Container Gardens at Wild Oats →

I look forward to creating and installing summer planters every spring. We try to shop locally as much as we can. One of our favorite suppliers is Longfellow's Nursery in Manchester, Maine. Almost all of the annuals came from there- with the exception of a truckload of herbs grown by Chaz and Linda Gill from Kennebec Flower Farm. 

Hunting for product can be a lot of fun, but almost always requires multiple stops. Some nurseries are known for more unusual annuals, others are known for having larger quantities of the staples.  

The most important component of successful pots (besides healthy plants and plenty of fertilizer) is the soil. We only use Coast of Maine and we try to always get it from Brooks Feed & Farm in town. 

Annuals: Longfellow's Greenhouses | Herbs: Kennebec Flower Farm | Soil & Fertilizer: Brooks Feed & Farm | Best Lunch Spot: Wild Oats Bakery & Cafe, Brunswick, Maine

Wisteria and Sage →

Kirsten and Matt's ceremony and reception was held at The Barn at Silver Oaks Estate in Winthrop, Maine on a hot July evening. 

Kirsten's bouquet was a palette of pastel colored flowers: Cafe au Lait Dahlias, 'Caramel Antike' garden roses, locally grown Sweetpeas, Ranunculus and purple succulents.

Photography: Silverbell Photography | Venue: The Barn at Silver Oaks Estate | Flowers: Pretty Flowers | Caterer: The Black Tie Company

The Beauty is in the Details →

Amy and Keith's Wedding was one of our favorites, with its' vibrant jewel tones set perfectly against the misty and damp October day at a private residence in Auburn. Many thanks to Emily Elizabeth Events and Jamie Mercurio for creating and capturing the beauty of this special day. 

Photo credit: Jamie Mercurio Photography

Photo credit: Jamie Mercurio Photography

Floral arrangements: Pretty Flowers | Maine | Event Design: Emily Elizabeth Events | Photography: Jamie Mercurio Photography

First Lawn Mowing of the Year →

The smell is a favorite. The final look is pleasing in its neatness; rich green setting off the soft yellows of daffodils and vibrant blue of grape hyacinths. 

A view of my backyard

Please don't misunderstand, I am not much an advocate for the perfect expanse of greenness without a dandelion in sight. I always encourage ground covers to my landscape clients. Although not instant, which many insist on nowadays, ground covers are much more interesting , less time sapping and are often a great way to add even more flowers, color and texture to your yard. 

I love the versatility of Walstenia, with the happy, bright yellow flowers in spring; sedums work well in tough spots and add texture and even vinca, although overused, has lovely blue flowers which draw your eye to shady areas. 

I will continue to enjoy that first mowing of spring but will continue to shrink my lawn to other plant material over time. 

A bouquet worthy of Cirque du Soleil →

What do you do with an old, dirty juggling baton when a couple of crazy circus performers ask if there is any way to incorporate it into the Bride's wedding bouquet?

Never one to shy away from a challenge, I looked at this funny shaped thing for a while. I needed to figure out how its size and shape could work with the pretty flowers of Cheryl's bouquet.

After a thorough cleaning and with the assistance of my trusty "tool guy" we cut up the baton, removed the skinny handle, cut it in half and drilled holes on either side. I sandwiched the stems of Cheryl's bouquet between the baton and laced it back together with lovely ribbon and...voila!

Photo credit: Revolution Summer Photography

Origami placecards

Socks for their guests

Circus room

Colorful centerpieces

Origami décor

Photo credit: Revolution Summer Photography

Flowers: Pretty Flowers | Tool Guy : Maloney Marine Rigging | Photography: Revolution Summer Photography | Venue: Circus Maine

Country Kitsch →

Home is where the heart is- creamsicle & robin's egg hues dress a nest of cottage finds & heirloom treasures. 

Floral arrangements: Pretty Flowers | Event Design: Emily Elizabeth Events | Photography: A Love Supreme Photography | Cake: Nothing Bakes Like a Parrot | Papergoods: Parrot Design Studio | Props: Blessings Home Store, Detroy | Menswear and Shoes: Joseph's of Portland, L.L. Bean | Accessories: Mizubrand

ZEST Magazine Styled Shoot →

ZEST invited us to do a styled photo shoot to feature table arrangements. 

"Thoughtful table settings add to the pleasure of a meal. They are an expression of identity, connecting hosts and guests through the use of themes, colors, shapes and moods. A thoughtfully set table frames the meal at hand and fosters meaningful conversation that extends far beyond the evening in question." 

Pretty Flowers designed the arrangements, Janice Dunwoody produced and styled the shoot and Erin Little photographed. We created 3 versions: Rustic, Contemporary and Traditional. 

Floral arrangement: Pretty Flowers, Brunswick | Stoneware: Odd Inq., South Portland | Simple Cedar Table: KW Things, Peaks Island | Aluminum mugs: Silly's Restaurant, Portland | Linen napkins and table runner: Folly 101, Portland | Artisan hammered flatware: Sundance Catalog Aluminum plate chargers: Portland Flea-For-All, Portland | Tin water pitcher: Portland Flea-For-All, Portland | Thick candle tapers: Dwellings, Falmouth