Just a Dream

So yesterday we went on a little garden walk of a 7 acre garden. That's right: 7 acres. I hope that pictures will help explain how gorgeous this garden is. My mom has loved this woman's garden for years and every year she opens it for hundreds to view. And lucky us we got to go yesterday!

Have you ever walked into someone's yard or someone's house and just dream about what it would be like to live there? This was definitely one of those moments.

She absolutely loves hydrangeas of all colors (just like me!)

The yard has bent grass and beautiful grass steps. And a gorgeous pool. With a gorgeous pool house. Her gardeners also have a house on her property. That's right she has a house for her gardeners!

Gardeners' House

I loved her mix of English and French garden components. She had beautiful, sprawling gardens and colorful urns but also had very sleek, minimal topiaries spread throughout. So gorgeous!

And to top it off, she had a man playing French accordion music. I literally felt like I was in a movie! It was definitely such a fun way to spend a Sunday. What a dream that would be!

Here's to a great week! How were your weekends?

Friday Fancies: Euro Trip!

Happy Friday! {av} is off on her European vacation, so I'm here dreaming that I could be on one myself. If I were jetting off, I would love to explore England, Switzerland, and journey back to Prague (I went once in high school for a choir tour, it was gorgeous!). This outfit may look a tad 90s, but I'm still a big fan of it! I would want to look as cute as the Europeans (and chic too!). Of course, we know that mint is trending, because it's gorgeous and it's so fun to pair with neutrals, like this black tank. I'd take my jean jacket, my fedora, some fun oxfords for walking everywhere and of course, a bag to hold everything! Where have you been in Europe? Where's your next place you want to go?

This weekend will definitely be nice! After coming back from work, I'm doing a bit of work but then celebrating with the girls on Sunday night to see who Emily will pick as her mate for the Bachelorette Season Finale! Yes, I watch it. I'm hoping for Jef, since unfortunately Sean left. What are you up to this weekend?

Whatever it is, make it a good one and be safe! Happy Friday!

~Susan

Life Moves Pretty Fast

I don't know about you, but summer's moving pretty fast. How is it already mid July? Where has the time gone? It seems like summer just started. I keep hearing people talk about fall: fall food, fall fashion, fall weather! Well I'm going to try to slow down and enjoy what I have. Though the days sometimes seem hot and long, the weeks go by so fast and I don't want to miss a single thing.

So I'm going to stop and look. and read. and drink lots of lemonade. and go for a swim. and indulge a little bit. Because that's ok. I don't want to miss anything!

We're taking a last minute trip to Michigan today. I can't wait to be on the other side of my favorite lake, enjoying some ice cream and sharing a few laughs with my mom, my sisters and my aunt. It'll be a short and sweet getaway, and I'm going to savor it all!

Interior Lust: Gallery Wall

I'm so excited that I have gotten the opportunity to revamp my bedroom a bit. I'm hoping to paint my two side tables and I got rid of a lot of clutter that's accumulated over the years. Now for fun stuff! I'm loving gallery walls. I've seen them everywhere online and in person and I just think it's a great way to make a wall pop and show a bit more of my personality in my room.

via Live Creating Yourself

via One Woman Speaks

via pinterest

via pinterest

via pinterest

I know that I am not going to do as many as that last image (but wow, that's so cool!) but I do want that lovely gallery effect. My walls are pretty bland right now, so I know that this will be just what they need to bring a little more of me to my room, just as it should be! Do you have gallery walls in your house? Was it hard to figure out if you wanted the images to be cohesive or just anything you wanted?

To do list: Pretzel Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Is it just me, or do anyone go on these runs in this heavenly awful heat and then come home hungry? Ok, still just me? Ok cool.

Source: howsweeteats.com via Susan on Pinterest

Well last night I stumbled upon this recipe for these fabulous little treats. Hello heaven. It's like all of my favorite things rolled into one bar: pretzels, chocolate, peanut butter, oats. Delish! I can assure you, I will make them and definitely share with you how it goes. Because I seriously just have to make these. It'll happen...maybe today!

And speaking of food, has anyone been watching The Next Food Network Star besides me? I haven't caught up on this week's episode yet, so don't tell! I still have my high hopes for Yvan (come on, he's cute!) and Martie. I'll have to catch up! Do you watch?

Blogger Blitz Recap!

This weekend, on top of working a lot and celebrating my brother Michael's birthday, I attended Blogger Blitz Chicago! It's always fun to meet new bloggers in person, but it's especially special to meet new bloggers that you've looked up to and that have inspired you, just like Alison has done for me. It was a gorgeous afternoon on the rooftop of Market on Randolph. What a view!

photo via Chris

Of course, when you meet bloggers, everyone was dressed with such style. It was so great to meet new bloggers and discover their work (and now get hooked to new blogs, yes!) and catch up with the gals that I had met at Everygirl's BHLDN Event. Definitely go meet up with other bloggers in your area, it's such a fun time and I definitely hope that we get to do it all again!

photo via Julia

Alison is truly just as sweet in person as she is on her blog and it was such a treat to be able to chat and hang for awhile. Come back to Chicago soon, av and thanks for hosting!

Friday Fancies: Beach Wedding

I've never been to a beach wedding before, but if I were to go, I would definitely wear this. The vibe is totally relaxed and laid back with still a classy elegance that every wedding guest should have. As you all know by now, I will wear this color any day of the year. And here I go with it again! I love that it's a maxi and with that printed clutch, you can't go wrong. Maybe someday I'll be lucky enough to head to a beach wedding, you never know!

I'm excited for the weekend! Tonight my dad and I are heading up to a classical concert at Ravinia, the outdoor music pavilion in our area. I can't wait! Tomorrow is my brother's birthday and Sunday I am going to head to Blogger Blitz Chicago and maybe see Dierks Bentley (for free!)! I didn't win those Kenny Chesney tickets for last week's concert, and since this one's free, why not go?

Happy Friday all! Head to Long Distance Loving and check out more wedding guest fancies!

~Susan