Floral Design Class

I've always loved flowers and appreciate the wide array of colors, types, textures and all that Mother Nature has to offer us. In the last few years I have really gotten into floral design and styling. I'm talking amateur  floral design but I love it and find it very relaxing and therapeutic.

Anyway, I discovered a floral shop in Danville several months ago and it is my fav. I love the woman who owns it, Melissa, she is a sweetheart and her work is really amazing. She also has the best home accessories, vintage goodies, and she, her daughter (love the mother-daughter duo effect!) and her daughter's friends who help out at the store came up with the lovely logo and they even make homemade items that are really great. They sell these little scrabble-inspired pieces, (I'll be doing a post soon on those) I tied these little lovelies to my BFF's birthday gift and they were so whimsical and perfect. I also love love loveee their window displays and themed-holiday and seasonal displays throughout the store, these gals really are so creative. These women really know how to decorate--I could just gush about it on and on... I always walk out of there bursting with ideas, and inspiration. 

They are offering a floral workshop this weekend with hydrangeas, cocktails and refreshments which will truly make for the perfect Saturday morning. And I can't wait!

Check out more about Twigss and their inspiring arrangements on their website & blog.

{all images and logo belong to Twigss Studio}

after a long absence, i am finally back!

I don't even know where to start--the past several months have been a total blur...especially the month of May. Usually May is such a magical month-the flowers start coming alive, especially my birthday flower, the lovely iris, and spring is in full bloom. It just so happens to be my birthday month too so of course it feels extra special to me.

This May was not the most memorable month, unfortunately, I lost two grandmothers on the same day-May 15th. Brad's grandmother whom everyone called "Garcy" and my grandmother whom everyone called "Grandma"...she was Grandma Carta to me both left this Earth. I won't go into details leading up to their deaths, because that just takes me back on an emotional roller coaster but my world certainly feels emptier without their rich presence in my life and I am still learning how to move on every day without them.

I have had two different reactions to their passings, although the ache I feel in my heart from missing them feels very strong. I know an era in my life has come to a close as two very important and influential women in my life have left me and now I am left with loving memories & their huge legacies. Surprisingly, both women were 92 years old, however, they were living very different ways of life right up until their last day. My Grandmother was living in an assisted care home and was slowing running down after losing her husband a few years ago. Her other half, someone she had been with for most of her lifetime, so living without him just wasn't the same. Grandma Carta was one of the snazziest dressers I knew, she shared my great passion for jewelry-we both have quite a collection, and I spent a lot of time with her watching her cook in her farmhouse style kitchen, enjoying her "special chicken" for tailgates, her famous pies, listening to her childhood in Detroit Michigan, taking adventures with her and Granddad, and had the privilege of having her attend sports games and momentous milestones in my life like my high school graduation, and fill her in on my move from my childhood home of CT to DC to CA. She has always been along for my journey through life. I was her first granddaughter, she never had a girl but had always wanted one so when I came along we formed a deep bond and her constant love helped to nurture me and shape me into the woman I am today. As much as I miss her dearly every day, I feel happy that she is now with my grandfather, together, forever and ever in heaven. Tell Granddad, his Tinkerbell misses you both but will never forget the legacy you instilled in me and the Carta family.

Losing Garcy felt more like a large shock at first just because Garcy was in wonderful physical and mental shape before she passed on the 15th. Heck, she washed her own car in her Californian driveway at the young age of 92, went to Costco to haul large purchases home in order to feed and take care of her large family, that was constantly popping in on her. Garcy said those three little words, "i love you" from the beginning of when Brad and I first started dating and accepted me into the family when I was still just Brad's girlfriend. She was sharp, always reading an array of books, cooking up her signature dishes for her family or out in her greatly loved and cared for garden which was always full of the most gorgeous collection of peach, rose, red, purple, white roses, succulents and other creatures of the Earth. She was a very unique person for many reasons but something she really helped me with was our move here to California. Garcy would call me every week just to say hello and check in on me and loved our frequent visits to her home in the valley, Los Banos. She was my rock and again made me feel right at home with her kind words, big hugs and constant support. I miss her every single day but am so grateful for her love and her most recent gift, comforting me through a life-changing event-our move. Thank you Garcy, for all that you did for me, both big and small.

