Happy Weekend: Cool Breeze

{The right and left are from the lovely photostream of shawnisabelle on flickr.}

Laborday weekend sort of marks the official end of summer, at least for me.

And even though I want to coop up this beautiful four day weekend and work on school work and some Etsy orders, I know I should revert to my summer tendacies and get out there and DO SOMETHING.

And really, you should too.  Especially since it is a holiday weekend.

Cheers!
Abbie

About Last Night: Concert in the Park

Mark that off my list of summer things to do because I went to an awesome concert in the park last night.  Evan Watson {genre=blues!} was playing along with his amazing band.  We sat on the grass, had a lunchbox of snacks and jammed out to pretty awesome music.  And I DID bring my camera!

Here are some pics I took to document the wonderful night:


Melinda and I were commenting on how not-bluesy Evan Watson looks.  Seriously, though, he looks like someone I went to high school with, not a blues singer.  But he is a good one, at that.



My brother {left} found amazing seats, right there in the action.  It was a little crammed, but much better than the spacious spot Melinda and I had found way in the back.  {Fortunatly I had thought to wear shorts underneath my skirt}.  One the right is Shana, remember he skull ring?


Nicky, Tracy, Melinda: three awesome babes I dare to hang out with.


Melinda and I.  Apparently I look like I belong on the cover of Almost Famous, according to Tracy.


She doesn't.  Though, I do like my reflection in there.


Emily's burger and fries {the fries were good, but I forgot to ask her where she got that}.


Lots of people just hanging out on the grass jamming to some good music.


Honestly, when I was told it was a concert in the park in Mt. Vernon {not the Mt. Vernon you know, its the downtown of Baltimore}, I was like "what park?"  It's pretty teeny.


I have a few shaky videos of them performing that I hope to be able to post.  One of some song I don't know {still good} and one of their version of TLC's Waterfalls.  I knew all the words.  They also did She Came in Through the Bathroom Window which I would have also recorded if I weren't so busy dancing.  Goodness, it was amazing!

Confession #7: I Feel Most Comfortable in a Swimsuit

{Beautiful photo by i.Anton on flickr.}

Thanks to being on the swim team and my long inhabitance in Florida.  Plus, I am just not a fan of all of those layers of clothes.

What about you?  What kind of clothing do you like to hang around in?

Cheers!
Abbie

11 Things I Love About Summer, Part II

{photo by clumsy bird on flickr}

This Part is about Summer in the City, what I had to get used to and what was easy to get used to.

1. The jokes surrounding tentanus shots and swimming in the Baltimore Harbor
2. Being able to walk places without absolutly dying of heat.  It was hot, yes, but not deadly.
3. Pointing out all of the tourists to my untrained friends
4. Free movie nights outside
5. All the amazing music in Historic Fells Point
6. The Farmer's Market
7. Having fun, crazy, adventurous nights with company {ie random pizza outings, museum crashing, dancing in the streets, etc.}
8. It not getting dark until 8:30 at night
9. Random pick up games of ultimate frisbee
10. Having gelato by the side for instant quenching
11. Awesome hours spent going through CDs and Albums at the Sound Garden

Yes, I can get used to Summer in the City.  Yes, Florida has its beaches that are a short drive's away, but when driving is unnecessary, plans don't have to be so taught.  Things are flexible and any shenanigans can happen.

Cheers!
Abbie

Happy Birthday, Little Girl

{this photo is by Le fabuleux destin d'Amelie on flickr!}

Today is my 19th birthday!

I will post some photos of myself when I get home in Florida {I am leaving today!  Yay!}


Best wishes from the birthday girl,
Abbie

Happy Weekend: Celebrate the Summer and Remember our Independence!

{photo by amalia chimera on flickr}

The best fireworks I have ever seen were three years ago in Washington DC.  I was in a wheelchair with my mom and uncle.  This was before we moved back up to Baltimore, so we were staying at his house which is just outside of DC.  It was a ton of fun but I don't dare go this year because it is going to be a mad house.

What were the best fireworks you have ever seen and who were you with?

