double decker bus...

(image 1 readymade, 2 double decker days)

A really cool project by one woman in Melbourne: transforming this vintage Double Decker Bus into a crazy unique holiday home. See her floor plan here!

(I saw this in the latest ReadyMade and am sad the magazine is folding).

summer tees

This is so simple and sweet. Comfy tees from Anthro with tiny "prints culled from your day-to-day"... I like the Spectacles.

summer sale

This weekend we're having a yard sale, and somehow I've already gathered a ton of stuff to say goodbye to since last year's big sale.

All in an effort to simplify and live with less, I've been clearing out everything I can from our closets and may have gotten carried away...blankets? who needs those in the summer. this chair? no one really sits in it anyway. Not to mention, I find a weird satisfaction in organizing everything for display. Anyone else like having yard sales, or just find it not worth all the effort?

Photos above of the first sale I hosted at my house last summer! Happy weekend.

diy floor cushions

(image: great little trading co.)

I saw this on the homepage of Pinterest and LOVE it. We'd get a lot of use out of these between movie nights, Q playing xbox, and guests with little ones. Just sew a few pillowcases to each other and add inserts!*

*I try to reserve all-caps and exclamation points for only the most exciting of topics. Comfy "tailored" cushions that I might actually be able to sew definitely merits both.

this other thing.

Buying vintage online is such a win-win (aside from shipping costs)...it reuses something that's been sourced for you, and supports an independent shop. I stumbled across This Other Thing and it is filled with so many cool/interesting/pretty things. I wish we had a use for that beautiful copper light.

clockwise from above: copper mission light, colorful tumblers, messenger bag, floral fabric.

a mini bouquet...

I have become mildly obsessed with creating these little "billy ball flowers" out of dried bur, ever since sharing this post about making them. I especially like that they don't require water or sun to stay alive. And now I have a good excuse to pick up cute little vases too - I grabbed this purple lined one from crate & barrel and made a simple bouquet for a friend's birthday.

dream kitchen + weekend

(image: period living)

Happy Friday! I came across this kitchen photo and believe it is indeed my dream kitchen. Modern but rustic, simple, open, and light filled. Don't you love when you find a room or a home that just speaks to you? Hope to be back with lots more next week... until then here are five links worth checking out this weekend! Have a good one.

-first birthday party!
-catchy song.
-crows of chennai.
-diy picnic blanket.
-veggie sandwiches + lemon cake.

giant polaroids

(images by hailey bartholemew, found via little jane st)

Brisbane photographer Hailey Bartholemew takes and creates these giant polaroid prints! I have never seen something like this before and thought it was so cool.

woodward avenue...

Last week my friend Allie took me to see Owl City + Mat Kearney in concert at the Fillmore downtown and it was such a good show. We opted for front row balcony seats so we could grab drinks and sit to enjoy the show (instead of standing on the main floor), and it was awesome. Not to mention the Fillmore is old and beautiful, with pretty chandeliers and a domed ceiling.

We kept snapping pictures as we walked downtown Detroit, it really is a beautiful city full of potential and it made me appreciate it all the more. Hopefully we'll visit more often... the Eastern Market is a good excuse to go again soon. Enjoy your weekend!

summer reading

Do you have a summer reading list? I always stack up on a ton, I just love reading in the summer and am probably subconsciously trying to make up for the lack of reading during the rest of the year. Camping is my favorite time to read - many of my memories by the water or campfire involve being lost in a great book (coupled with saying, "just a minute..." a lot). Here are the next few books I want to dive into...

1. Book of Unforgettable Journeys (Conde Nast Traveler). We gave this as a present and now I want to read it too (and that cover, it's beautiful).
2. Kitchen Confidential by the amazing, crazy Anthony Bourdain.
3. The Help. Before the movie comes out!
4. French Women for All Seasons. Almost finished enjoying this and cannot recommend Mireille Guiliano's books enough (just be sure to read the first one first).

(PS. speaking of books, I've picked the winner of Decorate - thank you all for your feedback!)

independence weekend

To celebrate America's birthday, we had one of those quintessential summer weekends that includes too much sun and grilling out. We visited family for part of it and here are a few things we did...

Poolside reading. And swimming when it got too hot (the hard life).


Taste-testing chocolate souffles for an upcoming dinner party (even tougher).


Watching farm kittens do cute things.


Afternoon air show on our base to see the Blue Angels!


Surprisingly awesome fireworks show with family in their friends' subdivision.


And, not pictured...so much thankfulness for all of those who serve + protect our country. Hope you all had a wonderful (and long) weekend.

decorate + giveaway

I'm excited to host the blog tour today for Decorate (along with tulips & flight suits!). My favorite design books are ones that are not only interesting and inspiring, but worth referencing again and again. Holly Becker (from Decor8) and Joanna Copestick have done just that with their book Decorate. It's a wonderful resource for anyone interested in design, decorating, or personalizing a home.



I usually sit down and devour design books immediately, but I've been taking my time with Decorate because there is so much great content. In addition to beautiful photographs + ideas, they also include room layout sketches throughout to help you understand the overall spaces (my favorite part!). Seriously, this book was worth every penny.



So, if Decorate is still on your wishlist (or if you want another for hoarding gifting), you can enter to win a copy from Chronicle Books by leaving a comment below (U.S. only). You don't have to "like" or follow anything to enter, I'm just hosting the giveaway because I truly enjoy this book and would love for someone to get a free copy! Bonus entries allowed for sharing your cool plans for the Fourth. Happy July weekend.



PS. visit Design Muse on Monday for the next stop on the blog tour, and see the full schedule here!

(photos by me of Debi Treloar's photography in Decorate)

*Update: the winner, chosen via random.org is Andree and Josh! Thanks so much to everyone for entering.