blade new york

Coral and Grey color pallete at The Wedding Party

2012-01-31T07:08:00.001-05:00

I was so happy with the end result of my collaboration with The Wedding Library and Revel. Working only from an inspiration board designed by the ladies over at Revel I chose these watermelon colored poppies and soft pink sweet peas. Simple clear ribbed glass vases were the perfect choice, keeping the overall feel of the table light and airy against the dark steel grey linen. Accented with varied heights of votive candles made it sparkle!

All of these gorgeous photos courtesy of Trent Bailey Photography.

If you haven't already taken a look at the amazing inspiration over at Revel be sure to check it out. They will have all the details of the entire look of the table plus much more!

Leftovers, changing one design into another.

2012-01-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

Who knew that leftovers could be so good? I love when I'm able to redesign an arrangement, take apart the elements from one and make it into another. Unfortunately because I'm a little forgetful sometimes and because I didn't know that I would have the chance to remake these arrangements I don't have a picture of the before, but here's an after with only two of the elements along with a simple bud vase of ranunculus (which I can never get enough of).

You should do the same at home when you receive an arrangement or buy your own flowers. Different flowers will last for varying lengths of time. By getting rid of the dead ones and refreshing those that are still good you will be able to enjoy the arrangement for a few more days. Give a fresh cut, some sparkly clean water (that's what they love best...all those remedies are just to keep the bacteria away!) and you'll have a whole new look.

Wedding Party hosted by The Wedding Library

2012-01-25T10:16:00.000-05:00

If you are planning a wedding then The Wedding Party hosted by The Wedding Library with Martha Stewart Weddings is an event that should not be missed!

It's coming up this Sunday, January 29th so hurry to get your tickets here along with all the information you need.

See you there!

City Winery

2012-01-25T09:29:00.000-05:00

I went to an event last night for some wedding industry peeps at City Winery in NYC. I hadn't been to the space before and was thrilled to get the chance to take a look. There are a lot of options for set-up, offering space for both the ceremony and reception. I love the long tables and modern chairs paired with the somewhat rustic design of the space. There is a great stage for a band (and I often don't love "stages") plenty of room for dancing and seating for up to 185.

There are so many ways to personalize the space and you even have the option to customize your own wine and of course you can then customize the label for the bottle.

Some great vendors participated in the evening including Bees Knees (if you don't know about them you MUST taste some of their YUMMY treats!), Hatch Creative Studio created lovely table designs throughout the space, music provided by On the Move and East Six invites were beautiful.

If you are looking for a unique venue with tons of character you should definitely check out City Winery for your next event.

How-to Tuesday

2012-01-17T09:00:00.007-05:00

It's been a while since I've shown a step by step on how to create a very simple arrangement. In this case I've only used 4 main elements with the addition of some pittosporum greens and red ti leaves. First rule of floral design (even though you will also hear me say, THERE ARE NO RULES) is to use elements you love, play around with shape, composition and texture of the arrangement. We won't be getting into anything too technical here, I just want to show simple tips to follow to create an arrangement for your home.

There are quite a few pictures but I wanted you to be able to really see the step by step process.

(Oh and a quick disclaimer. I'm not, I repeat, not a hand model. Please don't judge.
In fact after 11 years of sticking my hands in buckets of water, cutting and scraping myself with various thorns and branches I'm very far from it. Feel pity on the poor girl below and send her some hand salve. Okay disclaimer done.)

I used a 5x5 clear cylinder but you can use anything you have at home. Be creative, use empty containers, jars or bowls!

If you are going to line the inside of the vase (a nice way to conceal the stems when using more than one type of flower) you will want to remove the hard vein of the leaf which will make it easier to wrap around the inside of the glass. I used two medium size leaves to cover the inside.

Once the leaf is more pliable just wrap around the inside of the vase, already filled with water.

Pittosporum is easy to work with and will give you a nice base for your arrangement. This is a variegated variety with a touch of yellow on the leaves. Make sure you clean the leaves off the bottom of the stems so there are no leaves below the water level.

Begin adding greens to vase until you get a nice full base for the arrangement. I plan on making a symmetrical design so all of the stems are basically one level. Remember to turn your vase as you work to have an even look all the way around.

Solidago is a simple filler, adds a bit of color. Nothing fancy here, just adding to the fullness of the design. See the difference in the second picture, you must make sure you take off the lower leaves or the arrangement will not last as long as it should!

Add each stem of solidago evening distributing throughout the greens.

If we were using just tulips for this arrangement I would suggest keeping on some of the larger, lower leaves. However for this design we want to remove those leaves.

I grouped the tulips and cut the stems together, giving them a nice clean cut.

**A note on how to cut the stems - soft stems like tulips, ranunculus, anemones, calla lilies along with many others do not need the same angular cut as some of the woody stems. They will absorb the water just as well with a straight cut and will actually benefit from a clean cut as they have the tendency to become quite mushy.

I placed each tulip individually however I did stay to one side of the arrangement anticipating the placement of the larger stem of amaryllis still to come.

Contrary to my original instruction of maintaining symmetry for this arrangement I added one double bloom of amaryllis to the side of the arrangement (the reason I left room after adding the tulips). **Note about amaryllis stems - the stems are soft and hollow making them a bit difficult to work with. You will need to create space for the stem within the arrangement or it will split and break while you try to get it into the vase.

I can find a million uses for this wired twine but if you don't have something like this at home you can use string, any type of wire, or even scotch tape. Fold the leaves over, catch the end in your fingers and hold tightly.

I added a second leaf for a more ribboned effect. Tie the base of the leaves with the twine or string so that the ends are secured.

Don't worry about the excess wire, just trim or wrap around the stems, you will not see it once you place the leaves in the arrangement.

Trim the ends and add to arrangement near amaryllis stem, or whatever flower you want to highlight. Fluff the leaves a little to give a little more fullness. I really like the look of the rounded leaves and don't like when they become too flattened.

We're almost done!!!

Ranunculus are the last element to add. I keep them for the end because they have small stems so are easy to fit in the arrangement and because I really love how they can add a bit of whimsy to the arrangement, especially the small buds...don't throw those away!!

Look for any "empty" spaces and start adding the ranunculus.

Love the little buds!!

If you find any bruised petals on the underside of the flower don't be afraid to gently remove.

Here's the final product...from different angles so you can see the fullness all the way around with a slight focus on the amaryllis with ti leaf ribbon.

There were not any ranunculus today so I'm showing a alstromeria as a good substitute.

I'll be showing more bodega style arrangements and hand tied bouquets in coming posts so stay tuned to learn how to pick the right flowers if you need something last minute!

A humble thank you.

2012-01-12T10:19:00.000-05:00

I know I have said it before but I wanted to take another moment to thank the amazing couples that I have worked with over the past year. They have given me the opportunity to do what I love and work with them to create the perfect decor for their wedding day. It's humbling to be given that opportunity and entrusted with making their special day even more so.

Thank you for your trust and kind words!

Great vintage props

2012-01-11T09:00:00.005-05:00

I love creating themed weddings and have so much fun sourcing the props I need for them. Unfortunately space in new york is not easy to come by so I'm offering up some of these great finds. If you are interested you can comment or contact me directly and I will let you know more about any of the items (including the price) and some ideas on how we used them.

Winter Quince

2012-01-09T10:27:00.000-05:00

We all love flowering branches but some may think that they are only available in the Spring (oh, the beloved cherry blossoms!) but there are some great options already starting to bloom. Quince is one of my favorite, available in both white and pink (light & dark). The buds are small and when they bloom are still a petite flower. I really love the shape of the branches as well, they have a minimal feel to them making them a perfect option for something a bit more sleek and contemporary. I used them this week for one of my weekly designs, here I show the branches alone but I ended up adding some pink callas to the base of the design.

Love the deep coral color of these blooms!

A simple container is the perfect match for a contemporary look.

As with all hard, woody stems be sure to cut on an angle for optimal water absorption.

Add another cut down the center of the branch.

All of these tiny little buds WILL open, you will be surprised to see how long the branches last, especially if you change the water every few days and give the branches a fresh cut.

Don't be afraid to prune back any broken or unruly branches!

Simple but will be stunning in just a few days as the flowers bloom!

2012, it's a pleasure to meet you.

2012-01-05T10:15:00.001-05:00

It's already five days into 2012 and I'm excited, hopeful and ready to hit the ground running. I've read many blog posts over the last few days and they have all talked about new beginnings, a clean slate, a fresh start and resolutions. The idea that you can keep growing and changing and that each new year, new day, new moment is filled with infinite potential.

There have already been new engagements, new babies and new promises made in these first few days of 2012 and many more to come I'm sure.

In celebration of the New Year I'm often asked for bouquets of all white flowers which is no surprise since white signifies purity, innocence and can also represent the dawn of new beginnings.

Here's to new beginnings!

Looking back and moving forward

2011-12-20T10:09:00.000-05:00

The year is coming to a close and as I sit here and try to recap 2011 I find it hard to believe that another year has passed. It was a busy year filled with weddings, corporate & social events along with many other projects that kept me running around. Not too mention the little man I have at home that never stops moving these days.

I moved into a new studio space and can't wait to settle in more over the next few weeks now that the craziness of the season has calmed down.

As I think back I find myself most thankful for the work that I had last year, for the clients turned friends that I was able to meet and for knowing that 2012 is going to be a new year to continue to grow and shape my business. I will spend the next few weeks celebrating Christmas with my family, I will turn another year older on the 30th and will ring in the new year with the ones I love. I want to enjoy the small moments and cherish these newly made memories.

I wish these same things for you this holiday season, whatever holiday you celebrate, wherever you are spending your time. I wish for you and the ones you love all the joy and fresh beginnings that a new year can bring.

