Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Sliced Watermelon Jell-O Shots


I have made these Jell-O shots maybe 3 times now since discovering it on BuzzFeed last year and every time they're the hit of the party. Aren't they the cutest things? The Jell-O stays right on the watermelon rind, making it a perfectly refreshing handheld treat! Since the 4th of July is this weekend, I figured now was the perfect time to share them with you.

It's actually pretty easy to make as well so it's not a difficult task to take on when planning a party. Usually when you see something awesome like this (a la Pinterest) it's too good to be true and they don't come out nearly as kick ass as they did on the picture online.

Kids, I am happy to say that this is NOT one of those ideas and it actually works and comes out amazing. They're even quite tasty and I am not a fan of Jell-O or booze. I am a light drinker, one who is tipsy off one cocktail - a cheap date, if you will. But I do enjoy munching on these slices.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

A Purrrrrfectly Retro Skirt from Cheshire Vintage


First things first - pop quiz!

Q: When do you know you have too many cat-themed skirts?

Give up?

A: NEVER!

OK, one more...

Q: How many are too many cat-themed skirts?

Come on, you know this...

A: YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY CAT-THEMED SKIRTS!

All right, quiz over. I think the lesson is understood.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Unique Vintage's Dress of the Month Club: June


I'm so excited to have another Dress of the Month post to share with you! If you missed my first post in April, here's where you can catch up on the details of the subscription and see what my first dress was!

If you're thinking, hang on, it's June. What happened to May? I will admit that I didn't keep May's dress and returned it for a credit toward June's dress. It just didn't work out. I was super bummed about it and didn't want to blog about something I wasn't happy with keeping. But that's one of the awesome things about this subscription - you have the option to return!

If you dislike something, a dress doesn't fit, or you simply aren't satisfied, you have the option to send it back to Unique Vintage and apply the returned dress's credit to the next month! To me, that's a win-win.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Grandma Judy's Famous Southwestern Spinach Dip


This dip is a requirement at every party Cody and I host. It is also a requirement at every party Cody's mother hosts. I discovered it at her house, begged her for the recipe, and now that it has entered my life, it will never escape! Everyone always love it when they try it and it's always the first bowl emptied on the party table. It's that good!

You might be thinking, this story sounds familiar. It is! I have referenced discoveries of greatness from Cody's mom, Brenda, before. She helped me whip up some easy pulled pork previously (see it here) and now her genius has returned with this addictive spinach dip. But she can't take full credit this time as she received this recipe originally from her mother-in-law, Judy. So all praise Grandma Judy for her seriously addictive dip!

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

What's Sara Reading? June Edition


Is this blog post deja vu? Heck no, it's just time for June's edition of "What's Sara Reading?" and I've got some goodies for you today! I've had my pick of reads in the past month, mostly thanks to my Insta pal, Jessie, who proposed a book swap recently. Oh did we swap! I sent her 4 reads and she sent 4 right back - along with some other awesome goodies. Have I mentioned how much I love my Insta friends? I really do. I have met so many great gals on Instagram.

People think I'm crazy when I try to explain how many friends I've made on social media platforms like Instagram but it's not crazy! I really have! It can be such a community full of support, encouragement, and enjoyment (aka love for adorable dresses).

So anyway, with Jessie's contributions added onto my usual book splurge off Amazon (ugh, Amazon, why can't I quit you?), I had quite a pile to pick from this month. I still have some left over for next month! Can't have too many books, right?

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Rodger's Blueberry Crumble Bars


I've got quite the motley crew in my office. Working for a tech company is interesting. There is always such a variety of characters there. My team is marketing but we sit among a large group of engineers and the like. They joke that we're the big mouths (we're always on planning calls and laughing with each other in what I call Ladies Row - our little row of cubes occupied by all women with men all around it) and we tease them over their desk toys and quirky humor.

It's a good time.

There is one gentleman in Ladies Row these days, though. Rodger sits kitty corner from me and is a super sweet war vet with a super sweet tooth. Ever since he moved into his cube, he has taken me up on my offer of sweets whenever I bring in my latest treat.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

My Matryoshka Doll


I needed this dress in my life pretty much the moment I spotted it. I had a Russian nesting doll growing up and I wish I had taken better care of it so I'd still have it today. So, I figured it'd be most appropriate to snap some photos in my parents' back yard, where I did my growing up! They have a much bigger property than I do and there are so many great photo spots! It was photo taking nirvana!

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Bright & Sunny Summertime Florals (with Some Old School Memories)!


Oh my Lord & Taylor, it's June.

I know I've already said that this week, but it's just insane to me. I suppose, though, that we've been saying that every month since 2015 started. This year has been going by insanely fast, don't you think?

Isn't this dress PERFECT for summer? I thought so - it's so bright, cheery, and covered in flowers.

Knock, knock! Yes, summer, come on in!


Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Raspberry Lemonade Muffins


It's JUNE! Can you believe it? It kind of feels like we just finished shoveling out our mailbox yet here we are, diving head first into summer. SUMMER! Oh summer, where have you been hiding? We have missed you so!


Speaking of summer, is there anything more summer-y than a tall, ice cold glass of lemonade? I don't think so! I love old fashioned lemonade as much as the next girl but I actually prefer raspberry lemonade. That extra burst of fruitiness to balance out the tart lemons just does it for me.