The 11th Hour

Tomorrow, July 1, 2013, Google shuts the lights on Google Reader forever.  When I first started this blog in 2009, Google Reader was what I used to keep up with all my favorite blogs.  However, a few years ago I switched over to Bloglovin' and never looked back.  I've been meaning to do a post about this forever, but true to form, I'm here at the eleventh hour...anyway, if you're a procrastinator just like me, you have until the end of the day to move your feeds over from Google Reader.  USA Today, does a much better job of explaining how than I could ever hope to and also breaks down the benefits of some additional newer alternatives, like Feedly, (which I'm hearing great things about). How do you keep up/subscribe to blogs? I'd love to hear about it in the comments as there are so many different ways to do so, these days!

Minor Obsessions

 

earrings | conditioner | stationery | bracelet | gloss

Here's what I've been obsessing over lately...first and foremost, we just got a ton of great looking new jewelry up on the site, these earrings and this bracelet are so preppy/nautical/perfect for summer, I'm sporting them both right now. Be sure to head over to zhush.com and see what else is new (and don't forget to enter the zhush.com giveaway).

For frizzy/curly hair girls like me, the heat and humidity here in New York this week is no joke.  I literally discovered Living Proof products in the nick of sticky weather time, this leave in conditioner  really does what it says it will and helps keep the frizz factor down, way down, making it my new fave.  Speaking of faves, just got a new lip gloss that I'm absolutely loving.  Brilliant Gloss in Charm by Chantecaille ... it's the perfect summery pinky/beige/nude that I've been searching for (and it's available over on Net-a-Porter, who knew)?!

Finally, I've been a fan of Inslee Haynes Fashion Illustration for quite some time, so I'm super excited to see her fashionable notecards over at Shopbop! With two fashion loving daughters off at camp for the next couple of weeks, I can't wait to surprise them with some very special snail mail! That was an awful lot of exclamation points for one small post, what's got you throwing excessive punctuation around this week???

zhush.com giveaway!

As promised last week on Instagram, we're doing a zhush.com giveaway here today!  The last giveaway we did was quite some time ago and focused on the "pretty you" aspect of the shop, so today, it's all about the "pretty home" part of zhush.com.  We're giving away, to one lucky winner three of our top selling home accents (and some of my faves): One gold urchin, one amethyst cluster and one gold antique decorative book.



To enter just leave a comment below.

*For additional entries, you can do any or all of the following:

Tweet about this giveaway.
Pin this image...or any product from zhush.com.
Like The Zhush on Facebook.
Follow The Zhush on Pinterest.
Follow zhush on Instagram.
Sign up for our mailing list (for inside info on sales and promo codes)
**Make sure to leave an additional comment each time you do the above!

Giveaway ends at midnight, July 1, 2013. Winner announced July 2, 2013. Open to US and Canada only. Good Luck!

New Arrivals At zhush.com

fish vase | pillow 

phone case | vases | votive

amethyst boxes | note pad | terrarium

So many new and cool things have just gone up on the site! I'm so excited about each and every one of them, and most of all, so excited that we finally having a gift certificate option! Every week we've been adding things over at zhush.com, (like these fun monogram shades!) above are just a few of my current faves.  As I hinted on instagram, tomorrow we'll be doing a chic little giveaway here, so be sure to check back.  Also, click in on zhush.com often, as we'll be adding to the mix all summer long! P.S.~ Speaking of adding, I just recently had a Pinterest overlay added here on the blog...if you hover over an image, you should be easily able to pin it now! What can I say, it's the little details that always make me the happiest!

