Passion Flowers

Passion Flowers are unique in their beauty and fragrance.  Legend has it that a Jesuit Priest in Peru came across the vines of Passion Flowers and was immediately smitten with them . . . that night he had a dream in which the parts of the flower were explained to him as symbols of Christ's crucifixion -- the nails, the crown of thorns, etc. 
Today Christians worldwide celebrate Good Friday and Best Buds' has selected the Passion Flower as our Flower of the Week!

Sugar & Spice!

Sugar & Spice . . . A sweet Flower Girl & a sassy Ring Bearer  make this wedding photo a keeper!

What's Old is New Again

A table setting that would please Alice in Wonderland! 

 Country Living Magazine featured this photo some time ago and it made me think about what I am hearing from today's brides -- they are looking for simpler venues, environmentally friendly products, going from the round tables to long tables reminiscent of family gatherings that warm their hearts and create a sense of nostalgic romance for their special day.

The do-it-yourself favors and special items hand made by family members of the happy couple are treasures that they pass out to their guests with pride and joy as they share a part of their family's heritage.

The theme is all about a celebration and fun . . it has to be pretty but simple.  Even the photographs are taking on a new look .. not the staged formal portraits but casual, playful and always romantic.

Simple menus but with quality foods along with the continued trend of the tall Wedding Cakes combined with the touch of shabby rustic chic.   Imagination is everything in trends and using what you have on hand suddenly becomes a trend setter.  Take for instance the cake stand I made from 4 square copper lanterns topped with a simple round of clear glass which allowed the candlelight to dance up through the glass and create this great reflection under the the cake.

Fondant is being replaced by yummy buttercreams and cakes are being decorated with natural elements like fruit, herbs and organically grown flowers rather than the traditional cake toppers and copious amounts of roses between each layer of cake

Today's brides want to share with their guests a piece of themselves by creating an event that will not only be enjoyable for one day but will be remembered and talked about long after the last dance is danced!

Simple Spring Decorating

I always tell my friends and clients that the simplest things are sometimes the prettiest elements you can use in your home.

Dress up your kitchen island with some cuttings from your flowering trees, snip a few blooms from the garden and place them along side your nest of 'Peep' Cupcakes and your kitchen will look good enough to be in Country Living Magazine . . .Enjoy!

Take a Walk in Your Garden

The snow is finally over and the birds are singing their Spring songs . . . . I'm drawn to the Garden today & as I look up I see this poster above my desk and there is the perfect invitation,  'Take a Walk in the Garden this morning' . . . I think I will do just that . . . would you like to join me?

Bouquets to 'Remember'

Do you want to make your bouquet a cherished heirloom? 

 Try adding a sentimental and treasured piece of jewelry from a special family member or vintage lockets with pictures of family members you want to remember on your special day or the lace sleeve from your Mother's Wedding gown.

Any one of these ideas will bring new meaning to the time honored tradition of 'something' borrowed!

Keep 'Mother Earth' Blooming!

Today we revisit 'Earth Hour' a movement which began in 2007 when over 2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to 'make a stand' against the climate changes our world is currently undergoing.

Since then this movement has grown, and as we begin the Spring Season in this hemisphere of 'Mother Earth's Garden' I am reaching out to all of my fellow 'flower friends' to keep in mind our 'friends and families' in Japan who are trying to recover what is left of their lives and their beautiful country.  We can all do more to keep Mother Earth blooming!