End of March

We have a sweet wedding and a few deliveries this weekend. Nothing I can't handle. But for some reason I was plagued by floral nightmares last night. Again, I arrive at the market and there are no rununculus, no tulips... just vanda orchids. The funny thing is in my dreams the NYC flower market always looks the same. It's like what I imagine ye' old New York to be like. Pushcarts and gas lit street lights. The flowers are displayed on flat tables. Weird. I guess I'm having beginning of the season jitters. I need to remember spring is my season. I love spring! Stay close to yourself, I whisper in to myself. Stay tuned to your own expression and you will be rewarded. I really want to stay in balance this year. I am making a true effort to stay sane. I will work hard but I will be present for my family and myself.

On another note I read a depressing article about extreme weather in the NY Times this morning. In the market, the Israeli peonies are hard as rocks because they had record low temps this year. Still waiting on Holland and France. I'm wondering about flowering branch for the rest of spring. The guys will be digging deep into the woods of Vermont to bring stuff in for May weddings...we hope. I went to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens last weekend. Take a look. A walk in nature helps.

Black, White and Red

And now for something completely different. The Brooklyn Museum held a VIP dinner for the opening of the Keith Haring exhibition the other night. We created these modern lush beauties to adorn the tables. It worked perfectly and were a breeze to make.

Again

AHA! Look what a friend spotted on Martha Stewart and forwarded to me (thank you Kat).  There is that funny finger vase again. This time with a much more contained arrangement than mine. I think I might put frilly pink peonies in it next. Yes? Stay tuned.

image from Martha Stewart

Reaching for the Sky

So back on the tall arrangements. Here is one from last weekend that included allium, spirea, french tulips, light blue irises, gorgeous large fritillaria, snowball viburnum and something called lindera - which are those small yellow flowers on the branch. The overall effect was very lacy and airy. I tucked a green leaf in the side as a cuff to ground it a bit. I'm over thinking, no?

Big Blue

Hello friends. I'm in such a great mood today. Who can help it with the glorious weather? The pear trees are in full bloom on Columbia Street and I'm actually drinking an iced coffee! Love. And what I love even more is this arrangement. Let's talk tall arrangements. What do you do? I always hesitate when being asked to create something tall. I'm not sure why? I obviously gravitate towards the spiky flowers - delphinium, larkspur, eremurus. On a side gripe...what I would give for foxglove or hollyhock! (damn you west coast florists and your amazing local farmers). Anyway, of course flowering branch is always gorgeous and gives you great height but sometimes, the budget does not allow. I needed something with presence and on price point. I wanted to keep it simple by only use 3 ingredients - deep blue delphinium, purple clematis and camelia foliage. I have another couple of tall guys coming up that included more stuff. I'll show you tomorrow. I do hope you get some time to spend outdoors today.

Softer Shades

Up way early this morning, running around the market and talking flowers with a blushing bride and her adoring mom and future mother in law. Feeling the love. I wanted to show you a teaser for an upcoming April wedding. The blooms include blush and purple lilac, rununculus, Eskimo roses, tulips, spirea, jasmine, scented geranium and hellebore. I'm into all the textures.

 This purple tulip is called Mysterious. It's especially intoxicating.

Spring Cleaning

I've been neglecting my window display all winter. Keeping flocked white branches and seeded eucalyptus in there too long. Booooring. So out it went for a fresh start. I truly am in love with spring blooms and could not stop snapping pics of the new display. This is the last in this series of flowers...promise. More good stuff coming up. Finally I am surrounded by flowers again! And I am getting use to this seasonal work flow. It's as if I have woken up from my winter hibernation. Bring on the hustle and bustle...yet keep the balance of life and work in tact. New motto for 2012. Enjoy.

 

The Finger Vase

How do you use this vase? My husband thinks it's the ugliest thing ever. I like it. I thought I'd start a series here on my own blog called "Just For You".  I debut a vase, we discuss and then I create an arrangement for it. Want to join me? Do you have a special go-to vase that you always grab when you do flowers for yourself. Let's stretch our design muscles and see what happens.

I have few words today. Except delicious spring. I will never tire of spring blooms after a long winter.

Make it happen

I put a really big pin board up directly above my desk. I stare at it every day not wanting to muck it up. It's a similar feeling of having a blank canvas. Is today the day I break the surface? It might be. I've been in such a weird mood lately. Wanting a quiet mind. Craving a dreamy slow creative day. But it's not happening. Instead I waste time pinning other peoples art. At that I am turning off the computer today to make something. But before I go I wanted to show you some of the terrariums we made at last weekend's workshop. Here's a tip if you are interested in doing your own: Trader Joes. If you live near one check out their plants. They sometimes have the prettiest and CHEAPEST orchids. Potted up uniquely in glass bowls and jars make for great little tabletop gardens.

The Power of the Branch

I was searching around the web the other night looking for inspiration and wow did I ever find some. Let me introduce you to the talented Amy Wilson. Both prop stylist as well as garden designer. Check out her website to see more of her gorgeous work. I love all she does but I am especially fond of the interior images. Great use of color with simple yet striking florals. Flowers for the home...my obsession. Won't someone hire me to do more of this kind of work? Please. I am putting it out there in the hopes that it will come. Not a very good sales pitch, I'm afraid. Anyway, these are great examples of how just a few branches in any season can really transform a room. I say you all should try it. In other news I am hosting my first workshop here this weekend. We will be building terrariums. I will come back with photos. Hope all is well and you have a lovely weekend.

Images by Ngoc Minh Ngo. Another huge talent. Get lost in her work here.