outdoors

Lifestyle Expert Mar Jennings' Best Gardening Tips

Filed under: Decor

Gardening and lifestyle expert Mar Jennings.

Few understand gardening better than Luxist Awards Panelist Mar Jennings. Mar is the in-house lifestyle expert and correspondent for Better TV and is the home expert for the Fine Living Network. Mar also appears on the Today Show, ABC, Fox, CNN, and many other national and local networks across the country. He is also the author of Life on Mar's: A Four Season Garden (S&J Publishing, $39.95).

In an exclusive interview with Luxist, Mar shares some of his best gardening tips. According to Mar, it is not too late to roll up your sleeves and get to work in your garden.

Luxist: It is already late June. What can someone plant now?

MAR: You might be surprised---and I meet many gardeners who think they're too late.

I recommend focusing on accent pieces where the garden seems bare. Ground cover plants and plants that come in small containers are the best options for getting you in and out of the garden quickly when it's so hot out. Any plant that blooms early in the Spring and has spent flowers is perfect for planting in summer because they will be focusing their energy on growing and not on flowering-plus most will be on sale. Another great bet is succulents.

What can be planted now for full sun and what do you recommend for partial sun? How about no sun?

MAR: Your local garden center can further advise you of things that are particularly good for your area, but here are some sure-fie items that I make use of:

Full sun: Decorative vines such as wisteria or trumpet vines, anchors for your garden such as dwarf boxwoods, and ornamental grasses.

Partial sun: Hydrangeas, hydrangeas and more hydrangeas are ideal. (Not that I'm biased or anything.)

No sun: When God gives you lemons, make lemonade. A full-shade garden can be as wonderful as a full-sun garden. Discover the endless varieties of ferns and hostas, intertwined in any shady area. These create height, texture and interest in an otherwise overlooked place. Introduce moss onto garden structures and stone walkways as an added feature that will increase in charm over the years.

Is it too late to plant vegetable plants?

MAR: For some things, yes. But don't give up! Lettuces, tomatoes, peppers and herbs can be started now---but not from seeds, but by planting the small plants already started. Another reason I love to encourage people to plant vegetables in the summer is because children are out of school and can be involved in the process---a learning experience for them and a family activity for you.

Tags: awards-main, decor-pedia, flowers, gardening, gardening-tips, luxist-awards, main-pedia, Mar Jennings, outdoor living, outdoor-entertaining, outdoor-entertainment, outdoor-entertainment-pedia, outdoors

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LED Lights Make Summer Nights Glow

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Glowing rechargeable outdoor lights are fast becoming a new summer essential. Home Infatuation, a site that celebrates outdoor living, has all sorts of great LED lights that cast a soft light across the yard (or in the pool) and make everyday occasions into celebrations. The light shown at right is called the rock even though it's a more of an egg. The Rock measures 12'' x 12" and has a recharging base that takes six to eight hours to fully recharge the batteries. Once charged it provides six to eight hours of light. The Rock sells for $179.95. Also check out the orb-like Moonlight lamps which have changeable color filters. Add a few in different colors and it's a little like having your own private solar system under the night sky.

Tags: outdoor, outdoor lighting, outdoors, summer

Fly Fishing's Finest Destinations, Courtesy of Orvis

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports, Books

When it comes to fly fishing, legendary Vermont-based sporting outfitters Orvis is the recognized authority. The company celebrates nearly 50 Orvis-endorsed fly-fishing lodges across the U.S. and Canada in a nifty new book for the armchair angler, Great Fishing Lodges of North America. The perfect tool for planning your next outing as well as a rich visual feast for anyone interested in sport fishing or the lodge lifestyle, the book highlights the best destinations from Alaska to Florida, Montana to Maine, and across Canada.

Each lodge is profiled and portrayed along with detailed information on the local waters and its game fish, the lodge, amenities and activities, landscape, and game species and wildlife in the area. Featured lodges in include the Alaska Sportsman's Lodge (Lake Iliamna, AK); The Essex, Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa (Burlington, VT); Lake Placid Lodge (Lake Placid, NY); Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock (Blowing Rock, NC; The Blue Damsel Lodge (Clinton, MT); North Fork Ranch (Shawnee, CO); Cow Creek Ranch (Pecos, New Mexico); Moose Lake Lodge (Anahim Lake, British Columbia); and more.

