WEEK NIGHT DATE NIGHT

Top via T.J. Maxx // Zara Shorts // Seychelle Heels // J.Crew Timex

For whatever reason this week was slightly rough and called for a mid week date night.  It was exactly what we both needed in order to finish the week off on a more positive note.  This week has also been flaming hot so a cotton shirt and shorts was the best I could do.  I went sans bag since my husband paid for dinner and I also got a pair of shorts out of it.  Gotta love it when it works out that way!

Have a wonderful weekend!  Hopefully it's not too hot wherever you are!

ALMOST PERFECT

Zara Dress // J.Crew Wedges // J.Crew Bag // Target Watch // J.Crew Bangle, Similar 

This dress was a love at first sight kind of moment.  I loved the low back (I do have a tan!), the asymmetrical hem and the simple print.  I immediately envisioned all of the ways I would be able to wear it and the places we would go together.  So, I ordered it.  And then it arrived and unfortunately it wasn't quite as dreamy as I expected, small chest problems, you know.  My husband thought I should return it (like always) but no, I would never.  The dreams will come true one way or another.  A few stitches here and there will never crush my dreams.

OUTDOOR SPACE

Living in Southern California, where you can be outside almost all year round, it is essential to have some sort of outdoor space.  We are extremely lucky to have such a somewhat spacious balcony where we can fit a BBQ, chairs & a bench.  So when my sister gave us her old BBQ we decided to get the ball rolling so we could really enjoy the space we have.  Down below is the space before.  The lonely space just had a few thriving tomato plants and some dying flower plants.  My husband's thumb is getting close to green, he just hasn't mastered it yet.

One day when we were out wandering for a good place to take some outfit pictures we came across a pallet.  It was sturdier that most and the wood wasn't too jagged.  We hoisted it into the back seat of the car (We, not including me) and decided to create an outdoor bench with it.  If you would like to see the DIY you can do so here.  

We shopped around the find the chairs, ottomans, pillows, and accessories but bought almost everything at Target (Ottoman, Chairs, Pillows).  Here's the finished product:

Once we were done decorating we simply added good food, great friends, and lots of wine!  We had a night we won't soon forget and are planning on having many, many more!  Thanks for hanging with us guys!  And come again soon!

RED LIPS & GOLD DETAILS

Madewell top, similar here & here // J.Crew shorts, similar here // J.Crew sandals // J.Crew bag // J.Crew link bracelet // Frosted Willow bangles // J.Crew & Madewell rings // J.Crew timex

Sometimes even the most casual of outfits calls for a red lip.  It instantly brightens up your face (which I needed due to my pale skin) and dresses the whole look up.  The first day of summer called for a BBQ with the parents, bon bons & fresh flowers.  Couldn't get better than that, right?  

While I still often miss being a kid and the fun that comes along with it, growing up is pretty great because you appreciate your parents so much more than you ever did.  I'm feeling pretty lucky these days to have the amazing parents I do!

Also been doing lots of this lately. Hoping to see them results soon!

HAIR FEELINGS

Anthropologie Jumper // Gap Wedges // J.Crew Bag // Target Watch // J.Crew Bracelet

I know what you're thinking, "she said she cut her hair!".  While the difference might not seem apparent to you... the face framing layers have made quite the difference in my feelings about my hair.  They have completely thrown me off darnit!  I always prefer those times when I can blame my hair stylist for not cutting my hair the way I wanted, but this time my friends, it was all me.  She did exactly what I asked for.  I think what it comes down to is that I showed her a picture of the hair I wanted and then I didn't turn into the girl in the picture.  Not her fault.  I guess you could say my expectations were too high?  I mean she's a hair stylist not a god.  But I will tell you right now, lesson not learned.  It will be the same exact thing next time.

Also, this right here is my new jumpsuit, aka daytime pajamas. 

OUT OF SERVICE

Wishing I was here this weekend...

Since my hair is still temporarily out of service.... I'll send you over here in case you would like to read about rugs and a fun little game my husband and I played.

Happy weekend!

YUM TIMES 2 (BLACK BEAN BURRITO)

If you're anything like me, you love mexican food.  But if you're anything like my husband you could definitely live without it.  So I made this dinner a few weeks back when I hadn't cooked in weeks and I knew he would be up for anything home-cooked that he didn't have to be a part of.  And.... we both love it so it has been on repeat in the Rosenkilde household.  It's easy, tastes like mexican, but doesn't feel like a heavy meal.  So if you're in the mood to try something new and delicious I recommend you take this one for a spin!  Of course I had a margarita with it for good measure, it wouldn't be mexican food without one!

INGREDIENTS (makes 4 burritos):

1/4 cup water

2 tbsp lime juice

1/2 tbsp chili powder

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 cups shredded chicken

1 can of beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup salsa

1/2 cup shredded cheese

Cooking spray

1. Cook chicken in oven with salt and pepper

2. Boil water, lime juice, chili powder, cumin and black pepper.  Once it's boiling add shredded chicken and black beans.  

3. Shred cheese.  Combine bean chicken and cheese and wrap into a burrito.  Spray your pan and crisp the burritos until golden brown. 

4.  Add tapatio & guacamole (or whatever it is you might like).  Serve!

The salad on the side is also delicious...

INGREDIENTS:

12 grape tomatos (cut in half)

1/2 avocado

1 stick celery

1 tbsp lime juice

dash of chili powder

1 tsp crushed garlic

salt & pepper

1.  Combine all ingredients, refrigerate & serve!

*This week is outfit post light due to my recent haircut... It always takes me a few days to figure it out.  Even though it's not all that different.  

