Arrividerci!

Ciao belli! I'm off to Florence, Italy to study abroad for the semester. I'll be taking a hiatus from blogging here, but follow me on my adventures throughout Europe at http://stevieabroad.blogspot.com!

Celebrate

Happy Fourth of July everyone! Whether you're headed to the beach in a star-spangled bikini or cooking up some hot dogs with your family on this long weekend, I hope you have a fun and safe holiday weekend!

Today if you mention that you follow Becker's Bakery on Twitter or on Facebook, you can receive a free red, white, or blue star cookie from the Manhattan Beach bakery. That is, if you can find parking downtown Manhattan beach. For those of you headed straight to the beach, Old Navy has some great red, white, and blue bathing suits currently discounted as a part of their Star Spangled Sale, so hurry over before you hit the waves.

If you're hosting a backyard barbecue, try out this awesome hot dog sauce recipe. My mom makes a similar one every year that can't be beat--sorry though, that recipe is a family secret. Still in need of some party snacks? Harry & David's candy and snack tubs are 30% off this weekend, so celebrate our independence with delicious food, snacks, and gourmet appetizers.

Then when it cools down and the sun sets, check out abc7.com for a map of firework locations in the South Bay. Some shows start at 8pm, whereas others don't begin til 9pm, so be sure you double check times. Or if you're lucky enough to know someone with a view along the coast, you might be able to catch four or five different firework displays from Malibu to Redondo Beach.

Happy Independence Day, America!

Images from facebook.com/beckersbakery, yumsugar.com and artofmanliness.com

Taste of Summer

Caprese Sandwich
An ideal summer lunch from Manhattan Bread & Bagel Co. is easy to whip up at home.

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of crusty Parmesan sourdough bread or a ciabatta roll
  
• 1/4 cup of balsamic vinaigrette spread
• 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves
• 4 ripe fresh tomatoes
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, thickly sliced

Directions:
Spread balsamic vinaigrette spread on both pieces of bread. Layer sliced tomatoes and sliced cheese and basil over sandwiches. Buon apetit!

Image from shuttermike.com

And I Quote...

"Summer is where the girls go barefoot and their hearts are just as free as their toes." -Unknown

Image from twitpic.com

A Tall Drink of Water

Step 1: Hi, I'm Stevie. (Hi, Stevie.) And I have a problem with drinking. I don't drink nearly enough water. (Awwww.)

Step 2: I've come to believe that there is a power that can restore my sanity with my drinking problem. It comes in the form of the Camelbak Better Bottle.

Step 3: I've made a decision to turn my problem to the care of this candy-colored BPA free 25 fl. oz. water carrier for the summer.
Step 4: I've made a searching and fearless inventory of these sippers that can be found at any athletic gear shop (REI, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Sports Chalet to name a few).
Step 5: I admit to all the necessity of this water accessory. It really is a "better" bottle: it quenches my thirst with the valve operated straw, encouraging my hydration. I no longer have to struggle with gulping too-wide-mouthed bottles that result in sloppy spills, or losing screw-off tops, or squirt tops that require super strength to glean any water from.

Step 6: I am entirely ready to give up my plastic bottle use in favor of the environmentally friendly bottle to do my part to reduce and reuse. Plus it's way cuter than a ratty old one-use bottle.

Step 7: I ask for ice cold water to help remove me of my shortcomings in hydration. In return, the Camelbak bottle is made of BPA-free copolyester, which provides excellent impact resistance and is suitable for both warm and cold beverages, keeping my ice water icy for up to two hours in the hot California sun during my beach workouts.

Step 8: I'd like to take this time to make a list of those affected by my shortcomings: my headaches, my achy post-workout muscles, my dry skin, and my dry hair.

Step 9: To those affected by my dehydration I make amends: you will no longer feel the effects from my parched suffering; instead, rejoice as I easily drink 3 chilly Better Bottles full of water throughout the day. I just bite and sip and the beverage flows through the valve—I don't even need to tip the bottle to drink, making rehydrating easy on the treadmill, driving, reclining by the pool, or walking the dog.

Step 10: I continue to keep inventory of my drinking, especially while all components of the Camelbak water bottle are dishwasher safe and easy to clean.

Step 11: I can meditate with a clear mind for the power to carry out my fight against dehydration, which is made even easier with the looped top of the Better Bottle, which allows me to carry the integrated handle in the crook of my finger, or connect it to a pack or even belt! Plus the specially shaped bottle fits nicely in your hand and accommodates most automobile cup holders, which makes it even easier to carry around town.

Step 12: I resolve to practice better hydration with the implementation of these principles of the Camelbak Better Bottle in all aspects of my life.

Whew, glad I got that off my chest. (Applause.)

Images from REI.com and camelbak.com

Remind Yourself Why You're Awesome

Summer Reading

Laptops don't fare well poolside. And can you imagine trying to get all the sand out of your keyboard after a day at the beach? Sure Kindles are the new thing, but what's going to happen when you get your sunscreen all over the reading screen? Those iPads are cool to play with, but seriously, you're going to take your new not-waterproof $500 toy to a potential splash zone? Leave your electronics at home, and soak in some sun with this summer's recommended reading.

