This Week: The Sun Also Rises

photo of Ernest Hemingway and friends in Pamplona, Spain during the Fiesta San Fermin in 1925 (the experience The Sun Also Rises is based on...except he omitted his wife, Hadley from the story in his book) via JFK Presidential Library and Museum

And so the obsession with Ernest Hemingway continues! I meant to start reading A Moveable Feast this week but was unable to get my hands on a copy (until yesterday, can't wait to start reading it:) and so I started reading The Sun Also Rises. It is interesting to read since I read about that trip and the real characters who joined him while reading The Paris Wife. I have never had much of an interest in Bull Fighting, happen to find it quite cruel, really but somehow he has even managed to make that experience seem interesting. Have/are any of you read/reading these books? So this week...

1. I learned about an amazing resort in Acapulco, Mexico from Mrs. Lilien. I soooo want to go spend a few relaxing days at Hotel Boca Chica! Have any of you been?!

2. Happy to read that I'm not the only one obsessing about the 1920's, Read about The Great Gatsby inspired designs here!!

3. Reading about the movie Shag on Vogue's website brought back so many memories!! My best friend since childhood and I watched this movie over and over when we were young girls! Love to know that we had such great taste;) Next thing you know someone will be raving about Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael, another one of our (many) favorites! ha!

4. My friend, Yelsi of Tigerlily Dream has wonderful new designs in her shop! I am especially loving the Pretty Skinny Bracelets and Necklace and Pop Rocks (what a great name!!). Take a little peek here!

5. Am excited about Season 9 of Project Runway!! It premieres this Thursday, July 28th on Lifetime! You can check out the contestants portfolio here.

Hope your week and weekend (sorry I'm late:) has been lovely! Have a great week!! xo

This Week: Loving Ernest & Blueberry Coffee

photo by me

 It's amazing how much one movie can inspire such a fun reading streak! I reread The Great Gatsby and am now reading The Paris Wife. I am loving Ernest Hemingway! Mostly because I am reading all about him from his wife, Hadley's point-of-view and she was madly in love with him, but still, I had never taken such a liking to him! I love that they both called each other Tiny and Tatie and he called her Kitty and Cat and they called their son Bumby. I love that they were on great adventures even after having "settled down" and had a child. And I love to hear all about the people they met and conversations they had. Next on my list is A Moveable Feast a book published by Hemingway's fourth wife after his death that is all about his time in Paris during the 1920's so it'll be cool to read about the experience from his perspective. Do any of you have any favorite books by any of the literary expatriates that you want to recommend? What are you reading this summer? Please send recommendations my way, am reading through my selections so fast! So this week...

1. We spent a lovely evening with friends! We BBQ'd, we talked, we went for a nice walk! So nice to spend some quality time with great friends, isn't it?!

2. I found this cool little shop, Write with Moxie on etsy! Great gift idea for creative friends + I love the word moxie!!

3. I love the design of this new hotel in Nolita! 

4. Are you watching the new season of Secrets from a Stylist?! I like Emily, and it's always fun to see her work! Watch on Saturday nights at 9pm EST or DVR it!!

5. My sister brought us a bag of New England Coffee's Blueberry Cobbler coffee! One word: AMAZING!! You must try it!

Hope your Sunday is great and feels very looooong!

This Week: Looking forward to spring!

photo by me:)

Spring is almost here!! I know some of you are sitting in a winter wonderland reading this but Miami/Miami Beach has been sunny and hot all week and I am giving up on my hope for a few more cold fronts. I am fascinated by how perfectly we transition from season to season. I was so excited as Fall and Winter approached (even if our winter is hardly wintry), I was in the holiday spirit,  pulling out sweaters and jackets, baking pumpkin desserts, making soup and grilled cheese sandwiches on cold week nights. And just like that, Winter has grown old and I am excited about Spring! About the fun citrus colors that will be everywhere very soon, pretty spring dresses, the warm weather, pool days (still too cold to go to the beach), suntans, bbq's, lemonade, brunches and all the other fun things that come with Spring. Are you excited about Spring yet? What about Spring are you looking forward to the most? So this week...

1. My beautiful niece, Mia turned 4 years old! We're working on some ideas for her crafting birthday party!
2. Am so excited about citrus colors everywhere for spring, am putting together a post, check it out next week!
3. Today I watched Martha Stewart's Citrus Show! She had guest June Taylor teach us how to make Candied Meyer Lemons, such a great way to put lemon skin/peel (you would normally toss) to good use, check out the recipe here. You can purchase June Taylor's hand-made marmalades and other delicious treats  on her website and if you live near Berkeley you can sign up for classes too!
4. Are you a college student? If so, then you can enter The NY Times Modern Love Essay Contest! The winner gets $1000 and his/her essay published in a "Modern Love" column on May 1st, 2011.
5. Tickets to see Philip Johnson's Glass House are on sale now! I once got a tour from Mr. Johnson himself (on TV) and though I will definitely make it a point to go see the Glass House in person, it was so nice to hear all about it from him.
6. So I am embarrassed to say but I have pretty low standards when it comes to TV:/ Please don't judge, I just love some really crappy shows and even watch crappy shows I don't love, pretty bad, huh? So did you watch the first episode of The Real Housewives of Miami?
7. If you haven't already heard, I am happy to announce that H&M will be opening an online shop for the US!!  Too bad it won't be up til the end of the year because I'm dying for these 2-tone shoes with a gold heel I saw on a blog (can't remember which one so no link, sorry), those along with the rest of H&M's dreamy Spring 2011 collection are available in April!
8. Attending a Stella & Dot trunkshow at my friend's house tomorrow night, love girly gatherings!
9. I think I want to join or start a book club! Are any of you part of a book club? Would you be interested in joining one? I worry that it's hard to commit to reading whatever comes up since I'm a little moody when it comes to my book selections. On the other hand, it might be kind of nice to read something I wouldn't have necessarily picked up. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences with book clubs.
10. I would love it if you would please "like" Lilly Pondering Blog on Facebook! You can click on the like icon (see it in the margin>>) or click here to go to the facebook page and click the "like" icon! Thanks:)

Hope you have amazing weekends!! XO