The Monogrammed Life: June 2013

our f a v o r i t e side dish...

i am not even exaggerating when i say that

we eat the whole pan of these in a matter of minutes, every single time!

these are so easy, healthy, and go great with all different meals.

sweet potato fries

ingredients

2-3 medium sized sweet potatoes
olive oil
sea salt / pepper

directions

peel sweet potatoes
preheat oven to 450 degrees
cut in half once, then slice thin strips
place strips evenly on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray
drizzle with olive oil until coated, and sprinkle with sea salt
put in oven and cook for 15 minutes, take sheet out and turn fries, and put back in the oven for 10 more minutes.

enjoy!

Written by Emi from The Well Traveled Wife

Monday, June 24, 2013 No comments

I have been getting a lot of requests lately to do a "What to Wear" to a wedding, so here it is!

Here are my favorites from Lilly. The first dress is the Wilda, and I love it. I bought it a couple of weeks ago and I got a ton of compliments! The middle dress is the MarieKate. The lace is really pretty and looks great on! The third dress is literally the most surprising dress from Lilly. What I mean is that it literally good fantastic on, but you wouldn't expect it to be so cute! It's called the Preen dress, and I bought it wayyyy in advance for a sorority formal!

The Janice Dress from Lilly is also a great option because it comes in so many different colors! It's one of the most popular options from Lilly. It's super flattering, and such as classic.

Are y'all going to any weddings this summer? What are y'all wearing? Let me know!

Have a great day!

Written by Hannah from Hannah H

Friday, June 21, 2013 1 comments

In 23 days I turn 25...you can either relate to my pain or will be able to really shortly!

With recent events in my life I've decided to make a 30 Before 30 list...a bucket list with a time like!
Depending on you age you can make one to, 20 Before 20, 25 Before 25, 15 Things Before Graduation....doesn't matter the timeline or the amount of things just set life experience goals and meet them!

30 Before 30 Bucket List

1) Visit Hawaii

2) Go sky diving

3) Attend 1 game of World Series

4) Begin buying Clemson football & baseball season tickets

5) Get married

6) Have a baby

7) Pay off all credit cards

8) Own a home

9) Pay off student loans

10) Go on a backpacking trip

11) Visit London

12) Own something from Tiffany's

13) Watch the sun rise and set while on the beach

14) Own jet skis & a boat

15) Watch the ball drop live in NYC

16) Walk through the presidents garden with my hubby

17) Make a workout plan and stick to it

18) Participate in and finish the cooper river bridge run

19) Attend a wine tasting at a vineyard

20) Swim with dolphins

21) Take a cooking class

22) Go on a weekend vacation without my phone

23) Own my own complete tool set

24) Learn to sew

25) Have a spa weekend

26) Learn to play golf

27) Ride in a hot air balloon

28) Sleep under the stars in the bed of a pick up

29) Own a German Shepard or Huskie

30) Go hunting

Ok...now it's your turn!!

Written by Brittany S.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013 No comments

Steps to the PERFECT at home PEDI!!!

Its the beginning of summer...I don't know about you, but I have been looking at my feet since about March saying I need a pedicure. However, I then say to my self WHEN DO I HAVE THE TIME?!?!

So I decided to find some information on our best friend Google and do it one night at home.

I know there have to be a few people out there that can relate or use a little relaxation on a Monday night. So here is some information I gathered for the Perfect At Home Pedi!!

SET - THE GOODS

Bucket or Tub

Foot Soak

Foot Scrub

Foot File

Birchwood Sticks

Nail Clippers

Nail File

Nail Buffer

Lotion

Colored Polish

Top Coat

Fast Drying Spray

iPhone Button Decals

GO - THE STEPS

STEP 1: BUFF YOUR FEET

Buff feet when dry, not wet. To really shift dead skin. Use a sturdy foot file and focus on the heels, balls of feet and edges of toes.

STEP 2: SOAK

Fill a bowl with warm water and add a reviving foot soak which helps strengthen and whiten nails. Soak feet for 10 minutes. If you can lay your hands on some marbles, pop them in the bowl and roll your feet back and forth over them for a blissful DIY massage!

STEP 3: MASSAGE

Massage feet briskly with a foot scrub to get rid of the last dregs of dead skin, then rinse.

STEP 4: TRIM

Gently ease back your cuticles with a cuticle stick. Cut your nails straight across with nail clippers. Make lots of little snips, rather than all at once, or you might break your nail.

STEP 5: FILE

After clipping, dry off your toenails before you start filing so you don't cause damage. Then, position the file directly under the nail, filing very softly. Choose from one of the two basic shapes—square or soft square—to ensure toenails have a uniform look. Try to avoid overly round shapes because they can sometimes lead to ingrown toenails.

