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| COCOCOZY |
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| Simplified Bee |
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| The Decorologist |
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| Apartment Therapy |
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| Belle Vivir |
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| Roost |
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| The Party Dress |
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Blog Loves
I'm on the road again...this time for back-to-back weekends of weddings. And since the stroller and rolling Spiderman luggage trump the laptop when it comes to carry-ons, I am on a forced hiatus. In the meantime, I thought I'd call out some of my favorite, inspirational blogs. Here are the links to a few I love to follow:
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Foundation & Footings.
Another busy week at 323. Among the happenings was the news the sunroom we had intended to keep intact was "structurally compromised," and would need to be torn down and reconstructed. [insert gulp here.] On the flip side, my wish for fair weather was granted, and great progress was made on the addition. Temporary support walls were erected, the rear brick wall was almost entirely removed, and plywood was installed to conceal what would otherwise be a big, giant hole.
The foundation and footings were on the week's agenda, and I was downright tickled to see the cement truck pull up on Tuesday afternoon.
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A sign of things to come...welcome to our kitchen and family room!
And finally, another shot of the constantly changing back facade . I don't think we can call it an "upgrade" just yet.
Friday, May 13, 2011
French Florals 101.
Yesterday, I went back to school (well, for the afternoon at least.) As part of an extraordinary Mother's Day gift, I had the pleasure of arranging flowers along side Jeanette Momeni of Boutique Fleurgreige.
Our introduction was the result of Fleurgreige's recent feature in Garden & Gun magazine, as well as my secret little desire to have my own small flower shop some day. Having trained in Paris with Catherine Mueller, Jeanette's arrangements reflect a natural, European style.
My instruction began with a quick inventory of the blooms she had picked up that morning for our lesson. Jeanette doesn't believe in having her flowers delivered, so five days a week she makes her way to Potomac Floral Wholesale in Silver Spring, Maryland to hand-select her fresh offerings. Her recommendation...go on Wednesday and Sunday mornings when the market, which is open to the public, is less busy.
I am outfitted with an apron, and put to work clipping and pruning. Jeanette guided me on how to clean the stems and where they should be cut to optimize water uptake. The woody nature of the lilacs makes them often difficult to keep fresh, so I was advised to work quickly and minimize their time on land.
Once the prep work was complete, it was time to start creating. Unlike my preferred method of arranging directly in to a vase, Jeanette holds all of the flowers in one hand. With the other, she expertly crosses one flower over the other, turning it constantly to ensure a full arrangement that can be "enjoyed from every side."
Once complete (she just knows when,) the arrangement is tied with raffia, and stems are cut to the same length. The result is a freestanding arrangement that can easily be removed from a vase to freshen water, which she recommends doing daily.
The last step is to place the bouquets into glass vases, which she then carefully wraps with French tissue secured with raffia. A Fleurgreige hang tag adds the final touch.
My time spent with Jeanette at Fleurgreige flew by, but I left with some wonderful tips, three beautiful arrangements, and even an invitation to accompany her on an upcoming trip to the flower market. As for mastering the art of floral composition, I will admittedly need a "bit" more practice.
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| Outside Boutique Fleurgreige |
Our introduction was the result of Fleurgreige's recent feature in Garden & Gun magazine, as well as my secret little desire to have my own small flower shop some day. Having trained in Paris with Catherine Mueller, Jeanette's arrangements reflect a natural, European style.
 |
| A glimpse of Jeanette's portfolio |
My instruction began with a quick inventory of the blooms she had picked up that morning for our lesson. Jeanette doesn't believe in having her flowers delivered, so five days a week she makes her way to Potomac Floral Wholesale in Silver Spring, Maryland to hand-select her fresh offerings. Her recommendation...go on Wednesday and Sunday mornings when the market, which is open to the public, is less busy.
