My Creative Blog [Search results for summer] 

Happy Monday, guys! We've had a busy weekend filming back to back episodes for Knock It Off, but we wanted to pop in and give you a round-up of our favorite summer items from some of our favorite companies! These wonderfully talented people make this blog possible, and we've gotta say, they're stuff is stinkin' awesome! Check them out, show them some love and don't forget to look for special coupon codes just for you!

1. I am LOVING this Tangerine Braid Headband from Henle Headbands- that color just calls my name!
2. Monica is obsessed with these Slim Cool Salmon flip-flops from Havaianas that come in lots of cool colors.
3.Isn't this Flower Leather Cuff Bracelet from Belmonili super cute? You ALWAYS get free shipping within continental US. Use the code BelmoniliECC for 10% off your order!

4. Our absolute favorite thrift store is having a 50% off sale on all media items at Liberty Thrift Stores, which- need we remind you?- includes books! Thrift stores are treasure troves of books with great covers, perfect for styling your home. (Picture Source)
5. Guys, you know we love a good DIY project, but some of you complain you don't where to begin or even what to do once you start. You have no excuse anymore because Bareroot Design Studios offers Design Workshops that will teach you how to get the look you want for your home. For all you locals, Bareroot Design Studio is hosting an OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, June 15th from 1-3pm. You do not want to miss this!

6. We have shared our love for Lucent Lampworks over and over again, but this Cylinder Glass Shade with Antique Bronze Down Rod just made us fall in love all over again. Save 10% when you use the code EC2tenoff.

7. I love the simple design of this Blessings Carafe from Blessings Unlimited. What a beautiful way to dress up your summer table.
8. This Affection Small Art Print from Red Letter Words is such a thoughtful and stylish gift for all of those graduates in your life. With lots of different saying, you'll be able to find the perfect one for that baby shower, wedding or graduation gift and you know what the best part is? They're only $19 each!
9. We love our phrases from 163 Design Company (see them here and here) and now they've come out with these NEST Chalkboard painted letter s, which are awesome. So cool just as they are, but even cooler that you can doodle all over them!

10. For a non-green-person like me, this Garden Planning Kit from Clean Mama Printables is clutch. This baby will help you achieve the garden you've always wanted It includes: *Planter Planner *Garden Plan Grid *Plant Record (keep track of all your plants in one place — glue on a large envelope and keep your receipts and plant info to keep track of plants that need to be returned or relocated) *Garden Plans — This Year + Next Year *Yearly Annuals, Perennials, and Trees + Shrubs Tracker *Yearly Fruits, Vegetables, and Herbs Tracker 11. I know it says"Spring" in the title, but this Riley Spring Paper Pack from Moo & Puppy screams summer to me! Are you making a summer bucket list this year? Use this paper as a background for your big list of activities for your family! Use EC215 for 15% off your order!
12. Don't forget to check out the c urrent issue of Smart, Blonde and Craft y for loads of fun and creative DIY ideas to fill your summer and it's totally FREE! Also, make sure you take a look at all the fun blogs listed- you might come across one you've never heard of before!

13. I'm sorry but these Typewriter Key Bracelet from Junxtaposition are just so dang fun. Choose your design or pick one out as a one-of-a-kind gift for a friend.
14. I love the smell of citrus in the summer, and the NEW! Wood Wick Candles from CJS EcoChic are soy so that sweet smell will last a loooooong time.
15. Remember that faux stained glass window I made two years ago? I used this Artscape Window Film. It adheres to any window, is easy to customize and is a breeze to install. This stuff makes a HUGE statement without working hard for it. Plus, it can add some privacy and style where there is none!

16. I got this XXL Utility tote from Thirty-One Gifts and it is fabulous! It can hold so much stuff, and it easily collapses when I'm ready to put it away. I'm a huge fan of the nautical look, so the navy and white just stole my heart.: ) My bag holds a lot of the typical summer items you need when you're a mom of two little ones: towels, swimmies, suntan lotion, toys, but still looks good! C heck out Mandy's guest post HERE to hear more about her story and how she was able to leave her full-time job when she joined 31! Go ahead and contact Mandy at hajelfamily@yahoo.com or check out her website for more info.

17. We've recently found the DIYers solution to dirty, nasty nails. Gel manicures at Oasis Salon. Monica has been telling the entire world that her polish is lasting over 3 weeks! I have to admit, they do look awesome even with all our DIYing. If you're local you HAVE to try out their amazing pedicures and gel manicures. We can't get enough. Visit Oasis, tell them EC2 sent you and get 10% OFF one visit!

18. Ahhhh, how amazing is this Herringbone Shuffle Stencil from Royal Design Studio? I've been wracking my brain trying to find a place for it in my house. Think the baby would like it? Use the code ECC10 for 10% off your order.

