fleur

Happy Earth Day!

2011-04-22T09:29:00.001-07:00

Today we listed a bunch of ways at our regular blog on how to green your wedding. You can read the post HERE ! Happy Earth Day!!!

xoxo

2011-04-20T19:23:00.000-07:00

Here is a teaser from our terrarium tutorial that we offered this past January. The photo is by Jennifer Kathryn Photography and the link to the rest is at Elizabeth Anne Designs!

Chapel by the Spring

2011-04-14T15:43:00.000-07:00

We just came home from the most A M A Z I N G getaway in lake Geneva Wisconsin at Chapel by the Spring. For more photos, take a look HERE!

Brunch wedding inspiration shoot

2011-04-14T14:22:00.000-07:00

Here is just one image from a beautiful wedding brunch shoot that I worked on. It was featured in Elizabeth Anne Designs, which you should peek at for lots and lots more photos!!!

Happy Birthday, Fleur!

2011-04-08T06:15:00.000-07:00

Today is our 9th birthday!

You'll see more at our blog HERE.

Some pretty things.

2011-04-05T13:46:00.000-07:00

We switched our blogging regular updates to HERE, but thought it might be nice to follow up here every now & then. It's been a real whirlwind around here with spring's arrival, my favorite season for flowers. Boronia, frittilaria, ranunculus, peonies, sweet little allium buds, viburnum and all these amazing little blooms... just outstanding! So here are a few of our favorites from the past few weeks.

xoxo

Lots more coming soon.

2010-05-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

Lots and lots and lots of new posts HERE!

WE MOVED OUR BLOG!

2010-04-21T11:30:00.001-07:00

For all your floral fun and love from Fleur, the nitty-gritty of our days, the joy of our blooms and updates about my cats, my musings and all our weddings, please visit us here!

xoxoxox!

2010-04-20T22:54:00.001-07:00

You can now read our blog from our website!!
Check it out here, yo!

And to here's to sensory salvate a little bit.., and image by SnoStudios from Christine and Tyler's wedding in March. There will be more to come!

2010-04-19T13:34:00.001-07:00

The last petals of my bouquet that I brought home, over a week ago...

2010-04-17T07:29:00.000-07:00

2010-04-17T07:01:00.000-07:00

Back from Staycation!

2010-04-17T06:50:00.000-07:00

I took a few days off work to catch up on life. The last month really busted my bum, so it was great to be a little more carefree and domestic. Buying curtain fabric (I'm shocked Davey like all the floral pattterns!), assembling a record shelf, randomly attending a Cubs game (and winning!), a margarita and the list goes on. But here are some images from before and after. Therese and Dan's bridal shower, Gina and Ryan's mock up, and just some fun (Caleb created a few, too!).

Oh! And next weekend (Friday/Saturday) I'm going to Michigan for some serious antiquing with my parents. :)

poppies and peach parrot tulips

2010-04-09T18:02:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few things I made at the party yesterday. One was a Thank You for my parents for supporting me the last 8 years!

2010-04-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

Party Pictures!

2010-04-09T17:08:00.000-07:00

So much fun! What a success! Thank you to everyone who came by. Here are just a few snapshots. xo!

Joyeux Anniversaire!

2010-04-07T20:07:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is our birthday! Our Golden Birthday! That's E I G H T years on April 8th! Whoa.
Please come by tomorrow for a celebration! Bubbly and St Germaine! Balloons and crepe paper!
Wine and snacks! Glorious flowers! Cheese and jam, crackers and salami! Everything is 15% off!
The fresh cut bouquets, staghorn ferns, Peggy Che and Moira K Lime jewelry... This is a special thank you
for all your support and love. xo!

Macy's flower show

2010-04-07T19:34:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh, this was totally too much fun! Macy's invited us to be part of their Spring Flower Show. What an honor! Honestly? I was outrageously stressed about it. My initial idea of a bird in a nest with a paisley design was all bust, because I just was never happy with the construction of the bird. But after Fleurotica, and a lunch trip to Chinatown with Davey, I had a little more inspiration! I wanted an "April showers bring May flowers" touch (since the theme was "Spring is in the Air." But I wanted my inner fairytale princess to escape for a moment too! This is what you get! Davey took these photos. He along with my Dad went to the show (Mom, we missed you!), and ate lunch.., then Dad and I walked around for about 3 hours. It was kinda awesome.

