Simple Math

Simple Math by desertgirls featuring zara tops

Zara top / Zara Striped Shopper

It may not be Friday, but I am linking up with Long Distance Loving for Friday's Fancies. The topic is stripes, so I couldn't resist.
And besides, this outfit is just simple math, and perfect for the 90 degree weather we are supposed to have on Sunday.
Stripes + florals = perfection.
See?  Easy.
I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!

Designer Profile: Thomas Britt

If you have picked up a design magazine in the last 30 years then you have seen a Thomas Britt room.  He is a design giant with a distinctive European aesthetic, though he hailed from Kansas City background here.  The spaces he designs are luxurious and lush and magical.  Mr. Britt is an artist of the first magnitude. See if you don't agree!

via housecrush
This screaming yellow doesn't look too intense because of all the windows and framed artwork.  It simply high-lights the architecture.  

via edytaandco
This one is my favorite.  It is truly a dream room and I believe that spending time in this room at night with candle-light would be unforgettable.

brightboldbeautiful

via chinoiseriechic
This room is so interesting.  The parallel dining tables are totally unexpected but it all works. 

belclairehouse
The framed artwork adds even more interest to the painted faux bois paneling.  

belclairehouse

I wish this was a clearer image but I had to include it because I am a sucker for light spaces with high contrast accents.  

Today I get to have a picnic with my son at his school!  He has requested I bring Subway.  I hope your Friday includes something special too.

Dream Space

Image via Pinterest

Hello there.  Hello, Thursday.  Today the Cat and I are going to Disney Land... and I have to say it's pretty perfect timing.
You see, yesterday, my dog and I woke up at the same time, about  5:50 a.m. because we both heard a noise on the front porch.  It turned out to be a very, very drunk man who I think thought was at his house.  I am not kidding, folks... he was SO drunk and it wasn't even 6 a.m.!  My dog was going crazy; she was ready to attack and defend!  I thought I might have to bust out some of my karate on him.  Long story short, he stumbled off and I really feel I deserve a day at Disney!
 I thought I would share this gorgeous outdoor space with you since I have been slipping more and more into vacation mode. I mean, how perfect is this set up for dining Al fresco?!
Enjoy your Thursday!
Lori

Wednesday Pinsday

Okay Wednesday, be good to me--pleeease!  I am working at my daughter's pre-school all day and the ball of my foot is bruised (I have no idea how this happened).  It might be a long day.  I'm thinking when I get home I'm going to need something yummy.  I'm linking up again with Michelle at The Vintage Apple so look, looky, looky at a few of my favorite pins this week.

DGV on Pinterest via Glitter Guide
Oh boy, this might do the trick: lemon meringue pie s'mores.  

DGV on Pinterest via Boden
I really love this quote because I am 32 and it gives me hope that I might still get a chance to do what I love and do it well.

DGV on pinterest via Kara's Party Ideas.com
I love shortbread.  Add in a cup of tea and a little Pride and Prejudice and the day might end well after all.

DGV on pinterest via etsy
These little cupcake boxes are the cutest!  Or maybe I have been around pre-schoolers too long?

DGV on pinterest via house beautiful
There is just something about this kitchen that evokes visions of baking in me...or maybe it's just the eggs in the bowl.  I don't know, but I like it.

Rebecca Iverson on pinterest via The Paris Apartment
 I think many people are starting to catch on to this philosophy of living and that makes me very happy.

Rebecca Iverson on Pinterest via Alison Whelden
I think this is charming.  I'm going to do this at my daughter's pony party in June.

Rebecca Iverson on Pinterest via Lovely Clusters

DGV on Pinterest via ever ana
Kale, green apple, lemon and ginger.  Sounds healthy and tasty.

DGV on Pinterest via Simplified Bee

I wish you all a day without foot bruises.  See you next time!

Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover. Unless Its Really Cute.

Today I am linking up with the Preview to Summer Book Swap and Nicole at Three 31 to talk about judging a book by its cover.

1. Do you judge a book by its cover?  I'm not going to lie.  Sometimes I do judge a book by its cover.  I find that as I get older, I have had the tendency to do this more and more.  If a book looks aesthetically pleasing, I am more likely to pick it up and read the back cover to see what it is all about.  My eye is drawn to pretty, people.  Case in point- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.  

   

   buy it here
2. How important is cover design to you?  Like I said, I do sometimes judge a book by its cover, but it won't stop me from reading something just because I don't like the way it looks.  
3. Share your favorite book cover.  Yeesh.  This is tough.  Favorite book cover.  Hmmmm.  Sorry, don't think I can answer this one.  I have no idea. 
4. What book surprised you the most, despite its unappealing cover design?  I once read a book called Magic Kingdom for Sale, Sold.  I found it at the library one summer when I had nothing to read and just grabbed random books off the shelf without looking.  I'm glad I did; on top of the stupid cover, it had an even worse title!  But I actually really enjoyed that book, and the rest of the series, too.  And another series by the same author, Terry Brooks.  

   

   So lame!  Sorry, Terry Brooks and your
   cover art guy.
   Buy it here.

5. In your opinion, what makes a book cover intriguing?  Again with the hard questions.  I don't know!  I'm not very good at this.  

   

   image via

   I love the graphic look of the old Penguin books, even though that image above is not an actual book.  It is a painting by Harland Miller.  

Source: amazon.com via Random House Books on Pinterest

I also like weird cover art, apparently. I wanted this book based on the picture and the title.

Source: keenfootwear.com via KEEN on Pinterest

I also chose this book based on its cover. That is why I picked it up to begin with, and then I found out that it is by the lead singer of The Decemberists. It isn't a bad book, but it is a little wordy. Sometimes my kids and I (I read it in 6th grade reading club) were kind of like, "Get to the point already!"  

joannagoddard.blogspot.com via Angelique on Pinterest

Of course I had to include this.

Source: amazon.com via Stewart on Pinterest

Love this one too. I love me some silhouettes. Alrighty. That's about all for now. What are some of your favorite book covers?

Instant Summer Living Room

Instant Summer Living Room by desertgirls on Polyvore

VARI ARTEMESIA - Aqua/Teal - Shop By Color - Fabric - Calico Corners / Jacquelyne Armchair | Pottery Barn / TREADS LAGOONA - Aqua/Teal - Shop By Color - Fabric - Calico Corners / FLOWING RIVER - ROBERT ALLEN FABRICS VANILLA - White/Off White - Shop... / SANABELLE SURF - Aqua/Teal - Shop By Color - Fabric - Calico Corners

One thing I love to do is imagine spaces I could design.  Right now I am in the mood for something tropical but timeless and this is exactly how I would achieve that feel.
Have a great start to your week my friends!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms out there!
And happy Sunday to everyone.
I'm off to spend some quality time with my kiddo and then with my Mom and family.
Lori