beach pillows

This terry pillow case is totally my happy today. Well actually its my happy every weekend at the pool...

Inflatable pillows make lounging at the beach even more relaxing, and they're easy to tuck into a tote. Make a terry cloth slipcover, and the plastic pillows will feel soft and dry, not hot and sticky.

It's easy and you don't even need a sewing machine!

To cover a 14-inch square pillow, you'll need a 15-inch square case. Cut a 32 1/2-by-16-inch rectangle from a towel, using a finished edge for one of the short sides. Finish other short side with a 1/2-inch hem. Place fabric wrong side down, with hemmed edge on right. Fold over left edge 7 1/2 inches toward center. Fold over right edge 9 1/2 inches toward center (it should overlap left edge by 2 inches). Pin, and stitch along open sides. Turn the cover right side out, and insert the inflated pillow.

If your not feeling crafty you should check out Bed Bath and Beyond for this great bath and spa pillow.

today's happy...

the jk wedding entrance dance. enjoy!

the daily candy...

My friend Chrys introduced me to this fab Web site yesterday. After she was like, "YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE DAILY CANDY?!". It was love at first click. Hence, today's happy :)

What is the Daily Candy?

DailyCandy is a lifestyle media brand that reaches young, influential women. Known for its quirky, irreverent voice and eclectic taste, DailyCandy has developed a loyal and passionate audience.

Since 2000, DailyCandy has connected readers by providing an intimate, immediate way of staying fashionably informed. DailyCandy acts as a filter, giving readers the best of emerging fashion, boutiques, restaurants, and local finds in key markets across the U.S. and London.

As useful as it is entertaining, DailyCandy is like getting an e-mail from your clever, unpredictable, and totally in-the-know best friend.

Check out the Daily Candy EVERYWHERE, or in ATLANTA, BOSTON, CHICAGO, DALLAS, LONDON, LOS ANGELES, MIAMI, NEW YORK, PHILADELPHIA, SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE, and WASHINGTON, D.C.

margarita...

Yesterday's happy... the margarita.

One word: delightful.

Looking for your after work happy? Try this recipe:

Ingredients

2 limes
4 tablespoons tequila
2 tablespoons vodka
1 tablespoon Triple Sec
2 cups watermelon, seeds removed
1/4 cup sugar
3 cups crushed ice

Directions

1. Rub the rims of two glasses with a slice of lime each, and dip the rims in salt.

2. Process the juice of 1 1/2 limes with the other ingredients in a blender until smooth. Add more crushed ice, and blend until slushy.

Makes 2 cocktails.

Maybe your in the mood for a no-fuss mix? Check out the all natural mixes from William Sonoma.

Cheers!

arlington rap...

Need a mental health break?

Have you seen the Arlington Rap on You Tube?

It's hilarious... and, it's today's happy.

sippin' on summer...

Fresh-squeezed lemonade and sun-tea are excellent, thirst-quenching choices for an outdoor summer ....

Your favorite summer drinks will look as good as they taste this summer in these fun glass jars by Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Viva Terra, Uncommongoods.com, and Infused-Vodka.com

A family affair... try whipping up an Arnold Palmer. This refreshing beverage consists of half iced tea (either sweetened or unsweetened) and half lemonade named for golfer Arnold Palmer.

After hours... This melon ball lemonade won't disappoint and looks great with lemon wheels and balled melon. Sure to impress.

2 quarts lemonade
1 honeydew or cantaloupe (deseeded and balled)
4 -5 lemons (cut into wheels)
3 cups of Bacardi Gran Melon

Combine all ingredients in a large container and stir well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Serve over ice. Serves about 10.

Cheers everyone!

tut-tut, looks like rain...

Vintage Umbrellas

Umbrellas are making a storm as a must have fashion accessory. You're wearing great clothes, fabulous shoes, a gorgeous handbag - and carrying a dumpy old umbrella. What's wrong with this picture??

The umbrella comes from the Parasol which was created as protection against the sun and has been used for centuries as a religious symbol, status symbol and erotic symbol as well as to keep the rain and sun away. Origins of the umbrella can be traced back as far as 3000 years. Many improvements have been made in material and design throughout its history. Originally English umbrellas consisted of oiled silk and heavy wood with poor and clumsy mechanical operation.

These days you can find one as cheap as a few dollars or of higher quality and cost, from a big umbrella to a small umbrella in a multitude of colors from a green umbrella to a black umbrella, all of which offer you protection from the rain and if you choose your rain umbrella right, fashionable rain accessory.

Here is my happy!! This new Pagoda umbrella was designed in Seattle where umbrellas are an essential outdoor accessory. These umbrellas are fun, flirty and customizable.

today's happy... cupcakes

Let your inner artist shine. Cupcakes are a fun way to experiment with piping frosting and trying out new decorating ideas.

For Memorial Day, my Mom and I decided to whip-up chocolate, strawberry and coconut cupcakes; we displayed them using this great three-tier cupcake stand.

A yummy addition to any summer picnic or get-together!

Cupcake tips...

• If the frosting is too soft, a bit of powdered sugar will improve the consistency. Too stiff? Thin with milk. Too soft while piping? Chill in the pastry bag until it firms up.

• Disposable piping bags work well and save cleanup time. In a pinch, you can use a plastic storage bag instead of a piping bag and tip. Snip off the corner to make a small hole.

• Before piping, squeeze the air out of the bag and twist the top of the bag shut (or use a twist tie to keep it closed). Practice designs on a piece of parchment or waxed paper to get a feel for the flow.

PS. If you mess up, just eat it!

today's happy... seasonal coffee

Coconut Island Coffee... Who knew?

It smells like I'm drinking suntan lotion. The result is as refreshing as it is unexpected.

M says it's like sippin' on summer.

Be transported to your own private island!

Delightful...

today's happy... flashdance

So last week on Grey's Anatomy Mer and Der were adorably married by Post-it note (smile)... did you hear the music in the background?? Rewind the tivo and listen closely (i think... i hear... flashdance?!). Note to self: I have got to google this!

Hence, today's happy... Hollywood, Mon Amour

Click and listen to: Flashdance feat Yael Naim

Think first dance at wedding. Ahh....

(and as for the rest of the episode - I've got one word for you - SERIOUSLY?!)