White + Brown= A Summer Fave

I can remember when I was a little girl, my favorite outfit in the summer 

was white and brown with some white and brown stripes... 

I think it has always been a fave. 

I love the natural linen look mixed with a fresh, crisp white.  

It screams summer to me.  

I'm enjoying the trend and mix of white and natural brown in decorating. 

Of course, I'm always one for a pop of color!

ALWAYS

ahhh! Aren't those just lovely, refreshing, crisp, and summery?

images: dresses & rooms

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer.

I'm not getting enough beach time.  Lots of fun time, but I think 

I need more beach. Doesn't everyone? ;)

My children go back to school in one week.  

CRAZY in know. We have year -round school where I live. 

There are pros and cons to it... that is a different topic. 

We need to take full advantage of this last week.

Fantastic Summer Sale! Stella & Dot Jewelry up to 50% off!

If there were a time to buy Stella & Dot jewelry, it would be now! 

They have some of their best summer jewelry on sale right now!  

What I love about Stella & Dot designs is their is something for everyone.  

Bold statement pieces or small settle pieces. 

I have way too many favorites!  

Here are a few magazines that featured some of Stella & Dot's jewelry 

during the month of July! 

Savon de Marseille Soap + Lotion: Modern Palm Boutique

 

Have you ever seen these amazing soaps and lotions? 

Have you ever used these amazing soaps and lotions? 

If not, it is a MUST!

You won't stop oohing! and aahing! 

With one pump you will be sold on it's greatness! 

The mild but true scent of PURE soap will take you on a wee journey 

to the destination: Marseille, France.

Their olive oil soap is amazing and shows that some things 

just don't need to change. 

In fact, they still make this soap the same way they've been making it for ages.
This is one of the "in-the-know" products. 

Whether you were introduced to it when you were in France

or happened upon it, you are one of the lucky ones. 

You feel the difference of quality with this soap. Just perfect!

 

Treat your hands to a delicate cleansing experience with 
Compagnie de Provence authentic Liquid Marseille Soaps. 

Lightly scented and made exclusively 
with natural vegetable oils, no other liquid soap is more perfectly formulated 
for daily hand-washing. Free from any artificial colorants and animal products, 
our liquid soaps are also hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial, and mildly antiseptic. 
 

 

The Shea Body Lotion really is quite amazing. Formulated using the finest natural shea butter, vitamin E, olive oil and almond oil, Compagnie de Provence Body Milk has a smooth and fluid texture that is rapidly absorbed by the skin. With seven exquisite fragrances to choose from, our body milk will leave your skin beautifully scented and silky soft. 

I mean come on! 

 

These glass graphic bottles are so  

BOLD, beautiful, and Perfect!

Adding these bottles to a kitchen or bathroom

is a fantastic way to spice up and classy up the room.

I also love the Lavender.  

This soap + lotion is has a dark, unique bottle. 
The scent is wonderful, and

 the design on the bottles is so graphic and unique.

Where can you find this amazing soap? 

 MODERN PALM BOUTIQUE

DIY Pillowcase Dress: Yes, I made it!

For those of you who know how much I DON'T SEW!  

You will be so impressed to know that I made this pillowcase dress, 

with the help of my mother of course...

We got the pattern and material at Lazy Daisy Cottage, 

a cute little shop in St. George, Utah, on a semi-recent girl weekend 

with my mom, aunts, and cousins.  

I also purchased zig-zag material for a skirt for myself that my cousin Amber 

taught me how to make.  I need to find the site with instructions and then I will post that.  

But until then, if you are interested in making a pillowcase dress  I found this site, that explains how to make them.  My mother is so proud of me... she is a wonderfully talented lady that sews quite a bit.  

She is always trying to get me to sew and I finally gave in to her pleas. 

I am so happy that I finally made a dress for my daughter! :)

My Children's Play Area

So, today I thought I'd show you my basement play area for my children. 

About 2 years ago, we made the space under the stairs into a little "Beach Shack" 

and had someone come paint some different beach themed items inside and out of the shack. 

