Alright,

I know that several of you that read this blog are quite the little fashionistas. So, rather than text each one of you all individually, I’m asking for a little bit of shopping advice here on our little forum.

Yesterday I was perusing modcloth to see if they had anything new and exciting. And behold! A soft and comfy maxi dress…in turquoise (my fave)…with ruffles (uber fave). SO ME, right?

I clicked “Add to Cart” and then decided to poke my head around a little more. Then I stumbled on this alternative:

The pattern and colors are just SO pretty.

The obvious benefits of the first dress are that it has wider straps, more structure at the waist (probably gives better shape), and is solid so I wouldn’t have to worry about matching so much. But i just can’t get over the water color pattern. Reviews of the two dresses seem to be about equal, and the price is the same.

Thoughts? Help!

I’ve been ogling maxi dresses for awhile with hesitation, but I think it would be nice to have one in the repertoire to fancy up a casual afternoon (or Fridays at work into the fall).

Perusing the new fall collections, I was excited to find something delightful at West Elm (no surprise). My bedding now comes in this beautiful gray pattern.

I like that it brings a more masculine spin to such a feminine texture. Great for mixting design tastes. Plus, the pattern gives options to mix and match that the previously offered solids did not.

I’m trying to decide if I can pull off a couple of these shams with my current wall color.  Something to ponder. . .

Pretty often when we go on thrifting adventures, we leave with several gems and also an overwhelming feeling of “whaaat was thaaaat?!”

So, I figured it would be fun to start sharing a few of these gems with all of you so we can all chuckle together.

First up this week, a Goodwill kitchen find. Behold, the all-denim milk pitcher:

Best of all – its personalized! I bet Jim and Stacy were sad to let this gem go. [Jim and Stacy, If you ever find our little blog and read this post, we'll give you the benefit of the doubt that this was a very thoughtful wedding gift...]

Deelishous, right? I’m jealous!

Also, while scouting craigslist tonight – a Zombie Apocalypse Proof sofa, listed under “Midcentury”:

“That’s right folks this couch is zombie apocalypse ready. Made from some mysterious vintage fabric that is practically impervious to all but the sharpest of teeth. Solid construction useful for sitting, sleeping or barricading yourself in your home. Features two part design for endless arrangement possibilities(block both front and back doors!). Stylish low back midcentury look will really impress your friends and fellow refugees. 102 inches long 29 inches tall 33 inches deep. Some sun fading on the top and back easily covered. 100$obo surviving the zombie apocalypse, priceless.“

One of the reasons I’ve been a little absent in blog-land this week is that the sailor flew home at the last minute to spend his birthday week in Seattle. Super fun!

I picked him up at the airport at 8 pm last Monday night (his actual birthday), and we decided to go to a late dinner since the extent of celebrating he’d done so far in the day is was beverage cart service on a 737.

Recently Kyle and Lauren over at Chezerbey did a little round up of their favorite places to eat in Seattle, and they picked my highlights as well. Erik and I have eaten at Ray’s Boathouse a couple summers ago, and the Zerbey’s list jogged my memory of that, so I chose their casual sister restaurant Ray’s Cafe for his birthday dinner.

Couldn’t have been a more perfect choice. It was a lovely Seattle summer evening, and Ray’s has one amazing thing going for it: blankets! When evening temps cool down, they bring everyone a fluffy fleece throw to curl up in while you enjoy your meal.

Can’t beat the view!

We ordered a bottle of Rose, way too much food, and delicious orange blossom creme brulee for dessert.

Birthday boy!

It was such a great Seattle evening – and a happy birthday to my favorite Sailor!

Just before 4th of July weekend we went on a quick thrifting trip with a garden project in mind. On that trip I stumbled across a midcentury resin dish with a lot of good potential (read: pretty damn ugly now). So of course, for 99cents, I bought it. Behold:

Yep, thats olive green swirly splatter paint. Want some close ups?

Nice, right? Hairy with a side of mildew? Well, I’d recently snagged some Rustoleum Ultra cover spray paint for use on another outdoor project around here, and I was looooving the color. Plus, I had just enough left for this little project.

The color is called “Lagoon” in Satin finish. We just discovered this Ultra Cover paint and its great. I laid down a coat of spray primer for plastic first, then 2 quick coats of this stuff for full even coverage. Plus it has one of those neat easy spray nozzles so you don’t feel like you’re going to lose a finger in the process.

The results?

Before some friends came over for a 4th BBQ, I snagged some white wildflower blooms, some petals from an already-spent red dahlia and sent them floating. Fun, festive little centerpiece that took about 30 minutes. Me likey! Any quick summer projects you’d like to share?