3 Necessities for our Fourth of July BBQ

I love having people over and entertaining, so we will be having a get together the week of the Fourth of July.  It will be standard fare: burgers and hot dogs on the grill with the usual sides.

I have received complimentary products to review.

 The opinions here are 100% mine!  This post contains affiliate links.

Herb Scissors for Our Salads

We have the most gorgeous chive plant right outside our kitchen door.  I love to add chives to all of my salads: pasta and potato.  These herb scissors make putting my fresh herbs in salads a SNAP.  They have four blades and you can snip directly into the bowl.

Star Silicone Molds for Ice Cubes

I have all five of these start molds filled and in the freezer for drinks.  We will have an assortment of red, white, and blue beverages available, so these little start cubes will be the perfect addition to the party.

A New Magnetic Screen Door

Stitch Fix June

It's that time again-Stitch Fix mail for June has arrived.  In addition to my first box for summer, I have a big surprise for you too.

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Summer will be here before I know it; eight days of school left before the girls and I are on vacation.  We will be busy in June, but the days will be longer and filled with fun.

I requested items in this fix that would help me get through these last days of school with honors night, graduation, and open houses filling my calendar and Roseann DELIVERED!

I adore my Stitch Fixes so much that I wanted to share the experience with my readers, so I teamed up with 27 other Stitch Fix bloggers to bring you a huge Stitch Fix Gift Card Giveaway, so be sure to stick with me to the end in order to get entered.

What is Stitch Fix?

It is a styling service that for $20 (which gets credited towards any items you keep) you get five items hand-selected for you by a stylist.  You fill out a style profile and link a Pinterest board, so your stylists know what you like.  If you are interested in trying out this service, please use my referral link as I can get credit for sending you their way.

I changed up the location of my photos, so this month you get a different view of our deck.  I must say that I am thrilled warmer weather has arrived here in Michigan.

 Photo credit goes to the girls, who also helped style each outfit in this post and took the photos.

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I specifically requested dresses for my June events, so it was no surprise when I pulled three dresses from my fix.  Only recently have I become a dress wearer.  There have been great maxi dresses in previous fixes, which I usually end up loving.  This maxi dress was no exception.

I paired this dress with my gold sandals and my state necklace.  You can't get these ones anymore, but I found these similar sandals.  My state necklace comes from Cents of Style, and they have every state available. 

It is one of my favorite pieces, and I always get compliments on it when I wear it.

Everything about this dress was perfect: the color, the fabric, and the fit.  My favorite part is the detail on the top.  I have already worn it to work twice.

Gilli Jessie Knit Maxi Dress in Teal Green KEPT

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My quest for skirts continued with this fix. This cargo skirt is probably the most wonderful skirt I have ever had on; I swear it fits like a pair of yoga pants, and who doesn't love yoga pants?

I first paired it like the style card with my Dolman Top from my February Fix, which is the exact top pictured on the card- coincidence?  This is a perfect date night look for the day Steve and I finally get out again.

I also tried something a little dressier.  This outfit I could wear to work and look professional while being comfortable.

Here I paired the skirt with the same gold sandals, the blazer from my second Fix, a peach tank, and a Cents of Style stamped scarf.

Overall this skirt has become a staple of my wardrobe, and I know it will be in regular rotation.

Level 99 Andy Cargo Skirt in Olive KEPT

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My stylist has sent me some great wrap dresses over the last year and a half like the one from February 2015, which I ended up getting in another color too.  I have become a dress girl as a result;  they really are so much cooler when I'm in my third floor classroom in June with no AC.

This fun print will be perfect for all season and day or night.

Here I paired the dress with my royal blue Ballasox, which are the most comfortable ballet flats I have found.  I have heard them compared to Tieks, but at 1/4 of the price, Ballasox better fit my budget.  I also added by Caleb Chandelier Earrings from Cents of Style.

Adrianna Papell Evren Jersey Dress in Black KEPT

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These white jeans I paired the top with are great.  I got them at Sam's Club last summer on clearance, so I won't feel bad when they get dirty.  I also have those gold sandals again.  The earrings I got in a Cents of Style Grab Bag last winter.  Here are some similar ones.

Right now Cents of Style is hosting another grab bag event.  You get a make up bag and three random jewelry pieces (a bracelet, earrings, and a necklace) for $19.98 with free shipping when you use the code GRABBAG20.  I already got mine, and I am excited to see what pieces I get.

Skies are Blue Gelsey Crochet Blouse in Coral KEPT

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The last dress in this fix was not a winner out of the box.  My whole family thought it looked frumpy as did I, but as often happens with my fixes, I was shocked when I put it on:  it looked so much better on than on the hanger.

The fabric is stretchy, which makes it perfect for me because the sleeves are more fitted than most items I own.  This was my husband's favorite dress and is unlike any other dress in my closet.  I know it will get some wears at open houses this June.

This dress I liked with my leopard Ballasox, which are super fun and Cents of Style earrings.  I also added a white infinity scarf like the style card suggested.

London Times Odell Textured V-Neck Dress in Teal Green KEPT

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Another 5/5 box.  I really do believe that these are getting better the longer I have been subscribing.

Our 15 year old daughter is in need of some wardrobe work, and my mother suggested that we get her a fix.  Has anyone ever used Stitch Fix for their teen?

Be sure to follow my Pinterest Stitch Fix Board:

Follow Sarah's board Stitch Fix Board on Pinterest.

If you are interested, please use my referral link as I get a credit for letting you know about Stitch Fix.

