Lurve Loave Luff

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Rest & Relaxation // I've got my fingers crossed that Flyboy returns in time for his parents' arrival this evening. We've got buckets of fun things planned and it would be nice to have him join us. It's not often that we get this kind of quality time together, and I couldn't be happier at the idea of spending the next week together without work or blogging (oh, the horror!).
• Rose Lemonade Cocktails // When I said POP FIZZ CLINK in Wednesday's post, I meant it. And nothing says vacation like a fizzy adult beverage. This ought to hit the spot!
• 12-Hour Tote // It should be easy for the family to spot me with this neon flame Rail and Wharf bag. It'll come in handy as we hop from beach to beach and venture to Maui next week.
• Evelina Journal // Did you see Rifle's latest promo code? Hot picks for the summer season are 10% off.
• Notion Flats // These are the darling flats a girl dreams about, and that color is just perfect!
• Simply Balanced Popcorn // I picked up a bag of the Parmesan and Rosemary combination at Target, and I can't say enough great things about the flavor. It's a fabulous and low-calorie savory treat. Try it!
• Lemonade Laughter Necklace // A bright and sweet summery necklace with an adorable coral cluster.
• Like You Sometimes Card // After Tuesday's post about Danielle Kroll, I was delighted to discover she has a shop brimming with cute prints and cheeky cards. This is absolutely amaze balls!
• Vintage Gardening Seeds // In preparation for the arrival of my in-laws, I dabbled in a little gardening this week. I'm pretty sure it wasn't nearly as cute as this 1950s seed packet, especially when it started to downpour and I was covered in soil and mulch. On the bright side, I got to wear my wellies!
• The Way, Way Back // Have you seen this movie trailer yet? It looks like a brilliant comedy (Hello, Steve Carell!) from the same studio that brought us Little Miss Sunshine and Juno. I wonder how long it will take before it comes to the island, because it's been awhile since I've been THIS excited about a movie.
• Posts Worth Reading // This week, I loved Kelsey's reflections regarding imitation vs. inspiration and Rachel's honest post on surviving vs. thriving. You'll want to take a moment to read both!
• Watch This! // Stephen Colbert's tribute to his mother is incredibly touching. He's just so endearing.
• Download // This list is a gold mine! Check out 105 of the BEST free fonts. How about these gift tags and gift wrap freebies courtesy of Eat Drink Chic.

Cheers to a snazzy weekend, m' dears!

Thursday's Thoughts

FEELING: To be completely honest, I'm a bit overwhelmed. The in-laws arrive tomorrow and in true military fashion, Flyboy was thrown on a last-minute trip and left this past Sunday morning. If all goes according to plan, he's supposed to return late Friday evening after his family arrives. My fingers are crossed, but the Negative Nancy in me can't help but worry his flight will get delayed, as it has happened a handful of times in the past. We've been looking forward to this time off with family for awhile, and I just hope and pray it all works out. I know his folks are equally excited to see him and it would be nice to spend as much quality time together as possible. Of course, I would be lying if I didn't mention the fact that whenever we have guests I go into crazy Ashley mode and I want every detail of our house to be perfect and spotless. I've been scrubbing mold and mildew from the rock walls around the house, and my lint roller is permanently attached to my hip because dog hair is aplenty around Lil' Puna. I put too much pressure on myself, and I imagine I could take these overwhelmed feelings down a notch if I could just learn to relax. Our guests could care less about these minute details. This level of intensity can be such a blessing and a curse!

READING: I can't say I've had much of a chance to read anything (even blogs!) this week, but I look forward to diving into David Sedaris' latest book, Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls, while we're on vacation this next week. I'm a ginormous fan of his essays. No one does snarky like Sedaris; his stories leave me grinning and laughing aloud.   

