June is bustin' out all over!

Because it's June! June, June, June... remember the song from Carousel? I'm an old movie/musical theater buff, so I hope you know what I'm talking about! Well, I'm super-stoked here on the Cape because this summer, June is indeed busting out all over (unlike last year, *cough cough*). Last year we didn't have summer until August, and it was over way too fast. So this year I plan to revel in the summery-summerness of it all. I'm talking about beach days, road trips, carnvial rides, cotton candy, iced tea-lemonade... the works!

Summer is especially gorgeous here on the coast (which is why all the tourists flock here, of course). Lazy days at the beach are a given, along with strolls along the waterfront, stopping for a lime rickey refreshment, locally-made ice cream (you can actually "meet" the cows! And trust me, they really are happy cows) or hot, fresh fries (I say "no" to the fried clams and lobster ice cream, but if fish is your thing then be my guest! You would be in the right place). But my favorite summertime fixture is the weekly farmer's market. You'll find simply the best warm weather produce New England has to offer: corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, summer squash, scallions, beets, and my perennial fruit favorite, blueberries! The best part of a coastal farmer's market? Literally shopping for your groceries... on the coast. As in the ocean is your backdrop. It's nice. :)

It often strikes me as odd, how I would up living in a place where most people want to vacation, whereas I always wind up vacationing in the place where most people (myself included!) want to live: Manhattan! So while many of you are gearing up to pack your beach totes, I'm stuffing my duffel bag with my city essentials: maxi dresses, flat sandals, sunglasses... ok, so maybe our travel picks would be similar! Anyway, I plan to spend as many weekends city-bound as possible this summer. Am I nuts for wanting to leave my little oceanside haven behind? Or is there something better awaiting me in the urban jungle? Maybe a few months of pounding the pavement will have me craving the beach bum lifestyle...

So what's cooking at Ip & Audrey this summer? Lots! I have two planned giveaways, from our friends at L.A. Vintage and CSN Stores, so check back in the next week and enter away! I've been adjusting to my new work schedule lately, so that means blog posts will need to be scheduled, too... or else they'll never happen! Expect some new content over the next few weeks, including a redesign courtesy of a very talented artist friend. :) It's my first collaboration on this blog, and I'm excited to see how it turns out and how you like it! I love having Audrey Hepburn as my header picture (as this blog is named for her), but let's face it: the FTC is cracking down on blogging guidelines, and image copyright is a pretty big deal. And besides, I've wanted to create something original for a while now, but I don't have much design experience. I can draw and edit photos, sure, but web design is a whole 'nother story! I'm learning little by little, but I'll leave the techie stuff to the experts. :)

So... how are you spending your summer?

Boots to the beach

So there was a gorgeous day this past weekend, the first truly gorgeous, sun-shining, blue sky day in a while, but I was feeling blah. Still, in an effort to evoke the summery day, I slipped on a bright sundress and ventured to the beach. My feet were clad in my emergencies-only, stranded -in-the-frozen-tundra boots, hurting from one too many stiletto-ed weekdays. I had zero plans to appear in any of my photos, but fate (nay, my mother) intervened. She said my boots were "cute." Fugly faux-Uggs only a mother could love. Forgive me, fashionistas, for I have sinned.

Dress, Sunglasses: Ann Taylor Loft
Offending Boots: I've no idea; let us never speak of them again.

For this major faux pas, I beg your pardon, and offer a few scenic shots as penance:

And the following pics are shared simply because I like the weird alien-like glow the sunset lends my face... the closest thing I'll ever have to a tan.

Ah, the hilarity of it all...

Sweet land of liberty

Let music swell the breeze
and ring from all the trees sweet freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake,
Let all that breathe partake,
Let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong...

Happy belated Independence Day! These photos look patriotic, but were actually taken a few days before the 4th. I decided to snap these Americana-inspired shots before all the craziness of Plymouth July 4th festivities went down. Believe me, it turns into a madhouse around here! But it is, after all, "America's hometown."

Even though I'm a local, I've never taken any pictures in front of the Mayflower II. Two other tall ships are in the harbor right now (and have attracted many the tourist), but the Mayflower especially resonates with me. My mother's side of the family is, for the most part, first-generation American (her grandparents immigrated from Ireland and Portugal); but my father's side has been here since before the Revolution (Betsy Ross is my relative!), making me an ethnic hodgepodge: Irish, English, Scottish, German, French... in other words, a Mayflower mutt. I'm proud of my Euro-mix heritage, and I know so many who feel the same. That's one thing I love about America: within every family tree is a massive melting pot. Variety is, after all, the spice of life!

Dress: Wal-Mart, purchased during my Illinois days!
Layering tank: Target
Jacket: Kohl's
Shoes: Payless
Sunglasses: Ann Taylor Loft

Ahh, gotta love cheap-chic retail. That makes this outfit all-American, too!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th. :)