Learning the Art of Floral Arranging

I love nothing more than to learn new things. I am constantly listening to a webinar or podcast while I work, asking way too many questions to other professionals of whom I respect, and attending any conference I can. I love watching and learning from those I admire and pushing myself to try new things. Blogging, in one way, has been a big push for me to continue to learn and grow and try.  Through blogging, I've not only had to keep learning, but I've also met some amazingly smart and skilled women from whom I've learned from.
When my blogging friend and fellow chair member of KC Blogger Meetup, Emily, invited me to join her at the very first class of The Bloom Academy, I jumped at the chance. We'd joked before at the skills I lacked around artfully arranging flowers (I used to just plop my store bought bundle of flowers into a vase), and I couldn't wait to learn from Emily.  She has 7 years of experience, and it showed. She was so knowledgable and I felt like I learned a ton. Well, you can be the judge of that based on my final products at the bottom of this post!
Emily provides recipes and steps to building a beautiful (and professional) floral arrangement with every-day grocery store type flowers!  And this class was my favorite kind of schooling out there...with wine, appetizers, a beautiful space and fabulous new friends. But, you don't have to live in Kansas City to benefit from her new venture... The Bloom Academy offers online classes and resources, too.
See below a few pics from the event at the River Market Event Place, which was catered by Moxie.  The photos marked were taken by Morgan of Cornerstone Photography, and the rest are mine.

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Summer Won't You Bring Me These...

I'm craving a few things to help get this summer going... pieces for the home that will just help pull a few rooms together, sweet lil summery accents to my own wardrobe and of course wee little for my own little dude. What's on your summer wish list?
1. Pretty summer wedges (you can never have too much leopard, right?) 2.  Picnic basket + blanket + bright outdoor plates (I plan to spend some time outside this summer and with a toddler, you never leave home without snacks or miss a meal) 3. Buildings of Paris Print (sign up for Fab here) 4. Mint nail polish (always a fav polish of mine and you can see my first mint pedi here) 5. A little red ukulele for Liam whose taken up a love for singing. And I love his little songs. I want to foster this little love of his as much as possible. 6. A simple arrow gold ring 7. Perfect lightly scented fragrance for summer (but let's be honest, all year around - I'm obsessed) 8. Grow my own herbs, stylishly of course. I would love this glass set full of them hanging in my kitchen. 9. My husband would even approve of this graphic tee for the wee-one (The Dude Tee) 10. Little Saltwater Sandals (to go with mama's yellow ones) for Liam 11. A new clutch for summer (leave the big bags at home... or to the baby bag).

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i HEART you.

  Preparing for Valentine's Day and the entire month of February when  I let myself like hearts a little more than I should.   heart watch// heart waffle maker//  heart warming gloves// heart sweater// heart earrings// heart ring//   heart elbow patched sweater// heart art// heart card kit//   mini hearts (for hair, shoes or a jacket) Do you have planned what you are wearing or doing yet?

Painting the night away among friends and wine

Starting the night with buckets of wine and blank canvases, a group of girlfriends and I gathered for a BYOB painting class at Hook Gallery & Framing located in Kansas City at 45th and State Line near Westport & The Plaza areas. 

Our "inspiration piece" was Van Gough's Starry Nights painting.  Out instructor, the owner of the gallery, who also reminded me of a dark haired  Matthew McConaughey led us through each layer.

This space also opens it's doors to private parties...and I'm thinking this would be a fantastic place to have my 30th birthday... Anyways, if you live Kansas City, check it out. If you live somewhere else, I'm sure you have something similar. I've heard of them called Canvas & Cocktails in other places.  

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A night of feeling artsy

{Lace shirt - Target (sleeveless); Black skirt - old Target (cute black skirt w/ a bow); Sandals - Old Navy (similar or similar style in navy) ; Lipstick - Nars}

This past weekend I volunteered for the kick off of a cool event in Kansas City, TEDxKC. The fabulous event space, The Guild of Kansas City just opened up and hosted this kick off party.  This venue is stunning with brick walls, wood floors and an extraordinary chandelier that just makes you feel inspired and artistic.

