Weekend Update

This weekend was jam packed with fun! I'm so sad it's over...Let's reminisce via photos...
 
Friday: Bill and I had a lovely date night on the patio of one of our favorite restaurants, Bonefish Grill...
 
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We ended the night at the Movie Tavern and saw Oblivion with Tom Cruise. It was surprisingly a really good movie and even had a sappy love story! Great date flick!
 
Saturday: I was planning on meeting a friend and going to the Worthington Farmer's Market, but time got away form us and we realized that it ended at noon and we would not make it. So, instead, we had lunch at the Greek Tavern in Upper Arlington and walked over to the Giant Eagle Market District.
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{Dress and sandals: Target}
 
I was all dressed for what I thought was warm weather, but when I stepped outside, quickly realized there was a little chill in the air. So, I changed into jeans and a top for our lunch date, but at least I was having a good curly hair day!
 
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We enjoyed some yummy gilato while walking around the market! I had salty caramel {delish!} and she had cookies and cream.
 
Saturday afternoon was spent at the garden center and "yardening" with Bill. I potted a few of my herb plants I picked up this weekend. I had these 3 pots that I painted with chalk board paint for an event last year that I thought would work perfect.
 
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We also got a few hanging pots of flowers for the back patio...
 
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We also picked up some pretty pink flowers for the pots on the front porch...
 
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Also, spent a the afternoon pulling weeds and dead tulips in the front yard...We had pretty yellow and red tulips that bloom every Spring and they died so quickly :(
 
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The area in front of our bushes looks so bare now! I think I want to fill it with some new flowers :)

Do you see my little Peony plant that I planted this weekend too?
 
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I'm so excited to watch these little guys bloom! They are already starting to open up!
 
Saturday night was spent with my friend that just moved to German Village. We spent most of the evening on her front porch sipping on margs and beers. We walked to Barcelona {voted best patio in Columbus} for a cocktail and then ended the night at Roosters for some late night snacks!
 
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{top and necklace: Francesca's Collection}
 
Sunday was a pretty lazy day, but I did get outside for a long run at Antrim Park which is my favorite running spot.
 
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And last but not least, here's the progress of my little Peony buds this morning...
 
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They are starting to bloom!
 
How was your weekend?
 
I'm linking up with Sami and Leeann! Go check out some other weekend shenanigans or share your own!
 
 

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!
 

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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.
 
+++
 
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!
 
 
 

Styled // Cinco de Mayo Dinner Party!

I had so much fun styling and planning this little dinner party in honor of Cinco de Mayo! My close friends {and a few of my bridesmaids} joined me for some Skinnygirl Margaritas, my famous layered bean dip, lettuce tacos and laughs! We wanted to get together to brainstorm for a new business venture we are planning together...more on that later...for now, I will be photo-bombing you with images from the night via my new Nikon D5100! Enjoy!{Bare with me while I learn how to use this thing! I think I did pretty well for my first photo shoot, no?}
 
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We ended the night outside with our margs enjoying the beautiful weather!
 
Cinco de Mayo Dinner Party
 
Sips:
 
Skinnygirl Margaritas
 
Corona Light with lime
 
Apps:
 
My famous layered Mexican bean dip
 
blue corn chips
 
Main course:
 
Lettuce tacos with ground turkey {recipe inspiration here}
 
Taco bar with all the toppings
 
Decor:
 
Fringe tissue paper for banner and table runner
 
Succulents in a glass vase
 
Mixed flower bouquet from Trader Joes
 
Small square vases and large vase from Target
 
Name and straw flags made by me, font used: Carolina Pro Black
 
Black and white striped straws from Etsy
 
Margarita glasses and sombreros borrowed
 
+++
 
Thanks for being good sports and letting me photograph you in your sombreros ladies! :)
 
This is such an easy little dinner party set up that you could put together this weekend to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your friends and/or family!
 
How will you be celebrating the holiday? Or are you partaking in any Derby celebrations?