the {Stella Posy}

STELLAmommy: We Have a Climber

2012-01-31T14:58:00.000-08:00

Thing 1 just figured out how to climb out of his crib. Nooooooo! I knew this would happen.

We got lucky with Thing 1. It never once crossed his mind as a toddler that climbing out of the crib would lead to freedom. Even when we did get him his "big boy bed", he never got out. A creature of habit and follower of rules (like me), Thing 1 is a dear in that respect.

Thing 2 is a whole different enchilada. He's confident in ways Thing 1 is not. This little iconoclast is the sweetest test of independence I know (much like his daddy). I've been in denial about getting a "big boy bed" for him because I knew he would be in and out of that thing like a revolving door. Darn it all.

Good bye crib. Hello big boy bed. Now, which to chose?

via Stella & Henry

via Iheartorganizing

via Land of Nod

via Stella & Henry

via Pottery Barn Kids

STELLAposy: Alt Summit Recap

2012-01-30T21:12:00.000-08:00

You know how you spend your teenage years and twenties trying to find the right crowd to hang out with? Maybe you adjust who you are to fit in with the crowd you think you should be a part of? Then, you finally figure out who you are and look for the right people to expand the greater you?

That’s how I feel now looking back on the two days I spent at the Altitude Design Summit. OK, I didn’t sport the high bun or the bright red lipstick (the uniform of choice for fashionables at Alt), but I felt like, “Hey, these are my peeps. I don’t know any of them, but I kinda do.”

This being my first year, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I relied on my friend/art director/food blogger/veteran Alt attendee, Heidi Larson of Foodiecrush, to be my guide. And thanks to a last minute connection with another friend, Larkyn Mungovan of Little Willow, I had my two buddies to keep me comfortable in this 500+ mob of creatives. We did our own thing then “checked in” with each other in between panels and for lunch. We had a good system.

Not only was I an Alt rookie, I’m a media rookie. I’ve spent the last seven years running an event and floral design business and it was just this year that I got the opportunity of a lifetime to be the Editor for Utah Bride & Groom magazine (which I love). Simply, I went to Alt to get a better understanding for online media.

Naively I thought that I would find the answers to “How much money do bloggers really make?” or “Are magazines a dying breed?” There was no mention of dollar amounts and only time will tell if magazines will exist when my kids are media readers.

Admittedly, I felt a little lost the first day. In panels like “Site Dos and Don’ts” and “What Can Small Sites Learn from Big Communities?”, I was definitely the rookie amongst the experts. It was a little overwhelming/daunting/exhilarating.

I didn’t start seeing the big picture until now—days later—after letting all the eye-candy fashions, media superstardom, and sponsored mini-parties set in. (I also had to let my conference cold subside.)

The bigger picture also came to me after reading this post in the Huffington Post about Alt Summit. Author, Estelle Hayes, refers to these micro-mommy-economies grass roots effort as "Blog-powered stylists, designers and event planners [who] are relentlessly reshaping everything from store design to food trends to wedding aesthetics." To me, it all seems a little MLM-esque; I-help-you-you-help-me philosophy, but hey, it's the entrepreneurial spirit at its best….and best-dressed.

This was no how-to conference. No, this bunch didn’t need lectures or tutorials. They just needed a little this-is-how-I-did-it-now-you-throw-your-own-magic potion-into-it-and-see-what-happens. All in all, it was pretty magical.

Here are a few of my fave moments of Alt:

1. I can’t tell you how the phrase “Days are long. Years are short.” from Gretchen Rubin, author of the Happiness Project, resonated with me. I can honestly say that alone has changed my attitude since Alt.

2. Devoutly listening to media mavens Pilar Guzman, Deborah Needleman, Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, discussing “The Relationship between Traditional Media and New Media.” Seems like the jury is still out on this question, but the two worlds are definitely colliding.

3. During this keynote I couldn’t decide if I was impressed or concerned by the two 20-somethings I sat next to who tweeted pedantically during the keynote. Feeling like the old-fogey for one of the first times ever in my professional career, I asked her, “Did you tweet the entire keynote? How did you do that?” She laughed (like young folk do to old folk when they’re really thinking “You’re too old to get it.”) and ever politely told me, “It just takes practice.” Cute.

