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Simply stepping outside into your garden area is not enough if you want your alfresco experience to be a rewarding one. This means that by methodically selecting the flowers you want growing nearest your outdoor living space is crucial. I have always appreciated the visual appeal and often fragrant essence of daffodils. Thus, they are frequently what I place along the border of my outdoor lounge and dinning spot.

Of those I have enjoyed the most, I can easily refer to the daffodil named “Jack Snipe”, or narcissus Jack Snipe. To the best of my knowledge they are named after the bird of the same name, but why is unclear to me. As they are commonly upwards of eight inches, and boast colours of white and yellow, or white and what some refer to as orange. And the bird is not painted in any of these tones, but is instead brown.

Anyway, I am partial to this type because it tends to bloom earlier than many others, renders many blooms, and is very perky. Mostly, I admire the swept back petals that allow me to see all of its dramatic features clearly. It is cheery, robust, and simply put, brings a smile to my face.

We are all looking forward to getting out into our gardens and enjoying sun filled days. Not only do we plan to relax and take in the fresh air, but it is a must that we get in a lot of meals both made and eaten outside. Once we throw open the doors and step into the sunshine we have very little intentions of turning around again for at least a few months.

As such, creating crafty ways to house the items we will use for grilling are right on schedule. One of our favourites is the lattice grill prep zone. This consists of painting a premade section of lattice work big enough to house all the implements you will be using for the next few months. Choose a colour that invigorates you and the space, and then hang it near the grill, or outdoor dinning space. They need to be readily accessible so you can grad them as required while cooking.

Attach articles like oven mitts and towels to the lattice work with hooks. Then use hooks to link small metal baskets on also. This will establish holders for your skewers, brushes, meat thermometers, and anything else you rely upon to make those delish meals.

Half the fun of entertaining out of doors is collecting all the fun dinning materials that have been designed specifically for that purpose. For those of us who tend to stay on the safe side when it comes to purchasing our everyday plates and glasses, buying the same items for garden party use is the perfect opportunity to get a little crazy. It makes for an awesome excuse to let loose and relax your standards on matching, and get a tad funky.

If you are like me, then the dishes you use inside are neutral in colour, and style. This make things very flexible when you change themes, or the level of importance placed upon the meal you are serving. But, when you are selecting what you will offer up your BBQ, and brunch on outside, fantastic colours, and exciting patterns seem more than appropriate. In fact, the wackier the table wear the more at home your guests will feel. This is just one more reason to love the arrival of spring.

While we are basically confined to being indoors, we glare longingly out the garden window wishing it were Spring, and time to engage in outdoor living. The fragrant air, the warm sun, the sounds of nature all feel like vague memories at this point. The hope of their return seems weak, and so unbearably far off.

Therefore, it can be incredibly therapeutic to fill your home with things that enable you to enjoy the perks of the wonderful outdoors. To do so, burn candles that smell of fir trees, roses, fresh fruit or freesia. Also, incorporate indoor plants where possible, and even nurture tiny trees that can be planted outside when the weather turns back to sunshine and light breezes. Another nice touch, that can make you feel connected to nature is filling an oversized bowl with loads of fresh fruit. It is both visually beautiful, and a reminder of what is to come.



It is simply wonderful that Hunter’s Wellington boots are only growing in popularity, because they are by far the only things that look cute when left outside the door. The fact that the company has gone on to create so many interesting colours, and patterns means that when our children, and spouses leave them lying around they are not such an eyesore. Instead, they reflect personality and style. That is quite an accomplishment when they started out with simple utilitarian purposes in mind. But now when the boys go frolicking through the muddy fields, they look fashionable, and when you wear them to tend to the garden you are more than presentable. But mostly, because they clean up so easily, they are winners in the outdoor living zone.

To make your outdoor living space more lively, establish space for glorious hanging baskets. You can create big blasts of colour in formerly unused air space. If you pick bright, bold and abundant flowers then the overall appearance will be that of flower fireworks. Little blossom bursts to enhance your alfresco living are, pardon the pun, dynamite.

I strongly recommend the calibrachoa (aka million bells) for this project. You can either use just one variety in the container or multiple. No matter what you decide upon the streams of either one solid block of colour or alternating ones will be just the eye candy you are longing to introduce.

Million bells come in so many colour choices that you will be able to find plenty to fit into your garden colour scheme. Actually, do not be surprised if you have difficulty deciding between all the options. This is an easy, and inexpensive way to add to your outdoor environment.

We always host an end of summer party, and love to plan tons of games for the kids and adults alike to participate. Over the years we have found that the most basic, and most traditional games go over best. Things like the three legged race, passing an egg on a spoon, and sack races get the guests ecstatic.

However, just last year I overheard a friend’s son ask his mother what kind of party ends without gift baggies. Of course she was mortified and I laughed it off. I mean it is a party for all ages, and that is just not common practice. So, I shrugged the idea of it off. That is until this year’s party was approaching. I felt confident that gift baggies were not appropriate at our style of party, but I did take a liking to the idea of prizes for the winners of the games.

Still, I wanted the prizes to be quality, so I brainstormed what is something that everyone in my family likes. Nothing came to mind, until I was online because my youngest son likes Esprit fashion and he had been asking for one of their school backpacks. All at once it dawned on me that I wore stuff from Esprit, as did everyone else in my family. So, I started to peruse their sale items and found a bunch of items just perfect to be handed out as gifts.

The party is not until next weekend, but I feel confident that these new additions from Esprit will go over well. In fact, much better than any silly gift baggie.

Oh the yearning to spend long hours outside has definitely set in for most of us. For me, the urge has struck me so strongly that I have begun the process of research on a new summerhouse for my garden. Initially, I was simply going to invest in some new outdoor furniture, but while perusing the local home and garden shop, I took note of the summerhouse prices. On my initial glance, I found them to be much more reasonable than I had anticipated.

The variety of styles and dimensions also captivated me. Some of these little homes look nicer than my first home did. Details have become integral, and use of space well thought out in many instances.

The part that concerned me was the flimsy, or not existent flooring that came with most of the summerhouses that I was interested in purchasing. After a brief look-see on the web, I found that the laying of a reliable foundation, and ground cover is easily undertaken. Really, the only downside appears to be the need to obtain suitable furniture for the mini house itself. Hence, one summerhouse later and I am basically back where I started, searching for furniture.

While it never feels right, because it is still cold outside, it is the perfect time to start to think about making use of your outdoor living space. Sure, there are still at least a couple of months left before you might get the opportunity to really embrace the alfresco lifestyle, but now is the optimum point to get the ball rolling.

As crazy as it seems, it is in the winter months that the new spring and summer products are introduced. Plus, businesses are still trying to sell off inventory from last year. Therefore, if you are alert and do you homework, you can benefit from a sneak peek at what will be hot in the upcoming seasons. But then create that look with pieces from the summer collections from 2009.

Last year at this time, Architectural Digest did a cover story on Donna Karan’s Family Retreat in the British West Indies. It seemed like a surprising selection considering the season, and how many of us are tied up in thoughts of a white Christmas and such. But considering the fact that I am still thinking about the exquisite photos of her al fresco design this winter must mean they knew what they were doing.

Luckily, the full display of the photos from the article can still be obtained on the Architectural Digest website. What I appreciated most about the design was how the furniture inside flowed coherently with that placed outside. Wood consistently supported the cushioned seating, and the fabrics were reminiscent throughout. The predominant colour a shade of honey that glistened in the sunlight and glowed in the abode. Such symmetry is enviable, and the harmony much desired in any home.