Some Spring Inspiration with Pier 1

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1. All opinions are 100% mine.

Spring is taking it's sweet time to appear in my neck of the woods but when we have those good, warm, sunny days when we can be outside - WE ARE!!!  I've been prepping my patio a bit for summer fun and realizing it's need a little spruce up. To the rescue? - Pier 1

Furniture pieces always set the tone of an outdoor space. They either invite or leave you wanting for more. Besides seating, I think having adequate space for food, drinks and entertainment type of items is something I am always short on. 

I LOVE this table from Pier 1

 (Sunset pier outdoor table)

Texture is HUGE this year in home decor. I love the look of this for outdoor but how fabulous would this be INDOORS too!?! The color, texture and warmth it brings to a space is perfect! 

And what about COLOR? Spring and summer are always the times when color starts to pop up everywhere! Pier 1 was great outdoor dinnerware to wow your guests and punch up any event, even just your simply everyday dinner with your own family. They will love to eat off of these! 

(Floral Strips Outdoor Dinnerware)

You know the crafter in me wants to take these plates and stack them up between candle sticks and create the cutest cake stand or cookie tiered platter, etc. They would be the talk of the backyard BBQ (wink, wink)

The other thing I love for the backyard patio is lighting! It sets the mood for the evening and/or invites your guests to stay longer, lounge and just enjoy. Pier 1 is right on trend with their wide selection of lanterns! Actually, they probably set the trend. 

(Black lanterns)

Lanterns have such extensive uses from being filled with candles, to home decor balls, grass and plants, decorative birds, moss, etc. Of course many of those uses are perfect for INSIDE your home which is why I love these - versatility. They work great for indoor and outdoor. Hanging or setting on a table, you will appreciate the ambience they bring to your space. 

So head out and add something new to your outdoor space this Spring and Summer. You will love the change and the addition of a warmer more inviting, happy space! 

psst! did you know Pier 1 hosts Pier 1 Tweetups? Get in the fun with one in your area!

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My photo Friday.....Butterflies

(Each Friday I share a photo(s) I have taken during the week or recently. I enjoy taking pictures for fun and capturing what I see through the lens when inspired to do so. The photos can be business or family related, from my personal life or just from the everyday. Enjoy My Photo Friday)

Do you like to decorate with Butterflies? I don't necessarily think of butterflies when I decorating for Spring but done up in the just right way - they are fabulous! And that's what I have done - created a project that fits my taste. Here's a sneak peek of it below....

 

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Spring/Easter nesting....quick DIY tutorial

I love sweeping away the dull drums of winter and welcoming in SPRING! I also love to bring natural elements into my decor (aka - use what's in your backyard), here's a quick DIY project for your Spring parties, get togethers, dinners, Easter, etc..........create your own nest.

Step1 - Bag of Spanish Moss from the $1 store (yup it's cheap! I liked the look/color of the spanish moss)

Step 2 - Separate a good handful. The larger the handful, the bigger the nest. 

Step 3 - Create a hole in the middle

Step 4 - Using both hands, twist one sides of the nest up while you twist/turn the other side down

Continue twisting all around the sides This will help the moss to keep the nest shape and help it from shedding moss pieces. 

Step 5 - Decorate! Use them for Easter Dinner filled with Candy eggs....

or to hold the name cards.......

or even as a napkin ring! 

These are darling set on a mantle as well with your spring decor, put into a large vase or even on a door wreath! Get creative and have fun! Be sure to share how/where you set your little nests in the Brassy apple Flickr group!

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Peering through the lens

I've recently been busy with some projects and haven't picked up my camera in a while and I was really "craving" a good creative photoshoot. I needed to go out and snap pictures of interesting objects and fun angles and I needed color! hummmm......but what to shoot? It's the end of winter and most stuff around here is pretty drab. I contacted my cousin and ask her if I could come over and take some shots of her house. So couldn't stop laughing! She said, " what do you want to take pictures of? The laundry, the piles and dirty dishes? " Ha! Everytime I go over to her house she has re-arranged things, added new stuff, painted something, salvaged an item into something great, etc. Her house has lots of color and interest, yet it all works together in a way that it feels alive and inviting. It has such a personal atmosphere. I love it! I am hoping that maybe I can convey that through the photos and maybe you will see something you like that might inspire you. Enjoy.... and don't forget to pick a favorite song on my playlist and turn it up while you watch the slideshow (it's so much better that way - *wink*)




I wanted to highlight a few fun things she has done that maybe you caught in the slideshow. First, I love how she takes ANY object, old or new and gives it a new purpose or personality.

Color - she uses it and is not afraid of it. Mix it, match it and splash it around.

Second, she surrounds herself with things that she loves. Maybe that is why her eclectic style works? Why not be comfortable and LOVE the environment you are in, right?


I loved the family photo she had on her wall. Just a casual photo of themwalking through the woods and printed out on regular paper. Then instead of just placing it in the frame she crumpled it up and gave it some dimension and character. The frame allows the photo to have "hills" and "dips" and take a shape of it's own.

Did you catch the scrabble pieces? My cousin took a green metal tray, hung it on the wall and uses it as a magnet board to display photos. Here, her 3 boys are showcased each with names underneath spelled out with scrabble letter magnets. Easy DIY project and a great way to repurpose a few items you may already have around your house!


And I HAVE to mention the dining room table! It's been a favorite of mine since she first created it! The top is completely decoupaged with torn world and road map pieces highlighted with black legs and it's square shape (sidenote: I love square tables). The chairs even get new covers whenever my cousin feels the whim to change them. Right now they have been covered with some denim jeans - pockets, funky seam lines and all!

I had to include a photo of her too, isn't she darling!? Her warm complexion and darling pop of color in her hair! Just as cute as her house!


Another great feature is the chalkboard wall that sits under the bar/counter area. So great for families! I love chalkboard paint and have seen so many cute things done with it. And of course the bar stools! Love the tops of those! I have my own "decoupaged" bar stools and everyone comments on them. It's so easy to do and really makes a statement! Think about it.......

I asked cousin for a favorite quote so share with all of you as well. (you know I'm a quote junkie). She has several and gave me three. I picked one I loved. I hope you've enjoyed this little "tour" and have been inspired in some small way.

(sidenote: I would love to do more posts like this, so if you'd like to see more too, let me know!) xo - Meg

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