11 Things I Love About Summer, Part 1*

1. books, 2. Untitled, 3. ., 4. crumpled, 5. Lighter than a Feather, 6. Feels Like July, 7. because i don't always remember being a woman .., 8. who shall wear the starry crown?, 9. we understand more than we know

1. Reading whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want with no one expecting me to analyze Steinbeck's lengthy descriptions of the landscape.
2. Curling up in my bed {the cat is on my head at this point} with the AC down low to contrast with the hot day I just spent out on the beach {switch bed with couch, and add a couple of hours of Muder She Wrote, and you've got yourself the perfect afternoon on the beachside}.
3. Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream running down my hand as I try my best to eat it before it is totally melted.
4. Wearing nothing but a bathingsuit and a sundress all day long.
5. My refusal to wear flipflops unless they have good arch support.  I would rather go barefoot.
6. The taste of Burt's Bees Lifegaurd's Choice on my lips.  And while we're at it, I love the smell of sunscreen and ocean salt.
7. Getting rid of my speedo tan.
8. How blonde my hair gets
9. Clothes hanging outside on the line to dry.
10. Swimming whenever I get the chance, in the ocean, the gulf, the harbor {only when skiing, I'm not that crazy}, the pool.  Anything.
11. Borrowing ten books from the library and only reading two of them.


I look Naomi's idea to do a feature where I want you to tell me in either an email or a comment 11 reasons {because summer is so good that I decided to kick it up to eleven} why you love summer.  Or what it is about summer that makes you smile and I will choose some to post on here.

*Part 1= what I know.  This year is my first full summer in Baltimore {as an adult}.  Last summer, I did spend some time here but it was mostly stuck in an office twittling my thumbs.  There will be a parts 2 and 3.



Your Dancing Bird,
Abbie

Weekly Etsy Finds: Father's Day

My dad is not like other dads.  Sure, he works for a car business {Mini Cooper and BMW}, very manly, and likes to jam out to Pink Floyd, but he is actually quite a dandy.  Even though his father was a carpenter, he has a shed full of un touched tools; it's just not his thing.  He is particular about his shoes and looks like Indiana Jones {if only he could grow a moustache}.  In fact, when my parents first met for real, it was Halloween and he was dressed as Indy {my mom was a hillbilly with the that classic bathingsuit with shorts and stripes and a colored in tooth, she and her bff won the contest that night}.  He is a good cook and there was a while when he was Mr. Mom.  Also, he is a part of that clan that believes film > digital cameras.

Here is a list of gifts from Etsy that would be perfect for him or any other dad like mine.



1. Ferrari Authentic Gas Cap Paperweight
by RaceChairs
$249.99 {+shipping}



2. Rolling Stones Start Me Up Wall Clock
by RecordTime
$28.99 {+shipping}



3. Gourmet Spice Rub And BBQ Kit
by PurposeDesign
$16 {+shipping}



4. Another Man's Shoes
by WillowCreekSparrow
$22 {+shipping}



5. Classic Cooper Print
by Vitamini
$15 {+shipping}



6. My Favorite: Work it Camera
by BuyGollyMissMolly
$25 {+shipping}




Cheers!
Abbie


NOTE: These photos do not belong to me; they are owned by the respective sellers.

Happy Weekend, Hon!

{This photo is from defekto's photostream on flickr}

My brother and I agree that Baltimore embraces ugliness.  Not the ugliness you think, but artistic ugliness.  You know, Campiness as opposed to Dandyness.

This weekend is the 2009 HonFest which I am going to for the first time.  This kind of makes up for not doing Halloween last year {which disappointed me greatly}.  What is required to complete the Hon look is a Beehive hairdo {They tried to make me go to rehab but I said...}, somesort of animal print of hibiscus print, horned glasses, and a great Bawlanerese accent.

I have the dress {zebra print}, the glasses, the accent, am going to do the hair, but no shoes!  That I am a bit worried about.  And my neck {which I have strained really badly from doing so many crafts, who woulda thought?}.  A few friends are going along with me and we are going to have a blast!!!  So excited!

What fun summer things are taking on?  Anything as crazy as the HonFest?

Weekly Etsy Finds: Summer Loving

It's summer vacation for students, teachers, and professors alike.  And whether you are going to the beach, backpacking across Europe, Taking an exciting trip to Panama, or just visiting your neighborhood pool, I am sure these Etsy finds will be great in your summer collection.

1. Cashmere Silk Shaw
by Sanchia845
$125 {+shipping}
Destination: Paris, France

It may be summertime, but a shaw can always come in handy.  I use one on plane rides.  It sits in my bag or around my neck if the airport is cold.  When on the plane, I can use it as a blanket or a pillow.  It also works well as a sun blocker on the beach or a stylish accent when in Europe.

