An Elopement in Sun Valley

This past weekend a very nice couple, Mckenzie and DJ, eloped here in Sun Valley. The guests included the two of them, Hillary Maybery doubled as both the witness and the photographer, and the ceremony was officiated by Wendy Collins. I was lucky enough to make Mckenzie's bouquet. Here are the pictures from this wonderful elopement....

Giving Tree - A time to give books to kids

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am never without a book. And this has been a habit since I was a very little kid. I was very lucky to have parents who read out loud to me from the moment I was born and they never denied me a new book as I grew up. Basically what I am saying is that I strongly believe every child should have books and get to enjoy them as much as I do. On that note I wanted to encourage everyone to participate in a Giving Tree this holiday season. My very favorite local bookstore, Chapter One Bookstore, every year holds a fundraiser to raise money to give books to kids in need. In years past the county has given them a list of about 350 to 400 kids in need. Unfortunately this year they are anticipating over 1000 kids. So I am asking you to give the girls at Chapter One a call or stop in and give these kids some books. You can either pick out your favorite book to give to a child or you can just give a donation and the book elves will pick out the perfect book! So give them a call and give the gift of reading!

Chapter One Bookstore 208-726-5425

Tiss the Season for the Christmas Sweaters!

“Oh, the silent majesty of a winter’s morn… The clean, cool chill of the holiday air… Uncle Eddie in his bathrobe, emptying a chemical toilet into my sewer.”

A few nights ago I attended a great Christmas party, and part of that party was for each person to bring a gift for a White Elephant gift exchange. For any of you who might not know what that is, basically everyone brings a fun or funny gift, all the gifts are put in a pile and each person can either choose a gift or steal a gift from another person. So it turns out the gifts that were the stars of the show were a variety of ugly Christmas sweaters and the good old Snuggie. Since I also know I would be spending another fun filled night at an Ugly Christmas Sweater party later this month, I thought I would share a fun site for any of you who might be wanted to throw your own party. Since this party theme seems to be gaining steam, there has been web site dedicated to just this, UglyChristmasSweaterParty.com. The site will lead you to places you can buy sweaters, party ideas, and of course inspirational pictures.

And last but not least I can't leave you without the family who embraces the Christmas sweater better then anyone else, who else but Clark W. Griswold and his family. And a lasting holiday thought from Clark, sorry about the language, but what can I say it is funny!

"Where do you think you're going? Nobodies leaving. Nobodies walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse." Clark W. Griswold

This post is for you Lenny, my favorite Voice of Ketchum!!!

Fun Modern Cakes

When you turn on the television these days it seems like there are cake shows on all the time. There is the Cake Boss, Ace of Cakes, and all kinds of cake challenges on the food channel. I love to watch the shows but it seems like they do a lot of very traditional wedding cakes. So I thought I would find a little something else. I love these modern cakes, there is just something fun and different about them. I hope you enjoy....

cakes from top to bottom: Vanilla Bake Shop, K. Rose Cakes, Flickr, Brides

It's Civil War Time!!!

Today is the big day! Tonight the Oregon Ducks play the Oregon State Beavers. The game is called the Civil War and for those of you who either went to school in Oregon or are from Oregon, you know this is our biggest night in sports. And this year the stakes are even higher. This game will determine who goes to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on New Years and who becomes the PAC 10 Champions. And just to be totally clear, this blog only supports the DUCKS!! So tonight turn on ESPN at 6pm and watch the biggest game, on the west coast, of the year!

Floral Art

When I first started working in the flower business, I was lucky enough to live in LA where some of the greatest florist do their work. The following flower arrangements are from Floral Art in Venice. The flower arrangements this company does, most defiantly, shaped my style and my love of flowers. They have some of the most sophisticated and forward thinking flowers I have ever seen. I hope you enjoy these as much as me.

Time to get it started!!

Okay December is officially here, which means Christmas madness can officially begin. I do find it kind of odd that I spend almost everyday of December decorating other people's homes for Christmas and yet I still love looking at pictures of great Christmas decor. So to start it all off, I want to share a great holiday house featured in Veranda magazine last year. It is so far over the top that I just love it and keep hoping I get that client that wants me to recreate it. And I promise you will get a ton more Christmas out of me as the month goes on.