Patio Pleasure

Summer is here! Well, not officially but the weather as of late has me jumping for joy and scrambling for my swimsuit. There is nothing I love more than a day spent on the beach (preference to Long Beach Island of course) followed by cocktails, chatter about the previous summer night, and grilling out on the patio. Here are some recent patio and porch faves that have me counting the minutes until my next summer weekend. Even better? If it comes with an outdoor fireplace. After all, who can turn resist a midnight s'more?

(a Charleston home with a porch like this? I'd move right in)

(shutters in a worn-out turquoise are the perfect accent)

 (pink perfection.)

 (sometimes a little oasis in the city will just have to do)

 (love those reclaimed doors!)

To add to your outdoor experience, visit the farmer's market and whip up one of my favorite easy breezy summer side dishes, courtesy of the always beachy Barefoot Contessa:

Guacamole Salad

Ingredients:

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved

1 yellow pepper, seeded and diced

1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup red onion, diced

2 Tbsp. jalepeno peppers, seeded and minced

1/2 tsp. grated lime zest

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1/2 tsp. garlic, minced

1/4 tsp. ground cayenne pepper

2 ripe avocados, peeled and diced

Directions:

Place the tomatoes, yellow pepper, black beans, red onion, jalepeno and lime zest in a large boil. In a separate bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic and cayenne better. Pour over vegetables and toss well. Before serving, fold avocados into the salad. Enjoy and happy summer!

Images via Food Network, Material Girls, Pinterest, Southern Living and Coastal Living.

Royal Wedding Week: India Hicks

Almost 30 years ago, a 13 year old India Hicks, member of the British royal family, daughter of famed interior designer David Hicks and goddaughter to Prince Charles, was asked to be a bridesmaid at the royal wedding of Charles and Diana...

 (India, to the left of Diana)

Today, she lives the island life in the Bahamas with her husband and four children, working as an author/TV host/designer/model.

Her home, a 1950s Bahamian beach house, is a 18th-century plantation-style villa with Caribbean touches such as wood, paper and straw materials. Inspired by natural curiosities and her father's designs, the home features splashes color such as bright pink, nautical touches, white woodwork and hundreds of photographs lined on plywood shelves. A rose from Princess Diana's bridal bouquet is treasured in a glass paperweight by India's bed. Salty air and sunlight frolic through the open breezy house...

Amazingly, you can get a taste of India's island life by renting out one of her Hibiscus Hill properties on Harbour Island or Windermere Island in the Bahamas... 

I don't know about you, but I am drooooooling right now. Take me there! But if a vacation at Hibiscus Hill isn't in your near future (mine either), you can kick back and enjoy Caribbean design and lifestyle with India Hicks' book, Island Life.

Images via The Telegraph, India Hicks, Caribbean Belle, Coastal Living, and Hibiscus Hill.

Wash the Blues Away

I don't need many extravagances but this indoor/outdoor shower of Mediterranean blue and white, Greek key tile pattern, and frosted glass (to let the sunlight in and keep peepers out) would make me verrry happy.

Image via Coastal Living.