If you’ve been following my blog/journal recently, I’m sure you’ve noticed that I’ve been taking chances with my art. All of the watercolors and sketching I’ve been working on recently are proving to be challenging and creative, both of which are necessary to keep my wedding business unique, different. In a cyber world where we all have our … [Read more...]
What growing chrysanthemums taught me as an entrepreneur
Growing chrysanthemums this year has taught me a valuable lesson as an entrepreneur. That lesson? Striving for a healthy business/life balance is the ideal but it doesn’t always happen when you own your own business. We have to grow with the flow. Learning to grow with the flow I love chrysanthemums and their beautifully intricate petal … [Read more...]
Aging gracefully and practicing self-care
It seems I've hit my midlife marker rather quickly and am thinking more about aging gracefully and practicing self-care. What makes a woman beautiful at our age? I take great joy at listening to the advice given to me by the many women that I find empowering. And still, I ask myself this question over and over again, almost as if a genie will … [Read more...]
What I learned from floral designer Ariella Chezar of Ariella New York
The Flower School of New York gave me my proper training in floristry, and it was there I first learned about floral designer Ariella Chezar of Ariella New York. My business instinctively lead me to grow flowers myself in my cottage style cutting garden. As my business grows (neither obsession or hobby - although it is a bit of both as … [Read more...]
Best Plants for a Summer Cottage Garden
July and August are a tricky time to hope for a perfectly manicured garden. I take my inspiration for my summer cottage garden from the designer Piet Oudolf and look for how I can incorporate a wild and less cultivated plantings scheme. When starting a wild, carefree cottage garden my advice is to purchase (if the budget permits) at … [Read more...]
How my cottage garden has influenced my floral design style
I find that my cottage garden has influenced my floral design style primarily because of my approach to gardening. My gardening style is loose and sometimes feels by conventional standards that I'm neglecting the garden when in fact I'm more negotiating with nature. The plants that choose to be there, thrive and I'm less rigid and … [Read more...]
Cultivating my cottage garden
Recently, the color of our home changed from a drab yellow to a brilliant bright white and accented with black shutters. I think we've managed to cultivate the perfect backdrop for future pictures of the seasonal flowers from my cottage garden. Cultivating my cottage garden My goal was to use our 1840's farmhouse as a backdrop to weave the … [Read more...]
Julia and Pedro’s Autumn Hudson Valley Wedding
Autumn wedding flowers are just as vibrant and lively as their spring counterparts. As many of you may know, fall is a kaleidoscope of color here in the Hudson Valley and the amber, hazel, and sienna colors were a perfect backdrop for what Julia and Pedro had asked of me. “We want to capture the magic of Autumn at our wedding” they shared. Luckily … [Read more...]
Making friends at Blooming Hill Farm
As a wedding florist, located in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of New York, I often seek out local lower farmers to help supplement the seasonal flowers grown in my own cottage style garden for my floral arrangements. “Hi, my name is Gloria. I am a florist and I am committed to creating flower designs that use only 100% … [Read more...]
Spring Flowers for your Wedding
Slow grown spring wedding flowers offer discerning brides and grooms an authentic and seasonal look. These vibrant and fragrant spring wedding flowers were all grown by me last year. Yes, ME! I think it's important for potential clients to see what an in-season garden flower bouquet looks like. In mid-May, roses are not in season in New York, … [Read more...]