Author:Lori
Celebrate

Last Minute Gathering

May 4
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Yay! The weekend was filled with glimpses of summer!  Finally warm weather was here for more than a day…and over the weekend no less!  So this arrival of southern breezes got me scrambling to have a gathering around the fire pit…the first of many I hope!  Several school & neighborhood friends of my youngest made up a lively group for celebrating a warm spring evening!  When planning something at the last minute, I never worry too much about appearances…especially for gatherings of kids–they’re just happy to eat & play!  But it’s pretty simple to whip up some little details that can make just about anything look better than it really is!  And since the Giggle Spring Show was on Thursday, I had some dessert servers and food labels ready to be re-purposed for a group of S’mores lovers!

getting ready for a last minute gathering…

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Garden

Sunday Yard Work

April 27
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We’ve had a couple of warm days sprinkled in this April but generally speaking…it’s been cold!  Wanting to wait no longer, I decided it was time to get some planting started and fortunately for me, my husband actually enjoys doing yard work! (which is more than I can say for myself!)  But I really love the end result of gardening so I pulled on the gloves and boots for a day of getting dirty!  Sunday started out a bit crisp but with the sun’s help the afternoon managed to be perfect yard-working weather!  Cool enough to be comfortable working up a sweat but mild enough that fingers and toes weren’t numb!  We hauled out the shovels, rakes and everything it takes to give the yard a nudge toward looking like it’s actually going to be May soon!  Today I’d like to share the hints of spring that are fashionably late this year…but better late than never!  The much anticipated arrival of blooms & blossoms got me motivated to spend…

Sunday afternoon in the gardens!

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Decorate

Spring in Neutral

April 24
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Anyone who knows me well knows that I can’t resist color!  I’m drawn to it…and with each season comes a new color love!  The only problem is that I can’t seem commit to certain hues or patterns and be satisfied with them forever!  I do enjoy change…but I also have to buy groceries so I can’t be redecorating my home every time the mood strikes me!  I’ve learned over the years to keep the major pieces in my home neutral allowing me to change it up with simple and inexpensive accessories to suit my seasonal mood!  This year seems to be extraordinarily hectic for my family…so my need for a sense of calm overrides the color whim this time!  I decided to go black & white…not a common color combo often associated with spring but honestly, I think it’s perfect for any time of year!  Still allowing for a few touches of springtime color, my living room looks fresh for the season in simple neutrals and is a welcoming room for me to relax…even if it is for just a moment!

black & white…a lovely backdrop for spring!

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Celebrate

With Sprinkles on Top!

April 22
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When it comes to after school snacks, they’re as much fun for me to make as they are for my kids to eat!  It doesn’t make a bit of difference if it’s just for my boys or group of their friends, I just love to make treats look like a celebration!  Not that I do it all the time mind you, but every now and again I like to put some special touches on the snacks I’m serving!   With two boys who’s appetites have entered into some serious growth spurts, it seems like I’m always in the kitchen making something so I may as well have a little fun!  It really doesn’t take much at all to make a snack go from “ordinary” to “something special”!  And what’s my favorite thing to make treats look party ready?  Sprinkles!  They can effortlessly make anything look happy–from cupcakes to waffles and anything in between!  It’s so easy to whip up a snack that somehow tastes better with sprinkles on top!

sprinkle on the happiness…

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Decorate

Snips and Snails…

April 20
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Each spring I try to rid my home of unused things…junk…or clutter, you might call it!  My boys’ rooms can definitely use a thorough “de-cluttering” from time to time…and it’s a great opportunity to do some re-arranging!  My youngest son’s bedroom needed a update–I wanted to find ways to keep it better organized and also make it more grown up–without loosing a youthful feel! (No need for him to grow up too quickly!)  So we said goodbye to old toys and worn out clothing making room for new treasures and spaces to hold keepsakes!  With his ideas on the forefront we transformed my son’s room into a comfy haven…without buying a single item!  We merely recycled from the rest of the house and highlighted some of his favorite things that were shoved in closets or piled on the floor!  Here’s a look at his new space still full of snips and snails…

