Summer Lovin

It is a sweltering 106 degrees here in Austin with zero zip zilch signs that summer will end any time soon (I have my sights set on you, November) but the interwebs tell me that the rest of the world is taking that last jump off the rope swing into the lake 'cuza schools starting soon and, for the lucky majority of you, leaves will be (gasp) changing color. Well, I want in.  I am ready for a seasonal change.  One so imminent that I hold tight to the last days of summer, sadly watching them zoom by.  Squeezing in one last summer vacation before I snuggle into my boots and jacket.  Yep, I'm shutting my eyes tight and pretending that summer is about to end.  I'm spending the last days here:

Oh, did I forget to mention that I own a fantasy summer home in Portugal.  So sorry, let me go on:

Back in the real world I do actually own a giant green lamp much like this one, as well as a handmade woven stool.  Maybe If I ask Erin real kind and nice like she will spend the next several weeks on craigslist finding me all the other goodies I need to bring it all together.  The lamp is, like, a huge start, right?

A quick reminder:  while Erin is shopping craigslist, I will be laying here.  poolside.  at this very real summer  house that i very much own.

I also own a hanging chair almost identical to the one shown, so I'm feeling like recreating this in austin really isn't much of a stretch.  are you with me?

Look!  I'm not the meany you thought I was.  I've laid down a second towel for erin to come join me once she has found everything on my list.  I'm pretty much the image of altruism.

The Tudors

We're still (eternally) shopping for houses, and I need your savvy input. What do you think of Tudor home design?

Sure this sucker is wearing way too much eyeliner, but is there anything that could be done to save it -- to modern it up while retaining its vintage English charm?

I mean, I really always imagined myself in something more like so, but Daddy Warbucks hasn't adopted me yet. What if I did up that Tudor more like this?

And less like this?

Could it work?

[Elle Decor, AD, Living Etc]

You Are Going To Want This

A white back I posted a most delicious bathroom swathed a glorious rainbow of tiles. Smitten at the sight, many of you asked for the source and I was forced to declare my ignorance. Well as luck would have it, I came across the maker after asking The Queen of Tile herself for some help finding fancy new ceramics for the inlaw's kitchen.  And.... tada!

Thanks to Miss Nelya of the fabulous blog Head Over Heels for pointing me to a post she wrote on Made a Mano, a most amazing purveyor of all things glazed and good.

I am OBSESSED with those white herringbone floors. Texas homes are filled with barfy saltillo and -- even more loathsome -- screenprinted ceramic tiles. I bet the labor to lay those suckers was outrageous, but I say it was worth it. As long as someone else is footing the bill.

Later, gators. Sick cranky kid = no time to type.