cactus green

Kai bbq'd delicious nopales the other day, and I have been hung up on cacti ever since. Though this wouldn't be the time of the year to do it, a trip to the desert sure sounds like fun.
Desert Print- Joshua Tree National Monument by Ingraham Photos, High waisted Hawaii swimsuit by Meshalo, (desert connection: they are from Palmdale)  and Cactus in Antique Green Pot by Eucca

escape

Today is one of those days where everything seems a bit wrong. I keep tripping over cords and bumping into things, and messing stuff up in general. I wish I could escape to another place and time, and be someone else just for today. 1920s Set of Two Vintage Prints from Banana Strudel, Black Cat Print Dress by Leah Goren, Bamboo & Lycra Chiffon Black 'Thalia' Cropped Cami by Hopeless, Vintage Blackstrap Wood Platforms from Dear Golden

summer cuties

Vintage Multi Color Swimsuit from my drawing number one, Aubergines oil painting by Naomi Layne, and sweetest little Vintage Mermaid Aquarium Figure from BeeJayKay

Jamaicarita

 This is how we spent the 4th of July, and the 3rd too...and maybe the 2nd. Drinking Jamaicaritas, which I thought I invented, but apparently did not. Delicious and dangerous. Here is one recipe. We lined the rims of our glasses with ancho chile powder and sea salt (I licked most of it off by the time of this photo). Yum! Making home made Jamaica is great because you can control the amount of sugar. I prefer it a little tart.
If you have never had or heard of Jamaica, it is a sweet hibiscus tea available at most Mexican restaurants, especially fast food places, where you see it dispensed in those big plastic containers next to the equally delicious, Horchata.  It has a really unique flavor, and Kai and I love it!!
Also pictured are Trader Joe's wasabi almonds. It might seem like a weird combination, but after a couple Jamaicaritas anything goes.

yum!!!!!!

I just spent the last half hour looking at pictures of fried pickles. I'm so hungry!
More beautiful images and the delicious sounding recipe here.

festive

Any fun plans for July 4th? Our little town of Bodega Bay puts on a small, but super awesome fireworks show over the bay funded by our BB bumper stickers (Kai and I both have one). The beautiful blues above are: Polaroid Print 8 x 8-Amsterdam Entrance, Hemp Tie Tunic, Marine Stripes on Oatmeal Japanese Fabric, and Vintage 70s Lattice Scoop Swimsuit.

a little navy

Vintage Dress, Bodalla Ruffle Sleeve Top, Floral Band Print and Cardigan with Seahorse Print

tie-dye

Did you ever go through a tie-dye phase? I definitely did when I was thirteen, and often paired it with striped leggings and combat boots and sometimes flannel and black lipstick. Good look, right?!
Well, these three are far from grungy and are definitely lovely: Reversible Tie Dye Tote by Urban Revisions, i tried to grow up but i loved the disco by Dirty Like the Weeds, and Tie Die Printed Bell Skirt by Anoushka

two new paintings

 Favorite place & Summer girl

grey grays

1 & 2

3 & 4

5 & 6

Today is a bit gray and windy, just the way we like it in Northern California! Here are some of my favorite gray things:

1. Mid Century Chair from Shaving Kit Supplies

2. Pigeon Figurine by Handy Maiden

3. Silhouette of Cypress by Windy Lane Studio

4. So Long as Nothing Changes I also by Kai

5. Pumpkin Field by Postal Modern

6. Vintage Handsome Horses from Elizabeth Wren Vintage

happy weekend, and thank you oaxaca

We were drinking my favorite beverage, Tequila on Cinco de Mayo, and RR said to try Mezcal.
Mezcal is from Oaxaca, and has a distinctive smokey taste. It also makes you feel light and happy, (I  deduced) and has health benefits such as aiding digestion and acting as an aphrodisiac (I will not tell you if that has been deduced)! All I can say is I have a new favorite beverage, and if any of you are Tequila fans and haven't tried Mezcal, get to it, it's delicious. And have a happy weekend!
(image from the New York Times)

summer colors: turquoisey teal and pinky red

 Turquoise Ruffled Swimsuit + Turquoise Waterfall Painting + Vintage Teal and Sage Cinch Belt

Grapefruit Vegan Mineral Blush + The Shuffleboard Striped dress + Vintage Red Leather Flats + Tin Toy Cups

Two finished commissions

The first is a portrait of the adorable Gabriel commissioned by his mother Rachel to capture him as a growing boy and pay tribute to the time they spent with Gabriel as a baby in Antigua, Guatemala while adopting him, before bringing him to the US. 
The second is a buoy from a very beautiful beach where Analisa's husband Eric's family had their  cozy beach house for many years and multiple generations. Kai is working on two additional paintings for Analisa and Eric which capture memories from this special place.
I had so much fun working on both of these, and I have a few more commissions which I am close to finishing up and will share soon.

beachy

1 & 2

3 & 4

5 &6

1. City Lamp by Umbu
2. Madrid Shirred Dress by Meemoza
3. 1970s Vintage Wicker Wedge Sandals from G.O.R. Vintage
4. Beach 'Brellas Polaroid by jerseymaids
5. Catch a Wave Fine Art Photo Print by Little Gray Pixel
6. Mediterranean Porcelain Large Sea Urchin Sculpture by Blue Room Pottery

summer memories

It has been two years since we left Florida, and while I love Northern California and wouldn't want to live anywhere else, there is one thing I miss... the beaches. These photos were taken on one of our trips to the Keys, where the water was so shallow you could walk in the perfectly clear, bath tub warm ocean for yards.
(Kai hates that photo of us, but I think it's cute).

two favorite summery shops

my dear thing

&

hier apparel

Reality Bites

Though it doesn't get the greatest rating on IMDB, Reality Bites will always be one of my favorite movies. I watched it over and over again in junior high until my video tape wouldn't play anymore, and I am pretty sure I had a whole scrap book dedicated to Ethan Hawke, although it might have been shared with My So Called Life's Jared Leto. Last night I convinced Kai to watch it once again, and it definitely held up! Oh how I wish I could rock Winona Ryder's sweet 90's haircut.
(photos from rottentomatoes)

happy summer: camping

 Kai and I were going to go on a camping trip today, but it looks like we are both too busy painting...which is a good thing! So I am living vicariously through these wonderful Etsy items which evoke the happiest camping feelings:
 Vintage 1920's photo. The Mountain Climber Woman from Toby Creek,  Campfire Limited Edition Print by Groundwork, Vintage Red Lantern from Nostalgie Europe, A book about moss and lichen vol. 1 photo by Roger J. Porter, Cotton sleeping bag quilt by good intent, and Dreamy Beach photo by Jessica Torres.

I think Big Sur, CA is my all time favorite camping destination. Do you guys like camping, and if so what's your favorite spot? I would love to hear!

ps- I am eternally on a search for the perfect hot springs...

summer colors

Painted Flowers Fabric by Liz Scott and Sasstronaut Necklace by Leili

Bright Teal Tagua Nut Necklace by Veronica Riley Martens, Grey Heron by Elise Mahan, and Bitter from Felt by OS.

summer countdown- rosy

I am not a big lipstick person because it generally makes my lips feel sticky, but this tinted lip gloss by Sweetpea & Fay is something I could totally handle. I want those lips! Does anyone have recommendations for tinted lip gloss, or not to sticky lipsticks? I would love to hear.
Also pictured above, the perfectly summery White Prairie Blouse by donkey + lemon, beautifully named Her Very Own Sea photo print by Caryn Drexl and sweet little painting from my new favorite series by Caroline of coolranchstudio, Wildflowers no. 12.