Maryland Pink and Green

Top 5 Tunics for Summer

2013-05-24T14:27:00.002-04:00

The tunic is probably the most perfect garment ever created. Although I'm partial to summer linen tunics, they're fun to wear all year in a myriad of pretty fabrics including cotton and silk. At 5'4" on a good day, I'm also able to pull of many tunic styles as little mini-dresses. Another one of my favorite looks for a tunic is to pair it with white jeans.

Tunics seem to camouflage any figure flaws around the tummy and are appropriate in almost any setting from pool to party.

So get ready to channel your inner Talitha Getty...

Here are my top 5 picks for summer tunics.

Guru's Palm Beach Linen Tunic is available as a dress or traditional tunic. The orange linen fabric is outlined with bright pink and white piping. Surprisingly, this fabulous tunic is machine washable!

Devon Baer's Ginger Blouse is a refreshing twist on the traditional tunic. I love the stand up ruffle collar and side vents.

The Ricky Rack Tunic from Gretchen Scott has pretty ric rac detail at the neckline, side vents, and cuffs. So pretty in navy.

Since I am fairly petite, sometimes traditional tunics seem to overwhelm my frame. The Virginia Tunic from Jules Reid in Sea Green Cotton hits just at the hip and is incredibly flattering. I love to wear my Jules Reid tunics with jeans! Very Palm Beach chic.

Of course, I couldn't make a list of my favorite tunics without including one of the season's best choices from Lilly Pulitzer. The Sarasota Tunic is a perfect choice for any occasion. The mandarin collar and pintuck details make this a winner.

Which of my top 5 tunic picks do you like the most?

Shopping Guide
Guru, Devon Baer, Gretchen Scott, Jules Reid, Lilly Pulitzer

Weekend at The Homestead

2013-05-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

Recently, four of us spent the weekend at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia and it was fabulous!

The rooms all seemed to be a little bit unique. The decor is gorgeous and I never wanted to leave! I love the blue and white striped wallpaper and hydrangea curtains. Our room had a large walk in closet, sitting area, and a fireplace.

Every little detail is perfect...down to the embroidered pillow.

The history tour offers an interesting behind the scenes glimpse of the entire resort. Here are some of my favorite stops along the tour.

On Saturday night, we enjoyed a delicious dinner in the main dining room. The atmosphere was incredible, with a gorgeous setting and live music. We even stepped out onto the dance floor a few times!

The weekend was packed with activities and fun! Stay tuned for more details about our adventure!

Elegant Elephants

2013-05-21T06:23:00.003-04:00

Show me anything with an elephant motif and I'm sure to fall in love!

Even though I'm counting down the days until the end of school, there's one thing that's making me wish it was already time to shop for back to school.

Lilly Pulitzer stationery and goodies from Lifeguard Press...

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Lately, a lot of my money has been going into decorating the new house. Wouldn't these pillows be adorable? I found the Valentina Ramos Aaron Elephant Throw Pillow on Joss and Main.

It started with the Red Elephant Elizabeth Blouse. Then I moved on to the Black Elephant Tie Blouse for fall. This spring, I'm loving the Lola Dress from Elizabeth McKay. The pretty blue elephants on a silk and cotton blend are so chic!

A pachyderm for your Planter's Punch! That's how C. Wonder describes these delightful Elephant Drink Stirrers. They're perfect for your summer parties.

What fun elephant items have you found lately?

Beautiful Easy Bundt Cake

2013-05-20T08:31:00.001-04:00

I've always admired the beautiful cake designs from Nordicware cake pans, but have always had some difficulty with the more intricate designs of the pans. A simple bundt shape was never a problem, but some more elaborate designs could be difficult.

But I have some tips for you that I've learned from trial and error that will make baking a breeze for you.

How to Make a Perfect Bundt Cake:

Prepare the pan correctly. I used non-stick cooking spray, being careful to not have an excessive amount on the pan. Then I lightly sprinkled some flour around the pan, carefully coating the cooking spray with a light dusting.
Fill the pan correctly. Evenly pour the batter into the mold. After I poured in the batter, I tapped the pan on the counter to get out the air bubbles.
Release the cake promptly. I let the cake cool for about 10 minutes after it had baked perfectly. I shook the pan a little bit to see that it was loose. Then I put it on a plate, turned it upside down, crossed my fingers...

