See you next year!

The boys are having so much fun giggling over the old "see you next year" thing with their friends.  Do you remember how funny that was in elementary school?  We're reliving it around here--daily, maybe hourly!  For the non-elementary school set, here is a different kind of New Year's treat; something delicious to sip as you ring in the New Year. (I promise this won't become a cooking blog.  Food just happens to be my favorite holiday activity.  My non-holiday favorite activity too if I'm being honest).

I have a few bottles of Ketle One sitting around, thanks to a goodie bag from a recent wedding (I know!  How awesome are my perks?), so I'm going to whip up some raspberry cosmos for tomorrow night.  A little 2000-late maybe on the cocktail trends, but nothing this yummy should ever go out of style.  AND, thanks to Tradewind Tiaras, a thoroughly modern take on cocktail garnishes.  EDIBLE rice paper butterflies to rest on the rim of your glass, though any other shape created with a paper punch is possible too, and easy!  Gorgeous, glamorous, and so 2012.



Raspberry Cosmopolitans
makes 1 pitcher, about 6 cocktails

• 2 cups good quality vodka, such as Ketle One or Grey Goose
• 1/2 cup Triple Sec
• 1/2 cup Chambord
• 2 cups cranberry-raspberry cocktail juice
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• fresh raspberries, sugar, rice paper garnish...all the pretty extras! 

Mix everything except raspberries in a pitcher.  Individual drinks should be poured and shaken in a cocktail shaker with ice before serving.  Garnish rim of each glass with sugar (wet rim first with vodka, dip in sugar) and a pretty edible paper garnish if desired.  Extra raspberries to float in your drink are a must! 

P.S.  I'm going to try making homemade raspberry vodka this summer. There is a restaurant in Seattle that has a huge glass container of vodka and raspberries, just sitting there on the bar muddling together and being heavenly in general.  It's the most delicious and dangerous concoction, and the reason I first fell in love with raspberry cosmos.

Ok, seriously.  Have a safe and delicious holiday.  And see you next year! 

A little Christmas gift for you...open immediately!

Hi!  It's been such a long time, so I thought I'd pop in for a little holiday cheer.  I've been off decorating for other people's holiday parties, throwing a few holiday parties myself, wrapping, baking, tree-trimming, watching Love Actually, building gingerbread houses, visiting old friends...and finding out that it really is a magical season when you are sharing it with a four and six-year old.  Mine are literally glowing with excitement right now. 

Noah and I had such a good time baking this morning, preparing an old family favorite to ship off to my sweet sisters and brother.  Like so many grandmothers, ours used to bake for the whole family, and whether near or far, we always got a box of cream wafers from her.  (The "open immediately" package was always the one I was most excited about.  The "open later" was usually something to wear, and bless her heart, she was a much better baker than stylist!).  Grandma hasn't been able to bake or send cookies for several years, so Noah and I spent the morning channelling all of her baking talent into a little "open immediately" box for my sisters that miss getting one from Grandma.   

So these are our family favorite, now for a fourth generation. They don't sound like much when you read the recipe; just three ingredients after all!  But the wafers and the filling together are a magical combination...delicate, buttery, flaky, melt-in-your-mouth goodness!  Since I can't give every one of you an "open immediately" box for Christmas, a recipe instead. 

The Merriest Christmas to you!

Cream Wafers

Cookies: 

• 1 cup soft butter
• 1/3 cup whipping cream
• 2 cups flour, sifted

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  In bowl of electric mixer, cream butter for 2 minutes.  Add whipping cream, and beat on medium for 2 more minutes.  On low speed, slowly add flour just until incorporated.  Roll dough out to 1/4"-1/8" thick.  Cut with small cookie cutters, making sure to do an even number of each shape (they will be sandwiched together later).  Transfer cookies to a plate with sugar, and pat sugar into surface firmly, to coat.  Place on sheet of parchment on a cookie sheet, and lightly pierce all over with a fork to make tiny dots on surface to prevent bubbles.  Bake 7-9 minutes, watching carefully and removing at the slightest hint of browning.  Cool completely.

Filling

• 1/4 cup soft butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• drizzle of whipping cream to make frosting a spreadable consistency if needed

Beat all ingredients together, adding just a tiny bit of whipping cream if needed to get a spreadable consistency.  Tint with pink or green food coloring if desired.  

Sandwich cream wafer cookies together with filling and enjoy! 

Ta Da! Introducing...

