{bloom} shower invites

I've been busy with some great invitation jobs! We threw a pretty garden-inspired baby shower for our good friend last weekend - the invitations I made were a mix of grassy greens and pale peach, then wrapped in garden twine; they seemed to fit the day just right. images: front + back

{ultimate} farmtown dining

Wait - did somebody say fried pies?? Yes...but I have yet to try one. You'd think this gem-of a-place jumped right off the pages of Sunset magazine, it's really that cute. I've come to love our early Sunday mornings at the Freemont Diner. It's the ultimate in small town organic-farm style breakfasts - think flakey bisquits, the tastiest ricotta pancakes, and homemade fennel sausage. It's also just about the best backdrop for adorable family photos. And they don't skimp on personal touches - the owner filled the bud vases with fresh wildflowers from the garden and delivered freshly picked slices of summer melons to each table. If you find yourself in Sonoma - it's a must!

pretty little {morsels}

These gorgeously designed cookies made by better bit of butter may just be too pretty to eat...wait, who am I kidding, I'd polish one of these right off without regret (but I'd probably take a picture first!).

fantasy {in the} garden

Like a scene straight out of Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil, these images capture the ultimate in garden fantasy. I'd love to get lost in those weeping willows with a good book!

{pretty little} pockets

It's become painfully clear lately that I am a saver - sure, a picky saver, but nonetheless, a saver of all cool things big & small. If only I had a way to consistently display these fun findings, they wouldn't end up in tiny piles clustered in desk drawer corners, nightstand drawers and of course, the "to be filed" file. These pocket pages could make organizing both vacation shells & concert stubs a snap!

{happy friday!}

Happy Friday! We've got a few fun things up our sleeves, what about you??....xo

everything {in it's place}

Lately we've been in purge mode around here, and I love every minute of it. Really. There's something to be said for everything having it's place and for the things that don't...well, buh-bye! I like these tag-storage ideas, it could be clutter city inside but you'd never know from the outside. image via living etc.

chunky heels {for all!}

Pretty much any shoe with a chunky wood wedge is enough to make me giddy, but add a pop of orange and you may need to physically remove them from my feet before bedtime. They're also a total steal...

Beads + Navy = gorgeous

The Emmy's put on a good show last night, that Jimmy Fallon is a funny host for sure. And...I was so happy Modern Family won so many awards - SO deserving, that is the only show I laugh out loud to. But I went to sleep dreaming of this dress/necklace combo worn by Padma, the jaw-dropping Top Chef beauty. Those chocolate & silver bead with the navy dress - love, love, love!!

the {very first} day!

It was a tough decision between the jeggings and just plain 'ol leggings, but this year Ruby went with simple and chic for her first-day of second grade. It's been a whirlwind around here - happy to be back in the swing of things, xo

ahhhh....the open road

The boards are on top, Jack Johnson streams from the speakers and we pinch eachother when we see an out-of-state license plate. It could only mean one thing...road trip! We've been making our way down the southern California coast, stopping in tiny beach towns and indulging in plenty of family time...and requisite daily trips to Starbucks. So far we've explored Ojai, Newport Beach, Balboa Island, and Del Mar and we're not done yet!

patios, pattern & pink!

Can we all just stop, take a moment, and discuss how utterly cute this surfer's patio is?? It seems I'm always drawn to anything modern mixed with vintage - oh, and anything pink!

is there anything better {than a casserole?}

Lately I've been getting in the habit of popping a casserole in the oven just as I leave for evening Zumba (yes, I love me some latin-hip/hop-funky-sweat inducing dance). By the time I'm home, it's all bubbly good and the family is all kinds of happy, plus the house smells divine. Here are a few to try....tortilla casserole, baked pasta casserole & vegetable gratin. y u m

snap+type+send!

Just when I thought I couldn't be any more excited for our annual road trip down the southern CA coast - this awesome instant-postcard app appears like a little ray of vacation sunshine. For all of $1.50 they print, stamp & mail the postcard, so easy, and a great little token for the family & friends.

{tiny bubbles}

We have about 2 champagne glasses left that we got from our wedding registry (back in the day...). They were standard Crate & Barrel one's that completed our beer and red/white wine glass collection - and, no fooling, really made us feel like grown ups. So now, since 2 just won't do in any sort of entertaining situation, these tiny beauties will go on my wish list as the next set of champagne glasses to grace our soirees. Bottoms up!

{if walls could talk}

This cow-parsley wallpaper is so fresh & full of energy, it would be a gorgeous focal point in any room. I'd love to have this as an accent wall in my office - so inspiring! 

ikat pillows

I've been searching for just-the-right-color ikat pillows for months now and with all these beautiful options I think we have a winner - top right, the pretty blue/green/brown combo - beachy but modern - love!

printing {on textiles}

Printing on fabrics is totally new to me, sure, I've got the paper thing wired, but I'm so curious about the different techniques I see on various fabrics. Wedding totes, kids' favor bags, invites - so many options. Have you ever printed on fabrics - will you share your secrets with me? image:style me pretty

fruits, flowers + herbs

Ok, so the name doesn't exactly conjure up refreshing waterfalls of thirst quenching enjoyment, but let me tell you, this soda is goooood. They were sampling it at the grocery store - I tried the lightly sweet Juniper Berry, Lemongrass Kumquat and Rhubarb and I was sold, bought a pack on the spot. Oh - and the clean, modern packaging looks really good in my fridge...just saying.

{happy friday!}

Happy weekend - hope you have time to lay under a shady tree and do a little daydreaming, xo

image:i.anton

pure {font} love.

