Picnic Perfect

Summer means many things: BBQ, late nights, sundresses and sandals. Another thing that also reminds me of summer is gingham. Gingham is the quintessential summer pattern, but we also think of gingham as a button down shirt. Let's expand what you know about gingham with picks that are anything but ordinary.

Gap, Gingham Oxford Shirtdress, $59

I really love this mint dress. It's an unexpected light color and you can swap out the belt with your own neon pop of color.

Shopbop, Joa Gingham Skirt, $66

How sweet is this mini? It's just screaming for an espadrille and a pastel purse.

Loft, Gingham Seersucker Cropped Pants in Julie Fit, $69

A nice hook and eye closure makes these crops better than your average. They have a defined waistband with a great pattern. 

Anthropologie, Gingham Pumps, $99

Picnic perfect heels. Also comes in red.

Gingham is not always your standard button down. Enjoy it on dresses, skirts, shoes, you name it! It screams summer.

Be fabulous today!

Hard Stacked Metal

A beautiful stacked heel is perfect for a playful summer shoe. It's less dramatic than your standard stiletto and much easier to walk in. Today we're looking at some stacked heel metallic sandals that will go with anything in your closet.

Coach, Lexey Heel, $99

Yes that Coach. Run, don't walk. Go get these designer sandals.

Zara, Block Heel Sandal, $39

A sassy and short gold option with a nice ankle strap.

Asos, Hamilton Heeled Sandals, $76

These are my favorite of the bunch. Oh this heel is perfect. And the slope of that sandal. Yes. Just yes. It's part designer, part Studio 54, all fabulous.

Piperlime, Report Adelina, $99

These have a gladiator look to them that I love. You can pair these with a sundress of cut off denim shorts.

A great stacked heel sandal is perfect for summer and there are so many styles to choose from. I love the metallic options because they go with everything.

Be fabulous today!

For A Brighter Tomorrow

Can we talk yellow for a moment. Sorry, hello, how was your weekend? Great? Great. I really feel like yellow is having a moment. It's sunny, bright, eye catching and perfect for a look-at-me dress.

River Island, Yellow Stepped Hem Shift Dress, $80

Can we just look at this structural masterpiece? The tiered cap sleeve, the exposed zipper. This is ready for work, for a night on the town or a wedding depending on your accessories.

Asos, Pencil Dress with Peplum Hem in Scuba, $80

The great this about this ruffle peplum dress is the fabric. It's a scuba fit that will hug you in all of the right places.

Anthropologie, Matepe Dress, $99

And for something a bit more boho, this dress fits the bill. Flowy with a lace detail, this is the perfect summer dress.

Modcloth, A Butter Tomorrow Dress, $69

You may find this simply yellow dress a snooze, but I bed you to look at the back. Boom. The sweetest surprise.

Whether you're looking for a breezy weekend dress or the perfect wedding frock, the yellow dress is going to make your life so much easier.

Be fabulous today!

Friday Foodday

Happy Friday lovebugs, here are my favorite recipes this week.

Peach Pie with Almond Crumble
c/o Love Grows Wild

Ingredients

• Pie:
• 1 refrigerated pie crust (I use Pillsbury)
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar + 2 tablespoons
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 cups peaches, peeled and sliced
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 
  Crumble:
• 1 cup flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• ¼ cup almonds, whole

Directions

1. For the Pie: Place peach slices in a large bowl and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sugar. Gently stir until peaches are evenly coated and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Drain any juices that have collected and toss peach slices with lemon juice. In a large mixing bowl, combine the remaining ⅔ cup sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add peach slices and stir until evenly coated in the sugar mixture.
2. Heat oven to 400ºF. Line a pie pan with the refrigerated pie crust and flute edges, if desired. Spoon peaches into the pastry-lined pie pan and add the crumble topping over the peaches. (see crumble instructions below)
3. Loosely tent pie with foil and bake on the middle oven rack for 45 minutes, removing the foil for the last 15 minutes. Cool pie on a wire rack at least 2 hours before serving.
4. For the Crumble: Add flour and salt to a food processor and pulse until combined. Add brown sugar, butter, and almonds and process again until well combined. Sprinkle almond crumble over the peaches before baking.

Doritos Taco Salad

c/o Emily Bites

Ingredients

• 1 lb 95% lean ground beef
• 1 (1.25 oz) packet reduced sodium taco seasoning
• 1 medium-large head of iceberg lettuce, chopped into bite sized pieces 
• 1 medium-large tomato, diced
• 4 oz 50% less fat or 2% sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 
• 4 oz nacho cheese Doritos, broken up a bit into bite sized pieces
• 1 cup light Catalina or French dressing

Directions

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up into pieces with a wooden spoon. Add the packet of taco seasoning and stir until well coated. Set aside.
2. In a large serving bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and ground beef. When ready to serve, add the Doritos and dressing and toss to coat.

Black Eyed Pea Dip

c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients

•  15 oz canned no salt black eye peas  (Eden)
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
•  3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about  1 1/2 limes)
•  1 tbsp extra virgin olive
•  1 tsp cumin
•  pinch crushed red pepper flakes
•  1/2 tsp kosher salt
•  1 cup cooked corn, fresh or frozen, thawed
•  1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
•  1/4 cup minced red onion, finely diced
•  1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced (optional)
•  1 medium avocado, diced

Directions

Rinse and drain the black eyed peas in a colander. In a large bowl, combine the garlic, lime juice, oil, cumin, crushed red pepper, and salt and mix well.

Add the black-eyed peas, corn, tomato, red onion, jalapeno if using and cilantro; mix well and refrigerate at least 20 minutes. When ready to eat, gently mix in the avocado and serve right away.