DIY IDEAS TO KEEP YOU BUSY THIS SUMMER

1 // Simple DIY pillow decorating tutorials by Ez at Creature Comforts, aka, one of my all time favorite blogs. I love this idea and think I'm going to try it for myself and some gifts. Oh, and that dog cannot go unmentioned!

2 // Have a party coming up? Glitter Guide has a wonderful DIY Fringe Balloons tutorial up this week. Fringe balloons are so darn cute and now someone has finally explained how to make them.

3 // Felt Coffee Koozies that you can make yourself! A DIY tutorial is available at Helana & Ali, the dear Tracey's blog.

4 // Also adore these fun Layered Paper Words by Fellow Fellow. How creative is that!

MY SUMMER PLAYLIST

Happy first day of summer y'all! I've been seeing so many bloggers creating playlists on Spotify. As a recent convert to the program and as a life-long mix-maker (be that taping songs off the radio onto a cassette or the hundreds of CD mixes I found last week when I was home), I've created a fun playlist for summertime. Here is my playlist. It includes some of my favorite songs of all time and this summer. Click on the link below, install Spotify and enjoy! 

photo by massimo vitali 

SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVIN'S EASY

If I had my way, this is what my summer wardrobe would consist of. Easy, classic and colorful pieces perfect for cocktails on the roof with friends, days at the beach and backyard BBQs.

I'm going home to Minnesota on Saturday and because of that, it finally feels like summer is here. Working full-time in a warm climate sometimes makes me feel like I don't get a real summer. It all seems to blend together and before I know it, it's Halloween. Knowing I'll get a few days off to kick-start the season, in a place that is hotter than here right now, makes me feel optimistic about this summer. I absolutely love and miss how excited and cheerful everyone in the Midwest gets when summer arrives and the days get longer and the nights get warmer. True appreciation!

I hope I can learn a thing or two and remember how to take full advantage of the warm breezy nights and sun-soaked days. Crossing my fingers and toes for none of that San Diego "June Gloom" non-sense when I return.

01. red stripe shift dress
02. dots tote
03. teal watch
04. polka dot dress
05. stripe backless dress
06. studded cuff
07. red and brown sandals 

lovely summer prints

Well, it's officially wedding season. I don't know if it's just the time range of my life, but there are SO many weddings coming up! Last weekend I went to a friend's gorgeous wedding at a ranch up in San Marcos, CA and have my little cousins coming up this summer in MN. Needless to say, I need some new wedding guest garb. I love everything bright and bold this year (this is a long ways from where I was a few years ago- black, grey and white EVERYTHING). These dresses are getting me excited to dive into summer and wedding season.

1. ikat maxi dress (even comes in long, woot), old navy
2. chevron dress, taylor dresses, nordstrom
3. polka dot and lace, net-a-porter
4. dotty dress, madwell
5. red stripes, gap (actually do own this one and love it)
6. color strokes, thread sense