Showing posts with label Botanical Gardens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Botanical Gardens. Show all posts

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Date Night at Flora Borealis at the Missouri Botanical Garden

The 2018 Flora Borealis experience at the Missouri Botanical Garden was magical, marvelous, and enchanting... 

Follow it by a trip to Ted Drewes and call it the perfect date night, St. Louis! ✨ Don't miss it, friends. It runs through August 26th.

Learn more and buy tickets here: 
http://events.missouribotanicalgarden.org/flora

Monday, May 28, 2018

Hidden Gem: The Anthony Chapel in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Steve and I recently snuck away to Hot Springs, Arkansas for a few days to celebrate his birthday with lake play, mineral bath spa time, and quality relaxation...  

If you have never been to Hot Springs, it is a magical destination nestled in the Ouachita Mountains, where soothing thermal mineral waters bubble from the earth at 143 degrees...

As a result,the area is home to some of the finest and most abundant quartz mines in the world...
While our entire Hot Springs adventure was weekender perfection, we did find ourselves at a spot that I would deem to be an absolute must-see for any nature lover/architecture buff who finds themselves in the area.  Hence, had to share!

Nestled in a dense woodland garden on the banks of Lake Hamilton... 
... sits a magical glass chapel that perfectly marries the beauty of nature, architecture, and design.  Constructed of native material and boasting floor to ceiling glass panels that soar 57 feet (6 stories) in to the treetops, it is a religious experience despite your affiliation. 

We were lucky enough to have 15 minutes alone here. We laid on our backs in silence on the altar and gazed through the open-rafter ceiling panels. Nature furiously bustles around you, 360 degrees, as you meditate in silence. Magical place, unforgettable moment.  Had to share.✨

Nitty Gritty:

The Anthony Chapel in the Garvan Gardens
550 Arkridge Rd,
Hot Springs National Park, AR 71913

Phone: (501) 262-9608

WEB: http://www.garvangardens.org/the_gardens/anthony-chapel-complex/anthony-chapel.aspx 

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/garvangardenschapel/

Monday, May 7, 2018

Celebration of Spring at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas...

I snuck away to Las Vegas for a quick weekend... 

There is no more lovely place to celebrate Spring than at the stunning Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden. Talk about pretty in pink?! Had to share!

We never travel to Las Vegas without a visit to the conservatory.   In fact, it is typically one of our very 1st stops.  Each season, the resort's talented and creative horticulturists 100% transform the 14,000 sqft space to the distinctive sights, sounds, and colors of that particular season.  Photos do not do it justice friends, I promise. It takes my breathe away ever single time, and this visit was no different. 💗

Learn more about the garden display HERE.

Friday, October 2, 2015

St. Louis Weekend Happenings: October 2- October 4, 2015


Best of Missouri Market

Venture out to the Missouri Botanical Garden for their popular Best of Missouri Market, an event that attracts more than 25,000 people annually. Over 100 vendors offer local flowers, food, baked goods, jewelry, and handmade goods over the course of three days. Enjoy live music, crafts, and kids' activities as you welcome the arrival of Fall.

October 3rd and 4th from 9am-5pm at the Missouri Botanical Gardens, with a special preview "First Look" on Friday night.

$12 adults (ages 13 and over)
$5 children (ages 3–12)
$5 Garden Members
Free Garden members' children (ages 3–12)

For more info:
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/things-to-do/events/signature-events/best-of-missouri-market.aspx 

Print the official 2015 program guide HERE.


Lemp Haunted Walking Neighborhood Tour

Everyone has heard of the infamous haunting of the Lemp mansion, but few know that the Lemp Mansion is one haunted house in a cluster of hauntings! Join members of the St. Louis Paranormal Research Society and walk through "America's Most Haunted Neighborhood" EVERY Friday night in October!  Hear the tragic history of the Lemp Family, learn the locations of two lost Lemp Neighborhood Cemeteries, and see the foundation stones of the first Lemp Mansion as you tour the area and they share other spooky tales ofmore haunted and historical locations along our tour route.

Every Friday, starting at 9pm. They meet inside the Lemp Mansion Museum. The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and is 3/4 miles in length. 


$20 per person. Refunds will be offered if we cancelled or rescheduled a tour, and tours will run rain or shine. 

For More info:
http://www.seeaghost.com/lemp-neighborhood-walk-tour.html


10th Annual GroveFest
No one knows how to throw a street party like The Grove in St. Louis!  GroveFest is an outrageously eclectic street festival in the Grove, a vibrant commercial district  in St. Louis.  Last year the festival drew over 12,000 attendees, was likened to funky New Orleans street festivals, and was praised for the diversity in programming and turnout. This year’s GroveFest is the 10th annual, so they are going above and beyond with live music, kids' stations, amazing food, and more!

