White Long-Sleeved Summer Jacket - My Current Wish List

Have you ever seen a "look" in a magazine, an advertisement or on TV and thought, "Oh my gosh, I love that entire outfit and I want it!!"? Well, I did that exact thing the other day when I received this e-mail from Piperlime:

. . . I fell head over heels in love with the look on the left with the red maxi dress and white jacket. So of course I clicked on "Shop these looks" to see what kind of prices I was dealing with and imagine my surprise when I realized I pretty much already have this exact look in my closet! Why it took seeing them separated, I don't know, but I certainly have a dark pinkish red dress (not quite maxi length, but it's close), a long gold chain necklace and fabulous brown summer heels (they aren't slings, but that's not the point). . . all I'm missing is the jacket! So, today, here I am with my White Long-Sleeved (because let's face reality here. . . I already have a white short-sleeved summer jacket, please don't tell my husband!) Summer Jacket Wish List so I can complete the "look" I practically already have :) I even made this incredibly simple by sticking within the Gap Inc. Brands!

1) Last weekend my sister-in-law rocked her Express (Minus the) Leather Motorcycle Jacket and it's AWESOME and it comes in ivory. . . sadly Express doesn't have it available any longer so Banana Republic's Heritage White Leather Motocross Jacket will have to do (yeah, like that's real sad). 2) I have your basic denim jacket, but I refuse to wear it with jeans (I wear it with dresses like in the "look" - are you starting to see more and more that I "need" this jacket less and less, once again, please don't tell my husband - lol!) so why not have Old Navy's Distressed Denim Jacket in Bright White? 3) I'm a sucker for a boyfriend blazer and this one is just gorgeous - Elizabeth IV Blazer from the Elizabeth and James Slick Suiting Line, available at Piperlime. 4) And you already know that I want the actual jacket from the look - London Leather Jacket in Warm Beige by BB Dakota, also available at Piperlime.

Wow, no idea why I'm so sarcastic today. . . I guess I'm feeling ornery ;) Happy Friday!!

Wedding Wednesday | Creamy Goodness Wedding by Amelia Lyon Photography

Everyone knows that I frequent Style Me Pretty and lucky for you because you all benefit from my obsession when I feel the absolute need to create an Inspiration Board from one of their incredible posts! Well this one-color palette wedding shot by Amelia Lyon Photography is no exception!!

Photography - Amelia Lyon | Venue - Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel | Coordinator - Kary Heimbach of Kary H Events | Gown - Lavin | Florist - Jeff + Sarah of Square Root Designs | Hair - Jessica Tingley | Makeup - Tonya Crooks | Favors - Miniature Wedding Cakes from Godiva

Be sure to check out the entire post here. . . it makes me want to have Amelia as my friend ;)

baci's baking - Corn Casserole

This one is a serious family favorite - everyone devours it at any family function - so feel completely confident to bring it along to yours because it couldn't be easier :)

Corn Casserole

(Image from HomeRecipes.com)

1 - 16 ounce can creamed corn

1 - 16 ounce can regular corn, drained

1 stick margarine, melted

2 eggs

1 package of Jiffy Corn Bread Mix

8 ounces sour cream

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 2-quart baking dish.

2) Mix ingredient together and bake for 35 - 45 minutes, uncovered.

Handpicked - Dresses Under $20

This week starts off a 5-week "Finds Under $20 Post Extravaganza" :) Up first: Dresses Under $20 followed by Tops, Bottoms, Jewelry and Accessories in the upcoming weeks!

1) Fab Empire Dress in Black by Forever 21 - $12.50 2) Liv Henley Tank Dress in Red Chambray from Kmart - $14.99 3) 'George' Women's Ponte Shift Dress with Skinny Patent Belt in Black Soot by Walmart - $18.00 4) Juniors Braid-Strap Knit Dress in Royal Purple from Walmart - $14.00 5) Also from Walmart, Women's Cap-sleeve Knit Dress in Royal Ocean - $14.00 6) Solid Tube Dress in Midnight by Charlotte Russe - $16.50 7) Summer Tie Back Dress in Pink from Wet Seal - $15.99 8) 'Route 66' Women's Cami Knit Maxi Dress in Light Ash by Kmart - $17.49 (I actually bought this AWESOME dress a few weeks ago and I LOVE it!) 9) 'Mossimo Black' Strapless Ruffle Front Dress in Ebony from Target - $13.98

Enjoy the cheap finds and be on lookout for even more awesomeness in the next four weeks!!

Happy Earth Day!

