This Little Piggy Goes to the Market

after more than 10 years of visiting the flower market (often at the wee hours of the morning) you begin to look at some of the people there as a second family. an interesting, eclectic mix of people who begin their day at an hour when most people are either still sleeping or finishing up the night before.
so as my family grew to include this little guy we often make the early morning trip together. he loves it even though he is shying away from the camera here he spends most of his time flirting with anyone who will have him.
it makes those early mornings surrounded by beautiful flowers just a little more beautiful.

Spring has sprung?!?!!?

it's hard to believe that it's officially spring with this weather we are having in nyc, but the spring blooms are abundant in the flower market and i just thought i would share a few that i saw and thought were stunners.

these ranunculus are the softest, most subtle shade of pink they almost look like they have been dusted with powder. the petals go on forever and are perfect alone or mixed with something equally as beautiful and sweet.

i never tire of seeing poppies...mainly because they have a limited season and working with them can be a challenge. there is a trick to getting them to open and show their true brilliance and it takes some patience to allow it to happen naturally...once they are open there is a limited time to enjoy.

ah tulips, there are so many amazing and unique varieties that it's hard to choose a favorite. and while typically i go for double or fringe tulips as my favorites i do love the simplicity of these ronaldo tulips...the deep purple color of these makes them a winner!

Brides New York

i've already told you how much i loved working with Nyssa and Chris and how beautiful their wedding turned out to be - in every way, not just the flowers. i wasn't the only one who thought so..Bride's New York featured their wedding in their Spring/Summer issue on newsstands now.

the wedding was truly beautiful and the photos by Carlos Andres Varela are breathtaking. the day went off without a hitch, due in large part to the seamless coordination provided by Roey Mizrahi...she makes it look effortless. i was thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful day that celebrated such a wonderful couple.

Beyond the red rose for Valentine's Day!

when considering flowers for valentine's day i always urge people to think beyond red roses. they can be beautiful when designed in a more creative way however i think that valentine's day is the last time of year when i would like to receive them.
there are SO many beautiful flower options and color combinations that can work and still feel "oh so romantic". think deep rich jewel tones, combinations of red, purple and burgundy, elegant white/ivory designs and there is nothing wrong with vibrant mixes of color to brighten someones day.
here are a few ideas that are sure to please.

so choose something that shows the person in your life that you know what they love and didn't just follow the crowd rushing to that traditional dozen of red roses.

LOVE

Valentine's Day is right around the corner so I'll be spending the next few days posting some great finds, beautiful flowers and some other things that I just happen to love.

I think these posters from Love Sugar are lovely! They speak for themselves.

all images from Love Sugar

Tips for choosing the perfect designer for your wedding.

Ever since the wedding reality show craze I've often been asked "Have you worked with any Bridezillas or uncontrollable couples??" and thankfully my response has always been, "No!" I must admit that I've been so lucky with the couples that I've worked with over the years. They have all had their own visions, opinions and expectations but each of them has gracefully allowed me to do what I love and create the perfect décor for them. Some are more involved than others, some have a clear vision from the onset of exactly what they want while others were looking to me to take the lead and design something specifically for them. In either situation I've loved the chance to design and redesign the look until it's just right. After all, the flowers and décor can help transform any space and set the mood for the day. So while you may know exactly what you want or you may not have a clue...here are some tips on choosing someone to help you create the perfect look for your special day.

• Remember, it’s your wedding there are no rules regarding the décor.
• Choose a floral designer that you trust and allow them the freedom to be truly creative and make decisions that you are sure to love.
• Learn the difference between a “florist” and a “floral designer”.
• Reflect your personality, the design and décor should show your style.
• Make sure to see a sample of the centerpiece or table design.
• Think about elements other than just the centerpiece; linens, lighting and other special touches make the difference and can complete the look.
• Gather inspiration and do some research before you meet with designers to have an idea of things you like and don’t like.
• Meet with more than one designer to find the right fit for your style and budget.
• ENJOY the process, choosing décor should be fun and you should be thrilled with the outcome on the big day!

Pantone Color of the Year 2011

A few weeks ago Pantone introduced honeysuckle as their pick for the 2011 color of the year. I had been meaning to post this quite some time ago and for one reason or another it got pushed back. Ironically a client emailed me today and referenced honeysuckle as one of the colors for their upcoming event, so I thought it's time to post some inspiration!

Here are just a few ideas...

ranunculus, nerine,green snowball viburnum accented with feathers and satin ribbon wrap

garden roses, spray roses and calla lilies

ranunculus, peonies and calla lilies

And while we're talking about Pantone colors, you have to check out this over at design*sponge...love it!