LISTENING TO: I was on my way to work earlier this week, and I was running off of four hours of sleep and a Caramel Macchiato. Sadly, the sweet taste of caramel and shots of espresso weren't enough to keep me from yawning. I sat at a stoplight and Icona Pop's "I Love It (I Don't Care)" played on the radio. I couldn't help but wonder how I was going to survive the workday when all I wanted to do was go back to bed. I didn't even have enough energy to change the radio station, and I'm so glad I didn't. I was in an absolute daze until I spotted a Korean woman in her mid-50s bedecked in a hot pink track suit, matching sun hat, and Skechers Shape-Ups. She stood at the crosswalk, marched in place with her arms swaying, and an occasional fist pump in the air. It was hard not to stare and the lyrics matched her marching as though it had been choreographed. I sat in traffic laughing hysterically at what I had witnessed. It's a little nugget of humor that has got me through the week with a double-barrel grin. I especially busted a gut when I caught her marking time to these lyrics, "You're form the 70s, but I'm a 90s chick. I love it!"

THANKFUL FOR: During weeks like this when my to-do list is lengthy and I find myself fretting over minutiae, I couldn't be more grateful for my attention-seeking fur kids (cough, Beesly, cough). You see, she likes to thread the needle — an act in which she barrels forcefully in between my legs while I'm standing. She parks her body in between my gams and will just stand there until I give her some love. Inevitably, I bend over and wrap my arms around her body. It's like a giant puppy hug — it's one of the best feelings in the world! She'll sneak up on me when I least expect her; it's like she knows that I'm the one that needs the love and companionship. I could be standing at the sink or folding laundry and the next thing I know, I've got 85 lbs. of Berner parked beneath me. I'm not someone that's overly affectionate, and I think these dogs force me to stop what I'm doing and focus on what really matters.

THINKING ABOUT: Remember the season one finale of New Girl when Cece asks Schmidt if he's "White Fanging" her? It seems as though Lil' Puna is "White Fanging" us. Goodbyes are tough, and I think the house is trying to make it easier for us to say sayonara in October. Let me explain. Over the past few weeks, we found a ginormous rat the size of a cat (I'm not kidding), ants infiltrated the pantry with fury and went to town on my jar of cookie butter, and cockroaches managed to annihilate three loaves of bread — we're talking double bagged, my friends! Oh, and pest control made its quarterly visit a week prior. To make matters worse, the Tongan workers returned when our neighbor hired them to rebuild part of his rock wall. Oh, the horror! Tools were strewn everywhere, and there was no shortage of rocks or cement. Getting up and down the driveway is a giant pain in the rear whenever they're around because they tend to dilly dally and make a mess. I was reminded why I came up with the hashtag, #punaproblems.

EATING: Sweet readers, I did something this past week that is very very bad, and I've got to share it with you. I decided to eat my feelings and turned to the chocolate aisle for solace. I scoured the shelves and discovered the sinful and decadent world of Lindt's HELLO Cookies & Cream Bar. As promised, it left my tummy feeling yummy.

WATCHING: Big Brother premiered last night, and let's just say I'm jazzed. This is another one of those guilty pleasures that I look forward to each and every summer. I can't wait to see how the new twists play out.

LOVING: Dear friends of ours recently announced they were expecting (yippee!), and the mama-to-be shared her thoughts on this life-changing chapter of their lives in a touching blog post. I can't really express how giddy I feel for them. They're going to be such amazing parents; they're one of those couples you're proud to call your friends. Kim's post was so honest and sweet. It makes me look forward to the day when we get to be part of the club.

LOOKING FORWARD TO: As if I hadn't made it clear already, I'm ridiculously excited to unplug next week (the exception being Instagram, duh!), spend some time in the sun, and indulge in oodles of food and libations. I'm going to carpe the heck outta my Hawaii diem. After all, our days in HI are numbered. It's time to make them count! 

What about you? How are you feeling today? What are you up to?

