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HAPPY JULY EVERYONE!!
I hope your weekend was grand.
It has been stunning here in Santa Barbara but my heart goes out to those in many other States right now suffering from storms, early heat-waves and dreadful fires. Having lived in Santa Barbara for so many years, we know all too well the devastation of fire in our foothills and flames licking at our little town’s doorstep, so I’m especially thinking of those in Colorado right now.
Bless all the firefighters who work so bravely to keep us safe.
.and, uh…no rush, but any chance of a new calendar soon?!
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On a lighter note,
we’ve kicked “June Gloom” to the side like a tired old boyfriend and we’re starting off this month starry eyed and hell bent on enjoying warm-weather pleasures.
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I’m dusting off the popsicle maker
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and, as always,
deriving plenty of elevated Summertime Serotonin levels from delving into my “Red & White Stripes” file.
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Other than black & white stripes, it has to be my most favouritist combination, especially from May through September.
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Love it in the bedroom
(I won’t bore you with the photo of my son’s room again!)
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on the beach
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In my Picassos
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In my dreams of the Riviera
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and beautiful vintage photographs
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While beach attire and attitude has most definitely changed over the decades…
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The appeal of red & white stripes has not.
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From my garden today, taken with Instagram.
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tents + stripes= 2 things that make my heart happy
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The perfect beach tote available at The Loaded Trunk ( $64)
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Peppermint twist cake (sorry to have lost the credit for this talented person)
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A bold statement to be sure.
More my speed
On the porch filled with magazines, or pool side filled with towels,
or wine. Whatev’s
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I had a red & white striped tablecloth but I seem to have lost it.
No doubt it will turn up in November.
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Red Velvet cheesecake.
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Red Velvet flavoured VODKA. You heard me.
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Red & white stripes work pretty much everywhere
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The Exotic
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Romantic
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Cozy
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Playful
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Certifiable.
Just trying to imagine the ‘dialogue’ with the neighbours…
Perhaps a lawn would soften the blow??
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On the sea
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At the lake.
Me. Here. Now.
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It just works.
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Not sure if I’ll have time to post again this week or not..
so just in case I don’t,
Wishing all the Yanks a terrific 4th of July.
Be safe. Be Joyful
and let’s keep the red stripes on fabrics and not on your skin.
Sunscreen People!
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PS. Still “pulling” my coconut oil 
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Great as usual. Are those your popsicles? Love to know recipe and what size cup and where to get those sticks. Are those roses (almost look like poppies); beautiful. Incredible peppermint cake and wish I knew where to get those swaying, striped beachbags.
Have a great 4th!! Already prepping my beardie with Adaptil collar for fireworks that I read about. She goes nuts with the noise.
Carol
Hi Carol
No, sadly, not my popsicles-the layers would be bleeding into each other if they were mine.
The flowers are actually roses!
I have now posted the link to where you can buy the beach bags- I had to wait til I could access my other computer to get it. VERY reasonable prices too!
Love ‘em! Can’t beat red & white stripes for making you feel festively patriotic. Happy 4th!
Slim: I’m happy to say that I’ve been “pulling” since you posted earlier in the week. I love it; and am also sipping my O.N.E. coconut water as I write. Thanks so much for such an informative blog. Just finished a great book; “Heading Out To Wonderful” by Robert Goolrick. Read it in 3 days.
Have a happy new week!
So glad to hear you are enjoying the coconut pulling Betty-me too! and thank you for the book rec.
Happy week to you as well.
Love your red and white stripes – very cheerful!
Super fun, Slim! Is that cheesecake…V.E.G.A.N.?!? Happy 4th!
happy happy happy!!!!
Red Velvet Vodka?? You got my attention. LOVE all the red and white! Great images and commentary. Have a happy fourth! Angie
“REAL men play ball on Picasso’s beach”
ah, co-co-nutz! I forgot to buy the oil in order to begin THE “pulling”!
S.P. – I’m now following you on Instagram – love your peppermint camellia.
Cheers! (yum.red velvet vodka.)
Oh the Red Velvet Cheesecake and Vodka really got me. LOVE this blog. I’m so into holidays. Happy Fourth to everyone !! Now I have to go to bed and dream about Red Velvet Cheesecake and Vodka !! O Wo is me…………..
SP, Sarah and I did some “community pruning” of the exact same camellias today !!! oxox Too funny…… we are so connected !!!
wow Siobhan- you have them in the winter-time down there in Sydney then?!
Connected indeed!
Not being a ‘red’ person (I don’t own any red clothes and there isn’t a stitch of red in our Seattle home), I’m shocked at how happy our ‘vintage’ (not a compliment) condo in Sun Valley makes me even though the predominant accent color is red. My thinking was that we would always be here for Christmas, near Valentine’s Day for mid-winter break and over the Fourth of July…and red worked well with the natural wood tones and stone fireplace. Even the dogs have special Sun Valley red rolled leather collars. It does have a way of perking things up!
You were very clever to think that way Juliet- those are also the times that we usually stay in Sun Valley.
Ah sigh .. red and white stripes are truly all about the summer. Happy 4th and while we are at it and speaking of red & white ….
HAPPY CANADA DAY !!
