Whether it’s driving through Durham’s back roads or swimming in sparkling Caribbean waters, these pink Boathouse shades are a must-have, at least for me.

What can I say? I have sensitive eyeballs.

Last night, the sounds of thunder and the flashes of lightning kept me awake well past 2 a.m. The storm knocked out my power, and nearly destroyed my umbrella (in my umbrella’s defense, it is very old … about 15 years old, actually)  when I went outside to take photos.

Nevertheless, I managed to capture one nice image outside my front door.

Nothing says anger more than a mother’s fierce eye, especially my mom’s. So, don’t piss her off – or show her this blog post.

*Shiver*

One of my main goals this summer: find loveliness in the smallest of things.

We are constantly surrounded by worldly charms – whether it’s outside our front door, en route to work, or vacationing at Blue Mountain. Beauty is simply everywhere.

To help me accomplish – or at least try to accomplish – this project,  I recently purchased a Sigma 70-300mm macro telephoto zoom lens.

My 3-year-old tabby cat Jimmy Dean is a beautiful, quirky, and energetic thing. He’s constantly getting himself into trouble – stealing jewelry, unravelling toilet paper, and chewing on television cords.

But I’m never mad at him for long. It’s hard to stay angry at a face like this.