Yesterday my IRL bff Ashley from Ashley Brooke Designs had her first bridal shower! It was a great time and she LOTS of lovely gifts. I wanted to share the gift I took because I think its super sweet and it's a great idea to pass along to you all for a shower or wedding gift. I thought it was a sweet way to acknowledge that two of my best friends are not just getting married, they're creating a brand new family:



I purchased this from Bosheree on Etsy. It's very affordable and you can choose from TONS of different colors and styles and finishes. So you can really create something personal that is totally unique!



Stay tuned for a later post--a product review regarding the delightful Ame and Lulu!


xoxo,
EHK

A HUGE Thank You to my dear, dear friend Ashley of Ashley Brooke Designs. She designed my new header and I am IN LOVE with it!! I sent her an inspiration photo and she nailed it on the first try. If you are looking for stationery, a blog header, or any other design needs, you need to email her! You can also keep up with her on twitter ( @abdesigns) and on Facebook through the Ashley Brooke Designs fan page.

Thanks again Ash, you're the best!

xoxo,
EHK

(Special thanks to JGIWC for all her spray tan advice, I am going to try it one of these days!.) As much as I love the beach, I slather more and more SPF every time I go because I am TERRIFIED of skin cancer. I need to go to the derm and have all my moles and freckles checked (by the way, does the word moles bother anyone else? I feel like I just said something inapprop). As a pre-cursor to trying out the spray tan, I am gone back to an old friend from freshman year of college--Jergens natural glow (note the picture from amazon.com, is a little old, the packaging is slightly different now).


This worked quite well a few years ago, keeping me from getting my pasty white in the winter. On the second go around I will say they have improved the smell tremendously! I stopped using it initially because I didn't like the smell, but its much better now. I've been using it for about a week and I'm pleased with my color considering I haven't laid out in the sun or done anything else to naturally enhance my tan. So if you're heading into fall and winter knowing the death of your tan is imminent, try this to combat the pasty-ness. For those of you (ahem, my mother and sister) who stay a divine natural brown all year long--feel free to play along with the rest of us so we don't resent you and your glorious coloring.

xoxo,
EHK

Real Simple is by far one of my favorites magazines! I recently got a subscription thanks to a great deal Hopsy shared with us earlier in the summer. The September issue arrived (despite the fact that I had already purchased it at Target, thinking the subscription wouldn't kick in quite yet) and there is an article that blew my mind. I am a sucker for a great before and after and these three are no exception. Three underused closets become an office, a bar and (my favorite) a library! My dream home will have a gorgeous library with floor to ceiling shelves and comfy chairs. This article thrills me because it shows I don't have to wait for the dream house but could create my own library even in a very small space! Enjoy the eye candy :) (sorry for the poor iphone quality pics--couldn't work the scanner this morning and the Sept. issue is not online yet!)



xoxo,
EHK

Whew, it's good to be back. The past few days have been quite the whirlwind. I'm looking forward to making a delicious dinner tonight and going to bed early!

Monday was a super hectic day trying to help my sister get ready to go back to school plus work PLUS two of my good friends got engaged! WOO! This meant an improptu engagement gathering that kept us out late and then I was up Tuesday at 6:45 getting ready to head out of town and move sissy! Needless to say, the move went well and we got home last night about 12:30! I will be sleeping great tonight--that is for sure!

A couple of pictures, one from Luke's sister's baby shower (this is the day before the shower--didn't take one photo at the shower, can you believe it?!) and one of my sister's new place!!





xoxo,
EHK

I'm anticipating....

FOOTBALL SEASON! We got our football tickets yesterday and I can't wait to spend more than a couple of Saturdays, here:I'm hungry for...

Vodka Portobello Lasagna (courtesy of Bertolli.com)

VODKA PORTOBELLO LASAGNA
	Ingredients: 1 package (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 8 oz.) 1 cup crumbled feta cheese 1 egg, slightly beaten 1 jar Bertolli® Vodka Sauce made with Fresh Cream 12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained 8 ounces portobello mushrooms, sliced 1/4-inch thick
	Instructions: Preheat oven to 375°. In medium bowl, combine spinach, 1-1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, feta cheese and egg; set aside. In 13 x 9-inch baking dish, spread 1/2 cup Sauce. Layer 4 lasagna noodles, 1/2 of the spinach mixture, 1/2 of the mushrooms and 1/2 cup Sauce. Repeat, starting and ending with noodles. Top with remaining Sauce. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake 25 minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake uncovered 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
	Serves: 8 Preparation Time: 20 Minute(s) Cook Time: 40 Minute(s)

Happy Weekend!

xoxo,
EHK

I'm working on a couple of social media consulting projects and I'm in the process of researching and figuring out the best way to harness the Facebook fan page. What is the best way to use this page? Who are we targeting? What are we offering?

