EAT: Summer Yogurt Salad

Who doesn't love something sweet and healthy?  Never ever can you have too much sweetness if it's actually doing your body good.  I was not born with an inherently natural sweet tooth like my mother. She can honestly eat an entire bag of Dove chocolates and call it "dinner" with no remorse.  It's astonishing, actually.  I very rarely get a craving for sweetness, but when I do, I tend to opt for something less... guilt ridden.  Typically, I spoonful of peanut butter is enough to satiate my craving, but sometimes, I need fruit.  And chocolate.  And brown sugar.

I came up with this salad based on my love for yogurt parfait... and quite honestly, it's to die for.  The best part is that you can customize it with whatever fruit/toppings you like.  

Ingredients:

Chobani Greek Yogurt

Brown Sugar

Strawberries

Nectarine

Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips

I added in the brown sugar first to make sure it mixed with the yogurt.  I didn't want it getting stuck to the fruit and clumping.

Next, I added the fruit and just mixed it all together.

Along with some mini caprese's and tortilla chips, guacamole and salsa, we had the perfect snack table for a movie night with Jen and Pat.  I cannot wait to whip up some more tasty summer snacks and share them with you!  This is also the PERFECT Memorial Day picnic salad.  Pack it up in the cooler and take it to the park or the pool and dig in!

A Gingham Boardwalk Dress and Some Denial

At this point in time, I know I'm supposed to be talking about fall-ish things but you know what? I'm not ready for that yet. We've been enjoying the bare foot, popsicle-filled, dog days of summer, and I'm not so sure I want to see those days go yet.

Just last week, I drove by a house near ours that was already decked out in full Halloween decor, and all I could think was, "this is not happening yet."

We have too many pool days left. Too many afternoons spent at the park. Too much summer left to seize. And yet...

Ambrosia

Tis the season of grilling, picnics and potlucks. And with all of those parties to attend, I'm always looking for a refreshing summer salad that can be made quickly. I've never met a fruit salad I don't like, especially if it involves whipped cream and mini marshmallows. And this one has fruit, so you know, it's healthy-ish...right? Right.

When I was younger, I was that kid loading my plate up with pistachio salad - you know what I'm talking about. The fluffy green mystery salad that most people are probably scared of? Love it. And  not much has changed! There's just something comforting and homey about sweet salads with whipped cream and mini marshmallows, don't you think? And don't even get me started on snickers apple salad. Be still my clogging arteries.

An Ethnic Soleil Dress

I've been sewing up a storm for my kids' wardrobe next summer. I know it's a full year away, but I like to be prepared! OK, I guess in this case I like to be very prepared. I was that girl in college who immediately started working on a term paper the day it was assigned, just so that I could take my time and be done with time to spare. I've always envied those people who could work the night before a deadline. That's just not me. Apparently I need an entire year lol.

My goal (for the first time ever!) was to make as much of my kids' summer wardrobe as possible. I always make pieces here and there to fill out their current wardrobe, but this time, I wanted to tackle making an. Entire. Wardrobe. Times two. A lofty goal, but one I was pretty excited about.

With two wardrobes looming, I needed some good patterns, and the Soleil Dress by Selvage Designs came to mind immediately.

In Search of the Perfect Strawberry

Every summer in Pittsburgh, we look forward to strawberry picking season. There's nothing quite like hunting for the perfect, plump strawberries among the rows of fresh strawberry plants.

Summer Farewell Party Ideas

It's always bittersweet saying farewell to summer and hello to fall, but these 5 amazing and breath taking party ideas are sure to soften the blow! 

Classy Dinner Party via Your Homebased Mom

Backyard Movie Night via Design Sponge

Fancy Shmancy Smores Party via Cookie Creatives by Jennifer

Somewhere Over the Rainbow Party via Kara's Party Ideas 

Endless Summer Fruity Bash via One Sweet Party

We Are Loving Right Now - Volume 13 - S'mores Edition

Did you know that tomorrow is National S'mores Day? If you've been reading for any amount of time, you know that I'm slightly extremely addicted to s'mores. Any get together is an opportunity to make them and, if there isn't a fire available, I'm more than happy to make them over the stove. That's the mark of a true obsession, friends!

