Killing Plants and Notes on Container Gardening

Although I love to garden, I am horrible. It's true. I am the sad sap replanting things mid summer because I killed everything I planted in April. However, I have two large urns on the front of my house and I have typically been able to keep these alive so I am super excited to fill these to the prim with flowers.

I took a note from this inspiration and here's the plan...

In the two sets of urns on my porch I going with green and white.

1. Wandering Jew. This grows like crazy and it has a wondering trailing habit so it's gorgeous.

2. Eubaphoria (I think). Also referred to as Diamond Frost. It has the great airy quality that I love.

3. White Petunias. My front porch gets baked in the summer with the high 90 degree SC heat. These do great in that sort of environment.

4. Coleus. These grow well on my porch as well.

I am also adding two urns at the bottom of my front steps and for these, I want to add some purple in.

1. Sweet Potato Vine. This comes in a variety of colors but my favorite is this lime green. This grows really fast and will be gorgeous running out of the pots.

2. Purple Petunias.

3. Coleus.

What are you planting this season? I have a bunch of more urns to fill and I need ideas.

Thanks Brooklyn Limestone!

In case you missed it, I had the privilege of being featured over at Brooklyn Limestone today! Thanks Stefanie. I always love guest blogging for you!

Check it out here!

Cleaning Up and Cleaning Out

This weekend Chris and I purged a huge amount of stuff from our house.

First, there is a bi-annual consignment sale in the city we live in. Basically they fill a warehouse with clothes, furniture, books, accessories you name in and there is a two week sale. Chris and I unloaded some unwanted wall art, the chair from our bedroom I had mentioned last week, two extra end tables, a lamp and some books and picture frames. Hopefully we will make a little money but if not at the end everything is shipped off the charity and we get the tax deduction.

I also cleaned out my closet. I do this every spring and every fall. My number one rule is....

If I didn't wear it this season then it goes either to ebay or goodwill dependent on the condition.

I apply this to everything in my closet unless it's something super special. This rule really works for me because I hate clutter. Also we filled the back of the car and dropped a lot of stuff off at Goodwill.

Do any of you have any organizational rules or traditions?

Anyway, I digress onto the point of this post. With every passing showing-less week, Chris and I confronted with the fact that most likely our house will not sell and we are going to be here for a while longer. It's not a big deal. We really knew there was a chance it wouldn't sell. With that realization we have been planning all of the cool things we want to do to the house when we take it off the market (we are renovators at heart). One of those projects for me is to actually have a closet in our bedroom. Right now I use the closet in the guest bedroom because ours is tiny. I want to condense my wardrobe down to what can fit in an armoire and a dresser.

This is a tall order but I think I will love building a small but excellent wardrobe focusing on quality not quantity. The only problem is the space issue. I immediately thought of Nicole at

Making It Lovely who used ikea's organizers to make an excellent closet for herself...

Inspired by Nicole and her awesomeness. Here's my plan...

Invest in a small dresser to replace my bedside table. Store my jewelry, unmentionables, and lounge/gym clothes there.

Invest in a good sized armoire to house all of other clothes.

No idea what to do with my shoes though....

I might have to steal part of Chris' closet. :)

Happy Tuesday!

Bedroom Redo: Phase 1.5

I did a little bit of work this weekend on the bedroom. First, I put the chair that was seen in the photo last week in a consignment sale. Second, I hung prints on the large formerly bare wall.

I bought these hideous frames at Michael's on clearance (silly me didn't take a picture of the original). They were so ugly. After discarding the equally as ugly mattes, I spray painted the frames with white Appliance Epoxy. My stepmother recommended appliance epoxy because it gives a hard enamel super glossy look. I replaced the mattes with simple white ones and voila.

These photos are photos I took in Charleston, SC a few weeks ago. I am very happy with how it turned out and I can't wait to go in search of a full length mirror next weekend!

Sweet Tea and Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (and no I'm not pregnant)

Okay. So this was about my third week of semi-veganism. This week was hard for me at home. The odd thing is that I have no problem resisting at work but at home I don't do so well. Seriously, I would have bitch slapped someone for a frappuccino.