It was perfect!

I made this Pink Lemonade cake using the Nordic Ware Bavaria Bundt Pan from Williams Sonoma.

The Blossom Bundt Cake Pan is on my wedding wish list! I'll let you know how it goes with that pan if I receive it.

Do you have any baking tips or tricks that you would like to share? I'd love your suggestions.

Tiny Prints Giveaway!

2013-05-19T08:59:00.000-04:00

Planning a baby shower is so much fun! Every little detail is so special and will be remembered for years to come. When I was planning a baby shower for my sister and my new nephew, David, I wanted invitations and paper goods that were unique and trend-forward. Ultimately, I chose a theme of ducks.

Adorable duck invitations would be perfect for a boy, girl, or twins!

Tiny Prints Baby Shower Invitations are unique and have so many different options. Every baby is special and there's an invitation that's sure to suit your style. I adore these pink elephant invitations.

When the baby has arrived, tell your family and friends with a special birth announcement from this premium online stationery brand. I love the retro look of this Wonderful Woodland announcement.

For more tips and suggestions, join the Tiny Prints #TinyPrintsBaby Pinning Party™ with
@ResourcefulMom on May 20^th at 8 PM ET

To help you celebrate a baby shower, birth announcement, or other special event in your life, Tiny Prints is offering a giveaway for $50 off total order at Tiny Prints for one lucky winner.

Here's the Mandatory Method of Giveaway Entry:

Visit Tiny Prints Birth Announcements or Tiny Prints Baby Shower Invitations and leave a comment below this blog post or on my Facebook page with your favorite stationery item. Be sure to include your email address or make sure that your Facebook settings are set to receive messages so that I can contact the winner.

Earn an extra entry for "Sharing" this giveaway on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, or Google + using the share buttons below this post. Please leave an additional comment to let me know that you shared the giveaway.

The giveaway ends on Friday, May 24 at midnight. The winner will be announced on this post and on Facebook on Saturday, May 25. All entries will be verified. Thanks for participating!

Update! Last night’s Pinning Party™ was postponed due to the tragic events in Oklahoma. If you have not yet posted or wish to update your post, the party has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 30^that 8 PM ET. The RSVP for the party is still at http://resourcefulmommy.com/12097/tiny-prints-baby-pinning-party/

Nautical Starfish Wedding

2013-05-16T08:41:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe that the wedding is less than a month from today! Things are in full swing here and we're busy with last minute details. Yesterday I felt like the little mouse from the circular tale, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

I visited the Berwick Offray Ribbon Outlet and found hundreds of yards of irresistible grosgrain, satin, and organza ribbon. When I say hundreds, I mean hundreds. Not only do I have enough ribbon for any Pinterest wedding project imaginable, I'm in great shape from now until Christmas.

Here's a sampling of what I found for the nautical navy and pink wedding.

So then, spools of ribbon in hand, I set off to work. But just like the mouse in the story, I needed a few things to help me with my project. First I made a pillow for the ring bearer to carry. The pillow is about 8 inches square. I added different ribbons with hot glue and then attached a starfish to the top of the pillow. The navy and white striped grosgrain ribbon is my favorite.

Next on the to do list were the starfish boutonnieres for the special men at the wedding, including the handsome groom. These real starfish are about 4-5 inches in diameter and don't need any additional greens. I tried one with a leaf and another with some wheat grass behind it, but the grosgrain ribbon alone looks the best. A pin is attached to the back of the starfish so it will be easy to wear.

Right now, I'm in the process of making wands and the guest book. I will be sure to share those with you as I make more progress.

Shopping on Vacation at The Homestead

2013-05-13T09:20:00.005-04:00

A vacation is not complete without a little bit of shopping. At The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia, you could arrive without your luggage and it wouldn't matter. You can find anything and everything that you need (or want!) in the shops at the resort.

