Sunny!

The color gurus have just released the big news for 2009...bright, vibrant, sunny yellow is the expected star color of the year. Yeah for such an uplifting, cheerful and hopeful color! Mimosa (shown above) is Pantone's rendering of the perfect shade.

True to form, flowers and event decor are just following the fashion world, as yellow was huge in the spring collections that just previewed.

And for flowers? How about sleek tulips and calla lilies; "Tresor", "Kerio", and (my favorite), "Congo" roses; full, blowsy ranunculus; fabulously exotic yellow cymbidium orchids, and the sunniest of all flowers...daffodills and narcissus in the spring? I can't wait for all bright color this coming season!

More details here. (Collage: upper left Ranunculus from Fiore Blossoms, chair and living room from Domino, Books, middle row flowers Martha Stewart, yellow dress from Carolina Herrera, and bottom bouquet from Rosenow Floral. Cute tie? Who knows).

Another excuse for not blogging lately

I've been a little bombarded by e-mails from the parents/grandparents requesting the annual Christmas List for each person in our family. But I have a few bones to pick on this subject.

1. For some reason, I have been put in charge of creating these lists for every member of my immediate family. Even my literate and particular 32 year-old husband.


2. For some reason, the lists go almost completely disregarded, by one particular side of the family in particular. My list in particular. Husband's list (see item #1), not so much.


So this year, I'm considering sending this one out with just one item...because I'm feeling a bit sassy about the whole program. I'm fairly certain that with this price tag, I won't get lucky.


A breathable teepee. Yep, breathable.
But in all seriousness, I've been traveling for the last two weeks solid (heaven by the way!), and will get back in the blogging swing of it TOMORROW! Big news about the color forecast for 2009...any predictions?

Dark days ahead...

Sundays in fact. I mean, what is there left in life, now that the guys are going to be MIA for a while after this week?

Well, I'll tell you what's left...Mammoth Men! Aka...the real Entourage. A wacky, creative, funny group of cuties culled from the ranks of the best wedding photographers out there. Check out the mancation these guys have been on here, (it's a sort of choose your own adventure, but they've relinquished control to their blog readers). This particular trip has included sand dunes, gorgeous scenery, flag football in their skivs, bowling (with pants on), lots of cool photos, and a lot of really funny blog posts. Their blog also has the videos from their previous shenanigans. I have to admit...I think I'm a teensy bit in love with them, but who wouldn't be?

Did I mention they are all wedding photographers? Really talented wedding photographers? Thank goodness, because now I can justify putting all their goofy hotness on my blog. You can get to their serious portfolio websites from the fun one. And in all seriousness, it's worth doing.

Happy weekend readers! And enjoy the last half hour of those other boys on Sunday night.

All photos from Mammonth Men except Entourage, which is from HBO.

(#21) Just a glimpse...

of sherbety, frothy, fluffy bridesmaid dresses! Amorology recently featured Lexy and Jared's real wedding--and the whole thing was gorgeous. Totally loved the flowers. But REALLY loved that Lexy had each of her girls pick out a pastel vintage prom dress. The whole pile of tulle makes my heart skip a beat.

Photo by Flint Photography.

Trying really hard...

to get back to the blog! After such a crazy summer, I honestly just haven't wanted to spend a ton of time talking flowers and weddings. It's been a lovely month off, and now my brain is starting to feel a glimmer of interest again. So I'm breaking back in the easy way, with just a few pics culled from the summer archives.

Two bouquets created for another photo shoot, also coming out in January. This one is for 425, and I can't wait to see what the real photographer did with them! And, just a little bit of tiger slipped in at the end...

Garden roses, ranunculus, oncindium orchids, tulips, yarrow, and bittersweet vine wrapped in vintage French ribbon from the fab Bell'occhio in San Francisco.

Blue thistle, arabicum ornithogalum, deer fern, callas, berzilla berries and an artichoke, accented with peacock feathers and hand-dyed ribbon from Paper Source in Bellevue.

Real Weddings: Amanda & Tieming

One more from the lady that is quickly becoming a great friend! Thanks Kate for more beautiful pictures. As always, you did a stunning job.

Amanda and Tieming were married a few weeks ago at one of my very favorite Seattle venues for small, intimate weddings--Ray's Boathouse. Ray's has so much to offer--a beautiful quintessential Seattle view, a FABULOUS group of people in the event planning/catering department that are great to work with (this is important brides!), and dee-lish food.

Best wishes to Amanda and Tieming! And to see more pics, check out Kate McElwee's beautiful blog here.

(#20) Just (another) glimpse...

of my little photo shoot bouquet, this one courtesy of the awesome Fifi over at Fifi Flowers Design Decor. She did a little painting last weekend of the photo I posted, and shared it on her blog on Monday. Thanks Fifi!!!

