I’m bouncing to Justin Timberlake’s Summer Love as I make a list of my summer loves…so far.  These are the things I’m loving now.

Last month I hosted a Palm Beach-style Birthday Club luncheon, so many of my new favorites were discovered as I was planning that tablescape, starting with this 1. Brass Bamboo Cocktail Napkin Holder.  It adds instant glam to an appetizer or cocktail station. Together with my 2. Bamboo Frame Monogrammed Napkins and the etched matching 3. Glass Carafe, all you need to do is  add  a yummy cocktail (see below), and you will be Palm Beach ready, even if you’re in North Alabama, as I am.  Speaking of glam, my new 4. Pineapple Ice Bucket from Godinger complemented the lux look while keeping drinks icy cold.

5. Look at my fabulous Chinoiserie Dinner Plates from LB Originals! Ya’ll they are even cuter than they appearon her web site. For now, they are displayed in the dining “hutch”, but I’m planning a fabulous tabletop with them for my sweet friend’s birthday the first of the year.  I cannot wait to show you what I come up with!!

6. And speaking of cute, how darn cute is this Safari Monkey Bowl!?!? It’s the perfect accent to hold cheese straws, cocktail nibbles or even wine corks near the bar.

7. It has bypassed balmy in Alabama, and headed straight to sweltering, and a Pimm’s Cup is the perfect cocktail to toast the heat of summer. Light and fruity, the British cocktail is traditionally drank at Polo matches and other warm weather events.  There are many recipes online, but my favorite uses muddled cucumber and strawberries, lime juice and ginger ale.  It’s a family fave that we’ve been drinking several years now.

8. Speaking of sweltering weather, I’m sure you do as I do in the summer and streamline your makeup routine. The Sephora Collection Colorful Shadow and Liner Pencil is one of my standard go-tos this summer. They come in a myriad of colors, but I’m partial to Secret Boudoir, a medium beige matte, Pretty Little Thing, a light pink matte, and Taupe shimmer.  I swipe one of these across my lids and blend up, and am good to go. I have combination skin and for years resisted any cream-based pencils or makeup, concerned the product would just be a greasy mess in an hour. But this pencil goes on like velvet, then sets to a powder finish. They cover well and stay all day – and did I mention they are waterproof, which makes them ideal for withstanding summer “glistening”?

9. I am in love with this Big Bang shade of Urban Decay Vice Lipstick. The metalized pink-fuchsia hue complements my summer wardrobe, but is a more subtle daytime choice than the bright lipstick I wear at night. It’s very frosted, and reminds me of something worn by the stylish women poolside in a ’60s Slim Aaron photo.

10. For our June anniversary, my sweetie gave me the most beautiful Julie Vos Aquamarine Blue jewelry. The color seems to either match or complement everything in my closet, and I’ve been wearing them every day since.  I am a huge fan of the detail and dimension of Julie Vos’ designs. As I’ve said before I adore big jewelry, and all of her pieces are reminiscent of a family heirloom. Huntsville’s Anna Cate carries the full line, (as well as some other gorgeous pieces from other designers), and I find i have to window shop there every time I’m at Bridge Street.

11. I have to admit that I bought way too many earrings this summer, but there were so many unusual and pretty ones to choose from! I am a bit obsessed with all the oversized earrings from Lisi Lerch. I have several pair, and still have a few more on my wish list. The colors are bright, and the designs are both preppie and modern.  12. Are you familiar with Designs by Laurel Leigh? her Etsy shop is filled with the most unique jewelry. I’m partial to the designs that use chinoiserie beads. What is on your “summer loves” list?