I'll be taking a break until the new year and will be back with fresh ideas and more insight into the crazy world of flowers that I so love.

Enjoy!

Handmade Holidays

2011-11-30T12:15:00.000-05:00

I dusted off my sewing machine recently and have been thoroughly enjoying myself creating some handmade items for Christmas. There are great ideas out there and it's so satisfying to finish something you've made. Of course if I was smart I would have started a bit earlier in the year but I lament about it every year with my friend Lisa (check out her blog here) and she encourages me to get to it and keep going. I've started with the little people in my life and I'm happy to report I've completed two crayon rolls and two fishing games in just the past two days (most of the work has to be done after my real work and after my son goes to bed!)

I've adapted my designs from various tutorials I've found online, there are many to choose from. Skip to My Lou has a few different crayon roll tutorials with easy to follow directions. The fishing game, which I found last year but my little man was still too small to play, is so easy and can be customized how ever you like.

I have big plans for more items and as I create them I will definitely share. I can't give away too much of the grown-up gifts I'm working on since they may read about them here but I'm pretty confident the kiddos aren't reading my blog.

**As I write this post I saw some more great DIY ideas for gift giving posted over at Design*Sponge today. Of course they have fabulous ideas for DIY along with other genius gift guides for anyone in your life.

Real Wedding: Robyn and Lee

2011-11-28T09:00:00.002-05:00

Here are some images from the final wedding of the season at The Garrison in the Hudson valley. It was a great way to end the busy wedding season. I'm just starting to fully appreciate all the spectacular weddings we did this fall and the awesome couples we worked with. Just a few of the things I'm thankful for this year.

Bridal bouquet was a mix of roses, dahlias (last of the season!), craspedia, grevellia greens and pin cushion protea, brunia, scabiosa pods and feather accents.

Coordinating bridesmaids bouquets with the addition of yellow ranunculus and silver brunia.

Kumquats on the vine for bar arrangements

Love the way this chuppuh turned out, the natural, woodsy look was perfect against the backdrop of the Hudson valley. Natural birch poles accented with golden curly willow, moss and hydrangea. A gold canopy trimmed with brown satin stayed in line with the warm seasonal tones.

Chair accents

I love the place cards the couple chose, coordinated nicely with the original invitation. The bird motif was continued through with the use of simple faux birds on a sandblasted Manzanita branch and moss accents.

Table arrangements for guest tables and sweetheart table were a combination of pin cushion protea, grevellia, dahlias, roses, two types of brunia and green hedera (bush ivy). Bronze pedestal urns were used for the guest tables.

A combination of seasonal persimmons, pomegranates and the kumquats were used for the bar arrangements.

All the images taken with my iphone...you gotta love natural light.

Engage11! reflections

2011-11-22T11:03:00.000-05:00

I'm back from Engage11! and it proved to be a truly inspiring three days. We spent a few extra days in the Cayman Islands and I'm only just getting a chance to sit and reflect on everything. I'm having a hard time finding the right words to describe the experience, "amazing" doesn't seem to cover it. Inspiring, insightful, thought provoking, interesting, fun and exhausting might just begin to help describe it.

Kathryn Arce and Rebecca Grinnals (co-founders of Engage11!) were right to name it a "Luxury Wedding Business Summit". To call it a "conference" seems disrespectful in some way. The speakers were varied and each shared their wisdom and experience so vividly that you came away with a new found sense of purpose for your business, a greater appreciation for your clients and the relationships you share with them. I knew it already but was reminded of the role I play in one of the most special days of a couples life, or should I say the beginning of the their lives together.

The painstaking attention to detail over the course of the three days did not go unnoticed by a single attendee and each day you woke with an anticipation of what would be next. We are all in the service industry, working hard to create memorable events for our clients and yet for these 3 days we were the ones being treated to these memories. And what a treat it was. We are all fully aware of the time and effort it takes to create such an event and I can only say thank you to everyone who was a part of making it a most memorable experience. I will continue to digest the experiences and share with you some of my thoughts and reflections. I took some pictures myself but decided to leave it to the professionals to share a glimpse of the Engage11! experience.

Rebecca Davidson captures many of the details here and one of the brilliant speakers, Donna van Bruening, who moved most of us to tears recalling her love, loss and finding the love again for her work shares some of her Engage11! memories here.

Final fall wedding and trip to Engage!

2011-11-11T09:00:00.002-05:00

I have the last of my fall weddings on Saturday and then I'm off to Engage!11 in the Cayman Islands. I'm beyond excited!!

But first, the wedding this weekend is at The Garrison in the Hudson Valley. I just visited last week and it is such a great space with breathtaking views. I'm looking forward to working there on Saturday and thrilled that the couple went with a mix of seasonal tones that are going to look amazing against the backdrop of the fall foliage outside. I'll be sure to share pictures when I return from my work/playcation.

I have wanted to be a part of Engage! for a few years now and this year after following the tweets from San Diego earlier this year I knew that I had to sign up for the Cayman Islands. Honestly, what could be better than gathering with an amazing & inspiring group of industry pros all the while enjoying the beautiful Cayman Islands? It's bound to be an all around great experience.

I may make some updates while I'm away but if not, please stay tuned, I give you all the details the minute I get home.

Okay maybe not right away...it will have to be after I smother my little man with kisses, I'm gonna miss that little face while we're gone.

xoxo

Real Wedding: Oana & Jason

2011-11-07T12:08:00.001-05:00

I've been waiting to share some of the professional shots from Oana & Jason's wedding and here they are! Thanks so much to Anja of Anja Hitzenberger Wedding Photography for sharing the images with me.

Real Wedding: Sandi & Rich Part II

2011-11-02T09:00:00.001-04:00

More pictures from Sandi & Rich's summer wedding! One thing I love about this wedding, other than the fact that Sandi is one of the sweetest brides I've ever meet is that they got married at St. Rose of Lima which is my childhood parish. It was a blast from the past to be running into the rectory to deliver the arrangements. I think I heard once that the church had the one of the longest aisles but that may just be from a child's prespective.

October snowstorm + flat tire + lost keys = 2 happy couples

2011-11-01T09:32:00.000-04:00

It's been awhile but I'm back and breathing a bit easier now. Having successfully completed two more weddings this past weekend I'm gearing up for the final wedding of the season next week. Then it's off to the Grand Cayman islands, yippee! (more about that later)

While I never intended to make my Getting Married without a Hitch post a series it seems that the hits just keep on coming.

Some people may say that doing two weddings in one weekend can be tough, two weddings on one day a little tougher, two weddings on one day with venues an hour or so apart really tough. Add in a snow storm, a flat tire and forgotten keys and it's on a whole other level of difficult. Oh and did I mention that this was all done with a staff of 3 people? And yes, that includes me. As a result of scheduling conflicts and family emergencies the staff was lean to say the least but I need to give a shout out to Margaret and Papa for making it happen.

Everything was beautiful and both couples were thrilled which is all I can ask for. Ashley & Doug had a romantic, European style reception at the beautiful DeSeversky Mansion on Long Island. Lush mix of white flowers with tons of candlelight set the mood. Also using a mix of white and ivory blooms Lorelei & Michael had the most inspired travel themed wedding at the 3 West Club in Manhattan. I will share images of both as soon as I get my hands on them!

Getting hitched...without a hitch, part II

2011-10-19T11:54:00.000-04:00

I debated whether or not to share this little story but I had to, it's just too ridiculous to keep to myself. I already told you that problems do occasionally arise when setting up for an event.

Wardrobe malfunctions although rare do happen but usually it's not my malfunction. The couple getting married or one of their guests maybe but me...not so much. Until last weekend that is. We were in Philly and in the middle of unloading a packed truck when I thought I would move things along by hopping into the van to grab some stuff...bad idea.

As I readied myself to "hop" into the van all hell broke loose. Okay well that's a bit of an exaggeration but when I heard the tell tale sound of denim ripping I knew I was well , um, screwed for lack of a better word.

You know that soft, cozy, worn in denim, the kind that you just love to wear because it's so comfy. News flash...it rips, easily. Not to be worn when hopping into a van is on the to-do list.

The nice lady enjoying a cigarette outside of the hotel when it happened told me that housekeeping had a needle and thread I could borrow. Um, I'm way past a needle and thread but thank you. I quickly made a makeshift "skirt" with my scarf and hurried into the nearest Banana Republic and explained to sweet Amelia (I think that's her name) of my "situation". She was the best, stopped what she was doing to literally cover my, ahem, well you know.

I ended up with these new cute and equally cozy jeans. Key difference? That little 2% spandex in the denim. Thank you Amelia (if that isn't your name, please forgive me, panic did a number on my memory) thank you very much.

Real Wedding: George and Suesie

2011-10-18T09:00:00.001-04:00

I never shared any images I took of this wedding except for a little tweet. I'm so happy that I waited.

These images from Katie Osgood are just so beautiful it was well worth waiting for. The soft tones of yellow, pink and grey look so stunning in these images it's almost better than I remember in real life.

Suesie and George were the best, we spoke on the phone a few times before I met them in the flower market at 5am one morning to chat some more. They were in from California for just a few days and the timing worked. It happened to be the same day as the Royal Wedding so it felt appropriate since the morning was abuzz with wedding chatter anyway...but we spent our time discussing theirs.

It turned out so great, simple and just what Suesie was looking for, in her own words, "The decor and all the flower arrangements were AAA-MAYYY-ZING".

Love a super sweet couple with an equally sweet and simple design.

All images courtesy of Katie Osgood Photography

Getting hitched...without a hitch.

2011-10-17T11:19:00.000-04:00

I would love to say that every wedding goes off without a hitch. I would love to say it but I would be lying. Sometimes the problems that arise are a little worse than others...some cause me to use some words that a lady shouldn't and others make me laugh, hard and out loud.

