goat cheese & roasted red pepper crostini

Finding appetizers that are equally easy and delicious is always a priority for me (as discussed previously). Taking this a step further, beyond easy to assemble, it's even better to find apps that can be made ahead of time, before guests arrive if you're entertaining. After finding an unnecessarily large log of goat cheese on sale at Whole Foods (yes, a sale at Whole Foods believe it or not), I made this insanely easy and delicious treat. With only four ingredients, and insanely easy preparation, this a great recipe to have in your arsenal.

Goat Cheese & Roasted Red Pepper Crostini

French baguette
Jarred roasted red peppers
Goat cheese
Fresh basil

Preheat broiler. Slice baguette into 1/4 inch-thick rounds. Spread baguette slices out on a cookie sheet, and broil just until lightly toasted. Slice peppers into thin strips. Spread with goat cheese, and top with roasted red peppers and basil. That's it and that's all.

peach + mint

Blouse // Shorts // Cuff // Shoes

This outfit is very Man Repeller-esque for the simple fact that Adam, and most men, just plain hate this type of shorts. Lucky for me, I'm not on the prowl, so I can wear things like this and just watch the fiance give me weird looks. You see, I like this outfit for two reasons: I'm obsessed with peach and mint, and the shorts make my legs look about a zillion inches longer than they really are. I bought this blouse with fall wardrobe intentions, but was happy to find some use for it in summer as well. By the way, how gorgeous is this lace gold cuff? And it's malleable enough to bend it around my baby-wrists (bonus!). So cheers to being a girl, and all the man-repelling fashion that comes with the role.

bloody maryland

I am feeling pretty clever right now, I must admit. This weekend, I was craving a good Bloody Mary to nurse myself out of bed, and decided that I really do prefer to make them myself. Why? So that I can throw as much crap into the glass as I want, and make it just right. So anyways, here's the clever part: why  has no one (to my knowledge) used the term Bloody Maryland to describe the way charm city does brunch? 

It seems to me that the overwhelming use of Old Bay to spice up this hangover-curing staple should be given it's own name. So, I turned to Google to search "Bloody Maryland", and all I found was a creepy TV show with poor 13-year old Alana who is "haunted by spirits wherever she goes". Poor Alana. Without further adieu, here's my new weekend favorite/necessity.

Bloody Maryland

Serves 4

3 cups tomato juice

12 oz. vodka (two shots per drink)

Juice of 1 lemon

Juice of 2 limes

1.5 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 T. fresh horseradish

4 t. Old Bay seasoning

2 t. hot sauce

1/2 t. pepper

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and refrigerate at least one hour. When ready to serve, rim four glasses with Old Bay, and fill halfway with ice. Divide mix evenly between four glasses.

rustic summer lace

I posted about Adam and I's engagement photos over a month ago, and I had every intention of detailing each of the outfits I chose for the shoot... but you know how that goes. I just never got around to it until now. Better late than never, right? Especially since our air conditioning broke down on us yesterday, and I've been pretty gross the past two days (not exactly photo-ready). I bought this hat for our vacation to Mexico, but paired with a sweet and simple dress and neutral wedges, it made the perfect summer outfit for the rustic setting. As a special bonus, the dress is even on sale for $39. Steal!

All photos by L. Hewitt Photography.

cold-brew iced coffee

Recently, I've been dabbling in the unfortunate vice of coffee-drinking before a long day of work. Being that it's summer, and the walk to work can get humid, I've been leaning toward the iced variety. I stumbled upon an article about the increasing popularity of cold-brewing coffee to make a rich concentrate, which can subsequently be used to make delicious homemade iced coffee for days. It was inexpensive to do, and I like a project, so I decided to give it a go. The result was a delicious, rich drink that gave me a morning boost for well over two weeks from a single (only $7) batch!

Cold Brew Iced Coffee

12 oz. light roast coffee beans, coarsely ground
8 cups water
Several large coffee filters
Fine mesh sieve
Milk, sugar, and flavoring, optional

Directions

Add ground coffee beans to a large bowl or pitcher, add 8 cups of water and stir.  Allow to sit, covered, at room temperature for at least 12 hours.

Place large coffee filter in a fine mesh sieve over the opening of a pitcher. Scoop liquid and ground beans into filter gradually, changing filters as needed when they become clogged with beans. The concentrate will keep in the fridge for 3 weeks.

Mix 1 part coffee concentrate with 1 part milk (or water, but I like milk), and serve over ice. Add sugar to taste, if desired. I also added vanilla syrup to each serving, because I like my coffee to basically be morning-dessert. Enjoy!

my week in photos {8*3}

#somaryland

This week went by with such a sleepy blur that I barely snapped a photo during the work week (a true rarity for me). I actually did do some fun things with Adam and a few friends, but the iPhotography was lacking. Last weekend, however, I managed to snap some photos at the beach where I met up with my family for a few days. I'm not sure why I've been so exhausted, but apparently Oliver shared the feeling, and adopted a most interested sleeping position stuffed against the arm of our couch. But, best of all, check out how adorable my niece is, looking like a retro bathing beauty.

bayside view from our balcony

kennadi / my niece / miss k / my princess

grilled sweet corn

king crab legs

my favorite beach house in avalon

my adorable niece and nephew. check out miss k's pose.

obvious choice.

falling asleep with coffee in hand before work. oops.

summer to fall {polka dots}

bag * lingerie * shoes * iPhone cases * dress

 

I can't help but love polka dots; there's just something about them that makes me so happy. Sometimes it's hard to find pieces that feel refined, and far from childish. I knew I had to start rounding up some spotted pieces when I started hearing the news that polka dots would continue to be on-trend for fall. I'm kind of obsessed with these fun and flirty Honeydew Intimates, and may already be the proud owner of the Madewell Skimmers (once they come in the mail, that is). Between lace and dots, I'm hoping I can populate my closet for autumn with minimal cash-money spent.