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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!

The holiday season feels like it just zipped right by!

Shana went back to school this week and Mackenzie is preparing to leave next week.

I really enjoyed having them both home.

The house will be much quieter without them here.

Pond Garden at Sunrise in January

It took a little bit of doing, but I finally moved that black tree limb sculpture from the front of our stone wall.

I took it off the wall one morning in my PJs with coffee.

Then rolled it down to the driveway but couldn’t pick it up easily.

It’s pretty heavy.

So I figured out a way to move it out of sight and out of mind.

Bricks 'n Blooms Weekly

We had our first big snowstorm this week!

Everything looked so pretty here at the new property.

Speaking of which, the dogs and I are really enjoying our daily walks around the gardens.

January Formal Garden 2022

Sometimes it feels like I’m herding cats with these two though.

One runs off in one direction.

While the other mosies behind.

It’s pretty comical trying to keep them somewhat together when we are out there.

Garden Statue in the Formal Garden in Winter

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

We wrapped up the holiday season with THIS super cool Christmas ornament storage hack.

I’ve been individually wrapping ornaments for years!

When I saw this idea on Tik Tok, I had to try it!!!

Christmas tree ornament storage hack

With the start of a new year, we also looked back at my top blog posts from 2021.

These posts are the blogs that YOU love to read the most.

Did your favorite make THIS list?

rustic farmhouse kitchen fall home tour

With the start of the new year, do you have any DIYs you are planning to do?

I’ve heard from so many of you asking about chalk painting upholstery fabric.

So I shared an easy guide to answer your FAQ’s about how to chalk paint on fabric.

vintage heirloom bench with 1 coat of chalk paint on upholstery fabric

Now that we’ve been living here for a few weeks, I’ve been spending time walking around the gardens trying to identify plants and trees so I know what’s here.

It’s really important to know what plants you have, particularly if you have children or pets because not all plants are safe for them.

This week, I was a little concerned about some tree nuts I found on the ground that could be toxic for my dogs, as well as a few invasive plants I discovered on the property.

You might even be surprised by one of the plants that are considered invasive too because SO MANY homeowners plant them in their gardens.

I know I was surprised when I first learned how invasive these plants are.

In my latest video, I shared a winter garden tour where we’re walking the beds and chatting about some trees, invasive plants, AND a sneak peek of where my new cottage garden will be as well as the flowers I’ll be adding to the gardens this spring.

YouTube video

What’s Coming Up at Bricks ‘n Blooms

With the new house, comes ALOT of new projects!

First up on the list is the dining room.

From the faux finish textured ceiling to the fabric padded walls, this room is getting a makeover this month.

Yesterday we pulled back some of the fabric to see what lies behind it.

How bad do you think the walls are?

Can’t wait to show you this one!

Dining Room Before

Amazing Inspiration from Around the We

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

With winter, comes lots of DIY and organization inspiration.

And I found some cool projects this week!

My good friend KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms shared some creative ideas for storage organization that you have to see.

Thistlewood Farms
Photo by Thistlewood Farms

My talented friend Mary from Life at Bella Terra some great tips for organizing bathroom drawers.

This is perfect for me, because we have lots more drawer storage now in our bathroom!

junk drawer
Photo by Life at Bella Terra

I love the gorgeous candle centerpiece my good friend Rachel from the Ponds Farmhouse made this week!

This would be perfect in my new dining room and is on my list of DIYs to make in 2022.

vintage farmhouse wooden multiple candle holder centerpiece
Photo by The Ponds Farmhouse

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

I love THESE easy ideas to refresh your home this January.

If you are looking for a good book to read, check out THIS list of great reads!

Get ready for Valentine’s Day with THIS pretty DIY.

I love THIS one about using skirted tables.

THESE cozy winter decorating tips.

Are black windows in or out for 2022? Find out HERE.

THESE Valentine’s Day decorating ideas.

And THESE cozy winter decorating tips.

pond garden

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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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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11 Comments

  1. That black sculpture was the first thing I saw when you posted about your new house. Glad to see you removed it. The decorating in the house is really quite ornate for the style of house. I know you will simplify and make it beautifully yours. I look forward to seeing what you do. I watched your garden video and just wanted to comment that bugleweed is very invasive also. I planted it years ago and can’t get rid of it. I even have large patches in my lawn. Do yourself a favour and take it out while you can. I live in Ontario, Canada and I think our climate is similar to yours, so it will probably be invasive in New Jersey too. Can’t wait to see your cottage garden come together.

    Reply

    1. Oh I know – I’ve never grown it before but have been reading up on it. Truthfully I’m not into groundcovers. They have their place in some gardens but I prefer more of a variety of pretty plants so over time most if not all of these groundcovers will go.

      Reply

  2. Stacy thanks for sharing my cozy winter home ideas.

    I really am excited to see the updates to this room.

    You seem to do well keeping the dogs in check.

    You know I can’t wait to see the gardens take shape

    Reply

    1. I can’t wait to see your dining room transformation! Your gardens are beautiful too, and look forward to seeing your work out there! Have a great week!

      Reply

  4. I can’t believe how gorgeous your new property is Stacy. You are going to have so much fun! Love how magical everything looks after the snowfall. Thank you for featuring my post. Have a great week!

    Reply