Happy Weekend!!

Image by Parker Fitzgerald Florals by Amy Merrick

Kinfolk Magazine

Happy Weekend Everyone!!!

I know it's the month of May..

But..

Today felt a little like Christmas...

A very special package arrived on my doorstep this morning....

Image by Chocolate Creative Design

For all my followers...

You definitely know by now that I am obsessed with gardening...

Normally, I buy ALL my flowers and vegetables for planting at our local garden center...

But this year..

This year is different....

White Flower Farm is still considered local as it's based in Connecticut..

But..

It's like buying a pair of Louboutins.. 

In my case..

only for special occasions..

Ok Ok Ok...

I'll tell you what's in the box...

Only THE finest, THE most glorious and THE most beautiful dozen Dahlia tubers one has ever seen...

You see...

besides My loveliest of Ladies,

Miss Yumiko Fletcher of Hana Floral Design..

(image by Adeline and Grace)

 There are 3 other floral designers whose work I greatly admire...

Miss Amy Merrick

(obsessed with her blog)

Miss Nicolette Owen of Nicolette Camille

and

Miss Sarah Ryhanen of Saipua

 So what is it about these 4 extremely talented women that has inspired me so??

Well..

They all share the same style...

They all LOVE Dahlias...

Maybe they too wasted countless hours viewing a gazillion slides in numerous Art History classes only to be inspired by the Dutch Masters...

Perhaps...

But I have to say...

There are 3 even lovelier ladies who were creating arrangements within the same genre WAY before the previous ladies were even a thought in the universe...

The Ladies of the Big House on Island Farm...

Image by Chocolate Creative Design

I wrote a POST about them last September regarding their dedication and cultivation of the Dahlias in the garden...

But I really didn't describe to you what wonderfully talented floral designers they all are...

If one is lucky enough to walk into the Big House during the summer, you will be immediately greeted with the most divine works of art..

Dahlias, honeysuckle, dill flowers, sweet peas, berries, roses and numerous other floral & fauna meticulously gathered from the Island gently sway and dance from vintage copper and iron frogs in breathtaking pewter compotes.

They had me at hello...

I was hooked by their magical abilities...

They allowed me to watch...

To take in their secrets...

In fact...at a mere 11 months..

They allowed the Monster to have his first gardening experience..

THE planting of the Dahlia tubers in May...

Crawling through the freshly plowed garden and covered from head to toe in dirt he found joy in the empty dahlia barrel from where they overwintered...

Nervous that I had now maybe ruined my chances at learning their secrets...

Fear covered my face...

But...

Giggles emerged...

Lots of giggles....

He may not have been baptised in a church...

but he was most certainly baptised in the garden at the Island...

So now...

In just one short week...

we will be planting our own dahlias...

we will be arranging our own dutch inspired creations...

and

we will be carrying on the traditions of the Ladies of the Island..

Be Safe, Plant a Garden and Have a Great Weekend!!

Fabulous & Creative Wreaths.... Part Trois

Wreath by Hana Floral Design

Image by Anna Sawin Photography

You know it's the Holidays when wreaths begin to magically pop up on peoples doors...

I am obsessed with a good wreath and the one in the picture above has to be one of my ALL time favorites...

It was created by the flower whisperer herself, Miss Yumiko of Hana Floral Design, for a Winter Wedding Shoot that I designed back in 2009.

So.. for Part Trois of the Fabulous and Creative Wreath roundup, I decided to go in the direction of "found items".

These are wreaths that can be made with ANY object that is found either natural or man-made..

 The Sea

Living by the sea, we have boxes, bags and jars and filled to the brim with shells...

Unfortunately on the Connecticut Coastline, there is a lack of the exotics...

What we are left with are mussels, jingles, clams, oysters and the famous Stonington scallop...

But I think you might agree..

That they can be just as lovely too...

 Scallop Wreath on Flickr

Heart Shell Wreath at Not on The High Street

Mussel Wreath at Beas Tropical Design

Clam Shell Wreath at Martha Stewart

Oyster Wreath at Donna Hay

Jingle Shell Wreath at Mad Mary Creations on Etsy

Mussel & Oyster Shell Wreath at Shelltiques on Etsy

Oyster Wreath by Simple Daisy

The Pinecone

Pinecones are a plenty here in the Northeast...

You can't walk anywhere without stepping on one..

I am amazed at just how many different kinds there are..

Whether they are painted, gilded, glittered or au natural..

They certainly stir up Holiday spirit...

 Pinecone Wreath at Porchscapes

Deer Pinecone Wreath at House to Home

Frame Pinecone Wreath at Matthew Mead

Pinecone Wreath at Martha Stewart

Gold Pinecone Wreath at Papier D'Amour

Cardinal Pinecone Wreath at Better Homes and Gardens

Pinecone Wreath at Pottery Barn

Picture Pinecone Wreath at Decoration Finds

The Herb

I just brought in my rosemary plant in hopes that I may use her all winter long for cooking...

But she would look and smell just as lovely as a simple wreath...

