End Of Summer Blues? Make The Most Of What's Left

While the leaves haven't changed colors yet, it's still true that summer is ending in only a matter of weeks. Kids will start going back to school and you will begin a new daily routine. Summer living will definitely be over. But before you pack away those flip flops and swimsuits, here are a few last "must do's" before you let your summer officially end.

Throw one last summer bash for Labor Day. Visit family or gather the neighbors together for a small bar-b-que. It will be a great chance for the kids to get out some leftover energy and have fun before they will be glued to their desks five days a week. Everyone can look back on the memories they made that summer and share stories with one another. Have left over decorations, paper plates and other goodies from previous summer parties? Use up all of these great luau, patriotic and other summer-inspired decoartions and party ware and make it a mixed summer celebration. It can be like one big end of summer party all rolled into one. It would be a great way to use up those extra items, and not to mention you won't have to worry about storing them all year long.

Spend some quality time with your kids by creating mementos from your summer break. Work on a scrapbook together using all the photos you took of the different things your family did together over the summer. Everyone can make their own page of their favorite time and make sure to get dad involved too! Create shadowboxes from using items the kids kept from your big summer trip. If you went to the beach gather the seashells they collected and some sand. Let the kids come up with a cool design. You could also create a collage. Say you went camping; pick out a few of your favorite photos, maybe the brochure from your campsite or some of the places you visited. Have the kids write down their favorite memory from the trip and stick that on the collage too. Creating these projects will be great quality time with the family and you'll get to look back on all the wonderful memories you made.

While remembering the summer and all the fun you had is great, you still have to deal with the reality that it's time to get back into the groove of things. Be prepared. Get all the supplies you and your children need for the upcoming school year. Perhaps get a large family calendar that you can put everyone's schedules on, as the extra activities will be quickly building up. Being prepared ahead of time will help save you from a few headaches and mishaps in the future.

Summers come and ago every year. Be thankful you had another fun-filled one with your family and friends. Stay positive for the new school year, as there may be a few bumps along the way. Remember even though the summer may be officially over, the sun will still be shinning.

Combine 4th of July Celebrations With Beachy Decorating Ideas

The Fourth of July is one of the most fun holidays of the year, and is one of the things that makes summer so special. The picnics and barbecues, the parades, the music, and of course, the fireworks, are part of what make this nationwide celebration so exciting. What would be even better would be combining two great American traditions: The 4th of July and The Beach. With the upcoming holiday, it's even more of a reason to pack up and head to the shore!

Get together family and friends and celebrate the Fourth at your favorite local beach. Most beaches have a picnic area where you can set up for the day. Make it a potluck Bar-B-Que and everyone can bring their favorite dish to share. Don't forget the dessert!

There will be a ton of activities going on to entertain the kids. You can play volleyball, horseshoes, or even set up a craft area for the kids to make patriotic favors, not to mention the beautiful ocean to take a swim in. At the end of the day, the beach is the perfect spot to watch the fireworks. There is nothing prettier than watching fireworks go off over the ocean at night.

Not near a beach? No problem. You can still have a little of the beach with you as you celebrate the holiday from home. This is such cute idea for table decorations. Take any old bottle you have lying around the house or can pick up at the thrift store. Then, using cardboard and fabric, or poster board, create 4th of July pennants for your bottles. Put a small amount of sand at the bottom of the bottle for the sign to stick in. If you have them, add a few seashells in as well. If you're going to be decorating various tables with this 4th of July centerpiece, make each pennant a little different. Add glitter, ribbon, and other embellishments, and give each pennant a different message. You can also use this idea with glass bowls or planting pots as well. Don't have the time to make signs? Replace the signs with red, white and blue candles. If you look hard around your local craft stores you may even be able to find red and blue color sand to use for an instant patriotic look.

Whatever you decide to do this holiday, remember to stay safe. It's always wonderful to celebrate being an American. Have a great holiday with your family and friends! Be sure to share your plans and decorating ideas with us.

Get Creative With Your Summer Entertaining

It's summertime! And that means it's time for pool parties, BBQ's, beach picnics and gatherings of all kinds. Of course we all know that the food is the center of attention at any party, but it's the decor that really gets people talking. You can make your summertime get-together even more fabulous with a great table setting. Here are some great ideas to make your summer gathering a memorable one.

Scallop Placemats and Napkins

For those little touches that always leave a lasting impression, decorating a table top is the place to start. Summer always gives off a beachy vibe, but throwing some sea shells and sand on a table doesn't hack it! Try adding cute coastal placemats that have simple, yet elegant ,designs. If you have a plain wood table, you can use placemats and napkins as an opportunity to add a pop of color. Bright blues and greens with hints or browns and sand colors are sure to give off this great beach feel!

