Cocoa Oatmeal Cookies

I always find myself in the mood to bake…not cook, but bake!! I don't think I could say what I like to bake the most, but cookies and cakes are at the top of the list! I'm always searching for new and yummy cookie recipes. Last night, I was not only in the chocolate mood (I always am…Chocaholic!), but I was also in the mood for oatmeal cookies. I googled chocolate oatmeal cookies, and a recipe on All Recipes matched my search and catered to my taste buds perfectly!

The recipe:

1 Cup Butter, Softened

1 Cup Packed Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup of White Sugar

2 Eggs

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 Teaspoon Almond Extract (this is not in the original recipe, but I think almond adds a nice touch!)

1 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1/3 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

3 Cups Rolled Oats

1 Cup Raisins (I left out the raisins, not a huge fan of them.)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees

2. Beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt; mix well. Stir in oats and raisins; mix well.

3. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet then move to metal rack. Enjoy!

Chine Pattern: Versace Byzantine

They are delicious and easy to make! If you love chocolate and oatmeal cookies, these are for you! Enjoy.

Red, White, and Blue Choices

Who else is beaming with excitement for July 4th next week? I look forward to this holiday every year. I also love dressing for this occasion. My red, white, and blue outfit is something I start to plan for weeks, maybe even months, in advance. The options are endless! Here are a few outfit ideas for this joyous occasion.

Shorts and Wedges look {Top / Shorts / Wedges / Polish / Bracelet / Necklace / Headband}

Nice and Nautical Looks {Dresses (1/2) / Jacks / Bag / Bracelet}

Seersucker Looks {Dress / Sandals / Headband / Necklace}

Modcloth Looks for the 4th {Dresses (1/2/3) / Shoes (1/2)}

For the pup {Doggie Couture Shop}

How are you sporting your red, white and blue on July 4th?

Stay Tuned!

A Summer Delight

Can you guess one of my favorite summer delights? If you guessed sherbet, you're correct! Not only do I enjoy a bowl of rainbow sherbet, I also love to mix sherbet in a glass with sprite. It's so refreshing, and I'm not going to lie, I love sherbet colors.

That's why this sherbet color blocked dress from Modcloth makes me so happy. This would be the perfect summer outfit to wear on any hot summer's day. Add a bowl of sherbet or a sherbet freeze, and you'll be good to go!

Dress / Necklace / Bangles (1/2) / Jacks / Straw Tote

Don't forget to enter to win the monogrammed seagrass clutch on A Preppy State of Mind! You can enter here!

Stay Tuned!

Needlepoint Necessities

You can't go wrong with needlepoint. Whether for ladies or gentlemen, needlepoint is the perfect preppy touch to any outfit. It is a great way to add in some pattern mixing to your outfits as well. For instance, if you're wearing gingham shorts, a needlepoint crab belt would be a fabulous touch!

Belts / Key Fobs / Cuffs / Headbands 

What's your favorite way to wear needlepoint?

Be sure to enter the current giveaway on A Preppy State of Mind! The winner will receive a monogrammed seagrass clutch.

Stay Tuned!

Happy Summer Giveaway!

I think it's only appropriate to kick off summer with a giveaway! My favorite summer bags are bright color bags, wicker bags, straw bags, and seagrass bags! The fabulous ladies at Carolina Clover are giving away a monogrammed seagrass (similar to straw) clutch to one lucky reader of A Preppy State of Mind. What a perfect summer accessory this would be! This clutch can also be a wristlet. Whatever way you choose to wear it, it will be the ideal summer accessory to all of your outfits. The winner will have the choice of a seagrass monogrammed wristlet piped in aqua, black, coral, hot pink or green leather.

You may enter by using the Rafflecopter widget below. The winner will be chosen on Thursday, June 27th.

Good Luck and Stay Tuned!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

National Wear Your Lilly Day

Happy first day of summer, or what is better known to Lilly lovers everywhere as National Wear Your Lilly Pulitzer Day! Nothing is better to wear during the summer time than Lilly! It's the perfect way to add some color to your summer. Today, I am wearing my very favorite print from the summer 2013 collection, Beach Bash! The Chandie Dress is my favorite piece from the Beach Bash collection. I am accessorizing the dress with the Goodie Goodie Necklace and Bracelet.

Happy summer! Be sure to wear your Lilly today!

Stay Tuned!

Finally Found!

You know that feeling you get when you find a certain item you've been in search of for so long? And then when the item arrives you decide that it's spot on what you've been looking for? That's the way I feel about the Wicker Basket Handbag from J. McLaughlin! From the color, to the size, to the design inside, I couldn't be any more pleased. The best part…it's on sale!

When I see this bag, I think of summer, picnics, Charleston, bike rides, etc. It's the perfect summer bag. If it were just a tad bit bigger, I'd carry Jaycee around in it. To top off the perfection of this piece, it has a bamboo accent to ensure enclosure.

I have successfully found my Wicker Bag!

   

 Stay Tuned!

Wish List Wednesday

My never ending, always growing wish list is something I am adding to al the time.  Do I ever purchase all of these items?  No, absolutely not.  But I just feel that it is so fun to be able to add something you're crazy about to your wish list.  It makes me feel like I am that much closer to owning the item.

Here's an update on Wish List Wednesday!

Duffle Bag from Marley Lilly

Lilly Pulitzer Maritime Skort

Maine Lobster Needlepoint Cuff

Brant Point Kiel James Patrick Bag

J.Crew Beaded Rose Necklace

What is on your current wish list?

Stay Tuned!

Making A Statement With Roxy

The Roxy Statement Necklace by Loren Hope is my new favorite.  I love the symmetry, elegance and touch of glam that is adds to any outfit.

The limited edition Blue Lace Agate Roxy would look nice accompanying chambrays or yellows!

The Rose Quartz Roxy (the one I chose) is the perfect neutral statement piece.

The Dalmatian Jasper Stones Roxy would look lovely paired up against pink stripes, or anything pink!

The Turquoise Roxy would be a fresh touch to a solid white.

Which Roxy is your favorite?

Stay Tuned!

Bright Persimmon

J.Crew's selection of bright persimmon created one of my new favorite outfits.  The prints, but most of all, this color pops.  I am so happy to have added it to my wardrobe.

Top: J.Crew

Skirt: J.Crew Factory 

Wedges: J.Crew

Belt: Kiel James Patrick

Necklace: Kate Spade

Stay Tuned!

Outfit Pairing - Flower Power

It's outfit building time with a focus on flower power. The colors of this outfit are my all time favorite color combination. A slight pattern mixing is always fun as well. 

Necklace

Top / Skirt / Belt

Bangle / Bracelet (gorgeous yet very price) / Bag

Wedges / Flats

If you haven't already, be sure to enter the current giveaway with B.Fabulous! Today is the last day to enter. You can enter here!

Stay Tuned!

Gingham and Starfish

I love gingham and I am obsessed with anything and everything nautical.  Pink and blue paired together are also a favorite of mine.  Needless to say, this outfit makes me happy.  

Button Down: J.Crew Factory

Shorts: J.Crew

Bag: Brahmin (Same print, different style)

Belt: Lilly Pulitzer

Bracelets: Cork, Starfish

Shoes: Franco Sarto 

Stay Tuned and don't forget to enter the B.Fabulous Giveaway on A Preppy State of Mind!