You got a new horizon, it’s ephemeral style…

Summer officially begins on Friday, which means it’s travel time for me! I’ve got three weekend trips planned and I hope to get away with bringing nothing more than an overnight bag for each. Mix-and-match outfits, some lip gloss, and a good book are about all I need – besides a loved one or two – to enjoy my time away…

Gatlingburg

Bling Jewelry 2CT Solitaire CZ Studs| Just Class Patterned Shark Bite Dress | Circus by Sam Edelman Carolina Sling-Back Sandals| Lifestyle Attitude Tie Front Top| Time and Tru Ocean Stripe Swimsuit| Levi’s Classic Short| Tommy Hilfiger Beauty Perfume| Clinique Two Ton Tomato Chubby Lip Color Balm| Comfort by Brinley Co. Espardrille Wedge| Bowlaway: A Novel by Elizabeth McCracken| Kendall & Kylie Red Patent Tote

First up is a weekend trip to Gatlinburg, where the plan is to tour the Old Forge Distillery and The Salt-and-Pepper Shaker Museum, walk across the new pedestrian suspension bridge (if I can a suspend – ha ha – my fear of heights) and soak up some rays by the pool…

Denver

Falari Pashima Wrap| SA106 Tortoise Butterfly Sunglasses| Love Sadie Hawaiian Print Ruffled  Romper| Palm Beach Jewelry Concave Cigar Band Gold Ring| Fleishman Is in Trouble by  Taffy Brodesser-Akner | Bling Jewelry Tortoise Shell Hoops| Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers Body Mist | Time and Tru Deep V Swimsuit| Unique Bargains Stacked Heel Tassel Ankle Strap Sandals| Love Sadie Halter Shift Sundress| C. Wonder Michaela Suede Espadrilles| Eliza May Rose White Stripe Ultimate Tote | Revlon Ultra HD Embrace Matte Lipgloss

My second adventure is taking me to Denver to spend time with two of my favorite peeps, where we’ll tune in and turn on at the Dead & Co show, followed by a day enjoying Mother Nature at Garden of the Gods. Since my flight doesn’t leave til late Monday night I am going to play solo tourist and check out some art and some books at the Denver Art Museum and the Tattered Cover Bookstore…

Charleston

Gottex Sinatra Bathing Suit| Brinley Co. Bow-Accent Slip On Flat| Gorjana Power Gemstone Turquoise Charm Gold Ring| Sofia Vergara Faux Wrap Front Maxi| Textile Lacey Flutter Skirt| Fate Rainbow Knit Sweater| Lux Turquoise & Coral Inlay Medallion Drop Earrings| Eliza May Rose Toile Basket Tote| L’Oreal Infallible 320 Red Fatale Lip Gloss| Three Women by Lisa Taddeo| Anne Cole Crochet All Day Swim Cover Up

Finally, at some point before Labor Day I’m going to make it to Charleston for a long weekend. I’d like to spend the time exploring the architecture and cemeteries through walking tours, drop in at SCAD, get some tan time in at Folly Beach, and visit the basket ladies at Charleston City Market…

How about you? Any travel plans for the summer? Do you like to visit new places when you go on holiday or do you stick with the tried-and-true spots that make you feel nostalgically happy? Drop me a line…..I’d love to know.

*Feel Good Inc – The Gorillaz

You can’t judge a book by the cover…

newyearnewnine
Decisions, decisions…which book to read first

A belated Happy New Year to one and all.  My 2018 began just like my 2017 ended, with me driving thousands of miles to see loved ones spread far and wide. I’ve been wondering why I haven’t been as creative as I had hoped and then calculated between Thanksgiving and January 6th I drove just a tad over 7,000 miles. I guess that’s a good reason for not getting much done, huh?  Thank god for rental cars with heated seats and satellite radio along with kids I adore who had hours of far-ranging playlists and podcasts which combined to make those miles a pleasure to drive.

On the downside, so much driving meant a lack of time for any substantive reading.  I spent most of December lost in Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan, a story I really enjoyed and was sorry to finish.  When I reached over for my next read I realized my bedside stash had dwindled to a crisis level.  That’s why I was so excited by the nine books that Santa (aka my Momma) gave me for Christmas.  I always say the only present I really want is to spend time with my family but I will never say no to the gift of a book.

After I finish the two library books I am currently reading I can begin to get lost in my newest set of 9 (past ‘nines’ can be found here).  Have you read any of these books?  Which would you recommend I read first?  I’d love to know…

*You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover – Bo Diddley