Outdoor Living

Mild weather is starting to come around again, here in Chicago. And it has me thinking about warm days and nights spent on our outdoor patio.

I'm in the midst of collecting ideas for potting plants and flowers and ways to add color to my patio furniture set.

Here are some of inspiration pics:

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn

Coastal Living

ajc homefinder

decorology

And here are some items at Ikea that I think I need!

I am loving the solid striped pillows. I have seen them at Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel as well.

More pictures of my own patio to come :)

Lunch Date with Mom

My mom had me over for lunch the other day and she prepared a cute little setup at her breakfast bar in the kitchen.

She received these napkins in a gift swap she recently participated in.

The menu:

Lentil and Sausage Soup, whole wheat bread and lemonade.

The recipe was found on our new favorite food blog: For Love of Cooking.

Tablescape Thursday hosted by Between Naps on the Porch

San Diego Trip

Just got back from San Diego and LOVED it!!

I think the best part was that everything was so green and full of color.

And I love all the architecture.

This is the bridge from downtown to the museum park and zoo.

These flowers were my favorite! They were everywhere.

All the restaurants downtown had outdoor patio seating.

We spent a day on Coronado Island.

A little beach action.

The Hotel del Coronado.

The hotel's sundeck that overlooks the ocean.

Even this Coronado hair salon is adorable.

The homes of Coronado:

Rounding out the week with a trip to La Jolla:

The seals that have taken over the childrens' beach.

How cute is this? Having a little picnic on the beach!

Look at that little table.

My favorite style of house. Can I move in??

And the site of the wedding we attended.

Our trip was short but amazing. Probably one of my favorite vacation spots to date.

Easter 2010

We had the best Easter at my parents' house in Milwaukee. Good food, great friends and family and lots of fun playing Frisbee Golf on the Wii!

Here are some pictures of the festivities:

Me and my husband.

My mom had to get in on the love!

A spring-y planter greets you at the front door.

The dining room table is set and ready.

Cute little quilted placemats.

Beautiful plates and silverware.

Some extra seating in the hallway.

One of my mom's recent swap gifts: a flower candle.

All the glasses and mugs on the kitchen counter.

Set up for self-serve.

My homemade cranberry-orange muffins.

A little vignette on the kitchen table. Look at the little creamer that holds vintage spoons. Love it!

Must have Easter bunnies and chocolate!

As my mom's hostess gift, I made this Peeps garland.

I found the project on a new blog I'm in love with: MADE.

And here they are in their new home on my mom's mantle.

I hope you all had a great day yesterday t00!

Tablescape Thursday hosted by Between Naps on the Porch.