Image from Ecoki

I want to take a minute to wish everyone a Happy Earth Day - please keep our fragile planet in mind every day of the year!! Check out Designing Woman's previous eco-friendly posts and stop by a few of my favorite environmentally conscious vendors:

Boscia - Preservative-free Skin Care

Branch - Sustainable Design for Living

Seventh Generation - Green Cleaning Products

Rubie Green - Stylish Green Living

RuMe - Reusable Bags

VivaTerra - Eco Living with Style

And quite possibly the coolest "Green" tool is TheFind Green - Every Green Store, Every Green Product.

Wedding Wednesday | More Carol Hannah

I couldn't help but post these photos of Carol Hannah Whitfield's Wedding Collection. After I raved about how gorgeous they were last week, I came across this incredible post by Charlotte, NC photographer Caroline Ghetes and holy moly are they BEAUTIFUL!! After marveling at the beautifullness captured by the super talented Caroline, be sure to stop on over to Carol Hannah's Etsy Shop because THERE ARE NEW ADDITIONS - yes, since last week - hooray for Carol Hannah!!

baci's baking - Cheesy Potatoes

If you're addicted to baci's baking (which I hope you are - lol. I know of at least one lady who is. . . Miss Sheena - she printed off every single baci's baking recipe last week!! YAY!), but you're not overly confident in your kitchen skills this is the recipe for you. There is nothing better to begin your venture into cooking with than something simple. Cheesy potatoes were my "gateway" recipe so to speak. It was the first thing my mom taught me how to cook when I was in college and boy did I cook it a lot - just ask my roommates :)

Cheesy Potatoes

32 oz. bag of frozen hash browns

8 oz. sour cream

1 onion (or 1 T. onion powder)

1 8 oz. bag of shredded cheddar cheese

1 can cream of mushroom soup

½ stick butter, melted

1) Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease 9x13-inch pan.

2) Place hash browns in bottom of pan evenly. Pout melted butter over hash browns.

3) Mix remaining ingredients together and mix into hash browns. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour until golden brown and bubbly.

Arhaus - My Current Wish List

My good friend, Bekah, works for Arhaus, a company I've always been incredibly fond of. I really hadn't taken a look at their site for a while though, so when Bekah recommended that I do an Arhaus Wish List I thought, "Hey, why not?". Well, she's created a monster! After scouring the entire site piece by piece I sent my poor husband a list of ten different things that I just HAVE TO HAVE!! Check out my top four here:

1) I never thought I'd say this about a couch, but the Bryant Sofa is SEXY! I just adore the tweed fabric and nail head finish. 2) I've been searching for cool hooks to place in our breezeway - a nice place to hang my cloth grocery bags so I don't forget them as I walk out the door - and a few of these iron Crow Coat Hooks would be perfect! 3) Simple. Elegant. The Mercury Glass Table Lamp is absolutely gorgeous. 4) It's honestly as though Arhaus knows what I've been searching for - it's crazy! I've been looking for tiny little glass birds to place on our coffee table side-by-side and the Chickadee Vase surpasses my envision! (By the way, I actually despise real life birds because they totally freak me out. . . why I love decorating with them, I have no idea - lol!)

BONUS: Arhaus is currently having a Friends & Family Spring Event until Monday, April 19th - Take 30% Off!!!

baci's babies | Layla Rose

I love babies. I mean, most people think babies are cute and cuddly, but I serious adore them - after all, who really blogs about baby clothes when she doesn't even have one herself? LOL! Anyway, I am incredibly excited to announce a new feature on Designing Woman - baci's babies! As past wedding clients start having babies, I'll take a look back at their big days and a peek at their gorgeous new little ones. Be on the lookout for several of these features throughout the year - baci's babies number two, three and four are all set to arrive by the middle of September!

First off is Layla Rose, born on February 19th to past wedding clients, Stephanie and Brent who married in May of 2008. Miss Layla arrived at 12:44 pm weighing in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces and 19 inches long. If she isn't just the most precious thing you've ever seen, I don't know what is!! Congratulations, Stephanie and Brent - she is absolutely perfect :)

Image by Stephanie's friend and former wedding-planning-helper, Shawna Schneider of Shawna Rae Photography

Wedding Wednesday | Carol Hannah Whitfield 2010 Bridal

(Image from Carol Hannah Etsy Shop)

Everyone remembers the adorable South Carolina native Carol Hannah Whitfield from Project Runway Season Six - well her 2010 Bridal Line officially launched this Monday in NYC and my goodness is it GORGEOUS!!! P.S. I adore that she named her dresses after Charleston streets - so personal and sweet!

Here are a few pieces from her preview collection on Etsy:

Legare Street Dress in Silk Shantung - $1050

Society Street Dress - $695

Detail of the cotton pique Society Street Dress

And now for some of my Runway favorites (all images from Charleston Magazine, unless otherwise noted).

