is

for

Zebras.

 

I've always loved Scalamandre's flying zebra wallpaper - featured in The Royal Tenenbaums among other places.  I love a happy zebra popping up now and then!

 

 

 

 

Zebra scarves in bright colors!

 

 

via KarmaLoop

 

via FredFlare

 

Super cute red zebra tray from Furbish.

 

 

Some great pillows from Dwell - I think a duvet cover would be awesome!

 

 

 

 

Rifle Paper Co. makes an adorable zebra notepad - of course!

 

 

 

 is

for

 Fall.

Fall has arrived and the crisp air is feeling good around here.  Time for back to school and new romances.

via Judy Pak

Or a fall camping trip!

via ModernDayHemingway

via The Steward

I'm loving this wallpaper created by the Hovey Sisters for Anthropologie.

Time for a new pair of boots!

Break out the tweed!

via Sidewalk Ready

Love these woodland animal glasses!

 

Mussels, beer, and pommes frites - by a fire preferably - make a perfect fall dinner!

via HauteFavesDeux

 

P is for Pie.

is

for

Pie.

 

My sister Al made this Blackberry Balsamic Pie over the summer and it was so good that I've made it myself a few times since.  My latest version (below) was with blueberries and raspberries - super good!  I highly recommend you try it!  There is balsamic vinegar mixed in with the fruit and some sea salt in the crumble - giving it a unique and addictive flavor!

 

Yum!

is

for

End of Summer.

 

The end of summer is drawing near and I just love this part of summer when the weather is finally comfortable and there is a special kind of light in the early evening.  Everything is cast with a dreamy blue and swimming and hanging out by the water is so calming.  As much as I love fall, I'm hoping this last bit of summer lingers awhile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rach and I sat on the porch and watched the sun go down after swimming all day in the Dunes last week.  Lake Michigan is so beautiful and we have so many good memories here!

 

 

 

M is for Monogram

is

for

Monogram.

 

I'm completely smitten with the idea of having a monogram topiary like this one day in my future backyard!

 

 

So cute - it's the ultimate monogram! 

Someday...I'm adding it to my wish list.

R is for Red

is

for

 Really Loving Red.

(of course!)

Rach and I are both always drawn to all things red - as I've said many times!  If there is a pop of red in a room I feel better - happier.  When admiring clothes, accessories, cars, flowers - the red option always wins my vote!  I'm loving all of the reds and corals I'm seeing lately.

A perfect afternoon hideaway!

via Quadrille

I'm obsessed with these two patterns together.  I'd love to cover a round ottoman like this.

Super cute tunic!

via House Beautiful

The red interior of this armoire/bar is stunning!

I could fill it with tumblers like these beauties!

Seahorses! - what a great everyday cardigan!

Love this tote for the summer!

I've got to put a red lantern like this in my home someday!

This looks like a happy home.

Another classic for the wardrobe!

This car just looks like it would be a lot of fun to drive!

Yum!

C is for California.

is

for

California.

(and other excuses for my absence!)

So I've unintentionally taken a summer vacation from the blog starting with a trip to San Francisco to visit my dear friend Annie.  Her husband Mike threw her a fantastic birthday weekend and I was thrilled be there.  We met in our freshman dorm at Indiana University and she has been the best friend ever since.  It's a real bummer that we no longer live nearby one another because I have so much fun when we are together!  San Francisco is so gorgeous and the climate is fantastic compared to our 100+ degree Chicago summers!

She's got a gorgeous backyard that made me feel like we were on vacation in Italy!  Love that ivy covered wall!  Seeing a good friend is sometimes just what you need to feel inspired and since returning I've been working on some new projects which you can expect to see here and in the fric and frac etsy shop soon! 

We had a great day at the Stanford Art Museum - love these trees!

I also saw this fantastic red MG with luggage on top in the parking lot!

It was too good to be true - it looked like somebody had styled the parking lot!  That MG monogram is a classic.

We also stopped by Miette and I loved the packaging on these gorgeous Rococo chocolate bars!

 It was a great trip and I can't wait to go back!