It's Monday, Let's Pretend It's Summer

{images via here and here}

Y'all, I have a problem.  I'm addicted to House Hunters.  Like stay up all night and watch 50 episodes until my eyeballs hurt.  It's not normal.  I don't even know why I like it.  I know it's fake, the people drive me crazy, and most of the houses are "meh" at best.  But it's becoming a real problem.   I'd really love to see a House Hunters: New Orleans where the buyers have like a $4 million budget.  That would be amazing.  It could be a 5-hour episode, I don't care. (Seeeee?)  

This really has nothing to do with the two glorious images above, except that I think my addiction is an attempt to fill the big empty hole in my soul that is getting bigger with each non-summer day.  I just want to be outside by a pool or under an umbrella with lots of green around me.  I know, #firstworldproblems I probably need to check myself before I wreck myself, y'all.

But first, I'd also like a Coke Slurpee.  It's my current #1 pregnancy craving now.  There are not a lot of 7-11s in Kansas City so my access is limited.  I'm thinking of going to the movie theater and explaining my situation and asking if they'll just let me in real quick to get a Slushee (not as good as a Slurpee, but it will do).  And then I would ask them to remember me when I come back tomorrow.  Anyway, this is probably the most random post ever.  Thanks for hanging in there with me.  I blame it on pregnancy hormones and cabin fever.

Have a Lovely Weekend Y'all!

via Pinterest (sorry) 

How much fun does that look?! Total genius move there.  I hope to have some fun this weekend.  We've been exhausted and sick this week and have been stuck in doors.  My friend Jenny at MFAMB posted this week about how summer isn't the same as it used to be, carefree and easy and a time to use your imagination (you can read it here, it will leave you nostalgic for your childhood summers).  So this picture is for her because I know she likes pools where the grass meets the water and because I don't want her to stop blogging altogether.  Her post also made me grateful for the neighborhood we live in.  Say what you will about Kansas City (I used to think very little of it before I visited), but it is a wonderful place to live and to raise your kids.  Even though we're technically in the 'burbs we're still only about 10 - 15 minutes from downtown.  Our new neighborhood has a farm with a ladder on the fence so the kids can climb over and play (as long as there's no cows) and I see kids playing outside and walking up and down the street as late as 9 o'clock at night.  It's one of my favorite things about summer here! Anyway, I hope y'all have a chance to get outdoors and swim or play.  If you find yourself stuck inside, check out my totally random links for this week:

THANK YOU for all of the advice on the chandelier sitch! Y'all are the best! I'm thinking of going to Goodwill to find some brass stuff on which to practice different techniques. 

 I'm intrigued by this technique I found on (where else?) Pinterest - they had me at french. 

I have been using this night cream since I got back from Sea Island and it's a miracle worker! 

Beautiful description of a summer dream escape when life gets hectic. 

plus one of my favorite blue and white rooms 

Summer Children

Love this blue and white chinoiserie bathroom

Cookie monster singing call me maybe = special bonding moment between Edward and me 

Love these blue and white tops

Guess what y'all? You don't always have to make your bed! 

Sitting pretty indeed

only the most perfectest post ever 

P.S. I just have to document this somewhere, but Edward saw a cat for the the first time the other day (at least I'm pretty sure it was the first time judging by his reaction) and he literally started laughing hysterically like an old man, like shoulders shaking up and down, deep guffaw.  

Moodboard Monday: Chaise Love

Morning y'all! It will be a miracle if I make it out of my PJ's today.  The house needs major cleaning (yuck) and it's rainy and I can't go to the grocery store on a whim anymore.  I now have to do my grocery shopping sans Edward - he insists on pushing the cart despite the fact that he's 2 feet tall. He also has to make a lot of noise to let everyone know just how hard he's working.  There's no bargaining with this child so he gets to stay home.  Anyway, there's no reason for me to leave the house today so that essentially means there's no reason for me to put on regular clothes or brush my hair.

But that's not why I'm here today.  I'm here to do something I love to do, which is find expensive items I can't afford and pretend they're mine.  Today's topic: the outdoor chaise.  We purchased our chaises over the weekend (I'm so excited to get them and play with pillows), but that hasn't stopped me from coveting these amazing bamboo sun chaises from Michael Taylor Designs.

