Friday 5

I'm back with 5 things that I am looking forward to this weekend...

{image credit, clockwise: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4}

1 // Bill and I are planning to shop for new a new dining room set. We've had a big open space in our dining room for so long! I'm hoping to find a big farm table with nice apolstered chairs, much like this photo.

2 // I have all the ingredients to make this cauliflower soup with truffle oil and parmesan. I have been craving warm soups for dinner lately because of the freezing temps!

3 // I couldn't resisit and bought some fun goodies to decorate the table for Valentines day :) Right now we only have a small round table in the kitchen, so that will have to do. There's going to be pink, sparkles, perhaps some doillies and of course pretty florals involved! I am excited to share next week!

4 // We have painters scheduled to come next week to paint our master bedroom, hallway, kitchen, dining room and family room! The colors we picked are very neutral, but I think will bring some sunshine into the place. I am excited to share the results!

5 // Of course, that means we need to CLEAN our place before the painters come! So, this will be my 5th thing on my weekend list. Even though, I'm not necessarily looking forward to it...

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And now here are 5 links that I loved from the week:

This fun sequin and tulle fashion photo shoot with brighton the day

This cute and easy DIY for Valentine's Day from Style Within Reach

Another cute and easy DIY for a gold lipstain wine glass from Southern Curls & Pearls

This would have to be the most stylish super bowl party ever! Some great ideas from Style Me Pretty Living

This fantastic reminder that we need to stop making excuses in 2014 from the Everygirl

{Join the link up for 5 on Friday here}

Happy Weekend!

xoxo, Lindsay

Layered Mexican Dip Recipe + Lovely Links

TGIF loves! Who's excited for the weekend? This girl sure is! I have no big plans for the first time in about a month and I'm looking forward to some serious down time, QT with the man, girl talk, enjoying the sun and perhaps some crafting! Is that not the perfect sounding weekend?

 

I want to leave you with a little recipe for my famous {well, actually I got it from my Mama ;)} layered Mexican bean dip. I made this for my little Cinco de Mayo fiesta I hosted with a few of my friends and we ate the entire 9 x 11 casserole dish of it by the end of the night! Yes, it is that good!

 



 

Ingredients:

 

2 cans of Fritos bean dip {I find this in the chips isle on their own shelf with the Tostitos salsas}

 

3 tablespoons light sour cream

 

about 1/2 bag of finely shredded Mexican or Taco cheese

 

Optional:

 

chopped green onions and tomatoes

 

can also add sliced black olives {I'm not a big olive fan}

 

 

Directions:

 

Layer ingredients in order on a 9 x 11 glass casserole dish. You could sprinkle the tomatoes and green onions on either side to look like the Mexican flag {like pictured above}. You may want to refrigerate the dip for about an hour before serving or make sure all ingredients are refrigerated before layering if you are planning to serve immediately.

 

Serve with your favorite type of tortilla chips!

 

So easy and yet so delicious!

 

This recipe could easily be made more healthy if you use a black bean dip {my mom finds this at Whole Foods, but you should be able to find it at any health or organic food store}. You could also use non-fat greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

 

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If you are planning to attend a Derby party this weekend, make sure to stop by Mint Love Social Club for a delicious recipe for a Mint Love Julip and a free printable for some ever so cute Kentucky Derby jersey stirrers!

 

I think I may have to watch the Derby just for the excuse to use those stirrers!

 

Happy Weekend Loves!

 

 

 

Lovely Links + A Winner!

Happy Friday lovelies! This week flew by! I have been busy with work, working out, cooking up a storm (as seen here) and practicing for a wedding next week...Practicing what you ask? Oh, guitar and singing :) I bet you didn't know that about me! I have been playing guitar for about 10 years and my good friend (actually, the MOH for my wedding) plays an amazing violin. We've been playing ceremony music for weddings the past 5 years. We started just playing for friends and family members, then word got out and couples started hiring us! It's a fun little hobby!

 

More on that when I post my "Five Things" next week (I was tagged by the lovely Morgan, check out her adorable blog here).

 

Let's get to the REAL news...The winner of my March Favs Giveaway and the new owner of these Stella & Dot earrings AND a Starbucks gift card IS.....{drum roll......}

 

 

BRIANA DEE!!!!

 

If that is your name, email me at lindsay@llstyling.com!

