Vases for Summer Flowers

vases for summer flowers by desertgirls on Polyvore

Dipped Blue Vases / IKEA Sockerärt / Waterscape Vases | west elm / Sloane Ceramic Vases | Pottery Barn / Evleen Mercury Glass Vase | Pottery Barn / Evleen Mercury Glass Vase | Pottery Barn

There are some really lovely vases on the market right now in case you are in need of another reason to buy yourself a bouquet of gorgeous flowers!  In the summer I love glass vases in varying shapes but I'm also loving the blue and white options.  Sea glass is another of my favorite looks for bright or muted flowers arranged in a very casual way.  None of these options are very expensive and you will use them all the time.

I'm So Over This. Or Maybe Not.

Are you over the whole ombre thing yet?  I'm kind of at an I don't really care one way or the other phase.  Or at least I was.  Until I saw this dress.

get it here

I love the silhouette; don't you?  Not that a basic black dress is boring, because I think black dresses are classic, but this is definitely a fun twist!
Hope your Thursday is treating you well; we have a graduation to go to (way to go, Nicole!) and I am gearing up for the end of the school year.
Thank goodness for the past three day weekend; having Monday off allowed me to watch the new season of Arrested Development on Netflix.  I couldn't space them out, not even to save them.  I watched them pretty much marathon style, and now I'm going through withdrawals again!

Wednesday Pinsday

It hasn't just been windy here lately, it's been ridiculously windy.  I mean grit in your teeth, don't even think about wearing lip gloss, blustery!  I think I have been sandblasted to the point where I don't even need to exfoliate. Needless to say, now, I am sick of the wind here.  I am ready for a couple of calm days where I can wear a skirt or dress and entertain outside soon because, heaven knows, no one wants to be on my back patio right now.  It's been a pretty good week for pins, though, so I'm linking up with Michelle at The Vintage Apple. 

DGV on pinterest via Simplified Bee

DGV on Pinterest via Sally + Molly

DGV on pinterest via How Sweet Eats

Rebecca Iverson on pinterest via anna jane wisniewski

Rebecca Iverson on pinterest via Kate Spade

Rebecca Iverson on pinterest via Judy Simpson

Rebecca Iverson on pinterest via The Paris Apartment 

DGV on pinterest via Boden

You take me to a happy place, pinterest!

Favorite Childhood Books and The Book Swap

Today is the last post for the Preview to Summer Book Swap, and the theme is favorite childhood reads.  This time I'll be linking up with Nina from Run Dance Love.  I also get to share the goodies I got in the book swap!
My partner is from the blog Blair's Head Band.  If you're in the mood for a little snark and a good laugh, you definitely need to go check her out!  She's all the way across the country in New York, she's getting married in the fall, and she is pretty brilliant at speaking her mind and kind of saying what a lot of us have thought at one time or another (as witnessed here).

This was my first ever swap, and it was great.  I got two books that I can't wait to start reading- Truman Capote's In Cold Blood, and Ali Wentworth's Ali in Wonderland.  She also gave me a sweet little New York notebook and a little bag from the famous New York book store the Strand.

image via

image via

Big thanks to M for all my goodies!  You really helped make this such a great experience, and while I apologize again for the tinsel in your package, if it kept the books from being soaked in champagne, then it did its job!  

Now, on to the link up.  My favorite childhood reads...

First, I'll start by saying that when I was little, I wasn't a big reader, much to the disappointment of my Mom.  She would take us to the library on a regular basis, hoping to spark something.  It wasn't until 4th grade when  my teacher read The Westing Game to us that I really wanted to read on my own.  I was hooked- I even got my Mom to take me to the library so I could finish the book early. (And then tell my classmates how it ends.  Hey, they asked!)

image via

So that book really got me to love reading on my own.  If we are talking little kid books, though, then The Pokey Little Puppy was always a fave.  

I also read The Chronicles of Narnia every summer when we went on our annual beach trip.  But I will only read them in the original order. None of this nonsense that Lewis' stepson used to change the order to match the book's chronological order. 

image via

A Little Princess and The Secret Garden were also favorites, along with Babysitter's Club.

