National Museum of Women in the Arts Spring 2023 Gala honoring Cecilia Alemani

Congratulations National Museum of Women in the Arts on the celebration of your Spring 2023 Gala!
Held at the Embassy of Italy, under the gracious patronage of Her Excellency Mariangela Zappia, the ambassador of Italy to the United States, and gala co-chairs Anita McBride and Patti White, a warm and festive evening full of DC’s glitterati and philanthropist was enjoyed by those lucky enough to attend.

Cocktail Design by Atelier Ashley Flowers with Susan Gage Place Setting

Chair of the Board, Winton S. Holladay announced “In October 2023 we will reopen our doors after a two-year renovation. We truly look forward to welcoming you back to our beautiful new spaces to see our reinstalled collection and reopening exhibition, The Sky’s the Limit.”

It is rare that I have an opportunity to be a guest and I am extremely grateful to my friend and mentor Anne Edwards and her family for inviting me along.

Ashley Greer and Christine Edwards

Everyone raved about the cusine and menu cards provided by Susan Gage! So clever, my favorite dish was the antipasto, and Anee declared the Halibut was some of the best she had her had.

Khoa Nguyen, Susan Gage Account Executive during event set-up.

NMWA presents award to Cecilie Alemani, photo by Tony Powell

The energy brought to the evening by honoree Cecilia Alemani was infectious.

@ceciliaalemani is the first Italian woman to serve as artistic director of La Biennale di Venezia (Milk of Dreams, 2022) and is chief curator of High Line Art in NY.

In keeping with a vision for sustainability Design Foundry created wonderful cloche centerpieces filled with faux blooms.

Cloche centerpiece by Design Foundry

Tony Powell (center) with gala guests, photo by Tony Powell team.

Tony Powell was looking dapper and energetic as he and his team seamlessly captured all the key moments and power players.

Brooke and the Linder Global team demonstrated their skills with a flawless run of show and guest list check in.

Ashley Greer and Brooke Williamson during event set up.

I was honored to provide petite and flirty cocktail bouquets in shades of purple and ivory.

A highlight of my evening was seeing Winton Holladay up on stage, earrings sparkling looking exactly the same as she did 25 years ago when she was a parent at @holtonarms . Major assembly flashback moment!

It is so funny the unexpected full circle moments life brings.

Guests enjoying themselves including Judy Chicago and Chief Justice Roberts. Photo by Tony Powell.

Two of my favorite clients, Timothy Lowery and Ashley Davis lending their star power, photo by Tony Powell

Congratulations Maria Vizcaino and the entire NMWA on a successful event! While I am sure Hirshorn misses you, I am thrilled to see you as part of this very important museum.

PS. It was such an added bonus to open the program and see @atelierashleyflowers.usa listed in bold, grazie!

Vendor Team:
@womeninthearts
@nmwaspecialevents
@tonypowell1
@susangagecaterers
@mjvalet
@linderglobalevents
@bracodesaso
@italyinus
@event_eq
@elanartists
@designfoundry
@designarmy
@atelierashleyflowers.usa

Trustees: Gina Adams, Janice Lindhurst Adams, Lizette Corro, Deborah I. Dingell, Martha Dippell, Susan Dunlevy, Anjali Gupta, Pamela Gwaltney, Cindy Jones, Sally L. Jones, Marlene Malek, Jacqueline Mars, Juliana E. May, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Lucretia Risoleo, Stephanie Sale, Julie Sapone, Karen Sonneborn, Kathleen Elizabeth Springhorn, Jessica H. Sterchi, Mahinder Tak, Annie S. Totah, Sarah Bucknell Treco, Ann Walker Marchant, Alice West, Patti White

Presenting Sponsor: RBC Wealth Management

Gold Patron: Jacqueline Badger Mars

Pearl Patrons: Marcia Myers Carlucci, Martha Dippell and Danny Korengold, Ourisman Automotive, FedEx, Grunley, Winton and Hap Holladay, Lugano Diamonds, Marlene A. Malek, Miller Stratagies, John and Laurel Rafter, Sheila Shaffer, Janney, Toni and Lee Verstandig, Patti and George White

Silver Patrons: Deborah Carstens, Ashley Davis and Joel Frushone, Susan and Frank Dunlevy, Nancy and Marc Duber, Samantha Gumenick and Adam Bernstein, The Bernstein Companies, Shelley and Allan Holt, Cindy and Evan Jones, George and Kristen Lund, Trisha Malisoff and Tony Podesta, Anita Bevacqua McBride and the National American Foundation, Drs. Alejandra and Enrique Segura, Karen and William Sonneborn

Crystal Patrons: Kathe Hicks Albrecht, Lucretia Admy Risoleo, Susan M. Ascher, MD, Diane Casey-Landry and Brock Landry, Marcy and Neil Cohen, Mary Lou Dauray, Elva Ferrari-Graham, Anne E. Fowler Branch, Susan Goldberg and Geoffrey Entire, Monica L. Greenberg, Anjali and Arun Gupta, Pamela Gwaltney, Bonnie Hammerschlag, Ambassador Stuart W. Holliday and Mrs. Gwen M. Holliday, Pamela Johnson and Wesley King, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher H. Jones, EventEQ, Tom and Jerri Mayer, Irene Natividad, The Honorable and Mrs. Lyndon L. Olson Jr., Susan and Scott Sterling, Roger and Nancy Nelson Stevenson, Annie Simonian Totah, Carol and Michael Winer

August Magic Bouquet

August is a month of endings and beginnings, a month that simultaneously drags and is gone in the blink of an eye.  Here on the East Coast, the weather is hot and heavy.  It is a time for ending old patterns, reflection, self appreciation, and goal setting. August is also Leo seaon. Leo, a fixed fire sign, is characterized by generosity, warmth, confidence, and strength. The Strength Card in the Rider-Waite deck is representative of Leo: outer strength requires an inner strength that comes from love and courage. During this season of endings and beginnings, we will need an inner strength to face new challenges and forge a new path ahead.

This Magic bouquet is made up of the last handful of flowers that are truly seasonal, dahlias, geranium, cosmos, zinnia, and marigolds.  Unlike roses, hydrangea, or orchids that can be found year round, this group of flowers is very specific to late summer, especially August.  The colors of these blooms are bold and saturated, all the colors of the rainbow: perfect for any Leo in your life. And, since it's Leo season, it is an ideal composition for an outdoor dinner party with your 20 closest friends, the included geranium and marigolds are even rumored to keep the mosquitos away!

The August Magic Bouquet is greened with a base of geranium foliage.  Geranium is an incredibly potent plant with a very strong, soapy, lemony scent.  It is said to bring the qualities of positivity, beauty, removing negativity, good health, love, protection, resilience, courage, strength, supporting children, friendship, heart healing, and a happy home.

Marigolds are perhaps one of the most widely recognized mystical flowers.  Used in ceremonial practices all over the world, the only thing more noticeable than their hot colors is their pungent,  skunky  scent.  If you are noticing a strange scent and can’t figure out what it is, it's probably the Marigolds.  They are said to be mood lifters, detoxifies, can help with healing long standing emotional wounds, happiness, healthy skin, easing depression, vitality, protection, and success.

Dahlias, which typically start to bloom just around the beginning of July are in full force during the month of August. If a flower could be thought of as fully whole and self confident, it would be the Dahlia.  They have a specific set of powers associated with them including protection, inner strength, elegance, and can aid in both shadow and dreamwork.  An excellent flower to have nearby when you are trying to access personal fulfillment or self evaluation.

Zinnia are one of my most favorite flowers of all time.  They are delightfully unassuming and come in all the shades and tones you could possibly desire.  They are for platonic and romantic love, endurance, daily remembrance, acclaim, and lasting affection.  They can be both short lived and long lasting, much has to do with when the flower is picked and how clean the water stays, they are very vulnerable to bacteria in the water.  The beauty of the Zinnia is the more they are picked from the garden, the stronger they grow.  A reminder to share your talents and wisdom with others, and that by doing so you will be rewarded with an even greater fulfillment and understanding of the world around you.

Last but not least, we have the Cosmos fleur.  A sweet little flower that is both delicate and sturdy.  In the August Magic Bouquet, the cosmos floats above the other flowers, and is not noticeable on first glance.  The Cosmos brings order, harmony, balance, tranquility, peace, love, modesty, joy, beauty, and innocence to the admirer.

Credits:

Christina Cuomo-Diver co-author, background research, and discovery.

Tess Whitehurst, “The Magic of Flowers.”

How to Prepare for a Flower Delivery!

“How to prepare for a flower delivery,” seems like an odd topic to write about, but the more I think about it, the more I realize there are certain tips and tricks that the average floral recipient, or first time host wouldn’t necessarily consider.

If you are expecting just one flower arrangement or multiple, I would suggest having a “landing station” set up in your kitchen.  The landing station consists of either paper towels laid out or placemats set down, where you can immediately put your bouquet.

95% of the time when flowers arrive, the bottom of the vase is wet.  You absolutely do not want to put a wet vase on any type of wood or sensitive surface, until you are confident that the vase has settled and is completely dry.

Giving the flowers time to dry also allows you to inspect the bottom of your vase, is it glass, metal, wood, or is it ceramic?  This is important because the bottoms of ceramic vases can often be rough and cause scratches. This is something you want to avoid.  Another tip is to always “place” your arrangement where you want it to sit, never to “slide” it into place.

Notice the trey underneath the flower ball centerpiece at this French Chateau?

The really experienced flower lovers will almost always have some kind of decorative trey (often silver) or as in the case of The White House, clear plexi glass disks that go under each arrangement, but essentially “disappear.”  Some people will use thin quark sheets, but I never feel very confident in this because of it’s porous nature.  Much better to have a true barrier between your vase and the table.

