Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil & Balsamic

Looking for a side dish to bring to your next summer cook out? This watermelon feta salad is IT!

Not only does it take just a few minutes to throw together, but it is such a crowd pleaser! I brought it to a Memorial Day party and it was the perfect refreshing, light bite to eat al fresco.

I made this a few hours ahead of time to let the watermelon marinate in the balsamic. It's also so easy to make on the spot just before serving. You'll be lucky if you have leftovers!

It's hardly a recipe, more of an ingredient list, but here you go! Also, I didn't measure anything. Start with a guesstimate of how much watermelon you need based on the party size and go from there - keep adding the other elements as needed once you start mixing. It's kind of fool-proof 🙂

ingredients

watermelon - cut into bite-size chunks
{I bought a large container of pre-cut and then sliced them even smaller}

feta crumbles

{I chose a Mediterranean seasoned flavor and used the whole container}

basil leaves - chopped

{fresh is best!}

balsamic vinegar

{not glaze - high quality makes a difference}

directions

{1}
In a large bowl, add watermelon, feta and basil. Gently mix together.

{2}
Drizzle balsamic vinegar and give it another good stir.

{3}
Cover tightly and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Outfits of the Month

What I wore in May.

lavender linen

{linen button down - old navy // jeans - abercrombie // sandals - t.j.maxx // tote - louis vuitton}

Brunch at the Bellagio

{lime linen dress - lulu's // cork sandals - chinese laundry // clutch - ysl}

beating the Nevada heat at the pool

{red one-piece - amazon // red mesh skirt - amazon // nude sandals - target // aviator sunglasses - ray-ban}

Vegas Night Out

{chain metal top - forever 21 // jeans - abercrombie // clear strap heels - target // clutch - ysl}

shell printed button down

{top - illa illa // flares - hollister // woven sandals - dolce vita // bag - coach}

high-low mix

{printed crop - abercrombie (last worn herehere) // jeans - abercrombie (similar) // sandals - target // straw bag - gucci}

pop of pink

{white off-the-shoulder tee - t.j.maxx // jeans - loft // pink heels - dolce vita // straw bag - coach // beaded earrings - etsy}

Jack's VPK graduation

{striped maxi - abercrombie (other colors and prints on clearance!) // sunglasses - warby parker // bag - chanel}

Fajita Chicken Bowls

Rice bowls are a go-to in our house for weeknight dinners. One of my favorites iterations is ground chicken seasoned with fajita spices & veggies. Super yummy and satiating meal in 20 minutes! This recipe makes dinner for Greg and I, with leftovers for lunch the following day.

Fajita Chicken Bowls
serves 4

ingredients

1 pound ground chicken
1 packet of fajita seasoning
1 green pepper, thinly sliced
1 package of mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 cup jasmine rice
toppings: avocado, mexican blend cheese, hot sauce, lime, etc

directions

{1}

Cook jasmine rice according to package instructions. I like to sub chicken or veggie broth instead of water to add more flavor.

{2}

In a large skillet, add a glug of olive oil and sauté the mushrooms and green peppers over medium-high heat until softened and a bit charred.

{3}

In a separate skillet, drizzle oil on the bottom of the pan to coat. Add the ground chicken and sprinkle the fajita seasoning over the meat. Mix together and break up while browning on all sides over medium-high heat.

{4}

Assemble the bowls - rice, chicken, veggies and top with whatever you like. We like to add cheese & avocado. Sour cream, hot sauce & lime are also excellent! Enjoy! 

Currently Obsessed

I have been a fan of Mrs. Meyer's hand soap for years, thanks to their clean ingredients, cruelty-free formula and sustainability. 

I typically cycle through the scents each season - in the Fall I lean into Acorn Spice & Apple Cider, and in the Winter Snowdrop is my go-to. Rain Drop is a year-round staple.

I recently discovered the Birchwood scent while perusing Target and LOVE it - light, woodsy, masculine, similar to cologne. Also like that the fragrance lingers long after hand-washing. 

