Edwardian Inspired Bridal Shoot

Over the summer, Heather of HMN Photography contacted me about collaborating with her and Leah of The Fair and Fine on an Edwardian inspired bridal shoot.  We met over Labor Day weekend with model Justine Ciaravino, who models for the University of Michigan's student fashion publication, SHEI Magazine and local student photographers such as Dan Chern.  Grosse Pointe War Memorial was our backdrop where we worked together to create these beautiful images.  

Leah, who styled the shoot, asked me to design a bouquet based on the language of flowers and also asked for the bouquet to be in shades of green.  The majority of the flowers came from Michigan Flower Farm and you know how passionate I am about locally grown blooms.  I'm always keeping in mind and you should too when selecting flowers for everyday or a special event like a wedding that the closer that the flowers are grown, the fresher they are and the happier our planet will be because of your choice.  I went out with the Renee of Michigan Flower Farm to cut lisianthus, hydrangea, hanging amaranthus and sweet annie.  The dahlias came from my sister-in-law's garden - she loves growing them and I love cutting them.  I also put together bowls of fruit in shades of green to compliment the bridal bouquet. 

I'm so happy with the results of the shoot.  Everything came together perfectly. 

Farm Grown Dahlias

I was strolling through Eastern Market in Detroit and came across these beautiful locally grown dahlias.  My husband saw my eyes light up and he said to me, "Do you want them?" and before I could answer, he was pulling out his wallet - that guy knows me so well.   

Hydrangeas + Sweet Peas

I have a few amazing hydrangea bushes that produce these beautiful cone shaped white hydrangeas that I can cut from over and over again.  I need some help identifying them, so if you know the variety, please leave me a comment.  The hydrangeas bloom white and slowly change to a light and dark pink and I love them at every stage.  I mixed in all stages of the flowers for this arrangement.  I absouletly love the way it turned out.

Sorry for all the pics, I was having fun chasing the light with this one. 

Sunflowers

I was at one of my favorite antique shops a few weeks ago and they also happened to be selling several varieties of sunflowers that day.  The sunflowers were grown at a home right next door to the shop, so I picked up a bunch for a mere $5.  I came home and cut a few ingredients from my own yard including vines from some sweet peas, hydrangea, sedum, ammi majus and cosmos.  I combined the sunflowers with my homegrown blooms to create this happy little arrangement that included my favorite sunflower of the bunch - the fuzzy looking teddy bear sunflower.  

Teddy Bear Picnic Baby Shower

I made some arrangements for a friend's teddy picnic themed baby shower a few weeks ago.  The Grandmother-to-be requested flowers with a meadow feel.  I called up a local flower farm who had exactly what I was looking for, I also foraged some pieces from a field and added in some ingredients from my own garden to create the meadow feel.  One of my new favorites that kind of make arrangements sing - a bright pink bloom called "kiss me by the garden gate".  Isn't that the greatest name for a flower?!  

The picnic included sandwiches, potato salad, fruit and other goodies, which were individually wrapped and packaged. The food was brought out by a few cute little girls that included my two daughters.  The girls carried out baskets filled with the food to pass the the guests - It was adorable!  

I made a few surprises for the Mom-to-be, which included this floral "b" that hung over the drink and dessert table.  The "b" of course stands for baby, but it also stands for boy and the couples last name also starts with the letter too.  I also made a floral crown for the lovely expectant Mama as well as a floral bracelet. You can check out the bracelet on my Instagram feed.  It was a great shower for a great person.    

Garden Walk

Lisa at Cold Frame Farm was asked to participate in a local garden walk this year with her farm as one of the stops and she asked me if I could put together some arrangements at the farm for the event.  We brainstormed some ideas and came up with a vintage farm theme.  All the materials I used in the arrangements came from the farm, including some things that grow wild around Lisa's property.  I scattered several different arrangements at the welcome table and in and out of the hoop houses.    

