Random

 I know, I know...I should be posting pictures from the last two weddings.  But why not post this random little arrangement from April instead? Seems like the logical thing to do. 

 All of the ingredients are straight from my garden: muscari, tulips, vinca, lungwort (who names a flower lungwort, anyways?!) and some twigs (of course).

And then there is this little darling.  He's taken a keen interest in all things growing and loves to help "design" (translate-squish floral foam into itty-bitty pieces that the younger brother then tries to eat off the floor.)  Does it get any better?

Sneak Peak

Just a sneak peak of Corrina's bouquet, more pictures to come someday.  (Am I the only one who cues up Wells Fargo's, "Why not make your someday today?" every time I say someday??  I haven't decided if I love or hate those commercials. Probably depends on how much I've checked off my to do list on any given day...)  I decided if flowers had personalities hydrangeas would be hypochondriacs, constantly suffering from some perceived ill...so picky!   I've also decided I love tweedia....just a gorgeous little light blue delight.

Losing Score...

Curretn Score: 
Microsoft Windows-1  
Me-0

And that my friends, is why you have not seen a new picture on here in a very long time.  Because my computer is ridiculous and keeps crashing everytime I try to load a picture.  And pictures have I!  Scads and oodles of shots from Matt and Melissa's wedding is what I.  But instead of gracing the pages of this blog, they sit, lonely and cold on my camera, just waiting to be admired.  (Because, of course, you will have nothing but love and admiration for them when they do make their debut.  And if you feel anything other than love and admiration for my precious little fancies, you will let me down gently).

Apparently there are a few helpcenters/geek squads/tech gurus and other such experts that can fix such problems.  The problem is, I don't even have time for them.  I just also happen to have a sweet little boy who has had 3, yes count them-3, ear infections in the last month.  So, the computer wins for now.  But watch out...someday soon I will even the score and present all of you with some lovely little photos. I just really can't define "soon" at this very moment.  So you'll just have to keep anxiously waiting.  To tide you over, I reccommend you head here  for some flower fancies and a good laugh or three.

Happily Ever After

Ten years ago today, I slipped into a simple empire waist gown and tucked wax flowers into my hair. I picked up my bouquet (White roses, altsromaria, bouvardia, and white limionium accented with lots of asparagus and tree fern created by good friend and employer, Charlene of Leppell's Flowers.) and I walked down the aisle into the arms of the man of my dreams.  He's still the man of my dreams. No wonder I believe in happily ever afters...I wake up to mine each morning.

Upper Class

I would like to argue that it is the attention to details that make a wedding truly memorable and beautiful.  And, as I've said before, I think materials should and can be repurposed in creative ways.  Icame across this classy wedding today, and I must say, it just a stellar specimen of what a wedding can be....

The craftsmanship alone in this beaut is something to admire.  Note the varied colors and textures.  The careful alignment of the cans.  I can't even imagine the engineering required (especially if the cans were being emptied while said arch was being constructed.) And the attention to detail? Unsurpassed!  Tell me you noticed the stunning paper wedding bell?!  A timeless look to be sure...the kind of wedding decor your children and grandchildren would be proud to replicate on their wedding day.  Anyone wanna guess where these two newlyweds honeymooned? I will just utter one more word of mockery and then leave these two alone....NASCAR. And now I'm off to see what other gems Google can dig up for "wedding arch with peonies."

Wedding Inspiration

A few weeks ago, I met up with Chentelle to discuss some flower ideas for her fall wedding.  She has some amazing inspiration.  I might have drooled a little bit when she pulled out the picture of the birch centerpiece containers that she plans to use.  There might have also been a little more drool when she told me she was open to ALL flower suggestions.  And when she said she could best describe what she wanted as, "outdoorsy, rustic and simple," I was begging to be involved with her wedding! 
Chentelle has an awesome color pallete planned-steel blue and chocolate brown with accents in moss green and burnt orange (inspired by the fall foliage).  She loved hydrangeas and was open to all other flower suggestions...take a peek at the inspiration behind her flowers...

