The Flower Shop Girl...

 

What is that thing, that chemistry thing? That thing that hits you and knocks you off balance. That moment when the world changes and the sun is brighter, the darkness is light. Can you touch it? Can you grasp it in the palm of your hand? Bottle it, like a fragrance and you would find wealth. Eternal riches. How does it find you and find both of you at the same time? What is that?

The strength to become vulnerable. To take steps after pain. To forgive and heal. To walk. Run.

It is hope. Hope and that twin, love. Forgive someone. Forgive yourself. Most.

Love is all there is. Love is in the first kiss. The eyes, perhaps green, perhaps blue or brown. Love is in the blossom of the spring bud. Sigh, breathe and love. Just love.

Lace is the new black and how leonardo dicaprio changed my life..

swoon. thank you leonardo for being obsessed with daisy. you changed my life. just when I couldn't bear to look at another photo of the ruched wedding dress with rhinestone brooch, I was swept off my feet. I shall never be the same again. every bride that I have booked for 2014, I mean every single bride has been influenced by this movie. every dress is romantic, timeless and just plain lovely.

lace, lace, and lace.

goodbye wildflower bouquets. ugh. (toss those into the boulder creek.) hello garden roses, hydrangea, peonies, café au lait dahlias and fluffy ranunculus. I love you. you are what my dreams are made of.

in love with flowers and lace, and of coarse vera wang dresses,
Sarah

i do solemnly promise....

to blog again. Sorry for my absence.

This is a bouquet I designed for an inspiration photo shoot. It was titled "Sunday Morning Bridal Brunch." My mind keeps referring to it as "le vie and rose."  It all turned out so romantic, soft an vintagey, somewhere between a mix of Downton Abbey - England, France and Italy. Somewhere in the land of pure romance. I provided the blooms, the props and the styling for these shots.

This soft romantic style is where I excel as a floral designer. Its were I dream and live and breathe. It keeps me awake at night with visions of quiet shades of pink, peaches and ivories. In the dark, their perfumed fragrances waft thru my brain when I close my eyes. They whisper my name. My mind never quiets. They are my passion. Perhaps, my obsession.


              
photo credit by tess pace photography
event coordinator calluna events
location rembrandt yard
gown maggie evans designs

Princess Bride

This summer I had a princess bride. She was stunning. No, breathtaking. Like a vision. She lived out of state, so the first time I met her, she was being photographed in her princess dress and tiara, in the Rocky Mountains, on a magestic sort of boulder, surounded by aspen trees, backlit by sunlight. Her tiara sparkled like diamonds. Perhaps they were.

She is the Fort Worth Opera studio soprano. She sings. I wish I could have heard her. I was told she was going to sing to her new husband at the reception. Missed it. By reception time, I am far away, down the mountain. I guess there is always youtube for me.

Thank you to Jessica Adler at JAS Special Events, The Historic Stanley Hotel and Susan Pacek Photography for the stunning images. Heart. Sarah

Jemma + Gabriel's Wedding at Starhouse

When a bride telephones and mentions that she wants a magical fairy-type wedding, I am all ears. Jemma. She reminded me of Snow White. I wanted to call her Snow. No, she reminded me of Grace Kelly. So incredibly beautiful, in the way she talked, walked and simply carried herself. Grace. Pure, beautiful grace. Her wedding was filled with beautiful things. Dark, rich colors. A secluded mountain setting. Groomsmen carrying walking sticks, marching single file toward the Starhouse. The reception tables were filled with antique urns spilling with vines, twigs, roses and lilies. Offset by gems, crystals and butterflies. It was truly magical. I was right the first time. Who else rules the magical forest, but Snow.

photography by Julie Harris
wedding planning by Rachel Hagen @ Tahlia Events
flowers by me: Painted Primrose

Midsummer's Night Eve Wedding

If you know me, you know I love everything fairy. Little fairy garden accoutrements, fairy dust, iron fairies, miniature fairy watering cans, oh the list goes on... Yesterday, I happened across this blog highlighting a magical fairy forest wedding. Heavy sigh. You simply must view the entire post at http://www.fancyhouseroad.com/tag/weddings/
Can you imagine a flower girl tossing petals from her twiggy moss covered basket and unexpectedly tossing out a silk butterfly or two to scatter her patch? I love, love, love it. hugs, Sarah

a party for a princess, a lucky one at that.

oh my, i have been so busy designing for this weekend's princess party. it was honestly a party fit for a king, complete with a castle, suits of armor, glass slippers, and an abundance of tiaras. (if i had the guts to take on a tattoo, it would be a tiara, a grand one at that.) it was lovely fun. my favorite wedding and event planner, nicole mulvany from rsvp shindig called me up on this one. when nicole calls, expect grand.

the house was bedecked inside and out. uplit outside with pink lights. never too much pink. i decorated the front door with floral tiaras, the tables with 6" squares of heavenly eufloria roses, cabbage, hydrangea and lisianthus, topped off with what else, tiaras. i even decorated the glass slippers with flowers. yum.

dave barnes from scenographics denver created the incredible fairytale castle, royal pendants, and the suits of armour complete with pink plumage.

food was provided by the fabulous whirled peas catering co. they also sculpted a castle made from bread, baquettes and waffle cones. (which the family dog guarded with her life.)

it truly was a masterpiece of a party.

