6.26.2013

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Happy Hump Day, friends!

I hope you're all having a good week so far!

I am trying to get into a summer groove.  I planned out a summer schedule for myself, but haven't quite gotten it together yet.  Movers are coming to move all the major furniture at my parents' house bright and early on Friday, thus meaning I have to get my room packed up by Thursday night.  It shouldn't be too bad given that I've already moved out and taken lots of stuff, but it's proven more difficult than I thought.  I think I'm a bit in denial and thinking "If I just don't pack up my room, the move won't happen, right?"  WRONG!  I just need to suck it up and pack, no matter how hard it is to say goodbye to the house I grew up in!

I am hoping that once this week is over I will get into my routine and would really like to post 2-3 times per week during the summer.  We'll see how it all goes, though!

Today I wanted to share a DELICIOUS cookie recipe with you!  I posted these cookies on Instagram way back in April and have been meaning to share the recipe with you for quite some time.  So without further adieu, here is a recipe for banana chocolate chip cookies!  The original recipe can be found here, at Sarcastic Cooking!

Ingredients
1 c (2 sticks), plus 1 tbs unsalted butter, softened
1 c granulated sugar
1 and 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp molasses
1/2 c packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 and 1/4 c all purpose flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 and 1/2 c walnuts, chopped (I left these out!)
2 ripe bananas, diced

Directions
1.  Brown one stick of butter and one tablespoon of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.  This will take about 5 minutes...you want the butter to be golden brown and to have little brown bits floating in it.

2. Remove from heat, pour into bowl (making sure to scrape the brown bits into the bowl) and set aside to cool.

3.  Cream remaining stick of butter along with the granulated sugar, about 5 min at medium speed until light and fluffy.

4.  Add vanilla and molasses.  Beat until incorporated.

5.  Add brown butter and brown sugar.  Beat for 2 min until incorporated.

6.  Add the egg and egg yolk, beating for one minute after adding each.

7.  Whisky together flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda in separate bowl.

8.  Add flour mixture all at once to the butter mixture.  Beat on low until almost fully incorporated.

9.  Fold in chocolate chips and banana by hand (this would also be when you fold in the walnuts, if you choose to include them).

10.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in fridge for half an hour.

This is what the batter looked like!

11.  Preheat oven to 375F.

12.  Remove batter from fridge and roll into tbs sized balls.

13.  Bake 12-14 minutes, until slightly browned on outside, but still chewy and soft on inside!

Finished product!

I cannot rave enough about these cookies!  They were so delicious and the banana caused them to stay nice and chewy for days after baking!

Have you baked anything yummy lately?

Have a great day!

6.21.2013

Stella & Dot Party

Happy Friday friends!

Have any fun plans for the weekend?

Tomorrow we're headed to the river with my roommate, ALG, and her boyfriend!

Last night as y'all know was my Stella & Dot party!

We had so much fun that I just had to share the evening with you!

The party started at 7:00 pm and I prepared some fun finger foods and of course had plenty of wine to go with our jewelry shopping!

The bar was stocked with Chardonnay, Moscato, Prosecco, Merlot, Corona & Woodchuck Cider!

I made prosciutto wrapped asparagus & strawberry brie bites!
*The asparagus was super easy, just drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with garlic powder and pepper, bake at 400F for 15 min.  Let cool, wrap in prosciutto.*
The brie bites were also super easy, and the recipe can be found here at sweet Apri'ls blog!  I substituted crackers instead of crostini, just because I had them on hand and it was delish!  The basil was also fresh from our garden!

For dessert I made lemon bars and served them in pink polka dotted cupcake cups to make it easier to eat while shopping and sipping!
*This recipe, my friends, can be found on the back of the Krusteaz lemon bar box!*

I also put out Ukrop's pimiento cheese...yummy!

Once Lindsy, the Stella & Dot stylist, arrived, she immediately started laying out the jewelry!

Wouldn't you love for all this to be yours!?

Statement necklaces galore!

She also brought lots of cool bags and scarves, however, in my excitement over the party I forgot to take pictures of those!

We had fun trying on all the jewelry!

Lindsy immediately put the Kimberly necklace on me!
It was perfect with my Moon&Lola monogrammed necklace!

I'm in love with this Olivia Bib necklace and thought it paired perfectly with ALG's nautical Lilly!

Making stacks was also a blast!
Left to Right: Christina Link Bracelet, Hudson Leather Wrap Bracelet, Gilded Arrow Bangle, Vintage Twist Bracelet

And now friends, I have special news for you!

Lindsy has a special deal for my blog readers!  Now through the end of June, she is offering free shipping for any Sundresses and Smiles readers!

Check out the site here and once you've selected some gorgeous baubles, EMAIL her your order and be sure to mention you read my blog!  Lindsy's email is:  lindsywiltshire@gmail.com.

In case you're not sold yet, here are a few more pretties to pique your interest...

Spring Awakening Necklace

Wanderlust Triple Wrap Bracelet

Fiona Earrings

How Does She Do It Bag

See anything you can't live without?  

If so, email Lindsy NOW to take advantage of free shipping!

Have a fabulous weekend, friends!!

6.20.2013

You're Invited...

Happy Thursday babes!

How's the week going?

I am happy to report that my first week out of school has been a productive one.

I decided to use this first week off to play catch up-- Monday I helped my mom with unpacking at the new house, Tuesday I spent the day cleaning and catching up on laundry, Wednesday I treated myself to a pool day, and TODAY, I am busy getting ready for my Stella & Dot party!

