Peony Power (Guest Post By Shanda Neighbors)

I have developed a full blown love affair with flowers. Now, it's not to the point where I'm talking to them yet...Well actually, I did speak to one today so cancel that. I said something to the effect of "you have to get better." Hey don't judge. Besides, you'd do the same thing if you were in my shoes. One of my all time favorite flowers (and only for the sake of this post will I admit I have one) is the peony. For those of you who don't know what they look look like, see below:
Oh, and yes these happen to smell as beautiful as they look. They come in a variety of colors, coral and purple being the most stunning (my opinion). They are reasonably priced, but when you have a project the size of mine, and a limited budget, they are not reasonably priced enough, which brings me back to my story. I was out in the yard today (where else would I be on such a beautiful day) surveying my latest project (I'm landscaping a slope in the front yard). I've planted a row of rose bushes, and thought that something with lush, green leaves would add contrast, and look nice there. That's when I remembered the lone peony I inherited from the previous owner of this property. Unfortunately, it was planted in a shaded location. Peonies are not a shade plant. I also learned that they are finicky about being moved. In attempt to save this plant I actually debated cutting down the tree that was causing the shade. My husband wouldn't go for it. After a year of stalling, and with the plant near death, I was forced to make a decision. Today, and far to late in spring to transplant the poor thing, I gathered the courage, dug it up, and gave it a sunny, new location. I'm not sure if it's gonna make it, but hopeful. I'd love for this story to have a happy ending. I don't even know the color of the flower on this particular peony bush. Only time will tell. I'm hoping it turns out looking like this:

But for now it looks like this:

Pathetic. I know. I've heard that talking to plants help. I'm not saying that I willing to have a full blown conversation, but given the looks of this one,  and despite the "looks" I'll be getting when I do, I'm at least willing to say hi. I'm thinking we'll be be on speaking terms for a while...

1 Whole Tee + 1 Half = 1 Fabulous DIY Dress!

I saw this adorable little DIY dress by lhdctv yesterday, and I just knew I had to make this. Problem is I can't sew to save my life.  Seriously.  But hey....the instructions looked so easy I decided "what the heck!

And so, armed with two blouses that I decided to sacrifice....ahem, I mean sew.  I began making my dress.

First I cut the bottom of the first blouse in half.  I like the more fitted blouse for the top portion of my dress so I cut the floral blouse in half for the bottom.

Of course I eyeballed this.....I just cut it as straight as I could but no ruler was involved. At all.  (Use a ruler if you are not cray cray brave like me)

Next, I got an orange hue thread (since it matched my dress) and hand sewed the floral piece to the bottom hem of the blouse.  Now, I could have stitched this with a machine like they did here but I am more comfortable hand stitching so I decided to go old school with this.

And there it is....all done! My bloggie pal Laura from my grandma reads my blog  would be so proud.  She posted her very chic DIY dress a week ago and it really inspired me to learn how to sew.  Thanks Laura!
Your grandma reads your blog and I am sure she is proud too.  Shhhhh, my mom reads mine and my sister's but she has no choice......lol, I set our blog posts to go straight to her email)


Cherio!

How Does Your Garden Grow........

Somebody please tell me, is the GREEN THUMB, instinctive, inherited, cultivated, learned or is it simply a gift?  Honestly am confused.  Seems like plants perform better for certain folks....  Case in point, my sister Shanda.  This lady is no joke.  She knows her way around a garden after years of experience but initially she was a newbie just like me and her plants still flourished. 

Recently my sister and her husband bought a beautiful new home and already once again, the place already looks like a mini garden of Eden.

 Hmmmmmm, maybe the green thumb is selective???  I tell you what though, the brown thumb is equal opportunity....lots of plants have bit the dust under my supervision. And trust me, I took good care of them but to no avail, they still died.  Sigh.  Oh well, there is still a bright spot here.  I have a sister who happens to be a guru at this so I will let her teach me the ropes.  Maybe I can finally have that little garden I crave....hey, a girl can hope.

Cherio!

Everything's Coming Up Roses

www.wallmuralsart.com

77-ideas.

I love romance and though it may be a little cliche, to me, nothing says romance better than red roses.  I am getting ready to redecorate my bedroom and I fell in love with red rose pieces all over again. It is amazing how a rose here or there can change the feeling of a room. But what makes the red rose so sexy......why are they so intoxicating to the senses?  Well, as I have an inquiring mind, I did a little digging.  This is what I found.

http://www.etsy.com

The Red Rose not only carries more meaning than many other color roses, it is also one of the most universal of all symbols. The long history of the red rose makes it very significant. From being represented in countless works of Art to classical paintings, poetry, music and media the rose has endured. Not only throughout history but across many cultures and religions as well. The mystique of the red rose has been a source of immeasurable inspiration for many throughout the ages. However, it is as the symbol for love that the red rose is most commonly recognized.

