Thursday, May 31, 2012

Easy beach cover-up

Seriously easy.
Rectangular piece of jersey knit fabric + straps.


Pretty sure I need one of these to match each of my swimsuits!
Just throw on some fun bangles or necklace and a cute pair of sandals,
and you're perfect for transitioning from beach/pool
to al fresco pina coladas.
Yes, please!

~image via pinterest~

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Pottery Barn summer

Just a few of my favorites from their summer catalog...

How fun is this planked American flag?


Love, love, LOVE these chairs in red!


Such a fun collection of drink dispensers!


I think these baskets would be perfect for storing towels, magazines, sunscreen, etc. on a deck or boat.


And how fab are these caged glass pendant chandeliers?!
Nautical chic...I'd love a pair.


If you had an extra hundo or two to blow at PB,
{HERE}
what would you purchase?

~images via Pottery Barn~

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

New mom workout plan

"All them mocha lattes, you gotta do Pilates."

See?  Not too unlike Kanye's Workout Plan...


(Although, I do want "a little tight ass.")

With a newborn babe that not only demands your attention for general care,
but also sucks you in every other waking moment due to his absolute cuteness -
I mean, who doesn't want to play with / love on this 24/7?!


- a new mom may find it incredibly difficult to shed those final pounds.
All 10 of them, in my case.

Enter:  New Mom Workout Plan


1.
Complete the above daily exercises,
whenever the hell you can squeeze them in throughout the day.
(I envision squats while holding your laughing baby,
maybe some calf raises while doing the dishes?)

Note:  If you are unfamiliar with some of the above exercises, like "bird-dogs", well...you're probably at a disadvantage already in the fitness department.  But hey, there's always google and it's never to late to start workin' on your fitness.

2.
Add a nice, long, daily walk with your baby and/or spouse or friend.
(Hills encouraged.)

3.
Pound water whenever you can.

4.
Oh, and as Kanye so kindly recommends:
"Eat your salad, no dessert."

Disclaimer:  I have no idea if any of this actually works, but considering I am desperate for these 9-ish pounds to disappear from my mid-section and am lacking on time/energy to otherwise do so, I am going to give it a good old college try.  Will keep you updated!

~photo by b / image via pinterest~

Monday, May 28, 2012

Happy Memorial Day

Hope you're thoroughly enjoying your day off!




Thankful for those who bravely serve our country,
so that I am able to enjoy my freedoms and time with my family,
while they are sacrificing their own.
Happy Memorial Day.

xoxo,
b

~photo by b~

Friday, May 25, 2012

Friday link love

It's the end of the week...and the start of a 3-day weekend!
Waaahoooo! 
Here are four fun things that I'm loving this week,
and one thought-provoking article...

1.
Color-block leather totes.-
The perfect summer bag? Maybe!
I'm digging this navy blue one from Neiman Marcus.
Available for 40% off  in a variety of colors {HERE}.






2.
Evening strolls + ice cream eaten in the backyard.
Last night's flavor du jour?
Neopolitan + Caramel Cookie Crunch + Hot fudge
YUM.




3.
Hobnail
My Grandma Pearl had the most amazing  collection of authentic hobnail.
She had it displayed on this fantastic, huge shelf
in front of a bright window in her dining room.
But if you can't afford the "real" deal,
check out {this} version at Anthropologie, $10 each.


A perfect addition to your brunch tablescape!



4.
Spruced-up home offices.
Ah, again the wonders of spray paint!
The white stripes on that corkboard / inspiration board
elevate this office to another level of fabulousness!




5.
A heartfelt post about a couple's struggle with infertility.
{HERE}
Making a baby is not easy.
And her story reiterates the fact that little babies truly are a blessing!


(I know I am BEYOND thankful for this sweet, little guy.)

Happy Weekend, lovelies!

~images via Neiman Marcus Last Call, anthropologie x 2, & thehappyhomeblog / photos by b~

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Kale-Apple Slaw with Poppyseed Dressing

Making this for lunch today!
LOVE me some dark leafy greens.
YUM!