You can just barely see the plexiglass trey under this arrangement in one of the diplomatic rooms at the White House.

Here you can really see the clear plexiglass under one of Laura Dowling’s bouquets for the Blue Room.

If you are hosting a special event in your home and you have ordered tall/large/heavy arrangements, it is ideal if you can have a trey or placement in place when the delivery person arrives.  Handling large - heavy arrangements is awkward, so it is best to have the delivery person put them in place for you. For this to happen, you really need to have the space prepared so that they can be set up without fear of causing any damage.

If you have any rules at your home, like no shoes, or booties, please be sure to let the delivery team know your preference in advance.  They may or may not be able to accommodate the request out of safety concerns (those booties are slippery) but may be able to suggest an alternative solution.

Tipping -  Now days, and especially in the DC area people rarely have cash!  Tipping a driver is always nice, but drivers typically do not expect it.  One thing to keep in mind however is that a lot of recent refugees have found work in the delivery field, and a little extra is always helpful.  Much like a salon owner, if the owner of the flower shop is delivering to you personally, it is not customary to tip.

Watering- When to water your flowers?  It is usually a good idea to add a little extra water to the vase as soon as a bouquet has been delivered, and while it is in the “landing station.”  You won’t know if the driver had to make a quick stop and all the water sloshed out or not.  Without a full vase, your flowers will die as soon as their stem is above the water level.  Some flowers are very “thirsty” flowers and can drink water quite quickly.  After having initially refilled your vase to about 1” below the rim, I would add about a cup of water everyday, and may even fully switch out the water on the 3rd or 4th day.  Completely switching the water will help minimize any bacteria build up.  Bacteria is one of the main flower killers, so you can see why having fresh clean water is important.

Click here for the link to my YouTube on how to change the water.

Temperature -  The cooler the temperature, the longer your flowers are going to last (periodt).  Flowers are stored and shipped in a cold chain of about 34 degrees to 40 degrees (54 degrees for tropicals).  Obviously this is too cold for your home, but the cooler you keep your house the better, especially if you want the flowers to last for an extended period of time.  In the winter I will often tell people to put flowers on their porch or in the garage if they are really trying to extend the life span.  For this same reason, you don’t want to leave flowers under any direct light source if you can help it.  This is a bit of a catch 22, because the flowers look so great under a spotlight, but best practice is to put them there only during your party or event. The same applies to placing flowers in Southern exposure windows, the light and heat will zap the lifespan of your blooms.

I hope this has been helpful and if there you have any further questions, please fee free to email at orders@atelierashleyflowers.com or dm me on instagram!

Cape Cod Summer - What to do with a 6 year old on Cape Cod?

Summer on the Cape!  Growing up in the DC area, I had always heard how magical the summers on Cape Cod were but never really had an opportunity to experience them for myself. In 2021, a good friend invited me to spend a couple of days with her in Chatham, one of the most picturesque of the beach towns.. The weather was gorgeous and I could immediately see why this was such a popular family beach destination.

San Fransisco, is where my sister and her family calls home.  We each have six year olds and it is important to us that they grow up knowing each other.  This is much easier said than done, when we both live across the country from one another and lead very full lives.

We had heard about other families renting a beach house for a week, and so decided to give it a try for ourselves.  The week on Cape Cod did not disappoint.  I used my instagram community to give us lots of tips and tricks. Here is what we did, and here are a few more suggestions.

Getting there:

We flew into Providence, which was about 1 hour and 45 minuets from our AirBnB  in Harwich Port.  Even though a little further than Boston Airport, I liked the small manageable size of Providence, and would probably fly in and out of there again. I reserved a rental and when I got to the airport they gave me a choice of vehicles.  I picked a big SUV which in hindsight was a mistake.  If I had it to do over again, I would have selected a smaller more narrow car.  The parking spaces are squinchy and my car was dinged no less than 7 different times.  I recommend getting the insurance that covers small body damage!  My sister and her family flew in and out of Boston Airport which is a little over an hour away.  There is also a small private airport in Chatham that can accommodate small plains.  Open Air out of Montgomery Airfield can get you there.  You will need access to a rental vehicle while you are there.

Accommodation:

My sister and her family are quite practical so I let them handle the accommodations.  They choose a very sweet little AirBnB set back a couple of streets from the beach in Harwich Port.  While there was nothing particularly special about it, it had enough rooms, common spaces, and all the amenities that we needed.  The best feature was the outdoor shower.  While the walk to the beach was about 12 minuets, you did have to cross 2 busy roads which wasn’t great.  It ended up working out just fine because I was in the mood to explore and we only went to “our” beach a few times.  My advice on renting a place would be dependent on what you want to do.  If you want to explore (like I did), beachfront is not necessary.  If you want to just be very relaxed and only go to “your beach” getting a house located with direct beach access is absolutely preferred.

Cash:

Bring cash!  Coming from DC which is basically a cashless city, I was quite disappointed when I arrived and found so many places only take cash!  Fortunately I had brought my debit card, but make it easier on yourself by coming with cash in hand.

Parking:

Parking was surprisingly easy, yet expensive. Most beaches have a free public lot with a fee of $30 for the day - cash. Sometimes the hangtag will include multiple beaches, so that is a fun way to see different places.

Provincetown

On our first full day, we drove about an hour from Harwich Port to Provicetown.  The trip moved quickly though I recommend getting an early start.  By the time we left around 1pm there was a line of traffic backed up down the road.  I loved Provincetown, it felt very much like a pirate town with narrow streets, flags flying, and colorful personalties.  We went to the toy store and the Marine Specialties store.  You can also catch a Ferry or take fishing - whale watching,  sightseeing expeditions from here.  There is a shark museum, but I only recommend that for kids who are of reading age or are very into sharks.

Skaket Beach:

This was the number one recommendation we received, and absolutely my favorite beach.  The tip is to go at low tide and have all the shallow pools to play and explore in.  Finnley became a crab catcher extrodinare!  The trick is to time it just right, check online for when Skaket Beach low tide is, this will change everyday.  My favorite was when we arrived at low tide, but beware of how quickly the tide comes in.  Never leave your children unattended or out of eyesight, even if they are good swimmers.

Sunsets:

The best place to watch a sunset is West Facing.  That being said we got a tip to go to Denis Beach at sunset and that did not disappoint.  Skaket Beach at low tide was a top sunset suggestion!

Chatham:

There is lots to do in Chatham, from seeing the fish come in, to beaches, to shopping, and dining.  From what we saw, it was the “fanciest” of all the beach towns with beautiful homes and manicured lawns.  They have great candy stores and restaurants.  If you find the spot where the public beach abuts a private beach, there is a fun little current that works as a water ride.  You can also collect some great shells.  People also enjoy touring the lighthouse.

Ice Cream:

There are tons of good ice cream shops, and it feels like we went to them all.  One in particular “Sundae School” was a real scene, with traffic directors and everything!

Orleans:

Farmers Market has an interesting assortment of produce, items and a little art colony. I always like to by “local”flowers when on vacation. This allows me to really experiments and try new designs. Sometimes the best design is a flatlay!

Nauset:

This is where the sharks are!  We went late afternoon just to explore a new place, when we arrived, the shark flag was flying!  This beach is also known for having bigger waves.  There is a steep hill down to the waters edge.  I would take a pass on this beach except for the beautiful sea stones that wash ashore.  If you like to collect rocks, this is an excellent place to find some beautiful specimens.

Harwich Port:

A fun little town that is a great place to stay if you feel like being adventurous and checking out all of the other Cape Cod cities.  It is pretty centrally located and easy to travel along the main roads.  The beach and community are lovely and there are several easily accessible restaurants in town.  The Freedom Ferry is located in Harwich Port and is an 89 minute ride to Nantucket.

Nantucket:

Yes, it is possible to go to Nantucket just for the day.  They ferry tickets are not inexpensive, so if you can plan an overnight trip, that may be better.  We took the 8am ferry and arrived on Nantucket at about 9:30.  We walked through the town, and visited the highly recommended, “Children’s Beach.”  The had a small playground, sandbox and snack stand.  I had the most beautiful ad delicious Avocado Toast ever.  There were lots of other kids to be played with, and it was a good time.  Next we walked through the neighborhoods to Jetties Beach.  It was crowded and felt kind of like stepping back in time to a 60’s beach scence.  Lots of classic umbrellas and beach chairs.  The best part was the restaurant and gift shop with easily accessible bathrooms for changing.  I had the raw oysters for lunch, and they were absolutely delicious!  After a few hours, we made our way back through the city center along the side walks and stopped at “It’s for Now” shop which carries “Line in the Sand.”  I got the sunnies!  At 4:10 we boarded our ferry and headed home.  I have worried that the day would be too long for the 6 year olds, but it was actually just right.  We all slept really well!

Newport, RI:

Ok, Newport isn’t on Cape Cod, but by Finnley’s special request (and since we were flying out of Providence, only a 45 min drive) we went to Newport on our last day.  While I wouldn’t really classify Newport as a kids town, we still had a good time.  We did “speed tours” of two of the mansions, The Breakers and Marble House.  Finnley was not particularly interested or impressed, but when I told him they were probably haunted, that made it a little more fun.  The Cliff Walk was of great interest and my 6 year old loved seeing the waves crash below.  Two other things that are fun, but that we did not do this time were the Nature Trail and the beach.  We stayed at the Viking Hotel which is centrally located, has a pool, and is very friendly.  If I were going for a romantic getaway, Castle Hill or Chanler at Cliff Walk would be my top choices!  You can always go for lunch at Chanler or Adirondack drinks at Castle Hill.

Above are all of the activities we were lucky enough to experience, here are more suggestions collected by my amazing instagram community! Thank you!

Light House Tours.

Beaches all have different sands.

Bring Flip Flops.

