Southern Homes & Gardens Blog

We saw these beautiful Firelites by Napa Home and Garden at market and just couldn’t resist! They are one of the hottest trends creating outdoor living spaces right now (no pun intended)!

We bet that you will fall in love with these ceramic firepots, just like we did.  Napa Firelites offer the distinct crackle reminiscent of old campfires and large wood-burning fireplaces.  Each firelite design is a unique work of art and will bring a stunning new décor piece to your home or outdoor living space.  Enjoy a firelite indoors, on the porch, patio or poolside with the gel fuel that does not smoke or leave messy ashes. 

The gel fuel for these firelites burns very clean so it is completely safe for indoors - leaving no toxins, smoke, soot or fumes.  It is made here in the USA from recycled post-consumer waste, and is the only ‘green’ gel fuel that is not carbon-based.  Napa’s gel fuel burns efficiently, so there is nothing leftover or wasted like a candle…and no wick management!

Want the facts on burn time and how much to use?  Here’s what we recommend:

• One 32oz bottle = approx 6-7hrs burn time (4+ pours per bottle)
• One pour = approx 1hr 30-45mins burn time (fill to 1/2″ from top)
• We recommend 3 bottles of gel fuel or citronella fuel per firelite purchased

Each firelite has an 8oz stainless steel reservoir for the gel fuel, that will offer approximately 1 hour 30-45mins burn time.  Interested in keeping all the pesky bugs away while basking in the outdoors? Simply use the Citronella gel fuel in the firelites reservoir instead. 

 Napa FireLites, are sure to light up any tabletop indoors or out.  We have many styles, shapes and colors to choose from – and we are sure we have the perfect one to fit your décor and style!

Just in time to save us all from the harsh summertime temps, comes Vera Bradley’s cool Fall 2010 colors and styles! 

Slate Blooms - this organic, oversized floral highlights its signature slate gray with winter white and black on a mahogany ground.  The overall effect balances an earthy, rural spirit with tailored sensibility.

Why we love it - It pairs well with denim and is a splash of fall’s trademark casual chic!

Very Berry Paisley - a delicious collage of plums, pinks and fuchsias swirls and twirls in this eclectic, folkloric design.  Complementary hues of olive, sage, white and a hint of gray enhance the gypsy-inspired theme.

Why we love it - It exudes a chocolately and berry richness that we just can’t get enough of…plus, it’s Fall’s perfect palette of berries and vibrant purples!

Hello Dahlia! - lush, sensual dahlias make a dramatic color statement no matter how you view them.  Plum, camel, rouge, blush and lipstick red share the spotlight on a cream background with kiwi and celadon green leaves.

Why we love it - It’s sure hard to say no to such bold, beautiful colors and we adore it’s rouge undertones…a nod to the movie stars of yesteryear!

Barcelona - this traditional motif takes a modern twist with bold, contemporary stripes of scarlet, cobalt and yellow gold.  The perfect juxtaposition of old and new, Barcelona is both timeless and on trend.

Why we love it - The momentary rush of a mental vacation to Spain overwhelms you when eyeing the Spanish motif in the pattern, plus we love the contemporary stripes for modern flair.  Here’s to the old and new!

What’s the New Signature Styles for Fall 2010?

Hipster 

•  This new look includes a sleeker design that’s even easier to access! 
• Comfortable, adjustable shoulder strap features silver-toned ‘Vera Bradley’ hardware
• Double pocket in front (one zip, one slip) one back zip compartment and three inside slip pockets

Julia

• Elegant, classic, stylish - with a timeless shape that’s always right
• Reinforced construction ensures it will keep its smart figure
• Carry it by the handle, or add the detachable shoulder strap
• Two slip pockets and a zippered compartment inside, sophisticated turn lock closure outside

Side by Side

• A casual, bohemian style that’s very functional
• Named for its convenient, well-designed pockets on each side
• Its chic, ’slouchy’ form holds its shape exceptionally well
• Wonderful for everyday, the market, shopping…
• Plenty of inside pockets (four slip, one zip), plus a sturdy base to keep it easily accessible

