One // There’s something satisfying about a solid worktable, well used and rusted brass scissors and raw twine that settles my heart. There are times when I wish so longingly that we could grow such beauties as olive trees for their romantic silvery branches, or eucalyptus leaves. Hoop houses or greenhouses help us up in our colder Pacific NW climate grow things that normally need a bit more sun and warmth. Lately I’ve been using less bright colors and flowers, in favor of more greens, softer hues, such as creamy whites, pale pink cosmos, dahlias, astilbe and the whimsical Silene “blushing lanterns”. A stylish workspace is what all of us need somedays to dream and feel grounded.
Two // These summer days that wilt my body and parch my skin, call for a delicious crisp glass of rosé. I have several favorites, but the ever consistent favorite comes from a winery in Rutherford, CA, Rutherford Hill Winery. Their Rosé of Merlot on a hot July day is perfectly paired with a creamy French Brie cheese, a slather of this Fig spread on hearty crackers. A weeks worth of dirt under my nails, slides right into an evening with lively conversation with friends or family. Spending long days out in the garden or out on the farm feels good in your bones in a solid, good days work kind of way, but sharing a life with the people you love makes it all worthwhile.
Three // Summer calls for the sea. I can taste the salty ocean air just looking at this image. Usually Maui is my dreamy, quiet happy place. We’ve traveled to Maui since I was a baby and the air never fails to calm me. Something about that ocean breeze that breathes new life back into you. This sweater over a swimsuit combo is the perfect shade of taupe/blush that I need for my dark hair. If you get a moment, Megan Runion is a dreamy place of french farmhouse living, delicious white farmhouse decor and inspiration for a simpler life well lived that inspires and invigorates you to go out and clean up and refresh your space.
Four // Soft muted colors, ferns mixed with maple leaves, mixed with bus of dahlias yet to open. This mixture of tone and texture in this bouquet has me all looking forward to autumn. I can almost taste the crips mornings, with dew on the grass, It makes me crave sweater weather, spiced hot cider, a bold Cabernet Sauvignon, squash soups, fresh baked hearty grain bread and a muted tone of deep autumn colors to arrange into a bouquet. Twine is always my go to wrap for bouquets, but there’s a huge variety of ribbon in varying colors and textures to add to bouquets that you’re giving away. If you’re just making a bouquet for yourself, use twine to keep the stems together and then after you’ve trimmed the stems before dipping them into water, untie the twine and let the arrangement soften and gently spread into your vase. It will have a more organic look to it as it settles. Erin Benzakein who runs Floret Flower Farm in Mt. Vernon, WA is a lovely soul who teaches flower arranging workshops, sells an array of beautiful seeds to satisfy your flowering farming hearts desire. Her latest book, A Year in Flowers teaches you how to arrange multiple different kinds of flowers from market bouquets, to wedding arrangements throughout the seasons.
Five // Flower and greenery arranging is a lesson in patience and trial and error. The more I practice, the more I love organic elements like these snowberries. Sweet Rocket, Globe Amaranth, and the always popular eucalyptus all give a whimsical organic nature to arrangements. Find your style as you practice. Style comes with time, finding inspiration and patience.