Day trip to Martha’s Vineyard.

Bayside Beach at low tide.

First Encounter at low tide sunset is magical!

Cuffy’s for cozy sweatshirts.

Lots of bike trails.

Whale watching from Hyannis.

Playground in Falmouth.

Watch fisherman come in with their catch.

Woods hole Science Aquarium.

Brewster Store.

Historic first settlers towns in Providence.

Cape League Baseball Games.

Putt putt golf.

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

Ryan’s Family amusement.

Go carts and trampolines.

Four Seas Ice cream near Osterville

Visit Osterville

Chocolate Sparrow for breakfast.

Fancy’s Market, Nausset Farms, Chatham Cookware, Ferretti’s Market all good lunch spots.

Cisco Brewery (get the Gray Lady) on Nantucket.

Local Beers - Cisco, Bad Martha (Falmouth) Devil’s purse kolsch.

People love the Whaling museum on Nantucket.

Hanger B in Chatham for breakfast and to watch the planes come in.

Blue Water Entertainment for private seal and fishing tours.

Chatham Windmill.

@Samanthao000 had amazing suggestions! Here is her list:

Cole Road Beach in Eastham at low tide.

Drive over bridge to Lieutenant’s Island (bridge floods at high tide, time correctly).

Chatham Bar Inn for a drink.

Rock Harbor in Orleans, best lobster rolls..

Young’s Fishmarket has best lobster rolls (cash only).

Windmill at Eastham.

Eastham Library.

Superette shop has great premade sandwiches, great for beach.

Fairway restaurant in Eastham great for breakfast chocolate chip pancakes.

Hole in One for doughnuts, long line but moves fast.

Playground at Veterans Field.

Raw bar in Wellfleet, Mac’s Shack.

Wellfleet drive in movie theater.

Blue Claw boat tours to see the seals.

Nature walk at Cape Cod National Seashore Salt Pond.

Orleans Inn great place for meal overlooking the water.

Hiking the monument in Provincetown.

Nauset Farms store.

Bring bug spray.

Harding lane hats.

Ferrys: Instagram crowd sourced.

Everyone says to go online and make reservations early in advance, they fill up during the summer.  There is a difference between the fast ferries and the slow ferries, be sure to take a look at sailing times.

Hyannis to Nantucket - Hy-line Cruses

New Bedford to Nantucket

Harwich Port to Nantucket -  Freedom Ferry

Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard

Steamship Authority or Hyline - only fast ferries

https://islandqueen.com

https://www.vineyardferries.com

https://www.freedomferry.com

https://www.steamshipauthority.com

July Magic Bouquet - Sunflowers and Weeds

July is when we feel the heat and energy from the Sun in an intense capacity. What better flower to embody this than Helianthus, otherwise known as the Sunflower. The Sunflower is evocative of happiness, solar power, health, vitality, power, radiance, and strength.

Another way of thinking about the Sunflower and it’s “magic” is through The Sun Card in the Rider Waite Tarot deck. This card represents unbridled optimism and vitality that comes with embracing your true self in all its glory. It’s the daybreak after a long, dark night, and the strength to face the new day with fresh eyes. Honestly, I think we could all benefit from this prespective at moment.

I have done something a little unusual in this bouquet in that I am pairing the sunflower with “summer weeds” going out into my garden, or sourcing them locally to be paired with the sunflowers. It is my thought that whatever “weeds” make it into the bouquet to compliment the Sunflowers, that will be exactly what is needed. Through your proximity to sunflowers, you can absorb their potent and vitalizing energy. Sunflowers can also aid in focus, strength, and determination or if you want to gain or exercise your autonomy and authority. Use this Sunflower Energy to positively shift the balance of power in any group situation.

Credits:

Christina Cuomo-Diver co-author, background research, and discovery.

Tess Whitehurst, “The Magic of Flowers.”

Why The Flower Girls NFT should be your first NFT

If you are like me, you are familiar with what NFTs and cryptocurrency are, but still a bit of a novice when it comes to actually playing the game.  I call it a game, because in reality the experience of buying, selling, and trading in the space is all very game like.  (If you need an intro to NFTs and crypto, check out “What are NFT’s and Cryptocurrency?”)

What I think is generally lost in the explanation of NFTs is that, not only are they digital art, but they offer real world utility.  One of the first utilities is access to an online community where you can learn more about advancing technologies, NFTs, and cryptocurrency.  The other utilities get determined along the way and can include things such as meet-ups, merchandise, profit sharing, and so on.

The reason why I think the Flower Girls NFT should be in your collection, or your entry to the NFT world is based on my experience as a community member.  Number One, all of the team members are “doxed” meaning that their real life identity is known, including the main artist Varvara Alay.  This makes a difference because you know when you buy from a verified team you minimize the potential risks of scams or bad actors.  There are also real life people who will be held accountable and cannot simply disappear.

The project has also been publicy endorsed by crypto enthusiast celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon, Eva Longoria Baston, Brie Larson, and Gwyneth Palthrow. You can see them displayed prominetly in their respective Some Place Social spaces.

What I also really like about this collection is the not only the beauty of the art itself, but the number of free NFTs that are airdropped.  Just today “diamond hands” received a gorgeous “Evergreen Token” NFT.  The project has dropped 20 free NFTs to holders since minting in December which can then be sold generating the Flower Girl holder money just for being a holder.  Since I have been collecting I have seen the price for a “free” special edition token go as high as $250.

Evergreen Token screenshot from OpenSea

If you decide to hold onto these tokens, they add benefits to your “garden.”  It is still early enough in this project that you don’t need to do a lot of “catching up.”

The game aspect to the Flower Girls is also quite fun and unique.  Holding a genesis Flower Girl generates “seeds” these seeds can then be used in the “Seed Store” to enter in raffles, buy merchandise, or real life experiences.

My seed token.

It was also announced today that the artist Varvara Alay was one of 23 NFT artist to be chosen for a collaboration with the Chicago Bulls, and at some point a Chicago Bulls experience (tickets) will be available in the seed store.

The charity aspect of this NFT is also a major component in why this is such a good project with over $560k already donated to different children focused charities.

In addition to this, there is a weekly Children’s Drawing Inspiration series that is free for flower girl holders to mint on the polygon network.  The series raises awareness about the child artist and their particular causes, and any proceeds generated from the NFT go back to the artist.

Finally holding a Flower Girl for a certain length of time, and generating enough “seeds” will eventually lead to the creation of the second generation of the collection.  Think World of Women and World of Women Galaxy.

The entry point is a bit high, with the floor price starting around 1k, but after spending time in the flower girl discord and listening to the “Ask me anythings”  I have no doubt that it will not be too long before that floor price begins to rise.  I equate it to paying for any kind of class or mastermind group, you make an investment and that investment generates capital in one way or another, even if it is just an advancement in knowledge.

That being said, I never encourage any one to invest more than they can afford to loose.

One thing I might say is that the complexity of this project can feel a bit overwhelming and may feel like a barrier to entry.  While becoming involved in the legend can be fun, all you have to do is hold a flower girl for an extended length of time to receive the benefits.  You are not required to stay up to date on all the latest news and happenings unless you want to. “Cross Pollination” and airdrops will happen without effort from you.

This is not a project that I would invest in just for “flipping” and one that you should plan to hold on to for a minimum of 1 to 2 years, or longer if you enjoy being a part of the community.

I wanted to write this to raise awareness about The Fower Girls and because I think this is a great project with incredible artwork and a worthy mission.  For any in-depth questions I would recommend checking out the flower girls website, twitter, or the Flower Girls Discord.

Please note: Not financial advice, everything above is based on my personal experience and personal opinions. DYOR - Do your own research.

What are NFT's and Cryptocurrency? How are they used in the real world?

NFT’s and Cryptocurrency is a huge topic so this article is going to only scratch the surface. It is also not intended to be financial advice in any way, this is just my best understanding of it and how I am using it personally and for Atelier Ashley Flowers.

By now you know that NFT stands for non-fungible token and by definition it is “a non-interchangeable unit of data stored on a blockchain, a form of digital ledger, that can be sold and traded. Types of NFT data units may be associated with digital files such as photos, videos, and audio.” (Wikipedia)

What is hard to understand is why they hold value. The confusion comes because “why can’t you just screenshot?” The answer is that it is not just about the possessing the image but the real world utility that goes along with the full NFT. The benefits of the full NFT can only be unlocked by holding the digital information that is contained within the NFT and stored and displayed on the blockchain.

A blockchain is “a decentralized, distributed and public ledger that is used to record transactions across many computers so that a record cannot be altered retroactively without alteration of all subsequent blocks and consensus of the network.” (synopsis.com)

There are many different blockchains, the most popular you have probably already heard of Bitcoin and Ethereum any maybe Flow or Polygon if you are a little more advanced. There are also many others. Each blockchain has their own token, or cryptocurrency associated with it. For Bitcoin it is Bitcoin, for Ethereum it is Ethe/Ether, for Polygon it is Poly, and Flow it is Flow. Typically you use a cryptocurrency to pay for an NFT though there are some ways to directly purchacse using a credit card.

Before you are able to buy crypto, you are going to need to set up your “digital wallet”. There are many popular wallets, Coinbase and MetaMask are probably the most user friendly and popular. I currently use Coinbase and Blocto wallets to store my NFTs. These are considered “hot wallets” because they are online. The most secure digital wallet to get is something called a “Ledger” which actually moves your crypto and NFTs offline and can only be accessed if you physically possess the device.

When you set up your wallet, you will need your drivers license, then to take a real time selfie, tyour bank account/creditcard, and patience. A “seed phrase” will be generated. This is your 12 -20 word pass phrase and is the only way to access your account. Do not store this online anywhere. Write it down and keep it in a safe place. If you loose it, there is no technical support, you are out of luck and locked out of your accounts forever. Pretty stressful if you ask me!

