it’s important for you to know that i hate to be cold. hate it. i don’t particularly like to be blazing hot either. like most i choose a happy, comfortable, 78 degrees. i don’t like being cold because when i am i get chilled to the bone and then i stay that way all day. i have to take a hot bath and sit by a fire to even come close to being comfortable. i’m hyperbolizing, but you get the point: i don’t like to be cold.
keep all that in mind.
several years ago larkin was enrolled in a mommy and me swim class. we went once a week. i looked forward to the time with her, and the great nap she always gave me on swim days! i did not, however, look forward to swim class with lark for one reason: getting out of the pool. i was immediately chilled and i stayed that way for the rest of the day.
there were several mommies in our class and we would chat casually while our kids played. there was one i was particularly magnetized to. probably because she laughed at every running commentary i had about my daughter and her “swimming” abilities.
one lesson, i had had enough of feeling cold when i got out of the pool (i know it sounds silly, but hopefully you will understand on some level.) during play time i asked the instructor, “how old does larkin have to be to have lessons on her own? i mean how much longer until i don’t HAVE to get in the pool.” you would have thought i had just dropped a bunch of gnarly swears into the aquatic zone pool. all of the mommy except one (my friend, who was laughing her arse off) looked at me as if my suit had just materialized two scarlet letters: bm (BAD MOMMY). i had been marked as the mommy and me swim class pariah. i mean how could i possibly NOT want to be in the pool with my precious little one, during this time that is so fleeting, so special. why wouldn’t i want to be with her? swim with her? hang with her? i did! i was just sick of feeling so cold when getting out of the pool!!!!
i have to laugh now, boisterously, when i tell that story. it was such a classic moment for me of being so misunderstood by what i said and meant to say and how it was taken and internalized. i really didn’t care what those other moms thought. just thought it was funny, the reaction. i knew though, in that moment, that nancy was one of my people. she thought it was funny. she laughed with me, and the rest is aquatic zone history.
shortly after that class we took a break from swim. not because i had been shunned by all but one, but because i was just tired of being so cold. i decided to wait out on swim lessons until lark could get in by herself with the instructor (we just started up again a few weeks ago. i love staying dry and at a normal temp!! and watching both of my fish from the sidelines!!)
from that time a great friendship developed! nancy and i shared so many common interests; it was nice to find a friend with so much compassion and understanding. it wasn’t long before we discovered that our businesses were complimentary; we started collaborating and working together whenever we could. and have since. i appreciate her friendship and talent profoundly. i am so grateful to the aquatic zone. it brought me nancy.
nancy is a talent non-paralled. she amazes me. i could sit and talk to her about flowers, their origins, fragrances, symbolic meanings, when to have them in your home, when to not, what goes together well, what doesn’t. she knows everything about them; she also knows how to match flowers with people. it’s uncanny. she can create a bouquet that matches a personality perfectly. it’s phenomenal. if you are currently looking for a florist for any of your life’s events, nancy is the one you need to meet. you will meet her once and then want to meet her every week for the rest of your life. she makes you feel like you are the only person that matters, the only person who exists when she’s with you. she looks at you like she does flowers: she appreciates all their unique designs and charm.
i have so many nancy favorites to spotlight (not that she needs any spotlighting here; she is getting some very much deserved and noted press on many wedding blogs due to her spark, charm, and talent!!), but i thought i would share this one first. i loved the color pops and contrasts.
such a great blend of color, texture, and fragrance.
cake should be served on this plate, for sure. preferably wedding cake! ;) not only is she incredible with flowers, but she’s also quite handy with design and decorating!!
the flowers on a wedding day have swiftly become one of my favorite details. really, so much goes into them. so much thought to make them perfect and customized to the bride and the wedding theme.
nancy is a floral shakespeare. i want her lyrical poetry to be in my home, fresh, each day.
everything she touches is magic. everything.
and because i know she is dying to see…here are a few from our most recent collaboration: portraits of her and her son, bass. i respect her so much as a mother. she is balancing so much right now, sacrificing so much too, to be an entrepreneur and mom. i am infinitesimally inspired by her grace to take on all of the challenges of raising a baby on her own, and nurturing a thriving business.
just a few of my favorites:
love this one:
and this one; who am i kidding? i LOVE them all!!!
my mom calls that spot right behind your babies’ ears the sugar bowl. looks like a good sugar bowl kiss to me, right nanc? ;)
another fav, for sure:
nanc, i am so grateful for the aquatic zone. can’t pass by it, or even go to it without counting my lucky stars for it!! so happy we had that same mommy and me class. so happy you laughed at my jokes. so happy to have you in my life! thank you, from my heart, for being my friend; i am grateful. thank you for speaking to my creative spirit, with your amazing gifts and talents; i am blessed to see beauty through you!! i am so inspired by the sacrifices you make to support your son and still follow your dreams!! cheers to you nancy, and all you do!! much love friend, kj
for those of you looking for a very chic, and fashion forward florist, you MUST check out nancy work and book her for your next event, or wedding! you will not be disappointed. her work is other-worldy, and from the moment you meet you will have a friend for life!! check her out here: oak and the owl and follow her most recent work here on her blog.
veronica’s cousin, christina, a friend i had photographed previously, was coordinating the wedding and had taken care of several of the before, day of and back end details. i was so impressed with christina on the day of the wedding that during the dinner hour i asked her if she ever considered coordinating weddings or special events. she told me she had considered it, but was waiting for the right moment!! i am a sucker for female entrepreneurs so i told her that this was her moment and that she needed to be a part of this industry!! she has such a great vision, such panache and spirit, and when it’s time to take care of business she. makes. things. happen. and is no-nonsense!! i love it!!! i love her and i love what she is going to offer this industry!! if you are looking for a wedding coordinating, party planner or event orchestrator, christina would be so incredible to work with!! she will make you feel like the most important person while planning the most important day of your life!
and a little something reminiscent of 16 candles circa 1984
check out more of christina’s great ideas and work by watching this slide show!! be sure to check out her site too and keep her in mind for your wedding or next celebration!!!