FRESH INSPIRATION: SPRING FLOWERS

We are months away from spring flowers, which makes this a great time to consider adding flowers in all rooms.  Try fresh cut flowers from local markets in vases, jugs, or planters filled with topiaries and greens for a longer lasting approach.  In keeping with fresh green and blue inspiration for winter, try using blue and white chinoiserie planters and vases for plants.  

Here are a few of my favorite blue and white chinoiserie planters and vases to get this look: 

1.) One Kings Lane, Assortment of Two Patterned Platers in Blue www.onekingslane.com

2.) Ballard Designs, Blue & White Chinoiserie Collection www.ballarddesigns.com

3.) Ballard Designs, Blue & White Chinoiserie Collection www.ballarddesigns.com

4.) Williams Sonoma, Blue & White Ceramic Planter www.williams-sonoma.com

Maybe your thumb is not the greenest, try life-like faux arrangements like this one from onekingslane.com

Here are my top suggestions for flowers and greenery for your indoor planters: 

1.) Boxwood Branches 
2.) White Hyacinth
3.) Myrtle Topiary
4.) Paper White Flowers 

Images from various unknown sources

FRESH INSPIRATION FOR A NEW YEAR

The past few weeks have been filled with holiday parties, gatherings, and festive outfits featuring sparkles and fur.  This exciting whirlwind has come to a sudden halt, our tree is dismantled and decorations have been carefully packed away for next year.  The winter blues have set in and the long cold months ahead loom over us as the final Christmas cookies are devoured.  

This seasonal slum hit me hard this weekend.  I don't know if this helped or made it worse, but I started revisiting summer photos and images from previous tropical getaways.  Each photo was filled with roaring cool blue surf and rich green foliage, which got me thinking about color.  Sunlight and temperature have something to do with the happy feelings associated with these settings, but so do the colors. Maybe all we need is a little color update to get us through the winter blues?  

With this in mind, I began my search for blue and green inspiration.  This is a great time to consider updating or redesigning your home.  Whether you plan to add a chinoiserie planter with fresh green plants or wallpaper your powder room in a cheerful green and blue paper, this week will offer plenty of inspiration to beat the winter blues.  

Image via @againteriordesign instagram

NEW YEAR: CHEERS TO 2015

Cheers to 2015 and all of the wonderful adventures to come!  Happy New Year! 
Image via Pinterest

NEW YEAR: "NO MAN IS A FAILURE WHO HAS FRIENDS"

A New Year.  Many use this as a time to set new goals and expectations. I often find myself in an endless cycle.   Sometimes my resolution is a success.   However, I often loose momentum and I am forced to attempt again the following year.   

This year, I decided to disregard my traditional approach, and instead reflect on 2013. As I recently discovered, things don't always go as planned or expected.  I learned, that as upsetting as these experiences are, there is a positive side to everything. Through it all, friends and family, from near and far have supported me.  Our lives are often so busy that we neglect to stop, and think about the important things.  Sometimes, a life changing event is necessary for us to appreciate all that we have.  So in the New Year fashion, I am here devising my resolution.  After a busy year filled with many ups and a few unfortunate downs, I have never been more grateful for my friends and family.  As Clarence shared with George Bailey, in "It's A Wonderful Life": "Dear George, remember no man is a failure who has friends."

So as the clock tolls twelve and bottles of champagne are popped, remember the good things in your life and the many wonderful things to come.  

Cheers to your New Year! 




Image via Tumblr

GLITTERY, GLITZY, GLAM....AND BUBBLY!

Tis the season for all things glittery, glitzy, glam....and of course, bubbly!  Here is some inspiration for your final days of 2013. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images via Pinterest and Tumblr