I spied lots of new spring clothing from Lilly Pulitzer at The Homestead at First Lady, probably my favorite shop at the resort. The Mint Julep print is so pretty!

The little nautical espadrilles are perfect for crisp whites.

This adorable blue dress is so retro chic. There is a little bit of delicate gathering at the waist with a tiny bow to accent the look.

Vineyard Vines offers excellent choices this season. I love the navy.

The Homestead shops also have a lot of tunics. From these Escapada tunics to others from Gretchen Scott and Skirtin' Around, there are so many choices.

Although I'm always looking at clothing, there are quite a few other great finds at The Homestead. The Spa Shop has delightful soaps and spa treatments. I also really loved the Hobby Horse, a children's store with toys and clothing. The 1766 Shop sells the china and tea service that the hotel uses.

When you go to a resort, do you always visit the shops? What is the best shop you've ever found?

Lilly Pulitzer Tween Decor

2013-05-10T09:03:00.003-04:00

The colors and theme's of Lilly Pulitzer's iconic prints make me smile when I wear them, so why not bring that sunshine to home decor, too. No room is overlooked at Casa Pink and Green, not even the minnies' bathroom.

The minnies are loving their new bathroom. The shower curtain in the Foxglove print is Lilly Pulitzer for Garnet Hill. The adorable little pink Taboo elephant night light is Lifeguard Press for Lilly Pulitzer.

But the walls were still bare! Luckily, I found a few inexpensive yellow frames at TJ Maxx and framed a few pages of an old Lilly agenda to hang on the wall. It's an easy and inexpensive way to decorate a small space like a bathroom and adds a pop of color.

Many thanks to Hopsy for helping me find a Lacoste bath rug for a steal!

Nautical Table for Two

2013-05-09T07:27:00.001-04:00

We've decided to have a sweetheart table at our wedding. Although the idea of a head table is a good choice for some brides, we don't want to separate members of our wedding party from their spouses during the reception. I've been to weddings where I had to sit at a head table and know that my significant other didn't like being at a table without me.

The sweetheart table is also a great place where we can spend some time together as a couple, but yet we are approachable to everyone and visible at the reception. In my mind, a table for two is much more approachable than a long rectangular table with the entire wedding party. John and I plan to visit each table at the reception, but this will be a nice, quiet place for us to actually get to enjoy our dinner. (Believe it or not, many brides get very little to eat at their own weddings because they are so busy!)

As a special place, the sweetheart table should have some special decor. Since we're incorporating navy and pink with a nautical theme, here are some ideas that I am considering. I'd love to know what you think!

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Won't these knots be such an adorable touch on the chairs?

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The water view from this sweetheart table is divine. The starfish, shells, and flowers are simple and elegant.

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What did you do at your wedding or what will you do in the future? Would you prefer a sweetheart table or large head table with the entire wedding party?

Freebies & Discounts for teachers

2013-05-07T08:16:00.003-04:00

If you've been reading Maryland Pink and Green for a while, you already know that I love my job. Teaching is such a rewarding career and I have wonderful students. Today, my AP Spanish students are taking the AP Exam. The test is so rigorous and is equivalent to a 300 level college course. I decided to have a breakfast for them before the test to give them a great start on the day.

Today is National Teacher Appreciation Day. If you're a teacher, thank you for all that you do. If you know a teacher, thank him or her for educating our children.

Teachers can take advantage of great deals today with their school identification. Visit Chick Fil A for a free chicken sandwich today. Chipotle is offering teachers a buy one, get one free burrito, bowl, salad, or order of tacos today from 4 p.m. until close.

Teachers who are shopping for a professional wardrobe, can also take advantage of some wonderful savings at a few of my favorite stores. Loft, J. Crew, and Vineyard Vines all offer teacher discounts of 20% on in store purchases with your school identification.

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” ― William Arthur Ward

Tame Your Mane

2013-05-06T10:23:00.000-04:00

I've been blessed with wavy, curly, thick hair that is incredibly difficult to manage these days. During the late 80s, it was the best type hair to have! In the time of hot rollers and big hair, I could have bouncy, curly hair without any problem. I do have to confess that I still have some old school hot rollers that I just can't bear to toss because I'm so attached to them! Ha!

