If you like strawberries...

Oh my goodness, I just had to share this picture I found of a gorgous cake! If you are talented and can make a cake like this, then props to you!

Last Day !

If you haven't been to the Nordstroms Half Yearly sale yet, don't miss out ! Tomorrow August 1st is the last day ! Save on all those Fall/Winter essentials ! You will be happy you went !

One of my FAVORITE Decor Stores!

I don't know if you have heard of this store, but it is so great! Real Deals is a decorating store that is located in 18 different states. They have really great prices, and a ton of variety in what they carry. I am lucky to have one only 2 miles from me, so I visit it often. They get great seasonal decor in also!
Here is their site...
Real Deals- 2 Days a Week 2 Good 2 Be True

From what I can tell, Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Colorado have the most locations, but check their site to see if there is one near you! Make sure the check out their rights and obsession statement. They are funny!

Fun Blog to Read

I bet you have been wondering why you haven't heard much from the S.W.A.K. girls lately! We have just been super busy, but I did want to share one of my favorite blogs that I read religiously.
Hooked on Houses is awesome! If you love houses like me, or decorating, or dreaming, then this is the site for you! She does "Bad Real Estate Photos", "Movie Houses", and many other fun posts about....houses! Check it out!

Blueberry Streusel Coffee Cake

Hi Everyone!
I thought I would share this great recipe I found here.

* 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 1 3/4 cups sugar
* 2 eggs
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 tablespoons baking powder
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 1/2 cups milk
* 3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
* STREUSEL TOPPING:
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/3 cup cold butter or margarine


Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Fold in blueberries. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan.
2. For topping, combine sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over batter. Bake at 375 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack.

If using frozen blueberries, do not thaw before adding to batter.

This was so great! My husband loved it and it helped me use up some of the blueberries I have right now. Enjoy!

Workout Wear!

Summer is the time to get out and go for a run or walk while the weather is nice. And why not look cute doing it ! Skirt Sports are super cute !
I've read rave reviews about them and I might have to get one myself.
Check out what people had to say about them:

Posted: Apr 20, 2010
Overall: Rated:5 stars! Comfort: Rated:5 stars! Style: Rated:5 stars!

I agree with the previous reviewer - this is the very first skirt I found that the shorts don?t ride up even a little - they stay put even on long runs! Plus, it is cute.


Posted: Jun 20, 2008
Overall: Rated:5 stars! Comfort: Rated:5 stars! Style: Rated:5 stars!

Great Running Skirt - I love this skirt! It's super cute on, and it's the most functional one I own. I've purchased 4 other brands before this one and all of them have had some sort of issue - mostly the shorts riding up when I run. I ran two half marathons in this skirt and the shorts were in the same place when I crossed the finish line. I love the MP3 pocket and I keep gels in there too. It's one of the most expensive out there, but it's totally worth it if you're like me and you don't like your legs rubbing together when you run.


About SkirtSports


Run in a Skirt. Ride in a Skirt. Play tennis, golf, rollerblade, ice-skate, shop or go on a blind date in a Skirt. Cross the finish line of your 100th (or first!) triathlon in a Skirt. You really can do anything in a Skirt made by SkirtSports®, creator of the ORIGINAL fitness skirt. Try it today - make the transition and Convert to Skirt!

SkirtSports®, a smart, sassy, and edgy company begun by professional triathlete, Nicole DeBoom, encourages fun and fitness and feeling good about living. Nicole began the company with an idea that would allow women to never have to sacrifice femininity for performance in their workout clothes. But, little did Nicole know that what she envisioned in late 2003 would begin a revolution and change how women look, feel, and view themselves.

Created by a woman for women. What began from Nicole's desire to have a more feminine-friendly athletic attire, grew into a phenomenon that even she couldn't have envisioned. To this day SkirtSports® continues to churn out women's running apparel complete with women's running tops and bottoms, paying close attention to detail and fashion. SkirtSports® will undoubtedly be a force to reckon with for years to come.

Click here to check them out!

Thank you loyal reader Bex for the blog post suggestion ! Keep them coming !

Boots !

As I posted before this fall boots are back and hotter than ever ! Today was the first day of the ever so popular Nordstrom sale ! YAY ! I know your all super excited ! Being the loyal shopper that I am, I had to go the first day and try these amazing boots on by Cole Haan. Cole Haan with there Nike Air cushioning are SUPER comfy and not to mention super cute ! Originally they are $348.00 but right now on sale they are $229.00. Just one of the many cute pairs of boots on sale right now at Norstroms. I recommend you take a peak and see if you find a pair you can't live without !

Thomas Bagel Thins

If you are watching what you eat like I am, you will want to pick up these Thomas Bagel Thins. I discovered them yesterday at my local bread outlet. It only paid $2.00 for a bag of 18 of them. They are only 110 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 5 grams of fiber. If you count W.W. points, this is only 1! Yes, really, 1 point! It is great because usually you need two pieces of bread for a sandwich, equaling 2 or 3 points, but with these, you can have them as toast or a sandwich for 110 calories. Great!
I haven't really researched these, but I think they come in other varieties and they are probably a little more expensive at the grocery store, so check your local bread outlet!

Tricked you!

Looks like an ordinary coffee cup, right? Well....
Copco To Go Car Cup - Tan

This cup looks like a disposable one but is reusable so it reduces waste. With an easy-sip top, this BPA-free double wall mug provides enhanced insulation. 16-ounce capacity. Dishwasher and microwave safe.

Super cute, right? They have lots of other colors available at Bed Bath & Beyond.
Here is another great product from Copco- it looks like a typical iced coffee cup you would get most anywhere. But... it's a 24oz water bottle, dishwasher safe!

Love it!

Fall

I know its only July and dont get me wrong I'm fully enjoying the summer and the sun but I can't help but look forward to see whats going to be hot in cloths this fall.
Here are a few of my favs !
Legging Jeans ! You either love these or hate these. I saw some last fall/winter. But there bigger this coming fall !


Gap Legging Jeans (Classic Wash) $69.50

Boots, Boots and more Boots !
There big again this Fall ! Short or tall it doesn't matter !



Alberto Fermani Short Cowboy Boot $450

Rain Boots are a must !



Hunter Original Short Rain Boot $115

Just a few goodies I'm sure more to come as Fall gets closer !

Kooba Bags

I'm loving Kooba bags right now! They have a lot of great styles and colors! I really love there Lana bag, it's darling ! Hopefully this bag will find it's way to my purse collection soon !

Alice + Olivia

Alice + Olivia has some super cute designs right now.
They have some really cute dresses for the summer ! Great colors and some sparkles too ! Here are just a few of my favs !

Maggie Strapless Dress $484


Laurie Tie Dye Dress $368


Theory Dress $275


Check out some of Alice + Olivia's other great stuff at:
www.Alice+Olivia.com