messing around

I'm trying to be a better photographer. Flower photography is no joke. This shit is tough. I'm figuring out how to use this 20D I've had for 6 years now and playing around with the light in the studio. I want to buy an expensive camera in the hopes that by simply being expensive, it will inherently take better photos than I can take on my own. Instead, I'm testing out patience and experimentation. And very open to suggestions. Courtney is trying to help.

Merengue

That amaryllis is called "Merengue." It makes me laugh to think of a sexy dancing amaryllis. I chatted up all my market peeps about this Merengue and now I'm set to take dancing lessons at 28th street wholesale some 6am morning with Ben as my teacher. 

It's amazing these relationships you develop. These people I see every week and their personalities and their roles in my life. I barely knew them a year ago and now they're such a part of my flower puzzle. This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for all of them. They make my mornings so much brighter and they really make me feel special. 

Checking in

What a crazy time these last couple weeks have been. It's been an emotional roller coaster to say the least. Things are "getting back to normal" as they say around these parts. You know how I feel about things "they" say. It's time to get back to routine, ride the subway, and enjoy our hot showers. But it's hard knowing that so many are still without. And so many don't have what they once did a few weeks ago to go back to. Just down the road from me, the neighborhood of Red Hook was hit really hard. A mere matter of blocks away and yet on my block business was back to normal and kicking the day after the storm. It's hard for me to wrap my brain around that discrepancy. But we do what can we can, I suppose. Learning about the difference between awareness and paralyzing empathy. It's tricky.

monday sandy blogging

Two days ago, I was up at 5am to wrap a bouquet in my kitchen and deliver personal flowers by 6:30am. It always seems so important to get everything done on time, delivered punctually - keeping to these very serious wedding day schedules.

Today, I'm watching the wind blow the trees around outside my window. Not a lot of rain yet but there sure is flooding in the city and out on Long Island. School is cancelled. The subways are shut down. It's a time-out day for everyone in NYC. I appreciate that in a city as crazed, work-centric, and speedy as NYC, some things slow us down and lock everyone in their home with bread, canned soup, batteries, and water. Or in the case of my apartment - votives from the studio, whiskey, wine, cheese, and flowers. Here are a few pics from this weekend along with something I made just for fun this morning with the scraps.

october 4th, part 2

I had the thrilling opportunity to create some arrangements for the Guggenheim a couple weeks ago. I've long admired that building and all the art it has housed over the years. This luncheon was for people I will likely not run into again anytime soon, but I like thinking about all those black clad arty peeps staring at my flowers in the Guggenheim for a couple hours. The luncheon launched their new Picasso Black and White exhibit - hence the white theme. I highly recommend you check out the exhibit. The talented Nicole Franzen took all the photos you see below.

*ps. Elizabeth Kujawski - hi!

october 4th, part 1

(it's a photo only kind of day)

Rabbits

It's Monday morning. A new month. A time I typically savor. Doing laundry, dishes, catching up on emails. A window in between events to plan, procrastinate, or just bake a pie (like I'm really going to get to that today). I spent this past weekend up in Lake George assisting my friend Taylor on an absolutely beautiful wedding on the most amazing family estate overlooking that pretty lake. We all wanted to move there. The vibe is so laid back and gorgeous and the town is full of diner food. Serious plus.

Back in the city and excited for the city Fall. It's been a pretty fulfilling summer. Lots of interesting and beautiful jobs. So many wonderful clients. So many incredible flower friends. I could talk about each one for pages upon pages.

One of those friends - the wonderful Sarah was up at her farm a couple weeks ago and so she sent this little shoot my way for Stone Fox Bride.