From here I am going to be talking specifically about Coinbase because it is the one I am most familiar with and use the most. When you are in your Coinbase wallet you will see you now have a specific digital address. If you go into the “advanced settings” you will see you actually have 10 unique wallet addresses. This is because it is not uncommon for wallets to become compromised. I recommend having one public and named account that you do all your buying from, and then once bought immediately transfer your NFT or Crypto to a different wallet that you leave unnamed.

If you are only buying from verified accounts or people who are “doxed” (their real identity is known/public) you should be fine. The problem is, that there really are so many scammers and “bad actors” and being duped is not a question of if, but when. It is fairly likely that you will make mistakes early on and buy “fakes” or click on bad links. It is a good practice to buy from a “burner wallet” ( a wallet that only has enough money for whatever transaction you want to make) and then transfer your piece to a safer place.

Never ever ever, give out your seed phrase or enter it online!

One thing that should be mentioned at this point are the “gas fees.” “Gas fees are payments made by users to compensate for the computing energy required to process and validate transactions on the blockchain.” (investopedia). This is something you will begin to really only understand as you go through the process, but be warned gas fees fluctuate during the time of the day and can be extremely expensive. It is always a toss up, do you want to pay the gas fee and be assured of your “mint” or do you want to take a chance that it will be gone if you wait for another time.

“Minting, in regards to NFTs, is the process of taking a digital asset and converting the digital file into a digital asset stored on the blockchain.” (Canstar.com) Essential it moves it from one place on the blockchain to another place on the blockchain that makes it yours.

As I mentioned earlier, you pay for your NFTs in crypto, sometimes the crypto can be bought directly from your wallet and other times you buy it from an online cryptocurrency exchange like Crypto.com.

Clearly this is not an uncomplicated process, but once you get the hang of it, you will feel very accomplished and in many ways like a new world has opened up. Currently my husband is very into the cryptocurrency, which is very much like gambling/the stock market in my opinion. You make educated guesses on different coins and invest in them. If the coin goes up in value, you make money. If it goes down in value, you loose money. While not fully regulated yet, if you do get into NFTs and crypto, keep track of everything, you will need to declare this on your taxes.

I am most interested in NFTs because I believe in their potential and can see their really world application for Atelier Ashley Flowers.

I am currently invested in two projects, “The Flower Girls” and “Some Place Social.” I own several NFTs of each. The current mission of The Flower Girls is to donate a portion of revenue back to charity but also provide unique online and real world benefits for the owners of the Flower Girls. It is a bit complicated to go into all the nuances, but essentially they are creating an online “seed store” where you will be able to buy/trade your nfts for real life experiences and art. With Some Place Social, they are currently building an aesthetically pleasing Metaverse where using their NFT “Potions” as a key, I will be able to access the space and hang my own gallery. It is still in the developmental phase, but I think the idea is that you will also be able to visit the other Potion holders spaces and walk around in the Metaverse. Celebrities such as Resse Witherspoon and Eva Longoria are a part of the project and how I first learned about it.

All of this brings me to how I see Atelier Ashley Flowers using NFTs in the future. While I have many ideas, such as a Metaverse Flower shop where you can buy digital flower arrangements for your virtual home, what I see as being the introductory use is some kind of discount, or access to some kind of private class. So theoretically, anyone who holds a particular NFT could get free local delivery, a free arrnagement, or special access to a live event.

On the order form of the website we now have the option to pay in crypto, and to have an original 1/1 not generated at the time of purchase. While that NFT will not initially hold any real world “utility” it may in the future.

I hope this has helped shed a little light on NFTs and crypto and why I have been so interested in pursuing this new technology. If you have any corrections or information I should add, please fee free to email me at atelierashleyflowers@gmail.com.

Magic Bouquet of December

As wonderful as the holiday season is . . . it can also be a lot. Dynamics around family, friends, and money all take center stage in a way they don’t throughout the rest of the year. These intense feelings can leave you feeling drained and lacking confidence.

Enter, the December Magic Bouquet. The Magic Bouquets are something I started last January. (Unfortunately, I got sidetracked in April). The intent is to design flowers in such a way that they provide an energy and power boost for a particular season.

I plan to make my Magic Bouquets available to order again in 2022 and hope they will bring an extra zing of power to your corner when you need it.

December has so many great qualities but can also leave some of us feeling a bit run down. The mix of words that can be associated with this month are: family, abundance, jealousy, toxicity, satisfaction, blessing, wanting, left-out, over-extended, exhausted, anxious, not enough, too much, sparkly, cold, candle lit, pine, winter, dark, full, empty, feelings of supposed too, dry.

Thankfully, many of these words represent a temporary state. By acknowledging them, you also move through them and release them so that you can feel liberated, in control, self-assured, confident, and fresh.

Taking all this in mind, I present the elements of the December Magic Bouquet.

Listed below are the ingredients to pack your bouquet full of power, but don’t worry if you can’t find some of the more obscure flowers like Agapanthas or Neurine, your bouquet will still work without them. What really activates the materials, is your intentions in using them.

• Nobel Fir - “Aligned with the Great Goddess and spirit of the forest, the pungent and mystical fir possesses a magical energy like no other”  Fir can help you magnetize abundant wealth.  Fir is also used for the contemplation of shadow work when you are willing to take a deeper look into all the different facets of you being, helping to find truth and clarity. “Open to the fir’s energy and feel yourself receiving an infusion of strength, courage, and wisdom.  Imagine that fir is blessing you with a metaphorical lantern that you can use to shine light in the darkest recesses of your innermost self.” Quotes from Tess Whitehurst - “The Magic of Trees.”

• Citrus (limes and tangerines) - Happy home, comfort with luxury, perspective, positivity, trust, abundance, clarity, focus, emotional balance, 

• Camelia - authenticity, abundance, friendship, heart opening, humility, energy

• Agapanthas - confidence, excelence, self-mastery

• Poppy - Healing addictions, uplifting depression, divine alignment, healing and releasing, peace

• Nerine- Freedom, liberation, independence.

• Amaryllis - Self-acceptance, self-esteem, self love

• Pear - Cooling of emotions, calming, positivity, swift effectivness

• Garlic- Lowers blood pressure, repels negativity, protective energy, removes negative vibrations

• Cranberry - healing, protection, love, lust, positive energy, courage, passion, action.

Holiday Tablescape Collaboration with Gray Antiques and Collecto

‘Tis the season for holiday tablescapes! Early in December, I had the pleasure of co-presenting with Carol Vargo of Gray Antiques and Federika Longinotti Buitoni of Collecto in a private event supporting St. Albans School. The event was hosted by Kristin Cecchi, Cybil Roehrenbeck, Olga Jaeckel, Nancy Reynolds Bagley, and Susan Bollendorf.

Carol is an expert at patterns and layering. When she designs tablescapes, she always starts with the china pattern and adds natural and simple decor elements to create a dynamic presentation. Carol touched on the importance of using the pieces you already have in your collection with an eye towards adding unique, one of a kind antique treasures. Carol also remarked, “that it’s not a party unless something breaks!” I think we can all relate to that!

Gray Antiques

Federika, who is based in Miami, has a wonderful style that is both youthful and elegant. She helps couples select china, flatware, and table decor and always stresses the importance of collecting pieces that you will want to use time and time again. Both Federika and Carol agreed that the flatware, and small items such as name card holders, are really the “jewelry” of the table.

Gray Antiques and Collecto Co.

Finally, if you follow me, you know that no table is complete without fresh flowers as they bring an organic living energy to any event. I demoed a small floral arrangement for the presentation and highlighted the importance of removing hydrangea leaves so that all the energy will go to the bloom, and the flower will thrive. While I didn’t mention it during my presentation, I always “set the house” for my guests and that means greeting guests with a beautiful wreath on the door, perhaps having a statement piece on the sideboard, or adding a few fresh flowers to the powder room.

This season, I am loving Antlers as a table design accent.

Statement Flowers with a bit of whimsy.

This centerpiece was designed to accent Gray’s Antiques Chinese Import parrots, drawing on the idea of feathers and complimenting the colors.

Image courtesy @kristincecchi instagram stories. From left: Kristin Cecchi, Susan Bollendorf, Olga Jaeckel, Carol Vargo, Ashley Greer, Federika Longinotti Buitoni, Nancy Reynolds BagleyCybil Roehrenbeck.

I think we can all agree, the right combination of place settings, linens, flowers, good food and friends is what creates a dynamic table.

How to create a Gif for Instagram using GIPHY

Creating Gif that can be uploaded to Instagram is easy . . . once you get the hang of it. If you are like me, you love insta stories, and being able to add your own creative and branded content.

When I first went about having my own art added, I commissioned an artist who drew wonderful images of me designing flowers. They were, and still are fabulous. Each drawing cost me about $250 and a minimum of a months wait time. Totally worth it, but in this fast paced age of content creation and social media marketing, it was not something that was sustainable for me.

Enter, GIPHY DIY idea! When started exploring this, no one was really willing to share their insight and there were hours of trial, error, and frustration before I streamlined the process. So, I am going to do that for you. Here is everything I have learned so far about creating Gifs on GIPHY that can then be uploaded to your channel and searchable on Instagram.

Step 1: Get a PicsMonkey Account Pro. This is going to cost you about $120 for the year, but you need the pro tool to remove the background and make it transparent. You can try fooling around with other apps, and if you already have one you like and are proficient, go for it, but this was the one I found easiest, fastest, and worked!

Step 2: Make at least 5 gifts and download them as “ GIF Animated Image.” If you want to be able to use it on Instagram is must have some kind of motion to it.

Step 3: Create GIPHY account and upload your 5+ Gifs.

