I mean, really, how cute are these?!?

Hope your Thursday is fabulous and precocious,

Here are a few other beautiful things. Enjoy.

Have a lovely, relaxing Wednesday.

Step 1. Plan beautiful, luscious flower beds. Balance colors and peak blooms so it looks lovely all season. Save internet and magazine photos, consult gardening co-workers.

Step 2. Invest a fair chunk of money in blooms. Spend an entire Saturday planting. Avoid insects at all costs, make best effort to prevent any dirt from staining hands {an outdoor girl I am NOT}. Book manicure appointment to fix the damage.

Step 3. Water and weed religiously.

Step 4. Get tired of watering and weeding religiously {generally by the end of June}.

Step 5. Cease all watering and weeding. Let nature take its course.

Need further proof of my decidely NOT green thumb? Here is a photo of one of my window boxes last year, I’ll date it between steps 4 and 5:

However, we are currently in the midst of step 1 and this year, THIS YEAR, I am determined to succeed. I know I am capable of nurturing. So, without further ado, here are some blooms I am determined to coax into a state worthy of Better Homes and Gardens.

allium {I love the color AND the fun shape}

phlox {I actually have some of this already, but for some reason it refused to bloom last year…..}

peony {I also have several of these, but I transplanted them and, yes, they refuse to bloom.}

hydrangea {I would love a row of these in front of our house…..perfection}

J is a master gardener, perhaps she will come to my aid…..

How about you? Do you prefer to plant flowers or vegetables {or both, you over-achievers}? Green-thumbs, help a girl out! What is the secret?!?

Gratefully,

 {an admitted plant-murderer}

My love and I had a weekend jaunt in Chicago recently. We saw Billy Elliott on stage, ate embarrassing amounts of food, and soaked up as much cable TV in our hotel room as physically possible. Of course, I also forced A. to walk with me to Anthropologie, just because.

We cruised the sale racks and I found this awesome A hook. I love letters. And I have been needing a hook on which to hang my various bags.  It works perfectly on our pantry wall by the garage entry!

There are lots of cutsey hooks on the Anthro site. Check ‘em out!

Have a most wonderful Monday, loves!

To try to atone for our misdeeds, I have compiled a lovely collection of Easter decor. I know, over-the-top and completely unnecessary, right? Actually I may have an ulterior motive – I am hosting Easter dinner this weekend and need some inspiration for my tablescape.  Who do I turn to for help? None other than my girl, Martha. Behold:

You can bet I will be trying to master these Bunny Fold Napkins. An origami expert I am not. I’ll let you know how it goes…..

{All images courtesy of MarthaStewart.com}

Happy Easter AND happy spring, Homage!

Here is a free picture of Murray for your troubles. The length of his eyebrows is a different kind of technical difficulty.

Lovingly,

I have taken to wandering around the gardening aisles of Target and Lowe’s. I can’t wait for everything to be green again, and to dig into the mess that is currently my garden (notice the mean bunny that sits there and torments Murray):

I spied the sweetest gardening line at Target last week – the new Liberty of London collection that can be seen in splashy patterns and funky colors throughout the store.

If I didn’t already have tools from last year, I would be all over this. I think a tool set and some sweet gloves would be a perfect gift for anyone wanting to plant flowers or start a garden this year! I may have to get that adorable watering can at the top, though.

The rest of the Liberty line is pretty sweet too – especially the plates and such:

You can scope out the Liberty of London items here, but unfortunately the online store is sold out of the gardening goods. So, look at your local store if you are interested!

Have a beautiful weekend,

AND I have found the perfect site to get us in a spring-y state of mind: emersonmade. It’s true, loves, flowers go with everything.

Take, for example, these dahlias:

Aren’t they fabulous, dahlings?!?

ANYWAY. Check out this fabulous boy’s room:

Isn’t that a great idea?!? It combines two of my favorite things: chalkboard paint and stripes on walls {reminiscent of the stripe I coerced G. to paint in our dining room}:

Here’s to writing on walls!

I wore this jacket to coffee with friends a few weekends ago. Since I have been known to do some screenwriting, here’s the scene for you:

(J sips her coffee, making small talk. She is wearing a fabulous new grey bomber jacket and her purpley scarf. K is eyeballing her aggressively.)

K: J…I love that jacket. I sort of hate you because I want it.

J: Well, too bad for you. I’ll never tell you where I got it. It’s slightly embarrassing.

K: Wal-Hell!!!!!! (read: Wal-Mart)

J: Wow. That was scary. Okay, fine, it’s from Wal-Mart. It was super cheap! But…I won’t tell you whose ‘line’ it’s from. It’s way too embarrassing. Don’t even try to guess.

K: Miley Cyrus!!!!!

J: Why do you know that?!

(end scene)

Anyway, I’m not ashamed. Go ahead and call me names. Ask me how Billy Ray is doing. I don’t care. It’s a cute jacket and I was way past ready to retire my winter coat.

Unfortunately for you (or fortunately?), it seems to be out of stock. This one is pretty similar, except for the bedazzled picture of Hannah Montana on the back. Just kidding.

Too cool for words,