A Corner of Paradise

I've really been talking up Cocktail Corner since I snagged this Butler Tray Table from West Elm in January — yes, I said January! So why has it taken me SO stinking long to create a post about this little corner of paradise? Well, I tend to get a case of cold feet when it comes to being crafty. Sometimes Type-A(shley) also stands for avoidance. I think this is where my sense of creativity and perfectionism really clash. It's unfortunate, but true! Thankfully, Cocktail Corner has served its purpose over the past few months and has provided many fizzy gimlets. Huzzah!

When my mom visited over the holidays and we devised this little plan, we discussed the possibility of painting over a printed canvas that Flyboy and I had purchased when we were newly married. It hangs above the tray table. I'm sure many of you can relate to this scenario. Sometimes you acquire something early on that you may have thought was a good decision, but you later regret. At the time, the price was right, we thought it was cute, and it filled a big space on the stark walls of base housing. For four years, it served its purpose, but it was time to shake things up. Lil' Puna's intense sunlight had taken a toll on the once bright and colorful canvas. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to give the corner a little face lift. After all, the personality of your home should evolve just as you do! 

With the help of paper mache cardboard letters, white paint, Mod Podge, sponge brushes, and my trusty hot glue gun, I gave the canvas a simple spruce-up. As a lover of vibrant knick-knacks, I felt it was important to stick with the color white. The simplicity of the space would inevitably draw the eye to the surrounding bold tchotchkes and bar accessories. I wanted the dimension and texture of the letters to keep the canvas interesting. Although it's hard to see in the photograph, the words POP and CLINK have a subtle amount of texture. I attached masking tape and circle stickers to the cardboard letters and painted over them so you could see the variation in design. Because we move often, each piece of furniture, artwork, and knick-knack tends to take on a new purpose with every place we live. I imagine this canvas will be tweaked and changed a few more times — it keeps things fun and fresh!

Recreate the look with these fabulous accessories:

White Tray Table

Polka-Dot Cotton Napkins

Mr. & Mrs. Cocktail Glass Set

Pineapple Drink Stirrers

Dapper Bottle Stopper

Cast Iron Lobster Bottle Opener

Paper Straws

Decorative Ikat Bowl

Pop Fizz Clink Coasters

Mrs. Lilien's Cocktail Swatchbook

A well-stocked Cocktail Corner includes:

Grey Goose Vodka

Lorina Pink Lemonade

San Pellegrino Limonata (my personal favorite!)

Pimm's Cup No. 1

Hendrick's Gin (the only Gin for me)

Patron Tequila

St. Germain Liqueur

Plenty of lemons, limes, and a grapefruit would be nice.

And there you have it, Lil' Puna's Cocktail Corner. Cheers!

IMAGE CREDIT: The lovely scallop detail via Steffie Broccoli — a constant source of inspiration on m' blog!

Art I Heart: Danielle Kroll

Gallison Pocket Planner // What I Wore // Sketchbooks // State Shapes // John Muir Trail Photos // Man on the Moon

About six months after I started blogging, I stumbled upon Danielle Kroll's blog and quickly became fascinated by her spunky illustrations. During this time, Flyboy was deployed and I found so much delight in her colorful artwork. It was one of those discoveries that I remember so vividly; it felt like it was meant to be! At a time that seemed so mundane, I distinctly remember the joy her work brought me. One post in particular had me incredibly jazzed. Danielle told her readers that she'd mail them one of her custom-designed Christmas cards if they contacted her with their mailing address. I jumped at the opportunity and emailed her my info. When that special piece of snail mail arrived, I squealed, put it in a frame, and added it to our gallery wall. It was happiness sealed in an envelope, and Danielle will probably never know how much that sweet gesture meant to me. Since that magical note card arrived at Lil' Puna, I've continued to follow Danielle and it's been fun to watch her work pop up at some of my favorite stores (think Anthropologie and Land of Nod) and publications. It's clear that I have mad love for this playful designer, and I just figured it was time that I profess my adoration on m' blog. She's clever and creative — I know you'll be smitten!

