Friday Favorites at Target...

Target is one of my favorite A-Z stores. Love Love Love... Where else can you find something to eat, buy office supplies, sample a new nail polish, pick up a dress to wear and furnish your home? I hate the fact that I can't get out of there without spending $100. Lucky for me I've been saving a couple of gift cards for a rainy day (it's been raining a lot here in Houston)  and this is what I came home with. Check out my current faves:

I have been wanting a globe for quite some time now and as soon as I spotted this one I knew it was going home with me. The black and gold are absolutely perfect!  Click here for a similar globe on Target's website. I purchased mine in the store and didn't see it online to share the link with you.

Even though these gold figurals would be nice sitting on a pile of books these babies are going on the wall in our downstairs bathroom. I bought the last two they had and it took me awhile to find the third one because they are only sold in stores.  Don't you just love the color?

Yes! This leopard belt will be filling my loops occasionally.

TGIF!

Try It Tuesday...Healthy Mexican Bean Salad

It's no secret that we love mexican food and it's safe to say that we eat it at least two times a week for dinner. I'm always looking for new recipes and I was ecstatic when I came across this healthy mexican pinto bean salad in the June issue of Real Simple magazine. I decided to use avocado oil in place of olive oil and left out the Cotija/ricotta salata that was in their recipe. It went so well with my baked chicken taco's and it was such a breeze to whip up. 

This no-cook side salad will definitely be on repeat for the hot summer months ahead of us.

Ingredients:

2 15.5 oz. cans pinto beans (rinsed)

1 chopped bell pepper

4 chopped scallions

1 cup fresh salsa

1/4 cup avocado oil

2 T lime juice

salt & pepper to season

Mix together and enjoy!

Friday Favorites...

Johnny Was Shirt (similar), True Religion Shorts (similar), Birkenstocks, OPI Alpine Snow Polish

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I love wearing a dressier shirt with a casual bottom, especially cut-off denim shorts. It is a look that is so unpredictable but works if you pair it right. This was such a comfy but stylish outfit to run errands in all day...especially after I had spent most of this week in workout clothes and no makeup!  Enjoy your holiday weekend and I hope to catch some much needed rays and relaxation...

TGIF!

Try It Tuesday Using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint...

The look of our dining room furniture had been wearing on me for quite some time. I kept finding myself daydreaming of replacing this furniture but I had to snap back to reality and find a cheaper solution that would hold me over for awhile. 

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to the rescue! I had enough paint and wax left over from when I painted this last year so it was the perfect choice to transform our pieces. It's incredibly easy to paint with, no fumes, no sanding and not having to move our furniture out of the room made it an easy decision to use ASCP again. My husband tackled this project in one day!  

      before

after

A whole new look and "new furniture" in just one day!

Friday Favorites...Do You Kimono?

Kimono's are all the rage right now and they have really grown on me over the past few months. Everyone can wear a kimono but finding the right one is key. I purchased my first one a couple of months ago and my second one last week, both from Forever21. This boho look will be fun for the spring/summer without putting a huge dent in my pocketbook. Plus, I wanted the option of wearing a long or short kimono so two for the price of one isn't bad. 

Pairing the short kimono with denim shorts, silver jewelry and gladiators makes it boho official.

I wanted the option of wearing a long one with denim shorts, jeans or even a dress!

Other kimonos on my radar

Akumal Kimono Scarf

Jody Kimono

TGIF!

Try It Tuesday...DIY cut-off denim shorts!

Stop, drop everything and go grab a pair of old jeans hiding in the back of your closet that you never wear. Cut-off denim shorts are everywhere and a classic for summer in any length you choose. I was inspired by these shorts this past weekend to make my own cut-offs. Paying $179 for distressed shorts is a hard pill to swallow don't ya think? I know there's a million how to tutorials out there, but I just flew by the seat of my pants and this is what I came up with. Hopefully I will have inspired you (and saved you a little $) to make your own.

I took the inseam measurement off the pair of my "inspiration" shorts. Try them on and make sure it is the length you want. Remember you can always go shorter so cut accordingly!

Grab your supplies and be sure to use a heavier grit sandpaper. I'm not sure what grit mine is since I already had it from previous projects.

Decide where you want your holes and rub your sanding block back and forth until you get the look you want.

This is the fuzz you will get while sanding your denim! Be patient...the heavier your jeans the harder it will be. My jeans were on the thinner side so it made distressing a little easier.

After using my sanding block I used a seam ripper to help with the distressing. Use a back and forth motion with this as well. After you have finished, be sure to wash and dry to get the frayed look. I didn't want to commit to a length so I didn't sew the rolls or use fabric glue. I rolled these twice to get the length I was looking for.

Super easy and didn't cost a penny!

{nail polish color is romper room by Essie}

Friday Favorites...Activewear

Last night I ran the Esprit De She 5k so I thought it would only be appropriate to post some of my favorite activewear...I have a lot of faves but these are just a few that I can't live without.  Lululemon's cool racerback is a must have because of it's versatility and length. You can wear it alone or layer it in the colder months. Sunscreen in the summer is a must, especially here in Texas, so that's why Athleta's pacifica upf shirt is on my list. Hard Tail is always an excellent choice because it's made in the U.S.A plus it's great going to and fro from your favorite vinyasa class. Yoga is my jam but I'm still trying like hell to find that runner's high! Having cute and comfy workout clothes makes all the difference in motivating yourself to get your favorite workout in. 

Friday Favorites...Activewear by charitylittle featuring slim fit pants

Try It Tuesday...Blueberry Muffins

I'm not a baker, or a food blogger but I do enjoy making homemade blueberry muffins for my family. After finding this simple recipe in The Gourmet Cookbook that my mother gave me years ago these have been a staple in our house, especially in the summer months. The topping is what sets these apart from other blueberry muffins. The kids love them for breakfast or an afternoon snack and be sure to double the recipe for when you have guests in town! Trust me these go fast...

Blueberry Muffins
makes 12
Ingredients
3/4 stick (6 T) unsalted butter
1/3 cup milk
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
3/4 t vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 t baking powder
3/4 t salt
2 cups blueberries ( I typically put 1 cup in and use smaller blueberries)
Topping
3 T cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 1/2 T sugar

Preheat oven to 375 and put rack in upper third of your oven
Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat and then remove. Whisk in milk, egg, yolk, and vanilla until well combined.
Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder,and salt in a medium bowl. Add milk mixture and stir until just combined. Gently stir in your blueberries.
Pour batter evenly into your muffin cups.

Next combine the topping ingredients in a bowl and rub together with your fingers until crumbly. Sprinkle this evenly over your batter in cups.

Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. At the end of the baking time I sometimes put the oven on broil for a minute or so until they come out golden brown.

Cool and enjoy!

*sometimes I add a teaspoon of essential lemon oil or zest to the batter
* recipe courtesy of The Gourmet Cookbook - Ruth Reichl

Wish List

We all have a wish list and I have seven items on mine...today. 

What's on yours?

Wish List by charitylittle featuring evening shoes