Happy 4th of July

Fireworks, apple pie, lemonade, grilling out, sunshine, pool parties, bags, boats, friends, family, fun....what will you be induldging in this 4th of July weekend???

Happy Birthday America!!!

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Alice and Olivia 2012 Resort Collection

J'adore this sexy, retro inspired collection. It's always so hard to stomach next season's collection when you have barely entered the current season but I'm totally digging the bold colors, incorporation of black/white and funky combinations with chuncky assesscories. Here are just a few of my favorites. Perfect for my 2012 destination...the South of France.

Not Just Blowing Hot Air

Here is a super creative Save the Date I came across on the Bride Buzz blog that I just had to share. A balloon with all the deets is attached to a letterpressed card...so take a deep breath and start puffing away. These innovative creations from L’Office Optimiste are on the pricey side though so if you have a bigger budget consider this for sure.  50 assembled save-the-dates (balloon, letterpress card and envelopes) will cost you $965. That's enough to knock the wind outta ya!

Summa, Summa Summatiiime...

It's officially the first day of summer. So that means no more crappy weather...yea I'm talking to you Mother Nature. It's an order! I'm ready for some warmth and sunshine that lasts for days on end. Not a tease here and there with messy weather in between. To kick off summer 2011 this weekend, why not host a party poolside. Here's just a little inspiration to get you going.

All together now...POOL PARTY!!!

First: Suit up and dress the part:



Net-a-Porter




H&M



Tory Burch



Net-a-porter - 3.1 Phillip Lim



Old Navy


Next up: Cocktails and snacks




West Elm




West Elm



Crate and Barrel




West Elm

 Finally: Insert yourself lounging pool side by one of these lovelies

Happy Pool Partying!!! xxs

Living Room Redo

In just 2 months I will be packing up and moving to a new apartment. Most likely still somewhere in Chicago but...maybe not? Change is definitely in store and that may mean a state move so we shall see...but in anycase, I'm getting rid of all my old living room furniture and decor and starting anew. Here's what I'm thinking...and it's totally budget friendly. Thoughts?



Vase - Kate Spade; Chair - West Elm; Pillow - Etsy; Mirror - Z Gallerie; Zebra Hide Rug - Amazon; Lamp - Johnathan Adler; Sofa - Z Gallerie; Coffee Table - CB2; Apothecary Chest - Amazon



Gimme a little sugar, suga

What a cleaver and SWEET idea: Infused Sugar. With all the ongoing reports of the negative impacts of artificial sweeteners I'm saying good-bye to Sweet-n-Low and going back to the real deal. But what about giving it a little kick to this natural sweetener to add just the right hint of flavor. Citris sugar? Vanilla bean sugar? Cinnamon sugar? Yes please! Perfectly packaged in a old-fashioned glass pint jar/container, they also make the perfect summer gift/giveaway for guests for any party or wedding.

Simple Steps To Infused Sugar:

1. 2 cups granulated sugar
2. infuser (i.e. cinnamon, citris rind, vanilla bean, lavendar, mint, etc.)
3. layer sugar and infuser in pint jar
4. Infuse for one week
5. Store in air-tight container

Viola! Easy peasy and vintage chic.

Life

This blog for me has been really a place to express and share my ideas and thoughts on everything that has to do with style and decor. But occasionally I have made it a little personal and today is one of those days where I can't even pretend that the first thing I'm thinking about is a fabulous piece of decor I've found or a new fun idea  for party styling/entertaining. My thoughts are really with a close friend today and I will leave it at that.

Life is a crazy thing. For most, when you are young it's normal to be carefree and often times take for granted what's around you. But as you get older you start to face things in life that really make you realize that this one life we have to live is precious and not to dwell on the petty, little things. So surround yourself with loved ones as much as you can, notice the little things in life and eliminate those people that don't treat you with respect and kindness. The days tend to seem long sometimes but the years keep getting shorter...so make sure to hug your mom/dad/sister/brother/husband/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/daughter/son/friend today for absolutely no reason at all other than just becuase.