Friday Favorites ( August 25, 2017)

It is Friday and it is our last Friday before school starts...insert sad face here.  Anyway, even though I will personally extend summer and beach time for as long as I can this year (as we are supposed to have a HOT fall here in New England), I thought I would choose our "Summer Favorites" in today's post.  We had so many fun times this summer and I would love to share those again with you!

Linking up with the lovely ladies HERE

Here goes nothing!!

Portland Maine with Mimi and Papa

and 4th of July Weekend Completely!

You can read about it HERE 

All The Beach Time (Including Mama and Daughter Boogie Boarding Day and Plenty of Stops for "Steamahs")

Fun With Friends

From the beach....to golf...to celebrating milestones...working out, swimming, hot dogs, an epic work outing with "Team Will" and sleepovers of course!

 

Weddings!

Kevin and Kiara on 7/7/17

and Tessie and Mark on 8/19/17

UCA Camp

This was one of Diana's top 3 this summer AND winning All American Cheerleader. 

Triple Threat Theater

Honestly, this is one of our top favorite memories again- this year, Diana had a part and we enjoyed watching her on stage so much- the camp is also an incredible summer activity for her!  You can read about it HERE

 Our Trip to NJ to see Dawn and the Fam

Reconnecting with your BFF from High School is priceless and the fact that she and her fam live on a lake was a bonus- we had so much fun with Dawn and Jeff and Stella and Will...we boated and hung out and beached it and just had so much fun reconnecting...we also love our little family road trips...they make every trip so much more special!
You can read about it HERE

Santa's Village and Story Land with the Grahams

Oh what fun we had!  This trip was even more fun than last year because we stayed in an awesome family-friendly hotel with an incredible pool! 
You can read about it HERE

Lake Winnipesaukee at Laurel and Tom's!

This was maybe my #1/#2 fave of all summer.  The weather was incredible...the boating a blast and the laughs with our besties PRICELESS...I so didn't want to leave...we all had such an amazing time this year!
You can read about it HERE

The Start of Summer

(Yes kicking it back to beginning of all of the fun)

Memorial Day Weekend was so much fun from the cookouts to our trip to Newburyport and Hampton with the Fourniers....laughs...sunshine...steamers...what more could we want!  It definitely set the tone for this epic summer!
You can read more about it HERE

Try It Thursday: Panzanella!

So first things first...HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIANA!

My Baby Girl is 9 today!  Yeah!!

Now, I am linking up with Allie for her Try It Thursday Link Up HERE

Next, I promised you Panzanella so consider this post a "Panzanella Palooza" if you will.  I am sharing three different Panzanella wins here!

Panzanella is Italian for "Bread Salad" and you can toss so many things into it to make it more wonderful.  Check out these three recipes!

1. 

Heirloom Tomato Panzanella

For the Salad

• 4 cups rustic sourdough baguette, cut into cubes
• 1½ lbs large heirloom tomatoes in varying colors, cut into bite sized chunks
• ½ lb heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, seeds removed, quartered and sliced
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 bunch basil, cut

For the Vinaigrette

• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• Pinch of salt and black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300˚F. Place bread cubes on a baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Bake for 15 minutes, until dried out and crunchy. Remove and set aside to cool.
2. In a large mixing bowl, toss tomatoes, onion, and cucumber together. Set aside to rest while making the vinaigrette.
3. Make the vinaigrette: Combine all ingredients and whisk together until thoroughly combined.
4. Add the dried bread cubes and vinaigrette to the tomato mixture. Toss until thoroughly combined.
5. Let the salad sit for at least a ½ hour, or up to 4 hours, to let dried bread infuse with the salad juices. Stir occasionally if desired to keep vinaigrette thoroughly mixed. 
6. Add basil chiffonade just before serving 
   

 2.

Peach and Cornbread Panzanella

(This is a recipe from Shay- this was the one I made last week AND I highly recommend it if you are looking for a little twist on the traditional panzanella- it is sweet AND savory and just delicious!)

1 loaf of cornbread, cut into cubes (either homemade or store bought)
1 pint of cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
2 cups of fresh or frozen (but brought to room temp) corn kernels
6 green onions, chopped
6 slices of bacon, cooked to crisp and crumbled (reserve some for garnish)
2 peaches, chopped into small pieces
balsamic vinegar
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
salt and pepper
bleu cheese, crumbed

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with foil and spread your cubed bread down over the top.  Pop the baking sheet in the oven and toast up your bread for about 10 to 12 minutes  

Remove from oven and set aside.

Next, build your salad: in a big bowl, add in your cherry tomatoes, corn, green onions, crispy bacon, and peaches.  Then add in your toasted cornbread along with a pinch of both salt and pepper. Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together your dressing.  Use 1 part balsamic vinegar to 3 parts EVOO (depending on how much dressing you want for the size salad you’re making).  Whisk in a pinch of salt and pepper too.  Pour your dressing down over your salad and then add in your crumbled bleu cheese (to taste).  

Toss and serve with a little extra crispy bacon on top.

3.

Gorgonzola Panzanella with Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

Half of a fresh, crusty sourdough baguette
2-4 heirloom tomatoes, depending on their size, chopped
1 can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
1 small jar of roasted red peppers, chopped
Crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
Mixed greens
Lemon olive oil or lemon juice
1 small clove of garlic, minced
White wine vinegar
Salt and pepper

Chop the sourdough baguette into bite-sized pieces or cubes. If your baguette is soft (no crunchy outer layer), consider toasting or grilling the bread first. Prepare all the salad ingredients in separate bowls–chopped tomatoes, rinsed beans, sliced onion, chopped peppers, crumbled cheese. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon olive oil or lemon juice, minced garlic, and white wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. In a medium mixing bowl, add enough mixed greens for two people, then drizzle with the lemon-garlic vinaigrette. Toss to coat leaves with dressing. Add the bread cubes, tomatoes, and beans to the salad greens, tossing again to coat everything (add more dressing if desired). Divide the dressed greens, tomatoes, beans, and bread into two bowls, then top with the onion, roasted peppers, and Gorgonzola.

There ya have it!  Give one a try or give them all a try- I think you will agree, panzanella is the perfect side dish OR EVEN main course!  DELISH!

What I Wore Wednesday (Lilly Edition)

I thought it was appropriate to share with you some of the Lilly items I have worn so much this summer.

I also want you to know that in no way, could I afford, to buy Lilly clothing all year long and pay retail prices.

Most of the time, I make my purchases on Ebay.  My second, go-to is the After Party sale that Lilly runs twice/year.

Once in awhile, I will snag an item from Lilly directly or via one of her off-sellers or even Zappos.  Every time I purchase an item, I make sure that I sell one to make room AND funds ;) 

Linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy HERE 

As I have said, the names of Lilly's prints make the clothing so much more fun.  I was attracted to her prints from a young age- they always made me happy and I always thought "summer always."

Arya Tank in "Bay Blue Into The Deep"

Dori Tee in Indigo Slice and UPF 50+ Luxletic Josephine Skort in Tiki Pink

Tiana Dress in Brillian Blue Moon Jellies 

Skorts Skorts Galore!

Luxletic Livvy Skort in Multi Pina Colada Club with the Anisa Tank in True Navy

and the UPF 50+ Luxletic Josephine Skort in Tiki Pink AGAIN :)

and last but not least, my favorite Lilly Dress .....just love this cut and have it in a few different prints...
it is the Marlowe Tee Dress and this print is called 
Pool Blue Pink Lemonade