challenging

One of my fave girls, Molly, issued a color challenge. She is a master at mixing prints, color and coming up with fabulously out of the box combinations of both! I'm always up for a challenge...

The inspiration:green, pool, coral

photo taken by Molly

The look:

I wish that I had something that more of that punchy coral color, but part of the challenge for me was to use pieces that I already own but had never considered pairing together. The cardigan and the shoes are at least 4-5 years old and the blouse is a few years old as well. The print on the blouse is a little bit mumsy  granny much and for that reason I think I've always paired it with dark denim. Snooze! what was I thinking? Have I met me!? I'm the girl that that firmly believes leopard print is a neutral and has made highlighter pink a wardrobe staple. Why am I so scurrd of saying"Hey y'all the top I'm wearing is a little Blanche Devereaux and I LIKE it!" Head on over to anthromollogies to see what some of the other readers put together.

Does anyone else that grew up watching The Cosby Show say "CHALLenge!" every time you hear the word challenge? It's not just me..

come on get happy

"It was the best of times. It was the worst of times". Oh, Mr Dickens, you certainly said a mouthful with that one! There is so much good, ridiculously good, stuff happening in my life right now it seems sooo#firstworldproblem to complain.  And, as much as I'm trying to live in the positive, I have to admit that it's not all rainbows and unicorns around these parts. I worry. A lot. Some of the things that keep me up all night are things that I can control,but most of them are not. Right now I'm stressing a lot about parenting. What kind of mom have I been? Have I given them everything they need? Have a done a good enough job? And the list goes on and on and on. My children are almost out of the house. Next month, one of them will be moving far away from home. It's not a choice I would make for her but I know that I have to allow her to make her own choices-to learn,become independent, to learn that it's ok to make the wrong choice, to deal with success and disappointments. But, damn, y'all it's hard!

And, sometimes, when those little slivers of doubt or worry or fear make it tough to see the forest for the trees, the only thing you can do is put on one of your favorite dresses, apply a little bit of  red lipstick, break out a pair of long forgotten(but still awesome heels!) and get happy.

easy like sunday morning

Sunday is the one day a week that gives you permission to slow down-have long conversations with friends over a pitcher of iced tea, savor a meal together as a family, sleep in, attempt the crossword puzzle(in ink!). Sunday, Doug and I brunched(that's a word...right?) at one of our favorite restaurants, Vitor's Bistro. Being "Doug and Courtnee" instead of "Mom and Dad" for a few hours is such a luxury! My Salmon Benedict was so freakin' good, I had to stop myself from licking the plate.

 
After we stuffed our faces    finished eating, we drove across the river to check out the monthly flea market in Mainstrasse. The pickings were slim and I couldn't find one single thing to convince my husband we were in desperate need of(that seriously never happens!) but we had an amazing time strolling through the cobblestone streets people watching.

“Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week.”
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

lately

Just a few snapshots of life lately

Early to rise...

Morning cuppa joe poolside...

Doggy naps...

 Interwebz surfing...

Rain!!!!

 Jewels...dahhhling;)

Bottom of the stairs and the last place to make sure I don't look a hot a mess as I walk out the door

Lunch for one ...

 Yep, I made this:)

Tomatoes from our container garden...

Have an awesome weekend! 

pencil me in

One of the best things about working in a creative field is that when you need to be business-y, you don't have to look sooo business-y! Meaning, when attending a meeting that could yeild work a leopard print pencil skirt with a hint of neon is totally appropriate(or as my daughters would say,totes appro!)

By the way, the geode ring and the rose gold nail polish are the cat's pajamas! I'm officially obsessed.

steamy

Hey,Girl, Hey!!! No excuses, no lame stories, no shoulda, coulda, woulda....I've been throwing myself in to this flower gig, loving on my husband, reading, lounging by the pool and making the most of this sweltering summer!

I've been slow to warm to the mullet dress trend. But, this dress-it's like wearing pj's in public. Seriously. And, because I'm super lazy this entire outfit was purchased at tar-jay along with cupcakes, wine and a coconut frappacino. There are days when I curse suburban living. The I can buy an entire outfit, pantry essentials and a delicious blended coffee-Winning!  

ps-You can find my flower blog here and my facebook page here . Come check me out:)

bon appetit

While we were in Michigan we ate Salt of the Earth in Fennville. As the name suggents, the restaurant prides itself on its farm to table philosophy and working with local farmers to source the best local ingrediants to offer their customers.

On the short drive from our cottage into Fennville we talked about some of the best meals we've ever eaten. I'm happy to say all of my hands down favorite thing I've ever eaten meals have been shared with Doug. Great company is essential to enjoying a fantastic meal(in my opinion!)

There was so much good stuff on the menu!

 To start- cocktails! I really love a good blush, especially in the summer. I'm no oeneologist, but I think they're perfect for summertime sippin'. I had a glass of the Fenn Valley Lakeshore Sunset Blush and Doug tried the Midwestern Farmer's Fizz. They were both great choices. We brought home a bottle of wine and as soon as I can locate a bottle of elderfower liquor I plan on mxing up a batch of my own Farmer's Fizz!

We started with the fried risotto, Doug had the oven roasted half chicken and I chose the grilled hangar steak. And even though we were completely stuffed, dinner isn't finished without a little sumthin' sweet, no? And dessert was amazing! Wood Fire Toasted S'More -homemade marshmallow, graham cracker crumb, milk chocolate pudding and salted caramel! Enough said. The restaurant has a rustic/industrial feel to it. The atmosphere is warm and inviting and the servers were friendly and quick with recommendations. The chef came out and chatted with diners(which I kind of love and he was super cute!)
If you ever find yourself near Fenville, Michigan stop in and have bite!  

*Some of my other favorite meals have been at: N9ne in Chicago, local 11ten in Savannah and of course, our Cincinnati favorites nada , boca, and one of our new favorites a tavola 

Now, I'm freakin' starving;)

pink flamingo and red lips

Happy Monday y'all! These pictures make me smile:) Red lips, crop top, quirky print on my skirt...and my best pin up pose(I'm lookin' at you picture#1!) I wore this a few weeks ago and completely forgot about the photos. The past week has been so hot that I haven't done much or worn anything other than cut offs, tank tops and wait for it...flip-flops. But in an effort to shield the masses from my hot mess-ness, I've also been staying pretty close to home working on flower proposals, reading and lounging by the pool.

 Yesterday I managed to pull it together to meet up with a girlfriend Indian food, conversation, and to see Moonrise Kingdom. It was so good! I loved it so much. What is about Wes Anderson movies that make you feel good?