Happy Friday to you! What fun do you have planned?

We're heading up to Smith Mountain Lake for some fun with family. If you're unfamiliar with this lake, it's Southeast of Roanoke, Virginia in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's very, very beautiful. We're boating, barbecuing, sleeping in, splashing in the water, playing boardgames and riding jet skis. It should be a blast and I'm really excited! I'm taking Monday off so be on the look out for Happy Monday on Tuesday and scenes from the weekend later next week.

Oh! And... on Monday I do have a very exciting giveaway to share, so keep an eye out for a post that will go live at 9:30 AM. It's something I'm sure you'll love!

I hope you have a relaxing few days and as always, be good!
Image: flickr

One of my favorite bloggers, Alyson of Unruly Things, is having the first ever online sale of her new letterpressed line, Postal Press. I was lucky enough to snag a two pack of the awesome hello greeting card and the cheerful wheat design stationary {pictured below}.

The Summer Social has tons of great artwork, jewelry, textiles and paper goods from several talented ladies so act fast as quantities are limited!

Images: Postal Press

I don't know about you, but I like switching up my bags with the season. I don't change them daily, mostly because I go neutral and they go with everything I'm wearing in that particular season {and maybe because I'm a little lazy like that}...

Anyway, I also don't tend to spend a lot of money on my bags and therefore, they don't usually last a long time. {Though that's not always the case, as I am now using the white bag I got last season at Target for the second summer in a row}.

So, now that it seems stores are getting rid of their summer stuff, fall is quickly moving in. I really love this chic black satchel from Target. I especially love the price!

What are you craving for fall?

I came across this cardigan after reading a post on Censational Girl and immediately fell in love. Some of their stuff {definitely not all} reminds me of J.Crew and I'm inclined to order. Especially since they have free shipping and returns. Anyone have thoughts about the quality or actually ordered from this shop over the pond?
Image: Boden

Going for Greens by AnaBica

I know we are just about into August, but I can't stop thinking about how very soon the nights are going to be chilly. I know I've mentioned my extremely stylish friend, Christina, who wears scarfs with everything. I think I'm going to give it a whirl. Maybe I'll start with this lovely J.Crew one.
Image: J.Crew

Here's a few snapshots from the wedding weekend we attended in Santa Monica. It was out of this world. We stayed at the Loew's Santa Monica which I could not recommend more. The reception was at the Adamson House, which as you'll see was the perfect backdrop for a party.

It's a Girl Thing by AnaBica

No matter what color I put on my toes, I always go back to Breaking Curfew. It looks super dark, but in the sun it's an awesome color.
Image: Drugstore.com

This sentence has seven different meanings, depending on the stressed word:

1. I didn’t say she stole my money — someone else said it.
2. I didn’t say she stole my money — I didn’t say it.
3. I didn’t say she stole my money — I only implied it.
4. I didn’t say she stole my money — I said someone did, not necessarily her.
5. I didn’t say she stole my money — I considered it borrowed, even though she didn’t ask.
6. I didn’t say she stole my money — only that she stole money.
7. I didn’t say she stole my money — she stole stuff which cost me money to replace.The writer in me loves this.

I love these kind of things!
via A Cup of Jo via Melancholia
Image: flickr

Always Waiting for Your Call by cfisherphotography

I think this dress fulfills my my wish for a summery, ankle length, flowy frock.
Image: Toast

Definitely not trying to impose any political views on you... I just got a kick out of seeing what Sarah Palin's resignation speech would have looked liked if it was reviewed by the research and copy departments at Vanity Fair.

Perhaps it would have paid to have a new set of eyes on this before taking it to the airwaves.
Via Being Red

Green Party by Beth Retro (break)

Another beautiful belt for your consideration. I heart Etsy!
Image: Pretty Birdie

Lovely, lovely feminine rosettes for your ears. Available in many colors.
Image: Whimsy&Ink

Little Things by Unruly Things

Happy Monday everyone! How was your weekend?

Mine was so much fun! The wedding was an amazing weekend affair! Here's a little sneak peek of the view from the cocktail party. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful and we had a wonderful time. I only wished we could have stayed longer! I'll post more pictures later in the week but for now this will have to do!

I hope you had a relaxing few days, cheers to a wonderful week!
Image: Stephen Bradley

Hi my dears, happy Thursday to you! What fun do you have planned?

I'm signing off a day early because tomorrow I'm flying to the opposite coast for a wedding. I'm jetting off at 7 AM for a party at the Santa Monica Pier, a reception beside the ocean and hopefully a little R&R at the hotel. It's going to be another whirlwind weekend but I'm so excited to see some good friends and to experience a top-notch wedding!

I hope to have pictures of the event to share sometime next week and I'm also hoping to make a dent in Three Junes so that I can share another book review soon!

I hope you have a relaxing few days and as always, be good!
Image: flickr

Several people recommended this book to me but before checking it out from the library I knew very little about it. Here's the synopsis from Amazon:

Manhattan freelance writer Ward and his wife, Heather, faced a steep learning curve when they abandoned harried, technology-driven lives for a year not just in the country but in the country as it was a century ago. Their mantra was, If it didn't exist in 1900, we will do without, and they did—no electricity, no telephone, no computer. This breezy account of their stubbornly quixotic odyssey begins in June 2000, with Logan exhausted pumping water from a well, ineptly milking cantankerous goats and confronting his fear of a 2,000-pound Percheron, while Heather coped with the cooking stove's suffocating heat, her fear of snakes and hand-scrubbing two-year-old Luther's cloth diapers. Their garden, planted late, was soon parched by drought and plagued by pests, the most severe of several crises, since it was their winter food. Ward writes candidly about how tempers flared and sexual intimacy vanished in the early months of their adventure, but the stress of a daunting new experience soon settled into the comfort of routine, as the couple canned dozens of quarts of produce once the rains returned and forged friendships with curious, ultimately supportive country neighbors. This lyrical account of keeping the 21st century at bay is more real, and more rewarding, than any survival TV show.

