st. patrick’s day and favorite green things

Happy St. Patrick’s Day friends!!

Missing my hometown today, but we are streaming the parade right now! I texted with my little brother this morning around 8am and he was already in one of the downtown squares, trying to keep warm, having set up his tent hours earlier. {Yeah…it’s for real.} He sent me this pic…

Joe and I both grew up in Savannah where March 17th is a BIG deal. My mom took my brothers and me to the parade pretty much every single year of my life. We always had plenty of green to wear. I rarely missed the festivities. In college I would still drive home, oftentimes bringing friends with me.

Up until a few years ago, I could count on one hand how many St. Patrick’s Days in Savannah I had missed. {One was when I was 5 and in the hospital following an emergency surgery. That year I wore a satin mint-green nightgown and we watched it on tv.}

We went during both of my pregnancies. I was unable to enjoy my traditional Bloody Mary, but still had a good time.

St. Patty’s Day, 2012:

When the kids were really small we actually got to be in the parade a couple of years. Joe’s dad was the president of the school board and rode on a float. After spending all those years as a spectator, it sure was different and exciting to see the parade from the inside looking out.

St. Patty’s Day, 2013:

Now with kids in school, and not living in Savannah, it’s hard to make it work. We’ve had to wear our green and celebrate from afar…

Next year it will be on Saturday, and I really hope to be there celebrating with my family!

And so, in honor of St. Patty’s Day, I thought I’d post some of my favorite green things:

1. Fiddle leaf fig trees…

Mine is still a baby, but so far so good. Trying to keep it alive. Any advice in how to do that is welcome! While I love indoor plants and trees, a green thumb I have not. Here I am bringing it home:

2. That jacket I’m wearing above.

It’s the R2 fleece from Patagonia. It is the perfect weight. I can wear it just over a tee or layer it underneath my puffy coat. It is one of my favorite things in my closet and I wear it all the time. That color is no longer available but they have other pretty ones.

3. Topiaries…

Preserved or faux, there are pros to both. They look good in a variety of indoor spaces – on tables, on either side of the TV, on the mantle, on the kitchen counter or bathroom vanity – and they come in a vast array of sizes and shapes. Cluster two or three different sizes together or set a stack of books and a framed photo nearby and you have an instant vignette.

 

Those above are available at Wayfair.com. I have two faux boxwood topiaries from Ballard Designs on my dining room table that I’ve had for years. I also have two preserved boxwood wreaths from Ballard. I don’t see either on the website, but you can find similar topiaries and wreaths at Wayfair.

The Smith & Hawken line at Target has beautiful options for topiaries and wreaths.

 

I have had my eye on these olive topiaries for a while now…

4. Contigo water bottle…

Any color will do, but I have this green one and a larger 36oz. turquoise one. I drink tons of water so I fill this up several times a day. And take it everywhere.

5. Nora Fleming shamrock mini…

And, transparency here, you know how I got that green and gold Reese’s Cup mix? I bought the Easter bag and filtered. Don’t worry, after today all the colors will go in.

If you don’t know about Nora Fleming, it’s similar to the Happy Everything line. What I love about it is the classic simplicity. All the minis fit on white (or off-white) serving pieces. My shamrock mini was one of my first minis.

My mom is responsible for growing my mini collection and I have over 20 now – ones for all the seasons, holidays and special occasions. I just recently broke my big round platter. It was sitting on the counter when I reached to get a glass out of the cabinet and it fell right onto the edge of the platter, breaking them both. Seriously unlucky. I think I would really like to have a bowl and the bread tray. Hint, hint Mom.

6. Spinach.

Not joking. I love it any way, but especially sautéed with olive oil and garlic. Joe cannot make it enough at home. I eat it up!

While I’m on green food, a local restaurant has a kale caesar salad that I crave. This recipe from Anne Burrell is the closest I could find and actually sounds even better.

And lucky number 7. My green Ugg slippers… 

 

They are the Ansley slipper, but I don’t see them in green on the Ugg website. I bought these with Christmas money 2 or 3 years ago and, I’m telling you, I wear them year round. They are my favorites. Walking on clouds, my friends.

Have anything green you love?!