guys and grills

During the summer months we love to take advantage of our grill.  This evening, I plan to grill shrimp.

Do you grill during the summer or is it purely a "guy" thing to man the grill?

pve design illustration for sheridan road magazine.

alone time

   I enjoyed a "red velvet" ice cream cone the other day alone.  

Oh, it was heavenly.  I must admit I felt a tad bit of guilt. 

I bought some new sunscreen at the pharmacy too.
I did all of it alone.
Nobody told me to hurry up.
Nobody.

Followed by a bike ride was the perfect alone time for me.  

Do you allow yourself to take time alone?

Nothing like a little alone time to be ready to take on the world.

artist found here.

sign off

I am going to sign off for the three day weekend and plan to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. All signs seem to point to nebulous weather, but that will not stop me! I am loving this status suit from Chanel. I love the ample bottom and that hat tops it off with such charm.

The brown seems perfect for bidding adieu to Summer and welcoming Fall. There are a few who are less than ready to sign off and out of Summer mode. How about you, are you ready to sign off and out of Summer mode and embrace Autumn?

Sunday shelf - august company

xxoo august company xxoo

I find myself in rather fine august company. The red juicy ripe heirloom tomatos beckon to be savoured and sliced for a tomato salad.

Tomatos sliced on a plate are a venerable summer time staple around here.

Do you eat a tomato like a fruit or a vegetable?

A sweet ear of corn on the cob is another fine specimen of august company.

What is keeping you company during this month of August?

Fresh tomato's and corn are such a treat.

paintings by Leslie Culpepper, found here on etsy

fanatic

The heatwave is expected to arrive today as temps climb.

We will spend the day with family friends.

Our dear friends called to tell us, "You know we do not have A/C but we will have all the fans ready for our fans!"

Tell me fans, do you have a favorite fan? Yes, we have A/C but there is something about a good old fashioned oscillating fan. We have "hugger" ceiling fans with remotes in the bedrooms which we love all year, "forward" in the summer to circulate cool in our mid-century mod home.

Stay cool fans! Happy fourth to all the Summer fanatics!

wherever you are

A window in a local village shop, "Summer wherever." I love that Summer can be wherever we are.

Wave Hill showing signs of summer.

My daughter will gather a collection from the garden and simply arrange them with such effortless nonchalance. Funny how a weed is a flower to a 10 year old.

When do we start to diferentiate?

"If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come." Chinese Proverb

Freshness of green, the singing of birds, hot humid air, 90 degree days, shorts, flip-flops and the release of routine are starting to show signs that Summer is wherever I go.

Wherever you are, Just a reminder to hop on over to "Cote de Texas" and leave a comment, last I checked there nearly 300 comments....I feel so fortunate to know that so many of you would love to win a little "pve" design, wherever you are this Summer.

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

shorely chic "give-away"

Winner is Laura Casey, random number five!

Shorely Chic has lovely items to add a "beach house touch" to even the most land-locked of homes. (beach house coasters, give-away)

A white washed table nearby the bedside and a blossom in white sure connotes that summer or a beach is nearby. Love the all white bedding.

Allow me to introduce Liz from Shorely Chic.

Thank-you Liz for answering a few questions!

(pve) 1. What is the simplest way to add Summer decor touches to a home?

(liz)I think color is key! Lots of whites, light blues, aquas, and beiges definitely add that refreshing feeling to a home. Think about the colors of the beach, blue skies and water, sand, white clouds and bright sunlight. These can be brought into your home in so many different ways, i.e. paint colors, light colored candles in lanterns or clear glass vases, light-colored tablecloths to cover up dark wood pieces, throw pillows, shells and pieces of coral scattered about, mirrors with light frames, open windows without heavy drapery, and the list goes on!

I am always happy to make recommendations free of charge (for now) to people regarding decorating their homes, from the little to the big things, even virtually using photos :)

(pve) 2. Do you have a favorite Summer place to visit? A beach?

(liz)I love Watch Hill, RI. My boyfriend and I had an incredible weekend there last summer and I think it became my new favorite summer destination. I also LOVE Montauk and parts, key word, parts of the Jersey Shore, thanks to the MTV show for making me clarify that! We also live around the corner from the beach in Darien, CT which I love to go to after a long day of work or bright and early to go for a run. It's so peaceful and refreshing, just how I like my homes to look.

(pve) 3. I noticed that a fresh coat of white paint can transform something dark and drab into something bright a beachy, do you have a tip that you would like to share with us or tools you use that help you to do the job?

(liz)Oh yes! This is my favorite little trick and it can be so easy and inexpensive to do transferring such amazing results! Take the other day for example, I had purchased a little sidetable from a tagsale for $3.00, yes, 3. It was a dark wood color with a pretty antique brass pull. Now, here is how easy this project was:

first step: sand it down very lightly, don't go overboard this should only take one minute.

second: paint it with a primer first and let dry.

third: take a white paint, I used milk glass white for this particular piece, and paint the entire piece and let dry.

fourth: add a second coat and let dry.

And finally for the fun part, get out your sandpaper again, and sand the edges and anywhere else you would like so that the paint comes off and the wood shows through and...Voila, you have a beautiful distressed white piece of furniture looking very bright and chic in your home :)

The best part about this project? When your friends come over and ask where you got that adorable piece you can say you made it!

(pve)4. What is your favorite item in your shop?

My new modern chic throw pillow! http://www.etsy.com/listing/47289387/modern-chic-aqua-pillow-cover OR my Florentine Chic Wall Hanginghttp://www.etsy.com/listing/47535618/florentine-chic-wall-plaque

(pve)5. Do you wear sunscreen and what is your brand of choice.

(liz)I do, but I must admit, I am a very bad example of skincare when it comes to the sun. I always wear SPF 30 (whichever brand) on my nose but only when my skin starts getting bronzed do I apply it all over - eek!

Take a look at Liz's blog and shop and come back and tell me what would add a "shorely chic"

summer time touch to your surroundings? "Shorely Chic" is offering weeknight trunk shows within one hour from Darien, CT. What a perfect way to kick off summer as we approach Memorial Day Weekend. Enjoy bringing summer to wherever you live!