It’s Friday, and down here in Dallas it’s a hot one! According to iPhone, we’re topping out at 102, but with my car claiming 105 and my plants jumping ship, I knew we needed to end the week with a sweating glass of a summertime classic. Last week I escaped to the air conditioned inspiration of the rock store, today it’s the shortcut to fun- cocktails! This spiced cherry cola cocktail, our “Hometown Hero,” is an homage to our original hometown hero, Dr. Pepper. Though Dr. Pepper, until surprisingly recently a soda regional to the South, was created in Waco, Tx (and you can read all about it here) it was incorporated in Dallas in the 1920’s and is headquartered here today. In the 1940’s my grandmother lead tours at HQ, always ending with a frosted glass of this unique soda.

Let’s get one thing straight; I did not crack the secret Dr. Pepper formula. Our hometown hero only inspired this icy, rum optional treat, and super fans should not be disappointed when their first sip is not 100% duplication. Wacoites, to preserve the peace, you may also consider this your hometown hero, so crack the rum and let’s start cooking!

When I ventured out to The Rock Barrell last weekend, I was stoked to see some gorgeous mineral specimens and escape the heat (hello 100 degree days Dallas!). What I didn’t expect was to find was bold, eclectic jewelry components that make this local Dallas shop a cut above the average bead store. What I found most inspiring about The Rock Barrell’s selection was that it had an undiscovered, self-unaware, quirky vibe; I find that now that the craft stores are fully immersed in the Pinterest culture, unexpected DIY ingredients are hard to find! Read on to see what I selected to make my oversized, “a lot of look,” DIY statement necklaces!

I experienced the perfect storm of FOMO this weekend after viewing and liking all my friend’s surf spray Instas and then stumbling across this cerulean dream of a vintage postcard at Lula B’s West. Whyyy didn’t we plan a beach vacation this summer?? The sad answer is, we’re saving it for the new year when we can hop down to Belize for our first long, no kids allowed vacay. So mood board I must, and, after pilfering my collections for inspiration, I found the perfect theme, Sun, Sand, and Sequins! Isn’t this scarf to-die-for? I also picked it up at Lula B’s, it was a buried treasure, lucky for me I love digging in silk scarves, and it sets the palette perfectly. The plastic mermaids are drink-markers, similar here, and check out these vintagey monkeys! The sequin and resin “S” is from my DIY resin letter project, if you follow my Instagram you’ll remember this! This black and white photo of fabulous, gender ambiguous performers is one of my most treasured pieces. I spotted it on a friend’s blog, sprinted to the online shop to purchase it, loved it for ages and then, only recently learned the shop was a previous project of none other than @themonochromehome, who we’ve been working and cocktailing with for years! Such a small world (or is Dallas just a small city?) The sequin lemons are part of a much-adored fruit bowl.

I hope this collection of flashy treasures themed mood board gives you vintagey beach vibes and all the fabulous feels or at least hurries Monday along!

Hello, Friday, where ya been? After this week we need a drink straight out of the coconut, and cocktail or mocktail, I’ve got you covered. After all my talk about piña coladas and cabana boys, I knew this weekend needed welcoming with a tiki drink. My trip to the Asian Grocery last weekend yielded two coconuts and a can of mango juice, and since it’s Friday, let’s put it to good use (with rum). Put the lime in the coconut and jump to the cocktail recipe!

A quickie collection inspired by Chihuly’s personal (epic!) collection of American trade blankets that kicks off his fantastic, long-term exhibition in Seattle. If you have a chance to visit the show or one of the traveling exhibits, please treat yourself to a ticket. The glass sculptures are arranged by theme and period, in two-story, blackest black rooms, and the impact is epic. Of course, the color, scale, and technological logistics of his works are what Chihuly is known for, but what stuck with me was the narrative it painted by pairing the artist’s collections of pottery and trade blankets with his iconic glass works to convey both process and realization.