This morning I went to my dance class as per usual… then I came home. And I didn’t leave my house for the rest of the day. I worked, naturally. I did some laundry and cleaned my kitchen. But I also read a good book and drank some coffee. It was just a “home” sort of day.

French press & milk frother. Happy me.

Nothing is more comforting than a mug of something warm and a novel.

Everyone needs a day at home every once in a while, wouldn’t you say?

This is home
Now I’m finally where I belong
Where I belong
Yeah, this is home

I’ve been searching for a place of my own
Now I’ve found it
Maybe this is home
Yeah, this is home

-This is Home, Switchfoot

Four years today. I can hardly believe it.

Time flies when you’re having fun. The saying is very apt.

I woke up on New Year’s Eve, four years ago. {lovah} and I looked at each other and said, “we’re getting married today!” We were somewhat incredulous.

But it happened. That very evening.

We gathered with about 100 of our closest family and friends, and pledged our love and life-long commitment to each other.

The boutonnières were hypericum berries and holiday greenery.

My baby sister was a Junior Bridesmaid. Because, of course, at nine years of age she was much too old to be a flower girl! ;-)

My sisters and dearest girlfriends were all there to support.

And the gown that I’d spent a year designing and making… was finished!

My siblings sang “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree” in earthly perfect harmony.

My dear friend and mentor, Karen, made my stunning bouquet.

At a local mansion for the reception/party, the champagne was flowing.

Our cake was pretty, despite earlier cake disasters.

In fact, everything was pretty. Pretty, pretty.

The delicious food was plentiful.

Guests went home with with Earl Grey tea, a Lauryl & Sammy favorite!

We danced.

And danced some more.

We left at midnight, through a tunnel of sparklers and well-wishers.

Four years ago, today.
Happy Anniversary, {lovah}.

I love you more today than ever.

I can’t believe that Christmas has already come and gone! What a beautiful day it was, full of all the magic that Christmas always brings. My husband and I were alone together on Christmas Day for the first time ever, in spite of this being our 7th Christmas of couplehood. We have always been with some branch of our collected families over the holidays, and while we missed being with our parents, siblings, grandparents and other assorted family members, I must say that 2009 marked my favorite Christmas ever. We were able to relax and just enjoy each other’s company, with nowhere we had to be, no set time for presents, or dinner, or anything else. There was no stress and we truly enjoyed every minute of the day.

We created our very own traditions, such as sleeping in (this was also the first Christmas of my LIFE where no children were present!), and revived old family traditions, such as eating apricot rolls for Christmas breakfast!

We went a bit non-traditional with the decorations, choosing to make it a “very succulent Christmas” here at our little bungalow. Succulents can be found year-round in our home, they practically take up our entire back patio, too, so it made more sense to incorporate them into our decor than to banish them.

Holiday cards were displayed on a tiered cookie display stand (that lovely letterpress gem of a card was from the fabulous Bonnie Tsang)…

I came up with a new way to hang my pine cone balls, suspended with fishing line over our dining room table to create a “faux” chandelier of sorts!

And our tree was lovely in every way! The ribbon on our tree has been recycled year after year, it originally graced the aisles of Trinity Episcopal Church for our wedding. We’ll be celebrating four years of marriage next week!

Mixing many of the things I love: candles, succulents, and glittered fruit! ;-)

And more of that pretty tree.

I just love being at home during the holidays, everything is so festive and cheerful.

Burning candles make me think of simpler times, a slower pace of life, and a total lack of hustle-bustle… just how I like my holidays to be.

Is there anything more festive than home-made eggnog? My family’s secret eggnog recipe is full of delicious spices, creamy cream, and some rum and brandy for good measure. Yummy yum yum!

After a matinee viewing of Sherlock Holmes at our favorite local theatre, {lovah} and I returned home for our Christmas day feasting.

We lit our candles…

…and laid out our china, crystal, and that lovely gold flatware- a wedding gift from my grandmother & grandfather. I enjoyed mixing silver and gold, I do it frequently with the jewelry I wear, and find it to be a wonderfully unexpected design statement.

Our holiday feast was a feast indeed, featuring all of our seasonal favorites.

We savored each delicious bite of our Christmas ham, cranberries, marshmallow yams, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon, pureed cauliflower… the feasting lasted long into the night!

And though we don’t have a real fireplace, we put our cheesy little yule log DVD on, and cuddled on the sofa, watching the screen as the log flickered away. Eventually, we turned the log off and turned our attention to Elf, one of our favorite holiday films. It was a joyous day indeed.

I hope your Christmas day was just as lovely, and that you are all able to spend time with the people you love throughout the rest of this holiday weekend! I’ll be back in the office on Monday, and will have some gorgeous images to share with you then. A very merry post-Christmas, TO YOU!

I recently designed a bouquet and boutonniere for Jasmine Star’s photography workshop. Jasmine is absolutely lovely (not to mention uber-talented) and I was thrilled to design for her. She blogged about the workshop here, and I’ll share some more of her photos from the workshop next week. But in the meantime, I thought I’d share a gorgeous photo of the bouquet, taken by workshop attendee Anda Marie (thanks, Anda!).

Doesn’t it just say “autumn” to you? And of course, the seasonal holiday is Thanksgiving, which just happens to be tomorrow. I am spending time with my family in San Antonio for the holiday, and reflecting on the things I’m thankful for right now: a loving and supportive family, the opportunity I have to work at something I love, the gift of creativity, and the exceptional vendors (many who have become dear friends) and exciting clients that I spend time with regularly. It sounds cliched, but I am blessed. And so very thankful.

May each of YOU be blessed as well, and have a very happy Thanksgiving!

During a recent vacation in the Pacific Northwest, my {lovah} and I were able to visit the legendary Pike’s Place Market in Seattle. There I was greeted with a sight which gave me great pleasure: rows and rows of stunning fresh flowers!

The peonies were to die for. The prices made me want to buy bucketsful and place them all around my house. They were literally less expensive at retail prices than the peonies I buy at wholesale cost at the L.A. Flower Mart. I’m not sure how they pull that off, but I wish they’d expand their amazing-cheap-flower market. Unfortunately, Seattle is a fourteen hour drive from my studio. Major bummer.

There were sweet peas, too, bazillions of them, smelling like heaven.

And like I said, peonies to die for.

If you find yourself in Seattle any time soon, pick up some fleurs! I’m pretty sure you won’t regret it… although really, when have you ever regretted indulging in a bouquet of fresh flowers???