Random thoughts on a weekend full of sunshine:
1. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but those Dipladenias on my porches are making me so happy.
They keep blooming and growing so much bigger thanks to this tip.
2. I have the BEST Father’s Day (or treat yourself) gift idea. I’ve been using these super affordable earbuds for four months now and I’m HOOKED. They don’t fall out. They have extra cushioning for the ear and they fit perfectly and the earbuds have different levels of sound depending on how much volume you need and they come in tons of colors. I’m never ever ever using another earbud.
And in amazing news? I have a 15% off code just for this weekend for these earbuds (and the entire site).
You can see them here and use the code THISTLEWOOD.
3. National Sunscreen Day is coming up. Please make sure to add sunscreen to your Memorial Day weekend if you are spending any amount of time in the sunshine.
4. I think I’m going to get a flower press and teach myself to dry flowers. Has anyone ever tried this? What did you do with the flowers once you dried them?
5. It was an incredible week on the blog. This week featured:
- the best neutral paint colors
- the love story that almost wasn’t
- 17 projects you can finish in a weekend
- 12 affordable Walmart finds for summer
And now?
Wait until you see all the inspiration and ideas I found this week.
LET’S GO.
Can you tell the difference between real and faux flowers?
It’s so harder than you think sometimes.
See if you can tell the difference here.
This beautiful summer wreath.
I sighed when I saw it.
You can DIY it here.
Raise your hand if you love Ironstone.
Oh, good.
Me, too.
Here’s all about it and how to collect it.
Looking for a fun idea for this weekend?
What about a shrimp boil?
Here are all the details and how to set this pretty table here.
And in random news:
- this library entry (such a cool idea)
- this zucchini bread
- this beautiful indoor/outdoor house
- 11 kitchen items to throw away
- this camper renovation
- this beautiful arched kitchen ceiling
- what paint color works with orange wood
- I’m going to try and make these
- this beautiful garden
- this DIY Italian fruit topiary
- 6 ways to refinish orange wood
- how to clean antiques
- how to make your own block print pattern
- how high to hang pictures
And this
And one more for the road
This is the wreath on the door from the post earlier this week.
It’s so easy to make and you can see the DIY here.
My favorite finds from this week:
       || this gold striped bag ||                 || these hot pink earrings ||
Just two little treats from Mother’s Day.
Seriously in love with both. 🙂
Use my code THISTLEWOOD15 for 15% off. 🙂
happy random Saturday to you
disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post.Â
Hi KariAnne - Another great Thistlekeeping post! You had so many great posts this week on your blog. I love all the links you shared. Isn't it amazing how far faux foliage has come along?? Truly mind blowing. Have a fabulous weekend!
Oh and yes - I have pressed flowers. I used the dried pressed flowers to : 1. make cards 2. to decorate cakes and cupcakes (pansies and violas) 3. frame between two pieces of glass. Hope this helps.
Thank you for the link to 10 things to give up to be happier. I knew most of them, but it is great to be reminded. Happy Saturday!
Yes, I dried flowers many years ago with my young granddaughter. We pressed anything blooming in our yard between two pieces of wax paper, put them in heavy books and then put them in small picture frames after they dried. No fancy equipment. I still have them.
This was extra fun today. I love the table decor for the low country shrimp boil (I've been to a few in South Carolina but it definitely isn't a thing in Michigan!). The camper makeover was phenomenal--I'm wondering how they keep the furniture from moving when they are on the road? I think I'm more interested in working with orange furniture tones instead of stripping them--thanks for including both posts. And I've always loved block prints! Happy Saturday.
I am not sure why but my Thistlewoods have been going to my junk box. Hopefully I have rectified that. Now I have a lot of reading to catch up on. As for Ironstone..yes please. I collect it when I can find it. Everything sounds fun to read. Get me a cup of coffee and go to it. Happy Saturday
Loved that garden, so many beautiful flowers. I need to collect some of mine and press them. I don't know how you find the time but I'm so glad for these posts. I have been busy with Mother's Day, my granddaughter's birthday, Memorial day, then I'm visiting some cousins for a couple of weeks. Made time for Thistlekeeping.
I did not see the earbud sizes to choose… what size did you receive?
GREAT thistles this week, KA!! I swooned over that indoor-outdoor home. And how much fun is that camper reno? WOW- the power of paint. I had to take a double-take to even seen it really was a camper! TOO cute! Hope you are having a fabulous weekend. We have a week of perfect weather now and coming up that it is difficult to believe I am not dreaming. I am so enjoying being outdoors before it gets too hot and muggy and buggy. LOOOOVE low to mid 70s non-humid weather. May have to host an outdoor tea party with all my antique girlie china. ♥ Now if the Good Lord would give me strength and energy I really shall do this! Thanks for the inspiration - always a pleasure when I get to reading your thistles.
Some real winners here today! I'm about ready to go out and buy some purple paint! I love dark and moody. I painted the interior of our tiny family cabin in the Rockies a dark charcoal brown almost ten years ago, but I think I was the only one who liked it. Everyone else seemed to be in shock. And I love the faux Italian fruit topiary. Gotta try that. And that camper! So darn cute. Thanks!
On your site, a link came on for Downton Abbey dresses. I clicked on it and wow. What beautiful dresses. I thought why not purchase one and sit on the porch with my tea and remember a different era. They are a little pricey but what fun!
Thank you, KariAnne for the spring/summery inspiration this week! That Dahlia garden is so pretty and their garden shed is quaint. Speaking of gardens we are going away soon and the water spikes you shared are amazing! That's a game changer to keep things alive. Thank you! My daughter and I made a flower press when homeschooling. She collected all sorts of leaves and flowers. We made cards, bookmakers, framed them, etc. That was pre-Pinterest days, so I'm sure now there is tons of inspiration for that. Do share what you do in the future! Thank you for the encouragement regarding picking paint. I'm still vascillating on an exterior white paint color for our new build....battan and brick...both of which we have never had in a house before. It's SOOOO hard! I don't want it to be blinding white, too yellow, or drap on the cloudy rainy days. 😫 I believe I need to stick to Sherwin Williams brand since that's what my builder uses....which is fine, and narrowing done is helpful! I think I'm extra nervous because it is such a huge surface area and so expensive to change if it's wrong. 😟
I started this craft in college when I had no money and have continued it off and on into my passed-middle-age-but-not-yet-ready-to-be-called-elderly stage. I use the dried pressed flowers to decorate the received wedding invitations for the newly married couple. I've added thin ribbon, changed the mat size and color and framed it all according to what I think the couple's style might be. Carol in VT