ACK Beach Home...

I'm currently admiring this Nantucket beachside escape. Spacious and contemporary, a dream setting for entertaining friends! {images via Elle Decor}

Back to Roque...

2 days and counting until I return to Roque Island with friends from NYC. I'm so ready for a few low key days and a great 4th of July celebration. Here are pics from last year's trip. What are you all doing for the holiday weekend?

A Few Things...

It's time to get a beach cruiser for riding the path along Lake Michigan.

This would be a dream...space and style.

Learned a few new songs on the guitar - open mic night soon!

Yummy + Pretty cocktails for the 4th...

Love this giant painting of a book cover in Courtney Cox's home. May have to copy.

Good moto.

Fun times in Chicago;)

{images via mo pie, tumblr, pinterest, sac street}

Guest Post: Summer Destinations ~ Monkey in Los Angeles...

I'm in for a treat this week, and so are you;) Eva from Monkey in LA is here to talk summer style ...and back on Friday for 4th of July surprise. Her blog is a new discovery that I can't get enough of, you'll be hooked too;)

***

Now being hitched to an Oregonian and having always heard good things about Portland, I'm finally trekking it up to the Pacific Northwest for some shopping at Canoe, dinner at Clyde Common and a stay at the Ace Hotel—my kind of summer getaway. Knowing that Oregon can have it's June Gloom like Los Angeles, I'll be packing easy layers like this Steven Alan poncho and a pair of Jodhpur boots to comfortably explore the city. Add a camera and a summer scarf, and I'm good to go. 

1. Petiole Blouson Dress  2. Urban Outfitters Thick Crystal readers 3. Spring Utility Poncho 4. Alkemie Necklace 5. La Sardina   6a. Terrain Silk Voile Scarf 6b. Fleabag Gunpowder Bag  7. Toast Jodhpur Boot 8. Madewell Silk Boyfriend Shirt

Eat a Peach...

Peaches are one of my favorite summer fruits. I sliced some up for a lunch side dish Saturday and served with sandwiches poolside. These recipes look yum. {images via pinterest}

Grilled Peaches and Haloumi Salad
Frozen Peach Margarita

The Great Lake...

What a beautiful summer weekend! Here's the view from my roof on Saturday, enjoyed having a friend in town to show around Chicago. From the Farmer's Market, to the Zoo, Wicker Park Music Festival, strolls through Bucktown and Lincoln Park. It was perfect. What did you all do?

Happy Friday...

Excited for some pool time this weekend. One of my friends from NYC is coming to visit and we'll be setting up cozy lounge chairs by the pool and basking in the afternoon sun. {images via dept of interior, tumblr}

Summer Guide: Street Style...

Always looking for style inspiration...when summer hits the city streets, it's great to mix in soft fabrics with a little edge for that chic look. {images via that kind of woman, pinterest, the sartorialist}

Cake Perfection...

This cake is brilliant! I love that it looks as beautiful as it sounds to eat. And that I could attempt to make this...I'm not a professional cake decorator, but I could slice a few citrus fruits;) Can't wait to try the recipe. 

10 Things I Loved this Week...

Last day for this giveaway on Daily Crush

Golden Gate bridge proposal on Cup of Jo - romantic, but not for the faint or those with fear of heights!
Hamptons Packing list on Luella + June
Alaina's Bedroom on Live Creating Yourself, check out the rest of the house too!
Farm girl on Breakfast at toast - don't you just love Gingham?
Love this space on Fresh Exchange - Can I come sit on that deck?
Visit Sydney for the weekend on The Littlest Things
Poolside summer outfit on Sterling Style
Decorating with a disco ball on Amber Interiors
A potluck picnic on Hilda Grahnat - I want to have one of these;)

Summer Guide: Chic Sailing...

This week makes me want to sail away to a coastal retreat on the ocean;) At least on stressful work days I have a view of the beautiful lake! 


1. Marc Jacobs Sweater Dress 2. Sperry Top Siders 3. Crepe Mini Dress 4. Ethan Allen Sailboat 5. Tote 6. Harbor Photo 7. Philip Lim Shorts 

My Kind of Scotch...

