She's baaaaack!

Hi all! So as many of you know, Melinda was gone this past week; up in San Francisco at the 2011 AIFD Symposium and National Student Competition with her student team from Cal Poly. She and her students were immersed in the floral design industry each day- seeing shows put on by the nation's foremost designers, participating in industry mixers, new product fairs, AIFD dinners and award receptions, the student competition, and helping designers prepare for their shows backstage! It's quite an experience for these young ladies who are considering a future in this industry! Plus it's just so inspiring to be surrounded by all of these creative and talented people!! She took a LOT of photos, so here's a selection I thought you would enjoy!

 The madness as aspiring AIFD designers create their work to hopefully acquire their accreditation. 

 Melinda with her team before they compete!

 After the competition, the students' work is put on display for all to be impressed by! 

 A good looking group!

 The lobby decor for these events is always spectacular! 

 Melinda, her past student and now AIFD member Christine Henderson, J Schwanke from JTV, current SAIFD member Darci Malone, and Melinda's past student Audrey Chaney! 

 Fab hydrangeas backstage ready to be used!

 Love the name of this variety!! : )

 Peonies anyone? 

 After the shows, the designers put their work into the hallways for people to photograph and see up close!

 A shot of the stage from the wings!

 Christine, Audrey, Melinda and Katie

 We always take a picture of the beautiful dessert...it's like art, you almost feel bad eating it! Almost.

 The girls posing with some of the chic purses from the purse auction- “Haute Couture on Union Square” 

Hope you were a little inspired! These people are really designing on a level that we just don't get to see every day. As a designer, this is like our Vegas....a place that we get to think outside the box and really flex our creative muscles! So fun! 

Wedding Etiquette- Martha Style!

Anyone that knows me, knows that etiquette, manners, and consideration are HUGE with me!

Which is why I found this little What's Your Wedding Etiquette IQ test oh so fun! (I scored 9 out of 10) I love Martha for her attempts to spread chivalry and hostess skills into the minds of younger generations. Rock on Martha! Thank you notes should NOT go out of style!

This fun little quiz addresses everything from who hosts what- to how to handle sticky guest list issues! It also inspired to me to create my own little Top 10 Wedding Etiquette Pet Peeve List!



1. The attention should be on the bride. Period. I've been shocked by how many inappropriately dressed girls I'm seeing at weddings these days. If you’re going to wear a dress, it can be short, and it can be snug, but it can’t be short AND snug at the same time. This isn’t a competition of “who is hottest”- it is a celebration of two people’s love and commitment to each other. So keep the dresses and skirts closer to the knee, take a cardigan with you, and remember that people’s grandmothers are there. Please be respectful.

2. Ladies- don't wear white. A white blazer...sure. An ivory flowing top...sure. Even white slacks are okay if styled well. But no outfits with white as the main color.

3. Guys- Unless you are going to a wedding located in a barn or on a ranch, jeans are not acceptable.


4. Wedding attendants- Please leave the cocktail hour for the cocktail hour. A tipsy wedding party coming down the aisle is not lovely and romantic- it’s just awkward. This day is not about you having the time of your life, it’s about the bride and groom having the BEST day of their lives.


5. Wedding guests- Please be on time. Tardy guests trying to sneak down the aisle, right before the bride comes around the corner is simply TACKY. If you hit unexpected traffic and arrived 5-10 minutes late to the ceremony, please be conscious of what is going on around you. Try to stay out of any photo or video shots of the wedding party walking down the aisle.


6. The ceremony only happens once. Do what you can to make it perfect. Turn off your cell phones, pop in a cough drop before the vows start, and scurry away ASAP if your infant starts to scream. Abrupt interruptions during such a emotional and vulnerable moment can be really cringe-worthy- especially if the bride and groom have to relive them every time they watch their wedding video.


7. Make sure your card is securely attached to your gift. It may seem like sliding it under the ribbon and placing it on the table means you’re good to go. But that gift is going to get lifted, moved, and transported at least two or three more times before the bride and groom open it! If you want your thank you note, use tape.


8. Don’t run off with the centerpieces unless it’s been announced that they are up for grabs. You never know what has been rented or borrowed and needs to be returned.


9. RSVP. But you should really know that by now. If you don’t you’ll probably end up sitting by the bathrooms or the door that has the strong cold breeze coming through.


10. I can’t stand weddings without assigned seating. It doesn’t have to be the exact chair, but just the table is good enough. Your guests took time out of their lives, probably traveled, bought you a gift, maybe even paid for a babysitter and bought a new outfit- the least you can do is ensure that they are going to have a good time. Guests who don’t know anyone else there should be put with the friendly, chatty aunt. Grandparents should be put some place warm where they can see- and not next to a speaker. People with children should be put near an exit in case of meltdowns, last minute potty notifications, and early getaways. Cocktail hour should be for chatting, hugs, and introductions- not a race to see who can turn over glasses, unfold napkins, throw purses on chairs and mark their territory first. That’s just stressful. Take the two hours and make a quick seating chart. Your loved ones deserve it.

I could probably have added more, but I'll spare you.

Anyway, take Martha's little quiz- expand your etiquette knowledge!

Wedding Flowers’ Symbolic Meanings

I found this great article this morning on one of my favorite sites: Real Simple. Enjoy! It may come in handy next time you're placing a flower order for a special occasion! 

Here, some of the meanings ascribed in North America to popular blooms.

There is a language of flowers―whether you or anyone at your wedding is fluent in this language is another question. One idea: Give each bridesmaid a bouquet featuring a signature flower whose meaning suits her personality. Attach a note to the bouquet explaining why you picked that bloom for her. Here are some of the hidden meanings.

 Amaranthus: Constancy and fidelity
 Amaryllis: Pride, pastoral beauty
 Anemone: Abandonment, forsakenness, sincerity, fragility (pictured)

 Chrysanthemum: Happiness and long life
 Chrysanthemum (White): Truth
 Chrysanthemum (Yellow): Secret admirer
 Chrysanthemum (Red): Love
 Daffodil (a.k.a. Narcissus): Respect, good fortune, chivalry, unrequited love
 Daisy: Innocence, loyal love, purity

 Forget-Me-Not: Faithful love and memory, true love (pictured)
 Iris: Faith and wisdom, inspiration
 Ivy: Fidelity, wedded love, affection
 Lilac: First love
 Lily: Purity and sweetness
 Lily of the Valley: Renewed happiness and humility (pictured)

 Orchid: Love and beauty
 Peony: Happiness and prosperity
 Rose (Red): Love and desire
 Rose (White): Purity and innocence
 Sweet Pea: Departure
 Tulip: True love
 Violet: Modesty
 Zinnia: Thoughts of friends, thoughts of absent friends(pictured)

Find the original article here!