friday five: weekend warrior.

Posted in Friday Five, Weekly Features by theglitterlife

Yay for the weekend! L and the Joes are headed to Greenville, South Carolina, this weekend for a mini family vacay. Today’s Friday Five is dedicated to weekend warriors everywhere.

1. Packing List. No matter where you’re going, it pays to plan your outfits ahead of time. We’re big believers in packing light – it’s no fun to lug around a bag of clothes that you end up not even wearing. For a weekend away, you really just need a few things: a great pair of skinnies, a couple of tops (one dressy, one casual), flats (unless you have a big nighttime event, leave your heels at home) and medium size bag in a bright color. Here’s L’s packing list for Greenville:

bright bag (tory burch) // cardigan // skinnies (7 for all mankind) // rain boots (hunter) // sunglasses (ray ban) // tank (eight sixty, available here) // striped tee / /flats (available here)

2. Homemade Snacks. It’s so much healthier (and cheaper) to make your own snacks rather than relying on the offerings at some nasty gas station. You can whip up your very own trail mix in a matter of minutes! Make a big batch and package it in small portions for the trip. Use this recipe from Taste of Home for inspiration.

image: taste of home.

3. Travel Mask: Long road trips can leave your skin looking super tired. Wake it back up with the Travelmate Mask by When. This high-quality Essence Gel Mask uses a bio-cellulose sheet created by fermenting coconut juice, each containing a high volume of fluid that is very effective in transferring the liquid nutrients to skin. We also recommend When’s 10:00PM mask for anti-aging…

soothe and moisturize your tired skin with travelmate by when.

4. Weekender Bag: Kate Spade Saturday is the latest and greatest from the Kate Spade New York family. KSS believes that “getting dressed should be a lot of fun” and we couldn’t agree more. We were really intrigued by Saturday’s “Design a Weekender” program where you build your own travel bag. SO FUN! You really can’t go wrong there.

BONUS: it’s loaded with pockets and compartments to organize all of your traveling goods.

5. A Good Book: Atlanta girl, Emily Giffin (you may recognize her name from other amazing books such as Something Borrowed and Something Blue…) has done it again with her latest novel Where We Belong. If you can’t read in the car, it’s also available on audio! We won’t spoil it by giving details, but trust it’s a must read.

click here to purchase.

What are you up to this weekend? Traveling anywhere fun? Tweet us! @glitter_blog_xo.

16May2013

navy + lace

Posted in Dress + Shop, Outfits by theglitterlife

blazer: nordstrom {similar here} // tank: h&m // shorts: h&m {similar here} //clutch: tory burch //shoes: bcbgeneration {similar here} // nails: bachelorette bash by essie.

Enjoying a relaxing night at Lake Oconee with Jay, Romeo and his furry cousin Riley!

13May2013

floral + stripes.

Posted in Dress + Shop, Outfits, Shopping by theglitterlife

top: forever 21 (also seen here) // blazer: j.crew (similar here) // skirt: bcbgeneration (available here) // flats: (available here) // clutch: bcbgeneration (also seen here; call 912.681.4008) // necklace: town & reese (call 912.681.4008) // bracelets: the usual suspects // nails: essie tart deco // photo credit: kristen evans

Anchor a floral-stripes combo with a classic navy blazer and nude flats.

10May2013

friday five: mother’s day.

Posted in Friday Five, Shopping, Weekly Features by theglitterlife

Where would we be without Mom? Show her some love with these five great gifts. And since these are all gifts we’d love to receive ourselves…Moms, feel free to leave your laptops open to this post. HINT, HINT, Significant Others.

1. Blow Out: Treat Mom to a glamorous Dry Bar experience. Even better, make her blow-out last with this gift set. It includes a blow-out gift coaster, Detox Dry Shampoo and {everyone’s fave} Morning After Shower Cap.

click here to purchase.

2. Homemade Brunch: A reservation isn’t easy to come by on Mother’s Day. If you’re in the same city as Mom, cook her brunch at home (hers or yours) instead! L loves these foolproof recipes: Mushroom Spinach Frittata (EASY) and Cheddar Cheese Grits Casserole (EASIER). Both recipes are forgiving and open to interpretation. Add a little bacon to the frittata; add a little cayenne to the grits casserole. If Mom is a foodie (and you’re up for something fancier), try a delicious Roasted Asparagus & Goat Cheese Frittata. Bon appetit!

bake up a frittata full of veggies. image: new york times.

cheddar cheese grits casserole + crispy bacon. image: southern living.

3. A Little Shopping: Tons of stores are celebrating Mother’s Day with mom-daughter shopping events. L’s boutiques Social and Dish are hosting MOMS + Mimosas this Saturday, May 11. Swing in with Mom, for Mom, or for yourself and enjoy 25% off any item. Not in Statesboro? Use promo code MOM13 to save on www.shopsocialdish.com.

shop for yourself AND mom and save.

4. DIY Gift: Our girl Lauren Conrad has a knack for cute crafts that score low on the frustration scale. All you need for an adorable Mother’s Day gift is a white coffee mug (or other dish) and a gold paint pen. So get creative! Spoiler alert: L made one of these for her mom, her mother-in-law, and herself.

so easy. so cute.

5. Give back. Mother’s Day is an opportunity to thank the woman who gave you life. It’s also a chance to honor women around the world who are overcoming adversity. There are so many options. Buy matching bracelets from 31 Bits for you and Mom – the proceeds help equip Ugandan women with literacy education, financial and vocational training, holistic care, and strong support systems. Or clean out your closets together and donate your gently used workwear to a local charity like Dress for Success, which has affiliates all over the United States. Do some research and choose a cause that resonates with you both. Mom will be so proud.

“Half Moon” bracelets, by 31 Bits. {$28} call 912.871.3989 to order.

How are you celebrating MOM this weekend? Tweet/Instagram us! @glitter_blog_xo.

9May2013

black bean sopes.

Posted in Eat + Drink, Recipes by theglitterlife

L’s mom told her about this vegetarian recipe, and we thought it would be perfect for Cinco de Mayo. We modified it just a little – Joe and L loved the results!

Black Bean Sopes adapted from Sandra Lee Semi Homemade

Makes: 12 sopes

Start to Finish: 35 minutes

Cook: 20 minutes

What You Need:

1 (18-ounce) package prepared polenta (check your refrigerated produce section!)
vegetable oil cooking spray
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1/2 red, yellow or green bell pepper, diced
few dashes cumin
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons hot sauce (like Texas Pete)
1/2 cup low-fat sour cream
juice from one lime
1 cup shredded lettuce, herb mix, or other greens

Directions

Spray a skillet or saute pan with cooking spray and saute diced onions and peppers over medium heat for a few minutes, until soft.
Combine with the drained and rinsed beans and a few dashes of cumin. Mash the mixture with a potato masher or fork so that it holds together.
Slice the polenta in half. Then slice each half into 9 rounds, about 1/4-inch thick, so that you have 18 rounds total. Spray a saute pan with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Gently slide 6 or 7 polenta slices into the pan using a spatula. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined sheet tray. Repeat with remaining polenta slices.
In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, 1 tablespoon hot sauce and lime juice and stir until well blended.
Build the sopes by spreading about 2 tablespoons mashed black bean mixture on top of each fried polenta round. Top with a small amount of shredded lettuce, a teaspoon of the sour cream mixture, and another dash of hot sauce (if desired).

These were DELICIOUS and super easy to make. You could also top them with a dollop of salsa verde. We used Sun Dried Tomato Polenta (couldn’t find plain), and we think the extra flavor only added to the dish.

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friday five: weekend warrior.

navy + lace

black bean sopes.

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