Off to the Races

It's pool season. Summertime sweat, cool cocktail, sunscreen weather. So I thought we would brighten up your Monday with some swimwear. Athletic chic has been a big trend this year and it easily applies to swim. Today we're looking at racerback swimsuits. Sporty and perfect for summer.

Macy's, Jessica Simpson Printed Racerback Bikini Top, $46

I love this print but I also love all the colors in the print. You can mix and match solid bottoms with any of the colors in this suit.

Tommy Hilfiger, Racerback Malliot, $79

The classic prep of Tommy does not disappoint with this sporty suit.

Old Navy, Women's Racerback, Bikini Top, $9

Gotta love the price point and all of the color options from Old Navy.

Loft, Beach Lanai Blouson One Piece, $89

Best for last, ladies. A blousy one piece that covers everything you want in a stunning print.

The racerback trend works for anyone, even us non-sporty folks. I love it for the pool, on an exotic vacation, and anything in-between.

Be fabulous today!

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Friday Foodday

It's Friday lovebugs,

Here are my favorite recipes this week.

Basil Cucumber Gin Cooler

c/o Skinny Taste

Ingredients

• 2-inch piece of cucumber, peeled and chopped
• 1 tsp grated lemon zest
• 2 fresh basil leaves
• 1 tsp agave nectar
• 1 1/2 oz gin
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ice cubes
• splash of seltzer
• 1 thin slice lemon, for garnish
• 1 thin slice cucumber, for garnish

Directions

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the chopped cucumber, lemon zest, basil and agave.

Add the gin. lemon juice and ice cubes and stir 10 seconds. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice cubes and top with seltzer. Garnish with lemon and cucumber and serve.

Loaded Cauliflower Salad

c/o Closet Cooking

Ingredients

• 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bit sized florets
• 4 strips bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 green onions, sliced
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Cook the cauliflower in the microwave or steam it or roast it until tender and let it cool.
2. Cook the bacon, let drain on paper towels and cool before crumbling.
3. Mix everything and enjoy!

Nutter Butter Nutella Icebox Cake

c/o Lauren's Latest

Ingredients

2-8 oz packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
13 oz. container Nutella
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
28 nutter butters
1/2 cup cold milk

topping:
whipped cream
chocolate sauce
chopped nutter butters

Directions

Line a 9x9 glass dish with plastic wrap and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until smooth. Stir in Nutella, scrape sides and mix again. Add in heavy cream and whip 2 minutes or until very thick.

Dip Nutter Butters in milk and line the bottom with cookies. Top with half the nutella mixture and repeat the layers of cookies and cream one more time. Top with extra chopped nutter butters and refrigerate covered 12 hours or overnight.

To serve, loosen edges of cake with butter knife and remove using the extra plastic wrap sides around the edges. Cut into pieces and top with cream and chocolate sauce.

Opal-eese

Let's play with a fine stone. It's almost Friday, I think we have earned some pretty things. Let's look at some opal. I love this stone because it comes in so many different color variations. I particularly like the milk opal. The creamy stone with flecks of pink and green when the light hits it just right.

Need Supply, Tiny Marquis Ring, $70

Minimalistic but so pretty. I love the rose gold.

Baublebar, Malisandre Stud Earrings, $32

A beautiful cluster for a stud earring. Busy but not heavy.

White House Black Market, White Opal Teardrop Necklace, $24

On a hot summer day, who wouldn't want this frosty necklace around their neck?

Bloomingdale's, Rebecca Minkoff Two Stone Cuff, $98

Simple, bold, and unassuming. Very cool.

What do you think about opal? If you love it, what shade or type is your favorite? This milky hue goes with everything in my closet.

Be fabulous today!

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Not Fashion

I'm going to be honest, I love blogging about fashion. It's amazing, otherwise I wouldn't do it five days a week, 52 weeks per year. But sometimes I come across pretty things that you can't wear. Today I wanted to take a breather from fashion and show a set of things that have nothing to do with one another, but I think they are pretty and fun.

First row: one/two/three
Second row: one/two/three

Be fabulous today!

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