Forks on the Right

Forks on the Right : May 2014

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Blurred Lines


Well, folks, we’ve jumped from a brutal winter straight into summer and just skipped spring all together (maybe we had like a week of it?). Seasons seem to blur together (or just completely disappear), and it can be hard to know what to expect, so my wardrobe and I live by this rule: always dress in layers. I’ve said it before (and written about it HERE). Layering isn’t just a cool weather concept; I live by it year round. It may be humid & hot outside, but as soon as you step into the AC you’re wishing you had a parka (ok, maybe just a light sweater but I digress).

Rule #2 for today: build your wardrobe around pieces that will work in every season. I made this kimono last fall and paired it with a long sleeve tee and denim all winter. Now that warm weather is here, it’s crop tops and cut-offs. Ankle boots are also great shoes all year, and there are tons of options to choose from. So what are some of your year round favorite pieces?

XO – Courtney

kimono [handmade] // crop top [h&m] // shorts [similar here] // 
shoes [similar here] // hat [h&m] // necklace [stella & dot]


[photo credit: zack hardy]

Monday, May 26, 2014

Chillin & Grillin


Summer is unofficially here, aka, grilling season. Nothing better than grilling out by the pool…or at the beach…or anywhere for no reason at all. If you’re looking for something new, easy, & quick to try on the grill, then read on.

How about Grilled Pizza?! Even a beginner griller can manage this one. (Seriously…this was the first time I used a grill…with my Dad’s expert help and supervision, of course.) Grab some premade pizza dough (or DIY) and your favorite pizza toppings, and you will essentially just throw it all on the grill for a few minutes. (See below for the full recipe.) The pizza has similarities to that of a wood-fire pizza. And don’t worry about the black grill marks on the crust, it won’t taste burnt! One tip: Go easy on the toppings. We didn’t have any problems because I like a pretty simple pizza anyway, but I can imagine that too many toppings would prove difficult when sliding and removing the pizza on and off the grill. I just know you’re gonna love this recipe!

XO – Courtney



Thursday, May 22, 2014

The Fashion Frenemy Returns: Summer Edition


And the sneaker wedges are back. (See their first appearance HERE.) I'm still trying to convert all the haters, and prove that the sneaker wedge is a versatile piece (and comfortable necessity) for every women's wardrobe. I mentioned in my first post that I couldn't wait to rock them with some cut-offs, and here we are.

Now I've also mentioned several times how I'll be living in kimonos and cut-offs this summer, but I'm gonna add h&m tanks to that list too. Every summer I stock up on multiple colors (and about 10 white ones). They are long, so they work great as a swim cover up, tucked in, with leggings, for layering, or all tied up. This year they've added some cute neutral prints too (yes, leopard and stripes are nuetral). The tanks are fairly sheer, so I like to pair them with a neon bralette or bandeau. And finally...hats are a must when the summer sun is shining. Love a good straw one and need to invest in a few more.

XO - Courtney

tank [h&m] // neon bralette [h&m] // shorts [forever 21] // 
shoes [target, old -- love these] // hat [love this]


[photo credit: zack hardy]

Monday, May 19, 2014

Gotta, Wanna, Needa, Getta

Saturday morning yard sales are not for the faint of heart. Zack & I, along with my parents and the rest of our cul-de-sac, woke up at the crack of dawn this past Saturday for a yard sale. Zack and I are basically selling off as much as we can to prepare for our move to California, while my parents (and everyone else) were getting rid of all that stuff that we all somehow accumulate over the years.

6am wake up calls (especially on a Saturday) call for a breakfast treat: Knock-Off BoBerry Biscuits. This can require as little or as much work as your want it. I wanted little work because I can guarantee you my brain was not awake at that hour. Pillsbury now has Blueberry Grands, and all you need to do is whip up a powdered sugar glaze, and you’ve got yourself a pretty fair contender with the Bojangles BoBerry Biscuit.

If you’re not from the South, then you’ve probably never heard of or had Bojangles, so this is your lucky day. If you’re like me and have moved or plan to move somewhere where there are no Bojangles then again I say, this is your lucky day!

And to conclude this post, it’s time for a pretty big announcement. We’ve finally set a moving date. In exactly 3 weeks from today, Zack, our friend Scott, and I will start our 6-day drive to Los Angeles, California. We’re taking our time and plan to enjoy the sights and cities along the way. Super pumped to share the journey with you!

XOCourtney

PS – I gotta give a shout out to Brittany Hall. We actually made this for the first time a few weeks ago with hopes that we were recreating the BoBerry Biscuit. It was spot on.



Thursday, May 15, 2014

#tbt


Another DIY (Remember my sew it or trash it rule? If you missed that post you can catch up HERE) and a bit of a Throwback Thursday too.  This look is 100% inspired from a look from my Senior Collection at NCSU. I loved this outfit in my line, but my model was much smaller than me. I had extra lace fabric and I kept telling myself I would make a skirt to fit me…2 years later and it finally happened. The crop top I made for the show fit me, but it had a losing battle with the dryer and shrunk like 10 sizes (seriously, a doll could have worn it). Note to self: Always pre-wash fabric. I’m generally good at doing that but….not that time apparently. You can check out the look and the rest of the collection HERE.