STEP 6: BUFF YOUR NAILS

Once you’ve filed and clipped, use nail buffers to lightly go over nails. You can buff, polish and shine all in one step to get them nice and smooth.

STEP 7: MASSAGE...AGAIN

Massage your feet with a rich foot lotion.

STEP 8: COLOR PREP

You’re almost ready to add color, but first, you need to remove the moisturizer as well as any old polish from your toenails to ensure the new coats of color adhere properly. Swipe each toenail with a cotton ball or pad that’s been doused with nail polish remover. Then position a toe separator on each foot to keep your paint job perfect and make it easier to walk around with wet toenails.

STEP 9: PAINT

Apply two even coats of polish, making sure the first is completely dry before applying the second. As for color, Jin Soon says we’ll see lots of oranges, red-oranges, and corals this summer.

STEP 10: MAINTAIN

Now it's just about maintenance! Apply a top coat of polish refresher every other day to keep toes shiny. This product can be a little pricey, but you’ll be amazed at how long your pedicure will last (which saves you time in the long run).

STEP 11: MONOGRAM!!!

Now you know we would be off our rockers if we didn't finish this with a monogram! For those of you that have cute handwriting...they make nail pens for you. Those of you, like me, that like the easy way can use iPhone Button Decals!! At Marley Lilly, you can get 3 for 13.99!!

Written by Brittany S.

Monday, June 17, 2013 10 comments

Old Navy blouse / J.Crew sweater / LOFT jeans / BCBG heels / Tory Burch bag
Forever 21 necklace (similar) / Ily Couture bracelet

Written by Katherine from Minted Glam

Friday, June 14, 2013 No comments

I'm quite sure I'm not the first prep to love nautical things. Season after season, year after year, nautical things continue to make an appearance on the blogs and in the stores. So of course when online store C. Wonder put out a ton of new nautical things recently, my heart melted.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10

Written by Kasey from Preppy Love

Wednesday, June 12, 2013 6 comments

Who's ready for a little SPD action today? (Saw it. Pinned it. Did it. for all you newbies out there!) ;)

Today's Pinterest project is brought to you by...the letter H!

You've probably seen these all over everyone and their dog's Pinterest boards. I know what you're thinking...not another moss covered initial...

via Pinterest

Have no fear! I figured all that moss would be a disaster both before, during and after so I decided to take my hanging initial to the next level....

According to my assistant, here's what you'll need:

Wooden initial | burlap ribbon | chalkboard paint | paintbrush | chalk

First things first...grab your chalkboard paint and go to town! Fun fact: for best results when using chalkboard paint, paint one coat horizontally, allow to dry for at least and hour, and then paint your second coat vertically.

Easy enough, right?!

I must say I am thoroughly impressed with this chalkboard paint I got from Hob Lob. I've bought some before that doesn't really work all that well but this stuff is awesome, I tell ya! Works SO well and the chalk actually shows up really good!

After your paint is dry, you'll wanna borrow your husband's staple gun and secure the burlap to the back of your wooden letter so you can begin tying your bow. If he questions you with your staple gun one hand and a glass of wine in the other, tell him to mind his own biznass. ;)

Tie all that burlap goodness into a big ol' fancy bow and voila! My mother-in-law has always told me that every kitchen should have a touch of red so our's is hanging from our pantry door and I'm so excited to use this for menus, holidays, love notes, etc!! Oh the possibilities!!

I know I say this every week but this was seriously the simplest project ever. EVER! And I think they would make for the cutest gifts...don't you?!

Your turn!

1. Link up using the linky tool below.

2. Link back to mine & Katie's blogs in your post so other people can know where to find the link up!

3. Paste our button (HTML code below) at the bottom of your post.

4. Visit & re-pin other blog images to get new inspiration and find new friends!

Written by Stephanie from BEAUtiful mess

Monday, June 10, 2013 No comments

Is anything more sophisticated than a little white dress? They are perfect for so many occasions... going out with the girls, date night at a nice restaurant, etc. I almost think I love them more than a little black dress, and that is saying a lot. I had a polo match in mind for today's Friday's Fancies White Out outfit, because I have been really wishing I could go to the opening day of the Bridgehampton Polo Club on July 20. I'm linked up with Long Distance Loving as always!

Tory Burch Zoie Dress // Louis Vuitton Leather Tote // Steve Madden Leather Wedges // Smashbox Lipstick // Henri Bendel Pearl Studs // Pearl Bracelet

Written by Kasey from Preppy Love

Friday, June 07, 2013 No comments

If y'all are like me then you love reading a good book while your on the beach or by the pool. There's nothing better than getting sucked into a summertime read while your soaking up some relaxation and sun. I thought I'd share with y'all some great books that are on my summer to-read list.

