Happy (Belated) 4th of July!!!

(image via Google)

I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday weekend :) I know that I did! Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. Cookouts, parades, fireworks, patriotism - what's not to love?

Peter and I have spent the last three Independence Day weekends with either my family or his family so this was our first Fourth at home in awhile. It was kind of nice not to travel and just to be able to relax and enjoy some downtime! Our community pool finally opened on Friday (they were building a new poolhouse and there were some delays) so we had a very refreshing swim after work and then we made homemade pizza. This was the first time that I made my own crust! Pioneer Woman's recipe was easy and excellent, and I highly recommend it (as if there was a PW recipe that I don't highly recommend!).

(image from Pioneer Woman)

After stuffing ourselves with pizza, we watched the third Harry Potter movie, Prisoner of Azkaban. I had finished the third HP book last week and wanted to watch the movie version. Peter had never seen the third movie, and he got really into it. So into it that he started reading the HP series on Sat. (Finally!) :)

On Saturday, we made omlettes for breakfast (Peter's specialty!), and then Peter headed off to work and I headed off to the local outlet mall for some shopping. Another advantage to staying local for the holiday weekend was being able to take advantage of some of the awesome holiday sales! I found several cute pieces for work so it was a successful shopping day! When we returned home, Peter and I played tennis for about an hour, and then I made a taco salad for dinner. Every so often I really crave taco salad and just have to make one. And I always laugh at myself because I end up making an enormous salad! I think we could have fed 8 people easily with the salad that I made :) We definitely had leftovers for a few days! We then watched the fourth Harry Potter movie, Goblet of Fire, at Peter's request. I think that I can safely say that he's an HP fan now :)

(image from IMDB)

On Sunday after church, we made BLT's for lunch (Yum!) and took a walk around our neighborhood which was cut short by a thunderstorm. So we read and talked with our parents while it rained. I honestly can't remember anything else we did that day! It was just a nice, laidback day at home :)

On Monday, I attempted to make scones for breakfast but accidentally added too much milk so they turned out rather "interesting." Edible but "interesting." We then headed to the store to pick up some groceries for a cookout later that day and to pick up some screws and nosepads for Peter's glasses which were sort of coming apart over the weekend! After that, we just cleaned a bit around the house, I ironed a mountain of clothing (I seriously thought I would never get through that pile! Ironing is one of my least-liked chores!), and Peter repaired his glasses. Then we went to our friends' house for a backyard BBQ which was a combination Fourth of July celebration and birthday party :) And then we went to our town's fireworks show which Peter and I had never attended. We were impressed! The finale was especially good :)

I'm really bummed that I don't have pictures from this weekend! My camera is only working about half the time now so I havn't been using it that much since it's such a hassle. A Canon Rebel is at the top of my birthday wish list for sure :)

(image from Amazon)

My Top 5 Summer Beauty Products

Since it has now officially been summer for an entire week, I thought it would be fun to give y'all my list of essential beauty products for the warmest season of the year :)

(image from InStyle)

1. Neutrogena Sunscreen: I sunburn faster that you can say "summer," so if I'm spending any time outside (like more than 5 minutes), I have to slather on the 30SPF+ sunscreen. I really like all of the Neutrogena sunscreens (and I'm pretty sure that I've tried them all!). They're always light and non-greasy, and they don't irritate my skin.

(image from Drugstore.com)

2. Jergens Natural Glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer: After reading about my first summer essential, you know that I don't tan easily :) So my second summer essential is self-tanner. This self-tanner from Jergens is nice and light, relatively fool-proof, and doesn't smell too awful.

 (image from InStyle)

3. Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer: I've used this tinted moisturizer for years, and it's the best!!! I hate wearing heavy foundation in the summer so this is perfect. It's light, doesn't streak if you get sweaty, has SPF20, and has a nice range of shades for all skin colors. Love it :)

(images from Amazon)

4. OPI Cajun Shrimp and Strawberry Margarita Nail Polish: These shades are on my toes all summer long :)

(image from The Body Shop)

5. The Body Shop White Musk Eau de Toilette: This is my favorite summer scent hands down! I've worn it as my daily summer fragrance for years, and people always stop and ask me what perfume I'm wearing. I don't like floral perfumes at all which seems to be what most summer perfumes smell like, but this is different. I can't really describe the scent very well (you will just have to try it yourself!), but it's nice and light and refreshing. It smells like summer to me :)

There you have it! My top 5! What are your summer beauty product essentials?

Weekend Recap

I know that my past Friday night might not sound very exciting to some, but it was fun for me :) After work, Peter and I made dinner, and then we read all night until we went to bed. A librarian's dream date night :) I'm currently trying to re-read the Harry Potter series before the new movie comes out in July, and I was able to finish the third book on Friday night so I felt pretty good about that!

