DIY

A Nautical Summer DIY.

I don’t know about you guys, but this past weekend felt like a summer weekend to me — we had our first warm night out on the porch with friends and sipped on some warm weather beverages. With Memorial Day coming up this weekend, I partnered with Seagram’s Escapes to put together a little DIY to get you in the summer entertaining spirit! I am a fan of all things nautical, and decided to customize some koozies to keep my cocktails cool as the temperature rises. Read on for instructions to create your own nautical drink koozies.

Seagrams Escapes Summer DIY 2

To start, use painters tape to mark off the stripes at consistent intervals on plain white drink koozies (I use the width of the tape to mark off where the next one starts to space them evenly). Once the stripes are taped off, paint the space between the taped lines and let it dry completely before removing the tape. Next, use a pencil to mark off your design — I used a stencil to draw an anchor for a nautical motif — and paint inside the traced shape. You may need to use two coats of paint when using a lighter color over a dark stripe. Be sure to let the koozies dry completely before using! 
Seagrams Escapes Summer DIY 3Seagrams Escapes Summer DIY 5Seagrams Escapes Summer DIY 1Seagrams Escapes Summer DIY 4Seagrams Escapes Summer DIY 9If you’re interested in getting into the summer entertaining spirit, head over to the Seagram’s Escapes Facebook page and enter to win a Seagram’s Escapes party kit!

This post was sponsored by Seagram’s Escapes; all opinions and DIY ideas are my own. 

To make your own custom koozies visit:  Imprinted Koozies

 

 

Home

Shock of Pink.

The new CB2 catalog landed in my mailbox last week and I can’t stop thinking about the pops of pink in their new products. I’m making a mental note, when I someday have more space for it, I will be purchasing a pink settee. And I love the bold stripes on the tablecloth and punchy neon pillows — they’re just so cheery!

pipeline-tableclothrue-petal-apartment-sofadivision-neon-pink-20-pillow

DIY

DIY Holidays: Kitchen Spoon Set.

Today’s handmade holiday idea is all about creating a simple hostess gift. I purchased a few different sizes of  wooden spoons, and taped off stripes at various intervals with painter’s tape, and then painted in the lines with black paint. After the paint thoroughly dried, I peeled back the tape to reveal the pretty stripes. Make sure you add a matte coat of clear finish over the top so that they’re safe to hand-wash.  And of course, presentation is everything — I wrapped the set up in a  shiny silk ribbon to make them gift-giving-ready!

DIY Spoon Set 1 DIY Spoon Set 2 DIY Spoon Set 3 DIY Spoon Set 4

Looking for more DIY present ideas? Check them out here.

Winter Wellies.

I’ve never been much of a winter boots girl — despite almost 10 years living in Boston. I’ve always opted for rain boots during New England winters because of the slushy mess I tend to trudge through during my commute. Recently, I got sent a pair of adorable Joules rain boots to take for a test run and I absolutely love the patterns they come in – stripes, florals, even a darling fox print (plus the mid-height boots are perfect for those who are vertically challenged like me!). The cheery floral pattern I chose makes having to weather a gray day just a little more tolerable. I’m eyeing a pair of the striped rain booties next!

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Wellies c/o Joules USA, all opinions are my own.

Stripes for Fall.

Just what I needed, another adorable catalog to pop up in my mailbox, right? I’m currently being tempted by new-to-me retailer Joules USA with all of their uber-preppy striped clothing. From cozy cowl-necked sweatshirts and rugby shirts, to cheery wellies, I’m absolutely smitten.  And that fluffy red vest with striped lining just wants to come to home with me! I need it, right?

Joule Usa

Entertaining

Dinner with Friends.

This weekend we had big Saturday plans to go to Ikea and buy a new couch, but right before we left we checked the inventory online and saw that it was out of stock — bummer! So I was faced with a rare treat: a weekend day with zero plans. I decided to take advantage of our surprise day of freedom and threw a little impromptu dinner for friends. Since it was super last minute, I worked with what I had and re-purposed our table topper from our wedding, and some bright pink napkins from our rehearsal dinner, and then I finally broke out a few of our wedding shower presents, like my sea urchin salt and pepper shakers (I love them!), some Kate Spade candles, and a bunch of farmer’s market blooms — I was so happy with how it came out! ADSC_0033 ADSC_0037 ADSC_0040ADSC_0039

Home

A cozy bed.

I am constantly trying to make my bed incrementally more comfortable and cozy (we got fluffy new pillows this weekend, a must!), but don’t you just always wonder how stylists get that “coziest place on earth” look when bedrooms are featured in magazines and design books? I ran across this image and I want to dive head first into that freshly made bed — the layered pillows, the slip-covered headboard, smooth crisp duvet… I mean — it might actually be dangerously cozy, I don’t think I’d ever leave!

8. Stephen Shubel Cottage

Source: Stephen Shubel Design

Home

Caught My Eye.

Just a little round up today of a few things have caught my eye recently. I have that preppy striped vest on my fall wishlist, and was eyeing that fabulous pair of sunglasses and chunky statement necklace when I popped into the mall this weekend. I’ve also been doing a little home decor day dreaming on Pinterest lately and love those ticking striped chairs from Serena and Lily and a bold door knocker for my hypothetical future front door.  Plus that tomato red desk lamp? Perfection.

WishlistClickwise from top left: Striped Chair, Brass Door Knocker, Sunglasses, Necklace, Desk Lamp, Striped Vest

Life

Summer Style: Mixing Prints.

I’ve been feeling a little uninspired in the fashion department lately — wearing professional clothes in the heat of summer is a bummer, and when I get home all I want to do is get into the comfiest (and lightest) outfit possible and park myself in front of our AC. So in an effort to muster up a little more effort, I’m going to try to mix just a tiny bit of prints this week. I like the combination of these quintessential preppy patterns: pink gingham and soft postal stripes, with natural tones of cheetah and tortoiseshell. Spicing up accessories is just enough effort for 90 degree weather, right?

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Photo credit: Shorts, Top

Life

Fourth of July.

Happy Fourth of July! This is one my absolute favorite holidays — what’s not to love about a day of  sparklers, classic red white and blue outfits, and delicious bbq? I’m off to spend my day by the pool with friends, and then to see the Boston fireworks tonight. Hope you have a fabulous day celebrating too!

Fourth of JulyClockswise from top left: Harding Lane Nantucket Hat, Striped Anchor Tee, Men’s Gingham Swimsuit, Anchor Tumblers, Breton Stripe Sea Bag, Chandon Summer, Jack Rogers Sandals, Striped Beach Chairs, Turkish Towel, Red Bow Bikini Bottom

 

 
 
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