4. Ben Silbermann of Pinterest. Is that guy humble or what? His “west coast thinking” that Pinterest is about a "community of sharing" was endearing (although secretly, I was screaming to him in my head, Ben, seriously, how much money are making?) and I loved when he said to hire people smarter than yourself. Then followed up with, “I wouldn’t get a job working at Pinterest if I tried now.” That guy deserves to be making millions.

5. I loved, loved, loved my roundtable session with Jaimee Rose, Journalism Basics for Bloggers. After all, journalism is the heart of all this banter. May as well do it right. (Wait, was that grammatically correct?)

6. Via twitter during lunch, I scored a one-on-one interview with Emily Henderson. Eeeeks. I’m a big fan, so that made my year. You can see the interview over here at Utah Style & Design magazine.

7. I loved going through my card collection at the end of the conference to recall who I met. I felt like a nobody going into the conference and left feeling like I was maybe, just maybe, a part of a club, or a movement, or a revolution of sorts. Time will tell, I guess.

8. Lunch was superb. Oops, did I just admit to lunch being amazing? Well, yes, it was (this mommy never gets to sit down to enjoy a meal like that).

9. Sitting in the front row at everything. Nerd alert.

10. Somewhat unrelated to anything design, I was soooo proud of my city, the host. All the out-of-towners spoke highly of our little city and I was beaming with pride. Thanks Salt Lake City and the Grand America for looking so cool.

photo via design crush

STELLAme: A Look Back on 2011

2012-01-03T08:36:00.000-08:00

Everyone is blogging about their New Year's resolution for 2012. Well, like most things—dinner dates, doctor's appointments, puberty—I'm a tad late. But there's a really good reason for that. I'm still basking in the glory of hitting many of my 2011 resolutions.

As the clock struck midnight last year, I felt defeated. Without going into a rant about how exhausting I thought my life was (negative rants in the blogosphere really annoy me), the best word to describe it was unbalanced. Ok, ok, life was not really that bad. My boys were growing like weeds and absorbing the world right on schedule according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, The Mister's career was taking off, my floral business was doing okay despite decreased spending on weddings, and we were surrounded by the most loving and giving community of friends and family.

So, duh, what was there to complain about? It was quite simple. I felt like I was living behind a veil of to-do lists and chores. So much so, I didn't have time to enjoy this snazzy life. Last year I resolved to live a more balanced life. I wanted time with The Mister and, more importantly, I wanted time to myself. This wasn't just more time, folks, I needed any time. I craved order and predictability. Lastly, spending hours a day with my toddlers/"lunatics"/"the littles"/"Thing 1 & Thing 2" was driving me to seek out intellectual stimulation beyond Thomas the Tank Engine.

Fast forward to now, I'm coming to terms with the fact that life is NOT predictable and tied up with a pretty little bow. I can't control everything. Life is chaotic...especially with kids.

When I did weddings, I'd always have a bucket (or several, if I over-ordered) of extra flowers just in case I needed them at the last minute. I referred to it with my staff as the "Oh Shit Bucket". Oh shit, the bride wants a last minute corsage for her ex-sister-in-law who didn't RSVP. Oh shit, that hydrangea is wilting. Oh shit, the intimidating eastern-European pastry chef needs more flowers for his precious cake. The "Oh Shit Bucket" came in handy every.single.time.

The impossibility to obtain perfection leads me to conclude that life needs an "Oh Shit Bucket". Whether that includes money set aside for a rainy day, wipes and the extra diaper in the car in case of an emergency blow-out, or the energy to get through mile 23 at the end of the day that includes bath, clean-up, reading stories, and stall tactics of being thirsty, having to go the potty, or one more back/tummy rub. The ability to laugh at mistakes, instead of dwelling on how imperfect you are, is a nice reserve to have in the "Oh Shit Bucket." So is that one hug left at the end of a bad day to offer up to a deserving spouse.

Back to balance. I'd like to think in the passage of family life, I rounded a big corner this year. My baby is 2, which means I'm giving away baby items, I'm sleeping through the night (well, mostly), and I can leave my kids for a date with my hubby without hearing blood-curdling screams of "Moooommmyyy!" as I walk out the door. Alone time for me now is being able to confidently drop the kids into day care to work-out or reading a great book before I go to bed every night. It's not much, but I'll take it.

