And how are you?

One of my daily reads, Beauty & The Beard, introduced me to this new blogging trend going around called “Currently.” The idea is to post about things you’re thinking about and doing. I love this idea, as a way to round up what's really inspired me recently! This will probably be the longest blog post you get from me, ever, but hopefully you’ll find some of it inspiring as well! 

Reading: City of Women and Women’s Health Magazine. I actually just finished City of Women by David R. Gillman, but was surprised by how much I enjoyed the book, so I wanted to share. The book is about a women in Berlin in the 1940s during the height of WWII. She's a model German soldier’s wife, but behind this façade is a woman of passion who dreams of her former Jewish lover, now lost in the chaos of the war. (source) It took about 100 pages to really get into the story, but once I was there I couldn’t put it down! And thank goodness for that, my Delta flight home was delayed by at least 3 hours so I was very glad to have a thrilling book to read. As far as Women’s Health goes, it is probably the only magazine I still consistently buy. I love the balance of content between fitness, recipes and lifestyle improvement tips. I updated my skin regime from an article in their March 2013 issue and it has done wonders for my skin!

Listening To: Miley Cyrus’s new song…ok, hear me out. When I first heard the song I was annoyed off the bat that another musician was trying to be Rihanna, and don’t get me started on her music video. I’m on a big kick to get back in shape and have started running again. Turns out “We Can’t Stop” is my new choice of song for running. It’s got a great beat and the lyrics help when you want to stop running.

Thankful For: My family. I just spent a week at the beach with my parents, sister, brother-in-law and bf. I'm thankful that we love to spend time together AND for my nephew who is due in a little less than a month! I can’t wait for a new family member.

Thinking About: Ben Franklin. One of my coworkers has started providing our team with a daily theme, and today's is Ben Franklin. He pointed out how every day Ben Franklin would ask himself "What good shall I do today." A great idea, right?

Eating: Seafood and  summer salads! This week' s recipes: Quinoa and Brown Rice Summer Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette, Grouper Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce, Sesame Crusted Tuna With Wasabi Butter Mango Sauce.

Loving: Jaime King and Lonny Mag, Adore Magazine's Blog, iSuwannee's Gossip Girl Bedroom, Bloglovin' as the new Google Reader - follow me!, Anthropologie's Wishbone Bracelet.

Looking Forward To: July 4^th weekend in Atlanta. I’ll be going home to visit and celebrate my dad’s birthday, and run the Peachtree Road Race. I can’t wait for ribs and my favorite Mexican Restaurant, Jalisco.

Do your own!

Whether you're a blogger or a reader share a link to your post or comment yours below.

Quinoa, Avocado Summer Salad

I promise you will be addicted to this healthy summer salad in a heartbeat. I made this while on vacation this past week, and it was a huge hit! Like fight for a second helping huge. It's a fresh and tasty mixture of summer goodies like ripe avocados and tomatoes, cilantro, chickpeas, quinoa and brown rice with a lemon vinaigrette. Yum!

Before I share the recipe, I wanted to say a huge thank you to all of you following decor-eat! With Google Reader retiring for good on Monday, I hope you will find a new way to stay in touch. Personally, I'll be switching my Google Reader over to Bloglovin', but you can follow Decor-Eat on pretty much any social platform below or through email (on the right side)!

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To import your favorite blogs from Google Reader to Blog Lovin' check out this super helpful article from heartIFB.

Now on to the recipe!

Ingredients
1 bag Seed of Change quinoa and brown rice with garlic
1 can chickpeas/garbanzo beans
1 tomato, diced
2 avocados, diced
2 cups spinach, rinsed and chopped
1 bunch cilantro, rinsed and chopped
1/4 cup white onion, chopped
2 small garlic cloves, minced
Juice of 1.5 lemons, zest of 1 of these lemons
2 tsp grey poupon dijon mustard
2 tsp olive oil
salt & pepper

Steps

I'd start by cooking your quinoa and brown rice and then setting it in a medium sized bowl to cool. What I love about the pre-packaged quinoa and brown rice is it's super quick to cook and easy!