Flash forward to 2013 and it's a challenge for me to straighten my hair or blow it out at home. One of my favorite treats is getting my hair blown out, but that's not too practical for every day.

When my friends at Misikko offered to send me a Hana Straightening Iron to take for a test drive, I jumped at the opportunity.

I've tried many brands and straighteners and can tell you that this is one of the best. The Flat Iron arrived quickly and included many extra goodies in the box. The packaging was stunning and would make a fabulous gift. Every iron includes a pad and a carrying case. A brush and lots of other fun surprises added a pop of pink to the box. You'll be amazed the contents of the package that arrives with free shipping.

The Hana Flat Iron has an adjustable temperature setting that suits all types of hair. I used the hottest setting and have had amazing results. The iron literally seems to glide across my hair and I have not experienced any tangling or pulling. I straightened my hair much faster with this iron than with other brands I have used in the past.

The results speak for themselves. Silky, straight hair in very little time!

I've also used the Hana Professional Flat Iron to flip up the ends of my hair or to create loose curls. So versatile.

5 Monogram Must-Haves

2013-05-01T08:25:00.002-04:00

I love anything with a monogram! Since I'm going to be getting a new monogram soon, I've been looking at some fun new monogrammed goodies. Here are a few of my favorites:

The Wooden Script Monogram from Southern Nest looks gorgeous as a decorative wall hanging or would be an excellent addition to a door wreath.

The Monogrammed Soap Original Gift Set from 2 Preppy Girls would look perfect in a guest bathroom. I love it that the design is carved into the soap, not engraved. This means that the design will last for quite a while.

Sparkle and shine at a dinner party with Monogrammed Silver Chargers. They're elegant and the price is amazing!

If I had to pick my favorite season, without a doubt it would be summer. I'm loving this Personalized Beach Towel for visits to the pool and beach. You'll always know which towel is yours!

Outdoor entertaining is a summertime staple at my house. Monogrammed Acrylic Serveware from Horchow is elegant, yet sturdy. It's safe and won't break by the pool or deck.

What is your favorite thing to monogram?

Easy Strawberry Tart

2013-04-30T06:00:00.000-04:00

"You really shouldn't make this tart anymore. If you do, I'm going to end up eating the entire cake pan by myself!"

I'm always looking for easy and delicious recipes, especially for summer events. I originally planned to make a strawberry lemonade cake in a Fleur de Lis Nordic Ware this weekend, but when I saw the fresh strawberries at the market, decided to change my recipe. And it's a good thing. The tart was a huge hit both at home and at the potluck dinner I attended.

Today, I'm going to share a delicious treat with you that is so easy! The cookie crust of this Strawberry Tart adds texture to the sweet filling.

The tart is a perfect dessert to make ahead of time for parties.

Here's what ingredients you will need for this easy recipe:
- Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough
- 8 oz. Whipped Cream Cheese
- A tub of Cool Whip
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp. vanilla

Preparation:
1. Prepare a baking pan with a small amount of cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Press the cookie dough into the pan. (You can see from the picture that my dough was not perfectly spread. No worries! It will work out perfectly and rise up about half an inch while it bakes.)
3. Bake the cookie dough for about 12 minutes at 350 degrees.
4. After the dough is completely cooled, you can add the filling.
5. Mix cream cheese, Cool Whip, sugar, and vanilla at a low speed on your mixer.
6. Add strawberries (or the fruit of your choice) and chill in the fridge.

Cookie dough is ready to bake!

The whipped topping is light and fluffy on top of a cookie crust.

Enjoy the delicious seasonal fruit!

Ready to serve.

Nautical Bridal Shower

2013-04-29T07:12:00.000-04:00

Family and friends honored me this weekend with a delightful bridal shower. Two of my aunts traveled quite a distance for the luncheon and I was so touched to see so many people there.

Here are some of the gifts I opened. So many lovely things. I especially liked the beautiful floral packaging from my Aunt Lois and the nautical wrapping with personalized name tags that my mother made. Of course, I will put the Lilly Pulitzer gift bags to good use!