Do you have any idea how much I want this beautiful font?! Oh the paper pretties I would create....

she {must be} European

At least that's what I thought while I was laying at the pool and a girl walked by in a super cute metallic bikini. Not sure why I equated being European with wearing a metallic bikini, but know this - I want one. Nothing too flashy, and a matte sheen would do just fine. Something a bit like this or maybe even this.

need a good chuckle?

I sure did, so I went ahead and read the last 40 post on Catalog Living and laughed right out loud at the stylist-bashing humor of Elaine & Gary. A few favorites: Don't Test Me / A Twist of Something / Alive with Flavor. So, so good - you've got to read them all.
via mr.benstead

romp {in the hay}

It's official, I love rompers. Yesterday I wore one to a BBQ, nothing fancy really, cotton, strapless and with a drop waist, but still a far cry from my usual jeans/tank/scarf/gold hoop combo that I rock way too often. Who knew at 6 years old my favorite rainbow terry romper (plus a few missing baby teeth), would still be in my closet... have a happy romp! top image: little me, bottom images from revolve clothing

french {vintage} labels

Swoon! I may have to come up with a summer gathering just to use these beautiful vintage drink labels. Each one is like a little work of art, they'd actually look great blown up in a kitchen or dining room. via idiy

{sweet tart}

What is with my obsession with ruffles lately?? Who knows, but this skirt is a total steal right now! Perfect for a summer evening out with the girls or maybe for a date night with the hubby, either way, the whole look has me giddy.

oodles {of ruffles!}

Urban has completely made my day with their pretty ruffle collection -  posh girliness to the extreme, I love it!

Loop {dee} Loop

Loving the simplicity of this jewelry line, I could wear each & every yummy piece!

{tea party} success!

Dahhhling's, Ruby's tea party in the park was a very sweet, 7th-birthday success! I'm pretty sure it was the last year I could throw her a party like this before entering the land of tween themes & such. Who can resist a cake stand loaded with mini-sweets & savories?!

a perfect {time for} tea

Sorry. Life got really busy on me and blogging had to take backseat. So many projects & jobs right now, plus ample baby lovin' + squeezin' have left me - utterly tired. I'm still completely inspired and want to share with you as much as I can muster up. Ruby's birthday party is this weekend, we're having a tea party in the park - these are the invites we made with the sewing machine and some fun papers.

{blown away}

No cuts. No color. Just blowouts - wash included. And not just any blowout, an entire menu of 'em so that you can choose the just-right one for you (messy, beachy mai tai is my pick)! The entire concept of drybar has left me giddy, I mean, it's genius, right? It's also no surprise that the fine folks who started it have a bit of star-studded experience behind their belts. I can only cross my fingers, click my heels together a few times and hope that a drybar opens near me. They also rent it out for parties, which may just be reason enough to fly to LA for a girls weekend...
via the lovely cupcakes & cashmere

boothtime fun!

Lately, every event or party we attend has a photobooth, and that my friends, is a magical thing! These are from the beautiful wedding we were at last weekend (more on that to come!).

barn {wedding} weekend

Today we're heading out of town for a fun filled barn-wedding weekend {the camera is packed, it's sure to be chock full of sweet details to share!}. Remember those barn invites I did with the burlap pouches, well this is the very same wedding, can't wait! My only dilemma is the dress, I'll be wearing one of these, both are packed, just. can't. decide...thoughts?

UPDATE: I wore the one on the left! It was cute, but too much fabric, made me feel pregnant all over again.

DIY {goody bags}

It's no secret that I love a goody bag, I mean, who can resist a tiny bag holding a bit of whimsy on the way out of a party?? These simple DIY bags are a cinch and will be added to my "crafty-list of things to do" list. Fun for showers, birthdays, you name it!!

c'mon {get happy}

Hello! Sorry for the leave of absence, my mind & thoughts have been elsewhere lately. A very special lady, my grandma, has passed and I've been thinking about her, celebrating who she was. This cake, however, like happiness and smiles all wrapped in one, makes the world seem like a pretty cool place.

Heaven {on a plate}

Hands down, my all time favorite summer dessert ~ sweet strawberries dipped in thick tangy sour cream, finished off with a generous dip of brown sugar...in a word, heaven, my friends, pure heaven. via stephmodo

{happy friday!}

Got plans this weekend? Whatever you do, don't forget to give your mom a big smoochie on Sunday! xo, amber  image: heather pauline

{sweet dreams} bedding

My poor bed has been needing a makeover for quite some time, it's just white and kind of there - it's a blah bed, really. We have an incredible new mattress, but it's missing the dreamy factor. I'm loving this palette of plums, mustard, pink, grey & white - mellow but still full of whimsy, and slightly romantic, no? 

{sunday morning}

sunday morning. bead-head. sweet girls. husband made coffee. does it get any better?? xo

{garden party}

If you close your eyes and imagine the most beautiful garden party, just try and say this isn't the perfect table scape. That Amy Atlas, she had me at hanging goodie bags and labeled straws - party genious!

{happy friday!}

Couldn't you just get lost in this Parisian boutique for hours?? Happy Friday, my friends, and don't forget the Alameda Flea Market is this Sunday! xo, amber

{girl from Ipanema}

The bulk of cute summer dresses I find are usually at Anthropologie, however, this new collection might lead me to stray....Meandering in Marrakkesh, Somewhere in Stockholm, even the names are crazy cute. Grab a floppy hat and some wedges, summer at it's finest!

butterfly {escort cards}

Kinds of adore these butterfly escort cards, like a little bit of beauty & nature on a mossy stick, so clever. I'd use these as place settings for a garden party or at an outdoor wedding.

parasol centerpieces {DIY!}

These are crazy cute and would brighten any brunch or birthday table right up, or how about Cinco de Mayo, perhaps?? Complete instructions here - craft on!