After years of tabbing pages in magazines and saving interior images on Tumblr and such, I finally get to use them. We’ve signed the contract for our very first home! It’s a modest new build (we are just a family of two) and the very best part is I get to choose all of the interior finishes. While I’m still waffling of some decisions, I determined long ago that the kitchen would be classic white. Here are just a few (I had to significantly narrow them down) of the photos I’m bringing into the design center for inspiration. I feel fancy saying that.

Also, please be honest with me. Is it horrible that I like a couch from IKEA?

images: Susan Gilmore, Lonny Mag via Delight by Design, Peter Pennoyer Architects, In the Fun Lane,Traditional Home, Susan Gilmore

By the time my next birthday arrives we’ll have a little backyard and a place to sit where I’ll string lights and planters. I’m picturing it will be a little like this pretty party. I just need to find a friend who cooks in the next nine months.

images: Nikaela Marie

I was wandering the aisles of Home Depot a few weeks ago (because apparently that’s the kind of thing you do for fun once you’re the owner of an old, historic fixer-upper) when my eyes were drawn to this neon pink mason twine. I’m not entirely sure what mason line is supposed to be used for, but for just a few dollars it had to be added to my collection of ribbons/string/trimmings. I love how it adds a bright, unexpected touch wherever it’s used.

this awesome impulse buy guest post brought to you by my girl crush Angela Hardison

I’ve had the unique opportunity to spend these summer months exploring and living in the great city of Washington D.C., and I have completely fallen in love with this place. It’s funny though…when we think back over the summer, our favorite days weren’t those spent exploring monuments and museums, they were the days spent taking it easy and just enjoying each others company.

Melanie asked for our fave of the week and we both agreed it was our lazy bike ride on our vintage Schwinns followed by a milkshake at Good Stuff. Oh the lazy hazy days of summer.

the cutest guest post ever is brought to you by Amanda Jane Jones

Watermelon is my fave. Seriously. If I was on death row and was asked to request my final meal, there’s a good chance I’d ask for a big bowl of cut up watermelon. Yes, that would be just fine by me. Don’t you find it to be perfectly summery? And it’s also perfectly pink. Now I ask you, dear You Are My Fave readers, what’s better than that?

1. Anthropologie Pleats & Panels Shift
2. rag & bone Amelot Dress
3. arnette high life
4. Elena by kate spade
5. LEIF two tone coral necklace found via my pal Kelly at Design Crush
6. GENIUS refashioned dress by Liz from Say Yes to Hoboken

this summery guest post brought to you by the always witty (her tweets make me snort) Amy of Old Sweet Song

A co-worker of mine was sweet enough to rescue this little desert-dwelling plant from the trash on her way to work last week. Sweeter yet, she gifted it to me in a charming take-out box, also rescued from the same trash can.

this happy gift guest post brought to you by the lovely Kae of Paper Morning

So here’s the sitch, I’m taking off this morning for a family reunion. Think matching shirts, the mandatory talent show and eating tons of food. Oh, and we’re camping (oh joy!) so that means no Internet access. I’ve got five great guest posters lined up for YAMF and (twist!) I’ll be guest posting at Oh So Beautiful Paper the entire week. Get all that? Good. See you in a week.

Step 1: head to the ice cream section of your local grocery store and go nuts. Think about flavors, colors and textures that will compliment each other and choose 3 pints. I opted for strawberry ice cream, mango sorbet and vanilla frozen yogurt.

Step 2: line the inside of a loaf pan with plastic wrap, letting a few extra inches hang out over the edges. I found taping the excess plastic wrap to the outside of the pan helped the first layer go in smoother. Let your first pint of ice cream soften for about 20 minutes, so it’s spreadable. Then spread in a flat layer over the bottom of the pan. Place in freezer for 30 minutes. Repeat with other flavors, letting the ice cream freeze between each layer. Once you’re finished, cover the top layer in the excess plastic wrap.

Step 3: let the finished terrine freeze for at least 6 hours.

Step 4: unfold plastic wrap and invert the pan onto a plate. With a little wiggling, the terrine should slip out. Remove plastic and coat the top in toasted coconut, pistachios, sprinkles, or the edible decoration of your choice, pressing gently to ensure it sticks.

Step 5: slice crosswise, serve and eat quickly and repeatedly.

this delicious guest post brought to you by the always hospitable Natalie of The Soho

I feel like I’ve been pushing the heart button on Etsy like crazy lately. A recent shop that deserved the click is Homako. I love Yoko’s intricate fabric jewelry.

Before I take off for the weekend, here are a couple guest posts:
Erin interviewed me
And Dorkys did too! (thank you ladies)
Loving bold fall colors over at My Favorite Things.

Minnie Mortimer’s beach home has every interior feature I post about the most. Built-in bookshelves, a gallery wall, a sunroom and a tipi! Tell me this didn’t just walk off the pages of my blog. Time to give credit where credit is due Minnie.

images: Claiborne Swanson Frank for Vogue

Pretty packed picnics spotted on Simple Song

Illustrated tote spotted on That’s Happy

Homemade pennants spotted on Fanciful No. 2

Polaroid notecards spotted on Suann’s Pinterest

A brand new kirtsy with a slideshow of outdoor entertaining curated by me spotted on backdoor bragging