Haddock's Holiday Photo Shoot with West Elm

 

 

Every year our local West Elm location hosts a holiday photo shoot for customers and their fur babies and every year I have somehow have missed it until now. I happened to think about it randomly on the day it was being held last week and I am so glad I did. Haddock was the star of the shoot and loved every minute of it! He may or may not have been bribed with a treat... Merry Christmas, super early, from Haddock and I!  

 

About Me in Three's

My goodness y'all, I did not intend on taking a three month break from my little space here but...life happens. I could make a list of excuses a mile long for why I have been quiet but I will sum it but by saying I was flat out just too busy. Lots of travel and work this summer and then my site design became encrypted so I needed to fix it before I made an appearance. But I'm back! For now. I'll try to be around more often because I just know so many of you have been wondering where I've been...sarcasm. 

I saw Biana over at B Loved Boston and a few other bloggers do this fun post a couple of months ago and thought it would be fun to do as well. I always love learning new things about bloggers I follow so hopefully you guys enjoy this!

Three favorite foods: Mexican of any kind, shrimp and peanut butter.

Three things I'd never give up: Drinking iced tea, wearing leggings and using lanolin (for breastfeeding mothers) but for chap-stick.   

Three favorite cocktails: White wine, Titos and cranberry juice or a margarita.

Three favorite movies: All time favorite is Sweet Home Alabama and then You've got Mail or Legally Blonde. 

Three favorite simple pleasures in life: Getting a fresh mani or pedi, taking my nightly shower (I shower twice a day) and taking a drive down my favorite road during any season and seeing the trees bridge over the road either in full foliage, covered in snow, budded for spring or bright luscious green.

Three things that are always in my car: Phone charger, umbrella and reusable totes for the grocery store (which I rarely remember to actually use).

Three things I always have with me: Phone, lip gloss and purse/wallet. 

Three things I regret doing / not doing: Not getting my masters degree right after finishing my undergrad, not skipping more classes in college and not taking more risks! 

Three most recent places I traveled to: Fairhope, Alabama, Destin, Florida and Park City, Utah.

Three most often used makeup products: IT under eye concealer, Urban Decay bronzer and better than sex mascara.

Three things that make me cry: Everything. Literally I cry a lot. But things that without a doubt I cry over are mistreated/rescued/homeless animals, baptism Sunday at church and when men cry, I cry.  

Three things that make me smile / laugh: This answer could get very typical/cliche easily so I'll with the not so predicted answers. When I use the restroom at home Haddock, my dog, always stands to the left of me next to the toilet. haha as a dog mom I find it to be the cutest thing. It always makes me smile when seeing old couples walking hand in hand. And without fail I laugh every time I see a guy at the gym in tights/leggings (without shorts over them).

Three places I want to visit inside the US: New York City, Savannah, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Three places I want to visit outside the US: Banff, Canada/Lake Louise, Italy, Ireland and Fiji cause I couldn't pick just three. 

Three blessings in my life: In order to not sound cliche again...having a dishwasher, man I hate hand washing dishes! Having family and friends that have gardens and share their fresh veggies with me and for a strong body that allows me to exercise.  


Now your turn! Can you relate with me on any of these? Happy Thursday, it's almost Friday y'all!

     

Seersucker Summer Dress

 

Shop My Outfit Seersucker Off Shoulder Dress {Only $26!} // Steve Madden Nude Heels Straw Bag {Forever 21 but sold out online- can be found in store}Similar Here Kendra Scott Earrings  

I am completely obsessed with anything off the shoulder this season! I live in dresses during the summer so pair off the shoulder with a dress and seersucker, this dress was practically screaming for me to buy it during the Nordstrom Half-Yearly sale! The sale is over BUT this dress is still marked down 40% making it $26, such a steal! 

 

It is super comfortable and easy to dress up as I did or switch out your heels for sandals and you have a great casual look to grab dinner on the patio. It is light and breezy making it the perfect Oklahoma summer dress to bare the humidity here! 

 

I grabbed this straw tote for $24 in store at Forever 21 and I can't wait to take it with me on a beach trip in a couple weeks. It reminds me of a bag I had when I was younger and I couldn't love it more!   

 

PS these beautiful peonies are finally in stock at Trader Joe's for everyone that was on a search like I was! I hope y'all had a great weekend and an even better week! 

 
   

Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale - My Favorites!

One of the best sales of the season started yesterday - the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale! It's not AS good as the amazing Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, which starts on July 21st this year, BUT the Half-Yearly sale is a good one! There are tons of items marked on sale that are perfect for the upcoming summer season! 

I've rounded up a few of my favorites from the sale below. Some I already own and love and some are in my cart all ready to be purchased or already on the way to me!