With the summer winding down, I decided to round up 15 delicious s'mores recipes, including everything from s'mores cupcakes to ice cream floats and pancakes. Because if s'mores are in breakfast form, they must be healthy.  Right? Right.

S'mores Ice Cream Sandwiches via Eat. Sleep. Make.

Brownie S'mores on a Stick via Confessions of a Cookbook Queen

Ooey Gooey S'mores Brownie Bars via The Comfort of Cooking

Chocolate S'mores Cupcakes via Authentic Suburban Gourmet

Simple Dipped S'mores via Love From the Oven for Tipjunkie

 No-Bake S'mores Bars via The Domestic Rebel

Reeses Peanut Butter Cup S'mores via The Recipe Critic

S'more Babies via The Cooking Dish

 S'mores Ice Cream via Spache the Spatula

 S'mores Floats via In Katrina's Kitchen

 S'mores Fudge Pops via Itsy Bitsy Foodies

 S'mores Ice Cream Cake via Annie's Eats

S'mores Pancakes via Spoonful

 Grilled Chocolate Banana Melts via Tablespoon

S'mores Cake in a Jar via How Sweet It Is

Have a great weekend everyone!



MAKE: Revived Vintage Screen Garden Wall

This project was inspired by what my family thought was a very odd purchase at an estate sale for $2.  An old mesh screen framed in old wood.  It was love at first sight to me.  As soon as I saw it a hundred ideas flooded my imagination of what could be made with it. 

After a couple weeks of pondering, I settled on the idea of a garden wall.  My aloe plant (that had a bunch of babies last year) was ready to give birth yet again.  Check out my post about separating your aloe plants here.  This little wall piece was going to give me the perfect place to display my new potted baby aloe plants. 

I had seen these little white aluminum pots at Ikea months ago and knew they'd be perfect for this!  A tiny S-hook would fit perfectly in the little holes around the top.  They'll also be great to pull off this wall during the colder months and bring the plants inside where it is safe and warm. 

I love this project because it can be made appropriate for any and all seasons and holidays! 

Check out our Link Party Page to see where we link up each week!

FOOD: Slaw Dogs and Vinegar Coleslaw Recipe

Today I wanted to share two of my favorite things to make during summer: grilled hot dogs and vinegar coleslaw. Both are traditional summer foods that I love, but I stumbled onto a brilliant combo of the two while visiting a local hole-in-the-wall hot dog joint in Dormont. To die for! Coleslaw on hot dogs may sound a little frightening to you, but take a walk on the wild side my friend. One bite will make you into an instant believer.

The real secret is in the coleslaw. I love traditional coleslaw, but it wasn't until I moved to Pittsburgh and tried a Primanti Brother's sandwich that I fell hard for their vinegary version that they pile on their sandwiches. Vinegar slaw has the perfect balance of sweet and tart that I could eat by the bowlful. Pile it onto a freshly grilled hot dog with some provolone and chips? I'm in heaven.

To make a slaw dog, you first need to know how to make the coleslaw.

Vinegar Coleslaw
(Adapted from this recipe)

INGREDIENTS: 1 package shredded coleslaw (approximately 1 pound), 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp. kosher salt, 1/4 tsp. celery seed, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 tsp. ground pepper.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes then drain. Refrigerate another 30 minutes and serve.

Now for the hot dog and other essential components!

Slaw Dogs:

INGREDIENTS: Ruffles potato chips, 1 package top sliced hot dog buns, provolone cheese, beef brats, vinegar coleslaw recipe above.

ONE: first, grill up your brats. When they've cooled slightly, wrap each hot dog in a slice of provolone cheese.
TWO: place the hot dog in your top sliced bun.
THREE: place chips on either side of the hot dog (these add to the flavor and help contain the coleslaw.)
FOUR: pile high with vinegar slaw.

These hot dogs are heavenly. They're a summer favorite around here (and hopefully, they'll become one of your family's favorites too!)

Check out our Link Party Page to see where we link up each week!