Caring for Your Home Plants

Authors: Becky Sizelove and Ruthie Pollard

It's incredible how some famous pastimes can connect us to history. Cooking on a wood stove can transport you to the 1800's, honoring the way pizza was first ever made. Or cycling to work brings you back to a time before cars. I feel that way about plant care. Except it doesn't tie me to a particular time in history, it connects me to my grandpa, my moms dad. He made gardens that as a child, I thought were replicas of the gardens of Babylon. He used to walk me through his garden in New Hampshire and let me pick a tomato and eat it right there. I'd bite into it and know there was good in the world.

When I first got married and moved into my house, my parents relocated to Florida. My mom gave me a few of her plants and I tried to keep them alive. The struggle was real at first. Then I started buying succulents and cacti because I didn't have to water them often and I could keep them alive. Slowly but surely I bought a few dieffenbachia's and then some ferns and ivy and more and more plants. My husband thought I had a plant problem (ha!). I started to figure out a balance of care for my gardens, both outside and indoors and I couldn't help but feel connected to my grandpa in the process. I only wish I could call him up to ask for advice. But I've come up with a few tricks of my own through trial and error. 

Here at Thrive Where Planted, we've put together some of our best tips from ourselves and our community of friends and family. Comment below with your best tips, too!

1. The best way to figure out when your plants need to be watered is to stick your fingers in the soil - if it feels damp, don't water it. If it is dry, water it. Sounds simple, right? My cousin Ashley shared this tip with me and it works! - Becky Sizelove

2. Choose a watering schedule and stick to it. Plants love consistency. - Becky Sizelove

3. Use plant coasters/trays to catch any excess dripping after watering. My friend Moriah shared this gem of a tip with me! - Ruthie Pollard

4. Full sun and partial sun window space options for different varieties of plants is key. - Ruthie Pollard

5. Most house plants need monthly fertilization. I get the Miracle Grow fertilization sticks and they work well and don't make a mess like some of the spray fertilizations (which can be stinky!). - Becky Sizelove

6. For air plants, I used to plop them in a bath for 15 minutes but I noticed it was making them soggy. Some of them even died. Now I just spritz them once a week and they love it. Get a cute spritzer to keep in house to make it even more fun to water them. - Becky Sizelove

7. Keep succulents in the window to receive direct sunlight and water them once a week. Carefully prune dead leaves to encourage growth. - Ruthie Pollard

8. Give your plants one good drenching once a month - I typically do this when I fertilize them. I put them in the shower! Always tip them to the side to ensure good drainage. If you don't do this, your plant babies roots could rot. - Becky Sizelove

9. Google your plant when you first purchase it and find out their specific needs. Some need direct light, some need indirect light. Some need watering once a week - others need very light watering. I often group plants that have similar needs to different zones of my house. For example, I put the low light/low watering plants in my bedroom because I sometimes forget to open my shades in the morning. - Becky Sizelove

10. There was one time I kept seeing fruit flies in my house and couldn't figure out why. Then I pruned one of my plants and saw fruit flies coming out of the dirt. Grosssss! So I did some research and the best solution I found was placing coarse sand on all my plants. - Becky Sizelove

11. Regular removal of dead growth is optimal for overall plant health, allowing it to thrive! - Ruthie Pollard

10 Holy Grail Hair Products

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Authors: Becky and Ruthie

Here at Thrive Where Planted, we love swapping hair and makeup tips. We've tried almost every beauty trend out there. Some have been a success,  others ... we have burned all photo evidence of. Through trial and error, we've found some serious holy grail, can't-live-without products. Keep reading for our favorite go-to hair products that can make hair envy as easy as 1-2-3. 

