Getting Festive with Ghosts and Gourds

I had to share all of the seasonal and spooky new things that just arrived at the shop. We've been working on displays of Kentucky Field pumpkins and green heirloom gourds--all made of resin so you can put them out on your porch or dining table year after year! We've also got great door mats, ghost string lights and absolutely gorgeous seasonal wreaths. Also new are rustic lanterns to add a glow to your autumn patio. If you're ready to welcome fall with the cooling of the weather, stop by and find the perfect touch to put yourself in the mood.

BOUNTY!

When asked what the best season is for flowers, I wouldn't normally offer up Autumn, as I always forget how cool and different the selection becomes. Yes, spring has tulips and all the other luscious bulbs, as well as peonies and blooming fruit branches. Summer has, well, everything. The best roses, dahlias, zinnias, lilies--it all comes on like gangbusters from June through August. 

But in September, we get the harvest. Pods, berries, seeds, rosehip, cattails, mahogany sunflowers, vine maple, pin oak, persimmon and pomegranate on the branch--all the rich, woodsy textures and hues of impending Fall.

At this morning's market I found pepper plants and pumpkin tree! We will use these as whimsical seasonal accents in our rustic barnwood bloom boxes, and in centerpieces for Halloween and Fall tables.

Beyond Bridal

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of designing flowers for the wedding of our ultimate TriFecTa-I Deux customer, and a lovely woman to boot. Sarah hired us to design her simple but fabulous, blush-pink romantic wedding at Millcreek Inn. While meeting to discuss the flowers, she learned of I Deux and not only found her perfect gown, but consigned a beautiful gown she'd had languishing in her closet. She's the perfect TriFecTa trifecta! But back to the flowers, she brought in a photo from a magazine of a luscious bouquet the size of a basketball, with nothing but ivory spray roses and blush pink garden roses. I had never designed something that required so much wiring and shaping techniques. It was a challenge but turned out beautifully. When Sarah saw it and said, "It's more beautiful than I could have imagined," I was thrilled. Congrats and thanks to Sarah for making TriFecTa--and I Deux--a part of your big day! 

Introducing Yölka!

Six months ago, a dear friend of mine asked me if I'd mind meeting with her hair stylist, who needed some advice on a new product she was designing. I have to admit that I rolled my eyes a little because even though my friend has great taste and I knew she would never waste my time or send a crazy person my way, it's rare that a really fabulous new idea comes along. Well, it walked in with Marian Rivkind.

At this very moment, Marian is in New York at the gift show introducing the world to Yölka, the idea that has consumed her existence for the past year--her brainchild, her baby. And Lindsay and I feel like proud godmothers! Beginning with that first meeting, Lindsay and I saw Marian's sketches turn into prototypes and then the finished product. Over subsequent chats, we talked her through pricing and branding, ensuring her that, yes, Yölka IS fabulous and people will gobble them up. Literally. 

Yölka Chocolates are Russian folk-art themed ornaments, inspired by an old-world tradition of hanging foil-wrapped delicacies on Christmas trees, just like the ornaments Marian cherished in her childhood. This custom harkens back to days when families came together and decorated evergreen fir trees — called “yolkas” — with treasured candies and fruits. Yölka Chocolates are wrapped by hand and made with the highest quality Belgian chocolate. These type of ornaments date back to the 17th century when they were brought to Russia from Europe by Peter the Great, and now can be passed on to inspire new generations to create their own timeless holiday traditions. 

We are thrilled to be carrying Yolka this holiday season because we adore new ideas in gift-giving. Who wouldn't love to receive such a wonderful treat? The single Yölka ornament is contained in a tiny box of art and is simply fun to open. Perfect for hostess gifts, book club pals, friends at the office. The six-piece is so lovely, you just can't call it a box of chocolates. For family, clients, dear friends, it's a piece of art, a set of ornaments and a fantastic gift.

Shipments arrive November 1st!

May showers, June flowers!

I'm sitting in my office, looking out on the little garden we planted at the shop last summer, with the help of green-thumbed friends, family and customers. At last, a few weeks of strong sunshine have made a world of difference to the rain-soaked plants. Dormant for too long, everything has exploded like an organic fireworks show, like butterflies released from a cage. The hostas are enormous, the hydrangea bushy and the David Austin rose bushes are bowed over with heavy blooms. I can smell their fragrance coming in through my office window. Can I just say that I work in a beautiful place? 

