My Five Favorite Summer Essentials - Beauty & Fashion

Happy Summer friends! I hope yours is off to a good start. It's time for another round of

My Five Favorites, we're chatting about our favorite summer products. Friends are always

 my go-to for beauty product and fashion recommendations, and I'm anxious to see what

 these girls' must-haves are.  

Kris @ Driven by Decor

Lisa @ Shine Your Light

Jennifer @ Dimples & Tangles

Our guest this month couldn't be sweeter or more perfect for our topic! Sheila @

Maison de Cinq is a former fashion stylist, and has a great eye for decor and all things

 home, as well. How beautiful is this cool, casual vibe she's created for her summer

 living room?

#1 - Rapid Lash

You guys NEED this, whatever the season! I've always had good eyelashes, but they

were gradually getting shorter. I checked with some friends and started searching

 reviews, which led me to this AWESOME, REASONABLY priced lash serum. My lashes

are SO long, and it only took a couple of weeks. I originally bought it at Ulta, with a coupon

 I found online, it ended up being $40, and then saw this deal at Costco - 2 for $49!

I'm still using my original tube I bought over 3 months ago and have skipped nights here

 and there.     

#2 - Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

This is my favorite cleanser that easily removes all of my favorite mascara and has

a refreshing, soothing cucumber extract. The smell makes me feel like I'm at a spa. :)

This cleanser is a little pricey but it goes a long way. I was first introduced when I received

 it as a gift, when I went to get a replacement at Sephora they said it was their best selling

 cleanser. The smaller size ($15) is fun to tie on a special gift (perfect for any age) or for a

 hostess gift. 

#3 - Forever 21 Studded Slide Sandal 

  The perfect chic but inexpensive sandal to wear to the pool or beach. I hate my nice 

sandals getting dirty but I still like to wear something prettier than $1 flip flops. I love

the Valentino Rockstud look of these without the $700 price tag.

 Available in black or white.

#4 - Target Kona Mules

4.5 STARS - 107 REVIEWS

If I wear something new I judge the cuteness factor by how many compliments I

get. Haha! These super comfortable Target mules are perfect Gucci knock offs and are

 off the chart on compliments. I always tell people they're from Target, I really thought one

 stranger was going to hug me, she was beside herself excited to get a pair. 

They're available in Black, White, Red & Silver.  

(The photo on Target website is SO poor, they don't look like someone dumped 

a bottle of glitter on them, they look like photo below)

#5 - H & M Floral Skirt

This lightweight watercolor pattern skirt is easy, breezy and so versatile. I've worn mine

 with a fitted knotted white t-shirt and fun tassel earrings. Perfect dressed up or down. 

  

   

Be sure to check out what my pals are sharing today:

Kris @ Driven by Decor

Lisa @ Shine Your Light

Jennifer @ Dimples & Tangles

Sheila @ Maison de Cinq

You might like these previous My Five Favorites too:

Decorate My Porch & Patio

Home Basics I Can't Live Without

 Biggest Bang for the Buck Home Projects

Organization Room by Room

 Christmas Wish List 

Decorating a Teen Room 
Beauty Products
Before & Afters You Can Do In a Weekend

Summer Accessories

Gadgets
Paint Projects
IKEA Items in my Home
Thrifted Finds
Valentine Decor
Home Organization Tips
Christmas Wish List
Recipes for the Holidays
Entertaining Accessories
Displaying DIY Artwork
Ways to Mix Metals

DIY Projects

Fabric

Decorate an Outdoor Space
Pillow Projects
Decorating for Spring
Decorative Accessories
Home Organizing Tips
Quick & Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas

Paint    

You can also find me on Instagram and Pinterest

Fabulous Do Ahead Al Fresco Dinner Menu

Hope you had an awesome weekend and are savoring these summer days.
One of my favorite things about summer is having friends over

 to dine Al fresco on our deck. A simple do ahead menu is a must! Don't get me
wrong, I love a simple juicy burger on the grill, but I wanted to serve something
 more unique. It's no fun having to slave in the kitchen once your guests arrive so I
 always look for recipes that can be prepped ahead of time, I think these are winners!
 I'm sharing a yummy summer menu I served recently, along with my tips and

 timeline for having it all together ahead of time, so you're free to enjoy your guests.
I've noted where I deviated from the recipes, and how I prepped everything prior to
our get-together for a smooth stress-free dinner.  