How about a eucalyptus wreath in the bathroom?!

 Olive and Myrtle Wreath at Pottery Barn

Eucalyptus Wreath by Herz Allerliebst

Wreath Chandelier at Martha Stewart

Rosemary Wreath at All About You

The Junk Drawer & The Kitchen

You are sure to have these items around...

Random tacks, apples, spent Christmas bulbs, peppermint candies from your purse and the credit cards that need to be snipped...

They look much prettier as a wreath than in that dreaded messy junk drawer...

Credit Card Wreath at Lauren Venell

Apple Wreath at Hannas

Bulb Wreath by Thompson Family

Thumbtack Wreath at Babble

Peppermint Candy Wreath at Dreamy Whites

I couldn't resist posting this image....

I am hoping that my men will agree that THIS snowman wreath has to happen THIS year on OUR  door..

Snowman wreath via photobucket

Here are the links (just in case you missed them) of the 

Fabulous and Creative Wreath posts

Part One

and

Part Deux

Happy Weekend!!!!

Image by Adeline & Grace

flowers by Hana Floral Design

Deirdre & Jay, Island Farm on Elihu Island 9/13/08

Happy Weekend Everyone!!

Nothing makes me happier in the late summer/early fall than a bridal bouquet filled with dahlias...

Dahlias are the last tell tale sign of summer in the garden..

For me, they are like fireworks..

the last hurrah of sorts.. 

a beautiful colorful explosion in your hands..

At the Island, the ladies have carefully and meticulously cared for the growing and the cultivation of dahlias in the garden.

Growing dahlias is certainly a commitment...

They are tubers so they have to be planted early in the Spring,

constantly clipped to bring new growth during the summer and finally dug up and housed away in the basement in the Fall. 

I love watching the gorgeous Sperry Tent go up next to the garden and it's almost as if they know that it's wedding season..

They seem to straighten themselves up and brush themselves off just in time for the bride & groom to come their way.

Just today, the orange ones seem to smile as Diane & Jason walked by them for their wedding rehearsal..

Happy Happy Anniversary to Deirdre & Jason who also share my love for dahlias, the Island and most importantly family! 

Be Safe, Smell the Flowers and Have a Great Weekend!!

 

Coral Dreaming....

Image Craig Paulson Photography

 Ok...it is WAY too cold out there for the 3rd day of Spring...

What keeps me going is dreaming and scheming of my garden..

Miss Yumiko Fletcher, of Hana Floral Design, created one of the most fabulous and one of my most favorite bouquets for Ashley and Elliott on the Island years ago.

This year it's time...It's time to plant several Coral Charm Peonies in the Garden.

Image White Flower Farm

It has been many years since I first fell in love with them and I honestly don't believe that I could EVER fall out of love.

I do think... Miss Yumiko will be quite pleased!!

Holiday Gift Guide- Day 1 Beauty by Hana Floral Design

I have had the distinct pleasure of working and knowing Miss Yumiko Fletcher, the owner of Hana Floral Design, for the past 6 years. What started out as a small business out of her home, has quickly risen to be one of the best Floral Designers in the state of Connecticut. Every year she astounds me with her talent, creativity and professionalism. Whether it's a photoshoot or a wedding, 

Hana Floral Design is the first place that I go! 

It's even the place where my boys go to pick up flowers for mommy.

Basically what I'm saying is that this lady absolutely and positively knows flowers and with her "Pink Ladies" backing her up, she is a true force!! 

What some of you may not know about Miss Yumiko, is that she is a girly girl of the true sense. She should be a professional make-up artist as she has fabulously perfected the smokey eye. Flowers may make her swoon but so does a great Lip Gloss. 

So withot further adieu...Miss Yumiko....

1. Ulta "Envy" Nailpolish

2. Coconut Oil by Nature's Way

3. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

4. Nars Duo Eyeshadow

5. Kai Body Glow

6. Lorac Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick

7. Lostmarch Perfume

Thank you Miss Yumiko and I highly suggest stopping by her shop on 15 Holmes Street in Mystic for the perfect holiday centerpiece, decor, wreath or even a glance at the perfect smokey eye!!!

Holiday Gift Guide Teaser.....

At the crack of dawn on Monday be sure to check out our first installment of the Holiday Gift Guide

Day 1 will be:

By the three most extremely talented, beautiful and sweet women EVER......Miss Yumiko Fletcher of Hana Floral Design, Miss Jennie Fresa of the Jennie Fresa Beauty Library and Miss Anna Sawin of Anna Sawin Photography.

In the meantime....RUN don't walk this Saturday December 4 from 10-5 to

Hana Floral Design in Mystic, Connecticut for a holiday open house!!

The monster and I will be heading over there as Hana is where we ALWAYS get our holiday wreath!

Then

On Sunday December 5th from 2-6, skip, jump and trot over to Clinton, Connecticut to visit the Jennie Fresa Beauty Library where you can pick up the most amazing makeup ever!! 

I highly recommend her tinted moisturizers and mineral powders!!

Have a great weekend and see you bright and early Monday morning!!!