P.S. Years ago, I bought my first Curly Girl Design print and my love affair with Leigh's witty and whimsical work began. You can only imagine my excitement when she approached me about guest blogging. Eek! That's right, it's Ms. Fine's Finds. Someone PINCH ME! Take a look at my summer essentials: http://bit.ly/17AhOs6.

Monday Moodboard

Happy Monday! How about a little visual sunshine to help set the tone for the week?

Fiesta de Dotty via 100 Layer Cake-let

Pink via Jorey Hurley

It's A Good Day To Have A Good Day

Supergas via Design Darling

1960s Twist Type

Ballet Flats via Cubicle Refugee

Potato Chip Cookies via Martha Stewart Living

Watermelon Illustration via Bouffants & Broken Hearts

Summer Afternoon via Roost Blog

Lurve Loave Luff

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Botanical Tank // This top is BANANAS, B-A-N-A-N-A-S! All silliness aside, it's super cute!
• Society Social's Magalog // I think we can all agree that everything Roxy creates is adorable. I always look forward to the Magalog. The feature on Washi made my heart oh-so happy.
• Creative Confidence // As someone who judges a book by its cover, I can't wait to get my grubby little hands on this number. The cover is GORGEOUS, and I think we could all use a little help in this area.
• Raspberry Lemonade // Martha always gets it right, and this easy recipe is no exception. The only thing I do differently? Swap the Tequila for a splash of Gin. Duh!
• Letter Opener // Can you believe I don't own one of these? I saw this pop up on Pinterest and immediately clicked on the image. That shade of pink is FABULOUS! Unfortunately, the sale on Joss and Main was over by the time I discovered it. Aww, shucks!
• Big Organza Bloom // As if I needed another flower pin, this bloom is coral is just calling my name.
• The Days Are Long... // What's not to love about this sweet reminder? Snag the free printable here.
• Ikat Dot Pillow // I'm a sucker for a darling throw pillow. This one has everything I love — ikat, dots, and lime green. The price tag isn't too shabby either.
• Blahs // A Pair of Pears is one blog that's anything but boring. I spent about 30 minutes last week drooling over their lovely graphics. Do you ever stumble upon talent that you wish you could just eat up? It's been awhile since I found a blog THIS good.
• Helena Wurzel // I've featured her work before, but this painting had me smiling like a buffoon.
• Neon Leather Bracelet // A dainty accessory that packs a punch with a subtle hint of neon pink. Love!
• Chrome Green Chino Shorts // This could possibly be J.Crew's greatest color ever. That's a bold statement, but this hue is so worthy. You've got to see it to believe it!
• Ice Cream // I wish I had a dollar for every time I not-so-subtly hinted to Flyboy that I'd like to go on an ice cream date. It's all I can think about during the summer months.
• Broome Clutch // I've yet to purchase anything from Deux Lux, but after their feature in the latest issue of Matchbook Magazine, I'm even more smitten. Big deal alert! They're having a huge summer sale. 
• Steffie Brocoli // While looking for inspiration, I fell hard for Steffie's latest piece featured on her Tumblr site. Is it just me, or does this look like sprinkles? Maybe I just have ice cream on the brain.
• Secret Language of Birthdays // Take a few minutes and check this out. Mine was pretty spot on!
• Pantone Project // I read about this on the Huff Post, and I had to check it out. Absolutely brilliant!
• And the giveaway winner is... // Congratulations, Chris Williams! You're the winner of the Blogaversary Giveaway. Please email me, and I'll get your lovely loot mailed to you ASAP. Thanks again to each and every one of you who entered the giveaway and left such great feedback. Your compliments will have me blushing for another week. You're all too kind. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making One Fine Day a part of your day. It means so very much to me.

Cheers to a snazzy weekend, m' dears! Make this one count.

