Before Midnight.

About a month ago, thanks to a recommendation by my lovely blog-friend Eileen, I binge-watched the movies Before Sunset and Before Sunrise one quiet Friday night. And you guys, I loved them.

In Before Sunrise, Jesse (played by Ethan Hawke) and Celine (played by Julie Delpy) meet on a Vienna-bound train and spend one unforgettable romantic night together. Nine years later, in Before Sunset, they reunite for a single, equally unforgettable afternoon in Paris. The movies—which are scripted—are written and directed in a way that feels totally improvised and off-the-cuff, and the chemistry between Hawke and Delpy is palpable; it's difficult—in my case, impossible—not to become totally invested in the characters and their will-they-or-won't-they relationship, fictional though they and it may be.

These are not your average romantic comedies.

So needless to say, even though I'm way late to the party, I'm so excited to see Before Midnight, the third film in the series (!), which hits select theaters this weekend. Although it won't make it to Sarasota until June 14 (bummer!), you can bet I'll be at the first showing I can get to.

Will you see Before Midnight? Did you love the first two films, as well?

P.S. I think Before Sunset is my favorite of these films, but I might be swayed if I watch Before Sunrise again.

Flying houses.

Can we please talk about French artist Laurent Chehere's completely fantastic, totally whimsical "Flying Houses" series? I love it so much.

Just some pretty for your Wednesday. You know, in case you needed some.

Via Design Conundrum

The prettiest Orlando craftsman home.

I don't live in the Orlando area anymore but I have to say—traffic and attractions aside—I appreciate the city a lot more now that I'm older, and I love that it's home to a lot of cool young creatives who are doing interesting things, like Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co. (whose headquarters is actually in my hometown of Winter Park) and Lauren Bradshaw of Walnut Animal Society, whose beautiful home is featured in the images above. Lauren is actually moving to Los Angeles, but her craftsman-style home, which she and her husband renovated after they bought it, is so charming that I wanted to share the images here. Homes with lots of character: Yes, please.

In other news, as you know, I've been hemming and hawing over decorating my own house for, oh, the four years I've lived with it (well, minus the first year, when I was just so happy to get a pretty coat of paint up over the hideous matte red that was there when I moved in), but—if all goes according to plan—I'm going to be moving to a bigger place sometime next year. So here's what I want to know from you: Do you apply the same rules to your house that you do to clothes—i.e., work with what you've got now, not what you might have a year from now? Or is it better to wait and not invest in something you don't think you're going to stay in much longer? Thinking about how little in life is actually guaranteed, I'm inclined to go with the former, but I'm curious to know your thoughts, too.

P.S. One of my other all-time favorite home tours: Rebekka Seale. (Those bees!)

Happy Monday.

Well, that weekend didn't go exactly as expected. The restful few days that I had looked forward to were totally turned on their head thanks to some family craziness, so I'm mentally pressing the "reset" button this morning and looking forward to a calmer week. In the meantime, here is a flower for you—looking at this photo just makes you feel calmer, doesn't it?

Image by i.Anton

What are you doing this weekend?

Happy Friday, friends—it's the weekend, yay! How were your weeks? Mine was good. In fact, it ended up being a week of little treats: I made that chai coconut ice cream on Monday, which aside from tasting awesome was a fun project; on Wednesday I bought the brightest pink peonies I could find and splurged on some Maldon sea salt (which is amazing, something I never thought I'd say about salt); and yesterday, I got my first facial in an attempt to take better care of my skin and it was fabulous. (My aesthetician is wonderful, by the way; if you're in Sarasota and need someone great, let me know.)

I'm becoming a big believer in occasionally rewarding yourself with little things like flowers or candles or—sometimes—with bigger splurges like a facial or a new piece of clothing or even a trip somewhere. In the past I usually did this with food—a candy bar here, a scoop of ice cream there—but I'm quickly learning that that's not the best thing to do. So candles, flowers and facials (!) it is. Here's to being gentle with ourselves.

No links today--just a wish that you all have a wonderful weekend! See you back here on Monday. xoxo

Photo: J.Crew