Friday's Fancies + Have a relaxed weekend!

Friday's Fancies by Meaganpie featuring espadrille shoes

Floral print shirt, $55
Paige Denim floral print shorts, $114
Betsey johnson bikini, $108
Betsey johnson bathing suit, $90
Jigsaw espadrille shoes, £3
H m jewelry, £6.99
Ray-Ban wayfarer shades, £60
Jigsaw summer straw hat, £65
Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Moist Glow - Liquifuschia, $24
Clinique 'Sun' Advanced Protection Stick SPF 45 No Color One Size, $18

Hooray for Fridays!  This week has been a big one for us as we're adjusting to the life of owning our home.  There is so much we need to buy! And we've already bought so much!  We need to mow!  We need furniture!  We go to the hardware store all the time!  It's pretty awesome though.  Oh yes.

It was decided last weekend that on Friday, we were going on our annual summer journey south to Kentucky lake.  I'm so excited to spend the weekend on the boat, drinking beer and chillin' with some of my favorite people.  Life is treating us well these days and I'm feeling so incredibly fortunate.

I've got my bags packed, the sunscreen stocked and my sunhat at arms reach.  If only I were really going to look half as cute as I could in the outfit above. Sadly I'll be sporting cotton shorts and a plain jane tank all weekend with a rather boring swimsuit to boot.  But it's cool.

What are you getting up to this weekend? Whatever it is, I hope it's wonderful!  Have a great weekend, everyone!  Spend some time relaxing with a delicious beverage in hand!

Thursday's Randoms

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First off, this picture really makes me smile.  I love the way it's styled and the hair is gorgeous.  I've been thinking about my hair a lot lately.  It's not in good shape, guys.  The ends are so frizzy and fried and split and I feel lost.  My bangs have become too long and the color is...ick.  I need some hair advice!  I'm trying to grow it long (it's currently pretty long but I'm afraid if I trim away all the bad parts it will be medium-length again.  About a year and a half ago, I tried out the ombre trend at the salon but it didn't quite work out.  Needless to say, I came out of there with overly bleached hair that I had to dye and re-dye myself to get it to look right.  The ends of my hair are blonde from that bad bleach job, so I'm chocking the damaged parts up to that.  Is there a way to repair it? I've never really encountered this problem before and I don't know if damage repair products will do the trick or if I have to sadly chop it off.  I need a trim, yes, but I don't want to lose the growth.  Any advice, sweets?

Etsy's handpicked items always draw me in - for good reason.  This mint and brass necklace from Etsy shop Fortune is absolutely gorgeous.  

I couldn't resist posting these too, because the more I look at them the more I love them.  Via Fail Jewelry

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I can't get enough of the color in these mouth-watering desserts!  They would have all been perfect to use at my best friend's bridal shower a year and a half ago, hah.  The zebra + Tiffany blue color combo is incredible and I'm in awe at the beauty of the display!  Via HWTM

Last, here are some shots from our first Waterfront Wednesdays. I had no clue we were going but it was pretty much just what I needed.  I really like this new city of ours.

Home Goods

Just a few home accessories I'm lusting after.  You know, if I was chock full of money and could buy all of these cool things.  But a girl can dream...

1. Flower pot table lamp from Finnish Design Shop - $390
2. Early 20th Century Tapestry Blankets from Jen Jones Welsh Quilts - $326 ea
3. Halve Bookends from Dig - $49.99
4. Sunrise clock from Clockeee - $85
5. Oiva Toikka barn owl from Selfridges & Co - out of stock
6. Table Globe from Design Within Reach - $295
7. Tea sub infuser from Utility - $16
8. Tatine Garden + Forest candle from Tatine - price unknown

House Call

Friends, I'm so excited about today's post!  Yesterday, I discovered via Facebook that my incredible sister-in-law had a feature on Apartment Therapy!  I still can't get over it all, I'm so proud!

A couple of years ago, I got news from my brother that they bought a house.  I was so happy for them and their new purchase, but even happier when I realized just how much they loved it.  I heard the details - about how it was a commercial property converted by artists they knew, about how there was a gigantic basement that could be converted to a music venue.  Shipping containers hang out in the backyard, full of leftover materials from the artists who converted the house.  Lockers for kitchen cabinets!  Tons of amazing details for two very creative people.  It was perfect.

Then I got to visit.  My mind was blown!  The house itself is incredible but with their creative touch, it was magical.  It's the perfect house for Halloween and Christmas parties (I know this because I've been to both).  It's the perfect house for intimate shows (I know this because my husband's former band played a show in their living room a few years back).  It's the perfect house for crazy loud rock shows (I have yet to be able to attend a show at the Track House - their very apt moniker - but I have seen pictures and heard good things) and for family get-togethers.  Needless to say, it's pretty awesome.

What's most awesome to me is that it's always struck me (and a lot of others) as a house that belongs in Dwell or on Apartment Therapy or some other amazing publication/website.  And now it's on A.T. and I'm thrilled!

Also, I wanted to pass along some good information to all of you.  Georgia's Etsy shop, The Big Harumph, has free shipping for all Facebook fans for a limited time!!  Click the link to like The Big Harumph on Facebook to get the coupon code.  Hooray!

Last, be sure to check out photos from this beautiful wedding on Style Me Pretty.  I love that her prints show up everywhere, but I especially love that they're being used in weddings.  It makes my heart flutter :)

Weekend Recap

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Sorry for the late post, friends...but I am just now hooked up to the series of tubes (haha) called the internet.  

Guess what?  

Any guesses?  Yes?  

Yeah, that's right.  WE FINALLY MOVED IN!!!

We're homeowners livin' in a home, enjoying every last bit of it.  

