cheers to our 9 years

Nine years ago today in Martha's Vineyard 

Pete and I were married by our dear friend, Susanna. 

How cool is that you ask?  Very!

She spent our wedding week taking polaroid photos and 

composed them into beautiful album.

This is our favorite.

click her for more photos

summer afternoon art

My daughter Ruby is at art camp this week and can't seem to get enough of it. 

She came home yesterday ready to paint!  

So we spent a little down time painting together.  

We were pretty happy with the result.

It now hangs proudly in our family room.

Great art classes offered at the Valley Art Center, Chagrin Falls, Ohio

avocado + white bean dip

I've been getting requests for recipes, 

so I will keep them coming as I discover great new ones.

Here's a tasty new dip - perfect for a summer app!

Avocado + White Bean Dip

Ingredients

• 2 cans (15.5 ounces each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 4 avocados
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 cup packed fresh parsley leaves
• 1/4 cup white-wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
• Coarse salt

Directions

In a food processor, combine beans, avocados, garlic, parsley,

vinegar, red-pepper flakes, and 6 tablespoons water. 

Season with salt. Process until smooth. 

Serve sprinkled with red-pepper flakes, if desired.

Martha Stewart Everyday Food

summer solstice

Today is the longest and sunniest day of the year.

Think bright bold warm colors!  The more the merrier as the season begins.

Neon Nail Polish, American Apparel

Uniform Bits Necklace, Anthropologie

Big Clunky Wallet, Congressbags at Etsy

Madewell.com

Mark Rothko 'Orange, Red, Yellow, 1961' 

 The Farmhouse Chair, Bend

Wheelie Flight Deck, Burton 

cool camera straps

I just got a new Nikon DSLR camera for my soon-to-be birthday.

I need to give it some style and the way to do that is with a cool strap.

Check these out.

Stardust Silver Camera Strap, Bloom Theory

Leather Camera Strap in Pearl Shimmer, Magpie Accessories UK at Etsy

Border Stripe Canvas Camera Strap, Union

This is what I keep my camera in when I'm shlepping it around without the accessories.  

It's a tough canvas bag and looks pretty too.

Large Zip, Hable Construction

bold beach towels

We spent our first week of summer vacation at the pool.

 Now I'm wanting new beach towels.

Check out these fun bright patterns!

George Beach Towel, Jonathan Adler

Marimekko Unikko Beach Towel, Crate&Barrel

Missoni Home Hugo Beach Towel, All Modern

Paul Smith Multi-Stripe Beach Towel, Saks Fifth Avenue

Bengal Beach Towel, Natori

white as a feather

This soft and light feathery dress by JCrew is fabulous!

I would love to see this on a bride who wanted a 

less than traditional wedding gown.

...or maybe for a fun summer event.

Embroidered Feather Dress, JCrew

How about a little feather texture for the home?

Ostrich Pillow, Calypso St. Barth

Swan Lake, White Feather Earrings, Once Upon a Feather at Etsy

It's amazing what a little feather banding can do to a classic white jacket.

Elizabeth and James Feather Hem Blazer, Bergdorf Goodman

Light coming through this pendant would be so romantic.

White Feather Lamp, Groovy Organic Style

Ralph Lauren Spring 2012

bright block of color

A little color block goes a long way.

Keep it simple and strong with a slice of color to give your wardrobe a kick.

Clare Vivier's Neon-Striped Clutches, Refinery 29

Dipped Sessile Necklace, Anthropologie

the Contrast Caravan Mailbag, Madewell

Case Scenario for Pantone

The Sandybank Sandal, Madewell

Walton Overnight Bag, Flight 001

mango shrimp rice noodles

I've made this twice in the last couple of weeks for family and friends.

It was such a hit and has been requested by many, so here it is.

I've changed it a bit from the original by adding avocado, extra lime and cilantro.

summer inspired art

School's out...summer's here!

Get inspired with hand painted watercolors by Luli Sanchez.

www.lulisanchez.com

ballet dress rehearsal

My daughter Ruby was in a ballet this past weekend.  

They have been working on it for months with 

rehearsals every day leading up to the big performances.  

It's amazing how patient the girls can be when it's something they love.

Ruby as a crow in the Fall of 'Seasons'.

The amazing Gail. 

What a show she turned out!

Oh the little girls...so incredibly sweet waiting their turn.

The finale.

En Pointe Danse

Chagrin Falls, Ohio