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Monday, August 25, 2014

Touring Through Blogland

I was invited to participate in a blog tour by Patti from Pandora's Box. I'm really enjoying the tour, sharing a little about me, and getting to know other kindred spirits who are equally passionate about blogging just like me. Thank you Patti for the invite!
Patti is a retired teacher from New York who loves transforming furniture into extraordinary pieces with her creative touch. I especially love her Mackenzie-Childs inspired furniture makeovers like this black and white harlequin diamond design pretty end table:

When she is not creating beautiful furniture transformations, you will find her busy cooking or baking mouth-watering recipes like this delicious Garlic Chicken:

or baking a yummy zucchini-pineapple-carrot bread:

Patti also featured Jennifer @ Beeutiful By Design. Do stop by and say hello to Jennifer as well!

I'm excited to join the tour today and answer four questions that give my readers a little more insight into With a Dash of Color.


1.What am I working on right now?
Instead of taking on new projects this summer, I have been busy travelling and spending time with my family. We spent the first part of summer exploring the New England area, especially the beautiful sandy white beaches of Cape Cod, and falling in love with the shingle-style architecture of coastal New England:



We just got back from Puerto Rico, where we had an amazing time hiking through the El Yunque tropical rain forest and exploring Puerto Rico's many incredible forts:

In less than a week my husband and I will  be traveling again to Providence, Rhode Island to help my older daughter move into her dorm as she starts her sophomore year of college and after that  it's "back-to-school" for my younger daughter, who is a high school freshman.


2.How does my work differ from others in this genre?
I don't think my work is any different from other creative souls like me who are passionate about interior decor. My style of decor can best be described as an eclectic mix of Country French accents and the earth tone colors of Tuscany. I love mixing toile fabrics, antique furnishings, and rustic details of Country French with Tuscan inspired old-world style decor:


My philosophy to interior design is: A home must be a reflection of who I am and what makes my family and me comfortable. It must be a space that reflects my personality and creates a lifetime of memories.

3.Why do I write or create what I do?
I started this blog in 2011 as an outlet to create and share my passion, interior design, with other like minded bloggers. I enjoy drawing inspiration from other fellow bloggers to create spaces that satisfy my creative spirit and in the process maybe inspire others to do the same.



4. How does your creative process actually work?
My inspirational muse: fellow bloggers. My biggest inspiration comes from other bloggers and the beautiful spaces they create. And of course, Pinterest also provides me with thousands of visually inspiring projects and ideas. I love incorporating natural  elements into my room decor, vignettes, and tablescapes.  Nature's beauty and the changing seasons motivate me to add seasonal changes to my room decor and I absolutely love doing that!

Touring through Blogland continued:

I'm pleased to introduce you to three talented bloggers, who have agreed to join the tour next week.

Lisa is a stay-at-home mom who shares her passion for baking @ Flour Me With Love. Her recipes are always so quick and easy! She makes the most scrumptious, mouth-watering baked goodies. You have got to try her easy and delicious no-bake strawberry lasagna, you won't be disappointed:

Next is Carol from An Oasis in the Desert. She is an avid quilter, sewer, crafter, and is a passionate home decorator just like me. I  love they way she adds seasonal touches to her beautiful Arizona home and makes it so inviting, warm, and cozy:


And finally, it is my pleasure to introduce a newbie blogger all the way from India: Auro from Add that Xtra in the Ordinary. Her beautiful blog inspires me to visit and explore the rich culture and heritage of incredible India! I love her traditional room decor and the many facets of a rich and diverse culture that she shares at her space:

I hope you enjoyed the tour! Thanks for joining me today for the tour. Please visit Lisa, Carol, and Auro next Monday, September 1st, when they will share their own thoughts for this tour.

~Hugs, Poppy~


Saturday, August 2, 2014

Summer Dining Alfresco


Hello, dear friends!
How is your summer going? It has been a beautiful summer so far, and I have been enjoying the lovely warm days. I can't believe it is August already, and it's almost back to school time. Just got back from our vacation in Cape Cod, and it seems like summer has gone by so quickly!
Today, I thought I will share with you some pictures of a summer tablescape :)


Dining alfresco under the apple trees is a wonderful way to enjoy the balmy days of summer:



A pot of red impatiens sits inside a white lantern and is hung from the branches with a wired burlap ribbon:







Elements of a summer tablescape:

Flavored water in blue mason jars to quench your thirst on a hot summer day:


Ice cubes made with strawberries and blueberries or any other fruit of your choice not only add flavor to the water, but look so colorful as well:


The place setting:
  
Elements of a casual place setting:
Two layers of dinner napkins in red and white:



I found these adorable berry napkin rings in an outlet store called Anne and Hope in Providence, Rhode Island. Don't they look so pretty with the red napkins?


A closer look of the place setting:


A navy blue and white striped dinner plate is topped with a smaller Crate and Barrel white salad plate. The blue and white striped dinner plate is from their Country Living Collection:

I love the nautical look of these adorable plates.
A rim shot of the plates:

A red soup bowl sits on top of the white salad plate:

Love the black coiled tip fork from Pier 1:


As centerpiece I inserted a pot of pretty blue lobelia inside a Coca Cola crate:

I love lobelia with its delicate and dainty blooms 

Cute little blue ceramic birds added as accents


A galvanized bucket full of summer blossoms sits on a bench


Dining alfresco is another wonderful way to enjoy the beautiful days of summer:

Before I sign off today, I will leave you with a few pictures from our vacation at Cape Cod:
The pristine beaches of Cape Cod:

The Pilgrim Monument erected to commemorate the Pilgrims' first landing in America on the  Mayflower at Provincetown, Cape Cod:



So, how are you enjoying your summer?
Thanks for stopping by! It is always a pleasure to have you visit me.
Enjoy your weekend!

~Hugs, Poppy~

Linking to:
French Country Cottage:Feathered Nest Friday