What's your Summer vacation fantasy?

Where on earth did June go to? I can't believe the fourth of July is next week! Well, to celebrate the end of another awesome month, I want to introduce you to some of my lovely and talented sponsors. Since summer is the time for vacation getaways, I asked them the question: 

If you could travel anywhere in the world this summer, where would you go? And Why?

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Where would you go this summer if money and time were no object? Me, I would go back to Nicaragua, specifically San Juan Beach. I went with Chris and his family a couple of years ago, and I can't wait to go back. Just sitting on the beach with a drink, in the sun, is pure joy. And the water is oh so warm. 

Don't forget to check out my other sponsors on the right----> These girls rock!

Things I Dig

I'd love to have this print in the kitchen.

The loveliest bookends. More here. 

I've decided that I must have a bathtub shelf, and it's absolutely necessary for me to drink a glass of wine and read a book while soaking in it. This tutorial shows you how to make your own.

How awesomely delicious does everything on this table look?

I've grown fond of these flowers, the ones with the white petals and deep blue, almost black centers. I would love to know their name...

 ...and these cotton blossom boutonnieres are simply charming.

In an effort to improve my photography skills (which are honestly amateur), I've been trying everyday to search and anticipate moments of light. These images capture it beautifully I think. 

1 // 2 // 3

I've been easily wooed by girly dresses lately. Anything with a collar, a pretty back, or a high waist makes me drool. All these are from ZARA.

I've been using this moisturizer from Kiehl's for about two months now, and I just love it. It doesn't have any sunscreen in it, but that's okay because my makeup does. It's really yummy. 

Chris and I are seeing My Morning Jacket with Iron & Wine at the Wiltern in September, I can't wait! Here are a few of my favorite Iron & Wine songs. 

Hope you are having an amazing week!

Organize Record Collection. Done.

Since Chris and I are working on slowly packing up all of our things for the move, I thought it was the perfect time to organize our vinyls. I've been putting off the project for some time now, so it felt good to finally get plastic covers on all of them, all 250 of them. I spent a good while making a list of all the artists and albums. Eventually I plan to alphabetize and possibly grade them. One of these days. 

It was fun spending the day dusting off old records, listening to favorites, discovering ones that we forgot we even had, and dancing with the little girl. There's just something about the format that I just love, the huge covers, hidden posters, groovy artwork, the fact that you have to listen to one side and then flip it over. I just love the ritual. I'm so thankful that Chris and I have rescued so many of them from thrift stores, and given them a new home with us.

Floorplanning

Have you seen this floating around Pinterest? Well I did, and I was pretty much hooked for a good half a day. The program that the site offers is a great resource if your planning how to decorate a room, or like me, a new apartment. Everything seems to be scaled, mostly, and the program's features allow you to be very precise. It's somewhat easy to navigate, although I did run into some frustrations that I eventually figured out. I got so into it, that I added furniture and plants, and even the little girl on the couch. 

Chris was trying to pull away from my computer, when I realized that it was coming dangerously close to the Sims. But, this is what our new apartment looks like in terms of size and layout. I did have fun adding hypothetical furniture and fixtures, and seeing how our new space could look. Although, it probably won't look like this for a while, seeing how we don't own much, it's fun to imagine. We move in next month and I couldn't be more excited.

What I Wore: Date Night

Chris and I had a little date night recently. We went out to celebrate the signing of our new apartment lease! We found a really cute, old, one-bedroom in Old Town Pasadena. I'm absolutely thrilled. So, we thought, why not celebrate with some sushi and a movie? I love date nights because they're the best excuse to dress up. Maybe I'm crazy, but I just love combining different patterns, stripes, chevron, polka dot and floral. Chris was kind enough to snap a few pictures of my outfit. He's the sweetest.

We ate at one of our favorite Sushi joints, Blue Fish. We had our usual popcorn lobster over spicy tuna, and fried eel with shrimp. After saki ad beer we were stuffed.

Then we saw Prometheus in 3D. I had never seen any of the Aliens films until recently when Chris and I had and marathon. Now I'm a fan.

52 Week Challenge: #22 Decoupage Picture Frame

This week I spiced up a plain black frame with some origami paper and Mod Podge. I was inspired by this handy book that was sent to me from Lark Crafts. It's full of awesome craft ideas and more ways to use Mod Podge than I could have guessed. 

There's a pretty handy guide for the different types.

Love this chair.

This gave me the idea to decorate my frame, here's how I did mine:

1// Remove the backing and glass from the frame, then measure and cut pieces of paper to wrap around the frame.

2// Glue the paper with a layer of Mod Podge, let it dry completely.

3// Continue in a pattern around the entire frame, let it dry.

4// Then add a thick layer of Modg Podge over the paper and let it dry.

I framed a fisheye picture of Chris and I on a canal in Amsterdam.

 And I put out the little clogs I got when we were there! Have a great weekend!