Lucy's Lounge at Tutti Chic

Taking Time....

Taking time for a little R & R this week. Finishing up some last minute garden projects for clients & opening up the beach house for the summer. A little late in doing the latter because we have been so busy this month! Hoping to re-charge my batteries a bit over the holiday weekend & just relax, enjoy family & friends, get to the beach & of course hunt for more treasures to add to my website! It's so relaxing near the water isn't it? I love to garden at my little lavender stucco cottage  near the water, so I'll fit that in as well. Hope all of you are taking time to re-charge & enjoy the holiday weekend too! I'll be back next week hopefully rested & sporting a great beach tan (I know it's not healthy but it's my one bad vice~well that & lots of chocolate! LOL) Have a safe, fun, fantastic 4th of July my friends! xo

This chair is SO calling my name !

Flower Power....

I have so missed blogging lately but my time designing, planting & maintaining clients gardens has my head spinnning! LOL!  I try to spend as much time tending to my own gardens during these wonderful warm months too, so that doesn't leave me a whole lot of time for  website work (which takes a little respite during the summer months) or blogging. Right now I am slowly starting to get covered in poison ivy & am a bit uncomfortable tonight. I thought I was home free & then jinxed myself by feeling pretty cocky that I hadn't gotten it yet this year so I probably won't & VOILA it appeared! AHHHH!  I usually get it so badly that I have to go on a dose of steroids to be comfortable. We'll see how It is on Monday & then I'll either make the call to the dr. or tuff it out. I've been trying to get over to my favorite blogs & have noticed lots & lots of blogging about gardens & gorgeous photos of  some really fabulous gardens!  I would love to join in so I am  posting some photos I took today after a completely enjoyable gardening day in my yard with my sweet hubby. He would much rather have been on the golf course today but decided to do some of the grunt work I couldn't do due to a sore knee! lol~YES! I do feel like I am falling apart right now with the posin ivy & the runners knees acting up! you should have seen me limping around the yard like a 90 year old!

Absolutely LOVE verbena, especially the lavender that looks almost blue! Don't you love this color against the black of the urn?!

My english inspired garden is really coming together this year. I bought a big cement urn for the middle, planted it with a small fir tree & underplanted it with white new waves, licorice plant & lavender verbena. It will be spilling over the sides in no time! I planted 4 small boxwood around the urn to make it look truly english.

A stunning salmon pink hibiscus sits on the vintage outdoor dining table. So does a vase of pretty light lavender rhodys!

A  stain glass window hangs from the pergola.

Clematis~

Hostas give me a feel for the victorian era~I have tons of these all over my yard.

Birdbath planted with lavender & pink verbena~I love planting these! Don't worry I have other birdbaths for the birds! LOL!

Here's another birdbath for the birds. It's actually a tracy porter planter I use for the birdies.

Pretty soon this part of the yard will be a sea of pinks, soft yellows, white & lavender. My gardens reach their peak in july where the additional colors blend with all the blooming roses!

There is something so nostalgic for me to watch a sprinkler water the gardens & the lawn. It's what people did when I was  growing up. I have never pushed the issue of irrigation with my hubby because I love putting on the sprinklers & listening to the clicking of the water going back & forth.

A very old toolboox planted with white & blue supertunias.

St. Francis watches over the herb garden~

This fabulous bloom ranks number 1 as an all-time favorite!  What are your favorite flowers my blog friends? Next post may just be all about hydrangeas! I have quite a few varieties growing now. I think I'm partial to the "endless summer" variety that blooms all summer long & on new & old wood. Stunning! This was just what I needed to feel connected to the blog world again~I'm off to catch up on reading some more of your blogs! xoxo

WE DID IT!!!!

Just a quickie post to congratulate our home team the Celtics! We are a huge basketball family here & last nights game was a dream come true! I'll be back in  a few days to post about one of my favorite flowers HYDRANGEAS! My gardens are almost at full peak & will be posting pretty pics of them soon! Have a wonderful rest of the week! xo

Loving Lavender....

As I was gardening in my own yard a few days ago I realized how much I absolutely love lavender. .  I love the scent of lavender& I love the color of lavender. It reminds me of the way my grandmothers house used to smell. Actually it smelled like lavender & ivory snow~so clean & fresh all the time. I used to love that my grandmother (g.g.) always had Yardley of London lavender soap in her bathroom & a bath or shower was such a treat with the smell of lavender clinging to the air & my skin. I love to havelots of lavender in my gardens too. It  reminds me what a field in Provence would look like planted with hundreds of this deliciously scented plant. I have to admit I have never dried it myself. Seems like I never have enought time to get to all the stuff I want to each summer due to all the garden work I do. You would think this would be high on my list because I do garden! lol! I do pick it, gather it in bundles & tie it in pretty french ribbon to dry ( probably the wrong way) in my own home, where it sheds all over the place but gives off such a wonderful scent when touched that the shedding doesn't bother me at all. This lavender addiction spills over to other  similar hued plants, & home accents that have this favorite color. My grandaughters bedroom is done in Lavender (although she is bugging me to paint it PINK!),  My website has lavender throughout. I have a lovely shade of lavender velvet on a favorite vintage chair (okay, it's not actually on the chair yet but it's draped on the seat ready to be stapled in place!) What sticks out in your home or garden? Do you love a certain color because it reminds you of a certain scent or a favorite memory? Really think about it & I bet your favorite plant or favorite color is tied to a special memory from long ago! Enjoy some of my favorite lavender things & have a wonderful weekend! xoxo

   

 

Fields of Lavender in Provence

 

Always in g.g.'s bath~

 

This & That......