Sea Life Napkin Rings

Other simple but creative ideas for your table setting might be to use beachy napkin rings. Simple yet chic! It's always fun to have a variety as well. Make a game out of it. Have everyone randomly seat themselves at the table and whoever chooses the setting with the pre-chosen (but surprise) napkin ring, get's a prize! If you have a regular get together, change up the designated winning item each time. It keeps guests guessing and having fun at the same time, not to mention all while admiring your beautiful table setting!

Everyone knows a great party has great drinks. Make your drinks even more fabulous with decorative wine glasses. These days, everyone is drinking their favorite drink out of their new favorite glass. And plus, it's always more fun drinking out of a pretty glass than a plain one.

Shoreline Hand Painted Wine Glasses

If you are really looking to step up your game when it comes to your summer entertaining, try looking for a new set of dishware. Whether you are hosting a four course meal for the Captain of the Queen Victoria, or having a lunch in with the girls at your coastal cottage by the shore, the right dishware help you go from ordinary to extraordinary!

Regardless of the of occasion, there are endless ways you make your summer gathering a memorable one. Of course the best way of all is the company that you keep!

Ideas for Decorating a Fireplace Mantel for Summer

Easy Ways to Add Style to the Hearth

A roaring fireplace on a cold winter night is a comfort, and it is also a decorative part of the home, but when the warmer months arrive the fireplace hearth sometimes becomes an empty dark shell and the mantel simply becomes a place for storing displaced knickknacks. However, the mantel can be decorated in honor of any season, and the following ideas will help you get started on decorating your fireplace mantel to help usher in summer while bringing the best of the season into the home. These ideas for decorating the fireplace mantel for summer are relatively inexpensive, and they will help you add decorating style and appeal during warmer summer months when fires are put on hold.

Decorating with Bamboo

Plants are ideal for display on the fireplace mantel during the summer months when hot crackling fires are nothing but a memory. Consider growing bamboo in a decorative container of your choice. Bamboo requires plenty of moisture to thrive, and it requires occasional feeding, but many varieties do not require a lot of light. The fireplace mantel is the ideal location when decorating with live low-light foliage.

Along with attractive containers of live bamboo, begin decorating the mantel with items of interest that offset the backdrop. For example, if the wall behind the mantel is white, consider selecting beautiful jade sculptures to go along with the bamboo theme. If the wall behind the fireplace mantel is dark and designed using brick or stone, select items of interest that are light in color such as smaller three-dimensional sculptures or tabletop works of art that are mainly white or another light hue. 

Summer Candle Displays for Decorating

Many people burn candles exclusively during the cooler months of winter. The flames cast a warm and inviting glow. However, candle displays are also ideal when decorating for summer, especially when decorating a fireplace mantel. Select unique candle holders and fragrant long-burning candles. Create a row of graduating heights, and light the candles on a dark night for romantic candlelight or the ambience of a fireplace. Even when the mantel is the only area illuminated by dancing flames, the fireplace will look grand, warm, and exceptionally inviting, especially when the candles are placed in front of a framed mirror that will double the amount of light. 

Decorating with Sunny Outdoor Photos

When decorating the fireplace mantel for summer, put away winter or spring holiday decor, and display a few well-arranged framed photos in between favorite candle displays, foliage, or eye-catching knickknacks. Select vacation photos, outdoor summer scenes that include friends or family members, or display scenic summer beach photos. What better way to bring a touch of summer into the home and onto the fireplace mantel than by decorating with memories of summers past? Sunny summer photos will instantly bring the fireplace mantel to life while bringing a touch of summer indoors and into an area commonly thought of as a place for winter decor.

Think of your favorite colors and designs of summer, and look for ways to add style to your fireplace mantel during the warmer months of the year. With plants, tabletop summer decor, creatively displayed candles, and framed memories of past summers you can begin decorating your fireplace mantel for the summer while making your fireplace mantel a place for expression.

Article Source: Associated Content by Yahoo 
Article Author: Crystal Ray

Summer Decorating - Cool Decor Ideas For Hot Days

Summer is a great time to add some pizazz to your decorating. The key to summer decorating is to lighten and brighten. Try some of these tips to transform your rooms and get your home ready for summer:

Remove Layers: Just as we pack away our heavy sweaters once the snow is gone, we can do the same for our rooms. Warm, fuzzy throws draped over the sofa bring warmth to a room in the winter, but can add too much visual heat once the hot weather arrives. Replace heavy throws with lighter, airier fabrics for a more summery feel.

Do the same for large area rugs and the smaller runners in the entryway and kitchen -- replace them with lighter rugs (look for any of the following: jute, cotton, bamboo or sisal), or even remove them completely for the season.

Tablecloths and table runners can also be replaced with lightweight versions. A white runner really lightens up a dark wood table. This is a great time to go sheer with window treatments as well. It can really make your space feel more open.

Cover Up: If you have a dark, heavy sofa or chairs, a slipcover in a lighter color and fabric can dramatically change the appearance of your room. This trick also works in the bedroom -- slipcover your headboard for a whole new look. Look for lighter, cooler fabrics in a summery pattern like a light stripe or floral print. For a more casual feel, try white canvas.

