FASHION - Summer Fashion Checklist #8 & #9

#8 SUNGLASSES (TOMS)

You are probably familiar with the company, TOMS, for its altruistic mission to provide shoes for children in need with every shoe purchase. Now, TOMS has embarked on another admirable project, expanding their One for One objective to address a need that remains very close to my heart --sight. For every one pair of stylish glasses purchased, TOMS will restore the sight of one person through medical treatment, prescription glasses, or sight-saving surgery. 

In college, my sorority, Delta Gamma, focused our efforts and enthusiasm on service for sight –working closely with the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired along with other projects. I gained a much more informed understanding and a deeper appreciation for sight needs. This summer, pick out a trendy pair of TOMS sunglasses and have a real reason to feel cool while sporting your shades.

TOMS EYEWEAR

#9 SUN-CARE PRODUCTS

I know that you hear it from every front, but I can’t stress the importance of sun-care products enough! Yes, I might resemble Casper during certain times of the year, but hopefully my skin will be healthy and look amazing in thirty years.

However, you don’t have to go to my extremes. You can still have that healthy glow while protecting your skin. There are so many excellent SPF options – from sunscreens, foundations, moisturizers, eye creams, lotions and self-tanners. Remember that 90’s song, and trust me on the sunscreen!

Here are a few of my favorite products:

WEEKEND OUTINGS - Our San Francisco Trip

As promised, here are some photos from our short yet unforgettably sweet trip to San Francisco. 

Technically, I have been to San Francisco twice before…once in my mother’s womb when she traveled with her best friend (who was also pregnant with her daughter), my dad, and her friend’s husband. My dad still jokes that he knows every public bathroom in San Francisco from their many stops. My second trip was with my family when I was a little girl. So little, that the only thing I vaguely remember was that the streets were steep.

Exploring San Francisco with fresh eyes, I was astounded and inspired at every turn. Stunning architecture, distinctive culture, and delicious food, San Francisco is a must-have travel experience! From my whirlwind trip, the best way I can describe San Francisco is a beautiful mixture of new and old.

Our Drive on Highway 1 - from Carmel to San Francisco
The Golden Gate Bridge

Street View
Lombard Street

Lombard Street

Cable Car

BIX Restaurant

Tucked away in an ally near San Francisco’s financial district, BIX is a hidden gem that you will definitely want to check out on your trip. Jeff Holloman, my dad’s lifelong friend who has lived in San Francisco for over twenty years, recommended BIX. With its speakeasy atmosphere, expertly mixed martinis, and best jazz offered in San Fran, you can’t help but feel cool at BIX--perfect for dinner with friends or a romantic evening.

INSPIRATION - Kindness

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”
-Audrey Hepburn

“As much as we need a prosperous economy, we also need a prosperity of kindness and decency.”
-Caroline Kennedy

“Ask yourself: Have you been kind today? Make kindness your daily modus operandi and change your world.”
-Annie Lennox

“It's also selfish because it makes you feel good when you help others. I've been helped by acts of kindness from strangers. That's why we're here, after all, to help others.”
-Carol Burnett

“Kindness is always fashionable.”
-Amelia E. Barr

“Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.”
-George Sand

“Being considerate of others will take your children further in life than any college degree.”
-Marian Wright Edelman

“Don't be yourself - be someone a little nicer.” 
-Mignon McLaughlin

ENTERTAINMENT - Tony Awards LIVE! on Sunday June 12th

When I was only about two or three years old, I discovered my love for musicals after watching classic movies like The Sound of Music, Annie, Mary Poppins, and Thoroughly Modern Millie over and over again. At nine years old, my love for musicals grew into a love for theatre as I performed in my first on-stage production, The Wizard of Oz, as a munchkin in the lullaby league. I was hooked from opening night and so started a long, wonderful relationship with live theatre.

Even if you haven’t grown up singing along to show tunes or attending plays, I guarantee that there is a show you can connect with, either through humor, pure entertainment or emotional relevance. Nothing can really compare to the unique experience of watching live theatre. As an audience member, you become an integral part of a one-time event that will never occur again in the exact same way. 