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| Jeanette's studio ready for my lesson |
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| Buckets of blooms |
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| Peonies, Mock Orange, and Lilacs (a special request) were among her selections. |
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| The flower board |
I am outfitted with an apron, and put to work clipping and pruning. Jeanette guided me on how to clean the stems and where they should be cut to optimize water uptake. The woody nature of the lilacs makes them often difficult to keep fresh, so I was advised to work quickly and minimize their time on land.
 |
| Preparing the flowers |
Once the prep work was complete, it was time to start creating. Unlike my preferred method of arranging directly in to a vase, Jeanette holds all of the flowers in one hand. With the other, she expertly crosses one flower over the other, turning it constantly to ensure a full arrangement that can be "enjoyed from every side."
Once complete (she just knows when,) the arrangement is tied with raffia, and stems are cut to the same length. The result is a freestanding arrangement that can easily be removed from a vase to freshen water, which she recommends doing daily.
 |
| Finished product |
The last step is to place the bouquets into glass vases, which she then carefully wraps with French tissue secured with raffia. A Fleurgreige hang tag adds the final touch.
My time spent with Jeanette at Fleurgreige flew by, but I left with some wonderful tips, three beautiful arrangements, and even an invitation to accompany her on an upcoming trip to the flower market. As for mastering the art of floral composition, I will admittedly need a "bit" more practice.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Derby Re-"Cap."
Fresh from the Derby, I am back to business. Despite our absence, my visit to 323 today proved it has been a busy week. A full report of its progress is assured once the luggage is unpacked, but in the meantime I am happy to say, the people-watching didn't disappoint...
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Off to the Races.
My hat is packed, and the Mr. and I are headed to Louisville for the 137th annual Kentucky Derby. This will be my first time attending the event, but certainly not the first time I have found it worthy of celebrating. I just adore the tradition, the pomp, the circumstance, and most importantly...the people watching! As far as I'm concerned, the hats alone are worth the trip.
Last year, we had the pleasure of co-hosting a Kentucky Derby party with our friends, Mr. and Mrs. R. Suffice it to say, I was thrilled to have the quintessentially stylish Mrs. R, armed with her enviable sense of effortlessness and an impressive catalog of inspiration, on my party-planning side.
Our joint initative was kicked off with the invite. This one, by Inviting Company fit the bill. Guests were asked to join us for good food, great drinks (oh, and a horse race too.) Fancy frocks and lavish lids were encouraged.
Next up was the menu. Our goal for the Derby fare, was to find make-ahead, theme-driven options that were well suited for a backyard soiree. Of them included traditional Benedictine Tea Sandwiches as well as Country Ham Sandwiches with Bourbon Mustard and Apple Slaw. Displayed in galvanized trays, each were wrapped in paper printed at home from a downloaded graphic, and tied up with string:
The adults, however, were lured into a "luck of the draw" competition of Win, Place or Show. Each guest was asked to draw three tickets, the back of which contained the name of one of the running horses and their odds.
And finally it was time...two minutes and the fate would be known. A bottle of Kentucky bourbon was destined for the ticket holder of the winning horse. Those holding the tickets of the second and third finishing horses, would receive partial sponsorships to dine in arguably the most well known Kentucky-based restaurant of all time. (If I may, I highly recommend the chicken strips...and there is no shame in dipping them in a bit of ranch dressing.)
Far be it from us, however, to let the holder of the last place horse go unrecognized. After all, wasn't it only appropriate they receive at least a little something for their encouragement? Another Etsy find, a Derby-inspired sweater (complete with shoulder pads) was presented to its very gracious receiver:
Thank you to all of our dear friends who joined us. And, a very special thanks to our guest and photographer, Allison Morgan, for capturing the event and helping us to preserve such special memories.
I sincerely hope to see you all next year at 323. For now, I'm off to the races...
Last year, we had the pleasure of co-hosting a Kentucky Derby party with our friends, Mr. and Mrs. R. Suffice it to say, I was thrilled to have the quintessentially stylish Mrs. R, armed with her enviable sense of effortlessness and an impressive catalog of inspiration, on my party-planning side.
