sub-lime-ly delicious.

Need to cool down? Have a hankering for something sweet? Want to watch your tummy? Look to our friend Trader Joe and pick up one of the many flavors of Fruit Floes. Tangy, sweet, frozen fruit bars. Try the lime ones! Find the nutritional information below:

info for one lime frozen fruit floe. 

banning the tanning.

Some states are considering prohibiting teens from tanning in tanning beds due to the overall risk of developing skin cancer in the future. Check out this article from The Daily. What do you think?

case closed.

Girly, colorful, and easy to find in your purse. These new iphone cases from J.Crew are sure to be a direct call for all fashionistas.

   

                  

                       fun. 

fancy. 

gerbalicious

That's the name of the flowers that I picked up at the grocery store today. I loved the pink color and the nice gentleman that was ringing up my items told me that they matched my cheeks! Don't have a vase? Get creative! Find anything around the house (especially the kitchen) to display your new stems. I chose three different bottles of different height and put them on the table. Give it a try!

tools: flowers, scissors, bottle, water

to do: cut, vase, water, and place

I do I do!

Summer weddings will be popping up all over the place between now and the end of the season. This can be hard from May to August because you can't exactly revert to the long black gown that you usually borrow from a friend. BUT, you can make it special while being relaxed and summery. A gem colored dress, like this one from J.Crew, can make a short look instantly beautiful. A glamorous shawl that is light and lacy will give you a little coverage that you need during the ceremony and a sweet little clutch, with a rhinestone handle and dangling earrings will make your outfit sparkle. These shoes will make a statement on their own AND make you want to dance all night! Red lips with this ColorStay lipstick from Maybelline will top off the whole look, giving you just the effect that you need.

journal your thoughts.

I have tons of blank journals that were bought in haste while lusting over the pages of blank space to write down, well, what? That's the thing, sometimes we don't know what to write or think that our ideas are not valid enough to ink up the pages. Just let go, don't worry and allow yourself to open up. The beauty of it all is that no one ever has to read it. Because I'm such a bookie, I have started to use my journal to record all the books that I have read, making sure to note which ones are a must read for others and the ones that are just so-so. Use your journal for whatever you want to use it for, but make the investment so you know it is there whenever you may need to vent.

                             

feminine.
@Paper-Source

 

        

           eco-friendly.
          @Gadanke

             

            classic. 

             @Barnes and Noble

grand slam.

take me out to the ball game by jillyt featuring linen tops

Summer brings about a new season of sun, pools, beaches and BASEBALL. You may find yourself at the baseball park with a group of friends or even asked to watch your team on a date. But don't worry, it is a great way to get to know someone, lay back and relax, and munch on some peanuts. Keep it casual and don't over do it. Pair a crisp pair of white jean shorts with cute white tennis shoes. It may seem too matchy matchy, but in the end it is a great overall look. Represent your team with a fitted t-shirt, like this one by '47. There are styles for both men and women and a wide array of choices on their website, which you can explore by clicking here. Make sure you have a sweater to pull on top when you get to the bottom of the 9th. This one from J.Crew is in a perfect color for the summer and the linen is cozy but light. Throw all of your necessities in an across the shoulder bag to make getting to your seat less cumbersome. Go easy on the makeup by swiping on a little mascara and lipgloss like this new hydrating lip balm stick from Chanel. Try it in the color Chance, it will look like your lips are forever stained from that strawberry Italian Ice you had during the game. 

pesky bites.

During the summer, it is inevitable, you're going to get bitten by some sort of insect. In order to reduce your tastiness take charge and prevent before it's too late!


Use bug repellent: It can be icky: the smell, the feeling, but it is the best way to reduce your chances of getting bitten. Burt's Bees makes an herbal concoction using mainly Rosemary Oil, which you can find here.

Tie one on: If you want to avoid applying something directly to your skin, put on an insect repelling bracelet, like this one called BUGSLOCK. Created in Thailand, these wristlets are natural and deet-free. They are available in the United States on Amazon.

Cover up: Throw on a long sleeved shirt and slip into some comfy linen pants before you head out to the bonfire with your friends.

clever, clever.

Excuse me, high!

There is no denying it WEDGES ARE IN. Specifically, espadrille wedges. Did you know? The term espadrille is a French term and derives from the Catalan language, which is mostly spoken on the Italian island of Sardegna. Esparto, is a tough, wiry Mediterranean grass used in making rope, similar to what is found of the wedge of these shoes. These shoes are not only cute, but also a good conversation starter. 

BOW: The Kitchen House

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom 


Based on traditional plantation life The Kitchen House is reminiscent of the New York Times Bestseller The Help. Weaving in and out of the relationship between a white, orphaned servant Lavinia, and her caretaker, Belle, the book takes place on Tall Oaks plantation. The family up in "the Big House" and the family down in "the Kitchen House" each have their own dynamics that are exquisitely measured out with equal amounts of grief and joy. Grissom tells a story that challenges the reader to recognize the limitations of race and class and will transport them through the precise dialect, the detailed imagery, and distinct smells from the Kitchen House. Read some of the reviews here from Barnes and Noble readers.

Kathleen Grissom and The Kitchen House

sun sun sun sun.

That's Just Beachy by jillyt featuring triangle tops

It is really important when you go to the beach that you feel good about you. Even if you didn't have enough time to shed whatever winter weight you wanted to, it doesn't matter. If you want, cover up a little bit more with a sheer button down in a fun color, like this one from American Apparel. It is a one size fits all design, and depending on your height will fall to about your upper thigh. A pretty little polka dot biniki will make you feel sassy. Snakeskin sandals, you can find these ones at Old Navy for a great price, can easily carry you to a light lunch and are appropriate for indoor dining. Throw your sunscreen (Spray: efficiency is key), lip balm (SPF-Panama Jack is your go to guy), and whatever else you need in a reusable tote, which is simple to clean. The best is when you're done, you can crumple it into a ball, and throw it in your trunk for whenever you need it next. Make sure you shade your face from the sun with something fun (I like the smell of straw!) and also have a sweatshirt in case you stay until sundown.