Step 4: Apply to be either an artist or brand. At the moment you will need to have an email address that matches the brand, for instance I used one that ended in @atelierashleyflowers.com . Note: If you are a brand or an artist, you are only allowed to upload your own content, you are not technically allowed to upload for friends or clients. You can create on behalf of others, however, they will need to sign up as an independent brand/artist using their own domain email. If you unintentionally violate this, GIPHY will send you a notice and ask you to remove the violating content or revoke your status.

Step 5: Once approved, you can then create “Stickers” and add them to your “channel.” From my experience, stickers are the only things that show up on Instagram. I am still relatively new though and may update this blog as I learn more.

Step 5: Upload your “STICKERS” to your channel and tag them. Tagging under your name brand is good, but will take up to 24 hours for them to be reviewed and uploaded. I also suggest tagging them under what they are ie “flowerarrangement,” “zigzagchair", “happypride” etc. If the category is too crowded, or if you are tagging another brand, it may not show up there, and you may also find yourself in GIPHY content policy violation . . .it is owned by Facebook after all.

Step 6: After a few hours have passed try searching for your tagged Gif in Giphy on Instagram. Click it, stick it, and have fun!

Step 7: Follow me at @atelierashleyflowers mostly for flower content, but also helpful social media or life hacks like this article. Thank you!

Managing Emotional Pain Through the Power of Floral Design

Simone Biles, has brought mental health to the attention of the world, and what it means to care for yourself first. As I read what she says, and try to imagine the pressure she is facing, her courage in stepping back is astounding. It also brings up a deep parallel passion of mine, the way in which flowers and floral design can be used as a form of therapy.

Study after study has shown that being in the presence of flowers and plants can improve your mood, energy and relaxation levels, as well as aide in anxiety, depression, stress, and even PTSD.

Photo by Emily Alyssa Photography

Though I am not a licensed medical professional, I can testify to having first hand experience of these benefits, and am convinced that this more than anything is the reason I became a floral designer, out of a need to heal myself.

When I was 8, my mom was first diagnosed with Bipolar 1 and for the next 9 years, chaos ensued. Though this was not her fault, it did have very deep and lasting repercussions. Being of somewhat an old school mentality, my parents thought my sister and I were fine, and we did not receive the benefit of talk therapy. We were kept busy with activities, and encouraged to just keep moving.

Interestingly enough, my sister became a neuroscientist specializing in sleep disorders and is currently involved in the foundation of Akin Mental Health, and I became a florist, helping myself and others through the power of botanicals. It is each our own way of creating order and taking control of an illness that at the best of times can only be managed.

Like my sister, I have a deep interest in psychology, healing, and trauma. This interest has lead me to read many books on the topic, the most influential being “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD and most recently “What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing” by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry. In each of these books, the “AH HA!” moment came when they spoke about the way a moving body, and in particular repetitive movements can help to soothe the brain on a cellular and neurological level. In other words, or as I understand it, when physical repetition takes over so does healing and re-wiring. Floral design is all about repetitive movements.

Photo: By Jacqui Photography

When looking at the darkest times in my life I can divide them into two categories, before floral design and after. Before floral design when I felt anxiety, depression, or despair, I turned to external escapes. Needless to say, this was not a solution, but rather just the beginning of a downward spiral. Since finding floral design, it has kept my brain and body pacified during moments of equal emotional excitement. There was a time not too long ago, that could easily be described as one of the top 5 most painful moments of my life, and it coincided simultaneously with the biggest and most technologically challenging event of my career. I think most people of other professions would have cracked facing the same pressures, but because I had flowers and repetitive movement, I was able to not only get through the event, but thrive at it.

Photo: Emily Alyssa Photography

As I mentioned above, I am not a therapist or any kind of medical professional, but I really do believe in the fundamental power of flowers and repetitive physical movement. In my own opinion, I think if you are a person who struggles with anxiety, PTSD, or depression, working with flowers and incorporating floral design into your treatment plan could be of great benefit to you. I am not suggesting to replace any current treatment that is working, or to solely use flowers as a form of therapy, but rather to use it in conjunction. Classes are always nice, but they need not be expensive or formal, the point is not to be a great designer, but to use the repetitive motion of design and the flowers themselves to help ease symptoms. There are plenty of free options on YouTube including this one of me demonstrating how to design using grocery store flowers.

There are also some fantastic individuals who are working in this field. Two of my favorites are Ponderosa and Thyme and Floral Healing Therapy. One other thing to consider, if floral design is not for you, studies have shown that walking and talking in nature, can also have many therapeutic effects. In fact, there is a Japanese name for this, Shinrin-yoku and you can check out my blog on it here.

As we continue to live further and further away from nature, and are more and more surrounded by screens and concrete, I believe floral wellness is going to be huge. Why not be ahead of the curve, and start exploring how its benefits make you feel now.

10 Best Books for a Creative Business

When I first started my business, I knew how to design my product (flowers) but not how to market it, or interact with clients. My impulse was to go back to school to learn business better, but that wasn’t a realistic option. So instead I asked everyone I knew about what books I should read that were good for starting a small business, and reading those lead me to other great finds.

Recently I started reading, “One Million Followers” by Brendan Kane, which then inspired me to take a retrospective look at all the other books that brought me here. In my library is a total of 83 different titles in the business/career genre, and out of those 83 (most of which I would recommend), here are my top ten picks for a creative business.

If you decided to read any of these or listen (no judgement here, and actually auditory learning is my preferred method), send me an email of dm on instagram, I would love to know your take on it!

1. The Martha Rules: 10 Essentials for achieving success as you start, build, or manage a business, by Martha Stewart.

2. Platform: Get noticed in a noisy world. A step-by-step-guide for anyone with something to say or sell, by Michael Hyatt.

3. The One Thing: The surprisingly simple truth behind extraordinary results, by Gary Keller.

4. Real Artists Don’t Starve: Timeless strategies for thriving in the new creative age, by Jeff Goins.

5. Exactly What to Say: The Magic Words for Influence and Impact, by Phil M.Jones

6. Positioning: How to be seen and heard in an overcrowded marketplace, by Al Ries and Jack Trout.

7. Setting the Table: The transforming power of the hospitality business, by Danny Meyer.

8. Crush it! Cash in on your passion, by Gary Vaynerchuk.

9. The Laws of Human Nature, by Robert Greene.

10. Never Eat Alone: And other secrets to success one relationship at a time, by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz.

Books are linked to Amazon. If you click on the link and make a purchase, I will get a small (very small) affiliate commission.

What to do in New York City with a Five-Year-Old

As much as I love DC and Old Town Alexandria, there is nothing quite like a visit to New York City to delight and inspire all the senses. As a child I remember how special those times I got to visit New York were, and as a teenager was fortunate enough to spend one very impressionable summer attending fashion design classes at Parsons School of Design. Needless to say New York occupies a very special place in my heart.

Now that I am a parent, I want my child to grow up having a familiarity and comfort with this iconic destination.

Finn, who turned 5 this June, loves to travel and experience new cities. He has a generally easy going temperament and is adventurous. The only thing we really needed to be mindful of was loud noises, as he gets very upset and scared if anything is too loud or unexpected.

So, here is what we did for his first quick trip into the city.

1) Pick the right hotel. We stayed at well known hotel on the Upper East Side near Central Park. I chose this location because I was traveling alone with my son, and wanted somewhere that felt familiar, safe, close to the park, had valet, and room service. Surprisingly enough many hotels are not offering room service, so be sure to check first if this is something you enjoy. I did look at several midtown and downtown hotels, but ultimately, wanted to avoid the more frenetic feeling and congestion of those locations. Again, this had a lot to do with Finn’s particular sensitivity to noise, and I needed to be sure his first experience in New York felt safe to him.

2) Central Park Zoo. While it can’t really compare with most major zoo’s (DC, Bronx, San Diego), it was fun and a nice easy thing to do. There were lots of shaded walkways, and the sea lions and penguins were a big hit. Go ahead and watch the movies Penguins of Madagascar, or Madagascar to get your kiddo extra excited. The snow leopards were out preening and looking very majestic.

3) Heckscher Park at E 65th st., was the unexpected Finn favorite. While there were other things I would have wanted to do, I could tell Finn was really in the mood for some good playground play. After leaving the zoo, I googled “park near me” and this gem popped up. What I had not anticipated is that while it does have lots of regular playground equipment, the best part was what I like to call, the “Water City.” It is a splash park combined with little walkways and turrets that water runs through. Absolutely bring water shoes, bathing suit and a towel or you will end up like us . . . 1 kid sans shirt or shoes, and regular shorts soaked through. I’m pretty sure this actually ended up being Finn’s favorite part of the city.

4) Snow Cone or Ice cream from a truck. Simple enough, no explanation needed. Sit in the shade and take in everything around you.

5) Rickshaw ride. Finn thought zigging and zagging open air through the traffic was great fun, and asked if we could take a ride every time he saw one. WARNING!!!! Negotiate your price first. I made the mistake of not doing so and when our trip was over, the guy tried to charge me $77 for an 11 minute ride. Needless to say, I wasn't paying that, but it did make for an uncomfortable 30 seconds, before I handed him $25 and got out of there. SMH I totally knew better!

6) FAO Shwarz, but actually I would skip this the next time. This legendary toy store is really not what it once was, it feels crowded and is all about the build a bear/doll/car experience. I think if we weren’t still in the midst of a pandemic, I may have enjoyed this more, but really I just wanted to be in an out. The store has arrows for one way traffic and winds you throughout the crowded and narrow aisles. Finn was pleased with his “Make your own popsicles” selection.

7) New York Pizza. Yes, just about any large slice will do, and they can be found on the UES by googling “Pizza Near me” and following the walking directions on your phone. Of course you can sit at a lovely trattoria, but with a 5 year old its fun to have the “authentic” experience where they can just chill.