Cooler

• Improved and updated design makes this better than ever!
• Perfectly sized to hold snacks or 12oz cans
• Laminated cotton with an easy-clean vinyl interior
• A new, long front pocket with hook-and-loop closure is great for napkins and utensils
• Silky, webbed shoulder strap adjusts easily

Laptop Backpack

• “Travel-friendly” is an understatement - designed for comfort and organization!
• Padded, adjustable shoulder straps, top handle, PLUS piggyback sleeve allows it to sit securely atop your rolling luggage
• Side-zip padded laptop sleeve fits a 15″ computer and file folders
• Large, gusseted center compartment with a zip-down area on the front that includes an ID window, card slot, zippered and slip pockets and four pen holders
• Need more room?  There’s one slip pocket on each side!

Metropolitan

• A complete, stylish office on the go!
• Holds a 15″ laptop, notebooks and folders, and has two slip pockets
• Front compartment’s gusseted double-zip-and-snap flap opens wide to access an ID window adn a variety of organizational pockets
• One big, zippered pocket on the back is great for a wallet, planner, etc.  Back panel also features a piggyback sleeve to allow it to sit securely atop your rolling luggage
• Removable, adjustable strap includes soft shoulder pad

Kiss and Make Up

• Not just vanity ”fare”, this elegant case is excellent for tucking in your bag for powder room touch-ups
• Plastic-lined interior makes it easy to clean
• Kisslock frame closure keeps contents secure

Double Kiss

• So fun - an adorable coin purse in a coin purse!
• Four separate compartments keep small items neatly organized
• Cute enough to carry as a tiny clutch
• Great for lunch money, or a perfect gift for your favorite friend

  So this Fall, be unique, original, daring, but most importantly be COLORFUL!

Summer heat is in full swing, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the lovely benefits of beautiful plants inside - we’ve just received a large shipment of gorgeous houseplants!  Here are three of our favorites:

Peace Lily:

Peace Lily’s are one of the most popular houseplants and are characterized by their long elongated green foliage with white half shaped blooms.  Thriving in lower lighted areas make this plant work almost anywhere. Try to keep it within 5 to 8 feet of a window for best results. Do not place your plant in direct sun. Direct sunlight can damage the Peace Lily’s foliage. If the leaves begin to yellow, it may mean it is receiving too much sunlight. Move it to a less lighted area.

The main care requirement for your Peace Lily is water. This plant requires heavy watering, but you must allow the soil to dry out in-between watering to a point as well. This houseplant will let you know when it needs water. The leaves will begin to droop. Allowing the foliage to droop slightly in-between watering has turned out to be successful for me. However, do not let it droop severely. Once the plant is watered the foliage will spring back up. If you allowed it to dry out too much, some of the lower leaves may yellow and need to be removed.

This plant also loves higher humidity levels, so providing it with a nice misting a couple times a week will help the plant remain beautifully healthy.

Please keep pets and children away from this plant. It is considered to be poisonous.

Chinese Evergreen:

Chinese Evergreens are durable, dramatic houseplants. They will adapt to a variety of settings within their limits. Chinese Evergreens are slow growing in nature, however when taken care of can last for decades, literally! This houseplant is characterized by large foliage in a variety of silver green and dark green colors as well as variegated. Chinese Evergreens & Peace Lily’s belong to the same family, thus the resemblance.

Chinese Evergreens prefer moderate to low light levels. They usually do not do well at all in direct sunlight, so beware. A north facing window is usually a safe area to place this houseplant in. This houseplant is also very, very, very touchy to drafts and cold temperatures. Keep temperatures above 60 degrees for best results. Dropping below 55 degrees can be lethal to them. If brown spots begin to appear on the foliage, it may be too cold for the plant.