So what were some of your childhood favorites?  I could add more... Mr. Popper's Penguins, all of the Ramona books...

I hope you have a great week, made sweeter by the fact that it is short!

Memorial Day 2013

We are having a wonderful morning.  My kitchen floor is all finished and the trim is almost in.  Yay!  Today is all about family fun, though.  We are about to go to the tennis court to have a little boys against girls challenge:)  Tonight we will go to my parents house for a BBQ with some family friends and a few Veterans my parents have invited.  It will be nice to thank them today for their service and also for my children to hear what the day is really about.  We are all so very lucky.

Just a reminder via my friend Alison (whose husband is in the service).  A big thank you to those who serve and to those who have served.  Today we are celebratory but also solemn.

Running Errands

Yesterday, I had big plans to get some errands completed.  Instead, I slept in a little and the Cat and I went to lunch with my sister.  I have been craving Tokyo Steak House for months, but haven't had the time to go there.  I guess I could have gone for dinner, but I like going there for lunch.  What can I say?  I'm cheap.  You get the same amount of food at lunch that you do at dinner and it is way less than half the price.  So we went.  The Cat and I split a plate and even with that we had enough leftovers for us to both finish the rest for dinner.

So anyway, after that, we kind of ran out of steam.  I stayed up way too late Friday night watching Pretty Little Liars on Netflix (I have talked before about how my brain has turned to mush- it is because I watch shows like this).  Needless to say, no errands were accomplished.  So today we will get some things done, including a run to the mall and then an afternoon meandering the local antique stores.  Below is a perfect outfit, in my humble opinion, for doing just that.

Zenggi cotton cardigan, $130 / Mango v neck shirt / Club Monaco / Seychelles flat / ASOS flat shoes / Kelly & Katie straw handbag / Metal jewelry / Kate Spade eyewear

Okay, can we talk, just for a minute, about those shoes?! First let me just say that I would normally not put black with blue in that way (though I am not opposed to doing that!), but I adore those little poodle silhouettes on those loafers. I think they would add interest to the outfit and make it fun for the weekend. Wish me luck that I find some treasures today! I'd also like to take a minute to honor those brave men and women who have given their lives in the name of freedom. How lucky we are to have people willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

 

Quote of the Week: Say Yes!

Today I am painting my ceiling.  I don't want to paint it because painting a ceiling is the opposite of fun.  I did it to myself though.  It seems to be a habit of mine to take on far too much and then attach a dead-line to it...like my daughter's upcoming birthday party.  Oh, well.  When it's done I will be happy I about killed myself over it.  

DGV on pinterest via sfgirlbybay

I always do this!  Usually it works out for the best and allows me to accomplish far more in the end.

Friday's Fancies and OOTD

Welcome to the weekend! I am SO glad it's Friday. And three days off? I am not complaining! Today I am linking up with Long Distance Loving for Friday's Fancies. The theme this week is Memorial Day. How apropos, no?

Memorial Day by desertgirls featuring frayed jean shorts

Tunic / Mango frayed jean shorts / Shoes / Clutch / Kate Spade eyewear

I am loving that shirt from Tailor and Styist, and the shoes from there as well.  And the purse, come to think of it, is also from there.  I may or may not have a whole list of items I would love to purchase from that store!

I think that outfit would work well for a Memorial Day bbq; it's cute and comfortable.
I also thought I'd throw in an outfit of the day along with the bbq outfit; this one is perfect for the weekend too!

Lace up shoes / Cherry necklace / UGG Australia Women´s Alloway Slippers | Dillards.com

Okay, now I'm done. I just love that vintage bakelite cherry necklace and I think it would be so cute with this outfit!  I also like the idea of changing out the shoes from heels to flat to make the outfit a little more casual.  And I love a punch of color- I think red is perfect for the weekend that unofficially kicks off the start of summer!
I hope you all have a great weekend!

