Sunday, July 10, 2011

Luggage tags

These stylish leather luggage tags
have me longing to go on another trip!

Not sure which I love more,
the brown rugged one...or the hand-stitched, lady-like pink ones??


(I especially dig the "Not Your Bag" one, hehe.)


I adore the leather, pink and orange "B" currently affixed to my carry-on...


...but I'd still love one of these fresh looks
on my large-and-in-charge suitcases.

Happy trails to you!

~Images via "of the fountain" on etsy, this is glamorous, and b~

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Garden lights

I just LOVE the warm glow from these hanging lanterns...





From strands of Christmas lights to mason jars with tea lights
to monochromatic white hurricanes to votives strung with pretty ribbon...
I think they are ALL adorable...and totally DIY.

Inspiration to host evening cocktails ASAP!
(And to get to HomeGoods in a jiffy to scarf up supplies!)

Happy{Summer} Saturday!

~photos via Sunsurfer~

Friday, July 8, 2011

Blackberry Beret

I scream, you scream, we all scream
for ice cream with homemade blackberry sauce!


OMG.  You must try this recipe. 
Adapted from the original Barefoot Contessa recipe for Raspberry Sauce.
Aside from the berries,
which are currently sweet, delicious, & in-season (read: cheap),
you probably have the rest of the ingredients right in your pantry.
Throw in the hot weather??
No excuses NOT to make this tonight!
  • 1 half-pint fresh blackberries
  • 1/2 c granulated sugar
  • 1/4 c water
  • 1 c (12 oz) ollalieberry jam (or blackberry jam)
    • I wouldn't expect you to have ollalieberry jam on hand unless you are Martha Freaking Stewart (who probably has them growing in her backyard)...or even know what one is, for that matter.  A jar was given to me as a sweet gift from the San Fran area by my cousin (ollalieberry, or marion berry = hybrid blackberry-raspberry-dewberry. Yum!)
  • 1 Tbsp blackberry brandy, optional

Place the package of clean berries, sugar, and water in a small saucepan.
Bring to a boil.
Lower the heat and simmer for 4 minutes.


Pour the cooked berries and jam mixture into your blender or food processor.
(Resist licking the spoon if you wish to have intact taste buds come sundae time.)
Add the booze, if you're so inclined.
(And I know my readers...you are all so inclined).
Process until smooth.

Chill in the fridge!

Pour over vanilla frozen yogurt.
Top with additional fresh berries and sliced almonds.

ENJOY!

Note:  I cannot WAIT to try the raspberry version...
Just substitute fresh raspberries, seedless raspberry jam, and Framboise for the liqueur!
Voila!  Homemade ice cream sauce = you look like a Super Star.
:)

P.S.  My matching nail color?  Demure Vixen by Essie.


A perfect light purple to complement any skin tone...and homemade b-berry sauce.
;)

~ photos by b~

Thursday, July 7, 2011

"Venn" shui


Today = time to bust ass and study for my summer midterm.

Summer and midterm, by the way,
should NEVER be used in the same sentence.
Gag.

Motivating myself with some Venn diagram inspiration...


Thank goodness this is my LAST summer quarter!
Next year, I will look forward to doing fun summer things, like
eating Popsicles, riding my bike, running through sprinklers, shooting the huzz with water guns, shopping in AC'd malls, and laying in the sun...
(Yes, I do realize I am 28, not 8.  Leave my fantasies alone.)

Enter:  Venn diagram for next year...


Who's on board?!?

(P.S. Once this bad boy is over tomorrow,
I promise to post something far more interesting.)
;)

~Images via bits of truth~

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Glass castles

I am fascinated by transparent homes.

Beautiful, yet slightly frightening, to me.
I mean, I just don't want the neighb's seeing me do my everyday business.
Imagine their horror, watching me struggle through a P90X Plyometrics routine?
Eeegads - not pretty.
Or, watching Alex and I guzzle down take-out Indian thali?
Embarrassing.
While I hate a Peeping Tom just as much as the next guy,
I probably love natural light even more.
Check out these see-through abodes...

Home in Campus Bay, South Africa:


Master suite in Carmel, CA:


Glass-walled house on the Left Bank in Paris:


And this French Polynesian bathroom over the ocean is pretty bomb-dizzle:
(At least until a snorkeler goes swimming by and views my Spanish butt scar.)


Cool? Or no?

~Images via Sunsurfer~

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Side up-do's and black sequins

Two things I can't stop thinking about.
Weird?  Possibly.
But pair them and I might explode!

Prime examples:


I especially think Nicole's hair with that deep v-necked frock would be stunning.

Just remember to hold the gold jewelry...
that combo reeks of Madge in the 80's.


...which, don't get me wrong,
has its time and place. ;)

Now just wishing I had somewhere special to go!


Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy Fourth!

Relaxing along the mighty Mississippi with the fam!


So grateful for my wonderful family and friends...
It was LOVELY to see everyone this weekend!
You are all AMAZING and WONDERFUL!

I'm also grateful for those who fight for our independence every. single. day.
God Bless!

Hope the sun's shining wherever you're celebrating today!

Happy 4th!

~Image via cocoa + kelly~

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Life along the Mississippi

Catching up on a little R&R!


...Especially after cooking and entertaining all day yesterday,
which, don't get me wrong, I LOVE to do...but being Martha Stewart is exhausting!

Here's a glimpse at what we noshed on at the family reunion:

Sweet Corn and Tomato Bruschetta


Pasta Salad


Potato Salad


Strawberry Spinach Salad


Fresh-squeezed Limeade and Berry Lemonade - yum!
So refreshing in the heat!


Unfortunately I have no pics of perhaps the biggest hits...
Pork Tenderloin,
(I rubbed and marinated, Dad worked his magic on the grill),
Sandy's Brown-Sugar Baked Beans & 4-Cheese Pimiento Dip.
Everyone snarfed them up before I could snap an attractive photo! ;)

The meal ended with Coconut Layer Cake (a la mode),
assorted bars and cookies,
and LOTS of fresh fruits - especially watermelon!

Today,
you will find me lounging in the hammock or on the pontoon,
wearing comfy duds like this:
(and quite possibly reading Tiger Beat)


...And star stud earrings inspired by Leighton Meester in "Country Strong":


Which brings attention to the fact
that I am also probably listening to a lot of country music this weekend,
seeing that is the only type of music that is played on the radio stations around here.
A personal fave to close out the post:


~Photos by b, images via TOMBOY style & Shop Bop~

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Family matters

Waking up to the fresh country air
and some reading "for fun" in the hammock are on the agenda!


Along with a much-overdue family reunion today!
With my mom still laid up from her foot surgery,
I will be cooking for 13 peeps...but I'm up to the task!
Pending success, pics & recipes to follow. :)

After my work in the kitchen is through, I'll be 
looking to whoop some kiddies' butts in a water balloon fight.


Happy {Holiday} Weekend!

~Images via Sunsurfer, Amazon, & Yellow Brick Blog~


Friday, July 1, 2011

Road trippin'

Headed up north for a family reunion
and to celebrate the stars and stripes!


This feel good favorite will probably be getting a lot of air-time en route:


~Image via Saying Images~