National Watermelon Day

Obscure "holidays" are the best reason to send a care package, in my opinion. It's totally unexpected and such a fun surprise for the receiver. Plus, you, as the gifter, look super clever and thoughtful, and who doesn't want that!?

Beach Day

The plan was to work out after work but when Emily called asking to go to the beach instead there wasn't a moments hesitation. (Well, perhaps just a moment when I stopped to think whether or not I shaved my legs that morning. Overshare? Probably.)

Canon AE-1 35mm

Meet my new Canon AE-1 35mm.

I recently bought this 30 year vintage camera and had it refurbished to working order. I was nervous that it wouldn't work and that my technical skills wouldn't be up to par since this isn't a digital camera. There are no automatic settings and auto focus or view finder to check your work.

Although I rarely use automatic settings on my digital cameras, everything is easier with digital. Or at least easier to keep taking the photo till you get it right. But here I am, using film again and loving it.

Before we jump into pictures, some tunes by Gina Cimmelli to 2-step to while looking:

Neighbor

Free People's short film "Neighbor" is 3 minutes of pure delight.

A Cute & Free Chalkboard Baby Shower Invitation Design for Download

This week the creator of Andbubblegum.com, Danielle Noah, put out a Facebook help request on whether or not to mail hard copies of baby shower invitations. Southern born and raised, my answer will always be yes to mail an invitation; it is hard wired into my blood. I’m not going to, lie throwing a baby shower can be fun but also stressful— especially if it is new territory to you. So this week I designed a free baby shower invitation that you all can download and print yourself!

June Family Dinner: Fiesta de MexiJune

I love a good theme party which is why June's family dinner was Fiesta de MexiJune. (name courtesy of my analyst at work).

I didn't make my friends wear ponchos or mustaches (although I should have) but focused the theme on the food we ate.

Coffee in Portland

My trips to Portland are often marked by the cups of coffee I have and who I share them with.

What I read: June

After June's reads, I am at 15 books read for the year. A long way to 50 but I am pacing myself at 4 books for month and on my way to meeting my resolution.

Do you have must reads that you finished in June or would love to share? Send recommendations my way!

These are the books I read in June:

Fourth

July 4th, 2013... Will go down in record as my favorite Fourth yet.

The company, the food, and the weather were above and beyond. I hope you too got to spend it with those you love and celebrate Independence Day. (FYI, that is not America's 2013th birthday, contrary to tweets and posts going around online. Zoinks!)

But enough of that... I am going to be light on words and let pictures say the rest.

Discovery Park

Although I have lived in Seattle for 1.5 years, I am still pretty ignorant to the city. This is precisely why when I was going to Discovery Park I assumed it was a park or maybe a beach. So I put on a swimsuit and then changed it for a sun dress and converse tennis shoes right before I walked out the door. This may seem like no big deal to you but to my friends Discovery Park is considered a hike and I showed up looking like a princess.

Thankfully, a princess that can hike in a short black dress and kicks. But, I am jumping a head here. This day was perfect and I will tell you why.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Growing up, the closest I ever got to a major league baseball game was memorizing the lyrics to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” from a children’s book of songs. Like most kids, my youth was dotted with weekend Little League games, but I was more likely to be found making daisy chains off of left field than sliding into home. Sometimes, though, participation was a requirement.