India Hicks: Caribbean Chic

via blog.urbangrace

Admittedly, some of these images are not new but I had to share them because I absolutely love Caribbean style.  Especially British Caribbean.  There is a true off-hand elegance about the way India Hicks styles her amazing properties in the Bahamas (By the way, they are available to rent!) She is a gorgeous woman who was a flower girl in Princess Diana's wedding source and comes from a family of interior designers.  I am definitely inspired.

via caribbeanbelle.com

via markdsikes

via northernlight

via habituallychic

candyheartshome

via eclecticinteriordesigngroup

habituallychic

habituallychic

coastal_style

habituallychic

What did I tell you?  It's like being in a Hemingway novel.  Chic and summery and carefree.  

Literary Crushes and a Few Good Pins

Hello, friends!  It is hard to believe that this week is already half way over, but I have to admit that I am ever so glad that it is- 3 day weekend, here we come!  I, for one, am looking forward to sleeping in.  I miss sleep.  It's my own fault for not getting enough.  Well, mine and my cat Taylor- it's her fault, too, since she has taken to using one of my beside lamps as a scratching/rubbing post and nearly causes it to fall over every morning at about 3 or 4 a.m.  I have to figure out a way to anchor it down to the table (I'm thinking earthquake putty), but I also have to figure out a way to anchor the table- she has almost caused that to crash and fall, and it would be horrible, because it is a mirrored side table.

Source: rofloffice.com via Lori on Pinterest

So, anyway.  Wednesday means a link up at The Vintage Apple.  And I am going to attempt to do my little assignment for the Preview to Summer Blogger Book Swap.  I have to say I am glad I participated in this swap; it has been fun reading other bloggers' posts covering different literary topics, and exchanging book packages via the mail was fun too- I can't wait to share what I got from my swap partner!  (And I can't wait until I have time to dive into my new reads!)
For this week's topic we could choose between Literary Soundtracks or Character Crushes.
Every time I attempt to answer these questions, my brain turns to jelly.  I feel like I haven't read anything besides young adult fiction (with my students) in forever, and the books I have been reading don't really lend themselves to crushes (Hitler, anyone?!).  So I have to try to delve back into my past and think of some characters I fell in love with.  Or think of some songs that just scream soundtrack to a certain book.
And since my brain has kind of been fried lately with tons of end of the year projects and grading and drunk men on my porch, I am going to give you the opposite.  I am going to give  you a list of anti-crushes.  These are horrible characters the likes of whom should be avoided by women (and men!) at all costs.
1. Dorian Gray.  What woman doesn't love a narcissistic, egotistical maniac who  not so secretly prefers men over women?!  He may be hideous on the inside, but come on, we all know that it's what's on the outside that really counts, right?!

Source: doctormacro.com via Lori on Pinterest

2. Alex, from A Clockwork Orange.  Have you ever read this novel?  On the one hand, I recommend it, as it is a classic piece of literature, but on the other hand, I say stay away from it, as it is so very, very disturbing.  This book is the kind that stays with you, even when you don't really want it to.  It's like gum on your shoe.  Alex and his droogs are perhaps some of the most despicable literary characters that I have ever come across in my life. Even the author said something to the effect that this book would follow him all his life, and not in a good way.

Source: nickdrake.tumblr.com via Gustavo on Pinterest

Okay, enough with the bad boys whom I think you should stay away from. How about a good guy?  How about (drum roll, please...)
1.  Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables.  He's just so good to Anne, despite her many rejections and flaming red hair.  (Just kidding about the hair!)  He is steadfast and makes sacrifices for her even when she doesn't know that she wants him.  He waits for her and he loves her as she is.

Source: anneofgreengables.com via Karah on Pinterest

2. I also love Snape.  That's right.  Severus Snape.  I love him for loving Lily as much as he did.  Ahhh, Snape, you greasy haired softie, you.  Love him.

Source: Uploaded by user via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Okay. Done. I guess I could mention more. I would not be opposed to meeting one of the male leads from a Sophie Kinsella novel, for instance. Or a certain Mr. Darcy, of course.
Now, on to some random pins for Wednesday Pinsday.

Source: theeverygirl.tumblr.com via Lori on Pinterest

I adore this lamp.  And pretty much everything else on that desk.

Source: rstyle.me via Lori on Pinterest

Yes, please.

Source: bunnyvictorious.com via Lori on Pinterest

I hope you are all enjoying your week!