Fresh flowers in a vintage vase complement the old fashioned nautical lace doilies on each table. At the end of the luncheon, guests were invited to take a shell from the table to place in a Pottery Barn container filled half way with sand and a candle. My shower guests helped to make a centerpiece that now decorates a table in the formal living room! Such a clever idea.

My sister came from North Carolina to host the shower! So sweet of her. She thought of every detail and made the day special. Doesn't she look a lot like Alexia?

Place cards at each table helped guests find their table. Color coded place cards helped the waitstaff know who got which entree. I love the shell place card holders.

One of the shower games was so clever and unique. Guests scratched off a card found at their place setting to see if they had won a prize!

My soon to be sister in law brought a beautiful anchor cake! It was so delicious and was worth every calorie.

Thank you to everyone who was a part of this incredibly special day!

Worth the Wait In Line

2013-04-26T08:29:00.003-04:00

Good things come to those who wait...or better yet, the early bird catches the worm.

In this case early birds can scoop up some pretty substantial deals at J. Crew Factory stores this weekend. The entire store is 50% off! The newest summer goodies just hit stores a week or so ago, so it's a great time to stock up on everything you'll need for the warm weather.

The last time the factory stores had a sale like this, there were lines to get into the store, lines for dressing rooms, and lines to pay for your purchase. But it's so worth it. Here was the line at the Leesburg, Virginia store shortly after they opened their doors.

So shop early and shop often! Stop back here to leave a comment and let me know what great deals you find. I'd love to hear about what you bought.

Nautical Invitation

2013-04-25T07:22:00.001-04:00

It's in the mail! The wedding invitations are in the mail and I'm so thrilled to share the design with you. After pouring through dozens of designs and different kinds of paper, I felt a little overwhelmed with the choices. I knew that I wanted a nautical theme and planned to incorporate navy and pink into the invitation.

Luckily, my mother is amazing when it comes to all things paper. We're actually paper aficionadas and adore beautiful paper. I had considered letterpress invitations, but since our wedding is relatively small, it didn't make sense to go through the process of letterpress for a small number of invitations. I knew that I also wanted to personalize the invitations to a high degree.

My mother designed and made the invitations. This allowed us to choose just the right paper and special touches. The invitation has an inner and an outer envelope. I love the clean look of a wedding invitation with two envelopes. A navy blue grosgrain ribbon embellishes this two layer combination of delicate vellum and Crane paper. Did you know that you can use Crane paper and envelopes for all of your personal printing needs? It's amazing quality and allows you a lot of personal freedom to use your own design.

I also really love the pink anchor and plan to incorporate the design into other printable items for the wedding.

Each guest receives a personalized response card. We're offering quite a few menu choices to our guests. What else would we serve at a summer Maryland wedding besides crab cakes and other delicious options, right? The reply cards are all personalized in order to help us track response cards easily. Organizing the place cards will be a breeze. If you've ever had a guest send a reply card without a name, you'll appreciate the value of this personalized touch!

Stay tuned for more fun details about the wedding. Planning for the final touches is in full swing now. This weekend is my bridal shower and I am so eager to spend the day with family and friends.

When to Wear White

2013-04-24T08:57:00.002-04:00

Memorial Day until Labor Day.

It's not a lot of time at all. If I look at my wardrobe, it makes me think that I should move to a warmer climate. There are enough shifts and pretty dresses to change clothes several times a day during the summer without repeating an outfit. Meanwhile, the weather in Maryland is not cooperating with me lately and I only seem to be able to wear summer clothes from May until early September.

And don't get me started on the white. I love the look of crisp white jeans, especially when they're paired with a pretty nautical blouse or with a bright top. So I decided to change a long standing rule and break out the white before Memorial Day. I figure that Maryland is close enough to being a southern state that it would be ok. My new rule is that I'll start to wear white after Easter.

Imagine the possibilities...crisp white jeans...white on white Jack Rogers Navajo sandals...a pretty white sundress...

Here's the outfit that inspired me to wear white now:

I'm wearing white jeans and a nautical anchor top, both from J. Crew. I bought the top last year in J. Crew, but there's a very similar top right now in J. Crew Factory stores. The shoes are Milly for Sperry Top Sider. Bangles always add a pop of color to my outfit. Today's bangles are from knot:ical and Fornash.

