. I mean look at the black and white stripes? So me! In particular, there is a full page each day for you to map out your day and maximize your productivity. I got the August edition since I'm a school counselor and always function on the academic calendar and I am OBSESSED. Once I start using it I will definitely be doing a full tutorial. Also, got a pretty yet functional pink rubber case for my iPad mini. The OCD person in me even organized all my apps on different pages including personal, blogging, school counselor, and wedding planning. I feel so organized and alive my friends!

 5. Summer Gear. I can't wait to use this adorable crocheted top from F21 for my next beach trip. Paired with little denim shorts and it's just too cute. Along with the outfit includes my bronzer and bronzing shimmer from Victoria's Secret, Frederic Fekkai's summer hair, and Eternity Summer perfume (last years edition). Still haven't gotten around to smelling this years bottle. 

 6. Summer scents. I love doing one big summer scent haul at Bath & Body works to get my apartment smelling like my own personal beach paradise. My newest favorite is this Peach Cilantro Twist scented candle. Not only does this smell fresh and amazing (cilantro fan here!) but the pretty packaging, font and colors will always win me over. 

 7. Summer flip flops. I usually treat myself to a new pair of flip flops every summer, not so much because I want to, but because last years are so beaten up and worn out I have to. My pick this year were these gold Tory Burch studded one and I adore them because they pretty much go with anything. They are neutral yet have some shimmer to keep them interesting. 

8. Mojitos! Did you know last week there was National Mojito Day? Yeah, me neither until I was at happy hour in the city and drank 3 of these bad boys. I'm also a weirdo who doesn't like rum, so I always ask to have my mojitos made with vodka. Don't judge, it's just my thing. I also got a watermelon flavored one…..and I'm pretty sure this is my official summer drink :)

Well that's all I've got for now. I can't believe my birthday is only 2 weeks away and I haven't planned anything yet….I'm totally off my game this year! Maybe we'll just be playing things low key since we're currently trying to save our money for some bigger expenses coming up!

So what are the summery things you're loving lately?

xo Steph

Our July 4th in Photos

How was everyone's July 4th weekend? Wonderful I hope! Surprisingly enough, D and I did in fact make it down the shore to his mom's beach house. Somehow there wasn't much traffic on the roads....I guess we were the only crazies who thought driving to the jersey shore on July 4th during a hurricane was a good idea. But we made it, only to have our first day there spent in doors, hitting up the local diner, drinking wine and playing many, many games of Trivial Pursuit to pass the time!

rocking my stars and stripes -- love you America! xo

We finally got some quality beach time -- pretty much all that next Saturday. The beach was mobbed with people everywhere since July 4th was spent in doors watching Hurricane Arthur put a damper on things.

One of my FAVORITE things to do in LBI is stopping at Pinky's. Their seafood is a staple for me and D every year. Their fresh snow crab legs are ahhhh-mazing and one of those little things we look forward to every summer. They are a little on the pricey side, so they are certainly a treat. And of course the place looks like a little hole in the wall joint, but those places always have the best food. Ammiright?

 

there is simply nothing better than fresh snow crab legs, fresh jersey corn and an ice cold Corona with lime -- all enjoyed while sitting on your shore house deck. #heaven

fireworks were the next night (again with stupid Hurricane Arthur) but it was so cool because we didn't even have to go into town to see them. We got the best seats in the house (aka the shore house deck). It doesn't get any more perfect than that!

On the way home we stopped at one of those road side farmer's market stands to get some fresh fruits and veggies. There is seriously nothing better than Jersey corn or Jersey tomatoes.

D as he carefully inspects each ear of corn. Me on the other hand was just throwing them in the basket!

Gotta support our local farmers -- always eat local when you can! 

#jerseyfresh

I hope everyone had an awesome weekend -- here's to many more weekends at the beach! 

xo Steph