Happy Weekend

Summer is changing to Fall, but I really hope that we can have a few more weekends that have a similar vibe to this photograph. Enjoy the sunshine and whatever great outdoors adventures are waiting for you. Happy weekend, friends!

image via Pinterest

Summer Frolicking | A Wish List

What I love most about summer is the freedom that a weekend brings. I love that you can walk out your front door with plans to head off to the park and then hours later land at the lake, find yourself hiking up in the mountains, or people watching on a roof top patio. The days are long, the sun shines endlessly, and one day can feel like many. Even after work, there are still hours of light--just enough time to squeeze in a bike ride, a walk to a local eatery, or a drive with no destination ahead yet spontaneity at the wheel. 

My summer tote is a must these days, especially for the fun that summer brings. Hanging at our front door, I have a bag filled with a few essentials for things like spontaneous picnicking and time in the sun. Right now, this bag is pretty basic--just a few rolled up turkish towels, sunscreen, flip flops, and a hat. But if I were to fill it with a few more things, just in case I need to whisk out the door with the freedom of a summer day, and the unknown of where we might end up and venture along the way, these are those items I would fill it with (practical, yes, but with an emphasis on summer frolicking) :

1 // Madewell | Blanca Jacquard Dress

In case a reason to get dressed up presents itself, white for summer always work. Always.

2 // Anthropologie | Bocce Ball Set 

You never know when a lawn and shade will entice some bocce ball competition.

3 // Anthropologie | The World Is Your Oyster Card 

I often want to write a friend when I'm out enjoying a quite moment, describe the scene, and share a part of that moment as if they were right there with me.

4 // Madewell | Espadrille Mini Wedge

These are just adorable. And they would be so cute with that white dress if a sudden wardrobe change is needed. (Or if a summer photo shoot presents itself.)

5 // Sephora | Hair Tie 

Because pony tails and piled in a bun hair is always where it ends up at the end of a summer's day. And these soft elastic ties don't leave kink marks--the best!

6 // Darling Magazine | Summer Issue No. 4

Summer tote must because coffee shop reading, beachside page flipping, and words to inspire more sunny day adventuring are all satisfied with this print magazine.

7 // Madewell | Brass Bicycle Bell

Needed, for obvious bicycling reasons.

8 // Tarte | Lip Surgence Lip Tint

If eating out or museum going pops up, a hint of color on the lips can dress up any adventurer.

9 // Anthropologie | Travel Journal

To make notes of places seen, places to go, and things to remember.

10 // Paper Source | Green Seven Year Pen

Journaling and letter writing, well, a pen is necessary! And this swiss pen, it claims to stay alive for seven years.

11 // J.Crew | Polkadot Rash Guard

With this handy, paired with swim bottoms, paddle boarding, tubing, and all water sports are ready to be conquered.

12 // Anthropologie | Jetty Compact Mirror

To check cheeks for sunburn, this nautical compact mirror is just too cute to not want in my summer tote. 

And the summer tote? This is the tote I'd carry it all in. MidiQueen Handbags The Weekender bag. My everything bag. My fill it to the brim bag. My summer frolicking bag. What would be on your wish list for your tote for summer adventuring?

Oh, and stay tuned for a giveaway coming up! Hint: it's related to this wish list! Happy Thursday!

Denver Adventures | Summer Lately

You may have noticed that I have definitely been lagging on the DIY front, but you guys, I'm not to blame. Denver is. It has been too gorgeous out lately to not spend our free time in and around the city. And so many places to go! Having lived in four cities our first four years of marriage, my perspective has changed a bit. I took those towns for granted, and looking back, I wish we would have explored more, deepened our roots further, and known the ins and outs of our towns when we lived in them so darn well that we could have written a book about them. I don't know how long we will be in Denver --city proper-- and there are so many things on my to do list. Still, after a year, adventures in this city linger while nooks wait to be yet experienced. So lately, this summer, we have been doing just that--taking the opportunity to explore and get out!

Happy 4th!

Happy Fourth of July, friends! I hope you get outdoors today, are surrounded by community, and perhaps enjoy a late summer night with sparklers and s'mores (sticky fingers required).

Just in case you are in the mood for a patriotic DIY, I am sharing three over at Darling Magazine today!  >>You can read the article in full here. 

photos via 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

Red, white, blue.

My favorite place EVER watching fireworks was July 4th on the beach of South Lake Tahoe. You could see firework shows all around the lake, up close, and off in the distance. Tomorrow we celebrate all that is America. Our freedom. Our rights. Our duty as civilians. I feel proud, do you?

Our plans tomorrow so far are a long lazy morning, a walk around City Park, and afternoon BBQ with friends, and a night enjoying America's pastime: Baseball! It's Dodgers vs. Rockies! And fireworks at Coors Field. (the last time we saw The Dodgers, this happened) What are you up to?

Also, I was told at work today by multiple preschoolers that I look like an American flag in my dress. Yes! My patriotic mission--accomplished.