When do you pull the pretty whites out of your closet?

Day of Kitchen Flash Sale

2013-04-23T10:17:00.003-04:00

The One Kings Lane Day of Kitchen sale is here just in time for Spring! This is one of the best sales of the year because of the variety of high quality kitchen items One Kings Lane offers! Below are some of my favorite sales they are hosting. Remember, One Kings Lane sales only last 72 hours so when you see an item you love you should definitely buy it! This Day Of Kitchen sale is live from today-4/26. Let me know what you wind up getting to make your space ready for spring time!

The Spring Table Sale at One Kings Lane
Set a table that blooms with these light, bright entertaining necessities. Full of floral dishes, playfully printed linens, and vibrant flatware, we’ve got something to freshen up every spring soiree. I'm a huge fan of chevron stripes and adore this tablescape.

The Composed Counter Sale at One Kings Lane
From cookware inherited for your first apartment to the bone white china on your wedding registry, a fully-equipped kitchen is a highly-personal thing of beauty. For those missing a few key pieces, we've created a collection of kitchen essentials, perfect for function, family, and entertaining. Add a pop of color to your kitchen with these gorgeous choices.

Entertaining Essentials Sale at One Kings Lane
Warm days and balmy nights -- this season is just made for entertaining. Whether you're planning a casual alfresco brunch or an elaborate outdoor party, these colorful wine glasses, tumblers, coasters and cake stands make every occasion stylish and chic. Fabulous!

The Eat-In Kitchen Sale at One Kings Lane
The eat-in kitchen is the heart and soul of the home. It’s where friends and family gather, meals are prepped and served, and memories are made. We selected our favorite kitchen and dining finds, from furniture to table linens, so you can create your own freshly-styled, functional eat-in kitchen.

Let me know what goodies you find in today's sale!

Hibiscus Water

2013-04-19T11:46:00.001-04:00

After I posted a picture of my delicious hibiscus water in a Lilly Pulitzer pitcher on my Instagram account, many people asked how they could make this delicious drink at home. It's very easy to prepare. I usually have a pitcher of this prepared in my fridge at all times.

I first discovered this delightful treat when I lived in Mexico. Colorful glass jars of flavored waters line the market stalls and can be found in almost every home. In addition to being incredibly delicious, hibiscus water does not have any calories and is rich in antioxidants. It's also a diuretic (adios summer bloating from the heat!) and promotes good kidney health.

First, you'll need to get some dried hibiscus flowers. You can buy these in a package in the international section of your local grocery store. I buy them loose at a local market. It only takes a handful of the flowers to make a gallon or so of water. I've seen other recipes that tell you to use a cup of flowers, but it's not necessary. Hibiscus is incredibly inexpensive. A huge bag is only a few dollars.

Boil a few cups of water. Steep the flowers in the hot water for about 10 minutes. The water turns a deep reddish pink color almost immediately. The flowers are very potent! Hibiscus does stain, so be careful.

Now you're ready to make the hibiscus water. I prepared a cute little lime jug from the Dollar Spot at Target with cold water and a few ice cubes. This helps to cool the hibiscus quickly.

Using a strainer to collect the hibiscus flowers from the pot, pour the steeped hibiscus flower liquid into the jug with the cold water and ice.

Hibiscus water is a little bit tart, so you may want to add a touch of sugar. I also enjoy this with a squeeze of lime.

Enjoy!

Pink and Green Update!

2013-04-18T06:06:00.003-04:00

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Hello! Life has been such a whirlwind that I've neglected my sweet little blog for a while. Many wonderful readers have reached out to me to ask if everything is ok in my pink and green world since I had not posted.

Well, let me tell you. So many good things are happening and I'm sorry that I have not shared them with you sooner. On top of the fun wedding planning, J and I found the most adorable home and started making it our own this past weekend with the big move. So you will probably see quite a few decorating posts from me in the future and of course, I'd love to get your input. Packing and moving are overwhelming tasks that have kept me busy, but now the fun part begins. Unpacking and decorating are fun!