Chinese Evergreens do best with moderate watering. Right in the middle! Don’t let the soil become soggy, but at the same time, do not allow the soil to dry out in-between watering. If the bottom leaves begin to yellow and fall off, chances are you are under watering the plant.

Overall, Chinese Evergreens are very nice houseplants to have. Fairly easy to grow, usually not susceptible to pests and is a long lasting variety allowing you to enjoy its beauty for many years to come.

Pothos:

Basic pothos care is very easy. These plants enjoy a wide range of environments. They do well in bright indirect light as well as low light and can be grown in dry soil or in vases of water. They will thrive in nutrient rich soil, but do almost as well in nutrient poor soil.

Pothos plants make a great addition to your bathroom or office because of the fact that they can tolerate low light. While pothos likes a wide variety of light conditions, they do not do well in direct sunlight.

If your pothos is highly variegated, particularly variegated with white, they may either not grow as well in low light or may lose their variegation if the light is too low. Only the green parts of the leaves can make energy for the plant so it must be able to get enough light for energy or its growth will slow or the leaves will compensate for the lack of light by becoming more green.

Pothos is very popular due to the fact that it can be grown in water or in dry soil. Cuttings can be taken from a mother plant and rooted in water and kept in water as a houseplant. On the other hand, pothos can also be started in soil and will tolerate moderate periods of dry soil with little effect to the plant. Oddly enough, cuttings started in one growing medium have a hard time switching to the other. So, a pothos plant started in soil has a hard time thriving if moved to water and a pothos cutting started in water will not do very well in soil, especially if it has spent a long period of time growing in water.

While pothos plants are an easy to care for houseplant, you do need to be aware that they are poisonous. Though rarely fatal, the plant can cause irritation and vomiting if ingested due to the fact that it contains calcium oxalates. Even the sap from the plant may cause highly sensitive people to break out in a rash. It is considered toxic to cats, dogs and children, but as mentioned, it normally will make them very sick but will not kill them.

Still Not Convinced to Get a Houseplant?

Most houseplants are generally very easy to care for requiring only the right amount/type of light and the attention of proper watering.   The benefits people receive from plants far outweight the benefits plants themselves receive…

So go ahead and treat yourself to a stress-reducing, productivity-boosting, pollutant-reducing houseplant….we won’t tell!

The dog days of summer may be here, but it’s anything but slow around here - we’ve got LOTS of new product coming in our doors….check it out!

Bath & Body Collections:

Archipelago - Morning Mint

Jump start each morning with Morning  Mint products- each product is infused with naturally stimulating essential oils and extracts.  It’s a great way to awaken your senses in the morning or throughout the day!  Product selection may vary upon availability - available only at Vaughn Rd store location.

Archipelago - Milk Collection

A pure and simple additive for the bath and body.  Dried milk solids and natural soy and oat proteins combine to gently nurture and sooth the skin.  Soy Milk products are blended with proteins, amino acids and lipids- allowing for rapid hydration and cell regeneration.  Oat Milk products are blended with oat grain to soothe the skin.   Product selection may vary upon availability - available only at Vaughn Rd store location.

Crabtree & Evelyn - Lavender Collection

One of the oldest English perfumes, lavender is renowned for its deep, calming effect. Crabtree & Evelyn sources only the finest English lavender (L angustifolia) to fragrance their collection for the bath, body and home.  Product selection may vary upon availability - available at both store locations.

Crabtree & Evelyn - Summer Hill Collection

A perfect summer’s day, with long shadows and a gentle breeze inspired the English novelist, Henry James to declare, “Summer afternoon – I believe those are the two most beautiful words in the English language”.  A light white floral bouquet blended with summer grasses and orchard fruits, captures the mood and feeling of an idyllic summer day.  Product selection may vary upon availability - available at both store locations.

Crabtree & Evelyn - Nantucket Briar Collection

Evoking New England summers by the sea, with salt-weathered cottages and rose-covered paths meandering towards the harbour - this fresh fragrance is infused with fresh, lingering spices.   Enjoy notes of wild briar rose, bergamot, ambergris, spice and vanilla.  Product selection may vary upon availability - available at both store locations.

