Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 145

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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!

Can you believe we are heading into the home stretch of August already? Where did the summer go?

After a great weekend at the beach, we got back to the grind here and my kids are heading back to school.

Shana left on Thursday to head back to Ohio State to begin her senior year. My oldest daughter Mackenzie drove back with her, will spend a few days, and is coming back early this week.

Shana had a great summer home as she interned with Insomnia Cookies in Philadelphia. She majors in food science so she worked with them on a few yummy projects.

Mackenzie is on a break for a few weeks from her graduate studies at Rutgers. She’s getting her masters in social work.

And Tori is leaving NEXT WEEKEND for her first year at Ramapo College. I can’t believe she’s heading off to college soon. So Chris and I are almost empty nesters! My how the time flies.

Chris and I spent the weekend in Vermont. The weather wasn’t super amazing but it was great to get away, do some thrifting, hiking, and dropping by our favorite restaurants while there.

I also took a little break from working in the gardens this week. I’m still watering and cutting flowers, but I wanted a breather from weeding.

While I still walk around with my cup of coffee every morning and pull things here and there, I’m not going all in on a morning in the garden. I might regret that later but hopefully not!

Lately, I’ve been getting on a consistent exercise schedule where I’m trying to walk or run 3-4 miles at least 5 days a week. It’s still a little hot out but it’s tolerable so I head over to the county park for a scenic excursion.

I’ve also noticed some weight creeping up on me so I’ve decided to start Noom. (This is not sponsored at all – just decided to try it!). So far, I really like the program. It has an app and guide for more mindful eating (which has been a problem for me) so I really like the approach.

For me, sometimes I need a different perspective to take control of what I’m eating and how I’m eating it. This program gives me that shift, so I’m loving it so far.

Have you ever done it before? If so, I’d love to hear your experience with it in the comments below!

What I’m Shopping For This Week

I did some shopping in the garden this week, but didn’t get too much. Here’s what I bought!

• More mason jars for canning. I’ve got so many jalapenos and cucumbers this year, I’m pickling them.
• And more food storage containers so I can freeze my tomatoes. I have an overabundance of them and don’t have enough containers to store them in.
• I needed to get another bottle of deer repellent. I’ve got a lot of hydrangeas to protect from deer damage.

I did a little fall shopping for myself because we should do that every now and again, am I right?

This is what I shopped for this week. And I’m loving the looks!

• This denim maxi skirt.
• These cargo pants. I’m so glad they are back in style as I used to wear them all the time!
• And these utility pants.
• These slip on mules.
• This modern button front shirt looks so fun for fall. I might pair it with my denim skirt.
• This boatneck shirt.

For my home, I am shopping around for some pretty fall decor. Here are some great items I found while shopping around.

• These woven chargers are great for any seasonal table decor.
• How cute are these sunflower napkin rings?
• I love these buffalo check napkins. They are perfect for a fall table.
• And I love the pattern on this duvet cover. I might need to get it for the guest room.
• This bedding is perfect for fall! I love the color.
• I have this in another color – it’s beautiful. I was thinking about getting another one for the cabin.
• This pom pom pillow is perfect for an outdoor living space.
• This beautiful hand crocheted pillow would add so much texture to a cozy living space too.
• These cheese knives are perfect for a chacuterie board or wine and cheese party.

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun but busy week on the blog!

We kicked off the week chatting about milk glass. Do you have any in your home?

If you are new to collecting milk glass or want to know what to look for when you are thrifting around, I shared all about it and how to spot valuable pieces.

Learn how to collect milk glass and spot the good stuff with these simple tips.

Looking for ways to add curb appeal to your home this autumn?

While summer might be winding down, your garden doesn’t have to follow suit. With the right plant choices, you can keep those vibrant colors popping through autumn as the foliage changes.

Learn what to plant this fall for the prettiest landscape on the block!

Want to make a crazy good summer delight that takes minutes to make and incorporates fresh flavors of the season?

While you can make this recipe a few different ways, I prefer it on an open-faced sandwich. Which means, this recipe makes a great lunch or an easy dinner.

It’s important to use fresh ingredients for this one though. So it’s the perfect dish to make while the ingredients are in season.

Wait until you try this easy summer sandwich recipe!

Want to grow a gorgeous garden this autumn?

With the right planning and techniques, we can ensure a bountiful and beautiful garden that will flourish well into the autumn months.

Here are some essential garden design tips to help you get started.

And finally, we chatted all about one of my favorite easy-care perennials that is a true workhorse in the garden.

Are you growing sedum autumn joy in your garden yet? If not you should plant it this fall. Learn how to grow it with these simple tips.

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.

This authentic southern grits recipe.

This trip to Coeur Delane Vintage Market Days. Kim found some great stuff!

These tips for fall decorating on a budget are spot on.

These fresh seasonal meal ideas sound delish!

These easy and affordable centerpieces for fall that you can make yourself!

This layered angel cake looks divine!

These tips for hanging things in dorm rooms. Even if it’s cinder block walls.

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.

Garden Supplies I Use

I’m often asked about the garden supplies and tools that I use most. From pruners to deer repellents, here are some of my favorites in no particular order.

• I like to use a good-quality, potting soil, garden soil, compost, and perlite when planting.
• I have used this deer repellent with great success. But now, I’m all about this deer repellent that is systemic instead of topical. This means the plant takes it in as opposed to it just smelling bad.
• Hands down this is my favorite hand-weeding tool. You can use it to get underneath roots, and loosen soil, and it cuts down on the weeding time because you work much faster.
• But I also love this long, stand-up weeding tool to really get around roses from afar.
• I like to use THIS ORGANIC FERTILIZER for roses because the blooms are more prolific and it’s organic.
• You’ll need a sharp set of pruners when working with plants and flowers. I buy a few so I can stash them around.
• I use these garden snips to deadhead and cut flowers from my gardens.
• Where pest and disease problems are concerned, if I need to, I generally use this insecticidal soap or neem oil to help control infestations depending on the issue. When using, only apply when pollinators are less active.
• This is my favorite set-and-forget slow-release fertilizer for houseplants, annuals, and container gardens.
• Whenever I stake my peonies or other plants, I generally use these grow through garden supports because they work really well and keep the blooms upright.

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