On Saturday, I went to the grocery store and tidied up around the house. I made Oven-Fried Coconut Chicken from Cooking Light for dinner.

(image from Cooking Light)

I've been wanting to find a "healthy" version of fried chicken because I get cravings for it sometimes but traditional recipes are so greasy (delicious but greasy!). Peter has been requesting coconut shrimp so I thought this recipe might be the best of both worlds. Peter really liked it, but I thought it was only "so-so."  The search continues for the perfect healthy fried chicken recipe :) After dinner, we went to see Cars 2 with a couple of friends. 

(image from IMDB)

We had read some reviews beforehand that weren't glowing, but we all really enjoyed it. It was James Bond-themed, and while I'm not a huge James Bond fan, I thought it worked. I especially loved the car representing the queen of England :) We went to Rita's Italian Ice after the movie, and I had my first Gelati of the summer, fat-free vanilla custard with black cherry ice. Yum! That might be my new favorite combo!

(image from Rita's)

Peter tried the Blendini which is sort of like a Dairy Queen Blizzard but with the addition of Italian Ice. It sounded kind of gross to me, but I tasted some of Peter's and was pleasantly surprised :)

I developed a bit of a cold on Saturday so on Sunday, I didn't feel that great. We went to church and then went for a short walk since it was such a nice day and then I spent some quality time on the couch. I feel better today so the week ahead is looking brighter!

New Muppets Movie

 

Have y'all seen the trailer for the new Muppets movie yet? This will definitely make Thanksgiving even better :) Can't wait to see Kermie, Miss. Piggy, Fozzy, and Gonzo on the big screen again!!!

A Little Bit of Hermes Fashion History For You

I'm certainly not a fashion historian by any means, but I ran across this fun fashion fact today and thought that I would share :) Did you know that on this day in 1937 Hermes changed the fashion world forever by introducing a line of scarves celebrating their 100th anniversary? I do not own a Hermes scarf (yet!), but I love admiring their beautiful colors and patterns. Each one is a work of wearable art, for sure!

Some other fun facts:

• Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Onassis, Grace Kelly, and Catherine Deneuve were collectors of Hermes scarves.
• The silk scarves are each made from 250 mulberry moth cocoons.
• The motifs are "drawn from history, mythology, flora, fauna, war, peace, global culture and (but of course) the realm of the horse." (Guardian, Nov. 21, 2009)
• In the 1950s, the Queen Elizabeth II of England wore a Hermes scarf on a British postage stamp. She is still a fan of the scarves today :)

 (images via Google)

Anything else that you would possibly want to know about Hermes scarves, you can most likely find in the book The Hermes Scarf: History & Mystique by Nadine Coleno. Looks like a very colorful read!

(image via Amazon)

(Sources: Guardian, Nov. 21, 2009 / Fashion History Page a Day Calendar by Workman Publishing Company)

Weekend Recap

What a nice, restful weekend :) I feel like I can't usually describe my weekends that way, but this weekend was indeed nice and restful!

After work on Friday, I made Shrimp Cobb Salad from Cooking Light. This salad was the cover photo for the May issue, and it looked too good to pass up! Peter liked it more than I did, but I would certainly make it again.

(image from Cooking Light)

Does anyone know a trick for preventing avocado from turning brown after it's cut? I've tried leaving the avocado pit in the storage container with the avocado, but that doesn't seem to help.

After dinner, we popped some popcorn and watched The Fighter.

(image from IMBD)

I liked it, but boxing scenes are hard for me to watch. I'm really glad that Peter is not a professional boxer! I could not handle watching his matches!!! I also had a hard time understanding what the characters were saying through the thick Boston accents. A trip to Boston might be in order so that I can learn the local language :)

On Saturday, I ran some errands and went to the mall to pick up a few make-up and skincare items that I had run out of, and then that night, Peter and I went to see the Royal Danish Ballet perform Napoli at The Kennedy Center in DC.

Waiting outside of the Kennedy Center before the performance. I love that we have identical squints in this picture (we were staring straight into the sun when this was taken!) :)

I took ballet lessons at Ballet Memphis when I was younger, and I thoroughly enjoy going to see performances now. Peter did not take ballet lessons when he was younger :) , but he's still a good sport to go with me and likes the performances too. This was my first time to see the Danish Royal Ballet and to see Napoli performed. The male dancers with the DRB were especially good!

On Sunday after church, we did nothing which felt pretty good. Naps and reading on the couch and watching baseball games on TV were made for Sunday afternoons, I think :)

Getting to Know You

Southland Life published this "Getting to Know You" questionnaire several weeks ago, and since I thought it was fun and I can't think of anything else to blog right now, I'm going to give it a whirl :)

Getting to Know You 2011

1. What time did you get up this morning?

My usual wake-up time of 6:00am on weekdays. Yuck!

