Fiddle Me This!

I am officially on Spring Break this week (one fabulous perk of being a teacher!) but hubby and I decided to tackle some home projects rather than tackle the beach. Plus, the weather here at home is just as fabulous so why not save the mullah (or spend it on new things for the nest?!). Due to these home facelifts we are working on, my tan is not projecting the assumption of time well spent in the sun and sand... so... I weasled myself into the tanning bed this afternoon- I know, I know. By the time I had taken in some Vitamin D and conversed with our friends who own my faux isle of Paradise, I was bouncing out the door with a stem. Huh?? Yes, a stem. A plant stem. The stem of my very first indoor plant, a Fiddle Leaf Fig, to be exact. There is a hue-mungo Fiddle Leaf in the foyer of the tanning salon. We got to talking about this beauty, it's size (after 12 years of growth) and how low-maintenance it is. As it turns out, the owners happened to have taken two stems off earlier today and placed them in water. One was for another customer and the other one, well, found itself headed to my place. I giggled as I left, thinking, I can see my husband now... rolling his eyes, asking "What have you gone and bought now? I thought you just went to the tanning bed?" Of course not, silly.
My instructions were: place the stem in a planter of potting soil and see if it will root. After some research, it looks like although you can get a Fiddle Leaf  from your local home improvement store, they don't tend to carry figs in bulk, so if my stem of Fiddle Leaf doesn't budge, I will be on the search for it's replacement. But until then, she is sitting tiny, but contently, in her new home. While waiting for major developmental changes in my new house plant, here are some pictures of Fiddle Leaf Figs, all grown up...

I love the neutral pallette of this room. Your eyes are drawn to the green leaves of this preciously perched Fig.

Real plants are good for air quality in your home. It's true! And the big hunk'a love shown here is sure to make this small space quite the oxygen bar!

The Fiddle Leaf Fig is like a snowflake, no one looks like another. They are each their own architectural pieces of art...

Here is my mind... traveling to the beach this Spring Break... with my stem of Fiddle Leaf  in tow (although I am fully aware of the fact that my little stem could actually sit on the end table).

If you notice in this picture, as well as some of those above, the Fiddle Leaf Fig tends to grow towards the sunlight... if you would like more symmetry in your house plant, turn your planter from time to time. I love me some fung shui, but this fig has a sort of "canopy" effect on this room. It is quite exotic!

I love this look. Gold accents, bright green leaves, rich purple Orchid petals, and a funky kick of animal prints. Fun, quirky, yet sophisticated.

I am no horticulturist, quite the opposite actually, so I am not sure how this homeowner found such a perfectly trunked fig, but I am pretty sure this is what I envisioned as a child when I was told to draw a tree. I like the little rogue stem off to the left, trying it's hardest not to conform...



In addition to everything else in this space, the flanking figs are stunning. They demand your attention and help tone down the strong voice of the drapes. And check out that light fixture, would'ya!? 

Here is another use of the Fiddle Leaf Fig and the Orchid. Hmm, maybe I need to get an Orchid to accompany my friend the Fig?

I adore this space for so so sooo many reasons!!! First off, check out the breathtaking tile in the kitchen. Hello, Heaven! I also dig the robin's egg blue lamps (I have one almost identical to them, so I might be partial...). The natural drum shades balance well with the hearth on the opposite wall, as well as the table and banister in the foreground. The punch of pink, fuschia & tangerine bring life to this space. And there peeps Fiddle from around the corner! Heeey, cutie!

Do you love this earthy find as much as I? My little stem of a friend is going to need all the love she can get! I will keep you posted throughout her childhood. ;)

Home for the Holidays

The holidays have always been my favorite time of the year. I do love when it is over and the air is warming... and I do love the crisp breeze of coming Fall, but the colors, lights, smells, foods, friends, family, songs, events and decorating of the Christmas season can never be replaced! I decorated the house a week before Thanksgiving this year. That seems early even for me but my dear Auburn Tigers have stolen my heart this year (SEC Champions- War Eagle!) and I had to plan my decorating around their football schedule. I know, I know.
Anyways, my last post was a while ago and I was talking about these amazing stockings I found on Etsy. I have now hung them in their new home and they love it there (so.do.I.). Mr. Mister hung lights on the outside of the house this year and they look fantastic, and I have displayed my Vietri Christmas plates in the kitchen. Other than that, most of my Christmas decor is repeated from last year- but I just love my rustic Christmas theme and don't see myself steering from it anytime soon. Here are some pics of our home for the holidays.

Here is my tree and mantle. I have started collecting Old World Christmas ornaments but only have those that were given to me. I am planning to buy more after the season this year, when they go on sale. I have a good 20 that I want in the future and hope that next year the tree won't be so bare. Do not note that there are only 2 gifts under the tree. But do note the awesome stockings on the mantle, and the clip of The Family Stone playing on the tube. :)

I picked this wreath up at Target. I love the Smith & Hawkens line that they carry- and the seasonal wreaths are always a treat. I had moss covering my buffet last year but it was a bit messy and I was a bit lazy this year. So this time around, you got pinecones & birch-covered candles.

 The Vietri Santa plates were a gift from my mother-in-law. I love that they are each different and I wanted to display them. Hanging them on the wall seemed like the most logical answer for showcasing them.

Mr. Mister put lights on our house this year. I love them!! They decorate the house in a very simple, sleek way. No mess, straight lines. And boy, are they bright! Wreaths are hung with brown ribbon on the windows. I allowed hubs to leave out the bonus room window this year, but I have already decided it will have to be added into the decor next year. As will the tree in the yard, and the spotlights will need some tweaking so they showcase the wreaths on the windows a little more. But I won't start the Honey-Do list just yet... ;)

And as a little bonus to my Christmas post, here is a picture of Husband and I during a Heisman (Go Cam!) Party last Saturday. The owner of this fabulous tree spent a lot of time, ahem, and money, putting this puppy up. 300+ lights, all Auburn ornaments, Auburn shakers, and pictures of friends and family at past Auburn games make this a one-of-a-kind tree. The presents are wrapped in orange and blue, and the tree topper says it all.

Here is her tree from afar, in addition to an Auburn mantle-orange roses and burnt orange, frosted ornaments. I really love the little hunting souvenir above the fireplace. War Cam Christmas, everybody!