For some people, gardening is a relaxing and therapeutic activity to pass the time. Some of us may not have the time to plant a full growing garden, but you can always start small! It never hurts to have a few home grown herbs, flowers or even fruits and veggies! Something about that homegrown freshness just can’t be beat and it’s so rewarding!
If gardening isn’t something you have practiced before or you are thinking you don’t have the time or patience to get too crazy just yet, try some of these ideas that are small, simple and still useful!
Pallet Herb Garden
This is such a great use for an old wood pallet. Herbs take a little work once they are grown, but they work well indoors as well as outdoors so they are perfect if you don’t have space in the yard! Better Homes and Gardens has some tips for growing herbs here and you can get the tutorial on the pallet garden from Eat Live Shop.
Stick with the herb theme, this is another simple way to get the herb garden started using those old ice cream cones! Plant the herbs in the cone and once it starts to grow you can plant the cone in the ground because it’s biodegradable!
image from The Small Object Notes
Let’s not forget about flowers! Choosing some easy-to-grow perennial flowers is a great way to begin. Check this list out from Better Homes and Gardens on some of the best and beautiful perennials for your future garden paradise! Does anyone else think this garden is so dreamy??
image from Meblirovka
Fruits and veggies may be a more daunting task for the beginning gardener, but it can be done! DIY Network has a large list of tips and suggestions for growing and maintaining your vegetable garden, which will be helpful in getting things started. Imagine less trips to the grocery store with your own garden full of fresh and seasonal ingredients!
Does anyone already have a garden growing? We’d love to hear what you have growing and what you love about gardening!
Today is all about house plants! Studies have shown that having certain plants in your home can boost your mood and health, so what are we waiting for!? Indoor plants help clean the air in your home, and add a little freshness to the atmosphere.
I love this string of peals succulent. It’s such a gorgeous addition to a room and because i’ts a succulent, it requires minimal maintenance.
Going Home to Roost
Huffington Post put together a list of some of the best houseplants and said that “some well-placed greenery can not only brighten a space but also purify the air — and they’re also helpful in creating a more relaxing, restful ambiance in any room. We know that spending time in nature is linked to reduced stress levels and relieve tension. In fact, in a 2008 study, Dutch researchers found that hospital patients with indoor plants in their rooms reported lower stress levels than patients without them.”
We are loving Design Sponge‘s selection of the best indoor plants too!
You can also check out some recommendations from Southern Living and Sustainable Baby Steps.
Who can say no to clean air and relaxation in the home!? Do you have houseplants already? What are some of your favorites?
Today is a celebration of gingham, picnics and Kate Spade’s new gingham & picnic products! If Kate Spade didn’t have it right already, they have now captured the essence of those warm months of dresses, cool drinks and leisurely afternoons snacking outside. So for this week’s mini & me, we say make a sandwich, pack some champagne and get outside!
Mini: Kids Picnic Basket, Gingham Gypsy Top, Mini Umbrellas
Me: Gingham Tallulah Dress, Pack a Picnic Champagne, Picnic Blanket, Pack a Picnic Basket
In honor of the blooming of flowers, let’s get inspired to do some of our own gardening. In style of course! Of course, if you are planning on starting with seeds, the process should have started a few months ago, but it is never too late for potted plants or even to start your own vegetable garden!
There is nothing like tending to your own garden, or watching flowers bloom after all your hard work!
1. The Balcony Gardener 2. Crate and Barrel, gardening shears 3. Crate and Barrel, watering can 4. Anthropologie, wooden plant labels 5. Anthropologie, chalkboard labels 6. Crate and Barrel, seed bombs 7. Terrain, gardening bag
It’s time to get inspired by florals! Say goodbye to the April showers and hello to beautiful flowers!
1. Style Me Pretty 2. Babble 3. Bright and Beloved 4. Once Wed 5. Saipua 6. 100 Layer Cake
Today we are all about parties! And what is a party without an awesome party hat!? These DIY’s brought to you by A Subtle Revelry and Oh Hello Friend are a perfect “day of” party craft, or a detail to prep ahead of time for adults and kids to enjoy alike!
Make each hat unique for your special celebration. I mean, has the art of party hats been completely forgotten?! Let’s bring it back with these fun ones!
1. Feather Headdress 2. Chalkboard Party Hat 3. Mini Paper Flower Hat
4. Tulle Poof Party Hat 5. Giant Paper Flower Hat
Has anyone gotten the itch for some Spring cleaning? If you haven’t gotten around to starting yet, don’t let it wait! De-clutter, reorganize and clean up!