Wednesday Wants

bra clips

Today I'm sharing a great packing tip, just in time for any fun summer trips you might be taking.  A friend of mine tipped me off to these clips, and now I do just like she does and keep them stashed in my luggage all the time, so that they're always with me when I travel. I no longer need to worry that I didn't bring the right bra to go with every summer tank top and sleeveless dress I own...as these clever clips can turn any regular bra into a racer back one. We haven't firmed up any real plans yet, but I'm hoping to get away on at least one spontaneous weekend trip this summer.  Now that my clips are packed and ready to go, I'm contemplating these chic summery purchases (all well under $150.00!) to accompany them below...

top | dress | tank

Artfully Curated

With three children in camp, as of today (hurray!) I now have the much needed extra time to focus on some projects around the house and otherwise. First on my list...clearing out the clutter. I've already started by paring down my enormous magazine collection.  It's always easier to let these go when I know I've got my favorites saved right here on the blog. Which brings me to today's post...having Madeline Weinrib's beautiful beach home right where I can easily find it, makes getting rid of last summer's Hamptons Cottages and Gardens so much less painful. Now on to the other 914 back issues weighing down my desk drawers, not to mention all the other things that I can't seem to easily find...

Classic Charm

It's been a blur of a weekend with endless activity.  Instead of feeling rested, I'm a bit frazzled and ill prepared for Monday...but these unabashedly feminine rooms by Ruthie Chapman Sommers Interior Design, featured in Veranda Magazine are helping to soothe my weary mood.  There's something so fundamentally reassuring and uplifting in traditionally pretty spaces like these.

Monday's P.O.P.

prettiest purple pad

Image via: Veranda Magazine

Minor Obsessions

watch | sneakers | book | weekender | recipe | polish | top

Today's the first day of summer! For someone like me, who LOVES summer, who basically lives for summer, this fact alone should make me very happy...but instead, for some weird reason, I'm feeling anxious. Like it's already all going too fast...which is crazy I know! But, instead of just going with the flow this year, all winter long I've been creating a huge "summer bucket list" for lack of a better term, for all the things I want to do and enjoy, and now that summer is finally here, I'm feeling like there just isn't enough time, and summer has only just started today!

Here's just a small sampling of all the things I want to do this summer: I want to focus more on exercise (and clearly I need these!)  I want to catch up on all my reading, and finish the books I've already started (like this one!) take at least one weekend trip with Mr. Zhush, (it's not just an excuse to buy a new bag, it's not!) catch up with my friends over margaritas, (the best recipe is here) indulge in some "me" time (Sunday Funday is calling my name) enjoy some date nights with the hubs (preferably wearing my new favorite top)...the list goes on and on, this is just the tip of the summer list iceberg.  Do you do this too? Please tell me you do!

Blogging From My Back Porch

The other day, the rain let up just enough for me to get some quick shots of our back porch.  As you can see, it's very traditional, with a nod to it's practically in New England setting. I love this spot so much, even though I don't get to use it as often as I would like.  Last summer, I had several planters with flowers and herbs scattered everywhere, but this year I'm really liking the minimal look, with just a few pots.

For our vacation home, I want to go with a more modern vibe.  I'm really into the look of this whole set, and, I can't get these stylish seats out of my mind as well.  But right now, I'm laser focused on getting all three kids off to camp next week...after which, I plan on spending a lot more time right here...

Wednesday Wants

Stateside Tee

Coming home after a week away is always a drag.  The worst part is the giant pile of mail, mostly junk and always bills. However, this week's postal onslaught was made a whole lot sweeter by the arrival of this fabulous white cotton Henley from the thoughtful folks over at Stateside. I'm always a bit leery of accepting gifts as a blogger...but when the Stateside company mentioned that it was founded by Moises Emquies, the very same person that started up two of my all time favorite casual clothing lines: Ella Moss and Splendid...I knew immediately that I would love whatever they sent.  This simple white tee did not disappoint, it's ultra soft and little details like the deconstructed cut on the sleeves and the shirttail hem (my favorite, as it's so flattering) make it feel a a bit more special than your average white tee.  I've already worn this top once, and I'm looking forward to wearing it again soon, exactly the way I've shown here. No doubt this will be my go-to summer casual outfit!

