Thursday, June 25, 2009

Road trip.



Today begins Part I of my family's road trip to Wisconsin. We'll be getting a late start due to my sister's driver's ed class (I'm still in denial about this...my baby sister can NOT be old enough to drive soon.) and we'll be stopping in Louisville, KY for the night, so the dogs (and we) don't go crazy sitting in the car. We very commonly used to do the drive all at once, which I have the feeling the return trip will be.

While in Wisconsin, I will be (hopefully) seeing family, eating good food, sightseeing, swimming, boating, taking photos and generally having a good time. Due to these plans, I don't forsee myself blogging for the next bit, so, in advance, Happy Weekend, Happy End of June, Happy Fourth of July, Happy Summer, Happy Day!

I hope to have many stories and photos to share upon my return.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Dining al fresco

If I could just successfully de-mosquito my backyard, I'd love to have an outdoor dinner party like this:

I think I found this on Sweet Home Style.

There's something so summery about flickering candles and wildflower bouquets in old jars...such pretty simplicity...

I'd also want a couple of these:



And on the table, I'd love to serve bright, colorful food in equally colorful, mismatched dishes:

Image from Anthropologie.

Wouldn't that be nice?

Monday, June 22, 2009

Being patient.

After the vet: She likes to rest on or near the vent on hot days.

I took the pup to the vet today, and she sat quietly through getting her blood drawn and getting two vaccinations. Not a whimper or a growl from her--at one point she just looked up at me wonderingly with her big ole eyes--but otherwise, she took it like a champ.

Is it weird that I feel like I have life lessons to learn from my dog?

Young Hollywood

I'm really excited about summer (which officially began yesterday, yay!) but seeing these ads makes me happy about autumn and layering. I don't have many positive things to say about young actors these days, but Emma Watson is the exception. She (or her stylist, if she has one) has an incredibly discerning eye and she's really lovely. Also, I love Harry Potter. I'm not even ashamed to admit that.


But she serves as a great new face for Burberry's Autumn/Winter 2009/2010 campaign. She's British, she's stylish, and hopefully, unlike practically every other actress out there, she doesn't have a sex tape. Brava, Emma Watson, for keeping your biz to yourself.


On the topic of stylish, young celebs, I should also mention Camilla Belle. She is gorgeous and has great taste (with one exception). I don't think I've seen a single bad outfit photo.

In Gucci.


In Valentino.

In Oscar de la Renta.


In 3.1 Phillip Lim.

If I had the option, I'd probably camp out in Camilla Belle's closet for a while.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

I am a sucker for some sweet, sweet accordion playing.

Beirut, "Concubine"

My Sunday.







Relaxing would be an understatement.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

I wish I was this cool when I was in high school.

"Oh Gravity" by BOYS

Please buy me...

....this house.



Look at the kitchen!


And one of the (3.5) bathrooms!


And I'd like one of these to use while I'm soaking in the tub.



I pass this house a lot on walks and I could envision many great porch parties, dinner parties, weekend visits, and with that much space to decorate, the opportunities are endless...sigh...

Friday, June 19, 2009

Today I:


A peony from our mountain house garden.

  • spent a lot of time recovering from the unexpected fun of last night
  • daydreamed about replacing my Urban Outfitters rug with this one
  • made a grocery list with items like strawberries, crusty bread, brown eggs, Brie and heirloom tomatoes
  • listened to this song a lot
  • am excited to hop in the shower, put on a light dress (because it is so hot), see amazing art and have dinner with friends
  • will come home after an evening out, crawl in bed and read the book I just started
I love summer Fridays.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Bored to Death



1. Jason Schwartzman
2. Parker Posey
3. Kristen Wiig
4. Zach Galifianakis

Bored to Death is an upcoming (in September) comedy series about a struggling writer (Schwartzman) dealing with his post-breakup life in Brooklyn by becoming a private detective--using his favorite detective novels as guides. I love you HBO.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Urban Decor.

Urban Decor



This Polyvore set reminds me a lot of this one. There are so many similarities between Urban and Target's furniture these days.


Urban settee ($575) on top, Target chair ($300) underneath. This looks like the same print.


Urban settee ($575) and Target chair ($300). Same print again.



Urban chair ($325) and Target chair ($300). Twins!


After looking at the furniture sections of both Target and Urban Outfitters, the similarities are endless! I wonder which store's quality is better...

Monday, June 15, 2009

Séraphine

This film looks so good:


I love things that are French.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Frou Frou

Amanda and I were driving home from the mountains this morning when this song came on...


...and we both sighed at the same time. We were transported back to when we were 17, cruising around, she in the driver seat with me as the passenger, feeling young and hopeful. The very importance of the song is in its lyrics: "Music is worthless unless it can make a complete stranger break down and cry." It's the most magical, mysterious thing about music. A song is like a time capsule. You experience it and are immediately transported to the time in your life the song is connected to. Pure magic.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Love is in the air!

Today I'm driving with my best friend into the North Carolina mountains to watch two people who love each other very much get married. I'm excited for this.

On the topic of love, I'm going to share two more loving things.