~ menu ~    

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail w/ Tortilla Chips

Chili Lime Chicken

Mandarin Orange Salad w/Sugared Almonds

Grilled Corn with Spicy Cilantro Lime Butter

Key Lime Pie


Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Recipe from Elise @ Simply Recipes

Served as an appetizer with drinks before dinner. 
I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned and pre-cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp. 
I didn't chop the shrimp, but instead put a few on top of each individual serving.

Chili Lime Chicken
Recipe from Bee @ Rasa Malaysia

I grill the chicken a couple hours before our guests arrived, let sit for 15 min before slicing,
pile on large platter and serve at room temp.
I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs.

Mandarin Orange Salad with Sugared Almonds
Recipe from Food.com

I use organic mixed greens from Costco.

Grilled Corn with Spicy Cilantro Lime Butter
Recipe from Megan @ Pip & Ebby

I use 1/4 cup butter in place of the mayo. 
I like to serve smaller pieces of corn, so I cut the cobs in half. 
Boil corn for 2 minutes then transfer to hot grill for a short time to get char marks,
 turning once or twice. 
Pile on large platter and serve with lime wedges.   

Key Lime Pie
Recipe from Leigh Anne @ Your Home Based Mom

Use homemade graham cracker crust! 
Delete sour cream, decrease Nellie & Joe's Key Lime Juice to 1/2 cup.
Add whipped cream (I used Reddi Wip) to individual slices at time of serving. 

EARLIER IN WEEK

Salad - Prepare Sugared Almonds, store in plastic container.
Corn - Prepare Cilantro Lime Butter, refrigerate in plastic container.
Pie - Crush graham crackers and mix in sugar, store in plastic container. 

FRIDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING
Salad - chop celery, slice onion & prepare dressing - refrigerate. 
Husk corn & cut in half - refrigerate.
Make Key Lime Pie & refrigerate.
Shrimp Cocktail - Thaw shrimp in refrigerator if frozen.

SATURDAY MORNING

Chicken - Prepare Marinade
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail - Prepare and refrigerate (Do not add shrimp or avocado)
Salad - drain mandarin oranges and refreigerate.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Grill chicken
Put salad together, except dressing
Chop avocado and add to shrimp cocktail.
Cut Pie

AFTER GUESTS ARRIVE 
Dish Mexican Shrimp Cocktail into individual ramekins and top with a few shrimp,
serve on plates with forks and tortilla chips.

When you're ready for dinner:
Grill corn over high heat just till charred, heat prepared lime butter in microwave,
transfer corn to platter and slather with butter.

Dress salad and sprinkle with sugared almonds.

That's it friends, it really is a fresh, easy to put together menu that appears much
more time consuming. I always a happy hostess if our guests ask for recipes,
and they did! :)

Here's to Al fresco dining with friends!

Steal These Ideas from the Summer Home Tours

I've loved all the inspiring Summer Home Tours throughout the blogosphere
 the past couple of weeks, I shared mine here, in case you missed it.  I rounded up
 a collection of my favorite looks, if you need some fresh ideas to up your summer
 style check out these fun ideas! 

~ Mirror, Mirror ~

Claire Brody Designs

Duke Manor Farm

~ Hats Off to You ~

Place of My Taste

Remodelando la Casa

~ Blooms in a Bucket ~

Eclectically Vintage

Hymns & Verses

~ A Splash of Yellow ~

Thrifty & Chic

Life & Home @ 2102

~ Summer Stylin' ~

Life on Virginia Street

Craftberry Bush

~ Cheers to a Beverage Cart ~

Bliss @ Home

Driven by Decor

~ A Pineapple Print ~
(free printable)

Life Love Larson

House of Silver Lining

~ Fly a Flag ~

Nesting with Grace

The Wicker House

~ Burst of Color ~

Cuckoo 4 Design

Far Above Rubies

Sarah M. Dorsey Designs 

Circa 34

~ Garden Stool Style ~

Dimples & Tangles 

Hunted Interior

~ Whimsical Watts ~

Simple Stylings 

Our Fifth House

My Five Favorites ~ Ways to Decorate an Outdoor Space

For our Five Favorites topic this month we're sharing our Favorite Ways to Decorate

an Outdoor Space. We had more than our share of snow in April and I'm jealous

 seeing those of you who got a jump start on your outdoor areas and gardens. I'm 

hoping to get out there soon and spiff mine up. I'm sure these friends have some

great ideas for me to steal ~ be sure to check them out!  