Saturday from 2-10pm in The Grove along Manchester between Kingshighway and Vandeventer 

For more info:
http://www.thegrovestl.com/events/grove-fest/

Taste of Trucktober

Come celebrate food on wheels in West County, where the food is the STAR! This family-friendly festival hosts an array of gourmet food trucks including Mission Taco, Pie Oh My, Pi, The Meltdown, Steak Louie, Sarah's Cakestop, Pyro Pizza, and MORE!  Complete with live music, games, and karaoke... it is foodie fun for the whole family.

Saturday, October 3rd from 12-5


FREE Admission

Chesterfield Amphitheater
631 Veterans Place Drive
Chesterfield, MO 63017

For more info:
http://www.trucktoberstl.com/


Shaw Neighborhood Art Fair

The Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association (SNIA) has hosted the very popular Shaw Art Fair each Fall since 1993. Located on the tree-lined parkway of beautiful Flora Place at Tower Grove Avenue, the Historic Shaw Art Fair is one of the premier fine art and fine craft fairs in the St. Louis area. It is highly rated by art fair magazines and participating artists. Roughly 135 top caliber artists and craftspeople from around the country are selected each year to participate in the professionally juried event.  You will also enjoy live music and local cuisine.

Saturday, October 3th from 9am to 5pm
Sunday, October 4th from 10am to 5pm

Blocks of 4100-4200 Flora Place, St. Louis MO 63110

$7 per adult, which is good for admission to both days. Children 14 and under are free with an adult. Bring a non-perishable food item to receive $1 off admission—benefiting Isaiah 58 Ministries.


For more info:
http://shawstlouis.org/attractions-amenities/historic-shaw-art-fair/

Monday, December 22, 2014

Winter Scene from the Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden...

Last night we strolled though the Missouri Botanical Garden, magically illuminated by a half million twinkling lights for the Garden Glow.  I will say St. Louis, while it is incredibly crowded, the display is just as visually spectacular as you can imagine!  If you have not yet done so, bundle up your family and enjoy the fun.  The display runs through January 3rd.  Find more information HERE.

Here is a peek at our visit.  NOTE:  my shoddy mobile uploads do NOT do the display justice!
A quick run by Ted Drewes was in order after the holiday fun, of course =)...



Monday, October 15, 2012

Not everything that happens there stays there!

A girlfriend and I snuck off to Las Vegas for 5 days for long overdue catchup and a little fun in the sun. While there are numerous things that I adore about grandiose Vegas, there are many sights I find myself returning back to every trip. The Bellagio  Hotel being one of them.

Obviously, who doesn't adore the dancing fountains?!

They are both beautiful and fun.

Carrie Hint:  Head to Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris hotel (across from the Bellagio) around 4:30 (no later or there will be an enormous line) and request a patio seat.  Enjoy a long and DELICIOUS drawn out 4 course  meal over French martinis, the fountains, sunset, and the BEST people-watching in town...

It is SO perfect, that we do it every return trip to Las Vegas!

Anyhoo, back to my point of this post:  my favorite part of the Bellagio,  besides Dale Chihuly's beautiful hand blown Fiori di ComoThe Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, aka A Little Piece of Heaven!  The display changes 5x/year and it is nothing short of STUNNING!

Every time I walk into the sun-drenched atrium, I truly lose my breathe.  It never gets old.   Wonderland with surprises around every corner.  Well, Harvest has arrived in the Conservatory.  I felt compelled to share...





This site is FREE and open 24/7.  You must see it during the day and at night!




Friday, April 8, 2011

Gardening tip: Creeping phlox

You know that Spring is finally here, when one of the true season showstoppers finally flowers... ...Creeping Phlox. Personally, I love it. Great color, wonderful texture. Though the gorgeous blooms come and go as quickly as the Spring does here in St. Louis, Phlox provides brilliant Spring color and a nice, thick bed of ground cover for the rest of the growing season.

That being said, many people hate Creeping Phlox. H A T E. There are forums all over the Internet cursing creeping phlox and terming it a weed for the ability to overtake the garden and lackluster looks once the blooms brown up in early summer. Simply, these complainers are not using the plant properly.

Just as one wouldn't consider building their garden around other short term flowering perennial plants like tulips and daffodils, one shouldn't consider building their garden around phlox either. It is an aggressive ground cover, and true to it's name... it creeps. A LOT. In addition, once the blooms are gone, as is much of the beauty of Phlox.

