A Not-So-Basic Bikini

Hey Cats!

Happy Wednesday! I’m getting a bit of a late start again this week…but this time I really have no excuse. But! At the end of this week (so Friday) I have a HUGE announcement that I cannot wait to share! Eeeeee!! But I’m determined to keep it in until then. So let’s jump right in!

I’m sure some of you may be tired of hearing about my trip to Miami, but honestly, I don’t care because it was fabulous. However, one thing that was not so fabulous was trying to cram all of my clothes into a carry-on. I am a severe over-packer, so even though we were there for just two days, I had trouble deciding what I needed and what I could live without. I mean, I’ve got to have options! One solution to this dilemma? A bikini that you can change every day!

This BeachGal bikini comes with different attachments you can add to shake up your look! Pictured above is the bikini by itself with no attachments, which is a fun, classic look. This is perfect for day one on the beach!

For Day 2, add a fun ruffle to both the top and the bottom- or just one! The attachments snap on quite easily, but hold well enough so you don’t lose a ruffle on the beach- no one wants that.

Looking for a little more bling? This sequin trim is perfect for laying by the pool! Keep in mind that each trim option comes with pieces for both the top and bottom of the bikini. There are also many other colors- black, coral, leopard, and hot pink. I went with Aqua since it matched my floppy hat!

I received this product courtesy of BeachGal Swim in exchange for a review, so I’m going to give my honest opinion. This bikini is very well-made, definitely better quality than the Target swimsuits I own! However, if I were to try it on in the store, I don’t think I would have taken it home with me. The bottoms fit well and have a lot of coverage, but the top did not cover everything the way I would prefer. I’m pretty modest when it comes to swimsuits, and the cut of the top didn’t exactly match my taste. But other than that, I think this is a great concept in swimwear, and is a great option for those of us with Severe Over-Packing Syndrome!

How do you save room in your suitcase? Let me know!

That’s all for meow!

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Recipe: Shrimp & Spinach Summer Salad

Hey Cats!

Happy Wednesday-we’ve made it halfway! I hope everyone is having a great week so far. For me, it’s been busy but happy. Monday night I went to a new Bible study with my friends, and last night was my last Junior League meeting of the year. Tonight I’m at home, and will probably be scrambling to get my life together before I head to the beach on Sunday with my friends! SO EXCITED.

I threw this salad together Sunday night, and it was so yummy that I had it again for lunch on Monday! This weekend, I bought shrimp for dinner for a little something different. However, I asked for 1/4 of a pound, but walked out with 3/4 of a pound, and it was like $9 so I’ve had to get creative to use it all. This is just one way! This meal is perfect for lunch or a summer dinner!

Here’s what you’ll need:

-Spinach

-Shrimp

-Quinoa

-Goat Cheese

-Croutons (optional but delicious)

-Lemon vinaigrette (or whatever dressing you desire)

Since I’m going to assume you all know how to combine ingredients in a bowl to make a salad, I don’t need to include steps. But I will tell you how I cooked my shrimp!

1. Melt 1-2 tablespoons of butter
2. Spread raw shrimp out on a cookie sheet. I got mine from the counter, and went with peeled and de-veined.
3. Pour the butter over the shrimp, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes.
4. Toss until evenly coated
5. Cook at 350 degrees for 7-10 minutes until pink and curly!

So easy, and so quick! Also, the dressing I used was divine. I found it at the grocery store and thought it would be the perfect light addition to my shrimp salad. It’s called Leo’s Lemon & Caper dressing, and is pictured below. I also like Marzetti’s Lemon dressing, or you could make your own! I liked how the taste didn’t overpower everything else in my salad.

That’s all for meow!

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Recipe- Tangy Summer Salad with Salmon

Hey Cats!

Happy Wednesday! This week is both flying and crawling at the same time, if that’s possible. I’ve been trying to eat healthier lately, but it’s also SO HOT in Houston that just the thought of turning the stove on makes me sweat. I typically make a pizza or other fun dinner for myself on the weekend, but after laying out at the pool all day Saturday, I needed something light, but obviously still delicious and filling. So I decided to combine a citrus salmon recipe that I love with a homemade version of my favorite Salata salad. And it was so good I made it without the salmon for lunch until I ran out of kale.

Okay first we need to address this MASSIVE salmon plank. I asked for 4oz, and the little fishmonger just haphazardly whacked off a chunk, weighed it to get the price, and wrapped it up without noticing that it was 6oz. I’m fine with more fish, but I also had to pay more for it, which I wasn’t too pleased about. Also, it was so large that it just fell apart when I tried to plate it, so that’s why it looks kind of sad. But hey, I did the best I could and it’s delicious so that’s all that matters, right?

