Sonya Renee Evie Earrings....GORGE!

Metallic Pearl Flats just in at The Primrose Shop (also in silver, orange, and hot pink suede)...Prep-tastic!





Happy Weekend!
xoxo,
EHK

Good Morning!

Love getting a blog post out before work! Feels good :)

Yesterday I got my invitation to Ashley of Ashley Brooke Designs' first bridal shower! Woo hoo! I'm so excited. I wanted to share the invitation with you and a great idea for a wedding shower or wedding gift (This is not what I'm getting the couple bc Miss Ashley will read this and I'd hate to spoil it for her. The gift I am getting is fantastic, and I will let you in on it after the shower!)

One of the things Ashley and her fiance registered for was a popcorn popper from Crate and Barrel and I immediately thought of a cute gift you could center around such an item.

Pair this:
with a subscription for :
and add some candy and these:


and voila! A perfecting themed gift. Ashley's fiance already has a a subscription to netflix or else I'd be using this myself. But isn't this a fun way to incorporate an item on the registry and still be creative? I think so.


Happy Thursday.
xoxo,
EHK


PS: Last night on So you think you can Dance?, the top three girls had monogram belts on and I tried to find a picture this morning and could not :( Let me know if you see one--send it my way, pretty please!


Edited to Add: The blushing bride has requested the gift above, so I am calling my own gift, if you are going to said wedding and showers, back off--bwahahaha!! (just kidding, but no, really, I'm getting it ;)

Sweet Hadley at Lilly P. sent me an email today inviting me to one of the Summer Thursday events at the Madison Ave. store in NYC, next week August 6th. Since I will be in the sunshine state (preparing to leave for Savannah!) you must go and tell me how it is. It's going to be Happy Hour and a mixologist will be there making his signature cocktail The Seersucker! There's also a 10% discount on your purchase. So if you are in NYC, RSVP to this invitation and have a wonderful time!

xoxo,
EHK

I know you come hear to read about my various frivolities but here's a post where I attempt where I encourage you to be do good-ers (although you're all fabulous so I know you are probably already do good-ers )

This morning my sister and I trekked to Target and found ourselves in that magical section that comes around only once a year..(cue trumpets) The School Supply Section! Were we shopping for ourselves? no (we wish).

Our church does a backpack drive every fall encouraging people to fill up a backpack and bring it in to be donated to a local childrens ministry that does amazing work with impoverished kids in a decidedly rough section of downtown. Lots of these kids would otherwise show up to school unprepared and lacking the supplies to help them succeed. Facing so many other obstacles, we feel like the least we can do is get them their backpacks, folders and papers (and a few other fun things).

Seeing as how kids and school supplies are two of my all time favs, I am all over it. So we happily cruised up and down the aisles and filled up those backpacks:


It's a great project and something you should check out in your area. See if anyone is doing this and how you can help. Or maybe you work with a local non-profit and this is something you want to start up. Either way, I know this will make a difference for the kids who are starting back to school with very little and if you live in my neck of the woods, even if you don't go to Summit, think about dropping off a backpack!

xoxo,
EHK

OK, so maybe the lemonade out of lemons cliche is a little strong for this situation but never the less...

I love nothing more than putting together gifts for people. A gift should be special, personal and something meaningful. Not something you just pick up because you got invited to a party and don't want to show up empty handed. Obviously, being the monogramming maven that I am, I capitalize on the opportunity to personalize any gift I can. But every once in awhile an occasion arises and monogramming isn't possible.

Here, I talked about L's sister's baby shower and my little hand in making it happen. Well the shower is two weeks from Sunday and I'm starting to pull my gift together. However, sweet baby girl does not have a name yet! So what's a monogramming pseudo-aunt to do?? Here are some sweet gifts I'm planning on taking to the shower...

Little Sister onesie from www.etsy.com/roslynscloset ( I got big brother Nate a matching big brother t-shirt!)

Sweet pink bow headband from www.etsy.com/tosweetpeafromme

Adorable daisy shoes from www.etsy.com/tinytoesandbows


I'm going to package these and some other fun things a scalloped bucket similar to this one only larger. And since we can't monogram, I will add something fun like Thank Heaven for Little Girls! Once little girl has a name, I can peel it right off, wipe it down and replace it with her monogram!

