Bathroom Bliss

Designing or decorating a great bathroom is tricky. But isn't it a treat to be in a nice one? There are some cool ideas to be found in these bathrooms from My Home Ideas. Check 'em out:

I love the mix of elegant and natural touches here.

Square tiles and clean lines create such a contemporary feel.

A little bit rustic -- but somehow I quite like it.

The combination of stone, wood and stainless feels inviting.

Probably the crispest green-white pairing I've ever seen!

Photos from here.

Homing In

Every once in awhile, the home improvement and decorating projects and ideas that swim around in the back of my head come to the forefront and demand attention. I get anxious and want to fix everything -- immediately! I realize this isn't the best way to do things but sometimes the urge to improve, tweak and just plain nest becomes overwhelming.

I'm hoping to get cracking on some projects over the long weekend. I want to put finishing touches on our living room (and figure out what to do with two dull chairs that are bugging me), start sprucing up a bathroom and majorly de-clutter the master and guest bedrooms. And I want to rearrange and create new art for some spaces. I can't wait to start!

In the meantime, let's talk inspiration. I recently pored over the galleries on My Home Ideas. Here are some bedrooms I liked:

This headboard is gorgeous -- and I love any room with a dog!

With such a great view, simple white furniture is perfection.

These shades of gray are so comforting.

The details -- the chandelier, mirror and lamp -- totally make this room.

A crisp headboard and clear chair temper the girly bedding.

Photos from here.

Summertime

Ahh, it truly is summer. The pool party on Saturday was a blast and I attended my first baseball game of the season last night. Tomorrow a group of friends is meeting up for an outdoor concert and in just a few days comes one of the most summery weekends of the year, Fourth of July.

I had forgotten how much I love this time of year. I want to savor every second and do the things I dream about when it's cold out. Walks, picnics, swimming, reading books outside, drinks on the deck, all that good stuff.

Don't these gorgeous photos by Irene Suchocki (her blog is one of my favorites) capture the essence of summer? They make me want to run out into the sunshine!

Photos from here.

Party Time

Woo-hoo! The weekend is here and I am ready for it. Tomorrow afternoon, my sister and I are hosting a pool party at our parents' house. Nothing big, just some of our best friends along with drinks and food and music. Unfortunately thunderstorms are in the forecast, but with luck they'll pass by before the party starts.

While I'm not sure what the weather will bring, I do know what I'll be wearing. My favorite swimsuit is a white string bikini from Old Navy. It's crazy inexpensive but so comfy and flattering. I love it.

Happy weekend to all!

Photos from here.

There and Back

I'm home from my trip, happy and exhausted. The past few days were chock full of activities, but I had a great time. I had forgotten how much fun it is to ride a bike, how amazing it feels to glide over the water in a kayak, how fascinating it can be to hike through the woods. I loved all the time I got to spend outdoors, especially in such a beautiful corner of the world.

Here are a few of the sights I've gotten to enjoy this week:

Photos by me.

Up and Away

This week, I am away from home. I'm on a press tour of a scenic area of my state and over the next few days I'll be walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, eating, photographing and all-around exploring. I'm excited for this opportunity to be here and see someplace new.

Another aspect of this little adventure is I've never really traveled on my own. I've taken trips with my family, girlfriends and my husband, but not solo. It's a bit strange to get used to, but hopefully I'll embrace and enjoy this time to myself.

I hope everyone has a week filled with adventure and discovery!

Photo from here.

Well Put

Here's some beautiful inspiration to make the most of today:

Photo from here.