Waiting for Summer.

**Drawing by Valfré**

Hello beautiful people!  I want to apologize for my lack in posting over the past couple of weeks.  I've been busy with work accompanied with feeling kind of ho-hum and uninspired and basically I'm just waiting around for summer to get here.  In short, I put together a little list of my summer loves, summer favorites, and summer "essentials" for y'all to take a peek at for amusement and/or inspiration.  This entry is also kind of a "summer preview" edition, as some of the pieces featured below will be making an appearance in future outfit posts.  Stay tuned. ;)

1.) Pastel Eyes

I have always been a sucker for brightly colored eye makeup, and this shimmery teal blue is no exception.  I usually sport more smokey shades on the regular, but with the weather being a bit warmer lately, I've had a hankering for lighter pastel hues.  This color is from a palette that I purchased at my local beauty supply shop.  The brand is "Nicka K".  

2.) ABNDN Jewels

I recently made a visit to my friend's studio where she designs and makes her own custom jewelry for her independent online shop "ABNDN".  She was kind enough to let me make and customize my very own necklace while I was there and I cannot wait to share it with you when it is complete. Her work is absolutely breathtaking and she sells each piece that she makes!  If you want to check her stuff out and perhaps have a piece to call your own, visit here site here.  I am forever in complete awe of her talent.  

3.) Platform Jellies

These little shoes are going to be a staple of mine during the warmer months ahead.  I found them on sale for super cheap at my local DB Shoes outlet, and they had exactly one pair left in my size.  Jellies and platforms are probably my favorite style of shoes to date.. mix the two styles together and what do you get?  A joyous me.

4.) Metal Shirts & Printed Shorts

This is a combination I came up with the other day when the weather was grey and cool and I was longing for a little sunshine and warmth.  I've had this Iron Maiden tee in my wardrobe for a couple of years, and finally decided to cut it up and give it a little more personality with a style that is unique to me.  I am always a little afraid to cut, sew and customize my own clothes (in fear of ruining the entire piece altogether), but when I actually sit down and put forth the effort and dedication it takes to make something that looks and feels right, the results are supreme.  

5.) Velveteen Shortalls

This little number is a recent pre-order purchase from one of my absolute favorite online stores, "Shop Tunnel Vision".  They are yet another shop that customizes and hand-makes many of their items.  They also have an extensive vintage section on their site featuring items that they have hand-picked from numerous thrift stores all over the country (and beyond). I cannot wait to feature these shortalls in a future blog post.  I was on the hunt for the perfect pair and "Shop Tunnel Vision" saved the day (and my summer, too.)  Check 'em out here.

6.) Summer of Love Romper

This romper is from yet another favorite shop of mine, "Gypsy Warrior".  I was casually perusing their site today and when I came across this little sweetheart, I had to have it.  I cannot wait to style it up and snap some photos for a future blog post!  As I said previously, stay tuned. ;)

7.) Roller skates

I spotted these roller skates at my favorite local flea market a couple of summers ago.  They looked worse for the wear when I first brought them home, but with a little polish and new laces, they transformed into a couple of badass babes.  Problem is, I haven't skated in them enough!  This summer I plan to make it my goal to take em for a spin at least once a week.

8.) Homemade Cocktails

What would summer be without a refreshing cocktail to accompany it?  I came up with this recipe on an especially warm day at home when I was longing for the beach.  I have yet to give it a name, (maybe I'll just call it yum?).  Anyhow, here is the recipe in case you feel like making one for yourself:

Muddled Mint

Juice of one lime

1.5 oz Rum

3/4 oz Cointreau

3/4 oz pineapple juice

Shaken

Topped with a splash of sparkling lime club soda

9.) Wolf Alice

Summer isn't summer without some killer tunes, am I right? Wolf Alice is a band I have been obsessing over lately, and their music exudes a kind of "road trip to the ocean" nostaligia one might get on a lonely afternoon.  With a super reverby garage fluff grunge pop 90's esque brit sound, it's like if The Cranberries, Mazzy Star, and Smashing Pumpkins (specifically the album Siamese Dream) had some grand kids that made music together haha.  Preeetty much a recipe for music perfection.

10.) Smashing Pumpkins

Speaking of Smashing Pumpkins and their album Siamese Dream (which came out in the year 1993), I always tend to find myself listening to this work of art more often during the summer.  There's something about it I can't really explain.  While I'm not a fan of most of the music that came out of the 90's, Siamese Dream will forever remain a loyal and steadfast summertime companion.  

***

Thank you so much for reading.  I plan on implementing more posts like this within my blog in the future.  If you have any suggestions on different kinds of entries you would like to see over here, I would love to know.  I'd like to make my blog a little more versatile with a sprinkling of topics here and there besides the usual outfit posts.  I welcome your input!

Love to you all. =^.^=