And the winner is...

Congratulations to Cilla for winning a beautiful print from Lady Hue in the 308th Post Giveaway!  Thank you to everyone who entered to win and of course a HUGE thank you to all of you who read along!

K.

--- Cilla!  Please forward your mailing address to dove.tree.art@gmail.com. ---

al.fresco

One of my favorite things about the warm months is the outdoor dining option.  Last night was *perfect* for al fresco eats.  And even better when most everything on the plate is also freshly picked and locally grown.  

Here's the menu: 

-Cucumber, tomato and cheddar with black pepper and light garlic mayo on toasted whole wheat

-Mixed romaine greens with almonds, pine nuts, noodles and sesame dressing

-Cantaloupe 

-Chilled white wine (OF COURSE)

Simple.

I'll definitely be putting this sort of spread on repeat.

YUM.

K.

--- The 308th Post Giveaway will remain open for entries until midnight Sunday. ---

un.summer goal

Confession time.  There is one summer goal that I have FAILED MISERABLY to meet.  Most of the list was just for fun anyway and pretty easy to comply with... but it is NOT easy to keep the regular down dog habit going when classes aren't running - at least not on any sort of schedule.  SO.  As an end of summer (un-summer?) goal I'm going to attempt to make my own yoga schedule (ya'll know how well I do with schedules and the like).  Here it is: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are going to involve a good dose of bend and stretch.

And I am SERIOUS this time, for real.

K.

Autumn Trends 2011

1. Flood of Buds Top - ModCloth

2. In with the Nouveau Earrings - ModCloth

3. Iced Coffee Couture Handbag - ModCloth

4. On Your Way Skirt - ModCloth

5. Luxe Square-frame Acetate Optical Glasses - Linda Farrow

6. Just For Kicks Heels - ModCloth

I've been keeping my fall fashion fever well in-check this year... good for me.  Normally, I'm ALL over EVERY fall trends prediction in EVERY magazine I can get my hands on by the end of July.  Not this year... well, okay maybe a little BUT I did manage to keep my big mouth shut about it until now (note the date: August 24th).  Impressed?  

I thought so.

Pats on the back aside, here's what I'm looking for this fall as I *eeep* head back to school.  A little bit of a bookish (and weather appropriate) twist on this season's best trends: floral prints, mustard, navy, brown leather, etc.  There will be plenty more talk of fall fashion trends, now that the floodgates are open...

K.

--- I'll announce the winner of the 308th Post Giveaway this weekend, so if you're a fan of Caitlin's work, be sure to enter! ---

what.i.wore

Sunglasses - Forever 21

Necklace - vintage

Vest + floral tank - Wet Seal

Purse - Forever 21

Tank + jeans - Mossimo

It seems like I haven't done one of these in a while... so here it is, what I wore on Friday.  The day was a great one: loads of work got done and the day was layered with other goodness - like great coffee, and lunch and a walk with a girly friend.  It was topped off with a BBQ to celebrate another g.f.'s 30th birthday.  That was kinda the way the whole weekend ran... bits of work mixed in with long walks, lots of sunshine and some quality porch time in my hammock with a glass of wine, listening to the live music happening at the coffee shop a block over.  Nice.

I JUST realized that it's August 22 today.  OY.  That means a lot of changes in the next couple of weeks.  You know the ones... weather shifting, school starting, and on and on...  I'm going to do my very best to wrap this summer up well - enjoying 'the last' of all that's so very good about this season.

Welcome Nostalgia.

K.

--- OH!  Don't forget to enter into the 308th post.giveaway!  I'll announce the winner later this week. ---

  

give.away

A while ago I shared this gorgeous 12" x 12" print ("Learning") by the super talented Caitlin of Lady Hue.  Well, I had to have one of my very own... it's already framed and at home here.  Thanks to Caitlin's generosity, I also have one to share with one of my readers!  All you need to do is follow Dove Tree and leave a comment on this post introducing yourself - if you're already a follower, that's awesome : ) all you have to do is leave a comment saying so.

Good luck - and once again, thank you to everyone who reads along!

Happy Friday!

K.

--- Yes, I realize a 308th post giveaway is a wee bit unorthodox, but I blew right by 300 without even realizing it... so 308 it is! ---

Perfect.Pair

A short while back I mentioned my hunt for the perfect pair of cowboy boots... and whaddya know?!  They showed up on my doorstep this morning, courtesy of my friend Katie.  We've decided that it was fate - these boots were meant to travel across the country to be with my feet.  It was all too perfect: I mentioned my hankering for a pair, Katie had a pair in her 'to-thrift' pile, she happened to read my post and we both happen to have kinda biggish feet.

