Beautiful People

I recently was browsing on my new favorite website, Pinterest, and I came across a quote that stopped me in my tracks. (or web surfing/stalking)

Source: bethanywinters.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

My mind is currently thinking that this would look great mod-podged on canvas along side some great old pictures of both Andro's grandparents and mine.....perhaps on a gallery wall going up our stairs!
Happy Weekend Everyone!

Recipe Favorites

I love to cook and I am very blessed to have a husband who also shares in this delicious hobby!
When the weekend rolls around I like to plan some great meals for us to cook and eat together and this past weekend was no exception. I stopped by the Raleigh Farmers Market for some great produce and came home with blackberries, corn, figs, peaches, and tomatoes. I have been going to the Farmers Market more and more, there is no beating their freshness! With the produce I bought it was time to cook. Two of the yummy dishes I made were fried green tomatoes and panna cotta. There are several great recipes for fried green tomatoes and I have altered/ combined some to make my own version. The recipe for mine is below (along with a few phone pics), please enjoy!

Fried Green Tomatoes
2-3 Green tomatoes (sliced think)
3 Eggs scrambled
1 cup flour (seasoned with salt, pepper,parsley)
2 cups crushed saltine crackers
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
3/4 cup veggie oil for frying

Directions:
1.Slice tomatoes think, set on paper towel to drain h20
2. beat eggs in bowl, and set out flour on a separate plate. Combine the panko and saltine crackers on an additional plate.
3. dredge tomato in flour, dip in egg mixture, back to flour, then panko/ cracker mixture.
Repeat with all of the slices
4. Heat oil in large shallow pan over medium high heat. When oil is hot place tomatoes in pan. Cook 2-3 per side, only fliipping once, until brown on both sides.Place on paper towel lined plate to drain any grease. Enjoy!

Before cooking

Flip once to avoid losing the crusty coating!

The hubs made the panna cotta with Barefoot Contessa's recipe. We alter it to double the servings since we have the ramekin bowls for it. The only difference is that strawberries are not in season, so we used blackberries instead. He heated a saucepan, added the blackberries, sugar, and water . He cooked the mixture until the berries became soft. Once this sauce has cooled, take a knife and run it along panna cotta to loosen. Flip up-si-down on plate to get out. Pour berry mixture over top and garnish with lemon zest. This is an easy dish and it impresses most guests with very little work involved. The only change to Barefoot Contessa's recipe is that we don't use vanilla bean (its crazy expensive). Happy Cooking, Cheers!

Dessert for Two!

Dig In!

1/2 bath project

I simply do not have enough on my plate these days. I just started back to school and am now teaching six classes instead of four. I have around 180 adorable little middle schoolers that I see daily and I am responsible for. Along with work I will also be attending grad school in a few weeks at ECU. (Online grad school for my masters in Physical Education)
In between work and more work, I am always updating our house with new little projects. I currently have my eye on this little one for our guest bath downstairs. The best part is, it's free! We have all the supplies right here! (Happy Husband on that, didn't even have to really sell him on it!)
See below for my inspiration for the project!

Source: jonesdesigncompany.com via Olivia on Pinterest

First day of School outfit

The first day of school outfit choice has always been a crucial one, ever since grade school. Now that I am a teacher, well, nothings changed. You only get one chance to make a first impression, why not make it fashionable! I found a great silk dress in Wilmington at a store called Return Passage. It is a silk poppy colored BB Dakota on sale for $25.00. The original price was $86.00. It was a steal, great for work or play and can changed by adding a funky belt and heels.

I topped it off with a white 3/4 blazer, similar to the one pictured, funky gold and turquoise accessories and my go to leopard gladiator sandals! Loved the look and had a student ask me if i was a model.... guess he's looking for his first A!

Dress: BB Dakota $25.00
Blazer: Forever 21, bought ages ago
3 initial necklace: Bailey's fine jewelry- Raleigh NC
Turquoise and gold necklace and bracelet: Eastern Market, Washington DC (best jewelry!)
Watch: Michael Kors: Belk

The NEW Carrie necklace

The Carrie Necklace:

If you find yourself unsure of what the Carrie necklace is, I might think you live under a rock. For those of you not down with all of the SATC trends (Sex and the City.. umm duh) The Carrie necklace was worn by SJP (Sarah Jessica Parker) throughout the show and it was simply a ghetto gold necklace with her name printed on it. It was very unexpected and very "Carrie" to say the least. 

Since the show has ended women everywhere have tried to obtain a signature necklace or piece of jewelry like the beloved Ms. Bradshaw. In Raleigh (and other parts of the country) that jewelry item is the initial necklace. Be it gold or silver, this necklace is the modern day Carrie necklace. To me it is a must have piece and I wear it everywhere. It can be found at fine jewelry stores or online stores. It is a timeless piece of jewelry and one that will never go out of style. Invest in this today and instantly channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw!

My necklace was a Christmas gift from my parents last year.

Carrie Bradshaw

Source: bergdorfgoodman.com via Carlie on Pinterest

Back to School!

I am happy to announce that after a full 12 months of teaching this past year (yes, 12 months, not 10, no breaks, insanity!) I have chosen to be a 10 month employee and be on a "track".
What is a Track?
For a year round school, a track is 1 out of 4 tracks that is available for students to attend. Essentially it is four schools in one and at any time there are 3 different tracks of students. Students and teachers are in school for nine weeks and then tracked out (break) for three weeks.
I am now a track four teacher which means that since July 9th, I have been on my break! Since then I have filled my days with traveling, shopping, cooking, beaching it, and spending time with friends and loved ones.
My husband and I took a great vacation for a week in July in the wonderful Caribbean Island of St. Maarten. This vacation was incredible and we really filled everyday with a new adventure. Since we could not make the trip this summer to Croatia (my husbands home), this island was as close as we could get to Europe! The food and beaches were both the highlight of the trip and we could not have been happier with our island choice and accommodations!

Below are some pics from the Island and also from the Island of Anguilla. So beautiful!

After arriving home from St. Maarten my husband went back to work and I still got to enjoy another week and a half off from work! I spent my days cooking, sunning at the pool with our family friend, Nan, and shopping for some deals. BTW: sales right now are insane in BR and JCREW, you have to dig, but its worth it. A sweater for fall from BR, $7.00. Are you serious? Boyfriend jeans- $10.00. In the words of my friend Christina, "Practically Free!"

This past weekend my two good friends from high school joined me for a long weekend at my parents house in Southport, NC. It has been a good 10 years since we have all had spent some quality time together and we have known one another for 20+ years. Being together has been like nothing has changed and we have really enjoyed ourselves. Rachel has been my blogging liaison and supervising this new venture. Jeanne has been busy planning our 10 year high school reunion!

Wednesday marks the first of my teacher workdays, followed by the first day of school on Monday. I feel like a student all over again on my first days of school. I can't wait to meet my new kids and hopefully greet some of my favorites from last year!