Thursday Thoughts

We are going on vacation soon and I literally couldn't be more excited! There's nothing I need more right now than relaxing on the beach with a mai tai in hand! I am most looking forward to not checking my work email and spending some quality time with CWF.

 

As usual, we are traveling with only carry-on bags. Usually we also bring our golf clubs and I am able to squeeze a lot of extra clothes in there- but not this time. It should be interesting to say the least!

 

 

Back on the home front, I've been loving trying new recipes and cooking with all our new kitchen gadgets we received from our wedding.  This week I stumbled on a recipe for brussel sprouts and gruyere toast on one of my favorite blogs- Design Darling. I've made it twice already! I was able to make it in the toaster oven which is always a plus in this 100 degree heat.

 

 

Also, I decided to do a little blog design 'refresh'. I started this blog four years ago and I just felt that I needed a design that was a better representation of my life now.

 

 

 

As you know, I'm a huge blue and white ginger jar lover and I liked that using one as a part of my logo would fit in with all the home décor posts I now enjoy so much. I had a blast creating it in Illustrator and Photoshop. I hope you like it as much as I do!

 

Cheers to the almost weekend!!

Crossed Back Top

With summer unofficially coming to an end soon (although not the summer weather!) I wanted to get one last all white outfit in! Something about wearing all white seems so quintessentially summer to me.

This top is so playful and fun. Love the scallop and eyelet details and of course the cross back! Adds just a bit of sass!

Top (runs big- size down) // White Jeans // Clutch (on major sale!)

Any favorite end of summer fashion finds?

Matchbox DIY

My all-time favorite candle is Capri Blue Aloha Orchid as the scent is wonderful and reminds me of Hawaii. We originally received it as a gift and I've been re-buying it ever since! I keep it up on the mantle and light it often. The other day I had a box of (ugly) matches out to light it and it hit me! How fun would it be to dress up a few matchboxes with some fun prints for display?!

The current grouping I have on our mantle

And now for the quick DIY:

For this project you will need:

-Matchboxes, I found a 10-pack at Walmart for $1

-glue stick

-ruler

-scissors

-printed paper or wrapping paper of choice 

For the printed paper, I went to Lilly Pulitzer's Pinterest page and found a few prints I liked and printed them out.  Then using the ruler I measured the size of the matchbox, leaving one 'striking' side uncovered and cut to size (which ended up being approx. 2.1" x 3.4").

I then glued it all down and let it dry.

The finished product- seriously these are so cute! And the print possibilities are really endless. Paired with a candle, they would make a lovey hostess gift!

Summer Table Settings

If you've been reading here for a while you know that I love table settings, linens, flatware, silver, crystal and china! I love to mix and match and find new combinations for each season. To me, summer is all about a fun mix of colors and a casual vibe.

I have a soft spot for blue and white and this set-up screams summer backyard dinner party to me. Just add white hydrangeas to the table, hang up some twinkle café lights and you are good to go!

 Hemstitch placemats // Stripe napkins // Chargers // Bamboo flatware // Plates

This set-up is a bit more Saturday Brunch with your girlfriends because of all the bright colors. I'd put out our LillyxTarget umbrella in the backyard and have the mimosas ready!

Lilly Pulitzer Napkins (purchased at the Endless Summer Sale- keep an eye out at the next one!) // Chargers // Anthro Ruffle Plates, old (similar) 

As you can see, I have a set of bamboo flatware that I love and our everyday year-round vintage china that I use as the 'base'. I add chargers, colorful linens (which can be found very inexpensively) and fun salad plates to really change it up! Summer is the perfect season to bring a casual, fun vibe to your table. How are you setting your table this summer?!