Over the past couple of weeks I've had a few of both types...

Morning weddings can be tricky...it involves getting things done early without a lot of time to spare. When your help doesn't show on time it throws a big wrench into the works and panic sets in. You stare at the clock and the time ticks by twice as fast. You race around the city to drop off personal flowers, pick up the rest of the arrangements and get back to the venue in time to construct the chuppuh and complete everything before guests start to roll in (in case you didn't know they are ALWAYS early).

And then it happens, distracted, panic stricken and fighting against the clock, you back into a cab. Yes, that's right...you're not paying quite as much attention to things around you as you should be and BAM...you miss that shiny yellow cab pulling up behind you as you double park.

Then the cab driver tries to shake you down for some cash even though you offer your insurance information...apparently that's not what he's looking for. After exclaiming that you are having a really bad day, your night in shining armor shows up and saves the day and gets that cabbie out of your hair. In the end it all turns out well...the bride is happy and you get to go home and enjoy the rest of your Sunday without a scratch.

Too bad I can't say the same about my bumper.

Bob Marley and Peanut M&M's

2011-10-11T11:12:00.000-04:00

One more wedding down. Friday night we were Philly bound and designed a great wedding at the Bellevue Hotel. This weekend we'll go vintage in Brooklyn but more about that later.

With all the weddings I have this month I need to stay focused and keep moving along. All the details can become overwhelming if I don't just focus on one thing at a time. I talked about my love of lists but I realized this weekend what really keeps me going when I'm knee deep in flowers is pretty simple...

Bob Marley and a pack of peanut m&m's. Strange but true. I didn't realize it was a habit but noticed that I'll bounce around from play list to play list for awhile before I finally settle on Bob. There's just something about it that gets me in the zone and makes the list of things to finish seem a little less daunting. And then somewhere in the course of my long day of designing I find the irresistible urge to head out for a bag of peanut m&m's. I realize it's not the healthiest of options but sometimes a girl just needs some chocolate...

What do you do to help you through the longest days? Any music that really makes the difference?

Fall weddings and lists and lists and more lists.

2011-09-20T14:08:00.000-04:00

I know I haven't been posting regularly but right after my summer "recap" I got slapped in the face with the prep for a bunch of upcoming October weddings. It's amazing how much you can plan and prep very far in advance but there is just no getting around all the work that has to be taken care of just a few weeks before the wedding. All couples know this is true for the details that they are finalizing around this time but trust me your vendors are hard at work too!

There are lists, many lists. I happen to love them and it works for me. Good old fashioned pen and paper. I like to cross things off. Feel a sense of accomplishment. Until I realize that I just need to transfer it on to the new list I've created. And the lists just keep coming.

But the end result is truly all worth it. So please, hang in there with me while I write and cross off my lists and I promise there will be a lot of prettiness to share. There will be oohs and ahhs, it will be awesome.

Until then I will be back with some tidbits of what I've been working on.

Summer 2011 wedding recap

2011-09-07T12:00:00.007-04:00

I know summer doesn't officially end for a few more weeks but with the weather we are having today in nyc tells us that fall is right around the corner. So as we say good bye to the last days of summer I wanted to revisit just a few of the great weddings we had this summer. All of the couples were a pleasure to work with and of course each had their own unique style which we captured in the design of their decor.

Maggie & Garret

Studio 450

images courtesy of Silk Studios

Laurie & Dave

Bubby's

images courtesy of Aaron Almendral

Sandi & Rich
The Woodlands

Real Wedding: Sandi and Rich

2011-09-06T09:00:00.001-04:00

Here are some more images from Sandi and Rich's wedding a few weeks ago. I love getting shots from the couple - to see the night unfold as they did. I spoke to Sandi's mom after the wedding and she mentioned that the banquet manager commented about our use of low centerpieces. He thought it was great since so often couples go for tall designs and in the end the low worked so much better for the room, making it feel intimate and warm with the additional candlelight. Score for low centerpieces!

Summer's End

2011-08-30T09:00:00.001-04:00

Summer is winding down and we've experiecned earthquakes and hurricanes in the span of just a few days. But in the end I'll remember moments like this with juicy peaches and sandy toes.

Weekly Design: Pokeweed

2011-08-29T09:00:00.002-04:00

I love the easy look of this arrangement. I used a combo of Pokeweed, hydrangea, local lisianthus and dahlias.

How-To Tuesday: Step by step for creating an arrangement with dahlias

2011-08-23T09:00:00.003-04:00

I love this black lustre ribbed glass vase, is has approximately a 5" opening.

Local blush pink dahlias and blushing bride (a type of protea).

Green mini hosta leaves, pink spray roses and white veronica.

Succulent - love!

Clean off any of the under petals of the dahlias that may be bruised or browning.

Cut stems so that the flower is about 1 1/2 times the height of the container.

Continue to cross stems over each other as you build arrangement.

Be sure to clean any foliage off the stems that will go below the water level.

As you add different elements continue layering the stems so that you can build a foundation.

As with all hard and woody stems you want to make sure that the stem is cut on an angle to optimize the amount of water the flower can drink.

I added the hosta leaves in groups of 2 or 3 stems as a additional accent.


The succulent is secured on wooden stakes and added to the arrangement.

Of course I didn't take pictures of some of the steps - mid way through the arrangement I forgot that I was trying to document step by step and I got carried away with the design. Once you get your base elements in place you can continue to add each type of flower. I added the spray roses last and didn't use too many but wanted the additional pops of color.

The final product was lush and full but still had a loose gardeny feel. I loved all the texture in the design!

New York Botonical Garden

2011-08-22T15:03:00.002-04:00

We visited the garden this past Sunday. It was pouring when we got there but it was still beautiful. I love these shots from the lily pond especially the shot of the lotus pod and the leaves in the pond. They had captured all of the rain water and minutes after the storm with the sun beginning to shine the leaves almost seemed to pour the water from their leaves. It was beautiful.

Union Square Greenmarket: River Garden Farms

2011-08-16T09:00:00.006-04:00

I have a dirty little secret. I can sometimes be a flower snob. I don't mean to do it and I truly do love all flowers but sometimes the presentation is so lacking makes me shake my head. Until I took a quick stroll through the green market last week.
Local flowers are abundant right now and if you're in nyc you need to head to the USQ green market...let me rephrase that, you need to RUN, run to River Garden Farms.
River Garden Farms (which unfortuantely doesn't have a website that I can find) has THE most beautiful display. I had no intentions of looking but I stopped in my tracks and couldn't stop looking. SO BEAUTIFUL! So many options and the flowers were in pristine condition and the ready made bouquets were lovely. Luke from River Garden told me that they actually had already sold so much that I should check them out on Saturday when they would have a ton more. I couldn't make it back there on Saturday but I plan to very soon! And if I'm lucky I may try and schedule a visit to the farm if they will have me :)

A Family Affair Part II

2011-08-15T11:47:00.000-04:00

I'm the youngest of 5 children. Yes, that's right five. As a relatively new mom I almost can't fathom it and my mom had the first 3 in less than 3 years. I mean seriously, what were they thinking? Three girls, two boys that's the breakdown.

I love them all the same but I do have a really close relationship with my two sisters. We can't help it, if we don't speak for a few days it's just not normal. Okay, sometimes it's a few hours. We compete for each others favorite sister spot and often lie about how much fun we have when only two of us are together. My brother can't believe how quickly the news travels and gets a bit miffed sometimes when he can't be the first to break the news.

So when sister #1 found out that sister #2 was mentioned here she said something along the lines of "What?!? How come you didn't mention me? Womp wah, I'm not creative..." We're really mature as you can see.

Then she sent me this.

I love it...it remind us both of the tiger lilies that used to grow on the side of the driveway at our childhood home. Not far from the garden roses.

So you see my lovely sister Mary, you are creative and captured the beauty of this lily and a memory with one click.

Oh, but I have some bad news for you...Jean tried to outdo you and sent me this,

but I think she had an unfair advantage from a pro.

This competition may never end...

Weekly Design: Dahlias

2011-08-11T09:00:00.001-04:00

I already drooled over these dahlias but wanted to show you the finished design used for my weekly. Combined with green sedum and dusty pink andromeda the arrangement looked beautiful.

The Big Enough Company

2011-08-10T09:00:00.003-04:00

I mostly talk about the creative part of my days but there are many other aspects of running a small business that fill my days. Admittedly I would much rather "play with flowers" all day but other areas need my attention to keep growing and building my business.

Early on when I was in the beginning stages of launching Blade I went to a Ladies Who Launch event where I was lucky enough to meet Amy Abrams & Adelaide Lancaster of In Good Company. We started chatting and I was immediately interested in their business and the services they provided, they were interested in having weekly flowers in their office. A perfect combination.

As a new business owner I often struggled with finding the right place to meet with clients - a coffee shop didn't really do the trick. Enter In Good Company, the answer to my "space" needs. Little did I know at the time that there was much more to IGC than just workspace. It is a community of women business owners and entrepreneurs from all areas of business working together, sharing ideas and all the while fostering a true sense of community.

Adelaide and Amy have created something great and continue to share their knowledge and experiences to help the members of IGC and many other entrepreneurs. Their most recent venture, The Big Enough Company, is intended to help aspiring and current entrepreneurs create the business that is right for them, success the way they see it and not to be defined by another person's version of success. They interview over 100 entrepreneurs and use their stories to help illustrate these ideas.

I anxiously await my copy and you can pre-order your own here.

In business as in life you need to feel part of a community, something bigger than yourself. It is often hard not to feel isolated as a small business owner. In Good Company is one way, a BIG way, to feel a little more connected.

