While doing research for my post about the Rat Pack Pool Party, I stumbled across a treasure trove of shots taken by the American photographer Slim Aarons, many showcasing wealthy folks lounging poolside in bygone days. Ever since I was little, I've had a certain fascination with pools and the sorts of entertainments that happen nearby, so I was especially intrigued by these photos and thought I would share them with you. They're a fascinating peek into the past. 

One of my favorite things is seeing old-school skills, like sewing and quilting, reclaimed by a younger generation and used for present day design. This has been huge in the last decade, as evidenced by the alternative craft scene and, of course, Etsy. Consider the macrame lamp (like the one shown above), a hallmark of the 70s. Keep reading to see how one blogger reimagined this mid century classic for a new era.

People may disagree, but I think one of the reasons that successful people are successful is because they have LESS stuff.

Why, you ask? Because their brains are NOT operating out of some outdated primal urge... like a caveman. 

During the Stone Age more stuff was good. The ONLY way to measure success or the ability to remain alive was with possessions. The more stuff you had (i.e. the more material for survival), the more successful you were likely to be. If you had a big cave filled with sticks and brontosaurus meat, that made you a big man on campus. In those days there was a logic behind holding on to possessions and things for years to come. Clutter did not exist.  

This is a popular question in the game of "Would You...?" Would you knowingly live in a house where a murder or other violent crime took place? Or where you knew someone had died tragically?

I love thinking about the things we take for granted in our homes, and let's face it, even though our homes wouldn't be the same without water, heat, electricity, gas, and garbage pickup, we probably don't think much about the history behind all these utilities. Here are some books I've been eyeing that give insight into all the services that have become so familiar that we tend to think of them as necessities rather than conveniences. 

Although summer doesn't officially start until June 21, Memorial day always feels like the beginning of summer to me, and summer here in Texas means lounging by the pool. This year I'm inspired by the old Hollywood kind of pool party — Mediterranean homes, tiled pools, striped cabanas, the California sun. Read on for more inspiration, and some ways that you can get the look. 

Click here to guess first - then jump below for the answer!  

Modernist style is everywhere! And why not, it's a gorgeous era of design - with so many classic that deserve to be revisited and made enduring parts of our home. Unlike some fads or trends, this is one that will weather well in my house.