Here's a glimpse of our new house...

The minnies are busy too, with lots of activities at school and outside of school. Natalia performs in Beauty and the Beast this weekend and is thrilled to be on stage for another play. She loves theater. For the past two weeks, the cast has had practices every day from 4-9 in the evening. Natalia has been working hard to do all of her homework, sleep, and practice and I'm so proud of her diligence. She's maintaining straight A's with this rigorous schedule. Whew!

I'm also spending quite a bit of time getting my AP Spanish students ready for the AP exam. If you're a parent of a high school student or have taken any AP courses, you know what a huge task this is. Truly, the AP tests are probably more difficult than many college courses and in the case of the Spanish test, reflect a 300 or 400 level Spanish course. My students have been coming to review sessions after school and on Saturdays to practice as much as they possibly can. Wish them luck and send happy thoughts their way!

Squeeze a few orthodontist appointments in there and that's my life in a nutshell.

Good things are happening and I promise to update you about them on a more regular basis along with the usual dose of fashion and fun.

Have a great day!

Lilly Pulitzer Bridal Shower!

2013-03-18T08:29:00.000-04:00

My sister and soon to be sister in law are organizing a bridal shower for me! This weekend, I got a sneak preview of the invitations that they are sending. My mother designed the invitation using Lilly Pulitzer's Fallin' In Love print. It suits the pink and navy nautical theme that we have chosen for the wedding.

Here's what she created for this special occasion...I especially love the color border on the envelope. So pretty!

I'm so eager to see what they have planned. It's so exciting and I am truly blessed to have so many people in my life who are making this time in my life so special. When people ask about wedding plans or offer their help, I am touched by their kindness. Love!

Have a wonderful day!

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

2013-03-12T05:43:00.002-04:00

Cheese balls always make a great choice to take to a party or to serve to guests. Although I love cheese, it gets a bit boring to always take the same old recipe, however tried and true, to every event.

So at the suggestion of the minnies, I tried my hand at a sweet cheese treat! This is so rich and delicious that it's sure to be a favorite choice for the children and the adults.

Here's how you can make this easy chocolate chip cheese ball for your next party!

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Optional:
Cherry for garnish, 3/4 cup finely chopped nuts or almond slivers

Directions
1. Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth in a bowl.
2. Mix in the confectioners' sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Gently stir in the chocolate chips.
3. Cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
4. Work the chilled cream cheese mixture into a round, ball shape.

I chose to garnish the chocolate chip cheese ball with a cherry. Alternatively, you may want to coat the cheese ball in nuts or almonds. I think that coconut would also be delicious.

I served this with chocolate swirl cookies, but graham crackers or animal crackers are another perfect choice for this sweet treat.

Try this at home and let me know what you think!

Have a great day!

Restaurant Week & Early Spring

2013-03-11T10:18:00.002-04:00

In Maryland, anything can happen in the spring. Last week is a perfect example of the crazy spring weather in the Old Line State. The minnies and I enjoyed a snow day on Wednesday and were loving the 65 degree weather on Saturday. Signs of spring are everywhere and we decided to take a stroll through the historic district downtown to soak up the sunshine!

Beautiful flowers sprout from the dry grass that still looks brown from the winter.

Little secret gardens are everywhere! Natalia and Alexia are taking a break from our walk. Natalia is wearing a dress from Nordstrom and sparkle Sperrys. Alexia is wearing a blouse from Kayce Hughes with Target jeans and pink UGGS.

To make out adventure even sweeter, we decided to visit Isabella's, one of my favorite local tapas restaurants. It was Restaurant Week, too, and the pre-selected menu was fabulous. I chose the 3 course lunch that started with fried asparagus in a sweet aioli sauce. Unfortunately, the minnies started to devour the asparagus before I could snap a picture for you. This is one of our favorite tapas choices at Isabella's. So delicious.

The next course was a filet mignon in a coffee reduction glaze, served with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Perfection.

For dessert, we all chose the ice cream sampler. The homemade ice creams included Oreo, butter pecan, banana, strawberry, spice cake, and coffee. Needless to say, those didn't last long on our plates.