 
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Catch Me If You Can

The Book of Mormon

I highly recommend that you set aside one weekend evening and shake up your routine by going to see a play in your community. For a chance to watch a sampling of the current Broadway shows, tune in to The Tony Awards this Sunday, June 12^th! Even if you travel to New York City regularly, you probably won’t manage to see every award-worthy production. The Tony Awards is the perfect opportunity to see a variety of live performances without having to purchase flights or theatre tickets. 

Some of this year’s performances include:

• Anything Goes featuring Sutton Foster               
• Catch Me If You Can with Norbert Leo Butz and Aaron Tveit
• How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying featuring Daniel Radcliffe and John Laroquette
• Sister Act featuring Patina Miller
• The Book of Mormon featuring Andrew Rannells
• The Scottsboro Boys featuring Joshua Henry  

Additionally, casts from some of Broadway's hottest tickets will take the stage this year - including:

• The 2010 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Memphis
• Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark featuring Reeve Carney and Jennifer Damiano
• John Leguizamo's Ghetto Klown
• The cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert featuring Nick Adams, Tony Sheldon, Will Swenson

Special appearances by Paul Shaffer and the legendary Martha Wash.

EVENTS - Inspiration Board: Summer Backyard Bash

Summer is hands-down my favorite season; it always has been, and it always will be. Growing up, I couldn’t wait for early June when I would spend two freeing, fun-to-my-fingertips weeks at Camp Longhorn on Inks Lake. Family vacations, 100 degree heat, hanging at the pool, my July birthday, and my June wedding anniversary, I love every ounce of summer.

Some of my fondest summer memories are at backyard parties with close friends and family. The perfect backyard bash brings together all of the best aspects of summer and allows your guests to unwind while celebrating the season. Find inspiration for your summer backyard bash below! 

Photos from Left to Right: Simplelovelyblog.com (pinterest), Pinterest (Radni Edwards), Martha Stewart, Picky-palate.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, Sidebysideblogspot.com (pinterest), Pottery Barn, Mackenziehoran.com

Set the mood by stringing lights between the trees or placing lanterns and candles throughout the space. Let your guests entertain themselves with delightful, childhood games like croquet, bocce ball, outdoor bowling, and horseshoes. When the sun goes down, screen an outdoor movie and set up a s’mores buffet. Keeping your party fuss free is key! Think back to your favorite childhood summer memories – s’mores at camp, burgers in the backyard, fresh lemonade, summer flicks. Your party will win everyone over if you remind them of the absolute bliss of being a kid at summertime! 

INTERIOR DECORATING - Design Inspiration from Hotel Vertigo

This past weekend, my husband and I escaped to Carmel and San Francisco for a brief yet unforgettable trip. (More details & photos to come this weekend!) From Pebble Beach’s sheer perfection to San Francisco’s astounding architecture, we found ourselves in awe of our surroundings at every turn. There was such an abundance of visual inspiration that I’m still digesting it. I even found interior decorating inspiration from our San Francisco hotel, Hotel Vertigo.

As the actual filming location of Alfred Hitchcock’s film, Vertigo, starring James Stewart, the hotel draws from the film’s orange and white color motif and off-kilter perspective in its design choices. Modern, playful, and still elegant, Hotel Vertigo is an excellent design example for anyone who wants to learn about mixing styles and creating specific moods with decor choices. 

As far as individual pieces, I fell in love with the large misshapen wooden table and the ornate orange sofa and pillows (displayed in the above photo).  We also had smaller bedside versions of the misshapen wooden table in our hotel room instead of the white side tables shown in photo 3.  I probably would have never considered this style of table before our trip, thinking that it would look too masculine or earthy for my tastes. But when surrounded with stylish armchairs and bright, modern furniture, it became the signature piece that knocked me off my feet. Equilibrium is so overrated!