Scent of the Month

Clockwise from top left: dress, sunglasses, cardigan, clutch, iPad mini cover, sandals, earrings, scent

Interior Design Inspiration: A Patriotic Lake Tahoe Retreat

Summer or winter, Tahoe is a great spot to get away to for the weekend. 

Here are a few things we'd put in our Lake Tahoe retreat.

clockwise from top left: ottoman, console table, lamp, chair, rug, USA wall art, throw, mirror, ship

Song of the Week

Pharrell Williams - Come Get it Bae

Summer Reading List

We are halfway through summer, but still have so many weekend trips, beach days, and afternoons by the pool ahead of us. These are some of our all time favorite books for those days.

Tyler's Picks
-Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe, 1987
An engrossing read that deals with themes of race, class, and status, and that has barely aged in the nearly three decades since it was written.
-Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe, 2011
Rob Lowe's memoir is a fascinating tale of his life from Midwestern lawyer's son, to part of the Brat Pack, to happily married father and TV star.
-Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, 2012
This was a must-read last summer, and well worth picking up if you haven't read it yet. The narrative takes place between Hollywood and the Amalfi Coast, and bridges half a century.
-People Who Eat Darkness by Richard Lloyd Parry, 2010
Sometimes you want a darker beach read; this book is a fascinating true crime story that explores British, Japanese, and Korean cultures.
-Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann, 1966
The ultimate guilty pleasure, this book is campy and fun - perfect for a summer's day. But it's also a classic, so it will inspire some interesting conversations.

To Read: The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas, 2008
This Australian novel is an international best seller has long been on my to-read list. The Slap is told from multiple points of view after an incident involving a child being slapped by an adult at a party, and it seems just the right balance of thought-provoking and sensationalist for summer.

Lindsey's Picks
-Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger, 1953
Short stories are always a favorite option for a vacation read, since they are easy to start and stop. Salinger captivates with this selection. 'Teddy' especially is a great piece of writing.
-Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, 1813
If you've never read any of Austen's work, this is a great place to start. Even if you've seen the movie(s), I recommend picking this up.
-The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, 2000
I love Margaret Atwood's story within a story writing style for this book, and the mystery will have you intrigued until the end.

- A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, 2011
This vacation read has a little bit of everything: history, science, technology, romance, mystery... Part one of a three part series, this one is set in Oxford, France and New York and follows a witch discovering her power.
-Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga by Hunter S. Thompson, 1966
This memoir holds a special place in my heart since it takes place in the Bay Area. For anyone who's ever wondered what life is like in a motorcycle gang...

To Read: Artemisia by Alexandria Lapierre, 2001
This work of historical fiction tells of the life of Artemisia Gentileschi, a female Renaissance painter who overcame some pretty serious hurdles on her way to a place in history.

What to Pack: Beach Vacation

Clockwise from top left: hat, sunglasses, cover-up, swimsuit, tote, multicolored sandals,

silver sandals, beach towel, cardigan, tank, pants, bracelet

Cocktail Recipe: Strawberry Caipirinha

The World Cup may be over, but summer is the perfect time to enjoy Brazil's national cocktail, the Caipirinha. 

Our version is kind of a cross between the Caipirinha and Caipifruta, taking advantage of seasonal ingredients.

Ingredients:

5 oz. cachaça of choice (we recommend novo fogo)

1 oz. fresh strawberry juice

1/2 fresh lime 

1 teaspoon sugar

3 basil leaves, plus extra for garnish

ice

Directions:

Squeeze the lime into a cocktail shaker.

Add the sugar and basil leaves, and muddle.

Add cachaça and strawberry juice, and stir to mix.

Pour into glasses over ice and garnish with a basil leaf.

Serves two.

Fashionable Film: To Catch a Thief

We love an Alfred Hitchcock movie, and one of the all time greatest is the 1955 Cary Grant and Grace Kelly vehicle To Catch a Thief.  This pairing brought such style to the beautiful French Riviera location - we can't think of another time when so much elegance was captured on screen.  Between the beauty of the costars, the Edith Head costumes, and the Cote d'Azur, this film depicts our ultimate fantasy world...  We can't picture anything more perfectly styled.

All images via Google

Song of the Week

Con Funk Shun - California 1

We Recommend: Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm

In the summer, keeping your lips moist and protected from the sun is a must.  Jack Black lip balm, sold in a convenient tube, provides great moisture, SPF 25, and a minty fresh scent.  It is also natural, deriving much of its moisture from avocado oil and shea butter.  Originally a men's brand, this product has become a beauty essential for the ladies of Golden Dreamland. 

Style Icon: Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham has the most fabulous style. We love how she mixes classic pieces to create simple but chic outfits. Her style has evolved over the years, but staples like the little black dress have been in her wardrobe repertoire since her Spice Girls days. Now that she has her own fashion line her pieces are available for all, and we look forward to her collection each season. Her husband David also has great style, and the two of them together are sartorial perfection.

all images from pinterest