The Swell Life

I loved this editorial in Vogue shot by Mario Testino. It is so fresh and fun and feels like summer. I hope everyone has a great July 4th weekend!!

Enjoy!

All the Right Angles...

This is for all of us. I wrote it as a little reminder to myself and I just thought I would share it on this Wednesday. Because sometimes we need reminders...

The thing is no one can tell you exactly how to live your life. People are either going to accept you and love you for who you are or they're not. Always follow your heart. Never question the past and what's happened because it's shaped you into who you are now and who you are meant to be. It is tempting to wonder and to question, but the universe is a great teacher. It is even more tempting to regret and to worry if you made the right decision, stop. Trust your gut. Your gut knows and so do you.

Wait for time to show you the way. Remember everything you have accomplished and set out to accomplish more. There really isn't any way that you can get off track. Trust yourself. Let go. Open your heart Even if it doesn't work out, it's okay, because not everything is meant to be forever. It happened for a reason, and it may be a stepping-stone on the path to teach you and to get you ready for when it is forever. Love yourself, please. As soon as you start loving yourself, your world will change. Always remember and believe that you are worth it. And don't let anyone tell you that what you're looking for doesn't exist, because it does. Treat everyone you meet with kindness. Take in the mountains, breathe in the air and don't forget to be thankful. Listen to music, let it take you back and let it move you forward. Let it comfort you when you're sad and bring you joy and celebration when you're happy. Remember that life is fun and the surprises are the best part. Learn as much as you can from everyone, but don't let other people's opinions shape your life. Every person that comes into your life teaches you something. Exercise. Do some yoga. Live for the day. Live for the moment. Love deeply. Honor yourself. Stay alive, stay in it even if it gets hard, stay present. Enjoy who you are, what you have become and trust that everything is working exactly the way it's supposed to, even if we can't see it now. There is a bigger picture and it's better than anything anyone could have ever dreamed or imagined it to be. Believe in the magic.

And just a little quote that I love:
"Above all watch with glittering eyes the world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic, will never find it. - Roald Dahl
Wishing you all a very magical and lovely day!

image via dress, design, decor

Delightful

I literally had to peel myself out of bed this morning and I had to do the same yesterday! I must admit, I am big on sleep... and I think if I had this bedroom it would be even more difficult to leave the coziness of this delightful room. I love how it's so light! And I love the white furniture against the hardwood floor... love, love, love.

A little bit of Summer...

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend. I took a quick trip to Dallas on Saturday for a dinner with my sweet friend, who is turning 25 today. Happy birthday Maddie! We ate at a Neighborhood Services restaurant and it was wonderful. Returning home means a little relaxing. I am sucked into Boardwalk Empire. Have you all seen it? Ah, if you haven't you should check it out. It is very entertaining! I promise. In the meantime, enjoy the day!

All images via dress, design, decor

Happy Weekend!

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all have a lovely weekend. We have a pretty full list of activities. Weddings, birthdays, a soccer game to watch and I'm hoping to get in a little shopping. : ) Wishing you all a great one!

image via musings in femininity

I had no idea...

I have a very sensitive stomach. For whatever reason, it gets upset easily and my digestive track seems to be more and more in a mess. Typically, my stomach is where I hold my stress, anxieties, etc., plus I'm a runner. And I used to rack up a good 53 miles a week (that is until I found yoga). Along with telling me not to run so much, my friend advised me to go to the health foods store and pick up some aloe vera juice for my stomach. We have all heard of the benefits of aloe gel and most often we associate it with healing our sunburns, but drinking it? I thought how weird... that is until I started reading about the benefits of drinking this magic juice, and although I don't love the taste, it is quickly becoming something that I consume everyday. I have learned that aloe vera helps to dilate capillaries, support cell growth- which helps improve circulation. It is also an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent, helping to prevent the onset of disease. It is also said that the juice provides support in weight loss and muscle development.
Sounds like a miracle doesn't it? I had NO idea, so I thought I would share my new-found knowledge with all of you. Just in case ya didn't already know!

