delightful news | fifty five thousand dresses

I came across this story this morning and thought it was just about the darlin'est thing I've read.  If you end up buying one, please send me a photo.

Man gives wife 55,000 dresses

summer bucket list | go swimming

done!

With the frizzball hairs to prove it!  Our neighbor happens to have the most amazing pool and offered that we could come swim anytime.  Right before a month-long cold snap.  And by cold I mean 60-something degrees every morning and evening. 

We finally made it out there last week.  I took my snorkel gear (no need to worry about looking like a dork in a private pool) and only nearly drowned twice.  Brooke rolled her eyes at me from her metallic pool float.  At least I think she rolled her eyes at me, it was kind of hard to see her with my mask full of water.

So much for swimming everyday, I'll settle for a few good dips.

delightful | vintage lilly butterflies

 

I love this vintage Lilly Pulitzer skirt, and by "vintage" I totally mean like from 2003.  I found it at a local consignment shop, never worn with original tags still attached.  Classic Lilly!  I mean, who thinks to put a border of pink & orange butterflies along the hem of a skirt and then embroider everything in gold?

I have this theory about Lilly Pulitzer clothing, it's collectible.  The butterflies may be a little dated but pairing this skirt with a bright pink gingham blouse (adding another pattern!) solved the "what-to-wear-with-it-now" dilemma.

blouse | j.c. penney

skirt | lilly pulitzer (vintage)
sandals | stuart weitzman
monogram necklace | etsy
sunnies | kate spade

bracelets | kate spade & ann taylor

finds | giovanni straight fast hair product

 
Summer is not kind to my hair.  I've spent the last eight or so years trying to figure out how to get my hair to stay in its nicely blowdryed style.  It doesn't like to cooperate.  It frizzes, curls up and then gets these strange kinks in it if a hair-tie even touches it.  Hot mess.

The last few weeks especially have been trying.  The humidity has been far from normal and my regular regime of hair product hasn't been holding up.  I needed to try something new and happened upon this product at TJ Maxx.  I'm familiar with Giovanni because they are one of the more natural haircare brands out there and I would see them at the Natural Products Expo every year.  This is the first time I've used a styling product from them, and I AM REALLY IMPRESSED!  Currently, I'm on day two of my blowout and my hair feels so smooth and tamed.  Even after a rainy morning!

The real test was spending last weekend in Texas.  Test passed!  I'm a fan of this hair-gunk!

Find it at your local Whole Foods or right here.

summer bucket list 2013 | attend an outdoor concert

done!

In the last two weeks we've actually been to two outdoor concerts. I love them!

Number one was held in the city square and the community orchestra played "Music of the Islands" which included music from the British Isles and that made me really happy! We met up with new friends, who were in town from Texas, for pizza and ended up talking so much that we missed most of the music. Oh well!

Number two was at the lake front park and a good friend of ours was playing piano, the theme was "Wild Wild West"! The music was great, the girlies especially loved the selections from Oklahoma. My sisters packed the picnic with an heirloom tomato tart (from our very own organic farm), a fresh salad and salmon. It was so divine, my kind of picnic food!

the summer bucket list | 2013

I always begin to panic mid-July, realizing that summer is almost over and I haven't done a single thing I promised myself I'd do while I was freezing during a blizzard in January. Things, like, get the tan of my life, go to the beach everyday (obviously I was out of my mind from the cold), finally take sailing lessons, go golfing, etc. What was I thinking?
Anyway… This summer has flown by so far! We're finally moved into our new office, I coordinated a wedding, I've been spending my spare time volunteering at a historic mansion, we've traveled, we've just plain been busy and my tan isn't looking to shabby either.
A couple weekends ago I told Brooke that "today is the perfect day to check something off the summer bucket list". And she said "what bucket list?". At that point we realized that neither of us had a formal plan for the rest of our summer days. I jotted mine down on paper and she, in typical Brooke fashion, kept hers mental. I'm guessing it looks like this; "attempt new personal record for most sprinkle cones consumed in six week time frame". Or something like that… I'm kidding! Although, we do like to put the hurt on some sprinkle cones, especially on Saturday nights.
I, ahem, wrote mine out, in typical Abbe fashion, a bullet-pointed list. It'll be fun to see how far I get. What's on your summer bucket list?

1. Go Swimming    
   (at least once, I love to swim, but never seem to be able to find a pool.)
2. Attend an outdoor concert
   (so delightful!)
3. Walk around the lake
   (Its only 26 miles, if only I could find somebody to come with me…)
4. Go camping
   (yes, I said "camp")
5. Visit Yerkes
   (see the stars!)
6. Have a real picnic
   (with ants and everything)
7. Have a gelato tasting party
   (a la The Glitter Guide)
8. Take the kiddos to Old World Wisconsin
   (for freee!)
9. Eat tomatoes
   (everyday!)
10. Have tea at The Baker House
    (because it would be lovely!)

doings | angelo's take two

Last week Daniel and I were at the office early meeting with the rep from the moving company and once he'd left we realized it was still pretty early and neither of us had eaten breakfast. We were on our way to get coffee and instead decided to turn right and go to Angelos. 

                                     

I hadn't been there since right after they finished filming the tv show and had meant to swing by for breakfast. Perfect timing!

I ordered the veggie skillet, Daniel ordered the sweet potato pancakes and... Hey! Guess what?!? For diner food it was pretty good!  The waitresses were super nice, the same staff they've had for years. The local "old boys club" was meeting in the middle of the restaurant, tables pushed together, lots of laughs and coffee cups scattered around. 

My sister forwarded me an article from the local independent newspaper interviewing "Angelo", staff and various local patrons. Hilarious! Apparently, some people (who shall remain nameless) think that the chairs are a little hard. But for the most part, good changes and a great little boost for our town.