2010-04-03T12:43:00.000-07:00

I'm really honored to be part of a wedding giveaway. But a really amazing one, not a gross banquet hall kind of deal.

Heather Vickery from Greatest Expectations Event Planning invited myself and over 20 other vendors to be part of a beautiful collaboration of other vendors that I just love to work with.

You can enter here. Please pass the word along, this is kinda special.

2010-04-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

I have no water at home! Cross your fingers that this is a quick plumbing fix!!! But I love these...

Rainy day

2010-04-03T08:11:00.000-07:00

This is what I sip my tea next to. I have to be careful about what flowers I bring home, because Bootleg cat likes to knock them over in order to reach the water (Tippie kitten doesn't seem to care). A number of carnival glass vases have been busted 'cuz of this behavior. This thrifted milk glass vase seems to be doing the trick so far.

Ali & Bryan

2010-04-02T09:26:00.000-07:00

Images compliments of Steve Koo! Hair by Susan at Sparrow

Happy Birthday, Fleur!

2010-03-31T12:03:00.000-07:00

April 8th is Fleur's golden birthday! Eight years is outrageously shocking to me. One of my wholesalers recently said, "Doesn't seem that long!" which of course I responded with "To YOU!!"

Please join us April 8th 10am-7pm for our party. Cupcakes and Cake from Tipsy Cake. Champagne and Saint Germaine, wine, cheese and jam, and other deliciousness. Of course, balloons and crepe paper strands. I think I might wear my party dress.

What we've been up to, lately!

2010-03-29T12:52:00.003-07:00

Pretty, pretty.

Fleurotica success!

2010-03-29T12:07:00.001-07:00

Fleurotica was a huge success!! Friday night we exhibited a dress created with peacock & ostrich feathers, anthurium, orchids and various foliages. Biased, I loved it, and can't wait for next year. The event a fundraiser for the Garfield Park Conservatory, my favorite one in the city. Eleven florists were featured paired with students hat pieces inspired by floral design from the Art Institute of Chicago's millinery school. Also, local Chicago designers had models wearing pieces of their work struttin' down the runway as well, including some of our besties, Shirley Kinietz and Jenny Stadler, owners of Wolfbait and B-Girls. I can't gush enough about my model, Ursula from Ford Modeling Agency, who totally OWNED the peacock dress I made. And completely randomly, she we share mutual friends!!! Chicago is definitely a small world.

2010-03-26T13:11:00.001-07:00

Fleurotica is tonight!!!!

March 13th, Newberry Library

2010-03-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

Amanda Hein is such an incredible photographer. Here are some of her beautiful images from Patricia and Bill's wedding on March 13th, at the Newberry Library. Patricia was such a sweet bride who just wanted springtime romance with a touch of french flair. It truly turned out soft and beautiful. The ring bearer's pillow was adorable and the French tulips paired with forsythia were just perfect.

2010-03-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

Changing our web host! We are not receiving emails right now, but we are receiving messenger pigeons!

Patricia and Bill

2010-03-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

Here are a few images from a wedding one week ago. Amanda will be sending over the professional shots soon, but I thought I'd wet your palette in the meantime. You'll get a proper update when we have those. :)

2010-03-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

Oh, what a week! Moved into the new apartment, friends and family visiting from out of town, the first day of spring on a snowy day, and a wedding too! I still don't have the internet at home, so as I sip on a beverage I am updating from down the block. Our new apartment is quite frankly.., probably better than yours. ;) Well, maybe not but it's pretty d**n awesome. I keep moving from room to room thinking, "This room rules.., it's my favorite!" Then I walk into another room, and say to myself, "Hmm.., I love this room. Maybe this is my favorite!" In any case, we love it and love decorating and debating where Davey will hang his Cure poster and where I will hang my Baltic Tapestries (I don't actually have them, yet. But I'm working on it). Good thing we both have a good sense of humor.

This is an image of a bouquet I made for our kitchen in one of the glorious milk glass vases I boast about. It is filled with peonies (one of my three favs), fritillaria (That looks like a ska kind of thing), olive branches, dogwood (!!!), and anemones.., of course!

