5/31/12

sip n' sun

the recipe for this concoction is over at becoming a foodie. i've been looking for a sipper to take over to the pool and drift off in the sun all day long. briny breeze, you're mine.


photos from becoming a foodie
pool friendly party tumblers here

5/30/12

summer strawberry jam

monday morning i drove down to newport to go strawberry picking with my mom-in-law. we were so excited to usher in summertime by getting our knees dirty & fingers stained with berries. it was my first time in a patch and loved it! picking wholesome, growing strawberries from their organic state is so satisfying.

we loaded up with 33 pounds of strawberries & headed for her house for an afternoon of canning & stealing tastes (which were followed up with delicious funny moans & faces).
we cooked up strawberry champagne jam along with some preserves & plain jane jam.

once home, hubs & i sipped on local summer harvest peach wine & fed on strawberries i saved for hot nights like this.

a new tradition? mmhmm.


5/25/12

WEEKEND ESSENTIALS: road trip

we're all on holiday; time to hop in the car, pump out the jams, roll up our pants & drive barefoot into the sun.


5/24/12

field guide: how to launder white linens

upcoming summertime has me thinking about fresh whites & putting away the woolies. keeping white sheets from discoloring isn't nearly as daunting as it seems, trust me. i use maria carr's method, who pens the sought-after dreamy whites blog. it's a combination of oxiclean & mrs. meyer's -- one powerful elixir, honestly.


photo found here
(dangit tumblr. the url went missing during my trackback; if you know or run across the original source, please tell me!)

5/22/12

fleabags spring / summer 2012 collection

fleabags recently launched their spring & summer collection. made by two creatives from brown university, these bags are made for flea market sundays. they're dapper, they're sharp, they're pricey. and i'd love one (or two).


flip through fleabags lookbook here

5/21/12

DRESSED: popping color


remember these essentials? peppering bits of color into neutrals over the weekend was my cuppa tea. the weather was hot & gorgeous for the festival, & we brought ourselves home some rustic artisan pottery. husband said i'd have my own booth there next year.

i laughed.


shirt & straw fedora gap  //  belt & bermudas aeo  //  flats old navy

5/19/12

remembering

summers ago, i was going with a guy who took me to grand lake where ritualistically, his old group of friends would gather every year for an endless summer at a lakehouse owned by one of their grandmothers. she was a quick-witted, spirited woman who shared my name & would specifically make my beau pineapple upside-down cake every year. her young mind certainly surpassed her age, which made me admire this fun-loving stranger the moment i met her.

i'll never forget how time stopped that summer. we loaded up with provisions from jimmie garant's & headed north. hours we spent out on the lake, listening to spoon & reminiscent stories before heading to the local pub for salty margaritas & shooting pool.

grandma elizabeth had several teensy cottages dotting the long drive up to her house. we'd spread out between them & spend our nights falling asleep to rustling leaves & wake to the sound of the lake lapping against the bank.

the afternoon we'd all be leaving for home was spent tossing a frisbee on the front lawn between goodbyes. i never wanted to leave. sometimes i think i never did.


5/18/12

WEEKEND ESSENTIALS: 49th annual art festival

tomorrow chris and i are going to the art festival that's held in our city every year. we've never been to one yet & apparently it's big, as in carnival big... which is quite large considering they plop this thing in our downtown city streets along with a live music stage & an international food court. there will be a slew of ceramics, drawings & prints, jewelry, leather, glass & clothing. it's a lot to handle. i'm quite anxious!


straw hat (similar found in store & at j.crew)  |  camp shirt  |  short  |
flats (old navy carries similar) |  shoulder strap clutch

5/14/12

DRESSED: the only pant you'll ever need

i've been wanting another versatile staple & have always had my eye on j.crew's minnie pant. it's a cropped length & the stretch hugs all the right places. they'll be worn into the ground, so they're worth the investment. i own these & love pairing them with solid tees, chunky heeled sandals, & a pop of coral on the lips.

5/11/12

WEEKEND ESSENTIALS: a mother's day afternoon

an easy look for my weekend; sunday calls for breakfast mimosas, dinner along the river, & a massive bouquet for one very special mama.



5/10/12

back from the bay

i love going home. i grew up on lake huron surrounded by forestry and feel like a drifter when away from it for too long.

bell's natural area is just north of town & the biggest secret; the shoreline is massive & used to be where we'd party after punk shows in high school. if you're ever traveling to the northeast shore of michigan, stop here. it's worth it i promise. (besides, there's a hefty nature trail & legit, uncommercialized ghost town).

i'm popping a teepee here & spending the rest of my days a beach boho. join me?


picture of bell taken with my iphone