19. And last, but not least, our favorite family photographer (and the official photographer of EC2. Ha!) Stacy of Salvatori Photography. This girl is seriously talented and has a fun personality to boot! She just did our gender reveal photo shoot and a few months ago, photographed Monica's family doing their thing on a Saturday morning. Make sure you like her facebook page because she's always running fun contests. We promise that you will LOVE working with Stacy and will have fabulous photos that will last forever!
Ok, folks, time to shop! Have fun.: )

I know for many summer is well underway, but my kids just got out of school last week and I still have a week left. So, I might be a little behind the eight ball on this, but we finally sat down this weekend and created our summer bucket list. This year I wanted to do something fun and visible, so that it would be a daily reminder of all the fun things we have planned!

I decided to put together a pennant banner that I could print out quickly and easily. After designing the template, the whole thing took me about 10 minutes to put together! Score!
I used this template, which you can download for free HERE.

Then, in Picasa I added the words using this font (which you can get HERE)

To put the banner together, I just hot glued the pennants onto grosgrain ribbon and then added some buttons at the ends for a little added detail.

I just used regular computer paper, but I would recommend using a heavier card stock so that the light doesn't shine through. These pictures were nearly impossible to take with all the back light.

Here's what's on our Bucket List for Summer of 2012: Family Bike Trip Newport Beach with our Cousins Phillies Game Camping Outdoor Movie Night Sleepover with Friends Tubing Down the Delaware Dorney Park See Fireworks Bonfire Family Bike Trip

I'm pretty happy with our cute summer bucket list and I'm super excited for all the fun things we have planned!

What's on your family's summer bucket list?

St. Petersburg, former Leningrad, was founded by Tsar Peter I of Russia on May 27, 1703. It was the capital of the Russian Empire for more than two hundred years, until the Russian Revolution in 1917.

The city is considered to be the most Western inspired of Russia and by the Russians often referred to as The Northern Capital.

St. Petersburg is home to The Hermitage, the largest art museum in the world, featuring interiors of the former imperial residence and a vast collection of art. It was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great and open to the public since 1852. Its collections, of which only a small part is on permanent display, comprise nearly 3 million items, including the largest collection of paintings in the world.

Other famous cultural sites are The Mariinsky Opera, The Ballet Theatre and The Imperial palace and park ensemble at Peterhof.

There are several gardens to see in St. Petersburg. Here's some of them.

The Alexander Garden was laid out in 1872-1874 over what had been Admiralty Square, to a design by the landscape gardener Eduard Regel, as part of the celebrations of the 200^th anniversary of the birth of Peter the Great. The Garden was formally opened in 1874 in the presence of Alexander II, who agreed to having the Garden named after him.

The Botanical Garden is one of the oldest Botanical Gardens in the country. The Garden was founded in 1714 by order of Peter the Great as the Apothecary's Garden, and soon became a centre for horticultural research that was the equal of any other in Europe in terms of the importance and size of its collection. Originally the Apothecary's Garden focused mainly on growing medicinal herbs, but soon people began bringing saplings and seeds of rare and exotic plants — for which a greenhouse was specially built.

The Catherine Garden is the unofficial name for the public garden in front of the Alexandriinsky Theater, between the Theater and Nevsky Prospect. The Garden was laid out in the 1820s to a design by Carlo Rossi, and the statue of Catherine the Great which dominates it and from which it takes its name was erected in 1873. From late spring to early fall — and sometimes into winter — local artists sit on the sidewalk outside the Catherine Garden exhibiting and selling their work and offering to draw portraits of passers-by.

The Summer Garden is located where the Fontanka River flows out of the Neva River. It was founded in 1704 by order of Peter the Great, who was personally involved in planning it, and is laid out according to strict geometrical principles. The Summer Garden is home to marble statues acquired from Europe especially for Russia's new capital, and also to rare flowers and plants, as well as fountains. It was a traditional location for courtly life outside the palace, and balls were held here by the nobility, who also enjoyed simply taking the air in the Garden.

Moscow Victory Park is located in the south of St. Petersburg on Moskovsky Prospect. It was founded in 1945 to mark the Allied victory in World War II over Nazi Germany. The Park, which spreads over 68 hectares, is home to more than 100 types of tree and bush, and includes elements of formal and landscape planning, being decorated with ponds, canals, avenues, and flower gardens.

The Tauride Garden was laid out in 1783-1789 on the estate of Grigory Potemkin behind the Tauride Palace from which it took its name. Potemkin was one of Catherine the Great's favourites (and lover, allegedly), and the Empress gave Potemkin the land and the title of Prince of Tauridia for his services in conquering ancient Tauridia (now the Crimean Peninsula). The Tauride Garden was landscaped in true Romantic style, designed to imitate nature, with ponds and canals and picturesque rolling landscape. Trees and shrubs were brought in especially from England.

And just for the fun of it, here are a few more photos of St. Petersburg.