Shop Spotlight

Ma and Grandy Greeting Cards

After a pesky headache, I just didn't have it in me to draft this week's Thursday Thoughts post. My sincerest apologies, but you can definitely expect to see its return next week. I promise! Instead, I thought maybe I could make it up to you by sharing a snazzy stationery shop I stumbled upon earlier this week.  It's an Australian-based company called Ma and Grandy, and I'm absolutely smitten. They're just SO much fun! I mean, did you see the abundance of color and polka dots? I die. I would love to send these to my dearest pen pals or frame one and add it to my gallery wall. This is just one of those shops you'll want to bookmark because the cute factor is off the charts.

Happy Thursday, sweet friends! 

Get ready for tomorrow's Love List — the giveaway winner will be announced!

Treat Yo Self!

Hip Hip Hooray! A handful of fabulous finds — all $30 or less. Treat Yo Self!

Polka Dot Journal // Notepad // Ric Rac Note Set // Wildflower + Fern Perfume // Monogram Glass Plate // 

Lip Injection Color Balm //  Gin & Juice Tote // Big Stone Earrings // Royal Confetti Bib // Flamingo Matches // 

Bee Earrings // Colorblock Cocktail Napkins // Metallic Pom Pom // Print & Shine Bobbi Set // 

Cross My Heart Bobbi // Girl Talk Headband // Skinny Rectangle Bracelet // Ice Cream Print // 

Hello Darling Social Stationery // Stabilo Pen Set // Mr. Elephant Stickers // Leopard Flip Flops // Cosmetic Case

Be sure to hop on over to Mae Badiyan's blog and check out my guest post. Hint: It's very Type-A!

P.S.  There's still time to enter the Blogaversary Giveaway. Hop to it!

Life's Little Details

Here's a glimpse of what's been going on around Lil' Puna lately...

"The details are not the details. They make the design." — Charles Eames

Wow, the reception to the Blogaversary Giveaway has been fantastic! Thanks for starting my week off with a bang. You guys sure know how to make this gal feel special! Can we just fast forward to Friday already and find out the winner? I'm so eager to box up the loot and mail it off to the lovely recipient, but I guess this is another instance in which I have to learn to be patient. With all of the hubbub on Monday, I didn't get around to my usual post: Life's Little Details. I try to schedule this post every other Monday to share a handful of memorable moments that have occurred over the past few weeks. They're the details that make this life oh-so sweet. Lately, there's been a lot of those pinch-me, I feel so blessed kind of moments. Let's get on with the post, and I'll give you the lowdown.

A few insta-update notes...

• Rooftop Confessions // There were a few rainy days last week, which meant buckets of water were just standing on our flat roof. Yuck! Once the sun came out, I made it a point to push the water off of the roof. It's one of those pesky Puna chores that I've grown to love, but I prefer to have Flyboy take care of instead. Whenever I'm up there, I'm reminded of Mary Poppins and I have this strong desire to sing "Chim Chim Cher-ee" as I push the water around. Each moment I'm up there, I'm completely blown away by the view of the bay. It's breathtaking! I guess the lyrics are right: "A sweep is as lucky as lucky can be." 
• Feeling Craft-tastic! // It's not often that I whip out the Mod Podge, pom-poms, and colored twine, but when I do, it feels incredible! This past week has been a great reminder that I need to do more of this and OFTEN. I'm in the process of wrapping up Cocktail Corner (stay tuned for next week's post). I typically scrunch my nose and hate everything I make, but I'm proud (Gasp!) of myself with this one.
• Hey Y'all // Just when I was starting to feel a little overwhelmed with the idea of this move, I got this Hey Y'all print in the mail. There's something so warm and welcoming about seeing this southern phrase in gold foil. I even had a moment where I pictured it in our next home. The best part? I got excited!  
• Cheap Thrills // I snagged this Yellow Fluoro Firefly Necklace from Bauble Bar last week. I love that every time you purchase something from the company, they give you credits toward your next purchase. Somehow I managed to get this one for under $20. VICTORY! This necklace is like a strand of sunshine.  
• Snail Mail Station // Maybe you remember the Chroma Case make an appearance on the blog's Love List a few weeks ago? Well, it arrived and I squealed as I tore it from the Styrofoam padding. I quickly emptied my box of stationery and organized my collection of notecards in this new case. It's perfect! I call it Snail Mail Station. Apparently, my happy place comes in the form of a lime green galvanized box.
• B double E double R UN // After Flyboy's most recent trip to Germany, he managed to bring home a case of Hefe-Weissbier Hell. It's delicious, but we're trying to savor it until the in-laws visit.
• Dog Days of Summer // We've been spending a lot of time outside watering plants, washing the car, etc. The pups LOVE to be outside with us. While Beesly prefers to stay nearby (she loves attention and she's very loyal), Tripp has a newfound independence outdoors. He ventures up the hill by himself for about ten minutes. Considering the state we got him in, I couldn't be more thrilled. It's the cutest thing to watch him go his own way and explore. Of course, that is until he comes back down and throws up a bunch of sticks and weeds. Sorry I went there, but we like to keep it real around here.

