I've recently been playing in my own backyard.
After the wedding I was warned many timesabout the emotional crest and drop after a weddingand my friendsfor me it was so true!
I had been advised by many to plan a trip for after the wedding.I definitely considered it.
But for me I realized a better alternativewould be to redo a space at home.The 'living room' in the backyard was the perfect space to fluff and restyle!I so appreciated a new focusand I am always emotionally soothed by the beautiful spaces I create.It is vital self care for me.
We had needed new seating as our old backyard living room pieces looked nice enoughbut were the opposite of comfortable.
So instead of a tripwe invested in some new backyard pieces.Beginning with a basic neutral seating unit from Costco.The bones were great and the right size for the spaceand I knew with some creative styling it would have the aesthetic and comfort we were looking for.
We also got umbrellas and heavy duty bases from Costco.Shade is an important player in summer comfort for usas we live in a desert climate for the most part.I don't want a permanent structurebecause in the winter I so appreciate the open air and light.
I have been switching out to succulents the last few yearswith great success!It has been so lovely not to lose gardens and plants during a hot spell.Also when the succulents outgrow their spacethey transplant ever so easy to bigger plantings.This season all I had to do was move some plants aroundand invest in a few flats of tiny succulents to fill in some pots.
This succulent bowl is my favorite outdoor centerpieceand performs beautifully in the direct summer sun.
After a brief switch out to candles(which quickly melted during a hot spell)I have once again done a run of small succulents down our long farm table.
They are doing greatand just call for a weekly watering.I have found it most successful to submerge each of them in a bucket of water.They are able to absorb the maximum amout of waterand there is no table runoff to clean up.
The succulent wall that I started several years agohas grown in beautifully!It encloses a small waterfall that adds the most lovely ambient sound to the garden living room.I have recently added in antique windows and candles.
My exciting to me addition this week is a tepee!
Last Saturday nightduring some beautiful summer breezesI remembered how much I loved our tepeethat my husband built over a decade earlierwhen the kids were little.We were homeschooling at the time and studying Native Americans.It ended up to be such a wonderful space and summer memory.
The tepee back thenhad reminded me just how muchI had loved making simple tents as a childBoth inside and outside.The fresh new cozy spaces always filled me with wonder and joy.With some simple sheets and chairs and clothespinsyou could instantly createsafe cozy spacesthat with imaginationcould take you any where you wanted to go!
So Sunday my wonderful husband built a brand new teepee for me!
With 5 12 foot lodge poles2 drop clothsjute ropea full sized air mattressa quiltand collected pillowsthere now is a blissful new summer space in our backyard!
We used one 12 foot by 15 foot drop cloth for the tepee itself.I used another the same size for the tepee 'door' flaps.I simply tore it in half width wisegathered each side up and tied it to the top.Now I can close the tepee up entirely!
We celebrated our brand new room Monday night with charcuterie and wine accompanied by a summer breezes!It's such a perfect summer pop up space!
It makes me happy just looking at it!
Inside I added a striped pouftopped with a wooden butcher blockwhich makes for a perfect side table.
I also brought in a smallceramic table for just a bit more function.
Outside the tepee I brought in a wooden stumpfor a table to hold a lantern.
On the other sidethere was just enough room for a basket that I filled with blanketsfor chilly morning comfort!
I have the basket and pouf both sitting on metal garden pot holdersso they don't get wet.
I am afraid my picturescan not do justice to what a fantastic garden space the tepee actually is!Every morning I can't wait to get up and go out to the back!I enjoy the view just looking at italmost as much as I love being inside the tepee!
While my coffee is brewingI have sparking water with Meyer lemons from my trees.
Inside the tepee I have a view out to my newly restyled living room!
After working with so many 'hip' and fresh styling piecesfor our daughters weddingI knew afterwards I wanted to integrate some freshness into both the inside and outside of my house.A lot of the timesit ended up with actual pieces fro the wedding!Like this candle collectionmy daughter foundand luckily for meshe had no space in her apartment!
I have now moved my morning ritual of coffee and candlesinto the tepee.With the early sunrises I have traded out candles for lemon water!
But reflecting on my gratitude during my morning coffee timeis still the main focus.
I feel I have traveled far emotionallysince the wedding seven weeks ago.
I am now at peace and happy that my daughter is marriedand both of my sons are successfully on their own.I am now fully embracing and cherishing our empty nest.
What felt like a hole that would always be in my hearthas now healedand I am now able to step backand appreciate the pastwith renewed hope and gratitude for the future.
My simple tepeeis a visual reminderthat no matter ones ageor spot in this journey that is lifewe can always build new joysand immerse ourselves in gratitude and beauty.
If we are careful with our own heartsand practice valuable and qualityself carewe can still tap into and manifestour own childhood joys!
As always my friends
I wish you love and joy
as you style your life.