Red, White and Blue!

If you know me very well, then you know the 4th of July is my favorite holiday! It's the perfect holiday generally spent with family and friends, it's in the middle of the summer, cookouts, pool parties, and fireworks! I LOVE fireworks! I love the 4th so much I originally wanted to get married on that day! Instead I got engaged ;-) I will forever love and cherish the holiday.

So naturally, I always dress to celebrate the holiday. Since it's usually scorching hot I more often opt for a sun dress, but shorts and top are cute too. No reason to go over the top or tacky, but why not celebrate our independence?!?!

The 4th falls in the middle of the week this year, which is a huge bummer work wise. I hope everyone has something fun planned for your one day off!

Here are some ideas for dressing patriotic next week.

Key Lime Pie

My mom had this pie last time I was home. She had it frozen because my dad likes it that way, but I actually like it just chilled in the refrigerator. I came home and made it for Dan and we have been enjoying it all week!

I have never made key lime pie before and I realize this isn't the real thing, but it tastes awesome and it's not so bad for you either!

Key Lime Pie

Ingredients
1/4 cup water
1 package of sugar free lime jello
2 containers of light key lime yogurt
1 tub of frozen reduced fat whipped topping
1 graham cracker reduced fat pie crust

Directions
-Place whipped topping in fridge to thaw. Takes a few hours.
-In a microwave safe measuring cup heat water on high for 45-60 seconds until boiling. Whisk in jello until dissolved.
-In a large bowl whisk together jello mixture and yogurt. Fold in thawed whipped topping. Cafefully spread into crust.
-Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set.

Enjoy! 

Happy Weekend

Well we are back to Monday again... I hope you had a great weekend! We had a pretty busy one! My brother and his wife had a baby last Monday and we were able to meet her this weekend. She is super cute! I can't wait to dress her up! Her closet is already pretty full.

We also hit up La Revolucion in Fountain Square and sat on their new (expanded) tikki hut patio. It's pretty cool and the drinks are amazing! Highly recommend the Hoosier Tornado which is similar to a Hurricane.

 

Aunt Ashley

 

 La Revolucion

 4th of July Jello Cookies

Recipe Here

 Looking for a funny and easy summer read? This book is hilarious! 

Coral and Gold nails.

Peplum Top

So you know I love peplum dresses. I have made so many it should just be my signature style. Recently I have fallen in love with peplum tops too. The top row are my favorite. I really want the silver leather H&M and pink Anthropologie one too! I'd love a white sleeveless one as well that would go with everything!

Purple and White Cutout Dress

I started this dress such a long time ago. I just lost motivation for it since I didn't have anywhere in particular to wear it. I still don't have an opportunity to wear it, but I forced myself to finish it before moving on to other projects. It's incredibly difficult to tell in the pictures but it's actually a pale purple and white stripe. I really like the cutout back and neckline of the bodice.

Weekend Update

I had a nice relaxing and fun weekend this past weekend. I left after work on Thursday and headed home to spend some time with my parents before my friend Lisa's wedding. I had the best time with my Mom. We sat out on the dock and floated in the lake, went on a 4 mile walk, rode bikes and looked at home decor magazines. Something about being at my parents house is so relaxing. Maybe because they make me dinner and iron my clothes. Maybe it's because my room is still a wedding shrine! :) But I loved being there and spending time with my parents. I really enjoyed talking to them and asking a zillion questions about our upcoming move and all things homeowners need to know.

I headed to Evansville on Friday to be apart of my friend Lisa's wedding. It was so fun being with all my friends and Lisa looked absolutely gorgeous! I'm sad this is our last wedding for awhile.

My blog was quiet last week but over the weekend I've had some inspiration. So keep checking back for more posts!

 On the dock at the lake.

 New mags my Mom bought for me. 

Frozen Key Lime Pie my Mom made. (recipe coming soon)

My wedding dress, letters, centerpieces, etc all up in my room. (love it)

Vintage Chairs found at my Grandparents. Will look awesome in our new house! 

 Beautiful bride! 

 Sorority sisters at the wedding. 

Happenings

Whew! What a week it has been for us. As you may recall I posted about our house hunting woes a few weeks ago. Well, last Monday in a last ditch effort we scheduled 4 more homes to see with our realtor. Going into the appointments I figured we would just end up putting an offer on a home that we both liked really well but had been so hesitant because of the area. You see, our lease is quickly approaching and we were getting incredibly nervous and anxious about what to do. It has been tricky finding a home we like, can afford, and that has a good neighborhood. Thankfully, we fell in love with one of the homes we saw last Monday night!

We had considered the area before, but didn't know much about it. After we finished seeing houses Dan and I drove back to the area and decided we wanted it. We love the fact that there were nice  people out walking their dogs or with children. It was so refreshing compared to the other home we were considering. Plus, there is a cute area with bars restaurants and boutiques a few blocks away!

On Tuesday, we went to see the house again. (Just in case) On Wednesday we put an offer on the home and by Friday an offer was accepted!!!! We are elated! Our first home! There are a few more hoops to jump through. So I'll wait to tell you more about it. I don't want to "jinx it".

I can't believe it was only a week ago that we first saw the house. We have driven past is so many times and looked over and over again at the pictures imagining ourselves living there! We went to both Home Depot and Lowes on Saturday to scope out all the new things we will need and want.

Over the last week we have been having so much fun looking at furniture, paint samples, and ways to decorate. Dan has excellent taste and is very much (more than me, really) into decorating. We are anxious to move and have a house of our own!

Back yard and deck! 

As for the weekend, we celebrated at Tortas with some pulled pork tacos, then headed to our new hood for a celebratory drink at Black Acre. On Saturday we rode our bikes to the Talbot Street Art Fair and Handcraft Exchange. That night we rode to the Indianapolis Indians game. Sunday I started working on a romper.

Looking forward to another exciting week. We are expecting a new niece this week and celebrating a good friends wedding this weekend!


*Awesome photos courtesy of Dan.

Chili Rubbed Salmon

This is a super easy and quick recipe! Besides the salmon, you should have everything else on hand.

Chili Rubbed Salmon
Ingredients:
Olive oil
2-4 salmon fillets
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp salt

Directions:
Heat grill or skillet. I used an indoor grill, worked great! Coat with olive oil. Drizzle olive oil on salmon.  In a small bowl mix chili powder, brown sugar, cumin and salt. Rub on both sides of salmon.

Grill salmon on both sides until it flakes easily.


Enjoy! 

Colorblock nails

I was so pleased with myself and these nails. I was literally trying to make sure everyone saw my awesome purposeful multi-colored nails with extra gestures and such. I don't even think these pictures do my nails justice. They were NEON and so great! Too bad they chipped the very next day. Still, they look cool, right? I'm definitely into this trend!

New things

Fun new items I've picked up recently. 

1. Sweet Neon tank from Tracks in Bloomington, IN

2. Mint jeans from Target

3. Steve Madden Aqua sandals from TJ Maxx

4. Triangle necklace from Pitaya
5. Jcrew necklace via Ebay!