*** Don't forget to enter their contest to win 8 hours of EXPERT help.

A Family Affair

2011-08-09T09:00:00.004-04:00

I love when I get a text like this from my sister...

Her garden is lovely and was originally planted in part by our brother who knows EV.E.RY.TH.IN.G about plants. I mean everything. It's actually quite annoying sometimes since I think I should know a little more about things when they are still growing in the ground but once he starts speaking Latin (literally) I'm done, I can't compete.

Anyway, I love that she would send me a picture of something she did with flowers since I'm constantly boring her with all the things that I do with flowers. And if that's not enough, her mother-in-law is a floral designer and so is her next door neighbor Jeri and I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting someone.

I love this arrangement. Simple and sweet, what flowers really should be in your home.

Thanks for sharing sistah. xo

Find & Recycle your wedding decor

2011-08-09T09:00:00.001-04:00

I love the thrill of the hunt and never tire of the feeling I get when I find just what I'm looking for! I often do at 100 Layer Cake marketplace and the recycle your wedding section on Ruffled. Both sites are great resources for everything related to your wedding but particularly for finding used wedding items. I tend to browse mostly the decor section but I have seen some other fantastic finds in other categories. Before you go out and buy something new check them out. And when you are finished, post your items for sale.

Now go and score some great finds!

**While you are there be sure to check out the vendor resource guides. Here for 100 Layer Cake and here for Ruffled.

Flower Market Finds: Dinner Plate Dahlias

2011-08-08T10:33:00.004-04:00

These dahlias are BRILLiant...there is no way not to love them and awe at the size of them, they are literally the size of my face! I couldn't resist them this morning as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes during my early morning visit to the market. I told you how I love these days of local flower finds!

Flower Market Finds: Local Flowers

2011-08-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

Late July through the fall brings about a great local flower season. It's always a treat to visit the market and see the many bundles of flowers wrapped in brown paper lining the sidewalks outside some of my favorite vendors. When you see these bundles you know you are in for a great find. Today we had hydrangea, cocks comb (celosia), lady's mantle, asclepia, zinnias and dahlias. The dahlias start slowly but once they are in full swing they are readily available in amazing tones (that lend themselves to fall and jewel toned color palettes). It's great to be able to use local flowers when it's the right season to do so...and now it is.

Zinnias

Asclepia

Cocks Comb (Celosia)

Lady's Mantle, Hydrangea, Millet

Dahlias

Real Wedding: Sandi and Rich

2011-08-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

It's been a busy month and all of the July weddings are now finished. The last one this past weekend was beautiful. Sandi is the sweetest, most easy going bride and really left so much of the design up to me - she changed her color palette slightly midway through the planning but as I tell most brides it's okay to change the color as long as we have enough time to make any adjustments.

Sandi went with a simple mix of soft pinks and greens. She opted for low, lush, multiple arrangements and on the long oval tables at The Woodlands in Woodbury, NY.

We don't have the professional shots yet but here is a glimpse of some of the details.

HUGE thank you to my friend and fellow designer Jenn of Fiore for letting me take over her studio for the day and for helping me out with the wedding. She's the best!

We created the design for the place cards on the piano and covered the entire surface with moss, fern and accents of calla lilies and cymbidium orchids. The cards didn't rest completely even on the moss but I actually like the slightly imperfect look of the table. It was the perfect welcome as guests made their way to the main ballroom.

Different levels and the addition of moss pebbles and spheres created dimension to our little moss forest.

Friends with benefits

2011-08-02T09:00:00.001-04:00

Not the kind of benefits Justin Timberlake is all about right now but real benefits that come from having friends "in the biz". One of my dearest friends recently got engaged and I'm thrilled for him and his fiance. I couldn't be happier for the two of them but it started me thinking.

I've designed the flowers for a few friends' weddings already as well as for my sister. Some were a little hectic because I was also a bridesmaid but for the most part it went smoothly and I loved being a part of their day in such a special way.

I love to help my friends. I have no idea what this particular friend has planned for his wedding (they just got engaged) but I did put it out there that I'm here if they want the help but they don't need to feel compelled to take me up on my offer or have me design the flowers (gasp!). On a side note, if I don't design the flowers please tell the other guests not to ask me what I think of the centerpieces, I start to blush and stutter while quickly thinking of the appropriate response, it can be a teensy bit awkward.

So I'm wondering how people feel in general about using friends/families to help create their wedding. Do you look to the people you know in the wedding industry - designers, photographers, bakers, etc. for help or do you prefer to go it alone?

Weekly Designs: Anthurium Previa

2011-08-01T09:00:00.002-04:00

I think that anthurium are generally an underrated flower. Maybe it has to do with the cheapo fake ones you see in artificial designs, ugly! Or that some people refer to them as the "Boy Flower" because of their appearance...ahem, I don't think I need to elaborate.

Whatever the reason they are beautiful, particularly the variety I used in this design. Anthurium previa is a pure lavender with medium sized flower. What most people may not realize is the range of colors available, from pure white to variations of green onto deep reds and burgundy. Anthurium could certainly be added to the list of flowers to use for summer weddings or anytime you want a more tropical look for the design.

I paired the anthurium with an arrangement of these deep magenta/purple calla lilies in a vase lined with monstera leaves. How stunning are these callas?

Craspedia

2011-07-28T09:00:00.001-04:00

After you have been surrounded by flowers for over a decade (yikes!! that makes me feel old) I suppose it's possible to become a little indifferent to how beautiful certain flowers are and how even a flower can become a trend. I've always been a huge fan of textural & funky elements, and I use them as often as possible in my designs. Craspedia is one of these and has been popping up all over the place in design inspiration and I'm loving it! It's been happening for awhile now, probably even a couple years since yellow and gray became a popular wedding color palette. Whenever it started or however long it lasts I think it's great and wanted to do a round up of some of my favorite looks. These little yellow guys or "Billy Balls" as they are sometimes referred to are whimsical, fun and add the perfect little touch to many designs.

We recently used them in Laurie and Dave's wedding and for our table design here, here and here.

Flower Magazine had this post recently - simple and easy to replicate.

I love this DIY project from Design Sponge, I haven't tried it yet but I will.

Real Wedding: Oana and Jason

2011-07-18T11:52:00.004-04:00

The wedding on Saturday at the beautiful Skyline Studios (located in the same building as Tribeca Rooftop) was great. The bride, Oana, was amazing to work with and she stayed true to what she wanted for the design of the tables. She was always open to my ideas and suggestions and together we designed a beautiful look for the tables. I love the final outcome and here is just a glimpse...

The detail of the linens and the use of the acrylic ghost chairs added so much to the overall look of the space, more details about the designs and images to come. Stay tuned!

Real Wedding: Laurie and Dave

2011-07-11T11:01:00.007-04:00

I loved the idea of a vintage/retro picnic from the minute I meet Laurie and Dave. We threw around a bunch of ideas and ultimately came up with some simple touches that created a great look without being overwhelmingly kitschy. It was definitely a collaborative effort with Laurie and Dave sourcing the Thermos', vintage radio and camera and Laurie's Mom sewing the gingham runners.

I was very happy with the result and so were Laurie and Dave...yay!

Real Wedding: Maggie & Garrett

2011-07-07T14:31:00.004-04:00

It was a prefect summer day for Maggie & Garrett's wedding at Studio 450 this past weekend. The ceremony took place on the rooftop followed by a cocktail style reception downstairs. The vibrant tones of pink and orange popped against the ultra white backdrop of the space. More detailed pictures (I should say professional!) to come along with a look at the personal flowers carried by Maggie and her bridesmaids.

Same Sex Marriage passes in New York

2011-06-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

The first thing I said when I heard the news was "Finally!".

I honestly have never been able to see the other point of view on this issue. Without getting either political or religious here, I really have tried to be able to see why some have such strong feelings against same sex marriage.

Why shouldn't two people who are in a committed, loving relationship have the right to marriage, have it legally recognized and share in the same rights as any heterosexual couple?

Well now they can...at least in New York and five other states. I'm so thrilled and look forward to working with even more couples celebrate their love.

Flower Market Finds: Hydrangea

2011-06-29T11:24:00.005-04:00

I visited the flower market today to prep for a wedding this weekend and one of my oldest and dearest friends joined me to pick up some blooms for her birthday soiree tonight. She chose pink. She loves pink. She picked up some bubble gum pink hydrangea and Sarah Bernhardt peonies, probably some of the very last of the season, lucky girl.

sarah bernhardt peony

She commented on how fabulous the hydrangeas are and how the variations of color are so amazing. I agreed and told her that the pH content of the soil will determine the color. There are many resources to learn more about adjusting the color of your own hydrangea plants and while I would love to cultivate my own unfortunately my apartment in the city doesn't allow for it, sigh.

Until then I will depend on the growers of the cut hydrangea I often use to capture the beauty of the shades. Along with the usual pink, blue and purple hues that are common to this part of the country there are amazing shades of green and red as well as many combinations of all these colors.

Hydrangeas are versatile used in arrangements and lend themselves to more lush, romantic, and feminine designs. They are great combined with other blooms and perfect on their own. Luckily they have become a readily available bloom for most of the year, imported from Holland in the spring through the fall, grown locally in the summer months and imported from New Zealand during the winter months. South America, specifically Ecuador, grow a few varieties all year including white, pink, purple and blue with head sizes ranging from average to jumbo.

Happy Birthday to my dear friend Sheila and I hope that you continue to enjoy life and take some time to stop and smell the hydrangea.

all images by Anne

Wedding Wednesday: Translating your ideas into reality for your wedding flowers

2011-06-29T09:00:00.004-04:00

I've met with many couples over the last 11 years or so. The consultation process is pretty straightforward as far as how the actual process works but the intricacies of learning what a couple is really looking for is another story.

