Mistimorne Plants

In the past 2 weeks I've spent about 8 hours in my gardens. It is a place where I can decompress.

We live our own lives, but there is very little we do only for ourselves. We work for others, and even CEO's and the President work for their stakeholders. We go to school to gain a sense of knowledge that satisfies other's expectations. Even at home, we respect the preferences of roommates or family members, and the demands of kitty cats.

The garden is my place to do whatever the hell I want. For me. Just for the beauty of it. I serve me and what I want for that garden.

Anyway, I finally got the whole damn (front) garden weeded and pruned. Last year I grew some beans, but they were no good so I'm going all flowers in the front. I bought native wildflowers from the arboretum's native tree and plant sale, and the rest of my lovelies will be from Mistimorne Plants in Dayton.

Mistimorne was opened as Mary's Plants in the 1970's and the business was later taken on by Mary's brother Willard. Mistimorne stocks perennials, roses, shade lovers, vegetables, and giant hanging baskets that will blow your mind. They are proud to use only minimal growth regulators in their plants, and Willard and his staff are extremely knowledgeable about what to plant when, where, and with what.

This year I am really into the coleus. It is a low-maintenance plant that can do full-sun or mostly shade. The colors are so vibrant.

These elephant ears also caught my eye as a unique way to bring new color and texture into my backyard.

I am a domestic diva through and through and I can't wait to stare at some of these beauties during happy hour this summer with miss margarita. Viva la small things.

Wallpaper makes everything better

I've found myself retreating into my digital worlds more frequently than usual. I blame the news. Staying informed is a personal responsibility I take seriously, but I haven't exactly been looking forward to turning on my radio 

(We do not have TV, just netflix. Homegirl can't live without Rupaul and Elliot Stabler) 

and hearing about the gun debate, Boston, North Korea...

And one thing that's bound to transport me to my little heaven where everyone always says "thank you," and where men and women overdress just a little for every occaision is  great wallpaper. 

Especially used sparingly, on an accent wall or in a small space like a powder room, wallpaper can make a space just sing. Here are some of my favorites:

one. two. three. four. five.

one. two. three. four. five. six.

Applying wallpaper can also make a rich impact applied to the ceiling. If your budget is really tight, or if you're not committed to a loud print, buy just a little and frame it instead.

Drag Queens make the best role models.

This past weekend, I had the pleasure (indeed, the great pleasure) of seeing the contest for the next Miss Rhinestone Pride. 

I saw nipple tassels, pasties, real boobs, fake boobs, bush, fake eyelashes, and enough padding to insulate the world from the heat death of the sun. 

I also saw my good friend Rachel. She's wonderful.

I also went out with a bunch of work friends and we closed that sorry Applebees down. 

It was so great. We were there laughing and drinking for almost 4 hours.

This fantastic weekend reminded me that no one knows why we are on this earth. Way too much time is spent trying to keep up with the Joneses (and as this month's Real Simple puts it: the Zeta-Joneses), and way not enough time is spent seeing people you love and laughing until you cry. 

The drag queens told me to love me for me and not the me that would look really chic in that $200 dollar dress, or some me that could get a thousand followers on my bloggy.

Me.

I'm already great.

And my work friends let me know that they're friend friends too, and that memories aren't made of nights I got plenty of sleep. I'm tired of thinking that I'm going to start living once I get out of Harrisonburg. I love this place, and the life is out there, but you gotta go get the good times.

I can't keep waiting. 

So mark my words, Coachella 2014 or bust.

(and lots of other fun stuff too)

Little Annabelle...

Annabelle Catherine. That's her name!

I've mentioned before that I am on the brink of aunt-hood, and I couldn't be more excited. I'm not sure if motherhood is in my future, but aunt-hood... thats the stuff.
I can't wait to smother this baby with love and snuggles and tutus and onesies made from egyptian cotton.

I started planning this baby's nursery as soon as they said they were pregnant. Pictures of my sister-in-law's nursery are soon to come, but these are some beauts I've been collecting on my Pinterest board.

Y'all know I have a weakness for neutral design...

Clockwise from top left: one two three four

But waking up 4 times a night wouldn't be so bad in a nursery this glamorous!

Clockwise from top left: one two & four via lonny three 

I'm a big fan of nursery three in the glam collage, but I'm not sure a baby would survive spitting up on that animal print rug. I want to highlight the lighting choices in particular in these spaces. Ignoring your light source is like going out with a cocktail dress, great pumps, and bed head or no earrings. You wouldn't do that, would you? Good. Pull the trigger, and go get your baby the chandy she deserves!

Yay, babies!