things I like this week

1.  We have six Boston ferns at the rental house we are staying in. They are very easy to care for, I just water every other day with the hose and fertilize once a month. The two that get some direct morning light are doing the best. The one in this photo is a Kimberly fern from Deborah Silver's blog,  Dirt Simple. She is a landscape designer from Detroit that creates beautiful gardens. Her blog is full of great ideas for your landscape. Check out her company website here to see some of her projects and contact info.

2.  A perfect salad for spring, what not try a farfalle pasta salad by the Proud Italian Cook? I love her recipes and photography. Everything I have made from her blog has been both delicious and beautiful. Recipe for the pasta salad here, a great way to use leftover spring mix lettuces.

3.  Another veggie I am now seeing at the farmer's market are zucchini.  Two Peas in their Pod blog have compiled a great list of zucchini recipes here.

4. What do you think of this plant? It is huge and fun, especially placed with the orange bistro chairs. I think it is Indian Rhubarb.

  

  source

5. Etsy has many sellers offering Hmong textiles from Thailand that are used for bags and pillows. This bag would look cute with a white summer dress and denim jacket and sells for under $20! 

Add some  green earrings...

6. Otomi fabrics from Mexico are perfect for summer. Etsy seller Casa Otomi offers a fun bright green Otomi pillow. They are piped as well. Wish they were not so pricey.

7.  This is the little lizard that lives near our front porch. He comes out as soon as we sit down, very curious. It is a Carolina Anole lizard. He inflates a big pink throat as he moves around but I have not been able to get a good shot of it yet.

8.  Southern Living featured the Savannah Garden Club's Garden Tour that is held in April every year. This year it was cool and rainy that week so we did not attend but it is on the calendar for next year, fingers crossed.

Photo source: The Garden Club of Savannah

9. What a bountiful veggie platter for spring time! 

Thanks for visiting!

Cindy

things I like this week

1. This day bed full of neutral pillows made with Lauren Leiss fabrics  is calm and casual. Love the mix of patterns and the wrinkled look, like the linen duvet on our bed.

2. Easy appetizer that comes from the freezer...puff pastry cheese sticks. Just cut into strips after thawing, layer cheese and herbs, twist and bake. There are never leftovers of these. The presentation is so stylish... little crocks with herb sprig and olive branch tied with twine.

3. Bernardo sandals are classic. I have a few pairs that are still in great shape after several summers of wear. Love the shape and color of these. I like a back strap, they make less noise, no flapping around!

4. Summer roll season is here. We love to eat this Vietnamese dish as an appetizer or for  a simple dinner on the patio. Just soak the rice wrapper quickly, roll with any combination of shrimp, chicken, peppers, cucumbers, green onions. cabbage, sprouts, cilantro, thai basil and make a quick peanut dipping sauce. Recipe here.

5. This is the prettiest carrot dish ever! Simply roasted with rosemary. My local grocery sells rainbow carrots but not with the tops on. I might see them this summer at the farmer's markets. Recipe from Oh My Veggies blog here.

6. Speaking of carrots, what a cute little bun-bun!

7. Blenheim Bouquet smells great. On anyone. Male or female, in my bath, on a neck or on my husband's face. He wears their aftershave balm. 

8. This creamy kitchen is quite beautiful! Every element of it...

the cabinet color

 the stone floors and countertops

 the open shelving and everything perfectly arranged on the shelves

 the basket and pot rack

 the soft pink tulips

the tied tea towels

and the great sink!

9. Fresh makes beautiful soaps which make great gifts for friends or yourself. Becoming more widely available, they are adding stores, joining the flagship store on Union Square in NYC, online shop here. The soaps are triple milled and last a long time. Packaging is especially pretty.

What are you liking this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Cindy

things I like this week

1. Such an easy appetizer for entertaining or a simple lunch for hubby and me paired with a salad. Just drizzle olive oil, finely chopped herbs and red peppers, salt and pepper over a log of goat or feta cheese and serve warm with crostini.

2. Isn't this place setting by Tom Sheerer with grass mats and  pink seersucker napkins pretty? Wicker vases for candles (bought some of these at Marshall's a few years ago), monogrammed plates (Gracious Style sells them) and unique footed glasses compliment.

3. Sandal weather is fast approaching. Joie is a company that is new to me, saw these on Piperlime. Love the color added to a traditional thong sandal. A fresh take on a classic.

4. Isn't this little furry peanut adorable? I think Andy would love him (or her)!

5. Chunky table lamps are my favorite, Circa Lighting sells this pierced celadon lamp by Ralph Lauren that would look great in our house.

6. Who doesn't love the courtyard gardens of Charleston and Savannah? We have visited in the spring in the past (always trying to be nonchalant as we peer into the private gated gardens on our strolls) and are looking forward to being there this fall for a week to get youngest son situated in school but we have never been on a garden tour for up close access. Have you? Savannah held their tour of homes a few weeks ago. The Garden Club of Charleston held their tour last weekend. Historic Charleston Foundation's House and Garden Tour and Antiques Show is still going on. Visiting all of these on the same trip is on my bucket list!

7. Saw this striped bedding in a simply decorated room by Tricia Foley on Boxwood Terrace blog. Love the wicker table and glass lamp. We found a similar striped duvet at Ikea for older son's apartment that was surprisingly soft after a wash and dry with non scented dryer sheets. West Elm and Garnet Hill sell striped sheets that look great too.

8. Cut spring flowering branches extra long for a dramatic tall accent in a high ceilinged living room. While you are at it, add two bright pillows and who doesn't need a gorgeous modern painting like this one by Robert Rea? This is his Georgetown living room that was featured in Veranda a few years ago.

9. I think the artistry and technique of chalk artist Dana Tanamachi is amazing! Her work is often seen in New York City and Brooklyn where she lives. I love this message, a print can be purchased for $60 here.

Thanks for visiting!

Cindy

easy festive appetizer

Baked Brie with cranberries, maple syrup and orange zest, recipe here.