Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Mixed Bag

Hello. I am back from the Bay Area. Despite the rain we had a lovely time. I have so many new ideas for work!! I had my eye peering through a camera, hands in clay, head in a book and thoughts in the clouds. In fact I was dreaming about art which has not happened in ages. Plus the ache between my shoulder blades has gone away. Miracle of miracles! I am waaay behind in updating you all on some exciting press news....but I'll get that soon enough. Instead here is a smattering of things that have been running through my head. 

The most incredible live "painting" at the Renzo Piano redesigned California Academy of Sciences. Truly breathtaking. The whole museum is outstanding. A must visit, especially with children.
Meandering up a circular path towards the rain forest canopy, spotting a hooded lady slipper among floating butterflies along the way. Hello perfect gift from nature.
Mesmorized by the pollarded Plane trees in front of the De Young

Gargantuan echeveria...just growing right out there on the front lawn
Out of control and blooming rosemary bushes, little hands and little flowers
Leafing through Country Living magazine on the flight back and being struck by this ivy covered cottage.
Adding this print by Michelle Arcila to my collection at 20x200
Flower, art, craft and home making awaits with renewed energy. Night all.


Thursday, March 24, 2011

Japanese Tea Garden

It may be rainy but has sprung here in the west.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Little Flowers

 I think I bought this tiny tarnished sugar bowl just so I could put muscari and paperwhites in it.
 Tomorrow me and my littlest pheasant leave for a trip to the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm SO excited to get outta here for a bit and have my batteries recharged! The days will be filled with fun kids stuff but of course I am making some time to visit several of my faaaavorite California shops. Too many gems to list. I'll be snapping pics!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Yellow Balls

What is it about craspedia or rather billy balls (which personally sound rather crass to me....I'm just saying) that make the perfect little boutonnieres? And speaking of boutonnieres, no matter how many times I type this word I misspell it on the first try. I think I am going to call them buttonholes, like the British and Australians do from now on.
Loved this frilly little bouquet from last weekend. It had the most delicious hellebore and the craziest striped green parrot tulip I've ever seen. Climb up in there and take a look. 

Thursday, March 17, 2011

New Leaf Wedding on SMP!


 
A bit of press explosion hitting all at once. It's making it all the effort worth it. Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!

So happy to share one of my favorite weddings from last year. New Leaf Cafe is such a NYC gem. This wedding had such a distinctive vintage inspired, muted and romantic mood. The photography by A Couple of Cameras really captured it beautifully. Also, pulling off a red lip is seriously difficult. Courtney kills it, done to perfection. I'm also loving the long veil, silvery belt and flats!! You can see the full post on Style Me Pretty here. I've included some of my favorite images below. Much love and congratulations to Courtney and Kevin!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

40's Charmer

It's been a tough winter, no question about that. Add the stress of our apartment move, the tasks of running a business, responsibilities of being a mother and just the general daily grind of life well it's no surprise I've had bouts of the blues...."Calgon Take Me Away"  moments - anyone remember that commerical? Do they even sell Calgon anymore? Anyway, thankfully when I was buying for this wedding, I walked into the market and it hit me - the scent, the colors, the shapes. And I was flooded with happiness. I thought to myself "Yes, you love this, remember? Don't feel insecure, Don't worry so much, you are in your element. It's your medium and it will sustain you." Sounds silly but Thank God. I yearned for a boost. Crazy I need to remind myself of this from time to time. Do you guys have similar experiences?

And now for this vase. I love it. Creates the most charming 40's inspired goodness. It was so light and airy. So many lovelies in there - Austin roses, snaps, larkspur, green and pink french tulips, white double tulips, pale yellow and white rununculos, daffs, glads, paperwhites, bay leaf, and white jasmine.

Monday, March 14, 2011

In the Studio

The lovely Tory Williams stopped by on Friday to take a sneak peek behind the scenes as we prepared for a wedding. It felt like spring in here, with paperwhites, muscari, tulips, garden roses, hyacinth and snapdragons filling the room. Here are some of her amazing images. You can see the full photo shoot on her blog. Thank you Tory! I will post the bouquet and some other details soon. More to come!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Keep a Record

So back in January I had high hopes to make some art.  Truth be told - I didn't get very far. Packing, moving, unpacking, meeting, and proposals took over. So I turned to my sketch book for company. I've kept a sketch book of some kind since college. But now it has morphed into more of an inspiration book rather than traditional sketch book. After I gave birth and eventually went back to the desk job I watched my creative internal life slow and shrink. My husband sensed my frustration (bless him) and recommended I get a big book, not worry and just paste whatever inspires me into it. Clippings of home decor, flowers, gardens and art mix with my doodles and collages. One day when the days become longer and my brain has more room to think it will be a treasure trove (I hope). Here I share with you some of it's pages. You should start one today.
I'm sorry I can't properly credit all these images. I've since lost which magazine they came from. I can tell you they are most likely from Domino, British Elle Decor, Australian Vogue Home, Martha Stewart, Real Simple, House Beautiful and various mail order catalogues.