floral snapshot

what ~ flowers for a project that I'm working on this week - hydrangea, roses and japanese maple branches (snipped from my yard).

where ~ on my work table.

when ~ yesterday morning.

why ~  because even though i've been super busy with non-blog related stuff, i really do find this place to be a great creative outlet so i WILL MAKE TIME to work on these projects.

have a fabulous and productive day!

xo, c

floral snapshot

what ~ a few of the arrangements for another bendita trunk show (photos from the last show here), made up of hydrangea, veronica and carnations (more carnations!) in the prettiest shade of fuchsia.

where ~ waiting on my entry table to be delivered.

when ~ last wednesday before the show.

why ~ because it's an honor to help out my dear friend, vanessa, (who started bendita last year) by putting together some florals to compliment the beautiful fashion and accessories that bendita carries.

have a lovely tuesday.

xo, c

floral snapshot: gerbera daisy & hydrangea bouquet

what ~ bouquet of hot pink gerbera daisies and white hydrangea, with a few greens sprinkled in.  i arranged this bouquet for the table at a dinner party in honor of a good friend's birthday.

where ~ on the dresser in my bedroom, waiting to be transported.

when ~ last saturday.

why ~ because the happy gerberas and the fluffy hydrangea remind me of my dear friend's contagious smile and enduring spirit.  

xo, c

modern garden-inspired shower

i'm back, after a two week break, with some photos from a very special baby shower that i helped to style last month.  it was for a dear friend of mine from college (and fellow horticulturist) and i had a great time helping to plan and design her shower.  

we had the shower at this awesome venue called 18 reasons in the mission in sf.  it's a cozy spot with sort of a modern industrial feel.  because of the mom-to-be's horticultural roots, we wanted a bit of a garden theme, but wanted to do it in a way that wasn't too cutesy.  i chose an array of garden flowers (roses, hydrangeas, scabiosa) in a variety of vintage glass bottles and mason jars, and placed them in groupings on each table.  there happened to be a really cool art installation (which i'm standing in front of, above) that had been put in for another event a few days prior.  we were lucky...the colors looked great with the flowers and it added an interesting and contemporary element to the event.  the favors were potted succulents - a favorite of the showeree.  

everyone seemed to have a lovely time, especially the guest of honor...which was the most important thing.

xo, c

(photos by my talented friend nancy.  the menu written on the chalkboard is her handy work, as well)

honor system flower stands

when i was in cape cod last month i came across a couple of sweet looking flower stands as we were on our way somewhere.  when i had a chance i went back to check them out.  it turned out that the stands were set up by a place called in the weeds flowerfarm and that they were on the honor system!  i thought that this was such a lovely idea and sort of exemplified the charming and honest attitude of the area.  they had a little book where you wrote down what you took and how much money you put in their little box.  oh yeah, and there were fresh eggs too.  i just loved the whole thing...so great.  obviously i had to pick up a few arrangements to bring back to the beach house.

xo, c

simple DIY flowers: hand tied bouquet with hydrangeas & dahlias

hand tied bouquets are a fairly simple and very put-together style of arranging flowers.  for this bouquet i wanted a rounded look, so i used hydrangeas and dahlias, as well as a bit of dusty miller for texture.  but, as always, there are other types of flowers that would work (roses, peonies, etc., and lots of different kinds of foliage would be fine).

first, i cleaned all of the leaves off of the flowers.  then, i started with a hydrangea in one hand for the center flower, and then continued adding flowers/foliage, 2 to 3 at a time, before giving the whole thing a little turn with the other hand.  i held the bouquet near the base of the flowers, to keep the shape.  

i continued repeating these steps (adding 2-3 flowers, giving a turn) until the bouquet was full and round.  (tip:  you can check in the mirror to make sure that the you're maintaining a rounded shape)

after i was happy with the way my bouquet looked, i trimmed the stems to my desired length.  then i added a clear rubber band (hair tie) midway up the stems.  and, if you're keeping the bouquet for yourself, then that's it!  just plop them in a vase.  if you want to gift your bouquet to someone special, just wrap a little ribbon or twine around that center band.  i used a simple black satin ribbon, but use whatever looks good with your bouquet.

have a happy and gracious day.

xo, c