Ashley + Dave, Rhode Island

First came the invitation, then came the question: "Want to do our flowers?" The answer was of course, "Yes!" How awesome is Ashley's fuschia bouquet?! Set against the wall of graffiti, her flowers really pop! It's one of my favorite photos to date captured by friend and noted photog, Kevin Trimmer. I also love how Ashley's bouquet was the perfect accessory to her shoes! The ceremony was held in Conanicut Battery National Historical Park in Jamestown, Rhode Island. A short walk down a tree lined path and you arrived at the ceremony site. The backdrop, the most amazing and beautiful old tree. The reception was held in the Kinney Bungalow at Sunset Farms in Narragansett, Rhode Island. It was a perfect fall day. Congratulations Ashley and Dave!

Bach Flower Essences

"The actions of certain flowers, shrubs, and trees that grow in the wild raise our vibrations and open our channels for the reception of the Spiritual Self to flood our natures with the particular virtue we need, and wash out from us the fault that is causing the harm. They are able, like beautiful music or any glorious uplifting thing that gives us inspiration, to raise our very natures to bring us nearer to our Souls, and by that very act bring us peace and relieve our sufferings."

~ Dr. Edward Bach

So for my birthday, I enrolled myself into an introductory Bach Flower Essences class. Upon entering the class and meeting the instructor, she muscle tested me. What? Muscle test? I had never heard of such a thing. I held out my arm and without hesitation, she asked, "Are you tired?" My reply: "Yes" and "wow." Then she went in her bag of flower essences, pulled out the olive essence, and placed two drops in my mouth. With that....I was sold! This is fascinating stuff, flower essences and homeopathy.

I enjoyed the class very much, but did not act on impulse when the instructor passed around the sheet to enroll in the Bach Flower Essence Level II class. I practiced self restraint, passing up the purchase of the pack of 36 flower essences. Level II starts Monday, so I have to decide stat if I'm moving on to a more in depth study. I do have the laboratory to make the floral healing concoctions.......

More to come.

reduce, reuse, recycle

Wedded 'Bliss'

A sketch from Monique Lhuillier's soon-to-be-launched, less expensive bridal dress line. Photo courtesy of Monique Lhuillier

Ok girls....time to get excited. If you are like me, you have pulled wedding dress inspiration from the amazing Monique Lhuillier. Inspiration because her dresses are beautiful but slightly out of reach financially. Well, she has done something so lovely....she's appealing to the masses with her new 'Bliss' line of dresses. The line will offer the same trademark styles but the price will range from a reasonable $2,300-3,500. 15 available styles will be available soon at Monique Lhuillier retailers worldwide.

Friends and crazy good photographers, Kristin and Jared Spencer, are currently in NYC bridal fashion week. A whopping 42 runway shoots! If they snap some shots of the line, I'll try and get a picture to post.

As promised

Here are some of the fabulous photos from the Out of the Box event captured by the very talented Julie Dentt of Journey of the Lens. Thank you again to the girls at Posh Paperie, Sweet and Saucy Shop and Wine Steals Point Loma. A very special thank you to the creative team of Carter and Cook Event Company for asking me to join them for such a fun event.

Picturzzzzz

Long overdue pictures from the DWR in-store event.

My deconstructed store bought bouquet from Seaside Market, plus some left over orchids and callas.

Test tube vases at checkout with a single calla lily.

More callas.
The glamorous white phalaenopsis orchid under the much desired cellula chandelier.

Succulents! Love em.

The extras....awww.

creative minds

I had the pleasure of creating a centerpiece for a tablescape designed by the incredibly creative team of Carter and Cook. The intimate event, which took place at the Wine Steals in Point Loma, was an opportunity to meet some of the industry's up and coming elite. The girls of Posh Paperie were on hand to display their custom holiday cards, gift tags, and invitations. Guests devoured custom desserts from Sweet and Saucy Shop that tasted as good as they looked. The whole evening was captured by the lovely Julie Dentt of Journey of the Lens. Please take some time to check out these amazing businesses and the talented girls behind them! Pictures to follow...