The Best Hats For Summer

Are you a hat kind of gal?

I am.

After my Derby hats are properly stored away.

It's time to switch gears.

For many of us, it's time to get serious about protection from the sun.

For some, it's time to put on your best party hat!

Honestly, I wouldn't be caught dead in this thing but I thought you would appreciate it.

This is more my style.  Love it, love the ribbon, the dress, the bag.  Ahhh, Chanel. 

Have you noticed all the vintage hats around the pool lately? 

Would love to find one of these!  This would be my mother's style.  The bigger the brim, the better.

  And no Kate Spade, this is not how I got to Greenwich Village when I was a young girl!

This little summer tweed is sporty and perfect for running all over town.

Classic.

I don't know that I could do this, but she sure can!

Romantic with SPF 100!

A respite from all the fuss. I seriously love this.  

Who on earth?

Who is this?I couldn't write this post and not include these handsome gentlemen. 

Besides, I  love a man in a classic boater.

Love the baker boy too!

This would be my absolute favorite for Fall!

But for now, in this darn heat, the simple straw will do.

I hope you'll find your favorite style here or in my other summer collection of Splendid Straw!

Stay cool!

We will meet and talk with friends and speak of everything and nothing... 

  We will laugh and reminisce,

and no matter how light the conversation may all seem-

we will remember that day fondly...forever.

 In celebration of a memorable mother, daughter, granddaughter trip to Santa Fe this summer, I wanted to share a few fun pictures of the three of us at our favorite restaurant, The Pink Adobe!

I also wanted to share this wonderful hand-written phrase and watercolored dinner plate.

A heartfelt gift to give & receive.

Thank you, Nana.

We love them & we love you!  

Script & Posy Dinnerware from Anthropologie

Exotic & Homegrown

I have the pleasure of tending to my neighbor's vegetable garden for a couple of weeks while they're off to some exotic destination. 

I asked them not to tell us where they were headed to. 

You see, it's just the two of them & adventure is their middle name.

  When they return we will plan a special evening, prepare a special meal in their honor...from their garden, open good wine, and sit on the edges of our seats.  Our kids will even want to join us.

Yes, they take those kinds of adventures.

 

 

Did you think I would go & pick vegetables without my camera?

 

   

Probably the most convincing reason to have a vegetable garden is a homegrown tomato.

  
  Some still green on the vine were too pretty not to pick.    

 All organic so a quick rinse at my garden sink and onto tea towels to dry made prep simple.

 The quintessential summer repast.

Slice thick slices of these red beauties, slather mayonnaise on a crunchy soft roll, & season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. 

Our friends are fabulous cooks so along with tomatoes there is fresh dill, basil, oregano, and chives.                  It's a quiet summer night at home in the Bluegrass & the air's incredibly still & heavy. 
   Meanwhile, you know who's waiting patiently on the front porch for a breeze & her after-dinner walk.   

Say goodnight Gracie.

"Goodnight Gracie."

Summer Afternoon

Summer afternoon,
two of the most beautiful words in the English language.

Sultry, Steaming, Sweltering.

It's time to shed ambition and expectation, along with commutes, clothing, calendars & cell phones.

Slow down or stop.

Because even though the pursuit of happiness becomes a priority...

Deep in the heart of summer,

laziness finds respectability.

  

    

They say that in every girl's life;

there's a boy she'll never forget

and a summer where it all began.

 So true.

I think summer is not so much a season.

 

It's more like a melody of contentment 
that I often find myself humming,

 as the day begins to blur and comes to a beautiful end.

Hope you're enjoying plenty of beautiful summer afternoons.