Worn: Just A Little Heat

I wore this during a warm spell on a lazy Sunday, lounging around the house, fussing with the garden, napping and cooking. I get chilled easily by a passing breeze or a pool of shade, so I am really loving this lightweight batwing open knit cardigan. It's floats on easily over dresses and covers my shoulders in skimpy strapped tops like this silky animal print one. It's foggy and sixty-two degrees as I type this, sitting here in a sweatshirt and woolly socks, dreaming of more summery days.

bdg sailor shorts from UO

h+m cardigan

ruffled blouse from Crossroads

a.j. morgan sunglasses

West Cliff: A Walk

Eric and I have been going on beach excursions the past few weekends. I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but even though we live in a beach town, approximately two miles from the coast, we've only been to the beach together a handful of times, and only once in swim suits (ooh la la). We made a pact to try to take advantage of where we live right now; who knows if we might move away sometime? Summer in Santa Cruz has been beautiful, but predictably mild. If the ocean magically warmed to sixty-nine degrees, this might truly be paradise for me.

West Cliff Drive snakes North along the coast from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Gazing across the wide expanse of the bay is so relaxing, and the water was amazingly clear and blue. Eric had hoped Oreo would enjoy chasing little scuttling crabs and things around the tide pools, but she mostly stared longingly after the pelicans. She was a bit timid and stuck by his side until he got too close to the edge where the waves were breaking. Scruffy hair blowing in all directions, Oreo barely got her feet wet, picking her way carefully around the holes in the rock.

Links A La Mode

Summer vs. Winter

Edited by: Emily of Sugar & Spice

It’s strange to think that while here in the UK we’re finally basking in a little sunshine, some places are entering Autumn (Fall!) and Winter. This week’s posts reflect the two hemispheres with posts on Fall trends and beach essentials. What a better time to be experiencing a little of summer in the UK as we welcome the Olympics to London this week! And did you know it’s the 66th birthday of the bikini? Plus, whether you’re shopping the sales this week or shopping away the blues, there’s a guide for you here:

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: July 27

1. A Minor Obsession: How to wear brocade
2. Anthony & Elle: DIY glitter shoes
3. Bespoke Baroque: How one item can begin to change your life
4. Best Of Bklyn: 5 things to do in 5 minutes to look 5 times better
5. Chic Black Chick: How to wear the Fall trends
6. Classic Glam Blog: DIY Nautical Knot Rope Necklace
7. Crisis in Denim: Retail Therapy
8. Elegant Idiosyncrasy: A close-up look at styling a shoot
9. The Fashionistyle: Celebrating 66 years of the bikini
10. Fashion-opolis: The Art of Sale Shopping
11. Favor the Brave: Embracing simplicity
12. Girl in Betsey: Summer pieces and how to wear them in the Fall
13. Life.Style.Flash: A few honest thoughts on blogging
14. Madly Chic: An Interview with Project Runway contestant Joshua Christensen
15. Pish Posh Perfect: 10 Essentials for the Beach
16. Room 334: Some personal rules for blogging
17. Soffs Blog: The Swinging Sixties
18. South x Style: Five cheap ways to upgrade your look
19. Style Chain: The Formula to the Perfect Arm Party
20. The Style Confessions: How to shop successfully for clothes

Thread Wrapped Bangles DIY

I had a request for a tutorial on thread-wrapped bracelets like the one worn here:

1. Select your colors; you can use as few or as many as you want. Don't unwind your skeins or everything will get tangled as your wrap, just pull a foot or so loose to start with.
2. Tie all strands together with an overhand knot and tape (or glue) to the inside of the bracelet.
3. With one color, start wrapping the string around the bangle. Make sure to cover the other strings on the inside of the bracelet with each pass
4-5. When you want to change colors, simply put the thread you were working with back in the group and select another to continue wrapping with.
6. When you reach the beginning again, finish the bracelet by knotting the last string you worked with to the rest of the colors, applying a dab of strong glue on the knot, and then trimming off the ends with sharp scissors. Voila!

{ Shown in first photo: Adesso Amitola Bangle $100-$180 (square) and Amrita Singh Bangles w/Chain }

Worn: Simple Summer Vintage

I won this vintage purse in a giveaway a few years ago when I first started blogging. 

It has lion feet. It is amazing. Memories.

vintage dress, thrifted

vintage purse, giveaway win

secondhand wedges from Crossroads Trading

diy bracelet*

*come back tomorrow morning for said tutorial

My Week In Photos

Follow me @outofmeghan

Movie Night: The Mini Skirt Mob

I came across this title while perusing movies on netflix and was immediately intrigued by the title. Turns out, this 1968 low-budge gem is a lot tougher than the title. The ladies rule in this biker gang, and the men are just along for the ride. But their beer-guzzling, outlaw ways are put on hold by one jilted gal's plan to destroy her former flame and his goody two-shoes new girlfriend. Check out this movie if you want some campy new pseudo-Girl Power inspiration and serious style tips from Shayne and Edie, the feisty but ill-fated blonde sisters, and Connie, the sheltered but ultimately victorious "other woman." If you're up for some hilarious antics (it's not a comedy) consider The Mini Skirt Mob on movie night!

Sweet Saturday: Honey Peach Icecream

Summer, peaches and honey just seem the perfect pair, no?