Just about back to normal after several weeks of insane planting for garden clients & computer crash!  Whew! It's been so crazy but....busy is what I thrive on & love about my life. So much to cram into a day that I'm half insane by nighttime!LOL! I'm not telling you anything most of you don't know~we are all so busy every day! That's why I decided to take today off, catch up on paperwork, website stuff, garden (my own :) & hopefully some housework in here somewhere! Decided to post a few random pics of things that make me smile today. LOVE the gorgeous peonies gracing my gardens this year. They never fail to make me smile with their fluffy, ruffled beauty! Hope you enjoy some photos of some favorite things~

A pretty vintage look-alike metal sign purchase from my friend Lori at Katies Rose Cottage

I mentioned to my mom that I was on the hunt for vintage inspired jewelry & she said Why don't you come look thru my old costume jewelry?" What a great idea! I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner! Look at all the goodies I found (some flea market finds are mixed in too!) I even found my sweet 16 charm bracelet given to me by my beloved grandparents on my 16th birthday(you know a hundred years ago??!! lol)

 

An old piece of sheet music picked up at a favorite shop! Love these vintage music sheets~

Last but not least an adorable Marie Antoinette look alike doll I won in a give-a-way at Debbies blog Pictures Pots & Pans~A charming blog you'll enjoy.

Isn't she adorable??? She keeps me company in my office while I work! Thanks for all the other goodies too Debbie! Hope you all have a wonderful week full of good weather & the good kind of  busy~The kind that keeps us happy & pleasantly exhausted at the end of the day! xoxo

Remembering Brave Men & Women......

Almost back to normal after the computer fiasco last week! Just wanted to wish all of my sweet blog friends a happy & safe Memorial Day weekend. See you all next week! xoxo 

Almost There........

I've been gone way to long! My computer crashed & burned last week & the search for the new laptop began(in between garden clients &  everyday stuff!) I have a new laptop in my possession but....Things are not where they should be on this little beauty & now I have to put files, photos etc....where I can find them easy! I think a trip to the geek squad is in order to expedite things~I'll be back soon! I've missed you all!xoxo

The Good, The Great & The Ugly....

I can't believe it's been a week since I last blogged! The days are flying & I'm  busy getting into work mode with garden clients & trying to keep up with the busy tutti chic boutique.  So happy it's friday & that this weekend is mothers day. Hope you all get to be a bit spoiled on Sunday! Just thought I'd post some random things & thoughts to end out the week. First of all the good.....

Picked up this sweet cabinet yesterday on a buying trip! It was calling my name~just look at the fabulous chippy paint! happy mothers day to ME! LOL!

A quick dose of creamy white paint on the inside & some shelves & I've got a fabulous find! 

The great.....

So honored to be featured in the June issue of Romantic Homes along with Lidy & Lisa two very talented bloggers with amazing blogs! The feature is called "BLOG ON" & is written by the talented Tara Frey.  It's so exciting to be in this issue chock full of great articles & fabulous eye candy!

The Ugly....

Picked up this crown planter in my travels at a consignment store last weekend. While I love  to wear red I don't really decorate with it (aside form a few accents here & there) I love the idea of a crown & anything that is french or european inspired especially used as a whimsical planter! I am going to paint it creamy white & sand it where the gold accents are to let the gold come thru & make it look vintage sweet! Love this idea & will put gorgeous summer annuals in it. I'll post a photo when done & planted!

So there you have it the good, the great & the ugly! Here are some random shots of things that are in bloom here in New England. My favorite is the lilac tree that my beloved grandmother (g.g.) started for me about 10 years ago from one of her lilac bushes. I cherish it & will think of a way to bring it with us if we ever move. (Yup the whole bush is coming!lol!)

Love this new rose bush I picked up! It's a quick climber & I just love the name! If you have a Lowes nearby make sure you check out this pretty pink climber!

Tons of lavender phlox all over the yard~LOVE IT!

One of my favorite summer annuals is the soft pink "new wave" petunias.  They don't need to be deadheaded & get so thick & lush. I love watching them spill over garden walls and planters!

Look at the pretty bling I picked up the other day!

Last but not least....Have a wonderful, relaxing, love filled  mothers day my dear blog friends!

The Inner Sanctum......

