Turkey Day Eve

Happy Turkey Day Eve everyone! Are we all ready to savor in all the Thanksgiving foods tomorrow? I know I am. I will have my stretchy pants all ready to go. Because for me, Thanksgiving is all about comfort and the side dishes. Yup, that's right. I could eat a full plate of just sides if you let me. I little mashed potatoes & gravy, corn, biscuits and the stuffing. Oh, the stuffing that my family makes is simply THE best. Unrivaled by any other stuffing I've ever eaten. I can't wait for it :) Can you tell I'm just a little excited for it? Followed by a carb induced coma on the couch, while watching football, by the fire. Heaven I tell you!

| Details |

J Crew j crew top / Sweater / Grey shirt / Helmut Lang black stretch pants / Minnetonka brown suede shoes, $145 / J Crew j crew scarf / Sweet Potato Pie Thanksgiving Collection

Do what will you be wearing tomorrow for Thanksgiving dinner?
Do you dress it up or keep it comfy? 

xo Steph

Don't Forget About Thanksgiving

So are you one to decorate for Thanksgiving or have you already fast-forwarded to Christmas? Confession: one of my biggest pet peeves is putting your Christmas stuff up for Thanksgiving. What happened to Thanksgiving? When did Thanksgiving become the red headed step child of holidays that gets no love? Thanksgiving for me has always been one of my favorite holidays as a kid, so I think its important to give it it's day, complete with festive, harvesty decor and enjoy the day for what it is: being thankful! And don't worry, I have NO problem breaking out the Christmas stuff on black friday. In fact, we're going out as a family to get our Christmas tree on Friday. Just like the Griswald family cutting down their tree. Let's just hope Todd and Margo don't spoil all our fun ; )

all original sources can be found on my Thanksgiving board on my Pinterest page : )

 | Decor |

1. spray leaves gold and write names for pretty name cards

2. gold leaves also look gorgeous on white pumpkins

3. LOVE this entryway with the cornstalks, mums, and pumpkins galore

4. baskets of pumpkins and gourds for simple arrangements

5. stencil "give thanks" on a white pumpkin

6. love this thankful burlap banner

 7. frame printables in simple frames

8. Thanksgiving sangria

9. These Thanksgiving plates are adorable

10. use candles and bittersweets for decor

| Make Yearly Traditions |

11. make a pumpkin "snow man" with the kids and have a contest to see who builds the best one

12. make someone wear the turkey hat for whoever shows up the latest to the party

13. have a pumpking smashing party after dinner to work off that turkey coma. Plus its a fun way to symbolically go out with the pumpkins and in with the pine trees : )

So do you all decorate for Thanksgiving or have you turned your house into a winter wonderland already?

xo Steph

Halloween Recap

Keeping my promise over here and sharing some of my Halloween pics from the weekend :) So first off, you know D and I LOVE Halloween. Well actually, I love Halloween and D inadvertently had to either start loving it or, well, start loving it. Needless to say, he's on board for dressing up for Halloween for the rest of our years. And I love that!

But here is the unveiling of our 2014 costume. And no, we are not an Italian stereotype and a artsy hipster. 

We are Rocky and Adrian from…….Rocky!

"YOOOOOO Adriannnn!!"

And for those of you who are not familiar with the movie or reference, here is a picture below from the original Rocky movie we were trying to channel. Usually when people do Rocky costumes, they do the typical "Rocky in his boxing gear" or "Rocky in his work out gray sweatpants." As for Adrian, who ever dresses up as Adrian? Well I do because if you know the movie, Adrian is pretty kick ass. So we went as Rocky in his sweet leather jacket and mousey "pet shop" Adrian, complete with short hair and cat eye glasses. Shown below :)

Of course our chalkboard wall had to get some love too.

Halloween in HoBOOken :)

Group shot before we went out. We had a birthday girl and her piñata, Rocky and Adrian, and Goose from Top Gun.

Check out D's shiner I gave him. 

it's pretty amazing what you can do with a little purple eye shadow!