Oh, I also said, "No," to a number of things last year, which has helped tremendously in the free time category. And with great restraint, the hubs and I took two measly trips this year to save some dough.

With just a teeny, tiny, eensy-weensy bit of freedom, I had more date nights, more nights to myself, read more books, and went after a job I am crazy about. Mission accomplished.

What's to come this year? Well, I'm still thinking. Like getting my driver's license at 16 1/2, I'm taking my time. For now, here are some noteworthy events from 2011:

Our holiday card this year. Traveling with toddlers is really only fun if you end up here.

I crush on this photo of my man on the beach.

Thing 1, just before his 3rd birthday. First chair lift ride at Solitude.

Worth it's weight in gold: the Double Bob. I suppose the 2 kids + a friend is one too many passengers, but oh well.

Thing 2 just before getting tubes put in his ears. In retrospect, it wasn't that big of a deal. At the time, it was heart-wrenching and overwhelming to see all the little kids in the waiting room at Primary Children's Hospital. He was such a chunky monkey.

Thing 1 and Thing 2 in the floral cooler.

Yea, we go out. Sometimes. Ok, really not that much.

Behind the scenes of my new job as editor for Utah Bride & Groom magazine. Imagine shopping for wedding gowns without a budget. So.much.fun.

The first true interactions between the boys began this summer joking with each other beside the pool.

Ten-year-old Bailey Belle, our "first child", passed away this July. To this point, the decision to put her down was one of the most difficult decisions we've ever had to make as a couple. Hands down, the worst day of the 2011.

We let Bailey eat Banbury Cross donuts the morning we put her down.

Hiking around Park City 4th of July weekend.

Another somber moment. Grandma Cece, age 98, passed away this year. Her flowers were cheerful in all her favorite colors.

I love to dance. Spearhead at Red Butte Garden did not disappoint.

View of the Grand Tetons from Driggs, ID.

Love this shot. Boys wrestle like puppies. You think they are going to kill each other, but they somehow know their boundaries.

Just because.

My main squeeze at a friend's wedding at St. Regis Deer Valley.

Behind the scenes of another photo shoot for the magazine.

My last wedding at Empire Canyon Lodge was beautiful.

Enjoying lunch on a fall hike to Secret Lake, Alta.

First costume change.

Second costume change.

Said goodbye to the baby books. Yippee!

Oh yea, I'm 2 (with a sweet booger in my nose).

T takes to the lanes at Jupiter Bowl in Park City.

Our first Thanksgiving at our house.

Booyah. Turkey's done.

We called this The Great Toddler Christmas Adventure. Dinner and treasure hunt at The Grand America with a train ride to see the lights at Temple Square. By golly, a three-hour tour with two happy toddlers was a Christmas miracle.

Baby, this cupcakes is dewishous. Uh-huh.

Thing 2 gets up on skis for the first time at PCMR. After all my years of teaching other parents' kids, I finally get to teach mine to ski. A very proud mama moment, indeed.

Ta-da! My first issue is out on newsstands now. Cover photo by the lovely Sparkle Photography.

Royal Wedding Wow: What does all this hoopla mean for Utah brides?

2011-04-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

As I watched the Royal Wedding I was transported to a younger freckled-face version of me getting goose bumps while watching a Disney fairy tale. Today, I had butterflies seeing the future Queen of England with her cool-as-a-cucumber face walk down the aisle to the sound of the glorious church bells clanging in the background.

First off, the dress. I LOVED it! It was classic, yet modern and modest, yet fitted and a bit sexy with the see-through lace and the plunging neckline. Tailored, yet feminine as well. We will be seeing versions of Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen's gown for years. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see it this year walking down the aisles of some our Utah venues. Unlike Princess Diana's over-the-top (some might throw in the word "cream puff" here) gown, the style of Kate's dress is gracefully understated and thus, less-expensive versions of this dress will be very accessible to the average wedding gown consumer (or "commoner" if you would like to practice your British accent here). Bridal boutiques, stock up on this one.

The flowers....thumbs up! Hollywoodlife.com reports, "Shane Connolly, the florist responsible for decorating Westminster Abbey with eight maple trees, also designed Kate Middleton's gorgeous bouquet. Kate requested the wedding theme to be 'unpretentious, simple and natural,' which is also reflected in her flower arrangement."

