END OF SUMMER INSPIRATION

This weekend I enjoyed the entire New England coast.  On Friday, I had an amazing waterside dinner at Pier 6 in Charlestown.  Saturday morning I was up early for a trip to Rhode Island, then returned to Massachusetts for a day at  Crane's Beach.  And as anyone, who has ever been to the north shore of Massachusetts knows, no trip is complete without a bite from Woodman's.  Warm sunny days, good friends, and the beach made this weekend a great end to the summer.  

This time of year always makes me think of drift wood and washed up beach finds.  White washed from a long summer out in the sun, seashells take on a muted natural look.  As someone who loves neutral white tones, I find sun bleached finds the most inspiring.  I love a great vibrant seashell, but the variation in color found in a sun bleached shell is an unexpected display.  Here is some end of summer sun bleached inspiration.    

Images via Pinterest

BLUE & WHITE STRIPE: WHAT TO WEAR

In the summertime, I can't get enough of blue and white stripe fashion.  Shirts, dresses, skirts, and espadrilles serve as the perfect beach - side attire.  I love pairing blue and white stripes with a straw bag for a trip to the beach or gold jewelry and accessories for a low key evening. Here is some blue and white stripe inspiration for your Labor Day last hurrah activities.

Images via Pinterest

BLUE & WHITE STRIPE: AT HOME

Blue and white stripes add a crisp summertime feel to any space.  I love a great blue and white awning for an outdoor space, or a set of Cornish ware cream and blue china by  T.G. Green, for a summertime breakfast.  Here is some blue and white stripe inspiration for your home.

Images via Pinterest

BLUE & WHITE STRIPE: LAST HURRAH

There comes a time when I look forward to fall.  A return home after summer vacations and a shift to warm sweaters and riding boots.  Despite the many exciting factors of fall, I always find myself sad to see summer come to an end.  For this reason, I take Labor Day very seriously.  This is the last hurrah, or the time to do all of your favorite summer activities one last time.   

In the fashion of a last hurrah, I thought I would feature one of my favorite summertime color pairings, blue and white stripes. This classic color arrangement is frequently seen on nautical or beach items; umbrellas, towels, chairs, shirts, and dresses. It can be used anytime of the year and in various locations, but I find it most successful in the summertime.  

As the weekend rapidly approaches, I wish everyone a happy Labor Day weekend, filled with summertime favorites.  

Image via Pinterest 

BLUE & WHITE: THE LAST HURRAH

As the hours of sunlight begin dwindle and the remaining beach days fade, I find myself clinging to that summer feeling for as long as possible.  Labor Day has always felt like the last hurrah of summer.  Growing up, my school was one of the select few that began before Labor Day; a schedule I always considered to be the most preposterous way to start the school year.  With this early start I used to pretend that those first few days of school were practice, they didn't mean anything, and soon I would soon be back enjoying summer.

Here I am, years later and I still feel the need to cling to summer.  As a final hurrah, I have decided to feature blue and white this week.  The combination of blue and white is a longtime favorite of mine.  This crisp and often nautical look has timelessness to it unlike any other color arrangement. 

Above, are photographs of one of my favorite seaside interiors by Victoria Hagan.  Here blue and white create a crisp and classic, nautical living space.  I love Victoria Hagan's use of shiny white walls with contrasting dark metal and wood finishes.  Additionally, the area rug compliments this space as a nautical graphic element, leading visitor's eye to the exterior seaside views.

Whenever I see this room, I want to sit back and enjoy the outside view. I picture myself enjoying a warm summer evening on one of these chairs, with a cool drink in hand, looking out on the harbor in the distance.  Finally my summer is complete.
Images from Victoria Hagan's Interior Portraits