is for Figs.

We love fresh figs!

They are one of our favorites.

They are so gorgeous!

They look great when you cut them open and see all of their beautiful seeds! A great addition to a cheese or charcuterie plate. Their color is stunning!

They are also beautiful on the branch. When I am shopping for flowers for photo shoots I am always excited when these start showing up at the market. They have a great organic shape that looks great in a vase or placed on a table like this!

is for the Beach.

We love the Beach.

We grew up in the Indiana Dunes on Lake Michigan. We went swimming everyday and sometimes twice a day in the summer. Sometimes we would go down to the beach in the evening and cool off in the water one more time at sunset. Picnics at the beach and bonfires in the evenings are the best! I love the water, I love the sand, and I love the way the beach transforms thru all of the seasons. In the winter the waves freeze in place. Now I live in Evanston, IL and walk my dog Scout along the beach everyday on the other side of Lake Michigan. There is something so relaxing about the lake. It reminds me of my childhood and all of the possibilities in life. Today the weather was super hot and then suddenly everything cooled off and the wind on the lake was so refreshing. As summer begins, the beach is opening up it's arms. Here are some pictures I took on today's walk.

is for Kitchens.

We love Kitchens.

We both love to cook and it is fun to imagine what your dream kitchen would look like. There are so many choices. I have always dreamed of a kitchen with a big stove, a place to make bread, a fireplace, a long table for meals with loved ones, and a sofa to hang out! Our family is always hanging out in the kitchen.

Love the black sink!

via HelloGorgeous

This kitchen has so much personality. I love the mix of old and new.

I love the long marble table in the kitchen and the mix of chairs!

You could form an assembly line and make homeade pretzels on this table!

via DesiretoInspire

The open shelving in this kitchen allows you to look at all of your dishes. If you love collecting dishes and glassware like I do, open shelving is a good thing. I also love the footed pedestal with the heirloom tomatos.

via lily-g

Stunning!

I love the big mirror in this kitchen and the ebony floors!

via Shelter

What a great place to have family dinners!

Great window in the kitchen!

via DesiretoInspire

I love the drum lighting in this small, intimate kitchen.

via Domino

The antler coat hook is the perfect touch!

The crate as a dishrack is a happy surprise.

I love the painting of the dog and the cake stands.

via HookedonHouses

This was the kitchen in the movie Practical Magic. I would have been happy if the whole movie took place in the kitchen!

I love the upholstered chairs in the kitchen!

via Shelter

So charming!

Beautiful floor!

via HouseBeautiful

Looks like a perfect kitchen for the house on the beach!

via Remodelista

The red Aga stove speaks for itself.

via HouseBeautiful

A galley kitchen can be a lot of fun! Everyone still seems to squeeze in to socialize no matter how small the kitchen is!

Great mix of seating!

Simple and full of charm!

is for Anchors.

We love all things nautical.

These vintage anchors on the bedroom wall are so stunning.

via HouseBeautiful

The rest of the bedroom is not really my style, too contemporary, but how great would these look in a living room or dining room? The anchors just pull you in. What a great find!

is for Ladders.

via J.Crew

I'm loving the ladders in these photos!

What a great way to take a family portrait!

Or just a really great photograph.

is for Flea Markets.

We love flea markets!
Over the weekend we went to our first flea market of the year. We all went up to Wisconsin to visit our parents and go to the Elkhorn Flea Market, one of our favorites. Our sister Gretchen was even in town from Tacoma to join in on the festivities! We have been crazy about antiques our whole lives, due to our mother's penchant for stopping at yard sales and church rummage sales. She is the best at finding the needle in the haystack at any sale! It is so exciting getting up early in the morning and heading off to a sale. Everyone has different things they are looking for, but most of the time you end up falling for something you were not even looking for! I wish I could go to the yard sale Meryl Streep's character had in Out of Africa. That sale looked amazing!

Rach found a great Hudson Bay blanket coat at this booth. A classic with red, yellow, blue, and green stripes. Very cute! My mom found a birdhouse like this one at a yard sale a few years ago. This one was in good shape, but priced too high.


I think my niece, Eloise, had the best find of the day! She used her $5 wisely and took a very cute Snoopy home! What a sweetpea!

I received the same Snoopy for Christmas many years ago!

Maybe that is why I was so excited about her purchase.

is for Breakfast.

These breakfast tables are so inviting. What's better than a bowl of coffee and tartines?

I absolutely love a long, leisurely breakfast with friends. Along with a really good cup of coffee!
Relaxing outside on a sofa!

Under a bird cage!

This table reminds me of the long farm table in the Big Chill.

Everyone waking up at different times in the morning and serving themselves breakfast!

What great windows!

Love the white floor!

A lovely table for two!