8) Times Square after dark. Another location that was not at all how I remembered it, wow! Finn and I ventured out at about 8:30 pm and found ourselves in the midst of day-glow twilight land. This was very much pushing the boundaries of his 5-year-old threshold, so after a quick look around and a couple of photos we headed out of the main square and grabbed some ice-cream on a quieter street. We then hailed a taxi and high-tailed it out of there. Even though we did’t spend more then 15 minuets there, that was plenty of time for him to have the experience, and it was a positive and utterly unique one.

9) Taxi Rides. Simple but fun for a kid who is so used to always being buckled into his booster seat. He also thoroughly enjoyed watching the adds and mini clips on the taxi tv. Something that felt new to me, were all of the taxis with big skylights built in so you could see the towering skyscrapers, a very nice addition. All of the taxi’s had full plastic of plexiglass screens to help prevent against the spread of germs, this is 2021 after all.

10) Lego Store. We went to the one in the Flatiron district because it is supposed to be bigger and have a better selection. It was a great store . . . nothing to write home about, but New York is a city for shopping, so it was fun to let Finn pick out some special items. He went with the Mario collection, apparently he has been watching Mario on YouTube Kids . . . .

11) Bubble Bath. No way around it, after being out in the summer city, your kid is going to need a bath, and bubble baths are fun! I let Finn fill up his tub all the way with lots of bubbles and just play until he was ready to get out.

12) Room Service. Now this does not have to be a New York thing, and a lot of people frown on room service, but I personally find it delightful to eat my dinner in PJs while watching an inroom movie. Plus, this was our compromise to eating in a restaurant. We have actually not sat down inside a restrung since February 2020, and even though we are traveling, I wasn’t quite ready to break the seal on this one.

13) Walk. A classic pastime for any city, just make sure to do this before you take any other mode of transportation. Once Finn had taken a cab and a rickshaw that was all he wanted to do . . . no more walking . . . and he was sure to tell me every 30 seconds.

14) Jump on the Bed! Classic hotel behavior for the kids under 10.

So, this was our quick Summer trip into New York City for my 5-year-old’s first taste of the Big Apple. Before we left, I polled my IG community for their top recommendations, and while we didn’t have time to experience them first hand, maybe they will be helpful for you!

Note: Some of these are currently closed or have ticketed openings. Please check first and reserve your space to avoid any disappointment.

• Ellen’s Stardust dinner

• Eataly

• Museum of Natural History

• Brooklyn Bridge Park

• Broadway (Lion King + Aladdin)

• The Camp Store at Hudson Yards

• Domino Playground Brooklyn

• Eloise Tea at Plaza

• Rockefeller Center (Best at Christmas)

• Color Factory

• The High Line

• Lincoln Center

• The Ice Cream Museum

• Circle Boat Tour

• Serendipity

• Dylan’s Candy Store

• Carousel

• Bouchon Bakery

• Time Warner Center

The Washington Ballet 2021 Gala

The text below is excerpted from a June 5th article that first appeared in The Washington Post, written by Roxanne Roberts. Flower photos by Atelier Ashley Flowers or otherwise noted.

That buzz at the Washington Ballet gala wasn’t the cicadas. It was the sound of 400 people breathing a massive sigh of relief.

Lace wrapped trees by Design Foundry

The black-tie benefit at the Kennedy Center on Friday night was the first big VIP event in 15 months, the first time Washington society returned to the glamorous fundraising whirl it loves so much. Tuxedos were required but masks were optional; everyone had to submit a vaccination card or a negative coronavirus test to attend. Guests greeted each other like long-lost family — hugging, air kissing, taking lots of pictures to capture the moment.

“At our first gala planning meeting back in the fall, faced with a completely unknowable future, we made the decision to be optimistic,” gala co-chair Lisa Barry told the audience. “We were inspired and encouraged by artistic director Julie Kent’s creativity, courage and determination to move forward despite the pandemic. . . . And here we are tonight at an in-person gala. The show has indeed gone on!”

One year later, ambassadors, millionaires, politicians and other dignitaries casually mingled on this flawless June night. The guest list, including Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), former House speaker Paul Ryan, White House Deputy Director for Legislative Affairs Reema Dodin, NPR’s Nina Totenberg and Diane Rehm, Fox News anchor Bret Baier, philanthropist Sheila Johnson and Reggie Van Lee — nominated as the new chairman of D.C.’s arts commission, who was honored for his support for ballet and other arts organizations — was only possible because the ballet insisted everyone adhere to strict vaccination and test compliance or they were turned away.

“The idea that this was a huge precondition for us to spend time together is not too much to ask of people,” said Warner. “Is there not some minimum respect we should show to each other?”

Surviving the pandemic was the subtext of the night, and so the small talk was a bit bigger. The first question for many seeing each other for the first time in a year was an earnest, “How are you doing?”

Above photos of Design Foundry decor and rentals courtesy of Design Foundry.

An emotional Kent was the only one to bring it up directly. “The Washington Ballet chose to keep moving forward, persevering through the worst public health crisis of the past century,” she told the crowd. “Now, on the precipice of a new chapter, we are stronger and we are filled with gratitude for all that we learned and experienced together.”

Planning began last October, when the organization — buoyed by the success of its virtual programs over the past year — decided to move forward with this year’s event. “It’s possibly the most complicated gala we’ve ever undertaken because of the unique timing of it,” said the ballet’s managing director, Patrick Muhlen-Schulte. “We tried to foresee all the possible permutations that the health restrictions would have. We had multiple contingencies planned.”

Given all the unknowns at the time, they first settled on finding an outdoor performance space where the dancers could shine. Then they began the process of determining what safety protocols would be required to pull off this gala. Reditus Laboratories, one of America’s leading coronavirus testing labs, signed on as a sponsor. “And then we said, ‘It would really help us if you could test our dancers throughout the season as well, because we’re spending a fortune to try to get them tested twice weekly,’ ” said Muhlen-Schulte. The lab agreed, which allowed the company to rehearse together and for every guest who needed a test to have one.

Instead of one large dinner, the gala committee recruited hosts for 26 private dinners around town before the main event. The dinners ranged from 10 to 50 guests held at embassies, private homes, social clubs and the Kennedy Center’s new REACH space, where ballet board chair Jean-Marie Fernandez hosted a VIP dinner.

Then everyone converged on the North Plaza of the Kennedy Center for cocktails, a ballet performance, dessert and dancing. The timing was perfect. The District’s restrictions on large crowds have been lifted; CDC guidelines do not require masks outdoors for those who have been vaccinated. The carefully timed schedule was thrown off from the start because people insisted on catching up with old friends and schmoozing with new ones instead of taking their seats.

“I’m so happy to be at my first big event, post-covid,” said Van Lee. “Nothing could be better than this.” In keeping with the evening’s “Leather and Lace” theme, he wore a vintage Dolce & Gabbana lace jacket he found in his closet. “I’m surprised I can still squeeze into it.” His date for the night, Cora Masters Barry, wore a black lace ensemble. Given the balmy night, there were a notable number of black ballgowns, perhaps a nod to the formality of the event, perhaps a concession to pandemic pounds. “Slimming,” said Van Lee with a laugh.

Van Lee was responsible for persuading Kent to leave New York after three decades with the American Ballet Theatre, and was singled out for his contributions to bringing diversity and inclusion to the country’s arts organization. There was also a special tribute to the late Buffy Cafritz, a ballet patron and supporter.

There was dancing, of course: six short modern and classical ballets that showcased the company’s performers, then a DJ and dance floor for the less lithe in the audience. The professional dancers jumped in to provide the energy; the guests, the enthusiasm.

Washington was back to normal, at least for one night.

Event Partners:

Planner: The Webster Group

Caterer: Occasions

Decor: Design Foundry

Flowers: Atelier Ashley Flowers

Photography: Tony Powell

Venue: The Kennedy Center

Rentals: DC Rental

Tablecloth: Table Manners

To read the full article by Roxanne Roberts, click here.

To read about this article from an events perspective, check out what David Adler has to say on Biz Bash.

How to Design with Grocery Store Flowers

There is no way around it – flowers designed by a florist are expensive and often cost prohibitive. There are many reasons for this (staff, insurance, supplies, delivery vehicles, rent, to name a few) but one of the main reasons is simply the time spent on the job by an experienced floral designer.

A certified florist is always the best choice for an event or special occasion because s/he is trained to design in a variety of styles and usually has access to the best product available. The good news is fine floral design can be made accessible and affordable for everyday living for those willing to learn!

In this blog and accompanying demo, I will tell you how to select the perfect flowers from your local grocery store or farmers market, show you how to create your design, and answer a few common flower related questions. I love sharing my tips and hope you will find them useful when designing everyday flowers for your home, family and friends.

Typical grocery flower selections.

What are the most common types of flowers you’ll find in the grocery store in May?

• Familiar flowers such as Roses, Hydrangea, Lilies, and Orchids are grown all over the world in different seasons to make them available to us 365 days a year. As a result, you’ll almost always find these varieties at any grocery store floral department. It is now more common for grocery stores to source things locally, so in May you might be lucky enough to find some Peonies, Lilac, and Ranunculus as well.

What are your favorite mass grocery stores to purchase flowers?

• My absolute is Trader Joe's. They do an excellent job of providing a variety of locally and ethically sourced product. And because so many people shop for flowers there, the flowers are usually very fresh. Whole Foods is another favorite and I hear amazing things about the Wegmans floral department. Safeway, Publix, Harris Teeter, Costco, or Giant will do in a pinch and depending on where you live, they may have excellent floral departments. The quality and freshness of any mass store’s floral department is dictated by what the customers want. So even if your local store doesn’t typically carry a particular item that you’re interested in, you can make a request and they may be able to order it for you.

