It is no secret that I love to get creative.  ”Wedding Inspiration Shoots” give me a chance to do what I love, be creative.  Inspiration shoots are when a team of wedding pros get together, develop a  theme, and stage a mini- wedding.  What is so wonderful about these shoots is it gives the pros involved a chance to go all out and show off their mad skills, while giving brides some seriously steal-able ideas.

This shoot’s theme started with using a geode as inspiration.  Throwing in a touch of ombre coloring and rich textiles, I think we came up with an inspiration shoot that is truly unique and gorgeous.  Kate Miller, of Kate Miller Events stepped it up with her design and planning talents.  Sarah Maren of Sarah Maren Photography was on hand to capture all the pretty.  See below for a list of people in who added their talents to this project.

From Kate Miller:

“We started with a tablescape covered with a crushed velvet linen reminiscent of a rough rock exterior and topped it with a cascading gradient floral arrangement designed by Flourish. Our chargers and stemware brought bright pops of citrine to the table and we topped each place setting with a hand-painted menu and geode slice paperweight. Selenite votives were sprinkled amongst the glassware. Chiffon chair covers completed the look and continued the gradient trend for the Bride and Groom’s chairs.”

“The bride wore a beautiful gown that reflected the textural rock theme with it’s sweeping trumpet skirt accented by taffeta rosettes and rhinestones. She accessorized her dress with a grey felt hat, a custom-made floral fascinator with matching shoe clips and druzy amethyst, citrine, amazonian geode, crystal and gemstone jewelry. The groom wore a slim grey suit with a yellow linen bowtie and reversible pocket square.”

“Our escort cards and table number were laser cut semi-translucent white acrylic. The escort cards were hand painted by our stationery designer and then calligraphy was added to feature each guests’ name and table. The invitation suite and signage were all hand-painted with gorgeous shimmery colors.”

“Our beverage table contained a three-layer welcome beverage bar that also conveyed the gradient theme and offered guests chilled ice water, lavender lemon spritzer or a deep plum cocktail. The beverage dispenser sat atop a base of gorgeous florals and was flanked by citrine glassware accented with a single rock candy stir stick for easy sweetening.”

“Our cake table featured a gorgeous cake with a gradient fondant finish, it’s top layer entirely encrusted with rock candy, accented by sugar crystal flowers and sitting on a translucent sugar base.”

Photography: Sarah Maren Photographers / Cinematography: Frontside Films / Floral Design + Styling:Flourish / Event Design, Planning + Styling: Kate Miller Events™ / Location: Folsom, California / Cake:Sweet Cakes by Rebecca / Invitations:Momental Designs / Escort Cards and Table Number: Luxecuts®hand-painted by Momental Designs / Calligraphy: Calligraphy Girl / Linens: Wildflower Linens / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Hair & Makeup: Nicole Solarez / Jewelry: Elizabeth Lydon Studio + ZoomZoom Bunny / Bride’s Shoes: Theory + Flourish shoe clips / Headpiece: Flourish / Hat: American Apparel / Dress: Jasmine Couture via Always Elegant Bridal / Tuxedo: Jean Yves via Always Elegant Bridal / Bowtie + Pocket Square: Wickham House

Ever since I mentioned my chicken and dumplings in my bio I have had requests for the recipe.  This recipe is in no way like the traditional  southern-style chicken and dumplings.  This stew is all about lots and lots of veggies and rich flavor.

You may laugh when you get to the part about the Bisquick dumplings.  I have tried making the dumplings the old fashioned way- from scratch.  ”hockey puck” comes to mind.  Bisquick dumplings are light and fluffy. The only bummer is they are a little tender so they tend not to reheat too well.  As the dumplings steam, never open the lid to check on them or you will have tough dumplings. Some of the dumplings will melt as they cook and thicken the stew.  Delish!

• boneless/skinless chicken breasts 1.5 lbs.
• 3 cartons of chicken stock (I like the Kitchen Basics brand best)
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 bundle of celery- cleaned and chopped including the interior leaves and the heart
• 1 lb. of carrots- peeled and chopped
• 2 parsnips- peeled and chopped
• 2 leeks- cleaned and chopped
• 1 lb. red potatoes- cleaned and chopped (leave skins on)
• 2 yellow onions- cleaned and chopped
• 2 tsp. dried thyme
• 2 tsp. rubbed sage
• sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
• Bisquick dumplings- double the recipe and prepare batter according to instructions on the side of the Bisquick box

In a very large soup pot- pour in chicken stock and add the whole chicken breasts, garlic and seasonings.  Allow it to come to a boil, reduce the heat to a low simmer.  Allow the chicken to simmer as you prep vegetables.  Remove the chicken when it is cooked through and set it aside. Add all the vegetables to the stock.  Simmer until vegetables start to soften.  When the chicken has cooled to the touch, shred the chicken into bite sized pieces and return to the pot. Drop prepared Bisquick dumplings batter on to simmering stew. Reduce heat, allow to cook uncovered for 10 minutes.  Cover the pot and cook for 10 minutes more.

