I am back from my brother's amazing wedding in Valencia, California and all I can think about is the amazing florals, great shopping, and all of the outdoor fireplaces. Everyone seems to have one! We stayed at the Hyatt Valencia, and dined each morning at Hyatt's Vines Restaurant, I noticed the outdoor fireplace by the pool and finally on our last night we noshed on Molten Chocolate Cake and coffee and took in the subtle warmth from the fire as the cooler night air touched our newly tanned bare legs and arms. It is one of my favorite memories from California.

Who wouldn't want to live in the outdoors with such temperate year-round weather, and what would make it more comforting than adding some night time heat via a fireplace? Take this substantial stone fireplace designed and built by Gnome Outdoor Living for example. It oozes warmth, I could just grab a blanket and relax there watching the flickering flames all night.

If you aren't into thick wooden hearths and want something a tad more on the contemporary side, opt for the Kingsman Natural Gas Fireplace by Improvement Direct. When Selecting a fireplace, you should decide how much maintenance you want to put into it, and what you want to get out of your fireplace as well. For ease and low maintenance, a natural gas fireplace may be best for you, they are incredibly realistic! If you like the nostalgic crackling pops from a real wood burning flame, purchase a ready-made, or commission a mason to create a wood burning fireplace for the focal point in your yard.

The most time I spend outdoors is typically in the evening, so I pay particular interest to lighting up the outdoors. The River Rock Fire Bowl by Restoration Hardware is a steal at $699 regularly when compared to custom made which can range to the mid-thousands. The look of concrete and weathered grays is very warm and relaxing, isn't it?

You don't need to invest too much into night-lighting either, simple lanterns come in various sizes. Note that if you want to pack a punch with lanterns, go for 2 or 3 in a large size for that perfect accent. Here are the Duomo Lanterns in a weathered zinc finish.

The Kemper Lanterns by Z Gallerie are a striking and simple design of glass and metal, and they also happen to be on sale today! So go shed some light on those dark corners in your backyard, it will make it oh so cozy as you watch your next sunset.

This extraordinary pool in Southern Utah is lovingly referred to as "the Ruins" by homeowners Keeran and Jamie Welch. It seems almost magical at sunset, when torches blaze and the mist rises in this private oasis.

Another poolside view shows comfortable seating and outdoor dining arrangements.

Here we see directly to the focal point of the pool; a doorway to the grotto.

Once through the waterfall cascade, you enter a domed hidden room flanked by rock and Corinthian columns. Oh, and a Jacuzzi, naturally.

Carved out niches in the rock facade and the illuminated dome above display Romanesque paintings. A picture of serenity.

Paving your paradise might actually make it more appealing- especially if you don't exactly have the time to weed and feed your outdoor expanse. That is the case for this Torontonian. The March 2008 edition of the House and Home magazine features this attractive straight forward backyard just bursting with entertaining amenities.  Poured concrete and 6x6 cedar posts make up the bones of this backyard. The custom sailcloth awning can be drawn back to let in the full sun if you wish.

Dark faux rattan furniture comprise the sitting area as well as the dining area for eight. A open gas fireplace acts as a visual partition to separate these two spots.

The greenery is simple but not sparse. As cedars line the back of the property along the fence, as potted plants and 13 un-poured sections provide a home for feathery grasses, lavender and burning bush plants (which require very little maintenance).