I saw them in this month's Veranda feature The World of Outdoor Chaises that I can't afford. I love them sooo much.  Sometimes I ask Edward, "How much does Mommy love you?" and he holds his arms out wide and says "much."  I could amend that question to say, "How much does Mommy love the Michael Taylor outdoor bamboo sun chaise?"  That's how much I love it.  

I love it.  

So I made a moodboard for y'all of my dream backyard, which includes this chaise that I love so much.  

{Sources: awesome tables lit from underneath from this wedding and all over pinterest-duh; overhead twinkly lights via apartment therapy; garden and herringbone patio via Habitually Chic; Bamboo Sun Chaise with Wheels; Grey Santa Barbara Umbrella; blue & white garden stools; boxwood image via Boxwood Terrace}

Suzeday Tuesday: Landscape Architect Rene Fransen

Y'all remember that last week, I ran out of actual Suzeday Files to share with you.  Not to worry, The Suze is busy gathering more magazine clippings for me to share, which hopefully she'll send me soon.  So for today's Suzeday Tuesday, I thought I'd pull some images from the portfolio of The Suze's favorite New Orleans landscape architect Rene Fransen.  I don't know if she knows he's her favorite, but I know that she's borderline obsessed with these next two images and he is responsible for both!

First, there's this Jewel Box Garden, which The Suze calls The Secret Garden because she can never remember the term Jewel Box Garden.

Jewel Box Garden - Southern Accents 

And then, there's this gorgeous courtyard.

Southern Accents 

Both of which she has stapled to her bulletin boards and may even carry with her in her giant bag o' inspiration also known as her purse - yes, The Suze likes to keep many of her inspiration images with her  in case she were to get stuck somewhere and need something pretty to look at.

Rene J.L. Fransen Landscape Architects really does gorgeous work, from courtyards to sweeping lawns, beautiful ironworks, trellises, stunning entries and dramatic pools and fountains.  I've pulled many of the images I think The Suze would love, but I would encourage you to spend some time on their website for even more outdoor inspiration.  Enjoy!

Happy Friday!

Architectural Digest 

Happy Friday Y'all! I'm currently writing this post while The Little Man eats his Cheerios poolside. It's a beautiful morning! The Child is determined to unbaby-proof the house, and while his craftiness and Macgyver-like skills are admirable, I'm exhausted from running around the house trying to anticipate his every move.  He is a busy, busy little man.

Exploring

I'm getting ready to head to my bestie's wedding in Aspen next week.  I'm super excited, but also a little sad to leave Edward for four days.  I'm trying to savor every snuggly moment with him over the next few days. So I'll lead you into the weekend with one final image that I can't get out of my head ...

You're welcome :)

Stay Cool Y'all

Architectural Digest 

How perfect is this pool? I wonder if the pup swims, too? 

Have a lovely weekend y'all! 

xo

Oh Poolboy!

Ok, so no one was too enthused about the murals, which I totally get, so I'll see what I come up with and share it if it's decent.  I kind of think they would be cool in a nursery or basement or playroom.   By the way, last night The Suze and I were watching Keeping Up With The Kardashians and she declared her hatred for the phrase "I get that" so, like, don't ever say that to her or she will see blue and white and go into an aggressive rage and accidentally poke you on facebook.  

I'm doing 125 loads of laundry today and working on a very special guest post for next week.  If you follow me on twitter, you may already know what it is because I accidently tweeted my post idea instead of texting it to my bestie.  Oopstini! 

Alright, alright now for pictures.  This outdoor space is also from the latest issue of Lonny.  I love it because I'm super lazy and would love nothing more to roll around on this daybed Kathryn Ireland style while my poolboy feeds me grapes cookies and champagne. 

FYI, three chandeliers makes you three times specialer. 

It's A Perfect Day

to be by the pool.  I will take any one of these (rambunctious children are welcome too).

Cannonball!!!!!

Bathing Beauties

Sorry for not posting yesterday (or the day before? I can't even remember).  The Suze and I have been very busy shopping, meandering, playing with chubby baby thighs and cheeks, eating and sorting through the suitcase full of torn pages from magazines and books.  I have so many images from The Suzeday Files to share, but it might take me a bit to organize them.

We're opening our pool today and I'm so excited! I actually found this image on the back of one of The Suze's tear sheets.  It comes from a book, but I'm not sure which one.  I think it's soo funny.  I would love to have this collection of 1920s-style Swedish bathing beauties frolicking in my back yard.  I love a little humor in decor.