  Shop My Picks: White off Should Dress- $27! // Ruffled Sleeve Top- $35 // BaubleBar Teal Necklace -I've been dying over this one and it's finally on sale! // BaubleBar Cross Over Ring - $19 - I wear this all the time! Smocked Romper - $23! // Rebecca Minkoff Hobo // BP Stone Tassel Necklace - $11! Sam Edelman Wraparound Espadrille Wedge // Vince Camuto Leather Wrap Wedge  

If you aren't a frequent Nordstrom shopper then you should know, Nordstrom offers free shipping and free returns always! It is pretty much the best thing next to Amazon Prime!

Stop back by tomorrow for a full roundup of Memorial Day sales! I know several have already started their sales, happy shopping y'all!

Small Business Feature + GIVEAWAY

I am a huge fan of shopping local and an even bigger fan of shopping small businesses! Today I want to highlight a small business that my dear friend Emily owns, Emily Ward Jewelry. She's local to Oklahoma and makes the most adorable jewelry and accessories!

  

 

A couple weeks ago Emily launched these oh so stinking cute custom state key fobs and I couldn't wait to get my hands on one to jazz up my own keys! She has so many different designs and color choices you can choose from AND you do NOT have to be from Oklahoma! She can create whatever state and color combination you would like and they are so cheap you guys, check them out here along with the rest of her jewelry line! PS how perfect would these be for a gift?! I'm thinking a college or high school graduation gift, perfect!

I chose leopard and the hot pink tassel and it was a hard choice. Being a huge Oklahoma Sooners fan I almost went with crimson and cream but the pink and leopard is just too dang cute!

I have great news, she's giving one away to one of you guys! To enter head over to Miss Southern on Facebook AND/OR Instagram. Double the entries if you enter on both Facebook and Instagram! Must be following Miss Southern AND Emily Ward Jewelry. All entries will be verified and the winner will be announced on Friday, good luck!

Shop Emily Ward Jewelry's full line here.

 
 

A Southern Comfort Meal At It's Finest: Pioneer Woman's Salisbury Steak

I will be completely honest, this meal is not right up my alley at all. I tend to steer from large pieces of meat for meals. I'm by no means a vegetarian I just tend to go for the smaller meat portions. But hey, every now and then everyone needs a good hearty southern meal and this is one that will not disappoint! 

If you aren't a 'cook' don't be intimidated by the number of ingredients in this recipe. It really is a pretty easy meal to make and it is delicious! Since I'm already serving a meal that is gonna break the scale, HA, I usually just go ahead and serve the steaks with mashed potatoes and typically glazed carrots or another fresh veggie.

Pioneer Woman's Salisbury Steak

Ingredients 

Meat Mixture 

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
2 Tbs heavy cream

1 Tbs ketchup

2 Tsps dry mustard

4 dashes Worcestershire sauce

1 cube beef bouillon, crumbled

Salt and Pepper

1 Tbs butter

1 Tbs olive oil

Gravy

1 whole onion, halved and thinly sliced

2 cups beef broth, more if needed for thinning

1 Tbs ketchup

1 Tsp seasoning sauce, such as Kitchen Bouquet, optional. {I do not personally use this}

4 dashes Worcestershire

1 Tsp cornstarch

Salt and Pepper

Directions
For the meat mixture: Combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, heavy cream, ketchup, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, bouillon and some salt and pepper. Knead until all combined. Form into 6 oval patties, and then make lines across the patties, with your finger, to give them a "steak" appearance (this is just for fun!).

Fry the patties in a skillet with the butter and oil over medium-high heat on both sides until no longer pink in the middle, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and pour off any excess grease. (If you use a good lean meat you won't have much if any grease)

For the gravy: Reduce the heat to medium and add in the sliced onions. Stir and cook until golden brown and somewhat soft, for several minutes. Add 1 & 3/4th cup beef stock, kethcup, seasoning sauce, if using, and the Worcestershire. Then combine the cornstarch with the remaining 1/4th cup beef broth and add to the gravy. Stir and cook  to reduce while thickening.

Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper and more broth if needed for thinning. Then return the patties to the gravy. Spoon the gravy over the top and let them simmer and heat back up for a couple minutes.

Serve and enjoy!

Friday Favorites: Five Awesome Target Finds!

Who doesn't love Target?! I mean I think everyone does so I thought I'd round up five awesome items I've found at Target recently!

ONE: Dupe Bow Slide Sandals

 Sam & Libby Bow Slide Sandal 

These Sam & Libby Bow Sandals are a great dupe for the Sam Edelman Henna Bow Slide. The Target slides are a fourth the price and come in several colors that the Sam Edelman version also comes in. Great dupe find!