I absolutely love all the raw edges on these gowns - so perfectly imperfect!!

This is quite possible the most beautiful short wedding dress I have ever laid eyes on!

Spring Street Dress -$895

Hassell Street Gown in Silk Tulle - $2800

Detail of Silk Organza Flowers on Hasell Street Gown (Image from Etsy)

I am so in love with the detail on this gown - hands down my #1 in the collection!

Dear Ladies of whom I am a member of your Bridal Party - I WANT THIS DRESS :)

Pinckney Street Dress in Silk Chiffon - $315

Gadsden Street Dress in Jersey -$235

baci's baking - Spinach, Apple and Walnut Salad

My friend, Anne, has always been full of great recipes that she's gathered from family or created herself, but this has always been one of my favorites - Spinach, Apple and Walnut Salad. It's simple, light and seriously delicious - in all the times I've made it, there's never been a person who didn't fall in love!

Spinach, Apple and Walnut Salad

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

2 T. honey

3 T. olive oil

3 T. lemon juice

2/3 cup crumbled goat cheese

1 T. apple cider vinegar

1 package baby spinach

1 Fuji or Braeburn apple, diced

salt and pepper to taste

1) Toss diced apples with 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

2) Place spinach in a large bowl.

3) Whisk remaining juice, oil, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper.

4) Toss spinach with apples and dressing. Top with cheese and walnuts. Enjoy!

Crate & Barrel - My Current Wish List

Of course I just made a Crate & Barrel purchase last week and as soon as I received my things I realized there were so many more items that I've love to have. . . it's a seriously random collection, but here they are :)

1) Ilario and I just purchased some seeds to plant a nice little herb garden on our deck and these Chalkboard Herb Markers would be so cute to add to the herb boxes we have! 2) It's no news to any of our friends or family (or to my husband!) that I want a new couch - so this summer I'd love to purchase somethings just like the Huntley Woods Queen Sleeper Sofa, but maybe is a darker tone like Teak. I absolutely adore the textural fabric! 3) Our friends have this incredible Vinturi Red Wine Aerator and it's seriously AMAZING - I must have one - it decants your vino instantly!! 4) I've recently found several fondue recipes (one for Rum-laced Chocolate and another for German Beer - mmm!) so I guess having a fondue set might help me out :) I really enjoy the simplicity of this Gala Fondue Set.

Wedding Wednesday | Fall Wedding Planning

Just this weekend I started planning event details with clients, Jesse and Laurinda, who are planning to wed this fall - I am so excited about the things we're working on that I just had to show you some things that have inspired us!! Their color are natural white, burlap, chocolate and wine - it's going to be SO beautiful with a rustic elegance!

Image from The Knot

Floral Decor by JL Designs

Bouquet Photo from The Knot

Image from 100 Layer Cake

Photo from Bridal Bubbly

baci's baking - Chicken and Wild Rice Chowder

I frequent a lot of sites like Food Network and Cookstr to get new recipes and unique ideas. One of my favorite spots to visit is Better Homes and Garden - this Chicken and Wild Rice Chowder from BHG is so hearty that it's a meal in itself. Enjoy!!

Chicken and Wild Rice

1 cup sliced carrots (2 medium)

1 cup sliced celery (2 stalks)

1 cup quartered mushrooms

3 T. butter

3 T. flour

2 - 14 oz. cans chicken broth

2 -3 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped

3/4 cup cooked wild rice

1/4 t. ground black pepper

1 1/2 cups half-and-half

1. In a saucepan cook carrots, celery and mushrooms in hot butter over medium heat until tender.

2. Stir in flour. Add brother, chicken, wild rice and pepper.

3. Cook and stir until mixture is bubbly and slightly thickened. Stir in half-and-half; heat through. Makes 4 servings.

Handpicked - J. Crew Jewelry

So, I know that I've been on a bit of a J. Crew kick. . . but I just can't help it! I got an e-mail today about their new Spring Jewelry Arrivals so I just had to check them out - when I got there I fell in love with everything! Here are the top nine "Handpicked" pieces from their Jewelry Collection.

1 + 2) Metal Nastrino Necklace and Bracelet in Gold - $98 and $75 3) Crystal Corona Necklace in Blush - $118 4) Crystal-and-pearl Pastiche Bracelet in Pink Frost - Now Only $49.50, marked down from $88 5) Glamour Cocktail Ring in Pale Bluff - $60 6) Luxe Cocktail Bracelet in Pearl - $98 7) Ombre Pearl Cluster Necklace in Ivory - $98 8 + 9) Crystal Devote Earrings and Necklace (in Black) - $55 and Now Only $100, marked down from $150.00