Anyway, I am okay with the cheese, earth balance has completely replaced butter for me, don't miss eggs at all. Had a bite of steak and I really am not missing anything. My problem now is that sugar has become a massive crutch for me. I don't want to be a "sweet tea and salt and vinegar potato chips" vegan so this sugar thing has got to stop. I caught myself drinking a coke. I never drink coke. I don't even like it!

So now the time has come to say goodbye to sugar....

Sigh. Hopefully I won't go through withdrawals and stab someone for a cupcake. We will see.

Early Spring Shopping Day

I don't know about you guys but it's still a touch chilly here so I love this outfit for a day like today...

Shirt from J.Crew, Jeans from Ann Taylor, Bracelet from Kate Spade

Happy Weekend

Sorry for being absent from your blogs this week. Things have been crazy. I hope everyone has a fabulous early spring weekend!

Featured Blogger: My Little Happy Place

This week's featured blogger is Alison from My Little Happy Place.

Alison's blog is just that, a little happy place. She posts all sorts of gorgeous images and talks about things that make us all happy like shopping, decorating and cooking. If you haven't stopped by you certainly should.

Thanks Alison for all of your inspiration and all of your sweet comments. So here's Alison...

1. I Cannot Live Without… Burt's Bees Lip Balm

2. My Favorite Place On Earth... Home - wherever that may be

3. I Am Inspired By… Women who take risks to follow their dreams.

4. I Describe My Style As… Casual with a shot of classic

5. My Favorite Accessory... A great handbag

6. To Relax I… Read blogs (I'm just a tad addicted!)

7. I Am Most Proud Of… My husband and daughter - and am so blessed to have both!

8. My Top Design Tip Don't try to please any else's taste - like what you like with passion.

9. I Want… To go back in time.

10. I Love to Shop at Target, HomeGoods and Central Market (specialty grocery store in Texas)

11. I Don’t Leave the House Without… My sunglasses

12. I Love to Wear… A great pair of perfect-fitting jeans and a brand-new white t-shirt - topped off with awesome accessories

13. I Love to Read… Historically-based novels

14. My Guilty Pleasure… Surfing the net - when I should be playing with my daughter or doing dishes.

15. I Envy… People who can give up sugar.

16. I Have Never … Gone on a cross-country road trip, but want to, some day.

17. My Crush… (Man) RPatz, (Woman) Cate Blanchett

18. Random Favorites (pick any of your favorites) The list is long, but distinguished

19. Signature Colors Can't say I have any, my choices are too mood-dependent!

20. At the end of the day, I am… Happy to have this unique experience of living in a foreign country.

Traditional Kitchens

I loved these two kitchens from the new issue of Traditional Home.

Also, is this not the cutest girls room ever?

And what about these window treatments?

Best Office Ever

If you haven't read it yet, there is a great article in Traditional Home this month about Russel + Hazel (you know they make all of those great organization accessories?). They offices are amazing and the tips in the article are great. I never would have thought to use a big jewelry box to organize my desk space!

Is anyone else watching this show?

The United States of Tara on Showtime.

My sister told me to download the pilot from itunes and I did. It's awesome. I love it. Does anyone else watch this?

I am trying to get up to speed on season 1 and I can't stop watching.

Bedroom Redo: Phase 1

Chris and I (well mainly I) have been wanting to vamp up our bedroom. We didn't spent any time redoing this room since the rest of the house needed so much work. That being said I have decided that move or no move it was time to do some much needed editing and adding to the bedroom.Here's the before and forgive the photos. I am experimenting with the panoramic function on my new camera.

That's Jack and Griffin on our bed.

We have a great bed and nice bedding. The curtains are a little too floral for me. I hate the chair and the armoire that are in there so those are going the way of Craigslist soon.

Here's phase 1....

We moved the bed in front of the windows. Replaced the curtains with silk drapes from Pottery Barn in Ivory. I got a new lamp from HomeGoods ($40!). I think the curtains lighted up the space a lot and I love my new lamp.

I was hoping to get more done but unfortunately allergy attacks interrupted my productivity.

Here's the plan for Phase 2 and beyond....

