Post Christmas Decoration Blahs

Updated to answer Stacy's question:

Stacy asked if I ever use fake greenery or do I always use the real thing...

Well, I would say 90% of the time, I use the real thing.  I choose easy plants and ones that "clean the air" like English Ivy. I am just not a fan of the fake stuff.  However, I see more and more designers using it lately. 

Around Christmas, my hubby and Will get sick if I bring too much green inside.  Also, every once in a while, I see something that is not real that catches my eye and looks real (like the photo above~there are currently two on my kitchen windowsill).  I will say this though, if you use the fake stuff, do not pretend it is real.  

Original Post:
Lisa wrote and asked about suggestions to spruce things up after the holidays. You know what she means.... you take your decorations down and everything look so bland and uninspired. Well, I happened to be having coffee with another design loving decorating kind of Mom today and we were saying the very same thing.  

My suggestion is to buy some fresh flowers or plants.  I live near a wholesale flower district so if I venture there, I can buy bunches of bright tulips very reasonably.  If you keep tulips and other bulb flowers (hyacinths, daffodils) in very cold water they last longer.  

Or look around for an orchid plant (my favorite) Although they can be quite pricey, I have seen them at Wh*le Foods or my local supermarket for under $25 and they bloom for at least two months or more. I swear I had one in Virginia that I called the uber-orchid because it was always in bloom. Orchids are the best investments because I always have a few in bloom and they last for years and years (unless I move and cannot take them all with me). It is like constantly having fresh flowers in your home. They are super easy to care for too.  You simply water them once a week (warm or tepid water) and let them drain well.  Once all the blooms fall off a stem, cut that stem all the way back and continue to water once a week or so (not more) and it will bloom all over again in a few months or so.

(this photo is shadowy but it was cloudy and late afternoon here)

I also love to have some ivy around my house.  This time of year, you can find some simple and pretty topiaries. Again, these are not difficult to care for at all.  Stick to watering once a week and tuck the growing ivy in along the topiary.

So, Lisa...those are my suggestions.  I had several orchids and plants in my old house and have not quite replaced them all here. I think I will take some of my own advice and bring some natural beauty inside this weekend.

I have saved everyone's questions and will get to them eventually.  The next post however is about my sweet Katie Ru.