Plant your way to FIVE a day!

It’s the time of year to start planning for a kitchen vegetable garden! Now that spring has finally arrived and the warmer weather is affecting our minds and transforming our moods, it’s best to take advantage of this surge of motivation to put our time, energy and dollars to good use. A vegetable garden is the perfect way to combine health and saving priorities.

People often find vegetable gardening intimidating! Simply put...Gardening is fun. Gardening is educational. Gardening is neighborly. Gardening is meditative. Gardening should never be scary or dismaying. If there is any part of gardening that seems unachievable then we gardeners who enjoy it so much have not communicated our joy to you successfully. 

Soil Mates, by Sara Alway, is our favorite book for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Alway's book is a cleverly irresistible guide to vegetable companion gardening or horticultural matchmaking. It provides tips and tricks by highlighting each vegetable's "match" and "turn off" plants in order to establish garden harmony. Let's face it, everyone has a soft spot for special treatment, including plants. Did you know that broccoli and rosemary are "friends with benefits"? It is a fool proof way to simply learn the basics of vegetable gardening, grow better vegetables, and is an entertaining read by Alway’s lighthearted approach to a subject that could be mundane.

With the many health benefits of growing your own food and the simplicity of this book as a guide, there is no reason to be intimidated! Gardening is something you can do! 

Margaux

Je Suis Margaux...

Background~ A mother of a cheeky three year old, Charlotte ("Charlie"), and wife to a great husband who supports me in my adventures... "Honey, why do you have an old rusty stool in your car and where did it come from?". Although I have a degree in animal science and worked in the science field, I was born with the love of decor, creativity, and treasure hunting. This of course, led me to Grace, where I met my match and am surrounded by great women who share my passion.

My Hearts~Vintage finds (if something looks like it has "a story to tell" then I love it), anything French (decor, names, food), chippy furniture, boxwoods & hydrangeas, Ashlawn Farm in Lyme, pergolas, coastal living, anything furry with four legs, gardening, burlap, boating, white linens, driftwood, teak and reclaimed wood, summers at Black Point, oreo cookie ice cream, farmers markets, a good workout, beauty products, saltines (topped with various items), my nightly bubble bath routine, bleached bed sheets and towels, decorating to personal style (not copying a spread in a catalogue), matching mommy/daughter clothes from Jcrew, chandeliers, children's birthday parties, Myer's cleaning products and Murphy's oil soap, believing that to feel good you must give back, volunteering, good friends, organization.

Grace Girls

Some of you might remember this post and my new years resolution.  Well, I started out okay, but when our remodel kicked into high gear, my bloggin kicked into, well, a dead stop.  So, I have enlisted some help in accomplishing my goal.  Going forward we will have two of our Grace Girls sharing the bloggin duties with me over here at It's All About Grace.

Andrea needs no introduction, she has been with us from way back in the cottage lane days, and has been an essential part of the Grace creative team.  Andrea is our resident artist and she is always up on the latest trends in fashion, so I look forward to her modern point of view.

You might remember Margaux from her own fabulous blog.  Margaux joined the Grace Girl's Team last year and is always ready with a warm smile and a funny story.  She has agreed to come offer her expertise about everything from organizing & gardening to interior inspirations.

Here are some great behind the scenes shots of the girls getting the shop all decked out in its holiday best.  Stay tuned for more info on gorgeous and fabulous grace girls!

Glee - Bubble Toes

We love us some Jack Johnson and combine that with a little Glee - had to share!

Spring has sprung...finally

It was beginning to feel like it was never going to warm up around here, that was until today.  We  had gorgeous Spring like weather in Niantic - we actually got to open the door at the shop, I opened up windows at home and I finally got to wear my cute new dress!  Speaking of cute dresses (how's that for a segway?) we have the best new clothes in at the shop...our line of great cotton tops and dresses - so comfy you could literally live in them.  The star of the show, Stripes, which I am  pretty psyched about since I have a little obsession, especially in the navy and white persuasion. 

Loving the subtle ruffles in each one of these tops as well.  Speaking of ruffles check out this one shoulder dress, one of the seasons hottest looks.

Chambry mixed with a touch of floral is the perfect definition of beach meets country...

Love, love & love!  Not only are these dresses and tops adorable, but they are affordable.  These pieces go quickly so make sure you stop in soon to scoop up your size.