Weekend Project: Floating Deck

 

Decks and patios don't have to be attached to your house. In fact, having an outdoor space away from your home can be even more appealing (especially if you get to choose between the two). This pallet-inspired deck is made from Cedar—a perfect match for the realistic-looking (synthetic) wicker furniture. (I'm not sorry I purchased faux.) 9-boxed frames, plus 72 5'-6' boards, plus lots of nails equals an ambitious, yet doable weekend project. And since the weather doesn't look all that promising this weekend, why not get started on a project that you'll enjoy over and over again once the sun shines. Then surround the deck with a variety of potted plants or herbs (mint thrives in pots and will give you tasty deep green leaves) and enjoy your own little retreat.

 

Be inspired by all of these outdoor spaces from Martha Stewart.

Natural Beauty Remedies

 

Years ago, I played around with all sorts of products to help clean my home, clean my face. I didn't look at ingredients, I just used whatever seemed to work. But now I'm starting to read those ingredients. It first started when I found out I had Rosacea. I don't have a bad case, but my face will redden if irritated. I use all natural beauty cleansers and products and some of them are quite pricey. Behold natural beauty remedies. Most of these things you can find in your kitchen cabinet (Remember the egg white masks from the 70s that were so popular?), and some you might need to hunt for, but I have no doubt they'll be worth the trouble. My girls have spent a small fortune on a lip exfoliator from a very popular store I'm sure you're all familiar with. This one costs just pennies to make. Check out additional recipes over at Sparkle and Mine. 

 

About a year ago, my family and I started to eat organic and we cut out just about every processed food we could. And since you've been reading sooo much about my lack of gardening skills, that doesn't mean I'm not paying attention to what I'm using in the gardens I do have. Natural weed and pest control ingredients are easy to whip up. It's amazing what vinegar can do!

Secret Garden

 

Someday, I will work on an area of my yard and create my own secret garden. I envision a wall of foliage, a bench or a couple of chairs and a table, or both. I see pieces of slate and moss-covered stone. I see shades of green ranging from pale moss to lush pine. Herbs and flowers will be tucked into corners and trail up a path. Urns and aged pots will hold additional plants of every size and color. A garden gate and lots of white twinkle lights will mark the way. Fireflies, toads, and crickets will keep me company.

 

Until then, I will be content with my humble surroundings and lovingly tend to my small herb garden and beds of perennials.

Top two images via http://www.eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com and http://www.bridalguide.com

Do or Don't: Go Green

Green just happens to be one of my favorite colors. (It seems as though I have a lot of favorite colors these days.) In fact, it's inching up on red rather quickly. However, I'm not so sure I'm crazy about either of these photos. When is an abundance of the same color simply too much? What do you think?

I'll be back with my thoughts tomorrow. Post here, on Facebook, or via email and we'll get this conversation started.

Update 5/17: It seems as though all of you who posted on my Facebook page, my Facebook group pages, and via email seem to agree... you love green and the way it's been used in these photos.
However, I am going to advise you that too much of a good thing can be just that, too much. Just as with any other design element, the eye has no place to rest if you overindulge in the same pattern, color, texture, etc. So, proceed with caution when using your favorite things. Keep them from becoming commonplace and let them shine instead.


Images via lisamendedesign.blogspot.com and tobifairley.com

More Technology...

 

My daughters just love Instagram. So I bit two more bullets this week. I bought an iPhone and I created an Instagram account. The first was purely a business decision. I've ditched my landline and upgraded my cell phone to take place of my business phone so I'm actually saving money. I knew the drawbacks of buying a smartphone. Years ago I had a Blackberry that alerted me every time I had an email or an appointment, what to do, how to do it, how to feel, and I vowed I would never be that connected ever again. I have learned my lesson. I decide how and when I when I want to receive my information. I've turned off alerts that will have my nose pressed to the screen and I know that once I play around with apps and features, my love affair will cool off in a week or two. I will have no problem putting this device away and pretending that it doesn't exist.

In the meantime, I've added Instragram to my social media list. So far, it's been okay. I'm more of a Facebook versus Twitter kinda gal. I prefer my desktop to my laptop. I like keyboards better than touch screens. I guess I'm rather old-fashioned when it comes to technology. But... I'm giving it a shot and we'll see where it takes me.

Kitchen Cabinets

Nah... kitchen drawers are it. If you're considering re-doing your kitchen anytime soon, reconsider the cabinet. Drawers are not just for silverware, they're for spices, towels and linens, and lots and lots of dishes. I only have one large bank of drawers in my kitchen, and I can still remember the installer wondering why I chose these because he thought I was wasting space. Au contraire... you actually gain space and organization, not to mention the ease of transferring clean dishes from the dishwasher to drawers instead of hard-to-reach cabinets. And you can actually see what you're looking for. Viva la drawer!