Calligraphy services!  Copperplate script actually, for those that want the historically accurate name, but otherwise known as pretty writing that makes pretty things like invitations and escort cards even prettier.  I don't think I could ever love anything more than flowers, but writing delicate words with a scratchy old pen nib takes a very close second. 

I had a few more lovely photos from Molly Magee of La Vie Photography, from Urban Unveiled, highlighting some of the calligraphy work I had on display.  I'm offering both envelope addressing and escort cards, and will even do custom projects like the little color swatch folded cards shown below.  The sky is the limit on fancy ink colors, beautiful metallics, and even thoughtful postage stamps to make the very first impression of your big event, absolutely perfect.  Shoot me an email, and lets get the ball rolling!

Time to put the fun back in dysfunctional!

Just in time for holidays...Dysfunctional family BINGO!  The squares are hilarious, and instead of marking them off as you identify each bad behavior, you get to take out all of your passive aggressive anger by punching out the square.  Because what holiday is complete without...

• inappropriate attire
• questionable parenting
• hormonal imbalance
• escaping early
• self-medicating
• repetitive stories

Seriously, this might just be my new go-to gift.

For all those dress requests...

I'm amazed at how many emails I continue to get, two years later, about the dress I wore in the above picture.  Pinterest has spawned a zillion new requests for info about THE DRESS, and even a request to buy it if I still have it hanging around.  (I do, I considered, and it's not going anywhere). 

But check out this new one at Anthropologie, by the same label and everything!  Not an exact match, but I think it has a similar feel.  Just thought I'd throw out the suggestion for those that have emailed.


(Top photo by Mint and Sage, flowers by Fiore Blossoms.  Personally, I think that big orange Icelandic poppy is even more exciting than the dress...)

Urban Unveiled II

Another shot of Fiore's blossoms, this one from the sweet boys at Gabriel Boone Photography.  I'm so glad they called for flowers, because it was such a treat to meet them!  I feel like a new friendship is in the works...can't wait to work with them on Annie and Nicole's pretty nuptials this coming spring.  They do gorgeous, modern, clean, artsy sort of work.  Thanks for the pretty pic guys!

I'm off to the last wedding for a few weeks...pretty purple and moss green at Hidden Valley Ranch.  I mean Hidden Meadows Farm.  Whatevs.

Urban Unveiled...the aftermath

I've been quiet...needed rest after all the fun! Ok, I've also been struggling with a whole party of viruses, throwing a little soiree in their chosen venue...my sinuses. Some lovely pictures of Fiore's blossoms though, courtesy of the lovely Molly Magee of La Vie Photography. Love that girl!

They get me every time!

I'm a total sucker for trees wearing sweaters.


Did I mention tickets for Urban Unveiled are $45 at the door?  And that I have two to give away?  Seattle peeps, they can be yours!

Warm and cozy tree pic from Apartment Therapy.

As promised! The party of the year is upon us!

THE wedding event of the year, Urban Unveiled, returns next Wednesday evening, October 12th, to elegant Benaroya Hall.  The excitement is building...plans, ideas, trends, and tips have all been flying around between the very awesome partners that are putting together what is sure to be the best show yet.  I personally can't wait to do-up our own space in awesome, vintage, "diamond in the rough" style (this year's theme is diamonds...watch for some serious sparkle and bling). I'm also eagerly anticipating the grand unveiling of Luly's newest collection; all of the spectacular spaces that Seattle's most talented peeps are putting together; and the gorgeous fashions, flowers, and vignettes that are going to be on display.  Oh, and did I mention CHAMPAGNE, an excuse to wear a pretty dress, and deelish food???

I have two tickets that are burning a hole in my electronic pocket. This is such a deal!  Leave a comment by noon this Friday, and two people will be randomly selected to win tickets.  Have fun!  (Sorry...give-away not open to industry vendors).

Own, and save! a piece of history...

Landreth Seed Company, one of the oldest American companies, and THE oldest seed company, is in grave danger of closing soon.  Despite a huge resurgence in gardening from seeds in recent years (thanks, economy), Landreth is about to go under.  In an effort to make a last gasp for air, they are taking orders for their 2012 BEAUTIFUL catalog now, to be shipped in time for Christmas presents. 

A catalog for a gift?  Why yes!  The catalogs contain engravings of original hand-drawings of heirloom seeds and plants.  Historical tidbits of info and tips are included, and the whole thing makes for a beautiful gift for any gardener or lover of botanical drawings.  Or anyone that values centuries-old, family-owned companies.  The catalogs are $5, and despite their own desperation, they are committed to printing everything here in the US, rather than sending it overseas for a fraction of the price.

