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I hope you had an amazing week!

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Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

Bedroom Renovation

The painting is done…woohoo! No more wallpaper prison stripes. And now It’s light and bright. We are still putting the room back together and I’ll be decorating it over the next few weeks, but check out the transformation so far! Phase 1 is almost complete. We are still putting it back together but this is the difference so far!

Phase 2 will involve adding some moldings and wallpaper above it. But for now, I love where it is going!

Before

bedroom with wayfair chaise lounges in ivory with vintage side table, flat screen tv between oversized windows, linen curtain panels, striped wallpaper and vintage floral carpet in primary bedroom

After-ish

The painted walls make a huge difference, don’t they? I did not love those stripes. We still need to assemble the new end tables and the bed frame hasn’t arrived yet. We also ordered vintage gold switchplates that are supposedly arriving today so I’ll hopefully have some prettier pics for you next week!

I’m also still working on the bedding. So far, I have a vibe I’m looking to pull together but still shopping around for the best pieces so I don’t spend a fortune. It pays to shop around!

A living room with large windows, a wall-mounted TV bracket, and a disassembled TV on a couch. There's a patterned rug, a wooden bench with cushions, a cardboard box, and a table with potted plants and a silver jug.

China Cabinet and Hutch Refresh

I also spent some time this week refreshing my china cabinet and hutch for spring. While shopping around for my bedroom refresh, I found these beautiful melamine plates that I want to use for al fresco dining. I tucked them in with my Lenox and love the look. What do you think?

And if you see something you like here, everything can be sourced here.

A wooden hutch filled with neatly arranged dishware. It includes white and green patterned plates, bowls, cups, and saucers. Decorative gold bird figurines are scattered throughout the shelves. The hutch has a dark finish.

Puppy Update

Woohoo a whole week with no accidents is a step in the right direction! Our little Gus is growing leaps and bounds as he’s about half the size of our girl, Koda, now. He’s been so much fun and has really brought her out of her slump after losing her brother in August.

Two black dogs are napping on a sofa in a cozy living room. One dog rests on an orange pillow and the other on a white pillow. The sofa is gray, and there are houseplants near a large window in the background. A remote sits on a wooden table.

Spring Gardening

This week, I planted pansies in the welcome garden and some planters to get the season started and it’s really brightened up the entry. Crocus, hellebores and daffodils are starting to bloom so…spring is here!

A cluster of vibrant purple crocus flowers with striking yellow-orange stamens blooms amidst brown soil and mulch, bathed in sunlight.
First Crocus Flowers in 2025

Seed Starting Update

Since we had beautiful weather this week, I popped the lids off of my winter sowing mini-greenhouses to expose the seedlings to the elements and they are loving life! I cannot wait to get these planted! Everything I sowed germinated and I am thrilled to see it all filling in.

My indoor seed starts are doing equally as well! The snapdragons, foxgloves and gomphrena are off to a strong start and growing by the day. This week, I’m starting zinnias, strawflowers and a few others I can’t recall offhand. But the countdown to planting season is on!

The Essential Flower Garden Plannner

Did you get your copy yet? If not, you can snag it here: The Bricks ‘n Blooms Beautiful and Easy Flower Garden Planner. The planner is a great accompaniment to my first book and while they are standalone books, the do pair well together. This planner covers everything you need to dream, plan and grow a low-maintenance flower garden this year.

A vibrant flower garden planner with a floral cover lies on a table surrounded by gardening tools, a pen, moss, and a mug. The setting conveys a gardening theme with earthy tones and natural textures.
Bricks ‘n Blooms Flower Garden Planner

🌷​Grow Bigger, Better Blooms and Lush Foliage (Now!)

Are you dreaming of a garden bursting with vibrant blooms and lush foliage? It all begins with a strong foundation – healthy soil and consistent nourishment. Just like us, plants need the right fuel to thrive. I’ve hand-picked a selection of premium fertilizers and organic amendments that will not only feed your plants, but also enhance your soil’s quality, transforming your garden from ordinary to extraordinary.

Whether you’re aiming for breathtaking blooms, robust growth, or simply healthier, happier plants, these carefully chosen products will deliver the results you’ve been dreaming of.

Discover the secrets to a thriving garden and lush houseplants with these essential fertilizers and amendments:

  • ⏳ Time-Release Powerhouse: Experience continuous, balanced feeding with this slow-release fertilizer, ensuring your plants receive the nutrients they need, when they need them.
  • 🪴 Indoor Green Elixir: Give your houseplants the organic boost they crave with this carefully formulated blend, organic fertilizer for lush indoor growth.
  • 🌹 Rose Radiance: Unlock the secret to stunning, fragrant roses with this organic blend that is specially crafted to enhance blooms and overall plant health.
  • 🌱 All-Purpose Vitality: Nourish your herb and vegetable garden with this all-purpose organic fertilizer that is perfect for boosting overall health and abundant yields.
  • 🌷 Bulb Bloom Booster: Prepare your bulbs for a spectacular display of color with this specialized organic blend, designed for strong roots and vibrant blooms. Now is the time to apply it!
  • 🌸 Instant Bloom Brilliance: Witness rapid results with this water-soluble bloom booster fertilizer, formulated to enhance flowering and promote vigorous growth.
  • 🦞 Ocean’s Bounty: Enrich your soil with the natural goodness of lobster and crab compost, providing essential nutrients and improving soil structure.
  • 🐛 Nature’s Soil Enhancer: Boost soil fertility and promote healthy root development with these nutrient-rich castings, a natural powerhouse for your plants.

