Summer interview with my lil sis

Hope you are having a great summer. Well I just come back from a week with my family in L.A. and watched my little brother and sister spend their last days of summer. I love sitting down and documenting D who is a talkative, fashionable, funny, sarcastic little diva and the baby of our family. Can you imagine what it would be like going into 8th grade with an older sister twenty years older then you? (Check out these other interviews I did with D a last year)

So take it away D tell us all about your summer thoughts...

What have you done this summer D?

Hanging out with friends, went on vacation a little bit, went shopping twice a week, water parks, sleepovers, cheer, went to the beach with friends, amusement parks and swimming.

Are you excited for the summer to end?

No, because school is boring and I can't talk during class, but yes because I want to see all of my friends.

Would you have rather gone to camp?

No, I have a strong passionate dislike for camp because they tell you what to do and I'm not with my friends. Since I'm older, this summer I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted like walk to lunch or take the bus to the beach.

*Photo taken by Julie Michelle.

How did you occupy your time and manage your money?

I occupied my time by hanging out with friends every week so every day I hung out with a different friend. I also got $25 a week to spend.

So D did your understanding of money change?

Sometimes I had a lot of the $25 left over and sometimes I spent it all. Getting the allowance taught me how to not to spend it all in one day and if I had more one week then I could use it the next week.

Are you looking forward to the 8th grade? What do you think it will be like?

I'm so excited for 8th grade and I think it's going to be the best year of middle school because it's the last year. We will be in charge of the school, but it won't be too fun because they banned cell phones from school 'cause so many kids were texting in class.

What was it like coming to San Francisco and being a bridesmaid at your sister's wedding?

It was fun and the Hindu ceremony was very long. We got to walk around, talk and not have to sit the entire time. I liked my outfits. It was an honor to be there for you Lala as a bridesmaid.

Thank you so much little sis D. We all loved reading about your summer fun and I can't wait to hear about 8th grade. How will you survive without your cell phone? Tell me sweetie doesn't this interview remind you of your grade school summer fun?

Retro picnic foodie dreams

Fancy, schmancy with retro picnic dreams is always the way to go. Can you feel the smile stretch onto your face lovelies? Being able to stop during the summer, get family and friends together to eat finger foods in the park makes me look forward to vacation. So come along with me on our blog retro picnic dreams day and don't forget to bring the music...

We start off with changing our picnic to a pale yellow, I mean who said that we always had to have red checkered cloths in the park?

Can you help me tie this adorable retro apron from Boojiboo on Etsy? Even the name Boojiboo is so much fun to say!

The next decision is one of the most important to make...who to invite and lay around on the picnic blanket with? And what if I need help fanning my hair out like this? Who to ask...hmmm who to ask?

In my fantasy picnic invite one of course would go to the incredible Audrey Hepburn. I mean look she's already all ready dressed for our fashion picnic.

Please bring some S'mores and the blog One Lovely Day has this simple Sweets I Heart:S'mores recipe.

For a more vintage look maybe I can make a quick costume change into this vintage apron. To add some color I can add some red flats or turquoise necklace.

Oh our retro picnic was so much fun today. Did I forget to mention that all picnic men will need to wear a non-baseball hat? A girl can dream can't she? So I'm off to find all things pale yellow, grab some aprons, a picnic basket, picture of Audrey Hepburn and make pitcher of lemonade. What can you bring sweetie?

Wishing for favorite summer things

Today I sit here and write to you, longing for summer. That must sound crazy as your probably sitting in a heat wave begging for air conditioning. Well you can borrow some of ours because San Francisco has been cold all week. Cold like I'm asking myself, "Which scarf should I wear today" or "Is this coat too much?" Weatherman says San Francisco will warm up soon as typically September is our summer, but brrrr sweetie! So let's look at some of my favorite summer things and try to encourage the warmth. OK?

Watermelon has to be one of my most fav summer things. I love how it has just a hint of flavor, the green and red color and the crisp cool feeling in my mouth after I've taken a bite.

Spinning has to be one of my most wonderful things...letting go during the heat and spinning.

My prescription sunglasses save me during the summer because I have the worst eyesight. I was in second grade when I got my first pair of E.T. reading glasses. Think that's funny then imagine when I upgraded my next pair to mother of pearl!



Ice cream sandwiches seem to make everything in my life OK. When I bite into the yummy goodness, I forget about how hot it is outside and how sticky my dress feels against my back.



Summer sandals free my feet and help cool me down. I swear I'd like to sleep in the pair I just bought in Italy. The Italian leather, the unique shape and design...oh my.



During the summer one of my favorite things is to walk barefoot in the grass and watch the warm sunlight through the trees. Today in San Francisco all I can do is pull my boots up and try to see through the fog. Kidding lovelies... well not really. I can't wait to hear about your most favorite things to do during this summer...

Wishful Wednesday: summer love

On this Wishful Wednesday, I'm feeling the warmth of summer love. Whether your in love with someone wonderful, the beginning stages of getting to know someone or enjoying the search, I hope you feel the summer love too!



Although, I'd also like to read the 'How to live with a woman and love it' book. I think I just came up with the topic for our first book. Do I have any takers?

You know your in love when you can sit with someone and not have to say a word...

Why do sunflowers always make me smile?

I love this picture. In relationships, we can come to a crossroad and it can take some soul searching to find the way.



I know couples can dress alike, but matching his and hers zippers?

These summer shots are so light and fun...

I hope you enjoyed these summer love pictures. Which picture is your favorite? Mine is the couple on the car. Happy Wednesday!

What's new in my makeup bag today?

