Showing posts with label Flowers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flowers. Show all posts

Things I'm loving at the Moment

Now for some total randomness.  I've been juggling design work and kiddos at home over the last couple of weeks.  I have to confess it's been a bit crazy - but fun crazy.  Summer seems to fly by, and I really want to take it all in and enjoy every minute of it.  I thought I would share a few things I've stumbled upon - a little summer randomness.

White Walls
I adore this space.  It looks like something you would find in a beach house.  Notice the white walls, ceiling, wall sconce and simple roman shades.  All this white accomplishes a couple things.  It makes the space feel bigger and it creates a backdrop for the pops of color on the beds.  Also, notice the headboards are actually upholstered cushions tacked to the wall.  So simple, but so much impact.    


Sheep Artwork Tutorial
This simple tutorial for affordable artwork really packs a WOW.  Wouldn't it be precious in a nursery?!  Great Job, Em and Elle!

Gourmet Popsicles
Everybody in Birmingham is talking about Steel City Pops.  These gourmet popsicles are all the rage.  I was having dinner with some girlfriends a couple of weeks ago and one of my friends could not say enough about them.  Then, my husband's firm hosted a dinner last week at the baseball field and Steel City brought a popsicle truck!  The flavors are so unique like avocado and blood orange, and they are all made fresh daily.  And to sweeten the pot (as they say), the owners are giving back by donating 100% of the profits made on their bottled water to developing water sources in third world countries.  So, a true community leader!

Do you remember my post recently of this picture?! . . . Wouldn't these gourmet pops make the most amazing dessert for a summer time dinner party?  Oh yea, I'm on it.  

Crawfish Boils
Talk about a laid back party.  This past weekend we celebrated the birthday of a close friend.  She and her husband spent several years in New Orleans and all that culture, food and NOLA lifestyle is now in their blood.  So, of course, celebrating big for this cute couple translates into a crawfish boil!  I ate so many I finally had to stop when my fingers were numb from peeling them.  You just can't beat good food, good friends, good music and yummy drinks in the summer!

Hammock Chairs
At the beginning of the summer, I ordered a pair of hammock chairs for my kids.  They are getting too big to use the swing set in our backyard (which makes me a little sad).  But, I'm not ready to tear the whole thing down. 

 Instead, I converted the swing portion of our set using the hammock chairs.  Both my kids love to read, so they've been hanging out up there in late afternoon/early evening with a book.   
I'm thinking I extended the life of that swing set at least more summer!

Wall Container/Window Boxes
My husband and I took a recent trip to one of our favorite nurseries here in Birmingham.  It is a bit farther out, but their plants are always so healthy and really put on a show during the summer season.  If you live in Birmingham, it's truly worth your time to check out Collier's nursery.  

During our most recent trip, the cutest girl helped us (which is another reason to go there, the customer service is spot on).  She taught me something about planting window boxes.  Now, mind you, we've had this box for at least five years; and I've never thought about what she told us.  

The trick is to plant two different trailing plants on each end (so a total of four plants, rather than just two) - one in the back and one in the front.  I've always done just one plant on each end since the container is so narrow, thinking it would fill out nicely. 
 Well, the box has never looked this great, even at it's peak.   I think it's the contrast in color that really gives the container the depth you can't get from a single plant.  Simple idea, but huge impact.  Love it. 

San Tan-tonio Nail Polish
(I told you this post was random!)


I treated myself to a pedicure (which is rare for me, I usually do my own pedicures at home), and I'm loving this color!  I think it helps when you've had a little sun on your feet for color, but every time I look down at the polish it makes me smile (the name just kills me!)
(Bet you didn't expect to see my feet on a Monday!  I kept the picture small in case you tend to get queasy in the morning! Ha!)

Did everybody have a wonderful Father's Day?  We made steaks on the grill last night for our man of the hour; and I called my sweet Dad and wished him a wonderful day too!  
What's everybody been up to lately?! M.

A June Bride

I'm in the stage of life where most of my friends are married; but their children are still too young to be getting married.  So, we're not attending weddings like back in the day.  While I appreciate the reprieve from purchasing all the gifts, I truly miss the weddings.  All those beautiful brides and, of course, the flowers.  

So, to kick off the month June and all those lucky girls who either got married in June or who will be saying "I do" this month, here are my favorite websites for wedding flowers.  So much talent and inspiration here . . . 




















Heaven help me when the day rolls around for my daughter to tie the knot!  M. 

Summer Garden Party

The weather has been absolutely wonderful here in Birmingham.  I've got parties on the brain - from small casual dinner gatherings to afternoon cocktails with friends all the way to more formal affairs for larger groups.  Here are some tables capes to mull over for your next entertaining opportunity. 

Love this picnic table dressed so casually among the flowers in the garden (notice the pea gravel underneath).

My kind of dessert.

Simple Paper Lanterns - also love those cafe style folding chairs.



A picnic party!! Never seen anything like this.  What a fun invite!  Honestly, it looks like a wedding will take place beneath the altar.  But this would be an easy transition to an afternoon picnic.

Menu cards - why not?  Such an easy, yet thoughtful, addition to any party.

Thinking I need to plan a party.  Who's with me?! M.  





Happy Weekend

Here's hoping you have a marvelous weekend.  In case you need some help deciding what to spend your precious, coveted, very limited weekend time doing, here are a few clever projects I uncovered this past week.

Tissue Paper Party Pom Poms

Fabulous Loose Braid

Guacamole Bruscetta


Parson's Chair Slipcover

Succulent Wreath

Strawberry Margarita

Hope you can squeeze in some time doing something you enjoy.  M.

Art In The Garden - James Farmer

About a month ago, I was near Auburn for a guest bedroom installation.  After finishing, I managed to grab some lunch, and I snagged a copy of a local flower magazine.  The entire magazine was great, but what really caught my eye was a full page ad for Art in the Garden at Auburn University featuring none other than James Farmer.  
Are you familiar with James Farmer?  He is considered a Southern lifestyle expert - that includes all things related to entertaining and styling.  The guy's amazing.

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Well, he's coming to Auburn Saturday, April 14th for an evening of sheer bliss.  From what I can gather, he will be creating flower arrangements and chatting it up with guests the entire evening.  There will be a seated dinner and lots of other loveliness.  The proceeds go to supporting the Gardens in the area.  The sad news for is is that we are going to be out of town.  So, if any of you do decide to go, I would love a full report!!

Who knows, he may even be signing copies of his most recent book.  
Here is information on getting tickets for the evening - Art in the Garden with James Farmer

PS: I'm still digging out from my break.  Why do breaks have to be this way!? M.

Trend Spotting - Succulents

I started noticing these here and there at the end of the summer.  Then at Christmas, I started seeing them incorporated into traditional greenery for a more updated look.  I think the trend is going to continue and you will be seeing lots more of these very versatile plants.


They are very much on the scene already for modern weddings.  . . 
Look to see them in outdoor spaces when the weather begins to turn warm.


Not only are they drought tolerant but they give you so many color variations without any faded blooms to remove.

They also look amazing when coupled with flowering plants of all colors.

This one is especially drought tolerant, it's a graphic photograph! 

They can be used in a fresh and very modern way . . .



 Or worked into a more traditional setting.  I also love that a single succulent has the ability to stand on it's own like with this place card.  Hard to get that effect with a single bloom.

They will last longer than cut flowers and it only takes a few to get some great impact.
source

Have a marvelous day! M.