A Magical Garden

Hi friends! How’s life? I hope all is well. We are preparing for our trip to Disneyland to celebrate Grace’s 8th Birthday! She is beyond excited! Claire on the other hand, has decided that sleep is rather over rated and has nightly parties in her crib – laughing, talking and calling out to me. I’m exhausted, to say the least! I’ll be glad when this little night owl phase passes.

Anyway…A couple of weeks back we visited a magical place right here in Lake Oswego – The Elk Rock Gardens. It was a gorgeous Spring morning, so Grace and I headed over there to stroll the many paths that crisscross this enchanting place. I, of course, took a plethora of pictures, so I thought I would finally share them with you…

What an amazing morning we had exploring this wonderful place! As Spring comes into full bloom, I encourage you to check out local gardens in your area! It’s so easy to forget about these precious places and just get caught up in our day to day tasks. So much inspiration can be found in nature!

Have a beautiful rest of the week!

xo,

Ivy

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May Flowers: Tulips

Hello there. How have you been? Lately, Portland has been soaking up the sun but – alas – the rain is back and it looks like it’s staying for the whole week…ugh. Baby and I are doing well, for the most part – my back and hips are not exactly pleased with my growing tummy, so I’ve been trying to take it easy but the nursery is 95% complete so look for a post with pictures coming up soon! In the meantime, I thought I would share with you some shots I took when we visited the Tulip Farm in late April…I just loved all the vibrant colors!

As much as I admire the bright, cheery hues of the other tulips, this dark and moody violet one is my favorite. Such a beauty, isn’t she?

When I asked Grace what her favorite part was….

the Pony Ride, of course!

We are planning on going to the local Peony Farm this weekend. Can’t wait! I adore Peonies!

What’s your favorite flower? Hope you are enjoying Spring wherever you are.

xo,

Learn and Bloom…

Hello everyone! How has the week been for you? I’ve been super busy working on my business and trying to get the nursery finished…but it’s all starting to come together. I have taken moments to run out into our yard, when the light is perfect and snap some pics of all the beautiful blooming flowers and trees! I love this time of year. It’s funny to think that before blogging, I never used a camera creatively and now I can’t imagine being without it. Which leads me to want to share with you my thoughts about learning something new…

Firstly, to all those creatives out there that have their own business or dream of beginning one, I cannot recommend enough that you take this online class with Jeanne Oliver. I’m almost finished with it and not only has it inspired me to really tie up loose ends and improve my business but I have met an amazing network of supportive and caring women! Full of ideas, questions and yes, fears…we have all been able to help each other out! That’s a pretty cool thing to happen these days. So check it out…

Secondly, I wanted to share a list of the other online classes I have taken that have brought me so much inspiration and joy! Sometimes I just NEED someone to tell me what to do and then I really take flight!

1. Unravelling with Susannah Conway (photography, reflection & writing)

2. Blogging Your Way with Holly Becker of Decor8 (blogging, marketing, business, photography)

3. Creatively Made with Jeanne Oliver (mixed media art, creative exploration)

4. Beyond Layers with Kim Klassen (photography, photoshop, inspiration)

These are just a few classes avaliable online. They have done wonders for my spirit, my creative energy and the best part of all, is that I get to share that passion with my daughter. I truly believe that learning something new is the cure for the blues. There is nothing like that wonderful feeling when you open your heart and mind and things become possible, achievable. Hope fills your day and you start to grow in ways you didn’t know before. Feeling stuck? Go out there and learn. Expand. Grow. Bloom. I promise, you will feel better.

As I get closer to having this baby, I feel comforted that I now have an incredible source of inspiration, one that will hopefully nourish me through the more challenging parts of being a mother…

Sending you all the best and thank you for supporting me and my endeavors.

xo,

May Flowers : Ranunculus

Hello there. How’s life been treating you? Despite the rain, we have had some lovely sunny weekends, one of which was Grace’s 6th birthday. It was a wonderful little family celebration and Grace had a blast.

Since the color pink was her first choice for party decor, I bought home bundles of ranunculus! One of my favorite flowers and a welcome guest at my table after a long gray winter! How can you not love all those ruffles?  To me, they are the next best thing to a peony, which by the way, are sprouting up in my garden! Can’t wait to see them!

After the party celebrations were over, I couldn’t help but do a little photo shoot with these wily blooms. Here are some May flowers for you…

I’m also in love with this beautiful vintage book – a recent find from one of my treasure hunting trips. Don’t you love pretty, old books?

Go treat yourself to a bouquet of fresh Spring flowers!

xo,

Capturing Fall

Hello there. Hope all is well in your world. Things have been a little crazy around here – good crazy – that is…but it hasn’t left me much time for my blog.  I was grateful to find a slow afternoon last week and a bright Autumn sun in the sky. Our sunny days are numbered now, so I knew this might be my last chance to get out into the garden and take pictures of all the gorgeous Fall color.

Are the leaves still turning where you live?

Have a beautiful Wednesday.

xo,

Book club night & farmhouse style

Last night, I hosted my book club – a fabulous group of some the most interesting and intelligent woman I have ever met! (Lucky me!) When I attend a book club night, I am guaranteed a wonderful night of fascinating conversation, good doses of laughter, delicious food and wine and a lovely ambiance. Each lady is a talented host and cook. So, when it comes time for me to host, I want to give them that same decadent experience. I put a lot of pressure on myself to get it right and last night, I am proud (and relieved) to say was a hit!

The concept for my table design began the night before. I knew I wanted to use my latest treasure as the centerpiece – a beautifully rustic French wine bottle carrier.

(this beauty will be on sale in my shop very soon!)

The wine carrier makes me think – Farmhouse style – so that’s what I went with…

It made the perfect caddy to display the utensils…

A variety of textures – burlap, linen, lace, silver, glass, ceramics – creates that farmhouse feel. Rustic but elegant. Can you tell I had fun?

I knew we would be dining outside so I kept it in the same theme. I am so grateful to my beautiful purple hydrangea bush! She supplied all the florals!

Hydrangeas are so fabulous because they are like a hundred flowers on one stem! Popped these freshly cut blooms into crystal cut glasses and my simple table arrangements were done!

Had to put out my newly acquired antique French pitcher too! This one was sent to me from a woman in Normandy! So pretty with a vintage lace apron tucked inside…

The trailing wisteria over head completed the purple, white and green color palette…

I did spend a lot of time on decorating but I didn’t forget the FOOD! I whipped up a huge batch of Martha Stewart‘s Macaroni and Cheese! So very naughty, with a whole stick of butter and an obsene amount of cheese! However, I was so caught up in my decor that I didn’t take a picture of it…oops…so here’s one via Smitten Kitchen…

I must say…it was delectable and everyone went back for seconds! Yah! A fresh garden salad and chocolate cake for dessert completed the simple but comforting meal.

All in all it was another fantastic night with my book club gals! Love you girls!

xo,