Current Inspiration: Landscape

Spring is here (tomorrow, officially) and that means revisiting my love of landscape renovation.  Do you feel like that too?  March gets here and we are blessed with a handful of warm days, and all I can think about is gardening.  I wish I could get out there and start digging up plants and putting down brick pavers, like I've done in years past...  but, my enormously growing belly is telling me that strenuous gardening ain't gonna happen this year.  With a baby due in May, I think the majority of my "gardening" may be regulated to Pinterest.  We've done SO MUCH over the years, and our yard is still a disaster and nowhere near finished.  I'm okay with that though.  You can't do everything, I realize this.  But, I would love to finish it someday before I die.

For now, here are some gardening ideas that are totally inspiring me this year-- and maybe they will inspire you too.  Please indulge me...

This precious picket fence has my heart a flutter.  A few years ago, I'm not sure I would have swayed this way.  But, time has changed me.  Our backyard is pretty big, so I would love to enclose half of it between the carriage house and the backdoor.  Not for privacy, but something to contain the children and maybe a dog someday (did I just say "dog"?  These days, I can hardly keep my head on straight and I'm thinking about a dog?  Yes, let's get a dog.).  This simple yet classic picket fence is my inspiration.

To go with my new picket fence, I'll take this lovely gate and arbor, thanks.  :)  Is this not idyllic?  I can imagine parking my car in the carriage house, and then walking through this gate to the backdoor.  That would be lovely.

I would also settle for something like this.  :)

If I get my fence and my gate (and my arbor), I'll need a new walkway from the carriage house to the back door.  So, I think we'll need some brick.  You might remember a few years back, we repaved our front walk with reclaimed brick.  I still adore the look of it and I want MORE.  I spotted this chic pattern awhile back and have saved it as inspiration for future hardscaping.  Isn't this great?  Thank you, Ruthie Sommers.

 And, while we're at it, let's throw in a swimming pool.  This picture has been my go-to for years now.  I'm obsessed with it and would die to have anything that remotely resembles this someday.  Love the complete privacy with those thick evergreens (I think that might be my favorite part)...  and the rectangular pool, modern furniture, and potted plants.  Wrapped it up and ship it to me.

This is also fabulous. 

 

And, this.  I mean.  Hello, gorgeous.  Pea gravel, black planters, stacked rock, perfectly green lawn, potted boxwood.  Perfection.

Happy last day of winter, everyone.  :)

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Cheers!

Happy Friday!  I hope you have lovely plans for this weekend.  It's finally warming up here and it feels heavenly.  :) 

We did a photoshoot in the store this week, promoting our new Moscow Mule Mugs (which are really fun to use), and I've attached the pictures from the newsletter below.  We also shared our favorite Moscow Mule recipe with our email list.  I thought I would share it here on the blog, too.  Just in case any of you are interested in making one, try this recipe first-- it's my favorite.  If you ask me, the Moscow Mule is a perfect springtime cocktail (and it's easy to make into a "mocktail" for the non-drinkers or pregnant mamas, like me-- just substitute non-alcoholic ginger beer and add soda water). 

Have you ever had a Moscow Mule?  I recommend chilling the mugs in the freezer for awhile before mixing up a batch.  That will help you get the ultimate frosty glass.  :)  Cheers!

Happy Weekend!

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Out with the cold...

This time of year is always a bit difficult for me.  I tend to get the winter blues.  It's just so freaking cold!  The warm cozy holidays are over, and springtime is still so very far away.  Very far.

But, this year, I am determined to enjoy these winter days by staying warm and reminding myself that the most glorious season of all (SPRING!) is just around the corner.  There is nothing better than seeing those buds pop out of the thawing ground.  The days are longer and the sun is warmer.  It almost makes the cold dreariness of winter worth it (almost).  I get happy just thinking about it.  So, I've rounded up a group of my favorite things...  all of which help me battle the winter blues, and remind me of springtime days ahead.

1 - I bought a Meyer Lemon Tree for the store.  I couldn't resist that sweet citrus scent!  I potted it in a lovely pot and I keep it near a south-facing window of the studio.  It gets lots of sun, and I'm determined to keep it alive.  So far, so good.  Any tips from you green thumbs are appreciated.  :)

2 - These Cableknit pillows, which we sell at High Street Market.  I have them in my living room and I adore them.  I never get sick of them and while they are cozy warm, the bright white color makes them feel fresh.

3 - This Chunky Knit Throw, also available in our store.  It's just too good not to share.  Perfect for these cold winter days, it's super soft and so well made.  Also, it's machine washable (for those pesky one year olds that tend to be messy).

