flowers of all kinds are still in bloom here, so i’m soaking up the opportunity to photograph them while i can. soon i’m sure we’ll have our first frost and all i’ll have to remember the summer by are these pictures. that will be alright though, i know they will be back again next year.

photos: © bonnie forkner

wrap up: {autumn} {blooms} {flowers} {pictures} {roses} {summer}

a summer day out in the grass.

wrap up: {dog} {favorite} {grass} {summer} {toaster}

as august is my most favorite month of the year (it may or may not be my birthday month) i wanted to send you a little wish for a happy august! to me, august always resembles the last of summer veggies, canning in the kitchen and soaking up the last bit of summer heat. what does august mean to you?

above:

tag calendar, bright green peridot, mason jar gift labels, sure crystal necklace with turquoise, fox art

wrap up: {august} {canning} {month} {round up} {summer} {veggies}

oh, how wonderful it is to live near a seaside town where the streets are lined with garden daisies and you can gaze up at the marshmallow clouds. living in our vintage summer, we dream together under the beach umbrella, sharing a single sorbet. is obvious to me what it is… it’s love.

a story made possible by alice b. gardens.

wrap up: {alice b. gardens} {clouds} {daisies} {ocean} {sea} {seaside} {story} {summer}

Go to a baseball game or an art fair in the summer, and one of the most fragrantly tempting scents are from cinnamon roasted almonds. These two flavors together make the most delicious simple syrup, perfect for ice coffee or lattes.

On a hot day, this iced coffee recipe works well with espresso or strongly brewed black coffee. Serves 2.

ingredients
4 ounces brewed espresso or extra-strength coffee
1 cup milk, soy milk, rice milk, etc.

cinnamon almond simple syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 tsp almond extract
3 cinnamon sticks
ice

directions
Brew espresso or strong coffee. While espresso is cooling, make simple syrup.

To make simple syrup, bring 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar to a boil in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once a boil has been reached, add cinnamon sticks; boil for another 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately pour in 1 tsp almond extract. Stir and let cool. Remove cinnamon sticks before using syrup.

Combine espresso, milk, and 1/2 cup cinnamon almond simple syrup in a container and stir. Pour into two glasses filled 1/2 way with ice, and garnish with a cinnamon stick, if desired. Leftover simple syrup can keep in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to a week or more.

Out to find ways to make life simpler, Ashley is tackling life one DIY project at a time. Learning as she goes, she also spends her days writing Indie Pretty Projects and creating for her Etsy shop.

wrap up: {almond} {ashley pahl} {cinnamon} {drink} {iced coffee} {recipe} {summer}

welp, the high here today is a balmy 94°, so i say.. cue the bikinis! especially if they are as beautiful as these ani bikinis. aren’t they stunning? they feature a striking selection of hand-dyed, textured fabrics and crochet knits that bring their personality to life. visit them on their website, etsy and facebook to see more.

wrap up: {ani bikini} {bikinis} {handmade} {hot} {summer} {swimsuit}

hap-happy monday, lovelies! great news… it’s time for a giveaway! and this one is pretty exciting if you ask me. :)

i’m so excited to be partnering with shabby apple to giveaway one of their pretty dresses. if you haven’t already fallen in love with this website trust me when i say that you will! there are so many beautiful womens dresses and skirts perfect for any occasion. they also have maternity dresses, pretty little girls dresses, and vintage swimwear that is to die for.

just in case you need another reason to adore shabby apple, they also donate 5% of their net sales to support women worldwide. every $100 donation from shabby apple provides at least 20 women with access to financial services – and the chance to live a life without poverty! now that’s noteworthy.

i think you’ll also find their fit to flatter guide super helpful. all you do is answer 3 questions and it picks the dresses that will be especially flattering on your you specific body type! (i’m a pear.)

moving on! one lucky (lucky) reader will win this adorable white vintage dress – trade winds, a perfect summer white cotton dips and ducks into the nipped waist of this hollywood starlet-inspired summer frock. the double layer dress sports an under bodice of white cotton voile with a sweet white bow belt. pleats at the collar and waist finish it with expertly tailored appeal. can i say swoon?

to enter, just visit shabby apple and leave a comment here saying you did so. want to enter twice? ‘like’ their facebook page and leave a seperate comment saying you did so. it’s easy as that!

the nitty gritty:

giveaway ends sunday, june 12th at midnight. one winner will be drawn by a random number generator. there will be no exchanges on the winning dress, and the winner must have a US shipping address.

ALSO: in addition to the giveaway shabby apple has generously given all ghtr readers a 10% off coupon good for 30 days! just use the code “goinghometoroost10off” at checkout.

wrap up: {cotton} {dresses} {giveaway} {sailor} {shabby apple} {summer} {white}

lately, i’ve had birthday parties, barbecues and picnics on my mind. when i found emerald + ella, visions of the most lovely parties started to form. sipping lemonade from paper straws and eating lemon blueberry muffins wrapped in beautifully striped cupcake liners. i think they’ve got just about every kind of kitchenware to make your next gathering one to remember.

emerald + ella: {website} {etsy} {facebook} {twitter}

wrap up: {cucpcake} {emerald + ella} {kitchenwares} {party} {straws} {summer}