Image via houzz.com

What My Mother Has Taught Me

In honor of Mother's Day, I thought I would share a few things my mother has taught me that I rely on again and again.

1. If you don't have anything nice to day, don't say anything at all. I'm not a big fan of gossip or idle chit chat, so I've learned to choose my words wisely and sit back and listen before offering a response or opinion.
2. Make people feel at home. My mother is a consummate hostess. She always has too much food, she knows everyone's favorite drink, and she'll wait on you hand and foot. I still need a little work in this area.
3. Always show up early... never keep people waiting. I was taught that if you were on time, you were late. Unfortunately, this means I do a lot of waiting myself.
4. Say "please" and "thank you". These words are magic. I followed in her footsteps and these two words were some of the first my children learned.
5. How to make a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. If I don't make her sage and onion stuffing each year, it just isn't Thanksgiving.

I'm still learning, but I think I've learned a lot.

She brought me countless drinks of water in the middle of the night without complaint. She would rub my tummy or my head when I was sick. I can still see her sitting in my high school auditorium knitting while I rehearsed another song or a scene. She drove me to singing lessons and any and every school event without making me feel as though I was putting her out.

Thank you, mom.

What I hope I've taught my own children so far.

1. You can never say "I love you" enough. I tell them this at least once a day.
2. There is no such thing as spoiling a baby or a child with too many hugs and kisses. I don't care how old they are.
3. I learn as much from them as they learn from me. My girls are a lot smarter than I was at their age. Their poise and maturity astounds me sometimes.
4. Family is the most important thing. The rest of this stuff is all filler. I will not die wishing I had spent more time working on a project or making more money.

What has your mother taught you?

Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

The Perfect Mother's Day

Whenever my children asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day, I always responded with, "Peace and quiet". Why? Three kids, two dogs, and a husband who makes just as much mess and noise as the rest of them was reason enough. But I find that I really don't want peace or quiet these days. I want to be surrounded by my family—the mess and the noise, too.

My day would start with a breakfast I normally wouldn't treat myself to; something sinful and delicious (like my grandmother's banana muffins). I would read hand-made cards filled with vibrant marker-colored words and cute little stickers even though my children have graduated way beyond the crayon stage of their lives. And then I would simply enjoy their company. I want to hear stories, be asked questions, and bask in the sunshine on the back porch while we laugh until we can't laugh any more. I want to hold on to the day and have it stretch into the next.

Mother's Day is just another day that reminds me of how lucky I am.

My grandmother passed down this recipe to my mom, and she passed it down to me. I know I've featured it before, but this recipe bears repeating...

My Grandma's Banana Bread Muffins

2 large or 3 small ripe bananas (The riper the better.)
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup shortening (Crisco)
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. real vanilla extract

Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl. Add liquid ingredients (eggs, vanilla, and shortening) one at a time incorporating the ingredients together as you go. Add the bananas and mix until combined, but don't over mix. Fill muffin tins three quarters full and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20-30 minutes, or bake into bread and cook for 1 hour. Optional: Add fresh blueberries. Or top them with blueberry jam. Or raspberry, or...

This post was written for the Nerdwallet Mother's Day Your Way contest. To enter the contest yourself, check out Mother's Day Your Way.

Thank you Nerdwallet for selecting this post as an honorable mention!

Art For Art's Sake

On the wall, on a shelf, leaning, or hanging, art can add so much to a room. (Type in "art" in my search this blog box and read through my thoughts on art.) Here are some photos to inspire you.


Images via ruemag.com, bhg.com, parisapartment.wordpress.com

Prom!

 

This past weekend, my oldest daughter attended her senior prom. We spent weeks looking for the right dress, shoes, bag. We practiced make-up looks and hair styles. She broke in her shoes by wearing them around the house. She had her ticket, her list of must-haves for the evening, and I had plenty of film for the camera. However, there were a few last minute things we, ummm, forgot. We made a harried phone call to the local florist just days before begging for a wrist corsage and boutonniere. And then another to a local nail salon. All was well. Until the big day...

 

She was late! (Yes, you were.) She had all day Saturday to primp and fuss. But instead, she just chilled out in her room thinking about the night ahead. Tucked away in her room, I checked in on her twice to see if there was anything she needed. I knew better than to check any more than that as her nerves were a little frayed. I paced and kept myself busy with yard work, but by 5:00 I was beginning to panic because that was the time we scheduled to start doing her hair. I set up the hair station. (The dry run we held earlier in the week proved to us that her hair would take a solid hour to do.) I checked the clock: 5:15. I made sure the curling iron was really ready. By 5:30, she sauntered down the stairs. "Wow, I didn't realize it was so late! Is everything ready?" Sheesh. You would have thought I was going instead of her. Without comment, I started on her hair. By 6:00, one half was done. She started to text her date to coordinate pick-up. She uttered the words "oh man" several times. Her sister got in on the act and started to fill her purse with all of her must-haves. I kept my lips sealed and kept curling. By 6:30 the troops had arrived and I was putting the finishing touches on her hair. She panicked and ran upstairs to dress. I ran up after her to spray her hair and insert some jeweled combs.