I LOVE them.  

Thank you Katie!

K.

Midwest

Here's one from The Graduation Ceremony for tomorrows painting playlist... I love Joseph, just love him.

G'night Moon.

K.

One Soggy Friday

For so many reasons, I do LOVE a good bit of damp and dreary weather every now and again... especially after a good stretch of heat.  Probably have to say that the biggest reason I'm into this drippy Friday is that I've got a lot to get done on some art orders, and ohhh my, it sure is a lot easier to get myself settled into the routine when I'm not peering out the window at the sunny day every 5 minutes.  So for now, I'm setting up shop on the dining room floor: the music is loud, the coffee is good and the mood is creative.

PERFECT.SOGGY.FRIDAY

Happy Weekend ya'll!

K.

I...

A little "About Me" for today... all sparked by a nail clipping I spotted in the bathroom sink this morning.  Ew.

What do you feel, love, hate, hide, miss, and need?

K.

preview.FALL

This H&M video is the inspiration behind some fall fashion posts I'm putting together... just a peek at what's going on the fashion-y part of my brain.  Now for some fresh air - then back to the art projects!

Hope ya'll are having a great Tuesday!

K.

Almost.

I'm putting on the artist hat today and getting down to organizing and planning the painting orders for the next few months.  I seem to be doing a lot of organizing and planning lately... not sure how I feel about that.  Neither is a strength for me, but I figure I had better get over that hang-up soon since I'll be back in school (almost) full time as of September 12th.  While I'm looking forward to fall and all of those changes that come with it, I'll also admit to being a little intimidated at the idea of keeping it all afloat while I study.  Hopes are that I've created enough in the past few months to help keep the show going while I'm busy with course work.  I'm also hoping that school will feel like work and work will feel like play!  It always seems like I have more of a desire to create when I know my time is limited - there's something about that urgency that I'm kind of craving lately.  

Slow down.  

First things first: I need to enjoy the prep and planning stage, having the time to paint, and the rest of my summer fun.  Most of all I want to revel in the anticipation.  There's something so great about that "almost" feeling that comes with August.

K.

Pair of Aces

Wow.  Check out these Golden Goose beauties from Ruby and Tallulah.  (And then check out the price tag... ouch).  While these aren't in the budget, I am on the prowl for the *perfect* pair.  If anyone has any leads, or a pair of your own to share - please, please do pass along the cowboy boot lovin'!

Hope ya'll had a great weekend!

K.

feeling.august

(Photo by David Hamilton via Google Images)
The AUGUST FEELING happened today...

It's still hot, but maybe the breeze is a little cooler and the air a little fresher.  

Everything is still bright and beautiful, but maybe more mellow and golden. 

It's still summer and there's still time, but maybe not enough of it.

You know.  THAT feeling.

K.

As for Those Other Goals...

I posted on one of my goals earlier (to take more photos of my yard) and felt like I was due for some accountability on the rest of them too.  

So.  As for my other goals:

-Spend every second that I can outdoors, soaking up the season.

I get big points for this one and have spent as much time as possible in the fresh air and warm sun... in fact, I'm coming up on my 5th consecutive afternoon of either beach or pool activities.  Impressive, I'm sure.

-Ride my bike more often.

Uh.  Last week yes, this week only once so far... maybe I should remedy that this evening.
-Paint my nails... yeah.  Maybe. Maybe not.

Toe nails: yes.  Finger nails: forget it.

-Get back into practicing yoga.

Classes were cancelled this past week, but I've done my sun salutations a few times and worked them into my stretching after running... So kinda?!

-Spend oh-so-much time with friends.

I'm acing this one with lots of porch/patio time, long walks and water-side lounging.   

-Read for pleasure, draw for fun and paint because I'm inspired.

I read a novel for fun last week - The Help by Kathryn Stockett and this week I've started The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson ... but I'm a little short on inspiration where the art is concerned lately.  Eyes are pealed though, I'm on the prowl for creative fire.


How are the rest of ya'll doing with your summer goals?
K.

Candy Shop

Mmm, I've been craving some sugary goods lately... well, always if I'm being honest.  Maybe.maybe I will have to indulge, since it is the long weekend and all.  Ha.  The weekend has been all sorts of fun with two beach days and a pool day sandwiched in between.  I'm off to enjoy some more warm weather on this holiday Monday.  Now THAT is sweet : )

I'll be back at it oh-so-soon!

K.