Review: The premise for this project intrigued me. Although I know there are less fortunate people in this country who currently live without electricity or other modern conveniences, for me, this would be a pretty dramatic change. You see, I grew up in what people would categorize as typical suburban America and I now live in an urban neighborhood in Charlotte so the thought of letting it all go would be challenging. In as much that I found the concept interesting, what I found more interesting was the authors descriptions and challenges with growing his own food {a topic I'm extremely interested in} and building community {something I fear is somewhat lost today}. Another reason this memoir interested me is because it's set in Swoope, Virginia, a town 20 miles away from my in-laws house so the imagery of the town and people seemed so familiar. Overall, it's a light, simple read with some thought provoking points.
*** of 5 stars

I enjoyed this LA Times article about J.Crew goddess Jenna Lyons.
Image: LA Times

Eggs by featherdusting

Since I added the little feature On the Nightstand to the blog as a way of sharing what I'm reading, {and to keep me accountable for my New Years Resolution} I figured I'd start doing a short review when I finished each book. I realized I never did the review for Eat Pray Love, which I finished before See You in a Hundred Years so I'll do the review for Eat Pray Love today and See You in a Hundred Years tomorrow. Deal? Deal.

If you're unfamiliar with the premise of the book here's a short synopsis from Amazon:

At the age of thirty-one, Gilbert moved with her husband to the suburbs of New York and began trying to get pregnant, only to realize that she wanted neither a child nor a husband. Three years later, after a protracted divorce, she embarked on a yearlong trip of recovery, with three main stops: Rome, for pleasure (mostly gustatory, with a special emphasis on gelato); an ashram outside of Mumbai, for spiritual searching; and Bali, for "balancing." These destinations are all on the beaten track, but Gilbert's exuberance and her self-deprecating humor enliven the proceedings: recalling the first time she attempted to speak directly to God, she says, "It was all I could do to stop myself from saying, 'I've always been a big fan of your work.'"

Review: Not as life changing for me as for some of my friends, this book definitely is a great story about a woman's spiritual journey. It helped me rediscover the joy of reading novels after I spent nearly 8 months not reading any. I particularly enjoyed Eat because of the descriptions in Italy, a place I long to visit, and Love because of the sense of peace and acceptance this chapter showed was capable of achieving within oneself. Pray was a bit slow for me but mostly because I don't find myself searching for spiritual answers. The book is very easy to read and I enjoyed the authors sense of humor immensely. I'd like to read another one of her books.
*** of 5 stars

Yesterday while out on a walk I was listening to public radio and heard a fun little piece about the private chefs who serve the world’s presidents, prime ministers and kings. It's a 25-member exclusive club called the “Club of Leaders’ Chefs.” and they're meeting in Italy this week for their annual meeting. Take a listen to find out out what’s on the agenda…and on the menu.
Image: flickr

It's attack of the killer organic heirloom tomato! Check out this ginormous baby I received yesterday in our CSA share! I love summer.

Seashells by Kate / For Me,For You

I really love this necklace designed by Kate Miss, of For Me, For You. Of course by the time I read that she'd updated her Etsy shop the necklace was long gone. She sold out of all necklaces in 15 minutes! Way to go Kate!

My fingers are crossed that the next time she does an update I can snag one!
Image: For Me, For You

I'm afraid I can't remember where I found this image. If it's yours please let me know and I'll credit you!

Thank you dear readers! I have now been able to identify the picture:
On the verge of tears by Marta V.

How do y'all feel about cowboy boots? I have a few dresses I think they'd add some spunk to. Figures now that I don't live in the Southwest I want a pair.

P.S. Did you know Piperlime has free shipping and returns?
Image: Piperlime

Loving this belt and the price too!
Image: Forever 21

Skies are Always Prettier on Vacation. by Mrs. French

Happy Monday to you! How was your weekend?

Mine was relaxing and very enjoyable. Late Saturday morning we saw my Mom and Step-dad off, but not before having an excellent dinner at our favorite Indian food restaurant and brunch at Zada Jane's. Have I ever told you how much I love eating out? After we saw them off, we made it to the mall and there are definitely some great deals to be had. But, of course, my favorite items were still full priced!

Sunday I really relaxed. Slept in, finished See You in a Hundred Years and battled a minor migraine. I've been dealing with them since January so if you have any suggestions please share. It seems like treatment is trial and error and I still haven't found that exact combination to get me better.

I hope you had a relaxing few days! Cheers to a wonderful week!
Image: flickr

Happy Friday to you! What fun do you have planned?

You know what, I have NOTHING on the agenda! Oh sure, I'll do some laundry and go to the grocery store. But we aren't going out of town this weekend and it feels so good. No, I'm not complaining, but, I need a weekend home! My parents leave tomorrow early afternoon so I think we're having one last hurrah by going out for Indian food tonight then maybe to our favorite breakfast place, Zada Jane's, tomorrow.

I hope you have a relaxing few days and as always, be good!
Image: flickr

Perhaps my favorite photographer and designer, not to mention blogger and soon to be letterpresser, is sharing a few of her photos with us to use as desktop backgrounds! I've already saved one to my computer at work and I'm definitely adding one to my computer at home. Thanks Alyson!
Images: Unruly Things