 Tory Burch Shades | Elizabeth Cole earrings | Chan Lu necklace | Yosi Samra sandals | Frame Denim

Outside Living Spaces

I've been hunting around for inspiration for our back patio area in Florida.  These images from Better Homes and Gardens, are a great starting point.  Our home in New York has a traditional style back porch, complete with swing...it's one of my favorite spaces in the whole house, even though we only get to use it a few months out of the year. I'll try to snap some pics of this space and post them here  this week.  For our Florida home, I want to do something entirely different than New York, and because it's a vacation house, the outdoor furniture needs to be very low maintenance. All I need is that one image to get started, it might be as simple as the furniture layout, or in this case, the idea of using drapes or matchstick blinds as an added way of shading out some of that hot, southern Florida sun.

Scenes From Our Vacation House

 

School's officially out for summer around here.  Last week, we thought we would keep our three kids busy and possibly tire them out a bit with some tropical sun and surf by taking a quick trip down to Florida.  Of course, my children have more energy than ever with all that fresh air. One cancelled flight odyssey back to New York, this past weekend, has left Mr. Zhush and I completely exhausted.  I did manage to take a few pictures of the progress on our home, although truthfully not much was done this trip.  While artwork and light fixtures still wait in boxes for installation, I'm happy that our new navy drapes with white Greek key trim (see below) were installed.  This all white, extra tall room really needed some color and I think these new window treatments really helped to define the style of this space.  Hopefully, the next time we head down, I'll have a lot more to show...I'm especially interested in tackling some of our outdoor spaces now, since that's really what a vacation home in Florida is all about.

P.S. I really want to replace these door knobs, maybe with something like this!

Shop the look here: 

Monday's P.O.P.

purple predicament

Image via: Fauxology

Minor Obsessions

book | Supergoop sunscreen mist | sunglasses | tote | towel

Last weekend, I was able to sneak in a little rest and relaxation at the beach, and I'm hoping to repeat that same magic and escape to the sandy shores again tomorrow.  In fact, my beach bag is already packed with my essentials...an easy read, (I'm only on page 10 of Revenge Wears Prada, but so far, not bad) some big stylish shades, a great sunscreen (obsessed with this stuff!) and some soft, bright towels. (Of course it helps if Mr. Zhush is willing to schlep a beach chair and an umbrella:)

So Chic In So Cal

Thanks to my trusty DVR, I'm finally all caught up on Mad Men.  The episode where Don goes to California was so sixties, hippie chic and completely reignited my left coast envy. Viewing the laid back stylish "Golden State" interiors of Schulyer Sampterton have sent this envy straight into overdrive.  My house, not to mention my life could use a big dose of laid-back-California-cool. I completely dig this whole vibe...(man).

Wednesday Wants

 Tisa Swing Dress from Anthropologie

We've only had a handful of really hot days so far, but it's been enough of a reminder that my wardrobe is really not well equipped to handle the dog days of summer.  The problem, for me, is that I look ridiculous in shorts...long, short, they all make me feel awkward.  Most women I know opt for stylish summer dresses to get them through hot summer days in style, but I'm not really a dress (or skirt) person either.  However, when my trusty denim and white jeans just won't do, on those really humid days when even capri pants seem oppressive, I'll opt for a swingy summer dress...provided it meets all my personal requirements.  This navy blue number from Anthropologie manages to do just that and then some...not too short, check! bra friendly, check! swingy A-line but still some shape (no potato sacks please) check, check! ~ Not as easy a task as one might think, which is why I've just scooped this one for myself.  If your "dress code" looks anything like mine, you might appreciate this option and this one, too!  And if you do in fact look for similar qualities in a summer dress, what's been ticking off your checks lately?

Obsession Du Jour: SIMO Design

Obsession...probably one of the most over-used words in the blog world, second only to inspiration!  But, I can't help it...when I see rooms like these by California based SIMO design, that's exactly what comes to mind...