4 -  Aerin Lauder's Trumpet Vine Candle.  This woman can do no wrong, if you ask me.  Her entire collection is drool worthy (shop it here).  A fresh scent of springtime flowers should keep the winter blues away.  Plus, I love that olive green glass!

5 - Is there any better way to light a candle, or start a cozy fire in the fireplace?  This match striker is the chicest thing I've seen in a long time.  Again, it's from Aerin Lauder.

6 - I bought this book last fall from Terrain.  It's gorgeous.  Huge pages with spectacular photography.  I intend to go through it thoroughly this spring, grabbing inspiration for our own yard (which has been a bit neglected).

7 - Our neighbor kindly gifted us some Paperwhite bulbs this month.  Drop them in any vessel, add water, and they grow.  This little sign of spring makes me happy.

8 - Comfort food!  Nothing better than a bowl full of cheesy pasta when it's freezing outside.  This recipe is a good one. 

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Spring In My Step

Now that I live on the east coast, one of the things I love most is experiencing SEASONS.  And, even though I really dislike the frigid, paralyzing chill of winter (this winter was particularly horrendous, am I right?), I am reminded that without winter we would not have spring.  And spring is the most delightful of seasons.  With spring, we only have the summer and fall to look forward to!  Such a happy time.  And the east coast "spring fever" is contagious-- everyone is smiling when the temperatures soar above 60 degrees, bulbs start popping out of the ground and the sun is shining.  I'm serious, everywhere you go, people are happier and nicer to each other ("Hello, how are you?" "Oh, let me get that door for you!" "Have a great day! The sun is shining!").  Even the most grouchy east coaster turn into the sweetest person in the springtime.  It's my favorite time of year!  :)

daffodils in my kitchen ($2.00 a bunch, thank you)

evening walks in the park with Dave and William look like this

The garden outside our High Street Market office door-- soon, there will be tulips everywhere!  The best!

This is our first spring with a little baby in the house.  So, that is different.  Everything is a bit more exciting.  William is growing so fast, I wish I could freeze time.  Here he is at a recent doctors appointment, looking svelte on the exam table...

weighing in at almost 20 pounds, this kid.

And, with the warmer temperatures, I am feeling more inspired to get working in the yard again.  I recently purchased this landscaping book (mostly because the cover is stunning, but the content of the book is also excellent)...

Take a look at the inside...

Our backyard is mostly a disaster.  So, we have our work cut out for us.  This book will provide lots of inspiration, I think.  :)

Happy Spring, everyone!

xx

Kelly

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Enjoying the Spring in Philadelphia

I apologize for the lack of blog posts this month.  Life seems to be moving very VERY fast and I'm only trying to keep up (I'm sure you know the feeling).  There are lots of exciting things going on at the Robson house, and despite the daily to-do lists, we're also managing to have a little bit of fun in between...  So, here are some updates from me over the last month.

First and foremost: this spring, Dave and I are cracking down on our 3rd floor renovation.  After Dave ripped out the crumbling plaster, and replaced the windows (which could not be saved-- historic purists, please don't send me mean emails.  The windows could not be saved.) and we insulated the entire space, we sort of let it sit.   Two years later (and one baby on-the-way), we are picking up steam and getting back at it. 

Our electrician outfitted the entire floor with new wiring, receptacles, and junction boxes.  Next on the list-- drywall.

 

 

The 3rd floor bedroom ceilings are only about 7.5' tall, so light fixtures were out of the question.  I decided to go with these fancy 3" LED recessed cans.  I think that they'll feel discreet while still providing lovely light to the cozy bedrooms.  Plus, they claim that I won't have to change the bulb for 25 years? 

 

 

I transplanted all of our sedum to the side yard.  I've been wanting to do this since March, so a few weeks ago I picked up a shovel and started working.  I transplanted day lilies behind the sedum, and soon I'll be planting my Limelight Hydrangea behind that.  Come summertime, that side yard will be a much prettier place (fingers crossed).

 

 

 

 

 

I made a simple flower arrangement for my dining room table last week.  I loved the way my mother-in-law's centerpiece looked at Easter, so I went out and bought myself the same glass globe vase ($11.99 at Michael's).  I'm not sure I will ever use another vase.  I'm loving this glass globe-- it makes everything look better.

 

(also, Peonies are back in season-- yay!)

 

 

My parents came to visit this week and we had SO MUCH FUN together. I took them downtown to do a little Philadelphia sight seeing...