My kids love playing in this little space and I like how it doesn't scream

"children's area" but it still is cute for kids to play in.

This room does scream "children's area," but that is ok since it is
their actual playroom in the basement.
My children enjoy Nemo, but we mostly choose this theme
because they love playing "GO FISH" with this card game we have.  

We also had a big salt-water aquarium and they have cute small turtles as pets, 

so this ocean/sea animal themed playroom was their idea!

I know a lot of people thought I was crazy for using this turquoise color, but I'm glad I did.  

My kids really like how fun this room is, 

and I think the playroom is the perfect room to use a bright color like this.

Love List

 Round Yon Extra-Virgin olive oil  from cold-pressed Coratina olives. 

I am so in love with this colorful ceramic jar!

+

This Balsamic Vinegar from Modena, Italy would be fantastic with above oil.

Have you tried this yet?

I know it's all the rave right now, but my hair dresser used some on me and I was sold!

Moroccan Oil for the hair. 

This is weightless and amazing!

 Love this Sonia Kashuk bamboo makeup brush set that comes in a cork case!

Love that they are quality brushes for a great price!

This hand lotion by Lollia is made with shea butter and smells wonderful!

One Kings Lane Sales Event

There are some seriously great things for 50% off today at One Kings Lane.  

If you'd like an invite to join, email me: apinacoladablog@gmail.com and I will send you an invite. 

I feel like lately they've had so many great things to sale.

Just to name a few that are on today's sale: Dwell Studio and Orla Kiely...

DIY: Homemade Wedding Cake

What a lovely, homemade wedding cake. 

The thought of mixing rosemary with cake has never even crossed my radar.  Ever.

 However, I did try some rosemary Italian gellato the other day.  

It was surprisingly yummy.

The amazingly talented Chelsea made and photographed this cake.

For the Love of Turquoise

This picture just speaks to me. Speaks my language. 

Speaks relaxation, bold yet calming colors.  

Turquoise is such a fun and happy color.  
Love these pictures inspired by the hues of the ocean.

images via Cote Maison

How about a pop of turquoise? What a statement! 

Johnson Kitchen

Elizabeth Kimberly Designs

 

Amy Butler Wall paper

 

 

Happy 4th of July!

For those that live in the USA, 

hope y'all are having a wonderful and patriotic day! 

We are enjoying the mountains,  picnics, 

family, and of course, fireworks! 

God Bless America!

Banquet Wildlife Posters

Aren't these wildlife posters by Banquet fantastic?  

I love how unique, graphic, and modern they are.  

What a great way to encourage a child's excitement for animals and a great teaching too as well.

I spotted these Banquet posters from here, but you can purchase them from here.

 

I know I-man would love them on his wall.  He is so enthralled with animals, reptiles, 

and bugs right now.  Having Mr. D as a dad really enhances his love, because Mr. D 

likes to bring home his many finds while he is out and about in nature.... 

For example, last weekend, while fishing, he found a snake and brought it home for I-man.  

Guess where that snake currently resides.  IN HIS BEDROOM!  

Don't worry. I double and triple check every night to make sure that the snakes "home"

is secure before I go to bed.  Luckily Viper, his new name, is just a gopher snake. But still... it is a snake! 

They fed it a mouse tonight...ewww!  

And my little, sweet, Ashy girl is all into this to. Yuck!

Jack & Lulu Stripey Straws + Sloane Magazine + Modern Palm

Wowza!  Don't you just love these orange Jack & Lulu Stripey Straws?  

I mean, so entirely perfect for entertaining!  

Grab a bottled drink, like a root beer or an Izze, and throw in a straw 

and you've got a fun and fab drink for any party or BBQ.

Cassandra from Coco + Kelley wrote this article about her summer essentials in the 

online magazine: Sloane. 

I have to say, I wholeheartedly agree with her list... especially the straws.

The Jack & Lulu straws can be found in the Modern Palm Boutique.  

Just another fantastic find from a fantastic store! :)