Autumn flora in the home

19 Wednesday Oct 2016

Posted by Karen B. in Autumn, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Flowers, Halloween, House and Home, Thanksgiving

≈ 19 Comments

Good morning, my friends! So much for getting back to regular posting, right?!

I am an avid fan of fresh flowers and plants in my house year round. I’ve used branches from shrubs and trees in the yard, and flowers from the market for our home most of my married life. I also have several living plants in my home. Ivy topiary, Peace Lily ‘spathiphyllum’ and a large pothos live in various rooms of the house. When Christmas rolls around I’m happy to use faux garland, embellished with live cedar and pine.

So it was with some hesitancy that I returned the kind email I received from Silk Plants Direct. They were offering me a shopping visit of their site, where they would ship a product of my choice (with a generous pricing limit) for my honest review. Still doubtful, I visited the link and found many of their plants to look very believable. The item I selected reminds me of bittersweet, something that is sold live per stem by florists this time of year in our area. I’ve always loved the look of bittersweet in autumn arrangements and wreaths, but couldn’t always find fresh stems.

I emailed my contact with Silk Plants Direct and was thrilled with the speedy delivery and the quality of the stems. The flowers filled the large porcelain blue and white vases and finished the mantle decor for the season for me. Thank you Silk Plants Direct!

Silk Plants Direct, a Silk flowers and plants retailer, has a user-friendly site and provides a column on their home page that allows shoppers to narrow their search by topics such as category, size, price, color, variety and season.

If you’re a die hard fan of real live plants and flowers, as I consider myself to be, you may be in for a surprise. I urge you to take a look at Silk Plants Direct.

Disclosure: I received a free product sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The honest opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.

Happy Spring ~ Happy Easter

23 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by Karen B. in Easter, Flowers, Gardens, Seasons, Spring

≈ 25 Comments

I’m always excited for spring. I hope you stopped by earlier this month and checked out the vast array of ideas for the season via Project Design Now – Spring Mantles. There are some great ideas for decorating—and not just the mantle from the team of design enthusiasts that participated!

This beauty was one of my favorites…Ciao Newport Beach created the fresh, spring look

Spring brings some new bird friends to the area…I’ve spotted a blue bird on my walks, not as vibrant as this fellow, but still very pretty and we’ve had up to 6 Robin Red Breasts visit our birdbath at the same time!

For me spring always means spending more time in the garden. Warm days, cool nights. Sparkling sunshine (have you ever noticed how the light changes with the season. Spring has it’s own special, sparkly light).

The patio bed needed a major renovation. I’ve completed this space and will share a post about it, and other little changes in the garden, later.

It’s a dream of mine to be able to walk through my garden and come up with a bouquet as wonderful as this! I am growing sweet peas, I hope they provide me with bundles of blooms.

Easter eggs whether chocolate or real are a staple for Easter. There have been some really pretty ideas for dying eggs.

So if you haven’t dyed your eggs yet, visit HERE to receive step-by-step guidance on these beauties (above) and HERE for a general overview of how to dye Easter eggs.

Spring also brings with it the chance prepare a few more meals on the BBQ and to generally lighten up on the ~~mouth watering~~ calorie laden casseroles. True confession, I still enjoy the occasional casserole even during the summer.

These lovely to look at tea sandwiches made me want to plan a spring tea party for a few friends!

This meal above is pretty typical of our traditional Easter dinner.

If you saw this recent post, you know I love to set a table. These charming Spring/Easter tables give me some ideas for the upcoming season.

How cute are these little bunny plates?

One last note, if you haven’t already filled an Easter basket with a few goodies for yourself, I’d like to mention the newest book by Kristen Woodson Harvey, Lies and Other Acts of Love which will be released April 5th. If you pre-order from the Design Chic blog site, you’ll automatically be entered to win a $1,000 gift card to Shop Design Chic their online store.

I’m excited to reviewing this wonderful book on April 5th right here.