I've mentioned bringing inspiration...ideas to help the designer know you and the style of the wedding. Think about words you can use to describe your vision. This isn't always easy and some are more visual than others but as designers it's our job to envision so when given some key words we are usually pretty good at pinpointing your ideas. This process can be subjective and interpretations can vary a bit but when you find the right designer they should be able to articulate your vision.

Adjectives are key here and you should use as many as you can think of to help convey your ideas.

Styles would include modern, minimal, contemporary (I think there is a difference between modern and contemporary) traditional or eclectic.

Romantic, feminine, lush, loose or wild would be in contrast to masculine, funky, textural, architectural or stylized.

An example would be if you like the idea of this arrangement,

you might use words like feminine, lush, romantic, slightly traditional with a modern touch.

For this design,

use words like funky, textural, more masculine including non-floral elements to describe what you are looking for.

And finally for this type of look,

you would choose words like sleek & modern with clean lines and repetition.

Obviously pictures are a great tool and resource to convey your ideas but you also want to be able to tell the designer why you like the picture. I always encourage couples to tell me the things they don't like as well, this can be equally as helpful into giving insight when designing the right look for you.

The Consultation Process

2011-06-23T09:00:00.002-04:00

So you're engaged and have finally set the date! Now what? Choosing vendors is a daunting process and the consultation processes vary, here is an outline of how I approach a consultation with client.

Initial conversation, whether it be through email or phone I discuss the basics of the wedding. Date, venue, approximate size and their initial thoughts for the decor. I also discuss budget. There are different schools of thought regarding this topic but I feel strongly that it's fair to everyone to have an open discussion. You may find that your original expectations are not realistic. This is most likely your first time planning a wedding while the professional you are speaking to has created 100's of designs at many different budget levels. Be honest and true to what you are looking for when discussing the budget.

Once we chat a bit we schedule a meeting to go over my portfolio. Bring inspiration material with you to the meeting, it can be anything from invitations to dress swatches. It's important to give an idea of the overall feel of the wedding and your own personal style which will help in
designing a unique look.

Following the meeting I will create a proposal. It will include a creative description and itemized list of costs for all of the elements of the wedding. Once the client reviews the proposal I will answer any general questions and create a revision if necessary.

Once contract is signed and deposit received, I require 50% at the time the contract is signed, I continue to have an open dialogue with the client (most often through email). We may schedule another meeting or two which could include a trip to the flower market. After one or two follow up meetings we don't usually meet again except perhaps for a final walk through. (Larger or more detailed weddings with more variables may require more meetings.)

I provide sample centerpieces/table set-up at no charge if the client has already signed on. Prior to signing the contract I charge for a sample but will deduct the cost of the sample from the proposal when the client decides to move forward. It is reasonable to expect a sample of the main centerpiece but not necessarily all of the other elements of the decor. If you anticipate wanting to see samples of your personal flowers and/or other arrangements you should expect to pay for some of these additional samples.

This an outline of my approach but of course there are always exceptions to the rules and as I've said before I don't like to think of there being any rules when planning your wedding. Ask all of your vendors about their process and the best way to for you to communicate and facilitate the process so that it feels right to you.

Hamptons Wedding
Photo by fmphotos.com Susan Baker
"Just Married" sign by Blade

She loves me, she loves me not...

2011-06-22T09:00:00.001-04:00

Oh I definitely love you.

How-To Tuesday: Easy at-home floral centerpiece idea

2011-06-21T09:00:00.002-04:00

My parents recently came to visit and while I was getting the house ready I realized that I didn't have any flowers. Of course this is not a requirement but sometimes I do feel a little pressure to have some fresh cut flowers when people visit.

I had just brought three small fern plants home from the market a week or so ago. They are simple, mini plants in terra cotta pots and so easy to care for, I love having a little green life around the apartment.

Before my parents arrived I ran out to the bodega and grabbed two bunches of cosmos (for only $6 a bunch). They looked fresh and colorful...perfect for a few bud vases. When I got home and put them in the mismatched vases I thought how sweet they looked nestled around the mini fern plants. Everything rested on a recently used (and borrowed) cake stand and looked great in the middle of the table.

My brother joined us for dinner and brought a few clippings of his garden roses, which just happen to be my mother's rose bushes that have made their way around the tri-state area. Originally planted outside her childhood home in the Bronx they were transplanted to our home on Long Island, then moved to New Jersey and Pennsylvania until they made their way to my brother's first home on Staten Island and now continue to bloom at his second home just around on the corner from the first.

Garden roses aren't always the strongest but they are beautiful and of course these have sentimental value so I added these to the group and now thought it was perfect!

It doesn't take a lot of flowers or very expensive ones to create a nice centerpiece for a casual get together. Use whatever vases you have on hand (the roses ended up going in a tall blue glass) and don't be afraid to incorporate small plants you may already have at home.

WAFA Flower Show in Boston

2011-06-20T10:29:00.006-04:00

I went to the World Flower Show last week in Boston. I wasn't sure what to expect and I was SO pleasantly surprised to see all the amazing and beautiful designs. This was the first time the show was in the US and I for one hope that it comes back again soon.

The theme this year was the Glorious Earth and there were 30 different class categories. Wind, Magic, Space, Sunset and X-Ray were some of the classes. All of the entries were amazingly beautiful, true works of art and so inspiring. I love seeing each individuals interpretation of the themes and had some fun trying to figure out what I would do in each category...actually maybe I will come up with my own interpretation and share them with you in the coming weeks.

In the meantime here are just a few (and I mean a few...there were too many amazing designs to capture). Please know that my photography does not do justice to these beautiful designs!

Glass Class by Tasha Tobin of the United States

Space Class by Trish Carter of South Africa

Sunset Class by Jean Warren of the United Kingdom

Surprise Class (incorporating an everyday object, here she used sponges) by Mary C. O'Keefe of Ireland

There were representations of the countries involved as well, I'm not sure the name of each designer, perhaps it was a collaborative effort.

United States of America

South Africa

Belgium

Jamaica

Kenya

Switzerland

Wedding Wednesday: Summer Wedding Flowers

2011-06-08T09:00:00.004-04:00

After a few days of very hot and humid weather here in the city I started thinking of those summer weddings when it's just SO hot and sticky. Not only do you sweat and melt in the hot sun but the flowers you choose can wilt and burn under the sun too!

This is something to consider when choosing the style and design of the bouquets and centerpieces for your wedding as well as the flowers that you will use. This isn't only a concern for outdoor weddings but also for personal flowers including bouquets and boutonnieres that need to hold up in the heat. You definitely don't want wilting flowers in your pictures. [You may want to consider having two bouquets so you have a back-up.]

Tropical flowers are one of the best options for warm weather. Since they naturally come from warm weather climates they can withstand heat and humidity. There are endless varieties of orchids; cymbidiums, phaleonopsis, cattelaya and dendrobium just to name a few. Along with the flowers there are many tropical greens that would be perfect for a wedding. Amazing philadendron leaves, steel grass and monstera leaves are great as accents to the flowers or on their own. Pin cushion protea, lotus pods, air plants and succulents are alternative ideas that would be great for elements of texture.

For something a little more casual would be the abundant wild flowers that are available throughout the summer. While these won't work in every venue or for a more formal wedding they are perfect for an outdoor or more casual feeling. Sunflowers, campanula, zinnias, ferns, queen anne's lace, aster, mums and grasses are all good options.

One table, two designs: Masculine vs. Feminine

2011-06-07T09:00:00.002-04:00

In these last two designs for the Tablescape Challenge we kept the same art deco paper for the table runner as we used for the calla set-up but used the bright yellow flowers paired with some simple silver vases we picked up at Ikea.

The first version of this design is much more structured and architectural in design. I used only one type of flower in the two taller vases and then grouped the lotus pods and craspedia in the low vase. I would say this look has a more masculine and minimal feel in comparison to the second version.

In the second version of the same design we eliminated the calla lilies and added amazing two toned ranunculus. I'm not usually one for two toned flowers but these were beyond beautiful. The addition of the low vase filled with feminine and lush ranunculus as well as a few additional bud vases brought the design in a completely different direction.

You can see that with just a few tweaks and changes you can really make a difference in the overall look of the table. When designing your own table, whether it be for your wedding or a dinner party at home, play around with different combination of vases and flowers.

All photos courtesy of the lovely Sara Wasilausky.

Vintage and Rustic Weddings

2011-06-02T09:00:00.004-04:00

I had a draft for this post sitting around for awhile now and for one reason or another I hadn't gotten around to finishing it. Yesterday, while following tweets from engage!11 in San Diego I was intrigued to see that Abby Larson from Style Me Pretty tweeted "Brides still love vintage but editors would love other wedding submissions. Bring on the ballrooms".

It was refreshing to know that I wasn't alone in my thinking. I LOVE vintage and rustic looks, don't get me wrong but I also love the look of modern and classic weddings too. Somehow it doesn't seem as real to me that so many couples are going after one look. I'm working with a few couples right now that are going with a vintage and more rustic inspired feel for their wedding but it definitely suits them and the venue that they are using for the reception.

I'm also working with another couple who is much more traditional in their personal style and are getting married in a church and having their reception in a classically designed ballroom in a historical landmark building. They are looking for a combination of contemporary and traditional designs, what I would consider "classic contemporary". Elegant and romantic with some traditional elements but a new take on the classic look.

I think that's the most important thing to keep in mind. The ceremony space and reception venue should play a role in the style of decor that you choose. Be true to yourself and your own personal style but keep these other factors in mind and you will be sure to have the perfect look for your wedding.

Remember, while everyone is busy trying to be different things can begin to look the same. Do what you love and what feels right to you.