Grandma Carta 

Garcy, my hubby's Grandmother

I'll never forget you both. All of my love~

Feelin' Lucky-A Jayes Studio Winner :)

I tend to think that I hardly ever win anything-contests, drawings, prizes you name it, I feel like I just don't have what it takes to bring home the bacon, ha. That is until recently when I had a few unexpected but exciting wins-the Cost Plus World Market Pinterest $50 gift card and then most recently I won a Jayes Studio cachepot that they had posted as one of their giveaways on FB.

 

happy was I when I was opening up this purty present!

It fits in perfectly in our bedroom-with our dusty blue, cream, peach and patterned bird curtain, bedspread and the overall traditional w/ a twist themed room. I love the touch of elegance it brings and I had to plop some peach rose beauties in it just because :)

Thank you, Jaye's Studio! You made my day and added such a whimsical but classic piece to our home. I love your products and my mom gifted our cavalier king charles, Louie, with this wonderful dog bucket recently too :)

PS-Happy May! May is my birthday month, Kentucky Derby month and well spring is in full swing and the month is bursting with goodness & so many wonderful things. I'll  be back tomorrow, once again :-) Sleep tight~

Happy Birthday, Laur!

 Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Lauren!! Lauren and I met on the tennis team in college and ended up joining the same sorority as well-Go Theta! Lauren was actually a large reason why I joined Theta-I wanted to stick by her side through my college years. Ever since then she has been a big sis to me, a huge support, the ray of sunshine even after a hard day, a true confidant, someone whom I greatly look up to and admire and an all around wonderful friend. Lauren defines true friendship to me and has stuck by me through thick-and-thin. I know she will be a life-long friend! And even though she is in Jacksonville Florida and I am in California-we pick up right where we left off when we talk and share so many great memories and respect for one another-nothing can break our wonderful friendship.

To Lauren on her special day! I hope Michael and your pup, Lucy spoil you rotten today. I miss and love you tons and am thankful for you in my life.

Happy birthday, my pretty pretty girl xoxo

Catching Up {Easter Weekend & Jacin's Lovely Launch Party}

I have been meaning to write day-after-day and day-after-day I can't seem to find enough time to download my many photos and put them in to a lovely post for you to enjoy. Ahh, how do moms around the country balance children in the mix along with everything else? With only a puppy and a hubby here, I feel like it is hard enough for ME to balance everything and the kiddos haven't even entered the picture yet haha. I want to recap from Easter, even though it is now many weeks past and Jacin's Lovely Little Launch Party in SF.

what did you use as your Easter Bunny bait?

Doesn't this Easter snack mix look divine? I found it on Pinterest-recipe found here.

 

Our Easter Red Stamp card

How did you spend your Easter weekend? We were down at the hubby's grandparents for Easter in Los Banos, CA.

Two men in bunny ears, no big deal :)

I heart this video of a DIY Easter hostess basket over at Yumsugar. Even the music played along with the step-by-step directions makes me feel a little lighter and happier :)
Garcy's (B's grandma) flowers were sprouting up all over in all magnificent colors, shapes and sizes. Flowers are my heaven.

Garcy gave us a mini succulent garden which was the sweetest little thing ever. My momma and father sent along this lovely Rifle Paper card, my mom and I have a thing for Rifle-love, love love and there just so happened to be some $ in there too, very generous of them~

And now on to Jacin from Lovely Little Details and her launch party in SF!

My friend Stephanie and I at the launch, looking like a big frumpy lady here. Not a fan of this shot of me but needed to post a photo from the party!

Loved all of the lovely little details scattered throughout the venue

 

 

 a chalkboard decal, obsessed

 a photo shot with Jacin!

being silly with my friend Stephanie

lovely cake pops in all of her colors. My fav were the red velvet ones, of course

 pie pops, the latest and greatest idea!

 striped straws and bellinis, what more could you need? :)

 loved the fabric choices, especially this floral one

a mason jar even in the bathroom... yes, I noticed!