Friday Fancy

Spending two days checking out the creations of Mario Fernandez of Belle Fleur has definitely inspired me.  This guy knows how to think outside the box and find new uses for has-been supplies.  The first day, he shared some of his designs and tips for incorporating new foam and wire products. 

I loved theses simple centerpieces.  Queen Anne's lace and Millenium baby's breath-just used in an entirely different way!

He coined this little gem the "Mario-labra."  The candle holders were created using MegaWire. Clever?  I think yes!  I'm starting to see decorative wire in a whole new,  purposeful way!

Depending on one's definition of purposeful that is....

The second day we got our hands on the goods!  Using a wire collar (by Lomey), we designed a bridal bouquet.  Not gonna lie, when I first saw that blob of twisted wire it went against every twig and vine accenting bone in my body, buuuuuuttttt the final effect won me over! 

In fact I liked this little fancy so much, I had to pose her for a few shots...

Learned a new use for that acetate ribbon that everyone loves so much...

Pick a couple colors in two different widths (or whatever works for the size of your container), wrap a piece of precut foam and secure the ribbon with a pin.  Suprisingly, the ribbon holds up really well under water.  I'm thinking a few more pins arranged in a table number or monogram would look pretty swell.

I have to say, I think my favorite part of the class was getting a chance to chat it up with other special events florist and watch so many different styles at work.  We all had access to the same materials and had roughly the same amount of time to whip up a design. In the words of one Mario Fernandez, "It's like cooking.  Same tomato, same pasta, same onion.  It's all in the way you combine and present those elements that sets you apart."  Check out a few of my favorite variations....

Alissa + Alec

These two look familiar?? It's Alissa and Alec, the sweet couple that just got married in January.  I know I already posted a few shots I took, but I just got a peek at some of the shots Derek Pearson captured.  I was just cleaning out my inbox and came across the email Alissa's mom (and wedding planner extraordinaire) sent me the day after the wedding.  So sweet!

"The flowers were sooooo beautiful!! Exactly what I wanted. Absolute perfection!!!!!!!! Definitely the crowning touch for a perfect day. I cried when I saw them, because you got my vision so exactly right.

I am definitely prejudiced but it really was one of the nicest and prettiest weddings. Very quiet, very tender and special.

I made sure to tell everyone about this fantastic young florist I know! I will try to get my pictures posted on FB and I'll email you any that turn out well enough to use on your blog!! "

Upper Class for a White Trash Price

If you haven't noticed yet, I like beautiful things. The only problem is I also happen to be a big, fat Cheapy McCheaperson. I know I can't be the only one who believes beautiful should not break the bank.  That especially goes for a bride on her wedding day!  I think my vintage-loving bride should not have to pay Martha Stewart $59 for a single cake stand. (No offense, Martha.  I really am a big fan of your work.)  Which is why I bring you the $2 cake stand....

Gorgeous, ain't she?  And this little beaut only cost 2 bones to create.  You could go here for a step-by-step tutorial, or you could just go to Goodwill, buy some plates and candlesticks (or interesting looking goblets).  Then you could head on over to your local Home Depot, buy some Gorilla glue. Next, go home and connect said glass/silver with said glue. Easy enough, huh? Goodwill and Value Village-I have found yet another reason to love you!  Check back in May and I'll show you what I'm doing at Melissa and Matt's reception with these little fancies. (Ok, I haven't actually made MY cakestands yet, but I will. Soon.)

Melissa + Matthew

Some people are not so smart when it comes to technology.  As my Dad puts it, "On the information super highway, I'm roadkill."  Some people might have spent an inordinate amount of timing learning how to save a Word document as a JPEG.  But some people endure and swear to never print the word document, take a picture of it, then post it on here in all of it's fantastic fuzziness.  Some people. Sheesh.  But the good news is, some people have Google, vast quantities of dark chocolate and a determination to get it right. 

