Every year around this time I try really hard not to think about fall and enjoy the remainder of my summer….and every year I fail miserably. I just love it all- the crisp weather, the colors, the layers….everything about it appeals to me. Normally I'm all about boots and booties as the temperatures start to drop, but this year I'm finding myself more and more drawn to loafers. Here are some of my favorites in all price ranges (the Vince ones being my favorite and out of my budget….but inspiration none the less):

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My parents both turned sixty last winter just weeks before I had Charlie, and my siblings and I decided we would take a rain check and celebrate at the beach when we would all be together (three of the four of us living out of town). So we exchanged numerous emails, shared ideas, and tried our best to put together a special dinner for my parents.  So that's what we did. We told my parents to get lost for a few hours and threw tablecloths over those rickety beach tables. In a way, this party was very symbolic of my point of view with this blog….to work with what you have and create something special out of something ordinary. We had ugly beach chairs to work with, battled the wind, and used blenders as water pitchers….but seeing my parents beaming faces when they came to the table and watching my mom sneak those cards (that we wrote favorite memories on) into her pocket, I was reminded how important it is to take the time to celebrate the ones you love . Happy birthday dad and mom, six months late:).

There are few home tours that feel more "me" than this one. From the moment I saw it featured over on Design Sponge ,  I felt immediately right at home. The mixtures of modern and charm, midcentury and Parisian, Moroccan tile floor and marble backsplash, and all that matte black….you know that had me instantly. Coincidentally, I've also been on the lookout for some old theater seats like they have in their entryway and I'm fairly certain that is the exact chandelier I originally wanted for our dining room (before I had to settle on a DIY). All I can say is, this brownstone is a dream….and I tried to boil it down to just a few favorite shots and I couldn't, so here you have it:  

This pretty bathroom (and you know I love the black tub)

Books piled high

and these links: