Backyard Movie

Transport back in time when the drive-through movie reigned supreme.  These days many of these institutions have gone out of business, but you can still get that outdoor cinema experience right in your own backyard (and be a whole lot more comfortable while you're at it).

Inspiration : 

Pottery Barn has created a cozy outdoor viewing experience that I must recreate this summer.  They even give you tips here including on how to create your outdoor screen. 

Lust List :

No. 1 ~ Clear String Lights ~ World Market
No. 2 ~ Carrots Green 23" Pillow ~ CB2
No. 3 ~ Sadie Floral Outdoor Throw Pillow ~ Pottery Barn
No. 4 ~ Paint Palette 20" Pillow ~ CB2
No. 5 ~ Grove Wicker Pendant Lights (Set of 3) ~ Pottery Barn
No. 6 ~ Kneed It Side Table ~ CB2
No. 7 ~ Chesapeake Futon Lounger ~ Pottery Barn 
No. 8 ~ Cordless Decorative Bug Zapper ~ Sunbeam ~ Because bugs are not invited to this showing...
No. 9 ~ Popcorn Spices ~ Delcove Spices via Etsy ~ Spice up your freshly popped kernals with dozens of seasoning choices - Kettle Corn, Sour Cream & Onion, Italian Parmesan, Butt-Kickin' BBQ, Amish Caramel, even Lemon Cheesecake and more.
No. 10 ~ Samba Green Tray ~ Crate & Barrel 
No. 11 ~ Etched Red-Orange Design Mango Wood Bowl ~ Overstock
No. 12 ~ Martini Side Table ~ West Elm
No. 13 ~ Silver Movie Reel ~ Hollywood Megastore ~ Use as decor or stack to use as a clever holder for your beverages and popcorn.
No. 14 ~ Stainless Steel Snack Bowls ~ CB2
No. 15 ~ Knitted Pouf ~ CB2

Invite your friends and loved ones, pop some popcorn, and push play.

Also, if you're looking for a great caramel corn recipe, try this copy-cat Crunch 'N' Munch recipe out.  I made it last week for my boyfriend, and it seriously tasted like the real thing.  Plus you can substitute the nut for your favorite.  I used almonds in mine because it was a bit cheaper and what I had on hand.

Happy Watching,

Pins of Interest

So I've had a Pinterest account for some time now, but I just finally started to use it.  Do you have an account?  If you're thinking about getting one, I would apply for it today (I heard there is a huge line to become apart of the Pinterest group), and if you already have an account, what do you think of it? Here are some of the positives and negatives that I see:

+'s - it keeps all of my past and current inspiration organized & it's great for finding new inspiration as well, plus it keeps down my number of bookmarks (I don't think I want to admit to how many I have, but it's truly out of control)

–'s - I don't find the interface very user friendly for the iPad (my main device for inspiration hunting and blog reading); new pins take forever to load and every time I click to repin a photo, it'll make me scroll to the top of the homepage to do so, and then I'll have to scroll back down to the bottom where I was etc...basically, it's pretty time consuming when I could just copy the photo and save the link real quick (though refer back to why this is a bad idea in the +'s section)
As I've also stated previously on here, products I feel tend to sell out more quickly now that everyone and their brother know about them...makes me not so happy when I finally have the money to buy that pretty little necklace and it's gone, out of my life forever :( OK enough of being so dramatic sorry...


Being as that I'm finally using this website, I decided that I would share some of my fav pins of interest (from past and present) with you.  Perhaps inspire you to get an account as well, that will further inspire me :)  Here they are:

 No. 1 ~ Paint Chip Gift Tags ~ What a cute way to add a burst of color to your gift, and they can be acquired for the lovely cost of $0! I especially love this idea because even at a small age, the painting section was also my favorite part of home improvement stores.  I have never been able to resist picking up a few (or more) to take home with me, and now they all will have a purpose. Perfect!

 No. 2 ~ Outdoor Dining - If you have a backyard like this, expect a visit from me real soon! This would be really great inspiration for a wedding reception setup too.

 No. 3 ~ Colored Spoons ~ If you've seen this flatware set and were crushed when you saw the price-tag, no need to fear! All you need is some spray paint (preferably food safe just to be, well, safe) and some utensils. Great DIY

 No. 4 ~ Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco ~ A beautiful photograph of the City By the Bay. I love the colors, and it's even worthy of a frame in my opinion.

 No. 5 ~ Ginger Wipe Out & Key Lime Cowabunga Ice Cream Sandwiches ~ Oh Joy! (which is a great blog read btw & one of my absolute favorites) featured these ice cream sandwiches on her blog not too long ago.  You can order them online, but I think I'm going to have my go at making my own, and my wallet agrees.  The Key Lime is made with coconut oatmeal cookies, so I'm going to start with this recipe.  These sound and look AMAZING don't they!

Well, I'm off to go spend time with my boyfriend for the weekend, and let's pray the rain can stay away!
Happy Weekend,

Don't Mind If I Rue

So this is going to be a quick post because I don't have much time, but the 5th issue of Rue came out today and I couldn't be more excited!
They have some lovely layouts for the summer months...some of my favs being about picnic and outdoor entertaining.  I actually have a few picnic posts coming up tomorrow and Wednesday here at Lusting After Life, so stay tuned.  Also, until I can find the time to post on this bad boy, here are a few photos and a video clip from the latest issue of Rue.  Sorry the photos are screen shot quality.  The issue just literally hit the internet an hour ago, so there aren't any photos up in the gallery yet.  If you click on the layouts, you'll get larger photos so you can actually see all the details they put into it.

Outdoor Lounging

With the weather getting nicer, I want to get out and enjoy it as much as I can before the really hot weather hits.  Here's my lust list for stylishly lounging around outside from morning to night...

No. 1 ~ Blossom Floral Skirted Dress ~ Topshop

No. 2 ~ Knitted Mustard Crochet Fifties Style Cardigan ~ Topshop

No. 3 ~ Tan mini satchel bag ~ Dorthy Perkins 

No. 4 ~ Leather Toe Post Plait Flat Sandal ~ ASOS

No. 5 ~ Hurricane Lantern ~ via Surgical Shop

No. 6 ~ Tin Picnic Basket for 2 ~ Blyton

No. 7 ~ Giara Hermetic Glass Bottle - Sky Blue ~ Bormioli Rocco

No. 8 ~ Perfect Paper Straws - blue ~ Kikkerland 

No. 9 ~ Porthmeor Garden Deck Chair ~ Gallant & Jones

No. 10 ~ Coussin Coney 1 ~ Bonjour mon coussin

No. 11 ~ Picnic Gift Sparks Fleece Picnic Blanket Tote with Waterproof Backing ~ via Picnic World

No. 12 ~ Numero Pillow ~ Bonjour Mon Coussin

No. 13 ~ Traveler Record Player - tan with latch & carrying handle ~ Crosley

No. 14 ~ Water Hyacinth Floor Cushion ~ Toast

No. 15 ~ Striped Woven Lobsta Throw ~ CB2

Tea Time

{Butterfly Photography, Kimberly Chorney}

The picture above is more my cup of tea than an actual one sadly.  For as long as I can remember, I have never quite enjoyed tea.  In fact, I have never really enjoyed drinking any hot liquid; i.e., coffee, hot chocolate, soup, etc.  I know it all sounds weird, but I would rather drink a smoothie in the dead of winter than drink something hot.  In recent years though, I have tried my best to get over this habit and broaden my taste palette.  I enjoy coffee (if you count the foo-foo kind that's loaded with sugar, syrup, milk, and of course, calories), hot chocolate, and some teas now, but they have to be at room temperature almost.  To me, that's when you can really taste the flavors and not just scolding hot water.  Either way, I still long to be a member of the tea party...

Five reasons I would like to pick up the habit of drinking tea :

1.  I love scones and tea sandwiches ~ definitely would justify making them more 

2.  Health benefits ~ sickness would be so much easier to combat

3.  I would have an excuse to buy pretty teacups and other fancy tea gadgets and accessories 

4.  I always feel left out when people want to go to The Tea Room or other tea only establishments 

5.  I think it would be quite fun ~ perhaps I never got out of my dress up tea party stage as a child, plus a piece of me has always longed to be British...

I'm really not kidding about that #3 by the way, and here is a lust list to prove it.

Proper Decor-um :
    No. 1 ~ Buttermilk Scones Dress ~ ModCloth
    No. 2 ~ Knot2much2ask Spot of Tea Pendant Necklace ~ via Max & Chloe
    No. 3 ~ One-Lump-Or-Two Lamp ~ Anthropologie
    No. 4 ~ L by Lenox "Floral Waltz" Tea Saucer & Tea Cup ~ via Bloomingdale's
    No. 5 ~ Vintage Three Tier Cake Stand ~ I Love Retro via BOUF

Tea for Two : 
    No. 6 ~ Blueberry Sour Cream Scone Mix ~ Stonewall Kitchen or make from scratch using this Tyler Florence Recipe
    No. 7 ~ Caramel Sundae Escape Tea ~ Talbott Teas
    No. 8 ~ Lemon Curd ~ Stonewall Kitchen
    No. 9 ~ McVities Rich Tea Biscuits ~ Amazon ~ can't get much more British than this, thus it is completely necessary to at least try them

Perhaps if I start acting the part, a love of tea will just come naturally.  I'll work on my decor-um and one day have the perfect little tea for two.  Does anyone else out there share my sentiments?

...Bring May Flowers

{I Love Flowers No2 by Eloise Renouf via Etsy}

Even though Spring isn't quite in full bloom yet, your life still can be.  Surround yourself with these floral goods. 

Wear  : 

    No. 1 ~ Impact Poppy Bandeau Dress ~ Warehouse

    No. 2 ~ Myriann's Wide Floral Cut Out Copper Cuff Bracelet ~ via Fantasy Jewelry Box

    No. 3 ~ Stephen Dweck Aventurine Ring ~ via Neiman Marcus

    No. 4 ~ Flower Chain Collar Necklace ~ Nine West

    No. 5 ~ Mika Brogue Shoe ~ Aldo

Decorate :

    No. 6 ~ Cherry Blossom Chandelier ~ Anthropologie

    No. 7 ~ Watercolor Petals Dinnerware ~ Anthropologie

    No. 8 ~ Hollywood Regency Floral Mirror (circa 1960's) ~ via 1stdibs

    No. 9 ~ Ice Blue Chippendale Carver Chair ~ ada & darcy

April Showers...

{Nothing But Rain print by Eloise Renouf via Etsy}

It may be May already, but the April showers still continue.  Conquer those rainy days with this rain gear.  Look stylish outdoors or cozy up with a movie and bake indoors. 

Wear outdoors : 

    No. 1 ~ Vintage Stripe Folding Umbrella ~ Barneys New York 

    No. 2 ~ Tibi Women's Bow Khaki Brown Trench ~ via Van Mildert

    No. 3 ~ Original Tall Women's Wellington ~ Hunter 

    No. 4 ~ Umbrella Necklace ~ Bori via Masked

Use indoors : 

    No. 5 ~ Boot Umbrella Stand ~ Z Gallerie

    No. 6 ~ Singin' in the Rain DVD ~ Amazon

    No. 7 ~ Rain Cloud Pillow ~ Pony and Poppy via Etsy

    No. 8 ~ Summer Sales Apron ~ Mary Koop design via London Transport Museum 

I don't know about you, but I definitely have a love-hate relationship with the rain.  The dreariness sucks out my soul, but I also have a side that has always romanticized it.  Must be from watching too much Singin' in the Rain and the end sequence of Breakfast at Tiffany's...

What do you do on a rainy day? 

Global Love

Ever since I bought my first globe, I've been completely obsessed with wanting to collect more.  So far I've stopped myself at two, but I definitely will add to those beauties somewhere later down the line.  More recently, I've focused my attention on finding the perfect vintage school map instead.  I think globes and maps add something really fun to a room, and I love that they fit in grown-up and child spaces alike.  They're perfect pieces for a family room, a kid's room, or just a really interesting space.  

No. 1 ~ Maps #5 Pillow Cover ~ FJS 

No. 2 ~ Globe Mobile ~ via 1-World Globes

No. 3 ~ Map Print Thermos ~ Wild and Wolf via Burke Decor

No. 4 ~ Vintage Ohio Art Co. Midcentury Globe Bank ~ Chirp via Etsy

No. 5 ~ FUTURE Map aqua - luminous red - gold ~ The Future Mapping Company

No. 6 ~ The Vision Red Globe ~ Atmosphere via eGlobes

No. 7 ~ World Map (Blue) ~ Famille Summerbelle

I also have a HUGE collection of inspiration photos that I've decided I need to start sharing with you all. Here are some of the global kind: 

{really fun & interesting adult space by Emily Henderson}

{a play room that has some sophistication for the grown-ups by Westbrook Interiors}

{a really great idea: chalkboard stripe and world map in kid's room via HGTV}

{a boy's room, but I think this could go grown-up space and for both genders via House Beautiful}

