I Want...

I had the most perfect pair of gladiator sandals last year that went with almost everything...from jeans to dress pants. Well, they broke at the start of this season, crushing my little heart. Now I'm on the hunt for the most perfect replacement. What to do? 

Romaa on sale for $55.97 (stevemadden.com)
*So far, this is the closest I've found to my old pair

Ecote Macramé Strappy Mini Wedge Sandal for $34.00 (urbanoutfitters.com)

Ecote Toehold Simple Gladiator Sandal for $34.00 (urbanoutfitters.com)

Born Sora for $90.00 (zappos.com)

Xhiliration Thetis Strappy Sandal on sale for $7.98 (target.com)

Siestaa for $89.95 (stevemadden.com)

Part of me thinks that with the summer season about to quickly start coming to an end here in good ol' Minnesota, I should just snatch up the Target pair, especially considering that I may be completely over the gladiator style next summer. Decisions. Decisions. 

Summer Cookin'

It seems I've been so busy enjoying summer that I forgot to write anything about it. I have been taking in some delicious made-at-home meals lately though, so I thought I'd share a few of the colorful photos. That's one of my favorite things about food in the summer...it always seems to be so much more colorful :)


First up: sloppy joes with sweet potato fries and baked beans (I'm not a baked beans fan, but my friend made this delicious feast, so I gulped down a few bites just to prove I could). The sloppy joes were made of a zingy ketchup/mustard sauce and topped with mixed cheeses and peppers.



I absolutely love fresh salsa in the summer. This one made by a friend.



Here we have this linguini with bleu cheese and sunflower seeds recipe from the National Sunflower Association and roasted vegetables. I also added chicken to the linguini.



And here is another salsa variety (this time made by me).



This is a colorful stuffed and roasted pepper made by my friend (who seems to be a surprising chef in the making).

And then we have the little mini caprese toasts (garlic toasts, topped with fresh mozzarella, Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar).

And finally, the most recent dinner: grilled seasoned chicken breast, sauteed cucumber and portabella mushrooms with slices of dill Havarti cheese and fresh strawberries.

Aww, summer. And all its fresh food splendors.