 

 

 

We saw the Liberty Bell...

 

 

 

And, toured Independence Hall (something I've always wanted to do)...

 

 

 

 

(loved all that original trim)

 

 

 

 

(I swooned over the Windsor chairs)

 

 

 

 

Then, on Tuesday, I took Mom to Terrain in Glen Mills...

 

 Two hours later, we reemerged and drove home with bags full of goodies.  :)

 

 

(me and the baby bump (22 weeks) doing a little Terrain shopping)

 

 

(fell in love with this little plant-- it's ornamental oregano.  How pretty is this?)

 

 

 

Over the last month, I was also lucky enough to attend the Chestnut Hill Garden Tour (to support the Mann Center for the Performing Arts).  It was INCREDIBLE.  I had so much fun, and snapped a few photos while I was there.  Look for a post on that coming soon (so much gardening inspiration!).

 

 

 

xoxo

Kelly

 

 

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The Easiest Easter Centerpiece...

(via Instagram, follow me @kellyrobson)

I assembled my Easter centerpiece for my mother-in-law's house last night (we'll be leaving for the holiday weekend on Saturday morning).  I gathered plenty of inspiration, but in the end, I was most inspired by this lovely image (below), so I decided to give it a shot.

 

I made my way over to Whole Foods in search of tulips.  I found these Parrot Tulips in a wonderful shade of pink and snatched them up...

 

I bought 30 stems for about $40.00.  Truth be told, I wish I could have purchased about 20 more stems...  but, they were sold out of this color, so I decided to make due with a measly thirty. :)  I also purchased some greenery, to fill out any holes.  Then, I dropped by Michael's where I bought a large glass globe vase (about $12.00) and some green floral tape (for $1.00). 

 

I'm no florist, but I like to play with flowers whenever the occasion arises.  And, this was one of the easiest arrangements I've ever made.  I literally started gathering tulips in my hand, creating a small bouquet as I went.  Periodically, I would wrap the bouquet with floral tape...

 

 

Then, continue wrapping.  When you are down to your outside layer of tulip stems, wrap the floral tape as discreetly as possible (so it's not so obviously seen through the glass vase-- hide it with leaves, etc).  When you've used every flower, try to clean up the lower portion of the stems (I removed unnecessary leaves and cleanly cut the bottom of the stems). 

 

Then, you're done!

 

Simple and pretty.  I will definitely be creating more arrangements like these in the future.  It doesn't get any easier.  And, I really love the way the stems are exposed in the glass globe vase-- creating a more modern look.  I'm thinking this would be fun to do with lilies, or hydrangea this summer.  Even inexpensive carnations would be cool in this style.  :)

 

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Have a blessed holiday weekend, my dear friends!  Easter is always such a wonderful time to reflect on our blessings, and the greatest gifts in our life.  I hope that you have some time to connect with the people that matter most this weekend!  Dave and I have so many exciting projects happening this year, professionally and personally (look for a big announcement next week!).  I look forward to sharing them here with you.  Thanks for reading this little blog, and I wish you a very Happy Weekend!

 

 

xoxo

Kelly

 

 

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The Easter Table

 

 

We're heading to my mother in law's house for Easter this weekend, and I'm really looking forward to it.  Even though she makes all of the food, I usually offer to bring treats for breakfast as well as the table centerpiece!  So this year, I've been surfing the interwebs, trying to find some fresh inspiration for an Easter Sunday centerpiece.  Boy, did I luck out (thanks Pinterest).  I'm so inspired!  Here are some of my favorite images...

 

 

So simple-- a little floral foam and an Easter basket could create this adorable tulip centerpiece.  Also, love the bowls of jelly beans.

 

This would be easy-- tranfer a potted bulb to any ceramic bowl and add some moss.  Done.

Love the glass globe vase-- so simple and so beautiful!

 

How fantastic is this color scheme?

 

 

 

Such a creative idea.  Create a casual little "nest" of eggs surrounded by carnations.

 

 

Stunning!

 

 

Use an expensive woven storage basket to create this modern tulip centerpiece.  Incredibly easy, and it creates such a chic look.  I love it.

 

 

 

After I found these pictures, I became SO intrigued with the idea of using grapevine to create a "nest" centerpiece.  Amazing!!

 

 

 

 

 

 Also, these place setting ideas are just too cute to pass up...

 

 

(this would be a fun menu idea for a baby shower too)

 

 

Golden eggs!

 

 

"Bunny ears" napkins! :)

 

 

 

 

(all images and links found on my Pinterest page!)

 

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