First things first, decide where the biggest problem area is and make a list of everything you’d like to accomplish. Don’t you think lists make everything better?! Whether it’s a good deep clean, purging the closest or redecorating some rooms, here are some tips for the best Spring clean!
For starters, Apartment Therapy has put together a “floor-to-ceiling guide to Spring cleaning”, which will be super helpful for the basics of keeping your home fresh.
Martha Stewart has also compiled a checklist for all your cleaning needs. Her list is detailed and thorough for those of us who have an extreme attention to detail and she also offers recommendations on supplies!
Moving on to the closet! Are there any among us who dread the purging of the unworn clothes? Some of us may look at that item we haven’t worn in over a year and still convince ourselves that we’ll find a reason to wear it! Not this time! When it comes to making space for newer clothes (yes!) get rid of anything you haven’t worn in 6-12 months (that gives you some flexibility based on the season).
Apartment Therapy offers their suggestions for organizing your closest and Lauren Conrad has also compiled her tips on what to store, toss or wear this Spring.
Share your Spring cleaning ideas with us or pictures of your newly organized and fabulous closet!
The time has finally arrived to enjoy a ice cold refreshing cocktail while basking in the sun. If you like to get crafty with your cocktails, here are a few recipes to put a Spring in your step.
The Lillet Rose Cocktail from Martha Stewart
Ingredients
Directions
- Combine 6 ounces Lillet, 6 ounces grapefruit juice, 3 ounces gin, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake until well chilled. Strain and divide cocktail among 3 stemmed cocktail glasses, such as Champagne coupes. Repeat.
- Garnish with flowers. Serve immediately.
Ingredients
8 oz. gin
4 oz. blackberry brandy
2 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
seltzer to top
fresh mint sprigs
blackberries for garnish
Directions
In a pitcher place mint sprigs and gin. Muddle the mint releasing the flavor. Add the blackberry brandy, lemon juice, ice and seltzer to top. Stir gently. Pour into glasses, garnish with fresh blackberries and serve.
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups good quality vodka1 (quart size) packet pink lemonade Crystal Light
2 (12 ounce) cans diet cherry 7UP
1 (12 ounce) can light beer
lots of ice
garnish
lemon wedges (from 3 lemons)
Directions:
1. Pour the vodka and Crystal light into a large pitcher.
2. Fill the pitcher ½ way with ice.
3. Pour the remaining ingredients into the pitcher and stir.
4. Serve cold with lemon wedges.
Sparkling Apple Sangria also from Spoon Fork Bacon
Ingredients
1 (750ml) bottle of Riesling (can sub Pinot Grigio)
1 red delicious apple, julienne
1 granny smith apple, julienne
1/2 (750ml) bottle of brut champagne or sparkling wine, chilled
Directions
1. Pour Riesling into a large pitcher and stir in apples. Place in the refrigerator and allow to sit for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
2. Add champagne/sparkling wine, stir and serve.
And just for fun…the easiest sangria you could possibly make AND it’s super delicious. If you’re looking for a quick and easy refreshing drink, this is PERFECT!
1 bottle of 2 buck chuck from Trader Joe’s (or you can do your favorite red…)
1 container of Trader Joe’s Mango Lemonade
fruit of your choice
Mix the wine and mango lemonade, add fruit, ice and serve! No “sitting” time needed!
What are your favorite Spring time cocktails?
We just love the idea of giving the kids somewhere special to use their imaginations, play and get creative! A Beautiful Mess has some amazing DIY ideas for your kid’s play room or even in their bedroom! Check them out below!
Putting these additions into any room is the perfect way to inspire some good old fashioned playtime with no technology!
DIY Playhouse, A Frame Tent, Teepee, Kitchenette
April showers bring May flowers, but they also bring long hours stuck inside the house. If you are starting to run out of ideas on how to keep the kids occupied during the rainy days of Spring, here are a few fun ideas for you!
LOVE this idea from The House That Lars Built to create animal masks and and put on a play! This specific DIY is based on the Cheer Up Mouse book, but you can make fun masks for other stories too!
Color with Mimi is another fun idea! There a bunch of printable coloring pages for all ages to enjoy!
Design Mom came up with a list of 10 great books for Spring that you and the kids can enjoy together. Read them aloud, or make a fort for your kids to enjoy them in!
This spidery activity isn’t just Halloween specific. This could potentially occupy a kid for hours! Get creative with painters tape on doorways, hallways or windows for some fun games!
Finally, Lets Explore has created a “ways to play” monthly calendar with great ideas specific to every month!
What are some of your favorite rainy day activities??
