Wedding bells and Springtime tales

As the frost finally fades from my yard and my mind, I start to think of the pastel colors, romance and flowers that are common to all those spring weddings I’ll be attending over the next few months.

Whether you’re the bride, the bridesmaid or just an honored guest, you have to be prepared for torrential downpours or blazing sun when getting ready for a spring wedding. Time to get a coordinating umbrella to tuck inside your favorite handbag so you don’t have to run and hide at the first sprinkle of spring.

Yet, most spring weddings see plenty of sun, making them just as much fun for the guests as for the bride and wedding party. With the weather finally warm enough for outdoor ceremonies and receptions, guests can bask in the sun or look up at the stars and find their own bit of romance right in the middle of the ceremony or on a quick private stroll outside the wedding or reception hall.

After a winter of jackets and layers, we can finally shed those coats and show off the vibrant florals that spring inspired. What better excuse to buy a new dress or handbag than going to a spring wedding. And what better place to wear last year’s classic dress?

Spring also affords some glorious options and fun for the bride and groom. I always love to see what flowery color combinations brides will choose for spring weddings. Pink, tangerine, lilac, lime and yellow are all popular colors for spring weddings this year. I’ve always loved these pastels in the spring, but I’ve also seen some lovely weddings themed on hot pink or fuchsia.

One good thing about a spring wedding is that so many types of flowers are in season. A bride can choose just one or many combined into a colorful nosegay. Roses, tulips, hyacinth, lilies and Gerber daisies and multi-colored calla lilies are all in season now and add to the fanciful romance of a spring wedding.

I’d love to hear about your spring wedding or the ones you plan to attend. Post a comment to tell me all about it!

 

Escape from it all…. right at home

With job security down and gas prices up, it seems more people than ever are opting for a staycation – finding fun and relaxation at home. If you have even a little money to spend on your summer entertainment, why not spend it sprucing up your own yard to make your staycation even more enjoyable?

Whether you are planning a staycation or just looking for a way to relax after work, you can find peace and tranquility right in your own backyard. A tiny porch in a New York high rise, a rooftop garden, or a large yard can all provide a private outdoor space where you can relax after a long and hectic day while nature soothe your nerves.

With the right plants and conservation practices, you can easily create an inviting place for birds, nature, and your family with minimal cost and effort. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) offer a free Backyard Conservation booklet that showcases simple backyard conservation practices. These include simple ideas for terracing, tree planting, composting, mulching, wildlife habitat, wetlands, ponds and water conservation.

If you have a larger yard and time to work in it, designing a garden is a natural way to escape for awhile. It’s always best to work with what you have, so depending on the native plants and existing landscaping in your yard, you may choose to plant a woodland landscape, a butterfly garden or a xeriscape garden. All of these garden types are generally easy to plant and maintain and are likely to use plants already existing in your yard.

If you have a small space or little time, a deck or patio garden can give you the illusion of a garden escape with less cost and hassle. Adding a deck is a popular, low-cost way to add living space to home. They facilitate outdoor dining. In fact, many homeowners turn their decks into small, but full-scale outdoor kitchens and entertainment areas.

Patios offer similar benefits to decks, but are made of stone, brick, patio pavers or concrete. If you decide to add a box garden or planters to your patio, plan to locate them in areas that receive consistent sunlight. A small fountain can also add a peaceful feel to your patio or deck and obscure noises from neighbors in an urban area.

As for me, I’m off to spend some time relaxing and watching birds in my backyard!  While I’m there, post a comment about how you escape to your own backyard!

 

 

Pub parties for St. Patty’s Day

I’ve been reading a bit more about the best Irish pubs in America since it’s getting so close to St. Patrick’s Day! I‘ve read about a lot of really great-sounding pubs this week and I‘m sure all of them will be having special events for St. Patty‘s Day!

This year, Kell’s Irish Pub in Portland, Oregon is putting on a 4-day Irish Festival in honor of St. Patty’s Day. Kell’s is going all out with music, dancers, and traditional Irish food. Kell’s regular pub menu features a taste of Ireland, including Shepherd’s pie, fish and chips and Guinness.

If you happen to be in Atlanta, Georgia over St. Patrick’s Day, be sure to check out the St. Patty’s Day block party at Limerick Junction. For Irishmen at heart, this Irish pub offers year-round Irish charm with a selection of beer and lager, “pub grub” and Irish entertainment.

Cat’s Eye Pub in Baltimore, Maryland, is another truly authentic Irish pub in America. Located in the historical Fell’s Point area of Baltimore, this pub’s been sharing the luck of the Irish with Irishmen of all nationalities for more than 30 years. From the sounds of it Cat’s Eye is the best party in Baltimore whether it’s St. Patrick’s Day or not.

And, leave it to the Irish to create a true neighborhood pub smack in the middle of a coastal tourist town. The Poet and the Patriot opened in Santa Cruz, CA in 1982 and has been spreading Irish cheer ever since. Owner Chris Matthews makes an effort to educate his customers about the history of his beloved Ireland while pouring glasses of Guinness, Murphy’s and Smithwick.

I know I can’t visit all these pubs this St. Patty’s Day, but it sure would be fun to try. If you manage to pop into one of these or another great Irish pub this St. Patty’s Day, post a comment and let me know where you went and what you thought of it.

Train, Plane or Automobile?

Hey!  Any vacation plans  this year?  Are you thinking about a trip?  “No way,” you scoff,  “with what money and what time? “

Well according to travel.msn. com, their 2009 travel trend report is suggesting otherwise.  People are heading out of town and they’re going West either by train or bus.

The thing I love about designing handbags; especially what I adore about creating Star50,  is  I get to talk about the places I love to visit and remember myself.

Some of the best destinations in the world are located right in our backyard.  But did you know that these ’special spots’–national parks and vacation getaways  in our country can’t keep up without support from us?

That’s  why I’m including this list of  my personal favorites.  It’s where you can get the lowdown on what’s hot this season and what might need a little face lift here and there.

Remember, these organizations work towards leaving behind a legacy that celebrates our culture,  history,  and especially our lands.  By supporting their stewardship, we help them maintain, conserve, and preserve not only our physical geography but also our national integrity.

It’s my intention to feature something from each of these organizations throughout the year so start familiarizing yourself with them now.

The Trust for Historic Preservation: Helping people protect, enhance, and enjoy the places that matter most, comes in at number one for me.

The Nature Conservancy — The leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. They are in every state and more than 30 countries. You can’t live ethically without them.

www.americantrails.org:  The only non-profit that’s creating a network of interconnected trails across America.  So get some fresh air already and take a hike.

AmeriCorps offers 75,000 opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. Whether your service makes a community safer, gives a child a second chance, or helps protect the environment, you’ll be getting things done through AmeriCorps!

If a trip West to any of our National Parks sounds inviting; before you make your reservation, check these sites out.  Choose your state of mind and preserve our national treasures with a donation and/or community building vacation.

Till next time enjoy the trip!

Amity