Happy Friday friends! Yesterday we headed to the local farmer’s market and I bought several bunches of mixed berries and spent the afternoon making preserves – it’s an annual summer ritual that yields jam so good that my family sneaks spoonfuls out of the jars – will post the recipe next week.

Here are a few links for your weekend reading enjoyment!

I love absolutely everything about this house.

10 things to know when purchasing a home.

This metallic wallpaper is my latest design crush.

I love the use of the color green in Mary McDonald’s newly decorated house.

Overcome your fear of sewing.

Back by popular demand, the quatrefoil duvet I used here is available again.

How to snag a home store floor model.

An entirely different way to see litter.

A royal wedding in pictures.

The art of being a goal getter.

Have you seen these best western movies?  Although I can think of a few more to add to the list, can you?

Fun with Photoshop – classic sculptures dressed in modern day clothing, ha!

And another laugh – cassette tapes we haven’t seen for a few decades – I found some of my old mix tapes in a case in the garage a few months ago, wish I still had a player to remember what was on them. :)

My bathroom painting tips were posted over at My Colortopia this week.

20 historic images of our universe.

Cool grilling accessories – great ideas to give on Sunday.

What are your plans for Father’s Day?  Matt wants to head out to the coast for an oyster adventure, hope it’s not too crowded. Happy Father’s Day to all the awesome dads out there, enjoy!

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Hello all and happy weekend! We’re excited to head out and do some wine tasting in the Alexander Valley on Sunday, can’t wait! I realized I haven’t written many lifestyle or Wine Country posts in the past few months, mostly because we haven’t gone exploring in our own backyard lately, so I plan to step those up this summer. Matt and I found a great sitter to come over every other Sunday afternoon, so we’ll be out and about in the region more, and I’ll be sharing our adventures.

I’ve written a few more articles over at BH&G in the past two weeks, here are the links:

Some favorite design bloggers have curated their own shops at a new home decor sale site called Joy & Revelry and every item offered is a gem! Discover new ways to furnish your home and get inspired by the beautiful products the curators select each week by signing up for Joy & Revelry to receive exclusive access to decor deals. (I have the gold studded stacking trays, love them!)

Their recent write up in the Wall Street Journal shows just how savvy these bloggers and tastemakers are. I was delighted to judge a Pinterest contest earlier this week of curated boards showcasing a medley of J&R products and inspiring spaces, the winner was announced on their Facebook page.

And few other articles I enjoyed this week:

The Summer Tour of Homes hosted by Shabby Creek Cottage.

Apparently, this photo is the most Pinteresting of them all.

A mini mag of beautiful kitchens.

Should you yard sale, Craigslist, Ebay or donate?  This will help you decide.

One amazing flip.

Advertising that is both clever and functional.

Bill and Bono discuss their philanthropic efforts in Africa.

The important thing about yelling.

Have a fantastic weekend friends, I’ll be back on Sunday with yet another round of ‘Best of the Blogosphere’ – plenty of inspiration you’ll love, see you then.

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It’s officially summer???  Wow, that happened fast. We’ve got a full house this weekend, with my sister and parents coming to stay for my niece’s graduation and my brother and his new baby coming to the house for a barbeque on Saturday. All the makings of good times!

I started an Outdoor Room series over at BH&G since this is that time of year when we’re all sprucing up these transitional spaces. Three of them are linked below, as are a few other articles I’ve written lately.

And a few other links I enjoyed this week:

How to create a focal wall

Insider secrets to Walt Disney World (know of any others?)

Someone bought these Jedi jeans for $36,100.

The impact and history of the Mason jar.

Credentials and the fraud police.

The most important thing you will watch all week.

Some amazing color photos from the Depression era from the Library of Congress.

If I had a radiator, I’d do something fun like this with it.

I love the way Alicia writes about a rainy day.

Be back on Monday for a Memorial Day edition of Best of the Blogosphere…

Have a great three day holiday weekend!

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Hi everyone! Thanks for all the sweet compliments on yesterday’s dresser makeover post!  What are you up to this weekend?  We’re celebrating an aunt’s 90th birthday and more than anything I want to catch up on some books I’ve been meaning to finish. I have a few sitting on the nightstand, but what would you recommend for a good summer read? 

And a few other links I enjoyed this week:

50 designer tips for choosing a sofa. 

Oooh I want one: a mason jar coffee brewer 

Have you seen GeoGuessr?  You have five attempts to guess where you are in the world based on Google map images and get points based on how close you get. My high score was 8,561 after three tries and a lucky guess. Turning the image helps.

This lip sync battle on Jimmy Fallon is hilarious (via Iowa Girl Eats)

Which summer movie are you looking forward to? For me it’s a toss up between Star Trek and The Lone Ranger.

I had no idea there were this many Sherlock Holmes.

Here’s a gorgeous (and educational) print on pairing food & wine.

I’m taking notes for the future on this stunning Sonoma vineyard wedding.

A reflection on surviving divorce and the rainbow after the storm.

A not to miss photo dress up series for girls.

Hexagons are so hot in design right now. Here’s a fascinating look at the Honeycomb Conjecture and why bees create this efficient and elegant shape in their hives.

Have a fab weekend! 

top image + book letters via Design Milk