What are you doing this season. Special plans for Easter Sunday? I wish you a happy spring and all the “new beginnings” it can bring, and a very happy Easter. ♥ Karen

Project Design: How To Style Your Spring Mantel — Two Ways

11 Friday Mar 2016

Posted by Karen B. in Accessories; details, Easter, House and Home

≈ 34 Comments

Tags

#ProjectDesignNow

Let me begin by saying how honored I am to be here among the creative women of each of the sites linked below.

SPRING is right up there with autumn for me. I love both seasons equally. Nature provides us with so many visual inspirations this time of year. So when it came to creating a Spring Mantle (two ways), I knew I’d have fun working on the assignment.

Full disclosure, this lovely bouquet was a gift for my late January birthday from my sweet daughter-in-law. It positively is the picture of spring with tulips and anemones, so I had to start early on my spring mantle ideas.

My first spring mantel is fairly simple. I’ve been attempting to declutter all around the house and this mantle reflects my version of restraint. 🙂

The Hare graphic came from The Graphics Fairy. I printed it on vellum and cut it to fit a frame I had in my stash. I framed it over a page from an old book. The Graphics Fairy has a library of free graphics. I can usually find something fun for any occasion.

I collect nests and when I find an abandoned nest on one of my walks, I always bring it home with me. The metal rabbit stand is something I’ve had for years. It’s meant to hold a pillar candle, but I’ve used it for candy and now nest-holding at Easter.

For spring and summer I turn to my glass candle holders, the candles are the best buy around, from Trader Joe’s. They are dripless and unscented and value priced for $3.99 for a box of 8. At my TJ’s they come in ivory and white.

My second spring mantle is a little different—more of a nod to the delights of Easter through a child’s eyes. Being a grandma does this to a person! 🙂

The pink tulips from the grocery store. They opened overnight! Tulips are one of my favorite spring flowers. The blue vase is one of two that normally stand on either side of the mantle. I bought them shortly after Tina of The Enchanted Home opened her online store. The nest is the same one I used for the other mantle, but this time it’s sitting in a silver candy dish atop a few Beatrix Potter books. I have a collection of Halcyon Day boxes and the hot air balloon egg was from Easter of 1985. It commemorates my first trip to England, a wonderful memory. 🙂

On the other side I have a favorite ceramic rabbit—he’s carrying real carrots and some sprigs of parsley, health food, right? The Hare graphic is the same but the little metal birds are eating some bird seed.

One last photograph. I kept thinking both stylings were sparse. My sweet daughter-in-law suggested I try the clock that normally lives on the mantle, in addition to the rest. Here it is…too crowded? I think I like it better without, maybe I am learning to appreciate the less is more trend! 🙂

I hope you enjoyed my two mantle vignettes. Be sure to visit each of the talented bloggers below. You can never have too many ideas for the prettiest season of the year…SPRING! You can also visit the Pinterest board for more ideas.

The talented designers, Cindy Hattersley [Rough Luxe Lifestyle] and Mary Ann [Classic Casual Home] host this series and I have loved every Project Design post they, and the participants, have shared.

{If you’ve missed these special posts, filled with inspiration and creative ideas you can check them out here—“Gallery Walls”, “How to Style your Coffee Table”, “Refresh your Living Room with these Inexpensive Tips” and “How to Create a Beautiful Bed”}

Be sure to visit the creative team joining this Project Design episode.

Amber B. Design Studio

ciao! newport beach

classic ⋅ casual ⋅ home

Dimples & Tangles

Katiedid

Lisa Mende Design

Lucy Williams Interiors

Rough Luxe Lifestyle

The Pink Pagoda

A touch of red

10 Wednesday Feb 2016

Posted by Karen B. in Accessories; details, Paint Color, Valentine's Day

≈ 31 Comments

Tags

Valentine's Day

♥ ♥ ♥

Good morning! Since Valentine’s Day is a short 4 days away, and I’m sure you’ve all bought your valentines and planned your special meal weeks ago, I thought I’d share a few rooms that highlight a touch of red, a traditional Valentine’s Day color. For some of us red is welcome year round, embraced even.

But I understand that not all share my enthusiasm for the color. Still, here are some lovely rooms with a touch of red that even you might like. 🙂

♥ ♥ ♥

Red doesn’t have to fill the room to be noticed, as my friend, the talented Loi of Tone on Tone demonstrates here. That red apple not only looks good enough to eat, but makes the perfect trilogy of lovely for this vignette.

