Lazy Day

I have the day off and I'm happy to report it's been a beautifully lazy one so far.

The sun was shining, so I grabbed the dog, a towel, a pillow and some magazines and hit the backyard. Delightful!

Here's a photo I snapped of the pup. (I altered the pic using Poladroid, which gives digital photos that cool, vintagey look, as well as the white frame. It's really quite fun to use. You drag and drop a photo into the program and it spits out a "Polaroid," which you can watch develop on your computer screen. But beware -- it's addicting!)

Photo by me.

You Win, Anthropologie

Dear Anthropologie,

This is me waving the white flag. I give in.

For years, I have somehow been able to avoid your charms. I could convince myself that your clothes, jewelry and decor were too flowery, too fancy, to frilly for my tastes.

But then today I innocently walk into your store and come out absolutely smitten.

I can't stop thinking about your dresses. Everywhere I looked there was a frock I felt I had to have. Here are a few I've fallen for particularly hard.

Photos from anthropologie.com.

I Can't Help It

I'm heading out of town this weekend, so I went on weather.com to check the forecast. But I completely got sidetracked by the Dog Days of Summer slideshow.

I have such a soft spot in my heart for dogs. And it makes me so happy to see that these pups are having a fun summer. Aren't they adorable?

But I can't help but wonder, are these dogs having more fun than me this summer? Maybe they can be my summer-fun inspiration.







Photos from here.

Precious Metal

When it comes to jewelry, I prefer lighter, daintier, layer-able pieces over big, chunky necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

So my heart skipped a beat when I saw these gold and silver necklaces on the Banana Republic website.

Delicate strands. A fun tassel. A simple stone. Oooh, I want to snatch them all up!



Photos from here.

All Dressed Up

Have you heard about the Uniform Project? I just found out about it at the lovely blog Passementerie.

The innovative and adorable Sheena Matheiken started the project with a pledge: to wear a single dress every day for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion.

Says Matheiken, "Here’s how it works: There are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week. Every day I will reinvent the dress with layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which will be vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies. Think of it as wearing a daily uniform with enough creative license to make it look like I just crawled out of the Marquis de Sade's boudoir."

Besides being a great fundraiser and an inspiration for adding creativity to an outfit, I love the bigger implications it can have for all of us. Namely, let's be happy with what we already have, make the most of what we already have, celebrate what we already have.

I hope the project is a huge success.

Photos from here.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am feeling thankful for something quite simple but also absolutely wonderful: all the fresh fruit that's in season.

I love this time of year, when the markets, orchards and farms are bursting with vivid, juicy goodies.

Delish!

Photo from here.

Easy Living

I was poking aroung the House Beautiful website when I saw a link to an outdoor living room slideshow. Uh, yes please!

HB calls these outdoor spaces the "New American Living Room" and I couldn't agree more.

It's summer. Let's unplug, step away from the electronics and do some good old fashioned hanging out. And let's do it outside!





Photos from here.

On the Map

Maybe it's my raging case of wanderlust talking, but lately I have been dreaming about plastering a map over an entire wall.

My vision includes a map with lots of detail and character, preferably something old and probably of the entire world.

I'd love to put it in our study, with a desk sitting in front of it.

But these flickr finds offer some great ideas too.

Just lovely -- a collection of muted maps hung alongside one another.

How cool to place a big map behind a long dining table.

I love how from a distance this map looks like abstract wallpaper.

Such colorful and inspiring decor for a child's bedroom.

Photos from here, here, here and here.

Summer Fun

I just had the perfect summer weekend. Gorgeous, sunny weather. Family. Friends. Eating and drinking. Swimming and laughing.

My parents had a big party at their house on Saturday. It started with hanging out by the pool while my dad and his friends played music. And it ended with dancing on the deck underneath a full sky of stars.

That’s summer in perfect form for me.

Speaking of summer and pool parties, aren’t these photos neat? They make me want to call everyone up and have another shindig next weekend!

Photos from here and here.

Equation for a Great Summer Evening

A group of friends + beautiful weather + a bottle of wine + a few blankets + an outdoor concert = a perfect Wednesday night.

Photo by me.

Lovely, Lovely Birds

Today's bird indulgence comes from the San Francisco artist collective Little Pink Houses, via sfgirlbybay, one of my absolute favorite blogs and a constant source of inspiration.

I love the graphic quality of this work, the individuality given to each bird and how the birds seem to be conversing with one another (kinda like the Brady Bunch did, no?).

Photo from here or here at The Curiosity Shoppe (where you can also purchase work by the artists).

Dreaming in Blue and Green

Two summers ago my husband and I were able to take a little getaway to Lake Placid. It was such a beautiful, peaceful, charming place and we had a wonderful time relaxing and exploring. And the ferry ride over from Vermont was beautiful as well.

My mind keeps wandering there today, to the blues of the ocean, lake and sky and the greens of the grass and trees.

Come, take a little breather with me.



Photos by me.

A Wonderful Weekend

Ahhh, what a a great long weekend we just had. I hope it was a wonderful Fourth of July weekend all around for everyone.

My past three days included, in no particular order, the following:

* Driving down country roads with the wind blowing my hair.

* Lounging by a pool.

* Having the best houseguests ever!

* Sleeping in three days in a row.

* Eating my favorite spicy Cajun pasta salad.

* Going to a fun wedding.

* Crashing a different wedding!

* Drinking too much champagne.

* Dancing with my guy.

* Reading a lighthearted but also inspiring book.

* Watching fireworks out the window while lying in bed.

* Going out for sushi.

* Missing a friend who just moved away -- but daydreaming about the adventure she’s having.

* Cuddling with the pup.

* Sharing great travel stories.

* Laughing with my sister on the phone.

* Lighting sparklers on the deck.

Photo from here.

Thankful Thursday

July 2 was always a happy day.

It's the day my grandpa was born in 1922 and he is probably the happiest, jolliest, most fun-loving person I've ever known. My family used to congregate on this day to celebrate -- and my grandpa would always insist that we celebrate the entire month.

Since losing him nearly nearly three years ago, July 2 is a bittersweet day. I love remembering him but it still hurts so badly to know he's gone.

My family knows that if we had to lose him, we are blessed in how it happened. He didn't suffer and nothing was left unsaid. He knew we loved him and he sure as heck told us and showed us that he loved us.

He was many things for many people. But for me, the way he lived his life is a perfect lesson in the importance and beauty and simplicity of letting people know you love them. Showing love doesn't have to be complicated. It doesn't have to be grand. It can be little. But when it's constant, it feels anything but small.

Happy birthday, Grandpa. I love you.