Shirt dresses are easy for Spring and Summer as you are basically “one and done.” I’ve got two cute shirt dress outfits for you along with some dresses that are affordable right now from places like Target and Old Navy.
And there’s more as it’s Five Fave time with Annie and Cindy!
1. Healthy Habits For Your Brain And Home
Your Risk For Alzheimer’s May Be Less Than You Think
According to AARP, researchers say rates of brain disease are dropping, and several healthy habits may be why. Read the article (for all the advice about 7 healthy habits) but get some exercise, eat blueberries and spinach, take care of your eyes and ears.
10 Simple Habits Of People Who Always Have A Clean House
You may also like A Sunny White Kitchen And Great Room.
Fortunately, Howard and I do most of these 10 tips from The Every Girl Newsletter. But, I need to wipe down all the counters more often. Do you do everything on the list?
This is a photo from last weekend when Cindy Hattersley and her husband, Steve were visiting. It’s in front of Howard’s herb garden which he used to make…
2. Howard’s Pasta Primavera With Herbs From Our Container Garden
He leaves the peas and asparagus with a bit of a bite…not mushy. This time he added more pasta water to the mix.
- 1/4 lb. snow peas with stems removed
- 1/2 lb. asparagus ends removed
- 3/4 cup fresh or frozen peas Howard used fresh
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced shallot
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- black pepper
- 12 oz Linguine
- 2/3 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 cup creme fraiche or whole mile yogurt at room temperature
- 3 tbsp chopped parsley
- 3 tbsp torn basil and leaves for garnish
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Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. While the water is coming to a boil, slice snap peas and asparagus stems into 1/4-inch-thick pieces; leave asparagus tips whole.
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Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add snap peas, asparagus, English peas, and onion. Cook until vegetables are barely tender (but not too soft or mushy), 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
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Drop pasta into boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain well and transfer pasta to a large bowl. Immediately toss pasta with vegetables, Parmigiano-Reggiano, crème fraîche and herbs. Season generously with salt and pepper, if needed. Add more hot pasta water if it seems to thick.
3. Outfits For Shirt Dresses – Refresh Your Spring Wardrobe With Midi Styles
Quince polarized sunglasses (I have these, WAY cheaper than similar designer brands, free shipping too) • Boden blue and white shirt dress (I ordered a petite 8–might sell out in petites) • chunky necklace • small straw crossbody • red Dior lipstick • leather sandals • wide brimmed straw hat (25% off for insiders)
oversized sunglasses (on major sale)• Boden linen shirt dress • large silk bandana • rose Dior lipstick • vegan sandals with flat heels • large straw tote
4. More Affordable Shirt Dresses (Most Come With Different Clolor Options)
I think shirt dresses are sort of universally flattering and you can wear them with a belt or not. Wear the long-sleeve casually rolled up and with a cute purse and sandals they make a chic “one and done” outfit.
BR Factory 50% discount • Gap Linen Blend 50% off • Striped Cotton Poplin (reviews say to size up–could be nice without the belt and the sleeves rolled up even as a bathing suit coverup on vacation)
Old Navy Waist Defined (other colors too for warm-weather) • Target Cinched Waist • Loft Belted Safari Midi Shirt dress
You may also like The Best Shirt Dresses You Can Wear Anywhere.
5. What To Read: The Indigo Girl
Since we were just in Charleston, SC I had this book on my list to read and I thought you would like it, too.
“In this incredible story of ambition, betrayal, and sacrifice, an extraordinary sixteen-year-old girl in Colonial South Carolina defies all expectations to achieve her dream.”
Based on historical documents, including Eliza’s letters, this is a historical fiction account of how a teenage girl produced indigo dye, which became one of the largest exports out of South Carolina, an export that laid the foundation for the incredible wealth of several Southern families who still live on today. President George Washington was a pallbearer at her funeral.
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Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Joan says
Lovely photo of you two! And a wonderful Spring pasta recipe; I love Howard’s herb garden!
[ Gotta figure out how to have seasonal plants when we go away for weeks in the summer… ]
Thinking about the CUTE straw bag with leather trim — it is 25% off through today!
Nancy says
Love your Five Fave this week! I enjoyed the Indigo Girl as well. And I would love to find a similar looking kitchen table to the one in the white kitchen. I like the idea of finding something vintage. And I can’t wait to try your recipe. It is perfect for Spring!
sharon says
The Indigo Girl is a fascinating book. I loved it — did not want to put it down.
Mary Ann Pickett says
And cool that it is based on a true story.
Maeve says
Other than it appears that the woman of the house does all the cleaning, the tips are good ones generally. I think she’s suggesting running the dishwasher and washing machine too often, which is really un-eco. At our age, especially, who needs to run the dishwasher more than twice a week max. Wash the pots and pans by hand — keeping all the grease out of your washer — and you don’t need to run the washer as often. Howard’s pasta looks great.
Mary Ann Pickett says
I think that their reader’s are mostly single.