MIA: What I've Been Up To

It's been a long week.

Or should I say loooooooooooooong.

What have I been doing?

You may know if you've been following along on instagram (sorry for the repeats if you are)

 Watching Eric work...

 While I drink wine:)

Just kidding. I've been working too!

It's not complete, but I couldn't wait to put up the lights!

 Here, you can see the southern cross pattern. 

The openings will have vertical 2x2's. The area to the right will be a wall with a built in bench and planter boxes. When it's complete and painted and stained, I'll share the details and dimensions. I can't wait to finish it...and then use it for 2 months out of the year. Here is my shopping list!

After working for days, I think Eric and Riggs had had enough:)

Tonight we're off to Lowe's to pick up a few more things (and take back some stuff we didn't use)

I'm thinking about picking up some herbs and small terracotta pots to age.

Have you tried this?

Shopping List: The Back Deck

It's almost Friday loves!

Who's excited? I know I am!

I'm so excited that it's finally warm enough to spend time outside. 

And you know what that means...projects!

Eric's grandad is coming up to build us a deck and a new front porch!

Here is what I'm thinking this new deck needs...

 

 

lights/umbrella/planter/table/pillows/lantern/chairs

I''m thinking about painting the chairs a minty aqua-ish color...thoughts?

Do you have these chairs? Are the comfortable?

Falling for Fall: Outside

It definitely feels like FALL to me!

I'm used to it being in the 80's this time of year

I left my scarves in SC, damnit!

Anyway, I also can't wait to get into our house so I 

can add a few little Fall touches outside!

Here is some inspiration

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What are your plans for adding 
Fall bling to your house?

I'd love to see! 

The NEW House: A Shutter Delima

So we only have a couple of weeks left in this house!

Is house even an acceptable word for this place we're in? 

I think NOT!

Goodbye mancave hello pretty (who cares about pretty at this point)

FUNCTIONAL house (with a dishwasher I might add)

There are a ton of things that we want to do to the outside.

In a perfect world, I would paint.

That's just not in the budget right now.

I did find a cute little house that I'm using as inspiration

The color is pretty similar and I like the feel.

Here is the plan:

SHUTTERS

There are so many!
I've narrowed it down to two:

Louvered

Raised Panel

Which one would you do?

I'm leaning towards one more than the other but want opinions!

Oh, and I want a new storm door too:)

By the way

See the cross in the door? (At the top)

According to Gullah traditions, the cross is supposed to 

keep bad spirits out of the home!

I want to paint the porch ceiling haint blue but I'm not sure that my 

neighbors up here would understand :)

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I think I'll be trading out the fans for heaters:)

For The Love Of My Big Toe

I love being able to spend time outside  during the summer. But, I have a problem. I'm not sure about you but, mosquitoes L-O-V-E me! No joke. Every party of me. Right now, I have FIVE (yes 5) bites on my big toe. Not my big toe is not that big...but 5? Really? Any way, a screened in porch is a necessity around here.  

Here are a few pretty porches that I found.

 I love how the last one has sliding screened in doors-options and so pretty!

all images can be found here

Do you have an remedies to keep mosquitoes away?

A New Do- Do You Dig It?

 

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I am in love with head planters. Just wanted you to know.

A Succulent Garden- DIY or not?

Vertical Gardens are a big trend right now. I'm thinking about DIYing one. There is an alcove on the front porch that needs something.Some of them have designs or swirls in them-I wonder if I could turn one into a monogram?

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What do you think about vertical/succulent gardens? Do you have one?