The modern red rose we are now familiar with was introduced to Europe from China in the 1800's. The meanings associated with them however, can be traced back many centuries, even to some of the earliest societies.  In Greek and Roman mythology the red rose was closely tied to the goddess of love. Many early cultures used red roses to decorate marriage ceremonies and they were often a part of traditional wedding attire. Through this practice, the red rose became known as a symbol for love and fidelity. As the tradition of exchanging roses and other flowers as gifts of affection came into prevalence, the red rose naturally became the flower of choice for sending the strongest message of love. This is a tradition that has endured to the present day.

Now, who am I to mess with that.......I just can't wait to add some of these beautiful flowers to my decor.  Long live the rose!

unknown pic origin

unknown pic origin

Cherio!

DIY Vases In A Snap!

So I saw this neat idea for making your own vases at factorydirect and of course, being a craft head DIY enthusiast I was intrigued.  For those of you who enjoy StarBucks frappuccinos, this one's for you. These little milk bottle vases are so cute! I love how the bottles are big enough to hold a little bouquet in each one or just a single bloom. Either way, this look is so chic! And you know what the best part is?  It's super easy to do, cost next to nothing and you are recycling too. Now that's what am talkin about!


Thing you’ll need:

4 empty iced coffee bottles
Newspaper
Matte white spray paint

Things to do:
1. Clean the bottles well and remove any sticky residue from the labels. Dry the bottle thoroughly.

2. Spread newspaper out to cover a well ventilated surface and set the bottles open side down on the paper, about five inches apart from one another.
3. In quick, thin bursts, spray the outside of the bottles.
4. Allow the paint to dry and then spray a second coat. You’ll need three or four coats to cover the glass well and many thin coats will give a better result than one or two thick ones.
5. Once the bottles are well coated, set them on their sides and touch up the top rim with a little more paint, trying not to get any inside of the bottles.
6. Let the paint harden overnight before using.

Cherio!

Love. Straight From The heart

If there is ever a time I thank God for being born female, its just before and on Valentine's day.  And its not for the reasons one might think.    

What makes me grateful to be a woman on Valentines day is not having the pressure and anxiety that most men feel to go beyond what they did the previous year.  To be more romantic, to buy a bigger/ better gift and to wow everyone, not just his wife or girlfriend. Especially if the gift or flowers is delivered at work.  In a lot of ways its like a competition with drastic consequences if you mess up. The gift has to be spectacular or the poor guy finds himself in the dog house, on the sofa, or enduring "the silent treatment."  Either way, there is a serious lopsided dynamic happening here that women do not experience.  

Now, I am not endorsing the inactions of inconsiderate men.   Those of you who year after year fail to let your lady know just how special she is to you, shame on you.  I suggest you get your act together and start making changes.  Like right now.  Am no Dr Phil but one thing I do know is that everyone wants to feel loved and appreciated.  If you show your spouse more love and affection, your relationship will become deeper and more fulfilling.  As a direct result, you will be a happier man and there will be peace in your home. A woman needs to feel that she is heard, loved and appreciated in her home.  Its the greatest gift you can give her.

Contrary to the commercials and marketing rhetoric, love is not measured in chocolate, red roses or karats.  Love is measured by our actions.  Our actions speak much louder than our words ever could.  I truly believe that true romance is in the little things we do for each other.  Like when your man offers to cook, do laundry or take the kids to the park just to give you a little time to relax.  Or how he remembers your likes and dislikes and tries his best to only do what you like.  Thats love. 

Some of the most romantic experiences I've had with my husband were unplanned and spur of the moment.  Like the time he stopped a public transit bus after it had already pulled off just to "kiss his wife bye" and then get right back on.  And, over the years he has surprised me with river rocks, beach glass, wild flowers, shells, sand from my favorite beach in the Bahamas and so much more.  He's a hardcore city guy and not at all outdoorsy like me so its that more special to me that he would go to these lengths to make me happy. Although I do receive expensive gifts from my husband sometimes and despite the fact that he enjoys spending money on me, I am glad that he knows that I love him.  Not the stuff.  

And Thats Amoire.