 

All was well in the end. She came down the stairs looking like Cinderella and received the appropriate response from her date. The cameras started to click away as I took more than 30 photos of just about anything they did. And that's when we realized the flowers were still in the refrigerator. (You can see the shot above of her orchid and rose wristlet.) So the cameras started their clicking all over again, and before we knew it, they were on their way.

 

No, the yard didn't look as pretty as it should have this time of year (The leaves are just peaking through and the grass is taking its time coming in.), but as the sun was starting its decent, the couple looked just wonderful. It was a beautiful night. "Okay, enough photos. It's time to go."

 

P.S. I asked her if she would like to read this post before I published it. Her response: "Don't you need to get my permission now that I'm 18?" I decided to exercise my 1st amendment rights.

 

Novel Idea

 

Perfect for Mother's Day, these Kindle covers by Klevercase will disguise your e-reader in style. I'm thinking they might make excellent notebook covers, too. Hmmm. I was in the bookstore just the other day thinking about the merits of e-readers versus books, but I'm still firmly planted in the has-to-be-a-real-book category. Still...

 

 

Garden Inspiration

 

 

I am not a gardener. I have a small herb garden in my side yard, beds of perennials around the house, and flowering bushes in my yard. I pot more herbs on my porch and that's pretty much the extent of my gardening adventurers. The one time I tried my hand at a vegetable garden, I failed miserably. Who knew you needed to know about proper drainage and the advantages of just the right amount of sunlight? I certainly didn't back then. But... I do dream of one day having a small, thriving vegetable garden so I can just go pick my lunch or dinner whenever I want.

 

I hope these photos and ideas will inspire you to dream about your own garden.

 

Learn about organic gardening here. Read tips on creating a raised bed vegetable garden here. And read this story about Sharon Lovejoy's potager (kitchen) garden here.

 

 

 

Left image via thecouturecontessa.blogspot.com

I Love Orange

 

No matter how you slice it, orange is definitely one of my favorite colors. And if it has a touch of red in it, so be it, but I'll take almost any shade and use it in my home and my wardrobe. I think orange is seasonless. It's perfect for fall of course, but I also think of it as a summer color, too. Have you ever seen a beautiful sunset without some shade of orange bursting through? I haven't. I'm dreaming about an orange sarong, the perfect clutch or tote (The Marc Jacobs one pictured above isn't too bad.), and a flirty skirt or wrap blouse that would look oh-so dreamy with white, camel, or blue.

 

Yes, I know not everyone is wild about orange, but just take a peek at these posts here, here, and here and see if I can't convince you otherwise. (Just type the word "orange" into the search box and you'll find lots more.)

 

Images via viteristylemanagement.blogspot.com, dispatchfromla.typepad.com, bhg.com

Vignette Haven

Details make all the difference... Style a tabletop, bookcase, sideboard, bureau, or just about any surface you can imagine with interesting, colorful, fun, and easy-on-the-eye objects, and you can create and re-create a stylish display that shows off your personality.

As I've mentioned before, accessorizing is my favorite part of the decorating process. I miss my window dressing days when all I had to do was take beautiful items out of packages and place them here and there to my heart's content. I tell my students that accessorizing (or re-accessorizing) a room is the quickest and most inexpensive way to make a change. Just pull things off your tables and start to rearrange items to give your rooms a whole new look in less than an hour.

Mix it up and move it around, that's the only rule. If you like what you see, snap a picture and start all over again to see how many looks you can come up with.


Images via brabournefarm.blogspot.com, roomsinteriordesign.blogspot.com, elledecor.com, hallready.blogspot.com,

Road Trip

My family and I spent this past Sunday taking a mini tour through New England. You've got to love the fact that in just one day you can visit three different states, see the ocean, the mountains, a couple of cities and the countryside. And that's just what we did. Up and out by 7:00 am we headed southeast to Rhode Island for the last leg of our college tour for daughter #1.

Our first stop was to Providence to visit a couple of schools just outside of the city. We then traveled southwest to visit another before heading back to Providence and meeting up with my son for lunch. Back in the car once again, we traveled northeast into Massachusetts to tour yet another campus. I think at this point we were all ready to call it a day, but because we were so close to Boston we knew we couldn't go home without treating ourselves to a little pick-me-up at Caffé Vittoria and then dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant in the North End.

A few minutes past 9:00 that night, we pulled into our driveway and called it a day. It was exhausting but fun, and in the end my daughter chose to go to school in Boston. She was 90% sure that's where she would end up, but she just wanted one more look around. She'll now be one of the thousands of students that descend on the city each September just a short walk away from where I started my college years nearly three decades earlier. Amazing.