Orchids, peonies, spray roses, ranunculus, cala lily and clematis.

What types of flowers are you working with today?

• Today I am working with all of my favorites – Hydrangea, Roses, Ranunculus, Peonies, Orchids and I have some Cala Lilys, Clematis, Veronica, and Bupleurum to add in as well.  90% of my designs begin with a base of Hydrangea and Roses.

Ashley’s essential tools and supplies.

And what supplies do you need?

• There are a few things that I can’t work without: clippers, Joyce Chen scissors, a Victorinox knife, oasis, 1/2 inch clear floral tape, oasis bind wire, and a vase.  If you only had scissors and some kind of twine that would be enough.

Do you prefer to buy mixed bouquets or ones with a singular flower, or both?

• Usually I buy the single flower and then mix them myself.  Occasionally, I will buy a mixed bouquet and deconstruct it, but there are often blooms in the mixed bouquet that I don’t want and they end up not getting used.  Generally, I stay away from the mixed bouquets because I don’t like all the colors. They look cheerful but cheap.

• And assume to make an impressive bouquet, you’ll want to buy at least two?

• To make what I would consider an impressive bouquet you need a minimum of three different floral varieties (for example, Hydrangea, Roses, Ranunculus). To make something really elevated, I would suggest between five and ten different types of flowers.  The trick is to keep them all in the same color story.  You want monochromatic, analogous or complimentary.  You can mix more colors together, but I only recommend this if you have a lot of practice or really really know how color works.

When I go to the store, I notice different stamps on packing – what do those mean?

• Yes, we are seeing more and more stamps on the plastic sleeves. These give us more information about where and how the flowers have been grown. The most common stamps you’ll see are the Rainforest Alliance and American Grown stamps.  CA Grown is a big one too.

For more information about Certified Rainforest Alliance, click here.

For more information about American Grown Flowers, click here.

Pinching a rose head to feel it’s “hardness.”

What are your tips for ensuring the flowers you buy are fresh?

This is always the trickiest part of buying grocery store flowers and they often get a bad name. When you order flowers from a florist, the florist is accountable for the freshness and ensuring your bouquet lasts. Unfortunately, grocery store flowers may have already been sitting in a bucket for several days before you walk in the store to buy them. Here are a few of my best practices for getting the most out of your grocery store flowers:

1. Get to know the head of the floral department at your grocery store. Establish a relationship and ask them when they receive their shipments or how long a particular product has been on the shelf.

2. Turn a bouquet upside down and give it a gentle shake.  If petals and leaves start falling off, your bouquet is old.

3. Peel back the plastic and inspect the stems, especially near the area where they are bundled together.  If the stems look slimy or brown, walk away!

4. When purchasing Roses, give their heads a little pinch at the base of the bloom. If the “heart” of the Rose is hard, you’ll know it’s fresh.

5. When purchasing Hydrangea, look for a little bounce - kind of like the way the tip of your nose feels.  If you press down on the Hydrangea and it flops to the side, it’s probably on the older end.

What are your tips for making sure the bouquet you make doesn’t wilt before you get it to Mom? 

• Temperature is the number one factor in flower freshness. Avoid extreme temperatures – never place your flowers on or next to a heater or near a draft. And always keep your flowers watered and in a cool place. Flowers typically last between three and five days, sometimes longer. So start with fresh product and then control the temperature!

Do you have to recut flowers every day?

• Once a bouquet has been arranged, I almost never recut the stems. Most likely, it won’t hurt but it won’t help either. I do recommend adding and changing the water often. If you only have one type of flower in a vase go ahead and recut as often as you change the water. Every three days is typically enough.

For a quick YouTube video on how I change the water for my designs, click here.

What’s that stuff in the packet? Do you really need to use it, and if so, how much?

• It’s called floral food. Mostly it provides an anti-bacterial for the water (bacteria kills flowers) although some contains a little sugar. The best thing you can do to keep bacteria at bay is to keep all foliage out of the water and start with a clean vase.  If you do use the floral food, be sure to follow the directions or you may end up doing more harm than good.

In addition to trimming every day – how often should you change the water? 

• I often tell my clients to add a little water every day or every other day. I also recommend doing a full water change, if they can, every three days. I put a lot of flowers in my designs and they are very thirsty!

AND, when you change the water, what should the temperature be? Does it matter? Should I prep water and let it sit until it reaches room temperature/the same temp of the water already in the vase? (I do this – is it dumb???)

• Different people have different theories and thoughts about water temperature. I have gone through several phases. As a general rule, you want your temperature to be slightly warmer than or at room temperature.  This will help with water absorption.  If the water is colder than your flower it will be harder for the flower to take it in.  In some cases, very hot water can be used to help shock hydrangea or other blooms back to life.

How much should you/should you not remove leaves on stems that will be submerged in the water? Does that make a difference for the frequency with which you’ll need to change the water?  

• Leaves should never sit below water level. Allowing the leaves to sit in the water creates bacteria and bacteria zaps the life out of your flowers. In addition to creating harmful bacteria, the leaves compete with the bloom for energy and resources, especially in the case of Hydrangea. While my arrangements are full of greenery, they are always on their own separate stem.

Are there certain varieties that are ideal for cutting into short stems for a shorter vase, and some that are better with longer stems?

• Not necessarily, but stems that are very heavy such as sunflowers might topple without a strong vase. Something else to think about is that the shorter the stem, the shorter distance the water has to travel, and the more easily the flower can stay hydrated.

• I do not sell cut flowers without a vase.  There are too many issues with processing them and recutting the stems.  Also, you never want to bring a bouquet to an event without a vase, because it only creates more work for your host. The best thing to do when sending flowers for a birthday or dinner is to send them the day before. That way your host will have time to display them and integrate them into the decor and you may even save them one extra step.

Tips for pressing dry flowers? When is the right moment?

• This is such a great question and one that is very popular at the moment. I would redirect you to Modern Pressed Flowers – what I learned from her is that the best time to press flowers is when they are completely free from moisture.  Any moisture on the flower will lead to browning, and color change. I do have some other fun floral crafts if you want to give them a try, click here.

Modern Language of Flowers - Celebrity Edition

We are long familiar with the Victorian concept of the Language of Flowers, and while entertaining, these meanings really only speak to a short period of time in the late 19th century.  When we really consider the symbolism of flowers, we look to their ancient roots and the messages they convey on an energetic level.  Taking this approach of combining ancient and contemporary meanings here is a look at some of our favorite celebrities and what their flowers are really saying.

Kylie Jenner - Sunflowers

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/B8mt60SnU89/

A field of Sunflowers for Valentines Day 2020

Sunflowers evoke the qualities of their namesake, the sun and all its attributes including energy, vitality and joy.  It is hard to look at the big blossom and not produce a radiant smile.  The flower also means adoration and loyalty for the long run.  

The sunflower possess the power to bring warmth and emotional nourishment to all who gaze upon her

Beyonce - Purple Hydrangea

Photo credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/B8mt60SnU89/

“The world is waking up . . .” Is Beyonce’s caption for this purple hydrangea and purple lipstick duo.

Hydrangea is all about setting boundaries and goals and then putting them into action.  Each Hydrangea blossom is made up of dozens of all small florets that combine to for one big bloom.  In this way, the hydrangea reminds you that you can accomplish big things by breaking them down into small pieces and completing one task at a time. 

The Hydrangea also evokes gratitude, grace and beauty.

Hydrangea has been a featured flower in both March’s Magic Bouquet and April’s Magic Bouquet.

Kim Kardashian - Cherry Blossom

Photo credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/BnjoJULl-42/

Cherry Blossom bikini for KKW Cherry Blossom Collection

The Cherry Blossom is full of so much quirky energy running the gamut from joy to good luck to determination to divine love and primal innocence.

This is a flower that can help push us out of our comfort zones and encourage us to claim the power that will deliver our hearts desire.

This is also a flower that helps you to follow through with vibrant ageless energy, remembering that every Spring there is a renewal of life.

Oprah - Peonies

Photo credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/B4akzGYBEX7/

Oprah loved these Burgundy Peonies from Jeff Lathem so much that she posted them on IG.

Like the slow unfuerriling of the peonies tight kept petals, peonies can grant you the power to keep a secret.  

Their roots are deep, drawing from the energy and wisdom of ancestors past.  They can help you to feel at ease with luxury and have confidence in your success.

Peonies are flowers of healing and compassion and can help you to clear emotional blocks and create new healthier routines.

Lil Nas X - Safari Sunset Protea

Photo Credit: https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/lil-nas-x-guardian-2-tgj.jpeg

Holding Safari Sunset Protea

Protea says to show the world who you really are and what you are here to do.

The flower reminds you to accept the diversity of your authentic self without judgement and to have courage in the transformation knowing that you are an important person.

In South Africa the King Protea is said to represent the “flowering of our potential as a nation in pursuit of the African Renaissance.”

Asa Soltan Rahmati - Tulips

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/BsPYT-LHn3M/

Wild tulips are native to Persia and depending on who you ask, the name comes from the Persian word, “tulipant” or the Turkish word (tulbent) in both cases meaning turban which is used to describe the shape of the flower.

A flower of special historical significance in Iran, the Tulip means “pure hearted loving energy” and serves as a reminder to nurture your soul.

It is said that if you spend time with tulips they can help you heal from grief and feel gratitude for the living world around you.

Rhiana - Vanda Orchid

Photo credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CF0hKQin99i/

A perfect choice for Rhiana’s boa, the orchid conveys ecstasy, goddess energy, sexual pleasure, fertility and intuition.

A flower at ease in luxurious refined surrounding, it can help you to feel the same.  

Orchids are also said to charm and express an individual’s uniqueness.

