In shades of majestic purple and punchy citrus- This bouquet is a slightly unexpected entry for the "What you should do for your Thanksgiving centerpiece" competition. Though we often think of citrus in the summer, it's actually easier and cheaper (in the states) to find in the winter months, making it a fitting addition to any late fall-winter arrangement. The reason this color combination works is that the yellow-orange colors act as the complimentary color to the purple tulips and roses. Is your mind blown yet?

Keep scrolling...

I came up with this color combination standing in the Whole Foods grocery aisle, referencing the Color Schemer app. It's my new favorite tool when deciding what colors will work well together in my floral designs. You can also use it for things like decorating your room or planning your wedding color palette. I'm not being paid to say this, I just really like it. Go color palette the world!

Though I'll be in Virginia for Thanksgiving this year, I think I may have to travel down with floral shears and flower frogs just to recreate this centerpiece for my mother-in-law's table. Enough gushing over how beautiful nature is. What do you think? - b.

PS- You can find the ingredients/anatomy of this bouquet here.

The days have become short, the nights long, and with it I've become more theatrical. For my second installment of an Anatomy of A Bouquet I've decided to play with color, texture, and shape. Here's the breakdown:

1 | Amaranth- A popular fall filler flower, amaranth has over 60 subspecies each in a different shade of red. I loved the red burgundy color of the variety I found at my local Trader Joe's.

2 | Tulips- I've expounded on my love of this flowers in spring, but in the autumn they reemerge as the temperatures dip and the ground grows cool again.

3 | Satsuma Mandarin- One of the sweetest varieties of citrus, these adorably plump fruits add a bit of textural interest and a pop of delicious color to an arrangement.

4 | Broomcorn- To add an abundance of texture and drama to your centerpiece look no further than broomcorn. Available in a variety of shapes and colors, I chose the almost black, cascading option this time around.

5 | Heritage Roses- Neither heirloom nor long-stemmed, heritage roses live somewhere between the wilderness and grocery aisle. Their sweet aroma lingers in the air, and generously sized heads make them an eye-catching addition to a bouquet.

6 | Sorghum Grass- A hearty, wheat-like filler flower that stands tall and instantly makes any arrangement feel like October. I had a devil of a time figuring out what exactly this flower was, but now that I know I'll never forget. 

7 | Double Gerbera Daisy- I have to admit that I'm not traditionally a fan of the Gerbera Daisy. Their over popularity has relegated them to the ranks of Carnations in my mind, but when I saw these rather delicate pink & green blooms at the store I couldn't pass them up. They became a bit of a showstopper in this arrangement.

Come back tomorrow to see how the bouquet came together- it might just inspire your holiday centerpiece! - b.

Life right now is wild. A 24-7 work schedule, a house in chaos, and a holiday looming on the horizon is only the beginning. As summer winds down my fall calendar fills to the brim and things suddenly get foggy. That's where I am right now, overwhelmed by the mounting to-dos, but thankful for a reprieve in the summer heat. The nights are cooler now and that's where I take my solace. 

This bouquet is an outward expression of my current state of mind. A little unkept, a little dark, but with light around its edges. I created it for my friend Maddie's most recent workshop and stole it away for a couple of minutes to shoot these images. Again this is symbolic of life right now. Every day I try to carve out a couple of minutes to do something for me, if only to keep my sanity it tact. This blog post is one of those things for me.

As I write this I'm watching a new-to-me television show I'm completely obsessed with, The Newsroom. We marathoned season one a couple weeks back and I finally convinced Ryan to watch season two with me. I like it because it reminds me there are bigger issues in the world worth my attention. The trivial issues of my day-to-day life pale in comparison. I'm starting to look at the world with a new perspective. Wouldn't it be nice if all TV lead to bettering our lives. Here's to dreaming.

    BLOOMS USED

1. Dahlias
2. Celosia (2 types)
3. Wax Flower
4. Statice
5. Spray Roses
6. Lysimachia Ciliata Purpurea
7. Wisteria

Ryan's fortune cookie this evening is my new mantra for this season of my life- "There is are no shortcuts to any place worth going." I may just keep this mantra for always. - b.