BRIGHTEN YOUR SUMMER HOME WITH GARDEN IDEAS

Now that summer is here, spending time outdoors is mandatory! Whether you enjoy lingering outdoors for the warmer air or the chance to entertain longer, there is nothing better than a summer garden to brighten your outdoor home. With the beautiful colors, or the aromatic way plants and flowers freshen the air, here are ideas to make your summer garden beautiful.

Bring parts of your interiors outside and vice versa with natural furniture that create a unique space in your outdoor home. Lamps, potted plants, and organic materials make the perfect decor to beautify your front entry or porch area, bring garden inspiration anywhere, simply.

Summertime beckons us to entertain and dine outdoors. Add garden motifs with potted plants as centerpieces and natural decoration on your patio for a natural setting that is no-fuss and looks simply elegant. Add floral arrangements and crisp linens to pull the entire dining experience together.

Image via: Ralph Lauren Home Collection

Lanterns and candles are a perfect way to add natural light to your outdoor summer home. Whether lined on a stairwell, surrounding sitting areas, or along pathways in your garden, brighten your summer home with gorgeous lighting and candle ideas. Bring these helpful bursts of inspiration to your garden and enjoy everything that summer has to offer!

Renia

THE BEST TIME FOR A WEDDING!

 The summertime is the best for having a wedding! The air is crisp and temperatures are warm and welcoming for attending a wedding. Whether you are the bride and groom or you are a guest, this is the best time for a wedding. I’ve always loved the details and fanfare that surrounds weddings and I thought I’d share some wedding inspiration ideas with you.

From the bride’s beautiful shoes down to the party favors, creating a summer wedding is ideal with simple colors and attention to detail. Create a focal point on the reception table with multiple cakes in coordinating color and decoration. Display place cards in a vintage suitcase with baby’s breath flowers for a welcomed surprise for guests to find their seats.

Have you ever been to a summer outdoor wedding reception that you didn’t absolutely love? When done right, outdoors weddings are a treat for the happy couple and the attendees. Let nature create a beautiful backdrop and carry the details onto the reception tables with natural decor.

Image courtesy of Preston Weddings

Send your guests home with love! Depending on what type of theme is chosen for summer weddings, creating a personal keepsake for guests to take home will help them remember the perfect day. Start off with gorgeous save the date cards months before your wedding and end the wedding with crafty items personalized by the happy couple!

It is the perfect time for a summer wedding! Whether you are counting down the days to your special day, or you just love looking at summer wedding ideas, use these tips, as you’d like. Summer weddings are the epitome of summer joy at its finest!

Renia

Getting the Taste of a Country Home with a City Rooftop Garden

Images courtesy of Secret Gardens

Living high atop an urban jungle can be a wonderful experience. The cosmopolitan life can be wonderful, between living in a high rise condominium to enjoying the benefits of a city lifestyle. One part of city dwelling that homeowners miss is the connecton to greenery and relaxing out in the sun. Here is a wonderful example in Sydney, Australia of a rooftop garden that will help reconnect to Mother Nature again.

Secret Gardens is a landscaping company that specializes in beautifying the outdoors, especially in unconventional spaces. This rooftop garden sits high above Sydney, for only its residents to enjoy.

‘Hidden over 25 floors above the city this green sculptured rooftop garden sits in the middle of skyscrapers. Buxus hedging and topiary cones add a formal element whilst iris and lavender create a whimsical effect. Timber seating frames the garden providing a place to sit and enjoy the garden and the amazing harbour views’... Secret Gardens

 

This gorgeous oasis is a wonderful example of enjoying both worlds, the cosmopolitan life of the urban city and the lush grounds of a palatial estate! What a treat it would be to enjoy this green space. Hope you enjoyed it and it gave you a few minutes to relax and take your cares away!

Renia

Discovering a Lovely Café in St. Petersburg Russia

I have to tell you, I fell in love with St. Petersburg Russia the minute I set foot in this historic city. While I only had two days to explore the city, I knew I needed to make the most out of every minute in this beautiful city. St. Petersburg looks like a fairytale as all the buildings are kept as they were and old aristocracy and culture is the first impression you fall in love with.

Here are a few of the highlights of my wonderful trip to St. Petersburg.

The Hermitage Museum includes so many exciting items, exhibits, and interesting artifacts it would take over a year to explore all of them! That is how extensive the collections are of great things to see and learn about.

One of the highlights of my trip came as I was wandering through the streets of St. Petersburg. I was admiring all the beautiful old buildings that have been kept in excellent condition and came across this unique and beautiful window.  I could peek inside and see the lovely coffee shop and all of the people enjoying a break from the day and sharing in lively conversation with one another. I was so intrigued and tired, I had to go in and experience it myself!

