What is in your window boxes?

Beautiful flowers found at the local Shop Rite

The colors of fall are just as beautiful as the fresh spring colors.  They are bold, rich and very much a sign of starting over.  This weekend I cut back some of my perennials, pulled the last of the vegetables out of the gardens and redesigned my window boxes and plantings in the front of our yard.

The secret to beautiful window boxes is a seasoned picker

this year I added a lot of different texture

I left the purple potato vine in added some ornamental pepper plants for added layering.

I did the same in the pots, I left in the chartreuse potato vines for added layer and contrast

It's basically the time for trees to reevaluate their priorities and start anew.

It's a time to reflect, and settle in to a new post-summer groove.

Send me your fall planting pictures and I will feature them on next Monday's blog...Make sure you send me your location as there are a variety of plants according to regions..

Happy Fall!

Check out this yummy Healthy Breakfast Treat to make with your apples that you picked over the weekend!

Apple Pie Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

serves 4

1 cup quinoa, rinsed

2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

pinch of salt

2 medium apples, shredded

100% pure maple syrup, optional topping*

Bring quinoa, almond milk, and applesauce to a boil in medium pot. Reduce to simmer and continue to cook for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Stir in apple pie spice, vanilla and salt. Pour into bowls and top with shredded apples and a drizzle of maple syrup if desired.

Nutrition Facts per serving: 230 calories, 4g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 125mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate, 6g dietary fiber, 11g sugars, 7g protein, 6% vitamin A, 8% vitamin C, 15% calcium, 15% iron

*Note: Optional topping not included in nutrient analysis.

Website/Simple Business Solutions

Plantings/Vic's Green House

Recipe/Love and Zest 

Design/Harmonizing Homes

Amtrak Train comes through their wedding ceramony

I have staged and decorated homes and stores, but never before a Wedding Hall.  Back in April, my Nephew Brendan and his finance Jenna aka The Brenna's  asked if I would take care of decorating the venue for their wedding.   It seem so long ago, but this weekend came and went...here are some pictures.

The happy couple - in front of Shore Chicy Designed  Communion Table

Frames where all made with Chalk Paint and the calligraphy was done in
Neo Chalk Pens which is a Liquid chalk (water based) 

Unique idea - decorating on a budget

When I realized there were no flowers for decorations, I
helped my self to surrounding neighboring yards...oops

How many brides do you know have an Amtrak Train come
through their wedding? 

I found this antique shopping cart at a thrift store
which made a great card and gift holder 

The challenge was the table clothes, (they were all round) except for a handful.
Note to self always have some safety pins 

Several attempts at hot gluing the J&B to the wooden box

All the corks were hot glued the day of the wedding...stressful

Love this shot

Borrowed flowers and greenery...they will never know

Simple door treatment - Thank Goodness I had some ribbon

Photo Credits Katelyn James Photography 

Ceremony | Hanover Arts and Activities Center

Reception | Hanover Arts and Activities Center

Dress | Bella Rosa

Clutter can raise your stress level

I have experienced this first handed -  I have a small home office where I try to run Harmonizing Homes, and Shore Chicy Designs.....At times the amount of projects and clutter stops my creativity and production because of the stress level that I am experiencing.  I than have to stop everything and clean up the space and organize before I can continue on, which is a waste of time and energy.   A larger space would help but for now it is what it is; as they say.... With the new school season upon us shortly, I thought I would address and hopefully help Moms get a handle on clutter and organization.

Many mothers experience unnecessary stress during the school year, looking for homework, books, book bags, etc.  Laura Whittman of Organizing Junkie  created this station in the garage - When the children come home, they grab their homework and books, hang up their back packs.  When they are done with their home work, it goes back into their back packs and hung ready to grab for the next day.

Great Organizing Built-ins to keep all your children school work and sports-equipment 

Now lets talk about your pantry - Here is another easy thing to do making snacks easy to reach by those little hands and neat at the same time. Simple cut off the tops of the boxes!  Check out her blog, she even has a printable cleaning schedule to help you stay on top of things....

This is cleaver idea is from Becky of Clean Mama

I am always looking for cleaver ideas to share with you....in organization, home interiors, staging homes and more....I hope you will enjoy!  Visit us on Facebook....for daily updates ...

Its hard to work during the summer!

I don't know about you, but I have a difficult time finding balance in the summer. It takes a lot of effort to stay disciplined and focused.  Living only two (2) miles from the beach....on a sunny day.....well, sometimes I just have to take advantage of the opportunity.

I took a few snippets of our bay front home yesterday so that I had something to write about today...I know...lame right? But this is how I roll these day...

Reading Material

View into the porch

Props that I just display instead of storing

Fresh Flower's died to I stuck these in the vase...Sad

I do work...I try...

Love these..

This is command central  

Visit us on Facebook for both updates on Harmonizing Homes and Shore Chicy Designs  I do post there daily...Happy August..

Unpredictable Dinning Rooms

I just love the element of surprise in design...combining fabric, textures, colors, furniture and styles adds to the design elements.  I have chosen some of my favorite photo's of unpredictable dining rooms.

Interior Philip Gorrivan.

I love the choice of fabric and chair choices in this picture

source unknown 

The use of various furniture styles while pulling off a Moroccan feel.

Laura U Interior Design  - Huston

The use of wall paper on the ceiling rather than the walls adds some unpredictable element in this dinning room.

Laura U Inc Interior Design - Huston

Why not have a color in a hutch?

Kindel Furniture 

Love the mixture of fixture and art in this dining room

David Scott Interiors - NYC

I hope you enjoyed the unpredictable dining rooms - It is always fun to put some element of surprise in a design.  Visit Harmonizing Homes at www.harmonizehomes.com or our sister company shore chicy designs

Fresh Cut Colors

Nothing screams summer more than colors and flowers.  For some strange reason, most of our society only decorates with color in the summer months; and primary in their porches and outdoor spaces. 

I came across this company while reading one of my design magazines on the beach.  I immediately tore out the page with these wonderful eye catching patterns and brightly colored threads.  The company that I am featuring in today's blog  is Quadrille and the China Seas Collection .

Interior Design by Patricia Herrera

 

Lysette Reverse
Navy on Tan
4101-12

Lysette Reverse
Chartreuse on Tan
4101-05

Lysette Reverse
Taupe on Tan
4101-07

Lysette Reverse
Magenta on Tan
4101-11

Indochine Paisley

Inspiring Kids Rooms

Now that I have my own grand children I have been gravitating towards nursery and children's rooms.  Here are a few that I just love…that were featured in AD magazine.