Source: pinkofperfection.com via jennifer on Pinterest

This morning feels like a fresh start.  It's the first day of summer hours.  {9 hr workdays M-Th, 4 hrs on Fri} I LOVE summer hours!  While some of those early mornings get tough during the week, they're completely worth it come Friday.  I cannot wait for my half day this week, and for the long weekend that will follow.  Here's to a relaxing and fun summer!  When summer hours end, we'll be just two months away from meeting our babe.  {Squeeee!}

This last weekend was a productive one.  Well, more so for Jon than me, although I did cross some things off my to-do list.  I'll tell you what, that man is nesting like a mother hen!  He's been doing all kinds of projects around the house.  Hanging shelves in the basement, putting sealers on all the windows and doors, painting cabinets for piggy bank storage, and who knows what else.

I did some painting, made some baked potato soup {cannot get enough} and got completely caught up on laundry {hooray!}.

We bought a new mattress on Saturday.  We tried out at least 20, many of them multiple times.  It was quite the process.  I really hope we like what we decided on!  I've been a little nervous that we went too soft, but it was just so comfy!  I didn't want to get up, I could have seriously taken a nap, so I want to believe that's a good sign.

The weather has been nothing short of perfection around here lately.  We've been enjoying having the windows open and soaking in the cool breeze at night....my favorite.  I always feel like I sleep better in the fresh air.

Oh, and one last thing.  I'm drinking a decaf iced coffee this morning, and it is delish.  That is all.

What's your mattress preference?  Firm or soft?  

A few fun finds...{Pool Edition}

Girl's Weekend sparked my love of the pool again. I can't stop daydreaming about lazy poolside afternoons.

Merona® Women's Badeau Shirred 1-Piece in Purple

Love this suit!  The suit I have now is alright, but I'm always feeling like the girls might pop out.  I love how retro this one looks, and it seems like it would be pretty flattering!

Merona® Wide Brimmed Floppy Hat

My floppy hat {a gift from Jon for my birthday} as seen in yesterday's photo.  I love, love, love it!  It flops just right and is perfect for days in the sun.  You know, now that I'm 31, I have to think about protecting my face from those harmful rays! 

 

 Martha's Pomegranate Punch

Found via I Love You More Than Carrots.  She tweaked it, and then I tweaked it.  We sipped guzzled this deliciousness on our Girls weekend, and it's def making another appearance at the Davis house.

My version:

2 cups pomegranate juice

1/4 cup Triple Sec

12 oz can Guava Nectar

1 bottle Prosecco

Combine pom. juice, triple sec and guava nectar, then slowly pour in wine.  Serve over ice.

omg.

so good.

{I used the guava nectar instead of pear because I couldn't find pear, and triple sec cause I already had it.  I feel like this is one of those recipes where you really can't go wrong.}

 The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I've been thinking I should pick up this book ever since I saw the movie trailer.  {Of course, I need to finish the two books I'm reading first.}

 

Banana Boat Aloe After Sun Lotion

I freakin' love this stuff.  It's perfect after some pool time, and especially if you accidently get a little too much sun.  The best part, it smells like a day at the beach!

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I am linking up to Yes, Teacher's Tickle me Tuesday post. Hop over and check out the other great finds!

What are you reading right now?  Any books you'd recommend?

Right now, I'm trying to finish Breaking Dawn.  That's right, the last Twilight book.  As AP would say, no judgies!  I'm also reading Quitter by Jon Acuff.  See, I do read "grown up" books too.

My thumbs are turning green...

When we lived in our old house, I never planted flowers.  The first year we lived in this one, still nothing.  {We moved in late May, so I guess I thought it was too late.}  Last year, my mom came over and helped me plant.  I didn't have a clue as to what to get or how to take care of them.  Turns out it's quite simple.  You just pick what you like, make sure it's in a spot to get it's prescribed sun, and water! 

I think I'm doing my mama proud this year.  I heart flowers.



I love geraniums, and I think I got the best ones this year!  {Tip:  I bought two hanging baskets from Lowe's that each had 3 plants in them.  I split them up throughout my pots, and saved about 20 bucks in the process.}  They have gone absolutely berserk!  They've pretty much taken over and choked out everything else, but hey, I'm not hating all the pretty flowers. 



My "HOPE' crock, a gift from my in-laws, and my copper watering can, a gift from my Dad and Linda.  You can't see it in the picture, but there's also an old well bucket on the bottom step from a yard sale trip with my mom.  Little pieces of the people I love. 



