Landscaping and Summer/Beach Perfumes

Finally!  It feels like spring is here and summer close on its heels. We turned on the pool heater now that we are steadily in the 70s and 80s, we’ve been in it!

I’m still assessing the winter damage for some plants.  One near my house in front did not make it. I kept waiting and pruning it back, but it’s clear now it is deader than a doornail so need to finish remove it once it was clear that the more aggressive pruning was just showing complete dead branches.  Super sad.

The other side of the house, I’m not sure what it is called, but it is great in the summer and fall.  It looooooks like there is new growth, though much of it looks pretty dead. Not sure how much it will come back, but something is trying to live – I’m going to remain hopeful for another 3 weeks.

That frigid cold 4-6 weeks ago was brutal on growing things. I’ve got an elderberry bush that is still not sure it wants to live.

The weeds, though,  are just going to town – like that cold was a bonus! So much rain, I have had to do an early run through the jungle to keep some of the craziest wild at bay. I did decide I need to hire someone to help with this.

The planters around the deck project continues.  I think I have like 12 planters now, the dirt has been delivered from the local greenhouse (Coco Loco, I really love the coco coir based dirt). I’ve been stressing on whether to go seeds in there as much as possible or get new plants.  Budget is screeching about what I’d need to spend for that many baby plants, so I figured out a plan to protect the seeds from the birds and squirrels – netting!  Fill the boxes, plant the seeds, put the netting over the top of it with some room, until the plants start growing.  I even had squirrels go dig up two freshly planted hibiscus. WTH?

Finally had a hummingbird show up last night. Why is the sight of the first one in April so joyous?  I was working at the time and saw the little ruby throated devil out the window and just squealed in joy.

Besides landscaping, birds and work, I’ve become obsessed with beach and summer perfumes. I’ve found a couple of articles that were listing things I had not heard of.  Don’t even want the expensive stuff, those cheapies are great. Like that Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush body fragrance mist.  That is so fleeting, but it stays in your hair and in your clothes in just the right amount for this time of year, and I’m more than a little obsessed with it!  Found a couple of other things at Urban Outfitters – their hair and body mist – Sel Ocean and Lait de Coco.  I know longevity is their biggest criticism, but in the summer, when it turns warm out, I want sunny smelling things that are barely there.

What summer/beachy fragrances do you love?  I still love the standards – Bobbi Brown Beach, CB At The Beach and Mr. Hulot, etc., but always looking for the perfect thing.