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I hope you had a great week!

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Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

What a week it was!

We are in peak fall season here in New Jersey and I am enjoying every second of it!

I spent ALL weekend dividing plants here. So far, I planted the front pond and finished off the new cottage garden where we removed the liriope.

There are still some that I want to do, but I’ll need to remove some of the annuals that still look good. So I’m holding off for another week or so before I do more with it.

But it’s looking good! And that front pond will look SO DIFFERENT next year!

dividing a split leaf philodendron that has overgrown it's pot

Chris helped me split 3 of my lacy tree philodendrons. So now I have 7 plants. And they are huge!

I cut a few of them back so they are more manageable in the house, but they’ll help decorate the zen garden and porches next year so I’m excited to grow more!

Speaking of Chris, he found himself in Mexico this week working for a client.

Lucky guy, right?

I stayed here to hold down the fort and run things for the family, but he enjoyed a nice few days and even got to catch the Yankees on TV while he was there.

good directions birdhouse in my cottage garden by the front porch in fall with rudbeckia, celosia and snapdragons and pansies overlooking the valley

As an aside, shouldn’t there be a blogging conference there or something soon? I’m thinking that should be a future plan. hahaha

While he was gone, I hung out with my book club here at the Burnt Cider Mill and we had THE BEST time!

It’s always great catching up with my friends and enjoying time with them for a few hours. These ladies have been my friends since my oldest was in Kindergarten.

And although we moved out of our hometown, I’m still close enough to see them on a regular basis. They are the best there is.

In addition to hanging with my friends at the Cider Mill, Chris and I enjoyed a lovely dinner with our neighbors. They always prepare a wonderful meal, we always have a good time, and it was fun catching up with them too!

Speaking of the gardens, I divided a lot of plants over the last few days too. I can’t wait to see how the gardens look next year. Some of them will look very different!

driveway garden in fall with chrysanthemums, pansies, pumpkins and lots of autumn color.

Oh, and my daughter Tori found this mirror on the side of the road last week on her way home from school.

She was so excited about finding it for her room and wanted me to share it with you.

Just like her mom!

tori with her side of the road find

The Sunroom Update

The sunroom is coming along!!!!

The pillow covers that I ordered came in a few days ago, my houseplants are all snuggled inside and I’ll be sharing this space very soon.

It’s awesome.

Here’s a little sneak peek.

Sneak peak of the sunroom with plants, swivel chairs and boho throw pillows

What I’m Shopping For This Week

I spent some time shopping around for planters for my split-leaf philodendrons. There wasn’t much available locally that are large enough to handle the plants.

And when I shopped online, planters were getting a bit pricey. Since I need four and wanted to keep a budget in mind, I decided to scrap buying planters altogether.

Say what?

Instead, I bought five hydrangeas for the garden and will use those pots for the philodendron divisions and put them in baskets that I already have for now.

That way, I have a little more to find something that is both budget-friendly and fits my aesthetic.

Oh and I got the hydrangeas for a deal since it’s the end of the season, so it was a win in my book!

The formal garden in fall with garden statues and gazebos in New Jersey zone 6a

Here’s what else I shopped for this week!

other front porch in fall with two wreaths for the front door, pumpkins and pansies and garden mums

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

We were very busy getting ready for the holiday season with lots of fall table decor, centerpieces, and entertaining ideas.

I shared how to make this GORGEOUS no-carve pumpkin centerpiece idea with fresh-cut flowers from my garden.

If you don’t have a garden you can cut from, no worries! Just snag a bouquet from the market or florist and you can make this dining table centerpiece just as easily!

fresh flowers and heirloom pumpkin centerpiece idea for the dining table with zinnias, dahlias, sedum autumn joy, ivy, celosia and boxwood

Speaking of centerpieces, I shared a few different ideas for Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving party ideas too.

I host Thanksgiving every year and enjoy setting a different table every year.

This post shares lots of table decor ideas, centerpiece designs, and even some family traditions to start this year, so be sure to check it out.