XO – Courtney

top [h&m] // skirt [handmade] // shoes [old, love these] // hat [old, similar here] // 
jewelry [assorted]

Monday, May 12, 2014

Join the Club


I love when a meal is full of flavor and doesn’t take that long to pull together.  If you feel the same then welcome to the club! You’ll be able to whip these bad boys up in less than 30 minutes: Ranch Club Roll Ups (recipe below).


A little chicken, cheese, and bacon all rolled up in Crescent Roll Dough, and you’ve got it! And don’t forget the Ranch! Now, you could switch that up and have yourself a Honey Mustard Roll Up or a BBQ Roll Up…whatever sauce you prefer.  Flakey, cheesy, and bacon-y…you just cant go wrong with that!

XO – Courtney





Thursday, May 8, 2014

Finding Neverland


Growing up has its perks, but don’t we all wish we could have a day to be a child again? Adulthood comes with some great benefits….but I think every positive has a negative. Let me break it down briefly:

Pro: Freedom!
Con: Responsibilities. Bills. Etc.

Pro: You buy your own groceries now, so eat what you want. Mom can’t say “No” to that 
        snack you’re craving.
Con: You have to buy your own groceries now…and you have to say “No” to yourself cuz 
        that snack will make you fat…guess Mom knew what she was talking about.

Pro: Margaritas. Wine. Alcohol. A whole new world of flavor coming your way.
Con: A whole new word enters your vocabulary: hangover.

Now I’m not saying growing up is bad, it’s just another adventure of life, but we’ve all got to remember to embrace our inner child every now and then. I think one of the simplest ways to do this is through what you wear.  Start with some good old classic Chuck Taylors (yes, they are still a huge trend, but who isn’t reminded of there childhood when they slip on a pair of Chucks?). Up next for me: an overall inspired dress. Lucky for us, overalls are popping up everywhere this spring. I haven’t found a pair that I love on myself yet, but this overall-esque dress did the trick. And of course I layered my look with a chambray top. Now, for the icing on the cake, make sure you throw on a whimsical accessory. For me, that was a pair of bold, heart-shaped sunnies.

How do you “get in touch with your inner child?”

XO – Courtney

 
dress [target, similar here] // tank [h&m] // top [the limited] // shoes [chuck taylors] // sunnies [love these]


[photo credit: zack hardy]

Monday, May 5, 2014

Mac & Cheese Mug


Happy Cinco de Mayo! If you're looking for a delicious Mexican inspired dish…well…this blog post is not it…unless you use a Mexican Cheese blend…(BUT you can check out my post from a few weeks ago HERE for some bangin’ recipes if you’re planning a fiesta).

Now, I’m sure you’re sick of hearing about me moving & packing, but it’s consuming my life right now, so bear with me just a little longer.

Mac & Cheese is my favorite food (Maybe I should have included this in my post about my favorite things). And sometimes (this week especially) I need a food that I can whip up in 10 minutes or less because life gets busy, and cooking a full out feast isn’t always an option (and, as of right now, most of my kitchen is packed in a box).

Enter: Mac & Cheese Mug.

Ten minutes, 3 ingredients, 1 mug, & 1 spoon (or for...or spork) are all you need, and you’ll have the cheesiest mac & cheese at your fingertips. Check out the full recipe below!

XO Courtney


Thursday, May 1, 2014

Spring Cleaning & Crafting


Between the chaos of packing & moving (plus we already turned off the cable & internet), I’ve found myself doing a lot of sewing.  And I’ve somehow convinced myself that this isn’t procrastinating (but it is).

I have (had) a trunk FULL of fabric. Overflowing, really. I began digging through everything and made a rather large “keep” pile and an even larger “trash it” pile. I looked at my “keep” pile and knew I had to do a little more downsizing, so two piles became three with a new “sew it or trash it” pile. SEW I told myself (haha…get it? I love puns) I had to make something with this pile before I move, or it’s going in the trash.

Well, I’ve been sticking to that, and this little faux romper is one (technically two) of the results. It’s actually a top and a pair of shorts, so I can wear them as separates too. Love multifunctional clothing.

Getting rid of things can be hard, even something like fabric can sometimes be sentimental, but it feels good to really de-clutter.  Of course a few knick-knacks are making the move, but I’m trying to truly justify everything I pack. Next I’ll be tackling my closet, and I won’t lie, I’m a little terrified, but clothes, for the most part, are replaceable (plus an excuse to shop in the future!), and that’s what I’ll be chanting to myself during that endeavor.

XO – Courtney

top & shorts [handmade] // shoes [old, love these] // belt [old]


[photo credit: zack hardy]