While your quinoa is cooling, wash the spinach and cilantro and finely chopping the greens. Pull the stems off the cilantro and spinach before chopping. You don't have to be exact here, you just don't want really long stems with no leaves in the mixture. I used a new Hendricks knife for this part and it was amazing! Sounds funny to say about a knife, but you could definitely tell the high quality which made the chopping so easy.

Next add you chopped onions and minced garlic to the greens.

Rinse and chop tomato and avocados. Add to green mixture along with the chickpeas and cooled quinoa and brown rice.

To make the dressing, mix lemon juice, lemon zest, dijon mustard, olive oil and a bit of salt and pepper.

Add dressing to mixture, stir and serve!

Recipe adapted without a processor and from the-diva-dish.

hump day home makeover / beach decor ideas

With my mom spending her 50th summer and I my 26th, you can imagine why this is a place that we hold dear in our hearts. My mom's side of the family grew up coming to Pawleys Island every summer and staying in a wonderful, oceanfront bed and breakfast, Sea View Inn. I spent a few of my early summers at the Inn, and after visiting this past weekend I had to share its shabby chic design. Check out how to get the beach look for your home below!

Wood boards are everywhere in the Inns decor from painted ceilings to walls to floors. The back porch is one of my favorite rooms with it's white lofted ceiling and aqua floors. Isn't it fantastic?? 

Lime green and aqua are a match made in heaven.

This two pieced buffet is my next favorite decor piece in the Inn. The bright coral color is bright and cheery and makes a fun mix with the blue tiled counter. Here are some of my favorites of the living room and outdoor 

The whole Inn is charming and homey with bare feet guests, swinging Western doors, southern cooked meals, communal showers (and liquor cabinet),  and a nap/quiet hour from lunch to dinner.

Get the beach look for your home.

hanging light - Brass Binnacle | Matte Mint Double Gourd Vase - Furbish Studio | The Beach painting - Cocoa & Hearts | Leilani Ceramic Lamp - Lulu & Georgia | Island Media Centet - Maine Cottage Indoor/Outdoor Threshold Rug, Blue - Target | Doral Lounge Chair - One Kings Lane | Rattan Coffee Table - Amazon

Introducing / Warby Parker Meridian Collection

After spending a little over a week at the beach, I was ecstatic when my favorite glasses company, Warby Parker, asked me to help debut their newest collection. Named after the geographical mark that pilots use to determine their longitudinal degree, The Meridian Collection is the perfect frame for impromptu summer travels. Something about aviators to me screams summer to me.

The collection has 3 different styles that all come in polished gold and jet silver.
Here are my favorites from each:

Flannery

 Raskin

Exley

I'm a gold girl, so my favorites are the polished gold Raskins. 

Here's how I would style them for summer travels. 

Which is your favorite?

sandals - aldo / sunglasses - warby parker / maxi skirt - kain / bag - phillip lim / shirt - topshop

If you’re new to the Warby Parker, they became my go-to glasses store a few years ago because of their wide variety of stylish frames and sunglasses, affordability (around $95) and for their buy a pair, give a pair promise. They donate a pair of glasses for every pair sold to someone in need! 

They also have a really awesome home try-on program where you can order 5 frames to try on and see which you like before ordering your prescription or pair.

Check out the rest of the new Meridian Collection here. 

Fish Tacos Recipe + Wine Pairing

I had every intention of trying the fish taco recipe from Gwyneth Paltrow's new cookbook, It's All Good, during my beach vacation. After all the cookbook's slogan is "delicious, easy recipes." 

Within reading the first few words of the recipe it called for close observation and "patience" when cooking a poblano pepper for at least 15 minutes until the skin was cooked to the perfect degree, I ditched the cookbook for my Herb N' Serve.
Another time Gwyneth. 