Sea Glass Island: Sherryl Woods

Under summer skies, NYT bestselling author Sherryl Woods evokes family, friendship and heartfelt emotionWith her two younger sisters heading for the altar, will Samantha Castle exchange old dreams for new ones? Lately she'd rather be on the North Carolina coast with family than in New York with agents and actors. Though she vows not to let her teenage crush on Ethan Cole influence her decision, it's hard to ignore her feelings for the local war hero.Ethan lost more than his leg in Afghanistan. He lost his belief in love. Even being surrounded by couples intent on capturing happily-ever-after won't open this jaded doctor's heart. It's going to take a sexy, determined woman—one who won't take no for an answer.

The Last Original Wife: Dorothea Benton Frank

Experience the sultry Southern atmosphere of Atlanta and the magic of the Carolina Lowcountry in this funny and poignant tale of one audacious woman’s quest to find the love she deserves, from New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank.

The Sassy Belles: Beth Albright

Meet the Sassy Belles. They're strong as a mint julep, sweet as peach cobbler, and no matter what, they stick together.There are only two seasons in Tuscaloosa—football and waiting-for-football. When Lewis Heart, football announcer and voice of the Crimson Tide, vanishes after an impromptu romp with Vivi Ann McFadden at the Fountain Mist Motel, Vivi does what any Southern woman would do: call her best friend, Blake O'Hara Heart, attorney-at-law.With the town gossip swirling around them, Vivi and Blake are determined to find out what happened to Lewis and clear Vivi's reputation. Because after all, men may come and go, but the Sassy Belles are forever.Not since Steel Magnolias have we fallen in love with such sexy, strong and hilarious Southern women. So grab your best girlfriends and join these Belles on the first of many joyrides through the Deep South….

Bought: Anna David

Anna David turns her reporter's eye for detail toward Tinseltown's seedy underbelly yet again and "eloquently and humorously unveil[s] what could be a new subgenre: Chick Lit with a Message" (New York Post).Tired of gathering banal quotes from the B-list on the sidelines of the red carpet, Emma Swanson publicly yearns for a more substantial career but privately dreams of a hotshot boyfriend to transport her into the beating heart of the Hollywood scene. Instead, she meets Jessica—beautiful, cavalier, manipulative—who shamelessly trades sex for the gifts it can bring. Convinced that writing a story about Jessica and her ilk would seriously boost her journalistic cred, Emma soon finds herself sucked into a world where the luxuries of prettied-up prostitution may cost more than she ever expected.

The Moon and More: Sarah Dessen

Emaline has the perfect little life, but that is exactly the problem. Yes, Colby is the ideal secluded beach town community and her boyfriend Luke could not be more attentive; but after the arrival of a New York filmmaker, she's beginning to wonder if she should be outgrowing it. The Moon and More is a novel by Sarah Dessen (What Happened to Goodbye?; Just Listen) that reconfirms her ability to realistically capture the times of transition that every teen experiences. Ideal school vacation reading.

Have y'all read any of these? If so, what did you think? Also, what's on your summer reading list..I'd love to add some more books to my list!

photo glittermonogramsignature_zps84edc89f.png

Written by Sarah Elizabeth from Belle In The City

Wednesday, June 05, 2013 1 comments

This Fixed Emi's Bad Week...But we can always use a pick me up on Mondays!!

You know those weeks that go on forever?

this week has been one of those. nothing is wrong,

i think there is just so much going on and i've been a little too stressed.

the three best fixes for this are: my cute husband, a long run, and some homemade
kettle corn. oh, and maybe a nap. i think those are the remedies for most problems :)
so here's to it being thursday, and this week almost coming to a close. it can only get
better from here, because we have a fun trip this weekend! {thank goodness} here is
our recipe for kettle corn, made at home. healthy & simple, just the best. it will cheer you up :)

simple, healthy kettle corn

1/4 cup coconut oil {you can use canola oil instead}
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
salt + sugar, to taste

--put coconut oil in a large pan on the stove
--drop just 3 kernels in with the oil at first, and turn on the stove
--let it heat up, waiting until the 3 kernels pop.. now you know it's the right temp!
--add the 1/2 cup of kernels once the first 3 pop
--shake pan while it all pops, to keep it from burning
{you can put a lid on to keep popcorn from flying out}
--once it's done, add salt + sugar to taste, and shake it all through the pan.
--serve and enjoy!

**i buy orville redenbacher kernels at costco, as well as the coconut oil.

then i always have them on hand for a quick, healthy treat!

Written by Emi from The Well Traveled Wife

Monday, June 03, 2013 1 comments

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