For the most part, summer is for flips flops and swimsuits and easy, beachy style.  But it’s also the season that I utilize my running shoes the most.  I start each day out by taking a long walk with my girls and sometimes head out for a second walk in the evening.  And much like my collection of workout apparel, if I love the look and feel of my running shoes, I tend to be that much more motivated to get moving.  Here are a few of my current favorites that I have been living in this whole sunny season.

{Clockwise from top: NIKE internationalist sneaker / NIKE zoom vomero 9 / MIZUNO wave inspire 10 / NIKE free 4.0 flyknit / NEW BALANCE 993}

Happy running, walking, hiking, biking, moving and shaking.

xo gina

Happy six months, Reese Evelyn.

Our little succulent.

Our place of calm.

Our source of instant joy.

xoxo

The off-the-shoulder trend has been strong all summer and I couldn’t be happier.  Now that the style is popping up everywhere, there are so many different options available in stores and online, and so many of them are super affordable.  I just scooped up this floral number from Topshop at Nordstrom the other day…sadly enough one of the only items that wasn’t part of their anniversary sale, but it was still $50 and I have already worn it twice this week.  🙂

Off-the-shoulder tops and dresses are flattering on a range of shapes and sizes and can easily be paired with denim cut-offs for a more relaxed vibe, or more dressed up when worn with white jeans, heels and an over-sized clutch.  This easy, breezy version is so lightweight and perfect for the summer heat.  Chances are I will be sporting it the rest of this season.

{TOPSHOP via NORDSTROM poppy garden print bardot top, and for other similar styles and prints check out these: HERE, HERE and HERE / PAIGE jimmy jimmy shorts, on clearance now / RAINBOW SANDALS flip flops}

Happy summer!

xo gina

Over the weekend I got to style a party that I have been working on this past month.  It was exciting to plan a surprise because we had to come up with everything, including the menu, without the guest of honor and their input.  We went with two of his favorite things: scotch and cigars.  And the rest fell into place after that.

The scotch and cigars bar was the main focus at the party and this vintage wooden bar stole the show.

These old cigar tins helped house and decorate the bar.

The antique glass decanters looked beautiful when the light hit them and again as it got dark out surrounded by votive candles.

The chalkboard printed signs were perfect in each section of the party.

Welcome to the festivities.

A second bar was added with beer, wine and vodka and the 3-tier stand of assorted fruit was ideal for providing a pop of color and for garnishing custom cocktails.

Six different kinds of beer were offered and all went fast.

These marquee lights are always a favorite at all pumpkin + rose events.

A quiet shot of the bar during set-up.

Pulled pork sliders and buttermilk fried chicken with mini waffles and maple syrup were just a few of the awesome items that complemented this theme.

Clear cut menus are great for buffets, too, not just sit-downs so that the guests know what is available and in front of them.

String lights were hung around the perimeter.

Black and white on the tables, perfect for a masculine party and classic color combo makes small additions, like potted succulents, stand out.  And these chalkboard table runners easily allow the guests to leave a personal message for the guest of honor.

Winding down after a successful event.

My Favorite Party Details From This Scotch & Cigars Bash:

• The faux chalkboard signs
• The antique glass decanters at the scotch bar
• The 3 tiers of fruit for cocktail garnish
• and MORE!

Vendors:

Stylist:  Pumpkin + Rose

Photos:  Pumpkin + Rose:

Catering: Rustic Food Custom Catering

Faux Chalkboard Signage: Etsy / Printable Pixels

3-tier galvanized stand: Pumpkin + Rose

String Lights: Pumpkin + Rose

Scotch Bar: Dovetail Vintage Rentals

Vintage Cigar Tins: Dovetail Vintage Rentals

Votives: Pumpkin + Rose

Potted Succulents: Whole Foods

Gold Mirror Tray: Pumpkin + Rose

Glass Decanters: Dovetail Vintage Rentals

‘K’ signage: T.J. Maxx

Large and Small Wine Crates: Pumpkin + Rose

Hurricane Vases and Candles: Pumpkin + Rose

Chalkboard Paper Roll Table Runners: Etsy / Soiree Supply 

BAR Marquee Letter Lights: Pumpkin + Rose

Galvanized Tin Drink Buckets: T.J. Maxx AND Dovetail Vintage Rentals

Four-drawer Card Catalog: Pumpkin + Rose

Wooden Easels: Pumpkin + Rose

*All Pumpkin + Rose items are available for rental in the NJ/NYC tri-state area*

xo gina

I am always switching up my coffee table decor.  Swapping vases, changing out the stacks of books and magazines, adding and removing candles.  So, whenever I find pieces that I can use with items, both old and new, I grab them for rearranging.  I stumbled upon this awesome blue and ivory chevron tray at T.J. Maxx and this faux gold art piece and positioned them with some reading material filled with tons of summertime inspiration and a bunch of old silk hydrangeas.  I usually opt for fresh bouquets, not only because they are the most beautiful to look at, but because they are fragrant and instantly add life to a space, but we are never around in the summer.  We travel a lot in the summer months and when we are home, we spend our days out at the pool or down at the beach, leaving little time to care for flowers.  Pottery Barn has a great selection of fake flowers that offer a realistic-looking alternative to the real thing when fresh stems are just not an option.  Here are a few tips that I use to help arrange a perfect coffee table top every time.

1.     Arrange pieces at different heights.  Just like utilizing more than one texture, this is a simple way to catch the eye and maintain a minimal style without being so monotonous.

2.     Use a tray for layering your items and keeping them organized.  This helps to make everything accessible and easy to clean up after.

3.     If you have a larger coffee table, don’t be afraid to fill the space with more than one collection of items.  Use the larger area to showcase your passions, like grouping a set of antique games and favorite sculptures separately, so your personality is seen throughout.

4.     Break up the surface with unexpected details, like outdoor lanterns, a bowl of bright colored fruit or assorted glass bottles.  This is where you can easily remix old items you already have in storage from other seasons or in other rooms of the house.

{For some holiday coffee table details check out a page from the blog HERE over Christmastime}

Happy styling!

xo gina