Nick and Nora

Nick and Nora, characters from the novel, The Thin Man, who were later adapted into a movie series, are hilarious in this compilation-' alcohol moments'.

White Tees

According to science (yes, you heard me, science), men are 12% more attractive by simply donning a white tee shirt. No, it’s true, really! Apparently, if the shirt has a black imprinted T-shape on the front- you know, accentuating the goods-then women will find you even more attractive, gents!  I love a good white tee on boy, but I have also bought him two white linen dress shirts in the last month . . .  that’s probably saying something too ;) 

Tunes: How it Ends

I've been listening to a lot of Devotchka this week. I love the cadence of his music, and it's great background music at the office.

Again, busy, busy.

(source)

Drowning in busyness? 

I have hopped on this soapbox before, but I must jump on it again. Have you read this article- The ‘Busy’ Trap? I won't go on and on again about how people annoy me when they say, “oh I’m just busy, busy, you know.” Ugh, stop it already! Anyway, I make it a point to not fall into the busy trap, which I am prone to do from time to time, so during the summer months, here are some of my ways . . .

Burgaw

(inspiration)

We had a lovely time with our family. The Burgaw Blueberry Festival is quite an event with live music, a 5k, carnival rides, and a crazy amount of food and merch vendors. We stuffed our faces with everything blueberry! My brother Bub, Eli, and I found time at the beach, and boy and I slipped away in the afternoons (during naptime, of course) for coffee and antique rummaging.  

Summer Reading

I always seem to read more books in the summer. The porch beckons me to enjoy the warm sunshine in the late afternoons, so a good book is necessary. I just finished reading, The Invisible Thread, an incredible true story about the serendipitous meeting of a successful advertising executive and a young panhandler living on the streets of NYC. Unable to put it down, I read it in a few short days. A few books I currently have in my Amazon cart.

oh hello Friday

(source unknown)

What are you up to this weekend? Boy and I are heading to NC for the North Carolina Blueberry Festival. That’s right, blueberries and nephew time- I can’t wait! My older brother Bub, aka Brandon, is tagging along, and I’m so looking forward to catching up on the road trip; and he’s always game for ice cream pit stops! Some fun links for your weekend reading . . . 

*NYC in 1939

*Beer's Taste Alone Gets People a Little High

*oh to have this backyard patio

*Maps that show the differences in word pronunciations from state to state

*The most perfect Pinterest photo . . . according to science

*Magnified sand grains. How interesting!

*You made that

Tunes: Green Garden

Such a catchy tune. NPR just released their top 25 albums for 2013 so far, and I've found a few gems in there. 

On Getting Old(er)

(source)

Lately, I've found myself taking solitary walks in the afternoon before dinner and sneaking away for morning jaunts on Saturdays. This past Saturday as I arrived home, I immediately went to prune my potted plants and herbs, while ever so quietly whispering under my breath. Philip quickly caught on- "you are talking to your plants, babe." Apparently, he can see me 40 or so years from now as the older woman of our neighborhood who takes long walks- greeting everyone, constantly monitors her garden, and wears funny hats, obviously.

Life Lately

Heavens, has it been the end of April since I've shared some 'Life Lately' photos? May was such a busy month, and it breezed right past me

Design: The Porch

I am in love with our little porch. It looks out over our quiet neighborhood, and since it adds about 50 sq. feet to our wee apartment, it’s become quite the entertaining spot. Not to mention, it’s my destination for afternoon reading and evening cocktails. 

My motivation to get the porch in order was peaked when we found white, plastic woven chairs at a junkyard in North Carolina. At $10 a pop, I just couldn't say no. Coupled with some orange spray paint and flowering pots, our little patio has turned into quite the oasis. 

Please excuse the deary photos; the sun has not been cooperating these last few days. 

Tunes: Mrs Robinson

This tune just exudes summer to me. Oldies are definitely my go-to genre for the hot months. How about you? What's your summer playlist?

Recipe: Basil Gin Fizz

Remember my little herb garden? Well, last evening, boy had the brilliant idea to snip off a few leaves for a cocktail. I usually reserve basil for pastas and stews, but using a simple recipe, the Basil Gin Fizz was the perfect concoction- sweet with a bite. Resembling a mojito, this drink will surely become a summer favorite. 

                                     

Before Midnight

Have you seen Before Sunrise or Before Sunset?  In Before Sunrise, Jessie and Celine meet on a train bound for Vienna, and in Before Sunset, they reunite.  Before Midnight, is set 9 years after ‘Sunset’ in Greece,  and it came out at the end of May. Sadly, I haven’t seen any of them, but boy is in love with these films. I am surely looking forward to watching each with him.

Chop, chop

I love long hair in the summer- beach waves, braids, and high ponytails. But, as of late, I have been hankering for some change. The model, Catherine McNeil,  is popping up everywhere from Cup of Jo to the H&M summer magazine, and I just love her sexy bob.