This Week: Counting down to Summer!!

 

photos from left to right, Beach Ball via Cinemaretro, Reasons to wear swimming caps via yummy bubby, Healthy summer popsicles via Fit Tip Daily

As Spring comes to an end, I find myself excited about a new season once again!!  And so the countdown begins!! 19 days till Summer!! I'm excited about sunny pool/beach days, popsicles, ice cream, gelato, BBQ, Miami Spice, margaritas, lemonade, sun tans, bike rides, and the overall more relaxed feeling that comes along with summer! First on the agenda for this season is to buy a new BBQ, tan my legs (so I can wear dresses...they are too pale), and come up with a few delicious cocktail recipes inspired by all of the amazing concoctions I tried in NYC. What are your plans this summer?! Are you excited about it yet? So this week...

1. Check out some delicious popsicle recipes from Country Living here.

2. I found out David Sedaris will be visiting Miami Beach in November! I want to go!!! See the rest of his tour dates here!

3. Am falling more and more in love with bird cages lately, this one is lovely!! Wishing I had a spot in my apartment where I could hang a little cluster of old bird cages.

4. My friend, Cristina shared 5 of her favorite things with us! See them here!

5. Tigerlily dream has offered to sponsor the first ever giveaway on Lilly Pond(ering) Blog!! One lucky reader will win the necklace featured in this post!! Pop in here on Monday to enter to win!!
Have a lovely, sunny weekend!! xo

One Accessory Said to the Other: Sweet Dreams

The Fashion Accessory

 Marimekko BonBon Necklace-Orange & Pink Melooni by Tigerlily Dream on Etsy

It's my friend's shop, check out the rest of Tigerlily Dream's Bonbon Collection here!!

The Home Accessory

Kaveri Quilt designed by Rebekah Maysles from Anthropologie

Currently Loving: Cristina Rozas's Favorite Things for Spring 2011

 

photo by SCAD second year photo student, Maria Rozas

Cristina is a former classmate of mine. I run into her at concerts and "see" her regularly on Facebook. She is one of the nicest people I met in school, she's cool, she's talented and she's got great taste too!! I asked Cristina to tell us a little about herself and what she's up to these days, here's what she said...

Hmm. Well, I got my Bachelor's in Interior Design at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale where I took summers off to travel around Europe. Traveling made me become extremely passionate about Architecture, Textiles, and Industrial Design. I'm currently continuing my education in the Art Institute by taking classes on Environmental/Sustainable Design and experimenting with Furniture Design. Also, I've recently started renovating a house in Guatemala which is really exciting because I get to design a couple more custom furniture pieces. Finally, next year I'll be moving to Switzerland to pursue a job opportunity in a textile company and/or to continue my education on Sustainable Products and Design.  I'm hoping to one day start my own company with a focus on safe and sustainable living. Also, I would love to come out with a line of chairs made from recycled plastics and reclaimed wood. 

 
My inspiration comes from all branches of design with an emphasis on environmentally friendly and people friendly products. This is the first piece I’ve designed and created, all made from reclaimed wood with a non-toxic finish.

1. Feminine Frocks.  Spring is the best time to be feminine, and a great way to do so is with the perfect dress. The one that caught my eye is the Mompos Dress by Tracy Reese. Its classic design is universally flattering and, with the right accessories, can take you anywhere this spring. I recommend pairing it with flats and retro sunglasses for a sunny picnic, or with a cardigan and wedges for a cool night. Mompos Dress, $228 via Anthropologie

2. Mochi Ice Cream. A Japanese treat made from pounded sticky rice and ice cream filling, Mochi ice cream is a delicious way to cool down. It’s refreshing, yummy, and comes in a variety of flavors. My personal favorite is green tea. Mochi Ice Cream, $6.99 www.traderjoes.com

3. Little Joy. Even though it’s been a couple of years since Little Joy’s self-titled album was released, it’s still perfect for this season. Formed by The Stroke’s drummer Fabrizio Moretti, Los Hermanos singer Rodrigo Amarante, and LA chanteuse Binki Shapiro, Little Joy resonates with indie rock sounds from the band member’s previous musical ventures while paying homage to Brazilian Bossa Nova. Their songs are simple and sweet, making it the ideal soundtrack for spring. Little Joy, $9.77. www.amazon.com

4. Peony. Every season I like try a new scent, mostly because a season is how long a fragrance will last me, and because it’s an inexpensive change from season to season. A friend of mine gave me a vial of Pivoine Flora from L’Occitane a while back and I haven’t stopped using it since. The smell is subtle and fresh and the packaging is perfect; a small roll-on vial that goes a long way and is perfect to freshen up on the go. Pivoine Flora Eau de Toilette Roll-On, $16. www.loccitane.com

5. Mirrors. Whether they be in geometric designs circa the Art Deco era, or in opulent frames reminiscent of the Galerie des Glaces in the Palace at Versailles, mirrors have become a design staple once again. They add glamour to any room and, depending on the design, go great in all homes. They’re on trend this spring but they’ve proven to be a lasting piece throughout the years. I’m recently in search of one for a remodeling project and I think I’ve finally found it! Venetian Mirror, $965 Neiman Marcus

This Week: The Unofficial Start of Summer

Swimming Cap by Greg Lotus via NIBA

And just like that it's Memorial Day Weekend! This year is flying by, isn't it?! As of this weekend, it officially feels like Summer. We have left sunny South Beach and checked into my mom's house in the suburbs for the weekend. Our plans consist of lots of lounging, BBQ, a graduation party, splish splashing in the pool and visiting with friends. So excited to have three whole days off! What are your long weekend plans?! I'm excited to wake up to a big breakfast made by my mom!! So this week...