Boulder Wedding Showcase

I love attending bridal shows. It's a wonderful way to meet oodles of brides, all at the same time, all at the same location. I also like seeing all the local wedding vendors under one roof. This shot is of my entry into the fantasy table decorating contest at Rembrandt Yard. You can check out more photos at http://www.rembrandtyard.com/painted.html. Thanks Rembrandt Yard ladies for an amazing show. Wedding season has begun!

peonies in december!!

I have gorgeous peonies in the shop this week. Direct from Holland. They are perfectly priced as well. I think you need some!!!!

Harry Potter Deathly Hallows Party with Draco Malfoy

This Sunday is the Harry Potter party in Boulder with Draco Malfoy! I am sooo excited. I will be designing several floral arrangements. I promise to take pics. Shamane of Shamane's Bake Shoppe will be designing a Harry Potter themed cake. How exciting! There are tickets still available for Sunday night's event. The pre-screening of the movie for Thursday is sold out. Buy your tickets at There with Care.

Colorado Mountain Wedding

I loved designing the flowers for this fun and spunky bride. She chose a wildflower theme with locally grown flowers and a touch of whimsy. There were spots of hot pink everywhere and who doesn't love hot pink? Rachel Hagen of Talia Events was the wedding planner, Marilee Photography shot the pics. Shamane of Shamane's Bake shoppe designed the cake. Flowers - yeah, me! What a great team!

Flagstaff House Restaurant Wedding

I have delivered several weddings, this summer, to the Flagstaff House restaurant on Flagstaff Mountain. Though the view is spectacular, the food and service are incredible. The ceremonies take place on the outdoor patio overlooking a million dollar view of Boulder. It is simply stunning! www.flagstaffhouse.com

Real Weddings Cynthia & David

Cynthia planned her Zen wedding at Peaceful Valley Ranch. Emphasis on the peaceful part. Her mantra "whatever happens, happens." When we toured the ranch last, there was 14" of snow on the ground. That was a mere three weeks ago. Today, a beautiful, peaceful day in the 80's. Cynthia chose tropical orchids to match her zen theme. They are striking, yet pure and elegant. Best wishes to you Cynthia & David.

Peonies and Love

It's peony season! Finally. This bouquet is from yesterday's mountain wedding. I love this variety of white with hot pink centers. The fragrance is heavenly. Does anyone know where I can order peony cologne? That way I can have peonies all year long.

Susan Pacek Photography

I just had to post this photo of last weekend's wedding bouquet. It is so sexy!! Wow, thank you once again to Susan Pacek, an amazing photographer. I designed this using blue-white hydrangea, white ranunculus, Vandella roses and blue delphinium.

Painted Primrose Weddings

The Painted Primrose still has wedding dates available for the end of July, August, September and October. From April - mid July we are completely booked. We are also booking into 2011. As always, we design only two weddings per weekend. We believe in offering outstanding customer service to each and every one of our brides, and fill our bouquets with lots of love! Call us early. 720-280-8409.
photo of our bride courtesy of christina kiffney photography

Polar Star Roses for the Sorority

Oodles of white Polar Star roses from California for the sorority girls at University of Colorado, Boulder. They opened perfectly, as always! Can't wait to deliver them. I know there will be "ooohhs and aaahhhs!"

Professional Wedding Gown Alterations

I would like to welcome Patty Elliott's Fine Tailoring and Alterations as my new neighbor here at Wilderness Place! This is really turning into wedding central, with Shamane's Bake Shoppe, The Painted Primrose and now a wedding gown alteration expert. I love it. Brides, how convenient for you.

Please visit Patty's website which lists her years of credentials, phone number, address and all that important information. Patty really knows dresses!
www.pattyelliottsplace.com www.shamanesbakeshoppe.com www.paintedprimrose.com

photo courtesy www.buy-wedding-dress.com

The Million Dollar Shot

Yesterday I had a long conversation with a bride regarding photographers. My favorite photographers are those who pay attention to the detail shots. The little things, tender moment things. This photo is one of my very favorite. Wow. Did he capture the million dollar shot or what? Sit with your photographer and make a list of the shots you want. Don't go just for the posed portraits. How boring is that? Have him/her shoot details of your dress, your hair, your shoes, the appetizers, the wine. And please take shots of your bouquet! Don't forget that your photographer is an artist. Do let them create art!

Pastry Chef Shamane @ Shamane's Bake Shoppe

So, imagine this. I wake up last week only to find my new hubby eating our frozen wedding cake topper for breakfast. No, seriously. He actually thawed out the layer that we were supposed to eat for our one year anniversary! He said he couldn't wait another day. OMG! Our cake was created by Shamane of Shamane's Bake Shoppe. Now that's a compliment! Photo by Christina Kiffney Photography