Round Up: Pyromania

Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you can’t have an inviting glow about your house. With all these things I’ve rounded up you can have the glow without the added heat, because trust me, in Texas, we don’t need any extra heat. Adding a candle or lantern to a room just adds another layer of comfort and warmth, or bring votives and lanterns outside for a beautiful evening glow on your patio. By this time of the year, the fireplace industry has hit a slump due to lack of demand for heating devices, but here’s the good news they start really dropping prices when summer approaches. It’s kind of like buying bathing suits in the winter, or Christmas lights in the spring; you always find the best deals when things are in their off-season. Anyways I digress, instead of trying to add a glow with real wood and flame, you can add a visual glow with an electric fireplace and leave the actual heat setting off.

From top left: 1. Sicilian Harvest Black Electric Fireplace $549.99, 2. Skeem Pure Pillar Candle $24, 3. Punched Metal Votive Candle Holder $10-18, 4. Crosley Outdoor Decorative Fire Pit $129.95, 5. Recycled glass lanterns $5.99

This post also reminds me that my personal do to list has really fallen behind my work to do list. You see that fire pit on the bottom row? Me wants it. Unfortunately, since I live in such close quarters to my neighbors, our fire safety laws pretty much prevent me from being able to light a fire in my backyard. However, I can light as many candles as I like. Lucky me. My point is, I’ve been meaning to expand upon my “back yard” (I put it in quotes because it’s more like a wooden deck with a grass patch). I did finally add some better patio furniture that I mentioned here, and transplant a few plants. In the spirit of honesty, I added a beautiful coleus to my patio, however, I ran out of soil halfway through my transplanting process and never bought any more. It has been sitting on top of its soil bed for about a month. No joke. It is one hardy plant and still thriving.  So, now on my overdue house update list is lighting for the back area. Sigh. Hopefully one day I can get to it. Happy Friday!

What are your to-do’s that are falling by the way side? Is anyone else out there as guilty as I am about abusing patio plants? What off-season items do you make sure to buy each year? Comment on this post for a chance to win an original Compartment Life decal like the one below for your car or windows!