This is my kind of quick gourmet fish taco recipe...

Add onions, avocado, greek yogurt, garlic, cilantro and cumin and the Herb N'Serve and power on. 

Voila sauce.

Cook grouper on each side for about 5 minutes. Add to corn tortilla with sliced cabbage and serve.

Ingredients

Corn Tortillas

1 grouper fillet (about .5 lb)

1/2 avocado

1/8 onion, chopped

1/4 small red cabbage, chopped (or pre-packaged)

1 tsp cumin

2 small garlic cloves, chopped

1/2 lime, squeezed (other half for garnish)

1/3 cilantro bunch
2 tbsp Greek Yogurt 0%

sliced jalapenos for garnish

Basic directions are above, but I also heated the tortillas in the microwave for about 30 secs. For the fish, I rinsed and patted the fish dry. Seasoned with salt and pepper on both sides. I heated the olive oil in the pan and let the pan get hot to where if water touches the pan it sizzles, and cooked the fish.

This is the perfect taco dish to pair with a Riesling. The sweetness holds up to the spiciness of the jalapenos. My favorite is the Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa we tasted at the Brookgreen Gardens' wine tasting this year.

Tasting Notes from Chateau Tanunda:
"GRAND BAROSSA Riesling is subtle yellow in color, displaying delicate lifted aromas oflime blossom and citrus fruits. Lemon, lime and hints of passion fruit are in abundance. The palate is focused, pure and linear with a delicious juicy finish. Elegant and intense with a touch of minerality and refreshing acidity."

Sangria Recipe

This has been my favorite go to recipe for skinny white sangria because it's well, delicious, but also low in calories and easy to make. This was one of y'alls favorite recipes to date, so I wanted to share it again this summer with a new tip! This go around I used frozen fruit to keep the fruit crisp longer. With this recipe you can serve right away or make the day before.

Ingredients

3/4 bottle Sauvignon Blanc

3/4 bottle Prosecco

1 tablespoon agave nectar

Fruit of choice! 

I  used:

1 orange

1/2 pack strawberries 

1 pack frozen raspberries

Steps
Wash and slice orange and strawberries.

Mix 3/4 bottle Sauvignon Blanc with fruit and let sit in the refrigerator. This can be anywhere from 15 minutes to 24 hours! 

Add 3/4 bottle of Prosecco and 1 tbsp agave nectar. Let it chill for another 15 minutes, and serve.

friday's fancies / summer inspiration

You may remember hearing of Kate Upton last year when pretty much every guy you knew was ogling over her on the cover of Sports Illustrated. From a girl's perspective, she looked like every other topless blonde I had seen adorning the cover. 

And then she was on the cover of Vogue...

Have you and your friends ever joked about the difference in dressing for girls versus boys? 

Let me fill you in, trending rompers = dressing for girls, bodycon dresses = dressing for boys. 

Ok, now that you're caught up Kate Upton some how managed to pull off a look for both men and women in a way that feels very Marilyn Monroe. 

Man, Vogue is good.

I'm obsessing over her blonde bob and faded frames for summer. 

I don't think I can pull off as short as her bob is, but I love this shoulder length blonde blunt cut for summer.

And these faded frames.

What do you think - splurge or steal?

Linking up with Long Distance Loving's Friday's Fancies

Vogue photos by Mario Testino, Vogue Magazine
Blonde bob photos - top left | top right | middle left | bottom right | bottom left | bottom middle

A Week At Pawleys Island + Ginkgo Giveaway Winner!

I've said it a million times in the past 5 or so days I've been here, but this just has to be the best place in the world. Growing up in Atlanta, Pawleys Island was my family's escape from the 95+ 'Hot'lanta heat. With this being my 26th year coming to Pawleys Island, it makes sense why it just doesn't quite feel like summer until I'm here.