I was so delighted with the charm and attention detail on the interior of the coffee shop. There was hand painted walls and beautiful detailing of curtains above the doors, it was a lovely place to stop and enjoy life for a few moments.

Now that I was on the inside of the shop looking out, I could see out that beautiful window that I had admired from the street. It was even more interesting from the inside, all the quaint finds in the window ledge were a treat to witness in person and not just admire from the street. 

Upstairs was the restaurant and every corner was different than the others. All the fine details that were apparent downstairs in the coffee shop were even better in the restaurant. The furniture textures, the varying wallpaper that surprisingly looked great together and wasn’t distracting. The restaurant felt like you ere invited into someone’s home!

I had the feeling that a Russian Mama would come out of the kitchen. Instead there were young men and women dressed accordingly to the restaurant style, ready to help you choose the restaurant’s specialty with a very friendly smile on their face and the food they served was delicious and very elegantly served.

Leaving from this beautiful place, feeling content and relaxed, I looked up to the upper (restaurant) window.  I made a promise to myself. If I was ever fortunate enough to return to this beautiful city St. Petersburg, I would surely pay a visit again to this friendly restaurant. To be able to taste their beautiful food and experience the ambiance again with the traditional and very eclectic style they have mastered at this quaint coffee shop.

Renia

Decorating your Summer House

Now that the summer is here it’s time to turn your attention to connecting your beach house with the outdoors. Choosing durable materials, natural textures and light colors helps your summer home stay cool feeling and creates a casual appeal that only summer can bring.

Here are simple tips to decorate your relaxing summer house.

Rustic inspiration

Have you ever stayed at a beachfront resort and marveled at the beautiful decor and furnishings?  Try using creative rustic beach decor throughout your home such as in the living room, bedrooms and lounging areas for a home that feels as relaxing as your last vacation. Visit antique shops, garage sales and even thrift stores for vintage seashells, life preservers, lanterns and more!

 

Bringing in beach elements:

Beach houses always have an element of relaxing and casual living that appeals to everyone. Bring in beach elements such as repurposed oars for a headboard or nautical decor to tie your beach themed home together. Sea foam green, soft blue and gray, and a neutral color palette can set the tone instantly for a sea inspired abode.

Summertime is the perfect time of year to enjoy casual and carefree living. The days are longer and spending time with your family and friends at your summer home is top priority. Use these inspirational ideas to make your home have all of the colors, decor, and aesthetics of a summer vacation!

Renia

10 GREAT REASONS TO VISIT GREECE THIS SUMMER!

Whilst we can think of hundreds of reasons why you should go to Greece, here are our top 10…

1 1.   Excellent Value For Money

Whilst certain factors that are out of our control like the recent spike in fuel have been attributable to price rises to holidays in general, we have noticed that Greece offers better value for money than it did in previous years.

2. Perfect Climate

There are long periods of sunshine with Greece boasting over 300 days of sunshine a year. Spring & Autumn are great times to visit Greece especially for those who enjoy walking.

3. Probably the Safest Holiday Destination in the World

Despite its economic woes, Greece remains one of the safest holiday destinations. Even petty crime on most of our islands is non – existent.

  

4. Greece Has the Best Beaches & Cleanest Waters in The Mediterranean

Out of a total 3650 blue flag beaches worldwide 379 are in Greece – more than 10 %. Turkey with a larger coastline has 314, Italy 232 & England 70.

5. Mouth Watering Cuisine 

You are truly spoiled for choice – A variety of mouthwatering dishes to please most discerning pallets.

6. Greece is great For Families 

Greeks love children! Feel at ease and relaxed – what better reason to enjoy a holiday with your family – Everyone is welcome!

7. A Plethora of Choice

No other country offers the diversity of Greece. With over 6000 islands each one so unique and different from the other, breath-taking coastlines, secluded beaches and picturesque villages – you are truly spoilt for choice.

8. A Rich & Colourful History

Where ever you go in Greece you will be encapsulated by the country’s vibrant history which has had a profound impact on the modern world. It was the Greeks who invented Democracy, The Olympics, Modern Medicine, Mathematics, and Physics to name a few things that have shaped the modern world.  

  

9. Philoxenia

A Greek word meaning hospitality and welcoming strangers! For which Greeks are renowned for!

10. You Will Be Helping Greece Get Back on Track!

 

 Image: Visit Greece

Tourism is the most important Greek industry . Taking your holiday in Greece this year will go a long way in helping Greece to get back on track. Greeks are truly appreciative of your support as we are!

Me and all Greeks …..can assure you that your beautiful memories from your trip to Greece will last for a life time.

WE WILL TRY OUR BEST TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN!

 I BORROWED THE TEXT FROM http://searcht2.aol.co.uk

Renia