Posts from — June 2010

One of the main reasons that I go to baseball games is for the food.  Overpriced beer in plastic cups, greasy hot dogs and cotton candy make up for any shortcomings in a long, drawn-out game.  My favorite snack is a soft pretzel, served hot and smothered in mustard.  Since Dodger Stadium is too far of a drive for a fancy piece of bread, I decided to make my own yesterday (using this recipe) on what was a particularly gray, dreary afternoon.  The process took far more time than I expected, but they were entirely worth the wait (especially the few that I decided to make with cinnamon and sugar).

{The mismatched candlesticks, in all of their unpolished glory}

This past weekend I braved the heat to visit the Melrose Trading Post Flea Market in hopes of starting a new collection (since I finished this project).  I found some antique candlesticks with great patterns and curves, but their dirty exteriors and cheap varnishes were an instant turn-off.  I decided to bring them home anyway and painted them all a glossy black to make a cohesive and chic collection.  Whether or not they’ll have candles in them is still to be determined, but the process was easy (an afternoon) and affordable (candlesticks + paint supplies=$28).

{I loved the different curvatures, but not the brassy colors}

{Once the tarp was down, I sprayed one coat of primer and let it dry}

{Then I sprayed two coats of glossy black paint}

{Final product}

Gifted Elizabeth and James Cheyenne Printed Silk Shirt (also seen here), Queen’s Wardrobe Lovely Wave Shorts, Vintage Jewelry and Clutch, Prada Booties

I’ve always been mildly obsessed with scalloped edges (I dedicated a post to them here), and I love how they add a feminine touch to these classic shorts.   I’ve been favoring high-waisted versions (like these) this summer and even though they’re just as short as a pair of cut-offs, they seem infinitely more refined.   Of course most of this past weekend I was dressed in outfits more appropriate for watching soccer on the couch, but I managed to change out of my glorified sweatsuit to go out to dinner.

In the same way that you’re practically obligated to make holiday cookies in December, there’s a separate set of rules for summer.   Every year I make a list of things that I’d like to accomplish before Labor Day.   They aren’t complicated and instead should be carefree and full of fun little indulgences to help savor the warmest months of the year.  Here’s the list that I’ve come up with so far…what do you hope to do this summer?

1. Attend an outdoor concert
2. Make homemade ice cream with fresh fruit
3. Create a playlist of songs I’m listening to this summer
4. Take walks after dinner at least three times a week
5. Make time to meet up with girlfriends for Sunday brunch
6. Sneak into a fancy hotel pool
7. Visit Stinson Beach (my favorite spot in Northern California)
8. Attend some sort of food festival
9. Donate the summer clothes that I don’t end up wearing
10. Master my own signature cocktail

Have a fabulous weekend!