The red in this mostly white bathroom adds a welcome brightness, subtle enough to add a needed pop of color. There is a framed picture of the Cat in the Hat to the right of the mirror, this may be a child’s bathroom. It’s very cheery.

Love this pretty distressed chest in red. This could be a showstopper in any home.

I really like this hutch that has been painted a contrasting color inside. I like the way it brings notice to the items stored inside.

…then there’s this. I love this library by Gil Shafer III and somehow the red seems just right!

James Farmer and this room is an all-time favorite. Yes, I know it’s dressed for Christmas and yes, I know you’ve seen it dozens of times, but it’s so pretty…you don’t mind, do you? 🙂

The red lamps add such a wonderful touch to this outdoor table.

{James Farmer ~ photographed by Emily Elkins Photographer}

There is a regal look to red in a formal room. Isn’t this a pretty sconce on the red wall, with a stenciled door (?) to the left?

Layla’s [The Lettered Cottage] reading nook in their first house is so inviting and the smallest touch of red makes the space seem finished.

Finally, a favorite use of the color! Oh to be in London!

Have a special Valentine’s Day. Celebrate the day with those you love.

Karen ♥

Since we’re on the subject of LOVE, I just wanted to pass along a good word on a soon to be released book. My friend, Kristy Woodson Harvey {Design Chic and Kristy Woodson Harvey} has a new book to be released in April. LIES AND OTHER ACTS OF LOVE. The is as entertaining as her first book, Dear Carolina. I’m honored to be previewing the book and will post my review in April. You can preorder here.

July 1st – Happy Independence Day

01 Wednesday Jul 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Family, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Independence Day

≈ 23 Comments

Before I start on the fun of celebrating Independence Day, I’d like to thank all of you for your prayers, positive thoughts and general care and concern you expressed in response to the news of Mr. B. and his health/surgery. I’m happy to report he’s doing very well and has only one more hurdle to cross before we can once and for all put this behind us. I was touched and brought to tears by your thoughtful good wishes! Thank you so much for your support, you are all such dear blog friends.

{Martha Stewart}

As you all know, we’re on countdown to the 4th of July! This holiday has always marked the official start date of summer for me. Let the games begin, as they say.

Now that I have grandchildren, I’m making note once again of kid friendly holiday ideas. Our 4 year old granddaughter always decorates her wagon (with mommy and daddy’s help of course) for a neighborhood parade.

This year she may tackle her bicycle. Martha Stewart has some great ideas for this annual neighborhood contest.

We typically enjoy a backyard barbeque with good friends to celebrate the big day. Everyone brings a dish to make it ~~less work~~ fun for the hosting couple. When I was growing up my mom would make onion dip, served with Ruffles potato chips for a party crowd. It was made with a package of Lipton Onion Soup Mix and a 16-oz. container of sour cream. I came across this Sweet Onion Dip recipe from Martha Stewart that reminded me of that dip and thought it might be a fun update this favorite by using fresh ingredients.

Sweet Onion Dip – Martha Stewart Summer Appetizers

The recipe for Chicken Skewers and Blistered Potatoes from Pottery Barn was our Father’s Day feast. It was delicious and seems like a dish I’d prepare for any summer barbecue, including 4th of July. I substituted the rub in the recipe for this marinade. We used the sauce in the original recipe to baste on the chicken as it grilled. Both marinade and BBQ sauce proved to be keepers. {Thank you, Leslie}

Pottery Barn: Star Melamine Salad Plate, Water Hyacinth Round Place Mat, Isa Ikat Yarn Dye Napkin

Who doesn’t love cupcakes…Cupcake Flag from Country Living would be the perfect dessert for Independence Day and easily made the day before , always a benefit to me when entertaining. (add the fresh berries just before setting the cupcakes out)

With the menu for our festivities selected, let’s have a look at a few pretty rooms that feature red, white and blue, shall we? Homes are where the heart of any holiday begin…

Country Living ! Keith Scott Morton photo

Love this toile! George Washington?

