Lake.

In a little over two weeks, I am taking the top off of my Jeep, and heading to the lake, puppy in tow. I am looking forward to a routine visits to Stonecat Cafe, and ordering warm roasted garlic and fresh goat cheese spread, participating in a scrabble smack down with my family, laying lazy on the dock and watching the water flow past, actually exploring the town just twenty minutes away, and just taking in each simple and diverting moment. What special moments do you look forward to each summer? xx

Photo via ShopBop

Cottage charm.

An ideal getaway in my book, would typically consist of white sand beaches, a sailboat, and a wardrobe consisting of nothing but swimwear and sunglasses. Although, after stumbling across this perfectly charming cottage, on {this is glamorous}, I would gladly turn in my bikinis for delicate gauzy frocks on the double.

Words cannot describe how much good this place would do for my mind and well being (ignoring the fact that I'd be completely freaked out about being tout seul in the middle of a beautiful nowhere). I find images to be much more effective in relaying messages. With that being said, welcome to the new paradise.

Photos via (this is glamorous} via nytimes.com

Crumpets and tea.

While in San Francisco, I visited a place that I, in all honesty, never wanted to leave. When I first heard about Crown and Crumpet from my cousin, Nikki, I added it to my list of places that I had no excuse of overlooking. Once the news was received that we were flying to Northern Cali over the weekend, this tiny tea salon was one of the first thoughts that came to mind. When we entered the rose trimmed doors and our shoes clicked on the pink and white checkered tile floor, instantly I felt like a little girl again. I don't think there was an element of this tea salon that my camera didn't document. Although I was the only 23 year old in Crown and Crumpet, I couldn't help but to feel the excitement and amusement parallel to those of the three and four year olds sitting at tables near by. Sipping our tea and eating our brunch, it was the most fabulous tea party I've ever been to.

{pink ribbons and pastel colored candies made for a perfect color palate}

{tiny surprises in the sugar bowls}

(sunlit petals and eclectic chairs}

{poached egg on a crumpet}

{centerpiece for a birthday tea party}

(delectable deserts displayed in gorgeous cake stands}

Room service.

This past Thursday, I got an unexpected and nonchalant email from my mom. She asked if I wanted to go to northern California for the weekend, the plane was leaving the next morning at 10:30 and that I had to decide quickly. I was completely caught off guard and had trouble finding words in response. Although I had tons of work to do over the weekend, I made sure to finish everything on my list, Thursday evening, and there I was the next morning hopping onto our gorgeous jet en route to San Francisco. Upon arrival I instantly fell in love. The food, the people, the energy, and just the entire city had me hopelessly sold. I was secretly hoping to bump into a few of you! I have so many new obsessions that I plan to share with everyone throughout this week. Starting with our hotel. We stayed at the W in Union Square, where we were right in the middle of what seemed like everything. I was smitten with the colors and the modern east coast meets west coast theme. I am determined to take my experience at this adorable hotel and carry it into my own living quarters. I'm half way there with my collection of bliss spa products, but that's another blog post. The first day we arrived, Time Zone Nasty played an evil trick on us, and at 7pm pacific time, we ended up shutting out the California sun, and quickly fell asleep for the evening, which was just what I needed as the following couple of days were quite busy. It's funny how much life you can squeeze into just a couple of days.

Florida vacation.

I returned early Sunday morning from my week long vacation in Florida, visiting one of my best friends and my younger brother. Needless to say, it was so hard to leave! Waking up around ten, joining in a few pool parties all day, going out to delicious restaurants with friends, and spontaneous (to say the least) night activities. We rented a convertible, which in my opinion is the only way to roll in Florida, went to an aquarium, spent dinner at the ocean, and even managed to get kicked out of a bar, I promise, it wasn't my fault. Vacations always go by too quickly, but the memories via photos are something that will last far longer than sun kissed tans and sand in your clothes.

{this bay is my friends back yard}

{never in my life have I seen so many cute dogs/super nice people in one area}

{I underestimated how great a night sipping on water felt in lieu of throwing back numerous fruity cocktails}

{I'm having a hard time understanding why pools such as this aren't mandatory for each household?}

{aquariums and zoos leave me felling melancholy, although this picture seems a bit cheerful to me, don't they look happy?}

{speaking of happy}

{kellie, me, and abby dancing away in our own little world}

{florida sky}

It's good to be back. xx

Leaving town.

