Behind the Scenes

I know it's been awhile since I've done a real post post and I apologize so hopefully the upcoming week will make up for the past 3 weeks that I fell behind.  To start where I left off I will take you behind the scenes of the wedding I did at the end of April.  

The bride wanted all Red so I worked with a combination of Carnations, Roses, Anemones, Ranunculus and Tulips (not shown) 

I hope you all make note of how many pictures I took of Chris helping, he really came through on this one and was by my side the whole time.  Look at him here stripping roses, GREAT JOB honey!!!

Once all the flowers are prepared I start putting the bouquets together, I don't usually put the ribbon on until the very end in fear it will get dirty.  

And I always save the best flowers for the brides and then do that one last. 

 

Here's Chris again..... removing the stickers from all 60 bud vases with acetone, that was a very stinky job.  (notice the laptop by his side, that helped him get through the day) 

The timing was perfect, the bouquets were done, the vases cleaned and then walked in our friends, Ken and Ashely who I'm going to state for the record volunteered to help (Chris likes to think I force my friends to do this)  I would also like to state that in order to qualify to volunteer you must have a higher degree of education than myself (joking, that's just how it's worked out every time so far, lol)   Ken did a perfect job filling the vases with the same EXACT amount of water in each, I guess that's the mechanical engineer in him.

And my very serious Lawyer friend Ashley did a great job helping me fill the vases with a flower and some bear grass.  

 Vases all done :) thanks boys for taking it to the cooler, BRRRRR.

Chris did a great job making this special box with cups to transport the bouquets.  

Yes, that's 10 boutonnieres, 4 red hair flowers, and 1 white bridal hair flower. (corsages not shown) 

Seeing Red

Sneak peak from the wedding I did last weekend! All flowers were RED! I can't wait to share everything.

Happy Earth Day

Loving this building, especially for Earth Day today. Try and be good today and remember to recycle, reuse and reduce.

Don't ask

I thought I would share a part of why I haven't been blogging a lot. Some may know and others may not, but Chris and I are putting on a conference. It's been very overwhelming planning the whole thing our self but it will be worth all the effort come next week when it's all over and everyone enjoyed the conference. Here is a sneak peak of what's going in the swag bag.

Happy Birthday Emily

I'm sure most of you are wondering what is that? That is a mashed potato cupcake, and my sister-in-law LOVES her mashed potatoes. How I got so lucky to find this image I have no idea but it's perfect. Have a great day Emily.

Found this and NEEDING it

I was in the Container Store on Sunday and ran into these adorable filing cabinets and I couldn't resist wanting one to hold my jewelry in. I realize they are not glamorous but they are incredibly functional. Currently I use ice cube trays and it's getting really annoying, I seem to always drop them and everything goes flying.

I love how they have draw inserts with different size compartments. This really couldn't be more perfect for me. Now I just have to come up with the $$ to buy one and figure out what color I want. I guess it does help that Container Store has a coupon out.

Gotcha

April Fools! 

of course we didn't buy that car, but for one day it was nice to pretend we did:)

Love Love Love my new car!!!!!

I would like to introduce you to my new BABY!!!!!! Chris and I went and test drove it last weekend and I just couldn't say no. Now we are all ready to have a real baby.

Awesome

Check it out!!!!! My friend Architect Design's apartment is being featured on Apartment TherapyDC.

Baby steps

My younger sister just moved into her first real apartment, (college doesn't count) and she had me over for dinner on Monday to check it out. I was very impressed, it's located in a prime location, in a hip new luxury building, and has lots of space (I'm jealous) However at the moment it still has that college feel and being the older "architect" sister I can't help myself but want to HELP her. I gave her a few suggestions on Monday but it was only received by the usual eye roll and whatever Laura, we don't want to do that much work. Ok... so that got me thinking, how can I help her without the work.... like painting and completely going over board. So I decided we will start small... with throw pillows. Her roommate has donated the couch, which is a forest green leather couch from the 60's, it's in great shape but it needs some attention. I think pillows are always a great way to start and help you define a color scheme. Here are few of my pics: Let me know which one is your favorite.

This pillow highlights fun and bright colors.

For a more monotoned and modern look I like the green one.

This one is more traditional in style but still gives her fun colors to work with.

White will help make the couch not look so dark and heavy, I'm loving this whimsical design.

A little retro but would compliment the forest green nicely.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I'm scottish not Irish but I still love this holiday. I hope everyone didn't forget to wear green!!! I wouldn't want you to get pinched. If you are going out tonight have fun and make sure you drink some good Irish beer none of that Miller Light stuff.

Craziness coming to an end

Wedding at Key Bridge Marriott

I could not have finished up this job without the help of my wonderful family.  First thank you to my parents for letting me make this huge mess in my dad's wood shop in the basement.... 

and second for all their actual manual labor...they all found it very comical how I had convinced a CPA and an Attorney to give up their weekend and help for free.  THANK YOU FAMILY, I LOVE Y OU.  (notice my husband is not shown, because he was at home working to help financially support this craziness)  

 My work station, my dad made me that special long table. 

 

I had to rent a van to transport everything.  Chris did a great job on making sure it all arrived unharmed, I think his secret was driving at 25 MPH. 

The brides cascading bouquet.  

Bridesmaid Bouquets

Wrist Corsages

Boutonnieres 

Here is everything just about to be put on the tables, I did half tall and half low. 

Last minute touch up

Thank you Ashley for all your help on the day of.  (I know I look like a dork in this photo) 

Craziness part 2

So if you couldn't figure out what that huge thing was, here is the answer, a walk in floral cooler. It all started when I received my first deposit for my first real wedding gig and I couldn't fall asleep because I was worrying about how I was going to keep the flowers fresh.  I put an add on my wholesalers forum stating I wanted a used walk in cooler and to my surprise 3 months later I got a response for a great deal I couldn't refuse. I knew I wanted and needed the cooler but I had no idea how I was going to convince Chris to drive an hour away load it on a truck and then set it up.  Chris was very reluctant but of course in the end agreed to help.  It took 2 full weekends to get it assembled and cleaned up before we could put flowers in it. 

My dad helped a lot and built me adjustable shelves as seen in this photo.  This also shows the start of the wedding weekend extravaganza.  I ordered tons of flowers which came in a total of 10 boxes.  

This is a box of 40 hydrangea stems. Can you believe they turned into the photo below just after a few hours in water.   

It took almost a whole afternoon to unload the boxes, trim the stems and place in "floral juice". The flowers stayed overnight in the cooler before I started arranging them the next day..... that was another whole adventure.... coming up. 

 

Craziness

I have been incredibly busy the past week and a half and I feel awful for not posting, so get ready for a big post coming up.  For now this hint will just have to do.  

Stay tuned for how this....... 

turned into THIS:

Getting Antsy

I've been getting very anxious about spring and planting flowers and today's snow storm was a gentle reminder that it is still a ways away.  

To get me in the mood for spring last month I went to American Meadows and ordered a whole bunch of spring bulbs.  While at the site they were having a huge sale on Paperwhite Narcissus Bulbs and I couldn't resist. They are now in full bloom and smell great! 

I also want to point out my cupcake calendar, which was a great birthday gift.  If I can make it to the store I might make the suggested mini baked cheesecakes. Yumm.