I have neglected my blog and I'm sorry. I will have some amazing things to share with you soon! For now, here are a couple amazing pictures by Miss Carly Mitchell from a wedding we did together this November at The Club at Flying Horse.

Valentine's Day can be a very high expectation day for many men. They want to really get something nice that shows they care, but  aren't sure what their special person really wants. Society has put most men on auto-pilot when it comes to flower shopping. They immediately go with the rose. Roses are lovely and some of the hybrid varieties are breath-taking, but I want to share a little information on flowers that your special someone might love as well and will be easier on the pocketbook during the week of Valentine's Day.

Orchids-
They come in several colors and have a very long vase life. An very elegant choice. They represent exotic beauty and love.

Tulips-
A symbol of perfect love and dreaminess. There are over 3,000 varieties of tulips and they are shipped here from Holland.

Gerbera Daisies-
A happy flower that means beauty, wonder, and loyal love. Their vibrant colors are stunning.

Ranunculus-
"I am dazzled by your charm and beauty" What women wouldn't want her man  to be dazzled by her!

Hydrangea-
Heart-felt emotions

Lily-
Purity and refined beauty




These are just  a few options. Florists love coming up with something unique and specific for your loved one. Utilize their talents and expertise and have them custom-create something amazing this Valentine's Day!

With the new year coming up very quickly it makes me stop and think...what do I want to do differently this next year? I'm not big on resolutions-let's be honest, how many do we actually keep? I want to evaluate where I am and where I want to go. This year has been full of ups and downs, but they have made me a stronger person and I believe they have tightened my focus.
 
I want to love Jesus more, which in turn makes me want to love others more. Be a more patient mom and be more willing to drop what I'm doing and play with my sweet girl-even if I'm doing the dishes. I want to be a better wife, friend, and daughter. I want to bless people with my talents and use them wisely in my business. Now that I have the "what" I need the "how"-This is something that I will work on over the next week and hopefully come up with a plan to grow into the person I want to be.

 In the mean time-I will try to lose that pesky 5 lbs., eat less, workout more and no matter what- I WILL  have a wonderful time doing whatever is it I'm called to do. Be blessed this next year and always! Do something that makes you smile and enjoy the people around you. Thank you to everyone who is a blessing in my life!

Find Joy

Yesterday I had the priviledge of viewing Something New Boutique's New and A-M-A-Z-I-N-G shop! It is so beautiful and spacious. My favorite is the lighting...Mindi has some sparkly chandeliers! Mindi's customer service has always been amazing, but now she can accomodate so many more brides, mothers, bridesmaids, and prom shoppers! There is a special space for everyone. Even the men! Venture north on Voyager past Interquest to Ridgeline Drive.

The Sneak Peek Soiree was put together by Ashlee at Smash Events. She did a wonderful job. The food was wonderful and the live band added so much to the atmosphere. She is putting together a new website, but you should contact her for all your planning needs!

We were honored to put together a few arrangements for the event. Rachael {Hope} Photography was there capturing the moments and I can't wait to see her fabulous pictures! I love all of these lovely ladies and so proud of each one of them.

I really wanted to add a special element to a bouquet that I'm going to be doing in January.  I decided to try my hand at felting wool to make some flowers. They came out pretty well and will be perfect in my lovely, yet quircky bouquet. Here's the steps I had to take to make them. (There are definitely better sites for instructions, but mine is a rough idea.)

I purchased loose wool from this awesome little store in Black Forest called Table Rock Llamas Fiber Art Studio. They have a wonderful assortmert of yarn, needles, books, wonderful classes you can take and much more! Check them out.

I first separated the wool and laid one layer down facing north and south and then alternated the direction of the layers for 4 layers. You can make it as many layers as you want depending on how thick you want the felted wool.

I then mixed a little dish soap with hot water and dampened my wool. After I worked the soap and water into the wool and it felt like the fibers were meshed together, I put it on bubble wrap to rough it up. I rubbed it until it the texture was sturdy. I then rinsed it with cold water and squeezed it out...don't ring it out.

This is what the felted wool looks like after the water treatment. You have to let it dry before working with it again.  

I then cut it into the shape of a flower and layered the colors to make a pretty! It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to see it with the winterberries, tulips, and whatever other amazing flowers I can find at the wholesalers that week!!

I CAN NOT believe it is December. Where did the year go? I'm getting ready for the shop's open house and it really puts me in the Christmas mood. I love the warmth that candles and lights create and the yummy smell of apple cider! I'm so thankful for so much this year, but also looking forward, in great anticipation, for a fabulous 2011!

We have one more wedding this year! I'm so excited!! It's going to be a beautiful winter wonderland at The Broadmoor Hotel. I can't wait to see the white flowers and sparkling beads and candles. It will be gorgeous!

We are also doing the flowers for a special sneak peak, which I will have to reveal later. It too, will be a beautiful display of white and elegance for the holidays.

I also can't wait to show the wedding we did in November at The Club at Flying Horse with the amazing Carly Mitchell! You'll have to come back to see it...

myweddingplace.com

I recently had the opportunity to work with Rachael from Rachael {Hope} Photography on a special project...I'll let Rachael be the first to share her project...so you'll have to stay tuned to her blog! We had such a great time! She is an amazing person and photographer. Here is a little information about her and her company.

r{h}p, LLC is a Denver based company owned and operated by Rachael MacPhee since 2008.  Rachael works all over the front range, creating photojournalistic and editorial style photos with her fun and fabulously collaborative clients.  Personally, Rachael enjoys adventures with her husband Drew and doggie Manchester, planning for the arrival of her first son Henry (coming Spring 2011) and perfecting her apple pie recipe while listening to a little folk music.

Here is a sneak peek of our project. I had so much fun creating the flowers. I would love to use the designs in a real wedding!

Thanksgiving is just a little less than two weeks away. I'm thankful for so much in my life. This year has been full of heartache in many areas, but I know that God is good and I am truly blessed in so many ways. I have to remember to praise Him-always! This year I get to celebrate Thanksgiving with my dad's side of the family. We are having our 1st Annual Grooms Family Reunion! Watch out Colorado Springs, it might get a little crazy with all of us concentrated in one area. I have cousins and 2nd cousins I haven't seen in years. I sure miss getting together every Christmas, but as our families grow, our time gets harder to share with extended family.

I pray that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and count your blessings. Enjoy this season!

If you are having people over for the holidays, we would love to help you dress-up your table.

I had such a great time tonight at the Colorado Springs Chamber's After-hours networking get-together! I met some really great people! Here is a picture of our table with the moss runner. I loved the way the fall tablescape came together.

I love working with natural items that add character and uniqueness to a design. Tomorrow I'm putting together a table scape that is going to rock! Birch wreath, pumpkin gourds, candles, kangaroo paw, orchids, dahlias, grasses, and a moss table runner!!

Today at the wholesaler, I found a roll of moss that is preserved and ready to wrap around vases, cut into place mats, or roll out as a runner. So many possibilities. Add a few cylinder vases, floating candles, curly willow, and a few flowers and you have an amazing, unique centerpiece. I will post pictures tomorrow of the table scape!