Celebrate Stars & Stripes!

It's hard to think of summer without red, white and blue. Flag Day, the 4th of July and my birthday are in quick succession of each other, so it's only natural these colors make me smile. Hope they make you smile too!



I think this chest is fantastic! The gold details and circle of stars give it sophistication.




Talk about adding a little vibrancy to your dining experience!



Just in case red is not your thing.



Warning: this much sugar could cause sparks.



Someone very patriotic must live here!



Very clever, but you know I want to cut that fringe short!

Blue striped lantern, perfect all summer.



Wish I was here....



Now this is my kind of dessert. I will be making this exact red velvet berry cake....wish me luck!

 Wishing you a great 4th of July weekend!!!

Images courtesy of Coastal Living, Country Living, House to Home, Martha Stewart

Tuesday Tip

Ten minute tablescape! I love entertaining, especially outdoors!!! I have been working on getting my deck whipped into shape this year and posted about it here and here. The casual nature of dining alfresco takes all pressure off to make things perfect. I nearly always just use what I have on hand.

Which is why it is so important to always be editing yourself and to make thoughtful purchases. When I am buying something new I always ask myself 2 simple questions.....

1.) Is this item flexible? Specifically, whether I am shopping online or in a store, I ask myself...can I use it in multiple ways...does it go with multiple styles, seasons, and rooms?
2.) Do I have space to store it and access it easily? This is equally important.  Because if not, I won't ever remember to use it!

I don't often buy new items. I have a decent and  flexible supply of  dishes, linens, silverware, candlesticks, baskets, containers and vases. But, sometimes I find I really do need something or it's too fabulous to pass up! So as long as I can justify it...using my own guidelines...well out comes the credit card:

When they're not enjoying time outside, I think these little blue birds ($12) would look equally good on a desk, bookcase or table. And, the mini aluminum planters ($2) you may have spotted one lined with parchment holding croissants here. They also did a very good job containing Goldfish, pretzels, and Trail Mix for some teen snackers!

For those of you who like to blow up the picture, your eyes do not deceive you...yes, I just plunked the pots of white inpatients into the planters. And, yes I know you can see the black plastic rims. I can assure you no one minded...or even noticed!

The 3 plastic containers were relocated from my seagrass basket that will sometimes get lined with a large napkin and loaded up with rolls:

And, just in case someone is concerned that I don't know how to properly set the table...I do, but I was trying to get a good picture of the flatware with the trees above reflected in the spoons...and got distracted...

cooking bacon.....for homemade potato salad. The sun kept going in & out and never I never did get a clear close-up picture and ended up leaving it this way....no one seemed to mind this either!

Sources:
Tablecloth: Ralph Lauren Home from Macy's
Silverware: Pottery Barn Mother-of-Pearl
Napkins: Pottery Barn linen with bee embroidery
Plates: Johnson Brothers-English china
Rattan Chargers: William's-Sonoma
Ceramic Bluebirds: RSH Catalogue*
Glasses: Villeroy & Boch
Aqua Hurricane: Villeroy & Boch
Mini planters: TJ Maxx*
*new purchases this spring

A mix of high & low.....Simply done.
All photos by A&A

Outdoor Room: Budget Version!

The deck outside our kitchen is the outdoor living & dining room when the weather is nice.  I wish we had a screened  porch too....maybe someday.  We had the deck built shortly after we bought this house16 years ago.  It is much different than the style I would choose now but, we've taken good care of it and it is very well constructed. So with all the other changes and improvements that have been underway at the A&A House, it's not going anywhere, anytime soon! 

However, besides a good cleaning, a few updates were in order.  Our old wood table had become wobbly,  full of splinters and needed to go. We purchased a new table and 6 chairs.....2 years ago!  And, if truth be told, it has been sitting in the garage for as long waiting to be assembled!!! I just figured there was no point while my husband was out of the country.

These days there are tons of styles of outdoor furniture at all price points to choose from.  From Target to Janus et Cie.  And plenty of choices in between! When it comes to purchasing outdoor furniture my perspective is one based on the reality of the situation. And, my reality is that it didn't make sense to buy expensive furniture for a deck that is so average. 



Janus et Cie-Georgetown store

 I've had a fantasy or two about owning the perfect teak set and I love wrought iron.  My parents owned the same set forever.  I spotted a vintage iron set last year outside a favorite shop. Round table and 4 chairs that had the most exquisite little acorn finials atop the posts of the back rests.  And the color was french blue...sigh! I still think about it and wonder why I didn't buy it! It would have been perfect for our someday stone patio. But, definitely not this deck.