Creeping Phlox is best used as an accent plant. Period. If plans are to use it in mass quantity for a HUGE punch of Spring color, the BEST use is in a small contained bed a top a retaining wall, where it has the room to show off the brilliant color and the amazing ability to quickly "creep" ... It is also lovely when dispersed in rock gardens, for a little punch of Spring color.... These usages tend to show off the plant the best, as once the blooms are lost (and the Phlox is pruned), it provides a hearty bed filler the rest of the growing season. Avoid the most COMMON misuse of Creeping Phlox... Sidewalk border= BAD idea! That is, unless you don't mind your sidewalk eventually disappearing?! ;) Ha! Instead, use it in little nooks of the garden, where the ability to creep and overtake is a visual asset, not a liability...


For more info about Creeping Phlox, click here.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Weekend Happenings: October 1-3

The weather is gorgeous and there is a LOT going on this weekend, St. Louis! Just a few of the weekend's happenings...

Nineteenth Annual Best of Missouri Market

The Best of Missouri Market features the area's finest food producers and artisans. This Missouri Botanical Garden signature event draws an annual attendance of 25,000 people over the two-day Market

October 2 : 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
October 3 : 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63110

For more info and admission prices:
http://www.mobot.org/events/BOMM/default.asp
314.577.9400


Historic Shaw Art Fair

In the Shaw Neighborhood just east of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, this annual Art and Craft fair highlights the work of 135 artists.

Saturday & Sunday, October 2 and 3, 2010

Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM

Admission is $5
(Children under 14 free with parents)

Tower Grove Avenue and Flora Place

For more info:
http://shawartfair.org/


Taste of St. Louis 2010

The award-winning Taste of St. Louis is a celebration of the best food, art music and culture our great city has to offer. There is something for everyone at the event, as the array of activities and participants continues to grow each year. 300,000 patrons enjoyed Taste last year.

October 1 : 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
October 2 : 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
October 3 : 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

FREE Admission

Soldier's Memorial
12th and Market

For more info:
http://www.tastestl.com/
314.534.2100


Art D Tour of St. Louis 2010

The St. Louis Artists’ Guild and ArtDimensions of St. Louis are collaborating once again to bring you the ArtDTour of St. Louis this year. This is an exciting night of art appreciation, featuring bus and shuttle tours that start at the Saint Louis Art Museum and go to Art Museums and Galleries in the St. Louis metro area.

October 1 : 5:30 p.m.
Shuttles depart at 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Saint Louis Art Museum
One Fine Arts Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63110

For more info and ticket prices:
http://www.stlouisartistsguild.org/new/artdtour
314-497-5356
314-721-0072


St. Louis Strassenfest


A few pics from our visit last year. An annual event celebrating the tradition of German Gemutlichkeit (hospitality). In October 2010 you will find a traditional German Festival with a real family friendly feel. You’ll find a wide assortment of delicious Food and Beverages, Traditional German Music on Two separate stages, Carnival Rides, Game Booths, Arts & Crafts Booths, (Artists, Painters, & much more), along with an expanded CHILDREN’S VILLAGE (Playland, Storytellers & Juggler

Friday, Oct. 1st, 2010 4pm - 11pm
Saturday, Oct. 2nd, 2010 10am - 11pm
Sunday, Oct. 3rd, 2010 10am - 6pm

Chesterfield Parkway (between Lydia Hill Dr. & Burkhardt Place)
Behind Chesterfield Mall

Free

For more info:
http://www.strassenfest.org/

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Garden tip...

I love to garden. Period.

It is not uncommon to catch me outside alone in the evening, soil between my fingers, winding down from the daily grind. It is my therapy. Truly.

That being said, every year like clockwork, I wage the SAME frustrating battle against a few of Mother Nature's creatures. I have already dealt with the chipmunk AND deer situation this year, and have managed to dramatically slow the damage down (at least caused by the deer) thanks to this product. (Swear by it!)

This week, however, my least favorite garden pest reemerged in the yard (as it has now 3 years in a row)...


If you don't know recognize this guy, it is a Japanese Beetle. Better yet, TWO Japanese Beatles making Japanese Beetle BABIES on my flowering Crape Myrtle.

AGH!!

No, no, no!
If you want to learn more about this pesky character, knock yourself out... OR, just trust me when I say that if you know them... you hate them. Period. Once you have an infestation, it is almost impossible to get rid of it before your entire garden is WRECKED.

