Floral Design Workshop

On Saturday March 23rd I had the great good fortune to be a participant at a Floral Design Workshop at The Herbary Bear Creek Farm in Howell, NJ.

Dana Dore

Yes, the same creative spirit that designed this gorgeous arrangement Dana Dore headed the workshop. I’m a big fan of Dana’s through Instagram and I jumped at the chance to hop in the car for a bit to meet her in real life and learn from this talented lady!

The Herbary at Bear Creek Farm

Here’s Dana in the Greenhouse about to the start the workshop - and the finished arrangement we’d be creating.

Below the worktable at the ready.

To get started each participant had a vase with greenery and flowers that had been prepped for us and we each had a vessel and sheers. Once we had manipulated our chicken wire into place we started building our arrangements.

Dana is the Creative Director at the Herbary and she shared so much knowledge with us about how she builds an arrangement - her tools to achieve the best look possible. It was so informative. I have been displaying flowers in the Chalet for years but, I had no idea the concepts that go into Floral Bouquets. If you are within an hour or two I would highly recommend attending one of her workshops. 494 Lakewood Farmingdale Rd, Howell, NJ 07731 I know I’ll be returning - I already have four friends who want to attend the next!

I must say I am pretty proud of what I did! And the flowers smelled amazing! Thank you again Dana it was such a wonderful treat all the way around! You’re a joy!

The Herbary is available for private events.

They held an event on the evening of March 23rd - look at this stunning set-up!

They also have a lovely gift shop and cafe and are conveniently located not far from the Garden State Parkway and Shore points.

Follow Dana on Instagram at her feed @adoredhouse and on her Blog www.adoredhouse.com

Follow The Herbary at Bear Creak on Instagram @theherbarybearcreek and visit their website: www.bearcreekherbary.com

I wanted to share this image… after 6 days I took the original arrangement apart, trimmed, re-watered with floral fresh and rebuilt it in a smaller vessel using all I learned from Dana during the class.

Again many many thanks Dana!!!

Til next time my friends… I hope you try something new!

Ravishing Raven

I’ve been a fan of black in design for years. I’m sharing some images I’ve collected and what I think about the trend that has really grown legs over the lasts few years.

Ruthie Sommers

I’ve kept every single issue of Domino Magazine published - in it’s premiere issue shown left from Spring 2005 Designer Ruthie Sommers graced the cover and had the most scrumptious home I’d ever seen.

This was pre Instagram … pre Pinterest. Finding a magazine that showed spaces we wanted to live in… by cool people and the fact that it shared how to shop those designs… Like To Know It can thank Domino as the originator… but, I digress…The image above is from that issue. Dark walls are common place in 2019 oh but not so 14 years ago. This image literally blew my mind!

Here are some more that are just so good!!!

Christina Kim

Cameron Jones

Interiordesignze

Alison Sheffield

BLACK: LACKING HUE AND BRIGHTNESS; ABSORBING LIGHT WITHOUT REFLECTING ANY OF THE RAYS COMPOSING IT.

Black Ink Interiors

Tiina Treasure

lolio rugs

Christina Kelley

This dark rug really started my wheels turning… this design… white walls dark rug with light leather is the design I have in my minds eye for the walk out basement level here at the Chalet.

My friends Christina’s livingroom is a space I really admire - the comfy camel leather couch, mud cloth pillow and that dark rug!

Friendly Friday Grid

I do a Friendly Friday every week on the Gram - I share a grid of beauty from my saved images. Every week I focus on a different theme usually tied together by color…. I hope you’re following along over there!

Are you a fan of black in design or decor? Do you use it in your own home or your clients?

Please comment below!

Til next time!

Friendly Introduction

I recently met with Kristin Luciano founder of the House of Luciano one of the premiere New Jersey based Bridal Beauty firms - What better way to celebrate the First Day of Spring than introduce my readers to this wonderfully talented woman who makes her clients feel amazing on their special day!

“I’ve been a beauty enthusiast since my very first dance recital when I got to wear bright red lipstick and lots and lots of mascara for the first time! ”

Kristin has a delightful story of how she ended up the head of a Beauty Brand. You know that old saying about being in the right place…

One day while Kristin was studying Marketing at Loyola University her landlord told she and her roommates to bring the rent check to her at work… they had no idea what their landlords profession was - well - Debi Young a professional Make-Up Artist was on location. After delivering the check and meeting the late actor Alan Rickman - Kristin had a light-bulb moment - She could do Make-Up as a Career! She’d already been applying make-up on her friends and seeing how it made them feel better about themselves since high school. After graduation she attended The Makeup Shop while attending the school she interned for Tobi Britton in the Shop and still gets excited when she shares that Tobi paid them all in make-up. She was able to complete her Kit in no time!

I asked why Weddings? Kristin answered by saying “Weddings are always fun! Everyone is always happy and excited; why wouldn’t I want to work with such happy clients” Kristin also touched on her Make-Up philosophy - She only looks to enhance someone, she never wants to change them or have them look like someone else.

“I love my ladies look like themselves.”

House of Luciano has launched a line of Lipsticks and Glosses - to round out her clients Wedding day experience - so her ladies aren’t left without what they need to look fresh for the rest of the day. The formula has deep saturated colors and is extremely long wearing.

I should know I am lucky enough to have two beautiful shades!

Kristin has made the House of Luciano one of New Jersey’s premiere Bridal Beauty providers. She has earned top honors in the industry as a repeat "Best of Weddings" and “Hall of Fame” vendor on The Knot, as well as many features in New Jersey Bride, Manhattan Bride, Brides.com and Style Me Pretty. She maintains a valid Aesthetics License from the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology since 2006.

Kristin shared a Fan Girl moment with me - she recounted - seeing Make-Up Artist and Business Woman Bobbi Brown at a Soul Cycle Class - Yes, she went up to her and told her what a fan she was of her products and that she used them with her own clients!

MAXIMIZE YOUR OWN LASHES BLOG: http://www.houseofluciano.com/new-blog/2018/10/10/how-i-do-my-lashes INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/houseofluciano/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/house.of.luciano TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KristinLuciano

Even if you’re wedding day was years ago…You will learn useful tips and see hands-on product demonstrations on Kristin’s wonderful blog and tutorials on YouTube. I highly recommend checking them out!

I loved interviewing Kristin and I look forward to sharing more entrepreneurial women with you.

Til next time!