and puppy dog tails…

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Favorite Things

Favorite Things

April 17
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Like many girls, I have a weakness for jewelry!  Beautiful jewels are eye-catching, and dreamy…but I’m also partial to baubles that really offer insight to personality!  Isn’t it great that there are so many lovely pieces to choose from now days…fun, colorful, unique, dainty…the styles go on and on!  Today I’d like to share one of my favorite finds–a necklace that not only looks good but whispers an inspirational message to me every time I look at it!  Have a look and check out the link…

so you can find your favorite…

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Collect, Decorate

Contain It Pretty!

April 15
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It seems as though my house is filled with “stuff”!  I try to eliminate clutter but no matter how hard I work there’s always little piles of miscellaneous things everywhere!  My dad once said “a house without messes is a house not lived in”…I think I’ll run with that one!  But even though I try to remember that wise phrase, the piles of “junk” still drive me crazy and I’m always searching for ways to contain my family’s clutter!  Because I enjoy collecting (part of my problem!) and recycling…I love to use found containers to hold our things and keep us as organized as possible!  Some of my favorites are old serving dishes, trays, and baskets–they not only store items but make even the most ordinary utensils look lovely while keeping them within arms reach.  If you don’t have lots of storage space in your home you might not be able to hide clutter in closets…my problem exactly since I hardly have any! (closets not clutter!)  Maybe these things should be kept out in the open…organizing them in fun, creative, and unique ways!  So go ahead and live it up in your home–just contain your clutter…pretty!

fun ideas for organizing “stuff”…

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Decorate

A Space for Inspiration

April 13
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When you live in a house for a few years the rooms seem to evolve…we discover how our spaces suit our needs best at the time–and undoubtedly they will change again!  My “sun room” has played many parts…a sitting area (which was a total wasted space I might add!), a mini play space for my boys, and an office.  We’ve kept the computer in that room ever since and it became a place for me to get creative, organize the business, manage household & school info, and still snuggle into a cozy seat-where I can daydream of new projects & ideas! So even though it has kind-of evolved into my workroom…it’s also a mini family room with barely enough room for two–and yet it still works perfectly!  I guess my point is, no matter the room, size of it, or what it was originally intended for–make it a space that fits your need right now…you can always change it later!  Today I want to share how my tiny sun room has evolved into something just right for me…and my family!

tiny space…big inspiration!

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Favorite Things

Favorite Things

April 10
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In the past I’ve mentioned this confectionery shop that I absolutely adore…not only because the treats within the walls are the most wonderful candies and sweets that I have ever tasted–but they look like miniature pieces of art!  So beautiful that they’re almost too lovely to eat…I did say ALMOST!  Needless to say that when my family is in the Ft. Myers area we have to make a pit-stop at Norman Love Confections for the most delicious indulgence!  Wonderful thing is…you can order lots of these little goodies for all your special occasions!  Believe me when I say it’s definitely worth it…but beware, you just might find yourself addicted to the wide array of chocolates–from traditional flavors to the so-unique-you-just-gotta-taste-it offerings at Norman Love…

one of my most favorites!

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Travel

Inspiration For New Seasons!

April 8
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It’s amazing what a little fresh air and sunshine can do for one’s soul!  A recent trip to south Florida was not only perfect for taking a breather from the mundane, every-day chores but also the ideal way to get totally inspired for the seasons to come!  Even though we returned to gray, drizzly skies–rest assured the weather is making its call to awaken the cheerful flowers and bright green foliage that lets us know spring has finally arrived!  So, I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to set out the lawn chairs and pot up some pansies…pack up the snow pants and find the flip flops…I’m ready for spring & summer and all that comes with it!

ready for a new season…

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