Because the gifts will be a little of this and a little of that, the bucket and packaging will really make this gift...once the bucket is full I'll wrap it in cellophane with a big grosgrain ribbon! Tune in a couple of weeks for a photo of the actual gift!

xoxo,
EHK

One of me and L's favorite things to do together is find new recipes and cook dinner. I thought I'd share our Saturday night menu with all of you. The first two recipes are courtesy of the Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics (photo: marthastewart.com)


Crispy Mustard Glazed Chicken

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Rub chicken breasts lightly with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
2. Combine 2 tablespoons butter with the mustard; reserve 2 teaspoons for sauce. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter; mix with breadcrumbs and thyme, and season with salt and pepper.
3. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin side down until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Smear with mustard mixture, and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Turn skin side up; apply mustard mixture and breadcrumbs.
4. Transfer skillet to oven, and roast until chicken is cooked through and top is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Transfer chicken to serving platter. Add stock and cream to skillet over medium heat, and stir with wooden spoon until creamy and reduced to 3/4 cup, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in reserved mustard mixture. Strain through a fine sieve, and serve with chicken. Garnish with thyme.

Glazed Carrots with wholes spices and rosemary

• 2 pounds thin tender carrots
• Salt
• 3 Tablespoons packed light brown suger
• 1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon white-wine vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons honey
• 1 Teaspoon pink peppercorns (I used regular peppercorns)
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1 whole star anise (we did not include this but feel free)

Bring lg. pot of water to boil; add 1 Tablespoon salt. Add carrots; cook until just tender (3-4 min). Immediately plunge into ice bath. Drain.

Preheat oven to 375. Whisk together honey, sugar, vinegar and peppercorns.

Heat oil in large over proof skillet over med-high heat. Add carrots, rosemary (and anise if you choose) stirring until carrots are tender ( about 5 min). Stir in honey mixture. Sea son with salt. Bring to a boil over medium hight heat turning carrots to coat.

Transfer skillet to oven. Roast carrots until slightly carmelized, 20-25 minutes. Drizzle with oil if desired.



To bring the meal together we added some grilled corn on the cob--yum! You can leave the corn in the husk if you like, we shucked the corn and wrapped the ears in foil adding salt, pepper and melted butter. Grill for about 10 minutes turning the corn every few minutes.

photo: bfeedme.com

xoxo,
EHK

I am about to reveal a couple of things that may or may not shock you, don't fret--I think we can all still be friends.

#1 I am not reading Twilight in the ravenous, flashlight under the covers way everyone else seemed to. In fact, I could stop now, in the middle of book 1 and not look back. (Gasp!) I know, I know, you "read the whole series in a week", "it was your favorite"...I wish I was like you. But sadly I just can't get into it. A couple potential culprits; is it the audio factor--would I be more intrigued if I were actually reading it myself and not being read to?; is it the hollywood factor--did my viewing of (what some die-hards would call a poor substitution) the movie leave me jaded and uninterested in the outcome? Regardless of the reason I am committed to finishing it. Perhaps for no other reason than this started as a joint audio book adventure with the bf and he has finished it. I can't be a bad book partner.

#2 I do not live for Summer. Do I like summer? sure. I <3 the Fourth, love having sunshine late into the evening, love lightning bugs. But I live in Florida--I don't have to cram all my clam bake, beach loving, sunshine fun into three short months. I have less of a sense of urgency. And truth be told, I am a Fall girl. I loveeeee Fall. Football season, that back to school feeling (first fall, not going back to school--let's not talk about it) --it's great. I light pumpkin candles and pretend there is a crisp-ness to the air (in actuality it is still hot and humid and I adopt a new weight loss plan involving sweating off the lbs at college football games and tailgates). But the fall feeling is there none the less. My 7 year jaunt into the Northeast fostered this love and I'm hoping the bf and I can save a little money to make a trip this year to NYC or Baltimore, or some equally lovely place where the leaves change color...


Cheers to Friday loves.

xoxo,
EHK

If you follow me on twitter, then yesterday you caught the earth-shattering news that I went to Target and spent a measly $2.00. I'm thinking of submitting this for entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. For fun, let's look at what I would have purchased had I had less self control, more time before work and a little more money in the bank:


xoxo,
EHK

So I don't know about you but working part time, I spend a good bit of time around the house and most of the time I don't care to dress in a full-on fabulous outfit while I'm returning emails, blogging or reading. Consequently, lounge wear is crucial. It's one of those things I definitely use but sometimes it's hard to justify purchases because you figure no one will see it. I thought I'd pull together a few cute lounge wear pieces that you can wear for an afternoon in and even for a quick trip to the store.

My favorite! Found this, this morning and am DYING to buy one for myself. Confession: own a chemise from Anthro that I regularly wear out and to work!



