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Back to School.

It's that time of year when the air becomes a little crisper and the fall season is ahead of us.  Although I am no longer in school, I still feel like this time of year is the beginning of the year.  I am an academic at heart and no other landscape brings me as much joy as an ivy-covered campus in the fall.

via J.Crew

Stacks of books, libraries, cars loaded with all of your possessions, plaid blankets, loafers - my preppy roots are still guiding what I inspires me and my aesthetic!

via Tommy Hilfiger

I've always loved this car!

via Secret Forts

Such a perfect work area!

Rach and I used to get a new pair of loafers every year for school.  Penny for her.

Tassels for me!

Rach went to school at Indiana University in Bloomington.

So, of course, when it came time for me to choose I went to IU too!  Such a beautiful campus - this is the dorm we lived in - a wonderful place to call home!

Indiana University is where they filmed Breaking Away - if you haven't seen it - it's a classic - and features many of my favorite old spots in Bloomington.  Rach even rode in the Little 500 while she was a student there - an annual bike race featured in the movie.

I have to get this book - I know I would love it!

I love this bike bag -the perfect back to school accessory!

Always a classic.

via J.Crew

Super cute fall outfit!

via Unabashedly Prep 

Maybe this is a sign that it is time for me to pack up and head back to school?  Being a student is the ultimate luxury in life!

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A Gorgeous Library.

I love this library that Maira Kalman created at P.S. 47 with the Robin Hood Foundation.

The colors are amazing and she created a fantastic installation of objects on the walls to inspire the students.

I have always loved her illustrations and her whimsical sensibility.

I would love to have a library at home just like this one!

The green shelves and black walls are stunning - makes me want to sit down and read a book - which I really need to do!  I am halfway thru The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and book club is in a week!  What are you reading now?

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The Last Days of Summer.

September is here and fall is around the corner (which I love)...but it is still SUPER HOT around here!  So my ode to fall will have to wait.  I am going to try to enjoy the last days of summer while they are still here and relish the warm summer nights and the last swims of the season.  I made a list of some of my favorite aspects of summer - a season I would love even more if it didn't get quite so hot around here!

I will try to enjoy as many meals as possible OUTSIDE with all of the gorgeous flowers around me!

Love these golden corn on the cob salt and pepper shakers - perfect for a summer dinner party!

And these colorful suzani plates too!

Fresh flowers everyday are a summer luxury.

This gorgeous house just looks like summer to me - but oh so perfect in the winter, fall, and spring too!

Love this lamp!

This sailboat wallpaper is adorable - would be perfect in my dream house on Cape Cod!

I would love to learn how to surf one day!

And get around in one of these fabulous classic rides - why can't new cars have this kind of charm?

I still seem to be obsessed with all things nautical and don't see that ending anytime soon.  Love this wreath made of shells!

Super cute anchor key chain for your summer ride.

I need this whale platter in my life!

If I had a sailboat of my own I think I would want one with red and white stripes like this beauty!  I love walking Scout along the lake and watching all of the sailboats out on the water.

I think I will always love striped shirts and dresses!

And tennis and badminton always remind me of summer!  Love these stamps by Yellow Owl Workshop.

My red flight bag from Wm. J. Mills is the perfect bag for the season!

Last but not least - SWIMMING!  I love swimming in the lake and will try to enjoy the water as long as I can this year!  When it is hot outside - the colder the water the better!

What will you all miss the most about summer?