PLANT FACTS

Plant Fact: Vetiver is contained in 90% of all western perfumes



Wikipedia definition:
Chrysopogon zizanioides, commonly known as vetiver , is a perennial grass of the Poacea family, native to India. Vetiver can grow up to 1.5 meters high and form clumps as wide. The stems are tall and the leaves are long, thin, and rather rigid; the flowers are brownish purple. Unlike most grasses, which form horizontally spreading mat-like root systems, vetiver's roots grow downward, 2–4 meters in depth. Vetiver is closely related to other fragrant grasses such as lemongrass.*

Chrysopogon zizanioides -- Vetiver

 Click here to see one of our favorite things with Vetiver! 


*Text Credit: Wikipedia, Photo Credit Wikipeida

What is your favorite Pumpkin?

Scroll down and choose your favorite Pumpkin! We wanna know!
(look for our Poll on the right hand side of the the screen -- don't forget to vote!)

'Jarrahdale' -- my favorite!

A Martha Stewart Living photo -- a favorite photo of ours!

What is your favorite Pumpkin?

We're planning a Wedding!

My sister, one of my best friends is getting Married, and we are helping!

I love my sister, and she has always dreamed of a winter wedding. So -- a winter wedding it is! January 15 in Northwest Arkansas. Inspiration bride's bouquet pictured below. Bridal portrait pictures on October 17th -- so, I'll keep you posted on how that goes -- and pictures to come of Jennifer's bouquet.

Color theme: Winter white with Ivory and punches of both Light/Bold Salmon -- Winter Fresh. We are excited!

White Lisinthus, White Sweet Peas, White Chamelaucium - wax flower, White Astilbe, Antique English Rose, Saucer Plate Dahlia, White Scabiosa, Assorted Berries and addition of  White Veronica and Amaryllis

What do you think?  ...perfect for a Winter Brunch Reception?

We have selected Pam Pemberton of Flora in Fayetteville Arkanasas as the floral designer. Click here to see an article about Pam on one of our favorite design blogs -- Design Sponge.




Photo Credit: Google image

OKAY -- I have an illness!

I love Magazines!

Recently I was going through my magazines for fall decor inspiration (and I'm not gonna lie -- was looking for my back stock of Martha Stewart Living - Halloween Special Editions)....  Am I sick? I do love magazines. Snapped this photo! lol -- We can laugh at ourselves! Right?

...and this is only the beginning!

My current favorites: Elle Decoration, Martha Stewart Living, Fine Gardening, Sunset, and Living etc.

One of our Favorite Things!

So, recently one of our Plant Facts post was about Lichen -- and Ironically one of my favorite things right now is a series of Voluspa candles -- Lichen & Vetiver. Voluspa is an amazing brand of candles. This series  has a earthy, masculine scent... with sweet under tones. AND -- it burns forever! We love to share our favorite things!

Check back on Tuesday to see our Plant Facts post -- learn more about Vetiver!

Need a laugh -- Funny Pumpkins!

Okay -- sometimes its nice to let loose and have a good laugh (and be tacky!). Not sure I will be recreating any of these pumpkin carvings -- but let me know if you do!

Have a great weekend!

One too many?

Ok, this is gross -- 'butt' funny!

My personal favorite!

pumpkin pie anyone?

twins?

Ok -- I like this one!

OH dear... Not feeling so well?

This one 'cracks' me up!

Post pictures of your pumpkin carving on our Facebook wall -- we can't wait to see!

Photo credits: google image, graphichunt.com, photooutpost.com, methodshop.com, decordir.com, foundshit.com, dappled.org, extremepumpkins.com, hivingout.blogspot.com via google image.

Poll CLOSED! -- What is this plant?

Question: What plant do these leaves belong to?

Answers: Cherimoya

Wikipedia definition:

The fruit is fleshy and soft, sweet, white in color, with a custard-like texture, which gives it its secondary name, custard apple. Some characterize the flavor as a blend of pineapple, mango and strawberry. Others describe it as tasting like commercial bubblegum. Similar in size to a grapefruit, it has large, glossy, dark seeds that are easily removed. The seeds are poisonous if crushed open; one should also avoid eating the skin. When ripe the skin is green and gives slightly to pressure, similar to the avocado. Ripe fruit may be kept in the refrigerator, but it is best to let immature cherimoyas ripen at room temperature.*

 

 

Cherimoya fruit -- a snapshot from my local Hillcrest farmer's market in San Diego

 

Mark Twain called the cherimoya "the most delicious fruit known to men."*

BTW -- Did you know there is a California Cherimoya Association? Click here to visit their website!

*text credit Wikipedia

Take me with you? ...Wyoming -- Pictures!

My parents are taking a vacation in Wyoming -- and WOW  ...it is beautiful!  Mom sent these snapshots!

Mom's favorite picture

Galium odoratum -- Sweet Woodruff

Hey Mister, MOVE IT!

Old Faithful - Yellowstone

Buffalo

I wonder what kind of pine this is?

breath taking views

Mom said she was nervous while snapping this shot!

Phylica plumosa?

native vegetation

My favorite pic! -- Beautiful

Populus tremuloides - Aspen

My parents first view of Wyoming

Ever been in a tight spot?

Last week I was driving and a lil something green caught my eye...  I looked again; what I saw was refreshing...  A lil mexican fan palm growing in a tight spot in the midst of a concrete jungle. I felt inspired and snapped a photo.

Click Here to see the IRONIC photo Jamie -- one of our Facebook followers posted over the weekend on the TGM Facebook wall!

Martha Stewart is Haunting me!

It's October and that means it HALLOWEEN TIME!

If you are like me -- you love both Martha Stewart and Halloween! Every year I get excited to purchase Martha's special edition Halloween issue -- but this year -- I am the proud owner of  Martha Stewart's new Halloween Handbook -- a 'Best Of' collection from previous special editions.

Go out - get it! Get inspired and post your Halloween pics on our Facebook! -- Look for ours too!

Weekend Nursery Trip -- A Treat for me and my Nose!

Over the weekend I visited a local nursery here in San Diego -- and WOW what a treat for me and my nose! I love white flowers... but, what I love even more -- FRAGRANT white flowers! Please enjoy the snapshots below of some of my favorites!

All of the flowers below are VERY fragrant

Michelia alba, Tropical tree native to the Himalayas... in the surrounding areas -- flowers are collected and placed in bowls of water to perfume areas of the home -- like the bathroom. This tree is pretty $$$. Expect to pay $200+ for a 7-15gallon. I have planted this tree before at a client's home.... it blooms all seasons!

 

Brugmansia - Angel's Trumpet(double white) Isn't this beautiful?! Fragrance starts to come alive around dusk. I have seen this plant over winter in USDA zone 6b -- but it was a mild winter.

Gardenia thunbergia, some might call this 'the original gardenia' -- This flower in the picture was snapped from the largest G. thunbergia i have EVER seen.... it was 15ft+ tall with a 12in diameter trunk -- a true tree! The flowers were 4-5in across as well -- again, largest I've ever seen.

Vigna caracalla - Snail Vine ...Okay -- this one has a lil purple!

(close up) I wonder how it gets the common name Snail Vine?

Jasminum sambac -- Arabian Jasmine, Unusual double flower for a jasmine -- but wonderfully scented! This one grown my Monrovia -- this plant is sometimes hard to come by!

'READ MORE' for another beautiful fragrant RED flower