Wednesday, September 28, 2011
One of the best things about being a florist are the days I can break away from the computer & the pruners, and head out to some farms for local product. This past weekend I pulled on my wellies, and braved the rain soaked, muddy, fields to pick out the most perfect pumpkins to bring to you.
Every time I visit a pumpkin farm I literally have to conceal my excitement less I freak out the farmers. My heart races and I typically have to stand still, taking in the colors and shapes. The intricacies of their patterns are beautiful. Some are speckled, some are misty.
My favorite this year is the Fairytale pumpkin, a gorgeous French heirloom variety. They’re a little a little squat and have a beautiful foggy pattern. They’re also edible! We have some in the boutique right now, and are picking up more tomorrow!
These farmers are seriously the most. I want to be their neighbor, living next door, hanging out with them on the porch discussing pumpkin recipes. Pumpkin quesadillas, pumpkin seed mole, roasted pumpkin, pumpkin soup… This year we’ll even have pie pumpkins available! Carve them or cook them, but definitely toast the seeds.
We’re offering a lovely collection of pumpkin centerpieces for Halloween & Thanksgiving. You know them, we make them every year & they’re beautiful.
Davey took this photo, above. I’m so ready to move to this place. Driving down the gravel road we watched hawks soar the sky, & for the first time in my life witnessed a raven in the middle of the road. Those beauties are *enormous*! And when I say “beauty”, I mean intimidating, fierce and rough looking bird. Flanked by two crows, it really was the perfect experience, and began to put us in the mood for darker moments including horror movies and pumpkin beer.
We’re almost into October, and ready for horror movie month. This year we’re getting serious with Suspiria (an Italian coven of witches at a ballet school!? The Goblins writing the soundtrack?!), The Exorcist, and if I build up the courage… The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This time of year is incredible.
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Thursday, September 15, 2011
About a month ago our friend from Lily Red Studio stopped in to take photos of a Truffle Truffle Pop Up Shoppe (more on that later!!). She took some really beautiful detail shots of the boutique, and I thought I should finally share them with you! Thank you so much, Suzy!!
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More thoughts soon. xo
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Thursday, May 26, 2011
A teaser for something fabulous on its way.
Last weekend we had two amazing weddings, this this Memorial Day weekend there are three. I honestly mean it that I am going to be freaking out around here. It’s so beautiful!!!!! I’ve already snapped 100’s of photos, more to come soon! PLus, we have some adorable new gifts that just made their way into the shop. :) Including Leah Duncan dishtowels & prints!
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Wednesday, April 27, 2011
This past Monday I started something new for myself. I left my cell phone at home. At first I felt a little anxiety (which is completely ridiculous) thinking I was missing some really important information or I wasn’t responding to emails/texts fast enough. Also, how the hell was I going to know what time it was? Then I realized I can just buy a cheap watch. And the emails aren’t going anywhere and the shop is closed on Mondays. Then I started to relax.
Davey and I were going to stop downtown and drink a coffee when we decided to stop in the Cultural Center. He had never seen the Tiffany dome and I felt like looking at some art. We were very excited to have stumbled upon a show about Louis Sullivan. I felt such a connection to him and the his design aesthetic, pulling so much inspiration from nature’s mathematics and beauty. And rather than snapping 100 photos on my camera or cell phone, I actually took it all in. And enjoyed my time with Davey. Enjoyed my cafe au lait as I slowly strolled around. And just enjoyed slowing down in general.
(Sometimes I get really annoyed with technology.)
It was really wonderful to step back and think about all the places I find my inspiration. I picked up a book on quilting and realized how much I just LOVE contrast in color. But that’s a post for another day..
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Right now I’m taking a quick break from a rather off day. Allergies + florists always equals an interesting mixture. The flowers are pretty gorgeous around here, however.
And because of that we get to make pretty fabulous things like this.
Lots of things going on around here, we ordered some amazing flowers for Mother’s Day such as peach and yellow parrot tulips, some of our most favorite garden roses, checkered frittilaria, lady slipper orchids, and some other beauties. Also, wedding season is here. I can’t think of the next weekend I have off, but I am really looking forward to how pretty it’s about to become.
xoxo
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Saturday, April 9, 2011
Peonies are one of my most favorite flowers out there. Alongside mimosa, helleborus, dogwood blossoms, checkered frittilaria… the list can go on and on. However today is for the peony.
I think the only thing I dislike about my home is that I have no garden space. Should there be some I would grow so many varieties of these beauties. Yellow are one of my favorites, and last year I bought my Mom “High Noon” from Cricket Hill Gardens for Mother’s Day. I’ve also begun my daydream of retiring one day to a peony farm raising tree and herbaceous varieties.
Every spring there are always a few blooms of these beauties resting in bud vases around our home. I want someone to find me the true peony fragrance that I can wear. Something so true and pure filled with natural herbs and botanicals that Victorian ladies used to wear.
Their beauty and short season has them associated with many myths. They’ve cured diseases and lured forlorned lovers. The traditional floral symbol of China has portrayed them into many forms of art including lavish tapestries and beautiful paintings. They’re simply exquisite.
I’m really excited that they’re now more available at the market. You’re going to be seeing a lot of them this year in deliveries, bridal bouquets and centerpieces. I can’t wait to see them all!
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Friday, April 8, 2011
Today is Fleur’s 9th birthday. It really amazes me that it’s been this long with a lot of ups & fair share of downs, but somehow we’ve really come a long way.
xoxox
Stop in today for a cupcake from Tipsycake!
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Thursday, March 3, 2011
Taking a time out from writing estimate and updates and accounting to share some of the things we have going on around here.
