How in the world did we get here? How is it possible that the last unofficial week of summer is approaching this quickly? With one week left until Labor Day a few thoughts enter my mind concerning the upcoming holiday. It’s the last weekend of pools being open; over-indulging on Aunt Sally’s potato salad at the family picnic, and, most likely, there will be one heck of a Martha Stewart White Sale at some store or another. But most importantly, the number one thing that rings in my head the Tuesday morning after Labor Day is the real white factor.
            Oh come on, you know what I’m talking about. I’m speaking on the rule that was formally abided by proudly and now has become the unspoken yet none-the-less honored practice. It consists of two simple parts. Don’t wear white until Easter. Don’t ever wear white after Labor Day.   I want to know who dictated that clever little fashion demand years ago.  Fashion is a personal statement you make for yourself which shouldn’t be contained by “rules”. I say if you want to wear white all year around go for it. More power to you if you’re the only one draped in a white cocktail dress throwing back eggnog at your annual Christmas party.
           However, I know there are some traditionalists out there who play by the rules and will tuck away the linen pants and white wide-brimmed hats next Monday.  No matter how you view the “White clothing rule.” in honor of wearing the crisp color and looking fabulous all summer (technically until Sept. 21st - the last official day of the season) the count down to Labor Day should be celebrated by wearing a piece of white this entire coming weekend!
        Rummage through your closets and find these staple pieces that you can flaunt this upcoming week. After all, for many of you, these clothes won’t see the light of day for another eight months.
First off we have the over-sized white bag or purse. I love a white bag because it pretty much goes with anything. One of my friends always wear hers well into the fall and ties a square-patterned scarf around one of the shoulder-straps for a cute accent.
          By the time the weekend rolls around it’s going to be poolside for one of the last times of the season. Now this is a daring request- pull out your white bathing suit if you own one. Lounge by the sparkling water in a full piece with cut-out sides which are very popular this year. Just avoid the white swim suit if you’re headed to the lake because it’ll get dingy in lake water. (Pictured from everythingbutwater.com)
       Slip on a pair of comfy linen drawstring white pants Sunday and experience what summer actually feels like on your body. Cool and soft, linen is one of my favorite fabrics and I love wearing drawstring linen pants casually with a tank top. J Crew takes the pant to an effortless level in their pictured women’s linen trousers; check them out at Jcrew.com.
           When you actually make it to Labor Day, wear your favorite white item left in your closet. If you realize you wish you had more of this color in your wardrobe, hit up the stores for Labor Day sales. Most of their white clothing will be discounted and if anything, you can put it away for next spring.
Don’t be surprised when Labor Day passes if you find your self wanting to wear more white. The color is worn with confidence and others definitely will notice you when you’re wearing it leading up to Labor Day. So get to your closet and start digging! You’ve got some white to find!

Gathering a group of friends together for dinner, drinks or plain laughter in the home is one of my favorite things in the world. Great stories and hysterical recollections usually surface and new memories are made.      While the sultry nights begin to cool into more bearable temperatures, (Eighty degrees for the low would be acceptable), I look forward to evenings outside. More cookouts with groups of friends, girls night sipping salty margaritas and, of course, laid back Sundays with my boyfriend and pets on the deck. With careful planning and a good eye for a bargain, your room can be complete to enjoy far beyond this summer.

Isn’t it ironic that the days are at their hottest and sunlight continues to linger past eight o’clock assuring us that summer is still in full swing, yet children are getting ready to return to school already? I remember when Labor Day was the standard for No. 2 pencils, Crayola Crayons, and snazzy new outfits to make their fall debut.  My school days are long past and I don’t have children, so for me it definitely still feels like summer. I plan to lavish in my white clothing, continue to barbecue until I can’t stand another hamburger, and enjoy fresh produce as long as I can…or at least until Labor Day. There are so many things I love about the summer season. Though I may only have another month or so to enjoy them, I plan to overindulge while I can. I wanted to share some of my summer favorites with you and see what we have in common.

A tomato snob? Yes!- Call me a tomato snob, but the cardboard reddish-yellow tomatoes you pick up in the grocery in March are no comparison to a fresh, plump bright red tomato right out of the garden in the heart of summer.  I love fresh produce. An array of berries, peaches and cream corn on the cob and my personal favorite – juicy strawberries are a staples of summer; and what better place to find fresh produce than a roadside stand or a local farmer’s market. Road side stands and farmers' markets are a nice vacation from the cold produce aisle at the super market and truly exemplify the sweetness of summer.

Sundress love- Hands down, the thing that beckons me to the thoughts of summer while there are still flurries on the ground are sun dresses. I’ve always been a girly-girl and there isn’t anything more relaxing and pretty feeling than a summer breeze over my shoulders when I’m wearing a pretty floral dress. If it were up to me I would wear a dress every day and run through a field full of daisies. Unfortunately I live and work outside of the daisy field but I do know where to find cute dresses. I love this  top-pictured strapless dress from J Crew. It’s perfect for a summer soirée and it’s a great transitional piece paired with a navy cardigan for the fall.


No matter what you’re wearing or eating during the month of August, just remember it’s not here for much longer, so even if the kids are in school, take advantage of the firefly summer nights and the sunny summer afternoons.  I’ve always thought the Country time Lemonade commercials sum up what summer is supposed to be -- relaxing, carefree fun.  So dive in and revisit your youth; the lazy, hazy days of summer. I’m going to!

Summer is in full swing and I hate the heat. OK, hate may be too strong of a word. I dislike this heat. I do, however, HATE the humidity. I go outside for five minutes and I have to come back in my house to take another shower. In a minimal amount of time in this humidity my make-up has melted off and my hair is a frizzy mess.
So I don’t go outside when I don’t have to. What a shame when I love to entertain but my disdain for this un-ending heat wave makes a back yard bar-b-que more like a chore than a good way to get friends together for an evening of food and fun.
Luckily, I’ve always thought the kitchen is an endearing room in the house to get people together. Some of the most entertaining stories and best laughs come out of group time in the kitchen whether preparing a meal or enjoying a glass of wine around the table together. So this week to entertain our favorites, we are going to do a group homemade pizza night with delicious drinks!
Let me tell you now, you are going to throw one of these get-to-gethers and I promise, you will be an instant entertaining hit among your group! If you aren’t, send the pizza dough bill to my house.

Preparation- On the day of the event, stock up on already-prepared pizza dough which you can find in the bakery at Publix. Purchase enough dough for each of the individual pizzas that your guest’s replied that they would prepare. You may want to buy a few extra cans of pizza sauce. I refuse to use anything except Glen Muir’s Organic Pizza Sauce which can be found at Whole Foods.
For appetizers you’ll be serving red-roasted hummus dip (already made in the deli section of your grocery) and pita chips. Also buy a loaf of Italian bread, break into pieces and serve with Extra Virgin Olive Oil sprinkled with Italian Seasoning on the side.

My name is Amy.. I’m a Tan-a-holic. Well, Ex Tan-a-holic; But I will admit to an addiction that I’m still overcoming and cravings come often, especially during the sunny season of summer.

A pause between posts lasting this long could only be a result of these things... Coldness in the air… snowy mornings that last long into the night… cups of rich cocoa, thick clothing that engulfs our bodies... or simply put... WINTER.