We have two of these planters that Jon dragged home from a house he was working on.  {They were destined for the trash!}  I love, love, love them.  The cracks and chippy paint make them all the more beautiful if you ask me.



I can't take credit for planting this one, but the rose of Sharon just started blooming on Sunday, and I'm so happy to see these pretty pink and purple flowers popping out all over the place.  Jon says we need to trim it back, and we probably will this fall, but I love it big.  Just means more flowers!



Pictures of last years flowers.

Do you plant flowers?  What are your favorites?

p.s. Vinca vine makes me happy.

Goodbye summer!

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

I'd say this weekend was a perfect in to a wonderful summer. 

The whole weekend consisted of windows flung wide open to let the late summer breeze in.  I watched way too many episodes of America's Next top Model and Hoarders, got some self serve fro-yo, spent some time with my girls {where I made a fab headband that I'll share this week}, feasted on a perfectly grilled dinner and did a little decorating with the hubs.  I think every weekend should be 3 days long.  It only seems fair. 

I've been in denial that summer is on it's way out, but I have to say after the absolutely phenomenal weather we've had the last few days, I'm welcoming fall with open arms! 

I'm finding myself more and more excited about pumpkin patches, crunchy leaves, football games naps while Jon watches football, and of course pumpkin spice lattes! 

What did you do this weekend?  Are you ready for the seasons to change?

Soak it up...

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

Happy Friday!  Is everyone else as glad to see the weekend as I am?  This has been a looooong week!

I guess in all actuality, it's the first full week I've worked in a while, that's probably why.

Anyhow, I can't wait to relax!

This weekend's festivities include a bbq with some neighbor-friends who we haven't seen much of over the summer.  I'm really looking forward to hanging out and catching up.  

I still need to get to the pool....and ride my bike!

My Etsy store needs some TLC...

But mostly, I'm looking forward to soaking up summer!  There was a crispness in the air that whispered faintly of fall this morning.  Although I'm over the oppressive heat and humidity, I'm not quite ready to give in to fall yet.  

{They're calling for temps in the 100's next week, so I have a while.}

What are you doing this weekend?  Any big plans?

Have a lovely weekend!  See you Monday!

Bicycles with baskets...

It's been so hot lately, and with us being sick, we haven't gone for a bike ride in a while!  I think it's high time we got out and about.  Perhaps tonight I can talk the hubs into going for a ride and then to the pool!  Wouldn't that be lovely?

Speaking of bicycles, it's been a while since I've shared some beautiful bicycle pics with you...this edition complete with baskets!  :)

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

Have you been to the pool this year?

We've been a handful of times, but I don't feel like it's been nearly enough.  Everyone keeps telling me that summer is almost over, and even though I know there's lots of summer left, I'm feeling the need to soak up every last drop of it.  I always convince myself when it's freezing that summer's not all that wonderful...but it so is.

To see other posts on two wheels go here.

Hot, Hot, Hot...

If it's going to be this hot, you really should be at the beach.   

{or a pool. or lake.  or at least near a sprinkler.  not outside without some kind of water.  and certainly not in a Wal-mart parking lot.  oh my.}

Summer is here in full force, and it is steamy!

What's the weather like where you are?

Oh, and hey, hey!  Tomorrow is Friday!  ;)

{photo credit : Christian Chaize available here found here}

my house smells happy...

coconut lime verbena from bath and body works.  oh yes.  reminds me of my best friend.  she lives in texas, and i usually visit her in summer when it's 1000 degrees down there, but her house is always nice and cool and smells like coconut lime verbena.  it does make me miss her terribly, but it's kind of comforting too.  i wonder if my house smells like her house right now!?  

i went to the big sale today and stocked up on wallflowers. 

{$4 each!  you can't beat that!}

i have the scent of my house planned out for the next 6 months.  when the coconut lime wears out, i think i'll finish off the summer with juicy nectarine and then move to spiced cider for fall/winter.  maybe throw in a little cherry blossom to liven things up at some point.  

what are your favorite home scents?  

photo via bath and body works website

since you asked...

Unfortunately, I was too eager to get started on the artwork in my last post that I forgot to take a picture of the original vintage print before I started painting on it!  I did get a pic before I got going too far though...

Hope you all had a lovely tuesday!

I had a great day at work and even came home and ran in the heat.  When Jon got home from work we went to the neighborhood pool and took a dip to cool off.  It was soooo nice!  We think we might just do that every evening during the summer.  The sting of the chlorine in my eyes took me back to my childhood.  It definitely feels like summer now.  Love it.