summer scarfs

I went shopping last week with my Mom and we picked up a summer scarf (a contradiction according to my husband). I have been scouring the internet on ways to wear summer scarfs. I love this diagram of 28 ways to wear a scarf. Ruche also has various techniques showcased.
I think the bow is my favorite.

I also love the way Cameron Diaz and Jessica Alba wore theirs.

via green cotton and examiner

lovely room

via katy elliot
I love the green walls next to the white trim. Gorgeous.

colorful kitchen?

My sister and I have a deal. She edits my papers and I do internet research for her design projects. Today is, "if you were to paint your kitchen any color what would it be?"
To put this question in context, her kitchen was painted orange, a gift from the previous owner. Then she tried a kelly green, which her husband (I am sure lovingly) refers to as "welcome to the jungle." So here are my next suggestions.

sage green

Gray: via House Beautiful
via Martha Stewart



light blue

childs room/guest room

Gwen is working on her girls/guest room:

I want to decorate my girls room in French Toile. The top 1/2 of the wall will be vertical light pink stripes, the bottom 1/2 will be a black toile on antique white. I'm getting stumped with the bed.

the problem is that since our house is OH SO SMALL this room will double as the guest room which means...a twin won't due. I need a queen size bed.

I've looked and looked and can't find anything in the daybed variety that works for a queen bed. Right now I think I'm going to just start looking for headboards I like and then buying two. I don't want the headboard to be taller than the footboard.

via Sears

If you choose to go with the two headboards this wrought iron is a nice option and it will look nice in any room. (sorry the formatting on this picture is weird)

via PB Teens

A trundle isn't the most exciting option but they can look really nice and serve the purpose of saving space and having multiple beds readily available. You can also find some that are built for a full size bed rather than a twin.

via bedroom furniture

A four poster bed might be another fun option. This way you can get a queen size and not have to worry about setting up two head boards. Plus, it might be a fun accent to the toile.

front doors

I have been looking at real estate online. I have come to the conclusion that the art of a door is sorely under appreciated. Here are some lovely doors I have found.




via House Beautiful and AJC Homefinder

city roundup: austin

image via lindy bloggers

Pros:
Rolling Hills
Very resident centric
Family
College Town
Lakes, rivers, dining

Cons:
Very humid
Besides University of Texas there are few sports to watch (although there are plenty within 1-3 hours)
Summary: We loved Austin. Next up: Denver in 2-3 months.

saturday morning brunch

At my house if there is ever real breakfast cooking being done you will find my husband behind it, although I did try my hand at Castro's mess a la Boss Hog this morning. I think I will pass Martha's best buttermilk pancakes on to him with hopes of seeing it on the table tomorrow morning.

The picture shows chocolate chips but the recipe doesn't call for them, I think that will be easily fixed.

brilliant diy

This is my sisters bathroom. She is waiting to re-tile the walls.

I saw this bathroom makeover on My Notting Hill, it is a perfect solution for the in between stage.

I would paint the black a light gray.

weekend project

I found this cradle on craigslist today for $10. I couldn't believe it, usually they go for $40-80. Needless to say I e-mailed the woman and am going to pick it up!

I am thinking of painting it green or maybe white, but green sounds more fun.

sun valley

I love this Sun Valley, Idaho home. This pool would be perfect for swimming laps.

This might be the coolest bathtub I have ever seen.

photos via Massucco Warner Miller

ceiling fans

My eye was immediately drawn to the photo slide show on House Beautiful entitled "Ceiling Fans that aren't ugly." These were my two favorites.

city roundup: dallas

Cons:

Flying in, out, or through Dallas= nightmare

Flat, flat, flat. No hills, anywhere

A large amount of subdivisions which are indistinguishable from each other

Dallas is the definition of urban sprawl

Pros:

Awesome neighborhoods like Highland Park, University Park and Preston Hollow

Great parks with running trails and lanes

Final Analysis: Dallas is okay. If we end up there I am sure we will find a great place. I strongly prefer Austin.

modern river house

via Architectural Digest
I love the look of this Austin home. The entrance reminded me of one of my Mom's additions to the theoretical redesigning of our cabin, a wall of windows that faces the mountains.

wood with wood

via Architectural Digest
Another kitchen. The cabinets look a little darker than the floors. When adding wood floors does the wood of the cabinets need to match the wood of the floors? Oak with oak?

timely

I love this necklace pocket watch.

stir-fry

via Martha Stewart
I think this Beef Stir-Fry looks delicious and potentially easy...

a yellow dress

photo found via outfit identifier

Good yellow dresses are hard to come by but this dress Molly Sims is wearing is absolutely gorgeous!

exhibit one

via house beautiful
My husband is leaning towards wood for our new floors. Before he decides I am sending him on a reconnaissance mission to actually look at different options. In the mean time, here is example one. Medium tone cabinets with lighter wood floor. With a windowless kitchen I am thinking light is the way to go.

nanny diaries

I have never read The Nanny Diaries, but I loved the movie. I saw Nanny Returns pop up on Goodreads today and that's when I decided I need to read these books. Perhaps the perfect summer read?

darling quilt

I love this quilt design I saw on Life Frosting. It is so simple but still so darling.

mother's day gifts

I love these for Mother's Day gifts...

lemon tree

red lantern

the natural pool

I love to swim, particularly in fresh water. There is nothing better than swimming in the ocean or a lake or a river. I have often told my husband that if we ever get a pool I want a saltwater pool. I know they use chlorine but they don't leave you feeling like a big chlorine blob.

I found this article today on Natural Pools. Apparently this is all the rage in Europe these days.

Quite frankly, I think it is an awesome concept. You use no chlorine, all natural water. They way the water is kept clean is through water movement and using water plants to naturally clean out the bacteria. Many of the pools will have the designated swimming part and next to the plants that clean the water.

My husband always laughs at me because when ever we pass a fresh body of water I always want to jump in and swim. I think natural pools and I would get along quite well.





photos via the daily green
I think it is an awesome idea, you get all the fun of a pool with all the benefits of fresh water swimming. Be still my heart.

aristocratic ireland

I saw this post on Beach Bungalow on an old Irish Manor. A photographer went through the home before it's aristocratic members moved out and new owners moved in. I love all the artwork everywhere in the home and how it is displayed.