Ingredients:

4 very ripe peaches

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

*I used white peaches because I was in a pinch, but I think the recipe is meant for regular yellow peaches. And I didn't want to go out to buy milk or cream, so I used vanilla soy milk. Unless you're lactose-intolerant or avoiding animal products though, I wouldn't recommend this substitution. It just wasn't creamy enough! It makes a really nice smoothie base, however ;)

1. Chop the peaches and simmer 3/4 of them in the honey for about ten minutes.

2. Dissolve sugar in peach and honey mixture and let cool a bit

3. Puree mixture in a blender with the milk

4. Transfer to your ice cream maker and churn for about twenty minutes. 

Add the rest of the chopped peach and let the machine go until the

 mixture reaches the consistency of custard.

5. Freeze for at least an hour before trying!

*pictures mine / recipe adapted from ezrapoundcake*

IFB Links a la Mode

Edited by: Taylor Davies

Despite the new look and slight changes to our forums on the new IFB site, there was no shortage of selections for this week’s Links a la Mode round up! From easy summer style to bridal trends and even some chatter over the latest Olympic drama with Ralph Lauren as well as teens and photoshopping in magazines, we had a lot to cover! Check out this week’s links and if yours has been chosen, be sure to check back later today for the code so you can post the links on your blog. Happy clicking!

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: JULY 19TH

• A Brit Greek: Leather – 50 Shades for Maximum Impact
• April & Black: We Love Love Love Manish Arora
• Banjo Eyes: The Long and Short of It
• Can You Come Home: What Should I Wear To Work With The Bougainvilla Flower Trend?
• Dress Code: High Fashion: Altelier Swarovski Diana Vreeland Legacy Collection
• Elle Yeah: Haute Couture Week Highlights
• Emma Louque: Richard Nicoll for Topshop Bridal Love
• Fashionopolis: Fashion Blogging 101
• Fashion is Evolution: DIY Ombre Rhinestone Necklace
• Fresh Squeezed: Ralph Lauren’s Olympic-size Controversy
• Girl Loves Color: Walking on Sunshine (Color Spotlight: Yellow)
• Les Finer Things: Crazy Yin Love
• Moments With Meera: Prints, Prints, Prints!
• Oranges & Apples: Some Thought on Clothing Challenges
• Soychild: In Defense of Outdated Trends
• Tickle Me Chic: Real Girls Making A Real Difference
• The New Lady Times: Bride, Borrow or Steal
• The Curvy Elle: Fashion Trends Adapted for Plus-Size
• The Penny Rose: Moonrise Kingdom
• Zsasa and Everything Else: The OMG Necklace

A Bird's Story Part II

 Remember last week when I showed you the tiny little nest and single egg hiding in this plant? Well this week there are suddenly three more lil eggies! I don't even know how this tiny bird can produce such things. Momma's very quick, so I haven't been able to get a photo of her when she's keeping the eggs warm. Just took this quick phone pic. And no that's not a giant clover, the nest is small enough to fit in my palm!

Worn: Patchwork Prints

I applied to Modcloth today! Then I got all dressed up to hit up happy hour down on the wharf with my best friend, and my car wouldn't start up. Ye ole Camry is definitely on it's last legs so it wasn't too surprising, but we were still a bit bummed we couldn't go play pretend tourist, eat clam chowder in a bread bowl and feed the seagulls our leftovers. When we reschedule our trip, I'll be sure to take along my camera. The sun came out, so I took some photos in the backyard before kicking off my favorite new booties again and lounging around on the couch before starting dinner.  Not really the exciting afternoon I had planned, but a beautiful one nonetheless. This dress makes me feel like a proper lady, while the boots make me sure I'm still tough ;)

Spring Mix vintage dress {for sale in my shop}

grey suede Mossimo booties

A.J. Morgan "Marlo" sunglasses

second-hand bag from Crossroads Trading Co.

skinny leopard belt

vintage scarves

Crafty Clothes Pins

When I saw these teeny wooden clothespins at my local Beverly's, I couldn't resist picking up a package. I added them to the big bag of regular wooden pins I've been hoarding, waiting for the day I need to make a giant banner of some sort (now that I've finally found the cable and ink for my ole printer, i might actually get to that, but another time...)

Back to the mini pins. I started getting excited playing with the colors, and had a perfect opportunity to wear my "customizable" necklace on July 4th. I had to bleach a few yellow pins, but it was worth it for the quick and easy red-white-and-blue accessory. I think I'm going to have to paint some gooooooooold and silver soon and make a serious statement necklace.

What would you do with wooden clothespins?

Pinterest Round-up

The images can be found along with the rest of my pins {HERE}

 {1,2,4} Dreamy getaway locations in Chile, the Philippines, and the mountains of Canada {3} decorating ideas with framed vintage scarves {5} self-explanatory manicure awesomeness {6} safety pin jewelry {7} stacks of letters, piles of prose {8} hand crochet! {9} skinnyrich shenanigans {10} House of Harlow linked rings {11} Philip Barlow's beautiful paintings capture the summer haze so well

Since I used to only buy my craft supplies at the local (but limited) craft store, I was really excited to find a list of the Ten Best online resources for craft supplies from Stripes & Sequins. I really, really want to try the easy recipe for Gluten Free Seafood Torilla Soup recipe from Meghann Finley's blog and Pearls, Handcuffs & Happy Hour's Healthy Chicken Burrito Bowl. Thank goodness the weather forecast for the next few days is cooler than hotter! I also found a fun Tiffany Blue lemonade cocktail that could be worth a try, too. Once I have some free time, I'm going to continue browsing through 100 Days of Real Food's lengthy resource of meal plans.

My Week in Photos

Working on next week's diy project // gerbera daisies // red, white & blueberries on July 4th // played pool for the first time in too long! // matchy-matchy pinks & next week's lipgloss review // red-orange alert // we're getting a basketball team // the garden is flourishing // love lace and favorite H&M sandals

check out my day-to-day on instagram: @outofmeghan