Five From the Weekend

The weather this weekend was perfect. We took full advantage by going to a baseball game, riding the ferris wheel and taking long walks by the water.

How was your weekend?

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks

Diane Von Furstenburg Reara Colorblock Dress | Tory Burch Nadine Riding Boot | Bebe Fur Vest

Bebe Mixed Media Trench {or this} | Rebecca Taylor Silk and Tweed Dress | Halogen Leather Front Peplum Top 

Have you taken advantage of the Nordstrom anniversary sale? 

Have a happy weekend!

xo

Southern Classic Pecan Pie | Guest Post!

Todayyy I'm swapping blogs with sweet Caroline from Between Your Ears. Caroline's blog is one of the first ones I followed along with as I first started blogging, she's been a huge source of inspiration to me {and have you seen her Everygirl house tour? Amazing!}. Caroline is an amazing cook and is sharing a southern classic today.

Also: I'm posting over on Amanda's fabulous blog today! Amanda re-designed my blog and is all around amazing. Be sure to check that out, too! Guest post central.

Welcome, Caroline!

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Hello to Natalie's fabulous readers! I'm so thrilled to be switching places with Natalie today because I'm absolutely smitten with her blog! She has such a glamorous, but laid back sense of style that I really admire. Every outfit she posts just seems so effortless, but still put together and chic. I also LOVE her hair, as weird as that sounds. I've always wanted a head full of ringlets!!

Since Natalie has given me the floor today, I thought I'd share one of my favorite recipes with you. Aside from being a Southern classic, pecan pie is one of those things that always tastes amazing and will always remind me of my mother. My Southern momma can make this pie in her sleep, and that's not just because this recipe is so freaking easy but because she made them so often when I was growing up. If you've never made a pecan pie, then please, humor me. Don't go out and buy one at the store because those are always dry and icky. Try out this recipe, and I think you'll understand why the expression 'easy as pie' exists!

Oh, and I use a frozen pie crust. Those elves over at Pilsbury really know what they're doing.

Oh, and don't you even dare eat a slice of pecan pie without some vanilla ice cream on top!

Oh yes, it's divine.

Pecan Pie, a Southern Classic

1 cup light corn syrup 3 eggs 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1.5 cups pecans 1 frozen pie crust, thawed and fit into a pie dish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine first 5 ingredients in a mixing bowl, whisking well. Stir in pecans. Pour into pie dish. Bake for 1 hour, or until crust is browned and middle of the pie doesn't jiggle. Let cool for 5 minutes, and devour!

I sure hope you'll all come over and check out Between Your Ears! I love to share my favorite recipes and what's been going on over in my little Atlanta apartment.

Thank you so much to Natalie for letting me hang out with y'all today! And don't forget to head over and see the beautiful outfit inspiration she posted on Between Your Ears!

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Wednesday Loves

ONE Topshop Khaki Army Jacket TWO Gucci Straw Boat Hat THREE Asos Butterfly Cat Eye Sunglasses FOUR J.Crew Scalloped Shorts FIVE Modcloth A Coast Call Bag SIX I Married Adventure by Osa Johnson SEVEN House of Harlow Station Leather Necklace EIGHT Sugarboo Designs Pillow 

Sale Alert

These gorgeous DVF trays that I posted about on Friday are on Hautelook today for over 50% off!! Now's your chance to buy -- they'll sell out fast!

Kitchen

A few accessories for the perfect kitchen: 

ONE KitchenAid Pistachio Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer TWO Thomas O'Brien Large Hicks Pendant THREE Seasons: The Best of Donna Hay Magazine FOUR David Stark Wood Slices Dinnerware Set FIVE Succulent Bust Planter Pair SIX Cooper-Grey Lucite Bar Stool SEVEN Jayson Home Faux Bone Servers

Also: Work space, living room.

AND I am over on one of my favorite blogs today, L.A. in the Bay! Be sure to check it out.

House Tour | Guest Post!

Today Jessie from The Long and Short of It is sharing her beautiful home with us! I love Jessie's style and her home is one of my favorites. Enjoy!