So far I've read The Art Forger, which was a good enough read to blow through in just 2 days, but not ground breaking. Book suggestions, welcome needed!! 

Cooked. A lot. 

(More recipes coming your way next week!)

We tasted wines from Australia and New Zealand at Brookgreen Gardens' annual wine & silent auction event. I didn't think I was an Australian wine fan and haven't even paid close enough attention to know what wines were from New Zealand before, but I found some favorites I'll be sharing next week!

And fell in love with the adorable kittens running around the house. They are clearly adorable and so sweet. We've named the gray one Maximus and the white one is Khaleesi.

If anyone is in the Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island area and are looking for a new kitten let me know!! We are dying to find them good homes.

Now for the winner! 

Congratulations Ashley! 

I've emailed you with details on how to collect your prize.

A huge thank you to everyone who entered! 

Hope to bring more fun giveaways to you in the future.

Sesame Crusted Tuna with Wasabi Butter Mango Sauce

We are having such a great time at the beach, lots of reading. I'm currently half way through The Art Forger, anyone read it?, and a whole lot of cooking! Normally I try to switch up my post topics throughout the week, but I've spent way more time in the kitchen this week than I have browsing online. Hope you don't mind a lot of recipes!

This dish was a huge hit on Father's Day. 

A yummy tropical seafood dish with the perfect summer salad.

**Don't forget to enter the Ginkgo Leaf Cutouts art giveaway! It ends tonight at midnight.**

Ingredients

4,  tuna steaks about 6 ounces each– sashimi grade 

1 mango 

2/3 cup cilantro

4 tbsp unsalted butter

4 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce 

2 teaspoon wasabi paste

2/3 cup scallions

3/4 cup, 2 tsp dry white wine – I used a Sauvignon Blanc

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

3 tbsp black sesame seeds

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Servings: 4

The tuna will cook quickly, so start with making the sauce first, and start up the grill. Heat the grill to medium-high direct heat. 

To start the sauce, combine red wine vinegar, white wine and finely chopped scallions in a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat. Allow mixture to heat until you have about 4 tablespoons of the mixture left. To measure this, you'll really have to eye ball it. I tilt the skillet to the side so I can see the mixture in on spot to eyeball this. It doesn't have to be exact, but as close to 4 tbsp as you can see.

Once heated, remove scallions and set aside. Stir in soy sauce and wasabi paste until it’s mixed in. Reduce heat to low heat on your medium saucepan mixture and add in butter one tbsp at a time. Be careful to not allow your mixture to boil and burn the butter. 

Once all butter has been mixed in, add in cilantro and stir. Remember to keep heat low on simmer.

Next, add in mangoes and keep on very low heat basically just to keep it warm while you cook the fish.

To cook fish, rinse with cold water and pat dry. In a medium flat dish, mix salt, pepper and sesame seeds. Rub olive oil on the edge of the tuna steak and dip in the mixture. Do this for each piece and use remaining olive oil to brush on the flat sides of the fish (top/bottom).

 Sear the fish for a 1-2 mins on each side. This will make the fish rare - pink/red in the middle. To cook your fish all the way through, you'll need to reduce the heat or cook indirectly.

I served this dish with a yummy avocado, cilantro, chickpea, tomato summer salad with a lemon vinaigrette. It was too die for a new favorite of mine! They paired perfectly with the cilantro and avocado to complement the tuna. 

NUTRITIONAL INFO - TUNA + SAUCE

Calories: 422.9

Total Fat: 17 g

Carbs: 18.3 g.

Fiber: 2.7 g.

Protein: 41.8 g.

Old Points: 9

PointsPlus: 10

Pesto Artichoke Pizza on Cauliflower Pizza Crust

I can already tell this week is definitely going to be a big cooking week. Last night, we cooked up a new tuna dish and amazing summer salad for Father's Day. I'll be sharing those recipes on Wednesday, and don't forget to enter the Start Your Own Gallery Wall giveaway! 

