Summertime Bling

My fashion style is classic and simple, but when summer rolls around, I like

to add a little bling!  While I no longer spend hours perfecting a tan ~ now I

apply self tanners, I love bright colors and metallics against bronzed skin.  

Take this straw and gold metallic clutch from Lilly Pulitzer for example.

I will pair it with my gold wedges, and white jeans and a white lace top

and some pearls and I am ready for an evening out with my hubby.

I wear pearls all year.  I never layer on too many pieces of jewelry.  If I

wear this three strand pearl bracelet, then I skip and necklace and keep the

earrings small and simple.

Here are three of my favorites.  When I feel the need to be a bit more

glamorous, I wear the big hoops. 

This statement necklace works well with a strapless summer print or

to dress up a plain t-shirt with with jeans and cute sandals.

Adding pops of bright colors takes a simple solid summer sheath

to new levels.  I have a solid lime green sleeveless dress that I have worn

for years and I dress it up by adding this brightly patterned scarf and hot

pink woven handbag.

The bowtie cuff is from Lilly Pulitzer and the charm bracelet is Kate Spade.

I am a careful shopper too.  The woven bag and scarf were found at a 

consignment shop and the cuff was an eBay win.  The only new item here

is the Kate Spade charm bracelet.  I could not resist the terrier with the pink

bow!

Just because you are grocery shopping does not mean you cannot try to

look cute.  I throw on some madras shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops.  I 

like to add this cute Angela Moore hand painted bracelet.  It stretches and

is easy to wear.  The Tiffany bracelet and watch were gifts from David.

Now we're talking!  I love to show off my inner cowgirl by wearing a

pair of white jean shorts, my cowgirl boots and some pretend turquoise.

I really feel free and easy wearing this look.

Yee Haw!

I love, love, love this little horse bracelet!  The woman who makes these also

makes dog bracelets too.  You can find her fun jewelry here.

Summer is a fun and free season where we can all add a little bling to

our look.  Have a great weekend everyone!!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

Dying To Tell You, But Can't Yet

My life has always been about twists and turns and leaps of faith.

While I can't say that I have never made a bad decision, many of them

have been good ones that have brought me happiness and adventure.

A couple of things are going on in my life right now.  One is something

that I have wanted and looks like I am going to achieve.  I can't tell you

about it just yet, but will as soon as I can.  All I can say is, if it all works

out, I will be tickled pink!

Something else has happened that I thought I had shut the door on.  I

received an email today from a real estate agent about a property we

looked at and thought we would walk away from because it seemed to

be full of problems.  For whatever reason, I seem to have pretty good 

instincts about buying property.  I have two rules that I follow when

looking at property and the overriding one is always ~ location, location,

location.  Then there is the second rule ~ follow your heart.  If it seems

like it is meant to be, it is.  Right now I am searching my soul to see if

this is the right move because one of the obstacles seems to be something

we can overcome.   Here is a hint ~ beach cottage.

The best place for me to contemplate decisions is in my little studio.

It's the place where my mind is free to roam.   Where practical thoughts

are shoved aside in favor of thoughts that come from the heart.  It's the

spot where I hear whispers saying Grow, Grow.

That's all I can tell you for now, but when things are firmed up, I will

fill in the blanks.  In the meantime, I am thinking of having a Fashion 

Friday blog post tomorrow.  Something that is frivolous and fun and

paves the way for the weekend.  Does that sound good to you?

Before I go ~ here is a Bentley update.  That little pistol has been

full of piss and vinegar all week.  I wonder if there is a way to

measure a dog's IQ, because I am sure his is off the charts!  He is

forever inventing ways to amuse us.  Bless his heart ~ we sure do

love that little guy.

And let me leave you with this quote from Somerset Maugham:

It's a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but 

the very best, you often get it.  

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

New Purchase from Magnolia Market

I have a large copper pot collection and have been looking for a way

to bring it out of the cupboards.  I considered hanging it over my

island, but after looking at lots of options to do that, I decided that

I would hang it over the cooktop instead.  

Many of the pot racks that can be purchased, are very contemporary in

design and I wanted something more rustic.  I was about to head to Houston

to a wrought iron fabricator when I discovered this rack on Chip and Joanna's

Magnolia Market website.  

It has the rustic element I have been looking for.  My only complaint is

that the hooks have fairly wide ends, so a few of my pots won't hang.

I decided that I would just add a few simple wrought iron hooks to

 the rack to accommodate the sauce and saute pans too.  I think that will

just be fine.

I think that the copper warms up the coolness of the stainless steel,

and it gives me something to look at when I am cooking.  That's a

good thing because I spend lots of time in front of this stove!

Metamorphosis Monday

Tweak It Tuesday

Inspire Me

The Scoop

Wow Us Wednesday

Bentley and I saw another snake on our nightly walks this

weekend.  It was a small one, and it slithered into some 

vegetation on the curb and into a yard.  I am sure we are seeing

snakes because the Guadalupe River is over it's banks and

the snakes have lost some of their usual burrows.  Let's hope

they can move back home soon!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

My Magnolia Blossom

Our huge Magnolia tree is blooming right now and David brought in

one of it's blossoms last night.  It is not quite fully open, but it is

so lovely and fragrant I just had to show you.

The leaves are so beautiful too.  Makes one dream of all the 

wonderful things about the South.

Have a wonderful Friday!

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley

My Sandals Obsession

I love shoes ~ always have.  When I was a little girl and my Mom

bought me new shoes, I would set them right on top of the box and 

just look at them.  Then I would put them on and walk around my

room and then carefully set them back in the box and put them in

my closet until it was time to wear them.  Of course, I might have

to take a peek at them just one more time first.  New shoes were

always a highlight in my young life.

My two big shoe/sandals buying seasons are Fall and Spring.  I love

both equally.  I almost always order my shoes online now because I 

have a better selection of styles and size.  I wear a 5 1/2 ~ a tough size

to buy at the store and if I shop there I have to buy a 6 (if they have

a pair) and a 6 is a little big.  Yet, online, I usually can find my size

so that's the way to go for me.

I love the smell of brand new leather shoes.  As you can see, I am also

crazy for Jack Rogers sandals.  This is a new style for them this season

and I love the pineapple.  Did you know that in Colonial history a 

pineapple meant hospitality?  I suppose that makes these "friendly"

sandals :-)

These are from the Loft.  I bought these because my old black sandals

were falling apart and I thought these would be a cute replacement.

I love the way the strap wraps around the ankle.  Tres chic!

But these are my favorites.  Tassel sandals in navy and white.  I love any

shoe with a tassel.  I have loafers with tassels too.  These also come in

a madras print.  I almost bought them, but purchased the pineapple 

sandals instead because they are limited edition.  

I warned you that I am obsessed ;-)

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley