a relaxing weekend

Did everyone have a wonderful long weekend?  We had a lovely and relaxing weekend here in town not doing much of anything in particular.  We attended some family gatherings and messed about the house. Sometimes those weekends are the nicest, don't you think?

How about you?  Did you do anything exciting, go anywhere fun, or just hang out and relax?

california dreamin'

With a little trip to Carmel coming up and family visiting Phoenix in June, it looks as though I won't be getting to Balboa until July this year (not that I'm complaining...).  However, looking through all these old pictures has me longing to be there right now sitting on my front porch drinking a glass of wine...  soon enough.  I guess I will just have to do something super fun this weekend right here in Phoenix...  any suggestions?

For the moment, however, I will just keep dreaming of sleeping back in this bed...

And running on this beach...
(running in the figurative sense - more just relaxing, but you get the idea...)

Who else is excited about summer with me?

california no.1: just basics

Just Basics is basically (hahaha) one of my absolute favorite places to shop.  And lucky for me it is a few blocks from my house on Balboa Island.  I don't think I have set foot on that island for even the shortest of trips without stopping in to this lovely boutique.  Debbie, the owner, has an amazing talent for finding the very best for this tiny little shop.  I am constantly amazed at how much cuteness is packed into 400 square feet.  And, as an added bonus, she has one of the very best employees running her shop.  Susan will help you find whatever it is you are looking for (and many a cute item you didn't even realize you were looking for) in just the right size and color.  She knows where to find everything... and not just in the store.  If there is anything you are looking for in the area, Susan will help you find it.  So, start your morning at Just Basics (after having your donut and coffee at Dad's) and Susan can help you plan the rest of your day for all the best shopping and dining and anything else you might need in between.

Stop by if you are in the area!  There is a good chance I might bump into you if you are there this summer, as I can't seem to stay away!

And, please continue to share your favorites!  I am so excited to try out some of these new-to-me suggestions!

california no.1: laguna supply.

In honor of the summer love I am feeling these days and to get myself excited about heading to the beach for most of the summer, I thought it might be fun to start keeping track of some of my favorite California spots.  Just a few of my favorite places to shop or grab a bite to eat.  And it may be fun to keep collecting them throughout the summer...  we'll see.

First up, Laguna Supply.  I actually only discovered this little treasure recently, but it quickly won my heart.  If you are in the area, do stop by and see them.  Tell them we sent you!

Do you have any favorites in California, that I absolutely must not miss?  Please, do share!  I love trying out new restaurants and exploring new shops!

summer dinner parties

One of my very favorite things about summer is the occasion it gives for hosting long, leisurely dinner parties.  With that relaxed summer mood, evening dinners always seem that much more enjoyable.  Throw in being at the beach and I am in heaven.  I was lucky to receive a little taste of this a couple weeks ago in California when my good friend Laurie hosted the loveliest dinner party for her son who just got married.  Every little touch was just right and we all sat around talking and drinking until late in the evening.  I am looking forward to many lovely nights of gathering family and friends around my table to eating, drinking and just being together.

What is one of your favorite things about summer?

summertime

I must say, I am getting rather excited for summer to be here.  In honor of the start of this summer, I decided to redecorate my mantle.  It is certainly getting me in that summery mood...

az central critics' pick: best home boutique!

We are so excited to find out that we were awarded the AZ Central Critics' Pick for Best Home Boutique for 2011!

Thank you AZ Central!  

white trash

In honor of feeling the wedding love and because we get sweet treats hand delivered every monday to the store by Christine, I thought I would share one of my very favorite little treats, White Trash.  It is delicious and so fun to serve at a wedding shower or baby shower, or just to guests coming over in general.  Heck, make up a batch for your own family this weekend.  It is so very tasty, you'll be so glad you did.

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups chex
3 1/2 cups golden grahams
3 cups pretzels
1 cup pecans
1 bag white chocolate

mix ingredients.
melt chocolate in a double boiler (or the microwave).
pour over ingredients.  mix.
spread on parchment paper to cool.
easy, peasy.
eat it up and enjoy.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

its that time of year...

Oh, weddings.  Don't you just love them?  And spring weddings most especially, I must say.  4 years ago in April, after being the mother-of-the-groom at three weddings, my oldest daughter got married.  I'm pretty sure when word of their engagement spread, one of my boys commented, "Oh, no.  Mom's planning a wedding."  Christine and I had so much fun planning this wedding together.  I am pretty sure it goes without saying that it was her favorite day ever, but I think it was one of mine also.  There is really nothing like a backyard family wedding.  Thanks for all the amazing memories, Christine!

Looking back at these makes me want to dig up all our old wedding pictures...  perhaps a future post.