Last Day of Summer, Portlandia, etc.

Today is my last day of summer break, how did that happen? I feel there are a hundred things I didn't get around to doing this summer that I meant to but it was a lovely summer all the same.

Since we got back from Portland I've been stressing over moving into my new classroom. It's finally starting to come together but I still have lots to do. I decided to take a little break this afternoon though to enjoy my last afternoon of freedom. I'll probably still work on school stuff but catch up on Project Runway while doing it.

Our Portland trip was lovely. Here are some highlights:

On a Roll

I've been in love with this print forever. I think I saw it at Ruche first but it was out of stock. Usually my rule is if they have it at Ruche they probably have it at Modcloth or vice-versa. Of course it was out of stock there too. Then today, I got my little notification that it was back in stock and they had only 1 small left! I've never made an online purchase so fast in my life. This will be my last online impulse purchase this week...I think.

Source: modcloth.com via Taylor on Pinterest

Oh, and I got this dress just because it was already in my shopping cart and it's pretty much a perfect dress.

Source: modcloth.com via Taylor on Pinterest

Summer Heels

I'm a little tired of wearing flat sandals all summer long. I've already invested in one good pair of summer heels and after seeing these on sale today I'm happy to add another pair to the shelf. And right after I got them they ran out of my size, talk about good timing.

Source: anthropologie.com via Taylor on Pinterest

You can never really go wrong with a pair of Seychelles. I sure did (and still) wear out these little flats last summer. Next on my list: red!

1st summer road trip!

My favorite part of summer: road trips! Or plane trips, or train trips...any kind will do. This weekend will be the first summer road trip. Atlanta. Fleet Foxes. Jon. Me. Yay.

19 days is close enough to summer to count.

Old Favorite:

New Favorite:

all the meadows white

When I was little I had this little poetry book and since Queen Anne's Lace grew everywhere in the country around my house this was my favorite:

Queen Anne, Queen Anne, has washed her lace

(She chose a summer's day)

And hung it in a grassy place

To whiten, if it may.

Queen Anne, Queen Anne, has left it there,

And slept the dewy night;

Then waked, to find the sunshine fair,

And all the meadows white.

Queen Anne, Queen Anne, is dead and gone

(She died a summer's day),

But left her lace to whiten in

Each weed-entangled way!

Yesterday I was at my dad's house and just had to pull over in the driveway to pick some flowers. They are maybe my other favorite summer flower besides hydrangeas and peonies. I wish I could have a bouquet of them all together but I think Queen Anne's Lace is simple and pretty enough on it's own.

Apparently there are many different versions of how this flower got it's name. I like this one: The origin of the name is reputed to be based upon an English legend. Supposedly, when the future Queen Anne arrived from Denmark to became the queen of King James I of England, wild carrot was still a novelty in the royal gardens. The legend states that Queen Anne challenged the ladies in waiting to a contest to see who could produce a pattern of lace as fine and lovely as the flower of the wild carrot. The ladies knew that no one could rival the queen's handiwork so it became a triumph for Anne.

summer's lease hath all too short a date

It's only July 8th but this has been such a great summer already. Trips to the pool, lunch with friends, summer concerts, and sleeping in have all been accomplished. I've been trying to take more pictures and should probably share them now before the big trip to Las Vegas for Heather's wedding. Soooo excited about Las Vegas and Heather's wedding! Here is a very consdensed version of my summer so far...

My brother and cousins were way excited for jumping in the pool photos. No self diving photos in here, my swim-team-dive isn't as exciting.

July means it's corn season and time to spend time in my grandmother's backyard playing with stray cats and running in between rows of sunflowers.

Oh, and Krispy Kreme created the Cheerwine doughnut. I live in Salisbury and this is kind of a big deal.

Isabelle and I are pretty content with not doing much during the day. We blame this on the heat.

Isabelle is also helping me pack for Las Vegas. I'm pretty sure she only wants me to pack her.

Etsy Love: Hot Dates

I'm really liking Etsy's latest blog idea: Hot summer dates

My favorite date ideas and purchases:

A day of Gallery Hopping

Carnival Joy Ride

Plus One at the Wedding

Picnic Time

Maybe I like the picnic idea the best of all after seeing those shorts!

cruel minor change

The only reason I went outside today was for new summer haircuts, raspberry lemonade and a little bit of shade.

Currently listening to: Gravity's Bringing Us Down-Beulah