Courtesy of the Red White and Blue

For those of you that know me, you know that my all time favorite holiday is the Fourth of July! And with it coming up in ONE week, I have been thinking about all of the Red, White and Blue options to pack in my suitcase. While most of my wardrobe for summer is navy/white, it hasn't been too difficult to come up with some things to wear, but there are some great patriotic/nautical ensembles out there this summer that cannot go without noticing!

Some fun, cocktail dresses:

Young Fabulous & Broke

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Thread

And we all know my suitcase will not be without a maxi dress or two (or 5):

Milly

J. Crew

Velvet

This Marc by Marc Jacobs swimsuit is great. Not only is it one-shouldered (love it!), but it is reversible!:



Just bought this beach bag at Anthro! It's enormous and perfect for fitting everything one would need for the beach:

And I have been DYING for these Tory Burch shoes since I first saw them on Habitually Chic back in Feburary! ACW bought them, and while I am still obsessed, I legitimately wouldn't make it out of my room in them. They are easily 5 inches tall. More like stilts than shoes. So envious of those that can handle this shoe. Perhaps I could saw a few inches off?

peaceloveandgodblessamerica.


C

Summer Lovin'

It's hard to believe that it's that time of year again. Time for pool parties, BBQ's and beaches.

Let the fun begin (slash continue)!

peaceloveandsummer.

C

Can't Come Soon Enough

Gov Ball is in 24 hours. I feel like it's Christmas. HLR (and GPG) are heading up for the weekend for the concert. We are fully prepared to be decked out in neon flare to the max, and look as ridiculous as we possibly can (nothing a few drinks can't accomplish).

We forgot to invite R out for the weekend. Now it's awkward. Sorry, R.

I have a feeling we will easily get lost, so I plan on spending my afternoon printing out the following map and laminating it to have with me at all times. C-Mac, I suggest you get it tattooed to your wrist. Just a thought.

peaceloveandkillinit.

C

Can she be more perf??

A-P.

peaceloveandstyle.

R

Mini Lamb

After a busy busy first day at work, I was excited to get home and cook a yummy dinner. I invited P over for Real Simple's Spiced Mini Burgers with Couscous. (I love the cous.)

I actually substituted the ground beef with ground lamb (my favorite meat!) and instead of hummus, whipped up Real Simple's Tzatziki to go with our lamb. So good and SO easy!

For the lamb burgers:

Ingredients
1 10-ounce box couscous (1 1/2 cups)
1 pound ground lamb
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
kosher salt and black pepper
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 scallions, sliced
4 plum tomatoes, quartered
1 seedless cucumber, cut into half-moons
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Tzatziki

Directions
- Place the couscous in a large bowl and pour 1½ cups hot tap water over the top. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes; fluff with a fork.
- Form the beef into 12 small ½-inch-thick patties. Sprinkle with the cumin, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook to the desired doneness, 4 minutes per side for medium.
- Toss the couscous with the scallions, tomatoes, cucumber, lemon juice, remaining oil, 1¼ teaspoons salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

For the tzatziki:

Ingredients
1 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1/4 cup grated cucumber
1 small clove garlic, finely chopped

Directions
In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, dill, cucumber, and garlic.

We clearly had leftovers. . .lunch tomorrow! Woohoo.

peaceloveandgchat.

R

:(

C speaks the truth. For the next two weeks, I will be totally out of commission.

SAD FACE.

I have alerted C and HLR that they better be saving links to clothes, funny articles, facebook news and overall amazing things I am missing on the world wide web for when I'm in BACK IN ACTION!

Until then. . .

peaceloveandgchat.

R

MIZ.

R just started a new job today. And for the next two weeks is shadowing the person she is replacing. Shadowing=no computer. For two weeks. I wonder if she will survive....

peaceloveandnogchatforR.

C

happy birthday gals!

MK&A.

Twans!

peaceloveandgchat.

R

These shoes were made for walking

In 12 days I start my new job (! ! ! !). This means the end of commuting via car, and the beginning of 30 minute walks to work (cannot wait). This also means I have been looking for walking shoes. Most days I think I'll be ok in flats or Jack's, but on the days I want to wear wedges or something, I think I'll want to slip into something a little more comfortable.

C would really like to see me sporting these:

Typical.

OBVIOUSLY that's not happening. Maybe these are some good options?

Puma Speeder.

Nike Tenkay.

Asics Gel Spree.

Keds Champions. Good ol' Keds.

Keds Slip-Ons. Hah, take me back to my youth.

I just don't know if I'm going to look like a turd walking to work in a dress or skirt with tennies. . .

Thoughts?

peaceloveandwalking.

R

Hmm. Zara this weekend?

Might have to.

Strapless Dress.

Striped Tunic.

Skinny Trousers.

Jump-Suit with Stars. Random, but I weirdly love this. . .

Then again, might have to wait til my next paycheck.

peaceloveandgchat.

R

Another Swiss Chard Dinner

The past two months have been super busy - from moving to interviews to traveling - I have been slacking in the cooking department!

P takes a huge test tomorrow, so I wanted to make him something goooooood to help him keep truckin with his studying. Hah.

I found this recipe on Real Simple, and decided to mix it with this recipe since I have been wanting to use swiss chard again ever since we made Joe's Special. Sooo I guess I will call this Gnocci with Sausage, Swiss Chard and Onions.

Ingredients

2 9-ounce packages refrigerated gnocchi or one 17.5-ounce package shelf-stable gnocchi

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 5-ounce bag baby spinach

Swiss chard

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3/4 cup (3 ounces) grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

Directions

1. Cook the gnocchi according to the package directions. Drain, reserving ¼ cup of the cooking liquid.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the sausage and cook, crumbling it with a spoon, until browned, 5 to 7 minutes.

4. Add the garlic, spinach, swiss chard, salt, and pepper and cook, tossing frequently, until the spinach wilts, about 3 minutes.

Add the gnocchi, the reserved cooking liquid, and the Parmesan and toss. Divide among individual bowls and sprinkle with additional Parmesan.

Yum in my yum!

peaceloveandgchat.

R

Spelchek.

The Best Obnoxious Responses to Misspellings on Facebook.

Here's a taste:

Check it out.

peaceloveandgchat.

R

Glamorous Blake

Our favorite gossip girl in Glamour!

Prettyyyy.

peaceloveandgchat.

R