A Prelude to Summer

With a three-day weekend on the horizon and the initial AC switch-on days past, we've been craving summer. For some folks, this means dips in the pool and fresh tomatoes dusted with salt. But for us it means snapping up adorable summer goods.

So if you're refraining from the typical Riverfest flustercuck this weekend, check out these cute pieces in WLR, which are certain to be less crowded than President Clinton Avenue.

First stop? Hobby Lobby, which has a nice supply of our latest obsessions: outdoor rugs. Yes, they're ridiculously non-functional, but hot damn they're cute! These ring up at $30 through Saturday:


We're also partial to damask prints (oh, you hadn't noticed?). So we thought it would be plenty of fun to dish up grilled corn-on-the cob on these pretty plates ($3):


Same design scheme, different scene -- namely, the yard. We don't love gardening. But wouldn't we feel a little luxurious pulling weeds in this cute yard apron ($6)?


We then headed over to Pier 1. Lots to love, including $3 citronella candles, cute $5 shell-shaped acrylic plates and these great tea light lanterns for $8:


These coral-like napkin rings make us think about a tropical vacation, regardless of gas and stupid airline bag check prices ($3 for ring and $3 for napkin, eh ... $150 for gas and bag check?):


Not so outdoorsish, but this might go home with us soon. Birds are big right now:


Finally, a quick jaunt through Garden Ridge revealed that Adirondack rockers are a reasonable $60 right now. We've seen them in the $200 range elsewhere.