Since I'm the Graphic Design field, good design makes me giddy. These business cards make me smile.

(See more here and here.)

Picnic Club: Joanna you're a genius

Lazy, afternoon picnics have always been on my list of favorite things. Laying in the freshly mowed grass, people watching, eating fresh, summer fruits. Could anything be much better? Add a few friends and some frisbees and you've got a perfect afternoon.

Ms Joanna, has made my day with her fabulous idea of a Picnic Club! Can I join in? :)

(Photos from A Cup of Jo's Wedding brunch picnic by Max Wanger.)

Decisions made!

Ok, I've decided to go with red highlights. I've had red/auburn hair before and I really loved it. Something fun for summer!

Courtney Cox will be my red inspiration. :)

Me with red/auburn hair. Back in...2007?

Hair help

Ever since my first highlight in the 11th grade, I've been addicted to coloring my hair. I get bored easily and always change it up. Different colors, different cuts. About a year ago, a chopped 12 inches off for Locks of Love. I was happy to do it, but miss my hair terribly. It's finally starting to get to a length I can deal with, thank goodness! But now, I've had the same hair color for about 9 months. THAT has to change.

I'm stuck! I need help! I'm wanting to do something different, but not too drastic. Any ideas?

Current hair. A little below shoulders, dark brown.

Length love.

Length love.
(Photos by One Love Photo)

No bangs?
(Photo by Jose Villa)

Bangs?

Side bangs? I already have some, but they definitely need to be shaped, if kept.

Blonde highlights?

Red highlights?
(Other photos from Google.)

I think I've covered just about every option... Any suggestions?

Music City

I'm in Nashville at the moment, for the second time, and loving it! I'm here with the boy visiting his brother and his girlfriend. We made homemade pizzas for lunch, stopped and had frozen yogurt at Sweet Cece's, walked around the Grand 'Ol Opry and saw Date Night at the movie theater. Such a fantastic day. More Tennessee tomorrow!

(Photos by me)

Paint Me

I am so lucky to have awesome friends. And even more lucky to have friends who like to paint! Christina and I went to Just for Giggles last night. We had such a blast. Laughing at each other, at our paintings and just catching up.

She will be moving to NC soon and I am so sad. I will miss her dearly. She is an amazing friend and has helped me through some hard times. However, this was one of our better times! So fun!

(Mine is on the far left.)

My lovely weekend was spent with my sweet, sweet boyfriend. We cooked delicious food, walked around a crowded park, tossed a baseball and read our books. There's something so peaceful about spending time with one another and not having to talk. We were both entranced in our books and tangled in a web of legs. I also got to spend a little time painting on my porch. Listening to the people below with a brush in my hand, I couldn't ask for a better way to spend some time.

We also splurged and got our favorite ice cream. While in line, this lady was watching us laugh and have a good time. He leaned over and said, "Some couples have a song, we have ice cream."

The weekend was perfect.

(Photo from Leaca's Philosophy)

(Photo from Sunny)

Braid + Bun=Hair Love

Whether they've been instyle or not, I've always been a big fan of side braids and buns. I'm frantically trying to do everything I can to make my hair grow faster and thicker so that I can express my love for each of these on myself! Below is step-by-step instructions on how to make the perfect French Bun. Go have yourself a fun hair weekend!

(Photo source unknown)

(Bun photo & instructions from Experience Parisienne)

Step #1: Make your hair dirty. “I wash my hair only once a week,” admits C. “When your hair is too clean, it won’t stay put.” After showering, she massages in either Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion or a homemade spray, made with one part sea salt, three parts water and a few spritzes of leave-in conditioner. “It makes my hair piece-y enough to work with,” she says.
(During the week, C. uses dry shampoo to keep her hair from getting greasy. Rene Furterer Naturia is her favorite. “And it smells like roses!” she says.)

Step #2: Next, pull together your hair and hold it straight up (“like Lucky Troll Doll,” she laughs).

Step #3: Then twist your hair down to a few inches above the crown.

Step #4: Wrap your hair around itself until it forms a loose bun, right on top of your head.

Step #5: Pin the bun in place with bobby pins. “Anywhere from four to eight, depending on how thick your hair is,” C. says. “You want it loose but secure.”

Step #6: Finally, pull loose strands of hair from the nape of your neck and around your face to make it look like you’ve worn the bun all day (or even slept in it!) And there you have it: That certain je ne sais quoi.

So Fresh, So Clean

I've never been a huge fan of just plain white. I've always been a color girl. But these white walls, it all looks so clean! I'm really loving...

(Photos of Alabaster House by 1st-Option)

Warm Toasted Marshmallow S'more Bars

(Photo and recipe from Betty Crocker Recipes' Flickr)

Can we go back to winter so I can make these? Yum...

1 pouch (1lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup butter or margarine, melted
3 cups milk chocolate chips (18 oz)
4 1/2 cups miniture marshmallows

1. Head oven to 375 degrees. In Large Bowl, stir together cookie mix and crumbs. Stir in melted butter until soft dough forms. Press into ungreased 13x9 inch pan.

2. Back 18 - 20 minutes or until set. Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over crust. Let stand 3 to 5 minutes or until chocolate begins to melt. Spread chocolate evenly over crust.

3. Set oven control to broil. Sprinkle marshmallows over melted chocolate. Broil with top 4 - 5 inches from head 20 to 30 seconds or until marshmallows are toasted. (Watch closely; marshmallows will brown quickly.) Cool 10 minutes. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Serve warm. Store any remaining bars tightly covered.

Girls NIght!

I have been blessed with some pretty great girlfriends. Even though we don't speak much or see each other often, I love them with all my heart. I miss them dearly and can't wait till we can all get together again.

(Photos from Dress Design Decor and Sacramento Street)

Umbrella Love

Large typography on umbrellas? Yes, please...

(Umbrellas sold at Lime Green Rhinestones)

Beach + Polaroid = Love

I know she's not using a polaroid camera, but I can dream. I will be in August. (:

(Photo via we heart it)

I love looking at other people's homes and how they have decorated it to make it their own. I'm loving Heather Paul's home. (She is a co-owner of Spool No.72) Heather and her husband Travis have done a fabulous job with all of their decor. I'm a fan of their cement countertops, barn doors and coffee tables!

(Photos via Design*Sponge)

Cupcake Love.

I have such a love for food. American, Mexican, Italian, French... The list goes on and on. And desserts are very high on my list. Over the past year I've found that cupcakes have grown to be high on my list of food love. Here is an interesting recipe for Smoked Clove-Bergamot Orange Cupcakes with Earl Grey Icing. Never heard of a more interesting concoction, but can't wait to try it out!

Chalkboard Me

I've always been a big fan of chalkboard paint. I've never had the luxury of using it, but if I did, it might go something like this...

(Photo found here)

(Photo found here)

(Photo found here)