Friday Fuel

[image courtesy of iamblessed]

In loving honor of my best friend's nuptials in Philadelphia this weekend. Congratulations Pooj and Alex!

Tune in Tuesday: Repeat.

Sometimes when I discover a song I really love, I just put it on repeat. I play it over and over again, while I let the lyrics and notes sink in and saturate. If you are down with using your repeat button, treat your ears to a specific tune, preformed many times by many people, most notabley Bob Dylan: Girl From the North County. I just can't get enough of these versions (on repeat of course):
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
Mason Porter
Joni Mitchell & Johnny Cash
Joe Cocker
The Black Crowes

For bonus points, check out Bob's lyrics:
"Girl Of The North Country"
If you're traveling in the north country fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
She once was the true love of mine.

If you go when the snowflakes storm
When the rivers freeze and summer ends
Please see if she's a coat so warm
To keep her from the howlin' winds.

Please see if her hair hangs long
If it rolls and flows all down her breast
Please see from me if her hair hangs long
That's the way I remember her best.

I'm a-wonderin' if she remember me at all
Many times I've often prayed
In the darkness of my night
In the brightness of my day.

So if you're travelin' in the north country fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
She once was a true love of mine.

Chill Out

Today we welcomed a very much needed break from the heat and I finally felt as though I could take a break at lunch and go outside without melting. I ran home for a bite to eat, and in less time than I took me to post this, I made the most yummy and refreshing chilled avocado soup (no cooking required!). I improvised a little since there was no crab in the house and I only was feeding one. So if you want the real deal (which I plan to incorporate into Taco Tuesdays as an appetizer) visit Bon Appetit; my improvised version below!

Chilled Avocado Soup
1 avocado - halved and scooped out
vegetable broth - about one cup
water - about a 1/2 cup
chobani yogurt (fat free) - two spoonfuls
kosher salt - a dash
cholula hot sauce - your preference
fresh cilantro - a few springs

Combine avocado, vegetable broth, water, yogurt and salt in blender/food processor until smooth. I used my Magic Bullet blender, and it worked perfectly. Pour into bowl and top with hot sauce and cilantro. Mine made about two servings.

Art on the Avenue

Every third Saturday in June, West Reading Main Street presents Art on the Avenue. A true street fair filled with art, music and food, it is one of the main events of the area that I anticipate every summer. This year was no exception and I had the good fortune of attending with neighbor and friend Tadd. We perused the shops and street vendors, grooved to local tunes and finally refreshed with the best of the Bloody Mary's at Bistro 614. The perfect way to kick of summer and a wonderful reminder of how far the Greater Reading area has come, and continues to grow. Cheers!

[delightul little must-haves from Just Curious]

[a new feature this year - art on the avenue]

[the best bloody mary in the world from Bistro 614]

Friday Fuel

[image curtoesy of 9.30]

Luck be a Lady

It has been such a busy week, but full of wonderful surprises and reminders of what a lucky lady I am. So while a proper post is in order, feast your eyes on this in the meantime (or look for me locally wearing a similar ensemble - but not drinking coffee of course!). Loving everything about this...

Tune In Tuesday: Two for One!

I spent a sultry summer weekend on a bluegrass bender. Friday was celebrated taking a road trip to Jim Thorpe to get down the ever-great Greensky Bluegrass. A truly remarkable evening complete with a delicious long drive through the rolling hills of the countryside, Tex-Mex dinner and BYOB attitude at the adorable and admirable Mauch Chunk Opera House. The company wasn't too bad either; local musician, picker and Best of Berks drummer, Daniel Bower joined me for the tour de grass.
Sunday evening was spent at Union Jack's Inn on the Manatawny sprawled out on my blanket soaking up the bluegrass pickin' of the Manatawny Creek Ramblers. There's nothing better than sipping on some suds, watching the stars come out and relishing in live (amazing) music. Bonus points that the band includes said friend, and rock star, Daniel Bower. So enjoy some fresh picked bluegrass for your summer play list - local and homegrown.