Today, those of us in PA enjoyed an early taste of summer! So, in honor of the beautiful weather, we're going to talk gardening! Ok, don't tune out on me yet… there are some cool things about gardening even if you're not"into it"…

Longwood Gardens My mother in law has an amazing green thumb, so anything I've learned is from her. I don't have extensive knowledge, but I've found plants that work for me and that I can manage… all that translates to "plants that are very hard to kill and can deal with being ignored!" Before I share some of my favorites and some recommendations, we need a little primer on plants. Annuals are plants that don't come back year after year… you have to buy them annually. Perennials come back year after year (AKA plants that Eric thinks are nice and practical!) Yes, that seems a little basic, but come on, most people confuse the two all the time!
Now for my favorites… Grasses- these perennials are wonderful as space fillers. They're inexpensive, indestructible, and grow like crazy. My favorite type is Maidenhair Grass (Miscanthus). They come in a variety of sizes and are nice and green all spring and summer.

In the fall they get these pretty wispy thingies (again, not very exact with my names!)

They also come in a variety of colors. I've bought this deep red before and it looks great in the fall.

Vinca- These annuals are my #1 favorite flower and my go-to flower for most beds and here's why… These flowers don't need a thing from me! They love full-sun, and thrive during a drought and heat wave. That's essential for me because, I spend full-sun, heatwave days by the pool, not watering my flowers!

They totally spread and fill out an area so nicely. Vinca = instant garden!

They're awesome for hanging baskets and again need little to no water. I rarely, if ever, water ones in the ground, but might water my baskets weekly or every ten days.

Now most people use Impatiens (which btw I thought were impatience until about 2 minutes ago!) but, the reason I prefer vinca is that impatiens need TLC. They need a lot of water throughout a drought and can stand the heat, but only with care. The two look so similar, that the easy peasy flower gets my vote for sure! These are impatiens- can you tell much of a difference?

Sunflowers- who doesn't love a sunflower? We go a little crazy with our sunflowers and try out tons of different varieties. My kiddos' favorite is the Mammoth Sunflower because it's enormous! Look at this random, adorable couple and their sunflower. They really do get this big!

Sunflowers don't have a super long bloom time, but if you stager your planting- plant a handful in the same area each week- you'll have a longer bloom season. This was the border of our backyard at the old house prior to full bloom.

Did you know they come in oodles of colors and so many of them have awesome fall tones? They bloom towards the end of the summer and get me all excited for my favorite season! This little fella was from our 2009 gardening.

Final note on sunflowers- they're super easy to plant and a great one to have the kids help you with! Can't mess it up!
New Favorite: Wildflowers- Thanks to Laura from Piggy Toes Photography in Norton, MA I'm hooked on wildflowers. I'm more of a clean lines, symetrical decorator and gardener, but was totally inspired by some of her pictures to enter the world of wildflowers. Who wouldn't want this amazing backdrop for photos right in their own yard! It was this picture of her son Atticus that made me contact her and find out more about these awesome flowers. Seriously Adorable!

These are super cute and will be making an appearance in our new yard. The company Laura suggested was American Meadows and I've already ordered three bags to plant in the next few weeks.

Although I'm partial to the cutie in the diaper, they're also great for more formal shots like this one from an engagement session. If you're in the MA area, make sure you check out Laura's website for great photography at excellent prices.

I can't wait to share pics of my kiddos in our wildflowers this summer!
Cosmos- While cosmos kind of fall under the"wildflowers" category, I've been using them for years. They're a bit more"wild" looking and unrully than I'd prefer, but they're awesome for cutting and really are pretty.

They come in so many colors and they also come in a variety of heights (learned the hard way when I had mammoth plants that all needed to be staked and still looked a bit sad.)

They're just so pretty and make beautiful arrangements that last for a while.

If you think you recognize them from somewhere… it could be from the AC Expressway in New Jersey. They're planted for miles between the highway and they're so pretty all summer on our drives to the beach!

So, I don't have any really amazing gardening tips for you, other than to find something that works for you and that you actually enjoy. If I planted things that needed daily attention it wouldn't be fun for me and they'd all end up dead!
So in honor of spring weather, and of the fact my husband sent me to Lowes tonight to buy this (my first ever John Deer purchase- I was a fish out of water) enjoy the warm weather and start thinking about what you might create outside this year.

This is a repost from last year, but it's packed full of delicious drinks that are perfect for Memorial Day, or any other day of the Summer! We hope you have an awesome day honoring those who have sacrificed for and served our country! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whip out those flip flops, fire up the grill, the unofficial start of summer is just days away! We have come to LOVE Memorial Day Weekend and all of it's festivities. Today we're excited to share some must have Memorial Day (or any day) drinks! We've tasted tested three drink recipes that we think you'll love!

Pineapple Planter's Punch as seen in June 2012 issue of All You Magazine

Although it's not Red,White, or Blue, we think this is the perfect punch for ushering in SUMMER! What says summer more than fresh fruit? Pineapple Planter's Punch Recipe 4 cups pineapple juice 2 cups orange juice 1/2 cup lemon juice 2 liters ginger ale fresh pineapple to garnish Mix all ingredients together and garnish with fresh fruit *You can add rum to make this an"adults only" punch, but then we don't suggest drinking it with breakfast!*

Let me tell you, we were having a good laugh as we took pictures of ingredients etc. We're not food bloggers by any stretch, but we do know what's really yummy!

