great idea : neighborhood fruit

My always in the know sister in law passed along this website and I thought it was worth sharing. Thanks Jamie!

Neighborhood Fruit is a website where you can find and/or share fruit locally. By putting in your zip code, you are able to find people with extra produce and then you can go and pick it on your own!  It goes the other way as well, if you have an abundance of backyard fruit, you post on the site the fruit you'd like to get rid of and people come take it off your hands.

Right now locally, there is someone in my area who'd like to get rid of some plums. Of course what is available totally depends on your location and if there are people in the area who know about this resource. It'd be great if the word got out so that everyone can benefit.  I'd love to find someone with an over-abundance of peaches so that we can bottle them.

interior tuesday : bunk beds

It's funny to look back to when I was growing up and remember how jealous I was of my friends who had bunk beds. Maybe it's because I didn't have anyone to fight over the top bunk with? I suppose I'll live vicariously through my kids someday...

coastal living

Canadian house & home

Sarah Richardson

{unsourced photos via}

eye candy : Rebecca Thuss

I've long admired the work of stylist Rebecca Thuss.
There is something so feminine about her work yet it's not too sweet.

For some reason I can't stop looking at those blue polka dot feathers. I keep going back for another look.

hip housewares

I don't think i've ever seen a cuter toolbox

or garden tools for that matter.

 I'd be more apt to fix something or garden because the tools were cute. You?

More fun wares over at alice supply co.

confession

I'm a little bit ocd when it comes to towels and how they hang. If they aren't nicely folded on the towel bar, forget it. So I've come to prefer hanging my towels on hooks. It's just better that way. The idea of adding color-coded ribbons to designate who’s towel's who's makes hanging towels even better.

mashup

Morning! Here are a few random links of things i've seen around and wanted to share. I hope you have a great day! I'm off to search the (better part of) city for new digs. Wish me luck!

:: lemonade and sunshine... two of my faves inspired this sweet party. {via party perfect}

:: Leslie's picture tour of Europe with touches of red has me longing to jump across the pond.

:: my girl Holly is having a really good sale right now! A custom designed blog header + button for $25! For more deets head over to Mitchell Avenue Designs.

:: how fun are these s'mores kits? i have a plan for using these...

:: loving all the movie inspired parties featured in the new nonpareil magazine.

:: i think this is my new favorite blog of the moment. not only is this girl stylish but also pretty funny.

cute summer looks

 from shade clothing's style guide

Kristen Hutchins Design

Kristen Hutchins Design

Remember this post about the awesome Kate Spade wall? Well...I used it for a little bit of inspiration. Our wedding anniversary is today and I wanted to do a little something different for my husband.

Using the idea and on hand envelopes and cards, I decided to write little notes for each of the 10 days leading up to our anniversary. Every morning my husband chose an envelope off the wall and found a little note card inside.

On the cards I wrote simple things like "a way to a man's heart is through his stomach" (he got to choose his favorite meal to eat that night) and other random things that I thought my husband would enjoy. Silly really but I think we both had fun with it.

Happy Anniversary Jers! I can't wait to spend 50 more anniversaries with you. 

beach style

I was recently reading through an old issue of Martha Stewart and came across this charming beach barn house. I love its simplicitly but also lived in look.

friday fashion : dinner date

{sources: dress, shoes, necklace}

If I were to be wisked off to a dinner date tonight {hint, hint. husband!}, I'd want to be wearing something like this.

I hope you have a great weekend! We have family coming for a quick visit so we'll be playing tour guide but hopefully not melting in the hot Texas sun. See ya Monday!

paper airplanes

If only the paper airplanes I made in school were as pretty as this necklace.

animal alphabet chart

There are a ton of different versions out there but i've got to say, this alphabet chart from Rifle Paper Co. is one of my faves.

spaghetti carbonara

I came across this recipe a year ago and it quickly became a family favorite. I like it not only for the flavor but because it contains ingredients I always have in my kitchen, plus it is quick and easy to make. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces uncooked spaghetti
• 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk
• 4 strips bacon or 2 slices pancetta (Italian bacon), diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese  
• 1 cup water from pasta or milk (*see note at bottom)
• Crushed red pepper (optional)

1. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, beat the egg and egg yolk in a small bowl. Set aside.