1. It’s a Ten - $25.99 Target

My number one go to hair product has to be my It’s a Ten leave in conditioner. My hair is very fine and can easily get tangles. My college roommate introduced me to this miracle product. It smells amazing and doesn’t leave your hair feeling greasy. It’s expensive to replace if you use it regularly but every couple months, I noticed that Target has a two for $20 deal. I highly recommend it! - Ruthie Pollard

2. Wet Brush - $8.99 Target

Finding the right leave-in conditioner for tangly hair is half the battle. You also need the right brush. One time when I was getting my hair done - my hair dresser literally handed me her brush to do it myself because it was too much for her. Brushing my hair was always a chore (it still is) but at least now I have the right tools. The Wet Brush is easy on wet and dry hair. I’ve had mine for years and it has yet to break a bristle. - Ruthie Pollard

P.S. - I used to not brush my hair because of how much I hated the task. Luckily that resulted in the beachy look because I have semi-wavy hair, but I also got some serious tangles. When Ruthie introduced me to the wet brush, my life was transformed. I think my office co-workers respect my hair a bit more now, too! - Becky Sizelove

3. Dove Dry Shampoo - $3.49 Target

Perfectly textured hair can turn your hair from blah to yahhh and dry shampoo is one of those products that provides the perfect texture for styling and every day care. I use it instead of hairspray and find it holds my curls in! It adds volume and makes it look like you just did your hair (even though you haven't washed it in days and you had bed head five minutes before). Also - I have dry, frizzy hair so I wash it every few days. My hair loves that process but my bangs get undesirably piecey. My roommates teased me for having my head in the sink trying to wash just my bangs - until I found dry shampoo! I've tried more than ten brands of dry shampoo and Dove's version is my favorite because the can never gets blocked and the smell is so fresh. A little tip for blondes - use dry shampoo on your roots in between highlights - it lightens your roots and helps your blonde look fresh! - Becky Sizelove

4. Clean Freak - $5 Target

They say you’re not suppose to wash your hair daily. Which is fine because…I ain’t got time for that. So on the between days I use dry shampoo. I’ve tried many different kinds but they end up smelling too strong, appearing too powdery, or just too expensive. Clean Freak is my tride and true because it’s only 5 dollars, has a scentless option, and people ask me if I recently got my hair done after using it. All the blondes said, amen!  - Ruthie Pollard

5. Biosilk Silk Therapy - $39.99 Target

After all the bleaching, washing, brushing, styling ... the ends of my hair need a little extra love. One product that delivers the best shine with the most luxurious smell (people ask what perfume I'm wearing) is the Biosilk Silk Therapy oil. I bought the 12 oz. bottle on sale at Marshals and it has lasted me two years. Holla! A little bit goes a long way. I often use this before I brush my hair when it's still damp. - Becky Sizelove

6. Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo - $40 Aveda

Being a blonde is high maintenance. If you desire to maintain a cool shade its important to use blue or purple shampoo to keep the color tone. It sounds weird but putting purple shampoo in your hair counter acts the yellow or brassy tones that creep in after an appointment. I invested in the Aveda Blue Malva because it enriches your hair with proteins and does not have a drying effect like similar products. - Ruthie Pollard

7. Cool Bonds Lathering Toner - $8.99 Sally's

For those who want to maintain a "white" blonde, this is the product to use. It's a gentle lathering toner and it helps me extend my highlight appointments. Whenever people ask me how I achieve the tone of my hair, I tell them about this lathering toner (and my hairdresser!). I use it once a week when I first get my hair done and then when I get to month four, I start using it every time I shampoo. It doesn't dry my hair and it has a berry smell. - Becky Sizelove

8. Enzo Milano - $98 HouseofBeautyWorld.com

One thing people always ask me is how I style my hair. I’ve rocked the same style hair since 2009 and I don’t plan to change it any time soon, think vintage Taylor Swift. I’ve always loved curling my hair and when I came across this clip-less curling iron there was no going back. The Enzo Milano is a professional quality curling iron that bonds your hair together into perfect curls. The process involves sectioning my hair into three layers, hold the curling iron upside down above my head, wrapping the hair around the barrel, and then watching the perfectly shaped tresses cascade down. Yeah, I just made that sound amazing. Just a tip, I recommend using the included glove to protect your hands when using a clip-less curling iron. - Ruthie Pollard

9. GVP Clipless Curling Wand - $49.99 Sally's

Unless it involved beachy salt spray, I was always terrible at curling my hair. The GVP clips curling wand from Sally's changed that for me. I also followed Cara Loren's tutorial for mermaid curls because, who doesn't want to be a magical beautiful mermaid? - Becky Sizelove

10. DIY Beachy Salt Spray

In the summer, I have no patience for heat products. I skip the blow dryer and curling iron and stick to braids and beachy salt spray. I found a few DIY posts and adapted my own recipe over the years but I love Free People's tutorial for their DIY mermaid spray. - Becky Sizelove

So now that we've shared our hair wisdom - we want to know yours! Let us know what's worked for you. 

xo Becky and Ruthie

A Week in Florence

Author: Ruthie Pollard

“Florence is exactly how I thought it would be and nothing like it at all. It is absolutely magical, the cobblestones, the old buildings, and yet - it's gritty too. The city enchants you and then brings you right back down to reality. I’ve never been any place that I want to capture so much.” - Love & Gelato 

This quote perfectly embodies my first impression of Florence. When I first stepped onto the streets of Florence it was like I had stepped back in time. The cobblestones, the roar of vespas, and the old buildings felt like something out of a fairytale. When we arrived at our apartment we were greeted by our AirBnB host who was standing in front of the apartment entrance. He effortlessly hoisted our luggage up three flight of stairs and lead us into a piece of history. The spacious apartment was full of vintage treasures and works of art. I opened the window of my room to the view of our quaint neighborhood surrounded by yellow buildings with green shutters. Just above the terracotta roofs you could see the hills of Tuscany in the distance. The locals were bustling on the street below me going about there daily business. In the back of the apartment, a kitchen window opened to look down on a small courtyard where you could see a painter busy at work for her art studio. I truly felt immersed in the culture. 

We had maps and guide books but the best advice given to us was to just “get lost.” We did get lost on many occasions, but that is what makes for an adventure. Even with the jet lag we couldn’t wait to see the city. Within the first hour we had our first cappuccino at the coffee shop across the street, tried the gelato and went exploring through the streets. As we were walking, we noticed group of people heading up a hill. We followed up the street which lead to steep steps. When we reached the top, we turned around to see one of the most beautiful sights that I have ever beheld. We had arrived at the top of Plazza Michaelanglo, overlooking the city. The sun made the city glow as it set on the yellow houses. It was also our first glance at the magnificent Duomo, a domed structure that is the largest brick dome ever constructed. We also had our first view of the Arno River which runs through central Italy. The sky was turning shades of gold and pale pink. It was pure magic. 

The following morning we decided to walk to the center of town to check out the shopping and of course have our fill of coffee and gelato. We walked across the street over the bridge and got our first up close look at the Ponte Vecchio a beautiful bridge on the Arno River that has been around since the middle ages. We got lost through some of the streets but finally made our way to the Plazza Della Signoria - a square in the center of town surrounded by arches and famous statues. As we continued walking, we saw the beautiful Firenze carousel and stopped to listen to some live music.

As we walked, I saw the tip of the Duomo and quickened my pace to see this building up close. I couldn't wait to see the building I'd seen in pictures months before my trip. When we rounded the corner, I looked up at the most breath taking piece of architecture I had ever seen. The dome rested on an intricately designed cathedral. We stopped in front of the beautiful Basilica of Santa Mariadel Fiore and ate some delicious panini’s. Later in the week, we climbed up 463 steps to the top of the Duomo and then the Bell Tower for stunning views of the city. When we reached the top of the bell tower, we were just in time to hear them loudly toll above us.

For some backround, Florence is known as the “Cradle of the Renaissance” - home to some of the most famous artwork in the world. Much of the city has been preserved since the 13th century. One of our “must see” places was the Galleria Dell Academia. After waiting over 45 minutes in line, we were able to see the world’s most famous statue “The David,” by Michelangelo. We were also excited to see the Uffizi Gallery, it was surreal to see the art work of Leonardo De Vinci, Michelangelo and Raffael up close. 

We could have spent all our time in Florence but with only a week, we wanted to take advantage of the high speed trains. My first major bucket list item was to see Rome. We took off early in the morning to do Rome in a day. Rome was much different then Florence, it had a big city feel. In Rome, it was a mad rush to see the Colosseum and head to the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City. For my next trip to Rome, I hope to see the Trevi Fountain and do some shopping in the fashion capitol of the world!