We thought we'd let Jess demonstrate how to pour, just in case you needed some direction. Have we ever mentioned we're dorks? Look how happy she is to be making punch! Ha!

One thing we actually did learn (from trial and error) is how to cut a pineapple so that it sits nicely on the side of your cup. First, cut a triangle wedge

Then, cut a straight line half-way up the middle.

Most of the time people don't think of breakfast as being special on Memorial Day weekend (the focus is more on BBQ food etc.), but we thought a simple patriotic breakfast would be fun! I know my kids would LOVE it if they woke up to a fun, little breakfast like this!

Combine your Pineapple Planter's Punch with some blueberry muffins and voila! We picked up the cute decorative flags and stars for 40% off at JoAnn's. And, since we're calling this the SIMPLE breakfast, I'll share a secret with you…

These muffins take about 4 minutes to whip together and we love them!
Stars and Stripes Sangria We made this drink up…and the name too. Who knows, it might actually be the name of another drink (it appears we're good at taking names from other places- HA!), but for this post we made it up and named it ourselves.

Wanna hear a funny story? I'm not a big drinker, I just happen to like Iced Tea or Coke Zero better than any other drink. So, I headed off to the liquor store for red wine…UGH! It's like sending my 4 yr old into Lowe's to find upholstery tacks. I actually had to Google Merlot, to make sure it was a red wine (it is btw). Then, the checkout lady DIDN'T card me… I was bummed. Does she know I just turned 30 and she wanted to rub that in a bit? It wasn't Awesome.

Stars and Stripes Sangria Red Wine Sprite Blueberries Strawberries You can combine this to your liking. We preferred 2 parts Sprite to 1 part wine (but neither of us are big wine fans). Our husbands thought a 1:1 ratio tasted fine. Layer your fruit in an alternating pattern and add the wine and Sprite. Allow to sit for a few hours before serving. This helped the flavors to blend really nicely.

This drink is the perfect color for the holiday weekend, and the taste is really light and fruity. Taking a few extra minutes to garnish your glasses is a must. Blueberries on a skewer, a little flag, and some strawberries make all the difference.

East Coast Creative's Favorite Drink
Lime Rickey
We've been enjoying this drink for years. An old friend of mine taught me to make them about ten years ago and I'm so glad she did!

Lime Rickey Ingredients 4 or more limes 1 cup sugar 1 cup water Seltzer water Lime zest Juicer (not required, but recommended)
Combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water in medium saucepan. Heat over medium until sugar has dissolved (cooling is recommended, but we're usually too impatient) Juice 4 or 5 limes. (We love the Pampered Chef juicer because it gets out ALL the juice.) Combine lime juice and simple syrup. Zest a few of the limes and save zest for garnish. Add ice to a glass, fill 3/4 of the way with seltzer water, add about 3 Tbls. of the lime syrup and garnish with zest. There's no exact ratio of seltzer to syrup, because everyone likes theirs a little differently, but you can add more or less syrup to taste. This recipe will make about four drinks, but we usually double it up to make lots more!

We hope you enjoy these drinks as much as we do! Be sure to let us know if you try any of them over your holiday weekend! What are your weekend plans or traditions?

T he Limelight hydrangea that we planted on the dining patio this past spring are in full bloom.

After having worked all last summer on building the dining patio ( go here and here ), it was truly wonderful to begin this summer with the sole task of setting up the table and chairs.

The vigorous growth of the Limelight over the past few months has really added a nice texture to the dining patio.

Aren't the Limelight blossoms sweet?

We are still working on finishing the dining room. Between enjoying our recent company, Hubby's work obligations, and the sheer lack of hours in the day, there's still some painting to do and a few odds and ends to pull together.
As a result, we've been enjoying the dining patio more than ever. We never tire of eating outdoors on these beautiful warm summer days.
Mmmm....don't you just love summer.
UPDATE: new table and chairs here.

It's been a while since our last Fab Find Friday, (we haven't done one since November!), but we figured the Summer was a great time to reinstate it. We say this over and over again, but there are some amazingly talented people out there in the world, and we thought we would share their stuff with you! Here are five awesome projects for you:

Jenna Sue Sunroom Reveal is just breathtaking. She and her husband basically gutted the room and DIY-ed project after project to complete this stunning transformation. {Love}

Our friend Janena from SAS Interiors just completed a Stairway Makeover, and it majorly changes the look of her home. Her blog is chock full of great interior design info and DIY projects, so stop over and stay awhile.

Want to see a major statement wall? Take a look at this Reclaimed Wood EAT Sign by Sweet Pickins
It's so much fun, and it goes without saying that we love us some reclaimed wood.

Layla killed it again with her Summer Mantel. That girl has talent.

This one's for the kids! I totally dig these Bottle Top Stamps by Vanessa's Values using bottle tops (duh!) and foam stickers. A fun project for a rainy summer day (we've had our fair share of them this summer, haven't we?).

That's it for our Fab Find Friday roundup. Any fun projects/ideas/tips you've come across recently?

