Styling the seasons - January 2015

 Hello friends, on a hot summer's day. It's been too hot to go outside, so I've spent the day packing up the Christmas decorations.

It's the new year and while I'm not one for resolutions and all the hoopla, I find myself feeling a bit reflective. Last year was not the best one I've ever had - it was disruptive at home with having to move out for two months for repairs, and it took most of the rest of the year to settle back in again. Not long after moving back in, I also discovered that we have a lot of broken pipes on the property that will need digging up and repairing, and that whole process is shaping up to drag on for the next few months. What with that and the broken state of the city, road works and so on, it's made me a bit despondent. So I'm glad to say goodbye to 2014, and use the occasion of the new year to wipe it all clean and look forward to what will hopefully be a bright, peaceful, beautiful and happy year.

 So I've cleared away the Christmas decorations and I'm now ready to celebrate summer. It was beautiful and hot today so I've styled up my mantelpiece with hot pink dahlias, feathery soft gypsophila and touches of green with rosemary and kolkwitzia branches.

 I hope to get back to a more regular posting schedule here on the blog and one way to do that is having new pictures to share. I recently came across a monthly linkup via Instagram called Styling the Seasons, which is a great reason to create and share a little seasonal vignette. As you know I love my garden so I'm very connected to the seasons already, and it's just a little prompt to bring a bit of nature inside and record it. Styling the Seasons is hosted by Katy at Apartment Apothecary and Lotts at Lotts and Lots. You can find others contributing on Facebook, Instagram or anywhere you can search a hashtag... #stylingtheseasons.

 I just love this cactus dahlia... it has such dramatic petals! It's also perfect for floating in a small bowl.

 I have a small collection of antique stoneware (ginger beer bottles etc) and on Sunday I was able to add to it when I found some at the market at good prices. It's the kind of collection you can't have too much of as it all looks better in a big group. I just need some taller bottles now... I had to improvise by putting the bottles on some small jars wrapped with lace. That works, too.

 I love washi tape! It has sooo many uses. Here I've made a simple banner with flags of torn washi. I've also used it to tape some small art prints to the wall, along with a sprig of gypsophila.

So it's goodbye Christmas and hello summer mantel. Tomorrow the temperature should be cooler and I'm planning a gardening day. It's harvest time, not to mention weeding and replanting time! 

Have you put away your Christmas decorations yet? What have you replaced them with?