SP…the cake is from sweetapolita. I learned a really cool trick. Go to Google images, take any picture and click and drag toward the search box. When it gets near, the box changes to “drop image here”. Drop the image and It will then search for that image. Love the post as always.
K9 – wow!! Cool new trick!! Thanks for sharing.
I tried it but it didn’t work for me
What web-browser are you using??
Happy July Slim… Love the red and the white… I will have to feature it today in My Daily Click… it’s so fab…xv
Pingback: my daily click 020712 | French Essence
Ooh, lots of happiness here–and in my heart because my Sister is coming for a visit from the States today!! Yippee!!
Happy Fourth of July, Slim!
What a lovely 4th of July present for you both! Have a blast!!
let the stripes unfurl.
have you seen moonrise kingdom yet? did you love the red shingled house with red and white striped awning. omg.
Loved that movie – I wanted to ‘pause’ it every few seconds just to enjoy the stunning visuals. Unfortunately the movie theatre doesn’t have a pause button
Happy 4th down there! My ears are still ringing from last night’s Canada Day fireworks.
No Janet- haven’t seen it yet.
PS. did you paint your house yet?!
Simply love ya, Slim.
This is the cutest post EVER. I love all the r&w stripe everything. Enjoy the week.
Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
I love that Sail Boat– Have a super wonderful 4th surrounded by everyone that you love. Mary
Very cheerful photos!!! Thanks for making me smile!
Pulling? I posted weeks ago about coconut oil and the many advantageous ways to use it – but hadn’t heard of pulling. I’ve been trying it since reading your recent post – we’ll see how that goes. Can’t hurt. Love the red and white stripes – so much fun! The swimsuit – the dress and the striped red devil cake? Yeah – I want those please! Happy 4th
Love this red and white inspiration. If you find that red velvet vodka, you must let us know. Sounds decadent. Happy 4th!
Hello Slim…..always enjoy seeing your pages. Have a look at Abingdon School winning the
Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta yesterday….images would have fitted in so well with what you have posted.
Nicky Butler
Thanks for the serotonin lift. Your talent with words and photos and ideas continually amazes me! Happy 4th
Hi SP,
I probably never told you, but your stripes posts are one of my favorites! I love how you make all the pictures come together and feel “alive”.
Wishing you a really blessed week, sweetie!
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
I always enjoy your red and white stripes posts. There are so many great examples of stripes, but I love the sail on the sail boat and the houses were fun.
Enjoy your 4th of July.
Karen
Stripes are the new black! At least in the summer
Your instagram photo is lovely! What is your Insta name/ Can I follow you?
Thank you. My Instagram is “Slim Paley”
The follow button is in the top right hand column of my blog.
I am in awe of how well you curate photos. This is such a happy post! You make a “visit” to your blog so FUN, and it always, ALWAYS brightens my day. Thank you, Slim Paley!!!
that’s so nice Phyllis- thank you!!
you are the best!! we have almost sold out of the purses. happy fourth!!!
warm regards,
roni
Oh – and THE best line: “Perhaps a lawn would soften the blow??”. Tickles me to pieces.
Love your post. Beautiful stripes. Absolutely love the hanging totes.
…do these stripes make my _ _ _ look big?……..da bomb post on stripes…happy 4th…..FREEDOM!!!!!
Oh that full skirted red striped dress, oh that waist. Yes camellias are blooming in Sydney now
Slim,
Forgot to ask you if you knew where those square candles were from. Tried that dragging
to Yahoo and didn’t seem to work. Love the red velvet vodka and cheesecake. Thanks.
Happy Fourth of July Slim! You are wonderfully patriotic!! Thank you for the blessings for firefighters. My sweet east Coast son, went to the WIld West years ago, fell under the spell(!), left the world of finance and he is one of those fighting the wild fires right now – thank you for the blessings. I say God speed every morning and every night.
inspirational. fun. glorious. nostalgic. stylish in the extreme!
i dearly love your blog and your humour!
but…
am i the only one who hates the ever ongoing box at the bottom that says wordpress?
distracting. bothersome. intrusive. unecessary.
love,
tammy j
no, I hate it too Tammy but there is no solution to get rid of it, save changing my WordPress Theme entirely.
I love these pics! I’m preparing for our 4th of July at the park and these get me motivated. Question: I was watching Real Housewives of Orange County and they went “glamping” to a place called El Capitan. Have you ever heard of it? I’m looking for a nice campground with the family for a summer mini-break.
Fabulous Post Slim. All the comments so touching and sincere.
Happy 4th to one and all!
Happy Independence Day SP! I LOVE your stripe images especially the tents and those twin beds and the umbrellas, any form of shelter is marvelous with the stripes. Your image of your roses is amazing.
So, so FUN!!! Go Fourth! franki
Slim, may I make a request for turquoise blues in all shades mixed with other blues? WHile waiting for that post I will enjoy some red velvet cake VODKA…c’mon, now.
This must have taken ages for you to find all these…Fantastic Collection. x
hey! amazing, really I love all this… here is where you can find that amazing red white stripe cake: http://sweetapolita.com/?s=peppermint+twist+cake
thank you!!
Lovin all these red and white stripes. I’m going to have to get a pad and take notes on this one. Fabulous!
Popsicles! I want the popsicles!
Great post that brings back happy memories for me of all those stripey things… mostly, in my memory, from holidays by the sea.