Mid Week Pick Me Up

The kids were home from school yesterday - no power.  Now I'm looking at squeezing five days of tasks into three.  I don't know about you, but I need a little spot of goodness today.

Thought you might too.  This image made me sigh and think, "OK, I can do this!"

source

And so can you!  Have a productive day. M.

The Garden

There is always this short period of time when our garden seems to be at it's peak and then within a just a few days, it begins to look burned up and dry.  Thus is life in the South.
 You really have to enjoy it while it lasts.  I adore sitting on our back patio with my hubby in the evenings enjoying a glass of vino.  It is a wonderful way to end the day.

I have the very rare husband who enjoys working in the yard.  (I know, I know, I'm very lucky!)

One of my favorite spots is this little area of our patio.  You can actually see it from the chairs in the picture above (it's to the right).  This spot is very shady and is really the only place impatiens are able to survive in our yard.  Do you see all those little plants under the bench?  Well those are impatiens that have self seeded from years past.  

Every year, we pick a different color for the pots.  And every year, they seed themselves and pop up everywhere.  It's hard to tell the color variations in these pictures, but they range from purple, pink to even a coral color. 

I love how they create a carpet effect. 

This is another favorite spot for me.  This plant (which I have no clue what it is), hopped a ride with us from our previous home.  We did not purposefully bring it, but it's so incredibly evasive (I truly think it is some kind of weed) that it was growing in the same pot with a plant that we placed in this corner. 

It self seeded and we decided to keep it.  What I love most about this plant is that at the very end of the summer (when everything else is looking dead and dry), it blooms the most wonderful tiny white blooms.  

Totally covers the entire wall in a sea of tiny white flowers.  When that happens, I know summer is almost over.  

When it blooms this year, I'll post a picture for you to see.  Reminds me of a wedding - I  think I say that every year.  

What do you like best in your garden?  I would love to hear about it! M.

PS: I just got an email from House of Fifty - their fall issue is live.  I think I'm going to have to do a post about my favorites from all thes new issues of on line magazines.  If you want to see all their hard work click here House of Fifty or go to my right side bar where I have links to all my favoirtie on line magazines.

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).

via

My kind of dessert.

via

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

via

via

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.

via

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

via

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

Weekend Randomness and Thoughts on Outdoor Spaces

First a little randomness . . . On Saturday, I was running a few errands and popped over to the Summit to look for a new handbag.  And what did I spy with my little eye . . . 

This guy.

Yelp.  The Mr. Donald J. Pliner.  The guru of comfortable, yet fabulous sandals.  He had a group of women swarming around him three rows deep.  They were snapping pictures, giggling like school girls and drinking lots of champagne.  I was mesmerized by the whole thing!  Oh, and almost forgot, he was signing their newly purchased shoes - I'm not kidding.  I have to say it was a very fun event to just happen upon on a Saturday.  Then on Sunday, we had beautiful weather, great tasting food (I feel like I had a butter IV put in for Sunday Lunch), and time with friends and family.  Very relaxing and fun. 

  Now for some interior design thoughts!  Since what seems like the early arrival of Spring here in Birmingham, I've had outdoor spaces on my mind.  Here are few that have caught my eye.

via

In trying to decide why I liked all of these (and some are very different from others), I think I am drawn to outdoor spaces that feel like interior rooms.

via

Places with amazing views and preferably of the water.

via

Those that evoke a sense of privacy.

via

Yet comfort.

via

And those that are lush.  This one in particular drew me in.  What an excellent use of a hankerchief size backyard.  It's sleek while still being super green and luscious.

via

I also love outdoor spaces with great lighting.  Even at our own house, I love to sit up near our kids play area and look back down at our house in the evening.  All the lights inside create the coolest shadows outside.  Looking forward to doing that this summer, and seeing all the fireflies. 

via

I'm also drawn to large containers of plantings and lots ivy growing on walls (which drives me husband crazy - he hates ivy).  

via

So, how's that for some random thoughts on a Monday!  What are some of your favorite things about outdoor spaces? M.

Make the Most of the Evening Light

I love it when I first notice that it is light much later in the evenings.  Even though the days are still a bit chilly, it tells me that summer is indeed around the corner.  This time of year is so busy with my kids' after school activities.  It's so easy to get caught up in the shuttling around and forget to enjoy this wonderful time of year.  

So, I thought I would give you a few images to dwell upon today.  

all images via

P.S. The new issue of Australian online Magazine Adore Home is just out, and it is not to be missed.  I know what I'm going to be doing when I get a little down time!  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.  

via

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.

via

via

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.  

via

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.