I also love rattan and wicker. We've had the rockers (above) for years and I still love them. But, for dining, this time around I really wanted easy maintenance and unlimited mobility. Without any effort or assistance, I wanted to be able to move chairs, tables, pots and umbrella at a moments notice.  So aluminum and plenty of items on casters was the decision.

Want to see how stylish Sears has become?  Let's see if you agree...

So finally, this past spring everything came out of the boxes.  The assembly according to the crew was very easy...

Their supervisor kept a close eye on their work, while she patiently waited for them to clear off the rug...

Everything was wrapped and packed with great care.  A repair kit with touch-up paint was included. I was so impressed! Garden Oasis table and 6 chairs ($500 on sale. Originally $850) from Sears!

The seating is crazy comfortable! Especially the 2 end chairs...they swivel and rock!!! I did not care for the rust colored tile on the table top and I can easily and inexpensively switch out the 15 tiles.  It also came with a decorative metal inset to hold an umbrella.

I prefer to use a tablecloth most of the time and I like my umbrella to be mobile so here is how the table usually looks:

I purchased the Navarre 8x10 outdoor rug ($170-15% off) in chocolate from Ballard Designs:

Worth Noting: Even when it's not a sunny day as well as at night I always have the umbrella open. It gives your outdoor room atmosphere and intimacy. Think of it as the ceiling!  And, truly bigger is better when it comes to umbrellas! Just be sure to purchase a sturdy stand that is weighted. I replaced my old 9 ft Pottery Barn market umbrella with a new gorgeous 11 ft. market umbrella ($160), and a stand ($47) with wheels, both from Costco:

And, from Target came possibly my favorite items. These 2 ottomans ($60 each) are for his & her feet! Not only do they double as extra seating or extra tables with their tray tops, but also can store newspapers,  magazines, summer paperback and a throw for chilly evenings!

In addition, we have 4 large aluminum club chairs (I forgot to photo-oops!) with densely padded seats that bounce! They are definitely the favorite seats of family & friends and round out the furniture grouping for our outdoor living room.

I highly recommend the iron plant trolley ($20 each) from Lowe's:

We are so thrilled with the painted pots I showed how to do here and wonder why I never did this sooner! It was a terrific starting point for this years update! Last weekend we found a local nursery that carries clay pots identical to the ones we already have.  We plan to add 3 more next year for a total of 6 for a really lush feel.  Plus they help so much in softening all the siding that graces the back of the house!

Now is the time to plan your outdoor rooms and shop for items...it's all on sale...ready to be stored in your garage! I'll be shopping for a new rug...I'm just not convinced this will look good next year...and besides I'm quite sure I will want to change things up a bit...stripes perhaps?

All photos courtesy of A&A.

A Country Drive

When the need to clear my mind, shift directions or decompress arises, often times I just want to drive somewhere. Not a specific destination, but to a place where things are quiet, peaceful, simple...naturally beautiful.  My husband enjoys driving, especially along any route off the beaten path. We both love to visit charming small towns and take in bucolic scenery.  So, fortunately their is never any persuading needed when either of us suggest it. The "country" is not far from us, a mere 20 minutes outside the hustle bustle of the suburbs, busy shopping destinations and traffic.

On this drive, we found ourselves winding through a little town that off in the distance we could see rolling greens hills, abundant with crops. At the end of the road was a structure. There was a man on scaffolding painting and a woman putting pies on one table and jars of honey on another.  The smell of varnish hung in the air. It was like going back in time.  It was just simply perfect.  On this particular site grows the bounty that will soon be a farmers market and general store.

Even with construction incomplete, everything was so wonderfully displayed.  Inside the store will be a  magnificent beamed ceiling.  With permission, I snapped these photos and can not wait to return to see this amazing and charming place up and thriving.

You never know where a little drive will take you, what beauty you will see or kind people you will meet...

Let's Shower Outside!

There is something about an outdoor shower that I find incredibly charming. And, so very practical! I think we often associate them with beach houses and coastal climates. But, if you have kids, a dog, or a husband who likes to work in the yard.....how wonderful would it be to have one?

We have contemplated an outdoor shower so many times and I am sure this crazy hot weather is why I am thinking of them once again. I have saved so many examples and recently found some new ones.  My favorites have double sprays.  One at regular shower height and one lower...for toes, tots and furry paws!

The choices and styles are really only limited by your imagination!!! Most have cold water only since plumbing for hot outdoors can be a bit complicated and expensive.  Solar showers are also a good option.

Refreshing Inspiration:

This simple shower is from our recent vacation spot:

And, of course the original outdoor shower!

Stay Cool!!!

Images courtesy of Country Home, Tradtional Home, Blueprint, This Old House, Tredir, MSN realestate, Terragalleria.com/Hale 1734, Lime in the Coconut blog, A&A.