The weekend was great.  We had our closing on Friday, which took less than an hour and we immediately moved in after.  With the help of our awesome family, it took an hour to unload our moving truck!  Can you believe that?  I'm still having a hard time believing it.  Some highlights of one of the best weekends ever include ::

• Closing + the best feeling in the world
• Moving in in an hour, obviously a highlight
• Having everyone over to check the house out + hang out
• Waking up in our new house
• Mowing the yard - it was my first time and I gotta admit I liked it *
• Unpacking
• Bringing Gus home - it was love at first sight for the little guy
• Saturday w/friends, pizza, beer and oldies
• Sunday dinner with the fam - I've missed this kind of stuff and I'm so happy to be able to get together with everyone whenever we want! If only MY family could move here :)

So many things about this house make me so so so so very happy.  It's quiet out here.  The only sounds we really hear are cicadas and crickets and things.  It's the complete opposite of our life in Chicago, especially because we lived on a very busy street and right next to a bar.  At one point in the night, my husband got up to use the bathroom and looked out the window to see the biggest deer walking around in our yard.  Until we have vegetables planted** I can say that having deer in our yard is freaking awesome.  

Today the internet/tv was set up and tomorrow our brand new washer and dryer arrives.  I am so giddy with all the excitement, I feel like I could explode with happiness any moment!  

How were your weekends? I'd love to hear!  Also, if there is a radio silence from my end, do not worry. We're busy bees unpacking, arranging and painting, oh my!

* It was my first time mowing because growing up my mom and brother loved it too much to ever ask me to do it

** We'll get a fence, don't you worry.

Friday's Fancies + Have a cool weekend

Friday's Fancies - LWD by Meaganpie featuring tom ford sunglasses

French connection dress, $200
J Crew wedge heels, $50
Proenza Schouler military shoulder bag, $1,995
ASOS vintage filigree ring, $34
Tom ford sunglasses, $463
Butter London 3 Free Lacquer Nail Polish, $14

This week's Friday's Fancies is all about a) the little white dress and b) staying cool.  It's hot as hot gets out there.  Every time I step outside it's hard to breathe and feels like I'm baking in the oven.  I'm not really complaining (every time I freak out about the insane amounts of sweat pouring out of me, I just think about that good ole blizzard in February) I just wanted to emphasize how hot it's been.  Wooh boy.

The French Connection dress is pretty much amazing, right?  I'm such a sucker for dresses like these, full of colorful tiny details but incredibly simple.  The J.Crew wedges seemed like a logical choice to pair with the stunner of a dress and I couldn't resist the thought of wearing it with those very hollywood Tom Ford sunglasses.  Throw in a fun cocktail ring and some pretty purple Butter polish and the whole look is just that...polished.  Hoorah!

What are your weekends looking like?  I'm just going to try my best to stay cool and hydrated.  Whatever you get up to this weekend, I hope it's a good one! Stay cool, my friends.  Stay cool.  Also, go 'like' my FF at {long distance loving} just for the fun of it ;)

Thursday Randoms

This Free People Sleeveless Printed Tie Front Buttondown is making my heart all aflutter, with its pretty pattern and colors and especially their choice of pairing it with that skirt!

I'm also feeling quite smitten with this Hickory Pouch from Layerxlayer.  It's simple and refined - what more could you ask for in a pouch?   I'm also pretty into their other stuff, including the wayfarer pack.

Since I live in the land of bourbon now, what better way to celebrate it than to bake a bourbon peach hand pie?  This recipe from Smitten Kitchen has me drooling and craving and then repeating.

There's something about this bedroom that has me feeling soothed.  It must be the incredible natural light and the combination of that navajo blanket and plants.  I'd like to transport myself though, right away.

Last, I'm loving the idea of having turkish towels used throughout our new home.  There's just something about them that strikes me as lovely and I want an entire collection!  Via Etsy shop Turkish Towel (bonus, they are a retired couple!)

Etsy find :: Minnow Bathers

Since I've been spending most of my time in my bathing suit as of late, I was excited when I came across Minnow Bathers' Etsy collection of unique swimwear.  I would love to spend my afternoons lounging poolside in one of those floral beauties or the black and white bandeau.  I must say, these Toronto designers have mad talent and if I were able to drop some money on a new swimsuit I would definitely show them some love!

Would you buy a swimsuit on Etsy?

Home Inspiration :: Nature

One of the many questions I've been asked about our impending living situation is what is your decorating style?  It's something I've thought about carefully but found that I wasn't able to fully describe it without my handy dandy Pinterest in front of me!

So last night as I was trying to fall asleep, my mind drifted towards elements, style and colors that make me feel good.  I dreamt of ways to decorate our bedroom to leave our bodies feeling soothed and comforted.  I thought of ways to redo our bathrooms to feel tranquil and calm.  Then my mind started to wander to outside the home and all the nature I'll be surrounded by.  I think that in and of itself has made me the happiest when thinking of the home we're patiently trying to move into.  So it hit me (well not really because I think I've known this for awhile considering this is pretty much how I decided to style our wedding).  I want the outdoors brought indoors.  I want my favorite part of the great outdoors represented in our beautiful new-to-us home.  The forest is a wonderful place, filled with woodland creatures (ahem, we are Badgers after all), beautiful colors and amazing sounds.  I love spending my time in the forest, with a campfire, hearing a crippling creek in the distance and listening to the sounds of nature surrounding us.  So why not incorporate that into our new living space?  

The inspiration ::

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Magnificent trees in all their splendor.  The deep shades of green provide dramatic pops of color when paired with wooden furniture and accents.

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The combination provides endless amounts of happiness in my book.  I'm in hog heaven over here just thinking about the possibilities.  What decor makes you happiest in your home?

Stay tuned for more home decor inspiration throughout the week!