Summer Solstice

The best way to celebrate summer's official start is to go to the beach. Yesterday, my friends Angie, Katie, and I drove to Saugatuck to absorb the sun, relax, and shop.

After the beach, we had a great meal at Phil's Bar and Grille, explored an art gallery, had ice cream at Kilwin's, and bought fun UV sensitive nail polish at Del Sol.

Because it was the summer solstice (the longest "day" of the year), the day seemed to last forever.

 

I love Michigan summers!

Five Senses Friday

My Friday evening perception:

Hearing: The road beneath the car's tires.
Seeing: The sunset clinging to the trees.
Smelling: North Michigan air.
Tasting: Green tea.
Touching: My paisley skirt.

Galerie Lafayette, Paris

I want to visit this stained glass dome in the Galerie Lafayette in Paris, France. Just imagine how beautiful it would be to stand beneath the color-filtered light!

Galerie Lafayette, Paris pinned in hazy morning; via A Work in Progress

On the Road (With Sheep)

Busy, Busy

1. Our wedding and honeymoon were perfect.
2. We are traveling to Indiana to witness our friends Nicole and Jason wed.
3. I have much to blog about when we return!

Thrifty Finds: Let's Picnic

This thrifty find is a two-parter. A couple of months ago I found a flawless, brand new picnic blanket at World Thrift Mission in Lansing, MI. Even without the accompanying picnic basket and accessories, the blanket was a steal at $3.99.

With the blanket in mind, I have been watching for the perfect picnic basket. I almost stooped to buying one at Target, but I am trying to live thriftily and frugally. I decided to forgo until they went on clearance.

My "new" secondhand picnic basket came from Goodwill in Charlotte, MI. At $9, I felt the basket was a bit overpriced for a thrift store (I've noticed Goodwill and other thrift shops are raising their prices as they realize people are shopping secondhand with the bad economy). But after a few minutes of inspection and debate, I decided to purchase the perfect summer accessory.

The next time I thrift I am going to watch for picnic essentials such as plates, silverware, sealable containers and wine glasses. Maybe I'll make some d.i.y. napkins. And after that, I'll plan a picnic (with pictures to follow, of course)!

Summer is Here

As a summer baby born in the hottest, most humid part of the Michigan summer, this summer has not disappointed. Warm, sunny weather mixed with just the right amount of storms, I have not felt this alive in years.


I have already made two treks across Michigan, one up to visit family in Ludington and the other to Rochester to watch the USA play England in the World Cup and roam the old haunting grounds. I tend to believe the trip as as much about confronting the past as enjoying the match with old friends.


With the solstice and longest day of the year behind us, my hope is to make more trips around Michigan, enjoying local, of course, renewing my efforts to find a new, better-suited job and participating in the joy summer brings to me.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.3.6