Tommy James & the Shondells and Neil Diamond are keeping us moving around here. I can’t remember a 1st quarter as busy as this.
By the way, Sunday I’m leaving town for a few days. We’re going somewhere warm. I’m wearing a bikini on the beach and reading some Kandinsky with my new glasses and a scarf in my hair. We’re gonna make sand castles and search for shark teeth. Probably shine flashlights into the water at night to see what creatures surface. I’ll feast on fresh fish and drink white wine. And when I come back, sun kissed and refreshed, watch out. I’ll be ready for anything.
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Friday, February 11, 2011
You can’t really make us blush any more than with some amazing press like this.
Time Out Chicago wrote a lovely feature about us and you can read all about it HERE!
This was such a fun day, Lisa and Sarah came the day of the great blizzard of 2011 to take photos of us, and had to deal with our giggles, our shy camera faces and me not knowing what smeyesing was! Take a peek at more of Lisa Predko’s work HERE!
Thank you!! P.S. Valentine’s Day? BRING IT ON!
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Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Leanne & Gordon just can’t be any cuter!!
Styling this shoot was so fun because it was kept so simple. We just wanted L & G to glow, which clearly they did! Add a plateful of *delicious* sweets, adorable cross stitch from our dear friend Alexia, and a taxidermy deer head, well.., nothing says Valentine’s Day like that!
The flowers in those adorable vintage milk glass vases include anemones, ranunculus, peonies, garden roses and miniature artichokes.
These two cannot stop smiling!
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Alexia’s cross stitch are just so dear!!! We have a few available at Fleur, and she will customize them as well. I gave Davey a trio for Christmas and they actually brought tears to his eyes!! Which, of course, caused me to well up.
You can see even more photos on Elizabeth Anne Designs, one of my most favorite wedding blogs!!
All of these photos were taking my husband & wife team, Eric & Jessie from Simply Jessie . I can’t rave about this duo enough. Aside from being incredibly talented photographers they are truly wonderful people and I feel beyond fortunate to call them my friends. I love our time spent together sipping coffee or beer, planning new projects and texting cats photos back and forth.
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I first fell in love with their images when I saw this amazing Secret Wedding shoot. It felt so personal and so full of warmth. Their photos really draw out physical emotion from me (I can’t help it, I am such a romantic!). We’ve worked together on some great projects such as Susan & Robert’s engagement shoot and have some really fantastic things planned for the future. Thank you, Eric & Jessie for being so much fun to work with and such wonderful friends!!!
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Valentine’s Day is under a week away. We’re going to have a lot of beautiful blooms around.
I hope you’re staying warm today!!
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Saturday, January 29, 2011
Today was our terrarium workshop!
What a success and so much fun! Two very special and wonderful friends, Jennifer & Ami, came by to photograph it for an online tutorial (coming soon!). Aside from the fun of building the terrarium, it was a perfect way to begin the morning. So many came in to create, we are already thinking about the next one! We’re looking at lots of teeny, itty bitty succulents, so you can create a little variety in your vase. And, we will encourage you to bring your own vessels as well.
We’re also planning a few other walk-in crafty days at Fleur! Such as making Mom her own sweet lil’ corsage for Mother’s Day complete with flowers, feathers and plumes. Perhaps forcing spring bulbs at home inside. Anything you would like us to teach you?
It has been a very in-store week for us. Lots of pretty things being delivered. Ordering Valentine’s Day flowers. Meetings with clients. It’s been creative week, even though the droning cloudiness managed to get the best of me one day.
Also, last night I went to the Siskel theater to watch an incredible movie with an incredible friend (and my acupuncturist). For those of you who know of my love of honey, it’s no surprise to you that I fell in love with the movie Queen of the Sun, which I highly recommend. A quirky yet serious documentary regarding honeybees and ultimately agriculture. Don’t let the crazy, dancing bee lady scare you aware, she had nothing at all to do with the film. You’ll fall in love with the whimsical french beekeeper, and learn a thing or two as well. You can buy the BEST honey in the world from the Honeycoop.
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Side note, if you need an acupuncturist let me know & I’ll pass along her digits. She is fantastic and her office is in Logan Square.
Hope you’re enjoying the weekend!
xo
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Every time I visit a pumpkin farm I literally have to conceal my excitement less I freak out the farmers. My heart races and I typically have to stand still, taking in the colors and shapes. The intricacies of their patterns are beautiful. Some are speckled, some are misty.
My favorite this year is the Fairytale pumpkin, a gorgeous French heirloom variety. They’re a little a little squat and have a beautiful foggy pattern. They’re also edible! We have some in the boutique right now, and are picking up more tomorrow!
These farmers are seriously the most. I want to be their neighbor, living next door, hanging out with them on the porch discussing pumpkin recipes. Pumpkin quesadillas, pumpkin seed mole, roasted pumpkin, pumpkin soup… This year we’ll even have pie pumpkins available! Carve them or cook them, but definitely toast the seeds.
We’re offering a lovely collection of pumpkin centerpieces for Halloween & Thanksgiving. You know them, we make them every year & they’re beautiful.
Davey took this photo, above. I’m so ready to move to this place. Driving down the gravel road we watched hawks soar the sky, & for the first time in my life witnessed a raven in the middle of the road. Those beauties are *enormous*! And when I say “beauty”, I mean intimidating, fierce and rough looking bird. Flanked by two crows, it really was the perfect experience, and began to put us in the mood for darker moments including horror movies and pumpkin beer.
We’re almost into October, and ready for horror movie month. This year we’re getting serious with Suspiria (an Italian coven of witches at a ballet school!? The Goblins writing the soundtrack?!), The Exorcist, and if I build up the courage… The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This time of year is incredible.
