7.31.2015

Five on Friday

Happy Friday readers!

Wow...it has been a busy week for me! The first part of the summer I had little to do and found myself laying on the couch A LOT. In the last two weeks, things have kicked into high gear, though, and I have been going, going, going and wishing I had time to kick back on the couch!

I started the week with high hopes of posting Mon/Wed/Fri, but clearly that didn't happen. This is the first week that I've posted more than once in quite some time though, so I count it as a success!

Today I am linking up with the 5 on Friday ladies!



ONE
Winner!
Congratulations to Lauren on winning my Peach Tea Monograms mason jar tumbler giveaway! Even if you didn't win, it is still your lucky day, because Peach Tea is offering 10% off to all my readers between now and next Friday, August 7! Just used code ALEXANDRABEE10 at checkout! I am really eyeing this.


TWO
Nordstrom Sale
This weekend is the last weekend to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  

This is what I bought in the sale:



It is worth mentioning that I used the True Fit Calculator and it was spot on! For your reference, I am an XS in the two blouses and striped blazer, a 4 in the skirt and dress, and a 4P in the black blazer!

And this is what I'm wishing I could buy:


THREE
This dress...
I need it! We have a wedding in Maine next month and I think it is the perfect excuse to make the purchase!


FOUR
Drooling...
I want to make this dish in this kitchen. Now.


FIVE
Sassie Rocks @ Beaufort Linen Co
You may remember I mentioned Beaufort Linen Co in this "5 Shops to Follow" post a few weeks ago! They are one of my favorite Instagram feeds and I am dying to get my booty down to Beaufort and shop in the actual store! Since posting about them, Beaufort Linen Co has put me in touch with Sassie Rocks, a jewelry designer based out of the Azalea Coast of North Carolina.  Sassie makes bangles similar in style to Bourbon and Boweties, but many of her pieces have more of a coastal touch, staying true to her roots. I am in the process of working out a collaboration with Sassie Rocks and she asked me to share that she will be doing a trunk show at Beaufort Linen Co THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 from 11 am to 6 pm! If you are in the area, I highly recommend stopping by for this fun event! I wish I could go myself!


What's on your mind this Friday?

Stay tuned next week for a NYC recap and a big update on my job search!

Have a great day!

7.27.2015

Summer Sangria

Happy Monday friends!

I hope you had a great weekend! Mine was fun, but jam-packed! This morning I am moving slow and fighting what I am hoping is just allergies and not the start of a summer cold! I am thankful for a dreary day to relax!

When I very first started blogging, I posted a recipe for sangria that quickly became a go-to! I hadn't made it yet this summer and got the urge a few weekends ago! Being that it was so long ago that I first shared the recipe, I decided I would share it with you again today! It is a simple recipe that can be easily made in a pinch!


Ingredients
1 bottle of red wine (a cheaper wine is fine here)
1 lemon, cut into wedges
1 orange, cut into wedges
1 lime, cut into wedges
1 small can of diced pineapples, with juice
2 tbs sugar
a splash of orange juice
2 shots of gin or triple sec (you can be generous here)
1 cup strawberries
4 cups of gingerale
ice

Directions
1. Pour wine into large pitcher and squeeze the juice out of the wedges of lemon, orange, and lime into the wine. Toss in fruit wedges.

2. Add the can of pineapple to the wine mixture, making sure to pour all the pineapple juice in.

3. Add sugar, OJ, and gin/triple sec.

4. Stir and chill overnight. (This step can be skipped if you are in a time crunch)

5. Add gingerale, strawberries, and ice just before serving.

6. Enjoy!


I enjoyed mine out of the "Alexandra Bee" stadium cup that Peach Tea Monograms custom made just for me! If you haven't checked out their Etsy site, be sure to head over and see all their cute monogrammed goodies. You can also enter my giveaway for one of their monogrammed mason jar tumblers by clicking here

What are your favorite summertime drinks?

Have a great day!

7.24.2015

Peach Tea Monograms GIVEAWAY!

Happy Friday readers!

This week was a busy one, but seemed to drag by for me.

Thanks for all your sweet comments last week. I am slowly, but surely getting through the emails that I have let pile up this summer!

