{weekend} lovelies

 

 

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

 

Hi, Everyone! The weekend is finally here! The Fourth of July is next week…. {it’s so hard to believe}! We decided it’s high time to prepare for the upcoming holiday! It is after all, one of our favorites! For further inspiration, visit our ‘American Sparkle’ board on Pinterest {image above via: glitter guide, tumblr}! Have a lovely weekend! {xo}

 

Desserts for your Celebration // Martha Stewart

1. Red, White & Blue Berry Trifle| 2. Independence Icebox Cake | 3. No Cook Cheesecake | 4. Vanilla Raspberry Sundae’s yum x 4! 

   [Read more…]

Panzanella Salad

 

:: Panzanella Salad ::

It just doesn’t get much easier {or tastier}, than this healthy summer salad! Panzanella Salad is my absolute FAVORITE dish to serve to friends… whether I’m taking it to their house, or hosting a summer playdate in my own home. It’s also the perfect meal to bring for a picnic lunch or concert in the park! 

There is some chopping of fresh veggies involved, the making of a simple homemade vinaigrette dressing, and a little toasting of french bread in a frying pan with a drizzle of olive oil… but the steps are super basic {you could even get the kids to help you toss it all together}! In under thirty minutes… you will have a scrumptious, fresh, tangy, and crisp bread salad to enjoy!

This recipe has always gotten rave reviews… but the best part is that you can easily customize it to your own taste! For example… love a greek salad? Just add in some chopped olives and feta cheese! For my husby, I omitted the red onion and added avocado slices. Any way that you do it… it comes out perfectly fresh and delectable! The combination of flavors is seriously… mouthwatering! [Read more…]

Book Review

 

:: Book Review ::

 

A Book Review for summer reading could not have come at a better time! Summer and reading go hand-in-hand. Thank goodness for Kimberly {over at Book Reader Chronicles}, for all of her lovely reviews. She keeps us informed with books that are popular, and even features up-and-coming authors that are developing book series’. This month is a special edition to the Sylvia Day review she shared with us a couple months back. Here is an inside look into the newest edition to The Cross Fire Series, with a bonus interview with author, Sylvia Day! Enjoy!

 

 

[Read more…]

Picnic Favorites

  

 

 

We completely *love* picnics {my husby actually proposed to me during one on the cliffs of Laguna Beach}! They’re perfect for an afternoon of much needed family-time or a date with your special someone!

We searched high & low for the best quality products that are also lovely to gaze at! These eight made it onto our “Picnic Favorites!” If you’re not shopping for yourself, any one of these would also make a charming hostess gift, or summer wedding present!  [Read more…]

{weekend} lovelies

 

{image via: the jew in jcrew, tumblr}

 

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

Whoo Hoo! School’s out for Summer! Although fabulous to have a break from the normal school routine, it’s usually a bittersweet time for us parents, right?! I mean, let’s be honest… the kids are home around the clock so there can be a lot of sibling bickering going on and requests to play on electronic devices or watch television. If you’re anything like Nicole and I…. you are wondering how you’re going to keep screen time to a minimum, and instead, actively engage their minds with something more worthwhile! This Weekend Lovelies is dedicated to just that! You will find several amazing links for outdoor activities, kid-friendly recipe ideas, DIY play projects, and much more! Enjoy, friends…. and have the loveliest weekend! {xo} [Read more…]