the summer sabbatical

Greetings, my dears! It feels like eons since my last post. And eons may as well have passed since then. But no matter. I had my bout with anonymity and escape from here; now I'm back from my brief June hiatus.

And this is exactly what I needed to do. 

Now, you may have noticed I didn't embark on a June Happiness Project. Honestly, darlings, I didn't pick anything in particular to focus on. I had a case of those aforementioned mean reds, and put most of my time and effort into feeling better. I'll definitely pick it up once more in July, which (shockingly!) isn't too far away! 

Hmmm. Maybe this can be my July project?

Anywho, I'm back, folks. Still recovering from a case of SCS, otherwise known as "Sad Cookie Syndrome." I've been reading like a madwoman, writing here and there, and embarking on new projects to keep busy. 

Homemade necklace I churned out

Doing this as soon as possible!

Fabric flowers are insanely adorable.

And that's only the tip of the iceburg! I've been scanning Pinterest for new ideas, and they are indeed abundant! So, that's all for now, lovebugs. It feels good to be back!

Au revoir!

the mean reds

Breakfast at Tiffany's is iconic. It's classic, cult, outlandish, heartbreaking, and beautiful. It is also my favorite movie of all time. I think it's because I think Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) is so relatable: closed off, yet so willing to befriend; frightened, yet adventurous. She is a marvel.

In the above still frame, Holly is divulging the definition of the mean reds. 

"...The blues are because you're getting fat and maybe it's been raining too long, you're just sad that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of..." 

I feel like I've had a case of the mean reds lately. I'm certainly not a fan of this. But I've been doing some thinking, and I've come to a conclusion. Negative feelings are inevitable. And sometimes it's easier not to combat it and force yourself to into happiness. Rather, I believe sometimes it's healthier just to channel those mean reds. Savor the lows. That's what makes the wonderful things in life wonderful, after all. 

Au revoir, mes cheries. 

things i love thursday - summer time!

Cheers, my dears! It's Things I Love Thursday! And it's a special edition: summer favorites!

source

Dresses: Obvious, right? But you should know just how much of a skinny jeans fanatic I was (and still am, really), and last summer I was stubborn as ever and clung to the jeans and tightly as they clung to me in the summer heat. Absurd, isn't it? Well, I've put the jeans away for the summer and embraced all things flowy and billowy. 

source

Bright polish: Again, no surprises here. Orly's "Jade" has been my staple, but I had to pick up Essie's "Lapiz of Luxury." 

color me smitten. 

More summer things I love!

beach totes / ice pops / Sephora tinted moisturizer / bicycling / anything citrus flavored 

yum!

sandals that zip in the back! Where have you been hiding? / pinantas! / looking at new patio furniture / greenhouses / this beverage dispenser from anthropologie: 

source

straw fedoras / bright peach Toms / flavored iced teas / minimalist jewelry / Dove Intensive Repair system - ladies, this is seriously the best hair care line I've used. And it's affordable! / "Going to California" by Led Zeppelin / Blue Lizard sunscreen / Goody Spin Pins make summer hair effortless / outside naps / orange gerber daisies 

Happy summer, dears! What are your favorite summertime things?

the happiness project: an even exchange

darlings! It's been what feels like forever since I've posted and I hate it! I will never go this long without posting again.

gorgeous

The next month of the happiness project began 14 days ago. Again, so sorry I didn't blog as usual at the premier of the month! I'll admit, I was at somewhat of a loss when it came to what project I wanted to tackle this month. It hit me, though, when I was unpacking my clothes after moving home for the summer. There was an absurd amount of clothing spilled out onto my floor. It's rather embarrassing the vast amount of clothes that covered my floor...and bed...ugh. So, as I hung up the last shirt today, it hit me. I'm doing a closet cleanse. If I haven't worn it in a year, honestly won't wear it again, or am holding on to it for nostalgic purposes (or wishful thinking), then it is out. And for everything I buy, I will get rid of at least one item of clothing already existing in my wardrobe. 

By doing so, not only will I de-clutter my closet, I'll also be able to modify and create a closet full of items I really love, and can feel good wearing. 

outfits like this!

I can't wait to start this project. I'll keep you posted on the progress!

Au revoir, mes amies!

peruse and cruise: indulgences

Hello, my dear friends! So, most of you know by now that a peruse and cruise is an internet scour and post containing my favorite finds. Well, I recently gave in to two of my p&c gems and want nothing more than to share them with you!

Koi fish ice cube trays: folks, ever since I spied these beauties online, then in person at Francesca's, I've wanted them as my own. It is at last a reality! And round two of my koi fish ice cubes are freezing at this very moment!

source

You can find these cold fish trays by Gama-Go on Amazon. They are incredibly silly, but drinking water has never been this much fun. Seriously. 

Jill Bliss "Drawing Nature" journal: Design*Sponge, one of my most frequently visited blogs, featured a post on this notebook. 

As said in the post on Design*Sponge, it is a "manual/journal/inspiration/drawing book" and was "a true labor of love" for Ms. Bliss. The cover in and of itself is enticing and charming enough to rope me in, but sifting through some of the pages online had me swooning. 

All of the above found on shop.jillbliss.com

And, in a phenomenal brush with serendipity and downright luck, a random venture into a Barnes & Noble had me face to face on the foremost display with this journal. Needless to say, I made a purchase and happily took this home with me. And with the lovely weather emerging, I've wanted nothing more than to grab my pencils, this notebook, and contentedly dwindle the daylight hours away.