beach vibes beach vibes beach vibes!

truth: i don't love the beach.

i LOVE the ocean and get the same sense of peace and calm and one-with-the-earth shit that most people get....but i don't love to sit around in the sun and sand watching leather skinned beach hippies drink beer out of coozies all day. 

i just get bored and hot and ugh. 

that said, i probably just haven't been to the right beach.

all this to say i am going to the beach in june and i am pinteresting the shit out of all the things. 

1. who doesn't want all the tassel earrings the internet offers?

a. i don't want to pay a ton and b. they must be GINORMOUS. otherwise, why bother?

these, these and these. 

2. a fun giant beach towel is a must. ban.do is the best at everything that you don't know you want but you definitely do. 

3. a sexy, comfy bikini that will hold my girls in place is mandatory. also the perfect one piece for the days after all the all you can eat seafood and margaritas. don't knock a cut out one piece til you try it. v. slimming. 

bikini top and bottoms.

4. dis kooky eye mini tote. so you can simultaneously repel bad energy while everyone asks where got it. 

5. a summer scent to remember your time. white peacock lily sounds about right: 

"Pale blue fog hangs in the far woodlands," is how D.S. & Durga describes this feminine 'White Lilly Peacock' Eau de Parfum. It's a floral scent that opens with Grapefruit Pith, Cabreuva Rouge and Oleander. A bouquet of Alabaster Violet, Egyptian Jasmine and White Lily Cream intensifies to a warm base of Fog, Vanilla and Liquid Ambrette Seed.

6. jorts i can't quit you. 

7. a clutch that says i'm on vacation. 

8. white lace everything. 

8. and striped espadrilles to round everything out. 

oh, and basically anything from mara hoffman. primarily this yellow and white striped jumpsuit.

attainable curb appeal

it's kind of amazing what the right paint, good grass, appropriate sconces/lighting, a healthy dose of symmetry, modern house numbers and potted plants can do for a home's facade.

and what's really great is no expert is needed. 

kitchen of the day

rose uniacke's london home. 

her work is so dreamy and poetic. 

hope you all had a good easter weekend.

i've got a leftover bag of candy that i wish i could hide and then forget where i hid.

also does anyone else love ham salad or is that literally just me? 

kitchen of the day

it's been a while since i posted a k.o.t.d. 

that's only because none have been that great or interesting to me.

seems like every kitchen looks the same these days. 

i mean can you even deal with that sink up there?!

THAT'S what i'm talking about.

also it's small. i like small kitchens.

see more of this great house here. 

in other news...

do you know about no lipo lipo? as a devout tracy anderson worshiper i have toned my body within an inch of it's life. in the only way TAM can- no bulk, long lean muscles, and a perky pillow butt. but i still have a lot of loose skin on my belly from where i gained 85 lbs while pregnant. yes...85. i was 200lbs when fiona was born. about 50 of it was boob. needless to say my belly was enormous and stretched to fit a 9lb baby with a giant head.

all that loose skin pregnancy left behind has been REALLY hard to get rid of if not impossible.

i've always hated it because it surrounds some truly outstanding ab work. 

i came across no lipo lipo somehow and was like what the? 

i gave it a shot and i can say without a doubt that i have already lost at least an inch off said belly. 

here's what it is in a nutshell...

a deep tissue knuckle massage you do yourself. 

i start with the sisal mit to dry brush my entire body, then add a little oil to my arms, tummy and legs, and go to town on the cellulite and loose skin. 

there is a dvd to walk you through all the massage techniques and steps. 

learn more about the whole thing here. 

i also got the facercise dvd. haven't tried it yet. will report back. 

as for the no lipo lipo this is the package i bought. 

fair warning- the first time i did it i woke up with bruises all over my arms and legs. not sure if i did it too hard ( i don't think so) or if it was just par for the course. either way the bruises are gone and they haven't returned applying the same pressure. 

i do it every morning. and it takes a while...about 30 minutes. i do it right after school run and before work. some people shower in the morning....i am a nighttime bather so i don't shower after (it's recommended that you dry brush, shower, massage) but i don't like that excess oil on me so right after i take a hot washcloth and wipe it away. but, if you are a morning bather then do this just before your shower. or employ my technique...i believe they call it a "whore's bath". i've been called worse. 

have a great weekend. 

april vibes

flower print by fanny cohen.

stash rollerball perfume - this smells really good. and a lot more $$ than it actually is. 

velvet sofa in chartreuse - this color goes with everything. 

silk ikat lampshade - see above.

coffee table - round, white, white, wicker. go. 

great chair but i'm after the pillow.

tinted lip balm - cheeks too friends. i love a multi-task-er. 

purple umbrella with lucite handle.

turquoise mini dress - such a flattering cut. scrub up your elbows and knees first. 

you know i love this one best. cheap and effective. 

nike air max sneaks - loving this mustard, black and pale peach combo. best way to jumpstart operation bathing suit season is with a new pair of exercise kicks. 

prettiest hammock i ever saw.

fornasetti sol di capri scented candle - featuring top notes of lemon, bergamot, mandarin and galbanum, layered with samphire and pine sap. a refreshing aroma for any time of year -if i can't GO to capri....

friday

i'm really into that outdoor table. i saw it on remodelista? maybe? anyway...looks easy enough to construct right? 

are you planting things yet? it's prime planting season here in atlanta. 

i'd like to plant these amazing yellow dahlia bulbs somewhere and these giant elephant ears in pots.

i'm really into this outfit from mango. top and pants.

how cute is this leopard hair tie? 

you guys i bought this because i tried a sample and was blown away by the effects.

completely smoothed my skin out, erased pimples, glow for days...not even remotely exaggerating. i never gave it much thought as i applied it every am/pm before moisturizer but like 5 days later i looked in the mirror and was like....what have i been doing? my skin looks really really good. like no make up good. anyway....i was legitimately frightened when my sample ran out. so i bought it. 

how cute is this rug? reminds me of my bowls. 

this mirror shelf thing is pretty darn cute. perfect for a small entry or powder. 

kinda into the whole mismatched earring trend. these are a steal. 

hope you have a glorious weekend. fiona's spring break officially starts today so we are headed to asheville for a few days.