Also, a beautiful bouquet and centerpiece for Alizah whose wedding was yesterday on the world's gloomiest first day of spring! Peach finesse roses, anemones, begonia foliage (Cut from one of my house plants), scrub ivy, peonies, ranunculus.., oh, it's like a springtime orgasm! Eep! :)

Oh, Anemone...

2010-03-14T09:17:00.001-07:00

When you look at these pictures, I want you to first think about the song, "Mandy" by Barry Manilow. Now I want you to omit "Mandy" and add in "Anemone." "How happy you made me, oh Anemone..." Obviously all the lyrics don't fit quite perfectly, but you get the idea. Poor Caleb and Laura, they have been listening to me sing this nonstop on repeat, because of this bridal bouquet I made. I am IN LOVE WITH IT. And the super sweet spray rose and ranunculus pomander that Laura made.

Also, Chicago's weather has been CRAZY. I'm totally into it.

Christine and Tyler

2010-03-14T09:10:00.000-07:00

I don't have the professional pictures up just yet, but here are some of ours. Christine and Tyler were married last weekend at the Chicago History Museum. Her bouquet was so full and lush, filled with dahlias, succulents, hydrangea, viburnum and ranunculus. The boutonnieres were created with dahlias buds and root hydrangea. Last minute I added in a miniature succulent into Tyler's because it was so cute and perfectly matched Christine. Event planning was coordinated by Greatest Expectations.

Fleurotica

2010-03-12T06:20:00.001-08:00

FINALLY nailed the Fleurotica dress design. We're talking peacock feathers, ostrich feathers, spring green anthurium and button mums, chocolate ti leaves, plumosa ferns!! It will be held at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Pictures of our sketches, soon.

March madness!

2010-03-10T12:39:00.000-08:00

It's been a minute since I posted, last weekend was our first large wedding of 2010 and it went off P E R F E C T ! ! ! (Then the sinus cold attacked, so I avoided the computer, hence the delay) Everything was just so gorgeous!! Black eye anemones, plum dahlias, spring green viburnum, white ranunculus.., dreamy and so fresh! I will have some photos soon. In the meantime, here are some pretty pictures that our lovely customers sent in of the flowers/gifts we have. A pretty arrangement we sent out from one of our favorite beau's to his lady friend, and then the Haeger cowboy hat planter. I admit, it was hard to see it go.., but since Robbie Fulk's wife bought it for him I thought it couldn't go to a better home. Yeah, I'm bragging. That's how cool our customers are. ;)

Specimen Vases

2010-02-28T09:17:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we worked on a beautiful wedding at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Caleb worked in detail with the bride, who provided her own little specimen vases and here are a few detail shots. Also, we will be part of Fleurotica on March 26th at the conservatory! Our dress is a tribute to late fashion designer Alexander McQueen and is gorgeous!!

And want to see a photo of me and read about what kind of animal I think I am? It's a great way to procrastinate today! Check out Greatest Expectations Blog. You can win a $100 arrangement in a vintage milk glass vase, too.

Carnival glass.

2010-02-27T15:38:00.001-08:00

This is one of my favorite weddings. The bride and I collected vintage glass and carnival glass for her centerpieces. So it combines too of my favorite things, junkin' and flowers. The reception was the Chicago Cultural Center and Kevin Weinstein took the photos.

Florist Gothic

2010-02-26T07:15:00.001-08:00

Caleb and I so often end up dressing alike, it's ridiculous. So we took a photo of our matching outfits the other day. I like the reflection at the bottom of our feet.., we've got some Kafka-esque metamorphosis stuff going on. Here are some shop treats, too. The arrangement with the garnet peonies has little sting of pearl succulents added in, which can be rooted. Succulent plants are a weakness for me. Next week is our first full wedding of the year! Yay!!!

Oh, and please check us out at Greatest Expectation's blog and Honeybee Weddings Blog for some extra goodness. In the next couple of days there is an interview with me at one of them and you can win a $100 arrangement in a vintage milk glass vase! But you have to read both to find out which one it is!

