In the Summertime

Happy Friday, all! Today I am linking up with Long Distance Loving to bring you some of the things on my summer wish list. My summer essentials, if you will. (And if you won't.) On top of my list for this summer is the good old maxi dress. I love a good maxi dress. Don't want to bother putting a lot of effort in to your look because you stayed up until 3 a.m. the night before finishing out the Pretty Little Liars episodes available on Netflix? No problem! (Well, I guess some might consider it a problem that I am watching Pretty Little Liars in marathon mode this summer. But I can't help it. It is vacation, right? I'm allowed my guilty little pleasures.) 
The weather has bean really weird at home lately.  Usually by this time we are sitting in triple digit weather wondering how long it will be before our faces melt off our heads.  But not this summer.  At least, not so far.  So enter the maxi dress, which allows the perfect amount of coverage, whether it is windy or not.
Another summer essential- you've gotta get new shades for the summer!  I love both the pairs I've featured here, and bonus- one of them is on sale.
New bathing suits are in order this summer.  I've had my current suits for longer than I'd care to admit.  Along with new suits, I am loving this cover up in navy blue.
Let's see- I am also loving that charm bracelet.  I think it is so light and airy; perfect for the summer!
And new sandals are in order... and that purse is gorgeous.  Round it out with a beach bag and you're good to go.
I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

In the Summertime by desertgirls featuring vix

T-Bags Los Angeles maxi dress / Tory Burch / Vix / Vix / Vix swimwear / Vix / Steve Madden steve-madden shoes / Tory Burch / Lesportsac medium travel tote / Kate Spade / Sunglasses

Al Fresco via Marcus Design

One of my very favorite blogs is Marcus Design.  I love Nancy Marcus's style and her personality.  If you haven't visited her site you really should!  

Recently, Nancy posted about a Blogger Backyard Party she attended.  I just love the look of the casual yet festive setting.

Image via Marcus Design

I am inspired to make a set of these gingham napkins!  Love them.

I now need lights like these lights.  NEED, people!

I am inspired.  For more images and ideas go check out Nancy's post here.  

Wednesday Pinsday: Road Trip!

The Cat and I are on a road trip with my good friend and photographer extraordinaire, Kim Trzyna.    We are heading up to Oregon and Washington, two places Alli has never been.
For today I am linking up with The Vintage Apple for "Oh, How Pinteresting" to bring you some of my favorite relevant and not so relevant pins.

Source: Uploaded by user via Lori on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Lori on Pinterest

Source: hemingwayandhepburn.com via Lori on Pinterest

Source: hemingwayandhepburn.com via Lori on Pinterest

Source: piccsy.com via Bentley on Pinterest

Source: yourmodernfamily.com via Becky on Pinterest

1. Love this! Especially because that was the landscape from the car windows at the beginning of out trip.  2. Love this one too. Though there will be no dead bodies, I promise.  3. Love this office!  And look- a fiddle leaf fig tree.  I'm not kidding; I love this office. 4. I think I am going to have to recreate this look this summer. Looks like I'm going to have buy a new pair of shoes.  Darn. 5. I love this mommy/daughter photo.  I'm doing a lot of loving on these pins, aren't I?! 6. I had to pin this after one of my friends posted it on facebook.  I saw it at about 10 or 11 o'clock at night and had to pull out the vanilla ice cream  and the flour.  I almost never have ice cream in my house, so I figured that must be a sign.  And the other sign was that I like bread.  And I had flour.  And it's two ingredients, people, I had to try it!  And you know what?  Not a bad bread for two ingredients!  I would definitely make this bread again, but with a better flavor ice cream than vanilla. Hope you are all having a fantastic week!

Z is for Zebra

 Lori had an Instagram post a few months back on a darling little infant zebra dress at Target she found.  They didn't make it in my daughter's size (5t) and I was disappointed. I agree with the rest of the world that zebras are very chic.  Not 2 weeks ago I was tuling around Target--as I am apt to do--and I spied a toddler version of the same zebra dress!!

Here is the baby version available in store and online here.  Only $9!

Here is the toddler version that I bought for my daughter. Available in stores now and online here.  Only $12.

 I can totally change the look for fall by adding leggings and a long sleeve shirt under this dress and adding boots and a safari style jacket.  Talk about versatile! 

Gwenna's sandals are from Target as well.
sunglasses: Children's Place

Monday, Monday

Periodically, my sister in law sends me links to various websites and things that she thinks the Cat and I will like.  She hasn't failed yet at sending me something awesome.  (3 cheers for Becky!)  So this time she sent me to a tumblr called Awesome People Reading.  Here are some of my favorites.

Brando

Cary Grant

Grrrrrrregory Peck
He deserves the "grrrrrrr," don't you think?  I mean, Hello, Sexy.

He deserves two, don't you think?!

And Helllllllo, Harrison.

Hepburn

Leslie Caron

Shirley Temple

This Dalek is Lit-er-ate.

This Storm Trooper is reading one of my brother's favorite books.

So that's it for today, though there are plenty more to choose from.  I hope your Monday is fantastic!

Father's Day: Classic Movie Dads

As it is Father's Day I hope all of you out there are spending some quality time with the wonderful Dads in your lives.  I thought I would share a few of my favorite classic movie Dads with you today.

via itsawonderfulmovie
Life with Father is such a brilliant little film.  William Powell is so fantastic in it as the red-headed, head (hehe) of his red-headed family.  

via basemetrejects
How could I leave out Andy Griffith?  He is probably my favorite Dad of the bunch.  

via classicmoviechat
I love Spencer Tracy as the harried Father of the bride.  Too great.

via womentakingastand
 I adore James Steward's true to life portrayal of a struggling Dad in It's A Wonderful Life.

via newslang89

 In Penny Serenade Cary Grant fights for custody of their (with Irene Dunn) adopted daughter in an emotional court-room scene that always brings tears to my eyes.

Today I am with my amazing husband and kids in Carlsbad.  My kids couldn't have a better father.  I truly can't say enough about his dedication to our children.
Tonight I get to celebrate with my own wonderful Dad.
Happy Father's Day to all the fantastic Dads in our lives!  

Mother and Daughter

Mother and Daughter by desertgirls featuring linen dresses

Mango linen dress / Stuart Weitzman flat / Marc by Marc Jacobs tote bag / Zara Check Shirt Dress With Belt / Zara Animal Print Sandal