David Beckham - Daisy Field

The classic, “He loves me, he loves me not flower,” the daisy is all about simplicity.

If the flower could speak, he would ask you declutter your life, remove yourself from drama and remember the innocence and purity of your essence.

A resilient flower that blooms throughout the world almost year round, the daisy reminds you that you may find simplicity anytime and anywhere you choose.

The most important message of the daisy, is to simplify your life.

The Chamomile Daisy was featured in our March Magic Bouquet.

Martha Stewart- Daffadills

Photo credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/B-x22fapWWM/

The life of a daffodil is fleeting and in this, the flower asks that you bring awareness to each moment, be mindful of the words you speak, use your talents to bring joy. By doing this, you will find freedom from the past.

The flower asks you to share the message of love, overcoming jealousy or greed.

In Victorian times, the Daffodil meant Chivalry or regard because he stood in the snow waiting for the rest of flowers in the spring.

Gemma Chan - Red Rose

Photo credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq7bC2MgmuP/

No list of flowers is complete without the red rose which is the most enduring symbol of romantic love and beauty.

The red rose is said to be the Queen of all the flowers vibrating with the purest most positive vibration of any living thing.

The flower asks you to keep an open heart and see everyone as deserving of love and desire. 

The thorns remind us that often there is pain and heartache that is attached to the beauty of deep love, but they do not make the rose any less beautiful.

Bella Hadid - Lotus

Photo credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CD1URC-Auht/

The Lotus, water lily, is the most spiritual of all the flowers, arising out of the mud, through the water to the air and gaining enlightenment.  She stands for absolute truth, purification, hope, wellness, and peace.

The lotus is said to help you to gain clarity of direction, help ease depression, and find balance of the body mind and spirit.

April Magic Bouquet

April goes way too fast! Somehow the drudgery of March gives way and you find yourself halfway through April before realizing you are in it. 

April is a month when you put plans into action and then wait and watch for your seedlings to grow. The warm winds of May are on the horizon but the threat of frost still lingers.

My April Magic Bouquet is designed to help you slow down and enjoy the pleasures of life at home while accomplishing your work goals.

April Words:

Happy, racing, wet, bunnies, babies, pastels, warming, thawing, fresh, forgotten, congenial, positive, brisk, slow it down, leafing, fresh, new beginnings, forgotten trees.

April flowers and their associations:

Tweedia - A type of milkweed. Healing, peace and harmony, gentleness with oneself, trust, beauty, clearing.

Delphinium - Encouragement, swiftness and light, resolution, present awareness, creativity and imagination.

Lisianthus - Prairie Gentian, conflict resolution

Pansy - Thought, stress relief, truth, discernment, stop rushing, spend time, self-exploration, contemplate, clarity.

Hydrangea - A carry-over energy from March. First steps, transitions, release old relationships that no longer serve you, break down a big problem into small pieces.

Hyacinth - Charm, concentrate on being rather than doing, attracting gifts, a reminder to stop buzzing like a bee, be as a flower.

Clematis Bloom -  Awake to the magic of life, clarity, simplicity, happiness, harmony, intuition, relaxation, ingenuity.

Anemone - Daughter of the wind, royalty, renewal, hope, brevity.

Mint - Protection, healing, prosperity, anxiety calming, communication, low maintenance.

Disclaimer: All information contained here is for educational and informational purposes only and is based on traditional usage and research articles. None of this information is intended to replace the services of a qualified health care practitioner. None of these statements have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. None of these products is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

March Magic Sachet

March is restless, a month of being in-between the lasts of Winter and the beginning of Spring.  

For this reason emotions are usually volatile swinging drastically between hope and despair, helpfulness and destruction, peace and war, gossip and encouragement.  

The direction of the wind changes quickly without warning.  There is a reason the quote “Beware the ides of March” (Julius Cesar/Shakespeare) resonates so deeply.  

Still if you can focus on the fact that you have almost made it to the printemps period of rebirth you will fare much better, and hopefully be able to avoid self-sabotaging behaviors that seem to pop up spontaneously and consistently in March.  

If you are in danger of making a capricious or reckless decision, now is not the time and you are likely to regret it.

This sachet is designed to help you focus on joy, laughter, positivity and the nearness of Spring.

Words associated with March:

Restless, damp, transitions, breaking ground, green/purple, yellow/orange, black/brown, impatient, forgetting, simplicity, thaw, almost April, almost Spring, luck, fairies, violets, monotony, cleansing, clarity, self-mastery.

March Sachet Ingredients and their associations:

Mimosa (Wattle) - Laughter, wards of Jealousy, uplift yourself and those around you through laughter, release inhibitions, open your mind and heart.

Chamomile Daisy - Soothing gentle positivity, simplify, idea energetic flow, energetic change, release from negative friendships, peace and harmony, inner child healer.

Ranunculous Petals - Charm, attraction, follow the little frog, release the layers to blossom, time to fly, beauty and wisdom come with age.

Poppy Pod - Transitions, change, perspective.

Hydrangea - First step, transitions, release old relationships that no longer serve you, break down a big problem into small pieces.

Cloves - Clarity, abundance, prevents gossip, stress relief, repels negativity.

Bells of Ireland - Good luck.

By Law I must state that this sachet is for entertainment purposes and not meant to treat any illness.  Also please never eat any of the ingredients and keep out of reach from small children. Merci!

March Magic Bouquet

March is a restless month, a month of being in-between the lasts of Winter and the beginning of Spring.  

For this reason emotions are usually volatile swinging drastically between hope and despair, helpfulness and destruction, peace and war, gossip and encouragement.  

The direction of the wind changes quickly without warning.  There is a reason the quote “Beware the ides of March” (Julius Cesar/Shakespeare) resonates so deeply.  

Still if you can focus on the fact that you have almost made it to the springtime period of rebirth you will fare much better, and hopefully be able to avoid self-sabatoging behavior that seems to pop up spontaneously and consistently in March.  

If you are in danger of making a capricious or spontaneous decision, now is not the time and you are likely to regret it.

This bouquet is designed to help you focus on joy, positivity and the nearness of Spring.

Words associated with March:

Restless, damp, transitions, breaking ground, green/purple, yellow/orange, black/brown, impatient, forgetting, simplicity, thaw, almost April, almost Spring, luck, fairies, violets, monotony, cleansing, clarity, self-mastery.

March Bouquet Flowers and their associations:

Iris - Truth speaker, cleansing-clearing-releasing, creativity, imagination, energy healing, protection, shielding, energetic fine-tuning, hope.

Tulip - Heart healing, abundance, grounding, charm, simplicity, relationship healing, relax and take time for yourself.

Narcissus (Daffodil/ Jonquil) - Beginnings, chivalry, fairies, liberation, healing releasing, share the message of love, present moment awareness, imagination, alignment, avoid gossip.

Mimosa - Laughter, wards of Jealousy, uplift yourself and those around you through laughter, release inhibitions, open your mind and heart.

March Hydrangea - First step, transitions, release old relationships that no longer serve you, break down a big problem into small pieces.

Chamomile Daisy - Soothing gentle positivity, simplify, idea energetic flow, energetic change, release from negative friendships, peace and harmony, inner child healer.

Ranunculous (regular and butterfly) - Charm, attraction, follow the little frog, release the layers to blossom, time to fly, beauty and wisdom come with age.

By Law I must state that this bouquet is for entertainment purposes and not meant to treat any illness.  Also please never eat any of the ingredients and keep out of reach from small children. Merci!

Shamrock DIY Door Charm

Show a little Leprechaun spirit with this fun shamrock door charm!

Mise en place:

• Shamrock wood form

• Initial wood form

• Felt

• Moss on a roll

• Ribbon

• Marker

• Paint

• Paintbrush

• Glitter

• Glue Dots

Not included in kit:

• Scissors

• Glue Gun or Spray Glue (optional)

• Paper plate

• Small plastic cup or cupcake foil

The first thing you want to start with is painting your letter so that it has time to dry.

Cover your letter completely and while the paint is still wet, add glitter and gently press it down into the paint.

The next thing you will want to do is trace the outside shape of the shamrock onto the back of the moss, and then onto the back of the felt. Then cut them out using scissors.

CAUTION: When you trace the moss, realize that the side that is face down will be the front, and you will want to make the knots in the next steps on the back.

Thread your ribbon through the top holes on either side. You can use just one ribbon, or multiple ribbons, this is up to you.

Do not cut the ribbon in the middle, just yet.

Secure with double knots, and then take a few glue dots to press the ends down and secure the ribbon in place.

NOTE: Once your ribbons are secure, make sure you have the moss facing the correct direction. You do not want to put the moss over the knots, and the stem has a curve so you need to pay attention to that.

Securing the moss will be a little different for everyone.

On some the back is already sticky, just peal off the paper layer and press to form. Even with the very sticky moss, you may want to add a few glue dots to the stem for extra security.

If your moss is not sticky, you have a few options. A glue gun, wood glue or glue dots. The glue dots are included in this kit, so go ahead and cove the back of your moss with them. Place them close to the edge, paying particular attention to the top.

Once all the glue dots are in place, peal off the back layer, and gently press down to your form.

Repeat this step on the back with the felt. This side needs only about half as many dots as the front, but do make sure to place some glue dots on top of the ribbon knots to secure the felt to it.

Now, if your letter is already dry, its time to fix it to the center. Place glue dots on the back of the letter and peal away their backing. Gently find the center of the shamrock, and once it looks good, press down very firmly.

Let everything bond together for a few hours before hanging. You can place some heavy books on top if you want to be extra sure.

Finally, pull the ribbons together in the middle, and cut at the halfway point. You are now ready to hang your shamrock. Depending on placement, you will either be able to make a bow or just tie in a double knot.

Thank you for trying this DIY and I hope you find a big pot of gold!