I'll Drink to That!

Sometimes milk hits the spot:

                                             Source: sundayinbed.tumblr.com via Beth on Pinterest

 
Other times you need something a bit stronger:

                                                    Source: dears.tumblr.com via Beth on Pinterest

All About Autumn

Summer somehow managed to slip right past me this year. It's technically not over for a few more weeks, but with school starting and Labor Day right around the corner, for all intents and purposes, it's over. And I never got to enjoy it.

It was one thing after another this spring/summer: job, animals, health scares, and now a late summer heat-wave.

I hate to sound like I'm complaining. I mean, despite what Giles and Smooch may think, the new dog is a wonderful addition to the family. And the kittens were so much fun (and so destructive, but that's another story).

But it didn't leave me with much time or disposable income for fun this summer (although I did get to visit my friend in Oakland). So all of that is to say that I'm just not ready for fall.

In an effort to get myself in the mood for the upcoming change of seasons (despite 100-plus temps), I've put together a few reminders of why I love the cooler days of autumn (sweaters! pumpkin pie!).

Clockwise from top left: Eiffel Tower, Pinterest; coat, H&M; Ever-Present Satchel, Anthropologie;
Mad Men Collection bracelet-sleeve jacket, Banana Republic; tea cup, Pinterest; Marc by Marc Jacobs boot, Lucky magazine; pumpkin pie, Pinterest; Pour La Victoire suede Chaney wedge, Lucky

What do you love about fall?

I'm Mad About...

Via fōnuts

• I'd heard about fōnuts and I'm happy to year they taste as good as they look!
• Dream video team: The Muppets and OK Go.
• This almost has me wishing fall would arrive already (but really, I'm still clinging to summer).

Serendipity in Blue

After a series of unfortunate events over the weekend, we ended up in my husband's hometown of Visalia, which is where we met. It's about an hour north of us, but we don't get there often because we really don't have any ties there anymore.

We had lunch at Erik's favorite Mexican restaurant, where he was warmly greeted by one of the servers who remembers him. Then we took a tour of his old neighborhood and walk down Main Street. Some of our favorite spots were still around, while others had closed. But this stopped me in my tracks:

Funny, isn't it? I remember the restaurant (called Fugazzi's—we ate there a number of times), but the Blue Room lounge is something new.

I See a Pattern Here

I ran in to HomeGoods the other evening to pick up something for the dogs (it has some great pet supplies at reasonable prices), but of course I had to take a quick look at the lamps. I'm searching for one in a soft green and blue for the living room. Then I spotted this:

Not exactly soft blue and green, but the pattern on the shade is strikingly similar to these pillows I picked up at Pottery Barn a few years back:

I managed to resist the urge to snatch up that lamp, but since I'm still thinking about it a few days later, maybe I should have brought it home. Of course, it's probably too late now—things go fast at HomeGoods.

What do you think—well-coordinated or too matchy-matchy?

I'm Mad About...

Via Anthropologie

• Not only do I love Anthropologie's new jeans collection, as an editor, I love the names: Stet, Serif and Superscript.
• Francophiles rejoice: The France Goes POP! festival is here.
• Nicole's new office looks amazing! (And Sherry and John are working on their office, too; I can't wait to see the finished space.)
• Ikea takes solar power seriously. Whether you love its furniture or hate it, you have to respect that.

Colors of the World

Looking through my boards on Pinterest, I've definitely noticed some recurring themes: blue walls (of course!), white kitchens, big windows, sparkly chandeliers. Most of the rooms I'm drawn to are airy and feminine with subdued or neutral colors.

But when it comes to cities abroad, it's bright colors that catch my eye:

Images via Pinterest

Do these images inspire wanderlust? Where do you want to go this summer? And would you consider hiring personal packers?