The Finer things You Can Afford

Every year, I make a lovely autumnal arrangement on my porch with mums, gourds, and pumpkins.  And many years the neighborhood squirrels ruin them within a few days.  So this year I got smart and concocted a spray that will deter them from eating anything on my porch.  I am pleased to report that my arrangement still looks fabulous!  You should spray this on the pumpkins and gourds every 5-7 days.  It works like a charm. 

In a spray bottle….

one cup water

1/4 cup vinegar

1/3 jar of small Tabasco sauce or any liquid hot sauce

As you probably already know, Japanese beetles prefer fragrant flowers like roses.  We have all found several of them nestled in a single bloom.  Instead of cursing them each day, cut off the fragrant blooms and bring them inside.  You will most likely look at the roses more indoors than you would if you leave them in the garden – and the smell is fabulous too!  Soon you will find that you have less beetles overall because they are attracted to the sweet smellingflowers and will move on to torment someone else’s blooms.  If you find yourself with excess roses, give a bouquet to a friend or a family member.  You can also place the roses in water and store them in the fridge for up to a week.  Or dry a bunch and make potpourri.  Add dried roses and lavender to a sachet of bath salts and find a new way to relax and unwind.  So be creative with them because anything is better than letting your beautiful roses get chomped by those stupid little creatures. 

Many people do not think to use food as a centerpiece.  But it is actually an inexpensive and attractive way to decorate your table.  You could place heads of garlic in a shallow bowl and place in the center of your table.  You could use braided garlic laid flat on top of a runner with some tea light candles or vegetables surrounding it.  Garlic would look great with some colorful bell peppers or tomatoes in a bowl too.  So play with it and have fun. 

Last weekend I visited the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, VA.  There were a myriad of treasures and something to suite everyones taste and budget.  Each artist has their own store within their studio so you could actually watch the artist work and chat with them as they create their next masterpiece.  I highly recommend a visit if you are in the area. 

Visit their website and check out the directory of artists.

http://www.torpedofactory.org/

While on a walk one evening, I spotted a beautiful lamp illuminating the window of a local antique shop.  I was concerned that it would be too expensive so I tried to put it out of my mind.  But that was useless because I couldn’t stop thinking about it so I decided to go in and inquire about it.  Not only was it only $55, I got another 30% off.  The lesson here is to not assume that something is out of your reach and you should always gather information when you instantly fall in love with something.  So get out there and find your next take your breath away shopping moment. 

I recently received my copy of Point of View by Bunny Williams. She is a talented interior designer from New York with impeccable taste. Ms. Williams has shared many tips that one normally needs to hire a professional in order to learn. The photographs are gorgeous and give a great deal of inspiration. There is information on floor plans, furniture, use of color, lighting, layering accessories, window treatments or lack thereof, fabrics, bathrooms, kitchens. Ms. Williams also shares some things and places that have inspired her. I highly recommend this book to anyone who owns a home particularly if they are planning to remodel, building a new home, or simply want to re-arrange or re-style a room.

Colin Cowie is a well known lifestyle expert. I just got his book Chic and it was worth every penny. There is information on living a great life and taking time to appreciate your life. An important message of Mr. Cowie’s is to use your fine china and stemware or anything else that you truly love as often as possible. I agree that life is too short to leave all those beautiful things sitting on a shelf collecting dust. This book contains information on entertaining, setting up your home, organizing your kitchen, decorating, recipes, hosting guests, travel. There are also lists on must have items for your kitchen etc. This book is well written and it appeals to both people of all ages. 

I subscribed to House Beautiful last spring after picking it up in a bookstore.  It is a fabulous publication!  There is information on all the basics, paints, wall coverings, window treatments, accessories, furniture, etc.  But there is a great deal of information from interior designers that the average person may not have access to.  There are a variety of styles represented and I always look forward to flipping through and getting my next inspiration.  There is also a column by Ina Garten (also known as The Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network).  The thing I like most is that the interior designers reveal many of their sources for where they shop for their clients and the paint tricks they use.