Foodie Friday: Serve Up A Summer Salad! Recipes And More

Today's inspiration comes from a recent trip to Chicago's Green Market with my good friend, Heidi.  We had such a good time visiting stand after stand of beautiful fruit and veggies.  My mind immediately thought of the salad recipes I could make with these gorgeous goodies.  I love a salad at any time of the year, but Summer is when I really appreciate one. When the weather heats up, a salad is a wonderful way to cool down.

HERE: 20 Stylish Salads And Servers

Killer Spinach Salad With 

Hot Bacon Dressing

We knew it was Summer in my childhood home, when Mom made a Spinach Salad. Like my Mother, I love fresh spinach. This salad would be a big hit in this bacon lov'n home of mine.

How Sweet Eats

Barbecued Prawn Panzanella Salad
Oh my! This is on my "must try" list.  What a lovely presentation for a crowd!
Gourmet Traveller

Michael Aram Fig Leaf Servers
A beautiful salad deserves equally attractive servers. They don't get any lovelier than these
Nordstrom's

Honey Grilled Watermelon 

Caprese Salad

This just sounds amazing. Anything with Balsamic is delish to me!

Sulia

Baby Lettuces, Feta, Strawberries 
And Almonds
Could a salad be any more attractive? This surely is a sweet and savory sensation!
Food And Wine

Chopped Cashew Chicken Salad 
If you like everything but the kitchen sink in your salad, this recipe is for you, and then some! 
How Sweet Eats

Michael Aram Fig Leaf Bowl
With Mesh Lid
Serve up a Summer Salad and keep the bugs at bay.
Nordstrom

We Be Grillin' Poblano Peppers 

And Corn Salad

Made with grilled corn, this is the perfect salad for a barbecue. The colorful dressing features cilantro and lime. Yummy!

Flourishing Foodie

Spicy Watermelon Salad

I can eat watermelon any way it is served.  This recipe by Love and  Lemons sounds delish!

Refinery 29

Grilled Stone Fruit Bread Salad with Vanilla-Bean Olive Oil, Burrata and Prosciutto
Need I say more?  This is Summer on a plate.
Les Petites Gourmettes

Gourmet Salad Dressing
If you are still buying salad dressing, you are over paying for a lackluster product, not to mention those chemicals! Just click to get recipes for Lemon-Dijon vinaigrette, Citrus-balsamic, Fresh basil and Sesame Ginger. All easy!

Chatelaine

French Bull Melamine Serverware
If you plan to eat those salads outdoors, French Bull serving pieces are as vivid and colorful as your greens. Unbreakable, affordable and ever so stylish.
Amazon

Salad With Parma Ham, Figs 
And Mozzarella
According to Jamie, this recipe is for "The easiest sexiest salad in the world." Enough said!
Jamie Oliver

Cowboy Caviar Couscous Salad

Healthier than some salads or starchy sides, this is a stylish addition to any barbecue. 
Bakers Royale

Steak Salad with Chimichurri Dressing
Lately I am obsessed with Chimichurri, which is much like pesto but without the cheese.  I just want to have a cookout and invite you all over. 

Kitchen Antics

Sagaform Oak Cutting Board
 And Mezzaluna

I have always wanted one of these.  Certainly would cut down on chopping time.

Burke Decor

Tomato, Peach and Basil Salad
What a pretty picture. Each ingredient is amazing on it's own. Toss them together, and it becomes a party for your mouth. YUM.
Appetite

Grilled Kale Salad With 
Ricotta and Plums
This recipe is for Meg, who eats Kale by the bushel! It has become quite the gourmet item, so you better have a recipe in your repertoire.

Bon Appetit

Anti-Aging Avocado Berry Salad 
With Mango Vinaigrette
For Mollie. So simple and so good for you. I know I will enjoy the added crunch from pine nuts.
Scrumptious Pumpkin

OXO Steel Salad Spinner
My dear friend, Sara, swears by her Salad Spinner, and the girl knows how to make a good salad! I don't have one. But here is a selection of various types and price points.
Sur La Table

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Wedding Wednesday: All The Pretty Maids

(Via Ooh La Frou Frou)

I think we all have had to wear a bridesmaid dress that wasn't quite our finest fashion moment.  With the options there are today for brides, there should never be a bad bridesmaid gown. One of  the greatest gifts you can give your bridal party is a lovely dress to wear.  Most importantly, your friends must feel fabulous in your selection.  If they feel good, they will look good.  It's a tall order, for sure. This will help.

Here: Inspiration For All Of Your 
Pretty Maids

So What's Trending?

 

(image via Watters Found on Colin Cowie)

Same Color and Fabric 

Different Styles

This is my favorite trend.  My niece and I decided on this for her wedding over 10 years ago.  And you know what? There were never any happier bridesmaids!  Each maid felt her best in the style she selected. The girl that doesn't like to show her arms...didn't.  To me this is the very best idea!  

(Via Watters)

Draping is very on trend in bridal this year. These two styles are quite dramatic in this deeper color.
Watters

Waters

What a beautiful color called persimmon.

Once again, same color different style. This time lace, which is big for 2014-15 maids.

Group USA And Camille La Vie 

Feminine and flowy, these dresses pair so nicely together.

Camille Lavie

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Forget Matchy Matchy! 