House Beautiful ~ Bjorn Wallander photo

House Beautiful ~ Victoria Pearson photo

Country Living ~ Bjorn Wallander photo

Blue and white rooms always capture my attention. You could throw an American Flag throw pillow on the sofa and you’d be set for the holiday! This room (below) seems like it could be in a cottage by the beach…I feel relaxed just gazing at the simple and inviting space. 🙂

Country Living ~ Keith Scott Morton photo

Country Living ~ Stacey Brandford

What are your plans for the weekend? Be safe, enjoy some relaxation and have fun, my friends!

Easter with Beatrix Potter 2015

01 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Easter, Flowers, Holidays

≈ 42 Comments

No tricks, even though it is April 1st. I’ve never been very good at pranks.

Easter is on my mind. I’m not hosting Easter this year {Thank you, Sarah and Kevin} I still enjoy putting out a few Spring/Easter decorations.

I set my table using my grandmother’s china…it reminds me of my grandma, and the violets are such a pretty representation of spring. The runner was made for me, and the fabric seems like it was made to go with these dishes. {Thank you, Gretchen}

With two granddaughters in our family, my thoughts have gone to Beatrix Potter and her cast of wonderful rabbits. When our sons were very young I collected, obviously more for me than for them, many of the Beatrix Potter Royal Doulton figures from her stories, as well as a complete set of her books. I would pick them up when I could find them at thrift stores or used bookstores. I eventually collected the entire set, although the final 4 needed are the new white cardboard covers rather than the little green books with slip covers, that I love.

The concrete planter is made to look moss-covered. I planted sweet pea, violas and lobelia to create the center piece. I move the planter to our atrium during the day to keep it happy, and provide a little sunshine. It lasts several weeks and then I plant the plants in my yard. Dual purposing, always good, right? 🙂

The little silver bell is Peter Rabbit and has the sweetest ring. {Thank you, Debbie}

Last year we had Easter at our house and I put together this 3-tiered tray of goodies for family…

This year’s version of the little rabbit tags can be found HERE.

The little galvanized cups holding the violas are from Trader Joe’s. They held something else a few years ago and I saved them, glad I did! 🙂

Happy Easter, my friends. I hope you have wonderful plans to be with family and friends. May the sun be shining on you wherever you are.

It isn’t easy being green, or is it?

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Spring, St. Patrick's Day

≈ 33 Comments

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you all…I hope the snow has melted enough for the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Crazy winter this year, right?

In addition to St. Patrick’s Day, the first day of spring is nearly upon us. Friday, March 20th! {as Chris Erskine so aptly stated, “life blasts by, bring a helmet!”}

Maybe we should plan a parade for a time when the calendar says it’s spring. Mother Nature, and her weather wizard, can’t be far behind.

Since I can’t toast either occasion in real time with you, I thought I’d share some scrumptious visions of green.

Come along…

My history with green goes back some years. When Mr. B. and I first married white laminate parsons tables were very popular. Being a young 23-year old, I hadn’t quite figured out what my design perspective was. I purchased a white parsons table and promptly announced I wanted to paint our guest room walls kelly green, and use my white parsons table. Mr. B. said, “are you sure?!” With blind confidence that only a young, not yet experienced design enthusiast could muster, I declared, “I am positive!” I painted the room, with my mother’s help, and within 3 months, regretted the bold decision. 🙂 Mr. B. teases me about that room to this day! This is the look I was going for…I may have missed the mark just a bit…

Early on, in our current house, with sharper focus and greater clarity, I used hunter green throughout. I enjoyed that for over a decade, but at some point, ended my affair with green and left it behind (forever?). Still when I see a room dressed in green I pause…

Green can be symbolic of St. Patrick’s Day and invariably describes some part of the season we eagerly await, but it can also be soothing and fresh, whether it’s in the landscape or within the home.

