Hi Friends! I’m Natalie Mason. I live in Charleston, SC and I am mom to Sterling 12 , Frances Moon 8 and our mini golden doodle Dolly.

LEARN MORE

RECIPES

Browse my easy, family-friendly recipes and get some dinner inspiration!

FASHION

Check out my outfit ideas and family finds for inspiration.

BEAUTY

My best beauty tips and tricks for glowing skin and shiny hair.

SHOP LTK

Visiting Charleston?

check out my faves!

Weekend Happenings

Jul 1, 2013

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a fab weekend. We had a lovely time in Charlotte and I am headed back to Charleston solo. My parents offered to watch Sterling for a few days for me so I could finally paint our den and get some work done. I have not been by myself for three days in a row since before Sterling was born- I am seriously worried I am going to be lonely. I have attachment issues, but I know it is good for both of us to spend some time apart.  So wish me luck in my 3 solo days.

Now on to our weekend.  We spent alot of time with my sweet nephew Finley.  I honestly can’t get enough of him.  He is just the sweetest baby ever- much more chill than Sterling ever was!  I got alot of practice in for juggling two kids and let me tell you this is going to be interesting!

I reached my 19th week of pregnancy this past week, this week marks my official halfway point. Crazy, I remember the second half of my pregnancy with Sterling flying by so I guess I need to get on some nursery decorating.

Did a little shopping with my mom and scored this fabulous jacket at JCrew.  It was originally $140 and I got it for $20 (I talked my mom into getting herself one too).  I love deals like that!

It is light weight and reminded a bit of a Chanel jacket.

Of course we could not forget my sweet little man.  I swear shopping for boys age 3 and up is nearly impossible, the pickings are slim. Crewcuts is honestly my favorite place to shop for him and really the only place we shop.  He was very proud of his picks:)

This is what was in Sterling’s shopping bag, he wore his whole ensemble to church.

{Gingham Shirt, White Shorts, Leather Driving Mocs}

We also got him this Neon Sweatshirt which is bright orange and the cutest thing ever on! Can you tell orange is Sterling’s new favorite color?

I got a much needed pedi and used Essie’s Bachelorette Bash.  The perfect pink for Summer.  Still rocking my Enzo Snakeskin Sandals, I have certainly gotten my moneys worth out of them!

While I was getting my nails done I browsed Oprahs’ magazine which if I am being honest was really boring.  Not much I wanted to read, but I did come across this amazing salad dressing recipe from her chef.  He said he uses it on Arugula salads and quinoa.  It sounded so delicious to me.

and because it is Monday and I have to admit I have really been missing my wine, this made me laugh so hard!

xoxo

PREVIOUS POST

NEXT POST

+ view comments

Weekend Happenings

Dec 10, 2012

Can ya’ll believe Christmas Eve is two weeks from today?  Pure craziness I tell you. 

Matt’s best friend from Charlotte and his fiance stayed with us for the weekend and we had such a great time.   She is a wine rep (hello dream job) so we drank some fabulous wine all weekend.  We started Friday night off with a bottle of Tattinger Champagne and it was amazing.  I may never drink the cheap stuff again.  I have been spoiled, thank you Alice.

Saturday we took Sterling to see Santa at the Yacht Club.  My child does not like Santa.  Check out his face- pretty priceless.  I think it is the beard, he does not like men with beards.  And this Santa’s beard was huge and obviously fake.

Here is our picture from last year.  We are starting to build a pretty impressive collection of I hate Santa pictures.

Somehow the past two years I have been roped into to sitting on Santa’s lap.  Santa this year was extra frisky.  He was insistent I sit on his lap too and then he proceeded to rub my back.  Akward…..

This is us having a moment.  I should have told him what I really want for Christmas is a Goyard bag.

Saturday night we had a fabulous dinner out at High Cotton.  It had been years since I ate there and it did not disappoint.

 I rocked my Joie Dress again.  Telling you such a perfect LBD.

This is Matt’s standard face when he doesn’t want to take a picture.  Total cheeseball.


