a great bowl of fire.

it's fire season.

and that is exactly the kind of "pit" i want in my backyard.

a big old bowl of fire.

i've had these 2 images saved on pinterest for forever:

from ablogaboutlove

and this one

from hannah maple.

the question is....

concrete or iron/steel/metal?

i prefer the metal but as you can see, it turns this

gorgeous shade of "i'm old and rusty"

and with a kid on the way, should i be bringing such traps into the back of my yard?

but are any firepits kid friendly anyway?

and so,

we peruse.

from houzz.

certainly pulls at the concrete heart strings.

but the other question is...

with kansas city deep freeze winters, will it survive out there?

or will i have to lug and then store these things inside?

you see, this is a very deep topic.

and then this one, from indulgy, says... concrete who? rust is amazing. you want me.

i wonder if this one is made of some sort of weather impervious material.

couldn't find any info on it, from stonemarket in the uk.

  

from planete-deco in france

tumblr.

from sunset magazine.

(and while youre looking.... that patio!!!)

also from sunset.

the really cool ones (like this one found on flickr)

are vintage old kettles used for who knows what.

i read some that were used for sugar?

i would love this guy in my backyard.

and at only $1200, i'll get right on it.

so the hunt continues.

what are you using to roast your marshmallows?

your stove top or microwave like i did when i was a kid? :)

JILL

come on over

and we can have cocktails

in my happy place.

designed by ruthie sommers.

gosh i love her.

JILL

surf shack

so i had an entirely different post ready for today.

but it got moved til monday.

i have been in obsession with this little surf shack for about a year now and i thought it was high time to share it with you all in the off chance that you haven't seen it yet.

and if you have, too bad. i don't care. here it is again.

an australian turned new yorker/ad exec decided he missed the outdoors of his home and purchased this property in montauk.

it's not your usual hoity toity hamptons beach house.

this one is quiky with a capital q.

{and if i had a surf shack to call my own, this is exactly exactly EXACTLY how i'd want it to look.}

with teepees and firepits. and old rickety lawn chairs.

where the more color and pattern equals the better option, always. neons, you betcha.

where surfing and outdoor living/dining/sleeping trump high tea and stuffy interiors, and movies are played on a giant white sheet amongst the mosquitoes.

where wood panneling that would normally appall anyone, is not only embraced but awesome.

where friends and family can come by the dozens and not have to worry about wet suits and dirty feet.

where old vanities and old sinks aren't ripped out but loved.

with couples sleeping in bunk beds, together or separate, i don't care.

and summer cocktails are served with breakfast.

where bees live:

and honey harvested:

and cheesey pick-up lines are painted on all the mirrors:

nothing is sacred in this place. and you know it took a ton of money to get it to look this way, but it kinda looks like it all could have come from the flea market at the very same time.

husband always tells me:

"if you were a booger, i'd pick you"

{he's so romantic.}

but that would FOR SURE end up on a mirror in my dream surf shack.

hell, i'm tempted to paint one in my current house. tonight!

tgif.

JILL

{all these images came from nytimes or vogue living}

watermelon, mint and lime

this summer, i am OBSESSED with mint.

yes the color, but the actual plant, too!

i am eating those leaves in everything.

found these and they are on my to-do list to make/eat/enjoy.

grown up party popsicles!

over at endless simmer they call them poptails. cute, right?

they have tons of other yummy looking ideas.

these are watermelon, mint and lime.

as in watermelon mojito pops!!

the colors are kinda gorgeous, too.

want a backyard that's just as pretty?

here's how:

(just don't forget the potted mint)

watermelon mint and lime by thebluehouse on polyvore.com



Z Gallerie - Portofino Umbrella, $199
chelsea dining table, $299
Jacinto Pillow, Square, $118
rex clover arm chair, $50
Crinkled-Stripe Throw, $78
Jiti Pieces Outdoor Pillow, Orange/Pink

 

 

afterall, popsicles are the new cupcakes.

or cake-pops or whatever else was super trending in the desserts arena.

 

happy monday!!

 

JILL 

just a smidge

of the things making me squeel with delight this morning:

still on the mint kick.

who's with me?!

everyone put your hands down, that's what i thought.

especially mint in the velvet variety, with black and white stripes, and and and! stuffy old oil paintings that don't look stuffy in the slightest, and wood and LIME.

empty frames, you can exit stage left.

but the rest of you, you may stay. i'm talking to you in particular, minty glossy woodwork.

floral, color explosion, stripes and fur? yeah.

eggplant walls and a light blue table should be illegal.

it's the best.

yep.

yep here, too.

and mint on your house?

i just may have to rethink my house color scheme!

like what you see?

i do, too.

JILL

{images via: pinterest, coco + kelley, mfamb, mfamb, inspire-design tumblr, notetosarah tumblr}

spring wedding.

{it's a tie between these two.}

got the cake. the dress (or 2). the setting. blankets for the chilly nights.

the favors. the flowers. can't forget the flowers!!

and of course, the bar. the prettiest bar i've ever seen, actually.

if i were re-getting married tomorrow, this might be what it'd look like.

using all the colors spring has to offer.

tgif.

seriously, TGif. 

JILL

{images via elizabeth ann designs, 1st dress found on weddings of desire, 2nd dress by kevan hall white label, style me pretty, ruffled, and plum pretty sugar} 

alfresco with a kick

this color is outrageous.

i'd certainly enjoy a meal or two under these circumstances.

beautiful color, glass, rough wood, rusting metal with another hit of turquoise.

splendid.

JILL

{image via thefoundblog.com}

european gravel

it's not any special gravel being flown over from europe, i just think gravel patios in general look a little wordly, maybe a little french or italian. i think they are rustic and beautiful all mixed into one happy outdoor entertaining package.

the husband and i are going to put one in our own backyard! i think i've mentioned it before, but we don't have a patio to speak of and we're pretty pumped to actually have one.

check out my gallery of inspiration overload :)

apartment therapy

amy butler's backyard, via apartment therapy


bhg.

amaaaazing. my favorite, and what i wouldn't give to have my backyard look this good.
via blueprintbliss

centsational girl

house beautiful

my home ideas

peppermint bliss

pinterest

sunset

tumblr

maybe they aren't for everyone but i am loving me some gravel.

you can find more and all the links to these images on pinterest.

JILL