Happy {Bright and Shiny} Weekend!

After a bit of a stumbling and bumbling week how perfect is this?

This weekend I'm letting the blues go and instead I'm going to pick pink! I plan to lay back, soak in the sun, and enjoy the beautiful colors of summer in Seattle.

I hope where ever you are, you can do the same.

photos found via The English Muse (stunning blog - be sure to check it out!)

Shoe Lust

There's nothing that sets my heart to pitter-pattering more than fabulous shoes. These certainly fit the bill.

I don't know what they are, I just know that I want them. They're from a gorgeous wedding in Australia shot by Sugar Love Weddings and I'm now on a mission to track down what they are!

To top it all off, the bridesmaids dresses from said wedding are the prettiest I think I've ever seen (and not matching - my favorite!)

All by Rose and Ruby, you don't even have to be in a wedding to look that gorgeous. I'm loving these options from their ready-t0-wear collection.

 

Across the Pond

Those brits know what they're doing when it comes to eclectic style. I'm simply drooling over this apartment.

Did you spot the bookcase wallpaper?

Love the letters on the mantel - they're making me want to redo my own.

How freakin' fabulous is that light fixture?! I'd kill to have it over my dining room table.

Read more about the industrious owners and how they completed this brilliant remodel on a super-tight budget here.

Ray of Sunshine

I just wanted to thank everyone for the kind words and encouragement today. They meant a ton and got my engines revving. Since the sun is shining down outside and tomorrow is Friday I'm going to put on an outfit like this

via camp comfort

and head out for an evening with my girls. Nothing soothes the soul like friends, wine, food and good times.

Feeling Burnt

Dear readers, I can't quite put my finger on it - it may be leftover from my fun in the sun, but I'm finding inspiration a little hard to come by at the moment.

photo via veer

There is so much amazing beauty, creativity and thoughtfulness out there in the blogworld and I'm finding myself wondering what can I bring that's unique? 

I come back here everyday because of my readers - I've so enjoyed getting to know you and love to treasure hunt for you every day. So now I'm hoping you might help get me over this hump by telling me what you like. What do you most enjoy about Apt#34? What do you crave? I'm curious - what inspires you?

Recovery Road

Coming back to reality after a weekend in paradise is happening - slowly. 

the lovely pacific ocean in Baja, Mexico

So bare with me - I'll be back in full force soon!

Summer of Love

While I'm getting some surf and sun time in Cabo this week, the darling Stacy of la boudoir was kind enough to keep you company while I'm away.

Summer is supposed to be about sunshine, BBQ’s, and lots of half naked hot boys.  But before we can get excited about the summer lovin’, we have to face perhaps the most dreadful item ever created . . . the swim suit.

Someone seriously set out to make ladies lives miserable when the swim suit was designed. A source of pain and suffering for all of us, it’s nearly impossible to find a suit that flaunts your figure, while hiding your flaws.

But wait, perhaps there is some hope in this swimsuit suffering world.  You see,   Nic Briand and Susien Chong of the brand Lover, took our figure in to consideration with their Spring/Summer collection of swim suits.  This season Braind and Chong have given us 50’s style trunks to cover our toosh, underwire bra tops to even us out up top, and perhaps best of all, the underwire one piece. That’s right, no more saggy swimsuit boobs. Can you say hallelujah?

I think Lover might have just saved our summer! 

See the entire collection here. (http://www.loverthelabel.com/lover_collections.html#)

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Thanks again for the fabulous fashion advice Stacy. Perfect for the official arrival of summer. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend - see you next week!

Travel Bug

If you've never been to Mexico, it's an incredibly beautiful, culturally rich place (don't let the swine flu deter you). Fab and famed wedding photographer Jose Villa does it much more justice with his stirring images than I can ever describe with words.

I hope you'll be able to visit someday. I promise to share photos when I return from my trip!

Topical Punch

I'm headed out to attend a wedding in Cabo San Lucas and enjoy a much need vacation.

via coco+kelley

If I had my way, my suitcase would be full of nothing but the gorgeous looks from Azzaro. I'd blend in perfectly with bougainvillea.

Fine Dining

There's something about a gorgeous weekend that make me want to bring people together for a great meal.

via snippet & ink

If only my table was as gorgeous as the lovelies from Sunday Suppers, a (obviously talented) group of friends in NYC who come together for a cooking class and gorgeous dining experience. Someone in NYC please go take a class and report back. I must know if the food is as good as it looks!

Happy {finally here} Weekend!

Woohoo, that week is done!

photos by jill thomas via green wedding shoes

It only took me until Saturday night to finally be able to unwind. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, what's left of it anyway. Be sure to check out photograher jill thomas' blog - her work is seriously fab.

Good Wood

Natural wood elements always catch my eye, no matter what the space.

photos via unknown, the city sage, unknown, hugh stewart

I love the dark anchor against a neutral palette. It creates such a soothing and warm feeling, like its a place you've known all your life. 

Pretty Lady

Maryam Nassir Zadeh has my dream job (boutique owner and stylist) on top of also having an enchanting look herself.

Love her poppy red lipstick.

Her orange dress by Isabel Marant reminds me of this one by Heidi Merrick. 

Proof that someone can rock the jumpsuit! 

found via a cup of jo

I'm adding her shop to my must visit list for whenever I (finally) make it back out to NYC. You can learn more about Maryam here.

Sexy Back

As summer approaches the typical changes start happening in fashion. The hemlines rise, necklines plunge, things become cropped. 

As I begin to feel well beyond the age and stage where donning such trends is appropriate, I'm attracted to the skin-is-in alternative - showing off a sexy back.

looks by 1, 3 by heidi merrick, 2 boy by band of outsiders, 4 society for rational dress

Nothing says I'm here and I'm hot better than a little subtlety, don't you think?

A Few of My Favorite Things

My dears, I'm still recovering after my whirlwind weekend in Vegas.

my favorite brigitte sire photo

I suspect after my second or third cup of coffee I'll feel right as rain. In the meantime, the lovely Stacy of la boudoir posted my do or die list - the handful of things I just can't live without. 

Please check it out here.

Vegas, Baby Yeah!

Apologies for the light posts this week, but I learned I'm headed off to Vegas this weekend and so preparations had to be made.

photos via the neon graveyard, catherine wessel, and rodarte

I'm so excited for the excuse to let my hair down and bust out the sparkle and shimmer.

I had some wonderful reads on my list to share with you including 

Here, 

Here, 

and here

Have a fabulously excessive weekend everyone, I know I will!

More Country {ish} Kitchens

In case you needed any additional culinary inspiration.

Maybe its the rain driving me inside, or the menu planning friends are doing for weddings, or the simple fact that I love kitchens - they're my favorite room in the house. I just can't seem to get enough of them right now.

photos via 1 Coastal Living 2 prue ruscoe 3 Katie Sellers  4 Paul Barera 5 The City Sage