So, for your viewing pleasure, I give you (shouldn't there be a drum roll right about now?) Melissa and Matthew's Inspiration Board.  This is the by product of our first consultation.  Melissa brought some really great ideas and requests (Can you say "vintage," "natural looking," and "timeless, but unique?" She did. Sigh. I love her style!)  There was one flower she was certain she had to have (lilacs and lots of 'em!).  We had a great time talking flowers that would compliment the colors and mood of the day, as well as her budget.  Check out a few of them above..ranunculus, lilacs, anemones, sweet peas, nigella, stock, and apple blossoms. This weekend, we'll be meeting at The Farm Kitchen, the wedding and reception venue, to finalize plans for both the ceremony and reception flowers.  Can't wait!

Upcoming Date

Say hello to Mario Fernandez.  I will be on March 13 and 14 when I attend his class on wedding design at Washington Floral (A great floral wholesale company, which also happens to provide some great training opportunities.)  Two days of stalking the aisles of Washington Floral, playing with flowers straight from the wholesaler cooler AND recieving tips and training from a pal of Oprah's? Um, ok. I guess I can handle that.

"Fernandez has earned many awards including being named as both the

‘Designer of the Year’ in Florida and ‘Designer of the Year’ for F.T.D in 1992. He has worked with celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, and has appeared on several Miami-based Spanish-language television shows. The Perfect Wedding has recognized his artistic talent as among the best in South Florida, and his work has appeared on the cover of Premier Bride numerous times."

Rust & Ruffles Vintage Market

I took a little roadtrip to the Evergreen State Fairgrounds yesterday.  Lots of people where staring at me as I drove down I5.  I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that there were branches and twigs jammed up against every window (Except the driver's, of course.  Safety first!) My mission?  To provide some floral goodness for Poppyseed's, my favorite little vintage shop.  They'll be there all weekend for Rust and Ruffles, a vintage market that brings in the some of the coolest vintage vendors from across the state. 

Setting up one of 3 milk cans.  They were filled with cherry blossoms and moss.  They added major height (some of the branches were 7') and beautiful color.  I absolutely am in love with these milk cans.  Wouldn't they look awesome at the end of an aisle or beside the doors to a reception?  You could even add the bride and groom's name/monogram with chalk.....

Stop by and get your own bunch of spring for just $3!

Friday Fancy

Alright.  I don't know about you, but I've had far enough winter.  Yeah, yeah...I know-spring is just around the corner and all that.  Because of the nature of my patience (which my husband oftimes likens to that of our 3 year old) I have decided I want blooms NOW.  So, guess who is trying her hand at forcing cherry blossoms?  Check back in a week.  Hopefully by then this,

will end up looking like this-

And the best part?  If they force as well as they are supposed to, well, let's just say I have a substantial supply............. 

PS....Like how I  actually posted a  Friday Fancy on a Friday?  Wonders never cease.

Alissa + Alec

Alissa and Alec's wedding flowers have safely been deployed and as I type this, the two newly weds are enjoying their reception.  Of course, I know that you can't wait to see the professional pictures (me, either), but until then, I will tide you over with a few shots I managed to sneak in my mad dash out the door this morning.  (Every mom out there knows that there is a law of motherhood that wakes your children a minimum of 7 times during the night before something of importance.  The same law also causes your alarm clock to fail and your camera battery to die after 4 shots....all's well that ends well right??)

 The bride's bouquet.

The bride's bouquet included two varieties of cream roses, seeded ecualyptus and hypericum berries.  Alissa wanted to include a touch of apple green, so the hypericum berries were a fun way to highlight the color.

Crystal accents on the handle of the bride's bouquet were a great way to incorporate the little bit of  "sparkle" she was hoping for.

The cake topper. (It's sitting on a vintage pewter vase...the vase didn't actually go on the cake.)

The groom's boutonierre.

Just a little something to use a rose with a broken stem.  (This actually wasn't a part of the wedding order.)  Wouldn't this little fancy just be perfect on a guest book table?

Wedding Warm Up

Alissa and Alec's wedding is just 2 short days away!  A few weeks ago, I shared the following ideas and inspiration with Alissa.  She wanted a classic, romantic look with a focus on creams and whites. 

  

Her flowers just came in, so here's a little sneak preview of what Alissa will be carrying on Saturday....it's all I can do to wait until tomorrow to start arranging her bouquet!