Bergdorf Blondes by Plum Skykes
"If you use the same criteria to choose a man that you would when choosing a handbag, I guarantee you will find one that suits you perfectly." If you are the champagne bubble about town much like this narrator, then you'll sparkle with delight while reading this book.



Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore
What do you get when you mix a pink jet, a talking fruit bat, a missionary and his amoral wife, Shark People, a huricanne, and a World War II aviator who plays cards with a Jewish carpenter in heaven? Kurt Vonnegut and Douglas Adams would be proud of this hilarious story of loss, love (love-making), and redemption.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
A series of short essays by Sedaris, who continues to keep our sides in stitches.






Cocktails for Three by Madeleine Wickham
Manhattan, men, martinis -- sounds like Sex and the City, right? Throw in three secrets and see how the three women handle life shaken, not stirred.




The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek
It's like a modern re-telling of The Great Gastby, but with females as the leading socialites.





Images from amazon.com, usclibrary.com, reader.com

Island in the Sun Playlist

Happy Summer everyone!

1. Say Hey (I Love You) - Michael Franti & Spearhead
2. She Won't Be Lonely Long - Clay Walker
3. I'm Yours Remix - Jason Mraz ft. Jah Cure & Lil Wayne
4. Gimme That Girl - Joe Nichols
5. If We Meet Again - Timberland ft. Katy Perry
6. All I Wanna Do - Sheryl Crow
7. Dancing In the Moonlight - Toploader
8. You and Your Heart - Jack Johnson
9. Can You Feel the Best I Ever Had Remix - Drake ft. Elton John
   
10. Hell on the Heart - Eric Church
11. My First Kiss - 3OH!3 ft. Ke$ha
12. Summer Girl - Jessica Andrews
13. Your Body Is A Wonderland (Acoustic) - John Mayer
14. This Afternoon - Nickelback
15. West Coast - Coconut Records
16. Taylor - Jack Johnson
17. A Little Bit - Drake ft. Lykke Li
18. Touches You - Mika
19. Pursuit of Happiness (Steve Aoki Remix) - Kid Cudi
20. Better Together - Jack Johnson & Paula Fuga

Image from surfermag.com

Hat's Off to You!

The summer sun can be warm and welcoming. But one too many hours without your SPF leaves your nose peeling and raw--not so welcoming after all. No need to blow your lid! We'd looked high and low for the most sublime skimmers to make sure you're covered.

If you're summer routine has you from running on the beach in the mornings to running errands in the afternoon, your baseball cap is almost as essential as your Reebok Easy Tones. And unless you're sporting a pink Dodgers cap (which is impossible to find these days), up your soccer mom status by trading in that old workout hat for a Lacoste lid that says easy-going class without the garish side effects (I'm looking at you, Coach Tennis Shoes). And for the low price tag of these tams, you can get one to match all your tennis outfits!

Though if your summer consists of shredding the gnar with a couple of bros, then the O'Neill Sonoma hat will provide some shade when you're done ripping the waves, and looks great on dudes and wahines alike. Grab a guitar and switch headgear when you're chilling by the beach bonfire that night for the Brixton Pack Straw Bowler from Urban Outfitters. Then pair it with a sundress the next morning. Or it'll go with you're favorite pair of daisy dukes. Talk about one sleek skimmer.
If you're into bows and batting eyelashes, let your purdah do the flirting for you with a wide-brimmed straw hat. This one from Forever21 is only $7 and worth every penny and pursing of your lips.

This summer I'm turning to the cowl's cousin: a visor. This braided raffia one from Bop Basics is perfect whether I'm riding my strand cruiser down the Strand, chasing after kids at Hammerhead Beach Camp, or relaxing by the Manhattan Village pool.

So go ahead, cock your hat. Angels are attitudes, after all.

Images from urbanoutfitters.com, forever21.com, shopbop.com, lacoste.com, tillys.com

The One With The Jersey Girl

Rachel: Ra.chel [ray-chelle] 1. (Biblical) Jacob's favorite wife, from the Hebrew word meaning "lamb" / 2. (Green) Fashion enthusiast and Monica's best friend from high school as portrayed by Jennifer Aniston. / 3. (Pally) Fashion house known for its unusual draping, bold colors, and fabric as soft as lamb's wool.
Rachel Pally has become synonymous with comfort, class, and color. The geography major from UC Berkeley works with jersey that's baby's-butt soft to the touch. She creates unusual silhouettes with her ingenious draping, and knows what looks good on a woman. And women love looking good in her designs--just ask Lindsay Lohan, Tori Spelling, and Sarah Jessica Parker, who all are big fans of the 27-year old designer.

The Los Angelino "Jersey Girl" makes clingy, slinky little numbers where simplicity meets glamour. Dresses are a big staple in her collections: try a mini dress with oversized sleeves, or a racerback tanks with unique cutouts.

The die-hard Eastsider never had formal training in fashion, which makes her clothing so much more endearing. Think vibrant yet casual elegance, and you can't miss her designs in over 300 boutiques worldwide.

Check out Rachel Pally here at shopbop.com

Images from rachelpally.com

And I Quote...

"Life is much too important to be taken seriously." -Oscar Wilde

Image from wikipedia