Gallery: Great Fishing Lodges

Alaska Sportsman's Lodge, Lake Iliamna, AK

Morrison's Rogue River Lodge, Merlin, OR

Tags: Alaska, books, British Columbia, Canada, coffee table books, fishing, fly fishing, fly-fishing, Lake Placid, Montana, Orvis, outdoors, sporting, sporting goods, Vermont

Handpainted Umbrellas for the Garden

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

One of the reasons I love working from home is the fact that I can step outside and enjoy the beautiful summer weather whenever the mood strikes me, and you can bet my patio furniture sees plenty of use. To that end I would love to get one of these Handpainted Garden Umbrellas to sit under once the heat of July and August hits -- they're so artistic and beautiful in earthy tones of parchment, sage, and mahogany. And if you're into evening parties you can get them with a light up under the canopy. $1,599 - $1,999

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Tags: cool summer, CoolSummer, garden, handpainted, outdoors, patio, umbrella, umbrellas, yard

Glamour + Camping = Glamping (Seriously)

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Services

The camping season is still in full swing around most parts of the country, but swiftly cooling temperatures (especially at night) are beginning to weed out all but the most hardcore of tent-pitching types. The good news? You don't have to be hardcore to enjoy camping during this season, or any other, thanks to a new trend called "glamping."

Glamping (makes me laugh every time I say it) is a term derived from the phrase "glamorous camping," and the idea is to bring nature and luxury together. Amenities vary depending on where you go, but many glamping packages include things like big, plush beds in your tent, personal butlers, gourmet food, wi-fi internet access, spa services (in a tent), and top shelf wine, liquor, cigars, etc. Rates start around $695 a night for a couple and can go as high as $50,000 a week for a family.

Via psfk

Gallery: Glamping at Paws Up Luxury Resort

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Tags: camping, clayoquot, clayoquot wilderness resort, ClayoquotWildernessResort, glamping, nature, outdoors, paws up, PawsUp, resort, resorts

Rotating Sphere Lounger

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Garden

I can't wait until the weather gets warm enough here to start sitting outside with my morning coffee, and maybe if I had one of these Rotating Sphere Loungers that day would come just a little bit sooner. It's kind of a "tent meets gazebo" contraption, plus a healthy dose of contemporary styling. Designed as a large sphere made up of 10 individual half circles, it's advertised as not only a lounging area but also a dining and a sleeping area -- and besides offering a comfortable outdoor living space it's sure to catch the eye of your neighbors. £6850

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Tags: garden, gazebo, outdoors, outside, rotating, rotating lounger, RotatingLounger, sphere, yard

The Brightest (and Most Expensive?) Bike Light Ever

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

I love the outdoors, so it's always a bit of a bummer when this time of year swings around and it starts getting darker earlier. For you bikers out there who find yourself pedaling in the dusk and the dark this is something you might want to check out: the Betty, by Lupine Lighting Systems. It's made to attach to your bike or your helmet (or wherever) and it's the brightest (and possibly most expensive) bike light ever made. The Betty is so bright, in fact, that if you pedal too slowly or stop completely it will start dimming itself automatically because it needs your self-generated wind to keep from overheating. Nice motivation to keep pushing yourself!

Made of seven LEDs, the Betty bike light is about as bright as a car's headlights (watch out for deer!). $1185

Via Book of Joe

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Tags: bicycle, bicycling, bike, equipment, gadget, gadgets, headlight, headlights, LED, LEDs, light, lighting, lupine, Lupine Lighting Systems, LupineLightingSystems, most expensive, MostExpensive, outdoors, sporting, sporting equipment, SportingEquipment, sports

The Aquapub

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Gadgets

Although here in the Midwest pool season is almost over, there are those lucky to be living in areas where they may just be getting started with the warm season or else it's toasty all year round. For those folks (or those of us in colder climates can put it on our wish list for next year) this Aquapub not only looks like bunches of fun, but it looks like unique fun your neighbors probably aren't offering. It's one thing to enjoy a Mai Tai by the pool, but what about in it? That can be a little awkward unless you have the Aquapub that seats six and comes complete with cup holders, 2 stashes, and an umbrella. It drains water, is a portable 90 lbs and is made of recycled materials. What more could you want?

