if these walls could talk

I had one of those New York moments, and while it doesn't fit with my floral endeavors it has a nice place in my buildings tab. 

My neighborhood bodega, one of the most important spots for us city dwellers. The place where you walk around your corner for just about anything; cold beer, a sandwich, the junk food you would never keep in your kitchen -it's all bought here.  I can be seen lurking the aisles in my pajammas at all hours of the day and night because this place is an extension of my own apartment.  

While half watching one of the zillion documentries on Andy Warhol and his factory stars- I saw it. I saw my very own corner of the city, recognizing where my bodega is now. A place that 40 years ago was the hottest spot, Max's Kansas City it's where Nico & The Velvet Underground got it's start, The New York Dolls, countless other bands and where Andy and his stars were spotted daily. 

I'm not one to get oogely eyed over Andy and all of that, but I was struck- that place and time is now my corner deli. New York City, like a lot of places is chuck full with this stuff, and while say I know that, when it becomes this real, it does something funny to you. I guess one would call that a New York moment.  

Read this blog if you want to explore further. 

http://thisaintthesummeroflove.blogspot.com/2009/10/maxs-kansas-city-dates.html

Max's Kansas City closed in '81 (the year I was born) Bad Brains was on the lineup but they never played, it closed before. 

Yoga Vida NYC

I received a special request from a mother looking to send a box of near blooming narcissus bulbs to her daughter; a celebration for the opening of her daughters Yoga Vida Studio . Kathryn said her daughter Hilaria and I shared similar philosophies, and I was touched by the note she included for her daughter. She said, "...the young growth of these bulbs reflects the promise of the new year and your endeavors, which we hope will grow and mature over time. as winter hibernation allows for spring awakening."

Yoga Vida's studios are airy and open, warm and welcoming.  

Located at 99 University Place at 12th Street 66th floor

$10.00 gives you unlimited yoga for 1 week and 1 free mat rental.  

I'll be going!  

Poppies

I have strayed away from naming my favorite flowers, trying my best to say that I have love them all equally like a litter of my very own children. This time I have to break my rule to tell you about one of my favorites, the poppy. 

These poppies I purchased came from Italy. When you get a fresh bunch of poppies the buds are tightly sealed in a green fuzzy shell that you have to delicately peel off to reveal the orange, red, pink, and white papery petals. The centers are dark purple blue and the fuzzy stems grow in every which direction like a bold cursive letter. 

While being a delicate and finicky flower I have no problem saving poppies after they have wilted, the flower remains eerily beautiful. Poppies are the Greek symbol for eternal sleep and oblivion, imagination and dreaminess.

 

In the Wizard of Oz while on their way to the Emerald City, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion walk through a field of poppies, and both Dorothy and the Lion mysteriously fall asleep, as if from the opium of poppies. The Scarecrow and the Tin Man, not being made of flesh and blood, are unaffected. They carry Dorothy to safety and place her on the ground beyond the poppy field.

Regardless of the history of poppies and its dangerous uses, this flower remains one of the most beautiful buds I have seen. It is not common to find these flowers in the market which add to their intrigue and mystery, and the pods are just as unusually beautiful to see. 

Brooklyn Charm Christmas Love

Yes Yes I live in Manhattan in the village of Gramercy but I can't get enough of my home away from home in Williamsburg. This reason alone: The mean streets. 

...but I love to come home to my yummy abode & xmas charm. 

OK-I take it back

My blogging friend Heather from I grew This made an excellent point about my previous post about the Rockefeller Christmas tree .  She wrote,"Please don't hate me, but I don't think it's that bad... "After being taken down, the tree was used to furnish lumber for Habitat for Humanity house construction."..pines grow really fast on the tree spectrum, it's not like they are cutting down a red wood. I would gander that the environmental impact of fabricating a fake tree that size would be more detrimental than cutting down a new one every year."

Thanks for the feedback-that's exactly what I was looking for! 

It's midnight and I really need to get some sleep now. 

Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting

Ceremony is tonight which I will avoid at all costs for fear of the touristy crowd. While this annual celebration kicks off the holiday spirit here in New York I have hesitation towards enjoying it.

I think it's really sad that every year all around the world we chop down beautiful trees only to be thrown out one month later. Especially one so grand as this 75 feet tall! How old was this tree?

While this could be a contradiction of sorts being that I work with cut flowers it IS different! Look at the age it takes to grow these, the oxygen it creates! Now that you think I am completely agro- together we can create a petition to make Rockefeller's tree artificial. Serioulsy you can't even smell it-it's outside! I googled this exact issue and have yet to find the petition. Unless we can find this petition we can all make one together. 

Dolce & Gabbana Holiday Window

What better way to kick off the holiday season than feasting your eyes on this Sicilian spread.

I was honored with creating Dolce & Gabbana's holiday window for a second year.

Located on Madison Avenue and 68th street it's worth a look in person. Every fruit, flower and desert is real.