Outfits of the Month

What I wore in April.

bright basics

{sweater tank - vici // jeans - abercrombie // sandals - t.j.maxx // multicolored straw bag - tory burch}

target dupes for the zara marine jeans

{mamacita tee - amuse society // olive jeans - target // studded sandals - zara // red bucket bag - tory burch}

casual weekend wear

{striped top - old navy // cut-offs - abercrombie // sandals - target}

lace blouse

{black lace top - lulu's // jeans - madewell // belt - commense // suede quilted bag - ysl}

comfy for errands

{black romper - target // sneakers - adidas // crossbody bag - vici}

split hem flares

{embroidered blouse - old navy // jeans - vici // block sandals - target // braided bucket bag - coach}

spring stripes

{linen shirt - gap // wide leg jeans - levi's // woven sandals - dolce vita // denim bag - rebecca minkoff}

cream dream

{printed puff sleeve blouse - abercrombie (sold out, but other colors/prints here) // jeans - abercrombie // sandals - target // bag - chloe}

little black dress

{linen dress - abercrombie // boots - altar'd state // bga - chanel}

rips & lace

{green lace top - vici (last worn here) // jeans - hollister // sandals - dolce vita // bag - tory burch}

Recently Read

The Rachel Incident - Caroline O'Donoghue 
Loved this book! The main character's voice is so engulfing, and the metaphors hit like a gut punch. I'm an advocate of women's reproductive rights being universal healthcare and this story was a beautiful reminder.

The Last Letter - Rebecca Yarros

I was hooked on this one from the very start. Such a well-written novel about trust, atonement, and what it means to be family. I fell for the characters so hard, which made the ending break my heart into a million pieces.

Open Book (audiobook) - Jessica Simpson
As someone that watched "Newlyweds" as a teenager and adored Jessica Simpson for not only her amazingly talented voice, as well as her style and story, I enjoyed this audiobook. A peek behind the scenes from The Mickey Mouse Club to relationships and motherhood, it was especially entertaining with Jessica voicing it. 

The Social Climber - Amanda Pellegrino 
A story of friendship and revenge with chapters chronicling multiple ages and phases. Very entertaining and was not expecting the ending.

The Last Flight - Julie Clark
Suspenseful and thrilling tale of two women switching identities at the airport to escape their own lives.

The Woman In Me (audiobook) - Britney Spears
Michelle Williams should receive an award for narrating this book. I grew up with Britney Spears - "Baby One More Time" was my first CD, and my dance team did a recital performance to "Toxic." It was so sad to hear everything she has been through publicly and behind the scenes.

The Soulmate - Sally Hepworth

Page-turner about secrets and sacrifice. Love the dual narrators' perspectives with a timeline moving from past to present. 

The Summer I Turned Pretty / 3 Book Series - Jenny Han

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Super light-hearted + feel good about coming of age, first love and family.

Banana Pudding

Banana pudding is one of those nostalgic desserts that, when done right, totally hits the spot. For Easter yesterday, I used this recipe to make a delicious spring treat that my family loved! Light, not too sweet, so yummy & pretty! For such a simple recipe, the presentation in a trifle bowl really adds that wow factor!

ingredients

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 ½ cups ice cold water
1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups heavy cream
4 cups sliced barely ripe bananas
1 (12 oz.) box Nilla Wafers (I used a GF version)

directions

{1}
In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together the sweetened condensed milk and water until well combined - about 1 minute. Add the pudding mix and beat well - about 2 minutes. 

Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight. It is very important to allow the proper amount of time for the pudding mixture to set. It will be watery if you don't let it set long enough.

{2}
In a large bowl or stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until no streaks of pudding remain.

{3}
Dessert can either be made in individual portions or in a large glass bowl with 4-5 quart capacity (a 9x13 baking dish also works).

To assemble dessert, arrange 1/3 of the Nilla wafers covering the bottom, overlapping if necessary. Next, layer 1/3 of the bananas, and 1/3 of the pudding mixture. Repeat twice more, garnishing with additional wafers or wafer crumbs on the top layer. 

Cover tightly and allow to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours - or up to 8 hours, no longer (because bananas will start to brown). Serve chilled and enjoy!