DIY Flower Stakes

lilacs-picnic-mason-jar-pink-summer-plant-prop-stake
It’s summer time. Thank the Lord. Bring on the sunshine, late summer nights, cocktails on the porch, birds chirping, sleeping in, pool time floats and sun-kissed skin.
Today we have a cheap and easy DIY you can do in less than 5 minutes for enhanced summer ambiance. These DIY Flower Stakes can line your front entry to greet guests with candles or flowers.  Or, they are a simple way to incorporate color and fresh blooms into a summer picnic without the need to find a spot on the blanket for a vase, or worry about spillage.
lilacs-picnic-mason-jar-pink-summer-plant-prop-stake
Materials Needed:
Directions:
  • Slightly bend the plant prop so it is large/round enough to slide the mason jar in it, but snug enough to keep the mason jar in place.
  • Slide the mason jar through the opening and position along the rims of the mason jar.
  • Add blooms and a bit of water.

lilacs-picnic-mason-jar-pink-summer-plant-prop-stake

lilacs-picnic-mason-jar-pink-summer-plant-prop-stake

 

 

Rustic and Romantic Rehearsal Dinner in Aspen

Do y’all watch Parenthood? I just love it. As a parent, I can relate to almost every storyline in some way. This gorgeous Aspen Rehearsal, photographed by the lovely and talented Laura Murray, reminds me of Camille and Zeke’s backyard with the family gathered under the hanging lights and the long family-style table. I want to have a big family like that and entertain in a setting like that. This Rehearsal Dinner, set in the most gorgeous Aspen barn setting {holden marolt}, just looks organic, happy and pretty. Everyone in it looks genuinely happy…and their stomachs do too by the looks of the delicious food on the menu that evening.

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot008

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

Bluebird Aspen Shoot_lauramurrayphotography

VENDOR LOVE
Design/Coordination: bluebird productions 
Photography: Laura Murray Photography
Catering: pan and fork supper club 
Linen: la tavola
Calligraphy: victoria hoke lane
Rentals: premier party rentals
Specialty Vendors: eclectic hive
Florals: carolyn’s flowers
Mixologist: E-Rock Harris
Venue: holden marolt
Film Processing: photo impact imaging

{images via Laura Murray Photography}

lilac love

I’m obsessed with the purple Lilac bushes in my yard this spring. I’ve never noticed how beautiful Lilac blooms can be, or how sweet they smell. It’s been a beautiful ‘bloom’ this spring for all our trees, bushes and perennials. Everyday when I see all the blooms, it makes me oh so happy.

Unfortunately, Lilacs bloom for only a very brief couple weeks in the spring. Here’s some tips for growing and picking Lilacs…and decorating with them in your home or at an event.

1. Make sure your Lilac is getting plenty of sun and in fertile soil. If you do not have blooms, try feeding them a bloom booster. You can find lilacs in shades of purple, pink or white.

2. Pick the blooms freely…actually the more you cut, they say the more blooms for next year. To cut correctly, cut above a node, the bumpy spot on branches where new branches will form.

3. Find a large vase, small vintage vase, or basket and arrange your Lilacs, then place in a spot in your home that you will see frequently…I promise, fresh beautiful blooms and their sweet-smelling fragrance will make you happy.

4. It is best to prune your Lilac bush after flowering, most likely in the spring. Don’t wait until the end of the summer or fall to prune this bush. According to Country Living, Lilacs grow on old wood, so the later you prune, the more old wood you prune and the less blooms will grow next year.

5. Though other bushes may only require that the tops of the stems be cut, it’s better to cut the entire stem off the lilac.

 

To learn how to make a DIY bouquet like the one below, follow these tips at Project Wedding

{images via Elizabeth Anne DesignsOh So Beautiful Paper, Project Wedding, Martha Stewart, Your Cozy Home and Pinterest}