In other news did ya’ll see Serena and Lily is having 25% off everything online!!  Just use code SHIPTODAY25

 Thinking it is a sign I need to order these things I have been eyeing.
{Coro Glasses, Nova Napkins,  Throw Pillows,  HA Kids Fish PJs, Bookends}

Have a great Monday.  I am off to the gym for the first time in weeks, seriously it has been awhile since this body got a good workout.  I have been way to busy eating, drinking,  and watching Lifetime Christmas movies to work out:)

PREVIOUS POST

NEXT POST

+ view comments

Weekend Happenings

Oct 8, 2012

Good Monday Morning Friends.  Or not really in our house,  you see my sweet baby is sick and we are off to the doctor this AM.  Hoping for some meds and a quick recovery for him- and of course I am praying we all don’t catch it! 

This weekend I was pretty much a single mom since Matt was gone all day at the game Saturday (he left at 10 and rolled home at 4am)  and then pretty much incapacitated Sunday due to all the fun he had at the game- if you know what I mean!  It was not a bad weekend just didn’t feel like a true weekend since I was solo most of the time.

A few highlights:

Two beauties that I have been eyeing arrived on my doorsteps this weekend.  The Tom Ford Coffee Table book which I have been wanting forever.  This is a seriously gorgeous coffee table book.  I am so darn happy to add it to my collection.

And for my cookbook collection: The Sprouted Kitchen. I have really been trying to eat healthier and I can tell such a difference. I have more energy and just feel better about myself. This cookbook came highly recommended. It is filled with some amazing looking healthy recipes I can’t wait to try.

This recipe from the cookbook was featured in Bon Appetit.  How delish does this Ranchero Tostada look?  It is top on my list of must make dishes out of the cookbook.

I finally busted out some fall colored jeans.

{J Brand Mid Rise Skinny Jeans in Bourbon}

Saturday I did manage to get a few solo hours thanks to my in-laws.  I met up with my sister in law and a good friend for some afternoon wine and tasty chaurcuterie at BIN152.  All you locals and peeps visiting Charleston,  this wine bar is my favorite.  The owner is so knowledgeable and they have the best selection of cheeses and meats.  Check out our platter.


Here is what I wore for our ladies afternoon:

{Joie Marlo Blouse, Pleasure Doing Business Bandage Skirt}

I have to admit I never thought I would be a bandage skirt type of girl.   I ordered this skirt while I was pregnant with Sterling- stupid idea,  I could not fit my fat ass in it while pregnant, but now I love it.  It really sucks you in (like spanx) and looks so cute with looser blouses.  Get on the bandage bandwagon for realz.  I have the Charcoal color but it comes in several different options.

{Pleasure Doing Business 5 Band Skirt}

And I will say it again the Joie Marlo Blouse is perfection.  I want one in every color.  I wear mine all the time.

Sunday Matt rallied long enough to hit up the Pumpkin Patch.  Sterling was so excited.  We came home with 4 pumpkins!  I think we may do a painting project with a few of the smaller ones.

We tried to get a family picture and of course this is how it turned out. Typical.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

xoxo

PREVIOUS POST

NEXT POST

+ view comments

Weekend Happenings

Apr 23, 2012

I just got back from visiting my parents yesterday afternoon and my house is a wreck! I love going out of town but I sure do hate unpacking!
I did a little shopping while I was home and found the Joie Blouse I blogged about a few weeks ago. She is even better in person. Love the fit and the black and white pattern goes with everything! It especially looks great with my colored jeans. The jeans are J Brand and my newest obsession. They fit great and they are the perfect blush color that goes with everything!
{Joie Madera Dot Blouse, J Brand 811 Skinny Jeans}

I guess I love this black and white pattern because I found these two images of fabric I had saved that I was considering for recovering my wingback chairs. It looks almost identical to the blouse pattern.  The fabric is Ground Works Confetti by Lee Jofa.

