I received the most beautiful and unique bouquet of flowers this past weekend from a friend that I *knew* I needed to share this florist with you all the moment I saw the bouquet. POPUPFLORIST.
Look at this beauty!
POPUPFLORIST
flowers
FLOWERS!
Flowers! I love every type of flower — real, in nature, picked, fake, photo, drawing — any and every type of flower. And in the past week, I have had three new flower encounters that I want to share!
1. Fotografiska Exhibit “Human / Nature – Encountering Ourselves in the Natural World”
I loved all the different art work in this exhibit, but I especially loved the Lewis Miller Flash Flower Photos — as I have seen most of them in person and love everything about them.
April Vase
Over Thanksgiving when we were at our brother/sister from another mister (friends that are truly family), they had set the most beautiful table for dinner. And as always, everything they do, is perfection and makes me want to copy every last detail (imitation is the best form of flattery?). My main take away was the flower vase — yes, a vase — but so so beautiful, unique, and oh so perfect.
Look at the perfect Thanksgiving table!
How to Make a Flower Chain
There is nothing more summery to me than a flower chain — fresh weeds / flowers picked from a meadow AND the time to just make a flower chain. I love it.
Any time I find a field with flowers, I just CANNOT NOT (yes double negative) stop to make a flower chain.
Flower Class
Last week, I had the opportunity to take a private class with a florist, Denise from Flower Girl, and it was THE HIGHLIGHT of my month. Not only did we walk around the flower district where I learned which shop was best for plants vs flowers, where to get vases, the best orchids, and more, but I also made a floral arrangement. It was a very different experience — and I cannot wait to do it again.
We first met at a shop and discussed all the different flowers we needed for the arrangement. I asked Denise, the founder and owner of Flower Girl, what sparked her interested, and from there, we picked the rest out. It was very different from what I would have picked (which is why I went with her) and it was so fun to see it all come together.
Lewis Miller Design Flower Flash
One of my favorite accounts to follow on instagram is NYC based florist, Lewis Miller. He puts together beautiful floral arrangements with a great sense of style and eye — but mostly, I love him for his flower flashes he creates in the city. Initially, Lewis started these flashes as an experiment to reconnect himself with the craft, but then quickly saw the beautiful shared experience with New Yorkers and what joy and beauty it brought to everyone. So they became his gift to New Yorkers — with his goal to create “a positive, emotional response through flowers, and that seeing people’s reactions to the flashes emphasizes the basic goodness in all people and prioritizes compassion.”
Yesterday, I saw on my insta feed, that he had done his first 2021 installation at Hudson Yards. So, immediately, ran down there to see it. He wrote that he wanted something fun and playful for the kids of the city — and that it is. Different, fun, and beautiful.
Blossr Flowers
Sadly, one of my favorite flower companies in New York City is no longer in business. The Groh, which was hands down, my favorite flower place that delivered fresh flowers to my apartment every Monday, has shut down, a victim of the effects of COVID on the economy. I know it sounds silly — but The Groh was phenomenal. Everything about it — it was set up to be a middle man, so instead of me trekking down to the flower district, The Groh would go, and then bundle them up and deliver them to my house. It was waaaaaaay cheaper than a typical florist, and waaaaaay easier than me doing the leg work (yes, spoiled). I loved it so much and miss it already. So after hours searching for some kind of replacement for my Monday joy, I came across Blossr. It is a minimalist flower delivery service that sends flowers on (and only on) Friday. There are not many options, but man, are they gorgeous. I love them so much and I can’t wait to use them again.
Pink Anthuriums. Don’t they look fake???? So gorgeous and unusual.
Currently Loving April 2018
So here we are in April. It snowed here in NYC on Monday. I thought April was SPRING for GOD SAKES? In any case, need to stay positive, so here is what I am currently loving for April 2018! Take a look.
It is made with organic chocolate, so it’s healthy, right???? Yeah right, but somehow, it makes it taste better, like the organic chocolate is better for your body and your body knows that. And if you are going to indulge, then might as well indulge in some organic chocolate (or that is my rationale….)
Creamy or Crunchy? OR BOTH?
Flower Crown Party
Earlier this month in California, my sista-from-another-mister, hosted a Flower Crown Gathering (yes, I feel the need for it to be capitalized) at her home in the Bay Area. As always, Amy pulled it together like Martha Stewart and made everything look so beautiful and perfect. The party consisted of a couple of friends, delicious home-made appetizers, free flowing drinks, and a class on flower crown making led by florist and designer Sarah Padilla.
Another proud flower crown made by yours truly.
