Hello friends! First things first,  here are the two finalists from round 1 and 2 of our Summer Love contest. After nearly 4500 votes,  we are left with two amazing pictures that both scream summer in two uniquely different ways, so here are your two finalists-

From round 1 picture #19

From round 2 picture #36

And time to vote for the winner-

A winner will be announced on Sunday morning! Thanks again to all who entered and to everyone for voting:)

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Onto Bluff Diaries, feels like it’s been a while. The last time I was in Palmetto Bluff, we had the great fortune of being there over the July 4th holiday weekend and what fun it was! And in case you are wondering about heat in the south, while it was hot….honestly it wasn’t much worse than New York, and as long as one has AC, nothing to sweat about, no pun intended:) I felt like I literally stepped back in time and it was amazing…I didn’t want to go back to the future!

So first a few house pictures along with some pretty flower/food pictures (of course)  then pictures from the most charming”small town” parade I have ever been to. My dear friend hosted a small parade gathering at her beautiful home and ever so elegantly displayed pretty patriotic decorations and afforded us a front row seat to the festivities. Hope you enjoy!

This is a very picture heavy post so take a seat and grab an extra cup of coffee……..

 

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We were greeted by beautiful weather, and a plethora of waving flags lined all along the roads beyond the pearly gates of PB

My friends beautiful home

Just a few scenes from the house

My nephew and his girlfriend brought these fabulous flowers, which looked right at home in my cherry blossom ginger jar

A sure sigh that we are “home” bikes parked out front

Added a few flags to the planters for a patriotic touch

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A few scenes from a BBQ which included decadent treats to the left and healthy options to the right!

Part of our BBQ, my favorite Greek orzo salad and my cucubmer/tomato and corn salad

Is there anything tastier than homemade ice cream sandwiches?

The guys hanging out

My favorite summer flowers, hydrangeas in the new basketweave hurricanes (6″ size, click here)

All white flowers look just as pretty (shown in the new 4.5″ hurricanes click here)

Sitting pretty by my kitchen sink

I could easily live on salsa, brushetta and guac….oh and Rosè lol

Also, this cauliflower pizza found at Whole Foods was really really good especially paired with a Rosé cocktail!

Made homemade healthy ice pops, just took whatever fruit we had, put it in the blender, poured into the molds and an hour later had yummy pops that were guilt free!

And now onto that parade…..

My friends version of “pregaming” before the parade, she has fabulous taste and style, clearly!!

And so it begins!

The bagpipers led the procession

So many cute kids partaking in the festivities

These guys sure got into the spirit!

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I always end these posts with my resources as many of you ask and if they are on this list, it is because they get my 100% approval, this is my “gold list” and I cannot recommend these resources highly enough-

 

MY TALENTED BUILDER AND CREW- CAMERON BUILDERS

ALL CABINETRY- PALMETTO CABINET STUDIO (ASK FOR ASHLEY) –

METAL HOOD- CLASSIC CUSTOM METAL WORKS (ASK FOR CINDY)   if you are on Instagram click here to follow them, they are brand new to it!  (their website is under construction)

MY COPPER  GAS LANTERNS- COPPER SCULPTURES (ASK FOR KATHY SHOOK)

MY AMAZING ARCHITECTS- COURT ATKINS ARCHITECTS (WILLIAM)

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS- HILTON HEAD LANDSCAPING (ASK FOR NICK)

MARBLE FLOORING AND KITCHEN BACKSPLASH– BASKETWEAVE MOSAICS (ask for Eric and tell them Tina from TEH sent you)

MARBLE FLOORING– TILE BAR–  (ask for Jacob and tell them Tina from TEH sent you)

ALL STONE SLABS- AGM STONE (best slabs in the south)

MOST LIGHTING AND THE FANS- CIRCA LIGHTING

LIVING ROOM MANTLE- CLASSIC STONE CREATIONS

TV’S/ALL AUDIO AND VIDEO- ELITE AUDIO AND VISUAL (ask for Ethan)

MY OUTDOOR FURNITURE– LANE VENTURE

MATTRESSES– SHIFMAN MATTRESSES

OUR RUGS- DECOR MARKET

SCREEN ON BACK PORCH- NO -SEE-UM (google to contact a local dealer)

ALL UPHOLSTERED BEDS, NIGHTSTANDS AND DRESSERS-  VANGUARD

LIVING ROOM SOFAS- EJ VICTOR

COFFEE TABLE –CHADDOCK FURNITURE

KITCHEN STOOLS- VANGUARD

ALL LIGHTING- VISUAL COMFORT

ALL BLINDS- HUNTER DOUGLAS

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Does it get any more apple pie than that? I think not, and we felt so fortunate to be a part of it….such a beautiful way to celebrate our nation’s independence!! My only regret about PB is not getting there nearly often enough, just such a wonderful place to relax, unwind and unplug!! I wish I could bottle up the spirit of PB, I would be bathing in it and become world famous at the same time:) Thanks for stopping in, until next time……

PS Need a garden seat? Today is a great time to take advantage of all garden seats at 20% off! Click here to see our collection which to me, is about the prettiest collection out there!