Love these summer shades of nailpolish - this brand might be my new fave.

Showered...

I popped over to Grace Happens and saw my friend Alexis {of Fern + Feather} getting showered with love by friends hosting a pre-baby #2 luncheon. I loved every detail of this home and beautiful event. So many creative details. Go see! 

Summer Color Crush: Turquoise...

Beautiful turquoise against tan skin, white walls, rustic outdoor settings and accessorizing simple styles are my fave for summer. Loren Hope jewels are the perfect addition to seasonal pieces - here are all of her turquoise picks. {images via pinterest, pink wallpaper, house of turquoise}

Plantation...

I'll have one of these refreshing summer cocktails please! {recipe via live + enliven}

Guest Post: Summer Destinations ~ Sage + Style...

So excited to have Taryn visiting today from Sage + Style - I'm always in awe of her beautiful blog!

***

Destination: Traverse City, Michigan for the Traverse City Film Festival

To me, there’s nothing that speaks of summer so much as a trip to Northern Michigan's Traverse City. A must do for any Midwesterner; this gorgeous lakeside town is full of city action, natural beauty and a bevvy of delectable gourmet influences that range from restaurants and bakeries to local, award-winning wineries. It’s also home to the Traverse City Film Festival, which was begun in 2005 as "a way to save one of America’s few indigenous art forms—the cinema.” 

Founded by Michael Moore (Oscar winner and documentary genius,) the festival boasts a variety of events, performances and films —this year’s lineup will be announced on July 8^th— and is as close to Sundance in the Midwest as you can get. That's why I'll be packing plenty of laid-back "auteur" accessories, at least one fantastic fedora, retro sunglasses, a large, light handbag and loads of bright color! After all, this casual lakeside town begs for a summer-time airiness that doesn't include the requisite festival black.

1.  Theory silk ruffled top / Stylebop. 2.  Green Seven Eighths skinny trouser / TopShop 3.  Karen Walker number 6 sunglasses / LaGarconne 4.  Tabby cloche hat / Anthropologie 5.  Film festival survival guide / ChrisGoresLovespray @ Etsy 6.  Gwendoyln tote / Tory Burch 7. Mother-of-pearl April bracelet / Gemma Redux 8. DV by Dolve Vita Marci sandal / Lori's Shoes

Whirlwind...

Looking back on the weekend, I am pinching myself...I got to dine at Alinea and go to Wrigleyville for the Cubs vs Yankees, meet up with friends for leisurely brunches and enjoy strolls in the neighborhood - perfection! It followed one of the busiest work weeks and I'm headed into a few more;) Love the movement of this photo, it made me stop and close my eyes and want to take a quick twirl in the hallway before leaping forward into the Monday rush again. Hope you all had a lovely weekend. {image via beautiful simple things}

White Walls and Bedroom Simplicity...

I love the backdrop of bright white walls in the bedroom. I'm in the process of putting final touches on my room and am pulling inspiration where simple meets elegant. {images via pinterest}

Happy Friday...

Just wrapping up one of the busiest weeks and looking forward to the weekend. Sorry posts were limited, I  promise next weeks' giveaways, getaways and eye candy will make up for it;) xo {image via decor8}

Guest Post: Summer Destinations ~ Destined to Design...

Jacket / Shirt / Skirt / Clutch / Oxfords / Bracelet

I'm so excited to have Jessica as a guest today. I'm sure you're not new to her blog, it's on my favorites lists - Destined to Design is always filled with great music, style and inspiration. Today Jessica is sharing with us her favorite destination of the summer and what she's wearing. (By the way we definitely share the same love of outdoor concerts and this outfit is currently on my wish list, head to toe!)

***

Every summer a group of friends and I gather for at least one concert at the Hollywood Bowl. We pack a picnic, arrive early and enjoy good food and good company until the sun goes down. This year we're planning for The National/Neko Case/Sharon Van Etten  show in September that is sure to be a memorable one. If we're lucky, it'll be one of those amazing summer nights where you don't even need to pack a sweater...