Summer Edit '17

WOVEN MODERN PENDANT // This Laika Pendant by Blu Dot will illuminate your summer house in style or is sure to create a beachy vibe at home.

MATCHA LIFESTYLE BOOK // After our whirlwind trip to Japan, I'm always looking for ways to incorporate their culture into our day-to-day. This book Matcha: A Lifestyle Guide might be the trick as I already have the magical green powder on my monthly Amazon delivery docket.

EMBROIDERED MULES // Kate Spade is back to hitting home runs and I am oohing and aahing over their Monteclaire Embroidered Mules - please get on my feet!!

LIP BALM // I'm obsessed with everything Sisley Paris and already have a few of their Phyto-Lip Twist Balms in my makeup line up but this color looks perfectly fresh for summer.

MIDI DRESS // This Mara Hoffman tropical sheath dress is divine and sure to be the envy of beach goers or folks on the street.

CLUTCH // For the past three years Cult Gaia's Ark bag has been carefully stored in my closet. This year, I'm leaving all fear I'll break this bag behind and taking it out on the town. No doubt, it's quickly become my go-to sidekick!

BIG TASSELS // I may finally abandon my faithful studs for these All Things Mochi Hallu Earrings - watch out!

STRESS OIL // I recently discovered Tata Harper and all her non-toxic natural glory! Although it's my first product purchase, this All Natural Aromatic Stress Treatment is heaven and does some serious work when I start to feel nervous.

Weekday Musings

EATING // Convivial's Pickled Rockfish. It may sound unappetizing but this little dish packs bright

color and flavor in a photo perfect plate. We'll soon be making our second trip this month for Father's Day and I cannot wait to savor this tasty morsel... AGAIN!

HOME*WORK // Not a lot of work on the house to report here but our weekly blooms have been outstanding these last few weeks. I mean these peonies?! Holy buckets! We planted a few varieties of this sought out flower in our backyard but what gives?  The plant keeps growing bigger and bigger every year but no buds.  Thank goodness for the new Whole Foods on H Street... but there is a reason people call that place "Whole Paycheck" - yikes!

CRUSHING ON // Ice, ice baby! Now that the temperature is climbing around the 90s, I am loving iced coffee and tea. There is no way you'll catch me with a hot cup of joe until October!

READING // Ever since I laid eyes on Ashley Longshore's Teddy Roosevelt pop art, I have been o-b-s-e-s-s-e-d. I inquired about purchasing a painting but her work is a little too rich for my blood (i.e. $10K and above!) So I settled on purchasing her autobiography You Don't Look Fat, You Look Crazy.  You guys!  This book is seriously fun and should be on your bookshelf!  Her unapologetic truths are refreshing and I found out that my hometown (Missoula, MT) was where she started painting!! Not convinced yet?  Check out her Instagram here, she's a boat load of AWESOME!

THANKFUL FOR // My sister. We all have our people and mine is my sister Mikal. After fighting like cats and dogs when we were younger, a detente was reached years ago and we've never looked back. All hostility evaporated and she is now one of my very best friends - my confidant, the person who knows how to make me smile and the person I look up to. I'm counting down the days until we're reunited again... And I CANNOT wait until one day we are neighbors!!

THINKING ABOUT // Women. In a group text, my GF sent this well written op-ed about feminism in America. I've now read the piece three times as it makes me think about my own discomfort with the word feminism. In 2017 are we still struggling to be equal to men? The answer is yes and from here on out, I know I am going to make a better effort to help my fellow ladies succeed. Who's with me?! #letsgetfemale

WATCHING // We just procured tickets to the Moth Story Slam at Howard Theatre next Monday and I am excited! Not only is a show at Howard Theatre on my 101 list but the Moth is seriously amazing. It's so inspiring to watch real people tell true stories live without notes. That takes major guts to get up on that stage and share something personal.  My goodness - I tip my hat to you storytellers!

WEARING // Tata Harper's Stress Relief Treatment oil on repeat. Every time I dab a little bit of this oil on my palms and neck and breathe deep, I swear my whole body shifts from tense to quiet.  I've never been into scented oil but this little miracle worker has made me a convert. And it smells so fresh too - no patchouli stench here! I SWEAR!

* Image inspiration, beat the heat at your local pool this weekend!!

Life by Design

The last few weeks have made my heart full again... good food, people and a STAYCATION - hooray! It's not like I'd fallen out of love with DC but the daily real life political comedy and work grind (plus oh hey... the Grand Jury!) was really starting to wear on me and leave me one tired cookie. 

But flip the switch because there are BISCUITS to be had... And damn delicious biscuits at that! The Hubs and I quested out to Mason Dixie Biscuit Co.'s new brick and mortar and the reviews rang true- this joint is legit.  We shared a Classic Fried Chicken Sandwich and I'm still thinking about that hot little buttermilk number... Someone else please make the trek so we can discuss?!

We also finally made it to Dumbarton Oaks.  We meandered through the expansive District garden and swooned over peonies (just passing their peak) and fields of roses of every variety. It was a great reminder to slow down and take a deep breath. 

Not in the mood for an adventure? Pull up a pillow and watch 'The People Vs. OJ Simpson'. This short series as the LA Times claims... "is profound!" And let me tell you... I sympathize with the story of the jury.  My 18 month Grand Jury stint is only a third served and who knows... I might end up like the woman who tries to sprint for freedom but is then tackled by a U.S. Marshall... Stay tuned...

OR head to Union Market and catch their drive-in movie series. 'Honey I Shrunk the Kids' this past Friday was a hoot and had us dreaming of Air Jordans, scrunchies and Oatmeal Creme Pies... (!!!)

P.S. The top snap is of the queen bee herself Ms. Cid, who's found a new perch on our TV console.  Maybe she has an eye for Mid-century Modern?