Summer Summer Summertime

W Magazine via The Fashion Spot

I know it's still technically spring, but I'm slightly sunburnt, mosquito bitten and, according to outdated fashion rules, can now wear white with abandon. I spent the holiday weekend in the boonies of Connecticut at a friend's bachelorette party, and for the first time this year, I feel summer creeping in.

My friend's dad is a camp director, and she hosted the bachelorette get-together at her parents' house there. Days at the beach, canoeing on the lake, barbequing and a hot tub at night - a pretty perfect summer weekend all in all. What's even better is that I get to return to a different camp in two weeks for the wedding! (The bride met her sweetie at summer camp. Isn't that cute?)

This W Magazine shoot from 1997, "Camp High," is serving as my inspriation. Stella McCartney, Marianne Faithful and a young Kate Moss. It doesn't get much better than that.

Buttoned Up

Source: mrnewton.net via WellAppointedCatwalk on Pinterest

Tied up in a knot or left loose, over skinny jeans or tucked into wide-legs, I am loving sleeveless oxfords right now. I tend to get obsessed with one piece of clothing at a time and wear it over and over again, so of course I'm wearing mine right now - a sheer cream blouse I got while I was in New York. It's perfect for today's 80+ temps while still being polished enough for work.

These summery button-ups are almost ubiquitous in stores right now, but I've rounded up some of my favorite options here.

Growth Plate

[via yatzer]

What better reminder to conserve our natural resources than a little piece of the Earth? Growth Plate by Andrew Harmon is designed to force us to interact with the environment on a daily basis and to heighten our awareness of our natural ecosystem. The idea is that the more connected we feel to the Earth, the more conscious our choices will be. It's an awfully pretty way to save energy, isn't it?

Bed Rest

Source: convoy.tumblr.com via WellAppointedCatwalk on Pinterest

It took seven days of chicken soup, hot tea and bed rest, but I'm finally starting to feel like myself again. (For a while there, I was sure I was turning into one of those little green monsters from the Mucinex commercials.)

Now I'm at the stage where all I want is to leave my apartment and do something - anything - but I just don't have the energy. Perhaps if my sickbed looked something like this, in the midst of fields or gardens, I wouldn't have such cabin fever. There's nothing like dreamy, outdoor sleeping spots to cure whatever ails you.

Meh...

Sorry - no pictures. Just a quick post to explain why I've been MIA. Basically, I came down with some kind of mutant cold from hell on Sunday, and I've been spending my days wandering between the bed and the couch. I have no energy to sit at the computer, let alone to come up with anything inspirational, so check out my blogroll to the right if you're looking for some new reading material. And I promise I'll be back with something interesting as soon as I'm feeling better!

H&M Swim

via H&M

Here's my inspiration to get in shape. No - not the models. The swimwear! H&M is rocking it this season with their bathing suits and cover ups.

My New England hibernation tends to keep my gym schedule pretty erratic in the winter, and I haven't much felt like trying on bathing suits yet. But I've been working out three days a week, have cut out most refined sugar, and I'm feeling great. It's really just a matter of confidence, but if I keep this up, I'll have my pick of great beachwear in no time.

Have you bought any bathing suits yet this season?

Bag It, Tag It

My friend emailed these photos of European shopping bags to me yesterday, and I thought they were just brilliant. When something as simple as a paper bag can make you smile, that's good design!

More after the jump...

In Bloom - A FTF Blog Event

[all images via Pinterest; click for source]

Despite this being a design blog, I've never thought to cover landscape architecture here. Yet, when Kristy Elena announced that this month's theme for the Full Time Fabulous Community blog event would be spring, my mind immediately turned to gardens.

I'm lucky enough to live near a beautifully landscaped reservoir, but as far as a yard goes, I'm left with a narrow strip of grass where the building's dogs go to do their business. Not exactly inspirational, but could spend endless spring days in the gardens I've chosen here.

I Heart New York

 NYC Railway Calendar by Zero Per Zero
(Forgot to bring my camera to New York - bad blogger!)

Sorry for being MIA while I was in New York. Sometimes you just have to step away from the computer and enjoy life, you know? 

In any case, I'm glad to report that the massive search for bright pants was a success! I had only been in Topshop once before, on a Saturday, and I was so overwhelmed by the throngs of teenage girls at the time that I didn't make it past the front racks. SoHo on a Monday is a different world, thankfully, and I walked out of Topshop with perfect-fitting red skinny jeans, this knotted navy blouse and this orange fringed cardigan. Can't wait to try out some color-blocking with my new finds.

Of course, the trip didn't entirely revolve around shopping. I got to take in a performance of Memphis on Saturday night (it was amazing!), see some college friends at a wedding shower on Sunday and eat delicious Mexican seafood with my little cousin Sunday evening.

Before SoHo on Monday, my mom and I spent the day exploring the Chelsea galleries, many of which turned out to be closed. We were lucky enough to stumble on an incredible Picasso exhibit, though, and were able to view his work more closely than we ever could have at a crowded museum. We then grabbed lunch at Cookshop, walked the High Line to the Meatpacking District, then hopped on the subway for shopping in SoHo.

One of the highlights of the trip came that evening when I finally got to meet Jamilla of Made to Travel. I headed East to meet my blogger buddy for a drink, and she's just as lovely in real life as she is online. Jamilla is one of the most engaged, supportive bloggers out there, and she's only been at it for three months! This girl is going to blow up, and I'll be able to say I knew her back when.