I've been wanting to meet the lovely Jacin of LLD for some time now. We discovered that we both are from the quaint little town of Guilford, CT. Her family actually owns the little hardware store in town that has been there forever and is a place I went to frequently with my dad or mom on trips to get the lawnmower fixed, to pick up some bird seed, or whatever it may have been. I have fond memories of those trips because the hardware store was and continues to be run by friendly and helpful staff, has that warm environment, and has unique products you don't seem to find at most stores. It's a family-run store, something that unfortunately you don't see as often anymore..which makes it a true treasure in the world we live in today.

Anyway, Jacin is from Gtown and had her wedding reception at Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club too! POYCC runs deep in my blood since I spent most of my childhood there at the snack bar, on the tennis courts, in the pool, in the golf cart or out on the beach collecting sea glass and other valuable finds. Also, my parents had their wedding reception at POYCC as well so this place just has layers of meaning for me. So I knew that with these things in common and the fact that Jacin is a good ole New England girl like myself, that we would hit it off quite well. Since I have an events background and have been wanting to get into more social event planning, I knew she could give me an honest perspective on that world and give me some ideas of how to get started. Anyway, with busy schedules we haven't had the chance to meet up and so she invited me to come to her launch party.

She was everything I expected her to be, and then some. Jacin is very likeable-is outgoing, has a welcoming smile and knows her details of course :) We only were able to chat for a few minutes but I was taken by all of her thoughtful touches on the party-the mason jars placed throughout, even in the bathroom (& her Grandma's jam...which was a favor and ran out before I could grab a bottle but it sure looked tasty!!) I had such a wonderful time and hope to meet up with Jacin again soon-only this time a little longer :)

Cheers and happy friday, everyone!!

XOXO

A Winner of the 'Be a Better Bunny' Pinterest Board Contest

A short time ago, I entered a contest that Cost Plus World Market was having on Pinterest. I had to come up with a board that featured an Easter theme, I chose "Easter Entertaining" and had to display Easter items from Cost Plus as well as general items from their store I liked too. This was an easy task since they have such a fun selection of items and also because I was able to throw in Easter outlfit looks, I love fashion so that part was not much of a chore and I also was able to select Easter dishes, accessories and really got into the whole "Easter Entertaining" concept.

{Photo Source: Pottery Barn}

I spent a lot of time making sure my board was just right :) Ohh, you know the perfectionist in me, ha. Well I really had quite a lot of fun with my board, a little too much fun I might add. I was hesitant to submit my entry because again, I questioned myself and wondered if it was "good enough." I figured what the heck, why not so I submitted my board and wanted to see if maybe just maybe I might have a chance at winning. The next morning I received a glorious email that I was a winner of the contest and that soon to be in my lucky hands would be a $50 gift certificate.

The funnier thing about this story is that I actually had my eye on a few items that I wanted to purchase, especially a beverage dispenser for an upcoming baby shower in June that I am throwing for a girlfriend in town. But I figured before I click 'add to cart' why not first see if I had a chance to win this contest and that way I could apply my gift card instead of my credit card to those purchases. I guess my guardian fairies put in a good word for me because I did win and I was a giddy little girl, jumping up and down and calling my hubby on the phone to speak of the good news that day. Oh happy day! So the next time the lottery hits the big 500 million again or you see a contest, why not submit your entry, just because...you never know what is in store for you :)

{Photo Source: Better Homes and Gardens}

Check out my board here.

Here are a few items that I have been considering purchasing. There is so much to chose from that I need to make my decisions wisely :)

What do you think I should splurge on? You can definitely see my obsession with grey this spring, I can't get enough.

A very happy and blessed Monday, everyone xo

MIA Girl

How is it April already? I have been MIA for most of March-there seems to be so much going on that even finding a few minutes has been hard to come by. I will report back soon about my mom and family friend's visit to California-we went up to SF/Napa & Sonoma and had the best time, my training & workouts with two friends and more happenings around here.

Until then here are a few photos making me happy lately! I was at CVS recently printing out some bridal party shots of me and my lady loves. I adore this photo of my MOH and me and have it front row center on my desk. The ranunculus really bring a fun pop of color to my black and white photo and are the perfect pair~ I picked up ranunculus at Trader Joes in shades of yellow and pink a few weeks ago and they are still going strong, I think I'd have to say that they are my favorite flower of the moment.

I hope you enjoy my pretty desk accessories as much as I do. Happy Monday, everyone! :) xo