Outdoor Rugs

I recently perused the outdoor rug market, looking for a rug for the cabin's deck.  I was amazed at the choices available.  If you have not used an outdoor rug on a patio or deck or porch, you might want to consider adding one to your decorating budget. This is an easy way to bring some warmth and color to your home, and it can save you from having to repaint deck floors every year.  Here are some I am loving right now:

(Blue Beauty - see it here)

(Bamboo Trellis - see it here)

(Blue Mixture - see it here)

(Green Pattern - see it here)

(Gray and Blue Pattern - see it here)

 (Neutral - see it here)

(Fuschia Fret - see it here)

(Aqua Bamboo - see it here)

(Beige - See it here)

US Olympic Show Jumping Team is Announced

The USEF announced the Show Jumping Team for the upcoming Olympics. Three of the four were thought to be a given - Veteran McLain Ward (currently #1 in the world), Beezie Madden, and Kent Farrington.  The  fourth team member and reserve were up for grabs.  See the announcement here.

Congratulations to up and coming newcomer, Lucy Davis.  She is the youngest member of the team.  Laura Kraut will be reserve.  Lucy will be making her Olympic debut this summer.  Way to go girl!

 

Horse Show Heaven

We had a fun weekend horse showing here in Virginia. The weather was perfect (after the Thursday floods) and the horse was good too.  Thanks to Sarah Black Photography for these wonderful photos.  And Alfie brought home the tri-color. Lola was on holiday this weekend.  We missed her but Alfie took good care of his Amateur.

Summer Dining and Decorating Favorites

Now that summer is in full swing, it's time to enjoy the outdoors, dining on the patio, those great summer evenings sitting outside reading a good book, sipping a glass of wine.  Here are some other things I am loving just in time for summer.......

1) Elephant Garden Stools
Are these not to die for?  Think of all the possibilities with these adorable stools. Patio, porch, sun room, living room..... See them here.  Hurry!

2) Toile Napkins

Toile never goes out of style and I won't dine without linen or cotton napkins (no paper in my house). These are so versatile. Use them now and into winter.  Shop them here.

3) Outdoor Dinner Plates

Take toile to dinner too.  Love these plates.  Use them with a raffia mat and some fun colored napkins.  Shop them here.

4) Outdoor Pillows

It's amazing how a few throw pillows on the deck or patio add a touch of spice and elegance.  I am loving these.... Shop them here.

5) Etagere

If you need a stylish way to hold all those plants you're growing, or your herb garden, this is it. Shop it here.

6) Planters 

You can never have enough good looking cache pots or planters to add to your porch, patio, sun room or kitchen.  I love the versatility of this one. See it here. 

There's no reason your summer can't be stylish?  Enjoy!

Equine Couture Breeches

Last weekend I was in Pittsburgh at a horse show and I came across these breeches from Equine Couture.  They are made out of a material similar to Coolmax so they keep you cool. They are very thin and tight fitting but very cute.  These were a raspberry pink color.  They came in other colors - a deep blue, white and tan but these were by far the cutest. They were very comfortable too and at a good price point, $89.  I sized up one size as my normal size was very tight and I wanted them a little loser. 

The back side is equally cute.

They also come in a full seat model.  If you are in the market for summer breeches, good price point, fun colors, that will keep you cool all summer, then you might want to try these. You can shop them here. 

Virginia Equine Artists Association

Who knew?  Isn't this fabulous?  Want to learn more and see some great equine art?  Go here.

Happiness is an OTTB

I am loving my OTTB (off the track Thoroughbred), a former race horse, now ready to find a new career.  With the huge movement going on to retrain these horses for new careers in dressage, eventing, hunters/jumpers, what's not to like?

A contact in Ohio has this adorable mare for sale.  If I were looking I'd be in my car right about now on my way.....

