what i'm lovin'

{Fiji}

First off, let's just take a moment and realize that we are a couple days away til August.  I can't believe it, the year has gone by super fast.  So in honor of summer, today's what i'm lovin' is geared toward vacations, or shall I refer to the term as holidays. {love that word so much more than vacays}.  Here are my top five destinations, that are on my "dream" list. {they are in no particular order}.  Maybe one day I'll get to go on holiday to one of these places.

1. Australia

2. Brazil

3. South Africa

4. Fiji

5. Phuket

{Brazil}

{Phuket}

 {South Africa}

 {Australia}

got my eye on an entryway rug

I'm loving the look on how a rug just adds something extra to an entryway.  It's fun, stylish, and an eye-catcher for all the guests that walk through your front door.  It's making me want to find one that will work well in my home.  Do you have an entryway rug?

via Hi Sugarplum!

via House Beautiful

via Simple Eye

via The House of Smiths

summer scarf

A friend of mine received the cutest anthro scarf for her birthday.  She wants to wear it during these summer months, so I thought of creating an outfit for her.  Since the scarf should be the statement piece, I thought a white maxi dress would pair with it perfectly.  Depending on her mood, I selected different options for the shoes and accessories.  {LV this is for you!}

Fully Striped Scarf ~ Anthropologie
White Maxi Dress ~ Topshop

Tom Ford Aviators ~ Nordstrom

House of Harlow Gold Bangle ~ Les pommettes

Wedges ~ Aldo

D&G Cat's Eye Sunnies ~ Nordstrom

Wraparound Bracelet ~ Max & Chloe

Sam Edelman Sandals ~ Nordstrom

walls

I can't wait for my wall art stencil to arrive in the mail, so I can spruce up the bathroom.  If you're interested in adding unique designs to your walls, without the use of wallpaper, then check out this website.  Cutting Edge Stencils has so many designs, plus instructions on how to correctly stencil your walls {perfect for me, cause I'm a first time user}.  I purchased the Zinnia Grande Flower stencil and can't wait to do this...

wedding touches

the most adorable wedding cake topper I have seen

I was on this blog and came across so many wonderful ideas that I loved for the brides out there.  I thought it'd be nice to share them, and hopefully some of you can receive some inspiration from the photos.  I just l.o.v.e. weddings!!

colored mason jars used as vases {& hanging from trees}

vintage spoons used as table numbers

the most beautiful bouquet with brooches

strands of ribbon decorate the bride and groom chairs

mini wedding cakes - so adorable

what i'm lovin'

I'm lovin' this DIY Dog Dining Station that I found here.  It's made from a stool, which is an easy item to find at the local hardware store.  Since it's DIY ~ you can paint it to match your home decor, add a design, or your pooches name.  I love it!  Here are the directions, but if you go to the link, there's also a tutorial video that you can watch. 

Tools and Materials:

• Wooden stool
• Compass
• Drill, with a 3/16-inch bit
• Jigsaw
• Primer
• Paint, in two colors
• Paintbrush
• Protective rubber
• Heavy card stock
• Spray adhesive
• Stencil brush

Dog Dining Station How-To:
1. Measure your dog's leg from his paw to his withers. Cut the stool down to that size. Draw two 4 1/2-inch circles with the compass on the face of the stool. Drill a small hole near the perimeter of the circle. Using the jigsaw, set the blade into the hole and cut along the line, repeating for the other circle.
2. Prime and paint the stool. Allow to dry. Affix protective rubber to the feet of the stool.
3. Create a stencil out of heavy card stock by drawing the letters of your pet's name and cutting them out, or use a design of your choice. Spray the back of the card stock with spray adhesive and set the stencil in place. Dip your stencil brush into a different color paint than previously used, and gently pounce the brush all along the stencil. Peel it off right away.

turquoise waters

My favorite oceans are the turquoise ones, so clean, breathtaking, and relaxing.  Here are some stylish elements that will dress you or your home up, in the beautiful color of turquoise; so you can always have the ocean with you. 

1. Topshop ~ Zip Back Shell Top
2. Nordstrom ~ Lacoste Eyewear Cat's Eye Sunnies
3. Stylebop ~ Silver and Turquoise Necklace
4. Asos ~ River Island Turquoise Agate Ring
5. Bungalow 5 ~ Stool
6. Old Navy ~ Flip Flops
7. Topshop ~ Colour Block Shell Top
8. Furbish Studio ~ Greek Key Rug

home elements

I was on Real Simple and came across some ideas that I'd like to use or have in my home.  I thought to share them, in case any of you found the ideas to be great as well.  Hope these lead into other ideas or inspiration for you, wherever you may call home.  Enjoy.
 

