summer weekend.

what are you up to this weekend? simon and i are planning a quiet evening in, (since we splurged last night and devoured beef stroganoff at a french restaurant). i'm also looking forward to getting things done, going swimming in the lake and sleeping in on sunday.

have a wonderful weekend, and in the meantime, here are five things that i am loving right now:




1. this perfect summer song: mat kearney's hey mama

2. eco-friendly cork-topped nail polish bottles from megan miller

3. tina fey's book bossypants: interesting and funny.

4. lightweight summer shawls like this one.

5. and lastly, yogurt that tastes like red velvet cake. yes, seriously.




(photo credit: aivilo)

things i love thursday (the blog edition)

sometimes i stumble on blogs that are so beautiful and original, i almost fall over. here are three recent favorites that i thought you might enjoy too.

p.s. it is recommended that you peruse these blogs while sipping a cup of earl grey tea, with a sketch book nearby and with some jazzy tunes in the background.

things i love thursday - the pinterest edition.

pinterest – noun:  an online pin board — a place where you can create collections of things you love and "follow" collections created by your friends. 

are you on pinterest? i'd love to follow you! you can follow me here.

(all photo credits here)

things i love thursday.

these are a few things that have been inspiring me lately:
1. the idea of using gorgeous, vintage bookmarks (instead of using a random scrap of paper like i usually do.)
2. wouldn't this modern carafe be perfect on a bedside table?
3. pressed, dried flowers will always impress me.
4. bright and cheery nails to celebrate the arrival of spring.
5. i still adore simple, antique rings.
6. finally, scissors used to be so much prettier, didn't they? :)

what's been inspiring you lately? happy thursday!


(photo and product credits: cb2 carafe, scissors, bookmark, essie nail polish haute as hello, lagar conne ring, and pressed flowers)

the positives.

so, as some of you know, this week was a little bit blergy for me. nothing in particular happened; just lots of little things added up.

well, poor simon had to hear me whine all week, so when he came home last night he immediately launched the "grumpiness recovery program."

part one, focus on the positives:

1. we are planning a mini-moon to chicago next month. we're going to explore the windy city for a few days and eat our weight in pizza. (chicago recommendations welcome!)

2. tomorrow we are going to visit some friends who have a new puppy. i can't wait to meet him.

3. whenever we talk about growing old together, simon busts out this heavy new england "old man" voice and talks about "kids these days". it makes me laugh so hard. i love him.

part two is to have fun: we're going to eat mexican food tonight, watch a silly movie tomorrow, take lots of pictures and maybe, just maybe... bake some red velvet cupcakes.

(photo credit: antufev)