Saturday, July 20, 2013

taking it slow

I have been taking things a bit slower these last couple of weeks as I have been getting over being sick.  Making myself go to bed early and taking things slow have helped me get my energy back for the most part.  I want to apologize if I have missed any of your posts...I'm finally getting my groove back!  

Every summer I host a party for my girlfriends.  We laugh, eat, and laugh some more!  We are all over the place in life.  Some are in the city and others of us are in the burbs.  Working, stay-at-home moms, and the list goes on.  It feels really good to reconnect with my friends. And I always try to make it special when they come here because they are so important to me.  This year I used jars to decorate and stayed with white flowers for the table.  Lilies, snapdragons and bottles wrapped with twine.






 For some extra lighting I hung mason jars with clear stones and placed one round LED light inside for a soft glow. 











 I visited a new nursery today that I read about in the local Chicagoland Gardening Magazine. In keeping with the "taking it slow" theme, here are some pretty plants on my stroll through



















Partying with...Fishtail Cottage

Happy Weekend Everyone!

26 comments:

  1. Your garden looks spectacular, and I love the idea of hosting a dinner for all your girl friends one night in the summer! Lovely.

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  2. I am so glad you are feeling better! How frustrating to be sick in the summer, of all times ( I say that about Christmas too ). I wish I could have attended your party! I love how you set your table and all of the white flowers too. Your patio is gorgeous! That nursery looks like a great place to visit. I hope you are having a good weekend too. Take care, Nicole.

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  3. Love how you used the jars in your decor :)

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  4. glad you are feeling better, and yowza! What a lovely tribute to your friends - they must be feel so treasured ;)
    Now I've got to go and wipe up the drool from those gardens

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  5. What an absolutely beautiful setting to entertain your friends. Your table looked wonderful. I hope your Chicago weather cooperated because some people have complained of the heat.

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  6. I love your party set up. The jars are wonderful. Such a great idea to host a catch up party with your girlfriends. Hope you are well on the way to good health again. Early nights are always a good way to get well again. Take care lovely xo

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  7. Going to bed early....you're so smart! I can never make myself do that. Party sounds wonderful, and your table looks so great!

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  8. I always love how little gatherings of flowers look together! Lovely :)

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  9. Oh that is a beautiful setting!! Hope you are feeling better! I love to get lots of naps in when i am sick..oh double up on vitamin c!!! Take care, jackie

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  10. Your lady's party sounds like a lovely day and your table looks so very pretty. Get well soon, I'm into week two of a chest infection.

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  11. What?! I wanna come sit at that table and eat food and drink wine and laugh!!!! How fun that you set it up so pretty for them. Love it.
    Hope you're on the short end of mending!

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  12. It's very good to stay in touch with old friends ... enjoy your get together!

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  13. So lovely to have a summer garden party with your girlfriends, I hear you all laugh and chat...........when I have my old girlfriends over here for a party my daughters talk about a henhouse.

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  14. Nicole, that looks lovely! I love the mason jars and the burlap type of runner. Those colors look so clean, crisp and natural together! I sure could use a girly party right about now! And that quote you have about friendship...there really is nothing better than ties of loyalty through thick and thin. When all else is gone, happiness is measured through those types of bonds. So sorry to hear you've been under the weather. Taking it slow is a good thing...and may you be completely restored asap! ~Urban Chick~

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  15. It does look so pretty, and peaceful!! How wonderful! I am sure all your friends loved it, plus your yard is so beautiful! I hope you are feeling better! There is nothing worse than not feeling your best, good for you for taking it easy! Hugs Nicole!

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  16. Hi Nicole, I am glad you are feeling better! It does take time to get your energy back afterwards. Your garden party for your girlfriends is decorated so pretty! I love the jar lights and your table is so lovely. Your friends must have really loved having such a pretty setting to enjoy each other's company. The garden tour is lovely, too. I like the deep foliage colors. It really makes a nice contrast with everything else. Hope your week is nice and slow! Hugs xoxo

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  17. Nicole, what a lovely table setting. sorry you have not been feeling well-I have been going threw the same thing must be the hot and humid take care

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  18. Oh I hate to read that you were sick! Especially during this heat and humidity. What a great table setting. I love the use of all the glass ware. So pretty! I have heard of the Hidden Gardens. I might have to take a stroll that way sometime myself!
    Liz

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  19. Sorry to hear you've been poorly but so glad that you feel like you're getting your groove back. Friends are so important in helping us do these things. I love the garden decor, I'm sure your party was a great success Nicole!

    Can I come next year? I'll bring cake! :D Hazel x

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  20. Good friends are one of the best joys in life. Your party setting was beautiful. :o)

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  21. What a lovely setting for a get together with good girlfriends. How lucky they are that you take this on every year.

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  22. Gorgeous! I love the giant hostas and the hanging flower beds and the window boxes. Also, what a lovely setting you creating for you and your girls! Looks so relaxing. :)

    toddlindsey.com

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  23. What a lovely setting for a get-together with friends! Glad to hear you're feeling better now.

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  24. This looks so lovely! I love your patio ;) glad you're feeling better friend! How yucky to be sick in the summer!
    I love the white flowers too. I love white... As you may know ;)
    This post is just making me want more and more pictures! That orange vine in the pictures is gorgeous ;)
    xoxo

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  25. Your friends must have felt very special with that lovely table!

    Those dark-foilaged plants with the orange/red coleus are my kind of containers! Just beautiful.

    Glad you are feeling better.

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  26. It's all so beautiful! You are so talented! I bet you guys had a blast! Neat idea!

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