Things to Love Right Now: This Week's Links

This week's web travels really have got me thinking about all of the projects I want to attempt and accomplish this Spring and Summer. With so many resources, online and off, and finding new ones every day, there are really no limitations. Here are some of my fave finds from this week.

My newest blog addiction is Dearest Nature, a stunning lifestyle blog inspired by, well, anything and everything in nature. Dearest Nature is also getting readers involved with Spring Pickin's, a blog and photo project to document anything that nature puts in your path. (This should be a must for me this season!)

Repurposing old and found objects like furniture, antiques and pretty much anything you can find, is all the rage these days. This succulent garden via old dresser before-and-after featured on Curbly, a DIY blog, is something to be admired. What can't you make a garden out of? (The full how-to is on Grizzly Bear Modern.)

Lastly, just for funsies, Urban Gardens, a blog dedicated to city and small-space dwellers, featured this darling pewter sugar and creamer set, complete with miniature shovel for a serving spoon. Adorable yes, but also a pretty penny, at Branca.

Apartment Therapy also launched a new Outdoor section of their website, for your perusal.
And, don't forget about the Spring 2012 issue of Leaf Magazine, a treasure trove of ideas for the gardening and outdoor living enthusiast.

Crushing on Leaf Magazine

This Spring, you have every reason to be inspired, especially with the good looks and charming personality of Leaf Magazine by your side. This relatively new online publication officially launched last fall by co-founders and garden design "senseis," Rochelle Greayer and Susan Cohan. The Spring 2012 issue was just released earlier this week. It's 142 pages of beautifully and thoughtfully designed outdoor living and gardening infatuation. Oh, and by the way, it's FREE. Skip on over to LeafMag to subscribe.  

Want more? Check out Leaflets, the LeafMag blog, for daily bite-sized outdoor-inspired design.

Social Media Butterfly

You probably need another social media site to join like a hole in the head.
But, how can you resist gardening-specific social networking? Check out these sites I originally started following on Twitter:

Dig the Dirt

Your Garden Show

Both are free and are a great way to catalog ideas, share your gardens, access tools/resources and peruse how-to's. Most of all, sites like these use the experiences of others to illustrate the importance of gardening, sustainable practices and the impact of building communities on and offline.

I encourage you to be social and start building your gardening community. Then, you can share it on Facebook, tweet it on Twitter, +1 on Google+, pin it on Pinterest...
(Wait, I thought we were supposed to be spending more time outside?)
I don't quite understand it all either, but I'm learning!

P.S. Leaf Magazine, a new digital magazine focused on outdoor design, launches this fall. Click to get a free subscription!

Pretty Little Aprons For Us Dirty Gals

Aprons have been coming back in a big way (not that they ever really left!)

They're perfect for this time of year, whether you're harvesting vegetables or need a tool carry-all in your cutting garden. They're not just for in the kitchen, you know!

The DIY crowd has been having a field day--check out some great how-to sites below to create your own. Or, if you're lucky enough, maybe a super crafty friend will whip up one for you as a wedding present. (Thanks, Jen!)

But, with aprons as cute as these, who'd want to get them dirty? 

Left: Recycled denim "Easy Peasy Gardening Apron" by Wienerdog Tricks, check out the how-to on her blog as well as other cool sewing projects (if you're so inclined).
Top Right: Martha Stewart's up-cycled gardening apron, make old new again with these easy instructions.
Bottom Right: The ultimate step-by-step DIY apron by Design*Sponge.

Left: Not a gardening apron, but fun anyway, I like the cheat-sheet approach of Perpetual Kid's upside-down apron, as featured on FreshHome.
Top Right: My wedding present apron made by my friend Jen! Also came with matching potholders. Cute, right?
Bottom Right: Ruffled goodness, the Seed Apron by Vermont Apron Company, (yes, they are made in Vermont).

Things to Love RIGHT NOW!

Before you know it, summer will be here and gone, as evidenced by store shelves already stocked with back-to-school supplies (shuddering!) There's still time to get your hands on some great summer finds for the home, garden and the beach! Here are a few of my faves this week: 

A new twist on a classic: Swan watering can from Blue Ribbon General Store, which if you take a look around on the site, has some pretty neat stuff. The beak is the handle, the tail is the spout! (It's a heck of a lot classier than the plastic milk jug I've been using as a makeshift watering can.)

Tired of the same old rainbow umbrellas on the beach? Me too. These chair and umbrella sets from World Market are super cute, super affordable and perfect for those who are little more sun-sensitive.

Pentas are annual champs. These were recommended to me by Romence Gardens last year, and will always be a summer annual staple. They've been doing amazing in the scorching heat, even when I forget to water. They are also hummingbird and butterfly friendly! 

Share your summer faves!

Jack of All Trades, Master of... Something...To Be Determined...