A few months ago I met a cute teacher who happens to sell Stella & Dot.  She asked if I was interested in hosting a party and I told her I would love to, but after school was out for summer.

So here we are:  Today is the day!  AND..you're all invited!

I know that you blog friends are all over the place and can't make it to my actual party, but let's face it--I'd love to swig back a few glasses of wine and try on pretty jewelry with ya!

That being said, if you're interested in picking up any pretty Stella & Dot baubles as a gift or for yourself, you can shop my party!  Just click here!

Here are a few of the gorgeous jewels I've got my eye on!

Juniper Statement Necklace

Paradise Studs

Suzanne Cocktail Ring


On the Mark Necklace

Emerson Bangle

Odette Mini Hoops

Together Forever Necklace
*I gave this to my mom for Mother's Day a few years ago, and told her the 2 circles represented us, "Together Forever"--makes a great mom gift!*

Like what you see?  Wanna see more?

Well go ahead and pour yourself a glass of wine and click here to shop and pretend you're at my party!

Have a great day!

6.12.2013

Olivia Moon Maxi Dress

Happy Hump Day readers!!!

2 days until I am a free woman!

Today, I wanted to share a great new find with you!

Any of y'all every been to the "Point of View" Section at Nordstrom?

Friday I took a little Nordstrom "errand" and found myself in this section!  They had tons of cute basics at great prices!

I scooped up a bunch of basic tanks that were on sale for $12.90 each and also this Olivia Moon Maxi Dress!

I absolutely love it and have a feeling I will get lots of wear out of it this summer!

Now before, I share how I styled this dress, let me make a statement:  I am in no way a fashion blogger, BUT, doing Instagram outfit posts has inspired me to give some fashion posts a try!  No judgment, please!

Isn't it fun?

I styled the dress with my wicker clutch (here), a vintage necklace from my grandma (similar here), and some arm candy (hereherehere, similar here)!

I love the dip in the back!




What do you think?  Have you ever shopped Olivia Moon?

Have a great day!

6.10.2013

Jayes Studio

YIPPEE!  YIPPEE!  YIPPEE!

I don't think I've ever been this happy on a Monday before!

Can anyone guess why?

This is my last Monday of school before summer break!

The rest of this week will be dedicated to fun, farewell activities!

Today I wanted to share a recent find with you:  Jayes Studio.

Y'all know I love to decorate and I'm a huge fan of cute little trinkets, catch-alls, and trays--just what Jayes Studios specializes in!

They have soap dispensers, wastebaskets, trays, umbrella stands, bins, baskets, pillows, and MORE!

Take a look, mes amies!

How adorable is this wastebasket?

Bryce has been giving me more and more freedom in the decor of his house and I might have to order this tray for my nightstand! (Yes you heard right, I have my very own, girlie nightstand AND even my own closet at his house now!)

You know I've never met a zebra print I didn't like!

How pretty would my recent TradHome (see below) be in this magazine holder?

via my Instagram


They even have bowls for your pooch?

Wouldn't a magenta colored orchid pop in this cachepot?!

And now friends, I have EXCITING NEWS!  Jayes Studios is being featured on Joss & Main (think Rue La La, but for home things) until Wednesday.  Hurry on over now to get some cute goodies for your home! 

Need an invitation?  Click here

Have a great day!

6.04.2013

Weekend Recap

Happy Tuesday readers!

I am on the home stretch!  Each day I am taking down more and more of my classroom and getting packed up for SUMMER!

Woohoo!

Did y'all have a good weekend?

Mine was fabulous and way more fun-filled (and calorie-filled) than I expected.

Yesterday I felt like I needed another weekend to get over my weekend, haha!

I thought it would be fun today to recap my weekend through the eyes of my iPhone.

Friday night we had plans with my roommate, ALG, and her boyfriend.  We were headed to Richmond's annual Greek Festival which is walking distance from our apartment.

It was a casual night so I threw on these neon Joe's Jeans shorts (a recent Marshall's find!) and grabbed my all time favorite Kate Spade bag!

Roomies!

Loukoumades:  Fried Dough Balls
My favorite part of the Greek Festival!

After drinking some nasty Greek wine and eating, a lot, we walked back to the apartment where drinking games ensued.

Aren't ALG's playing cards cute?

The boys...


Let's just say the next morning we were not feeling too hot...

After I proctored the SATs (yes, bright and early with a hangover), Bryce and I had a lunch date at a Richmond favorite, Mekong, and then headed to the pool for a bit!

YUM!

Later that night we had fun plans.  Bryce's mom was throwing an engagement party for his cousin and the theme was "A Southern Affair" complete with lots of Southern comfort food.  I'm talking mini crab cakes, pimento cheese fried green tomatoes, deviled eggs, chicken salad, shrimp and grits, mac-n-cheese, chocolate chip cookies, lemon bars, and mini pecan pies...just to name a few!  It was quite the evening and we even stayed until after midnight!

I wore an old Lilly favorite!

BAC & ABE

Full view of my dress...

The night ended with dancing...
Sugar Pie Honey Bunch

Sunday we spent the day at the club!

We started with delicious brunch!

And then headed down to the pool!

Enjoyed some light reading

Indulged in a cocktail or two...

"If you like pina coladas!!"

And enjoyed this view from my lounge chair!

Finally, we ended our weekend with pizza from Superstars!  

Cheese Explosion?  YES, please!

Let's just conclude by saying a detox is in order for this week...

How was your weekend?

Do anything fun?

Have a great day!