Throw cushions can also benefit from the slipcover treatment. Use sheer fabric (for added detail, try an embroidered sheer) to make covers for your dark throw pillows. Even easier -- take a sheer scarf and tie it around the pillow for an instant no-sew cover.

For pillows that really say summer, try this easy DIY project: Sew two standard-size towels together along three sides to make super soft, comfortable pillowcases. Smaller towels can be used to cover throw cushions.

Add Some Artwork: Replace your heavier artwork with lighter pieces -- go for summer landscapes, florals and botanicals, shells and water scenes. White picture frames can help to lighten things up as well.

Gather up outdoor photos of family and friends (beach shots are great for this). Put them in coordinating frames and hang them in a grouping to create a photo wall that's sure to be a focal point.
You can also fashion your own summer artwork in a few simple steps -- pick a few flowers and leaves from the garden, press them in a book for a week or two, then place them in a picture frame (for those that share my fear of bugs, check flowers before pressing to avoid any unpleasant surprises!). Any of these tips will brighten up your home for summer and give you a fresh new look.

Visit OceanStyles.com for more great summer and beach decorating ideas.

Refreshing Your Home's Decor For the Warm Summer Months

When decorating your home during the warmer months, keep in mind the carefree days of summer. You can be inspired by the patriotic colors of Independence Day or by the barbecues enjoyed during long hot days lazing with friends and the light of fireflies dancing as evening falls.

Sunflowers are wonderful decorations that make a positive impact anywhere during summertime. The vivid yellows give a fantastic "sunshine" or "summertime" accent to any room. Since they've been overwhelmingly popular, they are also commonly available in silk form. Anybody can enjoy these wonderful flowers summer after summer.

Placing baskets of sunflowers throughout the home will make a beautiful sight in the summer. You can also re-purpose the baskets according the season or occasion by changing the liners or adding ribbons to the outside. Baskets are not just decorative; they can also be functional and very versatile. Some people use them to store hand towels and wash cloths in the bathroom, but baskets can be used in just about any room in the house. You can use them to hold kitchen utensils, sort bills, and organize anything else you need to de-clutter in a visually appealing way.

All you need is a little talent and some painting supplies and you can paint a small table that will add a summer note to your indoor or outdoor space. After putting on a coat of a light color, stencil or sponge on a summer-themed pattern, such as fruit, beach umbrellas, flowers, or whatever reminds you of fun in the sun.

If you would like to make your summer theme a little different and unique in your home, you can avail a Moroccan  theme. Mosaics, candle holders and wall sconces together with a few fluffy pillows made of cozy fabrics would augment the glow without costing too much. In addition, glowing candles and artificial lighting together with incense burning in the background would enrich the mood.

When summer comes around, some people get excited about redecorating their houses on the outside. An outdoor living area is the perfect outlet to focus such energies. Even mass retailers are recognizing the potential in offering more options for outdoor furnishings; plastic chairs are no longer enough to satisfy the demands of their customers. Weather-resistant furnishings now come in so many different styles that it is possible to create an elegant outdoor living area.

Families who enjoy outdoor living close to home, may want to build an outdoor fireplace so that the area can be used for extended periods both early in the spring and late fall. They might also want to use a cooling system so that even on the hottest days outdoor living can be enjoyed in comfort. By doing much of the cooking in an outdoor style, not only do you help keep your home cool, but it is a good way to cut down on cost.

Perhaps it is due to great sense of freedom and wonder we all experienced in our childhood summers but people seem to be more creative during the summer months. Why not infuse your home decor with that same sense of liberty and creativity. Learn to have fun while decorating; pretend school is out and there are no rules!

Visit OceanStyles.com to find other great summertime home decorating ideas.

Last Day of Summer

Today officially marks the last day of summer in the northern hemispere. It makes me kind of sad. Even though I live in Florida and we generally have summer temperatures well into October (even November sometimes) I always miss the laid back, fun "attitude" that comes with summer.

I miss going into stores and seeing whole aisles full of coconut scented sunscreen. Kids' bodyboards and sand pails are replaced with halloween costumes and candy. And even though it's still 90 degrees out where I live, forget about buying a new bathing suit or cute pair of shorts.

People seem to BBQ less. Summer vacations are over. School is back in session and autumn is on its way. But even though I love the fall and all the rich colors, inviting scents and homemade comfort food that it represents, I still want to revolt and keep that summer feeling going as long as I can.

You won't find plush turkeys or full-size decorative scarecrows at my house. No siree. I keep my tropical decor up all year round. I cook fresh seafood for as long as I can find it. I keep wearing my flip flops until my toes can't stand it anymore. And we keep going to the beach even if I have to wear a sweatshirt!

How do you keep your "summer attitude" going? I'd love to hear your comments. For other ideas check out OceanStyles.com