Finger Lickin' Ribs (No Prep Required!)

"Okay, that was delicious, right? And I didn't even have to do anything"...

First words out of my mouth after my husband and I finished licking our lips to savor the last of our rib dinner. No prep, no hassle (and no sauce -- just a seasoning that's to die for). We are big BBQ fans in this house and everything from the rub to the smoke made these taste 100% authentic...you can definitely tell these guys have mastered their craft.

But even better than the taste is the ease of cooking...Heat the oven, cover a baking pan with foil and bake for 35 minutes. In other words, have these ready to go by the time your husband arrives home (or guests in the case of a party) and feel free to take credit for marinating and slaving over a hot stove all day. Whoever said there's no shortcuts in life has never tried this beautiful hunk of meat ;)

Oh and these sweet potatoes are my favorite side-dish...easy AND healthy (just add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar!)

P.S. Can we please talk about these blooms? I spotted them at the Green City Market and couldn't take my eyes off them...not only is the color extraordinary but I've never seen the shape or texture before. They are the perfect weeknight centerpiece!

What is your favorite put together & go meal? 

Kaitlyn's Blogging Bloopers: Volume 4

Sometimes I feel like our lives have become so intertwined with social media that it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. We are very quick to judge someone’s life by the photos they share…the acai bowls that look like works of art or the beautiful blogger who just had a baby but got her rockin’ bod back in DAYS…because who really wants to see the dirty cereal bowls in the sink or the same ratty t-shirt we throw on to run to the grocery store? 

It makes sense to post the best parts of your day, especially if that helps you focus on the positive, but at the same time, it’s just as important to realize those are just brief moments in our lives…everyone is weathering their own storm and experiences daily struggles that aren’t always shown through a Snapseed filter. 

With that said, we must find the time to laugh at ourselves…bloggers spend a whole lot of time photographing one another, picking apart the best ones and let’s be honest, editing out the ugly. 

So from time to time, we must share what happens in between the “best of”…the blogger bloopers...

Wait, I CAN'T drink it all?

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Creeper hands be creepin'...

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I'm so VS fashion show right now...until I see the picture. So not.

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Hang on! May or may not be falling into the lake!

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"This is like, such a totally, beautiful night"...

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Can we pause, girl's gotta fix the hair!

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Twirling gone cray!

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A pop of pinky will never be trending...

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See some of my other bloopers here!

Voume 2 | Volume 3

Rocked it & Swapped it

From beach to vacation vibes, this shift dress has become our favorite recent swap. We both kept it pretty basic but Lisa styled the dress for a weekend visit to Austin, TX and I love how the small changes like the tassel necklace and cognac sandals made it just right for her day of sightseeing and food truck stops (more to come on Austin soon!)

We're both a sucker for a floral print, especially when it's a dress that leaves enough room for multiple cupcake stops ;) so this one is a keeper and will most likely make it to next summer. Not to mention, the dress fits both of us pretty perfectly which is very rare...often something is too short/long, too busy/not busty enough or a plethora of other factors that tend to impact our swaps...but this one was just right.

Lisa: Necklace: Co-Star // Sunglasses in top photo: Ditto (use code SADB to get 1st month FREE!) // Sunglasses in bottom photo: Prototype Vintage // Watch: Fossil // Bag: Nordstrom // Shoes: Sole Society

Do you ever trade clothes with a friend?

Are there any items you would love to see us swap this fall?

Blending in with the Trees

OK seriously, these photos are like a bad game of Where's Waldo! ;)

I promise when I got dressed, I had no plans of blending in with the trees, but that is exactly what happened on this beautiful Sunday morning. Lately, I have been adding a few transitional pieces into my everyday wear. This beautiful berry colored bag and dark green dress are two items that are currently in heavy rotation. I love adding fall colors prior to adding cooler weather pieces just to get me ready for full-on fall fashion...



A classic shirt dress is perfect for everyday wear or on this day, brunch with my family followed by traveling home from our lake house.

I kept the styling "summer simple" by adding flat sandals, a unique tassel necklace, and sunglasses. The fact that summer is soon ending is truly depressing, but fall is my favorite season so I am definitely ready to rotate my closet and break out more then just fall colored items.