Here’s what you’ll need:

-1 serving of Honey Garlic Lemon Salmon– this recipe from The Whisking Kitchen is SO good!

-1 cup kale, rinsed and chopped

-1/4 cup fresh spinach, chopped

-3-4 large brussels sprouts, grated or finely chopped

-1 small granny smith apple, thinly sliced or diced

-1/4 cup cooked quinoa

-2 tbsp pine nuts

-2-3 tbsp goat cheese (feel free to go crazy here, I sure did)

-lemon vinaigrette dressing- I used Marzetti’s Simply Dressed Lemon, in the refrigerated section.

Here’s what you do:

1. First, prepare the salmon. It has to marinate for at least 30 minutes, so plan for that. ALSO cook it on a foil-lined pan, because I cannot tell you how long it took me to scrub the burnt honey off my pan.

2. Finely chop the kale and spinach and add to a very large mixing bowl.

3. Add the brussels sprouts, apple, and quinoa and toss.

4. Next, add the pine nuts, cheese, and dressing. Toss until everything is fully coated with dressing. I usually just pour my dressing over the top, but tossing your salad ensures every bite is tasty!

5. Serve your salad with your salmon on top, and enjoy!

What’s your favorite light summer meal? Let me know!

 

That’s all for meow!

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Trending- Tassels

Hey Cats!

It’s Pre-Friday! AND it’s theSkimm‘s third birthday! Click on my fancy new button to your right, or the link in this post to Skimm with me every day!

But on to the main event. I’m usually not one to follow trends- I tend to go for more classic looks. However, I often break that rule when it comes to jewelry. Jewelry is one of the cheaper  things to add to your wardrobe, and most jewelry trends tend to last for a while. One of my favorite trends this summer is tassels! I started to love these last summer, but now I’m sure that they’re going to be around for a while, need it. Last summer was beaded tassels, but now there are embroidery thread tassels, fabric tassels, and so many more! Here are a few of my favorites:

LAHHVE these Lisi Lerch tassel earrings. These are probably my all-time favorites, even though I have no idea where I would wear them. But how cute would these be with a hot pink romper and wedges for a fancy night out? Too cute.

I’m also loving these bracelets from BaubleBar. They’re so summery and fun, and would make a great addition to your arm party!

I’m also obsessed with these tassel and stone necklaces from Nordstrom. I love the natural stone with the pops of color from the thread tassels. These would be great layered with your everyday necklace to dress up a basic tank! Love it.

What’s your favorite jewelry trend this summer? Let me know!

That’s all for meow!

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Red, White, and Blue

Hey Cats!

Hopefully everyone’s week is off to a good start! And even if it’s not, it’s going to be a short week, so you won’t have to deal with it for a long time. I’m excited to get a chance to sleep late an extra day, and maybe go shopping because #payday. Except maybe not because I’m still terrified to spend money because I’m still trying to learn how to be an adult. But I digress.

July 4th is such a fun holiday in my opinion. I wish more holidays were in the summer, just because it’s more fun to be at the lake or outside than inside and cold. Also, I love picking out a red, white, and blue outfit to wear to whatever get-together I’ll be attending. I bought a super cute red bandana-like tank last summer, and I’ve promised myself that I was going to wear that with my blue jean shorts. But if I hadn’t planned ahead, which is usually the case, here are a few things I would be considering for the 4th!

How adorable are these Fireworks shorts from Old Navy? I almost want to go buy them and wear them instead of my other shirt! Plus, they’re under $15 right now, which gives you a great excuse to run out and buy them if you don’t know what you’re wearing yet. Paired with a white eyelet tank or a red solid tee, these would be the perfect pants for a backyard barbecue!

This flag scarf from Sideline Sass would be the perfect way to spice up an outfit of basic pieces, like white jeans and a black tank. But only if you’re planning on being inside, because hot.

If you’re looking for a slightly more girly option, a sundress is a perfect choice. This Monterey Tank dress from Lilly Pulitzer is a wonderful combination of patriotic and feminine, mostly because it has a little touch of pink!

If you’re planning at hanging out by the pool or at the lake all day, this Stars & Stripes bikini is an easy way to squeeze red, white, and blue into your day. Pair this with a cute cover-up and lots of sunscreen!

And as always, it’s not the 4th of July without this little gem:

I hope you all look like a true patriot this Independence Day, whatever you choose to wear. That’s what Paulette would want.

A Shorts Story

Hey Cats!