The vases, candelabras and glasses are authentic French Louis XV pieces from the 19th Century. 

Happy Holidays!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know it's been a while since i've posted pics of bouquets (which is to be the point of all of this)

The post after this is going to be the real whammy-stay tuned!

In the meantime take a look at the Thanksgiving bouquets I made. How great would this make your table? The food could be totally lousy and your guests would remain pleased as pie looking at these beauties. 

Brooklyn Navy Yard

I drove past this haunting and intriguing piece of property on my way to dumbo and my historic preservation nose sniffed something remarkable. 

Preserving Admirals Row from MAS on Vimeo.

Tim Burton

This past Saturday night I was invited to the opening of Tim Burtons show at MOMA. Let just say I was blown away with the humor, strange, and dark beauty of his creations. If you are in NYC you MUST see this show, for those out yonder it is seriously worth the trek. The room is filled to the max with movie clips, characters, writings and drawings galore. What I loved most were Tim Burtons grade school drawings and hilarious short stories. A snapshot of a boy trying to escape the suburbs of Burbank through his mind.

I can't WAAAIT for March 5th for Alice & Wonderland!!!  

More Cactus

I had an unexpected last minuet 2nd trip back to Arizona to see my pops. When I returned my prickly pear cactus grew 6 inches in two weeks! Heather tells me I honed my desert energy into this plant, she also gave me my latest art acquisition for my belated b-day. On top of it being a photo of yours truly in my apt, I am doubly excited about all the work our photographer friend Julia Allen is creating. 

Tucson, Arizona

I made it home to the father land...

It was so great I forgot to snap photos of the weekend, but with the help of google images I found pretty much the same thing I saw. 

Now, my dearest and nearest who's getting excited for April 10th?

When I got back to my humble NY abode look what I found. 

My Prickly Pear Cactus has a whole new growth on it! I swear it wasn't there before I left. (see upper left arm) I'm feekin' pumped up about this!!!!!

Sara Sill

I received the neatest flower order for an artist who was having her opening reception at The National Arts Club, just around the corner from me. Little did I know Sara Sill and I speak the same language! Sara's show "Nature Studies" will be at The National Arts Club 15 Gramercy Park South October 20th-31st. Check it out! 

*here she is with the arrangement I made. 

Bouquet of the Day

Fall

In my soon to be 28 years all of my best friends have had fall birthdays, except for one.

More than this being my birth season for my girlfriends and me, this is my favorite time of year.                         In New York City the whole mood changes, unlike the spring when the earth is still frozen and thawing endless days taunt. The fall has unexpected clear blue days which get you to walk on the bright side of the block. While the sun is slowing down to rise, and the thought of getting out from under last nights covers seems like an all too recent burden; the days can appear at first glance to be overcast and cold. Yet, once the sun is up the grey manages to burn off to show the most beautiful blue skies, puffy white clouds, and crisp cool air. I get excited to pull out past years jackets- my leather bomber and Barbour oh how I love you!

It’s when the weather slaps you in the face with winter and you find yourself the biggest down comforter sized coat that there is no turning back.                                                                                        

I tell myself now, I get more done during these months. So with that I brew a pot of tea and get to work on my new year.  

Ashby-de-la-Zouch

Is a town in the English Midlands near Derbyshire. I was a guest to the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to. The reception was held at Staunton Harold Hall 

A nice American boy found his match with the most lovely English girl.  

I especially loved watching the interaction between the flower girl and ring bearer. So sweet. 

The flower girl reminded me of myself when I had the opportunity to stay at Castle Ashby.  I was not much older than her when my family stayed at the castle.  My big sister and I played the most incredible games of hide and go seek and real life pretending of being princesses.

Bouquet of the Day

From a Sprout wedding this weekend at Aurora. 

My Violet Bloomed Again

and my dad is doing much better. 

England

While this marks my seventh trip to England I left feeling many more trips are needed. Generally based in London, this time I had another opportunity to go to the midlands to the town of Ashby-de-la-Zouch. This was a four day packed trip seeing my wonderful girlfriends, exploration, and concluding with a most spectacular wedding. 

I have wanted to visit this spot before and this time my request was answered. Chelsea Physic Garden is often called London's 'secret garden' and is  the second oldest botanical garden in Britain.

Founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries and it's purpose above all else was to teach students the phamacological uses of different plants.  

Let's just say this place was magic. I brought the stone I found on the beaches of Rhode Island and placed it in a special spot which I hope to see again.   

My friends Anna & Meaghan were such a deilght to see and I am so excited to brag about them. Meaghan is beginning this fall at Central Saint Martins for her MFA, she is a very talented jewelry designer and I can't wait to follow her creative career path. 

...and here are snapshots from Anna's breathtaking home. 

 

With all of that I will need to dedicate another post to the English Countryside.

Bouquet of the Day

Here is my latest work from Sprout Home.