Spring is in the air.....at least in my house!

Last day to be eligible to win the beautiful silver tray for my one year celebration! Click here to visit that post for details...winner to be chosen tomorrow!

OK yes after a ridiculous amount of snow this season we have finally been having some milder days! At last we are hitting the 50's...and it feels positively balmy out there! No complaints form me, when I see the temps creeping up and the sun blazing, I am a really happy girl. However I am not so naive as to think its over...we have been known to get one last blast of winter when our guard is down, so I am not discounting even more snow or frigid temps.

 However just because I can't control what goes on outside doesn't mean I can't let things feel "spring-y" indoors and that is exactly what I am doing! I went to my favorite nursery and filled my cart to the brim with the prettiest array of spring flowers that I could find and came home and had fun filling all my containers with them. Then I got really ambitious and took on a little do it yourself project and from afar they look pretty darn good....blue and white Easter eggs! So here's what I have been up to.....

It all started with this  innocent darling basket of spring beauty that a friend who stopped over dropped off....

 And soon my "spring flower bug" bit and off to the nursery I went.......

And then I got busy choosing various containers for all the flowers......

 Love the way the pale pink hydrangeas look in the blue and whites...so fresh!

 Added these beautiful double ball topiaires to my black tole planters

 

And these pretty white azalea topiaries in my blue and whites

Isn't this planter a beauty? Brand new style soon to be listed in my shop...just got it in!

 More topiaries looking for a place other than my breakfast room table..I SOOO NEED a  greenhouse!

These are tall about 3 feet so need a special place.........

Gardenias  require a  lot of sun so hoping their new spot will get them blooming again!

 Beautiful pink hydrangeas fill my oversized blue and white bowl

 Love this pair near my sink....they just make me happy

 

I did not forget about my powder room, here a pretty pink hydrangea plant graces my newest silver planter

And finally I am not exactly a "do it yourselfer" but every now and then I do enjoy trying to tackle a project here and there.....so I tried my hand at making blue and white Easter eggs, they came out very pretty, as long as you don't look too close!

 I cut napkins into mini triangles, got some mod podge with a paint brush and started pasting them on, a final coating all over the egg seals the deal, let them dry for about an hour and you are set!

And then when dry I put some in my small William Yeoward dish and some in my spring flower arrangemtnets...

And when added to my flower arrangements, they were the perfect touch of spring!

And I was experimenting for a small spring lunch I might be hosting....think this is a neat idea. I put waterwith some baby spinach leaves a few fresh flowers (or whatever you have in the house) in a square container and froze it, I ended up with a "frozen plate" on which to put my salad....isn't that a neat idea? I will use a round mold for this next time, as I think it will sit better on the plate. I think it would be beautiful for shrimp cocktail or some kind of seafood appetizer.....

So....has the spring bug bit you yet? I have to say though I actually like winter, this year I have had more than my fill! I really love the idea of flowers blooming, crave the smell of fresh cut green grass and cannot wait to fling open the windows while belting out a spring-y tune (OK for my kids sake, I will not do the last thing) but you get what I am saying.....I am ready for spring to arrive! Enjoy your day.........

Orchid fever and a blizzard have struck and a winner!

Good morning, well here in NY we got socked by a blizzard of epic proportions! We are covered in  white everywhere you look!  Guess be careful what you wish for....I was moaning and groaning about the lack of snow, well mother nature certainly delivered and showed me whose boss!  I had to share some pictures because we all know everything looks prettier in snow! We were supposed to leave for Boston today but clearly we are not going, bummer but better to be safe. Hope if the snow has impacted you, you are safe and staying inside!



This batch was taken as the storm was cranking up.....

 And then this is what we woke up to this morning........22 inches later!

Forgot to show you my new lantern for the front door.....from Arte de Mexico, love it!

Next order of business I have a winner for the beautiful blue and white flower pot!
Congrats goes to......

Result:

44  Amy @MaisonDecorFebruary 6, 2013 at 11:45 AM
Wow so much to love~I loved the wallpaper or mural in that dining room (the chinoiserie one). And your breakfast table setting was amazing too Tina! You continue to inspire in such a dedicated way on this blog! Nice going!

This was my original post.....so it turned into a 2 for 1!

If you have been following me for a few weeks or  for an entire year, by now you  know I do  love my orchids. They bring elegance and grace to any space they enter. Then you add a beautiful planter and the effect is dazzling. Every few months I go on an orchid binge and buy a dozen or so. Truth is even though they are pricier than a lot of other flowers,they actually end up being one of the best flower bargains because they last so long. Most cut flowers or flower plants last 2-4 weeks.

On average my orchids last I would say about 3 months, sometimes even more. So its a great investment that requires little upkeep except for water and a good amount of sun and a lot of love. I adore  them in every room and my love for orchids is one reason why I buy so many planters! I don't think you can ever have enough:) Any fellow orchid lovers out there? I buy them from a local florist but have also picked them up at the Home Depot greenhouse. And you know what, they are really nice looking, good quality plants.  So here is  a little recap of my orchid buying day.....

It all starts with an island (a messy one) filled with all my containers. I would do this outside if it wasn't 10 degrees!

 More containers and unloading the orchids........

 First pair ready to go to powder room.....

 Love this planter..this is a new one in my online shop

 Orchids and classic silver planters go together like blue and white:)

 

 I know these are not orchids but I had to how you my gardenais in bloom!

I know these are not orchids but just moved my oversized blue and white jar with cherry blossoms to front foyer and kind of liking it!

Love orchids in silver...so classic!

Another one of my silver crested planters from my online shop

Love this tole crown planter filled with orchids.....

  So what about you? Do you love orchids too and use them in your home?  What is your favorite way to plant/pot them? I just can't get enough and when you consider how long they last...they actually are might I even suggest economical! Hope wherever you are, you are safe and warm. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!