It may be the end of June, but it’s finally starting to feel like summer in Houston! It’s warmer, and most importantly, it’s finally stopped raining…at least for about a week. I love shorts, sundresses, sandals, and tanks, so whenever summer weather rolls around, I get really excited! Unfortunately, I can’t wear too much of that to work, but I don’t think that will stop me from buying a whole closet full anyways.

The first thing I get excited about is sandals, because free feet, obviously. Following closely behind that is shorts, because my legs can also be free. Basically, I don’t like to be trapped in clothing of any kind, and summer is a great time to give my appendages a chance to breathe. This summer, I’ve had my eye on a few pairs of shorts that I’d love to add to my closet. I’ve previously discussed the importance of a good pair of denim shorts, and the basic color chinos everyone needs, so what I’m looking at this season is a little less practical, but a lot more fun.

These Buttercup Scallop Hem shorts from Lilly Pulitzer are everything I want to be in life: cute, classic, a little unexpected, and an all-around favorite. I mean, they’re scalloped, what more could you want? I am definitely planning on taking a pair of these home for myself, once I decide what pattern I want…they’re all so pretty! These would look cute with a solid, loose-fitting tee and sandals for brunch, or with a chambray and a pair of wedges for dinner at the beach!

Up next are these JCrew Factory chinos in Alpine Blue. Honestly, you can never have too many chinos, and it’s my personal mission to own every color. Last summer I bought the festival blue, and in addition to this pair, I want the vibrant flame pair, too. The thing I love about JCrew chinos is that they’re durable, classic, flattering, and you can always get a good deal on them if you just keep your eye on the website! They’re actually $19.50 right now, but I’m working on not spending all my money, so I’m going to have to control myself until I get my next paycheck. Pray for me.

These Larkin shorts from Sideline Sass would be perfect for going out! They’re fancy and fun, but they also have an elastic waistband which is always a dream come true. The girly lace trim is also a nice touch. These could be dressed up or down, but I think they would be perfect paired with a navy tank, a tassel necklace, and sandals for a casual night out.

These tassel shorts from SheInside are a great way to have a little fun without going too crazy. I’m loving the tassel trend this summer, and this would be an easy way to give it a try. Plus, they’re under $15 right now! These would look great with a crisp, white structured top, or even over a swimsuit at the beach or pool.

What shorts are you thinking about adding to your closet this year? Let me know!

That’s all for meow!

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Poolside Style- My Favorite Cover-Ups

Hey Cats!

One of my favorite things about moving to a new town is exploring and finding new favorites. Favorite stores, favorite routes to work, and most importantly, favorite restaurants. I’ve found a few, but one thing I haven’t found is a new favorite place to get tacos. (MISS YOU, FUEGO. And Rosa’s. And Torchy’s. and the rest of the College Station taco scene. Ugh, it was so good). If you know me, you know that tacos make my world go round, and I typically can’t go a week without having one. But I’ve gone two, (almost three), and I’m DYING. There is a Taco Cabana right across from my apartment, but Taco Cabana is only for desperate times. Which it appears we are nearing. So this weekend, I’ve decided that I’m going to start my search for my new favorite taco stand. Because that’s what you do when you live by yourself and don’t have friends yet.

So now that we’ve talked about food, let’s talk about swimsuits. I usually buy a new swimsuit each summer depending on what’s new and trending that year. However, I have been looking for months and still haven’t found one that I love. So I’ve decided that this year, instead of a new suit, I will invest in a cute cover-up instead! I’m really loving both the caftan and kimono styles this year. They’re breezy, cover everything, and there’s so many options! I’ve gathered up a few options to share with you all:

This Lace Mesh caftan from Target is a great, affordable option, and since it’s white, it will coordinate with almost any swim suit. I also love the lace pattern, it’s classic and feminine. The second option is definitely a splurge, but this Lilly Pulitzer Avette Caftan is absolutely gorgeous. I love the pattern, the shape, and of course the tassels. This would be great walking to and from the beach, or you could even wear it to a pool party. (Are pool parties still a thing? I hope so.)

The bright color combination of this Poolside Pretty Please coverup from Sideline Sass is perfect for a day at the beach! I also love how the tassel trim outlines the entire shape of the dress. The last option is from SheInside, and has a super bohemian vibe that I really like. This would be great for an afternoon of laying out with friends!

Which one is your favorite? Choose it, buy it, and then go to Sonic happy hour to get a cherry limeade and stay at the pool all day.

That’s all for meow!

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Trending Tuesday- White Sneakers

Hey Cats!

I apologize for not posting yesterday, I had too much fun this weekend and neglected my homework- oops! I should be back to my regular posting schedule from now on!