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| Myself and Mrs. R Derby Day 2010 |
Our joint initative was kicked off with the invite. This one, by Inviting Company fit the bill. Guests were asked to join us for good food, great drinks (oh, and a horse race too.) Fancy frocks and lavish lids were encouraged.
 |
"Jockey Feet" by Inviting Company of The Party Starts Here |
Next up was the menu. Our goal for the Derby fare, was to find make-ahead, theme-driven options that were well suited for a backyard soiree. Of them included traditional Benedictine Tea Sandwiches as well as Country Ham Sandwiches with Bourbon Mustard and Apple Slaw. Displayed in galvanized trays, each were wrapped in paper printed at home from a downloaded graphic, and tied up with string:
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| Country Ham Sandwiches with Bourbon Mustard |
For treats, Bourbon Balls were a must. Mrs. R did a divine job preparing them, and we chose to serve them in paper cones created using the same papers. An old Coca-Cola crate, layered with recycled paper shred, proved the perfect solution to keep them standing.
My contribution to the sweets table, was Mint Chocolate Cupcakes. Decorated using paper flowers and polka dot baking cups I purchased at Michaels, they were displayed on a variety of cake stands and garnished with fresh mint.
On to drinks. The party was a family affair, so we tried to provide options for our guests of all ages. Galvanized pails and floral tins created by an Etsy artist, housed Izze sodas, while water and lemonade was offered in glass dispensers.
In the adult beverage section, a self-service Mint Julep bar was stocked with the three official Kentucky Derby bourbons. The framed recipe for "mixing," allowed everyone to cater their cocktail to their liking. The polished silver cups, were purchased on eBay a few years back.
Floral arrangements, created with blooms picked up at the farmer's market the morning of, were tucked into a mismatched assortment of containers and vases.
Entertainment was also a high priority. For the kids, it included horse bouncers, jockey hats, handmade paper pinwheels and even a game of "Pin the Saddle on the Race Horse."
 |
| Bourbon Balls in Paper Cones |
My contribution to the sweets table, was Mint Chocolate Cupcakes. Decorated using paper flowers and polka dot baking cups I purchased at Michaels, they were displayed on a variety of cake stands and garnished with fresh mint.
 |
| Mint Chocolate Cupcakes |
On to drinks. The party was a family affair, so we tried to provide options for our guests of all ages. Galvanized pails and floral tins created by an Etsy artist, housed Izze sodas, while water and lemonade was offered in glass dispensers.
 |
| Cold Drinks |
In the adult beverage section, a self-service Mint Julep bar was stocked with the three official Kentucky Derby bourbons. The framed recipe for "mixing," allowed everyone to cater their cocktail to their liking. The polished silver cups, were purchased on eBay a few years back.
 |
| Mint Julep Station |
Floral arrangements, created with blooms picked up at the farmer's market the morning of, were tucked into a mismatched assortment of containers and vases.
 |
| Farmer's Market Florals |
Entertainment was also a high priority. For the kids, it included horse bouncers, jockey hats, handmade paper pinwheels and even a game of "Pin the Saddle on the Race Horse."
 |
| Horse Play |
 |
| Jockey Hats |
 |
| Paper Pinwheels |
The adults, however, were lured into a "luck of the draw" competition of Win, Place or Show. Each guest was asked to draw three tickets, the back of which contained the name of one of the running horses and their odds.
 |
| Not-So-Official Horse Race Drawing |
And finally it was time...two minutes and the fate would be known. A bottle of Kentucky bourbon was destined for the ticket holder of the winning horse. Those holding the tickets of the second and third finishing horses, would receive partial sponsorships to dine in arguably the most well known Kentucky-based restaurant of all time. (If I may, I highly recommend the chicken strips...and there is no shame in dipping them in a bit of ranch dressing.)
 |
| Winner, winner chicken dinner! |
Far be it from us, however, to let the holder of the last place horse go unrecognized. After all, wasn't it only appropriate they receive at least a little something for their encouragement? Another Etsy find, a Derby-inspired sweater (complete with shoulder pads) was presented to its very gracious receiver:
Thank you to all of our dear friends who joined us. And, a very special thanks to our guest and photographer, Allison Morgan, for capturing the event and helping us to preserve such special memories.
I sincerely hope to see you all next year at 323. For now, I'm off to the races...
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