While I was home I attended a bridal shower for my dear friend Jenna. It was so fun to see my old my friends. A few of us have been friends since Junior High!  Here is one picture from the shower of all of us.   Jenna the Bride to be is to the left of me.  So excited for her wedding in June.

My dress may look familiar because it is the Ann Taylor Dress I blogged about Thursday. I am really loving it- and thanks to all who gave me the heads up about the 40% off. I got a real steal on it!

My little man has quite the head of curls and I love it. Problem is it is starting to get a little too long. When it is wet it is a full blown mullet.  He needs a haircut bad , but it just makes me sad to cut these sweet curls.

I always find great new wines when I am home visiting my parents because they love wine as much as I do. This Sauvignon Blanc called Glazebrook was so good. Retails for around $14. For those who live in Charlotte it is sold at Reids.

Sunday when I got home we went to the Yacht Club near our house for Happy Hour and saw this beautiful rainbow. It is hard to tell from my picture but it stretched across the whole sky, it was stunning and it was Sterling’s first rainbow!

I came across this quote over the weekend and it really made me think about being Thankful. It hit close to home (yep I am getting deep here again even after my deep post Friday).  Now every night as I say my prayers I am reminded to be thankful.

+ view comments

Weekend Happenings

Nov 7, 2011

How is it possibly Monday already?? I feel like our weekend flew by, probably because it was jam packed!

Friday we had a low key evening. I made a big pot of Paula Deen’s French Onion Soup. It is always amazing! The recipe is under my recipes tab if you have never made it. I highly recommend it, it is cheap, easy and so tasty!



Saturday we had some pictures done for our Christmas Cards by my girl Julia– sneak peek to come later. But here is one shot of Sterling in his adorable outfit. We had to bribe him to cooperate with raisins so if you get one of our Christmas cards it will mostly likely have a box of raisins in it!


Later that day we had a birthday party for one of Sterling’s friends Oliver. The kids got to go to the fire station and had so much fun. Not sure who loved it more Matt or Sterling! I’m not kidding Matt talked to the firefighters forever and was pretty eager to hop in the front seat!



Then I was off to a Bachelorette party for my dear friend, Alissa. We started with Champagne and pureed fresh strawberries- amazing. I highly recommend you try this instead of mimosas, such a great twist. My sister in law pureed the strawberries in her juicer but I think you could use a blender too.


Then we headed to my favorite wine bar Bin 152.

They have an amazing wine list and the most delicious Cheese and Charcuterie plates. I was in heaven.



Somehow later on into the evening I ended up doing alot of these! I mean that’s what Bachelorette Parties are all about right?? It was a good idea until the next morning….


We had such a fun time and I was super happy to have my sister in town to hang with us. She is always my partner in crime!




I will leave y’all one with one OOTD from this weekend. Ladies if you don’t have a Tory Burch Cardigan you need one. I have one in brown and red and they are my favorite sweaters. So versatile and always look chic!



Tory Burch Cardigan, JCrew Talia Blouse, Seven “The Skinny” Black Jeans, Micheal Kors Pumps
Oh, and thanks to the time change this nugget has woken up at 5:30 the past two days. I was not a happy Mommy this morning! But it is hard to stay angry at this sweet face. Any suggestions on getting kids adjusted to the time change are welcome!

PREVIOUS POST

NEXT POST

+ view comments

Weekend Happenings

Oct 17, 2011

We had the most lovely weekend. Here’s what went down.
We finally took Sterling to the Pumpkin Patch! He absolutely loved it and tried to lift all the big pumpkins. He was hilarious!





After the Pumpkin Patch my sister and I hit up a cute bar in West Ashley to grab a beer called the Oak Barrel Tavern. The owner was super nice and let us sample a few beers before we decided what we wanted. They had a great beer and wine selection with a laid back atmosphere. You must stop in this cute bar if you live in Charleston!


Sterling loved it at the Oak Barrel and the owner assured us we were not the first people to bring a baby to a bar in the afternoon!


We had friends over for dinner Saturday night and I made the Pioneer Woman’s Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos. They were amaze to say the least.


