peonies in December

Christmas came early! 

I found peonies at Whole Foods last weekend and I am so excited! 

They're a perfect bright spot in this dreary grey weather we've been having. 

Cheers to peonies, the week of Christmas and my girl Abby's birthday today!

Ponderosa & Thyme Wreath Workshop

Last weekend I attended the Ponderosa & Thyme "Create Joy" Holiday Wreath Workshop. I've been dying to go to one of their floral workshops, so when Katie invited me to join I jumped at the chance. 

I've been drooling over the Ponderosa & Thyme wreaths and getting to make my own was so fun. The whole night was warm and inviting. I learned a lot and left feeling inspired and encouraged.

Ponderosa & Thyme focuses on found and foraged flowers and greenery. Everything needed to make a wreath was provided for the workshop, including some purchased greenery to round out the foraged greens. Snacks and wine was also included, which is always a plus. 

That's Katie, teaching us her wreath ways. She was SO fast!

I was welcomed into Katie's home, which is beautiful. It was warm and cozy and they had a huge table with so many different types of greenery in the middle of the room. We started with some wine and snacks and then introduced ourselves to the group. Going into the workshop, I only knew Katie {owner of P&T} and Grace, Photographer of the night. It was fun to catch up with them but it was also fun to meet the other women. I was the only one who hadn't attended a workshop before, so I was a little intimidated from the start. But it was so nice to go around the room and say what we were looking forward to about the holidays, voice our concerns about the holidays {we all have them!} and just get comfortable before jumping into the wreath making. Katie encouraged us to "Create Joy" through this holiday season, however we can.

 It was a feeding frenzy to get greenery. Luckily, they had SO much of everything, everyone got as much as they wanted. 

Grace caught me instagramming. Twice!

I learned a new way to build wreaths and Katie was a great teacher. I started going "backwards" and I started to get frustrated but once Katie set me straight, it made so much more sense! 

It was fun to keep adding and adding. Katie encouraged everyone to go with their first instinct and not over think it. I am constantly over thinking, so it was good to move fast and not second guess.

I really wanted a full asymmetrical wreath. I love that Katie had rosemary, magnolia, eucalyptus and so many different kinds of greenery, so many types that I don't even know the names! 

There it is!

I loved making this wreath and learning from Katie and the women around me.

It made me determined to attend one of her floral workshops in the future! Who's with me?

All photos by Hurtienne Photography

fresh flower crown

Happy Tuesday!

I made this fresh flower crown at an end of the summer BBQ with some of my favorite ladies and it's making me happy. I'm not ready to let summer go, luckily we've got more warm temps ahead!

pink tulips

Happy Thursday and happy first day of spring! 

It's been a busy week and there's no sign of anything slowing down these days. 

At least I have plenty of gorgeous fresh flowers to remind me to take a breather. 

Thanks to my sweet friend Meaghan for these gorgeous birthday tulips!

a few blooms

here are a few photos of my Ponderosa & Thyme blooms from Valentine's Day. 

happy Wednesday!

Ponderosa & Thyme valentine's

Recently I discovered Ponderosa & Thyme, a Salem based florist and event planning duo, {and obviously fell in LOVE} so I knew I had to make a visit to their Valentine's Day pop-up shop. I asked Jeff to take me there before dinner so I could meet them and see the pop-up shop. Aren't they the cutest? I love meeting Salem creatives. They made each bouquet to order and I am in love with mine! And bonus it was in Broadway Coffeehouse, had to get a coffee too!

Coffee and flowers are basically my love language. And donuts. 

Jeff brought me and two of my co-workers heart shaped donuts on Valentine's Day, he's a keeper! 

Sorry for the low qual iphone photos but hey, that's life.

fresh ranunculus

I picked these up for brunch on Sunday. I wish Salem had more fresh flower options at the grocery store. Anyone have any fresh flower secrets in Salem? I don't even know where a flower market is in this town. Is there such a thing? I need more fresh flowers in my life! I became obsessed with peach garden roses during our wedding {since peonies were out of season}. I'll try and be patient and wait until Valentine's Day or spring when the Saturday market opens to find more fresh flowers.

ps. I should say that I found these at Whole Foods in Portland on Saturday. 

I'd also love it if Salem got a Whole Foods someday soon. And a gelato shop. And Barre3. And Gap. A girl can dream right?

1 week!

flowers and iced latte from my sweet sister

Yesterday was Jeff and my 4th anniversary! 

And we get married one week from tomorrow! 

We are so ready and so excited!