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Hello friends. My name is Jessie Short from The Long and Short of It.  When Natalie asked me to do a home tour I was flattered. I admire her style and it is a huge compliment she asked me.  After living in our house for 2 1/2 years we recently decided to renovate our kitchen. I am a self proclaimed design fanatic and it has been so much fun!  I feel like our house is a work in progress and I am excited to show all of you some of the recent progress. 

Den:

 Dining Room:

Entry:

Kitchen:

Living Room:

Week Obsessions

1. Snickerdoodle sandwiches | 2. DVF tray | 3. McQueen print | 4. Outfit

Have a great weekend!

xo

elsewhere: twitter | pinterest | currently obsessed

Thursday Loves

A few on my radar lately: 

ONE Topshop Panel Peplum Shell Top TWO Paris versus New York by Vahram Muratyan  THREE J Brand 811 Mid-Rise Twill Skinny Jeans FOUR Chloé Marcie Large Leather Tote FIVE J.Crew Pavé Link Bracelet SIX Rebecca Taylor Lola Pointy Toe Flats SEVEN Nars Lipstick in Heat Wave EIGHT Voluspa Maison Noir Scented Candle NINE Incase Chrome Slider iPhone Case

Insta-Outfits II

ONE J.Crew top + belt {old, similar}, J Brand jeans

TWO J.Crew top, J Brand jeans Rebecca Minkoff bag, Michael Kors watch, J.Crew bracelet, Essie nailpolish

THREE Tibi top {sold out, same print different shirt}, Karen Walker sunnies

FOUR Urban Outfitters top {old, similar}, J.Crew cardigan {old, similar}, H&M leather shorts

FIVE Tibi top + jacket, Mango purse {old}

More Insta-Outfits here.

Also: I'm so honored to be over on Ever Swoon today sharing our love story. Tamra is a wedding planner extraordinaire and just as sweet as she is talented, be sure to pop over and say hello!

Graphic Tee + A Blazer

blazer | tee | jeans

watch | flats | bracelet

This is a look that I wouldn't normally consider, but leave it up to Olivia Palermo to make it look super chic. Would you rock the graphic tee?

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DIY Gold Chevron Tray

This past week I did a fun project that I've been wanting to do for a while. I'm so happy with how it turned out!

I used this tray from Crate & Barrel, but you could probably find something similar and cheaper at TJ Maxx or HomeGoods. The hardest part was the taping. You just kind of have to eyeball it {I re-adjusted the tape a lot}. I taped a mix of zig-zags and stripes then painted three coats of thin layers of Liquid Leaf and let it dry over night. When I took the tape off the next day some of the paint had leaked through {maybe I was using the wrong tape? I just used regular old masking tape}, but the uneven edges came off by scraping them gently with a butter knife.

COST BREAKDOWN

+ Foam brush $.35

+ Liquid leaf $5.49

+ Masking tape $1

+ Tray $9.95

_____________

TOTAL: $16.79

Some more DIYs: dining chairs | dresser | chalkboard

Happy Weekend!

Have a good one!

xo

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elsewhere: twitter | pinterest | currently obsessed

On eBay Part II

01. Tibi top

02. Chanel pin

03. Urban Decay Naked Palette

04. Joie top {similar}

A few of my recent eBay finds. More eBay finds here. My eBay tips here.

Ten Classic Jewelry Pieces

1. Chunky bracelet | 2. Statement necklace | 3. Studs | 4. Delicate necklace | 5. Hermes bracelet |      6. Gold watch | 7. Cocktail ring | 8. Monogrammed necklace | 9. Pearl necklace | 10. Chandelier earrings

A little list I created of ten classic jewelry pieces every girl should own. Am I missing anything?

Canopy Candy

A little canopy eye candy for your Tuesday. Aren't these so gorgeous? To me a canopy is the ultimate luxury detail in a bedroom. 

images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Insta-Life

01. Karen Walker sunnies and my new pretty business cards by Suite Paperie. I met Becca in New York and she is the sweetest, and so talented. Go to her for any of your paper product needs!

02. Dessert from our three-course brunch on top of the Space Needle. 

03. Scored this guy during the major J.Crew sale. Huge discount plus an additional 30% off and one left in my size -- totally meant to be.

04. Pretty box of macarons.

05. Truth written on a bathroom wall.

Are you on Instagram? Find me @natalie_merrillyn.