Cheddar Snack Mix

We are coming upon what is considered the last weekend of summer which means everyone will be trying to soak up every last bit of sun.  This Cheddar Snack Mix from Buns in My Oven would be great fuel for the beach, hiking a picnic or just sitting on a bench in the park.

Nova Scotia Part I

Got back a couple of days ago from a truly awesome vacation.  We visited the hubby's mom in his hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia.  There were so many great places we visited but I wanted to give you a few highlights.  If your map doesn't have a red pin on Nova Scotia...it really should.

It looks like this is a photo you would take at a touristy type stop.  This photo op is around every corner, this is in the Peggy's Cove vicinity.  In this area you should stop by Amos Pewter where I scored the cutest starfish necklace for just $25.  Also, not to be missed is DeeDee's ice cream.  I'm normally a chocolate kinda gal but the berry berry was a 10.

I found this photo op just around the bend from Peggy's Cove by the most adorable little shack housed with great watercolor paintings for sale.  We also stopped by Shaw's Landing for some delicious fish and chips with a peaceful outdoor deck and a unbelievable view.

That night for dinner we started with charcuterie from Ratinaud's and cheese from Fox Hill.  I  have eaten quite ALOT of charcuterie throughout the world and the duck and rabbit rillettes were the best I have ever had.  A little out of the way but definitely worth it.  Even better stop on your way out of town and grab some for a beach picnic at Lawrencetown Beach.  While rocky it is truly magnificent and great for watching surfers.

We visited about 5 beaches and I would say my favorite was Clam Harbor along the Eastern Shore.  It is about 30 minutes from town but it was the only water we could find that was warm enough to actually get in.  There were also about 20 people there which is such a change from a NY beach that I spent most of the time with my mouth agape.  Another don't miss is spending a lazy Sunday at the Lower Deck watching Paul Lamb while sipping my new favorite cider Foundry. Two thumbs down for it not being available in the States yet.

Link Love

ArtSocial
Swaddling your beverages for a baby shower...adorable!

Une Gamine Dans La Cuisine
Blueberry, Goat cheese and Rosemary hand pies

My So Called Green Life
Great DIY memory game...the kids would love making and playing with this.

Living Tastefully
This proscuitto wrapped fig is the new bacon wrapped date.

Snarky Card

You know I'm lovin' my sweet but snarky cards lately and this one is awesome.  

The Walden Quilt Series

Have you guys ever looked at one of those Kickstarter websites where people try to raise money to start their own small business?  Now, as a girl who has done this the hard way, I have mixed emotions about people asking for start up capital in this manner.

 However, that being said I ran across The Walden Quilt Series and it changed my view a bit.  This is a program where they are offering good value for your donation.  These quilts are amazing and it is a chance to get a fantastic family heirloom at a massive discount. I feel that when this company takes off these quilts with snippets of famous literature quotations quilted right into the fabric will become part of high end designer websites and product lines.  This is one that I think is a win-win...you receive a great product and help launch a company that deserves to be seen.  Check it out here.

It's the Little Things...

1. Cute heart shaped scones and gold glitter crowns left over from this weeks Royal Baby Shower.  It was the kind of event that reminds me why I do this.

2. And then there was my birthday...woot woot.
Started with appetizers and a nice glass of Rose at Falansai.  I love the decor and this great mirror which gives a zen like feel to the whole restaurant.

Then on to MoMo Sushi Shack for the Party Bomb Platter.

Ending at Donna which was a bit of a scene where I sipped my Strawberry Sky and listened to great tunes.

3. And finally my itinerary and spreadsheet for next week's Nova Scotia Adventure.

You'll never look at bubblegum the same

Check out this fantastic bubblegum party over at You are my Fave.  I think every girl no matter how old you are can totally relate to this event.  Who knew that bubblegum could be so chic?

Link Love

Minam
Loving these colorful potato baskets.

Gimme Some Oven
These cannoli cups look adorable and fun to eat.

Recipe
Angel food cake french toast

My Chic Life
Need gift wrap in a hurry...brown paper and embroidery thread.

California Chicken, Veggie, Avocado and Rice Bowl

This looks like a delicious and easy dinner...two of my favorite things.  I've been trying to think of healthy dishes that are a little heartier than salad and I think this fits the bill perfectly.  You can really vary the veggies to any of your favorites but I think the grill will give that extra flavor that will take it to extraordinary.

In the article, Half Baked Harvest states that she uses white rice only because brown rice is trickier to perfect. Amen to that which is why I will be serving it with the Uncle Ben's ready made brown rice packet.

I'm always looking for new additions to the weekly menu and thought maybe you could use a little chicken, veggie and avocado rice bowl goodness as well.

Creamy Basil Salad Dressing

True confession here...I have a bit of a Ranch dressing problem.  Well actually it's not so little...I try to vary my dressings to include balsamic, mustard mixed with a little oil, etc.  But nothing tastes as good as the creaminess you get with the Ranch dressing.  Here is something that could possibly sway my habit and would also ease my feelings of guilt.  I LOVE basil and always use lowfat Hellman's.  I'm making up a batch today.

Things I'm lovin'

1. Beauty Booty-My sister works for a publication that sales the beauty samples they receive to their employees and then gives the proceeds to charity.  My name is not charity...but it might as well be.