Happy Tuesday, m' dears! What's made you grin from ear to ear lately?

Happy Blogaversary!

The Lovely Loot Includes: Baggu Canvas Bag // Necklace // Saturday Disco Fever // Knock Knock Notepad //
Striped Straws // Keychain // Pocket Mirror // Hair Ties // Lip Balm // Thank You Notes // Washi Tape // Giant Paper Clips

Has it really been two years? It all started with this inaugural post. And since that lonely Friday at Lil' Puna, the header and fonts weren't the only things that changed — I'm different as well. Just as I'd hoped, this was exactly the creative outlet I craved. I've created a forum to express myself, and in the process a tight-knit blog community has evolved. It's given me the opportunity to converse and connect with other creative types who've inspired me to dream a little bigger. I'm not sure what's in store for m' blog, but I'm forever thankful for your kindness. You stop by often, comment, and drop a line via email — you've been a snazzy and sparkly support system. 

In honor of this momentous bloggie occasion, I'd like to show my appreciation for my dear readers. I ADORE each and every one of you! This kind of warm and fuzzy love calls for a Blogaversary Giveaway to say thank you! I never would have envisioned this kind of love and community when I started blogging. I'm grateful for your sweet words of encouragement. This little creative space has brought me so much joy, and I'm still so tickled that anyone other than my immediate family (that's you, Mom, Dad, Aub, and Flyboy) visits One Fine Day on a regular basis. THANK YOU! 

Enough of the sappy stuff and on to the lovely loot... 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The winner of the giveaway will be announced on Friday, June 21, 2013 in The Love List! Go get 'em!

*Note: This giveaway is not affiliated with any of the stores or brands listed above.

The contents have been purchased solely by the blogger with the intent to be gifted to the giveaway winners.

Lurve Loave Luff

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Here's what made me feel all twitterpated, smile contagiously, giggle uncontrollably, etc.