Follow Via Bloglovin' & Summer Adventures

You may have seen stamped all over your favorite blogs that Google Reader is going away this Monday. So let's have this be an official au revoir to the reader that has kept us in the loop with our must-reads. I have opted to stick with Bloglovin' to organize my own blog lists, and I'd love for you to follow me over there! Follow me on Bloglovin' here >>

--end housekeeping. onto summer dreaming.--

One of my all time favorite memories in our first year here in Denver, is from a Saturday last summer when we went tubing down the Boulder Creek river with our neighbors. Matt ran to Wal Mart the morning of this impromptu tubing adventure, to find only one tube left of the shelves. He bought a tube for me, and a little inflatable boat for himself (see here). This is where things started to get pretty funny. As you can probably imagine, a 6 foot 3 man in a child size boat floating down a rocky creek was a sight to behold. That, and my friend Lauren braved the rapids with her dog in tow, the little cattle dog pup sitting on her lap the entire way down the creek.

Patriotic Romper Style

Last week my friend Natalie shared her Shorts Story as part of The Love Yourself Linkup. I could totally relate to Natalie's shorts sentiments. Something Natalie wrote really stood out, especially so as we women try on outfit after outfit and spend many a battle in fitting rooms across America: "clothing is meant to fit me—not the other way around."

Swooning Over Swim & Sun Collections

Sunny days that warm to the core and make popsicles a food group, once again, have arrived. I am greeting them gladly with wide open arms. (Seriously, wide open, after that snowy Spring we had here in Colorado). I shared my sunny style a few weeks ago, and as I continue to get style inspiration for this beach side, pool side, vacation filled season, a few summer collections continue to catch me swooning.

J.Crew has it spot on. One piece swimsuits in playful prints and flattering cuts. The swim collection is bright and reminiscent of the past, with retro fits and attention to detail. These one pieces are oh-so feminine (my favorites are the sailboat print, green floral, rosebud, and striped). And how adorable would each of these looks be if paired with a high waisted skirt? 

Yes, Warby Parker. A company not only with "do-good" business mentality, but crazy good style. Their frames are inspired by mid-century bohemia and weekend-long house parties. Doesn't that just sing summer?  I actually do not own a single pair of WB sunglasses, but I like to pretend and swoon over the tortoise, marble, and other fun hues they've paired with retro-modern frames. 

You know how designer beach towels are ridiculously expensive? Its crazy, right? Thankfully, Nate Berkus was smart and designed a line for Target (see here, here, and here). At a price we can afford. A beach towel with the right print and perfect thickness and softness--mmm, you could fall asleep for hours pool and beachside.  I am also hoping this one at West Elm goes on sale eventually -- I'm in the market for some new ones!

Swimsuits that have a different back design than the norm--yes, please! This sailboat swimsuit from J.Crew is still classic, yet its print and back view make it a bit off beat, which I love. Also, a classic beach bag like this one from ASOS is a match to a swimsuit that is a bit more bold in the pattern department. 

And a few swim & sun favorites from around the inter webs:

>> Anne's weekend style with a bright and bold color palette. 

>> Some Darling summer reading and the must have in-your-beach-tote magazine.

>> Map your sunny summer travels like Oh Happy Day!

>> Because salads taste best this time of year... 

>> ...especially when picked right from your own (urban) garden.

>> The perfect summer do, including bobby pins and a top knot vibe (and a cute video to boot).

>> Design inspired by late night summer-star-gazing.

What is your inspiration with sunny days ahead?

Thoughts By Natalie | Keeping it Natural . & No Makeup Makeup

This past week, I went make-up free for most of my California vacation. I was swimming nearly twice a day, so I found it a bit silly to put on blush or mascara. Let alone dry my hair. Coming back to a Colorado summer, I want to continue to embrace the make-up free, freshly tousled look that I adopted while soaking in suds and sun. The truth is, I feel most beautiful and myself this way. And haven't always felt that way, but I can honestly say I am more and more as I grow to learn and love my true beauty.

Sunny Style (Without The Sunburn!)

Tomorrow I'll be on a plane to California. Hurray! And while trips to the beach, hiking, and sitting poolside are at the top of my to-do list, having a fair complexion makes me ever so prone to sunburn (and sun damage). It seems with each new summer, I feel a little bit wiser and thoughtful about how I spend my time under the sun--or how I protect myself under the sun.

Bathing suits with a bit more coverage, light weight cover-ups with high necklines and longer sleeves, wide brimmed floppy hats, UV protected sunnies, helioplex sunscreen & beauty balm with spf, and button or zip ups to throw on while sitting pool-side--these are all what I am currently living in when soaking up Vitamin D. The items in this round up I own (or something similar) and use personally, and can confidently say that I feel stylish while being smart about protecting myself from the sun :)

1 // Target | Lakitia Flip Flop
2 // Anthropologie | Dots and Dahlias Chambray Button Down
3 // Neutragena | Ultra Sheer Sunscreen with Helioplex
4 // Stila | Stay All Day 10-in 1 BB SPF 30
5 // Aeire | Soft & Cozy Hoody
6 // Von Zipper | Elmore Sunglasses in Tortoise
7 // Target | Rugby Shirt Dress
8 // Gap | Metallic Floppy Hat
9 // Aerie | Solid One Piece Swimsuit