I love visiting favorite restaurants and trying new foods at new restaurants during Restaurant Week. It's a great value and offers a chance to try new combinations or menu items that you would not have considered.

After our lunch, we continued our stroll through town, dotting in and out of antique shops. The minnies love to look for antiques and are experts at finding my favorite collectibles. "Look, Mommy, there's a blue Wedgwood plate. And over there is a Herend bunny. Do you need more Fenton glass?" Too funny!

How did you enjoy this weekend?

Bellevue Newport Monogram Necklace Giveaway

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Happy Friday! Hope you had a great week. Here's a way to start your weekend with a smile. My sweet friends at Bellevue Newport are sponsoring a fantastic giveaway for Maryland Pink and Green readers. I first found Bellevue Newport on Facebook and love their gorgeous jewelry designs. Shipping is always free and the prices are so reasonable.

Here's what I'm loving right now from Bellevue Newport.

The Bitsy Bow Studs in Turquoise will match all of my spring wardrobe and are so sweet and delicate.

Everyone needs a pair of pink stud earrings in her jewelry wardrobe. The bright pink Worth Avenue Studs are practically a neutral color for my clothing.

Change your bag to match your outfit or your mood! I adore the Country Club Clutch in gorgeous green. Although you can personalize your monogram with any color thread, I'd stick with pink.

Everything is better with a monogram! I love the Acrylic Monogram Necklace. Available in several colors and monogram styles, you can personalize your design to make it fit your personality. These make great gifts, but you may also want to treat yourself.

My minnies are eagerly awaiting their monogram necklaces and can't wait to wear them with their spring clothing.

My friends at Bellevue Newport have a special treat for you! Two lucky winners will receive an acrylic monogram necklace in their choice of color and style. There are several ways to enter to win.

First, you must be a follower of this blog through Google, like this page on Facebook, or be an email subscriber. This is mandatory and will be verified.

Enter to win!

1. Visit Bellevue Newport's webpage and leave a comment on this blog below this post to let me know what your favorite product is.

2. Share this giveaway on Facebook in one of two ways. Visit Maryland Pink and Green on Facebook and use the share button to tell your friends about this fun opportunity. Alternatively, you can use the share buttons at the bottom of the page to share with your friends on Facebook. Please leave a comment on my Facebook page or below this post to receive your extra entry.

Please be sure to include your email address or Facebook account so that I can notify you if you're a winner!

The contest is open to U.S. residents aged 18 and above. The contest ends on Friday, March 15 at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced 48 hours after the end of the giveaway.

Mint Green: Cool and Calm

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If you're looking for a departure from the traditional pastel hues for spring, mint green might be an option for you. The color is fresh and cool, complementing almost every skin tone. Pair mint green with any neutral shade like beige, white, or black for a refined look. I'm also loving mint green with the resurgence of chambray that seems to be everywhere this spring. With navy blue, mint green looks preppy and classic.

Whatever look you choose, you're going to be wearing green in style!

Here are some of my favorite mint green finds.

J Crew brings us the Collection Cafe Capri in Green Glimmer Tweed. These pants can be dressy or casual depending on how you wear them and are gorgeous.

The Loft's Color Pop Super Skinny Jeans are flattering and fit true to size. With just a little bit of stretch, they're a comfortable choice for every day. Loft frequently offers special discounts and sales, so watch for these at an even better price point. In addition, if you're a teacher register for LOFT Teacher Discount Program to get 15% off regularly priced merchandise.

Nail polish is a fun and easy way to color. I am loving the Essie Mint Candy Apple Nail Polish. My minnies want their nails this color for St. Patrick's Day!

C Wonder's Hobo Bag Suede Tassle Hobo in Pistachio is gorgeous and refined. Add a pop of pastel color to any outfit.

I'm on my feet all day and love finding shoes that look great and are comfortable. Vince Camuto's flats don't scrape, rub, or hurt my feet like some of my other flats from well known designers do. The Vince Camuto Ellen Ballet Flats in Mint Green are gorgeous and comfy. That's a winning combination!

How are you wearing mint green this spring?