{Happy Summer!}

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day Weekend; I know I sure did! Here on the beaches of New Jersey (I refuse to call it "the shore") we had beautiful weather which helped to make it an especially memorable weekend.

I have spent the fast few weeks transitioning into summer mode... aka time-to-get-all-of-those-projects-done mode. My goal this summer? To sort through EVERYTHING I have accumulated over the years. I'm talking every drawer, closet, box, nook and cranny. While definitely a tedious task, there is nothing so rewarding as sorting and de-cluttering a room, and nothing so relaxing as enjoying your revitalized space.

Summer mode also means updating my wardrobe, both in terms of what I wear on a day-to-day basis and clearing out things I no longer need or wear. I really am trying to live a more simplistic lifestyle as I have been coming to the realization that I have way too much stuff (never thought I would say that!).

So, here's to a great summer 2010, and I hope it is a successful one! In terms of friends, family, career, home decor, fashion, and hobbies! There is so much to look forward to...

{beautiful blooms}

{so true!, via bryn alexandra}

{amazing sunsets}

{effortlessly chic outfits}

{delectable meals al fresco}

{flowing dresses and beachy hair, via coco+kelley}

What are you looking forward to about this summer?

{Elle Decor}

As I have mentioned before, I love a good magazine. And a good supplement to these magazines, is a good website. Some magazine websites really fall short in my opinion - they don't have much to offer, are outdated, etc.

One magazine website that does not fall into this category is Elle Decor. This website not only features the spreads from the current issue, but frequently updated shopping tips, beautiful homes, and trends. It is one of my favorite places to go for inspiration, and is a great alternative for the times when I don't have the cash readily available to purchase the magazine.

Elledecor.com has a really cool feature called "ED's LookBook," which can be found on the homepage. Here you select the type of room, and then your personal style (broken down into categories) from a drop-down menu, and are then presented with a slideshow featuring looks that match your search. I love how quick-and-easy this makes searching for inspiration, I wish that other websites offered a similar feature!

{I love a good breakfast nook, and this is a GREAT breakfast nook. It is part of a renovated 110-year-old barn/house.}

{A bedroom in the same renovated barn. How amazing is this room? That bed is bananas, and I am loving all the natural light.}

{Some plates from the "Shopping" section of the site. I love the idea of mixing colors and patterns in a table setting, much like I love doing in my wardrobe.}

{I adore these Jonathan Adler Positano pillows with crisp white linen contrasted with bright grosgrain ribbon. I love how geometric they are.}

{Actress Ellen Pompeo's living room. Her home was featured in the most recent issue of the magazine. This room is so simple-chic, and not at all fussy.}

{Ellen Pompeo's kitchen. I have been obsessed since I saw these images. I have always been a sucker for open shelving, but this room is beyond my wildest dreams. It feels so lived-in and is so "undecorated." I also love the use of a very large picture resting on counter space as a focal point.}

{Decorator Joe Nye gives advice for summer table setting. A perfect place for a Sunday brunch with friends and family, no?}

This is just a sampling of the great inspirational images and ideas to be found on Elle Decor's website, so head that way if you are looking for something chic!