Outdoor Entertaining

Before the weather even got warm I started obsessing over our deck and outdoor entertaining. You know I love to throw a good party and this summer will be no exception. We only bought a table and chairs for the deck last year because we moved in our house at the end of the season. This year, I plan to go all out since I know we will be outside quite a bit grilling and entertaining. I love all the bright colors and am slowly but surely adding to our outdoor space. Here are some of my favorites.

Straw Chevron Paper Straws / Warm Venice Paisley Gusseted Outdoor Chair Pad / Turquoise Blue Outdoor Chair Pad / Outdoor Metal Drink Bucket / Multi Stripe Chevron Tray / Colored Acrylic Stemless Tumblers, Set of 3 / 7.5' Auto-Tilt Market Umbrella / Frosted Bulb String Lights / Zak Designs® Melamine Ella Dinnerware - jcpenney / Vintage Patio Chair Photo / Jordan Manufacturing Co Inc. Knife Edge Seat Pad / Ikea Ps 2012

Bakin' Bacon

I Google a lot of "How To's" on a regular basis and this is one. "how to make bacon in the oven". For some reason I can't seem to remember and for that reason, I'm going to post about it so I can refer to my own blog for instructions.

This may be a no brainer for some of you, but I have been frying bacon in a pan for years now, splashing grease all over the place and having to wait because I can't only make about 4 pieces at a time.

Making bacon in the oven is so much easier, cleaner, and everyone can eat at the same time!

How to make Bacon in the oven.
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cover a cookie sheet in foil.
3. Spread bacon pieces on foil.
4. Bake for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!

 

**Couple of notes based on some questions I've had. You can use turkey bacon but you will want to leave it in a few minutes longer to get crispier. Regular bacon will get crispy. As for the grease, I would recommend placing the bacon on a plate with a  few paper towels to soak up the grease. But it's no more than if you would have pan fried it.

Black and White

Beyoncé wore this Osman Yousefzada jumpsuit to the Grammys earlier this year and it gave me the idea to make this black and white dress.

 

I posted this on Instagram a few weeks ago before I finished it, as you can see by the hem. Someone suggested I take a picture in the dress.  I haven't actually worn it yet but, I might wear it to a wedding this summer.

This is a super grainy selfie. What do you think of these shoes? Too much black and white?

 

Sewing details:

 

I used Cynthia Rowley 1873 (B) for the top part of the dress. Instead of cutting the front piece on the fold, I cut one in black and one in white then sewed them together to form a full front piece. I lined the top in white.

 

I have been searching for a tulip skirt pattern with a gathered waist and tapered skirt. I ended up using Cynthia Rowley 2512 pattern for the skirt. I omitted the waistband from the pattern. I made the pockets in the contrasting white. I couldn't get a good picture of that though. It was an excellent pattern to work with and I will definitely use it again. I might need to make the skirt a tad bit longer. I had to hem it 1/4 inch because otherwise it would have been too short.

 

I used a stretch cotton satin fabric and cut the pattern in a size smaller due to stretching. It fits perfectly!

 

Oh hey Spring!

It's finally arrived! The weather is warm and I can wear my spring clothes! I got this necklace a few weeks ago and it's my favorite! Goes with everything. It's hard to tell in this picture, but the cardigan is the prettiest neon(ish) color.

 

Peplum top- Target

Pants, cardigan and necklace- H&M

Peep toe wedges- Nine West

 

 

Tassel necklace

Check out the tassel necklace my Mom got me for my birthday. It's vintage from a flea market in Tennessee and I love it!

The fever

Admittedly, since my niece was born I have had major baby fever. I just love her so much and think there couldn't be a cuter and more well behaved child. I want one just like her!

Darling!

 

She's standing! Isn't she a doll?

 

See! I feel like a proud mom, but I'm just an adoring aunt.

 

AND THEN- I read things like this...Your body: What to Expect. And I'm like well, shit maybe I'd rather not have kids at all. There are some pretty terrifying articles on the 'net that make me reevaluate and appreciate our childless life.

 

After reading a few, I promptly Googled and am now planning a trip to Europe. Just as exciting!

 

And so if you're reading this all those nosy "when are you having a baby" types. I'm telling ya, not yet!

 

Vaseline Spray Lotion

Have you seen this product? Maybe I've been hiding under a rock, but according to my mom it's the newest and biggest thing. My sister and I found these in our Easter baskets and my Mom couldn't believe we hadn't heard of them. She said the Easter bunny had to try several places because it was sold out everywhere.

Turns out it IS awesome! Works really well! I'm sold on it.