Back in the Saddle Again!

Since I basically spent most of March out of town, I needed the month of April for re-entry.  I finally feel like I am back to my schedule, have the suitcases put away, have caught up on mail/appointments/to do lists and then I realized in 3 weeks my kids will be out for summer!

There is definitely something about travel that always makes me want to come home and zhush up my house.    Parisians are all about their flowers so I now I feel like I have a green thumb. I seriously could not stop taking pictures of windows and doors.  I don't know what it is about those Parisians but they make everything from how they outfit themselves to how they outfit their homes look effortless.  These photos should make you want to run to your local nursery today and start planting...

and the darling florist right across the street from our apartment.

Lucky for me, my hubby knows about my quest for a Parisian patio so for mother's day he and the kids spent the entire day planting and cleaning up our deck.  Time to have a deck party!!

It's coming along, hey Rome, I mean Paris wasn't built in a day!!

Easter Tablescapes

Every year around Easter time I tell myself I should put up some spring decorations and every year I just draw a blank.  Hanging a bunny on my front door really isn't my style and what else is there??

umm how about flowers!!

Today I am going to the farmers market and let my creative juices flow.  My plan is create something just fabulous for my table for Easter, thank goodness for pinterest.  I do love the special touch of adding something seasonal to my flowers.

candy

plastic eggs

fruit

and the best thing I have seen with carrots and asparagus in a long time

and if this still does not help you, take a class at your local florist.

We are all ready to go here.

Summer's End

It may officially be summer for another month, but mentally I am transitioning into fall.  I am not completely ready to give up lazy summer mornings, afternoons at the pool, and evenings on my porch sipping cocktails but time marches on and fall is right around the corner.

A few things that I am looking forward to this fall

the return of the pumpkin spice latte

chunky sweaters

oversized plaid scarves

warm soup on a chilly night, cant wait to try this recipe

gorgeous fall flowers for my table

a trip to a few wineries in our own backyard

fall nail polish

getting my favorite red wine out of the cellar

and firing up our patio table.


Ready or not, it's coming!!

Girl Friday

Happy Friday!!

We are just chilling tonight, we have a big Saturday.

Tomorrow morning Libby and I are doing the color run...

After the run I have time for a quick shower then were off here...

then I will get home in time to change for a cocktail party...

Sunday

As promised I will make my famous ribs...

and make my porch look pretty...

Have a beautiful weekend!!

Secret Garden

Last week I spent a morning at our local nursery picking out flowers for our deck with my 3 year old, I love having blooming flowers around, they just make everything beautiful.  At our nursery they converted a raised flower bed into a "fairy garden" by planting miniature flowers, a little house and fairies.  Once Scarlett saw this she was screaming with excitement.  We quickly got busy picking out our supplies for our secret fairy garden.  

We started with tiny plants.  We even bought a strawberry plant...

then we picked out a little house for the fairies...

and of course some fairies...

then we got busy planting...

one very happy little girl...

A Day at the Florist

Last Thursday I had a little party for some of my friends. We all met up at our local florist...and after a tutorial on the art of floral arranging it was time to choose our flowers.
Everyone chose something a little different...
then got to work...
Everyone's arrangement turned out so unique and seemed to be a true reflection of my friends' personalities..
my masterpiece...

If you are looking for something different to do with your friends, I highly recommend a day at your local florist.

Birthday Flowers

My sister and I are throwing a surprise birthday luncheon for my mom on Saturday and I am in charge of the table decorations. In addition to a big floral center piece, I also want to put small bud vases at everyones place setting as a gift to take home. Over the weekend I got the vases and all the supplies, now I just need to figure out what I am going to do.

I could do a variety of flowers in different colors...
or I could do the same flower in a bright color...
My other options is just to do something simple and all white...


Too bad my mom's birthday is not in the summer. I always have an abundance of hydrangeas growing in my yard, I could just step outside and clip away. I think these make beautiful centerpieces... I am off to Floral Row today, hopefully I will get inspired!!