I am excited today to be hosting a giveaway that has been in the works for quite some time with Peach Tea Monograms! Mother-Daughter Duo, Chloe and Lisa, who just so happen to both be teachers, reached out to me a few months ago with hopes of collaborating. Chloe has been a long time blog reader and after checking out their Etsy page, I was happy to have the opportunity to work with them.

They are giving away a monogrammed mason jar tumbler to one lucky reader! Those of you who follow along on Instagram will recognize mine below:


Not only is the tumbler cute, but it is also insulated, which has been great this summer! I take it with me on the go and have especially been using it a lot at the pool and river! 

With lots of decal and color options, you are sure to find a personalization choice you love!

The giveaway will run through midnight, next Friday, July 31st and the winner will be announced later that day. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below!



How do you stay cool and hydrated in the summertime?

Have you shopped Peach Tea Monograms before?

Have a great weekend!

Follow

7.17.2015

Five on Friday

TGIF readers!

I'm really trying for blogger of the year this summer, if you can't tell...HA!

I do have several posts lined up and am determined to make it happen...look forward to a giveaway, NYC recap, recipes, and more in the coming weeks!

Today I figured I'd just update you a bit on my life in a random fashion by linking up with the Five on Friday ladies!


So here goes:

ONE
Job Search
Just trucking along over here. I'm still in the running for a long application process that began back in May and should know more by the end of July/early August. I've put in for a few other applications and am now also trying to really brainstorm people I know and can reach out to that may be able to help me. (I may even be reaching out to a few of you that have offered advice!) 

Things have been weighing on my mind and emotions, A LOT. I'm realizing more and more that a job search may take longer than the summer and so I'm trying to decide what the next best step is if I don't have luck in the coming weeks. Bryce and I had a long chat last night and he gave me explicit directions to enjoy my summer and to head to the pool to take my mind off things today. I'm listening to him.

All that being said, with a career change in my future, I need to stock up on some basic workwear. I have a lot of things already in my wardrobe that would be work appropriate, however, I need to add a few basic staples that will work with the pieces I already have. Today is the start of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (for those of us that aren't cardholders) and I've found several pieces at major bargains! I've got 2 blazers, a pencil skirt, pants, a dress, and 2 blouses all in my shopping cart right now coming in at around $400! Shop my picks below: 



I also couldn't resist checking out J. Crew! All of these picks are currently 30% off with code GOSHOPPING.



TWO
Parenthood
Ummm....why have I just gotten around to watching this show? A few weeks ago, Bryce was out of town for a concert and I decided to start watching Parenthood on Netflix. My mom always loved it, but I don't like watching shows unless I've watched them from the beginning so I never started watching with her. I was therefore thrilled to find it on Netflix. The first night I stayed up until 2 am watching and was immediately hooked. Since then, I've gotten Bryce on board and we watch at least three one episode a night! If you haven't watched it, start NOW!


THREE
Ladies Hoo Lunch
I recently joined the UVA Club of Richmond and a few months ago learned about a ladies luncheon they put on every other month called "Ladies Hoo Lunch." The purpose is to connect with fellow alumni and network. There is a speaker at every lunch and Whitney, who heads up the lunch, asked me to speak at this week's lunch. Whitney is a follower of the blog and she wanted me to speak about social media. I was initially nervous to talk about my girlie blog to a group of successful alumni, but was received very well! I framed my talk around the idea that screen-to-screen interaction is becoming as common as face-to-face interaction and shared strategies to make digital interaction feel personal and relatable. It was such a great experience and I left feeling invigorated!



FOUR
Skinnytaste Baked Chicken Parmesan
I made this recipe for dinner last night and it was so good, not to mention super easy! The baked chicken tastes just as good, if not better, than fried and I have a feeling it will become a go-to recipe. 


FIVE
THIS...
My mantra of late....


What's been going on in your life lately?

Have you shopped the Nordstrom sale?

Have a great day!

7.08.2015

5 Shops to Follow

Happy Hump Day chickies!

Thanks for sticking around, despite the lack of posting over here. Life has been busy, but I've also just really enjoyed some time being completely carefree these last few weeks. As I job search, I know that this will likely be my last summer break, so I am savoring taking each and every moment for myself. I have a list of planned posts, but sitting down to write them has just not happened lately. I'll get there...

