New Recipe: Grilled Garlic Potatoes

Happy Tasty Tuesday!

Keeping up with my summer side-dish series, today I'm giving you a great grilled potato recipe. I originally put this concoction together last week when I was making my favorite Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kabobs and needed something to serve with them. The grill gave the potatoes a crispy outer layer like a french fry and had so much flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans of whole potatoes (similar to these- you can get them in the canned food aisle)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• handful of shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

• Slice potatoes into quarters.
• In a tin or grill friendly pan, coat the bottom with olive oil and add potatoes.
• Season with garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper.
• Top with a handful of shredded cheddar cheese.
• Grill on medium high heat for 10-15 minutes or until potatoes start to crisp up.
• Enjoy!

xoxo

Maxi Monday

Remember last Friday when I was raving about Tommy Hilfigers summer line at Macy's? Well I went there this past weekend and scooped up this navy maxi on the clearance rack. I had my eye on it for awhile now but I wasn't about to drop $100 for a maxi dress, sometimes you have to go with your head and not with your heart. Luckily, I waited patiently for it to make its way to the clearance rack. I was able to grab the dress at 60% off with a coupon, and it was way worth the wait. The dress is so comfortable and I love the lace panel detail that goes down the front of it. 

Today is a chillier day in the 518 with temperatures only reaching the high 60's so this was the perfect dress to wear to work because it will keep my legs warm while they crank up the AC in the office (why do they always do this on cold days?!). I swear my office can't make up their mind when it comes to appropriate office temperatures. One day I'm completely comfortable in a sleeveless dress and other days I'm completely wrapped up in a blanket like a Russian grandmother!

Dress

Sunglasses Kate Spade (similar style here)

Bag Kate Spade, old (similar option here)

Bracelet Talbots (almost identical option here)

Necklace J Crew Factory (similar option here)

xoxo

Sunday Thoughts + A Weekend Recap

Sunday already?

These summer days are flying by.

This weekend was filled with rest and relaxation:

• Dinner and drinks with my friend Marissa on Friday.
• Post dinner we had a terrible storm and I lost power, ugh! Poor Misa was quite scared and we snuggled up in the dark.
• Pool side Saturday and Sunday made me a very happy lady!
• Tonight is the GoT final and I'll be hosting. Very excited to see how it ends, the TV show has officially caught up to the books so I'm just as clueless as the rest of the fans.

xoxo

Friday Favorites: Tommy Hilfiger Summer Collection

TGIF!

These past few days have been hot ones in the 518 so I've been choosing a lot of lightweight dresses and shorts to keep me cool during this 80 degree weather. Finding pieces that will keep me cool but are still work appropriate can be tough but luckily the Tommy Hilfiger summer collection has come to my rescue. They have so many amazing pieces that transition well from day to night. Plus, when you shop the collection at Macy's they're always having great sales (and the option to use a coupon on top of it!). 

Of course they have plenty of striped options that I immediately gravitated towards, whoops. But, one of my favorite parts of their new collection is the introduction of the color orange. I don't own a lot of orange but it's one of those colors that look great with a tan and these pieces definitely inspired me to add more orange to my wardrobe. So if you get a moment, be sure to stop into your local Macy's to see the new Tommy collection, you will find plenty of great pieces for summer.

Navy Drawstring Dress // Embroidered Orange Dress // Embroidered A-Line Skirt

A-Line Maxi // White Split Neck Top // White Blazer

xoxo

Summer Must-Haves at eShakti

It's been a little over a year since I was first introduced to eShakti, an online store dedicated to making the most beautiful dresses for every shape and size. They offer customizable dresses for women size 0 through 36 and they pride themselves on quality items that won't break the bank. If you remember, I raved about my eShakti dress I received last year in a post discussing my obsession with the ability to pick details in every part of the process, including length and the ability to add pockets, to create the perfect dress. These dresses are really well made, and I was especially impressed with the fact that my dress came lined, something you don't see in affordable dresses very often. Since receiving my eShakti dress I've worn it on multiple occasions and always get great compliments on it, this dress literally fits me perfectly!

Well, eShakti is at it again, this time adding new lines including a Contemporary and Bohemian section, along with a variety of new custom jumpsuits, pants and shorts. I might finally get my wish of owning a black jumpsuit that actually fits my short frame! As much as I originally fell in love with eShakti's line of dresses, I am even more obsessed with their other summer options including a resort wear! By now you all know my love of being my the water so finding great maxi dresses and tunics at eShakti is a dream come true.



eShakti has something for everyone this summer no matter your style. I always tend to gravitate towards fun patterns in the summer so this Gingham Cotton Dress and Striped Blouse immediately caught my eye. Bonus: with wedding season upon us, they have a variety of Bridesmaid and special event dresses available cheaper than you'll ever find in any wedding shop! I promise you that you won't be disappointed in what eShakti has to offer.

Are you ready for the best part of all? eShakti is giving all Monster Misa readers a $35 coupon that is valid until June 21, 2015 with the code: MONSTERS35! 

Happy Shopping!

xoxo

Special thanks to eShakti for sponsoring this post. I was compensated for this post, however all opinions expressed in this post were my own.

White Wednesday

Happy Hump Day!

Now that I finally have a tan I've been using every excuse to put on an all white outfit. It's such a clean summery look, although, I'm a pretty messy person and I'll probably spill something on myself by the end of the day, whoops. So it was probably a good thing I took this photo early before I end up getting dirt or food on myself. Current this dress is on sale at The Gap, but I would suggest you check your local store first because even though its currently $42 online, I ended up buying mine for $20 on the clearance rack. It's somewhat frustrating how there are different prices in stores than there are online, which is why I always price check before I make a purchase. 

Also if I recommend one piece of jewelry to you for this summer, it will be this layered bold beaded strand from Baublebar. I first bought it in cerulean and became so obsessed with it that I ordered it in mint as well. It's tough though because it's quite a popular necklace, so it sells out quick so you have to grab it when you find it. Next I'm thinking about buying it in the periwinkle. Baublebar is great because for every $10 you spend, you earn $1 so you basically always get a discount no matter when you shop, and by now you guys know I love a deal!

Dress // Necklace // Sunglasses

Bag Michael Kors (similar here and here) // Belt Akira, old

Sandals Steve Madden, old // Bracelets Kate Spade, old

xoxo

New Recipe: Macaroni Salad

Happy Tasty Tuesday!

Guys, my recipe experimentation has been at an all time low lately. It's been so nice out so I've been doing a lot of grilling hot dogs and hamburgers which means I don't have any fun meals to share with you all. So instead I'm going to try and re-focus my summer recipes to side dishes. This time of year everyone is going to summer BBQ's and parties and its always good to show up with a dish, this macaroni salad will make your guests very happy!

Ingredients:

• 1 box of elbow macaroni (16oz)
• 1 small onion, diced as small as possible
• 3-4 large stalks of celery, diced as small as possible
• 2 tsp celery salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 cans solid white albacore tuna, drained
• 3/4 cup mayo

Directions:

• In a pot boil water and cook macaroni for 12 minutes.
• Drain water and rinse macaroni under cold water until it is no longer warm (this is important because you don't want to mix mayo with warm pasta...it gets yucky)
• While pasta is cooling, chop onion and celery and set aside.
• Once pasta is cold, add onion, celery, tuna, celery salt and black pepper, mix completely.
• Add mayo and stir to combine.
• Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour before serving.
• Enjoy!

xoxo