Cuties

2010-02-26T07:04:00.000-08:00

A few treats in the shop. These are some of my favorite things. The mustachio card from eggpress, the doe planter which I AM IN LOVE WITH! (It is so hard for me to part with.., one of the sweetest finds from last weekend), orchids, and other shop tidbits. Oh, and one of Bootleg and Tippie at home. That is what my life is like. They rule.

summer lament

2010-02-23T18:48:00.001-08:00

I can't stop thinking about warmth. Maybe tomorrow I will eat tacos and listen to mariachi and pretend I am on the beach. I've done that before, and it works. Here is a summer wedding at the Chicago History Museum.., it was a hot and humid afternoon and Christine and Tony braved the heat waves for their beautiful in -the-round ceremony outdoors. Kevin Weinstein was the photographer, Greatest Expectations were the planners (who just interviewed me for their blog, which will be out on February 28th.., and who I will also be working with in March at the same museum.., which prompted me to share these photos!).

Winter hikin' and junkin'

2010-02-20T17:19:00.000-08:00

Friday morning Dave and I decided to take a trip out to Starved Rock. We like to take the county roads because
a. It's prettier
b. There are lots of antique and junk stores to shop at along the way.

Friday was spent ALL day buying Hull's Pottery, milk glass, Fenton vases, vintage aprons and a couple of other things here and there. Soon, all of my fantastic finds are going to be available at Fleur, and each one comes with a little story of how I came across it (but only if you want to hear.., I can ramble!). In the next day or two after I unpack all this ceramic joy, I'll post some photos.

But here are some of the hiking photos from us at Starved Rock, especially by French Canyon (My favorite waterfall in the park). After checking out the beauty around us, we stopped at Skoog's Pub and Grill where I S W E A R it's the BEST fried chicken I have ever eaten.., only we were there for their lunch menu, so I didn't get to eat any (just on the dinner menu.., go there 4:30pm or after!). I'm not kidding, I think I'm going back within the next two weeks because I am craving it. Whoops. I wrote "Crazing" instead of "craving as a slip.., I guess it's cuz I'm so crazy about it (wokka wokka!).

2010-02-18T19:48:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! I am taking a little break, and shipping out to Starved Rock with Davey. We're gonna snap some photos, I hop you have a great few days, and please think of me while I am on "VA-CA!!" xo

Natalie and Ben!

2010-02-17T13:45:00.001-08:00

Last night I ate some *delicious* Korean BBQ at Sun Wah BBQ to celebrate with Natalie and friends, on her 40th birthday. She's quite a fox, considering 40!! :) It reminded me of her and Ben's beautiful wedding some time back so I thought I would revisit the photos. As I work on all the proposals for 2010, I'm so excited for wedding season to begin!!

2010-02-16T13:01:00.000-08:00

2010-02-16T12:32:00.000-08:00

Another day o' love all gone and behind us. What a whirl and swirl of color and organized maddness!. We tried to take photos of our arrangements, but honestly, it was a revolving door around here so we only managed to snap a few. There are a few of the before and after, an adorable shot of Laura behind the hydrangea, me with a poppy in my hair, a lil' stuffed animal that was left in our planters Valentine's morning and our best delivery driver EVER hired, my Dad (Caleb, I wanted to post that one of you, but you wouldn't allow me to). ;)

And guess what? I received a floral delivery too! First time in about 12 years, and it had two of my favorites, peonies and ranunculus. Oh, and a love letter, too. <3 He's good. :)

2010-02-14T06:06:00.001-08:00

Blossom on the Tree. You know how I feel. It's a new dawn, it's a new day!

Now.., back to the legions of flower-less men!! (and women!)

2010-02-14T04:26:00.001-08:00

Did you know that we have the most amazing, raddest coolest and fun customers ever!!? Yeah. Totally. xoxoxo!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2010-02-13T07:28:00.001-08:00

It's Lloyd Miller, Delight and Beauty here!

Roses are red, tweedia is blue...

2010-02-09T13:58:00.001-08:00

In honor of valentine's day approaching, I thought I would search through some of my old photos for some red bouquets. But instead of just the ol' bouquet, I decided to share one of the most fun and out of the box (pun intended) weddings we've worked on! Christina and Cary were married in April of 2009. She and I collaborated thoughts (alongside superhero wedding planner Heather Vickery from Greatest Expectations) and designed a truly gorgeous event! Christina hand strung all the beads on the carnation "chandelier" centerpieces (each had 500 carnations attached!). The bridal bouquet was soft and fluffy, combining sweet pea and tweedia, filled out with hydrangea for a little volume. The bridesmaids carried garnet red peonies and burgundy dahlias which held a lush and romantically dramatic demeanor! Their gowns we're pretty hot, too.., I certainly wouldn't mind one for myself! All the photos here are from the astute eye of Amanda Hein Photography.