(Source:  CHOW)

INGREDIENTS

For the dressing:

  • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup small-dice red onion (about 1/4 medium onion)

For the coleslaw:

  • 1 pound flat-leaf kale (about 2 bunches)
  • 2 medium Granny Smith or Fuji apples, or 1 of each
INSTRUCTIONS
For the dressing:
  1. Place the vinegar, honey, mustard, poppy seeds, and salt in a large, nonreactive bowl, season with pepper, and whisk to combine. While whisking constantly, slowly add the oil until all of it is incorporated. Add the onion, stir to combine, and set aside.
For the coleslaw:
  1. Wash and dry the kale. Cut out and discard the tough stems. Arrange the leaves into stacks, slice crosswise into 1/4-inch ribbons, and add to the bowl with the dressing. Core the apples, cut them into 1-1/2-inch-long matchsticks, and add to the bowl. Toss to combine. Let the coleslaw sit for at least 15 minutes and up to 1 day for the flavors to meld. Toss again before serving.


For other fun, healthy, non-traditional summer salads,
(I'm looking at you potato and macaroni)
check out these amazing recipes over at CHOW.
{HERE}

~image via CHOW~

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Garden

Along with a house comes a garden!
I have to say it's, by far, the best one I've been able to cultivate yet.
Here's a look at some of the things we've got brewing...

Hot pink peonies!


White chlamatis!


Ferns + Hostas!


Moon plants?
(a.k.a. the two weird antenna flowers that are now taller than me).
If you know what they're called, please tell.


Roses!


Lilacs!



Tulips!




Lillies and rhubarb!


Bleeding hearts!


Gotta love perennials.
Cutting some rhubarb today!

Can't forget my little herb garden...
which I look forward to completing with basil and cilantro this coming weekend
at the Farmers' Market.

Too bad the dandelions seems to multiply the more we pick them!

How are your gardens coming along this year?

~photos by b~

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Peplum perfection

Are you digging the peplum trend??
I think it is adorably feminine.


They say peplum is flattering on most body types,
though I think I'd have to try it on before I agreed with that statement!
I do love how it creates the look of a tight little waist.
While perhaps hiding a little lower-belly-bulge??
(Not that any of us have any of that because we're freaking flawless!)
;)

Regardless,
in addition to that long coral peplum skirt + striped top (above left),
here are are some of my favorite peplums...




If you're looking to try out the look yourself,
why not go with something that works for both the office and events?
Here are two classy navy shift dresses...

SPLURGE
$248 via Alice + Olivia
{HERE}


STEAL
On sale for $27 via Dorothy Perkins
{HERE}



(Very "Diana Payne" from Gossip Girl, no?)

So, how about you?
Will you be getting your peplum on this spring?

~images via the glitter guide, atlantic-pacific.blogspot, teen vogue, late afternoon blog, shopbop, & dorothy perkins~

Monday, May 21, 2012

Weekend recap

What to do on a gorgeous summer-like spring day in Milwaukee?
Head down to Lake Michigan, of course!
(Cue fun, catchy song...that I want to hate, but secretly kind of like.)



No time to upload pics from my camera,
so it's a Droid / instagram photo montage...Here we go!

Baby geared up in his summer best!



Ugh.  So cute I cannot stand it.

Bradford Beach was poppin'...volleyball tourneys and college students galore!
And seriously, this view does NOT look like the Midwest, hey?


Post picnic, we hit up the Lake Shore paths...



...and the Lake Park trails!



Such great weather for a long stroll with the fam...


A hot day wouldn't be complete without a little frozen custard to cool us off -
strawberry lemonade and one Madagascar vanilla cone for two, please!


YUM.


More vistas...


(sigh)


On an even hotter, muggier, and slightly overcast Sunday?
Stay inside the AC and start watching Sons of Anarchy.


Perfection.
From beginning to end!

Hope your weekend was just as fun and relaxing...
counting down the days til it's Friday again!
And then it's MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!!
Farmer's Market in Madison with my parents
cookouts with friends,
and perhaps a return trip to the beach.
If any of that sounds fab to you, call me...maybe. ;)

~photos by b~

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Cousins

 "Cousins are usually the first friends 
 we have as children. 
 No one will ever understand 
 your crazy family like your cousins do." 

(My cousins and I would definitely  have to agree with that statement - ha!)

Baby A was lucky enough to finally meet his two cousins this past week.
Can't wait to see what fun and trouble
these three little cutie patootie monsters get into over the years!
Here is meeting #1 documented...


SO CUTE!!

(Blurriness indicative of the high level of action occurring,
and therefore, appropriate.)
;)



~photo by b~