I am counting down the days (2) until I leave for vacation. Braving the rain and thunder storm last night, Abby and I took off to pick up a few last minute things for our trip, check. The last thing on my to do list, is everyone's favorite activity, packing. All trips prior, I find myself putting the packing off until last minute, and all of a sudden it's nine hours before I board the plane and my suitcase is empty. This time will be different. Two days before take off and I'm already half way done? Amazing.

{I have all intentions of spending most of my days a la plage. packed are an even ratio of bikinis to outfits}

{vital accessories. gold bangles will look stunning with a tan}

{proenza, brian, cynthia, valentino... the gang's all here!}

{things I cannot forget. straight works to keep my hair smooth in constant humidity, bobby pins for no fuss styling, sun screen, light florally perfume, lilacism nail polish, aveeno face moisturizer, dylan's candy bar lotion yum, and my notebook that holds my entire life}

Last chance before I zip up my suit case, who wants to come with me?

Ocean avenue.

There's little in life better than the combination of a beach, gorgeous dresses, and the early morning sun. In six days, my dear friend Abigail and I are boarding a three hour flight to the southern part of the country to visit our other dear friend, Kellie. I am most looking forward to lazy/crazy days on the beach, meeting tons of people, breaking out my new summer apparel, and irreplaceable girl talk over even girly-er drinks... yes I did just make up a word. No matter the venue or how crowded the beaches are, soaking up the rays, and more importantly each other's company, sounds like a vacation well spent. I am expecting to step off the plane in two weeks, with a tan as deep as the friendship that we've formed over the past twelve years.

photos via marcus ohlsson, and daria ebowy via {this is glamorous}

Long Island.

Long Island can at times have a bad rep, right up there with New Jersey. If you take away the fist pumping juice heads, techno music, and exaggerated accents, this area can be the most diverting getaway spot, and it was just what I needed. This past week was spent in Long Island, LI natives say "on Long Island" and I'm having the hardest time justifying this, but whatever. Boyfriend and I visited an extremely chilly bay, jumped in and out of the city for unexpected shopping trips and low key dinners, and devoured "heros" from TJ's,  a small, less than lavish, but amazing none the less, "hero" shop. Another thing questionable about Long Island, "heros" vs. subs, but being a girlfriend to a native Long Islander, I choose to go with the flow and sacrifice some New York terms for a while. I didn't take nearly enough pictures as I had intended, but the events that I did capture constantly remind me of why I love this little area so much.

{private jet on the way to LI... um, I'll take it}

{did I ever mention how questionable, flying over an ocean makes me feel? as an attempt to distract myself I tried capturing the above the cloud sunrise}

{we took the tripod out with us}

{and spent the greater part of the day among the docks}

{=spring}

Here comes the sun.

This week I am in Long Island visiting my boyfriend and taking care of a couple of things on my agenda. Upon arrival I had every intention of going to the beach, eating al fresco at a couple of cute cafes in the village, and perhaps taking a couple of sun kissed walks in an area less traveled. These have been far fetched expectations since the rain has been doing everything in it's power to make sure that none of these events became a reality. So here I am, another dreary morning, dreaming of the days not so long ago when the yellow hues took the place of gray shades, and the cute sandals that you purchased in the colder days of February, got the chance to spend a fabulous day outside of your closet. 

Photots via {this is glamorous}

Impossibly beautiful getaways.

It's one of those days where the words aren't flowing and the creative juices have seemingly been drained. All i can say is that I am beyond excited for what the next couple of weeks hold in store for me. I'll make sure to keep you posted on future events via pictures and cleverly written words. In the meantime, wouldn't it be lovely to take a week or two, maybe even three, to visit and indulge in the simple beauty of these places? Let's just go. Have a wonderful weekend! Xx

{this would be stunning, just to sit and listen to nothing but the warm dessert winds blow clusters of sand}

{amazing. is it too much to ask to just lay at the top of that hill near sun down and just watch. And then run down the hill as fast as possible}

{i love this picture of my friend, Nicole's puppy, Mossimo and friend, running along the shore in San Francisco}

If you were given a two weeks to go anywhere, where would you choose to visit? 

Photos via Nicole at La Mia Vita, Mike Mellinger, and unknown.

Dreaming.

Growing up, my mom always tried to convince my dad to construct a tree house deep in the woods out behind our house. I never understood it, I always thought that tree houses were for children pretending to be pirates or Robin hood. That was until I saw these pictures of amazing getaways at Treehouse Point, on A Cup of Jo. Wouldn't you just love to stay there? 

Oh, and I would wear this...