Crabtree & Evelyn - La Source Collection

Revitalizing La Source therapies for the body, hands and feet are blended with restorative mineral salts and nutrient-rich seawees, plentiful along the coasts of England, Scotland and Wales.  Enjoy a crisp, clean scent reminiscent of fresh sea air.

Goodies for Home…

 Awe-Burn Candles & Tiger totes!

Red Currant Champs candles & Bama totes!

Get into the winning spirit with our newest collegiate additions - Alabama and Auburn candles….and fun new market totes.  Perfect for gametime or off-season.  Each candle is a soy-blend hand-poured in Birmingham, Ala. and is packaged in a great coordinating box…ideal to keep for yourself or to give to the biggest fan! 

Market totes make ideal companions for tailgates, grocery trips, kids’ toys and SO much more!  These open-top totes allow for quick access to its contents and are collapsible for easy storage when not in use.  Keep one in your car as a eco-chic reminder to bring it ino the grocery store to pick up those few items that you need, or as a ‘catch-all’ for all those random items that find a home in your car.  Both “BAMA” and “TIGERS” totes come already monogrammed, but we have several other styles and colors (see below) that are ideal candidates for personalizing!

Candles & collegiate totes are available at both store locations.

Mini Market totes

They always say the best things come in small packages, right?  Well, we love market totes, and we adore that they made MINI totes too!  These mini market totes are perfect for kids, or parents to use.  Mini market totes measure a sweet 12″ x 9 1/2″ x 7 1/4″ (L x W x H).  With an open-top and collapsible frame, who could say no to these?  (Mini Market Totes shown above do not reflect what we have in-stock.  Mini market totes come blank - no monogram or personalization).  Product selection may vary upon store location.

Market Totes - standard size

Picnic Perfect…

We love how picnic perfect our insulated picnic totes, bags, and lunch bags are!  All have zip closures, are insulated and some even come with plastic food storage boxes - bon appetit!

Lunch tote, Large Tote and Picnic Tote - Orange Paisley

Picnic Tote, Flat Tote, & Drink cooler - Green Paisley

Lunch Tote, Large Tote and Pinic Tote - Purple Paisley

Lunch Totes in Stripes & Pink Paisley

Lunch Tote & Pinic Tote - Black & White

For Summer Showers…

Occasionally Made umbrellas make singin’ in the rain fun again!  Fun & bold designs are a bright spot on a cloudy day and the extra frill around the edge adds the perfect feminine touch.  Available in pink/lime dot, brown/white bamboo and black/white damask.  Available at Vaughn Rd. store location only.

So as you can see, we have SO much coming in during the hot summer days - stop by for a spell and visit us…we LOVE your company!

July has arrived in full force which means we’re in the heat of summer and our plants, trees, yards and landscapes need some extra TLC. 

• Keep your lawn and garden adequately watered during the hot, dry summer months. Lawns need about an inch of water per week. Remember, a deep, thorough soaking is more beneficial than a light sprinkling.   

• Fertilize flower beds every 14-28 days.
• Cut back leggy annuals to encourage fuller plants and plenty of blooms. 
• Fertilize crape myrtles, butterfly bushes and hydrangeas with All Purpose Plant Food.  

• Watch for lacebugs, aphids and spider mites on flowers and shrubs. Use Triple Action to get rid of these pest.
•  Be sure that all tall annuals and perennials are securely staked so that they will remain upright during the afternoon thunderstorms that are so common at this time of year.
• Off with their heads! Remove dead blooms as they occur on crape myrtles and hydrangeas and you may be rewarded with a new flush of blooms.  
• Rejuvenate roses in July and August. Do not fertilize, but continue to spray for insects and diseases. Give the plants a light pruning in July to encourage new fall growth.