Art Deco Calla Lilies

2011-05-26T10:00:00.000-04:00

Here is the third table set-up we did for the Tablescape Challenge. This was ultra chic and so simple. There is no vase for the flowers and while it might not seem to be the most practical thing there are some flowers that can withstand being out of water for a certain length of time. This is not something that could be set-up hours before an event but for an intimate gathering or dinner party at home this would be perfect. Take a chance and try something a little bit different, you may be really surprised with the results. We definitely were!

Again, Sara of Sara Wasilausky Studio did an amazing job of capturing the look although it posed some challenges since it was such a low and flat design.

Beakers and Bubbles

2011-05-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

This is one of the designs we created for the Tablescape Challenge. Something about the beakers brought me back to high school chemistry class and the paper we used as a table covering made me think of bubbles after too long on a Bunsen burner...or better yet maybe a nice glass of champagne...either way I love it.

You can see how some of the same flowers can take on a completely different when paired with different accents.

I love using decorative paper as a table runner, it adds another texture and the mood can be totally transformed based on the style and design of the paper. Ironically the same idea was recently mentioned on Martha Stewart as the craft of the week.

I love this look...I can't even pinpoint what it is but it just reminds me of a fun, bright sunny day, a perfect brunch with a few good friends.

It could also be the way that Sara Wasilausky shot the table that makes it look so inviting.

Behind the scenes: Shopping for flowers

2011-05-24T09:00:00.001-04:00

Back in April we took part in the Modern Tablescape Challenge over at Brooklyn Bride. While this end up being the final submission we did have a few designs that we played around with before choosing. I'll post those over the next few days but today I thought I would give you a little peek into the behind the scenes process of shopping for the flowers.
Sara Wasilausky was my teammate on the challenge and took some beautiful images of everything.

A view of the flower market early Saturday morning.

Vibrant pin cushion protea - we ended up choosing the yellow variety.

Thought about using this amazing palm leaf as a vessel but decided to go in another direction. Pretty common to start with one idea in mind and then be swayed in another direction by all the amazing options to choose from.

Rows and rows of tulips, hyacinth, ranunculus and other seasonal beauties.

Here I am choosing the final bunch of pin cushions.

These amazing open cut white calla lilies are not always available so I couldn't resist grabbing some for at least one of the table set-ups. My hands are also full with craspedia and waxflower as I make the final choices.

Nicky from Associated Cut Flowers and I catch up on the happenings in the market and new flower arrivals as he writes up our invoice.

Just another day for Fat Cat at Gpage.

A visit to the flower market can really give you a new perspective on your original design and help you better define the direction it will take. It's a great experience and I always welcome couples to take a trip with me to explore all the options available for their wedding flowers.

Stay tuned for our other table set-up options that we didn't end up using for the challenge.

Weekly Design: Orinthogalum Aribicum

2011-05-23T10:00:00.000-04:00

This week's design is pretty simple and concentrates on striking elements and texture. The tall arrangement is designed using Orinthogalum and accented with aspidistra leaves. I love the delicate white petals of the Orinthogalum in contrast to their black center.

This low arrangement is designed using a variety of different textures along with a softer accent of hydrangea. I have to be honest the minute I saw these flowers I loved them...different kinds of brunia and berzelia. I'm not sure of the exact names but generally they are from South Africa and New Zealand. I love all the varieties and the subtle tones of color in them.

Dealing with vendors and knowing what you want

2011-05-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

I think most would agree that choosing the vendors for your wedding is so critical and can make or break the experience of planning your wedding. I've said before that choosing a designer is so important and you will be so happy when you've made the right choice. But once you have made the decision about who to work with will it be smooth sailing through the entire process? I would like to think so.

Something occurred to me recently while meeting with a bride & groom. While I'm considered the "expert" when it comes to the design and decor, it is still their wedding. I think it's so important to keep that in mind and for us, as vendors, to be reminded of it once in awhile.

I think its worth bringing up the subject to remind couples that while planning your wedding you will be told over and over again what you should do, what will look best etc but in the end you should feel that you have control over the final decisions.

Your vendors should definitely offer you their opinion and guidance based on their experience (it's the reason you hired them in the first place!) but you should never feel strong armed into doing or not doing something because they said so. Let them know what you like, why you like it and why it's important for you to include in the wedding...then allow them to use their skill to make it work.

If they are the "expert" then they should be able to include most of your requests and ideas seamlessly. And of course I say all of this with the assumption that we are talking about requests that are within the realm of reasonable possibility.

So in the end, know what you want and make sure you love what you are getting while at the same time trusting in your vendors and knowing that they always have your best interest in mind.

Wedding Wednesday: Escort Card Table Ideas

2011-05-18T13:15:00.001-04:00

The escort card table can be a main decor element for a wedding. Depending on the exact set-up of the venue (and whether or not the ceremony and reception are in the same place) it can be the first thing guests see as the enter. It's a place to start to tell the story, if you plan on having a cohesive "theme" throughout the details of the wedding. And even if you don't plan on having any particular theme it's a nice place to make an impression. Most importantly it needs to be functional, visible and in my opinion beautiful and welcoming. This can mean different things to different people and I've gathered up some that I've done. There are so many different ideas to try and I encourage you to be creative!

Flower Market Finds: Total Beauty

2011-05-18T13:15:00.000-04:00

I hadn't planned on writing a Flower Market Finds post today but I just have to because I saw so many beautiful things this morning. Waking up at 4:45am isn't always easy but when I walked into GPage I was taken aback by all the great flowers today. So many shipments come in on Wednesday (especially from Holland) but it doesn't always strike me the same way. I guess that's why I still love what I do...I'm amazed when I see all the choices even when I'm still rubbing the sleep from my eyes on a rainy, dreary Wednesday morning.
Here are just a few of the things I loved...

Peony Bartzella - has to be one of my all time favorites, even the foliage is beautiful.

Buckets and buckets of "Early Scout" peonies.

One the left, believe it or not these are roses...can't remember name right now but oh so fabulous! (I'll post the name asap)
And that wall of about 10 different varieties of hydrangea? Beyond gorgeous!

It may be a rainy and dreary day but a quick trip to the market certainly started my day off right!

Enjoy yours!!

*Wedding Wednesday will be posted a little later today.

Weekly Designs: Tropical Greens

2011-05-16T09:00:00.002-04:00

the design for this is week is a more tropical look including philadendron leaves, both green lily and steel grass and a few stems of green cymbidium orchids. i love the way the leaves and grass have their own natural movement creating their own shape for the arrangement.

Wedding Wednesday: Low vs. High Centerpieces

2011-05-11T09:00:00.006-04:00

The age old question that comes with a lot of opinions and strong feelings from both sides, "Should I have low or high centerpieces for my wedding?". As I said in my post about bouquets, it's completely up to you what you choose but I will offer some pros and cons to both ideas.

Let's start with the first argument against tall centerpieces. "I can't talk to someone across the table if there is a tall centerpiece." Well the truth is you can't really have an intimate conversation with someone who is sitting 5 sometimes 6 feet away from you, especially over the sound of a band or dj nearby. Now, while my first statement is true you don't want to completely block the view of any of your guests. So if you choose to use a tall (or "tallish") centerpiece keep in mind that you want the bulk of the design to at least be above the sight line of your guests while sitting at the tables (about 18" or above). And make sure that whatever is in their sight line is not too obtrusive, ie., a narrow footprint or at the very least transparent container or vase.

Now with the argument for tall centerpieces. "The ceilings are so high I want to fill up the space." Okay, this is a true statement (sort of). Unless you are considering hanging things from the ceiling or having massive centerpieces (refer to first argument against tall centerpieces) you will most likely not fill up the space of many of the vaulted ceilings in ballrooms/lofts and other types of venues by using a tall tabletop centerpiece.

The key thing to keep in mind is that you want to create a look that will allow the eye to wander throughout the space without it feeling too stagnant one way or the other. With all tall centerpieces you have a great impact as guests first enter but then it may feel a bit uninteresting if there is nothing left to discover as they take their seats.

This leads to the argument for low centerpieces. By using low centerpieces you can create a more intimate feeling for your guests. I often have couples wanting to recreate the feeling of an intimate dinner party in their home - even if it happens to be for 300 of their closest friends and family. With the design of a low centerpiece you can still incorporate varied heights of candlelight etc. without blocking any views.

In the end I think a combination of both low and high centerpieces can create the best look. It gives a more interesting look for the entire space, allowing for the initial impact as your guests first enter the space and continuing as they sit and enjoy dinner.

Most couples don't need to be talked into using low centerpieces, in general that's what they have in mind when the come to meet with me. Tall centerpieces seem to have a bad rap as being too traditional or "contrived" looking. Above all else I think you need to go with your gut reaction to something but keep in mind that there are some great, innovative designs that can be considered "tall" and you might missing out if you dismiss the idea too quickly.

Happy Birthday My Sweet Boy

2011-05-10T09:00:00.001-04:00

It's here and I can hardly believe it. While I don't usually get too personal here on my blog I just can't let today pass without saying an official Happy Birthday to my sweet boy who turns ONE today. Everyone says it but you can never truly know how much you can love another little person until the day you are blessed with a child.

I'm smitten and have been since the day he arrived a year ago (and even before that, through my entire pregnancy). I can't believe how fast time flies.

You've changed my life and I look forward to watching you continue to change and grow, my sweet little boy, Max.

xoxo

Weekly Designs: Bright Yellows

2011-05-09T09:00:00.001-04:00

i want to share some of the designs i create for my corporate accounts. the challenge from week to week is to keep it looking new and fresh, using seasonal flowers and making sure you choose elements that will last for the entire week.

this particular week i used bright yellow iris, green steel grass, skyline roses and japonica leaves.