The actual TEDxKC event is August 28th at The Kaufman Center, however it's sold out!
Stay tuned for information on online solutions to bring some of the event to you.

TED = Technology, Entertainment, Design: three broad subject areas that are collectively shaping our future.

Keep reading for photos of the beautiful space (more...)!

Words I Live By.

This might explain my love for home decor and dressing up to my husband...

$12 Print from EeeBee Etsy Shop

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Breaking up the Gray and a HUGE Discount

As you might remember, I painted all my hallways and stairways gray that allowed the newly white trim really pop!  Slowly, I've broken up all the gray with the stairway makeover and was trying to decide on the mirror I got for the  hallway.  Well, the after all your great comments and feedback, and not wanting to deal with a sulking husband, I decided not to hang that mirror and instead....

Put this on the wall instead!  I saw this amazing picture on a blog I read, S.HopTalk and Suzanne was so kind to send me the hi-res photo when I contacted her about if I could buy the picture. I was so excited because upon seeing the photo on her blog, I immediately loved it!  It was just so pretty and fit perfectly with my house.

Then a couple days later, a Groupon popped up for $45 16x20 canvas with photo of my choice!  How perfect! I bought it and later uploaded the photo and got my new art work for only $45 total.  Even better news - You, too can get this deal!

Today that same company, Canvas by Demand, is offering another Groupon that ANYONE, ANYWHERE can purchase because this is for online order!  The Deal:

$45 for One 16"x20" Gallery-Wrapped Canvas Including Shipping and Handling from Canvas on Demand ($126.95 Value)

Get this deal TODAY only (Thursday, July 22) by clicking here! However, you can use this gift certificate/credit now through October 23rd!  So if you don't have a photo yet - you have time to find one/take one before using your Groupon deal.

I had a great experience with Canvas on Demand.  They even upgraded my canvas size to 16x24 for no extra charge because my photo git that size better.  The canvas came securly and safely wrapped up and even came with wall hanging hooks and all.

If you are new to Groupon, I highly recommend taking the plunge!  These deals are NOT too good to be true - they are great deals and are true! :) I've gotten like 7 things via Groupon now and have had great experiences with using them all!  You just click the above link, enter your email and create a password and your are free to purchase these radically discounted offers!


Here are some more shots of my hallway with the new addition:

Enjoy!

Sweet Valentine's Day Gifts

That little holiday (can we really call it a holiday?) is coming up, one month away - Valentine's Day. I've never been a big fan. It's just a day where restaurants can charge twice or triple as much, florists can quadruple the prices of a dozen red roses and girls get let down because something big didn't happen.

But, as much as I think it's kinda dumb, I will still make the best of another day and enjoy it, just a little, with my husband.

Some cute gift ideas (I'm not big into giant presents for a fake holiday) to give or get your loved ones (friends, family, significant other, etc - take notes, Husband *wink*)...

Made for Two:

Snuggle for 2

Swanky? Fun? Silly? Whatever comes to your mind - I think these are so cute!His & Hers Pillow Cases

Jewelry always says love:

Double Key Necklace from Etsy Shop: Shoogi
"You hold the keys to my heart" - yes, it takes 2 keys to open my heart.

Gorgeous!
Sue earrings in gold from Etsy Shop: Odalisca

I just love this print - so simple and pretty. This would be great in my living room...

Love Print from Etsy Shop: MadeByGril

Romance in Ruffles?

Pretty, pretty, pretty!!! I want this for our living room couch!!

Etsy Shop: JillyBeanThings

Sweeping Ruffles Shirt

In Honor of Design introduced this Etsy shop to me and I fell in love with the cute and very affordable prints:

I would like this one for my living room...

"Love that Moves the Sun and Other Stars"

Both prints from Etsy Shop: Raw Art Letter Press

What is your favorite Valentine's gift to get? What about to give (for a significant other, friend or other special someone)?

I'll get some guy gift ideas going sometime before V-day, too. But for now, you can share this post with your fellow guy as a few starting point hints! :)