Sweet succulents

from With a Heart Full of Daisies

I have been meaning to write this post for a while, but haven't gotten around to it due to my new schedule.  The good news is that I am going on vacation next week...in Italy!  7 days and 7 nights on the island of Sardinia in the Mediterranean.  Now, despite the fact that I have lived in Europe now for a year and a half and had traveled extensively through it before I moved, I have never actually BEEN to the Mediterranean.  I have been to the Atlantic coast and the Adriatic (in Venice).  I have flown over the Mediterranean from Madrid to Rome.  I have taken the ferry across the English Channel and boated through the canals of Amsterdam.  But I have never been to or swum in the Mediterranean.  I am stoked.  Plus, I get 7 romantic days of time with my man and 5 days of free breakfasts and dinners (again...IN ITALY).  I can't wait!  I hope to come back with a lot of design ideas, colorful photos and fun things to share with you!

From House Beautiful

In the meantime, I thought I would give you some reading material to keep you busy.   I started a post about succulents a few weeks ago, but never finished it.  So here it is.  Now, I used to HATE succulents.  Well, hate is a strong word (as my mother always used to tell me) so let's say I "strongly disliked" succulents (the way I "strongly disliked" that biatch Jenny in the second grade).  My home is a place for comfort and coziness and somehow plants with little spikes on them didn't seem to fit in.  Plus, I was never really into that desert-y parched look. 

From Comfort and Joy, my last initial.

From DesignSponge

But, that recently changed.  Lately, I have been seeing succulents EVERYWHERE, especially in terrariums.  And, I LOVE them!  I especially love the really little ones, which are far more cute and sweet than they are scary.  Succulents have a cute, casual and kind of whimsical personality that I think looks really funky and fun at home.  It's my next project (I keep saying that, don't I?) to make a terrarium with succulents.  I also think they are perfect for me because I cannot keep a plant alive.  I have killed everyone I have ever had...hum, good luck if I ever have kids, right?

From Comfort and Joy

Succulents also make great centerpieces or place card holders when entertaining (or at a wedding).  

From The Inspired Bride

 

 

From Martha Stewart Weddings

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to my newly acquired obsession with succulents is my newly acquired obsession with terrariums (especially terrariums filled with succulents, lol).  They are everywhere lately and a big design trend.  Plus, they are really pretty and, in my opinion, bring a little sunshine inside.  I love the whimsy of this pear shaped one from VivaTerra.  It's REALLY expensive and I know impossible but I have been looking for one like it for a while.  SO CUTE. 

From VivaTerra

My favorite blogger Holly from Decor8 has a really cute one that she found for 10 EURO at a cheap home store in Germany, which I haven't heard of and must be something they only have up north. 

From Decor8

I want to make a terrarium, too.  It requires a little work and a little money but not a ton.  The most expensive thing is that you have to buy the plants and also you have to buy some planting supplies.  Here is a link to an excellent do-it-yourself terrarium project.  It comes from MStetson and I think she used it as a wedding gift. 

From MStetson

Terrariums and succulents are an easy and relatively inexpensive way to bring a little life into your home.  Additionally, they are right on trend and are a good way to update a space.  They have a casual cool California feel, whereas other types of plants can be too formal or stuffy.  Every room needs a little playfulness.  So relax for summer and have fun with succulents!  And enjoy your Sunday. 

XOXO