Mother's Day: Then and Now

2011-05-06T09:00:00.002-04:00

mother's day has been celebrated in different ways for centuries. as time passed it became a more and more commercialized holiday filled with gifts, candy and of course flowers. while ideally we would show this type of appreciation for mothers everywhere any day of the year, it is nice that we dedicate one special Sunday in May for our moms.

for me, mother's day has changed in it's significance over the years. having lost my mother when i was 11 i spent many years thinking of mother's day as a sad day. but as the years passed it became more of a happy day to remember the times i shared with my mother.

when i started in the flower business mother's day took on a whole new significance as being a busy day filling orders and brought with it a welcome change of perspective.

this year mother's day has changed it's significance yet again...since now i'm one of those mother's that will be celebrated. and as i spend the day with my son (who will turn 1 just two days later) i will think of my own mother and smile.

THEN - me and my mother circa 1977ish

NOW - me and my son

Happy Mother's Day!

My toolbox: Tools for creating a flower arrangement, part 2

2011-05-05T09:00:00.001-04:00

a couple of weeks ago i talked about the basic tools i keep in my toolbox and today i wanted to show you a few more. they are not necessarily tools but they are great in helping you arrange your flowers. it doesn't matter if you are buying your flowers from a high end floral shop or your local grocery store these things will help you do things a little better.

of everything pictured here I would say that the covered wire is the most versatile and useful. it can be functional, decorative or both. you may be able to find some in color as well. the stem wrap to the right of the covered wire is perfect for strengthening delicate stems that might otherwise break or bend in your arrangement. continuing clockwise, the clear Oasis tape is one thing that a beginner floral designer should definitely consider using. It allows you to create a grid on any vase or container that helps so much in creating the base foundation for your arrangement. the green Oasis tape is typically used for larger arrangements that may have branches or heavier flowers to create the same type of grid but most often it is used to secure floral foam to a container. you can find most of these at Michaels or here at one of my go to sources for supplies here in nyc.

Wedding Wednesday: Candlelight options

2011-05-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

candles, candles and more candles. if you are looking to create a romantic and warm atmosphere for your wedding then you'll want candles and lots of them! there are so many different options and we'll just scratch the surface here but i wanted to share some of my favorites. be creative and use them in all areas, ceremony, cocktail hour & reception.
and the best part is...everyone looks good in candlelight so even your guests will thank you.

Floating candles

Votive candles

Pillar candles

Flower Market Finds: Peonies

2011-05-02T13:58:00.005-04:00

peonies are in full swing in the flower market and i never get tired of seeing them. there are so many beautiful varieties with colors range from white and soft blush pinks to deep hot pinks and rich burgundy tones - it's impossible to choose a favorite. the petals seem to be never ending and they are one of the most romantic and feminine flowers. they are perfect for lush and full centerpieces but a single stem can easily be used to create a striking look. however you choose to use them be sure to enjoy a few at home at least once during their rather short season!

Vase Roundup

2011-04-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

i love finding beautiful, affordable vases. here are a few i've seen lately that i think are great. i love using vases at home that have different colors, shapes and textures that look great even when empty...although who would ever let that happen!

glass bubble collection from West Elm

clear and opal collection from West Elm

salong collection from Ikea

laboratory flower vases from Urban Outfitters

rose of sharon vase from Anthropologie

Wedding Wedensday: Choosing a bouquet

2011-04-27T09:00:00.009-04:00

i'll be starting a new series called Wedding Wednesday for all things wedding related. we'll discuss how to choose flowers for your wedding, decor options ranging from candlelight to escort card table designs and discussions of all the other do's and don'ts when it comes to creating the perfect look for your wedding. i'm not sure i believe that there are any "don'ts"... it's more about doing what you want rather than what you think you should do.

today the focus is bouquets. there are so many options and i've talked about them before here, here and here.

but how do you choose??? is it by season, color, budget? do you match your bouquet to the rest of the design of the wedding? should you and your attendants carry the same thing or different colors?

here's my answer...you can do anything you want. helpful right? seriously, you should choose your bouquet with the same intentions that you chose everything else that you will be "wearing". your bouquet (maybe more than any of the other flowers) will be in most of the pictures from the day so you should love it...you should work with your designer to choose a design, color and feeling that will truly represent your wedding style.

sometimes a client will come to me with a picture of exactly what they want or at least what they think they want. some may end up with that bouquet while for others its a process of discovering that often what they thought was perfect is in reality perfect for someone else.

this goes back to choosing a designer who can understand you and your style.

here are a few things to keep in mind when designing your bouquet:

consider the dresses, suits, the shapes, style, fabric and the embellishments. do you want to enhance these things or carry something that will be simple and subtle in comparison?
do you want something feminine & romantic or sleek & modern?
think about what size you want the bouquet to be, over sized full & lush or something smaller like a petite nosegay.
is there any flower that you MUST have included in the bouquet? then you need to think about season...i can't tell you how many dreams i've crushed when i had to tell them that peonies are not available in the fall.
you do not need to match your decor or the attendants. everything can coordinate but certainly doesn't need to be the same. this is especially true if the ceremony and reception are at separate venues.

keep these things in mind and you are sure to design a bouquet that you love and while you're at it enjoy the process, choosing the flowers should be fun!!

How-To Tuesday: Flower care, keeping cut flowers fresh

2011-04-26T09:00:00.001-04:00

before i began working with flowers i was just as confused as anyone on how to make my flowers last the longest and how i could possibly avoid that stinky smell that often comes with emptying a week (or two) old vase of flowers...there is nothing quite like it. well there are a few things that come close but i'm won't go there.

you've probably heard of all of the "tricks", an aspirin, a penny, vinegar and of course the packet of white powder that comes with some fresh cut flowers. ever wonder why these work? the goal of all of these things is to reduce the bacteria growth in the water, here's how:

copper is a natural fungicide and therefore helps prevent the growth of too many yeasts or funghi.
aspirin is also an acid which will kill bacteria overgrowth.
lemon juice or vinegar also work as a natural bacteria killer (you only need one or two tablespoons).

the truth is while all of these things work, the best thing to do is completely change the water and give the stems a fresh cut. even better you would wash the vase too. sometimes it can be difficult to change the water in a more complicated arrangement so in this case simply let the water overflow and flush out the old water, this is still better than not changing the water at all.

a note on water temperature, keep it lukewarm to cool. this is best for most stem types but i will get more specific about this soon.

if you do any one or a combination of this tricks you will be able to enjoy your flowers for a few more "stink-free" days.

Brooklyn Bride: Modern Tablescape Challenge

2011-04-21T08:03:00.009-04:00

i knew i wanted to enter the tablescape challenge over at brooklyn bride the minute i saw the post. i worked with sara wasilausky who photographed the table and helped me with the design. we had a great time since there were no requirements other than it needed to be modern. it's such a great feeling to have the freedom to design something with only one prerequisite. of course we kept it within reason in terms of budget and realistic so that someone else could actually recreate something similar themselves. in the end we tried a few different ideas and this was the one that worked for submission.

i'll share some of our other ideas in the coming days along with a behind the scenes look at the process.

Spring Wedding Flowers

2011-04-20T09:00:00.002-04:00

having a spring wedding? most likely you've already chosen the flowers you will be using but if not here are some great options.

tulips - there are endless varieties of tulips and sometimes i feel like they are constantly growing new ones. don't think about your average single tulips (meaning single layer of petals) that you find at the grocery store or deli. consider special varieties of fringe, pencil, double or parrot varieties.

hyacinth - they are known for the fragrance and often considered an Easter flower but can be so beautiful when using one type of flower in an arrangement.

cherry blossom branches - oh, how everyone loves cherry blossom!!! it's a crushing blow to brides when i have to tell them that the only time that they can get cherry is for a few weeks every spring. the white cherry starts and ends earlier than the pink which is usually available from late March until early to mid-May. The timing can fluctuate a bit based on weather and market region.

peonies - another all time favorite of brides everywhere! the timing of peonies is greatly dependent on season but you will find that if budget is not a concern the season for peonies is greatly increased. with importing from all of over the world commonplace in larger markets you will be able to have peonies in January from places like New Zealand since our seasons are opposite. locally peonies start slowly in mid to late March and last well into June (sometimes July depending on the weather).

any of these options are the perfect addition to a Spring wedding but keep in mind there are many more options to choose from and to combine these flowers with...lilacs, viburnum and hydrangea are just a few. here are some great examples of designs using a mix of spring flowers.

purple hyacinth with calethea leaves

white peonies, blue hydrangea and lemon lime cymbidium orchids

purple lilac, sarah bernard peonies and amnesia roses

My toolbox: Tools for creating a flower arrangement

2011-04-19T08:55:00.006-04:00

Whenever I teach a floral design class one of the first questions I'm asked is what tools to use for designing flowers at home and where to get them.
Let's start with the what. Truth be told a paring knife you would find in most kitchens is perfect for cutting flowers...the trick is learning how to cut them (we'll talk more about that in the coming weeks.) Scissors can sometimes be okay and I stress sometimes. They can do more harm then good in lengthening the life span of your flowers. There are plenty other great uses for them that's why I've still included them here.

