Friday Favorites – Summer Essentials

1. Cynthia Cazort Collins Ponchos and Tunics – These babies are absolute perfection for summer time!! Their Turkish Towel seen in above picture is so thick, soft and luxurious it doubles as beach towel and a perfect tunic cover up.

Her black cotton and linen blend poncho is a best seller and my go-to, light weight, cover up that’s way too easy to pack for any and every trip to the beach or the pool. They are available online or at shops like H. Audrey in Nashville, By George in Austin and Pied Nu in New Orleans.  http://cynthiacazortcollins.com/pocket-ponchos/poncho-black 

This poncho was even included in the Billboard Awards swag bags for all female nominees!

2. Josie Maran Argan Liquid Gold Self Tabning Oil in Tahitian Orchid – Current favorite self tanner on the market. It is as natural as a sunless tanner can get formulated without any parabens, sulfates or phalates.  Many thanks to my friend Anna for introducing me to this product! Follow the directions and use the mit for easy application. In addition to Argan oil it contains coconut water and aloe making it moisturizing as becomes the most perfect (i.e. not orange) color! One bottle will last you all season and for $38 it’s about the same price as one spray tan, completely worth it.

http://m.sephora.com/product/P395245

3. Beautycounter Protect Stick Sunscreen – I’ve talked about this product several times but I can’t get enough of it – truly a necessity in my home. This little stick lives in my purse year round, but gets extra use while the sun is shining. It is a safe, zinc based sunscreen that goes on clear without leaving the usual white, zinc residue. It is great for every member of your family and for face or body. It has an almost sweet smell so kids really love it too. 

http://www.beautycounter.com/carolineclark

4. Krewe du Optic, Franklin Sunglasses – I’m obsessed with this New Orleans based brand of sunnies. Once you’re on the lookout for them you will see them everywhere – Gigi has multiple pairs and dons them often, Selena, Allesandra and Reese are big fans too! I picked up mine from their flagship store on Royal in the French Quarter, but you can grab them from local retailers and their website as well. Besides the Franklin my favorite styles are the St. Louis, Julia and  CL-10.

http://www.kreweduoptic.com/

Spa Day selfie wearing Franklin sunglasses, Cynthia Cazort Collins navy Turkish towel cover up and Beautycounter stick sunscreen.

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Four Faves

–Spring Sangria – I’m a fan of pretty much all sangria, but there’s something about a fizzy, bright sangria full of fresh fruit that really gets me in the mood for spring!  Here’s our basic recipe:  one bottle of wine, 2 cups fruit, 1/2 cup liquor, 1/2 cup fruit juice, 1 cup mixer, 1/2 cup sweetener (if desired).

Check out this gorgeous Peach Strawberry Sangria from Bon Appetit

–Funky Sunglasses – It’s finally bright outside again!  So it’s time to whip out some funky shades.  I love these cool rounded ones that don’t go full on Lennon. Not to mention they’re the perfect, not scary price point of $50!

Love this pair from Quay

Our recipe of Peanut Butter, Oatmeal Energy Bites from last spring. I found myself wanting to make a sweet treat, but also needing a filling snack to get me through afternoon hunger. Instead of making some sort of cookie or relying on excessive little snacks of fruit, chips and candy I decided to make a batch of our energy bites. Boy do these do the trick, they take mere minutes to whip up, require no baking, and they are also a treat without being packed full of processed sugar, gluten or dairy. One batch makes about 15 and they keep easily in Tupperware in the fridge.   

Rounding out our favorites for the week is The Master’s this weekend. Grant and I love watching this quitensential spring golf tournament. This year we are using it as an excuse to have friends over Sunday afternoon to “watch the Master’s and cook out.” Such an easy get together that will inevitably involve lots of time spent on our porch watching the gorgeous greens.. and golfers (kidding!) at Augusta – Hey Jordan! Hi Rory! As well as pimento cheese in some form or fashion, see the pimento cheese recipe from the Junior League of Augusta pictures below.