Have a comfy weekend!

It's blazing hot here and will be for the next couple of days. Stepping outside feels like the breath is getting sucked right out of me, and my hair is threatening to dry up and break right off my head if I even think about setting foot out in this God-awful heat. 

I hope it feels better where you are! What are you doing this weekend? Beating the heat like Maddie? Going somewhere exotic? Watching a scary movie? Do tell!

Kids in 1952 and 1960

This morning I came across these super-cool class photos, which were taken in 1952, when the kids first began school and in 1960, when the much older kids became teenagers. Each photo represents the same group of students at equally pivotal times in American history. The first marks the first year of the Baby Boom era, while the second seems to teeter "on the edge of" the revolutionary 60s.

  I've been trying to match up the younger children with their older selves. Can you match them all? Click here and here to view the full-size images. (Hint: A few of them look exactly the same and a couple of them are sitting in the same spot).

Neat huh?

I want to go to there: Outdoor-indoor spaces

I've recently taken a liking to the idea of incorporating nature into one's living space. It's such a peaceful, inviting concept, and it's so easy to be done in an innovating and modern way. I'd just love to wake up to the feeling of cool, damp air and the smell of pine and spruce in this quaint cabin in Finland. And can you imagine napping in this glass lake house (complete with a turntable, of course!)?  Just think how refreshing it would be to cool off in a sparkling infinity pool as you reach out an feel the fronds of a nearby palm tree!

What's your take on outdoor-indoor living?

(Bed photo)

And the winner is...

Cynthia!

Congrats, beautiful! We'll be in touch.

To all my other fabulous entrants...thank you so much! If you didn't win, no worries: more giveaways real soon!

(image via pinterest)

Have an exciting weekend!

What are you doing this weekend? I'll be trying to break in my newest Anthro wedges #widefeetproblems. Right now, I'm about to skip off to prepare my late, late, late lunch of pasta salad, nachos, and some sort of tea. Then later on I'll do a bit of sketching as I watch Say Yes to the Dress ^.^!

Will you be doing a bit of drawing this weekend? How about baking? Bike riding? Do tell!

P.S. Be sure to hop, skip and jump your way on over the the 1st anniversary ASOS giveaway, hosted by yours truly...you have 'til Monday!!

(Via W+D)

Colorblock dreses

Colorblocking has really turned out to be one of the most enduring and versatile trends of the past-few seasons. Although it's totally fun to colorblock using separates, I always love to see it in the form of a dress. Here are just a few of my faves, ranging from updated mod-60s frocks to sleek, body-contouring sheaths.

1. Stella McCartney, $795
2. Giambattista Valli, $1953
3. A.L.C., $894
4. Victoria Beckham, $2320
5. Tibi, $675

Lazy green blazer

This is such a universally flattering shade of green, and the silky material makes it perfect for evening summer parties.

Someone tell me where to get it!

(Via Kate @ Wit + Delight)

Blog anniversary giveaway!

{Giveaway Closed}

Exactly one year ago today, I started this blog. As a token of my appreciation for the kindness that you all have shown me over the past year, I'm giving one of you lovely ladies an opportunity to win one of five goodies that I've picked out from ASOS, a blogger's fashion dreamland!

Any beauty product of your choice from this page. (Marilyn would love this!)

This sleek red midi dress, which would be perfect to take on vacation for dates in quiet restaurants (plus, the red will look great in photos!).

This spiked cuff, which would look so tough and modern wrapped around your arm.

This adorable playsuit which, you could wear over your swimsuit as your play frisbee on the beach or while lounging around your house on a rainy afternoon.

This totally chic clutch, with a faux-snakeskin finish, which works just as well for daytime as it does for evening.

{To Enter, you MUST:}
1) In the comment section below, list two of the five items that you would love for me to send you. Depending on availability, you'll get your first pick. Otherwise, I'll send you your second choice! Leave your email address and blog address (if you have one) along with your comment!

2) Follow An Air of Surprise via GFC (and leave your username) OR follow me on Twitter (and leave your username)


{Extra Entries:}
1)  Follow me via GFC, if you did not already (and leave your username) OR follow me on Twitter, if you did not already (and leave your username)

2) Blog, Facebook or tweet about this giveaway (and leave a link!)
[Stumped on what to say? Feel free to use this tweet:]

@hello_Rimi 's blog is one year old, so i entered her @ASOS giveaway to celebrate it! follow this link to celebrate along with us! http://bit.ly/LzlgTJ

So! That's five prizes to choose from, three possible entries, and one winner! **This giveaway will end Monday,  June 25th at noon EST**


Best wishes, lovelies!

(Top image)

First day of summer

Yippee!! Today is the first official day of summer!!  I can't wait to eat refreshing pasta salad (and sip on grapefruit lemonade!), spend afternoons roller-skating in the park, and wear breezy maxi skirts and sundresses. Do you have any plans for the day? What about for the season?

