Lifelong Learner :: Ariella Chezar's Flower Workshop

Lifelong learner -- the two words I took away from my time studying to be a teacher in college.  In that classroom I decided I wanted to do more than know the definition of a lifelong learner...I wanted to be one.  I wanted to live those words.  I'm glad that I did.  It's made every day so interesting!

When I fell in love with flowers there were three people on my list that I wanted to learn from -- Little Flower School Brooklyn, Kate Holt and Ariella Chezar.  It's funny because since then I've found old clippings from Martha Stewart (which I've been subscribing to since middle school) featuring these women and their flowers.  Actually, the further back I look, the more and more I realize that this has been in my heart since the beginning.  

What's in your heart?  Embrace it and learn everything you can about it, because like Julia says...

"You'll never know everything about anything, especially if it's something you love"

Workshop Host:  Ariella Chezar

Photos: Corbin Gurkin 

Fall Garden Glory :: Wedding Workshop with Saipua & Nicolette Camille

I find inspiration in very subtle things.  

The work I'm most proud of comes when I'm allowed to take my queues from the garden.  I walk the rows back and forth, back and forth — noticing things.  Each time I go I notice something new about a plant.  Like oak leaf hydrangea have the most amazing copper veins in their leaves.  I didn't notice it when the bush was flowering, but a few weeks later this copper vein sends my mind into pondering mode as I put it up against every other flower in the garden to see which one brings out the beauty in that copper vein.  

I know not everyone finds this strange satisfaction in noticing things, but for those of you who do, I urge you to take time for it.  Get out of bed and instead of checking instagram or emails start the day with a cup of coffee walking through the yard.  Notice things.  Listen.  Enjoy the song of the birds and the gracefulness of the butterflies and the way the flowers bend in the breeze.  Then take a picture in your mind of this beautiful, sacred moment, and use all this energy to go encourage the world.

These photos were from my trip to Virginia last fall for a Little Flower School Class!  We visited Bob at Wollam Gardens and worked from Andrea's Farm.  Always time well spent.  

Come to the Table :: Kinfolk Dinner

Setting the table is my favorite part of an event or holiday.  There is something about it that is restful, almost sacred in a way to me.  The anticipation, the celebration, the meaning behind it all and the foreshadowing of the ultimate wedding feast in heaven -- it gets me deep down inside in a way that's hard to put words to.  Sometimes I'll be in the middle of setting the table and all of a sudden I'm just overwhelmed and I have a little secret teary moment with myself...

I've never been a cook, although, if you ask those who know me they'll tell you that I want to do for flowers what Julia Child did for food.  I want to live a passionate life and jump out of bed each morning yelling, I'm up!   I want to race to the flower field, yield my sharp cutting utensils and come back with the best ingredients and show people how to arrange flowers and set the table.  

I'm excited I get to do just that at the Flower Workshop in May.  And I'm so thankful for Heather, Kathryn, Abany, Ariana, Megan, my mom, Jesse and all the friends who have been faithful supporters of the dream.  And of course my students!  We are going to have the best time and create some beautiful memories together!

I have two more team flower aprons to fill, and if you'd like to be one of them, please email me by weekend's end.  I want to get some special bonus material launched Monday and I'd love to have everyone start at the same time!  If you are just starting or thinking about starting a flower business, you should feel SO welcome.  There are participants at all levels in the class.  You'll leave with everything you need to rock wedding season this year!

Enjoy the photos and little movie from Anna's Kinfolk Dinner.  We had fun handing out flowers from my friend Darlanna's farm and of course, setting the table.

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Venue & Props: Metropolitan West Elm // Food & Photography: Anna Naphtali Food: Goldmine, Vivace, Dean & Deluca // Coffee: Not Just Coffee // Paper Design: Lauren Calnin // Video: Caravan Cinema Co. // Flowers:Philosphy Flowers // Event Assistance: Ariana Clare & Goldmine // Linens: Hey Love Events // Music: Jude Moses