Happy Holidays!!!

I know I'm super late but I wanted to share my holiday arrangement before 2014 arrives. Believe it or not, a dozen of these arrangements were specifically created for a baby shower, yes I said baby shower.  Not your average color palette of blue and pink but  seasonal hues of gold, burgundy, white, and green. I found this really gorgeous burgundy and gold  naked seeded eucalyptus and knew that it would add the seasonal touch that I was looking for. This arrangement was especially fun creating because I got to design with colors that I might not normally combine. I get to challenge myself and improve my eye for color and design. Enjoy!!!

Lately...A Revelation

Lately my schedule has been filled with two types of days. The extremely busy day, and the extremely empty day. I honestly don't know how it happens but as a result, my multitasking skills have tremendously improved. I can't always predict when business will come, but I can be ready once it arrives. Like the day I had a big wedding and a potential client who wanted to meet with me on that same morning for a consultation. My body was screaming "NO!" but that little voice in the back of my head said "YOU CAN HANDLE IT" and that I did. Or most recently, when I was requested to design some pieces for a dinner party and set up for a wedding on the same day. Somehow, (Lord willing only) I made it work. Here's a sneak peek of some work from that day.

Baby's Breath All Grown Up

I was just playing around with some baby's breath filler and decided to make a bouquet. I didn't think that it would really leave an impression on me but I have to say that I'm really liking the simplicity of it. I looks really  modern, elegant and lush. It would go really good in a tall vase on a wedding reception table. I don't know,

Dhalias, Oh my!

I must start off this post of "Friday Flowers" by showcasing these stunning peach dhalias. They are my DIVAS and the backbone for all the designs in the centerpieces and bouquets for this wedding. Each event I look forward to using a bloom I've never used in previous weddings. This dhalia is my newest fav, and now I want to use it more often. Of course more professional pics will come, but I just wanted to share some that I took on my camera.

"Reaping the Fruits of Networking" with Asheris Events Planning and Design

When I decided that I wanted to run a small floral business, I knew networking was gong to be one of my biggest challenges. I'm so used to being shy and reserved that stepping out of my box and meeting other small business owners was out of the question. But somehow, looking at my current small business owning friends, I have managed to do just that. I met Euryka Fon Ndumu of Asheris Events Planning and Design about a year and a half ago. She was planning a "Twin Fever" 25th birthday party for 2 of my friends. Unfortunately I never made it to the birthday party, but when I saw the pics, I wished that I had. I wanted to compliment her of her work, so I sent her a message letting her know that I was an upcoming florists specializing in weddings. She messaged me back with warm words of encouragement and we became Facebook friends. Here we are a year and a half later, and I am her preferred florist. Working with her and her team is an incredible experience. She plans EVERYTHING!!! And I do mean EVERYTHING!!! Her work has been showcased all around the globe from California, to Canada, to Cameroon, to Michigan, and then back here to the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. She specializes in of course weddings and vow renewals, birthday parties for all ages,  pamper parties, galas and soirees, and last but not least her signature baby showers. Here are a couple of pics from some of my favorite events.

Eury with my friends at their 25th birthday

Dr. Seuss themed birthday party

I just had to share some pics from a birthday party I recently attended. No, it has nothing to do with flowers but everything to do CREATIVITY, which is right up my alley. My childhood best friend who I hadn't seen in years, threw her son a Dr. Seuss themed soiree for his 1st birthday.Every detail was carefully planned from the "1 FISH, 2 FISH, RED FISH, BLUE FISH" label on the tin for the Goldfish snacks, to the "Thing 1, Thing 2" photo shoot. I couldn't help but take out my camera and snap pics of everything and everyone. I loved the way she picked a theme and incorporated it in every aspect of the party. Even the birthday boy

Stone Manor

As I continue on my journey as a small business owner, I'm always looking to learn new design techniques. Oftentimes, I work with my floral mentor Petals and Promises LLC.  The images below display her creative designs and some of my most loved work. The wedding took place on an unusually warm weekend in April at Stone Manor in Frederick MD. The colors included different hues of purple, green, and white; very appropriate for April I must say.

 I'm only sharing a couple of photos from my mentor's portfolio since this is her baby. Though the pictures won't show, this day was full of lots of manual labor, sweat, as well as time. I vividly remember being EXHAUSTED at the end of the day but it was completely worth my time learning new skills and trends in the wedding industry. To sum it up, I LOVED every moment of the preparation. Enjoy the pics!!!