THANKSGIVING SETTINGS

IN THE LAST MONTH I HAVE BEEN ALL ABOUT GARLANDING FLORALS.  ONE HOT TIP THESE DAYS, IS EUCALYPTUS IS SOOOOOO HOT RIGHT NOW.  THIS IS A VERY STRONG TREND THAT IS NOT GOING AWAY ANYTIME SOON.  I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT AND THE PRICE POINT DOES NOT LEAVE YOU WITH STICKER SHOCK.  

HERE ARE A FEW VARIETIES:NOT TO MENTION MY ADDICTION(TOBY'S)

BABY EUC IS SOOOO HOT

YOU MAYBE SAYING TO YOURSELF, WOW THAT IS BEAUTIFUL, BUT THERE IS NOOO WAY I CAN GET MY HANDS ON THESE VARIETIES….. THAT MAYBE TRUE, BUT I KNOW TRADER JOES OFFERS SO MUCH IN WAY OF EUCA AND THEY OFFER ALL THE FLOWERS I USED FOR MY MOST RECENT GARLANDING.   

MY NEW FAV IS TO INCLUDE SAGE: IT IS HARDY AND HAS GREAT TEXTURE

ANY TYPE OF PODS I FIND INTRIGUING, EUCA PODS, SCABIOSAS, 

ANYTHING POD I LOVE

CALLA LILIES ARE SO HARDY, I FOUND THEM EASY TO USE AND BRAID

AND IN THE END IF YOU FIND YOURSELF HAVING A HARD TIME MAKING FLORAL CHOICES, I SAY GO FOR THE STRANGE AND UNLIKELY.  I LOVE A BIT OF SURPRISE, AND YOUR THANKSGIVING GUESTS WILL TOO!!!

HAPPY T-DAY!!!

MEL

RECONSTRUCTED THANKSGIVING: CORNUCOPIAS REVITALIZED

About a month ago, I had a wedding assignment at St. John the Divine.  I was excited for this wedding because not only was the couple lovely, but they had some challenges to throw my way.  They requested cornucopias as their centerpieces for their large tables.  Knowing the space and my aesthetic, I was a bit stumped on how to bring my design into the mix, and played around with so many ideas.  The request was clear, cornucopias, gourds, and fruit must be placed in the setting. 

 Hmmmmm….. I thought large scale, elementary school projects, and toyed with the idea of baking braided bread for our cornucopias.  Then in the end I decided less is more, go with beautiful(tiny) fruit from the farmers market, find white grass, and add a bit of flowers on the side.  

GOING SMALL
WHEN YOUR DESIGNING AND REVITALIZING AN OLD TRADITION, I FIND IT MORE SUCCESSFUL WHEN YOU GO EXTREME.  SOME ARRANGEMENTS WORK WELL IN LARGE SCALE AND OTHERS HIT THE HIGH NOTES WHEN THEY ARE MINIATURE.  I FOUND THAT THE CORNUCOPIAS WORKED ON A SMALL SCALE.  WE HAD TINY GOURDS, MINI PEARS/APPLES, LOTS OF WHITE, AND BLACK.  WHEN IT CAME TIME TO CHOOSE PUMPKINS I WENT OUTSIDE THE BOX AND FOUND GRAY FANTASY PUMPKINS AND MINI WHITE PUMPKINS.

AS YOU PREP FOR YOUR THANKSGIVING SETTINGS, I SAY EITHER GO LARGE SCALE OR IN MINIATURE.  CHECK IN MANANA FOR SOME MORE LAST MINUTE IDEAS FOR YOUR THANKSGIVING SETTINGS.  

HAPPY T-DAY


M

PAINTING BOYS ROOMS

Two weeks ago G & I flew to Geneva to help a friend set up house.  Jane generously allowed us full rain on her abode and we took FULL advantage.

  Before arriving I found an inspiration pic on Pinterest and knew we had to paint mountains somewhere in her son's bedroom. 

via pinterest

BEFORE

G @ WK

AFTER

There are many more to come, this is just a teaser….

Mel

OH WHAT FUN…..

Thanksgiving is next week and I am well on my way in preparation for Christmas.  It seems like time flies. In light of all the fun and activity I am always hoping to enjoy the beauty of each party, children's pageants, and everything in between.  Last weekend the kids and I just ran around the city, enjoying our last days of FALL.  For me Christmas is on my heels and I am hoping to enjoy these few golden days. 

BTW HERE A COUPLE OF FAV. THANKSGIVING ARRANGEMENTS FROM LAST YEAR

MIL BESOS!!!!

MEL

PHOTO CARDS: CHRISTMAS

I don't think there is a science to a successful photo shoot other then laughter and a little chocolate bribery.  We usually take a few hundred photos to just have ONE pic where we are all looking forward and smiling.  

Here a few out takes….

Do you have any family tricks??? 

Besos,

Mel

FALL ACROSS THE POND

This Fall I did not have a chance to head upstate and pick apples or get away to do any number of Fall activities.  SO, when I arrived to Geneva I was blown away with the beauity of the Fall in Switzerland. The Fall experience was EPIC!!!

Happy Fall!!!

Mel