Here are the details:

Nia is a 15.3 hand 6 year old TB mare. She has no vices and is sound on what appears to be clean legs. Nia is sweet as can be and nice to be around. She went out on 24/7 turn out with another mare and seems to be enjoying herself. This mare is in beautiful condition thanks to her racing connections. She comes with a scar on her left front ankle from a cut she got while swimming. She also has a dent in the muscle on the left side of her neck probably from when she was in the womb. Nia last raced on 6/5....she is fairly quiet but is still race fit so I recommend a knowledgeable rider. Located in Lisbon OH 44432. $2500

Riviera Chic

I am in love with the outdoor style of Serena & Lily.  I wish I could redo my patio with this 1920's-inspired furniture. And the blue and white is perfect for summer.  Shop it here.

Lola Update

Little Lola made her horse show debut in grand style on Saturday, overcoming the heat and the humidity to bring home her first blue ribbon and barely missing the tri-color.  She jumped around like she's been doing this forever, and made everyone on her team proud.  She is off to a good start.  And she has big shoes to fill. 

She has that diva attitude and seems to love being a show horse.  She reminds me so much of Sega (maybe they've been having discussions in the paddock after all). 

She has two more shows this month, three weeks in a row, so we'll see how she does.  Another chestnut mare with grand ambition?  We'll see.....

Weekend Wrap Up

If I could make this coming weekend last for about a week, I'd be able to do everything I wish I could do.  There is so much going on........

Belmont Stakes
There won't be much excitement this year at the Belmont but let's face it, how special was American Pharoah's run last year?  We likely won't see that again anytime soon.  But I'll be watching the race anyway because it is the Triple Crown.  My bet is on Exaggerator to win and he had the fastest speed score going into the Derby and he's bred for distance.  You can see what the NYT writers think here.

Upperville Horse Show and Grand Prix
I wish I had time to travel to Upperville this weekend to see the show and the Grand Prix on Sunday.  If you can get there, by all means make the trip.  You will not be disappointed.

Little Lola's Horse Show Debut
I've kept quiet about Lola (I don't want to jinx her in any way) but the plan is for her to make her horse show debut on Saturday.  I'll have plenty of photos if it all goes well.

A Visit to the Park
On Sunday, if the energy is there, we're making our second trip to this incredible park not far from the farm. I have been wanting to hang out on the beach. Really.  There is a beach.

Alfie's Back
Aflie has not had a good year.  He is showing on Saturday for the first time in a few months.  He is having some issues.  Hoping all goes well. We'll report back.

Hoping you have plans for a fun weekend. 

Patio Perfect - Le Jacquard Francais

I love entertaining in summer, on the patio, pulling out all kinds of china, candles, napkins, silverware, stuff that is too casual for the formal dining room.

One of my favorite vendors is Le Jacquard Francais.  Their napkins, placemats and tablecloths are perfect for summer entertaining. The colors are vivid, their patterns are unlike any other and you can mix and match with your current stock of placemats and tableware to create all kinds of new combinations.

 I am eyeing this pattern to add to my summer stock.  I love the mint/aqua combination.

Happy Entertaining!

Lilly Lust

A recent trip to Atlanta required multiple trips to the Lilly stores where my siblings and I shopped til we dropped. I am loving some of their clothes this year.  Here are some of the top picks:

These pullovers are a great weight, not too heavy and are great for chilly summer evenings.  I have last year's version and I wear it all the time.

 This is just the cutest dress ever but you must see the back with the zipper that goes all the way up the dress.  I love this print too.  See it here.

 The t-shirt dresses are great too. So comfortable, just an easy dress to throw on and go to the grocery.  There are many prints to pick from too.

I fell in love with this dress too and probably should have brought it home.  The back of this dress is so adorable too.

Fell in love with this tunic. It would look great also with a hot pink t-shirt underneath.

 And this one came home with me.  It's a little bit heavier than the other one, but I love the colors and will wear with white jeans.

 My sister bought this dress. It's so cute in real life.  It looks great on her.

 I didn't try this on but should have.  The fit and flair style hides a lot of stuff.  It looks much better in real life. It has the v-neck in the back too.

Love how Lilly is catering to all sizes and shapes and ages these days.  Love, love, love the brand.