One of my favorite summer buys....

Love these bad boys. Perfect summer shoe with good height and they're quite comfortable!

Here's what they look like when you're not staring down my leg at them...Seychelles Purr wedge

Available at Nordstroms..HERE

Fun Fridays!

It's time for Fun Fridays with Jen from A Girl In Pearls and a Boy with Toys!

So what's in store for the Allans this weekend? Not too much..and it feels good saying that! Summers in New England are WAY too short. I hate to say it, but I really hate having plans every single weekend..especially those that require us to travel out of town...only because we have 3 months (if that!) of nice hot weather and I hate how weekends start filling up! We work hard to make our yard and home nice and sometimes I just want to sit and enjoy it and do nothing but stay at home!

Today....it's a Friday office day at work! I love these because 1) I SELDOM get a day where I don't have to go over to court and don't have to wear a suit. 2) My office is starting to resemble a pig sty. 3) There are lots of voicemails to return and paperwork that needs to be tended to! 4) it allows me to plan a nice leisurely lunch with my friend A and hit up the Nordstrom's dress sale!

Just for the record I'm most excited about #4...maybe a quick lunch in the Nordstrom cafe as well!

I was just explaining to Mr. Allan why I love Nordstroms. I tried to tell him what it's like to just try on a dress there...how you're assisted by staff, how nice the dressing rooms are with their 3 way mirrors and platforms in the actual dressing room itself so you get to see how you really look in the dress, and how it's just so much nicer and better...I don't think he got it, but that's ok...I'm in well equipped I totally get company today!

Tomorrow...it's a trip to the gym in the morning then off to the farmer's market to pick up our CSA from a local farm!

Here's a link to a previous post about the CSA we participate in. Click HERE. Sorry that some pictures from the old post are functioning! Hands down a great decision that some great friends got us involved in and we look forward to our monthly meat pick ups at the farmer's market!

We're also off to a little garden party soiree with some friends on Saturday night. The forecast is calling a for a perfect summer day. I'm excited to throw on a sundress and hang with these guys!

Hopefully the weekend will bring some sitting in the sun, lots of glasses of wine in my hand, and plenty of time with friends!

Have a great weekend!

Smile....It's Friday

Award winning photographer David Slater was in Indonesia visiting a national park. He put his camera down and this black macaque monkey took a self portrait of herself. I can't help but smile when I see her toothy smile...that..and oh yeah..it's Friday...reason #2 to smile!!!

A Mighty Fine Summer Sangria

photo courtesy of food.com..

One of my favorite things to do in the summer time is to grab a drink and sit outside....or even better..grab a drink and sit in a float in my pool. This past weekend we had a couple friends over for an impromptu pool party/BBQ. I'm usually a huge wine drinker during the summertime..there's nothing better than a nice cold glass of a good wine. I was looking for something to make for a crowd and decided to give sangria a try.

I was a little nervous...I've attempted mojitos at home..they just didn't come out right..or you nab what you think is a good martini recipe only to go out buy $80 worth of liquor and it turns out bad.

So...I searched lots of recipes and found this one. I must say..I was pleased with the results, there weren't too many ingredients, and everyone seemed to enjoy it!

White Sangria

(adapted from http://www.food.com/)

Ingredients:

750 ml white wine, cold (this is one regular sized bottle...I used Yellowtail Pinot Grigio)
1/2 cup vodka (I used Stoli Orange flavored vodka)
2 limes, juice of
1/2 cup sugar
1 lemon, sliced
2 limes, sliced
1 1/2 cups tonic water
ice cube
fresh mint leaves, to garnish

In a pitcher mix wine, vodka, lime juice, sugar, lemons and limes. Chill overnight. Shortly before serving, add tonic water, ice. Garnish with mint to serve.

Just a couple notes. I doubled this recipe. I used a larger sized bottle of Pinot Grigio and double the vodka, lime juice and sugar. I also added a sliced orange and 2 sliced apples to the fruit. I added 3 cups of tonic water (since I doubled this recipe) the next day before I served it. When I taste tested it, the citrus flavor from the limes and lemons is strong. I ended up adding an additional 2 TBSP of sugar to take the citrus bite away and I thought it turned out perfect!

What I'm Loving Wednesdays

Time for one of my favorite weekly posts with Jamie from www.littledaisymay.blogpsot.com!

So what am I loving this Wednesday??

Hollywood Fashion Tape

I don't know how I live without this stuff..especially in the summertime. I had a big wardrobe malfunction on Friday night for Mr. Allan's spectacular birthday dinner. Thank god for my Hollywood fashion tape with helped me fix the front of my dress and the whole restaurant wasn't required to stare at way too much of me. You can use by sticking it fabric to fabric if a hem pulls loose, or you can use it by sticking it right on your skin and the fabric of your clothes will adhere to it. Often times I find a dress maybe drooping a little too much in the front or a strap that won't stay over my bra...this stuff works wonders!

I know I always mention this stuff...but it's always in my purse and when I needed it this weekend it reminded me just how much I love it.

so ..my purse was full of Hollywood Tape and Bandaid Friction Block stick. I use this so much during the summertime when I'm throwing on a pair of sandals that have a strap that rubs the wrong way or getting used to flip flops early in the season. If you feel your shoes rubbing the wrong way, rub some of this stuff on the spot (it has the consistency of a thick chapstick) and it prevents blisters. You just need to hit it before you actually have a blister. And...beware..don't leave it in your car..it will melt!)

I'm also loving that this lady is going the cast of Gossip Girl!

Elizabeth Hurley will have a recurring role as a media mogul on Gossip Girl! I think she'll be a perfect addition to the Upper East Side crew.

I've also loved all the coverage of William and Kate on their honeymoon tour of Canada and now onto the US. It's sending my girl crush into overdrive.

 and my favorite pictures of the two of them....some casual shots from a dragon boat race

Happy Wednesday!

While I was making some cookie dough this past weekend...I had a little helper in the kitchen.

I love how he sits so contently on the trash can. While I'm always looking for an extra hand in the kitchen...this wasn't what I had in mind.

T.G.I.F.

And it's a very special Friday...since it's Mr. Allan's Birthday! So here's to my fabulous husband! Happy Birthday babe!!!!

Tonight...we're off to celebrate! We're headed to the MGM Grand at Foxwoods for dinner at Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak. Since it feels like we've been to every restaurant in RI three times over...I figured it would be fun to venture to the casinos..have a great dinner and do a little gambling. Thanks to my sister for putting this little idea in my head!

It's also a long weekend! We'll be bbq'ing, sitting by this bad boy, and enjoying some fireworks. I'm looking forward to our first low key, stay at home, enjoy the pool and yard weekend of the summer!

Have a safe 4th of July LONG weekend!

Don't forget to stop by and see Jen at A Girl In Pearls and A Boy With Toys