• Continue to pinch Chrysanthemums and Dahlias through the month of July.
•  Tomatoes are ripe for the picking. If blossom-end rot (brown blotches on the bottom of the tomato) strikes, sprinkle several cupfuls of lime around the base of each plant to increase calcium in the soil. Tomatoes that split on the vine are the result of inconsistent watering. Keep the soil uniformly moist throughout the planting season.  

• Set bird baths in a shaded spot to slow evaporation and keep the water temperature from becoming too hot. 

We have been anticipating her arrival for quite some time now, and we’re ECSTATIC that she finally made her debut at SH&G Vaughn Road!  Vera Bradley is in-store and has filled out a large portion of the store full of COLOR!  Vera Bradley seems to be a favorite collectible among southern women, but the Vera-craze is only growing across the country and beyond! 

If you are not familiar with Vera Bradley, let us introduce you:

The Vera Bradley story is a testimony to the American Dream.

While on vacation in March of 1982, Patricia R. Miller and Barbara Bradley Baekgaard were awaiting a flight in Atlanta when they noticed a definite lack of feminine-looking luggage. The longtime friends wasted no time in correcting this situation. Within weeks, these dynamic women had created a company, named after Barbara’s mother (Vera Bradley), capable of marketing and manufacturing their cleverly designed products. The demand for these unique handbags and luggage items has grown and so has Vera Bradley, which is now nationally and internationally recognized.

For over 20 years, Vera Bradley has had a loyal following of customers who not only look forward to the lovely new fabrics and styles that are introduced each season, but who also appreciate the function and quality that is synonymous with the Vera Bradley name.

(-excerpt from verabradley.com)

We love Vera Bradley’s wide array of colors in her signature seasonally-changing patterns and ever-chic styles of purses, totes, luggage and more.  Our favorite part about the collection?  It’s so easy to clean!  Not sure how to clean your favorite piece of Vera Bradley?  See below on how to do it:

Cotton Products: The Signature Collection is made of 100% cotton.  Machine wash cool/gentle cycle with mild detergent, then air-dry.  Do not bleach.  Please note that some items have a solid base that must be removed prior to washing.  Check product care label for further instructions.  The items listed below have specific cleaning instructions for best results.

Sunglasses & Readers:  wipe clean with cleaning cloth (included)

Frill:  wipe clean with damp cloth

Microfiber Collection / VeraVera:  spot clean with a damp cloth when necessary.  Do NOT machine wash.

Not sure what the latest seasonal collection is?  Don’t fret, let us show you the Summer 2010 collection:  Makes Me Blush, Call Me Coral, Night & Day and Simply Violet.

Makes Me Blush - muted palette of delicate pinks, greens and nude tones is touched with burgundy and magenta on soft grey.  The results?  Pure enchantment.

Large Hobo shown in Makes Me Blush

Call Me Coral - Turqoise adn citrine pair well wiht hints of mint and softly tinted neutrals makes a modern twist on a loosely sketched reinterpretation of  an ancient tapestry-inspired design.  Add this “it” color to your wardrobe this summer and you’ll simply glow!

Let’s Do Lunch shown in Call Me Coral

Simply Violet - Light brown and dark navy, along with touches of linen white and lavender, create a lovely balance with vibrant purple in this vivid Persian paisley motif that’s classic Vera Bradley.

Ditty Bag shown in Simply Violet

Night & Day - Inspired by a 1950’s “tachiste” art style known for irregular dappled shapes, the bold black and white design, with a dash of charcoal, is striking in its simplicity.  The border is inspired by a detail in a Milanese cathedral. 

Large Backpack shown in Night & Day

Of course with every changing season, Vera Bradley not only debuts new color patterns, but styles too….check out the Summer 2010 new styles:

• Large Hobo
• Knot Just a Clutch
• Trip Kit
• Have a Ball Keychain

We’ve got Vera Bradley displayed in full force, so stop by our East Montgomery store location (8820 Vaughn Rd - 36117) and shop all of the latest goodies….we’re simply beaming, with COLOR that is!

Vera Bradley arrives at Vaughn Rd store location!