(The artsy lid to the boys’ sandbox.)
Summer has officially arrived, but at our house, we’ve been going strong for weeks. The boys have settled into a routine, and we’re enjoying a more relaxed pace throughout the week. The afternoon hours are definitely the hardest, as it’s just too hot to play outside and we’re looking for ways to stay busy inside. Here are some things that caught my attention this week.
Pictures from New York’s annual Jazz Age Lawn Party.
An underwater art exhibit worth diving for.
My hometown, back in 1928. Doesn’t this girl look like Keira Knightley?
A whole lot of pressure for one small baby. You have to feel sorry for Kate at this point.
Is there a link between your decor and your relationship? One study hopes to find out.
Goodbye, James Gandolfini.
And I’m sharing some ways to beat the summer heat over at Kory’s blog today, so I hope you’ll check it out.
Tonight is brew night, tomorrow is our anniversary, and we’ve got a quiet weekend planned. Have a wonderful weekend, too!
It’s definitely hot in central Texas these days, and I spend most of my time at home in shorts. I like to dress up a little when I’m going somewhere, and it took me a couple of weeks to accumulate these pictures of various outfits. I’m still utilizing skirts and dresses to stay cool, and I’m trying to switch things up a bit when it comes to my shoes, too.
Here are a few outfits from the past two weeks.
(A variation of my daily uniform.)
Here I am in my most frequently worn outfit, which is some combination of denim (either a skirt or shorts) with a simple cotton top. I did manage to wear a pair of strappy sandals, which really make me feel summery. This uniform is great for running quick errands and taking the boys to their gymnastics class.
(Dressed for the heat on a very busy day.)
Recently, James and Rhys had appointments in different parts of town, at different times on the same day, so I spent it playing chauffeur while my parents helped out by watching one boy at a time. I knew the day would be a bit chaotic and hot, so I dressed for comfort in a long white skirt and blue tee, both purchased in past years. I felt sort of a tropical vibe, and I added a strand of seashell beads from a recent accessories swap, as well as my strappy sandals. Though I was stressed and harried by day’s end, I felt pulled together and stayed cool throughout the day. And I’ll never schedule two appointments on the same day again!
(Wearing my “Frida Loves Diego” Dress from Mata Traders with my new bracelet from VavaVida.)
For my nephew’s birthday party last weekend, I wore my favorite dress from Mata Traders, along with my new bracelet from VavaVida and my trusty strappy sandals. I knew we’d be outside for some of the day, and since the dress is cotton, I was cool and comfortable for the entire party. I’m so thrilled I bought this dress, and I know I’m going to get a lot of wear from it.
(Dots and lace for a morning appointment.)
For a morning appointment this week, I paired my trusty navy and polka-dot top with a lace skirt bought years ago. I get so much wear from this skirt, and it literally goes with any top I have in my closet. For a slight touch of color, I wore a pair of pink open-toe flats purchased last summer from Loft. I like this outfit and actually wear it a lot during the spring and summer, with small variations to the shoes and accessories.
I’m really working to wear all of the clothing in my closet, as well as the shoes, and I’m having fun trying different combinations to make “new” outfits for the summer.
(Twill slipcovers for summer.)
I did it again. I think I have a problem when it comes to slipcovers, and at this point, it’s bordering on obsession. But until we decide to invest in new furniture, the kind that will look nice and also withstand the antics of two little boys, I’ve found an inexpensive way to keep my living room looking interesting.
When I first began my slipcover search back in 2011, Sure Fit’s Twill Supreme Covers in Flax were my first choice, though they were out of my price range then. I eventually went with a fitted, three-piece style that worked well, but I wasn’t a fan of the fabric, and last fall, I took them off and embraced the dark green couches underneath. I still really like the mix of patterns, but my couches, which are in good condition otherwise, are really starting to pill, and the fabric is more suited to fall and winter, I think.
So, when I recently found my favorite slipcovers on sale at Macy’s (still on sale but without the extra discount I received), I jumped at the chance to buy them, planning to return them to the store if they didn’t work. My inspiration this time around came from a rather unlikely source, Jessica Simpson’s home, decorated by Rachel Ashwell, the Shabby Chic designer, as featured on Cote de Texas. It must be a Texas thing, because I seriously love this style, which is really over the top for a lot of people. These twill slipcovers are, in my mind, a nice compromise, and since they’re treated with Scotchguard, I don’t have to worry about spills and stains.
(Pink touches for summer, flamingos and all.)
That’s a great thing, because they are really, really difficult to put on. I spent a few sweaty, desperate hours last week pulling and stretching, while Ryan and the boys played outside. And since the covers are designed in two pieces, the cushions have to be carefully placed and covered, too. Since my couches have loose-back cushions, the covers don’t stretch all the way to the ground in the back, though you really can’t tell with my furniture configuration. But the color and texture make up for it, and they definitely look shabby chic, wrinkles and all.
Am I 100% satisfied with they way they look? No, but they’re a nice, affordable option to replacing my furniture or even having it professionally covered. Plus, because I like to change things up on a whim, I can remove them pretty quickly, too. For now, I’m planning to leave them on, and I especially like the texture of the covers next to my curtains, and with a few summer pillows thrown around for fun.
(A few purple touches, too.)
If you’re interested in slipcovers or have any questions, feel free to ask, because I’m your girl. I’d volunteer to install them, too, but I think I’ll just stick with walking pilates for now.
