Good taste

When I was growing up this painting hung on the wall above the television. I didn't pay much attention to it, frankly I didn't care for art very much.

I feel differently these days of course. I squealed with delight when I found a room filled with Degas in the Met when I was visiting New York. I am consistently green with envy when I see beautiful paintings on Antiques Roadshow. And I often think art collecting would be an exciting hobby if I ever had the money.

My Mum has wonderful taste. This painting belongs to her.

The delicate blue plumbago seemed like a pretty accompaniment. 

I've just spent a few weeks at her home on the south coast, picking flowers and taking photos. I can't wait to return at Easter time and see what is flowering then.

Kate  x

Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine

Say yes to thinking outside the trends

I pursued floristry because I was all about the flowers. Now that I am a florist, I am all about the wedding flowers. Wedding floristry is what I am most excited by, by a long way. But strangely I've seemingly become all about wedding details across the board. Like I've hinted at in previous posts, I spend a great deal of my spare time on wedding blogs. A great deal! Predominantly my focus has been on the flowers, and then the decor and wedding photography as secondary interests. But lately my brain space is being consumed by wedding dresses. I have no clue why I'm interested, but I am. And like any arm-chair expert, I have fervent opinions. In the last three or four weeks I have watched an embarrassingly large amount of Say Yes to the Dress and I Found the Gown and Don't Tell the Bride.

Don't judge me too harshly.

Whilst these shows are fun, they don't quite satisfy my fascination for wedding gowns. And I think it's because they lack variety. Apart from the odd statuesque and overly self-assured New York bride who confidently picks a structured, art-deco inspired gown, the majority of the dresses walking out the door at Klenfield and Bridals by Lori are white, strapless ball gowns, with sweet-heart neck lines. Even the consultants in the bridal stores concede to camera that the majority of the off the rack dresses fit this precise formula. Why? Where is the choice and variety?

Where is the antique lace in off white?

Where are the high neck lines?

Where are the delicate buttons as an alternative to corsets?

Why has everything been embellished with crystals masquerading as diamonds?

And for the love of all things chic, where are the sleeved gown options? 

Below are some links to dress inspirations that don't fit the cookie cutter bridal aesthetic from Wedding Sparrow.

25 Best wedding dresses for the fine art bride

Blue wedding dress inspiration

Blush pink wedding dress inspiration

Black wedding dress inspiration

And yes, I know I just dissed the sparkles, but below is an example of chic, show-stopping embellished dresses.

Sequin wedding inspiration

But at the end of the day, if a white, jewel encrusted, strapless, cinderella-type ball gown rocks your socks, then wear it. There must be an abundance of them for a reason, even if I don't recognise it. Don't let anyone dull your sparkle, least of all me. I just want to see some variety!

K xx

Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine

Photographed open magazine spreads are from Hello May magazine and

Bride to Be  magazine.

Wedding photograph is my own Nan at her 1950s wedding.

Eight// Octo-ber in review

Fun fact: October was once the eighth month of the year, before Julius Caesar gifted himself July. And whilst he was in the mood for rearranging the calendar, he posthumously presented Augustus with August. *

So the Octo in October makes little sense anymore. Come to think of it neither does the Dec in December.

Eight has been a bit of a theme for me this October.

It has been eight months since we left Sydney. I am happier for having made that decision. Life is pretty grand. We love our new city. I love being a florist. And things are only looking better and better.

It has also been eight years since I went on the first date with my boyfriend.  

Eight years ago he bought me pizza. He's a tad more sophisticated these days.

Whilst I was busy styling some photographs of the new (old) ring, I thought I'd try my hand at styling an emerging trend. Recently i've been seeing the 'bed of moss' look appearing in more and more wedding photographs. Don't know what i'm talking about?

Moss ring box on pinterest. Always a good place to get your head around trends.

Or, try here.

What else had me excited this October?

Max Gill Design

How to display flowers in your home

The Mrs Box

Silk & Willow

Bash Magazine

We fell in love

Ben Adams Photography

K xx

Styling and Photographs by Moss & Vine


*I stand corrected on the whole calendar thing, my painfully intelligent Brother sent me the following:
'The Senate named July after Caesar, in recognition of his achievements. And Augustus was JC's grand-nephew, so August was not named for him posthumously but inter vivos, by the Senate, some time after Caesar's death.'

So, there you go.

Pepper

Wedding leftovers lounging on the Chesterfield. 

Pepperberry. Suave.

K xx