Get rid of Armoire and Chair (via Craigslist)

New Throw Pillows and Bedskirt

Get rid of Chris' nightstand

Add a small dresser to my side of the bed

Add prints to the bare wall

Add full length mirror somewhere in the room

Recover and add black side chair into the room (it's current yellow and in my guest bedroom)

Recipe: Lemon Basil Shrimp

I am working on becoming a semi-vegan (still eating seafood). Mainly I am trying to cut out all red meat, chicken, pork and dairy. I created this incredibly simple recipe last weekend and it's super fast and really good. You can serve it over quinoa, orzo, whole grain pasta or rice.

Lemon Basil Shrimp

Serves 2

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

4 Thin Slices of Lemon

1 Pound Shrimp, shelled and deveined

2 Cloves of Garlic, minced

Salt

Pepper

Chopped Basil for Garnish

Heat the oil over medium heat. Add the slices of lemon and shrimp. Add minced garlic. Cook until shrimp is pink. Do not overcook. Add salt and pepper to taste. Move to bowl or use to top pasta or rice. Sprinkle with basil.

Black Interior Doors

With every day that we don't show our house, we are thinking that our house will not sell. We are sort of okay with it either way. We don't have to sell but it sure would be nice. Anyway, neither of us can stop wanting to do more things to our partially fixed up fixer upper. When (and if) the house goes off of the market in June the first thing I am doing....

Painting all of the interior doors black. I love this look...

Spring Reading List

This is my spring reading list....

Lately I really haven't been able to find the time to read as much as I would like. I am a few chapters into Water for Elephants. These are the others books I plan to read to finish out the Spring. What are you reading?

Wedding Redo

I would so do my wedding different if I had the chance. For instance I used pink and brown and now I would use black and cream. Do you any of you feel the same way? I was 22 when I got married so my taste now is dramatically different. Would you have done your wedding differently?

So Looking Forward to This

I love Laura Linney and I can't wait to watch this.

Happy Spring

It's finally here!

Baby Vegan

So it sounds pretty unanimous that everyone wants to hear more about my new found semi-veganism (still eating fish).

I have learned a lot about food in the past two weeks and a lot about what our food does to our insides. This is what I have learned and the answers to some questions...

Resources that I Love...

The Kind Life by Alicia Silverstone. I have only tried one recipe her chocolate peanut butter cups (find the recipe here) and they are amazing. They totally satisfy my sweet tooth. The first half of the book is filled with lots and lots of advice and info.

The Conscious Cook by Tal Ronnen. I haven't cooked anything out of it yet but the food looks incredible.

PROTEIN? Someone asked what I was eating for protein. All of the resources I have looked at have addressed protein and apparently we don't need as we think we do. Luckily, I have found a veggie protein I love.... Edamame. My fave. Love it. Eating it as I type.

A lot of people have asked about cheese and I have to say I have not missed it as much as I thought I would. I really miss the convenience of cheese more than anything because it's so easy to order and so easy to find so cooking and eating out without it is an adjustment. Now at times I crave some fresh mozzarella but I have been able to resist so far.

I also have found that this is very much a process. I learned a lot and I am also giving myself some room to cheat if I really want to. I was craving mac and cheese bad so I had a few bites and then fed the rest to the dog. He loved it. I do find that I am not having as hard of a time as long as I plan and have plenty of good food on hand.

All that being said.... I do miss butter.

Back soon with a new original recipe

Blogger Feature: Rhiannon at Hey Gorgeous

Hey Gorgeous is rapidly becoming one of my favorite blogs. Rhiannon is busy planning her wedding, which I totally wish I was invited to. Her ideas and inspiration is amazing. Her cheerful personality is so refreshing and I have grown to love her as a blog friend. If you haven't been over to her blog, be sure to stop by and check it out. Since Rhiannon is busy planning her nuptials I asked her questions all about wedding and here is what she had to say...

What is your favorite season for weddings?

Each season is fabulous in it's own way. A winter wedding can be so

beautiful and dreamy, but a sunny summer wedding has so much potential

for outdoor events and decor. I just can't choose what season would be

the best; it all comes down to personal opinion!