Coming soon: All the floral delights that are arriving for Valentine's Day!! A few items to sensory salvate about:
Peach Amaryllis, Chocolate Cosmos, Plum Ranunculus, Salmon Sweetpea, Two-Toned Jonquils, Peach Parrot Tulips, Blossoming Cherry Branches.., Whether you are a lover or a hater, this stuff is g o r g e o u s ! ! ! !

2010-02-07T11:37:00.000-08:00

I'm really glad that it's sunny out and a little bit warmer. It's reminding me of this past summer when I went camping. In true florist form, I took 56,000 photographs of all the flora and fauna that was around. Here are a few pictures I reminisced over last night.

P.S. Mr Turtle was in the middle of the road, so we pulled over and brought him off to the side. Hopefully he ended up where he was going!

Autumn wedding

2010-02-06T07:52:00.001-08:00

This was a more recent wedding in 2009. The space was The Ivy Room, and the planner, Greatest Expectations. Photography by Gerber and Scarpelli.

Chocolate and cream

2010-02-03T14:32:00.001-08:00

This bouquet reminds of butter and croissants. Maybe some jam, too.

pretty silver accents

2010-02-03T11:58:00.000-08:00

2010-02-02T17:01:00.001-08:00

Today was an Otis Redding and Ranunculus kind of day. With clementines for lunch and all the color around us, we didn't even notice the snow outside.

I know I said I wasn't going to work today...

2010-02-01T14:00:00.000-08:00

It's Monday, my day off. I relaxed a little, I swear! I ate a delicious chicken sandwich for lunch and just finished my crossword. I really am going to make that lasagna for dinner tonight. Everyone at work is going to love it (it's vegetarian, you guys! Walnuts instead of meat!). But in the meantime, here are a few things to be excited about for tomorrow!

2010-02-01T09:26:00.000-08:00

After a long, six day work week I decided to scrap the idea of baking a homemade lasagna and we opted for Piece Pizzeria and Brewpub instead, for their Sunday special, a pizza and a growler. Soon we were on our way with a pipping hot pie and a jug full of the worrying ale. We set up with our mugs and the grub (which very much so appealed to a certain Bootleg and Tippie June) and watched Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. I was so pooped I couldn't finish my beer (!) and we made some tea. Today there is most definitely a crossword in my future.

P.S. I also took some amazing photos of Dave in the heart of a laugh attack, but won't post those.., just yet!

2010-01-31T10:09:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if something is in the air, but I've been feeling really excited about the blooms these days. More so than usual. It might be that even though it's so cold, the sunshine has beaming. I have my cup of green tea here right now and I am working on some proposals.., it's so nice to think about color palettes all days long.

ps.

2010-01-30T14:43:00.000-08:00

Here is an arrangement we created for Lula Cafe, one of my very favorite restaurants in the city. Almond branches make me really happy.

details, details details.

2010-01-30T14:34:00.000-08:00

It has been so terribly cold in the city the last few days! I'm fortunate to be around so much beauty in the storefront to help me forget that Jack Frost is only here for a little while longer. These are just a few detail shots of some items that we have that keep me gushing. Their simplicity ranges from architectural shapes to romantic curls.

Leslie and Brad

2010-01-29T09:56:00.000-08:00

Here are a few photos from Leslie and Brad's wedding December 5th at the Blackstone Hotel. Misha Media Photography took these absolutely gorgeous images! Leslie was looking for modern styles that still held a romantic and soft feel. We think these turned out just perfect.

www.mishamedia.com

Springtime Serenades!

2010-01-29T08:28:00.000-08:00

Our blog is finally here, and we are just so excited! So many new things are happening in our little Logan Square shop. Changing colors, vintage pottery, so many succulents and ferns.., inspiration all around! For now, here are just a few photos of some of the blooms we are just smitten with! Lots of wonderful images and updates are on their way, we hope you enjoy!!

xoxo
Kelly Marie and the Fleur staff