After a prolonged break, I'm excited to get back into flower arranging. Practice makes perfect as they say. There's no better way to throw myself back into this, than to start with an anatomy of a bouquet.

This month's bouquet is a rosy mix, with unexpected textures to keep the blooms feeling fresh, and approachable. The soft aroma filled our tiny living room, and with my eyes closed I almost believed I was sitting among the roses in an English garden.

1 | Standard Roses- Typically relegated to my "do not buy" list at the grocery flower counter, I decided to challenge myself with including them in this assortment. They were my statement flower, and to help open them a little wider I used my fingers to push the petals apart. This made them feel a little more organic and less austere.

2 | Spray Roses- Petite and delicate, I love to use spray roses as my "filler" flower in bouquets. I tend to be drawn to white or soft pinks in these types of flowers, but similar to carnations you can find them in almost any hue.

3 | Leucadendron- This exotic leafy filler has become a favorite of mine. Each bunch feels slightly different than the last, though the spiky texture remains consistent. It's that unexpected touch that makes the roses feel less sweet.

4 | Eucalyptus- I love the almost medicinal smell of eucalyptus, and the variety of leaf styles in this genus. I like to pickup a fresh batch now and again to hang in our shower, so this inclusion served double duty for me. Selfish I know.

Check back tomorrow for the finished bouquet- it's a blushing beauty. - b.

And so, once again we begin a new chapter in our lives. It is a time of renewal, rebirth, and resurrection and I embrace these re- with arms wide open. Now more than ever I look forward to spring's cleansing abilities for both mind and body. 

I lost someone dear and irreplaceable to me this winter, and his loss has left a hole in my family's hearts that will never fully close. I have only our shared memories to hold onto and pieces of his spirit to carry with me. Perhaps in time I will be able to articulate how very unique and special my Grandpa was, but today my eyes only well up with tears, and my voice catches in my throat at the very mention of his name.

This change in season is very needed. I know I'm not alone in that feeling. So how should the chapter begin? - b.

A love of words is something I've been cultivating. I've gathered 5 of my (current) favorites to share with you in hopes that maybe you'll be inspired to share yours too!

1 | Striking- The mysterious older sister to beautiful; striking is more complex, confident, and sensual. It conjures up the exotic. It captures the imagination. If we could all be so lucky to be as remarkably perfect as this word.

2 | Disseminate- Not a word you frequently find in your early 20-somethings vocabulary, disseminate has quickly become one of my favorite career-girl words. It makes a presentation on the importance of distributing the latest manual on [fill in the blank] sound so much less dull. Not to mention how much more authoritative you sound.

3 | Pique- Like jekyll & hyde, pique has two distinctly different sides. A word for the curious, it arouses our imaginations and perks our ears in conversation. Conversely our irrational and emotional selves can just as easily be wounded by our own pride. 

4 | Acumen- Culturally we're all too quick to celebrate the surface, and superficial. Isn't it about time for us to work of developing greater depth of understanding and discernment, particularly in the areas/topics we're interested in? Think how much we could accomplish if we honed our skills to make quicker decisions and better judgements. 

5 | Cultivate- Such a rich and meaningful word. I hope that when I look back on my life I will be able to say that I never stopped improving, acquiring, and developing. A cultivated life is a happy life.

What are some of your favorite words? Give me a shout out on Pinterest or Instagram. - b.