Cheers to lounging sweets!
xoxo,
EHK

**Edited to Add: Just saw Rue La La will be having a LuluLemon (activewear jackpot) sample sale starting Friday. Email me for an invitation if you don't belong to Rue La La***

I am now the proud owner of one of these puppies:



I have been dying for one and I am so excited to have one now! I've already started checking out apps and downloading them, although I'm eager to hear what your must have apps are. I can already see how easy it is to become addicted and I'm trying to remain a normal member of society and not completely retreat with my new toy-ha! I'm thrilled that I can tweet, email and keep up with your blogs while I'm on the go :)

xoxo,
EHK

Hi Hi!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. This is what I acquired on Saturday at the Farmer's Market:A gerbera daisy plant! Isn't it cute? For $2, I could not resist. Of course, I had to jazz it up a little with a monogrammed bucket from The Primrose Shop but that is neither here nor there.

In addition to getting my super cute new plant (she needs a name--any suggestions?) the farmer's market was all around delightful (although anytime the heat wants to take a va-ca I'm all for it!) experience. Sister and I indulged in Davis Bakery bagels and walked little Miss Stella around until she was thoroughly worn out and tired of being accosted by small children (I kid, but really, she's quite the attraction.).

Sunday was church, followed by a going away brunch for a friend who has joined the Air Force and is about to leave for his training. You should be feel good about this--we need people like him in the military. I know he is going to be phenominal at his job. Later in the day I made the drive to the bf's house and we went for a bike ride, took a dip in the pool and enjoyed one another's company.

Hope your Monday was fantastic--cheers to a great week friends!

xoxo,
EHK

Last week, the bf's mom calls because she wants my help with the bf's sister's baby shower next month. My inner Martha lept at the chance to lend my creative juices to such a project. I was told the colors for the shower were lavender and celery green. I decided to create a super simple invitation using the colors and a pretty font (momma to be is tres low maintenance and easy to please...if only I could be more like her).

I also thought we would create some hanging pom poms in the colors to hang over the table with all the treats. Specialty iced cookies will serve as the favors--flower designs in the colors, individually wrapped in little cellophane bags!


The menu is still up in the air but I think a white eyelet table runner will look nice and crisp among the lavender and green details. One menu item I am certain of: mini cupcakes from Sweet! by Good Golly Miss Holly--so cute and yummy!

I'm looking forward to it...now if only momma would settle on a name so I can buy baby girl to be fabulously monogrammed things!

xoxo,
EHK

When I posted my stack of books a couple of you asked for recommendations and/or what I'm currently reading. So here's some help in your search for that great page turner.

What I'm currently reading (Don't judge--I love a good mystery):



I'm listening to this as an audiobook (the bf is listening too and he is so much further ahead!):



Already reviewed this one--highly recommended:
One of my all time favorites! Set in glamorous 1950's London, need I say more?:


You saw my stack of books so I'll be sure and review those as soon as I'm done! Happy hunting.

xoxo,
EHK

Good Morning Loves!

This morning has been very productive, I cleaned, worked-out, channeled my inner martha and am getting ready to shower and get ready for work this afternoon.

Had a great day yesterday, going to church with Luke (doesn't happen often since we live in separate towns) and lunch with him and bff Ashley @ Pei Wei--YUM! Luke and I washed and waxed my car, hopped in the neighbor's pool, enjoyed dinner and watched the end of Harper's Island on TIVO (don't judge us-lol).

Looking forward to making some extra money babysitting this week and having an old fashioned girly sleepover with the aforementioned bff (yes I'm 22, not 15)!!

I'll leave you with the stack of books sitting next to my desk just waiting to read:

xoxo,
EHK

Loving these J. Simpson shoes I picked up yesterday at Marshall's for 20.00!

{I tried multiple times to post this yesterday but sketchy internet (which is almost back up and running-woohoo!) prevented me from posting.}

Hey beauties!

I hope you had a wonderful Fourth! I've been enjoying reading about all your festivities. I had a great time at the beach and was sad to leave. Luke and I met on the Fourth at his family's beach house, did you know that? We've spent every Fourth together at the beach, except for one and it makes the day a little extra special for us--Saturday was the 6th anniversary of the first time we met. We celebrated with dinner at our favorite restaurant in New Smyrna Sunday night and it was sooo good!! My family came up on Saturday and it was nice to spend the day having everyone together. I'm going to post pictures in a separate post because Blogger is lame and won't let me post any photos at the moment. FAIL.

xoxo,
EHK