Big ballroom dreams were readjusted resulting in the most perfect backyard heartfelt celebration. This flexible and dedicated team made it happen! Images: Laura Gordon Planning: Anne Book Design and Build Social Supply. We did the flowers and cakes.
Lemon Verbena Candle #1
We never used scented candles at home; it seemed like it would fight with all that we have going on–– cooking, eating, the smell of ever present flowers, wine tasting. Even with floral design, I always stay away from varieties with very strong scents such as lilies and paper whites because they interfere with taste and smell.
Several months ago I started thinking about the idea of lightly scented candles that evoke the garden. Hardy, but not overpowering—the scent that wafts through the air when you rub herb leaves between your fingers or brush against a flower. These smells are always both illusive and impactful, they add to a meal or an idle moment. Lemon Verbena seemed like the obvious place to begin. A staple in our garden, we use it in desserts, salads, tea and flower arrangements. I love it in arrangements for both its structure and subtle scent.
I feel very fortunate to have a connection with the candle makers of The Grown Collective in rural Virginia .They are incredibly patient, collaborating with us to perfect scents. They also make their own beautiful concrete vessels that can be re-purposed for other uses after the candle is burnt.
Working on scent #2.
Care Packages
We are currently making customized Care Packages including our favorite things for pick-up, local delivery and shipping in the US.
Local packages are filled with food from Path Valley Amish Cooperative in Pennsylvania who we have worked with and relied upon for decades. Vegetable availability changes weekly. Early summer highlights include strawberries, fava beans, garlic scapes, English peas, squash blossoms, eggs, honey… looking forward to white donut peaches and several varieties of eggplants which should be here soon.
We are also including food from our kitchen. This week we made charcoal bread and lemon thyme sugar cookies. We have a batch of mustard and some chili oil which should be ready to include in packages over the next couple of weeks.
Flowers can be added, anything from a tiny arrangement to a large scale piece. Blooms and foliage are being sourced at this time of year from local farms, our back yard, small farms across the US and occasionally from further away. I also have a great source for herb plants, vegetable plants and some other potted plants including small ferns.
We have a sourdough starter bread kit, a fresh compressed yeast bread kit, a pasta making kit and provisions with recipes for meals.
We have partnered with some friends and artisan makers and collected some products which you can add such as notebooks, soap, candles, essential oils and hand balm …
Packages prepared for shipping are built with products that will stay fresh and can include a mix of food and care items. Email me if we can make something for you.
Wedding For 3, Couple Plus Photographer
I made flowers and cake for a small but joyful wedding celebration. Anne Book planned, Laura Gordon (the only wedding “guest”) documented.
Collaborating with Kaifa of Plant and Blooms Reimagined
When I meet with couples for the first time we dream about design, color, in season blooms and other details for their celebration. Towards the end of the meeting I always ask them to take a moment and discuss what we are going to do with the flowers and foliage after the event. Often flowers are rearranged and delivered to next day brunches and centerpieces are wrapped up at the end of the party and handed to guests as they leave. Even when we do this usually there are still lots of remaining blooms. Kaifa makes it possible for us to give those blooms a second powerful life. Details about Plants and Blooms Reimagined can be found in this New York Times article.
Harper's Bazaar, The Top Wedding Florists in the U.S.
Harper’s Bazaar, thank you for including me. Kate Headley, thanks for the photo.
Meridian House, October 2019
A favorite- Inspiration was Dutch Masters paintings–– Coordination: Arney Walker, Photos: Jodi and Kurt, Catering: Occasions, Venue: Meridian House
Willard October 2019
Images: Maria Vicencio, Coordination: Cristina Calvert, Venue: The Willard
Inn at Perry Cabin, October 2019
Heartfelt wedding celebration- coordination: Kari Rider, photographs: Kimberly Florence Denn, venue: Inn at Perry Cabin, dahlias: LynnVale Studios
Chevy Chase Club, July 2019
Details from a favorite last year, images- Kate Headley, planning- Cristina Calvert, venue- Chevy Chase Club
Inn at Perry Cabin, September 2019
The weather did not cooperate but regardless it was a splendid celebration at The Inn at Perry Cabin, images: Elissa Bricker, planning: Anne Book, dahlias and other local blooms and foliage, LynnVale Studios, field grown roses: Rose Story Farm.
July, 2019 Hay Adams
I got to do flowers for Isabele Allende’s wedding at The Hay Adams, so cool.
All Foliage, Longview, August 2019
At Longview Gallery, Images: The Oberports, Coordination: The Plannery
Wedding for Two at 1508, April 2019
Two close friends celebrated their wedding with a private dinner at our house. We were thrilled to be part of the celebration- Kate Headley documented, there are so many good photos it was hard to choose!
Valentinas Birthday Party, June 2019
Beatrix Potter themed 1 year old birthday celebration with a potting station for guests–– planning: Pineapple Productions, images: Kate Headley, venue: Dumbarton House, catering: Occasions, paper: Cheree Berry, flowers and foliage: Rose Story Farm, LynnVale Studios…