Casual Loves Elegance

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Vintage transportaion with flowers

Morning Darlins,

Summertime is when we get to see alot of special vintage autos, scooters & bikes out and about.

There is something I used to think about when driving my vintage car about a sunny day...

It turns a simple drive into an extraordinary little adventure, in a vintage car.

In honor of AUGUST why not look at a few with flowers!

This vintage pick up is simply cool,

I visualize it parked near a dinner party with flowers & deserts on the tailgate!

A great country road marker!

At a vintage tent sale in my lemon grove,

I decorated the grill of my vintage car with a bouquet of daisy's!

It set the vintage vibe of the sale.

Photo: Gail Smith-Peterson -CasualLovesElegance

My Design tip: Have some fun and decorate with some fresh flowers on your vintage auto, scooter, bike etc. next time you have a gathering! It's a great conversation piece & memorable.

Hop over to SECOND SHOUT OUT BLOG & visit my store.

I have this vintage tractor for sale, just needs flowers!

The tractor would be a great focal piece for a store or restaurant. Road marker!!!

A beautiful first weekend in August to you!

Quickly... I have to frost the cupcakes I baked last night and we're off to the bay with the boat for a family beach party!

xo,

Friday, August 1, 2014

Happy August 1st!

Since I began my blog I had a fun idea to dedicate August in honor of my birthday month...

I'm silly & sentimental like that!!

Now I look forward to it again this year!

Beginning today I will post about my favorite things,
stories that make me smile

favorite color Pink

for the entire month.

If it's yours too this month I would love to know!

Also.... if you have any thing you do for your birthday month to celabrate you!

I hope to hear from you!

I love to add alot of extra flowers in the house throughout the monthof August just because....

Pink roses from my garden,

their my favorite August rose!

My foyer has my favorite topiaries...

Grow

... grow each day in as many ways possible.

Wish...

.... never stop wishing

Keep

....the twinkle in your eye!

A beautiful first day of August to you!

Off to workout!

xo,

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

How to make my watermelon coolers!

Hi Darlins,

Hope this finds you staying cool!

Our weather is a bit balmy here in So Cal...

When it's so warm like this, I make alot of blended refreshing drinks.

This is a favorite I love to make

Super simple...

Fresh watermelon & ice...

Blend

A fresh sprig of chocolate mint & I'm happy!

Saturday I did alot of gardening & Sunday I was in the grove harvesting in between the thunder & wonderful little rain so I had several of these!

Super heathy!

My topiarys are nicely pruned now!

Have a gorgeous evening!

Off to make dinner & take a dip in the pool!

xo,

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Quintessential garden houses

Morning Darlins,

Summer is the season for entertaining.

Living in Southern California we have an opportunity to host alot of outdoor gatherings.

Having spaces outdoors extends our living footprint beyond the main quarters.

Last week I posted on Charming getaway homes...

A sweet blogger commented saying she would love to see some outdoor spaces.

Vintage of course!

I will start the gallery with my favorite space.

This is our garden house!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

We use it for entertaining and I love that I can see it from my kitchen.

It is my favorite space I love to hang out here!

{I don't use it for gardening}

Made with reclaimed materials.

We build a stone foundation from the stone on our property.

Here are some others I found for you. I hope you are inspired to build your own.

Use recylcled salvage material where you can!

L*O*V*E*

L*O*V*E* this one too!

My Design tip: Simple spaces add value to your home and property. The structure should compliment the style of your main home.

Hop over to SECOND SHOUT OUT blog for my "Saturday's Designing with Vintage" series.

Shop my vintage collection.

A Beautiful Summer weekend to you,

xo,

Gail

Photo 1 Gail Smith-Peterson

The other photos Pinterest

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

My BFF & a summer wish

My BFF.... Mr. Lincoln

our {Saint Bernard}

He spends hours sitting near me when I harvest our Lemon Grove.

He is a 1 1/2 years old now

so sweet

he melts my heart!

I hope your having a beautiful summer...

each day is lasting, filling you up with the sounds, smells & wonder only summer days can hold!

xo,

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Small getaways big on charm

Morning Darlins,

Summer is the season when we dream of a small getaway cottage.

A vintage charmer.

A little space that we could simply get away to!

Here is a dozen I fell in love with...

& thought you might too!

Just add vintage accessories & furniture!

Do you have a favorite yet???

Something makes me happy about a beautiful charming cottage....

My Design tip: Small spaces can hold everything you need, pare down & simply live in the space. You will be surprised how cozy and fun it can be.

Hop over to SECOND SHOUT OUT BLOG for my SATURDAY"S "DESIGNING WITH VINTAGE" SERIES & shop for your cottage or summer home!

A beautiful summer weekend to you,

xo,

All photos today on this post Pinterest

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Hi Darlins,

Just returned from a beautiful vacation on the lake.

Love hanging out with the fam.

A beautiful day here in SoCal.

Today is a special day...

I want to send *Happy Birthday* wish to my oldest son...

He's my first born & I love him more than the Moon & Stars!

Here I am with him on our first family vacation....

He was only 6 weeks old!

He loved this old truck of ours!

We were renovating our house and it was our work horse!

I bought him a pair of work boots, our property was a construction site!

He had so much fun and at the end of the day he was tired and filthy!

His favorite shirt says it all!

Didn't have time for shorts he was too busy! He was almost 2...

Today he is a gorgeously handsome young man!

I'm blessed to be his mom!

Love you Darling!

xo,

Mom

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Unexpected lovely postal gift from Chicago

Morning Darlins...

Monday down at our gate was a little box that was sent to me.

I could smell the fragerance, as I opened it up...

Inside was this!

A beautiful classy black paper box tied with a perfect coordinating bow.

Inside was a fresh scented white candle in glass with their gorgeous B&W label.

A sweet note accompanied saying....sending this token of their appreciation for including them in my Favorite shops post in Chicago. {June 17th, 14 was the post date}

I have mentioned before, that I love to light a candle in the day, especially mornings when I'm up early!