3. Cook the bacon in a large saucepan over medium high heat until it is cooked through, not crisp. Remove it from the pan with a slotted spoon and drain it on paper towels. Leave the bacon fat in the pan and add the olive oil. Heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until you smell the aroma. Remove from the heat. Return the bacon to the pan.

4. When the spaghetti is cooked, lift it out of the water with tongs and put it in the saucepan with the bacon. Measure 1 cup of pasta water (or milk) and discard the rest. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour the hot pasta water over the spaghetti and use tongs to turn the spaghetti over several times. Add the beaten eggs and continue stirring quickly to cook the egg.

5. When the water is almost evaporated, add the salt, black pepper, and cheese. Continue to stir until well-mixed. When the cheese is mostly melted, take the pan off the heat.

6. Plate and serve immediately. Pass the crushed red pepper.

Variation: You may use 1 cup of milk in place of the water (this is what I prefer). But the dish will have more egg flavor if you use water.

Ashley Whittaker Design

Pretty interiors from Ashley Whittaker Design

getting organized

I'm notorious for hanging onto magazine articles, photos or other random things but doing nothing with them but let them collect dust. It drives my husband crazy (don't blame him). I finally decided to do something about it and have been scanning in the tear sheets I've pulled from my design mags. I've also decided to write down what aspects of the room appeal to me in an effort to try and hone in my design style. I've also been using my tumblr and interior tuesday as a sort of e-file for images.

Do you pull design images (or recipes, or articles, etc.) from magazines? If so, what do you do with them?

it's a friday mashup

Wow this week has gone by fast. Good, but fast! Here are just a few links of goodies i've seen around and wanted to share.

:: Chances are you've already seen or heard about Kathleen's mad creative skills and the baby shower she recently threw. But if you haven't, might I suggest your heading over for some lovely inspiration {part one, two and three}.

:: Hip, hip hooray! The new Lonny was out yesterday!

:: Love this different take on garlands from I Still Love You.

:: I would've loved to play in a shed as chic as this when i was little.

Have a fabulous weekend my friends!

olive & a shop update

Just a quick note to say that as summer is winding up, my shop will be winding down. I've had a lot of fun keeping my shop and it has been much more successful than I dreamed. Thank you! Sadly though I am just too busy with school, family and life in general to give it my full attention.   So for the moment I don't plan to keep it open much longer.  Don't be surprised though if sometime down the road it pops open again! If you've had your eye on something I'd suggest heading over.

photo by Jackie Norris

on my wishlist...

i want a coat rack. is it too Grandma-ish? i don't know... my parents had one while i was growing up and i loved it. it was tall and brassy and pretty cool. they don't have it anymore, otherwise i'd snatch it up for myself. urban outfitters has one but i want a gold one so i've been searching on craigslist. no luck yet though...

what's on your wishlist right now?

currently loving...

these looks from Tulle

a little help

Hey guys! Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the expedit bookcase from IKEA? We are looking for a bookcase to house toys and books for my little one but haven't had much luck. The price of the expedit bookcase is right, I'm just not sure of its quality. I'd love to hear if you have any opinions, good or bad! Thanks!

{photo via elements of style}

modern family digs

I'm liking this modern house from Style at Home. Especially the pops of yellow found throughout.

oh to have my own dressing room!

i think this little girls room is my fave!

take a chance

What a wall! Kate Spade collaborated with graphic designer Cheree Berry to create an interactive installation in their St. Louis store. Tucked inside each envelope was a card encouraging the reader to take a chance with ideas such as crash a party, embrace color or improvise. Such a fun idea! If only I lived in St. Louis I'd love to pick a card.

p.s. can you think of any ways to use this idea for a party?