1. Daily Candy and NPR released Summer Beach Reading lists, I'm not sure if I'll read any of these but perhaps you'll find it useful if you're stuck on selecting a light easy beach read;) 

2. I watched The Hangover 2 and was terribly disappointed:( I figured it would not live up to the first, why even try? Have any of you watched it? Thoughts?

3. Sofia Coppola is getting married!! 

4. Am craving some delicious Rum Punch, it's so yummy that it sneaks up on you, doesn't it?! Bobby Flay's Rum Punch recipe sounds delicious:) 

5. Am about to start reading The Happiness Project. Have any of you read it? Will let you know how it goes:)

 Have a safe, happy, looooong weekend!!! xo 

Spring 2011: Pantone's Top 10 Colors for Mens Fashion for Spring 2011

As promised, here are Pantone's Top 10 Colors for Men's Fashion for Spring 2011. They are almost the same as Pantone's Top 10 Colors for Women's Fashion for Spring 2011, except Honeysuckle, Coral Rose, Peapod, Silver Peony, and Silver Cloud have been replaced by Barberry, Firecracker, Turf Green, Linen and Flint Gray. I think I will try to get my husband to wear Barberry and Linen:) Do you have a favorite? Will you be recommending any of these colors to the man in your life? xo

Pantone's Top 10 Color for Mens Fashion for Spring 2011 by lillyphunq on Polyvore.com

This Week: The Joys of Girlhood

photo on card my sister gave me by Lee Anne Brooke

We went to watch Bridesmaids tonight and it was soooo funny! It felt so good to laugh so hard! At dinner afterwards, I was talking with my sister about how wonderful it was/is to be a girl. I'm sure boys have fun too, but girls, we have so much fun! It's funny because we're intelligent, well rounded, educated women and though girly topics still interest and amuse us, we're definitely not bimbos! I'm still friends with girls I played Barbie with (my goodness has she evolved, she has her own website now:) We enjoy talking about serious topics, and life but also have fun talking about decor or nail polish, showing each other the new clothes and make-up we buy, and sharing recipes. My husband once commented on how funny it was that my sister and I can skip from serious topics in conversation to say, mascara and be equally excited and interested in the conversation!   I don't know why, but every little thing can be fun when you share it with your girlfriends, don't you agree?! Thinking back on all the funny (too embarrassing to talk about in detail here) little snippets I can recall perfectly from my girlhood (and womanhood thus far) makes me feel so lucky to have always had such great friends:) And just like that we're all grown women with careers and responsibilities and I get to see some of them become wonderful mothers, and we still have our girly conversations and laugh together. I just love quality girly time with my lovely friends (you know who you are;) So this week...

1. Two of my friends had their baby girls!! Congratulations to "L" and "J"!!!

2. I fell in love with Keri Russell's Brownstone in Brooklyn in the latest issue of Elle Decor Magazine!!!!

3. I would love to go here!! Isn't it dreamy?!

4. In the coming weeks some of my Currently Loving posts will feature some wonderful, creative people I know and they will be sharing a couple of the things they are Currently Loving!

5. Memorial Day weekend is around the corner?! Any big plans?! Do tell!!

Have a lovely weekend!!! xo

Currently Loving: Reclaimed Wood in Design

One of the things I enjoyed most during my recent trip to New York City was how lovely and charmingly old everything is. Old like in Europe, meaning old but well maintained, timeless! As I sat in the sun-filled dining room at Prime Meats in Brooklyn, I overheard a gentleman telling another that the space we were in was a recent addition to the restaurant, and he went on to explain that they had used reclaimed wood for the floors and walls. The space felt so rich, the slight echo as our server walked to our table and away, the sun coming in through the skylight, the old table tops and chairs, the old window in the dining room in front of us, right then I fell in love with reclaimed/re-purposed wood like never before. Not only is it a more sustainable approach but it is truly lovely with it's charming weather and charm, isn't it? Here are a few lovely examples of reclaimed woods in Industrial and Interior Design.

from left to right: Deger Cengiz's Leaning Shelves via 3-Rings, Silkscreen on Reclaimed Wood Bookmarks via Nicola and the Newfoundlander, Reclaimed Wood Stairs via Trendir, side table/stool by Nicolai Czumaj-Bront via Modecodesign, Bodhi Desk from Anthropologie, Organic Coil Cherry wood bracelet by Gustav Reyes via Artful Home, LV Wood Floors via Interior Design