And if those ideas aren’t enough, I joined up with a few other bloggers to share our best fall tablescape ideas that are perfect for any fall gathering, no matter the size or occasion.

Family room in fall in vintage farmhouse with boho decor. Mango wood round table, gourds, candles, pumpkins and plants with cozy throw pillows and blankets.

We also went thrifting at the outdoor flea market in Vermont this week where I shared some of my favorite finds for my garden and home.

I have big regrets about not grabbing that tub by the way.

I also shared a personalized way to label holiday presents this year with scented gift tags. While the post is geared towards Christmas and other holidays, you can make these year-round using fresh-cut greens or other flowers like zinnias, celosia, and more.

scented gift tags diy for presents

I think they look so pretty with fresh-cut zinnias and just made a few for my friends.

And finally, I shared my latest video on YouTube where I’m taking you on a full garden tour where you can see all of the fall splendor.

The beds look so pretty and I know you’ll enjoy the garden tour!

October fall garden tour 2022 -close up of the cottage garden

Amazing Inspiration from Around the Web

I love finding cool inspiration from around the web and wanted to share some of what I’m loving right now.

My good friend Robyn from Robyn’s French Nest shared an clever DIY to make your own sconce.

If you’ve not done this before, her post is chock full of info and you may want try this one!

robyns french nest diy sconce

Of course you know my good friend Rachel from the Ponds Farmhouse always has some cool DIY going on and this week is no exception.

She made these super amazing DIY gift wrapping topper ideas from scrap fabric.

Aren’t they so pretty? Plus they are easy to make too!

rustic diy present topper ideas

My good friend Diane from South House Designs shared this clever DIY using clippings from your lamb’s ear to make festive ornaments.

What a great idea!

You know how much I love to forage in the garden to make decor and this DIY is so pretty!

diy lambs ear ornament

And here is some more inspiration you’ve got to see!

These creative ways to use flowers and plants with your thrift store finds.

I love these thrift store furniture makeovers too!

These fall decorating ideas for a small porch.

Getting your holiday cards ready this year? Here are 101 festive greeting ideas for 2022.

This Halloween snack board idea.

These fall mantel styling tips.

These ideas for a traditional Christmas tree.

formal garden in fall with views of the valley in my New Jersey garden in zone 6a

If you enjoy these posts, you can find past Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly posts here.

And… If you’re catching up on blog posts you may have missed, be sure to sign-up to get my newest posts via email to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here on the blog and more.

two black labradors laying in the zen garden with tree sculptures
Home and Garden Blogger Stacy Ling cutting zinnia flowers in her cottage garden with wood picket fence in front of garden shed

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

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The bricks \'n Blooms guide to a beautiful and easy-care flower garden book by stacy ling
The Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy Care Flower Garden
  • Have you never met a plant you couldn’t kill?
  • Have you dug around in the dirt with nothing to show for it except a sunburn and a sore back?
  • Do you currently enjoy growing flowers, but are looking for more tips and ideas to level up your gardening game?

Then the Bricks ‘n Blooms Guide is for YOU

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8 Comments

  1. Stacy, you’ve been busy! We spent most of the afternoon in the yard yesterday, but it was really just clean-up and winter prep. Someday I’ll have time to do more actual garden work.

    Thank you for sharing my fall porch! Happy Sunday!

  2. Stacy,
    Gosh, I’m amazed at your gardens. Is it time to divide the sedum autumn joy? I noticed all these little buds at the base of my plants. Thanks so much for sharing my package toppers. I can’t believe the response! Have the best week.

    1. Thank you Rachdl! Yes, now’s a great time to do it – they’ll develop a good root system over the winter and come back in spring.

  3. Shape Tape is my ride or die!! So many good finds you linked this week. Love the ottoman and can’t wait to see the rest of that sunroom!!
    Glad you had some fun this week too..

  4. It looks like you have been on the social tour for October as well. I’m so happy that you have friends from kindergarten. Not many people can say that. What a bond you all must have. Loved seeing that mirror your daughter found at the side of the road. Again! Loved being a part of the conversation. Thank you for featuring my garden blog post. I appreciate it so much.