This was one of our easiest Halloween costumes to date. I owned all the clothes to make my costume, and D's pieces were all straight out of my dad's closet haha. I was really worried a lot of people wouldn't "get" who we were -- because let's face it, if we weren't standing together the costume doesn't make sense. But surprisingly we got soooo many compliments and people just loved it!

So how was your Halloween? I'm always a little bummed when it's over, but at the same time the trifecta of holidays for me is just beginning. Now on to Thanksgiving……

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

Stars & Stripes

You know I love any excuse to dress festive and July 4th is right around the corner. This look is perfect for a casual backyard BBQ, day at the beach or boardwalk, or laying out at the park. This year D's mom invited us down to her shore house in LBI (Long Beach Island) and we were pumped because it would be the perfect getaway for us since all the engagement hoopla. Did I just say hoopla? Anyway, going down the shore for a few days sounded perfect complete with lounging out on the deck, and eating fresh crab legs and drinking ice cold coronas with the ocean breezes wafting through the air…..until we forgot we had a dog and, what are we going to do with her??

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Frayed denim shorts / Tory Burch leather thong sandals / Tory Burch genuine leather backpack / Alex and Ani wire bracelet / Yellow gold jewelry / Ray-Ban aviator style sunglasses / Sole Society black straw fedora / Burt s Bees lip gloss makeup / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics spray perfume / Deborah Lippmann matte finish nail polish / OPI thin nail polish, / Essie nail polish / Usa flag shirt

With our recent engagement-moon to AC, we dropped Tiki off at my parents house for what I like to call, "Tiki's vacationing at her country estate." While she loves it there, she is a sensitive dog who is very attached to us. We couldn't possibly ship her out again. And putting her in a kennel is out of the question for this pampered pooch. She wouldn't last a day there! So sadly unless we come up with some magical solution, we will be bumming around town for the 4th. Luckily, there is always something to do, so we might lay out at the park, hit up some food truck and try to catch the fireworks over the Hudson River. I guess plan B isn't too shabby.

So what are you all planning to do for the 4th?

xo Steph

Happy Birthday Dad!

Life doesn't come with an instruction book - that's why we have fathers.

And this couldn't be more true. So I just wanted to take this time and say Happy Birthday Dad! {and happy early father's day}. To the man who taught me how to ride a bike, drive a car, and everything in between -- I am so grateful and blessed to have such a strong and loving role model in my life. 

So cheers to you dad, and we'll be celebrating this weekend : )

xo Steph, D and Tiki too.

Remember when it was Memorial Day Weekend?

And remember when I stayed on top of blogging? Yeah, me neither. Ugh, maybe I have caught a case of spring fever but my head has been in the clouds. I feel like the students I counsel….totally counting down the last days of school, which is 16, but who really keeps track of that stuff. Anyway, finally getting around to sharing MDW pics which included a Mets game with the whole family (starting to be a new tradition), a friend's 30th birthday on the water at this fabulous restaurant, and some BBQ action at my parents house in the country. It couldn't have been a more perfect, and busy, weekend :)

Big apple home run. One of the first dates D ever took me on was to a Mets game (great seats behind the dug out) so we really was aiming to impress! So this holds a special place in our hearts.

I'm not sure this Corona is big enough. What do you think?

I guess we cleared out the whole nose bleed section, huh?

the moment we found out we were both Mets fan we knew it was true love.

We bonded over a lifetime of disappointment and losing. 

Me and my momma.

Bunch of crazzzzy people we are. And I love every second of it!

Like sister like brother I guess.

After the game, even though we were exhausted we headed to my friend's birthday where we, well…..had a blast. And maybe a few too many drinks too! 

Reminiscing and catching up with your girlfriends is sooooo necessary. 

Also went a little out of my comfort zone with my saturday night look. Sorry for the poor quality of this photo but I wanted to share my out of the ordinary (for me) look.

Because it rained at the Mets game, my hair was a hot mess when I got home. Rather than take on that nasty battle with my straightener, I decided to work with the natural texture (and the braid I had in all day) and I think it came out pretty cute.  I felt very Carrie Bradshaw….a little wild and sassy. And add the red lips and it was all over ;)

On Sunday I went home to PA to grill at my parents house. The boys played golf and the girls got manis and shopped. Just the way I like it!