Here's a glimpse what I use everyday...and if you could see them a little closer up you would see all the wear and tear on those clippers!!! One thick branch or occasional snip of wire (not a good idea) and they are never quite the same. Anyway, the clippers or pruners are the best, easy to use and totally functional. They can be used on any stem type and the learning curve to create a good cut is small. This particular brand, ARS can be a little hard to find but I get mine here. There are other great options by Felco.
The orange handled scissors are Fiskars and are mostly used for ribbons and fabric. (I refer to them solely as my orange handled scissors because that is what my mother would call them when she was yelling after her 5 children wondering who was using them on something other than fabric!!! She was a passionate woman...especially when it came to her sewing.)
The knives are key to any great floral designers toolbox and I would say are the most often used tool by professionals. I still remember learning to use a knife properly...it does take some getting used to but the cut of a knife is superior to any other cut and will definitely work on soft delicate stems but is key to cutting hard woody stems to make sure that the flowers get enough to drink. More to come on this...
The final tool in the box are the Claus scissors. These are a super multi-purpose tool and they have an endless amount of uses and the great news is that unlike the "orange handled scissors" they won't damage easily. While I bought my in the flower market I did a quick search online and found them on ShopScissors.com and they actually have some great options for everything I've talked about.
Those are the basics. I'll talk more about the uses of everything in the weeks to come but in the meantime you can build the perfect toolbox and start creating.

This Little Piggy Goes to the Market

2011-03-24T08:00:00.002-04:00

after more than 10 years of visiting the flower market (often at the wee hours of the morning) you begin to look at some of the people there as a second family. an interesting, eclectic mix of people who begin their day at an hour when most people are either still sleeping or finishing up the night before.
so as my family grew to include this little guy we often make the early morning trip together. he loves it even though he is shying away from the camera here he spends most of his time flirting with anyone who will have him.
it makes those early mornings surrounded by beautiful flowers just a little more beautiful.

Spring has sprung?!?!!?

2011-03-23T10:14:00.006-04:00

it's hard to believe that it's officially spring with this weather we are having in nyc, but the spring blooms are abundant in the flower market and i just thought i would share a few that i saw and thought were stunners.

these ranunculus are the softest, most subtle shade of pink they almost look like they have been dusted with powder. the petals go on forever and are perfect alone or mixed with something equally as beautiful and sweet.

i never tire of seeing poppies...mainly because they have a limited season and working with them can be a challenge. there is a trick to getting them to open and show their true brilliance and it takes some patience to allow it to happen naturally...once they are open there is a limited time to enjoy.

ah tulips, there are so many amazing and unique varieties that it's hard to choose a favorite. and while typically i go for double or fringe tulips as my favorites i do love the simplicity of these ronaldo tulips...the deep purple color of these makes them a winner!

Brides New York

2011-03-14T12:39:00.004-04:00

i've already told you how much i loved working with Nyssa and Chris and how beautiful their wedding turned out to be - in every way, not just the flowers. i wasn't the only one who thought so..Bride's New York featured their wedding in their Spring/Summer issue on newsstands now.

the wedding was truly beautiful and the photos by Carlos Andres Varela are breathtaking. the day went off without a hitch, due in large part to the seamless coordination provided by Roey Mizrahi...she makes it look effortless. i was thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful day that celebrated such a wonderful couple.

Beyond the red rose for Valentine's Day!

2011-02-07T09:00:00.012-05:00

when considering flowers for valentine's day i always urge people to think beyond red roses. they can be beautiful when designed in a more creative way however i think that valentine's day is the last time of year when i would like to receive them.
there are SO many beautiful flower options and color combinations that can work and still feel "oh so romantic". think deep rich jewel tones, combinations of red, purple and burgundy, elegant white/ivory designs and there is nothing wrong with vibrant mixes of color to brighten someones day.
here are a few ideas that are sure to please.

so choose something that shows the person in your life that you know what they love and didn't just follow the crowd rushing to that traditional dozen of red roses.

LOVE

2011-02-02T08:00:00.002-05:00

Valentine's Day is right around the corner so I'll be spending the next few days posting some great finds, beautiful flowers and some other things that I just happen to love.

I think these posters from Love Sugar are lovely! They speak for themselves.

all images from Love Sugar

Tips for choosing the perfect designer for your wedding.

2011-01-26T08:00:00.003-05:00

Ever since the wedding reality show craze I've often been asked "Have you worked with any Bridezillas or uncontrollable couples??" and thankfully my response has always been, "No!" I must admit that I've been so lucky with the couples that I've worked with over the years. They have all had their own visions, opinions and expectations but each of them has gracefully allowed me to do what I love and create the perfect décor for them. Some are more involved than others, some have a clear vision from the onset of exactly what they want while others were looking to me to take the lead and design something specifically for them. In either situation I've loved the chance to design and redesign the look until it's just right. After all, the flowers and décor can help transform any space and set the mood for the day. So while you may know exactly what you want or you may not have a clue...here are some tips on choosing someone to help you create the perfect look for your special day.

Remember, it’s your wedding there are no rules regarding the décor.
Choose a floral designer that you trust and allow them the freedom to be truly creative and make decisions that you are sure to love.
Learn the difference between a “florist” and a “floral designer”.
Reflect your personality, the design and décor should show your style.
Make sure to see a sample of the centerpiece or table design.
Think about elements other than just the centerpiece; linens, lighting and other special touches make the difference and can complete the look.
Gather inspiration and do some research before you meet with designers to have an idea of things you like and don’t like.
Meet with more than one designer to find the right fit for your style and budget.
ENJOY the process, choosing décor should be fun and you should be thrilled with the outcome on the big day!

Pantone Color of the Year 2011

2011-01-24T08:00:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago Pantone introduced honeysuckle as their pick for the 2011 color of the year. I had been meaning to post this quite some time ago and for one reason or another it got pushed back. Ironically a client emailed me today and referenced honeysuckle as one of the colors for their upcoming event, so I thought it's time to post some inspiration!

Here are just a few ideas...

ranunculus, nerine,green snowball viburnum accented with feathers and satin ribbon wrap

garden roses, spray roses and calla lilies

ranunculus, peonies and calla lilies

And while we're talking about Pantone colors, you have to check out this over at design*sponge...love it!

Nyssa & Chris...the final outcome! Part 2

2011-01-20T08:03:00.007-05:00

cocktail reception in foyer of Mandarin Oriental Hotel

combination of captain romance calla lilies, cymbidium orchids and pink hydrangea

all images by Carlos Andres Varela

Nyssa & Chris...the final outcome! Part 3

2011-01-20T07:56:00.008-05:00

all images by Carlos Andres Varela

Nyssa & Chris...the final outcome!

2011-01-18T21:37:00.002-05:00

the pictures are here from nyssa and chris' wedding!
finally you can see how beautiful everything looked thanks to the wonderful images captured by the fabulous Carlos Andres Varela.

white and ivory bouquet for Nyssa, a combination of white calla lilies, white lisianthus, garden roses and akito roses

bridesmaids bouquets, a combination of lavender spray roses, dark pink lisianthus, orchids and lily grass

simple white calla lily boutonniere for Chris to coordinate with Nyssa's bouquet

the newlyweds as they exit the beautiful St. Patrick's Cathedral!!

check back tomorrow for more images from the reception at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

vintage picnic

2011-01-11T14:11:00.006-05:00

i love when a couple comes to me with a fabulous idea for their wedding. we chat about it and together we can come up with the perfect look.

l & d had seen a previous wedding i designed and like the look but want to take it in a bit of a different direction. the original wedding definitely had a more natural rustic and organic feeling. galvanized steel buckets filled with soil, craft paper lining the tables and a homemade quilt for the chuppuh canopy. the bride's friend made jars of pickled rhubarb for the favors. all of the elements fit perfectly together and suited the couple just as well.

a somewhat similar vibe with a bit of twist is the idea that l & d came to me with, "vintage picnic". i love it and i'm so excited to create the look. to get inspired (and to make sure we were all on the same page) i did a quick search for some images that might work and was so excited with what i found. there are a bunch of great vintage picnic themed engagement shoots out there but here are a couple that stood out to me. here is a beautiful engagement shoot from caroline tran and another one here from jackie wonders. both just make me want to pack up and go on a picnic...the idea of a picnic on a warm day with someone special seems like the perfect anecdote for the 12" of snow nyc is supposed to get in the next day or so...enjoy and think of warmer days.

here are a few other images to take the theme a bit further...

1st row Adrienne Gunde Photography; Sweetest Occasion; Madison Belle
2nd row Perpixel Photography via Delightfully Engaged ; A Piece of Bliss ; Adrienne Gunde Photography via Ruffled
3rd row The Butterfly Cottage ; A Long Far View ; Just My Cup of Tea

Engaged??

2011-01-04T14:48:00.010-05:00

image courtesy of paloma's nest

year after year engagements over the holidays are ever popular. my best friend's husband proposed on Christmas, hard to believe that 1 and 1/2 kiddies later (she's due in March) that is how it all began! well, actually it started about 10 years before that but let's not get technical....

it does seem like the perfect time for an engagement, there is so much excitement in the air with the holidays and who could ask for a better gift??

to celebrate all you newly engaged couples and scouring the internet for inspiration we would like to spread the love. all couples who book Blade to style their wedding floral & decor by March 1st, 2011 will receive a
complimentary personal flowers for the couple.

yes, that's right, i said free! well, actually i said complimentary but you all know what i meant and doesn't it sound so much more fun to say free!!!!

contact me for all of the details and to book a time for a consultation.
anne@bladenyc.com
or call
917-723-3577
or request a quote

*some restrictions apply and minimum order is required to receive free bouquet and boutonniere.

Here's to 2011!

2010-12-23T14:31:00.004-05:00

It's hard to believe that soon the year will come to close. 2010 has been an eventful year and I'm so thankful for all the blessings I have and I look forward to the year to come for new and exciting adventures!

I wish you all the best for the year to come and hope that you enjoy every minute of your holiday season.

100 Layer Cake

2010-12-01T23:06:00.003-05:00

finally launched, such a great site! the perfect place to find inspiration, get some help with planning or find just what you are looking for.
100 layer cake has it all, i especially like the marketplace...such great finds!
here's one of my favorites...

(image: 100 layer cake)

so simple and stunning...love it!
so take a peek, you won't be disappointed.