Via Lussorian

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Tags: aquapub, furniture, outdoor, outdoors, pool, pub, seating, sit, swim, swimming, table, water

The Fatboy Outdoor

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Searching for stylish outdoor furniture that's comfortable, portable, and convertible? Check out the Fatboy Outdoor. Designed by Jukka Setala it has a UV treated heavy denier polyester exterior which has been coated in PVC to make it both water and fade resistant. It's filled with millions of tiny EPS pieces which makes it great to sit on in any number of arrangements. It can be folded, propped, or rolled, which means you can sit on it, lean on it, or sleep on it comfortably. Plus it has two large straps that provide both additional support in some sitting positions and a means to make transporting easier. And of course it comes in several fun bright colors, and washes clean with just a damp cloth. $349

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Tags: chair, fatboy, fatboy outdoor, FatboyOutdoor, indoor/outdoor, lounge, outdoor, outdoors, seat, seating, sit, sitting, water resistant, WaterResistant, weather resistant, WeatherResistant

Get Your Own Personal Moon

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

I love this idea! I have no clue how or what I would do to pull this off in a decorating scheme but I just love the idea of having my own moon. The design comes from Russia and this is one situation where if somebody was feeling all romantic they really could throw a lasso around the moon and pull down out of the sky (or tree, as it were). It's a large lightbox and is called "Your Personal Moon." What do you think? Cool or ridiculous? I'm just wondering if it has a dimmer switch?

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Tags: illuminate, illuminating, illumination, indoor, indoor outdoor, indoor/outdoor, IndoorOutdoor, light, light box, LightBox, lighting, moon, outdoor, outdoors, personal moon, PersonalMoon, your personal moon, YourPersonalMoon

The Loop Lounger

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Not to be confused with last week's Loopty Loopy Loopita, this Loop Lounger from MoMa Store is something totally different. It's collapsible, which is always handy, but it doesn't look like your average folding chair, which is nice also. Made of rust-proof marine grade stainless steel, this indoor/outdoor chaise lounge chair has a white seat made of white plasticized mesh that's easy to clean, and the loopy open design allows for comfortable rocking to help you relax. Made in Italy it measures 34" x 28" x 55", $675.

Via Design Mind

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Tags: chair, collapsible, fold, foldable, folding, indoor, indoor/outdoor, indoors, loop, loopy, outdoor, outdoors

YoYo Elmar Flototto Floor Lamp

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

I seem to be finding all the items with tongue twister names lately, but it's worth the risk of sounding like an idiot when their looks are as fun as their names (plus you guys can't hear me trying to read them out loud). Enter the Yo Yo Elmar Flototto Floor Lamp, which will bring to your home the vibe of a large Yo Yo sitting on the floor. The cord wraps around and forms the "string" for the Yo Yo and allows you to roll the lamp anywhere you might need light. Designed by Caterina von Matern and Lisa Lindstrom, it's suggested as great in the garden (outdoor safe?) or as an art piece indoors. $317.98

Via Luxury Launches

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Tags: floor lamp, FloorLamp, flototto, flottoto, garden, indoor/outdoor, indoors, lamp, light, lighting, outdoors, yard, yo, yo yo, YoYo

The Modern Pinwheel

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

I'm a sucker for accent pieces that find a way to blend the whimsical energy of happy childhood memories with a dose of maturity for the adult I am today. These stainless steel pinwheels from Chiasso take the breezy fun from days past and mix it with a healthy dose of class and durability by creating them of lightweight stainless steel. I think they'd make a fun summertime addition indoors or out, and considering the average plastic pinwheel goes for $2 or less, these are actually a little pricey at $15 each.

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Tags: chiasso, fun, garden, indoor, indoors, outdoor, outdoors, pinwheel, pinwheels, stainless steel, StainlessSteel, steel, whimsical, whimsy, yard

The Waterfall Shower

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas, Garden

There are many nice outdoor showers out there, but this one, the Waterfall Shower by Jane Hamley Wells, is especially appealing to me for some reason. I'm not sure if it's the fact that it gives the feeling of standing under a waterfall in the tropics or the sheer organic simplicity of the design, but I want one. Standing over 7 feet tall, the teak back panel and base platform is accented only by the single cross-style handle. Add in the sheet of cool water cascading down when the shower is in use and I think it's almost pretty enough to just be appreciated as a water feature, whether you use it to clean off and cool down or not.

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Tags: garden, jane hamley wells, JaneHamleyWells, outdoor, outdoors, shower, showering, water, waterfall, wells, yard

Oluce Stones Outdoor Lamps

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Ambient lighting has more power over the atmosphere and mood of a room than almost anything else, in my opinion anyway. Designed for outdoor rooms, Oluce Stones Outdoor Lamps will definitely bring a unique ambiance to your outdoor patio and backyard. I have to agree with ShinyShiny that these look a little like something that fell from space, but the soft white glow is actually very pretty. These stones could be the perfect thing to illuminate a dark path or gently light an outdoor area without casting unattractive shadows. Available in two sizes, $316 each.

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Tags: accent, ambiance, ambient, light, lighting, oluce, oluce stones outdoor lamps, OluceStonesOutdoorLamps, outdoor, outdoors, patio, stone, stones

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