Blustery Morning

It's so cold and rainy here this morning and I'm completely thinking of luxurious scarf projects. I've been a bit obsessed with mohairs and finer gauge projects. I love the idea of a drapey mohair scarf wrap lots of times around. I love mohair bends that have an unexpected nubbiness or texture variation. I found this one forever ago on Pinterest. Sadly, I have no artist info on it but it's just perfect....inspiring with such creative detail. xo

I saw a great review for a book that I'm going to start later this week. After I'm Gone by Laura Lippman. You can peek at The New York Times review right here. It looks fantastic for a stormy summer night!

Cool Drink

I love breezy weekend afternoons with a cool drink. I could live on iced tea. We grow mint in the yard...it tastes so simple and fresh. I am now part of an online book club that my sorority sisters and I have just put together. It may be twenty five years since I was in college but I love these girls and in a matter of days we now have 41 members reading the same selection and then discussing the book in four weeks time. The book we went with is a memoir: Mennonite In A Little Black Dress bu Rhoda Janzen. It is laugh out loud funny and so smartly written. You can look at the New York Times review here.

As much as I enjoy summer, I think often of the cooler days ahead. Autumn and winter are very much my favorite times of year. I came across the magical image on Pinterest.....xo

Simply Splendid

I think I can be a tad obsessive. When I am really loving something it is on my mind all the time. I am loving every second of reading "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes. I bought it for a friend as a gift. She was recuperating from surgery. I was reading it at the same time. I hope the ever so constant dings of my texts didn't disturb her rest...as the more I read the more I wanted to talk about it!! xo

 On just a slightly less, oh my gosh note...I very much love this pillow I came across at Pottery Barn. It's just so pretty and charming and an unexpected accent. I cannot wait to order it! You can peek at the details here.

I have the perfect cream reading chair...just love this pillow!

Summer Project

I completely love the Mirasol Api yarn that I bought not long ago. I grabbed three skeins (at 120 yards each) to make a wrappy scarf for fall. It's the perfect thick/thin texture...great blend of half alpaca and half highland wool. Handcrafted in Peru. Love the muted chocolate tones.  I'm using classic Takumi Clover wooden needles size 9 US. I cast on 33 stitches. Great project for this rather breezy, cool July week. Happy Knitting! xo

Nothing Like A Good Book

So many thunderstorms here this week! I love a strong storm....nothing better than a good book, a tall glass of sweet tea and thunder rolling in. Two of my very favorite recommendations for summer reading are The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro and The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian. Both books stayed with me long after I finished them. Such great, great reads! Do you have a favorite book you love to recommend? xo

Traveling In Time

I was up early today having coffee on the front covered porch. I love cool mornings when no one else on the street is up and around. Yesterday I started reading The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams. It opens telling the story of Vivian in 1964 who receives a mysterious suitcase belonging to a great aunt, Voilet, she knew nothing of. Violet's story alternates with Vivian's....with Violet overseas in 1912.  A perfect novel that completely draws you in from page one.

You can read an excerpt here from Good Housekeeping Magazine.

I was on Etsy and Pinterest this weekend and came across this stunning wrap that I just fell in love with. It's created with beautiful, luxurious merino wool and has such clean lines. Peek here at the Etsy shop of artist Elena Rosenberg. Her work is amazing!

Holiday Food

I love cooking out but I'm not a big meat eater. So, while others around my house might be grilling steaks and sliders, I lean more toward portabella mushrooms and crab cakes. I love do love focaccia bread on the grill, too!

I found this yummy recipe on Food 52.  If you have never checked out Food 52...you have to take a peek. Great site for recipes as well as cooking provisions. So inspiring! Take a peek at their terrific site for this full recipe.  A savory combination of glazed shallots, sage, walnuts and goat cheese...it sounds simply amazing! xo

Ball Jars from their provisions collection. So many pretty tea towels, candles, linens....great gathering of essentials!

Happy Day

I am a true blue fan of Pottery Barn. I have been for years. As my style has evolved...I've learned to layer new pieces with old so that my home is filled with so many of my favorite things throughout. I love their PB Pinterest pages as well. That's where I came across these spirited, summery 4th of July pics....you can peek at their page here! Have a wonderful, safe holiday! xo