2. IPhone Covers- I found these cool new IPhone downloads created by The Jones Design Company and now I can change up the look of my Iphone depending on my every whim.  Right now I am feeling nautical and trying to savor every last day of summer.

3. Fab Crab-Eating my favorite Saturday lunch at Brooklyn Crab house

...while looking at this view

Roasted Potato Salad with Cucumber, Crispy Bacon and Ranch

There are just a few more weeks to grab your picnic basket and head for anywhere you can lay out a blanket.  The only thing you need to remember is to make this recipe from The Little Epicurean for this delicious potato salad.  Remember you're taking it on a picnic, so be sure to package it like this.  Now get out there and enjoy some sun!

Link Love

Ari's Menu
Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Etsy
Love this game for a bridal shower

Birch and Bird
Check out all these cool trophy tablescape ideas

The Artful Desparado
I'm on my way to Canada in a couple weeks and The Perfect Caesar is on my to do list.

Bon Affair

I'm constantly surprised by happenings in my life.  For instance, when I think of wine spritzers it conjures up thoughts of yachts and country clubs. I've only drank spritzers in the poshest of situations.  However, this past weekend I was out in Williamsburg Brooklyn and stopped by the Commodore.  Now for those of you who are unfamiliar with Brooklyn bars the Commodore is the mother ship for hipsters and the last place you would expect to see a wine spritzer.  But lo and behold they had a hand written sign in their window saying voted #1 best wine spritzer.  This my friends is how trends start...they don't call them "hip" sters for nothing.

Later that day, I opened my mail which contained a very chic black and white box with not 1 but 2 bottles of Bon Affair Sauvignon Blanc wine spritzers.  In true hip hostess fashion, I took this as a sign to continue drinking.  I brought out the spritzers and a few grapes and now felt like something of a connoisseur and ready to put Bon Affair to the test.

Bon Affair has not only produced a light and refreshing beverage with extremely awesome packaging but they have some details that should not be neglected.

-The beverage has half the calories of regular wine with added electrolytes
-It has zero sugar
-It is packaged in individual portions which means it adds chic design to your tablescape when entertaining and it's up to you whether you want to pull out the glassware.  Personally my feeling...who wants to do dishes after a day of spritzing (I'm trying to coin the term).

If you can have half the calories, no added sugar plus no hang over due to the added electrolytes and be instantly hip in your beverage of choice then fellow planners...Bon Affair should always be chilling in the fridge.

(Note: While I was provided with a complimentary sample of Bon Affair, I was in no way compensated for this review, nor was I influenced to provide only positive feedback. The opinions expressed above are genuine.)

Skinny Freezers

Skinny Freezers-Slim Chillers...sounds like the start to a rap.  But in fact it is a grown up Flavor Ice.  I used to beg my mom to buy these for me every summer.  I would then ride my bike home from the swimming pool as fast as I could to enjoy the cold treat. What could be better to follow my diet of microwave burritos (why where those so good?) and Laffy Taffy.

 So this cocktail is not only fun and exciting it is also nostalgic.  We are planning a kayaking trip to Connecticut possibly this weekend and my picnic basket will be sure to include the lemon martini.  If only they had microwaves at the salt marshes.

***Update-just went to purchase and they are only available in California.  So if you live in California, I'm jealous.  Hopefully they will reach the east coast soon.

Beer Mustard

If you are having a party of the male variety whether it be birthday, sporting event, retirement, etc. what could be more appreciated then homemade beer mustard.  The Beeroness did a fantastic job of walking you through different types of beer and the actual process looks pretty easy.  With mustard being the perfect accompaniment to many manly loves such as hot dogs, sausages and pretzels...why not.  Plus you get to put put in your touches such as a cute Weck or Mason jar to house the homemade goodness.

Barely Squeakin' By

I won't lie folks...the last couple of weeks have been crazy with back to back events.  Sometimes when there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day and your back is aching and your dogs are barking...something like this can just make you laugh.  The end of a project is always rewarding but sometimes it seems like the getting there takes everything you got.  So, the last couple of weeks, you could definitely say "I was just squeakin' by."  To remind me that it always turns out okay in the end, this $3.99 coin purse is going to be my reward.

Link Love

Half Baked Harvest
Fried Mozzarella, Basil and Nectarine Stacks with Balsamic Glaze

Remodelista
What do you think...is color overrated? .

Clockwork Lemon
Toasted Marshmallow and Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies

One Good Thing
Amazing how a coat of paint on the back of a simple white bookcase makes such a difference.

Nice and Easy

Lately, I've been hearing a lot of people talking about how they would like to have guests over but they are not a very good cook or they don't have time.  Excuses...Excuses.  Well how about this recipe from daily squeeze for steak tacos?  It has just a few fresh, key ingredients and it looks awesome and delicious.  Even if you are not a very confident cook or don't have access to a grill.  You can always sear the marinated steak in a cast iron skillet and then finish for a short time in the oven.  This is easy peasy and won't take much time, everything can be done ahead and pairs nicely with ice cold Coronita's.  You have the makings for a fun evening that everyone will enjoy.

Things I am Lovin'

1. I found this adorable hobnail square bowl for 50 cents at a flea market.  Makes me smile every time I drop in an earring.

2. I love getting mail that is not bills and a reminder that my birthday is near is never a bad thing...woot woot!

3. Look at this cute Etsy find which helped me out in a time crunch and made for a great ice cream social for my favorite client.