summer party attire

Of course, attire must be planned in advance for a great summer fête! Pictured above are some summer-inspired favorites. Menswear halter, Roma wedges and Strawberry dress for the ladies, by Anthropologie. July and Pinecone tie for the men in your life by Lena Corwin (these would be fabulous paired with a light-colored linen suit and a checked or striped dress shirt... or even better, seersuckers!). Lastly, some amazing vintage children's outfits from Melodie Adam's Etsy store. I don't usually like John-John's for boys, but this one is pretty irresistible! There are lots of cute one-of-a-kind summer finds to be had at Melodie's shop: www.pinkcupcakevintage.etsy.com. 

ahhh, summer!

The heat and humidity have finally settled in here in Nashville. Summer has officially arrived! Of course, you wouldn't know it if you've been into any stores lately...they've already started to move on to fall merchandise. It's such a shame that retail moves so far ahead of the rest of us! Of course NOW is the time I want to go find a pretty summer dress and buy white-finish furnishings, but c'est la vie. For now, I'm choosing to bask in the present moment, and hoping to have a summer soirée very soon. 

Above are some favorite summer images: flowers and tablescape styled by Chelsea Fuss (www.chelseafuss.typepad.com), firefly girl (love this!), napper and pillow party-er photgraphed by Maura McEvoy (www.mauramcevoy.com). 

ETSY find: vintage children's book illustrations

There is something so magical about vintage children's book illustrations. They tend to speak to my nostalgic idea of what childhood is or should be. 

Pictured above are selections from several card series by Etsy seller 'Stories & Divinations'. They are described as "charming, original frame-worthy illustrations salvaged from overly-loved 1930's American children's schoolbooks mounted with care on smooth creamy cardstock with a satin edge.' She has given the various collections names like 'Summer Boys Becoming Men', and 'A Whole + Happy Life.'

These cards would make a wonderful gift in and of themselves, or make an ordinary gift more special. A series of three is priced at $12.50 and can be found on Etsy at the Stories & Divinations store.

when you really care...

I started photographing the gifts I've received from my friend Gen, long ago. The one above was taken in June of 2005. 

Gen is the kind of friend I never thought I'd find in Nashville...a kindred spirit in every sense of the word. We share a love of all things 'design-y', with gifts being no exception! Here, Gen has wrapped a flea-market find in a lovely kraft paper box, with a photocopied page from a Warhol book (affixed to the bottom of the box). Truly, I couldn't imagine a better present. The wrapping alone was a gift in itself.

While sometimes it doesn't seem worth putting the extra time and effort into wrapping a gift, the message behind a well-wrapped present often translates to 'I care about you.' For loved ones in your life, the attention to detail is well worth the effort and won't go overlooked.

bookplates

I am starting to notice that I tend toward weekly 'themes.' Last week, it was cupcakes, this week, books. While I can't promise I will always stick within thematic parameters, it seems in line with the way my brain works...so for now I will go with it!

A friend of mine once mentioned that she always gives cute bookplates as birthday gifts for her 3 year-old's friends. I thought it was a brilliant idea, and asked her to direct me to her source. Lo and behold, she said Blonde Designs is her favorite.

Blonde Designs was founded in 2002 by Angie Gubler and Kristen Rees, former art directors (and colleagues of mine!) at Martha Stewart. For those of you in love with the Martha Stewart-esque style and color palette, look no further. The saturated pastels and sophisticated typography ooze good taste. Best of all, the bookplates are SO affordable! Only $12.50 for a personalized set of 25. Go to their website to order www.blonde-designs.com.