Friday Fuel

[image via friendship quotes]

One who is playfully mischievous

It's times like this when I am reminded I really am a tomboy at heart (underneath the bright nail polish and long hair there's always a men's over sized watch). There's just something about men's style - really well-styled, layered pieces with the just right, discreet details - the button up shirts, flannel, over sized watches, woodsy lodge feeling - I die for every time (let it be known I am also a sucker for a seriously well-fitted suit, with just the right amount of dishevelment). I am currently on the hunt for the perfect set of antlers (sans head) for my humble abode. The style I try to emulate throughout my home, myself and always Mister John, is perfectly encapsulated at Rogues Gallery.

In college I stumbled upon an article in T Magazine about the up and coming Portland t-shirt screen printer and fell in love with his masculine mix of New England prep and down home sea salt dirt on the shores of Maine. There are tons of articles and interviews on Aaron Levine now, but here are some images that stir up my nostalgic notion to wear flannel and pack a picnic lunch in my L.L. Bean Boat and Tote with my handsome, burly, arm-sleeved, bearded sailor.

[images from ACL & Rogues Gallery]

Oh, and how great is their blog?

What I Want Wednesday

Currently craving....


Cartier Love Bracelet

Michael Kors Sloan Oversized Clutch


ASOS Skinny Twill Capri


Shomple Dot Rings at Ingadare Souk


To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Tune in Tuesday

With a new album coming out October 18th, Brown Bird is sure to be my personal play list for the autumn months. Their deep dark lyrics with folksy, homey and rich beats is as warm and enveloping as my favorite black cashmere sweater - and I can't wait to have the two together! I even think I'll spring for a vinyl LP of Salt for Salt - just feels right. Enjoy the first single, Fingers to the Bone, off their new album here.

[image courtesy of brown bird]

Sunrise, Sunset

For years I have vowed to wake up early and watch the sunrise at the beach. For some reason, with all my best intention, it just never quite works out. But this year I was able to cross it off my bucket and finally conclude which one is my favorite: sunrise versus sunset.

Hello, 5:37 am:






While it was amazing to make first tracks in the cool sand, curl up in my adventure blanket, and enjoy solitude of the early morning there is just something about the color of the sky in the evening, reflecting off the ocean making everything golden and the sharing of the end of the day that I am completely in love with. So sunset it is for this girl.

Friday Fuel

[image from love trains]

Wednesday Blues

a tart taste of what i did last evening...

my lovely friend robin let me in on her blueberry picking secret location..

she taught me about the different berry types, who knew!?..these are patriots

and here are beautiful blue crops..

the master pickers hard at work..they even helped little old me fill my container!

what a heavenly way to spend a hot and hazy summer evening..enjoying sunset and picking berries with friends.

and then i got treated to robin's infamous blueberry salad! asolutely scrumptious - can't wait to make my own.

robin's righteous blueberry salad

here's what you need:
blueberries
yellow/green beans
red onion
pecans
feta
lite caesar dressing
spring mix (or any greens you have on hand)

here's what you do: cook the beans (these are fresh from their garden!). plate the spring mix, top with ingreidents listed above and drizzle with lite caesar dressing. your tatebuds and tummy will thank you! bon appetit!

What I Want Wednesday

currently coveting...


gauze halter dress by surf bazaar


senna round ring by bario neal


TOMS classic 101 in tortise and olive


silk/cotton ikat pillow cover from fabricadara

Flashback Tuesday

We currently interrupt your regularly scheduled Tune in Tuesday, for Flashback Tuesday. Here's what I was up to last Tuesday in Rehoboth Beach - the farmer's market of course! I look forward to it every year..especially because we typically produce a Mexican fiesta from our findings, but more on that later. Enjoy - a picture is worth a thousand words.

My first, and most important purchase of the day: rosemary bread. It is to die for, especially with blackberry jam. I got there at 12:05 and snagged the last two loaves.

Tomato pie and zinnia's; two of my favorite summer things.

How could you not want to make a cherry cobbler out of these?

Fresh lillies from the market make any man a welcome dinner guest. Loving the seersucker too!

Mom with her organic mint tea and mushroom salad sample - super yummy and so glad she shared!
What I Wore: Stella and Dot Sun Disc Earring, AE Fedora, Ray Ban Aviators, Vintage Leather Cross Body Bag, Bracelets from my travels, Tunic, Recycled Market Bag

My dream house, complete with caftans, gardens, laziness and dinner parties..maybe even a cat.


Love, love these.

And an afternoon swing session at Lake Gerar to top off my afternoon.