Yes to tomatoes moisturizer has saved my face during the hot summer months. I also love the $15.99 price tag.




Kitten Stila eyeshadow works on most skin types. Especially if you like the shimmery look.

To get the best results, try using a couple of drops of Vive pro after you've dried your hair. I find if I use too much, my hair gets weighed down.

shu uemura has to be the best eyelash curler I've ever tried. What's the trick to perfectly curled eyelashes? Well, first lightly heat up your curler with a hairdryer, then curl your lashes and add your mascara last. Click here for my favorite mascara...

Revlon beyond natural in nude (04) has an SPF of 15 and lasts for hours. *Hint: To make your lipstick last longer, try adding some powder to your lips beforehand.

Hanae Mori is one of my favorite perfumes. You're bound to get a rave review for its light vanilla scent.

Laura Mercier kir royal sateen eye colour is lovely when paired with the kitten Stila eyeshadow.

For the sun-kissed look, try shimmer waves (compact on the left) from The Body Shop. I love this on my cheeks, but it can also be used as an eyeshadow.

MAC is a great bronzer to use. I use the bronzer sparingly and my MAC shade is refined golden. Comment below and tell me what product do you use to look sun-kissed? Under the Sheets-Shhhh...what's new in your makeup bag?

Guest blogger Three Bay B Chicks: Vacation what's that?

(Francesca guest blogs for us today from Three Bay B Chicks, take it away F) As I catch up with family and friends on the phone or in person, the inevitable question arises: “What are you doing this summer? Are you planning to go anywhere with the kids?” My response is always the same. “We’re just sticking close to home this summer. Vacationing with our kids is a ton of fun, but we thought we’d do something different this year and enroll them in a few local activities.”
In other words, I lie.

How we define a vacation has changed drastically for my husband and me since we had kids. The lovely trips from our past, where vacations were spent reclining on a beach with a drink in one hand and a book in another are no more. Instead, these delightful visions have been replaced with the realities of what it means to be adequately prepared and flexible during a trip with two young toddlers.

In my mind, any period of time during which I am supposed to be relaxing should not be proceeded by a flight with a toddler. And for good reason. I am still a bit traumatized by our last visit to the airport with my son.

Last summer, my husband and I decided that it was time to head down to Disneyland with the kids. I was convinced that we should not drive. It would be way too much time in the car for everyone involved, including me. I was determined to create as much of a stress-free environment as possible. My plan was full-proof.

In preparing for our trip, I made lists, I packed and repacked, I even shopped Target for handfuls of toys and surprises, guaranteed to keep my children occupied. Without a doubt, my two would be held up as shining examples for model behavior on an airplane to children everywhere.

In reality, we didn’t even make it past the security gate before we had our first major crisis. Given the airline restrictions, I explained to my son that he was welcome to carry his Mater toy truck through the airport, but that once we came to the gate with the men with the “magic wands,” Mater would need to take a ride through the ex-ray tunnel of mystery. It was going to be a new adventure for Mater. I felt confident that explaining the security procedure to my son would guarantee success.

To say that I was wrong would be putting it mildly. As Mater started to move away from our little group, my son got nervous. “They’re taking Mater! They’re taking Mater!” In a flash, he scrambled on top of the conveyer belt and attempted to retrieve his blue truck from certain death. I didn’t know what to do. Honestly, I had never seen my boy move so fast. I did what any mother would and dove after her son.

What a site! There we were, the two of us in the ex-ray machine, with only our feet dangling out. My boy was sobbing from the near loss of his beloved friend and I was awkwardly trying to remove my sunglasses, my boy, and the top half of my body from the giant tunnel.

As I nervously began to try to regain my composure, I turned to one of the security officers and smiled. “This type of thing must happen to you all the time, huh?”

“No, ma’am” was all the reply that I received.

Once we were finally on the plane and I was able to relax with a magazine for the brief 24 minutes of peace that my shopping at Target had earned me, I read an article that described how choosing travel companions is the most important decision you make before embarking on a trip. The story reminded me that I would be spending almost 24 hours a day, day after day, in close quarters with my group, so it's extremely important that everyone's personalities and interests mesh well.

I couldn’t agree more.

~

Ah Francesca, thank you for this reminder that parent's really DO have the hardest job in the world! Loved your guest post and now I'm off to read Three Bay B Chicks post today! Comment below about some of your worst travel experiences.

Guest blogger Fifi: Romantic getaway to Sausalito

Fifi flowers takes us on a virtual romantic getaway, to one of my favorite places in Northern California, Sausalito. She's here to entertain us again...what time does the ferry come to take us all away Fifi?
~

Hello Under the Sheets-shhh followers... I'm back to guest blog for Laura... she asked that I talk about romance... soooo I thought... I would like a ROMANTIC getaway to Sausalito... and I would like to stay right on the water... Look at the view from this room... I could lay in bed all day...
or in the tub... le sigh...
and the patio has an even better view... a perfect relaxing reading spot... or tweeting, blogging spot... Sausalito is the perfect place to sit and take in the picturesque views that surround you...
like sitting on Cavallo Point looking at the Golden Gate Bridge...or looking at Sausalito hillsides and bay...
enjoy the California coastline nearby...Want to do more than sit and gaze... there is shopping in a quaint area... Eating on the water here...yummy seafood... Ooooh my this VIRTUAL trip has made me want to jump in the car for a 7-hour ride to this FAB place for REAL!!!

I'm sorry I did not get a painting done for you... but you can see some of My Paintings on my site... Fifi Flowers Design Decor

Thank you Laura for asking me to guest blog for YOU... love it... I will gladly do it AGAIN!!!