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A huge thanks to Maria at Crazy Together for helping put this together.

I would love to know more about you in order to help you more: Do you Stitch Fix already?  What brought you to my post?  What kinds of pieces should I try in my wardrobe?

Giveaway and Book Promotion: The Trouble with Missbehaving

The Trouble with Misbehaving

by Victoria Hanlen

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Calista ‘CC’ Collins is used to being the talk of the town. With her scandalous past she’s learnt the hard way that a woman needs to be strong to get what she wants in a man’s world. And what she wants is the infamous Captain Beauford Tollier—roguish son of an earl, notorious blockade-runner and all-round knave of the seas.

However, Captain Beau is not one to be cajoled—he is done with the dangerous sea life and ready to follow the life of the straight and narrow. But with many powerful forces circling around him, Beau doesn’t stand a chance…

Excerpt

“Dear brother, it’s more than cultural differences! She’s been here a decade. We’ve talked ourselves hoarse trying to convince her she only reinforces the rumors of instability with outbursts like those at dinner. She truly acts chastened and then does it again. I’ve a mind, deep down, our Miss Collins hates men.”

Beau slowly rolled his cigar in his mouth remembering how her soft, full lips moved so delightfully under his and how her lush body melted against him. He jerked the cigar from his mouth. “There must be some mistake.”

His brother’s expression grew reflective. “Had a mare like her once. Refused every stud we presented. Nearly gelded one or two we had mount—”

Mount. Dear God. “Well I—” Beau coughed as he struggled to keep a provocative image of he and C.C. from his mind. Fatigue, too much brandy and now this added bit of mischief made his head pound. Pinching his eyes together, he blinked and grasped for some topic to erase the image. “Does she have outbursts with women?”

“Never seen one. Can’t say she’s ever spoken to me in any way but cordial either. Odd woman, our Auntie Cali. The insanity must come from her American mother’s side.”

Thomas turned and slapped Beau on the back. “I’ve a wonderful wife and must occasionally brush up against some of her crazy relatives. You, on the other hand, are free to keep whatever company suits you. Miss Collins is a pretty package but believe me, you can do better.”

Purchase a copy today

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AUTHOR Bio and Links

Award winning, historical romance author, VICTORIA HANLEN, has worked at a wide range of jobs, from fashion, to corporate business, to treading the boards of stage and professional opera. A lifelong writer, she once put her skills to use in PR and advertising. But her favorite form of writing is happily-ever-afters spiced with a dash of wit and a page-turning mystery. Victoria and her husband live in rural New England surrounded by a host of wildlife.

She enjoys hearing from readers at:

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Grove Collaborative Mrs. Meyers Luxury Set Gift Ends Today

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The little things in life like these relaxing moments should always be appreciated, no matter how small.

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• Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap
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Travel to Northern Michigan

I grew up in Northern Michigan, Harbor Springs to be exact, and tourist season is usually Memorial Day to Labor Day.  However, winter is a beautiful time to visit, and there are still plenty of activities to partake in.  My family takes many weekend trips ‘Up North’ to visit my parents, who still live in the picturesque area.  

My brothers and I grew up on the slopes at Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain, and this past winter we introduced my girls to the pleasure of the slopes.  Both locations also offer extensive trails for cross country skiing and sledding hills.  After a day on the slopes, we usually grab a beer and wings at The Slopeside bar.

One of our favorite family pastimes while in Northern Michigan during the winter is snowshoeing.  We each have our own pair, and the trails abound.  We usually stick close to my parents’ house and use the wooded trails their neighbor cuts and grooms.  This is especially fun after dark with headlamps.

When we venture out, it is usually for food or drink.  Coffee and pastries are best had at Dripworks in Petoskey.  Sandwiches for lunch are always grabbed from Gurney’s Bottle Shop.  While dinner favorites are Moosejaw Junction located in Pellston and The City Park Grill in Petoskey.  The best place for craft beer it is Tap 30 in Petoskey.  

While many summer visitors believe Northern Michigan to slow up and hunker down in the winter, I have attended many great festivals and events.  The Harbor Springs Chili Cookoff is the best chili competition I have been to.  During Boyne Highland’s Brew-Ski Festival, my mother and I discovered Wood Fired Up, a food truck that serves wood fired pizza; there was nothing left to take home.

It will ALWAYS be home.

Spiralized Roasted Potatoes and Onions

Our family loves roasted potatoes with onions.  I bake them in the winter months and roll them in aluminum foil for the grill in the summer.  The seasoning on the potatoes varies depending on the meat we are having with them.  My basic recipe gets better here because I now have a veggie spiralizer and grinders for fresh salt and pepper.

I have a fairly large spiralizer that suctions to the counter and has multiple blades for slicing and spiralizing in different sizes.

For this recipe I just used freshly ground salt and pepper.  We use a peppercorn mix and Himalayan pink salt.  You can add garlic, chives, parsley, or any other seasoning that you like.

I ran six red skin potatoes through the spiralizer to create long, flat slices of potatoes.  I like this better than hand slicing the potatoes because they come out even, which makes cooking easier.

I then repeated the spiralizing to slice the onions.  Onions don't come out in long spirals, but are thinly sliced.  I did have to cut the potato ribbons into sections, so they were easier to serve.

I finished the side dish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of salt and pepper.  Baking happened at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes.  You can broil for the last 2-3 minutes if you want your potatoes a little crispier.

Here are the exact products used in this post.

 I have received complimentary versions of these products in exchange for reviews and promotions.  The opinions here are 100% mine!  This post contains affiliate links.