Because I am a florist it goes against my nature to post a blog with out a flower picture.  Here ya go:

Image of the lovely Janelle and her bouquet by Discovery Bay Studio

Flowers are fleeting- Just like the life span of a flower, life is fleeting.

I spend a lot of time doing things and feeling emotions that I wonder, when I look back at them,  if I will tell myself I was squandering what little time I had.  It is a constant struggle.  My time with my children, my time with my family, making people happy with my gifts and sharing my love with the people around me.  That is what matters.  That is what will linger long after everything else fades away.

There is beauty in every stage of the flower’s life cycle- Flowers go from tight bud to just barely open to full bloom and finally, seed pod.

This year I will be 29 years old.  Okay, okay… I turned 30 years old.  Kidding…kidding- I am actually 41 years old.  41!  How did that happen?  In my head I am  still 29!  I have come to realize that the gifts that can only come with 41 years of experience are now mine.  I can look back on my teen years, my 20′s and my 30′s and see beauty in ever stage.   Now if i can just figure out how to have the teen’s energy, the 20 year old’s body and the smarts of the 30-40 year old, I will be golden!

Keep the water clean and the flowers will live longer- If all your flowers have to drink is funky, gunky water they will die before their time.

Same with people.  This a hard one for me mostly because In-n-Out is sooo…damn…good!!

To expand on that same idea, flowers die faster if they are around other rotting flowers.  I truly believe that it is the same with people. People in your circle should lift you up and help you reach new heights, not drag you down to new lows.  I try telling these thoughts to my 13 year-old. But I am pretty sure all he hears is “wah wah wah wah .” like the adult’s voices in the Charlie Brown cartoons.

No matter how hard you try, you just can’t make a flower bloom before it wants to- Flowers grow and develop in their own time and when they are ready.

Ever wanted something so bad you would do just about anything to make it happen?  Then road blocks come up and disasters happen but you persist.  Sometimes it is better to let things happen naturally and in their own time.  Some of my most epic fails have come from situations in which I kept going with a trip or a project when all signs told me to stop.  But I guess my stubbornness has made for some great stories.

Flowers follow the sun- The fancy word is phototropic.  Flowers will turn their faces and track the sun across the sky. 

I have found that following my heart is always the right way to go.  Whenever I go against my inner-voice and my intuition I get myself in trouble.

Never be friends with someone who does not like flowers- Seriously?  It is like saying you do not like rainbows, puppies and that new car smell.  Run away- they are dead inside.

There is harmony in every combination-  Flowers can be combined in countless ways.  In a garden you will see them intertwining and mixin’ it up.  I cannot think of a single flower and color that do not “go” together.  Even if it is the disharmony of a combination that makes the combination beautiful.  

I think people are like that too.  Sometimes it is our disharmony that makes us interesting.

The flexible will be strong and survive.  Have you ever seen a flower growing out of a crack in the side walk or a tree that has grown around and engulfed a fence post?  

Sometimes problems arise and I have to think about how I going work around that problem and turn it to my advantage.  It is hard to not dig my heels in and say “But that is NOT fair and it is not the way it should be done!”  My inner two year old often wants to stomp her foot and throw a temper tantrum.

There will be snails, mold and thorns. Yuck!  Ewwww! Ouch! I cannot tell you how many times I have opened box of flowers, anticipating the beauty within, only to be greeted by slimy stems and dropping petals.  Life is like that sometimes.  Jim and I will have a romantic date planned only to get in a fight on the way to the restaurant.  I guess it makes me appreciate when everything goes smoothly and the way I expected.

Flowers need rain. Not every day can be sunny.  Rain is a necessary for growth.

Most days are tiring, filled with minutia and have not enough time in them.  But it is special little glimmers that keep me going.  It seems like I have a perfect snap shot of all the people I love frozen in my memory.  I can remember sitting in the rocking chair and gazing down at a newborn Evan sleeping in my arms.  I can see Harrison running towards me on wobbly and unsure toddler legs.  I have a clear memory of Jim playing the drums in a smoke filled club.  It is the perfect moments that help me through the crappy times life seems to dish out with regularity.  It is the loving little moments sandwiched between ringing phones and dust bunnies that make it all worthwhile.

**all images taken by ‘lil ol’ me!