2. Pearls or diamonds?

Definitely pearls!!! But diamonds run a close second :)



3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

Peter and I saw Win Win with friends at the theater about a month ago. I wasn't sure what to expect from the previews, but it was excellent! It was worth the price of the ticket for sure!

4. What is your favorite TV show?

I'm not sure if this qualifies as a TV show since they show different British TV series, but I've loved Masterpiece Theatre / Mystery on PBS since junior high. I rarely miss an episode!

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?

Cereal or yogurt and granola

6. What is your middle name?

Leigh

7. What food do you like the least?

Bananas!!! I hate the mushy texture. Blech!

8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?

Phoenix "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" 

9. What kind of car do you drive?

Toyota Corolla

10. Favorite Sandwich?

BLT (made with tomatoes from my daddy's garden) or Chicken Salad (I can't decide - I love them both!)

11. What characteristic do you despise?

Rudeness

12. Favorite item(s) of clothing?

Jeans, Cardigans, Sundresses

13. If you could go anywhere in the world for vacation, where would you go?

Scotland or Germany/Austria or Greece (or all 3!)

14. What color is your bathroom?

Pink, Blue, and Green

15. What is your favorite brand of clothing?

Milly, Elizabeth McKay, Kate Spade, J. Crew

However, Target is more in my price range :)

16. Where would you retire?

Charleston, SC or Beaufort, SC

17. What was your most recent memorable birthday!

30 - My friends gave me a wonderful tea party for my birthday and I was newly engaged :)

18. Favorite sport to watch?

College Basketball (My entire family are crazy University of Memphis fans! You should hear my mom cheer for the Tigers!)

19. Favorite saying?

Seriously? or Are you kidding me?

20. When is your birthday?

I'm a summer baby :)

21. Are you a morning person or night person?

Neither - I'm a middle of the afternoon person. I shine at 2:00pm :)

22. Are you part of the problem or the solution?

Probably a little of both!

23. Do you have any pets?

No, but I really want a dog (preferably a beagle)!

24. Any new and exciting news you would like to share with us?

We're going to take a trip with my parents toward the end of the summer! I havn't seen them since Christmas so I'm really excited!!!

25. What did you want to be when you were little?

What didn't I want to be when I was little! Princess-ballerina, restauranteur, doctor, journalist, novelist, teacher, baton-twirler, fashion designer, etc., etc., etc. :)

26. How are you today?

Tired from getting up at 6:00am, but other than that, I'm great!

27. What is your favorite candy?

Caramel Twix

28. What is your favorite flower?

Peonies

 

29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?

My husband and I are going to see the Danish Royal Ballet perform soon!

30. What are you listening to right now?

A Fine Frenzy

31. What is your favorite movie?
Anne of Green Gables
Lord of the Rings
The Princess Bride

32. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

Periwinkle

33. How is the weather right now?

93 DEGREES!  Thank you Maryland heat wave!

34. What is your favorite soft drink?

Cheerwine

35. What is your favorite restaurant?

The Cupboard (Memphis, TN)

Interstate Barbecue (Memphis, TN)
Jestine's Kitchen (Charleston, SC)

36. Natural hair color?

Brown

37. Siblings?

One Sister.

38. Favorite day of the year?

Christmas

39. What was your favorite toy as a child?

Easy-Bake Oven

40. Summer or Winter?

Summer. I like to be outside enjoying the sunshine :)

41. Hugs or Kisses?

Hugs. Unless it's my husband, and then kisses :)

42. Coffee or tea?

I prefer tea, but I drink coffee in the morning for the extra caffeine.

43. Chocolate or Vanilla?

Chocolate, for sure!!!

44. Favorite season?

Spring and Autumn are my favorite seasons. I like moderate temperatures :)

45. Last time you cried?

I can't remember, but I'm sure it was because of a sappy commercial :)

46. What is under your bed?

An under-the-bed plastic storage container for all of my T-shirts and my dumbbells.

47. What is your favorite smell?

Honeysuckle, Gardenia, Lilac

48. What are you afraid of losing?

Wallet or car keys

49. Salty or sweet?

Sweet (but I also really dig the salty/sweet combo - i.e. chocolate-covered pretzels)

50. How many keys are on your key ring?

Five

51. Favorite day of the week?

Saturday

52. Favorite book?
This is a crazy question to ask a librarian (!!!), but if I have to answer, I'll say:
Anne of Green Gables
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Lord of the Rings series
Narnia series

(all images via Google)