As I wade through this, I look to certain pages that are successful and thriving. One my favorites is the page featuring our favorite pink and green palace: the Lilly Pulitzer fan page. Whether or not you love Lilly, you've got to take a look at their page. I realize their customer's brand loyalty far exceeds the expectation of even the most successful company but regardless their page is inviting, engaging and keeps people coming back. There are consistent updates, relevant information, fun applications and giveaways. Fans feel at home and regularly post photos and tidbits from their Lilly-filled lives. If you are looking to Facebook to expand your social media efforts, this page is a great piece of inspiration!

xoxo,
EHK

xoxo,
EHK

***I heard the link wasn't working. I re-linked it! But it could take up to three days for everyone to be able to access it according to Blogger.

Loving this collection of fab celebs sporting their stripes, courtesy of whowhatwear.com. I love the easy chic of stripes and I'm excited they are in full force this fall!


Can't wait to get some Breton Stripes, but here's how I'm currently sporting the trend:



xoxo,
EHK

Sunday afternoon Mumsie and I went to see Julie & Julia. I had been dying to see this because who doesn't love Meryl Streep and Amy Adams? I mean seriously. I love them both but I'm obsessed with Meryl--she's amazing (don't worry Meryl, I'm not a stalker. k.)

The movie was nothing short of delightful! Admittedly, the Julia portion of the film is in my opinon more engaging than the Julie part of the film, but it has to do with where each character is in their life because Julie is kind of lost to begin with. The food in the movie is extraordinary eye candy! Be prepared, you will want some amazing french food when this movie is over.

Because Julie is a blogger, you'll appreciate some of her blogging trials and triumphs. Her joy over her first comment, only to realize it was her mom. And how she feels really connected to her readers even though they've never met.


Overall, the movie was fantastic and I definitely reccomend it. If you go see it, let me know how you like it :)

xoxo,
EHK

On Saturday, Luke, Stella and I headed to the Farmer's Market. We got some breakfast and walked Miss Stella around until we were all pretty tuckered out. I walked away with some lovely plum tomatoes that really went the distance this weekend.
I used these tomatoes to make an awesome Tomato Salad. SUPER easy recipe:

Dice beefsteak or plum tomatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 shallot, diced
1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic
sprinkles parmesean

After a couple of days the salad had really marinated and last night, after seeing Julie and Julia (review to come!) we chopped it up a bit finer and made an DELICIOUS bruschetta!


We toasted italian bread in a pan using some olive oil and butter and topped with the tomato salad--sprinkled a little mozzarella on top and put it under the broiler. YUM!


xoxo,
EHK

Happy Friday! One year ago today I started this humble little blog--not quite sure what exactly it would become. I started reading about Nina, Hopsy, Lulu and Muffy and couldn't imagine the people who read their fabulous blogs would ever want to read mine--thanks to all my readers, I'm so grateful to you for making me feel at home in this lovely little community!

Onto my favorites for the week...

DIY Monogram Topiary via Style Me Pretty


Heading to Leu Gardens to watch Breakfast at Tiffany's under the stars with L and some friends, complete with a picnic and some wine!


Needing one of these Market Totes! Can think of tons of uses for this. If you want one too, go to Sweet Tea Diaries and enter her giveaway!


xoxo,
EHK

And just when you thought it was over....

I interviewed for a job almost three weeks ago at a local PR firm. And having heard nothing since then, I thought that door was closed. Until yesterday. I got a voicemail message from the company asking me to come in for a second interview! Needless to say, I'm thrilled that the prospect of full time employment is still alive and well. Although, a slight, self-indulgent confession, there is another (albeit unpaid) opportunity I am really excited to pursue as well. While PR is creative, I'm dying to use my skills in a truly creative based company. So to wrap up, I'm super excited! But I'm still yearning to find that special fit--then again, isn't everyone??

Onto the silly trend of the day....

Meggings! That's right girls, apparently leggings are an equal opportunity wardrobe piece. The NY Magazine fashion blog, The Cut, reports:
Tomorrow is my one year blog anniversary!

xoxo,
EHK

How were your weekends lovelies? I hope they were fantastic!

Mine was great and productive! Friday night I spent with L, we ran errands and went out to dinner and capped off the night with board games and a movie at home. Saturday I had to work, but luckily only until 2 because Ash from Ashley Brooke Designs stopped by the shop a little after 1 and when I got off work we went to the mall as Dillards was having a HUGE sale--not lying when I tell you by the time we left Ashley's backseat was filled with Dillards bags!

If you follow Ashley or her company you know she is getting married in October and while the wedding party is made up strictly of her sister Ky and Manolo's sister Isabel, I like to consider myself an honorary member and certainly the number one wedding cheerleader! So I was becoming frustrated at not having found a dress. The wedding is in October in FL (read: it will still be very warm outside) and it's a picnic themed wedding (read we will be outside and I will need to be able to sit down on a quilt in said dress). Well, I found the dress and an outfit for L during our visit to Dillards!

L will wear navy slacks and a linen button down with rolled up sleeves in the same creamy ivory color on the dress. I think we will be tres adorable!

Sunday was a lazy day, spent trolling around Park Ave. in WP and having brunch at Briarpatch--YUM! And receiving this in the mail:

My invitation to Ashley's wedding! Hooray!!

xoxo,
EHK