looking your best when it’s hot outside | fridays with oscar
happy Friday gang! can you believe it’s already mid June?! summer solstice is a little over one week away, which marks the official start of summer. we have summer temperatures and lots of sunshine here in Athens. we are enjoying an easy-breezy Friday today. we’ve got a great summer outfit to keep you looking your best when it’s hot outside. and we have a delicious Greek-style appetizer and a refreshing Sambuca cocktail – a perfect pairing for a hot summer evening.
button down | similar button down | belt | belt 2 | belt 3 | slide sandal | slide sandal 2 | girlfriend denim shorts | girlfriend denim shorts 2
outfit of the day
seaside chic is today’s theme. girlfriend denim shorts from Talbots paired with this oh-so-soft buttondown from Anthropologie. a very subtle pink and blue tie-dye pattern gives this collared shirt a casual, beachy feel. completing this seaside look is a woven self-tie belt with an arrow pattern and neon pink border. this one is sold out but the pink version of it is still available. the soft pale pink of the button up matches all too perfectly with my pink suede slide sandals (old, similar here, here).
button down | similar button down | belt | belt 2 | belt 3 | slide sandal | slide sandal 2 | girlfriend denim shorts | girlfriend denim shorts 2
Greek bruschetta
continuing our seaside theme today, this recipe is based on the Greek meze called Dakos, from the island of Crete. this meze or “small plate” is served as an appetizer, or can be part of many small plates to make a light meal, like tapas. it is often referred to as Greek bruschetta. this is a flavorful, light snack that is great for summer.
Greek Bruschetta
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 large tomato, diced (or one dozen cherry tomatoes)
- feta
- kalamata olives
- fresh oregano
- olive oil (for toasting bread and drizzling over finished bruschetta)
- lavash (pita, or crusty rustic bread, sliced)
- salt to taste
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dice the tomatoes, cucumber and shallot and mix together. season with kosher salt and set aside. cut the lavash into rectangles and heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet. toast the lavash until it’s firm and crispy, like a cracker.
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pile the tomato mixture onto the lavash slices and top with feta, kalamata olives and fresh oregano, then drizzle with olive oil.
traditionally, the tomato mixture is piled on top of a slice of toasted rustic bread, but i opted to go with toasted lavash, which is an Iranian flat bread.
Sambuca 75
this cocktail is based on a classic French 75, but contains Sambuca, the anise flavored Italian liqueur, instead of gin. it’s a light, refreshing champagne cocktail. you can swap sparkling water for the sparkling wine if you want something with lower alcohol content.
Sambuca 75
- 1 oz Sambuca
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 oz simple syrup
- 4 oz sparkling wine
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In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine Sambuca, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake that all up and strain into a champagne flute. Garnish with a long, skinny lemon peel and top with sparkling wine.
plates | tray | platters | serving tray | serving tray 2 | cocktail shaker | champagne glass
fridays with oscar
junior style’s puppy pax is with us again this week. he is growing so fast! pax and oscar have become good friends and playmates. i think they tire each other out with all their playing and chasing.
button down | similar button down | belt | belt 2 | belt 3 | slide sandal | slide sandal 2 | girlfriend denim shorts | girlfriend denim shorts 2
it’s a wrap for this week’s fridays with oscar. stay tuned to the blog as we prepare for summer with plenty of summer fashion, tips and tricks for organizing and decorating your home, and staying on track with healthy eating and exercising. we have a lot of great content planned for june! oscar, ollie and i wish all of you a great weekend!
Beth, you look great! Love the blouse and denim with the sandals. And doesn’t your hair look so chic! I must also say Oscar looks beautiful too. Happy weekend to you and your family.
hi linda! the ‘do’ is slowly but surely growing out. just a few more inches and i’m there!