Color Blend

(Via Martha Stewart Weddings)

Love this idea. Creating a depth of color in the clothing and throughout the wedding gives it all a designer look. 

(Via Martha Stewart Weddings)

Reem Acra
Going for a fairytale look? These gowns from Reem Acra's Resort 2014
scream fairytale!

Jenny Yoo Dresses: ‘Hudson’ | ‘Lulu’ | ‘Harlow’ | Jacquard Sheath 

See the entire collection at

Nordstrom's

Jenny Yoo Nabi Dress

What a pretty palette! This is one of Jenny's newest designs. See it at

Jenny Yoo

(Via Style Me Pretty)

Varied shades of grey makes for a sophisticated bridal party. Accessorize with metallic shoes and jewelry.

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And If You Don't Care About Trends

These Dresses Are Just

Fabulous

Noir by Lazaro 

Graphite mikado knee length dress, curved one shoulder neckline with beaded applique and petal accents. 

JM Couture

Fendi Resort 2015
For the fanciest of maids
Vogue

Lela Rose
Lace and Chiffon create a dress that is oh so 60's, romantic, and elegant
Nordstrom's

Alfred Angelo

Such a beautiful dress and that color! It would be so pretty for an outdoor wedding. Could be difficult to wear if not super slim.

Alfred Angelo

Blush Bridesmaids Dresses 

Nordstrom's

Loving how this Jenny Yoo is styled.  The shoes and simple flowers are perfect.

Reem Acra Resort 2014
Perfect for the modern maid! Just think what you can do with the flowers.
Style.com

Watters Milada Skirt
Dare to be different.  What a lovely and light hearted look. Love it for a country club or winery wedding.
Watters

Pamella Roland Angelic Dress

Oh how I love this dress! And can you believe it can be rented? It's silk and sensational in the palest of pinks.  This is how you get a designer bridal party for less!  Be sure to click through to see the beautiful back of this fabulous frock.

Rent The Runway

P.S. If you are renting the bridesmaids dresses, I think popping for the rental fee is the correct gesture.


And Perhaps The Most Important 
Dress Of All

(Via Enchanting-Weddings)

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Keep Calm and Carry On! Chic Cases And Bags For Travel

(Via Inslee Designs)

 From weekenders with shoe compartments to rolling carry-ons, each of these bags offers a unique spin on staying calm and carrying on. There's a bag for everyone - road warriors to frequent fliers - and one for every budget.  Get inspired and travel with style!

MacKenzie-Childs
Courtly Check Bags
if you love a courtly check, you'll adore MacKenzie-Child's bags. Now you can be as well dressed as your home.
Horchow

Giorgio Fedon 1919
Travel Fabric and Leather Carry-On
Leave it to Italian design to give you form and function. The organizational details are impressive and so is the style. Do click through to see the inside.
Forzieri

Save $50 on $250+ orders Code: SS2014 

Saturday's Surf NYC
Ruba Duffel
Bigger than it looks, this duffel packs a punch of color. Fun for a weekend of surfing or just a Summer of camping. Now on Sale at
Barney's Warehouse

Rowallan Zip Base Duffel

few things to me are just black and white. But I do love a black and white travel wardrobe.  So easy to mix and match. Classic lines and organizational features make this a chic choice at 69% off.

One Kings Lane

Petote Payton Carrier
When your BFF wants to come along, you simply must have a good looking bag. 
Bitch New York

Toss Designs Classic Canvas 
Utility Tote
Sizable at 24" X 6" X 17,"  this bag is made for toting all things Summer! You will love the luggage quality details.
Toss Designs

Edgartown Utilitarian Tote
Perfect for the All American road trip. A carry all for July 4th and beyond.
Toss Designs

Sole Society's Sia Large Satchel

Love this bag and it's price tag ( way less than $100). It's soft vegan leather and roomy enough for your iPad or tablet, a change of clothing and shoes!

Sole Society

Building Block
Features an Italian vegetable tanned leather shell with a washable, removable canvas interior. It looks as expensive as it is.

Need Supply

Tumi Melrose Tote

An understated bag for the girl or guy who means business! Made from Tumi's durable Ballistic Nylon, it will hold up for you from coast to coast.

Shop Bop

Graf And Lantz Duffel Bag
I'm crazy for this colorblock canvas duffel. With leather trim, it is very lightweight at only 47 ounces.  To me, the style offers quiet sophistication. 
Shop Bop

Disturbed Stripe Garment Bag
For those trips when you must carry that special outfit safely. I have been in this situation when I simply had to protect a delicate piece of clothing. Enter this coated canvas bag from Bendel. It's now on sale.
Henri Bendel

Chloe Baylee Bag
Perhaps the most stylish bag of the bunch and certainly the most expensive, this is my fave. Perforated sheepskin leather with gold-tone hardware creates a luxe look - always.
Forward By Elyse Walker

Samantha Brown Travel Set
One of the best looking luggage sets you can buy for the money!  Travel expert, Samantha Brown knows a little something about luggage. She has created a line for HSN which is both affordable and stylish. This set comes in five colors. Pictured  - Navy
HSN

FLIGHT 001 'Heavily Medicated' Travel Pouch

Because we all need a sense of  humor to get through the airport  and our flight! We also need to stay organized, and this pouch will get the job done with a smile.

Nordstrom

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