We also enjoyed some festive Halloween Drinks my brother-in-law made that were delightful! Recipes for both to come Wednesday!


Sunday we took a family boat ride. We are trying to get in as many boat rides as we can before it gets too cold!



And our lemon tree sprouted a big lemon! I can’t wait til we have tons of fresh lemons!


I hope you all enjoyed your weekends! xoxo

+ view comments

Weekend Happenings

Aug 15, 2011

This weekend I came home to Charlotte to attend a bridal shower and engagement party for one of my best friends, Lauren. We have known each other since Junior High and lived together for several years before I got married. I adore her and her finance Chris. I had the best time with all my girlfriends. This mama partied like a rock star. I thought I would share a few pictures and please excuse the quality of the pictures I only had my iPhone!





The bride to be Lauren is in the blue and Melissa one of my other best friends





My favorite ladies: Courtney, Melissa and Hope





You will know I have been overserved when I drink a beer. I am so not a beer drinker so this photo makes me laugh.





The happy couple and soon to be Mr. and Mrs!

I had to share this photo because Melissa’s shoes hurt her feet so bad she changed into these random Vans. I laughed so hard looking at her wearing these with her cocktail dress.





In other news, my little man has officially learned to feed himself. This is him enjoying his new favorite breakfast of cereal.





My in-laws were nice enough to keep him overnight Saturday since my parents had plans so it was so nice to get out and enjoy myself. Sterling loves staying with his Mimi and Pop and they take such good care of him. They are so sweet and always send me pictures of him when they keep him. They sent me this picture of him sleeping while I was out, how cute is this?? Looks like I have a reader on my hands. Not sure why the picture is fuzzy it kept uploading like that, but it is still cute.





While I was home my mom treated me to this fabulous Joie blouse. I can’t wait to wear it this fall. Now I just need my high waisted wide leg jeans to complete my fall look.





How were your weekends?

PREVIOUS POST

NEXT POST

+ view comments

Weekend Happenings

Jul 25, 2011

Here is what went down this weekend.

I went to the Farmers Market downtown in Marion Square. It was my first time going to the Farmers Market downtown, hard to believe since I have lived here almost 4 years now. I usually go to a local stand near my house but decided I wanted to check out the big one. It was fabulous there were so many stands with tasty food and drinks not mention all the gorgeous produce! I bought all these local goodies: tomatoes, baby heirloom tomatoes, fresh figs, butter beans, sweet potatoes, Russian kale, and peaches.

I can’t wait to cook some delish fresh meals with all these goodies. I am planning on making this sweet potato black bean salad from With Style and Grace with my potatoes.

and this Tomato Feta Salad from Barefoot Contessa with my baby heirlooms. My girl Ina never disappoints.


On Friday I made this tasty blueberry banana bread with some fruit I had that was about to go bad. We enjoyed it all weekend. Recipe to come Wednesday.

On Sunday we decided to clean under our sea grass rug in the den, per Matt’s suggestion. I really didn’t want to tackle this but I am glad we did. Our allergies have been horrible and we thought the rug might be the problem. We were right. This is what was under our rug. How disgusting! It was sand and dust and really was making us sick. The rug is living outside now while we look for a replacement. Sea Grass rugs are hard to vacuum and get really clean which is why I think all this was under our rug. Sorry to gross ya’ll out on a Monday.

We took care of this nugget who got really sick on Sunday. He ran a fever of 104 and really freaked me out. He was not a happy camper, and I had a very long night worrying about him and checking on him every hour. We are off to the Doctor this morning. Why is it that kids always get sick on the weekend when you can’t get in to see a doctor??


And we celebrated National Tequila Day on Sunday. We needed the tequila after our long day!

PREVIOUS POST

NEXT POST

+ view comments

Leave a Reply

  1. Cait says:

    wow what a big weekend girl- the pictures explain so much haha–woah and yest was national tequila day?! darn i missed out 😉

  2. Jill says:

    I hope little Sterling is feeling better! I made your Greek dip from last week and it was fantastic, I could of licked the plate!