Dress: MNG by Mango (similar) (similar) // Shoes & Bag: Sole Society // Necklace: Co-Star Austin 
Watch: Fossil // Sunglasses: Ditto (use code SADB for 1st month FREE!)

Do you ever rotate colored items into your wardrobe prior bringing out your actual fall clothing?

Do you ever match your surroundings without even realizing it?

Fall Transitional Pieces

While we're not ready for it just yet (there's still boating to be done and al freso dining to check off our list), Fall is probably our favorite season to dress for because when summer winds down and you feel that first chill in the air, it’s so refreshing to bundle up in a cozy cardigan or over sized infinity scarf. When you can leave your house in a sweater and jeans (no puffy coat, please!), that is the perfect Autumn moment...it doesn't last long, so we must cherish them in our favorite lace-up flats and chic jogger pants while we can.  

So, peruse the assortment of basic must-have items that made the top of our ist(s) for making the seasonal transition and hopefully be inspired to create your own. What is your fall closet calling for?

(psst! hover over each item for brand & price)

BOOTIES:

JEANS:

SWEATERS:

BACKPACKS:

'

ACCESSORIES:

What are you looking forward to wearing most this fall? 

We'll see you in flared denim, oversized ponchos and floppy hats all October long :)

Lisa's Blogging Bloopers, Volume 6

Outtakes just never get old in my book. The cutting room floor photos have quickly become some of my favorites shots and I love all your comments about how they are your favorite too!
 In almost every outfit post I shoot now, I look through the film and say "OK, seven good ones and a few outtake options." As in, I'm not done shooting until I have good and bad ones for you guys. If you can't laugh at yourself... ;) 

Love the bloopers as much as me & want to see more? See previous posts here, here, here, here, and here.

I give you my sixth volume of blogging bloopers: 

Which photo is your favorite? 

Would you caption any of these differently? 

Blogger of the Month: Making Nice in the Midwest

Mom blogger, crafts and DIY extraordinaire, recipe sharing and a style all her own...And they say you can't have it all ;) This month we're featuring Mandi from Making Nice in the Midwest. We could spend hours on her site, getting inspired by her love for old movies, scouring gorgeous images of vintage homes and learning how to make our own hand written poster for the home. Not only is she super talented (#GIRLBOSS) and beautiful, but her story is honest and authentic...you can see yourself in so many of her experiences so it's always nice to wake up, drink your coffee and share a moment with a fellow blogger who makes you think, "Yes! I know exactly what you mean"....

Read a little bit about the story behind Mandi's blog:

"I spent most of my twenties thinking about where to go next. Born and raised in Canton, Ohio, I had this creeping feeling inside that I was meant for something more. A bigger city. Cool people to meet. Exciting, creative opportunities to discover and chase. Of course, here I am, rounding the corner on my twenties and still living in my hometown. At first, I felt like I was giving up on my dreams by not moving away. 

My husband Phil and I were fresh out of college at twenty-four years old. We had no kids, no mortgage, and could potentially make a life wherever we wanted. So, why stick around? Maybe it was a shift in our priorities, or maybe this is just where God wants us to be, but it’s as if one day we woke up and couldn’t bear the idea of leaving this place...

I had discovered that there are amazing, creative, like-minded friends to be made right here at home, and great opportunities just ripe for the taking. We looked at the numbers, and knew we could much more easily live a comfortable life in such an affordable city- even buy a house, and start a family when were were ready! So we put down roots, bought a small, mid-century ranch, and even had that baby. And never moved to the big city.

I’ve finally realized I haven’t settled for anything by settling down in my Midwestern hometown. Phil and I don’t regret sticking around and becoming productive members of the community, encouraging people we meet, especially those who feel disappointed about being here. Instead of focusing on what we haven’t gotten to do, we’re taking advantage of the opportunities we do have and living with a positive outlook on life. I think shifting one’s perspective is the key to being happy wherever you are, and engaging in your God-given passions is certainly a plus! That’s what I’m all about, and that’s why I started this blog." - Mandi

Who inspires you? What bloggers do you follow on a daily basis?