After months of extended cold weather in most growing regions of the world, flowers are now coming on with a gorgeous vengeance. Stems are taller, blossoms are bigger, variety is as good if not better than years past. Locally, our sources are delivering the most delicious peonies (on special through the 24th!), heavenly sweet peas, grand eremerus and whimsical allium. The colors and fragrances are to die for. Just in time for wedding season, it's good to be a florist, when each day brings a new crop to enjoy.

Eremerus, Iris and Sweet Peas

Sam and I sniff the Sweet Peas

Bel Fiore!

A few weeks ago, we were asked by photographer Josh Rossi to participate in a photo shoot at Cucina Nassi, which just happens to be one of my favorite venues. It's located in the historic Sugar House post office and is a bright, regal space that can be transformed a million ways. Josh was born in Florence and is obsessed with Europe, and asked us to create a bridal bouquet and some accompanying pieces in rich, sexy reds and felt as if designed in a shop on a cobbled Old World street. Josh doesn't use a filter, but a combination of photoshop techniques to get his final results, sometimes perfecting a photo for hours. He also conducted the shoot at night, so the effects are DRAMA! :) See more on Rossi's blog and thanks again, Josh, for including us in this fun project!

Green by Design

The floral industry can be a wasteful one. Just as we eat "oily" foods, those shipped around the globe consuming fuel and resources (such as the delicious but imported Chilean blueberries available right now), florists design with beautiful but non-native flowers from all ends of the earth. We ADORE these stunningly beautiful blooms, the pink-tipped Parrot tulips from Holland, plum Dendrobium orchids from Thailand, fuzzy spider-like Queen Protea from South Africa, giant candy-colored "Iguana" roses from Ecuador, but we recognize that they are exotics and that we are lucky to be able to receive them and offer them to our customers. In my opinion, their beauty and the joy they impart are worth it!

At the same time, we do our best to backtrack in these carbon footsteps. From late February through September, we buy about 50% of our flowers from local farms. Fabulous and local French tulips, sweet peas, sunflowers, anenomes and zinnias will begin arriving soon! 

Last July, we planted a cutting garden at the shop and hope to begin to harvest from it this season. We recycle all shipping boxes and dispose of our green waste in the yard waste can. Our actual "garbage" is less than a bushel per week. We are always looking for ways to do better. (I'm pondering some kind of community florists' green-waste-compost system. Any suggestions?)

In the past few years, we've been making an effort to seek out companies that make gorgeous but sustainable products. Some we've carried for a while, some are new. First, I'm very excited to announce that we've found a source for RIBBON made from 100% post consumer recycled bottles. We'll be carrying our trademark chocolate grosgrain as well as double-faced satins in many shades.

Other green Products we love:

Tree-Free Greetings: We carry the Plantables line, cards that come with a little embellishment of handmade paper studded with wildflower seeds. They are made from sustainable resources such as reclaimed sugar cane Sweetpaper, up to 100% post-consumer recycled paper, FSC Certified paper, and soy-based inks.

Our deliciously-scented and beautiful diffusers are made by Rosy Rings, a sweet company committed to minimizing its environmental impact wherever possible and supporting organizations devoted to the well being of natural open spaces and wildlife. The diffuser bottles contain 40% recycled glass. Rosy recycles all the plastic, metal, glass and cardboard used in its production facility; uses biodegradable shipping popcorn and reuses shipping materials. In 2008 they donated 15% of profits to The National Resources Defense Counsel, Wild Bird, The Elephant Sanctuary, World Wildlife Fund, American Bird Conservancy, The Humane Society of United States and the MAX Fund.

NEW! the growbottle, upcycled hydrogardens by Potting Shed Creations, an Idaho company. We've carried Potting Shed items for years and love the packaging they come up with. The new herb grow bottles are made from recycled wine bottles and grow fresh culinary herbs indoors year round! In the next few weeks, we'll have mint, chives, oregano, parsley and basil to adorn your kitchen window sill! Love these.

Step by step, in our little corner of Sugar House, we hope to make a difference.