Updating my Little Outdoor Paradise

Did everyone have a great holiday last week? 

We enjoyed celebrating the Fourth as well as just relaxing before the hubs had to start school back up this week. 

I told him it was going to be weird not having him all to myself all day... we've completely enjoyed having the past two weeks off to enjoy family time :) 

But it's back to business which means studying my boo-tay off for my OT licensing exam.

Ugh. 

Anyone want to wave a magic wand and pass it for me? 

Well until that happens, I have a ton of studying to do but hubs keeps reminding me that it's the home stretch. So I'm keeping that in mind :) 

And having lot of study-time in my future, I thought it fitting to update my little outdoor space to make it perfect for outdoor study sessions.
I mean, it's summer after all.

Because I'm the worst blogger ever, I don't have a 'before' picture but you can imagine just a table and two chairs, right? 

Cuz that's what it was. 

It just needed a few finishing details to look all bright & relaxing :) 

Doesn't it look like a fun place to sit & hang out? 

I sure think so.

Although I'll admit that it's hard to study when it's so pretty outside :) 

The first little addition to the set-up was my cute little planter/tray. 

It started out as this sad box that was, yup, a roadside find :) 

I gave it a light coat of white paint and then used chipboard letters to stencil our last name on it. 

I used the pencil markings I made to trace over with a black paint pen. 

Instant cute-ness. 

I sanded it down after tracing the name to make it distressed.

Then put a couple coats of poly on it to seal it up :) 

It's a small project but I sure love the impact it makes!!

I'm kinda in love with it. 

I filled it with various planters that were filled with my faves, succulents, and a cute yellow painted lantern. 

Next up was my framed centerpiece that I adore. 

It was super easy to create too and added a great touch of glam to my little space!

All you need are: 

*Blank frame from Michaels

*Moss Sheet

*Wooden Letter

*Hot Glue Gun

The steps are super simple too.

Just paint your frame in your desired color, glue your moss sheet to the back of the frame and then glue your wooden letter in the middle. 

I hung mine directly on the brick over my little green table. 

I love love love it :)

My slate votive holders I picked up at Michaels last year on clearance. 

Super cute & they were perfect hanging on either side of my framed monogram. 

My yellow chevron pillows are covers from Hobby Lobby that I covered some faded outdoor pillows with. 

I gave them a coat of Scotch-guard for protection and let them brighten up the chairs. 

I love having a fun, bright place to sit and read my magazines, er STUDY, I promise :) 

Me & hubs love to come out here to sit & watch the kids play too. 

We don't have a huge area to set up a sitting area in the front of our house, so just take advantage of any space you have. 

Even just a small chair or stool with a cheery pillow can brighten up a small part of your outdoor space! 

Hope you enjoyed a peek into my little outdoor paradise...

I'll probably head there now to crack open my books & sip on some lemonade :) 

Hope you guys have a great week- I'll be back soon with some fun furniture before & afters!
Happy Monday, friends!!!

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