In other news...I just returned from a lovely weekend away with good friends, a precious baby that I just got to enjoy but wasn't responsible for, good food, beautiful weather, and fun shopping. I've been dying to see one of my favorite on-line shops, Bell'occhio, in person for years, and it did not disappoint. I found some gorgeous vintage Swiss and French ribbons that I can't wait to use on special bouquets. Another wonderful stop very close by is my favorite bakery anywhere--Tartine. Their Gruyere cheese gougeres and passion fruit cake are two of the best things I've ever eaten.

(#19) Just a glimpse...

of a little bouquet for a recent photo shoot (!). The details and rest of the bouquet to be revealed in January!

A little shameless self promotion

'Tis the season for campaigning! So while this probably isn't the time to be asking you lovely readers for favors (I haven't been posting much at all--I know!), here I am.

A former client was sweet enough to nominate Fiore Blossoms for "The Best of Western Washington" contest, put on every year by a local TV station. There are only a few days left for voting, and it just takes a second! So...if you're feeling really generous with your time, here's the link! You don't have to be local to vote.

And thanks. YOU'RE the best!

Real Weddings: Gretchen + Ben

Fab photos from a fab gal for a truly fab couple...pics today from Gretchen and Ben's August wedding. Kate McElwee took the beautiful images below--more are available here.

Gretchen and Ben started pics at Volunteer Park in Seattle (one of my favorite picture spots!), and then celebrated at St. Therese Church with a reception at The Lakeside. They get the prize for the couple with the sunniest disposition...ALWAYS smiling and having fun...which you'll see in their pics!

Mmm...Tiffany's....

Gretchen getting ready...

and Ben getting ready.

Mmm...mojitos!

Yes, I'm still alive!

Hey there! A few of you sweet readers have sent little notes that you are worried about me. So nice of you to notice my little absence. I had eye surgery about 10 days ago, and have been busy resting and healing up--which is coming along nicely. I've been away from the computer since looking at the screen felt a little like what I think poking hot needles in your eye must feel like. Doing so much better now though, and promise to have some pics of recent work in the next few days. (Maybe I'll even get brave and show a few pics of how the 80's ensemble turned out...but I doubt it).

In the meantime, isn't little baker Hayes the sweetest?

Real Weddings: Lanaya + Zach

A few pics from a recent wedding aboard the Steamship Virginia V here in Seattle. The totally fab Kate McElwee (who is just as absolutely cute as can be, and has gazillions of talent to boot) shot some really gorgeous photos. Check out the rest on her blog.

Layana and Zach were a blast to work with because they were so excited about vibrant colors (deep eggplant, teal, and chocolate brown), had a gorgeous Art Deco sense of style, and love peacock feathers (I can't get enough of them this summer either!). Jennell and Lily of Luminous Events put together a pretty incredible day. Enjoy!

Gorgeous henna! And I do love a girl that can rock the blue toenails on her wedding day.

The bridesmaids bouquet were designed with deep eggplant dahlias, blue thistle, callas, peacock feathers and antique hydrangea.

Really off topic...

Ok folks. If you're here for wedding talk, you might want to move right along. The rest of you, hang with me on this one.

So, I'm doing research tonight (ok, I'm really watching old videos on YouTube in an effort to remember what we used to wear in the 80's. I have a party to go to this weekend, and all I've done so far is procur a hair crimper and scrunchie. I think the fashion must have been so bad that I've totally blocked out all memories of it).

Anyway, I started with "Thriller", and then got completely sidetracked. It seems there is a prison in the Phillipines that is doing dance rehabilitiation of inmates. They film the whole prison (hundreds of people! maybe thousands actually) doing a choreographed routine to some really great songs. Of course "Thriller" is there, and also "Do the Hustle", "I Need a Hero" (remember? from Footloose?), a little Black Eyed Peas...and I'm telling you, some of these people can DANCE!

Anyway, here's my fav. Maybe because I fell completely head over heels for Hugh Grant as soon as he shook his cute little booty to this. Fell in love, actually.

Oh, and if you have ANY ideas on 80's fashion, please pass them along. Remember, I'm a girl that lives in a 99 year old house, would own a 1958 Porsche Convertible D if it were possible, and loves disco music. Other than the previously mentioned Footloose and Thriller, the 80's just weren't my decade.

Real Weddings: Nicole + Travis

A few pics from a recent wedding...no pro pics yet, so please excuse the bad photography by yours truly. Nicole and Travis exchanged vows in Parsons Garden on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, and celebrated with their guests at Pravda Studios (an awesome blank-slate, modern and bright venue). Check out the amazing "curtain" Nicole hung behind the cupcake table.

Flowers: Fiore Blossoms. Venues: Parsons Garden, Pravda Studios. Cupcakes: Trophy Cupcakes.