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...

The Simple Things

phillyburbs

A few days ago my sister mentioned to me that my brother-in-law loved peanut butter and banana sandwiches.  Huh? For some reason this intrigued me. I had never had it or even heard of this combo prior to this so immediately after our conversation I made one. It took me less than 2 minutes to make and I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed it.  It was so yummy!  

It kinda got me thinking about the simple things in life that we sometime overlook or take for granted.  How we may have all the ingredients, talents, possibilities right in front of us sometimes but somehow fail to enjoy or even realize what we have.  

Simple things like:

warm hugs,

               laughing until you snort

                                    The wind in your hair.

       The wag in your dog's tail when you come home from work

                                                                                      a good hair day

The sound of your hubby's key in the door....

                                             Watching a sunset

                       the feeling you get when you accomplish a goal....

                                                                                          breathing 

 the first bite of chocolate..........or any kind of pie

                    

                                               being pain free

I am convinced that the best things in life are free.  Enjoy them while you can.

Cherio!

So Hot And Yet So Cool! - DIY Tshirt Inspiration

theknottybride

Summer is upon us so now is the perfect time to make some DIY t-shirts!  I am so excited to finally do this, you have no idea.  The options are endless too, from fabric dyes, paints, rhinestones and embroidery to fringing, shredding and creative sewing, there is no end to the awesomeness one can create. I am chompin at the bit to see what I come up with.  

elleandish.wordpress.com

greenupgrader

Today I came across this beauty from styleitchic and I just knew I had to try some version of this.  This shirt is smokin hot and it is so chic, trendy and modern!  I love how you can create these lovely pieces from damaged and old tees that you ordinarily would just discard.  How is that for recycling! 

I personally love using the bigger non fitted tee's like the ones in the top pictures since they have more fabric to manipulate.  Plus, they look so effortless and chic when paired with something fitted at the bottom.


 Well am off to raid my husband's closet, he is a tennis instructor and has tons of tees so it's a win win for me! Ha ha, not so much for him but he doesn't mind.

 I hope that this post inspires you to try one of these DIY shirts, it's such a great way to resurrect your old tees.  

Cherio!

An Unconventional Love Story

When I said yes to my husband's marriage proposal, I did not have any grandiose ideas about having a big wedding or even a reception. There was only one thing I had to have, and that was a nice ring. A wedding ring to me is sacred and it represents the everlasting love between a husband and wife. Hopefully. But in addition to that, my wedding ring is what I will wear everyday "till death do us part"...... so I wanted one that I really really liked. Well because I am such a nit picker, I mean selective shopper, I ended up designing the rings myself and having them custom made.  Our jeweler did a wonderful job and I fell head over heels in love with my ring at first sight.

Then the worst thing happened two years later...I lost my ring!

I had been hiding this little dark secret from my husband for three months.  I just couldn't bear to tell him I had lost it, after all it had cost him a small fortune.  To make matters worse, I knew exactly where I had lost it and there was no hope of ever retrieving it.  You see, I had lost it in the ocean. Way out in the sea where Jaws and his crew hang out......probably.  It was only a matter of time before my husband figured out the real reason why I had not been wearing my ring and I was beside myself......and out of valid excuses.

Well, the very next day my mom and brother came for a visit and I got this sudden urge to go to the beach and collect shells.  I love beach combing so why not?  My brother on the other hand could care less and refused to go with me. For some strange reason though, my mother and I relentlessly begged him to go with us until he got sick of us and gave in.  (To this day I find this quite strange since it is out of character on both sides.)  When we got to the beach the tide was low, so low you could walk out about a quarter of a mile on the sand banks which my brother did by himself.  Mom and I stayed closer to shore picking up beach goodies, there was so much beautiful shells to choose from that day.

getty images

 All of a sudden, my brother who was out so far he looked relatively smaller, starting yelling.  My mother and I rushed to see what was wrong.  He seemed quite excited, he was waving frantically at us and jumping around. When we got within earshot of him, he was grinning ear to ear.  "I found something he said."  What is it?, I asked eager to see.  He slowly opened his hand and there nestled in his palm was my ring.  The one I had lost three months ago in the ocean.  My mom recognized it instantly and asked me "Wan, isn't that your ring?"  All I could do was gulp.

Turns out my ring somehow serendipitously reappeared out of the abyss after three months in strong sea currents and miles of shifting sand. My brother finding it equates to finding a needle in a hay stack. He said he saw a small beam of light emanating from the sand out of the corner of his eye.  Those were his exact words. Trust me, I am still in awe of this, I mean what?!!!  That beach is huge, plus the ring was buried under 15-25 feet of ocean for months.  What are the chances....and my brother had almost stayed at home too. All the planets had to be aligned just right for this to have happened, and they had. To this day, I just call it what it was. A miracle. My husband and I love each other so very much and our rings are a symbol of that love.  Maybe that is why it found it's way back to me.  Back to us. ...well that is what I believe anyway.

Since this incident, I wish I could tell you I never lost it again but I did lose it once after that nine years later.  And you know what, it found me again under very strange/unlikely circumstances. Call me crazy but in my sixteen years of marriage, because of the times I lost my ring, it is even more precious to me.  It is so true that you never realize the value of something until you lose it.....even if only temporarily.  I realize now that it is not the cost of the ring that matters so much to me but the cause of the ring.  It's all about love. And so lovelies, today on Valentine's day I wish you love.

Cherio!

Its A Wrap! Chic Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas

 

 I adore brown paper and burlap.......like you have no idea how much.   By themselves they are the humblest of materials but paired with the right accessories, they are the belle of the ball!  So with this in mind I am totally siked to "go green" this year with my gift wrapping. What could be better?........I get to save money, and preserve the planet while creating something beautiful.  Something that my friends and family will love and appreciate.  Win. Win!

Burlap and brown paper are the perfect canvas to create the most fabulous creations.  From Rhinestones, ribbons, stencils and stamps to feathers and pretty much anything else you can imagine, these materials are perfect to dress up.  I personally love using small pieces of burlap/ brown paper as an accent (like you see here) and using handmade bows and other crafty knick nacks to bring my packages alive. Who wouldn't want to receive a gift like this?  Just make sure though that the contents of your package lives up to the presentation ...... lol, just sayin.

I really like the idea of this doily on brown paper. (You can find paper doilies like this

 one at most party favor stores, and even at dollar shops.)  Sweet!

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 That's Amore

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