FOURTH OF JULY: WHAT TO WEAR

dorothy perkins dress / jcrew bikini / forever 21 shorts / PJK skirt / clare vivier clutch / jcrew striped shirt / charlie jade maxi dress / sea bags tote / lovers and friends shorts / dolce vita top / jcrew sunhat / design darling necklace / forever 21 shorts / ray ban aviators 

I'm kicking off the countdown to one of my favorite holidays, the FOURTH OF JULY, with a little outfit inspiration. I always dress up for the 4th - both because I'm always at the beach for my family reunion and we never half-ass anything, and because half my closet is navy and white stripes anyway, so it's not entirely difficult. While the heinous accessories of American flag handkerchiefs tired around my head, leis, red white and blue beads, and other monstrosities from Party City might be well in my past (and luckily for me, immortalized in photographs), I still plan out a festive Fourth outfit.  

I'm just at the beach with the fam, so I tend to stick to a jorts-and-top combo, but I may have to step up my game to the fireworks shorts above.  And if you're doing anything remotely fancy, that maxi is a must.  I've found that pretty much everyone has blue and white in their closet, but red is a bit harder to come by. If you don't have that perfect red/white/blue printed skirt shown above, you can always just throw a red coral necklace on with your favorite Breton striped shirt or eyelet top.  

The bottom line: there no excuse not to dress up and party like it's 1776. #murica

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

Happy Memorial Day! Raise your beer to all the brave men and women who've fought to preserve our freedom.

via

SUPER SUNDAY

01 / 02 / 03 / 04 / 05

Today, I am homesick. While I love being in Barcelona, today, there is no where I'd rather be than on a couch at home or at school, with a cold beer in one hand and a chip loaded with guacamole in the other.  It's Superbowl Sunday, and unlike those who just like beer and 7-layer dip, I really enjoy football and always love watching the championship game.

Anyway, being 6 hours ahead of the East Coast means that kickoff in BCN will be at approximately 12:30 tonight. Stellar. So instead of sitting on a couch and munching on treats and yelling at the TV, I will be in a bar filled with American students, elbowing my way to get a view of the TV and paying 5 euros for a beer I don't really want.  But I will do it because I love football and the Superbowl and America, and even being in Spain isn't going to stop me from watching.  

(Though probably just the first half.  12:30 on a Sunday is L-A-T-E people!!)

But lucky you - y'all still have the chance to whip up some snacks and get your spot on the couch all worn in before the game begins this evening.  If you're looking for some good suggestions, here's what I wish I was snacking on today.  

Enjoy watching the Superbowl at a reasonable hour, and have a beer and some onion dip for me!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

via.

Just a lil bit of patriotism/xenophobia/kennypowersism for your Monday.

Remember to VOTE tomorrow!

MADE IN THE USA

via ads of the world.

So I'm still riding the wave of patriotism that's come from these Olympic Games.  I'm such a sap when it comes to stuff like this, but the thought of everyone in the country sitting around their TVs, cheering on athletes - some of which they've never heard of before in their lives - simply because they're representing the good ol' US of A, makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.  (Yes, show me those inspiring Nike, P&G, and Visa Olympic commercials and I will tear up.)  

On a completely unrelated note, I also like awesome typography and Jack Daniel's.  So this is like - BAM! The trifecta of awesomeness.  Check out these sweet letterpress posters made by the dudes at Yee Haw Industries for Jack D.  Awesome lettering, Jack Daniels, and 'Merican pride.  What more could you ask for?

GO FOR GOLD

USA! USA!

images via google.

Who's excited for the Olympics??? I can't wait to watch the Opening Ceremony tonight!  The Olympics are always a highlight of my summer.  My family gets really into it - we tape all the events and sit around the TV at night and watch them.  I'm most excited to watch Phelps and Lochte battle it out in the pool, see some stellar gymnastics, and cheer on the US women's soccer team to a gold medal.  What's your favorite Olympic event?

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

Happy Memorial Day! Thank you to everyone who fights to protect our country and our freedom!

via.