• Happy Father's Day: I'm not sure about the source for the top image, but when I saw it pop up on J.Crew's Pinterest board, it instantly reminded me of my dad. Even when we're thousands of miles apart, trips to the beach tend to make me feel closer to my family. I recall the countless Sundays spent together in the sun and the sand; those memories are forever priceless. Sometimes, I'll close my eyes and I can vividly imagine my dad just floating about in the ocean with his bronze belly glistening in the sun and his ankles crossed. Occasionally you'd see him move his arms, but he'd drift away without a care in the world. He'd spend hours in the water and we'd always wonder when he'd get out. On Father's Day, you can bet I'll be seaside with my dad close to my heart. I love that man so very much!
• Oh Happy Day Print //  I can't seem to get enough gold foil in my life. This adorable print by Lara Casey is no exception. As if her shop couldn't get any cuter, I stumbled upon this pep talk notepad. Need!
• All Day Every Day // Seriously smitten with Ban.do's shop updates. Bobbis, pom-poms, headbands, galore!
• Bow Pillow via Kate Spade // A nifty and manageable DIY that should be filed under "Things We Love."
• Samudra Pouch // Have you seen these adorable bags make a recurring appearance on numerous fashion blogs? Did you know the sunny pouch pick-me-up is actually a Hawaii-based brand. Naturally, I need to pick one out before we leave; it would be the ultimate Hawaii souvenir. I've got my eye on the Maili and Solo Palm pouches, but I can't seem to make a decision. Thoughts?
• Beaded Diamond Pattern Clutch // Because clutches, pouches, bags, etc. are a weakness, I must fill you in on this little gem. Cute, wouldn't you say?! The colors are perfect and the price is spot on.
• Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss // I don't use a lot of Bare Escentuals products, but I heard about this lipgloss and had to give it a whirl. I'm so glad I did! It's long-wearing and looks fabulous. I can't put it down!
• Lipstick Print // How adorable is Evelyn Henson's etsy shop? Of course, this print also caught my eye.
• Striped Persephone Tank // My favorite things wrapped into the perfect summer top. A definite must!
• Piñata Anatomy // I thought this graphic by Carmichael Collective was hilariously cute!
• Golf Hat // I don't golf, but I'm in love with this quirky cloche.
• A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap // I can't say enough great things about this. It's excellent for sensitive skin!
• Vanilla Lemonade // Have you heard of this? I can't wait to make a batch. It sounds delightful!
• Pom-Pom Napkins // What did I say about pom-poms? I can't get enough of them. 
• Neon Lime Green // Color me wonderful! This little swatch makes me oh-so-happy.
• Paul Rand Inspiration // I spent almost an hour reading about Rand and all of his ads. This Westinghouse advertisement could be my favorite. Someone wipe the drool from my face. Please, and thank you!   
• DIY Gold Leaf iPhone Cases // In case you missed it, you'll want to check out Jordan Ferney's latest.
• DIY Scalloped Tablecloth // Another little pretty that you'll want to bookmark or pin for future reference.
• The Dog Who Struggled to be Good // My mom sent me this article. Dog lovers, this is a must read.
• Blog Love: Be sure to check out Laura's Orange Ginger Mojitos and Brynn's Kid-O-Mobile.

Cheers to a snazzy weekend, m' dears! Make this one count.

P.S. Be sure to stop by on Monday. I was thinking it might be fun to have another giveaway... Hey-O!

Thursday's Thoughts

Last week I pondered post ideas and one of my dear readers turned me on to Danielle of Sometimes Sweet and her weekly "Currently" post. After reading a handful of them, I was hooked and eager to adopt the idea. It's easy to get lost in all of the product posts and collages. They're oodles of fun to create and read, but they sometimes lack substance. When I look back at posts of the past that were well-received, they all dealt with the nuances of daily life. They gave some sort of insight to who I am. In an effort to write more, I figured this might be a good place to start. Perhaps it will become a weekly post. Maybe I could coax readers and bloggers in to participating?!

FEELING: This sounds a little bit silly, but I've been feeling very nautical lately. I'm not sure if that's possible, but it may have something to do with the anchor napkins I picked up at Target, notecards from Sugar Paper, this Caitlin Wilson pillow, and this lobster bottle opener from my mom. Clambake, anyone?

READING: I'm catching up on my favorite blogs and nose deep in the June issue of House Beautiful. I hope to start The House Girl this weekend, preferably with my toes in the sand and a grande Iced Caramel Macchiato within reach.