Again, sorry for the lack of blogging. Once the school year comes to a close I hope to kick up my blogging like….full time! Stay tuned :)

xo Steph

Weekend Recap

How was everyone's Mother's Day weekend? Here in Jersey we couldn't have gotten nicer weather. If anything, it started getting a little hot in the sun! Luckily, we had outdoor reservations in a nice shaded spot on the waterfront so it turned out to be the perfect day! Even more perfect, I had my mom and D's mom there - so it was such a nice afternoon :)

 me and my momma down at the waterfront.

 Mother's Day lunch was at a restaurant called Little Town, NJ. Fun Fact: for anyone who watches The Real Housewives of New Jersey (guilty!) Caroline Manzo's sons own this restaurant. I've actually seen them there a few times but they weren't there on sunday. A cool thing about this place is all their food is locally grown and sourced from New Jersey. And the bar is stocked with only local Jersey craft beers and wines. #jerseystrong

love him!

I even got a Mother's Day card from Tiki!! (You're cute D!)

After lunch we took a walk on the river for some frozen yogurt and people watching.

With two of my favorite ladies, Momma D and Momma G :)

 my parents :)

And to top it all off….my best friend had her baby on Thursday. 

I'm officially an aunt!! I can't wait to meet this little peanut and so excited for her to celebrate her first mother's day!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

xo Steph

Entertain: Host a Mother's Day Brunch

It's a funny thing about Mother's Day. Most moms I know like a big "ta-do" for their special day. Taking them out to a nice lunch (which is what I'll be doing for my momma and D's mom) or hosting a special event at home. The key is attention to detail! Where on the flip side, Father's Day usually consists of a low key day at home grilling (with Dad in charge of the grill of course) and beers on the patio. Why is that? Is anyone else's family like that? Maybe dads in general are more simple and don't like a lot of fuss? Anyway, I put together some inspiration for hosting a mother's day brunch of your own. I actually put these ideas together last year, so they are the perfect #tbt.  All original ideas can be found {here} on my {pinterest} page.

1. bright & colorful flowers are a must (tulips are my pick)

2 have an arrangement of various teas and display them in a pretty way

3. Momma's day chalk board art -- love this song : )

When it comes to breakfast/brunch food, I'm one of those people who can never decide if they want a sweet or savory choice. Egg and bacon or french toast -- I just can't decide!! The ultimate food dilemma. So why not have both? A little it of everything we surely please all hungry bellies.

4.  Bloody mary shooters garnished with shrimp 

(sans alcohol for my momma who doesn't drink)

5. Egg and bacon mini cups - why haven't I thought of this?

6. Nutella & strawberry french toast. 

I have died and gone to heaven

7. Fruit & munchkin skewers because, well they're too stinkin' cute not to have.

We're almost at the weekend folks!

xo Steph

Entertain: Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Happy Cinco de Mayo people! A holiday devoted to eating Mexican food and drinking Corona -- I can get down with that! So of course, I need to share some party inspirations because, we all know I love to plan a festive and fabulous party. I swear, I live for holidays and theme parties -- why can't they be every day? Anyway here are some inspiration photos I pulled together from {Pinterest}. If you want to recreate a Cinco de Mayo party like this yourself, all original sources can be found {here}.

1. Festive chalkboard -- "Fiesta like there's no Manana"

2. Colorful plates

3. Fresh pico de gallo

4. Pink Grapefruit margaritas

5. Homemade guacamole served in a (mortar and pestle here)

8. Mexican corn with a squeeze of lime

7. Taco Bar chalkboard art

8. Ombre garlands for decor

9. mmmmm Taaaacos

10. Pinata cookies -- amazing.

11. Fuchsia peonies for pops of color

12. Stocked bar, including San Pellegrino (one of my new favs)

13. Margarita Lime cupcakes

I'm be sure to enjoy a Corona Light with lime and some fresh guac today to make my Monday afternoon a little more special.

What are your fun Cinco De Drinko plans for today?

xo Steph