This is a commission I recently finished for my new friend Gabrielle. It will now adorn her adorable blog Design-Muse. Design-Muse is a daily lifestyle blog about a compulsive celebrator, fancy dress addict and home and event stylist. It’s full of great tips, great style, and great fun! I know I’ll be following her. Thanks Gabrielle for finding me ;) Now my friends… you must check her out! http://designmuseblog.blogspot.com/

Back from vacation, so sad to see it end. It marks the extent of my lazy summer. Fall is here and I’m filled with inspiration! Have to go… my paint brush is waiting.

“Just a sandy wind swept island!
What more would you have it be?
With a turquoise sky above it,
Around it sapphire sea.
When its dawns are pearl and opal,
Its noons are crystals clear,
And its sunsets shower down gold dust
Til the diamond stars appear.
When to those who are born on the island,
And to many from over the sea,
Tis fairer than all its jewels.
What more does it need to be?” — M. Starbuck

1 part vodka
1 part tequila
1 part rum
1 part gin
1 part triple sec
1 1/2 parts sweet and sour mix
1 splash Coca-Cola

Mix ingredients together pour into a shaker with ice and, well… shake. Pour into a tall glass. Garnish with lemon and a sprig of mint. Best when sipped through a long blue straw.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! As I think back to spring, I believed I vowed to take this summer slow. You know… stop and smell the roses. Well, now that I’m looking at the calendar I can’t believe it’s August already! I obviously did not take my own advice. So… time to restart! Today… I’m going to go for a swing, gonna drop my head back and stare up at the sky. Summer, I’m ready. Come and find me!