Halloween

A little late...but better late than never.

Construction paper bats 

Halloween mantel

Crows on stick from the yard

Last year we had so many trick or treaters we ran out of candy and started handing out glow sticks.  Needless to say they were a huge hit and we decided to do both this year.  

I've Got the Cobalt Blues

I wore this outfit the last day of bonnaroo. It was a little cooler than usual that day and I was comfortable even after the sun went down. When I was sitting on the lawn of the What stage waiting for my husband after the Beach Boys I was approached by a nice young man from Canada. This is what he said, " I am digging the curls, you look like a pin up from the 50’s, love your style." Then he gave me a high five and the peace sign and he was gone. I can appreciate a genuine compliment when they don’t try pick you up afterwards.  
  

Cobalt is my new favorite summer color, my eyes are drawn to it.  Even though everything is blooming and  so colorful right now, cobalt still manages to stand out. 
Shirt Forever 21 /  Skirt Levi's /  Sandals Chacos

Still rocking the roo wristband.  Since I was so bad at taking pictures of my outfits at bonnaroo, I am considering doing a what I wore to bonnaroo series.  Check back soon.

A Recent Hike

I have been meaning to post these pictures of a hike we took recently for some time now.  It was a beautiful day for a hike and I am so glad that I brought my camera.  We spotted a gathering of  tiger swallowtail  butterflies and I managed to sneak up on them to snap a pic before my dog scared them away.  He was so confused when they went fluttering away all around him it was super cute. 

Bonnaroo

       It was another amazing year at Bonnaroo and our 7th year there.  It feels a little bittersweet because this years roo marks a major transition for us.  We have decided that we will start trying to get pregnant after this year and consequently be taking a break from Bonnaroo in the following years, ending our 7 year streak.   I will miss you Bonnaroo but I will be back.
      I feel like I could write a book on the Bonnaroo survival guide.  After 7 years it starts to become somewhat routine.  In the weeks leading up to we practice setting up our tent and shade strategies, my husband gets out the compass and we orient our tent so we don't get the morning sun.  Then I start planning our meals and cooking the food that I can ahead of time.  I usually make redskin potatoes, salsa, and quinoa.  Even though we are camping in the middle of a field in Tennessee we still manage to eat as we would at home.  This year we had swordfish tacos, marinated lamb, and chicken with the best barbecue sauce on the planet.   Finally I pack the Crv full and we make the 13 hour drive to Manchester.
       We arrived around 3 am, I drove the entire way there and I was exhausted.   By the time we got everything set up the sun was coming up and I couldn't fall asleep.  That day we took it easy, got to know the neighbors then checked out Phantogram and Big Gigantic.  On Friday when at Feist I got my picture taken for a fashion blog that I have yet to find then went to Rodrigo y Gabriela.  We reminisced at Radiohead because they were there our very first year.  We finished off the night at Major Lazar and Flying Lotus.  Saturday we checked out Sbtrkt, Childish Gambino, The Roots, Skrillex, and discovered delicious mini donuts.  Sunday we usually pack food and the umbrella and spend the entire day at the What stage.  There we saw the Beach Boys,  Bon Iver, and then closed out Bonnaroo with Phish.  It seemed easier this year,  the weather wasn't melt your face off hot.  We added a solar panel thanks to my husband, powering our fans, music, LED chandelier, and phone charging. 
        

Home

Solar panel

Dust a roo

photo by Thomas Northcut of Free People

Rhoddys in Bloom

 One of the neatest things about our first spring in the new house is discovering all of the flowering plants in our yard.   Ever week there is something new in bloom.  At first I was  overwhelmed by all the work that needed to be done,  no one had touched the yard  in years and it was extremely overgrown.  I didn't know where to start so therefore I simply didn't.  Thanks to my husband who did an amazing job clearing out a ridiculous amount of unwanted vegetation, I now see the light at the end of the tunnel.  We have been rigorously working in the yard on the weekends and were able to host our first BBQ last weekend.   

Sunglasses Ralph Lauren / Shirt Levis / Skirt Levis / Sandals Chacos

My felt laptop sleeve that I made.  Find tutorial  HERE

Chacos, a summer staple.  They might not be the most stylish but they sure are comfortable.  I have a pair in brown and black so I can wear them with everything. 

Rhododendron in full bloom.....Aren't they lovely?

More views of the backyard....

Doublefile Viburnum

A fern getting ready to unfurl

Spring Shower

      This weekend I had the privilege of hosting a baby shower with two other lovely ladies.  I was in charge of the decorations and games.  The parents to be decided not to find out the sex of the baby so I chose gender neutrals green and yellow.  I have a fabulous collection of milk glass vases all from goodwill and thought they would be perfect for a baby shower.   I went to the florist earlier this week with a list of flowers for the larger vase, non of which they had.  So I went with tulips, daises, hydrangeas, baby's breath, and something that I forget the name of  at the moment.  I made the "oh baby" sign from cardboard and yarn.  They loved it so much that they are going to hang it in the babies room.

Saw the idea for popcorn party favors on pinterst. I found the bags at Joann's then used Microsoft Publisher to make the labels.

Baby carriage cookie cutter

Everyone had so much fun decorating a onsie for the baby.

So much delicious food!!!!