2. Handmade Straw Fedora
by Jennfunk
$70 {+shipping}
Destination: South Africa

This is another thing I always have with me on a plane trip.  It is a stylish way to have unruly hair.  When at your destination, it is good to keep the sun from your eyes and avoid drastic sunburns.  I love this one especially because of its detailed band.  Jason Mraz would approve.

3. Upcycled Vintage Blue Suitcase
by Zaq'sVintageandDesign
$70 {+shipping}
Destination: Darjeeling Limited {not really a destination, but you know...}

This vintage suitcase is good because it has hard sides, making it easy to organize and keep it that way.  I love the color and it would fit very well on a train's tiny spaces.

4. Compact Travel Cribbage
by barkupatree
$59.95
Destination: Family Road Trip to Family Reunion

Every year since we moved to Florida, my family packed up the car and drove 12 hours to a lake in Alabama to spend a long weekend with our large extended family.  This weekend involves lots of card games, food, swimming, etc.  We usually spent the trip on the road brushing up on our card playing and eating boiled peanuts.  This would have been a perfect game for the road.

5. Vintage Inspired Marilyn Swimsuit
by ladramaqueen
$110
Destination: Cannes, France

One pieces, I think, are the best to have at beaches because you don't have to worry.  This one is absolutly beautiful and I would feel like I was Grace Kelly in To Catch a Theif.  One pieces are an must when going to the beach.

6. Vintage Wheat Ruffle Dress
by Allen Company Inc
$38 {+shipping}
Destination: Rome, Italy

This dress, which is one of a kind, would make a nice dress to have in a girl's suitcase.  She can throw it on and run out the door and still feel stylish.  Though it seems like a city dress {Italy, you know, gelatos and Vespas}, it would also make a very nice swimsuit coverup or a plane ride dress.

7. All Natural Milk and Honey Soap
by LilyBaySoap
$4.25 {+shipping}
Destination: Melbourne Beach, Florida

Something about this soap, the look of it maybe, makes me smell the beach: sand in my hair, sunscreen running down my arms, salt in my ears, everything.  It makes me want to take a nice, cool shower.

8. Overboard Necklace
by JMundoDesigns
$50 {plus shipping}
Destination: Ocean City, Maryland

There is something very nautical about Maryland, just like this necklace.  Everyone needs at least one piece of jewelry on her vacation.  Having a necklace that could be both dressy and delicate or go well with a sundress is a travel must.

9. Wooden Pinhole Camera
by Jaesong
$95 {+shipping}
Destination: Prembrokeshire, Wales

Sure, a digital camera is great for recording your vacation, but there is also an art to something a bit different.   The beach in Wales would be a great place to get this baby rolling.

10. My Favorite: Stockholm II
by IkaBags
$27 {+shipping}
Destination: Old Orchard Beach, Maine





A smaller bag that could be used as both a carry on or for a day at the beach.  It is beautifully made and is my favorite out of this compilation.  This kind of tote is a necessity for a beach or lake vacation.


Note: I do not own these images.  They belong to the sellers on Etsy.  Some of the images, I edited the color slightly to fit my aesthetic on the blog.  Please look a the source for the colors and maybe to even buy {I spend a lot of time on these lists for you not buy!  haha}


Cheers!
Abbie

Study Break

{this wonderful photo is by eye2eye on flickr}

Almost finished with this school year.  I just need to buckle down and focus and then it will all be done.  I need to write a paper.  Which isn't so bad, I just hate researching.

Any horror stories of school you wanna share?  I would like the light hearted distraction!

Cheers!
Abbie

Happy Weekend: Summer Is On Its Way

{This is by lovemyashby on flickr}

My summer vacation starts soon which means it's time to start deciding what is really going to happen this summer. Of course, there are always those things I do every summer such as my mother's family reunion. One weekend in July {usually about a week after my brithday}, all 100 or so of my mom's side of the family gathers to a cabin on a lake in Alabama. We laugh, cook, eat, play cards, go swimming in the lake, and all and all build lasting relationships with one another. It is really special, as I get older, to see how the older generations {or the older of my generation because my mom's mom was the youngest, our clan is much younger than the rest of the generation} are starting to treat me like a participating member of society. Also, now that I am older, I know it is important to reach out to the generation two years older because they have plenty of stories to share. All you have to do it just ask.


What is your favorite summer memories that you look forward to each summer? I would really like to know!



also, Naomi over at Rockstar Diaries was kind enough to include me in her happiness series!

Cheers!
Abbie