Recycled Plastic Water Bottles Make Amazing Anthropologie Flower Display

They've done it again! The creative geniuses behind the window and store displays at Anthropologie have come up with an outstanding and gorgeous store decor--Recycled plastic water bottles. It looks like they put drops of paint in plastic water bottles and shook or spun them to coat them with an array of bright colors, cut them in half and made flower petals out both halves, and hung them by the hundreds from the ceiling of their store. The combined effect is truly lovely--a hanging garden! It's a must-see. Plus, there are many great finds at their annual summer sale!

Another blog I just found that has the prettiest pictures and ideas is called a creative mint. I just love putting flowers--whatever's blooming--from my back yard into little cups or jars or a glassybaby to make a sweet centerpiece for my tables inside or on my patio.
 Icelandic Poppies and a Birthday
Isn't this just so sweet?!?


The colors are so bright and cheery.

Flowers from my garden in a Glassybaby--always pretty!

Mint Julep Recipe

I found this downloadable Mint Julep recipe from Amy Ormond. They'd be fun to make for a cocktail party or when friends stop by for a visit. I think I'll try these tonight on the patio when I get home with some fresh mint from my garden that I often use in flower arrangements--and of course it smells so good!

More Beautiful Spring Flowers

More beautiful Spring flowers on my walk today.

First rose bud.Bleeding hearts are so delicate and sweet.Rhododendron. The last of the cherry blossoms. 

Beautiful purple rhododendron. 

I love succulents in pots. They're so interesting and green all year long.

Just planted my geraniums. . . hope it's not too early.

Planting My Victory Garden

This Spring my girls and I made a few raised beds and planted bunches of pots with lettuces, kale, spinach, beets, carrots, beans, peas, tomatoes, herbs, strawberries, squash, and pumpkins. It's been so rewarding to watch everything start to sprout and grow. If we can fight off the ever-present snails and my vegetable and fruit-eating cairn terrier, it will be fun to harvest and eat them this summer.

 

Our seeds are sprouting in one of the raised beds we built.

 

Snap peas will grow up and over the trellis. Too many in the pot and will have to move a few.

It's hard to believe how big these strawberries are getting. Now if we'd get a little sunshine, they might just ripen enough to eat!

Abby the Cairn Terrier snacking on chives. She also loves strawberries, peas, and beans and will pull them right off the vine. Funny dog!

Great Shopping in Seattle's University Village

Seattle's University Village open-air shopping center is vibrant, busy, and a treat for the eyes. The hanging flower baskets, unique potted plants, artwork, tempting restaurants, and high-end retailers make this a fabulous shopping experience. It's a great place to shop for Mother's Day gifts and cards. Today I noticed the adorable frog fountain which sends shoots of water into the air to the other frogs in different timed arrangements.

 Even the construction sites are artfully disguised--reminds me of a Roger la Borde card!

My favorite candy store...How can I resist going in with such gorgeous and colorful window displays?!? I can't! 

Spring Flowers in Bloom

An early morning walk is the perfect start to my day. This morning my friend and I saw so many Spring flowers in bloom....red roses on her front porch, yellow daffodils, purple lavender, clematis on a trellis.... I love Spring!  Even our dogs, Abby and Frannie, enjoying smelling the flowers. So cute!