(Photo via ruffles and pleats)

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to you, Dad, and all of the other fantastic padres out there!

Love you, Daddy! 

(MLK Jr., with daughter, Yolanda and wife, Coretta)

Have a good weekend

I'm feeling really nauseous and a bit woozy at the moment, so it'll be a very brief sign off today, I'm afraid. What are you doing this weekend? Building a sailboat? Pampering your hair? Buying yourself a new cell phone?

Do tell.

(Image via Pinterest)

Teak courtyard table

I love this teak table! It's perfect for sitting around with friends on a cool summer night, as you all snack on tasty lobster dip, and reminisce about summers past. 

6 Things for the Beach

So, Mom and I have just booked a fun trip Jamaica for next month. Just the two of us gals! I can't wait to feel the cool tropical breeze blow through my hair as my mom and I lay out and eat sandwiches, stick our toes in the soft white sand and look out and admire the crisp blue sea. Here are six things that everyone should have at the beach this summer.

1. A super cute swimsuit that will make you feel (and look!) amazing, $195

2. An oversized BAGGU tote bag, for loading down with bottles of lemonade, magazines and a beach towel or two, $31. (BONUS: It folds up into a teeny tiny zipper pouch, which means more room in your suitcase!)

3. Sugar Lip Treatment by Fresh in 'Sugar Coral' for moisturized lips, that are SPF protected, with just a subtle wash of summery color, $22.50

4. A floppy beach hat that you can pull over your eyes for an afternoon cat nap, $34.50

5. A natural, chemical-free sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection, $15

6. These beautiful Avarca sandals, made in Spain, would be perfect to wear to dinner or while strolling on the boardwalk, $85

(Grace Kelly photo via Pinterest via Snippet & Ink)

Anthropologie June 2012 Catalogue

Hmmm...this month's Anthro catalogue seemed a bit sparse to me and it was kind of  hard to find a bunch of stuff that I liked, like I normally do. Nevertheless, I was able to come up with a few pieces that I truly loved. Have a peek!

Have a brilliant weekend!

What are you doing this weekend? I just got my nails done (which I'll probably ruin in a second) and now I'm sitting on the sofa eating a cinnamon roll. Hopefully tomorrow the fam and I will eat some tasty Indian food, and then on Sunday...season 9 of Bridezillas begins!! You have no idea how excited I am for this. Seriously. It drives everyone else crazy.

So what will you be doing this weekend? Getting your nails done? Baking some pastries? Watching Bridezillas (if you are...tweet me so we can talk about it!)? Do tell!

xoxo

Rimi

(tired girl photo via Pinterest)

A Guide to Summer Weddings: Dressing the Bride

With all of the commotion surrounding your wedding, it can seem overwhelming having to decide what to wear to all of your events. Here's a little guide to give you a hand!

Father's Day gift ideas

My dad is pretty awesome, so I always have a lot of fun coming up with gifts ideas for him. So, with Father's Day being just under two weeks away, I thought I'd compile a list of a few gifts that any dad would love to receive!

Four best coats for rainy summer days

It's been forecasted to rain today, but Al and I have already planned to go to the park. And, even though, right now, the skies seem to be agreeing with the weatherman's predictions, I think we might still venture out into the rain. Just for the heck of it. Here are a few options for days when staying in from the rain is not an option...

For your long morning bike rides, an Iva Jean rain cape will keep you totally dry, and can be easily removed as you run into your neighborhood cafe and pick up a baguette.

A basic hooded raincoat in a fun print or color is perfect for those warm, but cloudy, days when rain is expected, but not imminent. Once the skies clear or the rain lets up, simply fold it up in a pouch and toss it away until next time!

For traveling to or through rainy towns and cities, the Mycra Pac travel coat is ideal. It's super lightweight so it's easy to pack, and its smart design will have you looking stylish, even in the rainiest weather (plus the collar doubles as a hood and looks surprisingly dressy!).

A classic trench coat is a tried and true staple and works in any setting. Plus, it looks super cute with skinny jeans and red flats.

Which of these raincoats would you wear?

(Photos via Pinterest)

And the winners are...

Victoria and Gigi!

Congrats! We'll be in touch.

Thanks so much, Susan!

Have a lovely weekend

I'm writing this post as my sweet bread dough rises in the refrigerator. I think I messed it up. But we'll see. 

My sleeping schedule has been waaaay outta whack this week, so I really need to get back on track this weekend. 

Not much left to say, as the clouds are rolling past and making me sleepy. I'm off to sketch. Or browse. Or nap.

What are you going to be doing this weekend? Cooking a healthy dinner? Napping? Painting your toes? Do tell!

P.S. Enter the giveaway! Two prizes, two winners!

(Image via)