Bloom Report, Vol. 002
A Weekly Bouquet of Inspiration
Welcome to Week Two of The Bloom Report!
I'm sharing my best gardening and decorating ideas from the past week, answering your most frequently asked questions, offering shopping inspiration, and—new this week—adding Tips from Tommy!
Scroll down to catch up on all the good stuff from this past week!
Although it’s later this year, Easter is right around the corner! Easter is one of my favorite holidays, so I want to share with you a few things I love to incorporate into our Easter tablescape. Below are some must-haves that I hope will inspire your own creation that’s perfectly prepped for Peter Cottontail! Please share your Easter décor with me—I love discovering new ideas and seeing how each family celebrates!
Start planning your family event now with my tips on how to set a beautiful table. Find Easter table decorating ideas here:
Start planning your Easter table now! Shop my favorite cabbage-shaped plates and bamboo silverware. These beautiful scalloped napkins and cute golden bunnies will make every table festive!
Create a Carrot Centerpiece for Easter!
There’s probably not time to plant your own carrot seeds since we are six weeks away, but you could still have fun with the kids and let them plant seeds that magically “grow” in to carrots. Nobody has to know you bought them at the grocery store! (wink, wink) Here is my video on how to create a pretty centerpiece using carrots for Easter!
This was the most liked post on Instagram this week!
Click here to get my full shade container recipe with tons of variegation. So beautiful for porches that get full shade!
My recipe for full sun perennial windowboxes!
Y’all are always asking me for plants that do very well inside full-sun windowboxes (that are PERENNIALS)! Click here for a list of my favorite flowers that check all those boxes!
Please Stay Weather Aware This WEekend!
Unfortunately, this weekend is shaping up to be an extremely dangerous weather event for so many of us across the country, but especially anyone in tornado alley. We always want everyone to have a plan to keep your family safe during a tornado outbreak. Most of y’all know my husband Tommy is a State Farm Insurance Agent, so this week I’m including some Tips from Tommy on how to be prepared for any kind of weather event when your power goes out for an extended amount of time. He has some good advice that he gives to all of his policy holders that every one needs to hear!
MORE Tips from Tommy—Severe Weather Safety ADVICE
This weekend's weather could be extremely dangerous, especially in the South. It’s so important to have a safety plan in place for your family during events like this.
Here are my best tips for tornado safety.
Don't rely on sirens – They are unreliable. Use a battery-powered weather radio or make sure to turn on emergency alerts on your phone.
Check phone settings – Ensure emergency alerts are enabled, volume is up, and sleep modes/Do Not Disturb are off.
Have a designated safe area in your home – Choose a small interior room (closet, bathroom, or basement) without windows.
Practice your safety plan with your kids – Make sure everyone knows exactly where to go and what to do if a tornado is coming.
Wear helmets – Bicycle helmets (especially for kids) can help protect against flying debris. You may feel silly for a minute, but it could save your life.
Keep essential supplies nearby:
Flashlights
Whistle or air horn (for signaling help)
Fully charged phone + backup battery
Power Outage Readiness
Charge all devices before the storm.
Stock emergency supplies like water, snacks, and first aid kits in a safe, accessible place.
Have an alternative light source (flashlights, lanterns, extra batteries).
Stay weather aware
Watch your local news stations for weather reports. Most have live streams on Youtube now.
Download a good weather app on your phone to get your local weather alerts.
If you see that your family or friends are in a tornado’s path, call and wake them up—you could save a life!
Y’all stay safe and be prepared! After Hurricane Helene wreaked so much havoc on our area and beyond last October, we assembled this list of emergency preparedness items that are great to keep in a safe place in your home in case of a weather event.
Find all my recommendations to be prepared for an emergency power outage here.
Your Questions Answered!
Brooke from Savannah asked:
“Can you please do a series on things that deer will not eat. Our new home is in a neighborhood with lots of them and I love them, but I also don’t want to feed them.”
Yes! Here’s a list of deer-resistant, natural-looking plants perfect for Savannah’s full sun! For structure, try Yaupon Holly, Wax Myrtle, Bottlebrush, or Anise Tree—all tough and unappetizing to deer. Add color with Black-eyed Susan, Coneflower, Lantana, Salvia, and Bee Balm, which thrive in the heat and attract pollinators. For easy ground cover, go with Society Garlic, Creeping Thyme, or Frogfruit. Muhly Grass, Fakahatchee Grass, and Little Bluestem add movement and texture, while fragrant picks like Rosemary, Lavender, and Russian Sage help keep deer away. You’ll have a gorgeous, wildlife-friendly garden—just without the deer buffet!
Keep me updated, Brooke!
XOXO, Carmen
If you need more tips on how to keep deer (and other furry friends) out of your garden, click here!
Your Handpicked Highlights from Carmen
Shop my Amazon Favorites!
Shop my Amazon storefront for chic + practical finds to pretty up your home inside and out! Every pick is personally bought and tested by me—no false advertising, just fabulous finds you can trust!
