Summer and Sunflower Season

Sunflowers are the quintessential end-of-summer accent.  The warmth and casual elegance of these blooms bring to mind Vincent Van Gogh and the hot, carefree days of childhood.  They grow wild along the roadside here in the desert but they are inexpensive, so I buy in bulk at the local farmer's market or grocery store.  I promise they will bring a smile to your face.

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My entryway table decor. 

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Today my kids start back to school!  They are in the 4th and 1st grades.  I think I will buy more sunflowers to console myself ...and celebrate.

Desert Summer

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When Lori and I started this blog more than 3 years ago we decided to embrace the fact that we live in the desert.  Back then it wasn't trendy or chic.  Where we live we are close to areas that are very dry desert spots (like the Mojave desert) as well as more tropical resort locations like Palm Springs.  There is something very beautiful about where we live and it's nice to see it more appreciated in current styles.

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photo by Kim Trzyna

The above image is of Lori and I when we started our blog. We had to check for snakes before we set up and it was very windy that day, but what a sunset!  

Today it is hot hot hot!  As in 104 degrees, hot.
Stay cool out there!

Bon Weekend!

How perfect is this yellow and white sitting hammock from Hillary Thomas?  I think it would be a perfect addition to a back porch or sun room.  And bonus- it's on sale!

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Bon weekend!

School's Out

Today is our last day of school.  It is crazy how quickly this year went by.  My classroom is all packed up and ready to go; once that bell rings, I can turn my keys in and be out the door!  What better way to celebrate than with a cool summer cocktail?

Sweet Paul

Sweet Paul calls this the Mint, Cucumber and Lime Crush.  Our favorite local steakhouse makes a version with vodka instead of rum.  Whatever you call it and whichever spirit you decide to use, it is delicious and perfect on a hot day when you're looking for something to refresh you.
And believe me, I could use some refreshing after wrapping up another great school year!

Palm Pretty Summer

One of my favorite bloggers Nancy Marcus over at marcus design inc put together this perfect litle inspiration board featuring a palm leaf bikini you can get right now over at Target.  Yes, Target!  I am on my way over today.  As you know from a few of my prior posts these past few months that I am obsessed with leaf print anything so this little number fits the bill perfectly.

marcusdesigninc.blogspot.com featuring target bikini

Today I'm on a job that doesn't make me too happy.  That's ok.  It's Wednesday!

Shakespeare and A Few Little Pretties

I hope you are all having a good week.  I am.  I have had the opportunity to fill in for a 7th grade honors English teacher for 7 days and I get to teach Shakespeare!  What a dream for me.  I am helping them along with Henry V.  I decided to do a big activity, so they are making comic strips in groups.  By the time they are done, all my classes with have the whole play, from Prologue to Epilogue, in comic strip form.  Ha!  

As fun as this has been, it's also been a lot of work and I am pretty tired and craving some fashion and design inspiration.  Here are the pretty things that are making me happy right now.

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I love this sweet little bee painting.  It's just so summery and charming.

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Ah.  Audrey in Rome circa 1968.  She couldn't be chicer. 

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I love this for Lori's bedroom.  She needs these leopard benches at the foot of her bed.

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I'm ready for a warm-weather bike excursion through some quaint location. 

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I really neeeed these.  Aren't they awesome!

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Just the right balance.

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This suit is stunning and it just might be far cooler than I'll ever be.  No might about it, actually.

Happy Wednesday to all of you!

One Top, Three Ways

Earlier this month, Rebecca did a post on Esther Williams and crop tops.  I was inspired, and hear it is, almost a month later, and I am still loving the look and the idea of a crop top for summer.  The look just screams vintage glam to me (when it is done right, that is).  I found this crop top and fell in love with its gorgeous print and colors, and I think it would be such a fun piece for summer vacation.  It would look gorgeous paired with a long black maxi skirt (although I think you could also pair it with a green calf length, pleated skirt and look great, too).  To change up the look, you could pair it with a fun pair of cigarette pants (I am forever buying black cigarette pants; they are a closet staple for me).  You could also throw the top on with a pair of black shorts for another fun, easy look.

River Island crop top, $20 / Topshop jersey knit maxi skirt / High waisted short shorts / Topshop black cigarette pants


So what do you think?  Will you be sporting a crop top (and a halter one, to boot) this summer?

Embroidered Chambray Dress

I want to say thank you to those of you who wished me luck with my recent interview!  It went very well and it made my heart warm to hear from you:)
After such a stressful time, I'm turning to my latest fashion obsession for a reward.  I realize that in most parts of the world spring has barely come but here we had an early spring so I'm already thinking summer.  Nothing says summer better than a chambray dress.  Add some beautiful white embroidery to it and you have the perfect staple piece of the season.  I can also see it paired with white jeans and worn as a tunic or as a bathing suit cover up.

Embroidered Chambray Dress by rebecca-iverson featuring a blue bohemian dress

Don't these have the perfect Mexicana/bohemian vibe to them?  My brain and my dream wardrobe are already on vacation.  

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Esther Williams Inspires The Crop Top and Skirt

A few weekends ago I caught an old Esther Williams flick on AMC called, The Thrill of a Romance (1945), also with Van Johnson.  It was such a fun movie and Williams looked amazing; especially in this little crop-top and skirt number.  I usually wouldn't be a fan of these tops, but paired with a lady-like skirt (and perhaps only showing a sliver of skin) I think they can look stunning for the proper occasion.

Esther Williams Inspires The Crop Top and Skirt by rebecca-iverson on Polyvore

What do you think?  Would you try this look?

Today promises to be especially gorgeous outside and I plan to get some outdoor work done and fling the windows open wide!  

I have an opportunity to possibly get a job at a local college and I need to prepare myself for the interview--in the event that they call me.  

It's going to be a busy yet fulfilling day!

Summer Whites

No matter what the trend of the moment or the color of the year, white spaces will remain my favorites.  Summer is exactly the right time to appreciate just how beautiful and fresh our homes can look with a bold palette of white.

pinterest via hgtvremodels.com

image via woodside-homes.com

image via freelancestar.com

image via mypinksketchbook.blogspot.com

image via homevoyeurs.com

image via houseofturquoise.com

White Hot

The wind died down today, and it got hot outside. The heat (and the fact that school ends on Wednesday) has me thinking, finally, SUMMER! You can't get much more summery than a great swimsuit and cover up, right? Throw in a beach towel and some sandals and you're ready for a day at the beach or by the pool.
Actually, I can think of something more summery- an all white swimsuit and cover up.  I'm linking up with Long Distance Loving for Friday's Fancies, whose theme, coincidentally, is White Out.

Tory Burch boho tunic / La Perla halter swimsuit / Forever 21 sandals / Tory Burch straw beach tote

Plus, how amazing are these beach towels?! I'm especially loving the idea of pairing the items above with the zebra print towel.

get it here

How fabulous is this zebra hide towel and leather holster carrying device from Maslin?  I'll tell you- it's pretty damn fabulous!

buy this one here

I'd take this one too, by artist Julian Schnabel.  You know, if I had £100 lying around to spend on beach towels.
I hope your weekend is off to a fabulous start!