This "harmony remedy" really does an incredible job restoring the body on all levels. If you find yourself wandering the aisles of Whole Foods or any other health foods store, or if you want to order it online, I recommend it.

Thank you to my wonderful, friend/advisor : )

PS I drink Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Juice, that I bought at Whole Foods but their are tons of options out there.

A Lovely Rainy Morning

We haven't had a really nice rain here in Houston for awhile, so when I woke up this morning to the sound of it on my windows I was very grateful! Ahh, how I've missed the rain and how I'm loving it now. I wish all of the places consumed with fires would get some rain! Praying for New Mexico...

image via inspired by:

Relax, it's summertime...

Today marks the official beginning of summer. Woohoo! What do you all have planned? Road trips, mountains, beach, lake, abroad? Whatever you are doing, I hope it's great! Some of my favorite things about summer: watermelon, ice cream, mangos, hammocks, summer rain, summer sun, reading books all day... and spending time with family and friends of course!

Hope all of you are having a great day! We are enjoying a little rain here in Houston, finally! I wish it would rain in New Mexico! Pray for rain everyone!

images via pinterest, justbesplendid,

Slightly Charming and Lovely

Good Monday Morning, lovelies. I hope all of you had a great weekend. What did you all get into this weekend? On Friday we had people over for dinner and for dessert I made Apple Crisp, using a fool-proof, F-up proof recipe. All it takes are some apples and a quick mix of oats, butter and cinnamon. Yep, pretty easy! It's delicious served hot with Vanilla Blue Bell ice cream. Saturday was spent sitting by the pool reading, this book and Sunday we went to see Midnight in Paris. Have you seen it yet? It is pretty sweet, charming and heart warming, and no, it is not a love story. It is about a writer, who travels back in time. While Gertrude Stein edits his manuscript, you will fall in love with the ambiance and the lovely story. If you haven't seen it, GO! You won't be disappointed!

To My Dad

I hope you all have a great Father's Day Weekend. I unfortunately can't be there to celebrate with my dad, but I am sending lots of love his way and I'll get to see my fam soon! There honestly isn't enough I could say about my dad. I feel like the most blessed girl in the world to have such an amazing person in my life. If I could be half the person that my dad is, that would be pretty incredible. He has created a wonderful business, has always been a loving, sweet husband to my mom and father to my brother and me, not to mention he is the most generous, honest and respectful guy I have never known. He treats everyone he meets with the same respect and is an incredibly humble human being, who doesn't know his own impact on others. Thank you dad, for always being an incredible rock and shelter from the storms. I learn from you every day and I'm so blessed to know you and have you as my own dad! Love you!

P.S. Thank you for instilling in me the love of some great music.

I wish you all a lovely and blessed weekend! And if your fathers are near by or far away send them some love.

: )

Simply White

I love white touches in a living space. It creates such a clean, airy feel. I especially love this living room with white couches. The kitchen is actually Gwyneth Paltrow's kitchen-- Yes, I love it! And the closet... well what can I say? It is beautiful. I am used to closets that you can't exactly walk into and I haven't had a full length mirror in years. Hmm... I probably shouldn't keep taking the risk of leaving the house without properly looking into a mirror. Oh well, for now dreaming about these pretty spaces.

images via delight by design, happy home, and dress design decor.

A big sigh out...

Because after all it is Thursday and I didn't have the best night of sleep nor did I wake up in the best mood. Yep, it was one of those mornings, but waking up at 6:30 meant a morning yoga class and it was the perfect remedy. Right now it feels as if this day is going to be long one... yikes! I have been trying to plan a summer schedule and can't seem to do it. Coordinating with family and friends isn't always easy and with mine it Never is! We never know what we are doing! Oh well... get in the flow and go with the flow, right?