A BIG thank you to Meg Morosco, Independent Stylist for Stella & Dot! Check out more lovelies from S&D here. And don't forget to follow her on FB here for updates on new jewelry and discounts.

And now, I will leave you with some weekend reading via these lovely links:

1 // Looking to add some pop to your reception or event decor? Wedding Chics posted this featuring this awesome on-line vendor who specializes in event decor elements such as vases, parasols and paper poms... I will be browsing the site for my November wedding this weekend...

2 // I'm loving this Art Deco Glam wedding inspirational shoot posted on Ruffled! The colors of emerald (Pantone's color of the year), black and white pop off of the geometric patterns.

3 // You've got to check out this cute little DIY for bachelorette party pins from Mint Love Social Club! They turned out great and added a pretty/fun element to the party!

4 // Alright y'all...This is the one link that is REALLY inspiring me at the moment: I am Content: The Challenge...When I came across Nancy's post last week it gave me goosebumps! I have been a little out of control with the shopping recently and I really need to be focusing on saving for the wedding and paying down my current debt. I am a budget spreadsheet nerd and actually make an excel spreadsheet every month tracking my spending. I am usually pretty good at staying within my set budget, but the past few months have fallen in the red. I really need to refocus my spending habits and work on building my savings.

SO this is it! 3 months of NO SHOPPING!!! Can I do it? Yes. I do not need any new clothes or accessories for 3 months. Looking at my closet, I see plenty of options for outfits for the upcoming special occasions and for someone that works from home and wears sweatpants daily (I feel like I live in them), there's no need for new work clothes.

I am only restricting myself from clothes and accessories shopping. I will still need to buy gifts and little decor items for the wedding, etc. Baby steps... I will keep you updated on my progress!

Have a fantastic weekend! Hopefully, the sun is shining in your neck of the woods!

 

And the WINNER is....

Juliana Akers!!

 

Yay!! Congrats on winning my Feb Favs Giveaway! This lovely little package will be coming your way very soon! Look for an email from me shortly!

 

 

 

Thank you to everyone that entered in the giveaway! This was my first shot at a giveaway on the LLSE blog and it was a HUGE success so I am hoping to do one like this once a month! Stay tuned for the March Favs Giveaway in a few weeks! :)

 

I will leave you today with a few of my favorite wedding blogs that I have book marked. I usually post some of my favorite posts from the week, but I wanted to give you a little insight on the blogs I read DAILY. I have been so inspired by so many blogs and look forward to reading and seeing what they post everyday. It keeps this little engine going :)

 

1 // I've said it before and I'll say it again... Hey Gorgeous Events is not only an inspiring blog, but Rhiannon has an amazing way of creating and maintaining a BRAND which is so important in this overly saturated wedding industry! This past week she realized that another over seas, skin care company had ripped off her logo and it is blatantly obvious. This type of creative theft makes me feel so violated. To think she spent so many months, blood, sweat, tears and dollar bills on this very brand and logo to have someone steal it and use it right under her nose... Enough to make you wanna punch someone right?! I'm all about inspiring, but obvious theft of your creative ideas is just wrong...Spread the word!

 

2 // Ok, now that that rant is over...Another daily read is Wedding Chics. Not only do they post daily wedding inspiration, but they also provide DIY projects, bouquet recipes and have their own little on line shop! If you are looking for wedding favors or bridal/groomsman party gifts definitely check them out!

3 // Ruffled is also a daily wedding inspiration blog. Ruffled is focused more on the vintage style wedding and also posts some great DIY projects.

4 // Last on the wedding list is Revel. Not only does this site post awesome color palette inspiration collages, but it also lists the source and cost for each item! I love exploring this site for different wedding ideas! It is so easy to get lost!

More daily wedding inspo blog list:: Every Last Detail, 100 Layer Cake, Oh Lovely Day and Green Wedding Shoes just to name a few!

Hopefully these lovely blogs will keep you busy this weekend... Any fun plans?

I'm having date night tonight with Billiam and tomorrow I'm headed to a couples' joint 30th birthday party {yes, another one! I swear I don't have that many friends...}

Have a fabulous weekend loves!

 

Lovely Links + Feb Favs Giveaway!

Happy Friday Loves! I have a few Lovely Links for you and a very fun and exciting GIVEAWAY!