On Naturally Nina's blog (which is beautiful and inspiring, by the way), I saw this and loved it. The boy made it for his girl for their 3-year anniversary:







And on Design*Sponge, I saw this incredible, amazing, Wes Andersonesque wedding invite that made me fall in love with a couple I've never met (click on the image for a legible size):







And all these things make me feel really, really good about life in general. Happy weekend!

Friday, June 12, 2009

LaCroix water


Anyone who knows me knows my obsession with LaCroix water. For years, my parents have dragged cases of these delicious, bubbly beverages home from places like Sam's and Costco. And for these years, I've enjoyed the same three flavors: Plain, Lemon and Lime. Then, upon living in Charleston for a while, I heard rumors that there was another flavor to be had: Orange. "No!" I exclaimed. "Yes," those wiser than me replied. And thus, it was true. There were four, not three, LaCroix flavors out there. This started my quest...if one more than three flavors exists, then surely there must be more! And, indeed, that was was true. On a return trip to the place they call Publix, my heart and lips found a flavor called Berry. And then, later, my mother stumbled upon yet another great flavor, named Cran-Rasberry, at Ingles in the mountains of North Carolina. And then, even later than that, my world was well and truly rocked: Costco changed up the flavors in their LaCroix water bundles and added GRAPEFRUIT. And then I died. This may well be the greatest flavor to ever be mixed with sparkling water. I sipped, fell upon the floor of my kitchen and wept like a small child. My heart was opened and my tongue was baptised (can you tell that I really like this water?) and I was reborn. So, after years of only three flavors, there now exists seven delightful La Croix tastes in this world and I pray each day that there will be more added.
I am not a paid sponsor (though if any La Croix employees are reading this, I'd definitely like to be!) of this water...I'm just a ridiculous fan. Sometimes there is a product out there that just changes your life and this is one of those things. I've been at my folks' house for the past day and am quickly draining their reserves. Is anyone else as rabidly into LaCroix or any other drink item? A wild fan for a rarely found candy or treat?








Thursday, June 11, 2009

A little over a month till 500 Days of Summer

I love spending hot summers in cool theatres, indulging my romantical side...







I'm really excited for this movie.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

"The Book of Love"

This song popped into my head a little while ago while I was cleaning the kitchen:



I was obsessed with it a few years ago (and also with Magnetic Fields' cover). Isn't it funny how you can listen to a song over and over and then forget about it completely for a number of years, only for it to unexpectedly pop into your head like a long-lost memory?

In the yard today.

It's blooming, it's blooming!

Maya's goofy smile.


Today is a really, really good day. Things are in bloom.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

White Dresses.

Piggybacking on yesterday's "Black & White" post, today's theme is white dresses.

I was fortunate enough to become the owner of not one, but two, white dresses a few weeks ago (sponsored by my awesome mother). I don't have photos of them, but maybe that can be a future post.

I am on an endless quest for the perfect white dress. What is prettier on tanned summer skin than white? Nothing, that's what. My idea of a perfect summer day is spending the morning and afternoon at the beach, getting sandy and salty, and then coming home, scrubbing clean and putting on a gorgeous white dress for a night on the town.

Here's some inspiration:


Audrey Tautou in Priceless



Diane Kruger is a pro at rocking the white dress.



Oh Gwynnie, you do no wrong.

My problem is that I love all styles...vintage lace, draped Grecian, structure...it's all so pretty that I'll never be able to decide on a look.

Monday, June 8, 2009

A Black & White Summer



Also, things I'm loving today: * The rainstorm that's currently happening outside (natural air-conditioning!)
* Sunburn home remedies (I currently smell like apple cider vinegar)
* Roasting vegetables

Friday, June 5, 2009

Weekend Wanderings


Photo by Erica George Dines
for Garden & Gun

Whether you're hitting the road with a trusty map this weekend--traveling to visit friends or making your own path for one--or opening your doors for friends to visit you (like I am) I hope it's filled with everything a late-Spring, early-Summer weekend should be.

Here are some things that I hope happen this weekend:

* a champagne-filled Art Walk tonight
* morning photo expeditions
* evening walks
* midday beach trips
* extravagant breakfasts and tapas-style dinners
* impromptu dance parties
* lots of laughter


What's in store for you?

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Mad Men is coming!

You can bet your bustiers that I'll be hiding from the August heat and, instead, staying in with Mad Men and a chilly gin and tonic.

Swimming Season

I usually buy a new swimsuit every year, but this year am attempting to recycle the ones from years past. I am, however, allowing myself to virtually shop. If I were throwing dollar bills to become a bathing beauty, here's what I would add to my collection:

Anthropologie

Azure Chrysanthemum Maillot


Sabal Keyhole Maillot


Princesse Tam-Tam

Audrey Set


Victoria's Secret (These models are a teensy bit intimidating...)

Embellished U-Neck Set




Paisley Set



And while I'm dreaming, I'd also add

Emilio Pucci Bandeau Print Swimsuit


if it weren't $625 (and already sold out!?!)

I think any of these suits would make a "splash" this summer. (Yes, I went there.) Where are some other places to look for cute suits?