I'm behind, like WAY behind. In case you didn't know, MBA school, gardening and blogging don't mix. The good news is (other than Mother Nature being behind as well--my coneflower still hasn't bloomed), there is a light at the end of the tunnel, as I'll officially be done with grad school in December. The even better news is, I've taken the summer off to devote to my gardens AND my blog. And the EVEN WAY better news is, I hope to start the MSU Master Gardening Program in January. The application is in, I'm just waiting for my acceptance.

In the meantime, keep reading, I hope to post as much as possible. Also, look forward to some positive changes in terms of look, feel, content...maybe even a name change, who knows? (Got any ideas?)

Here are some highlights from the 2011 Master Gardener Tour (Wanna see last year's recap?). You can expect to see my house on the roster in a few years.

Enjoy!

Japanese lilac, I think!

Backyard envy...

Loved the ripples and ridges of this hosta.

I can't remember if these little twisted clematis balls are pre or post flowers, but interesting, eh?

Winding wisteria.

Last iris of the season?

Amazingly, perfectly manicured beds, although I wondered, why no mulch?

Interesting use of old/dead tree branch for a clematis to climb.

There's something very whimsical about poppies.

 Ginko!

Potting shed (and organization) envy...

Oranges! One of my master gardening classes will be about fruit trees.

Black petunias were uber trendy this year, love them paired with that coleus.

Also love the multi-hostas look, paired with astilbe. Sharp shady combo!

 Urban oasis...

Humble Abodes

How about creating some homes and habitats for the creatures that literally help your garden grow?

Bird Houses
Bird houses add instant charm to any yard and come in just about any style (and price range) to fit your fancy. Or, you can always build your own, if you're feeling crafty. Bird houses also play a role in bird conservation, particularly in urban areas where there are fewer natural places to nest. But, not all bird houses are created equal. Certain houses attract certain types of birds, so if you want to woo a particular species, do your research.

Mason Bees
Mason bees are solitary, workaholic pollinators and rarely sting. Since they live sans roommates (meaning, they don't create colonies or hives with others), give them a comfy place to call home. I love this idea from Martha Stewart on how to create a simple home for Mason bees out of bamboo sticks.

Bat Houses
Unfortunately, bat populations are diminishing due to declining habitats. Sure, many of us cringe at the thought of creating environments to attract bats, but hear me out. Bats eat mad amounts of mosquitoes, moths and other troublesome insects. A single bat can eat anywhere from 2,000-6,000 insects per night. For all you vegetable gardeners, this is another great means of organic pest control. And, if you give them a proper home, the less likely they are to squat in yours.

Check out this site for more fun facts about bats, and the right way to purchase and install a bat house.

















Top left: Martha Stewart's bamboo mason bee home. Middle left: Chic bird houses from Romence Gardens. Bottom left: Crate and Barrel's driftwood bird house. Middle: Victorian bat house from Best Nest. Right: Anthropolgie's ultra-modern bird house selection.

Pretty and Practical Gifts for Mom

It's not to late to get Mom something she'll covet for Mother's Day.
Need ideas? Here are some of my top picks.

You can never go wrong with a great flowering shrub that blooms all summer long and grows back year after year. Last year, I got my mom the Proven Winners Invincibelle Spirit Hydrangea. It's hardy, it's pink and $1 from each purchase will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. But, don't stop at hydrangeas. There are so many shrub options to choose from, including butterfly bush varieties, rose of Sharon, spirea and more. Check out Proven Winners for more shrub ideas or visit your local garden center.

Dirt Couture is probably my new favorite site, with for gifts for moms, friends or yourself. (Remember Father's Day is right around the corner, too!) This site offers a variety of handmade gifts for the garden, the home, organic vegetables and gift cards. Several items also offer free shipping. Some of my faves include the Good Egg Salt Cellar, the Canning Jar Chandelier and the Trook!

Every good woman should have her very own set of gardening tools. And yes, they should be pink. Bond MFG is teaming up with the National Breast Cancer Foundation to bring you this pink gift set including bag, bypass pruner, pruning sheers, trowel and cultivator (with ergonomic grip!)

Yes, you may have noticed a theme. Breast cancer has affected too many family members and friends. So, get great gifts while supporting great causes. Happy Mother's Day!

Left: Pink 5-piece garden tool gift set, available at Amazon.
Top right: Proven Winners Invincibelle Spirit Hydrangea
Bottom right: Tree of Life Necklace from Dirt Couture

Boots With Moxie

Anyone who really knows me, knows I love boots!

Take fall and winter right into spring with these fashionable gardening boots, perfect for the damp transition into summer.

These rubber boots, affectionately known as wellies or muckboots, are waterproof workhorses that are perfect for a rainy day or a soggy romp in the garden. Thick and sturdy, rinse these off with your garden hose and you're done.

I only have a pair of perpetually grass-stained and soiled sneakers, but see how these boots would be a good investment, as they range upwards in the $70+ range.

Now if only I had a mudroom...

far left: Toile rainboot by Tamara Henriques

middle: Hunter rainboot with Slugs bootliners found at Dirt Couture

upper right: Hunter floral boot

lower right: Tall boot from Gardener's Supply Co.