Today, I'm sharing some favorite new boutiques all found through social media. One of the great things about blogging is discovering new things through fellow bloggers and I've found that Instagram has only increased the amount of small shops I have discovered. Here are my top 5 discoveries:

1.
This might be my favorite on the list. Located in Beaufort, North Carolina, this shop seems to be the perfect place to find a gift or a special something for your home. I have always dreamed of having my own shop just like this one. I've had my eye on this necklace and this cover up on their site. They post new arrivals and gorgeous pictures of the shop on their Instagram, so be sure to follow along! I visited Beaufort several years ago and am now dying to go back just to shop in this store!

2.
I actually discovered Margaret Elizabeth Jewelry through another great small business Instagram I follow, Shop Letter Made, from this post specifically. I instantly headed over to Margaret Elizabeth's site and fell in love with, well, everything! I am most drawn to her bold, cocktail rings. These are my favorites: 1, 2, 3. You can follow along with her on Instagram here.
*I also just realized Margaret Elizabeth is available on Rocksbox and am hoping to get something in an upcoming set. Get your first month of Rocksbox FREE with code alexandrabeexoxo.*

3.
Located in nearby Roanoke, Virginia, I first discovered Punch Boutique through their Instagram. Their feed is full of eye candy for fashion loving girls like me. They carry favorite designers of mine like Lilly, Trina Turk, Shoshanna, and more. Additionally, they have awesome sales and I was able to score my Mara Hoffman bikini (here), which was one of your favorites, for a steal through Punch Boutique last summer! You can shop their current sale items here.

4.
I found Z.Z Designs through favorite fellow blogger, Katie. She posted this photo on her Instagram and I was immediately glad I did. I love the natural feel of these necklaces and have found I like to throw my tassels on with fancier outfits. The contrast makes the outfits more down to earth and casual. I honestly can't pick a favorite, but am partial to the oysters, blue and white, and shells.

5.
I first discovered Toggle Home, when blogger Erin posted this adorable Toggle Home tote bag on her Instagram. I headed over to their feed and was instantly pleased. They sell a variety of accessories and home decor, but their monogrammed goods are what really steal the show! I am partial to the zebra monogram Erin initially posted and also have a major crush on these monogrammed x benches.

What are some of your favorite shops to follow on social media?

Any other places I should check out?

Have a great day!

7.01.2015

Pesto Corn Pizza w/Crispy Prosciutto & Arugula

Happy July friends!

Hope you're enjoying the shortened holiday week!

I am still getting back in a groove since returning home from NYC. Today is my day to get $*!% done! I have a mountain of laundry I'm working on and still need to finish unpacking!

I'm excited to be sharing a most scrumptious summer recipe with you today! Each and every ingredient is among my favorite foods, so that tells you just how good it is!

A few weeks ago Katie, posted this picture on Instagram: A summer pizza with corn on it! The wheels in my head instantly started turning. Corn on a pizza!? Yes, please!

The very next night I decided to take my own spin at a pizza with corn...and it was delicious!



Ingredients
12 in pizza crust (we are usually lazy and just use a pre-made Boboli)
3 tbs pesto (we used this recipe from fellow blogger and book club friend, Caroline)
5-6 slices prosciutto
1 mozzarella ball (yes, we were fatties and used the entire ball...)
1 ear of corn
salt & pepper, to taste
a handful (or two!) of arugula, tossed in olive oil & balsamic

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400F and arrange prosciutto slices on baking sheet. Bake for 7-8 min, until cripsy. Set aside and adjust oven temperature to 450F.

2. In the meantime, bring large pot of water to a boil. Place ear of corn in boiling water for 10 min. Let cool a few minutes and then remove corn from cob, using a knife. Set aside.

3. Spread your homemade (recipe here) or store bought pesto on pizza crust.

4. Top with prosciutto slices and desired amount of mozzarella.

5. Spread corn evenly on top of cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Bake in 450F oven for 8-10 min until cheese is melted and crust is browned.

7. While pizza is cooking, toss a handful of arugula in olive oil & balsamic.

8. Top pizza with arugula.

9. Enjoy!

We served it with a rocket salad and agreed it was a win-win!

What is your favorite type of pizza?

How do you cook with corn and other summer staples?

Any favorite summer recipes I should try next?

Have a great day!