Have a great weekend, folks!

It's time for a round-up of all our favorite summer finds from the best sponsors in the world! You know those ads on our sidebar? They are all amazing shops and services that you need to know about. Just take a look at the fun things we found for you!

1. It's wedding season, folks! This gorgeous typographical"Beloved & Friend" print from Red Letter Words would be the perfect gift. Plus it's on sale for 20% off right now!

2. Want to make a modern and graphic statement in your home? Go for the new Honeycomb Allover Wall Stencil from Royal Design Studio. Fab.U.Lous. Get 10% OFF when you use the code RHBC10.
3. Love this vintage Golden Yellow Serving Bowl from Nachokitty- has lots of character with a sunny yellow color! You could get lost in this Etsy shop for hours- she has amazing stuff!

4. Lucent Lampworks is our newest sponsor (as seen on Extreme Home Makeover!).They offer some of the coolest light fixtures we've ever seen, like this Hanging Pendant Light with Glass Globe. I'm eyeing up a few of these beauties for my dining room!

5. Have you been over to My Best Friend's Hair Blog? They offer tons of tips on the newest products and trends for your hair. Plus, you can find a stylist near you, and give reviews on your stylist, too! I have to admit- I'm digging this rainbow-hued style done with hair chalk. Who knew?!

6. Going on a trip? Need a graduation or teacher gift? These 4 oz. Candle Travel Tins from CJS Eco Chic come in a variety of scents and can be taken anywhere!

7. I just got a Large Utility Tote from Thirty-One Gifts to use as my beach bag. It's the perfect size for a couple of towels, swimmies for my kids and all the other things you need for the beach or pool! With all the patterns and monogramming options, you can come up with a custom bag to fit all your summer needs!

8. With Charlie's 2nd birthday coming in just a few weeks, I've begun searching for some gift ideas for him. I LOVE this custom toy chest created with Belvedere Design vinyls. Wouldn't this be great to corral all the toy cars and trucks little boys seem to collect?

9. We're going with an All-American boy theme for Charlie's birthday party, and you better believe I'm going to be using this Star Spangled Digital Paper pack from Moo & Puppy to make his invitations and decorations! Use the code RHBC15 to receive 15% off your order!

10. You already know we make a weekly trip to Architectural Antiques (I just got a transom window for my kitchen) because we adore it so much. Put stopping at AA on your list of things you need to do this summer- you will not believe the unbelieveable amount of awesome finds there!

11. Some things are better left to the professionals, and quality upholstering is one of them. Jet Upholstery does amazing work and they can get their hands on any fabric your heart desires. Mention our blog to receive 25% off your next fabric order!

12. Stone Depot is THE place to go for a huge selection for all of your hardscaping projects. They're the ones who have helped make Monica's patio project go so smoothly! Jim is super helpful and full of information, so make sure you ask for him.: )

So, there you have it! Our top finds from some of our favorite people! Have a great weekend and spread the East Coast Creative love to our sponsors while you're at it.: 0

I love September. It's my favorite month of the year. It does mean the end of summer, but the beginning of fall. I adore fall. September in the Northeast gives me the best of both worlds… Warm summerish days and cool, crisp mornings and evenings. Sweaters + 77 degree days = one happy blogger!

I can't tell you how many mornings in September Jess and I will text each other before 8am with something like,"OMW have you gone outside yet? Perfect weather!" (Yeah, we really are big dorks!)
Ok, so one of my favorite things about September is acting like it's still summer on one of the the really warm days. Whether it's a Saturday, or just an evening when the kids get home from school, we love to just head out to the pool, have one last night of grilling out, and eat ice cream… of course ice cream!
Homemade Cookie Dough Ice Cre am  We recently bought an ice cream maker from Target. You can get it online HERE, but I suggest checking out the clearance aisle because I got mine for like $8.00!

I've had homemade vanilla ice cream before, but I thought it was only so-so. I went to a favorite recipe blog and found a chocolate chip cookie dough recipe. Not just vanilla with cookie dough, but a real cookie dough flavored ice cream with dough in it. YUM! Click HERE for the recipe… then bookmark it because her site is awesome!

It was a simple recipe…

and the whole family got in on the fun!

My helpers checking to make sure it was working…

My skeptical supportive husband wasn't so sure this was going to work out… after all, the maker was only $8.00 and the rock salt we needed was only 75 cents per bag! But, look at that creamy goodness!

So, if you're at Target this week, check out the clearance aisles and maybe you'll find this fabulous ice cream maker. Bring a little summer fun into September this month. Trust me, you'll be glad you did!

So, are there any September lovers out there like me? What's September like"in your neck of the woods?" (Thanks Al Roker)

Ok, are you ready for our last guest post for the Summer? We are thrilled with all of the projects our bloggy friends have shared with us, and this one from Christina of Christina's Adventures, is no exception! Christina is a local girl and has a sweet heart and some serious DIY skills. And oh my goodness, this nautical summer wreath of hers made my heart skip a beat. A.dor.a.ble.