To give you an idea of the damage they are capable of, this is ONE of my okra plants after ONE afternoon with the ONE and ONLY beetle I could find on it... I know. Evil, evil, evil. Regardless, this is where my friendly tip comes in:

After trying EVERYTHING under the sun (and wasting beau coup bucks over the years with little to no success), I have found a solution...

Veggie Pharm is an all natural and biodegradable insecticide made from certified organic peppermint oil, garlic, cottonseed oil, rosemary and carrot juice. It is safe for humans, plants, pets... just not beetles and their pesky counterparts.

I randomly bumped into this product last year and figured it was worth a shot. Within 3 days... Beetles GONE! I said GONE!

Yes!

As Whole Foods no longer carries the product, the ONLY local St. Louis store I have found that currently sells it is the gift shop at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Random I know, but worth the hassle.

Steve discovered the beetles last night in the yard and I made my annual run to stock up on Veggie Pharm this AM between appointments.

A bottle of Veggie Pharm will cost you $20, and is worth every penny if the Japanese Beetle has declared war on your garden, as well.

Just paying it forward, peeps...

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Weekend Happenings...

Friday is quickly approaching and there is a LOT going on in St. Louis this weekend! If you are still contemplating your plans for the weekend, here are a few of my local favorites to consider...

1) Taste of St. Louis

A celebration of the best food, art music and culture St. Louis has to offer. There is something for everyone at the Taste, including the International Village, Celebrity Chef appearances, and bigger and better versions of the Taste favorites: Sauce Magazine's Restaurant Row, the News Channel 5 Top Chef Competition, The Bud Light Tasty Band Competition and national acts on the U.S. Bank Main Stage, The Art Dimensions Village, The Charter Marketplace, and The Family Entertainment Stage. 300,000 patrons attended last year's event! This year's event takes place downtown with plenty of free parking, a beautiful park atmosphere, and a great view of the Arch.

DATES & TIMES:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2: 4 PM TO 11 PM
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3: 11 AM TO 11 PM
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4: 11 AM TO 9 PM

LOCATION: Soldier's Memorial (12th & Market)

ADMISSION: Free to the Public - open to all ages

PARTIALLY BENEFITS: Make-A-Wish® Foundation

Learn more here

2) Shaw Art Fair

The Historic Shaw Art Fair is one of the premier fine art and fine craft fairs in the St. Louis area , featuring over 135 artists from around the country who work in a large variety of media and styles.

DATES & TIMES:

Saturday & Sunday, October 3-4, 2009
Saturday – 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday – 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

LOCATION: 4100 and 4200 Flora Place just east of Missouri Botanical Garden

ADMISSION: $5.00, though children 14 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.

BENEFITS: The activities of the Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association.

Learn more here.

3) Best of Missouri

The 18th annual Best of Missouri Market returns to the Missouri Botanical Garden this weekend, featuring more than 145 Missouri food producers, artisans, and vendors. The event offers fun for all ages and an outstanding selection of unique products, baked goods, and locally-grown fresh and dried flowers and herbs. More than 25,000 visitors will enjoy musical performances as they shop for handcrafted items, baskets, wooden toys, custom jewelry, and other specialty items. A wide array of children's activities will also be available in the Kid's Corner.

DATES & TIMES:
Saturday–Sunday, October 3–4
9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rain or shine

Members-only early bird shopping: Saturday, October 3 from 7 a.m.–9 a.m.

ADMISSION:
Ages 13–64: $12
Seniors (ages 65+): $10
Children (ages 3–12): $5
Garden members: $5 (members' children 12 and under are free)

Learn more here.

4) St. Louis Wine Festival

This festival provides an opportunity to sample from more than 200 wines from around the world. Learn about new and exciting varieties from the experts in a relaxed festival setting. Wine seminars and cooking demonstrations are conducted by event sponsors, exhibiting wineries, area chefs and restaurateurs. Enjoy food from some of the St. Louis area’s finest restaurants and caterers. Local musical talent will perform live each day.

DATES & TIMES:

Saturday, October 3rd -12:00 to 7:00PM
(Ticket sales end at 5:30PM, alcohol sampling and sales end at 6:30PM)

Sunday, October 4th - 12:00 to 6:00PM
(Ticket sales end at 4:30PM, alcohol sampling and sales end at 5:30PM)

LOCATION: The Grand Basin in Forest Park just below the Art Museum

ADMISSION: $25 at the door for adults ($20 in advance), $10 for Designated Driver.

Patrons under 21 are free when accompanied by a paid adult.

PARTIALLY BENEFITS: The Flora Conservancy of Forest Park.
Learn more here.