Fantastic post! Everything about it says summertime. Your look today is truly easy breezy. The Greek Bruschetta recipe is a great, must-try idea. Love Mediterranean foods like this one for their light, healthy take. That you used sunflowers to showcase the recipe made my heart leap. Love that sunflowers look their loveliest on hot, windy summer days…as do many ladies when the heat in life comes along! Living in the country means a visual reminder of that truth all summer long. Oscar, your big baby, is precious! Pax is doing a great job bringing up the rear. Ollie is cat-smart to remain a quiet behind-the-scenes observer. Yes, this is a great post. Thank you and Happy Weekend!~
you will absolutely love this appetizer, sylvia! one of my new favorites.
Great post. Great looks.
I will definitely be making the Greek bruschetta. I love bruschetta of any king and this looks amazing.
Thank you for the light and refreshing recipe and cocktail!
Pax is getting so big and Oscar is as handsome as ever.
Lovely weekend outfit!
You look fabulous and “the boys” do too!
I can’t believe how Pax has grown! It’s obvious Oscar is your baby! Great post and Happy Weekend to you and your family!
Good Friday to you as well. Been having trouble figuring out what type of shorts are good for me (60 and 5’1″). Not too short not too long, or capris. So, thanks for giving a good idea. These shorts look great on you.
the good news is there are lots of different lengths for shorts. so i know there is a pair out there you will love.
Hi, Beth! I wasn’t sure how I felt about you growing your hair longer but it’s really looking awesome!!
thanks, cynthia! it’s not easy growing your hair out but we are slowly but surely getting there. just a few more inches and then we’ll see what my stylist can do.
Love the shorts – they look very chic on you. Great to see Oscar and Pax together.
oscar and pax have become best buddies! and we all need a friend. even dogs..
Dear Beth, you look splendid.
Whose the new guy in the photos with Oscar, is a pretty one´´´
Happy weekend!!!!
Regards, Jenny
the puppy belongs to jr. style. his name is pax and he tags along on Friday photo shoots. he and oscar have become best buddies.
That Oscar is one handsome dude! And I think he is bigger than you are! Is Pax also a shepherd?? I so like your hair that I am growing mine out very similar – figured I was l/2 way there with the lockdown! Thank you for all your inspiration.
good luck with growing you hair out. you’re right about being halfway there. the hard part is over!
Hi Beth
I love your inspired outfits.
I love wearing shorts but can never decide what length suits me. I buy knee length and take them up but then never seem happy about the proportion of legs to shorts to top. Maybe 3 portions cuts up my short figure and short legs too much? I could try monocrome combinations. What are your thoughts on deciding what length to wear?
well, there are so many lengths to choose from! i go from short, short to bermudas and everything in between. so keep experimenting.
I have to laugh at Oscar. His ears are back and he does not look to happy about his new friend. How is he adjusting?
Love the new hairstyle. I haven’t had a haircut or coloring in 3 months. I definitely want to get it cut and I’m not so sure of the grey. It’s pretty white! Maybe when I get a haircut I will be able to see the new growth better.
wait and see with your hair color. once you sit in the stylists chair you’ll know what to do.
oscar loves pax who tags along on Friday photo shoots. they had just come in from romping around outside and oscar was pooped!
Who is the new pup??
He is adorable!!
pax is jr. style’s puppy. i agree. he’s adorable and oscar loves him!
I’m not a big media follower, but your blog and style speaks to me. I’m impressed with your style sense. Oh and the cocktail recipes are such a nice touch!! Thanks from a new retiree!! Looking for style update!!
thanks so much for stopping by, valerie! i think we all love to sit down and put our feet up with a cocktail on Friday night. happy to share!
You look adorable in these pics!
awww, i think you just made my day. thank you!
You look great in the shorts. I had some just like that back in the 60’s or 70’s–I saw these online and was thinking for nostalgic sake, I should get those. Fun–they’re flattering. The food looks delicious, too. I so look forward to this type of meal when the temps get high. Your hair is getting longer! I can finally put mine in a ponytail, and I’m kind of enjoying that. It’s been a long time since I could.
you are so lucky you can pull your hair into a ponytail. can’t wait until i can do the same! you will love this appetizer, sue. it’s so easy to make and it’s delicious!
Love your hair like that!
thanks so much, kathy! the ‘do’ is getting there slowly but surely.