What sort of wedding do you prefer?

There is something about a formal wedding that is so glitzy and

exciting. Like you're heading to a very special VIP party where

everyone will be decked out in their best. I do however have a soft

spot for themed weddings that are thrown together so effortlessly.

Weddings that incorporate a couples' style throughout the big day,

really speak for themselves and it's these weddings that make my heart

skip a beat or two!

Big or Small Weddings?

I'm a sucker for a small wedding. We will have close to 70-80 at our

wedding and even this number seems rather big. Yet I want to spend my

big day with those I am close with instead of mingling around to 300

people, some of whom I have never even met before. Your wedding is a

celebration of love. Share that with those who love you and those you

love back. Intimate is always more romantic.

Inside or Outside?

Inside or outside? Oh Jessica these questions are toughies! Depending

on the wedding style and season, either option can be perfect for both

the ceremony and reception. We are going with a ceremony on our

venue's stone terrace overlooking the lake (our venue is Paletta

Mansion in Burlington Ontario. An old restored vintage house). Then

our cocktail hour and dinner will be held inside the mansion. I think

a combination of outdoor and indoor settings mixes things up for your

guests.

Flowers are my favorite part. What did you chose?

Flowers were a tough decision for me but in the end, going with

something that fit my vision and my budget seemed like the best and

most economical choice. I will have a hand tied bouquet of ivory

vandella roses and spray roses tied with a black ribbon bow. My

bridesmaids will have similar bouquets with champagne pink bows and

the remainder of our wedding with be sprinkled with romantic yet

unique combinations of pink spray roses and white hydrangeas. If money

weren't a factor in my choices, then peonies, ranunculus and anemones

would 100% be the flowers for our wedding.

What colors did you choose?

Our colours will be ivory, champagne pink and gray with pops of black.

There will also be hints of vintage blue and green among the decor to

provide a little warmth and playfulness to the wedding.

I had 7 Bridesmaids. Those poor girls. How many did you choose?

I will have 5 bridesmaids and no MOH. They are all so special to me

and incredibly beautiful at that! I can't wait to see them in their

bridesmaid glory. They will wear the Lydia cotton halter dress from J.

Crew in black. Since one girlfriend lives in Michigan, one in

Colorado, one in New York and I am here in Toronto, I haven't seen the

dress yet on any of the girls. And I took a leap of faith by picking

the dress and having them order it without trying it on. I know they

will all look fabulous. They will also be wearing whatever black shoes

they own that will let be comfortable all day.

Wedding favors are hard to do right. What are your favorites?

Favourite wedding favour? Something edible! The thing with favours

that are tangible, like coasters, or picture frames that are engraved,

is sometimes people feel obligated to use them because they were given

as a gift. But looking at someone's name and their wedding day for the

rest of your life isn't as sweet as a retro candy bar or homemade

mocha brownies or a moist and fluffy frosting topped cupcake. We are

having a vintage dessert table on top of an old dresser I found, with

treats that I will be posting on my blog sometime soon :)

What's on the menu?

Our cocktail hour will include some passed around appetizers and of

course a signature drink! But dinner will include a fabulous goat

cheese and pecan salad, a chevre-stuffed chicken dish with pistachios

and a balsamic glaze then roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables.

Dessert will be a raspberry chocolate truffle bomb. Then our wedding

cake will have one tier with raspberry and crème filled white cake,

and the other tier with hazelnut butter cream.

Favorite Wedding Blogs?

The wedding blog industry really fascinates me. I almost every day

check out Style Me Pretty, 100 Layer Cake, Wedding Chicks, Green

Wedding Shoes, Grey Likes Weddings and a handful of wedding

photographers who regularly update their blogs with incredible wedding

eye candy and inspiration. Snippet and Ink is also pretty fabulous,

along with Once Wed and Ruffled. Gosh, it gets tiring keeping up with

all my favourites!

Where do you get inspiration outside of blog land?