If you love pizza, but don't want the carbs this recipe is for you. I love cauliflower as a substitute for mashed potatoes, but as an alternative to pizza crust? I've seen a few recipes recently that boast how delicious (and carb free) cauliflower pizza crust is, so I had to give it a try. A great way to get your pizza fix and keep your beach body.

I adapted Paula Deen's recipe for Cauliflower Crust Pizza.

Ingredients

Cauliflower Crust

Non-stick spray
2 ½ cups grated cauliflower (about ½ a large head)
1 large egg, lightly beaten 
1 cup shredded part skim mozzarella 
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 
salt and pepper 1 garlic clove, thinly chopped

Pizza Toppings

2 tbsp pesto sauce

3 artichoke hearts sliced

1/2 cup shredded part skim mozzarella 

5 basil leaves

Servings: 2 (3 slices per person)

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Cover a cooking sheet with parchment paper. 

Grate the cauliflower into crumbles and microwave for 8 minutes until soft. Remove and let cool. Next, mix egg, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper in a bowl.  Spray the parchment paper lightly with non-stick spray. Transfer mixture to the cook sheet. Pat down in a square making sure it's evenly distributed.  Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden.

Remove pizza from oven. Add pesto and artichoke and top with cheese. Distribute garlic evenly. Put back in the oven and bake another 10 minutes (topping should bubble). Slice basil and garnish pizza.

Serve and enjoy. 

NUTRITIONAL INFO

Calories: 368.1

Total Fat: 22.1 g

Carbs: 14.6 g.

Fiber: 5.4 g.

Protein: 32.5 g.

Old Points: 8

PointsPlus: 10

*Same recipe made with homemade whole wheat pizza dough would be: 849.1 calories, 32.7 g. total fat, 107.2 carbs, 19.4 g. fiber, and 42.1is  g. protein! That's 19 or 22 points on old points or new! 

happy weekend / relax.

So many times we forget that actually living life makes us better at our jobs.
I'm so excited to be spending the next week at my favorite place in the whole world,

Pawleys Island, SC.

The whole family is here, just in time for Father's Day, including my 8 month pregnant sister (eek!) 

Can't wait to spend the week cooking up new recipes & cocktails, catching up on summer reading and enjoying some salt, sea and sun R&R.

First up on the agenda is weekend wine tasting at Brookgreen Gardens like last year, and a good book.
What would you recommend?

friday's fancies / wedding season

Wedding seasons have come in waves for me. One year I'll have 5 or so and the next none. When five weddings happen all within the same few months of each other the wedding gifts and dresses can really hit your wallet pretty hard all at the same time. So, for this week I'm linking up with Long Distance Loving for this week's edition of Friday's Fancies.



My pick for Wedding Season is this adorable pink polka dotted dress from one of my favorite and affordable online shops, Sosie.

Somehow this cute little number is only $32!

{ dress }

It would look great paired with any these statement pieces that are all under $25! 

Don't forget to enter yesterday's art giveaway! You could win a customized gingko leaf cutout for your home.

giveaway / start your own gallery wall

It took me more than a few months to finally get the motivation and inspiration to pull together the gallery wall I shared with you all yesterday, so today I'm giving away a piece of art to  help get one lucky reader started!

Ginkgo Leaf Cutouts!

The ginkgo leaves have quickly become my favorite item on the wall because they remind me of one of my favorite artists, Matisse, during his cutouts stage. I made the ginkgo leaves with these cutouts in mind, and as a way to bring the art on my wall together through navy accents.

Ginkgo leaves have a fun botanical look and a unique shape making them a fun pattern in decor. How cool is this wallpaper??

source

I also love that they stand for longevity, hope, resilience and peace.

Get started on your gallery wall
Enter for the chance to win a framed 10" x 14"Ginkgo Leaf Cutout.
  Leave a comment with what color you'd want your ginkgo leaves to be, and check out how to get more entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway