Happy Friday, gang! Yep, another week of sunny summer days has come and gone and the weekend is here! I should say finally here as this week had a few snafus with the Mediterranean Cruise I was gearing up for next week. When it was time to finalize excursions etc…we discovered I wasn’t booked on the Adriatic Archipelagos & Greek Goddesses as planned. Rather I was booked on a Scotland Cruise. Windstar Cruises (many of you may remember my Mediterranean Cruise last December when I sailed on Windstar) quickly realized their mistake but unfortunately the Adriatic Archipelagos Cruise was now sold out. First world problems to be certain but a problem that need to be solved nonetheless. To make a long story short I will now depart on September 30th from Rome and sail through Croatia with Venice as the final destination. Win/Win/Win all the way around! Stay tuned!
Needless to say, this girl is happy to say TGIF! Per usual Kelly has stopped by to whip up another delicious salad perfect for the dog days of summer (it’s been in the 90s all week). I particularly loved this salad as it is so refreshing! And of course we’re sipping a yummy cocktail. Oscar and Ollie are making cameos so it’s time to get this party started!
Today, we are sharing recipes and outfits for sunny summer days
Our outfits are shoppable via text and image widgets
We are making a melon salad and a Spanish Blonde cocktail
Since the temps have been hot this week I’m slipping into a pair of navy city shorts from Ann Taylor and a yellow ribbed tee from Vince. The price tag is always higher when it comes to brands like Vince but the cost per wear is considerably lower due to the quality. This is a tee that can be dressed up with a slip skirt or dressed down with jeans.
The older I get the more I favor quality over quantity. And I also know that when it’s time for a closet declutter this tee can be donated or handed over to a thrift store instead of the rubbish bin.
Beth’s Outfit: Yellow Ribbed Tee | City Shorts 4.5” Inseam | Metro Shorts 6” Inseam | The Boardwalk Shorts 10” Inseam | Similar Sandals | Web Belt | Caviar Bangle | Caviar Hoop Earrings | Caviar Watchband
Kelly’s Outfit: Perfect Vintage Jean Short | Similar Jean Shorts | Layering Cami | Cashmere Lace Pointelle Sweater Polo | Sabina Flatform Sandal
What better way to welcome sunny summer days than with a sunflower yellow top? The Cashmere Lace Pointelle Sweater Polo is a soft and lacy-knit cashmere that is so comfortable, I love the lady-like lace! The sunflower yellow color will be perfect for fall-transition outfits with its golden hue. But until it’s cool enough to wear full-length denim, I am keeping cool with the Perfect Vintage Jean Short from Madewell.
Beth’s Outfit: Yellow Ribbed Tee | City Shorts 4.5” Inseam | Metro Shorts 6” Inseam | The Boardwalk Shorts 10” Inseam | Similar Sandals | Web Belt | Caviar Bangle | Caviar Hoop Earrings | Caviar Watchband
Kelly’s Outfit: Perfect Vintage Jean Short | Similar Jean Shorts | Layering Cami | Cashmere Lace Pointelle Sweater Polo | Sabina Flatform Sandal
This spritz is so sunny and bright, it's refreshing and perfect on a hot day. While it's not essential to the cocktail, we went the extra mile and made lemon rose ice cubes. It's just that little something extra that makes sipping this Spanish Blonde a little more special.
To make this cocktail even lower ABV, we swapped the Cava (Spanish Prosecco) for sparkling water.
Makes 2 Cocktails
2 oz. Gin
1 oz. Dry Vermouth
2 oz. Elderflower Liqueur
1 oz. Lemon Juice
1 oz. Grapefruit Juice
Top with Cava
Grapefruit or Lemon Flower Ice Cube
Combine all ingredients except Cava and grapefruit or lemon flower ice cube in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake until cold. Pour evenly between two glasses (each with a grapefruit or lemon flower ice cube), and top with Cava.
Mixing sweet summer fruit with a savory fennel salad is such a refreshing way to enjoy a fruit salad. The savory vinaigrette is wonderful and light on the sliced fennel, and the dressing sweetens the melon even more, for a delicious and refreshing mix of sweet and savory.
1 small Fennel Bulb, halved, cored and shaved (about 2 cups)
3/4 cup Blueberries
1/2 cup White Balsamic Vinegar
3 tbsp. Olive Oil
Kosher Salt
1 medium Cantaloupe, cut into wedges, rind removed
1/3 cup Torn Fresh Mint Leaves
1 pinch of Crushed Red Pepper
1 pinch of Flakey Sea Salt
In a medium bowl combine the shaved fennel and the blueberries.
In a small lidded jar, combine the balsamic vinegar, oil and pinch of kosher salt. Shake until emulsified.
Pour ¼ cup of the vinaigrette on the fennel and blueberries, toss to coat.
Arrange the melon wedges on a platter and top with the dressed fennel and blueberries.
Drizzle more vinaigrette over the salad. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper and a pinch of flaky sea salt.
Oscar, Ollie, Kelly, and I wish you a lovely weekend!
Beth’s Outfit: Yellow Ribbed Tee | City Shorts 4.5” Inseam | Metro Shorts 6” Inseam | The Boardwalk Shorts 10” Inseam | Similar Sandals | Web Belt | Caviar Bangle | Caviar Hoop Earrings | Caviar Watchband
Kelly’s Outfit: Perfect Vintage Jean Short | Similar Jean Shorts | Layering Cami | Cashmere Lace Pointelle Sweater Polo | Sabina Flatform Sandal
Yesterday, Beth shared fall fashion from Chico's. Click the title or image below to read the article.
Hi Oscar, Ollie, Beth, and Kelly. Good to see you back in shorts on the 90 degree days. I know you love jeans, but honesty I do not know how you wear them in those high temps. I never wear denim jeans in the summer unless we get really chilly days. Love all the dresses you show on these high temp days. Have a great weekend!
We’re all excited as the weather next week finally dips back into the 80s! Now that summer is waning I’m wearing all the shorts and summer dresses I can. Love fall fashion but I’m hanging onto summer!
Have a great weekend, Sherry!
So glad you are able to go on the Mediterranean cruise after all!! Love your outfits, say hi to Oscar for me ❤️
It was touch and go there for a bit! Everyone and their brother travels to Italy late summer early fall. But things always work out one way or another.
Oscar will get an extra pat from you, Janet.
Have a great weekend!
Happy Friday, Beth and Kelly (and of course OSCAR and Ollie)! Thanks for the sunny post! Great fashion and fare (food and drink).
This salad is to die for! So refreshing.
Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend.
Beth, your solo-vacation cruise turnabout likely will favor both itinerary and great weather. I was in Venice 9/27/2014 wrapping a 15-day trip with my favorite Tauck, when coincidentally George Clooney and Amal wed. Paparazzi everywhere on docks and water taxis near my Canal Grande hotel. My own water taxi from hotel to Venice airport was 40+ minutes, then lengthy lines at Venice’s rather small airport. Croatia is said to be stunning; it’s also the home of beloved cellist Stjepan Hauser whose music I love. Hopefully blessings in disguise for you.
BTW, you’ve mentioned MN roots. I lived in MN my entire life–Minneapolis first 20 yrs, Minnetonka Wayzata 20 yrs, Eden Prairie 10 yrs. Then 2015 permanent move to North Scottsdale that suits me beautifully. Your Mom Talks with Kelly and Chelsea are terrific – thanks, everyone. Hugs to Oscar, Ollie and of course Kelly.
I’m so glad you are loving Message from Mom Podcast! That truly warms my heart!
I’m very familiar with Wayzata as my mom lived in Minnetonka and we loved to head to Wayzata for a girls day out.
I lived in Minneapolis twice and Rochester once. Love MN but not the winters… I bet you have the same opinion if you live in Scottsdale.
Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!
I love seeing Friday’s blog with Oscar and Ollie. I love all of the blogs with fashions, food and whatever else you put in.
Thanks, Vicki. You made my day!
Thanks for being here! And have a great weekend!