Blue Elephant Cocktail Table

At a local antique shop, I have often walked by this elephant planter and thought about buying it.  I really didn't need another planter, though.  I wondered if I could turn him into a little table but what would I use for a top?  On my latest trip over to said shop I again walked by Mr. Elephant and had the same buying impulse only to continue on by.  In another part of the shop lay a round piece of marble for $18.  Done.  I brought them both home and put them together, never to be parted.  I thought I would paint Elephant white so that it looked more like one piece with the top but...

My friend Ryan challenged me to go bold.  My first impulse was to paint him hot pink to contrast with my blue accents.  Nothing would start a conversation like a pink elephant cocktail table--but I couldn't find the right shade of pink.  I settled for the same blue as my accent planters and the gates in my backyard ("Homecoming Blue"by Valspar).  He blends in nicely now.

I think a blue elephant table is just what my patio needed:)  Although, I'm thinking he will be many different colors throughout the years.  

Have a wonderful day!

Garden Inspiration

via Southern Living

Our Spring Break (notice the caps- it deserves the caps) officially started yesterday.  The Cat and I kicked off our vacation with a whole day spent in our pajamas, sitting around, catching up on tv shows, playing games, and even cleaning a little bit.  We ended the day by going to Rebecca's for a much needed movie night, complete with cupcakes, wine, and The Philadelphia Story.  (Thank you again, Rebecca!)  The weather yesterday was crazy.  C-R-A-Z-Y.  It was windy, raining (sideways at times), freezing- by the time we got to Rebecca's house, it was even snowing.  And it was like that all day.  And it is freezing again today.  So I don't want to go outside, not even to get essentials, like groceries and wine, and instead I am continuing my work from yesterday- watching Yard Crashers on HGTV.  I watched a couple episodes yesterday, too.  Or a few.  Who's counting?  I'm on vacation!  Anyway, I guess I am living vicariously through the show because the weather is so bad.  My backyard is a mess.  Molly has trashed it.  I'm not done planting.  Don't get me wrong; it looks better than when we bought the house- when we bought the house, the backyard was wall-to-wall concrete.  There was one little square of dirt in the back, up against the right wall.  But other than that, concrete.  Wall-to-wall. That was one of the selling points of the house for Alli- she had a built in skate park in the backyard.  We've done a lot since then- taken out most of the concrete, put up a patio cover, put in grass and some landscaping... But it's far from over.  If I had my way, my backyard would be all done, with fully matured plants.  Think Secret Garden, ivy, overgrown, green, green, green.  If I had my way, that's what I would have.  But alas, I live in the desert, and my thumb is the opposite of green.  Here are some pics of backyard accessories and backyard spaces that I love.

I love covered walls like this, no matter how bad it may be for the walls.
image via Philadelphia Style

This gorgeous patio set is from Ballard Designs and was introduced
quite some time ago.  It also comes in orange, which I love.
image via pickles and cheese

I want this!  Can you imagine?!
image via Content in a Cottage

Beautiful.
image via Flower Garden

Gorgeous container garden.
image via Flower Garden

I would never go inside.
image via ZsaZsa Bellagio

I've always loved this little lady.
Someday she will definitely be an addition to my garden.
Get it here.

~Lori