The perfect summer dress

How lovely is this dress for summer? The diaphanous fabric will leave you perfectly cool on those

hot summer days, and the unique print is eye catching and fresh. Plus, it's super easy to dress up or

down, with thick wedges and a beaded clutch for al fresco dinners, and easy Bensimon sneakers

for bike rides and picnic lunches.

6 great Father's Day gifts

Cooky Jack Nicholson and his daughter, 1969, LIFE magazine

Father's Day is June 16th this year...right around the corner! Here are 6 great gifts that any dad would love to receive...

Can you roller-skate?

image via pinterest

  

I remember learning how to roller skate when I was little. We used to have a long driveway that was pretty steep, and it led to a nice, open parking patio that was surrounded by grass. My sister and I would start halfway up the driveway (we were scared we would fall if we started any higher!), and we'd skate down the driveway (going really fast), and fall, laughing, into the grass. 

Do you know how to roller skate? Do you have any childhood memories of rollerskating? 

Also: Disco era hot shorts to skate in!

Vinegar + Essential Oil Hair Rinse (for soft, shiny hair!)

I've recently started rinsing my hair with a white vinegar + water mixture after shampooing, and I absolutely love it! The mixture helps restore the pH of my scalp and hair, leaving me with shiny coils and kinks. Last week, I decided to add one of my favorite essential oils to the mix.

I elected to use lavender, which is great for soothing the scalp and promoting hair growth (it also knocks back that vinegar-y smell!). Some other great essential oils are rosemary (promotes hair growth, darkens grey hair), chamomile (scalp soothing; great for blondes), tea tree (fights dandruff), and sage (clarifying; great if you have psoriasis).

Here's what you'll need:

Vinegar + Essential Oil Hair Rinse
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
10 drops of an essential oil of your choice
An 8-oz. container

Add the 10 drops of essential oil and a little bit of water to your bottle. Mix together. Pour the rest of the water and the vinegar into the bottle. Shake to combine. (Heads up: After shaking, the mixture should settle out and be clear).

To use, shake up the bottle and pour some of the mixture over your scalp after rinsing out your shampoo and/or conditioner. Massage the mixture into your scalp. Let the solution run down your hair, adding a little bit more to your ends. Do not rinse, but feel free to squeeze out the excess liquid.

Depending on the length and density of your hair, this should last you at least 5 uses (for the sake of comparison, I have dense, bra-strap/mid-back length hair, and I can get about 5 uses out of one 8 oz. bottle).

ASOS sale!!

All of my US readers: listen up! In anticipation of summer, ASOS is offering 20% off everything until Tuesday, May 28th with the code TAKE20.

ASOS always has great sales, and there are so many great things to buy for summer events like vacations and festivals. I would love this skater dress, for summer dates and every day errands. This tie dye maxi dress would also make me feel casual and pretty.

P.S. You can also use the code on sale items! Double win!!

Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day, Momma!

<3

What makes you happy?

Among other things, I love cool spring rain on a tin roof, and warm, sweet gestures, just because. Also, watching a gaggle of geese cross the road.

What make you happy?

(via essence of joy)

Wooden sandals

I decided to take a break from studying to do a bit of online window shopping, and I came across these beauties. Chunky wooden sandals tend to make my chicken legs look even more chicken-like, but I can't help but imagine how beautiful these would look this summer! Which color do you like the most? I think the color pair would go best with light wash denim shorts and flowy tees. But, I think the pink pair would be perfect for fancy summer dinner dates.

Which pair would you pick?

Mother's Day gifts for new mommies

Usually when we buy gifts for new mothers, they're really gifts for the baby (for example, onesies, diapers, fuzzy duckies, and the like). Here are a few sweet gift ideas that will make any new mommy feel pretty and pampered.

A light, jersey robe with a pretty lace trim, $110.

Calming and soothing loose-leaf chamomile tea, $5.

An airy linen scarf, $49.50, for breastfeeding discreetly in public, or for tossing around her shoulders on cool summer nights.

Handmade diamond stud earrings, to make her eyes sparkle (P.S. Because these are studs, she can wear them without worrying about the baby grabbing on!). $34 and up.

A handmade, water-based body cream, for soft, supple, rejuvenated skin, $26.

<3

(On To Baby)

Bridal headpieces

What sort of headpiece would you like for your wedding day? I've always wanted a simple, classic veil,  but here are 5 options worth considering...

First day of spring!

What are you doing on this pleasant day? Having a picnic in the park? Taking a nap in a hammock? Visiting a butterfly sanctuary? Do tell!

^.^

(ice cream flowers)

How to dress for the opera

Have you ever been to an opera? Alex and I are going to see La Traviata tonight, and I'm super excited! To me, going to the opera seems like such a big deal, even if we're not going on opening night.  I'll be wearing something like this...

1. A semi-sheer blouse, which is always romantic and pretty
2. Straight-leg ankle pants in a bright color, since it's a cool, winter tonight
3. Black ankle boots that are comfortable enough for walking to and from the parking lot
4. A pair of sparkly earrings (of course!)

5. A pretty lip stain for a sheer, but deep, color (and easy application!).

6. A dainty minaudière, for carrying only the essentials 

7. A fabulous topper coat, to keep me warm without ruining my outfit!

Have you ever been to an opera? Do you have a favorite one?

(Vienna Opera House)

Midi body-con dress

I love the idea of wearing a fitted dress that has a longer hem. It’s incredibly figure flattering, but the fact that the dress hits just past the knee makes it appropriate for so many more occasions (can’t you just picture wearing one on a romantic dinner date or out shopping with friends?). The other week I came across this little number (in red!) at ASOS and I quickly snatched it up! I can't wait to wear it this spring and summer with fun wedges (and maybe a big sun hat!).

Would you wear a midi dress?

Geo earrings

I came across these geo earrings from a little shop called a merry mishap the other day, and I simply love them. My favorites are this wine-hued pair, which look elegant, but in a modern way.

Things to do: Road trip

Do you have a bucket list? I've never formally written mine down, but one of the activities that tops my life's to do list is to go on a road trip! Just a couple of friends, loaded into a ridiculous RV, on the road for a week, and stopping along the way to take in the scenery and enjoy each other's crazy company. Maybe next summer? Hmm...

Have you ever been on a road trip? Where'd you go? 

I'm back!

Phew! That was a lovely break.

But, I'm back now! And I have some lovely stuff lined up for you...

Let's get crackin'.