Our Summer Patio and Porch

Time to say "so long to August" today.

The look and feel of Summer remains a while longer here in the south and that's OK with me, and it makes me smile!

This view of our back garden may look this way for only a few more weeks, so I'm enjoying it and all the beautiful summer color and watching the sweet hummingbirds that continue to visit.

It's been a great summer!  This area has done well this year.  I have enjoyed this garden area and the pretty flowers!

~ So long and goodbye beautiful August, see you next summer!

I enjoy this view of our covered porch and outdoor fireplace. We haven't changed much out here this season.  I added a couple of new plants, and found the pretty iron sections at an antique shop, they look nice on the fireplace so this is where they landed after I brought them home!

The weather is perfect right now for evenings out here enjoying a cozy fire and a glass of wine, and where we sometimes just listening to music, other times we can watch a movie or some football. We love our outdoor space!

Enjoying this last beautiful day of August.

Summer is so sweet, my sweet summertime!

Summer Tablescape ~ Simple Summer Table Setting ~

I don't want to believe it's mid-August already! I'm hanging onto summer!!! The calendar, and heat index, says I have over a month to do so!

I've truly enjoyed using these beautiful place mats and table runner from Hobby Lobby throughout the summer as everyday table decor!  Along with my simple centerpiece, they dress up my breakfast table with beautiful style on their own, as well as when I set the table for a meal.

I found two of the metal baskets at the thrift store, to go with one I already had.  I love finding thrifty items to change up my decor!  A faux fern I already had, and some pretty little candles I found at Target dollar spot fill the baskets.

Here I added simple place settings of white dishes, and cloth napkins, along with gold flatware.  I believe setting a pretty table adds a nice touch to a meal and the overall dining experience!

Whether it's a special occasion or simply a week night at home, you can make it special!  An ordinary evening can be extraordinary and feel like a special occasion by adding a few items and simple details. 

It doesn't have to be real fancy, to be pretty or even special!

Happy decorating!...

Summer styling ~ Our Breakfast Room

There's usually a lot of bright light in this space, the morning sunlight is always the best!

This is the view of our breakfast room from the kitchen.  We enjoy this area and the open feel of it, and how bright it is!  I've shared some sections of the room with my summer decor recently, you may recognize.

I enjoy restyling our console table, I love it placed here in front of the window, it sits directly behind our breakfast table.

{It can be a bit tricky to photograph sometimes due to the angle and the light from the window.}

Tip: If you need a little height, do a stack! I used a few items to create a lift for my vase and plant. My husband says that "I amaze him with the ideas I come up with!" Wasn't sure if that was good or bad! But, a nod of approval said he liked it!

The gold scroll container was found at a thrift shop, it's a candle holder, I added a glass cylinder vase to the inside, a few wine corks, and a faux plant.

Two bucks and a bit of creativity gave me something new to add to my decor. Simple, easy and inexpensive, my favorite kind of decorating!

I love this "home" piece I found, it's so perfectly me!

It's always nice to get away. Especially so when visiting family and loved ones.

After it's all said and done...

...There's no place like home!

"Be it ever so humble there's no place like home."

*My home sweet home*

Happy Decorating!...

Frame Updated using Chalk Paint

I enjoy a good project. Especially if it involves chalk paint. And, when the outcome is even better than you had imagined, it's all the better!

This beautiful frame, a thrift-store find, was all gold when I found it. It was pretty, but, I envisioned it with a new look, and this is the result of my efforts!

This is how it looked when I found it.  

I used "pure white" chalk paint, a wet distressing technique, and then clear wax.  Wet distressing is simply removing some of the paint while it is still wet.  I have wiped away some of the wet paint on the frame in this image, it reveals the gold color on the higher points of the frame detail.

After more wet distressing I let the painted frame dry over night, then gave it a coat of clear wax and let that sit to dry for a couple hours.

I'm so pleased with how it turned out!

Tip: Using chalk paint is an easy way to transform, update, re-new, and change the appearance of so many things!

I love the magic of paint!!!

This frame was the perfect size for my little inspirational messages & quotes from a boxed set I recently purchased at Target! I can change them out and display them beautifully with my newly transformed frame!

~ I love this one I used above in my updated frame ..."CARRY LAUGHTER WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO"

It's only paint, give it a go!...

Summer styling ~ Console table

It's almost the middle of the Summer season already! I just want to savor every minute of it!

I've been enjoying my summer decor. I did a little 'shopping my home' for some restyling on our hall table, for summer. I styled this console table using items I already had on hand and a few recent thrifty finds.

The pretty magnolia picture was a thrift store find for only three dollars, it still had the original price tag on back from Garden Ridge priced at $29.95! I loved the gold frame and of course the image of the magnolias. An unexpected treasure!

My love for magnolias is on display here. One of my favorite flowers!

Magnolias are such a beautiful part of summer here in the south. I enjoy seeing all the magnolia trees displaying their large, beautiful, fragrant magnolia blooms! 

I styled this table using some of my thrifty finds, and shopping my home. I used chalk paint on the cute little chair and the square mirror, to give them a makeover. The chair was once orange, and the mirror was raw natural wood. I just love what a little paint can do!

~The sweetness of summer is captured in the magnolia bloom. Birds greet summer mornings singing a happy tune ~
I love sweet SUMMER time!

Flowers and birds are two of my favorite things. Especially magnolia flowers! I always encourage decorating using things you love, it will make you happiest to have those things in your decor!
I've used both birds and magnolias in my decor throughout the year, they seem perfect to me no matter the season.

~ Sweet Summer Time ~

Oh summer, sweet, sweet, summer!

August is here and it's usually way too hot! It has cooled down a little, and it's been so enjoyable. We've also had some nice evenings at late too. Perfect for enjoying time out on our porch.

The back door is open this morning and we're enjoying this new day.  It's a beautiful summer morning!  I added a sweet little message to my chalkboard recently. 

I love summer! "Sweet Summer time"

Enjoying summer time!...