{another wonderful vintage map and wire chair via House and Home}

Film Style Inspiration : (500) Days of Summer

So I brought up this movie earlier in the week here, and if you haven't already guessed, it's one of my favorite films.  I thought it would be fun to use this as my inspiration for today's post.  Here are all things Summer:

No. 1 ~ Vintage Baby Blue Eyelet Print Dress ~ Modcloth

No. 2 ~ Fly Like Paper Cranes Necklace ~ Modcloth

No. 3 ~ Apple of the Month Club ~ via HoneyCrisp.com

No. 4 ~ Top Hat - Bowler Black ~ Buy.com

No. 5 ~ Original painting of Ringo Starr on 12 in" vinyl ~ MEGAvisual via Etsy 

No. 6 ~ The Picture of Dorian Gray ~ Penguin Classics via Amazon.com

No. 7 ~ Royal Blue Headband w/ Bow ~ Banbury Cross

I also found this vintage dress similar to another wardrobe piece Summer wore. It's a bit more intricate with lace detail, but it shares the same neckline and silhouette. You could wear it to a wedding just like Summer did or to many other special occasions. 

 {Natasha Pale Blue Lace Dress - vintage circa 1950's ~ via Priestley's Vintage at Coggles.com}

Now if only the weather showed all things summer...

The Fundamentals of Geometry

Geometric patterns have been taking over the world (and my lust list) by storm.  Here are some of my favorite geometrical pieces:

No. 1 ~ Geometric Dress w/ Belt ~ Forever21
No. 2 ~ Precipice no. 2.2 ~ Polymorphia
No. 3 ~ Geometric Pattern Blue and Green Tumbler Glasses {Vintage, set of 6} ~ KMD Creations
No. 4 ~ Ritzy Stripe Grey Geometric Throw Pillow ~ Mod Pillow
No. 5 ~ Remix - yellow throw pillow ~ Ferm Living
No. 6 ~ Tan Brass Pyramid Bangle ~ Stella McCartney via Bluefly
No. 7 ~ Triangle Long Necklace ~ Mirabella

Déjà Vu

Once I saw this lamp, I immediately thought I'd seen it before.  Not only does it remind me of my grade school days of making marbled paper, but it reminds me of this marbled piece over at the Paper Source (for obvious reasons).  The patterns look nearly identical.  Makes me want to bust out some paper and get creative with it right now.

{Anabelle lamp via Modern Dose, Pink Orange Marble Fine Paper via Paper Source}

Moroccan Poufs

So I've known that Calypso St. Barth was going to be the latest brand collaborating with Target for awhile now, but the lookbook just came out.  I spy with my little eye a moroccan pouf that's only $59.99.  I think that I've always disregarded the pouf because of it's ridiculous pricing, but this is definitely something I can get on board with.  I wonder if it comes in more colors??  The line will debut in Target stores on May 1st and be available until June 11th.

{pouf via Target.com}

A - Z

I must say, I am LOVING some of the more recent prints from Keep Calm Gallery.  The A-Z pieces definitely catch my eye.  I'd love one in every print please!

  {An A to Z of New York}

 {An A to Z of London}

  {A Gentleman's A-Z}

{A Lady's A-Z}

Redoing an Old Standard

{decorpad}

Armoires have been used for centuries for holding clothes and other accessories, and although I can appreciate a beautiful wooden piece like the one above, I love rethinking the concept to create something just as beautiful and functional.

Simple revisions like glass or cutout doors, not only break up the solid wood look, but also let you to see your clothes for easy outfit planning and allow items to be displayed, yet protected.  Wallpaper is also an easy way to get an updated look.  It adds something visually appealing to give the room added personality.

{decor8blog}

{InStyle}

{decorpad}

{Anthropologie}

Functionality for the armoire has also changed dramatically over the years, now holding our TVs, computers, and whatever else can come to mind.  The ideas are endless. 

 {junkgardengirl}

{junkgardengirl}

{Paula Deen Armoire via Belfort Furniture}

My parents have a vintage art deco style armoire in their basement that will one day be mine.  It needs a few repairs, but when I'm done fixing it up, I can't say I've decided on what to put in it yet.  I wouldn't want to damage any of the old wood, so some ideas are already eliminated like for a TV, computer, or the chalkboard paint idea as seen above.  It's something I have awhile to figure out though, and let it be known that one of the next brilliant uses of an armoire will be done by yours truly.