She's a regular commenter on our posts, for which we are eternally grateful! Welcome, Christina!

Hey East Coast Creative readers! I’m super excited to be here! I live just a short drive away from Jess & Monica – and I share so many of their DIY passions! I have a blog (Christina’s Adventures) where I share my stories about thrifty decorating, DIY upcycling, and creative living.

I am a former Autism Support teacher (just resigned from my job in June!) who lives with my husband & “dog baby” in an apartment attached to my parent’s house while we save money to buy our own house (so we can have real babies)! This summer has been filled with all things wedding! I am a bridesmaid in one wedding, attending a great friend’s wedding next weekend, and my brother is getting married in a few days! We hosted a shower for my brother and his fiancée, and I had a lot of fun decorating for the shower. One of the guest’s favorite DIY items was this trough:

And YOU can easily make your own! Seriously! Added bonus – no power tools are required. Here’s how I made mine: I have been dying to make a trough for flowers for ages, and then I saw this one from Thrifty Décor Chick and I fell in love! I just needed the occasion/space to put the trough. When we were looking for something to fill the space at the kitchen table for the bridal shower, I knew this was my opportunity! I first planned out how big I wanted to make it. Our table was just about 6 feet long, so I decided to make this trough 4 feet long. I went to Lowe’s, and found some cedar wood in their lumber section. What I love about Lowes, is they will cut your wood for you! Just give them the measurements, and they’ll cut it. Seriously – best thing ever.

Here were the measurements I used:

• 2 planks: 3/4” x 7 1/2” – 4 feet long
• 1 plank: 1 1/2” x 5 1/2” – 4 feet long
• 2 squares (cut from the thicker piece): 1 1/2” x 5 1/2” – 5 1/2” long

In the morning, I hammered in some nails at the seams, just to make sure it was secure. I then roughly filled in some of the bigger cracks with wood filler, and sanded it down. I didn’t want this to look perfect – I knew I was going to paint and distress it, so I wanted imperfections.

I picked out a blue color I had in my stash (originally an “oops” can for $3). I didn’t prime the surface since I painted right onto the bare wood.

I let that dry, and then I painted with a very light gray over top (the same gray I used on this desk). I did not do this meticulously – I tried to leave some spots where you could see some of the blue coming through:

I then had some fun with glaze and sandpaper. There’s no science to this – I sanded down in certain spots, glazed over areas, and wiped down with a damp cloth. I like to use this glaze, which can be found at Lowe’s or Home Depot. Finally – I let it dry, and it was ready to be filled! I would have *loved* to fill it with fresh flowers, but it just wasn’t practical. We knew we wanted to keep the decoration in my mother’s living room after the shower, so she bought fake flowers from Michaels. I usually hate fake flowers, but these look surprisingly pretty!

What I love about this project is that it wasn’t just a “shower decoration”, but we are now able to use it in my mother’s living room (come follow my blog to see the full make-over of her room – coming soon!)

A few more glamour shots:

What are your thoughts? Have I convinced you that you can easily make yourself one of these as well? If you want to see more projects like this, come follow my blog! We have so much fun over there, and I’d love to get to know you better!

It's that time of year when Mother Nature has been kind enough to bless us once again with a fruit harvest. You might think there's nothing to picking fruit, picking fruit is the easy part''.

The blueberries are ripe for the picking!

I even get help from this guy, Dylan our Golden, at least he's getting mostly green berries....

....until he discovered the BOWL!

And than it's a race to beat these wall sitters to the berries....they can clear a shrub in a single day!

The blackberries are ripening, no help from Dylan dog with these since they have thorns!

Then it was off to see about gathering some peaches....think clobber!

Dylan dog likes picking peaches too....sorry the picture is a bit fuzzy but the boy was in motion!

....until he discovers the BUCKET!

Is there anything better than enjoying a fresh picked peach on a warm summer day? Mother Nature has been good to us! Dylan and I hope everyone is enjoying the fruits of summer too!

W e decided to rearrange the living room for the summer. To keep things fresh we moved the two chairs in front of the windows, and have the couch facing them. We have a beautiful view of Mt. Adams over in Washington state (we're in Oregon), so we're focusing on that view through the clear skies of summer instead of on the fireplace, which we probably won't use much.

The peonies are still smiling. This Japanese variety doesn't seem to last as long as the classic Sara Bernhardt styles. But I love them just the same. They are so unique and large that their limited life span is all the more cherished.

We still need to order a larger sea grass rug for this room. The sea grass above is meant to go in the dining room which is several feet shorter (in both directions) than the one we'll eventually place here. But we're trying to space out our home expenses so the rug purchase is on hold for now.

I'd also like to get a delicate table to put between the two chairs. I have several antique side tables (all dark wood) but I'd like to lighten it up a bit with something made of glass perhaps....with gold metal legs. Something bright and light.

Everything is bright, colourful. We're barefoot in the grass, lying in the sun, taking long walks and just trying to grasp as much as the often short summer in Scandinavia. Perhaps it makes us appreciate it even more.

Anyhow, the consequence is that the blog is still and boring. I'm so sorry.