Here it is... my space, my peace & quiet, the place I get my work done whether it's working on my website, working on a project for a garden client, reading favorite magazines or just doodling~This is ALL MINE! It's the only room in the house the rest of the family leaves to me. It's the place I go to just be quiet sometimes.  I can close the french doors & tune out the deafening roar of the t.v. (which my husband loves to turn up really loud, especially during a football, baseball or basketball game!LOL) I did some re-arranging & some spring cleaning & it feels like a brand new room. It's soft & kind of fufu~so different from the kitchen that is its neighboor & the living room which is done with white walls & lavender & robbins egg blue accents.  The family room is definately romantic cottage which is most like the office. The theme of romantic living is in each room of our home, but each room has it's own distinctive look. The office is girly & pink & just the way I want it right now. I bring in statuary in the winter for accent pieces & a bulletin board hangs on one wall full of magazine clippings & pictures of homes or pieces that inspire me! I love my special place full of the things I need to either package up a pretty vintage find for a customer or to just sit & paint at my desk. Whatever.... it's a room that brings me lots of peace & happiness & isnt' that the most important thing? Have a wonderful week! xo

I purchased this from my dear friend Janet over at the fabulous SHABBYFUFU boutique! Janet offers work from the most talented group of artisians including herself! Love my tuttichic office sign!

My really comfy chair~I had a white cotton duck slipcover made with a short ruffled skirt but that's at the embroidery lady's to have a pretty english script "G" monogramed on the back in a pretty white(wanted to do a pretty light silver but figured I'd be taking it off to bleach it when I clean it & there will go the silver thread!) I threw a twin spread on it & covered the spread in white lace while the slipcover is being done~not bad huh?

   

A whimsical shoe houses some victorian cards & cherub stickers

A shelf full of pretty things I like to include in my packages,  SO fun shopping for these littlel gifts to include!

I use an old piece of tapestry as a blotter~love the soft hues.

LOVE this hand done frame so much! When my dear friend Tara visited "The Cat's Meow" last month she had this gorgeous frame done by suzie holt (the owner of this fabulous shop in Florida) sent to me. I haven't even replaced the picture it came with because the little girl looks so sweet smelling her bouquet of flowers! It sits in a special place on my desk.

Love this bench I picked up for a song at homegoods last year! Do you think it looks french or english inspired?

Love these pretty blocks I purchased from my friend Jen at Artful Dreamer~they sit right on my distressed white desk!

Hubby made these cornices for me two years ago. They were a pretty good copy of a pair of antique french cornices I saw at one of my favorite antique shops! The owner was so sweet & let me take as many photos as I needed! I have three windows so there are three in my office & I will NEVER take them down!LOL!

A favorite needlepoint rug adorns the hardwood floor.

Do you all remember the awesome article &  "how to" instructions on how to make a vintage mannequin by tara frey  &  heather bullard in Romantic Homes?  Well.... I made one & I LOVE HER! Her name is Flora Rose after my grandmother Flora.

Had to post a picture of this ad I saw in one of my favorite magazines! Is she a pretty good likeness or what? LOL! Have a great week! xo

Off To Boston.....

School vacation this week in Masschusetts so I offered to take my grandaughter Gabby & her two friends in to Boston for the day. It's always a treat for me to hop on the train for the 50 minute ride in avoiding all the traffic driving in would encounter! The weather here has been picture perfect & yesterday was no exception as we put on shorts & tee shirts to walk around & explore. Of course with 3 13 year olds the theme of the day was "SHOPPING" We walked over to Faneuil Hall( also called the Quincy Market) & shopped until we dropped & believe me grandma almost dropped! LOL! Lots & lots of walking in Boston & I swear we put on 10 miles just walking around shopping all day! Lots of fun & loads of people in town, so it was a fun day with the girls who were very well behaved all day! Lots of giggling all day between the three of them. Every time a good looking boy walked by I knew the giggles would start! I got to visit some favorite shops as well as favorite "cookie haunts" (my downfall) & all in all it was a fabulous day! If any of you  watched the  5 week  miniseries "JOHN ADAMS" like I did faithfully each week (I'm a history freak!) you would appreciate the sights & sounds of Boston & the history in the air there! We are SO lucky to live 30 minutes by car & 50 minutes by train! Hubby works there & he even popped over to say "HI!" The BEST shopping & historical sites in our neck of the woods!

The girls LOVED this guy dressed as a pirate(he was actually a teenaged kid!) We tipped him well in his tip box.

Making an antique coin

The infamous "CHEERS" where everybody knows your name!

THe BEST chocoalte chip cookies!

Went into one of my favorite shops~57 Sheffield

Look what I passed up~Going back for this by the weekend! (didn't want to carry it on the train)Lovely stretched print of a country home in France~it had a pink tinge to the back~GORGEOUS!

We didnt' get to "Beacon Hill" my absolute favorite place to get unbeleivable window box ideas & to just to see the historical "federal style" dwellings.(13 year olds SO NOT interested in that!)  Some of the states  most affluent people  live here.

 

Tomorrow it's my grandsons turn to have a day with a few friends & grandma as their chauffeur & chaperone. It will probably be a skateboard park, lunch & a movie-boys are SO easy! LOL!