This arrangement features raspberry foliage, wild raspberries and zinnias.  I found a cool vintage wooden drawer to put the arrangement in.  

I created a couple displays that included vegetables and herbs like kale and Thai basil.  The basil made the arrangements amazing.  I loved that contrast of the bright yellow calendula with the deep green of the kale along with the kale's purple veins.  

Aren't those baby eggplant adorable?!

Lilies + Roses

I'm so excited that my garden is now in full bloom.  My lilies always seem to go crazy with little help from me, but my lavender isn't doing very well.  I grew from seed for the first time and had some successes and some not.  The ammi majus is one of my successes.  I also added some roses to my collection.  I'm in love with this soft purple hue of this one.  I found this vintage metal planter holder and set it in one of my wooden crates to display this garden arrangement.  I was so excited to use it that I didn't even take off the price tag (oops).

My dog found his way into this shot. 

Oh this rose!  

Peonies in the Garden

I had to share one last peony shot from the season.  Last year I planted a few peony bushes and waited through the fall and into the long cold winter for the blooms to appear.  In the age of technology, social media and instant gratification, gardening helps us practice patience - a virtue many of us need to practice from time to time.
    

White Rose Floral Arrangement

My personal style is classic.  I'm drawn to timeless styles that I will still love 20 years from now.  I think that's why I love white floral arrangements - they are classic and timeless.  How can you go wrong?

Peony Season

It's June and it's peony season here in Michigan.  As I drive, I see peonies bring pops of color to suburban lawns and see beautiful long rows of peonies in the country, far from any big box store.  Like all seasons in life, it's short lived, so I take in these amazing blooms as much as I can.  I stop while I wash the dishes and inhale their sent as they sit in a rustic mason jar near my kitchen sink.  I place a slightly opened bloom in the kid's play room.  I buy them from a local store, I cut them from friends' gardens and when I past by a stranger's yard, I still want to cut another stem.  I simply can't get enough.  Soon their large blooms will droop off the bushes, slowly turn and die away, but until then I'll cut and enjoy.  How about you?  Are you in love with the peony too?  For more peony love, follow me on Instagram and share your peony pics with me too.

 

Yellow Roses

The end of the school year has been so busy and I realized that I haven't posted in a while.  I created this arrangement for my sister-in-law and gave it to her on Mother's Day.  This is the last week of school for everyone in my family and I'm excited for fun filled days ahead.
 

Signs of Spring

This week will be busy, so I wanted to share something simple.  We have a pine tree that we planted three short years ago and for the last two years a robin has built a nest there in the spring.  Everyday my daughters would go out and check on the eggs.  My husband took this picture of these marvelous eggs before they hatched and flew away.  Mother Nature creates the most perfect shade of blue, doesn't she?

  

Pink Tulip + Hyacinth Arrangement

One of the my favorite spring flowers is the hyacinth.  The fragrance wins me over ever time.

Spring Bridal Shower

I'm usually behind the camera or behind the scenes making everything look pretty, which means I don't get much of a chance to get in front of the camera.  So here I am, in front of the camera with one of my creative partners in crime, Alora of Alora Rachelle Photography.  This photo was taken at Alora's bridal shower a few weeks ago by Sue of Catherine Suzanna Photography.  Isn't her skirt adorable?!  Hop over to Sue's blog to see more of the Alora's cherry blossom themed bridal shower.   

  

Yellow Tulips

These are the first locally grown tulips of the season that I picked up from Cold Frame Farm!  Lisa of Cold Frame Farm grows many yummy veggies along with some gorgeous blooms.  If you live in the area, stop by and pick up something healthy and delicious for yourself.  Since Lisa grows vegetables, I added some kale, herbs and other greens to this arrangement.  I think it turned out great.

Colorful Spring Floral Arrangement

When this arrangement was delivered, I was told that the recipient cried when she received it.  It's amazing that sending flowers can make someone feel so special. I'm currently obsessed with this colorful palette of bright pink and yellow.  With the long winter behind us, I'm ready for some color.