The way I'm choosing to design my home may make you uneasy.
INTERIORS
Thrifting isn’t what I thought it would be…
Monday Spruce - Spring showers bring May flowers
MONDAY SPRUCES — have become a staple in our household and wild flower pickings always make it in to a vase of some sort and are displayed for the week until they wilt away. Yes they don’t last long but they bring me joy and I’ve figured out a how to make them last longer than most.
Walks through the neighborhoods of Amador County always end with picked wild flowers in hand and a full heart. On Mondays my usual local coffee shop is closed so I have had to shift the usual morning routine of sitting on a leather couch, journaling, to a cool sunrise walk along the beautiful hills and my favorite Oak tree filled landscapes. I really couldn’t tell you which one I prefer.
Once home I put my apron on and get to work cleaning the home to set myself up for a productive week. Am I Perfect with this? No. But setting myself a weekly schedule up is prepping myself for success. And so far this has worked wonders.
MONDAY SPRUCES — have become a staple in our household and wild flower pickings always make it in to a vase of some sort and are displayed for the week until they wilt away. Yes they don’t last long but they bring me joy and I’ve figured out a how to make them last longer than most.
How to make your wild flowers arrangement
Pick 3to 4 varieties of flowers/greenery - think about texture and chose complimentary colors
Use filtered water - Most of us have heavily chlorinated or mineral filled water, changing it up to filtered gives them an extra reason to stay alive a bit longer for you to enjoy
De-stem/de-leaf your flowers- Leaves touching water will make the water go rancid in a matter of 24 hours. De-leafing your stems will help keep them fresh. Leaving 3/4 inches of a clean stem usually is the way to go.
Start with a green base - use it to create your general shape and move on to placing your flowers in one my one. Don’t know where to place them? Think “If I were a flower, where would I grow? Look for an appealing spot and just go for it.
There really is no right way to create a wild flower arrangement. Some florists would disagree. Maybe you do too, but ultimately, they have just gotten a lot more practice in understanding placement. No wild flower ever looks out of place on a hillside so the “Where would I grow?“ has been a simple but effective approach to creating something pleasing to the eyes.
A new arrangement with a pop of color and texture will bring new energy into any space. This week we placed it in the kitchen and Im loving it.
Id love to see what you do for your Monday Spruce this week! Tag me on instagram @jannatenney and use the hashtag #MONDAYSPRUCE
Found Treasures & Second Chances.
Iv been a squeamish person most of my adult life when it comes to second hand things. I wasn’t one to go thrifting or rummaging through garage sales for treasures. But as you can see I’m speaking in past tense.
Lets talk second hand
Iv been a squeamish person most of my adult life when it comes to second hand things. I wasn’t one to go thrifting or rummaging through garage sales for treasures. But as you can see I’m speaking in past tense.
Thrifting has become a newly found soul filling adventure for me. Here are 3 reasons why Iv grown to love it so much.
Cheaper - obviously
A lot of us are currently on a tight budget and spending enormous amounts of money on home decor is just simply out of question. As you know my family and I finally got our own place after almost 2 years in California. Our new rental owners have been amazing and have allowed me to paint and do a few things to update our space. However furnishing the space is proving to be a long process. I am using facebook market place, estate sales, antique shops and thrift shops to fill my home with found treasures.
2. One of a kind.
Iv always hated trends - most of the time I really just can’t get behind what is the status quo. Maybe its my personality but I also love a space full of unique things. I have this life-long friend who’s home is full of them, everywhere you look you are greeted by an interesting vignette- a collection of things that are as special together as they are apart. Which brings me to my next and final point.
3. The Story
Ooof this is my favorite part. Old things have stories and I am able to give it a second chance at bringing joy to those who behold it. Whenever something is made it is usually out of necessity or inspiration and that makes it live and breath on its own. I LOVE THAT.
Currently I have my eye on a very special piece of art work in an antique shop. I didn’t have my card on hand so I couldn’t purchase it then. But we meet again, it will be forever and we will have a story that is even more exciting. Meant to be. It will become a new treasure with a second chance at life. And instead of a dusty garage shelf covered by a towel it will be hanging in my living room, no doubt a part of a lovely vignette.
When was the last time you went thrifting? Does it give you a icky feeling or an excited one? I know thrift stores have the stigma of being dirty hand me downs but you really never know what treasure you may come across. This weeks challenge. Instead of going to a TJmax, Homegoods or Target - try an antique/thrift shop instead.
Much Love,
Janna Tenney
“…the root system compared to the the budding flower or towering tree, it isn’t something to behold..”