{tumblr}

Garden, Home and Party: Spring, St. Patrick's Day

{Photo: Michael Partenio~New England Home}

Garden, Home and Party: Spring, St. Patrick's Day

{Photo: Michael Partenio~New England Home}

Then there’s green and white toile {sigh}

Garden, Home and Party: Spring, St. Patrick's Day

Garden, Home and Party: Spring, St. Patrick's Day

Garden, Home and Party: Spring, St. Patrick's Day

Garden, Home and Party: Spring, St. Patrick's Day

Miss Mustard Seed came up with this beautiful green (Boxwood) for her Milk Paint Line. It so pretty on the chest of drawers. Love the cow.

Garden, Home and Party: Spring, St. Patrick's Day

Garden, Home and Party: Spring, St. Patrick's Day

Have faith, Spring will arrive and we’ll be picnicking on the lawn soon! Meanwhile, enjoy whatever weather is surrounding you, drink green beer and toast the upcoming season as well as St. Patrick’s Day! ♥ Karen

I’ll be taking next week off—the Austin clan arrives this weekend. Quality time with the adult kids and Olivia! I’ll be back with an Easter / Spring post.

Romance at home

11 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by Karen B. in House and Home, Valentine's Day

≈ 45 Comments

St. Valentine’s Day, while a sweet notion in theory, is one of those holidays that seems a little overrated to me. It may be that, like New Year’s Eve, there’s too much pressure to outdo the previous celebration. I know this perspective will irritate some, but my take is we should treat the significant other(s) in our life (Mr. B, for me) with thoughtfulness, love, and the occasional unexpected treat, almost every day!

{Can you guess what year we were married? Check the flowers in my hair}

That’s not to say I don’t enjoy bringing out a few hearts during the first 2 weeks of February and buying those darling pink, white and red m&m’s every year! Don’t get me started on other sweets that are symbolic of the holiday…I’m really trying to eat healthy food in 2015. 🙂

So, since my passion (aside from my passion for Mr. B) runs in the home decor arena most of the time, I thought I’d share rooms that exude a romantic vibe (at least to me).

Candlelight is romantic. I love the glow and use it all the time, even when it’s just the two of us.

{for the love of a house ~ Joan recently did a post on using candles}

Lighting certainly plays a part in the romantic feel of a home, mood lighting as it’s referred to, can evoke a sense of comfort and what’s romance without comfort?!

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{Furlow Gatewood ~ Veranda}

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A fire in the fireplace is always romantic with the added bonus of keeping you toasty if you live in a part of the world that is experiencing winter right now!

A nice meal, whether it’s just the two of you or you’ve invited a few good friends to join the fun, can be romantic. We’ve been invited to a small (4 couples) dinner party on the big day and we’re really looking forward to it. {Thank you Barry and Carol}

In conclusion, one of the most romantic, charming cottages I’ve ever found gracing the pages of a magazine, Randy Boyd’s Laguna Beach home…

Will you be romancing the one you love at home this year?

Happy 2015

31 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Holidays

≈ 33 Comments

Tags

Another year has flown by. I’ve worked hard this year on living in the moment and it has been helpful, even if sometimes I forget to do just that.

I don’t do resolutions anymore but I like the idea of selecting a word that can provide you with a course towards something you’d like to strive for. Goals seem somehow easier to stick with than a long list of homework for the soul. Do you make resolutions?

Again, the opportunity has come to start off with our best. Make sure all the 365 pages of your book are worth the writing; as well publishing for. ― Kaushal Yadav

I wish you all a happy, healthy and joyous new year to come. I feel a kindred spirit towards you and you all make this blog-biz a fun journey.

See you next year!

{Home} Christmas Cozy

17 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Christmas, House and Home

≈ 30 Comments

Tags

Christmas / Cozy, these two words play well together…in our hemisphere Christmas usually means a cooling trend. Even in the desert, December is cold at night.

What better way to enjoy the season then wrapped in the comfort of your own home, fire in the grate (if possible) and a throw at your feet. To me these rooms are cozy and inviting by design and furnishings.

Artist Carl Larsson

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…one of the coziest homes in blogland…Kelly, of talk of the house always gives us cozy with style.

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My home version of cozy…this is before the tree went up.

Here is our tree…

Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.

~the conductor; The Polar Express (2004)

I hope you are allowing yourself some time just to enjoy the season. This final week will be hectic to be sure, be safe and have fun in all that you do.