DIY * Gardening

Hanging Garden

Be it indoors or outdoors, this is certainly one great way to bring greenery into any space. Of course, you could simply make a trip to Ikea and buy them but that will take the fun and uniqueness out of these hanging pots. So try out this easy DIY by the talented Heather Moore from Skinny Laminx and click here for the steps.

DIY * Gardening

Garden Pallet

This DIY is perfect for those hankering for a touch of greenery, especially if you live in a high rise building with little or no space to practice your green thumb. Garden pallets is the clear solution to to this problem but of course you'll need to hunt for one, or if you are handy with timber, saw and nails, try make one yourself! A lot of effort but the end results are well worth it!

Click here to see the steps.

DIY * Lighting

Glowing Garden Orbs

While appeasing my addiction to lighting, I came across this brilliant DIY that hits the spot. Glowing orbs!  I'm pretty impressed. Just by looking at them you would not think it would cost only 3USD to make. So seriously, go try this out. It doesn't matter if you don't have a garden, put it in your balcony. Oh and those opaque glass shades can be purchased at most lighting shops for real cheap. 

Click here for the deets. 

DIY * Gardening

Companion Planting

Try as I might, I really don't have much of a green thumb. I do like to garden, and I actually find it quite stress relieving, however, my plants don't seem to flourish as much as I would like them to. Maybe my expectations are too high?

Anyway, enough of that. What I wanted to post here was a pretty neat idea on pest control through companion planting. From my parents and my in-laws (all have green thumbs!!)  the one thing they talk about when it comes to gardening is a plants natural 'ability' to heal, repel, sooth, etc. I remember a couple of years ago, I had a bit of a fall and my mother in-law treated my wound with a leaf (can't remember the name) and much to my dismay as she gleefully rubbed the leaf on my bloody knee, it actually worked! Healed faster than I usually do and no scaring!

But in terms of pest control, Wanda Lau, an architect with a passion for gardening, came up with this simple planting solution to kick out those nasty bugs. So if you are interested in learning a bit about this, do read on here. I'm going to give this a try to, here's hoping my green thumb finally kicks in.

DIY * Green Thumb

Tiered Planter 

A simple idea to add a bit of nature into the home, this tiered planter is gorgeous and is very easy to do. Definitely a chic way to freshen up any room! Click here to read more.

DIY * Arrangements

 Baby Jar Arrangements

Decorating editor and design enthusiast, Cate West Zahl from The Charlotte came up with a great way to recycle baby jars (or any jar for that matter). I've got a couple of them hanging around my kitchen and now I can put them to good use! Also makes a lovely gift. Click here to read more!

DIY * Gardening

Watering 'Globes'

I've had a couple of glass bottles, jars, you name it, sitting on my kitchen counter for weeks, months even. You see, I believe in recycling, but I don't see the point of driving to recycling center with only five bottles. I have been tempted to throw them into the bin really, that would solve my problem, but i'd feel bad about it.

So after doing a bit of research, I found this brilliant idea! Reusing glass bottles as watering globes! Yes, its a  little unsightly, but if you travel a lot and you've got a garden to take care of, this easy DIY works like a charm!

To make these recycling bottle watering 'globes,' simply take an empty bottle, fill it with water and slam it down into the soil. It works best when the soil is already damp, so water the plant before you add the glass bottle. If you see bubbles forming, or the water level changing at all, the bottle-mouth may not have sealed against the soil. So pull the bottle out, re-fill it, and try again. Also, if you have an extremely thirsty plant, use a wine bottle, the bigger the bottle, the deeper drink your plants will get.