I hope all of you have a wonderful day! And have far better planning skills than I do...

image via inspiration for wellbeing

Have a Rosie day

Rosie Huntington Whiteley. Love her.

Fresh & Tasty

My new recent obsession is pinterest. Have any of you been using it? It is a great way to keep your daily inspirations organized and to see what is currently inspiring others. I came across this baked potato and arugula recipe and I am making it tonight! I love having a baked potato, grilled chicken and a salad for dinner- mainly because it is the only dinner I can make at the moment that is actually good for you and edible... I am working on my cooking skills. They are slow to develop, but I'm sure at some point I will eventually be able to cook. At least I hope so!

Here is the recipe for Sea Salt Baked Potatoes. Enjoy!

And check out this blog, 101 Cookbooks.

images via: 101 Cookbooks and altamira

Big Apple Craving

Good morning loves. Is there any place you are "craving" to go visit? I used to spend summers working in New York in college and sometimes I miss it. Every summer, around this time of year I always start craving it a little. How I would love some yogurt from 40 carrots! Mm, or a drink at the Carlyle! Hopefully, I will have a chance to visit sooner rather than later!

images via fashion gone rogue

Good Morning, Monday

Hello all! I hope everyone had a great weekend. We had one of those lazy weekends, and it was great! Time to get back in the swing of things though. I love Mondays, I have no idea why. I know some people hate them, but sometimes you can push the reset button and it's a fresh start. Pretty lovely...

Ps. I love these cute summer styles.

via the sartorialist

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! I hope everyone has a great weekend. What are your plans? We are heading to an art show tonight by the talented, Julie Soefer. She is a very well-known photographer here in Houston. I have been excited to see her show for awhile now! She traveled to India last March and I know there will be some of photos from her trip and anyone who knows me, knows that India is very near and dear to my heart!

I can't wait for her exhibit! Congratulations, Julie!

P.S. My friend is receiving a kitchen table today. Finally, something to eat on... Yep, I'm excited. Happy weekend to all! Hope it's great!

Recipe For Happiness...

My friend Tricia is adorable. The other day, I googled her band, Edmund Evans and found this cute, cute song. I hope it brightens your day!

image via crush cul de sac

Live in the moment and Enjoy it...

Sorry for the skipped post yesterday, I was on my way back to Houston! And driving and blogging isn't exactly cohesive. Hope you all are having a happy Wednesday. Can you feel summertime? I can and I love it. There is something relaxing, yet adventurous about summer. So many places to go, things to do, people to see... and lots of writing to be done on my agenda. While looking over some things this morning, I came across this great quote from Amy Poehler and it is such a true statement to live by...

Listen. Say yes. Live in the moment. Make sure you play with people who have your back. Make big choices early and often. Don’t start a scene where two people are talking about jumping out of a plane. Start the scene having already jumped.
— Amy Poehler, as the Class Day Speaker at Harvard

Happy day!

image via jaclynpaige

Fill your cup with sweet tea...

Happy Monday! I am soaking in a little bit more time at home. It is always nice to come home and be with family. My mom and I went to see Something Borrowed yesterday and did a little shopping. Today we're going to meet friends for lunch and do a little bit more shopping!

PS- I love this outdoor space. Wouldn't it be nice to have dinner there?

image via dress,design,decor

Remember:

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I will be putting on the high-heels and doing lots of dancing...

Whatever your plans are, I hope you enjoy it!

image via Hazel West Photography

Heading Home...

I hope everyone has a great Thursday! I am heading home for the weekend for a friend's wedding. I can't wait to see my family. My mom makes a really good cobbler, and in the summer there is always plenty of BBQ, watermelon and iced tea at our house!

You've got to love summertime in the South!

P.S. This nectarine cobbler looks pretty good... Click HERE for the recipe.

image via Southern Living

Have a little bit of Fun.

“Choosing to have fun in life is often more fruitful than chasing perfection.”

Garance Doré on “Parisian spirit and lifestyle”…

via pretty stuff