TWO:  Welcome Cactus Doormat {On Sale!}

 Welcome Cacti Doormat

Oh my word, how cute is this mat?! I spotted it at one of my local Target stores but they only had one left and it was messed up. Logged on to the website to find it on sale for $10 online! Score, this baby is on the way to my home! It is going to just look too adorable on my back patio!

THREE: Straw Tassel Beach Tote

 Sold out online - Similar Tote

Unfortunately this one is already sold out online but I have spotted it in stores. I did link a similar pom pom version online but if you are obsessed with the one above like me and many others keep an eye out at your local store. It is $34.99.

FOUR: Family Cactus Swimsuits 

All Suits Shoppable Here

I might be a little all the heart eye emojis for anything cactus again this summer but seriously?! How cute are these little tot cacti suits and even one for their daddy! Find all the suits here with a few different variations. So cute and of course so cheap!

FIVE: Sugarfix by BaubleBar Drop Earrings

 Sugarfix Drop Stripe Ball Drop Earrings

Because how could I not include the Sugarfix line. Baublebar kills it at Target and I'm completely swooning over these stripe drop ball earrings for a fraction of the cost of Baublebar's line of drop earrings.

Now tell me what you have found at Target lately! I'm a firm believer that a good Target trip is good for the soul. I hope y'all have a great weekend!

A Rosy Summer

  BP Rose Gold Sunnies // Pink Clay Exfoliating Scrub // Ruffle Swimsuit  Rose Gold Pineapple Tumbler // Roise Sunnylife Swan Float   Bow Flip Flops {Multiple Colors Available}  

It is safe to say that I am craving and shopping all things summer now! I have these rose gold sunnies and they have been on high rotation this season already. I find myself always grabbing for this pair when I head out the door. The bow flip flops are in my cart ready to be on the way to my doorstep and stop it with this rose flamingo! I had the the white swan float, before the guys popped it last summer {insert eye roll} and I named her was Swoonie the Swannie so it is taking everything in me not to order this cutie! 

What are some of your favorite summer finds you are swooning over or have purchased this season?

     

Food Review at the Pioneer Woman Mercantile

Last week my mom and I both took a day off work and head north to Pawhuska, Oklahoma. If you've been around here a little bit you will remember that her and I first visited the Pioneer Woman's Mercantile back in January, you can read about that trip here in this post. That time we were both on Christmas break vacation, along with the rest of the world, and we went on a Friday. Huge mistake! If you aren't familiar with the Merc there are three parts to it. The restaurant, the store and the bakery. Well they also have a grab and go station with a portion of their menu that you can get to go. Our first trip it was so busy that we had to wait an hour and a half just to go inside the store side to shop and the wait for the restaurant was over four hours. We grabbed goodies from the bakery and ate at another local spot in town.

All this to say we both really wanted to go back and eat lunch there. So off we went and we waited two hours and three minutes on a random Tuesday. We took turns going in to shop since there wasn't a line for the store this time. This made the time pass quickly and also the weather was beautiful this trip unlike the first time when we waited in the freezing January temps.

I am such a foodie but I will admit that the huge mason jar that my iced tea was served in might have been my favorite part! AND they have crushed ice, perfect! Just kidding, it was all so good but I was over the moon to see my huge tea come out after the long wait! I'm a tea gal for sure!

We decided to order the spinach artichoke dip that was made with six different cheeses and served in a mini cast iron skillet with chips and pita bread. It was to die for y'all! Very rich but I still could've eaten the entire pan of it! I highly recommend it if you visit the Merc for lunch or dinner!

I really wanted to try the chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy because I just felt like I should. It is favorited on the menu and known to be the dish Ree spent the most time perfecting. However, my stomach just couldn't stomach that much food for lunch so I chose the southern fried chicken sandwich which was served with a bed of creamy coleslaw atop the chicken and finished with house made butter pickles on a potato bun. Y'all, this was delicious! It was served with house made potato chips and I could barely finish half. I took the rest home and it was just as good leftover the next day! My mom picked the beef brisket reuben which was also served with the house made potato chips. She said it was fantastic and also could only finish half.

I knew in January I would be back and before I even left this time I knew I'll be going back again! We left about a quarter till three and there was a whopping three people in line!! Ahhh so next trip and a tip for all of you wanting to visit, go first thing in the morning or late afternoon. Although I have a feeling the summer and Saturdays are probably busy all day long. 

The lunch/dinner menu features several appetizers, hearty entrees including the chicken fired steak, two different lasagnas and enchiladas. There are also several soups and sandwiches to chose from as well as salads and of course desserts!   

We were too full to have dessert so before we left we both took a few pecan sticky buns to go from the bakery. Oh my word, so delicious! I was wishing I would've gotten the half of dozen pack. Lesson learned!

Have you visited the Mercantile yet? Are you a fan of Ree like my mom and I are? Sadly she wasn't at the Merc but I hope to catch her on the next trip!