bouquets and tidbits

I am considering opening a little holiday shop for November and December - here in my storefront studio space.  Wedding work trails off and I thought well why not. Or am I nuts? Should I just chill out, take care of myself and my family? But Cobble Hill Ballet has opened it's new studio a couple of doors down and there are lots and lots mommies around....hmmm. Little potted trees, succulent wreaths, some vintage knick knacks. Will you come?

All I do is seem to photograph the bouquets lately

Dahlias and Roses. What a perfect combination. Like Cheese and Wine,  Milk and Cookies...you get the idea. 

don't forget the boys

Lost in Fall

I walked into the market this morning and everything looked soooo good. I sometimes struggle with fall... things look a little too crispy and dingy to me, too halloweeny. But today I felt it. What seemed drab now looked rich. The bright yellows have softened to a sunset glow. And I just can not get enough of those deep plum colors. So I'm back and I'm pumped for this weekend. In the meantime here is a sweet bouquet for you to enjoy.

redon/fasanello

Dahlias look so good right now. I'm playing with photoshop and thinking of painting. I'm at a loss for words lately. So I'll just show you some pictures. I hope you are well. Have a good Monday.

deep pink fuschia magenta purple pop of orange please

Sometimes you just need some color to brighten your world.

Eyes Wide Open

This past week I have developed a weird sleep pattern and it's seriously bumming me out. Don't bother trying to reach me in the evenings because by 9pm I am out. Seriously dead to the world. I can barely keep my eyes open as I read my girl a bedtime story. I spend no time with my guy. Being tired and being a florist (or being a working anything really) is nothing new. What's weird is the heaviness I feel when the sleep takes over, as if I'm under a spell. The worst part is I often wake in the middle of the night unable to return to sleep. Hence my 3am blog post. I've spent some time and money on ways to straighten out my imbalances but I have abandoned them lately. I'm feeling like a big o' sluggish crabby failure right about now. Maybe it's the change in seasons. Maybe it's the late hour. Not sure. But I need to bounce back. Life feels heavy and I like light. Light and happy are what inspire me.

This was an experiment. It was for a photo shoot. The direction that was given was simply "Great Expectations"

Last of the summer picnics

Hello folks. New design is up on Brooklyn Bride. Check it out. I realize it's not "cutting edge" design but then anything outside the wedding factory style is welcome breath of fresh air to me. Will post new work soon!

 

Home life

Good morning. Working from home today - putting together proposals while thinking about nesting.

images from canvas

 

Plenty: Vibrant Vegetable Recipes from London's Ottolenghi

This book was a gift for my birthday (thank you Heather!). I've yet to make anything from it yet. I just stare at the incredible pictures. Looking forward to trying to make them all.

Yoga and Flowers

Labor day weekend we headed up the Hudson for a wedding at the Bedford Post Inn, Richard Gere and Cary Lowell's intimate and perfectly appointed small inn, restaurant and yoga studio smack in the middle of rolling hills and horse farms. I mean this is the land of Martha and Ralph (you know who I'm talking about). I was in love with the decor...sort of a refined farmhouse vibe with subtle Asian influences. As soon as things calm down I am most definitely heading back there for a meal and yoga class. The day was warm but thankfully the rain held off. The next morning I felt like I'd been doing cardio and weight training for 10 hours straight. There sure is a lot of schlepping in this job.

 

mercury tea lights and succulents in the yoga cubby holes

cocktail tables

Morning. Just dropped the littlest pheasant off at her first day of Kindergarten. It was my husband and I who got all emotional, not her...of course. I had this incredible rush of emotion, thinking... ahhhh, I want another baby! Probably not the best time to decide whether or not have another child on your only child's first day of school. But then again I signed up for a yoga class in the MIDDLE OF THE DAY! The expanse of free time I am gaining is staggering to me.

Ok back to flowers. Tory Williams took these incredible photos of Nick and Sara's wedding at the W Hotel. It was just featured on Brooklyn Bride. Check it out. xoxo

Entering the 4th Decade

Hello. Anyone still there? I've been meaning to share some images from a very special trip my husband and I took back in mid August. This year was a landmark birthday for me. I turned 40 (!?). And to celebrate we managed to throw a dance party at the studio during a 4 wedding weekend (I know nuts). After that my hero swept me away for a night to the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY. It was perfect in every way. I am now a walking advertisement for this place. It just about has everything one could want in a vacation. Let me show you.

This sprawling historic resort was built between 1880 and 1910 by two Quaker brothers. It combines wholesome family activities like fresh baked cookies, tea and boardgames at 4pm in the main lodge...(hello!) with modern amenities like a superb world class spa (added in 2005)- which of course I stayed at for a whole afternoon. The property is apart of a massive nature preserve with many hiking trails and caves you can explore.

Once you tire of swimming in the lake, sitting in the dozens of wooden hand built structures, boating, hiking, fishing, you can always go wander the formal gardens that include a hedge maze and stone tower.

The in-house florist has full reign of a massive cutting garden as well as a stocked greenhouse. Hmmm....dream job? 

Now, let's say you want something to do other than commune with nature. Well than spend some time poking around the Museum Barn uncovering Victorian era farm treasures. 

 Stacks of old room records

 Us and the Niermeyers stayed in the same room. Them in 1920, us in 2011.

 oh yeah, you can also go horse back riding

The spa was the highlight. No cameras allowed. So I keep returning to my memory of lounging in a soft white robe gazing out on a wall of green leaves.

And what words of wisdom do I have now that I've turned 40? Not much more than - believe you can do it and work hard to make it happen (and move the hair out of your eyes when taking a photo). 

I am so very grateful and truly relieved to find myself in a very positive place. I was not always sure I'd feel that way when entering this decade. In fact I was a down right confused mess in my twenties and most of thirties. Best part about turning 40? When you are in your thirties no one says "Wow you look great for 38"....but once you hit the big 4.0. you start to hear "damn, you look good for 40!"

Thank you my love