Sisi the Flower Girl (again!)

I absolutely treasure these pictures captured by Orange Turtle Photography of my dear friends Helen and Jordan's wedding.  I am having a hard time picking which ones to frame.   Orange Turtle is so so so good.  They also photographed my friend Kim's wedding (which was featured in The Knot Magazine!)

This dreamy sequence of me getting Sisi ready makes me daydream about the day when I'll be buttoning up her very own wedding dress and creating a special bridal bouquet just for her.  I'm sure the time will fly by faster than I can even imagine.

Helen wore a Petal and Thorn cathedral length veil, sprinkled with handmade hydrangea blossoms.  She looked beautiful!

I also got to put together some bouquets for the wedding in soft dusty pinks and purples.  It really was a joy!  The only stressful part was waiting for Joe to inch his way to San Diego in crazy traffic with a truck full of flowers on a very hot day.  I was worried Helen would have to walk down the aisle holding Sisi's flower girl wand :/  Thankfully, Joe made it just in time.  Thank you hubby!

juliet roses, blush lisianthus, blue scabiosa, lavender, hydrangea, eucalyptus and brunia

Sisi's walk down the aisle didn't go nearly as well as her first walk back in May.  She was pretty worn out from the drive down, and just wanted mommy to hold her.  But I was a bridesmaid, so I couldn't hold her. Then she had a meltdown during the entire ceremony and Joe had to lock themselves in the bathroom so as not to disrupt the ceremony.  Sheesh.

Luckily, the reception went pretty smoothly.  We toasted, we boogied, and we watched the cake cutting with great expectation. 

"mmmm cake!"

"mmmm cake!"

Thank you Helen and Jordan for sharing these images with me!  Helen, you have been the most supportive, loyal and protective friend these past 12 years. We are total opposites in many ways, but we have formed a lasting and true friendship.  I know you guys don't like your faces plastered all over the internet, so I tried to keep it vain and posted mostly pics of Sisi and me.  Just in case anyone is wondering why there are no pictures of the darling couple.  They are totally darling, just take my word for it. 

Such a happy day!  Thanks to Orange Turtle for capturing it so perfectly!

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Petal and Thorn Giveaway!

Inspired by This is giving away 100.00 to Petal and Thorn!!!

100.00!! Just for example, that could get you 7 of these hydrangea bobbies...

One of our handcrafted bow veils... 

 A masquerade mask for the ball... 

 A fascinator with golden details... 

BOTH of these feathery combs (one for the ceremony, one for the reception??)...

Or 3 of these mesmerizing peony flowers...

If you are wise, you will enter the giveaway now!!! 

*All photos by the incredible Juneberry Photo, except the last, from Rue Magazine.

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Berry Themed Baby Shower

My friend Aime's favorite kids' book is Jamberry, a delightful story about a bear and a boy who go on a berry-picking adventure.  I wanted to throw her a pretty, feminine shower in honor of the little girl who is due this Summer.  (See the Hawaii themed shower I hosted for her boy, Hitoshi!) 

Aime's half-Japanese, and while we don't look like twins, I definitely think we could be siblings.

 This felt ball wreath welcomed guests into my home.

The flowers were punchy berry blues, pinks, purples and reds.  Lots of sweet william, veronica, sweet peas, chamomile, and of course, hypericum berries.

The following pics were snapped by our Church friend Pat.  She served as our historian and captured some sweet moments! Thanks Pat!

I whipped up this berry fascinator so our mommy-to-be would fit in with our theme :)

The invites were gorgeous (and so reasonably priced) by Pixel Paper on etsy.  She was super fast and accomodating.

Super low-key food spread: salads, build-your-own-sandwiches, etc.  My friend Kathi helped a lot with the food (Thanks Kathi!!)

Paisley linens (plastic, can you believe it?) with simple flowers and strawberry painted rocks.

Build-a-bow station!  I just put out ribbon-covered barettes, tacky glue and random baubles, felt flowers, and buttons from my collection.  I've learned that the more simple the project, the more likely guests will actually participate.  

Dessert station!  I definitely put my Silhouette Cameo to work cutting all the banners and signage. I definitely think it's paid for itself by now.

Paleo strawberry short cake!

Dairy free fondue was a big hit, made with coconut milk and chocolate.

Aime:  I am so grateful for the friendship that has blossomed over the past few years.  You are a woman who I look up to in so many ways (even though you're quite a bit younger than I am :) ) I feel like you are always full of kind words, optimism, and grace.  Can't wait to welcome baby Sophia!!!

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Hydrangea Blue

Totally not on purpose, this week ended up having a color theme. Soothing tones of lavender, mauve and blue. Hydrangea colors.  These colors remind me of my grandma, who was never seen in anything other than white pants, white jazz shoes (once a dancer, always a dancer), and pastel tops with matching floral hats.  Easter was totally her favorite holiday. 

flower chaos on the kitchen table. 

flowers for the church Easter brunch

white sharpie on brown eggs.  i got bored after painting 3.  i'm just not a big doodler.

sisi's cabbage patch doll was wearing hydrangea colors.

sisi is finally showing signs of being nurturing.  a glimmer of hope :)  she still pretends to pinch babies though.

hand-painted petals

silk hydrangea bobbies- the perfect blend of abstract and realistic.  i'll be wearing these on Easter Sunday!

((Those last two pics don't fit the color scheme, but I added them just for fun.  I adore my goofy little family.))  

Have a blessed time with your goofy little families this Easter!  (or more accurately, this "Resurrection Sunday".)  

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