LEMON MERINGUE PIE

My dad has never been one to like sweets all that much.  I remember growing up he would always say "You know Mel, chocolate (pie, ice cream, etc...) isn't very good for you".  Which I would generally ignore but will never forget him saying.  I always knew the only kind of sweets he might actually want to eat was apple pie, an ice cream sundae with peanuts and lemon meringue pie.  Even though I have never made a lemon meringue pie before but I thought it was something I had to try to make him for father's day.  So, I found a recipe and while the steps seem pretty intimidating it wasn't all that difficult!  It's not my favorite kind of pie (I'm a blackberry pie kind of gal) but it came out pretty darn good if I do say so myself!  So here's the recipe!

INGREDIENTS:

LEMON FILLING

1 cup white sugar (I think you could do 3/4 cup depending how sweet you like it)

2 tbsp all purpose flour

3 tbsp cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups water

2 lemons juiced & zested

2 tbsp butter

4 egg yolks

MERINGUE

4 egg whites

6 tbsp white sugar

1 pie crust

1. Bake pie crust in 9 inch pie pan for 10 minutes (until golden brown)

2. Mix the first 6 ingredients together and bring to a boil.  Once boiling add the butter.  Once the butter has melted scoop out 1/2 cup of sugar mixture and whisk together with the egg yolks.  Stir the egg yolk mixture back into sugar mixture and continue stirring until it becomes a thick substance.  Add to baked pie crust.

3. Take the 4 egg whites and begin to mix them together with the electric mixer until they become foamy.  Slowly mix in the 6 tbsps of white sugar until peaks begin to form.  Spoon the meringue onto the lemon filling sealing the edges at the crust.

4. Bake pie for 10 minutes.

5. Cut & Enjoy!

SAFARI

J.Crew Chambray - Similar // Anthropologie Shorts // Gap Sandals // J.Crew Bag // J.Crew Timex Watch

I feel like any day I'm in a rut with my clothes, you know, where I sit there in front of my closet on the verge of a tantrum, I just need to remember that if I put a chambray shirt on with basically anything everything will be alright.  So that's how these old giraffe shorts plus a chambray became an outfit.  This is the very first chambray I bought (totally vintage J.Crew) that at one point I gave to my sister.  I then decided that while she was out of town I was going to steal it back because that's what sisters do of course.  She didn't notice until I wore it around her but she couldn't very well take it off my back could she?  So now I'm hoping I'll get to keep it.  I mean it was mine after all...

THIRD TIMES A CHARM

 Anthropologie Top // Madewell Shorts // J.Crew Bag // J.Crew Sandals // Target Watch // J.Crew, 1 & 2 Bracelet // Frosted Willow Bracelet

These J.Crew sandals are ones that I bought a couple years ago and have forever been a favorite in my closet.  The leather is tough which made them hard and slightly uncomfortable to break in, but once I did I took these babies all over town.  I wore them non-stop.  So much so that the bottom tore from the sole.  So when the chance came around to buy a second pair, I jumped on it and continued wearing them non-stop.  Then this past summer I moved and somehow in the mix of things, I lost my second pair.  I didn't realize it until this summer and was devastated thinking I would never see those perfect sandals again.  

 So one day I saw my friend Megan wearing her own pair of my beloved sandals and I expressed my love for them and something amazing happened.  The very next day she showed up with a fresh box and gave them to me (you should know that she has actually done this once before).  She happens to be my same size, very generous and has a tendency to buy multiples of things.  She gave me one of the greatest gifts... a third chance with my favorite leather sandals.  Now I just have to get through the process of breaking this pair in and I will once again be in summer sandal heaven.  I don't know how I will possibly repay her.  Maybe with redbull (her favorite drink). 

EYELET

1// 2 // 3 // 4

While I wouldn't describe my style as supe feminine, there is just something about an eyelet top!  Am I right?  Whenever I go shopping with my husband it's the first thing I pick up and everytime he says "Well that's no surprise".  I could wear one everyday if only there were enough in my closet!

Happy weekend!

ONE TOO MANY

H&M Top // Madewell Skirt // Sam Edelman // J.Crew Bag // Madewell, J.Crew Necklaces

Having a margarita with dinner and then sitting down to try and write a post?  No bueno.  One too many, but can that be said when there is only one to speak of? The margarita was tasty though, I guess it just comes down to sacrifices... A drink wins each and every time.  So.... camo and pleats, I think that's all I've got for you today.  Girly + Edgy.  BOOM.

OK, YUM (CHICKEN GYROS)

We all know that while Pinterest can be very inspiring, most often you don't find many things that you are actually going to do, make or wear.  I usually pin that 27 step cheese dip knowing full well I will never make it, let alone even look at it again.  However, when I found this recipe and it looked fairly easy, I thought I might as well give it a go.  It was so easy and, most importantly, delicious!  Definitely one of those few pins that I will go back to time after time.  Already made it twice in one week good!

RECIPE: 

*when cooking for 2

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 lemon, juiced

2 tsp red wine vinegar

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp dried oregano

kosher salt and pepper

1/4 cucumber

lettuce

1/3 red onion

2 pocketless pitas

4 chicken strips

tzatziki 

1. Combine the first 6 ingredients and marinate the chicken for about an hour.

2. Grill the chicken until cooked through.

3. Spray the pitas with light oil and then throw on the grill for about a minute.

4. Cut all the veggies.

5.  Combine everything with tzatziki sauce (you can make but I just bought it!) and EAT!  

*Original recipe found here!