I'm heading south next weekend!

I am heading south to Atchison,Kansas!

If you have never been here before it is a MUST! I repeat a MUST!!!! She has several stores in Atchison and 1 huge store in Kansas City, Missouri. Her stores are absolutely to die for. Here is what I found on her website

http://www.nellhills.com

Nell Hill's - Atchison

The thrill of the hunt is part of the adventure at the original Nell Hill’s, where the pursuit of a great accessory at a great price is part of the excitement. Every visit here is a different indulgence, as each floor is redecorated, restocked, and reinvented to accommodate a never-ending flow of new seasonal accents and accessories. Discover why 75,000 visitors a year report that visiting this cozy, comfortable shop is like going to one big party.

Don’t miss our first summer open house ever! My historic home and garden in Atchison will be dressed up for the season, filled with wonderful displays I hope will inspire you to unlock your own creativity this season. Get loads of ideas for summer entertaining, leave with new tips for summer decorating and ask Master Gardeners Gloria and Lynda how to enhance your own garden. Visit the merchandise tent in my side yard and Nell Hill’s and Garrity’s for everything you’ll need to create a sensational look at your home this summer.

Tablescape Thursday..my peonies are blooming!

This table setting is great for an afternoon soiree. A light snack of crackers, cookies, and fresh fruit like red and green grapes, blueberries, raspberries and scrumptious strawberries....can you say HEAVENLY?

We will have some champagne in these tall fluted glasses to bring out the sweetness of the summer fruit. White dinnerware is set atop bronze chargers and sandwiched between red napkins.

Small metallic bowls are filled with spongy green reindeer moss followed by a luscious pink peony bloom, all which is nestled under
a tall glass cloche.

The final touch is the gorgeous centerpiece filled with blue hydrangeas, peonies, and late blooming lilacs.

Tablescape Thursday...warm reds, yellows, and greens

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Here is a warm tablescape featuring shades of red, yellow and green.
Three mini olive jars anchor the center of the table and are filled with tropical leaves and sunflowers.

Red and yellow striped dinner plates sit atop bronze chargers. A lemon yellow bowl is ready for some juicy summer fruit while tall glass tumblers with a slice of lemon are ready for some fresh squeezed lemonade.

The table runner is made using four placemats placed side by side. These are reversible and are a burnt red on the other side with yellow stripes...just like the napkins. I love how the dark stained table grounds the tablescape.

A coffee station is waiting nearby...flavored coffee anyone?

What's your favorite coffee or tea? Please share!*!

Pheasants

Sorry for blurry photo. This is a picture of inside the farrowing house where my Brian has been raising pheasants.

Zach, Anna & Tjaden getting ready to do pheasant chores. See the pretty pheasant along the wall. You have to be careful because they fly at you sometimes freaking you out!!

Tablescape Thursday

Here is a dining room table with the cool beachy colors.

Bronze chargers are topped with white dinner plates, then square robin's egg blue salad plates followed by white serving bowls and light green bowls. Sheer organza is placed across the middle of the table followed by a iron wall mirror anchors the centerpiece. A brown pedestal raises the blue container of florals such as bells of ireland and hydrangea.

Wine glasses hold the napkins until they are needed. Green and blue rimmed salad plates set under the glass hurricanes which are filled with water and blue beach glass. Surround the table with wrought iron votive cups with tealight candles.

One Mantle 3 ways

The four blue mirrors are actually square serving bowls with mirrors attached inside.
Add height with stacks of books.

Here are 5 rectangular white platters hung with easels. They are accented with sprigs of
fern from the garden and starfish from the beach. Seashells and moss balls round give added texture.

Surround a white berry wreath with 8 white plates for a different look above the fireplace instead
of the usual picture or mirror. Fill hurricanes with green granny smith apples..faux of course!

Happy Mother's Day

My mom, Sandy on the left and me on the right.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!
I Love You!

Our Family Room

This is our family room. We uncovered the brick wall, which was covered up with
paneling and corkboard...yikes! Ugh! My son, Zach made the coffee table when he was 14 and in 9th grade.

On the wall is photos of our trip to Jamaica and an old brown bottle. The sectional is chocolate brown with black, taupe & chocolate brown pillows. The rug is from Shaw and has muted taupes & brick red colors in it.

Grits and Glamour: Porch and Patio Party!!!

Grits and Glamour: Porch and Patio Party!!!
http://nataliemeester.blogspot.com/2009/05/do-you-want-to-come-sit-with-me.html

Come sit with me

Grits and Glamour: Porch and Patio Party!!!

Come sit with me on my porch....

Little Girl's Room

Two iron bed dressed in white with a pop of lime green.
The canopies above the beds are actually pot racks with
pinch pleat drapes with hooks.

A message board surrounded by small salad plates seperate
the two spaces and gives them a spot to hang momentos. The plates
can be written on with a dry erase marker.
Imagine the words.....Dream, Inspire, Attitude, Diva!

An update on the old fashioned tv tray is the little iron bedside tray tables
at the foot of each bed. Ready for bedtime snacks or to lay out the
next day's outfit and accessories.

These hanging lights are actually flower pots turned upside
down and strung with a light kit and fabric cord scrunchie.

Every girls needs some flowers.

Love the tassel hanging from the dresser.
Platters are hung below the shelves. Yes, platters can be
used elsewhere in the home especially ones as pretty as these!

Sunroom I designed for a client

What a cutie!

This is my son Tjaden. I love his wild and adventurous
spirit but yet he has such a tender side to him.

He is kicking it back at the beach looking all relaxed and casual.

I love you Tjaden!

Do you want to come sit with me?

My table is waiting for us to have some tea or would you prefer
some coffee? I'd love to have you over.

The windows are open and I feel a slight breeze. If you prefer we can sit
on these comfy sofas and kick our feet up on the ottomans as
we talk about warmer days ahead and our decorating dreams.
There's even a pillow and blanket to snuggle up with.

I love wicker suitcases and bottles. No!! I did NOT drink
all the booze that came in these bottles, I swear I did NOT!
My swan is nestled on top of the suitcases, he is ready to dip his feathers
outside in the pond with his friends.

Are you ready to come sit with me?

Outdoor Topiary out of a tomato cage

It's SHOW & TELL FRIDAY!!!

Click on the show and tell button on the bottom of the page to see more great show and tells!

Here is a fall topiary I made. I used a tomato plant cage and turned it upside down. Then I took floral wire and tied the "legs" that were sticking up. These are the legs that normally you push into the ground. I then soaked 3 grapevine wreaths in water to soften them a bit. Once pliable, simple start at the ground and wrap grapevine all the way around the cage securing every once in a while with floral wire. Keep wrapping cage until you get to the top.