Lately, I’ve had my eye on a more casual style, white sneakers. They make an excellent addition to lots of ensembles, from denim shorts to casual dresses, and they’re perfect for summer. Here are a few of my favorites:

 

My favorites are these Converse ‘Fancy’ All Star sneakers. I tried on the Classic pair, but for some reason they didn’t look right, so I may try these- they look less clunky and more of the style I want. I digress. These are definitely a classic, and would be a staple in your shoe closet for years. They could be dressed up or down, but I would wear them with my distressed denim shorts and a casual tank.

 

Next is this adorable eyelet pair from Keds. I love eyelet details, they’re so feminine and fun! These would be cute with a summer sundress for a casual night out.

 

Just for fun, I added these Keds x kate spade saturday polka dotted sneakers. They’re not solid white, but they’re still so cute! If I could have more than one pair, these would definitely be my second! These would pair well with a bright yellow sundress for an afternoon of shopping.

What do you think about white sneakers for summer? Let me know!

Today, I’m linking up with Zelle from A Southern Style, Kristina from Medicine & Manicures, Katie from Champagne & Suitcases, and Amanda from As the Wine Cork Turns for #TrendingTuesday- head over and see what’s trendy this Tuesday!

That’s all for meow!

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Summer Sparkle

Hey Cats!

One thing I love about summer is wearing sandals. I love for my feet to be free, whether I’m going to the pool or to the office. I recently received these gorgeous Riviera Sandals to review from Fibi & Clo, an up-and-coming line from a Texas-born designer (who named her company after her cats- obviously we’re on the same page.).

 

These sandals are the perfect mix between casual and dressy. They’re a very simple style, but the jewel accents make them really stand out. I’ve worn them both to  work and to the pool- if that’s not versatility, I don’t really know what is.

 

Another thing I love about these sandals is the water-resistant material they’re made from. I don’t like to wear many of my other sandals around water because they’re leather and I don’t want to ruin them. These, however, were practically made for a trip to the pool- the water slides right off and they’re good as new! I’m certain these will be making many appearances on the blog in the near future.

In addition to adorable shoes (loving these, these, and these), Fibi & Clo also gives back, which you know I’m all about. They have recently started a program called “Get Her On Her Feet” that teaches women in impoverished countries business & entrepreneurial skills to help them build a better life for themselves and their families. When you host a Fibi & Clo shoe party, they will make a donation to Get Her On Her Feet based on how much merchandise the hostess sells. So the more shoes you sell, the more opportunities other women have to build a shoe business and earn an income- everybody wins!

If you’re looking to add some summer sparkle to your shoe closet, head over to Fibi & Clo and check out all of their fabulous footwear- you won’t be disappointed!

That’s all for meow!

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*This is a sponsored post.

Trends I’m Loving- Summer Statement Necklaces

Hey Cats!

As we’ve previously discussed, I can’t get enough jewelry. While I only have a couple, I am enamored by statement necklaces. The bold shapes and sparkly jewels are eye-catching and can really add a lot to a simple outfit. Lately, I’ve noticed more and more statement necklaces with bright colors and fun textures that are perfect for summer. Here are a few of my favorites!

I’m loving this Crystal Cord Collar Necklace from BaubleBar. It’s such a whimsical mix of casual and glamorous with the cord and the crystals, and is perfect for the summer. The bright colors make a great statement and the cord adds a unique, non-traditional twist. This would be great paired with a black romper and wedges for a night out, or bright shorts and a chambray for daytime.

 

Next is this Blooms By the Stream Necklace from Benevolent Jewels. I love the bright neons mixed with the clear crystals. Also, the shape of this necklace is unique in comparison to other statement necklaces. While the colors are bright and the detailing is intricate, this is still a simple shape and could be worn with a patterned top or dress and not look too busy! Benevolent Jewels has quite the array of statement necklaces (and many other fabulous pieces), so if you find something you like, enter the discount code “KCODE20” at checkout for 20% off your purchase!

 

This Silk Tassel Statement Necklace from Kate Spade Saturday is definitely different- and that’s why I love it! The texture of the tassels and leather give it a more bohemian vibe, which we all know I love during the summer. This would pair well with a simple white tee, or under the collar of a button-down.

What do you think about summer statement necklaces? Are there any that have caught your eye? Let me know!

Today, I’m linking up with Zelle from A Southern Style, Kristina from Medicine & Manicures, Katie from Champagne & Suitcases, and Amanda from As the Wine Cork Turns for #TrendingTuesday- head over and see what’s trendy this Tuesday!

That’s all for meow!

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