  3. Aww hope the little man is feeling better. And cannot wait for you to share the recipe for that delicious looking bread!

  4. Awww. Poor Sterling. I hate fevers more than anything else. They scare me even though I know it's the bodies natural way to fight infection. My kids get them too but mostly in the winter.

    I love Hornitos tequila. 😉

  5. girl, don't feel bad. I was horrified at the things we found hiding under rugs and furniture when we moved. I guess just shifting things a bit to vacuum doesn't really cut it!

  6. I love the farmer's market in Charleston, especially the crepe truck, ok and the donuts. I will be down there this weekend and plan to hit it up!

  7. I hope Sterling is feeling better!

  8. Mandy says:

    Gosh I admire how often you cook and bake for your family. I really need some motivation to do that because i'm slackin in that department. I hope Sterling feels better, its awful when the kids are sick, I can totally relate. Hope your week gets better!

  9. i love that you celebrated national tequila day. How could I have missed the memo!! bummer!

    xoxo, chrissy
    The Perfect Palette

  10. I hope Sterling gets better!!!

  11. Carly says:

    I love the DT farmer's market. One of my favorite weekend activities!

    Hope Sterling starts to feel better soon!

  12. POOR STERLING! I hope he is feeling better soon…nothing is worse than a sick little one )c: And I cannot wait for the bread recipe…I'm salivating just thinking about it! (c:

  13. I hope Sterling is feeling better today! And I had no idea that it was National Tequila day! I'm glad you were able to celebrate for me!

    Becca
    http://blondeslogic.blogspot.com

  14. Taylor says:

    So sorry about the little one. Poor thing! Can't believe I didn't know it was national tequila day! Maybe I'll have a belated celebration tonight?

  15. Laura says:

    poor little man!! glad you all survived okay!! fevers are so scary!

  16. Val says:

    Looks, like a very tasty looking weekend! I went to our local farmers market this weekend and I left there feeling so happy…it's amazing what a good looking tomato can do for my soul!! I hope your little man feels better soon!!

  17. megan says:

    That dirt makes me think about the rediculous amount of dog hair that accumulates in our house. I'm always scared to lift the couch because I know the amount of hair under there will be equal the amount of another dog.
    Poor Sterling! I hope he feels better real soon!

  18. Few things…

    Poor Sterling (and you!). Hope he feels better too. Text me later so I know how it went at the dr. He's SO cute.
    We love the farmers market, Lilly likes the donuts 🙂
    Blueberry bread looks like heaven.
    And that rug is crazy! I have one too and am scared to look now. Though it's in a very low traffic room…

  19. Love the downtown farmers market. My husband still doesn't understand why I wouldn't just go to the grocery store though… Hope your little one is feeling better.

  20. Lisa Fergus says:

    okay first off, I hope your little man is okay!!!
    Can't wait for the blueberry bread recipe!! and those market picks look great! I love the one right up the street from my house!

    http://stilettosanddiaperbags.blogspot.com/

  21. Tess says:

    I'm sorry your little baby was so sick this weekend. A 104 temp cannot be fun. Hopefully he is on the mend today! I wish I would have known that yesterday was National Tequila Day – I totally would have helped celebrate!

  22. Megan says:

    You're market finds look sensational… I would have never thought of sweet potato and bean salad so thanks for sharing that one! Hope you're little nugget is feeling better and cheers to Nat'l Tequila Day!!

  23. I am sorry your baby was sick but that outfit is precious!!! I am always looking for cute boy clothes (why do these not exist at reasonable prices???)

  24. National tequila day?! However did I miss this?! Sounds like fun!

  25. Aww hope your little man feels better! The food looks amazing!

  26. The Bee says:

    Is it totally wrong of me to say "thank you" for posting the pic of the remnants of the sea grass rug? Now I don't feel so bad about what I posted on my blog a couple of weeks ago….Glad I am not the only one to post such stuff…lol 🙂

RECENT POSTS