The painted frames in the different colors is great.  What an easy and inexpensive decor element.

I love the red and white runner / rug in this kitchen.  Adds such a statement.

A cute way to display the aprons and pot holders I own.  I love the idea of the shelf, or maybe cute knobs from anthro.

I love this look for an outdoor space.  The bright yellow and red, mixed in with the umbrella. So fun!

I currently use a brown paper bag to store my onions in the pantry.  I need wire baskets asap.

Who knew a lazy susan could have so many uses.  I think this idea is great, but I'd spray paint my lazy susan instead of keeping it a bland silver and I'd keep it next to the stove.

glass

I love the style of clear glass home decor.  It gives off a fresh vibe, especially during these summer months.  There are many different ways to add this style element into your home ~ lamps, bottles used as vases, light fixtures - the list is endless.  I am now wanting to add some of these decor elements into my home.  What about you?

{above 3 images via BH&G}

{firefly pendant lamp}

{glass pendant sconce}

doggy dessert chef

For all you dog lovers out there, this is for you.  I was on the hunt for some new doggy treat recipe inspiration, and came across doggydessertchef.com.  The site is filled with lots of different recipes!  Some of the recipes I like do contain whole wheat flour, so I'm just going to switch out the wheat since Mike is allergic.  If you're not a dog treat baker, don't worry - the site also contains features on etsy shops that people own.  You can read about them and if interested, one can purchase treats through etsy.  Here are a few recipes that I'd love to try for my dog's Rhasta and Mike.

Carob Blackberry Biscotti

Oatmeal Squares

Donut Delights

Blueberry Pie

what i'm lovin'

Happy Friday to you.  It's July and super hot and humid here in FL.  I wish I was packing my bags and getting ready for an escape to a tropical destination. {picturing myself relaxing poolside with a pina colada in hand right now!}. This weeks what i'm lovin' is devoted to the pool or beach getaway essentials.  I love all of these pieces and am lusting after them.  It's definitely what i'm lovin'!





Natural Cut Out Floppy Hat {$44 - topshop}

Roxy Sand And Sea Beach Towel Moroccan Mint  {$36 - zappos}

Marc by Marc Jacobs Oversized Aviator Sunglasses {$98 - piperlime}
Tory Burch Thin Flip Flops {$45 - simplysoles} 

Moroccan Oil Treatment {$33 - yahoo}

Beauty and the Beach Necklace {$15 - modcloth}

Hello Sunshine Willow {$193 - katespade}

Summer Fragrances

I love summer, and the fragrances that go along with the sunny days are great too!  I do have Miss Dior Cherie {which I love}, but I'm always on the hunt for another great scent.  Here are a few that I found under Sephora's "summer fragrances" link.  Have any of you tried these scents?  Which is your favorite fragrance for summer?

Top row {from left to right} : Dior Miss Dior Cherie Eau de Toilette, $64 - $85 / Stella McCartney Stella Sheer, $62 / Ralph Lauren Summer Romance, $78

Bottom row {from left to right}: Issey Miyake L'Eau D'Issey Summer, $64 / Burberry Summer For Women, $65 / Marc Jacobs Marc Jacobs Splash - Ginger, $68

vintage bar cart

After seeing so many beautiful and amazing bar carts these days {like this post on apartment therapy}, I couldn't resist.... I needed to have one!  I visited a local consignment shop yesterday and stumbled upon a vintage piece for only $50.00.  Yes, can you believe it?!  I swear, it was my lucky day.  I love everything about it and I wanted to share my treasure with you all.

I'm thinking of maybe painting it? What do you think, shall I leave it as is or give the bar cart some color?

l.o.v.e. the details!

l.o.v.e. the wheels!

vanilla please

I made my very first batch of homemade ice cream and WOW, it's the best ice cream EVER.  I opted to take the easy route since I've never made ice cream before and used the Williams-Sonoma Ice Cream Starters in vanilla.  It was so simple to make ~~ I just used one packet of the vanilla starter, 1/2 & 1/2, and heavy cream.  To add a little chocolateness, I used Hershey's Shell on the inside of the sugar cone.

Believe me when I say that the ice cream turned out delicious and it's the perfect summer treat!