Aside from the above-mentioned blogs, a lot of my inspiration comes

from when I close my eyes and picture my husband to be and I standing

there on our day. What do we want surrounding us? What do we want

people to see and taste and feel when they are there to celebrate this

new journey with us? Of course there are specific things that drive a

wedding in one direction (like the colours, my dress and the vintage,

romantic feel our of venue) but we want things to be unique to us as

individuals and us as a couple. In the end you can't go wrong with

following your instinct and heart.

It's All About the Dress. Tell us about yours?

Ah! My dress. Well, I spent too much on that bad boy for my liking -

something I can totally admit to since the dress is now paid for! But

it's Diana by Enzoani. A trumpet style dress with a very long

scalloped train. The entire dress is created out of French lace and

has a deep sweetheart neck. The dress comes with straps but I would

like to remove them because I don't want to take away from my fave

part of the dress: a giant black and gray tulle flower belt that is

totally runway worthy. The dress was perfect for me because it fit my

body type and combined romantic and traditional elements with a

fashion forward and couture like vision. It's quite a lovely dress!

What Is Your Best Advice for Brides to Be?

The best advice? Wow, I can really say that I've done a lot of the

planning myself, just because I have a vision and I really trust what

I am feeling for the big day. But just doing what feels right to ME

and US is great advice I have received. It's not anyone else's day,

but ours, so if we want something that seems untraditional to others

than so what? Following your heart not only career-wise and

relationship-wise, but wedding-wise is the best advice I can give to

anyone. Everything will fall into place.

If you could change one thing, what would it be?

If I could change anything? I would win the lottery so I can have my

anemones and ranunculus. Oh and a pair of black Louboutins to rock

under my dress. Otherwise I am pretty lucky girl to have an amazing

family, great friends, and a perfect best friend to marry.

Thanks for the interview Jess! You make 6 months until the big day not seem like

too much longer to wait :)

How Could He?

I officially declare myself on Team Sandra!

Cute Things: J.Crew Spring Line

Cute Things= J.Crew's Spring Line

Thanks everyone for indulging in my week of cute things!

Cute Things: Papyrus Flowers

PAPYRUS PEONIES

This weekend I was shopping and I love the gift wrap selection at Papyrus. If you have been in there lately you know that they have lots of gorgeous flowers meant to adorn gifts; however, how pretty is this one in a small vase?

Cute Things: PB Kids Floor Totes

I absolutely love these floor totes from Pottery Barn Kids. We use one in our laundry room for dry cleaning and I had children I would probably have dozens. They are so cute and can be monogrammed. My niece in college uses one to bring her clothes home from college. Adorable.

Cute Things: Kate Bracelet

You couldn't think that I would do a week of cute things and forget all about Kate Spade. Loving this bracelet.

Vegan Update

I just realized I had not talked about how Vegan Week ended. If you haven't been reading, last week I went 7 days Vegan mainly as an experiment on how I felt and how difficult the lifestyle would be to keep up.

The Ugly Truth: I cheated three times but considering what a massive departure this was for me I was okay with that. Also the cheating was minor. I didn't eat a cake or a side of beef or anything.

The Verdict: I loved it. I really saw a tremendous difference in how I felt. All of my stomach issues subsided. I wasn't nauseous at all. I was amazed at the massive amount of resources that are out there for Vegans too. I actually found that eliminating dairy is something I certainly want to do. It's difficult simply because it's in everything but I really think that is what made me feel so different. The thing I missed most was fish and I did not miss chicken, beef or yogurt. Cheese and butter I miss.

The Plan: I am definitely going to incorporate Veganism into my diet. I do want to include fish in my diet (a life without sushi is no life at all) but I am going to stick with no meat except for fish and no dairy. I think I learned a lot through this process. Being vegan is a process and it's actually easy to be a vegan if you eat really unhealthy (sodas, chips, etc) so the challenge for me at this point is to not use sugar as a crutch to get me through and to continue to keep away from processed food. It will be a process but I can already tell a difference in my body, how I feel and how I interact with food.

So onto the bigger question.... do you guys want to hear me talk about this anymore or not? I hate hearing people talk about diets so if you say you are sick of it I will not take it personally. I promise. :)

If you want to hear about it, I can share some of the awesome resources I found but I promise not to talk about it more than 1-2 times a week.