Flower Girl NYC
A couple of weeks ago, I co-hosted a baby shower for one of my besties in NYC. It was a huge over-the-top, atypical, and insanely beautiful event. While it took place in a formal location, we wanted it to feel down-to-earth… solution: we hired Flower Girl NYC to do the flowers. And man oh man, were the floral arrangements *out of this world beautiful*! Although we dealt with a minor snafu with the delivery of the flowers, I can’t speak highly enough of the flowers themselves. They stole the show (although my friend was beyond radiant and gorgeous with her tiny baby bump, so it was a tie).
Every angle is perfection. Can you take the beauty? I can’t….. Still dreaming of them.
Spring Activities in NYC 2015
Believe it or not, Summer is around the corner! 6 more weeks! So better get going on the Spring Activities in New York City. My list is long and I hope to accomplish most of them this season!
1. Stroll the grounds at Storm King
A way of being outside in nature and enjoying art at the same time. Looks so beautiful and interesting and fun in the Spring or Fall!
Urban Stems
It’s almost Valentine’s Day, so in addition to purchasing lingerie from Natori, you need to buy flowers! And what is easier than purchasing flowers online / via iphone app with Urban Stems. The lucky ducks that live in the NYC and DC area have access to this brilliant company. Simple, beautiful, and straightforward. The bouquets cost $35 and are a beautiful arrangement of carefully selected flowers imported straight from farms in South America. A bonus: According to the company, the farms used are environmentally-friendly and operate with labor friendly policies for their employees and their families. 90% of the farmers are women. Curious to see the product before I sent it to a secret admirer (my child’s preschool teacher – she is my true love), I bought a bouquet for myself.
Red
Lavender Festival
Over the weekend, we went to the Lavender Festival on the McKenzie River with the family, including our nieces and nephews. What’s at an Oregon Lavender festival? Lavender. And a couple of lavender vendors. And, well…that is about it! That said, we enjoyed the scenery, smells, colors, and ummmmm lavender.
Purple lavender haze
Currently Loving…
Happy last week of January. Can you believe we are almost 1/12 done with 2014? WHOA. Speaking of randomness, here is a random grouping of (random) items I am currently loving…..Enjoy!
I devoured this book over the weekend…highly recommend! It is heart wrenching, thoughtful and an enjoyable overall read.
Paper Flowers
I do not have a green thumb. Actually quite the opposite, as every plant I ever get dies within a month or two. I love orchids, but I always gets sad when they wilt away, become flowerless, and end up turning into a big, depressing, bleak twig. So I was terribly happy (is that an oxymoron?) when I found handmade paper flowers from The Green Vase, when wandering around one of my favorite stores: John Derian. 
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The Meadow – Gourmet Salt, More
The highlight of the past long weekend (aside from being reunited with Ken who had to go to the Philippines for a week) was my visit to the store The Meadow. I can’t even begin to describe the pure AMAZINGNESS of this store. It is everything in one tiny little room- cozy, sweet, interesting, unique, bizarre, and simply, pure bliss. What type of store is it? A boutique that specializes in salt, chocolate, drink, and flowers. Seems obscure, but when you think of it, do you really need anything else? (Don’t answer that.)
The store has two different locations. The West Village in NYC and Mississippi Avenue in … Portland, Oregon. How picture perfect is this store? Too cute for words!
The gourmet salt, artisan-made chocolates, cocktail bitters, and fresh flowers all come together to provide an amazing shopping experience. The owners, Jennifer and Mark Bitterman (“selmeliers”) know their stuff! Walking into their store for 30 minutes made me want to learn and discover more about everything they sold.
Rows and rows of salt. Over 120 finishing salts from around the word! Each has its own special mineral and crystal properties. They also carry salt sets to help beginners start learning more about the process of how salt gets made.
Different sizes of crystals, smells, and colors. The thought of adding an extra sprinkle of love to a food dish seems so romantic and delicious.
Different sizes.
The view out the window. Perfect for a movie!
Orchids
There is nothing more beautiful than a fresh, crisp orchid in the house. Problem is, orchids from florists tend to be expensive – easily between $100 and $200. And if you are anything like me, no matter how well you try to care for the orchid, their life expectancy is a month, 6 weeks at best. So, if you live in New York, the flower district on West 28th street is the best deal in town! Not only are there beautiful fresh flowers for you to choose from (all event planners go to 28th street to get their flowers for events), but they sell the most affordable and beautiful orchids in the city! AND THEY DELIVER!
Rows upon rows of orchids in every color, size, and style.
Although most of the stores in the flower district deliver, it also makes for a fun early morning adventure to see all the colorful flowers, holiday plants, and New York Flavor.
My little buddy on our search for the perfect flowers and orchids.