The night before we planned to head to Venice, we jumped online to buy tickets for the early morning train. Much to our dismay, the tickets were sold out as it was carnival time in the city. So the next morning we went to the train station and bought tickets to Pisa. Trains to Pisa run frequently so it was easy to get a ticket on the spot. It was a beautiful sunny day with a clear view of the leaning tower. We had to do the tourist thing and climb to the top, after a 1,000 tries we finely nailed our “I’m holding the tower up” pictures.

For our final full day in Italy we set out on one of the most anticipated parts of our journey, Tuscany. Anyone who has watched the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun, knows there is an allure to the country side and its panoramic expanse. When we arrived in the small town of Camucia, we learned that taxi’s do not run from the train station on Sundays. In a local cafe - a man offered to take us up the hill town of Cortona. Under normal circumstance I wouldn’t take a ride from a stranger but…when in Rome. In Cortona, we hiked to the top of the hill where there was a beautiful church. After some delicious Tuscan Pizza, we walked around an open market full of merchants selling their wares. The streets were adorable and we shrieked with delight peering through side alleys that were windows to our country side view. We got to sit in the same places and walk the streets where the scenes from Under the Tuscan Sun was filmed. We know this because it was well documented with pictures on the walls, this movie is Cortona’s claim to fame. My dream was to end the night sipping wine and looking over the view. However, we forgot that most of the restaurants do not open for dinner until 7 p.m. I walked into a wine bar on the street to see if they had wine to-go. The store owner offered cups of wine but I insisted on fancy glasses. He went out back and opened a box of brand new glasses and let us buy three glasses full of wine for only five euros each. Where else would you find wine that delicious for so cheap? We took our wine and walked across the street to the benches over looking the country side at sunset. Perfect ending to a perfect day.

My journey to Florence will always have a special place in my heart. I have been blessed to travel to many beautiful places but if I could recommend one city to travel to that has “all the feels” it would be Florence, Italy.

Travel Tips - Weekend Getaway in Southern Florida

Author: Becky Sizelove

If you're from New England, the best way to take a break from winter is a trip to sunny Florida! You can thaw out those icy toes, bask in some sunshine and remind yourself that warmer weather is just a few months away. Do I have you dreaming of palm trees? Check out these quick tips to plan your {long} weekend getaway to southern Florida.

Score cheap flights

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Pick your battles when it comes to choosing travel dates - if you can be flexible with your dates and go when there isn't a school break, you will save a lot on flights. Extending your long weekend stay and leaving mid-week (Wednesday) also boosts your chances of finding that sweet spot in cheap-airline-ticket heaven.

Plan fun activities

Since weekend getaways are tight on time, it's best to plan your activities in advance to ensure you're getting the most bang for your buck. Although, it is important to keep in mind that plans might need to be adjusted (as they always do with travel). Go with the flow, have fun and use your well-thought-out plans as a road map. 

To jumpstart your planning, here are a few activities I've enjoyed in southern Florida:

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse

My parents live in southern Florida, which opens the door for me to visit gorgeous tropical spots every year. One spot that caught my attention at my most recent visit was the charming Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse in Jupiter, FL. I visited the beach/restaurant area adjacent to the lighthouse and plan to return to view the museum next time I visit. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children. This is the perfect spot to take in the beauty of Florida and get a history lesson all at the same time! The lunch spots across the way are to die for, too!

State Parks

Florida's state parks are stunning and they have so many fun activities to partake in. One being kayaking! Whenever I've thought of kayaking, I pictured the rustic terrains of Maine and Vermont - it never occurred to me that kayaking in Florida was an option. Well, no more! My parents brought me to the Jonathan Dickinson State Park and I kayaked through mossy inlets and even passed a gator sun bathing! It was magical. There are also guided boat tours and bike paths available at Jonathan Dickinson State Park - a great spot to check out for sure.

Beaches

This one might seem obvious, but the beaches in southern Florida are easy to access and a simple joy to visit. My favorite is Bathtub Beach in Hutchinson Island. 

Treat Yo' Self

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My final piece of advice is to treat yo' self. Since you're only going to be away for a short time, you might as well go to that restaurant you've always wanted to go to. Get the fancy smoothie! Do all the things. You've scored cheap flights, planned activities in advance, now it's time to bask in the glory of pampering yourself.