Go nude this summer

Although it is hard to make horizontal stripes translate well into real life, I love how J.Crew is working them with their new arrivals today.

And while I typically prefer bright colors for summer, there is something especially appealing about the abundance of nude in the line. The black silky items mixed with a touch peach chiffon feels very fresh. For more subdued hues, check out my post on the Examiner.

Muffy's afternoon DIY

When it comes to dealing with people, my mom has been blessed abundantly with patience.

However, last week, as we took on a little afternoon DIY, we laughed at the fact that someone who truly has more patience for people than anyone I've ever met, could be so impatient when it comes to inanimate objects.

She decided it was time to repaint a cabinet from our old house so it would fit with the color scheme of the new house. Instead of sanding it and testing colors, she just carried it outside, put it on some newspaper, and started repainting.
It was at this point that I returned home from work. She was about 40 percent finished with the painting and told me that she thought it was going to be fun - but it wasn't really. And she was ready to be done. I decided to help her out and, my patience for projects very similar to hers, employed the great technique of pouring the paint onto the cabinet and quickly smoothing it out before it dripped to the grass. Competitive I am not, but with a hint of competition from my mom and a whole lot of desire to get the paint job done quickly, we raced to see who could complete her side first. After it dried (it was the kind of paint that dries in minutes, which is perfect for us) we hauled it back inside, filled it up, and stood back to appraise our work.
Unfortunately, as the sun began to set and the light changed, we realized it wasn't exactly the color we were going for (now we know why my dad always tests his colors). At this point, I had to leave because I had dinner plans. My mom, however, took it back outside, ran to Home Depot to get another color, repainted it - this time with a roller, not a paintbrush - and had it back inside by dusk.
I'd say it was a job well - and efficiently - done.

Memorial Day love from HGC

Even though Duke thinks it's a little bit ridiculous, Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays.

I love that it is the unofficial start of summer. I love that there isn't a lot of hype, and yet it's always sufficiently celebrated. I love that the pools open, the grills are in full force, and (now that I am a working girl) it always means a day off.

After a particularly wonderful race weekend, we celebrated Memorial Day with a cookout at our house. I'm so happy I could spend the day with some of my favorite people...

Fruit pizza. AKA the best piece of art I've ever created...

sweet summertime

I just recently realized I missed my two year blogiversary. And although it wasn't my first post, I think my love for Memorial Day is most abundant in one of my earliest posts. Between the start of summer, the amazing weather, the Indy 500, the cookouts and the pools opening, it is easily one of the most fun holidays.


I'm so excited for everything that is happening over this long weekend. It's going to be absolutely packed with time with my friends and family. I'm thinking this kick-start to summer is a precursor for what is to come.

Happy summer! Don't forget to eat a bratwurst in honor of the Indy 5. Mmm mmm!
PS: I don't think this picture really represents the Indy 500 or bratwursts, but isn't is so summer lovely? via Ruby PR.