Looking for even more garden watering maintenance ideas? Click here to see more of my fertilizer and soil amendment picks!​

A large, ornate planter holds a vibrant arrangement of purple pansies and yellow flowers. The planter sits on a bed of smooth stones, with a lush garden and trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky—an inspiring sight for anyone interested in how to grow pansies.

What I’m Shopping For This Week

It’s been a random week of stuff! Here’s what I’m shopping for this week!

  • This week was all about the bedroom renovation! Wait until you see the new bed I bought! It is arriving next week.
  • I also purchased these two nightstands. I need a few dressers but have decided to thrift those pieces to get more of a collected space for less.
  • For spring, I refreshed my bathroom towels and this organic cotton bath rug. It feels good to update this space together with my bedroom to make it feel all fresh and new!
  • To update my family room throw pillows for spring and summer, I swapped out my pillow covers with this boho look.
  • And I bought two different sets melamine plates (this one and this one) that I styled in my dining room hutch. I plan to use these more outdoors, but love how they look with my Lenox, don’t you?
  • To level up some of houseplants, I purchased a few of these terracotta pots.
  • And I snagged a baseball hat for me to wear when I’m out and about on those bad hair days. LOL.

These are the most popular products on my blog this week!

A list of trending products with images on a pink background. Items include gardening tools, soil moisture meters, beauty products, insect controls, and organic plant nutrition. Each has a 'Read More' button next to it.

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

Pruning Hydrangeas and Ornamental Shrubs: A Complete Guide

Pruning hydrangeas & other common shrubs made easy! Master timing, tools, and proper cuts for beautiful, blooming plants.

A lush garden features blooming white and blue hydrangeas. In the foreground, clusters of white hydrangeas are prominent, while vibrant blue hydrangeas fill the background. Green leaves and a hint of grass at the bottom complete the serene scene.

How to Make Your Peony Flowers Bloom Longer

Maximize your peony flowers! This guide reveals tips and tricks to keep your peonies blooming beautifully for longer.

A garden scene featuring a vibrant bush of magenta flowers in full bloom. The flowers are surrounded by lush green leaves, with smaller lavender flowers in the foreground. Tall trees and a grassy lawn create a serene, sunlit backdrop.

How to Keep Deer Out of Your Garden

Tired of deer destroying your garden? Learn how to keep deer out of your garden with this comprehensive guide. Discover effective strategies for deer control

close up of tulip pink perennial in the garden at sunset by stone wall
Pink Tulips

How to Keep Rabbits Out of the Garden

Learn how to keep rabbits out of your garden with effective strategies, natural repellents, and planting tips to protect your plants.

A path with vibrant flowers of gomphrena, rudbeckia, celosia, zinnias, lantana in fall cottage garden in new jersey gardening zone 6a

Split Leaf Philodendron Care Made Easy

Learn how to care for your split leaf philodendron with this easy-to-follow guide. Get tips on watering, light, and more!

Close-up of a large, glossy split leaf philodendron with distinctive splits and holes. The leaf's texture is smooth and vibrant, sitting against a blurred indoor background featuring warm wooden tones and a small section of a patterned rug.

Authentic Sunday Sauce Recipe (with Meatballs)

Homemade Sunday sauce just like Nonna’s! Rich tomato gravy and savory meatballs. Easy, step-by-step Italian gravy recipe.

A close-up of a dish of baked meatballs in a rich tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese and fresh chopped basil. A wooden spoon is placed in the dish, suggesting it is ready to be served. The dish is in a white rectangular baking dish, reminiscent of a hearty chicken spinach flatbread pizza recipe.
Sunday Sauce with Meatballs

A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Dahlia Flowers

Want to grow dahlias this year but aren’t sure where to start? Learn how to grow and care for stunning dahlia flowers with this easy-to-follow guide. From planting to care, we’ll cover everything you need to know.

Close-up of a large white dahlia with soft pink and peach hues at the center. It blooms against a backdrop of green leaves, with a blurred terracotta pot in the background and a small red bud nearby.
Dahlia Cafe Au Lait

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.

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

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

Buy Now

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Stacy Ling

Stacy Ling is author of the best selling book, The Bricks 'n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy-Care Flower Garden, and writes the blog Bricks ’n Blooms from her 1850 farmhouse located in zone 6b northern New Jersey. She is a master gardener who’s been gardening for over 25 years and enjoys sharing her passion to help beginners find their inner green thumb, as well as discover a love for all things plants and flowers. Stacy loves to bring the outdoors inside her home and decorates with a comfy, casual, and cottagecore style. Come grow stuff and create beautiful spaces with her.

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4 Comments

  1. Stacy your bedroom makevoer is looking sooooo good! It’s amazing how much of a difference a little bit of paint makes.

    Thanks so much for sharing my DIY aged planter project. I appreciate it!

    Reply

    1. Thank you! Moving at a snails pace in the decorating department but it will come together! LOL Happy St Patrick’s Day!

      Reply