Makely

Spring has breathed such a fresh air into all that was quickly becoming stale. Just as I couldn’t handle wearing a jacket (we don’t need “coats” around these parts!) any longer, the weather has climbed into the 70s and the birds are singing from the branches of my newly-budding pear tree.

I don’t put out much seasonal decor in the winter, as I find winter drab and depressing. Sorry, but I just do. I know a lot of you rock the snowflakes and all of the goodness that goes with it, but I just spend the winter months wishing I could play outside with my kiddos and feel the warmth of the radiant sun on my face. Spring is the time when I finally reinvigorate our home with some reminders of the season.

On Thursday, I bought my first stem of spring: a beautiful blue and white hydrangea. Paired with some eucalyptus I also picked up and some greenery clippings from my front yard, it brought such a perfect reminder of Spring to my living room.

I put the stems in a silver plate bucket I picked up a few years ago at an antique market. I haven’t used the urn as a vase before, but I really love it used in that capacity.

The first nest of the season has also made its appearance. Putting out my nests is really one of my favorite parts about decorating. They just remind me of the anticipation of my own little nestlings, whom I just love more than life itself.

Spring is here (or almost here), my friends. What is your favorite part about getting your home ready for spring?

P.S. Within 24 hours, my beautiful Hydrangea was a goner. It was the first Hydrangea stem I had ever purchased. Once cut, do they have a ridiculously short lifespan? Did my silver plate urn hurt it somehow? Was it too close to the window? The greenery still looks brilliant, so I’m quite confused. If you have any guidance for me on Hydrangeas, please let me know!

P.P.S. A lovely reader, Janet, supplied this link on overcoming Hydrangea wilt. Have you tried these techniques? I’m definitely going to next time!

In less than a month, hundreds of antique dealers from across the world will descend on a tiny little Texas town in hopes of unloading their wares. And I, in turn, will be there waiting to take some of their goodies off of their hands.

MyEyeSees via Flickr

Perhaps one of the most famous antique shows in the the country, the Round Top Antique Weekend, is more than just a bunch of vendors set up in a parking lot. It quite literally encompasses several small towns and all of the barns, buildings, fields, hen houses, dog houses, and outhouses in the area. Okay, maybe not outhouses, but you catch my drift. This is a mecca to people like you and I, and it only happens twice a year – once in the spring and a smaller show in the fall. There are all sorts of vendors, from dealers of fine antiques (read: too rich for my blood) to “junk” and flea market dealers (read: much more my speed).

Sterin via Flickr

This year, I will finally get to say that I’ve shopped Round Top, and I’m inviting you, my dear readers, to join me! On Saturday, April 2nd, I’m heading over that way for an all-day extravaganza. I am setting up a carpool/caravan for those of you who live in Central Texas and would like to come along. You other Texas readers who live elsewhere can meet up with us at Round Top. We’ll shop, laugh, eat, inspire each other, and just have a grand ‘ole time.

MyEyeSees via Flickr

If you’d like to come along or meet up in Round Top, either email me or leave a comment below. I’ll work on getting the details arranged. I think we have to pay admission to the big shows, and I’m sure we’d have to pay for parking. Other than that, you’ll need to save your cash for finding some new goodies for your home.

Fatty Tuna via Flickr

I can’t wait to go shopping with some of y’all! But, if one of you tries to put one of these creepy things in my car, I’m leaving you in Round Top.

Naughty Secretary Club via Flickr

Signs of Spring

Round Top Reader Round Up