 

First things first... Here are some Lovely Links I came accross this week:

 

1 // Talk about your destination wedding... This gorgeous couple {featured on Green Wedding Shoes} chose the beautiful backdop of the city of Perugia, Italy to tie the knot... The bride shyed away from tradition by wearing a stunning black glitzy gown... And I LOVE it! How do you say Glamour in Italian?

 

2 // I found this ribbon and lace backdrop DIY on Oh Lovely Day {submitted by Michaela} that I decided to pin and possibly idea for my wedding in November...

3 // How adorable is this backyard/barn/rustic style wedding {posted on Wedding Chics} in West Virginia? I love our downtown chic style wedding we have planned, but would love to plan a down-home country style barn wedding! All the details are just adorable too!

4 // Planning a girls night in? Why not take some tips from Ashley Brooke Designs? PJs, popcorn, nail polish, champs...what else does a girl need?

And now for the Friday Finale!!

It's my Feb Favs Giveaway!

 

I ordered one of ABD's Hustlin' mugs as soon as I saw it come across my instagram feed... And now this mug and a few other goodies including Essie "Sugar Daddy" nail polish, heart straws and my favorite cherry heart suckers can be yours!

 

All you have to do is complete the entries below. The more entries you complete, the better your chances are to win!

 

I will announce the winner next Friday, March 1st!

 

Good Luck and TGIF!

A big thank you to Ashley Brooke Designs for donating the mug {'cause I wasn't going to give up mine}! Check out her shop for more fun mugs and print lovelies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lovely Links

Happy Friday Lovies! Did everyone enjoy their Valentine’s Day? I sure did! Bill and I made dinner at his house and attempted to make crab legs…Luckily, it was a pretty easy recipe. 1) Boil water with a little butter and salt, 2) Drop in crab legs, 3) Let them boil for 5 – 7 minutes, 4) Take out of pot and let dry. Serve with melted butter…Not too tough, right?! Well, the crab legs turned out perfectly, but I did happen to start a small oven fire while broiling the blue cheese crusted fillets. No good deed goes unpunished, right?

Bill promptly came to my rescue and put out the fire. He even managed to save the steaks! So, lesson learned: Don’t broil steaks on a cookie sheet that has left over reminisce of shredded cheese from the twice baked potatoes you cooked…The cheese will catch on fire!

Other than that excitement, we had a pretty relaxing night; which was just what the doctor ordered after his long week of traveling. I love nights like these and hope to have many more in the future!

{this is the first photo we took together 3 years ago...you can feel the love, right?! :) }

 

 

Follow me on instagram {here}

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Now, for some reading pleasure for your weekend, I have some Lovely Links for you:

1 // This amazing post on Rhiannon’s wedding blog Hey Gorgeous Events, spoke to me just at the time I was needing a kick in the butt. Rhi is and continues to be such an amazing inspiration for me and the wedding industry as a whole. Her creative ideas, positive encouragement and well written posts that are as authentic as they come, keep me (and countless readers) coming back for more! If you haven’t checked out her blog, do yourself a favor and hop on over now (but, come back and check out the rest of this week’s Lovely LinksJ )

2 // Actually, while you’re there, check out this fun and girly Valentine’s Day Soiree inspired shoot! I love the colors and décor so much I am using it for inspiration to help style a bridal shower this spring!

3 // Have you heard the big news?! A group of amazing bloggers are giving away 15 hundred bones!! That’s right, you heard me… One Five Zero Zero…All you have to do is jump on over to Katie’s blog Keep Calm and Carry On, and enter! The added benefit is that you get to meet so many amazing bloggers out there! I have added a few to my favorites list already.

4 // Did any of you catch this wedding on Style Me Pretty this week? I am in love with everything! The colors of mint and soft pink had me swooning! And the little chandelier in the bridal lounge? Yum! The cute patterned Sugar Plum robes that maids and bride wore while getting ready? I want! I’m very excited for my fall wedding, but if I could plan a wedding in the late Spring/early Summer, this would definitely be an inspiration for color palette!

And if you didn’t catch my posts this week, here ya go! I helped to style this fun little girls cookie decorating party. I had a little moment of clarity here after a long night of no sleep. I found this amazing color palette inspiration for my wedding via Style Me Pretty. I showed you how to DIY this fun and easy little Valentine’s Day treat!

TGIF! See ya’ll next week!