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.

Wednesday's stream of consciousness

The lovely Fifi at Fifi Flowers Design Decor was inspired today by a few little shots she found on Fiore fresco. I'm so flattered--she paints the sweetest little vignettes that are little collages of photos she finds. They always transport me away from reality for a few moments, and it was so fun to find out that she used some Fiore fresco material today. Thanks Fifi! (And here are the original shots...)

Catching up on paperwork today so that I can spend a few moments uploading photos from a few of the FIVE weddings last weekend. It was crazy, exhausting, and fun.

And...feeling like a proud momma after watching Hayes meet his first teacher this morning. He's off to preschool next week! Also loving that delicious warm feeling I get whenever I'm reminded of the wonderful and amazing friends I have...lots of help, love, working out some kinks, and enjoying really good times lately from a group of people I consider family.

Autumn remodeling

Every fall I start getting the bug to redecorate a little--I think it's the fact that we return inside after a summer spent on the patio. There doesn't seem to be time this year for much besides new lamps and hanging a sweet little faux deer (yes! I finally have one! Thanks G's.), but I like living vicariously through Katie Ridder's inspiring interiors. I love the perfect balance between classic design utilizing gorgeous vintage pieces and rich color and clean, modern spaces devoid of too much clutter.

Solar lanterns

Searching for the perfect moss green lanterns tonight for an autumn wedding, and found these SOLAR powered lanterns that would be great in the garden. Made of nylon to be weather resistant, and it's just lovely that they don't need ugly cords or a power supply.

Real Weddings: Aaron & Amanda

Just a few shots from Joshua Gene Photography of Aaron and Amanda's recent wedding at Court in the Square here in Seattle. The orchid strands have been a big hit this summer--I love how the crystals we incorporated into these sparkled from the floating candles in the pond below. Amanda's fresh color palette of pale green and yellow with white and black accents was so crisp and clean.

I'll be posting more of these later, but wanted to share a few that Joshua had posted on his blog. Thanks for the beautiful photography Joshua!

Flowers from Fiore Blossoms, photos from Joshua Gene.

(#18) Just a glimpse....

of a LOVE PARADE!!! When you're in the biz, you see a lot of the same ideas recycled, but this one is fresh and new! What a way to CELEBRATE! Photos by the lovely Heather Gilson at One Love Photo--one of the sweetest gals in Washington State, I swear. And she's got more details and pics of this craziness here, so go check it out if you're in the mood for a grin.

Recent pics

Dowloading CD's tonight so that we have some new music for the studio, and wading through some of the pics that have been sitting on the computer. Some recent-ish work...

A wedding at the Woodland Park Zoo rose garden, with a Dr. Suess tree in the background.



Green antherium, calla lilies, orchids and millet in birch bark at Ray's Boathouse.

Modern arrangements for a rehearsal dinner at The Black Bottle.

Gloriosa lily, blackberries, orange mokara orchids, and viburnum with "Tenga Venga" roses.

Hayes and I love to take self-portraits while waiting for something. A recent one from the eye doctor's waiting room. Teddy makes a cameo appearance in this one.