Breaking News...Introducing Snoop Lion

I immediately had to share this after reading this on people.com: Snoop Dogg has changed his name to Snoop Lion. Apparently he underwent some sort of spiritual journey in Jamaica and has a new outlook on life which has led to his name change. He is also working on a reggae album. And I don't believe this is a joke- The New York Times is reporting this, so it must be real. Side note: The news conference was held at a Caribbean eatery in NYC, and Bob Marley's son Rohan gave Snoop Lion his blessing. Snoop Lion was quoted saying "I could never become Snoop Lion if I wasn't Snoop Dogg first." Well this just made my day, I hope it makes yours!

Snoop Lion

Baubles at Work

In our dream world this is what we would look like at work...you just can't be too fancy.

image from pintrest, originally in marie clarie

Ways to Earn Money

Speaking of needing $30,000...I thought I would share a texting conversation between Kelley, my dad and I recently:

Kelley and I are nothing if not creative and resourceful... Anyway that was one of our financially low points (which I feel like is all the time ughhh). So that being said if you have any CREATIVE ways to earn money and they aren't inappropriate please share. We are currently looking into scrap metal because we have heard it's very lucrative.

A Little Olympic Inspiration

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

We LOVE the Olympics! Partly because it allows us to dress like it's the 4th of July. We have been watching non-stop and we have even dressed for the occasion a few times. Anyway hopefully this will help all of y'all to get dressed for the occasion, or at least the 4th of July next year. Go America!!

P.S. I'm dying to own that Irene Neuwirth Black Opal & Diamond ring!! UGH...where can I get $30,000? 

The Fall Ball Presented by UNICEF'S Next Generation Charlotte

Kelley and I are both on UNICEF's Next Generation committee here in Charlotte. We are so excited to be a part of this, and hope to help get it up and running. Mark your calendars for September 29 (if you will be in Charlotte) when UNICEF's Next Generation presents the Fall Ball benefiting The Tap project, a life saving mission to provide clean water to thousands in dire need around the world.

Learn more about The Tap Project at www.tapproject.org.

Save the Date from Paperless Post

Room of the Week

I was going back through my pintrest boards and ran across this picture. I LOVE this kitchen. If I had this kitchen maybe I would feel like whipping up a gourmet meal tonight and I would probably have more energy. I mean how could you not have a lot of energy with those fancy green chandeliers!?! I long for the day when I have chandeliers in every room...yes it will be quite fancy. A girl can dream.

Bauble of the Week: Yellow Rhinestone Earrings by Rada

Available Here

When in Charleston this past week, I fell in love with these earrings by Rada at Calypso. They are just wonderful, and I seriously need them. I would wear them with everything and for any occasion; and that my friends makes me feel justified in needing them. 

Kelley's Beach Bag Essentials

Sunglasses, Hat, Towel, Coverup, Tote, Bikini, Flip-Flops, Brushes, Ouidad Leave-in Spray, Josie Maran SPF 40, Laura Mercier Tint with SPF, Sorority Sisters by Claudia Welch

I spent last week at the beach with my family relaxing, laying out in the sun, and reading as many romance novels as possible. While I am considerably less high maintenance at the beach than when I am back in Charlotte, I have a few must have items that I keep in my beach bag. Since my hair is naturally dry/frizzy, I make sure to have a hair sunscreen on hand such as this Ouidad Sun Shield Leave-in Spray as well as a hat. While I don’t wear a lot of makeup at the beach, I like to have a little color on my lips, and I love the SPF in this Laura Mercier lip balm. Also, I always pack a brush, sunscreen, and a cute pair of flip-flops in my beach bag. The most important item in my beach bag is a good book. Last week I read Sorority Sisters by Claudia Welch, which I really enjoyed because it reminded me of my experience in a sorority and all of the friends I made. Hope you are all having a great week!

Cocktail of the Week: The Snider Spritzer

A few years ago on our annual family beach trip, our dad created what has now become known in our family as the Snider Spritzer. The drink was an instant hit because of how refreshing it was after coming in off the beach. It is easy to make as well as delicious. Enjoy!

Cheryl's Farro and Wheat Berry Salad

This is one of our favorite dishes! Our Aunt Cheryl made this for Mother's Day a few years ago and we haven't been able to get enough of it. Cheryl made it as a side dish, but we mostly eat it as a main dish for lunch. Everyone that tastes this salad wants more! Farro and wheat berries are both grains that are good for you. Farro has a lot of protein, while wheat berries provide a lot of fiber. Mix with a lot of vegetables and you have a pretty healthy lunch! We usually make this at the beginning of the week, and try to make it last for the entire week (which I don't think has ever happened because it's too tempting to sneak spoonfuls here and there!). We usually add corn into the mixture, and then top with chicken and avocado. We also will add more feta cheese during the week, and sometimes more balsamic vinaigrette if it's all soaked up. You can play around with this recipe and make it your own, but we strongly encourage you to try it-- It's AMAZING.

Before the Feta Cheese, everything else is ready to go!

Final Step- Top with Feta Cheese

Topped with Avocado

Kate's Beach Bag Essentials

1) Matthew Williamson Sunglasses, 2) Forever21 Hat, 3) Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen,                 4) Skinceuticals Tinted Sunscreen for Face, 5) Miu Miu Bow-Embellished Halterneck Bikini, 6) J.Crew Coverup, 7) Roberta Roller Rabbit Bag, 8) ChapStik with SPF 15, 9) EarthLust Water Bottle, 10) Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, 11) Sephora Comb, 12) Jonathan Adler Beach Towel, 13) Emily and Einstein by Linda Francis Lee

At the beach this week and I thought I would share with y'all what you can currently find in my beach bag...since y'all are probably dying to know. Plus let me just tell you- those Roberta Roller Rabbit beach bags are HUGE. I mean I still have room left for TONS more! Lastly, may I highly suggest using Skinceuticals tinted sunscreen- it's AMAZING.

Feta Avocado Salsa

Kelley and I LOVE to entertain. As soon as we moved in together we immediately started having cookouts, birthday parties, Bachelorette viewing parties, you name it. In the summer one of our go to appetizers is this  amazing salsa, I'm not even kidding we could eat it by the spoonful. Every time someone new tries it they ask for the recipe, so I seriously recommend having it at your next shindig. I can't take full credit however, if it wasn't for Frank's God sister Mariah I would have never gotten this recipe!

Passion Pit

(via)

Passion Pit will be playing in Charlotte next Thursday, July 19 at the Fillmore. Check out the Fillmore's website for more information and tickets: The Fillmore Charlotte. We unfortunately won't be able to make it because we will be at the beach, we know what a sob story, but may try to make it to the Raleigh show in October!

In the meantime enjoy one of my favorite songs!

Outdoor Entertaining...

This weekend we will be celebrating our mom's (and her twin sister) 60th birthday. Weather permitting, the party will be outside. Fingers crossed!! Our parents backyard is already so pretty it's hard to know which look to go for. We want to keep it elegant and simple, but fun at the same time. Above are some pictures we have found on pintrest for a little inspiration. The party has been put together fairly last minute, but we have managed to find a caterer, a musician and some party favors. Now if we can just pull together some decorations...Ideas?

Playlist of the Week...