fwo | summer tops and summer recipes
there are two things i’m on the hunt for this summer besides delicious summer recipes. cool summer tops and dresses. there’s nothing quite like beating the heat in style. a dear friend is stopping by for lunch today, so we’re dining on the porch. a chic summer top is a must! and i think i found the perfect one from Anthropologie. with vibrant colors mixed with feminine details, i think i’m in love. this top looks gorgeous untucked letting the garment flow with the breeze. but the fabric is light enough to tuck inside a skirt or pants for a more buttoned-up look. this breezy blouse will look fantastic with statement earrings and chic navy or pink pants for date night.
since we’re dining alfresco today a summery pair of shorts were in order. this pair has a fun watermelon design in a seven-inch length. earlier in the month they were seen here with a striped tee and white jacket. today, they look adorable with an easy breezy summer top and pink suede sandals. don’t you just love how simple summer outfits can be?
summer tops are easy and breezy to wear. look for small details like embroidery that will add a little flair.
hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers. peonies come in a close second. sadly the south is a bit hot for them. so none will be planted in our yard much to my dismay.
ollie is checking out lunch arrangements. or maybe my cute summer top.
today’s cocktail is a cosmopolitan with a twist of lemon. fun fact. the first television show to mention a cosmopolitan wasn’t Sex in the City. it was ER season 4 episode 17 written by Linda Gase.
gold tray | bar shaker | martini glasses | petite ginger jar | blue & white box
use a vegetable peeler for the lemon.
hanging out on the porch is one of our favorite pastimes.
placemats | similar napkins | flatware | glasses
lunch is served.
pineapple shrimp fried rice was a new recipe i tried out on my friend judy. she gave the recipe two thumbs up and asked for seconds.
happy friday gang! oscar, ollie and i wish each of you a lovely weekend.
Fresh lime or lemon juice only!!! Never ever use Roses lime it ruins it. A good cosmo should be light pink
i agree with fresh ingredients. and i have a cosmo recipe on the blog with fresh lime juice. but this recipe called for Rose’s lime juice and i always keep mixes on hand in the off event i don’t have the real deal or for a larger gathering where shortcuts come in handy. i might have been heavy handed with the cranberry juice. but it tasted pretty darn good. cheers!
I also adore hydrangeas! We moved to southern Alabama ten years ago. Although our region is always the hottest (and most humid) on the weather map, I have found that oak leaf hydrangeas grow well. Also one whose official name I forget but it has lovely blooms which go from light green to strawberry. Both these types have wood stems which I think is why they grow here. We also have soaker hoses on timers in our garden beds which certainly helps during the scorching sumners!
soakers are a must for hydrangeas. that afternoon sun can wreak havoc. i’ve heard good things about the oak leaf hydrangea and
we’re incorporating those into or landscape design. thanks so much for sharing! xo
You can grow peonies! I live in Huntsville, AL & there are plenty of peonies here. And I think we’re a bit warmer than the Atlanta area, since we are in a valley v. Being more mountainous. Just stick to early & midseason varieties. Or oldies but goodies like Felix maxima. Check out Brent & Becky’s bulbs, plant delights nursery, and niche gardens for some varieties that will work.
that’s good news! i’m working with a landscape designer and i’ll share the good news ASAP. thanks so much for sharing. xo
Hi Beth, lovely to see Oscar and Ollie, we haven’t seen Ollie in a while. I absolutely love Hydrangeas, we don’t seem to get them to buy as a cut flower in England they’re usually bought in pots to plant in the garden. I commented to hubby when we were in Florida that they had them as a cut flower to buy. Peonies where we live are okay but because we live quite high up we get a lot of winds at times so they get blown around quite a bit, then if you add the rain you get one quite battered peony plant. By the way Lynn is correct, I wouldn’t say Roses lime ruins the drink completely but fresh is better. You look lovely in your outfit and glad the lunch was a hit, have a lovely weekend xoxo
Love your porch! Bet the animals love it too. Is Ollie a Maine Coon?
Limelight hydrangeas will delight you , they thrive in full sun and heat .
Enjoy a ton of cut blooms 😊
Love your blog , my day would not be complete without it !
This recipe looks easy and amazing. Thank you for sharing. I look forward to Friday’s with Oscar every week!
Beth just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading your blog… you’re writing is informative and easy to read! Keep up the great work!
Amy
Darling outfit, Beth! I make a pretty mean Cosmo myself.
What type of bra to wear with blouses cut like this one…
Lovely all around!
Love everything about today’s post, especially the cosmos and lunch.
I have not been lucky, here in central Wi., these past few years growing Hydrangeas. I’ve planted a tree with the white blooms years ago, and it bloomed nicely every summer. Four years ago, living in a different home, but still in Wisconsin, I tried three bushes of “pinky twinkie” something or other. They didn’t last two years. Then two years ago, I planted two “blue” in a flower bed of lily of the valley, and they are still alive, but probably won’t bloom for another month, at least I hope they will. I also planted three large large pots with the blue, first year they were lovely, second year nothing…had to be dug they out,so I tried again..planted the blue once more, but after the winter again, nothing…Well I have learned my lesson, I cannot grow them here, and it makes me sad, as they are my favorites also. BUT…the peonies are coming along nicely, three bushes, and getting even better after 7 years…anyway….Thank you so much for the recipe for the Cosmopolitans, I have never had one, but your picture looks sooooooooooooo tasty, I MUST check it out..(grin). Have a lovely weekend with your GOOD looking pets..They are beautiful…
I live in Kansas but I had luck with the Bobo Hydrangeas.
Beth I just love Oscar & Ollie and your wonderful recipes. I whipped up your Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe, it was delicious!
Sounds good! I like all those ingredients, so I’m sure I’d enjoy it. And you and Ollie and Oscar look relaxed in your element. We love our hydrangeas, and it gets pretty hot here in NC. I do think they drink more water than just about any flower, though. We have some lace-capped white ones with blue centers, and intersperce them with the blue and lavender colored ones. So pretty. Have a good weekend!