Kris @ Driven by Decor

Lisa @ Shine Your Light

Jennifer @ Dimples & Tangles

I'm so excited to welcome our guest this month Julia @ Cuckoo 4 Design is one of 

the most genuine and talented in our blogging community. I think she gets up an hour

early to leave kind comments on all the blogs! On top of that, she's an awesome mom,

 has a huge heart for animals, and is always the one caring for strays, too sweet!

Oh, and she's created an amazing outdoor space! Green thumb, maybe?  

  

Cuckoo 4 Design 

My Five Favorites

#1

Umbrella

I love to use umbrellas to define seating areas and give them a more intimate feel. 

They're also a great way to add a pop of color or pattern to define your style,

whether classic, coastal or preppy.

  

    

#2

Potted Boxwoods

 One year instead of planting pots of flowers I planted several pots of boxwoods

for our deck. I didn't think they would survive the Colorado winter and planted them

in our yard at the end of the season. I loved the classic formal look, I think I'll do

 it again this year.  #lazygardener

#3

Pillows

 What can I say?

 Nothing makes a statement like pretty bold pillows!

  

#4

Lighting

The possibilities for lighting are endless and the ambiance cant be beat. 

I haven't figured out a great plan for stringing pretty bulbs across our deck...yet.

 (This is the year!) 

I include lots of hurricanes for candles, lanterns, and oil torches.  

  

#5

Mirror

A mirror is a fun, unexpected addition that can offer a pretty reflection of greenery, 

or boring siding in this case.  Haha! :)

Be sure to put it in a space where birds won't run into it.

Don't miss these ladies' My Five Favorites:

Kris @ Driven by Decor

Lisa @ Shine Your Light

Jennifer @ Dimples & Tangles

Julia @ Cuckoo 4 Design

You might like these previous Five Favorites, too:

Pillow Projects
Decorating for Spring
Decorative Accessories
Home Organizing Tips
Quick & Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas

Paint 

Layered Strawberry Shortcake in Mason Jars

My friends delight in making jokes about my love for putting food in 

mason jars ~ seriously, is it not just more fun? They're so cute, and I think it's

such a clever idea for picnics, potlucks and BBQs to open your cooler and pull

out little individual servings!  It couldn't be easier, and my favorite words when

 I'm entertaining - they can be made ahead of time!    

12 - 8 ounce mason jars

1.5 lb. carton of strawberries, cut in pieces

 1/2 cup sugar (or less)

Sprinkle sugar over strawberries and let sit 20 minutes, or until juices form.   

Pound Cake cut in cubes

 I use 6 large butter pound cakes from Costco (12 to a pkg.)

Heavy Whipping Cream - 1 pint

3 tablespoons sugar

Whip cream until stiff gradually adding sugar while whipping.

Layer ingredients in mason jars. 

Pound Cake, Strawberries & Cream and repeat.

Place lids on jars and refrigerate.

Can be made 3 - 24 hours prior to serving.    

Yield: 12 servings

Tell me I'm not alone in my enthusiasm for mason jars. :) 

I heart hammocks!

Happy National Hammock Day, friends! 

One of my favorite traditions each summer is taking our hammock out of storage

and piling it with pretty pillows. If you're the can't sit still type, like me, I dare you to

 sink into hammock and not feel the 'lazy days of summer' vibe come over you. The

 squirrels ruined a few of ours, but I found one on Craigslist and we're back in business.

  I'm totally crushing on the new boho style with macrame, crochet and fringe details,

now is the perfect time to check them out with the end of summer sales upon us. :(    

Simple Details :)

Urban Outfitters 

Anthropologie

Anthrpologie 

Hayneedle - Several styles on Sale

No trees, no worries!

bhg.com

serenitywood.com

crateandbarrel.com

Here's to finding a few minutes in your day to to chill and soak up summer.