I hope your summer is as happy as mine!

All the best, Bettina.

T his time of year, I'm reminded of the other part of our farmhouse renovation....the yard. The above picture shows what the side of the house looks like today...

....this is what it looked like after the contractors left. Due to new electrical, plumbing and water lines, and grading new elevations around the entire house, we were left with a sea of dirt and gravel.
So we had to start from scratch. The yard landscaping was a project we hadn't anticipated when we set forth on our farmhouse renovation and is one that is taking time to complete.
Last summer, we put in a picket fence, front walk and stairs, and dining patio....these tasks alone took the entire summer to complete!

Here's the what the front of the house looks like today. The picket fence offers a coziness to the area around our house. We also wanted to define the area of our property that would be for gardens (inside the fence), from the part that would be more natural and simple (outside the fence).

This is what the front of the house looked like when the contractors left.

This is what the outdoor dining patio looks like today.

This is what it looked like after the contractors left. Once again, Mr. Engineer (Hubby) used all his know-how to design and build a retaining wall, level floor and two sets of stairs.

This is what our 'backyard' looked like just before we went through the renovation. The edge of the 'lawn' previously dropped off a couple of feet past the old deck (which was torn down during the remodel due to rot). The fill we had excavated from the front of the house was hauled out back to extend the lawn area.

This is what it looks like today. We planted over sixty (back breaking work!) White Simplicity hedge roses along the entire perimeter of the lawn. We have yet to rebuild the deck/balcony (this comes off from the french door in the living room)....as we're trying to enjoy summer this time around instead of always working on the house. Also, we're still deciding on some of the design elements of the balcony. I'll do a separate post on that soon.
So that's what we've done so far.
Landscape design is something I love but is not something I know. I've always loved gardens, especially old country gardens, and I love old houses with hedges and a sense of outdoor coziness. But exactly how to create that with a blank canvas completely stifled me.
Then last fall I came across Tara Dillard's beautiful blog and was overjoyed to discover that she did long distance consults! After sending her dozens of photographs of the yard, and discussing ideas over a few phone calls, she created a beautiful landscape design plan for our property.
It was just what I needed....professional vision. The plans will evolve over time, as money and time permit, but it feels really, really wonderful to have a plan. Tara's amazing gift for creating beautiful landscapes is something I truly admire. I feel quite honored and very happy that her vision will be expressed here on our property.
As we progress with our landscape projects, I'll be sure to keep you updated!

T hanks to our recent warm Indian summer days, we're finally able to pick some of our heirloom tomatoes. The tomatoes have been drastically behind this year due to the cool early summer. But the autumn sun has helped nudge these voluptuous fruits to ripeness.

The basil is done growing for the season. I made lots of pesto through the summer which we happily enjoyed with pasta, pizza (in place of tomato sauce), and sandwiches much like the one shown above. So in place of pesto, I've been using sliced avocado instead.
The recipe includes: a crusty loaf of organic whole wheat bread, a sweet tomato, organic avocado and organic provolone cheese. I toast the bread first, then add avocado, tomato and cheese and bake it in the oven for a few minutes until cheese has melted.
It's the perfect way to eat a fresh picked tomato on a beautiful fall day.

Today we're excited to be a part of Layla's summer mantle link party!

Our new home has two wood burning fireplaces. One in the main family room, and one in what was intended to be a library, but we use a playroom. (It took me a while to finally convince the builder that we were not in the"library" stage of life and that it would be a playroom for 4 messy kiddos!)
My children adore the beach. They ask me all the time,"When are we going to the beach,"… even in the dead of winter! So, we thought it would only be fitting to have a beachy playroom. Since it is a playroom, I resisted my urge for lots of white, and cool faded blues, and instead took color inspiration from these bright pictures of my kiddos.

Remember the black-turned-yellow mirror project? Well, it makes a big impact on the brown wall and I love it so much more than the boring, old black. So here's the mantle, photo collage, and fun curtains…

First, I thought I'd stand on a stool and take some pics straight on… Oops! There I am! The one fun thing about this picture is that you can see my family room mantle in the mirror on the left! See, my lack of photography ability actually got a 2 for 1 mantle picture! Score!

Here's my boat conundrum… love the boats, but wasn't feelin' the boats on this mantle…

What do you think? In the end, I went with no boats… partially because everything in this room has a very high potential of being destroyed by a small child!

The cool blue bottle, and jar were scored at the same flea market we've been posting about, and I got them for under $5.00!

I had bought the white starfish, and was on the hunt for coral, but man it's way overpriced! Thanks to the awesomeness of blogland, I got the suggestion to just buy some cheap fishtank coral and spray paint it! That's totally up my alley! Who knew Pets Plus could be a crafting resource?

It definitely needed some paint… the pink was blech!

Much better!

I also ordered two more of my favorite beach pics from Canvas People but as much as I love them, I can't seem to find a home for them in the room. They definitely don't work on the mantle… hmmm

This will give you a peek of the room… (I did not clean, as proved by the train table, because it's the kids' job and I was sticking to my guns… blog or no blog!)