 
Heck, while you're at it, order a few gift cards for your favorite gardeners!  Besides heirloom seeds, they have bulbs of all varieties, historical weather instruments for your favorite weather geek, and a lovely little library of beautiful books for sale.  Now go shop!  Even if it's only that gorgeous, special catalog.

Also, Monday...I'll have two tickets to the Wedding Extravaganza of the Year to give away!  You want these!

Pinterested in a lot of stuff...

Like the rest of the world, Fiore Blossoms is now on Pinterest!  (I'm not even going to pretend I'm original, or that I discovered something new, but if YOU still haven't, it's time!).  Just wanted to let you know that I've been pinning like mad and starting to collect some great ideas there for tables, flowers, paper, food; anything event related. 

And, a few of my favorite go-to's for hordes of ideas:

Perfect Palette...TONS of palettes and gorgeous ideas!:  http://pinterest.com/perfectpalette/

Wedding Wishfulness from Leslie Hoggatt: http://pinterest.com/lesliehoggatt/products-i-love/

BHLDN pins!  And it's not just their stuff...: http://pinterest.com/BHLDN/

and Jordan Ferney...you know that old Police song?  "Every Little Things She Does is Magic".  It was written about her!  And this is where she collects some of her ideas.  I'm glad I get to spy!  http://pinterest.com/jordanferney/

A wicked awesome room...

My wicked (and I use the term in the fondest way and only because she named herself that many, many years ago) step-mother is visiting right now, so I finally got to see the fantastic room she did this past spring for the Showhouse of Art and Design in Marietta, Georgia.  If you're looking for any design help in the greater Atlanta area, she is most definitely the woman to work with! 




Design by the super talented Ann Gronewald, Antiques and Interiors.

And you call this work?

Working on one of the many things-in-the-works this morning.  Throwing pretty things around and taking pictures for backgrounds.  Love this job today.  (Details on the pretty things...an antique Chinese calligraphy brush that was a surprise belated b'day gift just yesterday, from a sweet friend.  Pretty earrings by talented Abilena; new superfine silk ribbon that is my fave, and will be going on bridal bouquets from here on out; fan coral from a source that claims to be responsibly harvested...hope so.  Little bug gems from my own nuptials about an eon ago; and all calligraphy by yours truly.  Aren't they pretty escort cards?  You too can have such loveliness...) 

So many things in the works....

A magazine shoot...new calligraphy services...a brand-new website with a SHOPPING CART(!!!yes!  there will be shopping!), and a whole bunch of other things going on as well.  School is underway, Noah has recovered from the flu he got after 1 hour (literally, 1 hour) of school, lots of family on their way from Atlanta, gardening...and feeling so thankful for the return of routine, fall schedules, soccer games, September sunshine, each day.

p.s.    The lace chuppah above is new and awesome.  I've got it, you want it.  Call me.

p.p.s. If you are planning a wedding or a party in the bay area, or if you want to fly them somewhere else, or if you just need to get down, POP FICTION is where it's at.  Just came home from a whirlwind 24 hours in San Fran as a wedding guest, and my booty is in recovery.  Pop Fiction was so jammin' that I didn't leave the dance floor until the power went out, lights off.  I was so dedicated that they gave me an honorary turn on the base towards the end of the night.  Sweet.  For a good time, call them!

Falling sand

I'm usually a very frilly, vintagey type girl; one that loves tarnished silver bowls and Grannie's cracked china.  So what is this craze I'm feeling for Yukihiro Kaneuchi SAND vases? I love the way they build this sense of anticipation; that at any second the sand could just come tumbling down and leave a naked stem standing there.  (Because when it comes right down to it, I'm a girl that loves drama most of all!).

via Design*Sponge 

Pretty Quinn!

Such a pretty bride from last year...and a pretty photo from Maurice Photo. Purple phaleonopsis, dark callas, "Black Magic" and "Vino Rosso" roses, and hypericum berries comprised her bouquet. But I think it's her gorgeous smile and bridely glow that really make this picture fantastic.

Real Weddings: Kat + Dom

Our Seattle calendar got a little confused this year, and it seemed Labor Day was destined to be the first day of summer for us, as opposed to Memorial Day.  But one thing about Seattle that most of those naysayers don't know?  When it comes, we know how to do summer right.  Dom and Kat's gorgeous Alderbrook Labor Day wedding a few weeks ago is proof...the most gorgeous summer day, a long drive down the Peninsula through beach cabin territory, a relaxing ferry ride, and Mora ice cream to wrap it up.  Oh, and the wedding was pretty fun too.