LISTENING TO: Every morning, we wake up and eat breakfast with music in the background. It inevitably turns into an impromptu dance party in the kitchen with Flyboy exercising his DJ Pauly D skills (they've both been told they have good hair). The song we currently can't get enough of is Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell Williams and T.I. Since Flyboy's been gone this past week, I've attempted to keep up with the tradition. It's not quite the same, but Beesly's always down to shake a leg. She especially likes the part where I change up the lyrics and sing, "You the hottest Beez in this place." As for Tripp, he's learning that this whole scenario is intended to be fun, but I'll accidentally clap or make a quick movement that scares him and he runs away.

THANKFUL FOR: Random chitchat with my sister regarding Bravo. In the words of Vicki Gunvalson, the OG of the OC, we know how to whoop it up! And yes, we talked about how Vicki peed the bed in Mexico and I may have snorted because it was just so disgusting and hilarious. This is the kind of mindless discussion that I enjoy the most!

THINKING ABOUT: It looks as though the big move will be happening in October. Yeesh! I've always been a planner, but I still have a hard time thinking about this next chapter. There's so much that needs to happen in the next four months. I can't help but think about where we'll live temporarily while Flyboy is in training, which will occur en route to Swell Rio. Do we get an apartment? Are there pet-friendly options? How do we decide what to pack up and what we'll keep? Will we ship one of the cars, or do we sell them both in Hawaii? What kind of car do we get next? I'll miss the Jetta aka The Black Flash! Clearly, all of this thinking turns into a crazy amount of questions and uncertainty. In an odd way, I think I've tried to avoid it. Maybe I'll just blink my eyes and twitch my nose and it will all make sense. There's not a lot we can do right now, so I remind myself to take it one day at a time.

EATING: I can't seem to get enough Bing Cherries, Noosa Yogurt, and Clif White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Bars (my sister turned me on to these). Nothing says summer like fresh cherries. I splurged on a bag at Whole Foods and they were perfect. In fact, I may need to go back for more! The yogurt is the creamiest and most delicious snack ever. My sister told me that she crumbles pieces of the Clif bar on top of her yogurt for a little treat. I tried it and it's amazing! Of course, the Clif bar is tasty on its own. It reminds me of a delicious cookie. Go on and give it a whirl!

WATCHING: Princesses of Long Island has got to be my latest guilty pleasure; it's a slice of Yiddish heaven. I don't think it can get any more entertaining than Jeff and Amanda. Does this guy think he's Jerry Seinfeld? Oy vey! And where did they find Ashlee? Her dad is an absolute hoot! Don't judge me, just watch it.

LOVING: I have NO need for a giant inflatable swan, but the idea of it makes me giggle. I would just die to see someone filling this thing up with air. Hilarious! My desire to own one has only intensified since Ashley Brooke styled her swan in this post. She's too stinking adorable! I want to be at her pool party.

LOOKING FORWARD TO: The in-laws will be on-island later this month, and we're planning a trip to Maui. I'm extremely excited to have some planned time off with Flyboy and his family. In all honesty, I think I'm especially elated to just pack a suitcase and get off the rock. It feels like we're going on a vacation. Eek!

What about you? How are you feeling today? What are you up to?

IMAGE CREDIT: Nina Leen

Art I Heart: Jenny Andrews-Anderson

Calling all color lovers! I've got an artist I just know you'll adore. In fact, you may have noticed Jenny Andrews-Anderson's work, Love Letter, front and center in Monday's Moodboard. Then again, there was a bonus post featuring all sorts of dazzling duds in honor of pops, and I was afraid that you might have missed her amazing artwork! And because I've become somewhat obsessed with her work over the past few days, I felt as though Jenny deserved an entire post devoted to some of my favorite pieces.

Summer Games

Doing Math

Neon House

Apothecary

Poisson

If you're in a mid-week slump (Hello, Wednesday!) and need a little motivation, why don't you get lost in one of Jenny's pieces? I've found that her artwork has similar effects as blasting Bon Jovi's Livin' On A Prayer in a "Woooooah, we're halfway there..." kind of way. For more of Jenny's work, be sure to visit her website and shop.