I just bought a fairly bright green sofa for the room, but need to go and pick it up. It will go on this side with my favorite little people recliners!

So, there you have it… my summer playroom mantle! I think it works and the kids don't even notice like it a lot! One final picture… I realized the blue jars looked awful on the right side of the life preserver, so I moved them back to the left. Much better now!

Thanks for letting me share my mantle and let me know what you think and also if you know where to buy a really inexpensive oar! I think that's all that I'm missing!

**One sidenote… I don't know what's up with the color in these pictures… some are really faded out and for some reason only look that way on the blog. Sorry, if the drab colors are depressing you!: ) **

O ur cool rainy weekend prompted me to clip a bouquet of fall hydrangeas. I call them 'fall' hydrangeas because by this time of year their white and cream summer hues have aged into vibrant pink and fuscia.

Their color turns before the leaves of the deciduous trees, so they provide the first glimpse of the landscape bidding farewell to summer and embracing the crisp cool air of autumn.
This is the season in which I feel the least guilty making bouquets of hydrangeas for the house. All summer long I watch them grow and blossom, but can't seem to find the nerve to make bouquets without guilt. This time of year I know that they're winding down and may enjoy the comfort of a warm house.

I often tell Hubby to compose photos so that my face isn't in the picture. This is due to simple shyness (something I don't tolerate with Hubby obviously). As you can see, I'm in my usual country bumpkin attire....warm sweater, jeans and one of my last maternity shirts that still fits!

F ollowing a cool and rainy spring, hanging the hammock this summer was especially wonderful. Finally, warm temperatures and blue skies have arrived and it feels so good.

The Blueblossom Lilacs are in full bloom along the driveway this week. They're native to the area and offer the sweetest scent of blossoming summer.

I gathered up a bouquet for the small wooden table we put next to the hammock.

This was Hubby's first hour of many to be spent napping in the hammock this summer.

H ydrangea are one of my favorite flowers. Last summer I planted twenty hydrangea bushes. The varieties are Endless Summer, Limelight, All Summer Beauty, Little Lamb, Nikko Blue, Greenspire and one climbing variety.
I love their country elegance and their larger than life blossoms.

I'm not sure what variety these are, but like the Limelight variety, they have beautiful pale green blossoms. I have to trim the stems almost daily to keep them smiling. Perhaps because the blossom heads are so large.

This variety has smaller blossoms and doesn't need as much trimming. I've had these for about two weeks now and they're still very bright and fresh looking.

I can't wait until my hydrangeas are blossoming. Many have started to leaf out but I'm afraid blossoms are still many, many weeks away.
But they're so worth the wait.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TIKI Brand® for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
I'm a huge fan of outdoor living spaces, but you all know that working outside is not our forte. Last year, though, we added some much needed curb appeal by painting our front door and shutters to better fit our style, but this summer, our goal is to beautify the back yard, which is where we spend most of our time. Of course, i have big plans for our backyard. Who doesn't?! This will just be one of those things that will have to happen slowly over time, but a girl can dream, can't she? My backyard must-haves? Let's take a look: 1. Comfortable seating. I mean, come on. If I'm going to be spending lots of time outdoors with my kids or entertaining my friends, i want to have a nice cozy spot to sit and hang out.

Source

2. A secluded area that fits in with the natural surroundings. I'm a huge fan of seating areas that are snuggled under trees or is next to big planters in a hidden spot. That's not super easy to do, since we live in a neighborhood, but I think with the right plants, we could make this happen in some way.

Source 3. Great Ambiance. Man, i love me some outdoor lighting that sets the mood and creates an unforgettable atmosphere. Sadly, in the northeast where we live, we get lots of mosquitos at night that are attracted to lights. Booo. How can we light our space without attracting all those bugs?

Source Enter TIKI Brand lighting. This is one way I can immediately get to work on my backyard, create ambiance and keep the bugs away, even if I dont' have my dream space yet. The TIKI Brand Flame & Solar Torch is super simple to assemble and use. I was so impressed with how sturdy everything was…not like those old, plastic-y ones.The coolest thing about these torches is that they come with a small LED attachment that can be used when you're entertaining around a lot of people, especially kids. You don't have to worry about someone running into an open flame, which is a huge bonus in my book. The LED light turns on automatically at night and will last 8 hours after a full-day charge.

The other nice thing about the TIKI Brand Glowing Torch fuel is that it contains OFF! for protection from bugs. The worst thing about summer evenings is most definitely the bugs, and now I don't have to worry about that either.

Monica put her TIKI Brand Glowing Table Torch. on her table Monica and it is such a cool statement piece. It works much the same way in that it has a battery-powered LED light that illuminates the globe and the torch for a live flame. It looks super fun and modern and adds another interesting light feature to her outdoor space.

You can buy TIKI brand products at Walmart and Target for under $40. They definitely add a fun ambiance to any backyard space. Don't forget to follow TIKI Brand on Facebook for lots more ideas on creating the ultimate backyard expi