Royal Wedding Flower Trends? Number one: smaller is better. Number two: all-white bouquets are here to stay. The mix of the lily of the valley and the hyacinth in her bouquet must have smelled like an English country garden in the spring.

Debonaire. 007. End of story.

Now, for the evening gown. Sorry to say this, but I was anticipating something a little more mermaid shape and less 'cute'. I think she could have gone for a little more pizzaz, however Kate can wear a paper sack and still look amazing, so I'll give her this one.
On the other hand, the evening gown on sister Pippa is GORGEOUS! (Here's a piece of advice to anyone getting a spray tan for their wedding. Try it a few times BEFORE you actually need the tan.)

If there was any question before about Kate Middleton being a style icon, then after this Royal Wedding she has sealed the deal. The best part of her display of simple modernity with classic regal touches is that, like photos of Grace Kelly's wedding, this wedding style is truly timeless.

Beyond the aesthetics of any wedding, the most valuable lesson Kate has given future brides-to-be is this. Your wedding style should interpret who YOU are above all else. Obviously I don't know Kate personally, but what I could interpret from her wedding style is that she did not give in to the pomp-and-circumstance of the crown she's wearing. And while she's not a rogue among the army of royals, her unpretentious bouquet and modern dress leads me to think she's a little bit of a rebel to tradition. Kate has left her style stamp on history, so if your a bride-to-be reading this, what's your style stamp going to be?

Eat your heart out Lady Gaga

2011-03-21T14:02:00.000-07:00

I wallowed this weekend because I was not dancing my derrière off at the Lady Gaga concert. I'm not a die hard fan (thus not willing to commit $250+ per seat for tix) just a lover of her catchy tunes and iconoclastic theatrics (and in dire need of a dance party), so I just had my own little pity party in my studio.

But look what came of this wallowing! I had a destination bride getting married on skis at the Park City Mountain Resort (love it!) and I had a special delivery to a friend from her book club to congratulate her on the arrival of her second baby girl.

Dear Lady Gaga,

You may be making millions in a Bad Romance not answering your Telephone with your Poker Face being followed by the Paparazzi, but here I am making The Little People smile on their special days.

Love, Val

Bridal bouquet

Junior Bridesmaids Bouquet

Bout.

For baby girl. I wasn't thrilled by any of the traditional baby girl pinks at the wholesaler, so I went with this coral/pink color (in the double French tulips and the snapdragons), which coincidentally is Pantone's Color of the Year: Honeysuckle.

This may look a little boring now, but just wait until the ori lilies and double tulips open!

StellaPosy in Utah Style & Design magazine!

2011-03-16T14:34:00.001-07:00

While it continues to snow outside, pick up a copy of the Winter issue of 2011 Utah Style & Design (before the Spring issue comes out April 1st). We helped Angie Parrish of D'Lish Personal Chef Services with her table decor for a hearty pizza dinner with her girlfriends. Take a look at the photos done by Heidi Larsen, Utah Style's Art Director.

Darling Angie. Behind the scenes, she made this meal look like a piece of cake.

Angie requested the florals to be natural and rustic. She provided a simple sheet of kraft paper as a runner and with her Ikea candles, I just added some birch logs, the floral centerpieces, and some fragrant seeded eucalyptus to the tablescape. Of course, the pizza is the star of this display!

We threw one of the boxes of flowers behind the espresso panna cotta, but again the food is the definitely the focal point...as it should be.

OK, Worst-Photo-Ever Alert! It was a Sunday afternoon and I was not prepared to be photographed. Yucky, yuck. But let's get back to the flowers. In the sidebar of the article, we provide 11 tips for using florals and non-floral items for your at-home entertaining.

SPOILER ALERT: StellaPosy will make an appearance in the Summer issue of Utah Style & Design magazine (here's praying I'm a little more photogenic in the next photo!).

Thanks Utah Style & Design, Heidi and Angie for a wonderful collaboration!

Decorating for the corporate event

2011-03-16T13:30:00.001-07:00

Upon first glance of our website one would think, "Of course, they do weddings." While most of our business relies on weddings, we definitely have our share of corporate events. They range in function from 3-day destination corporate retreats to intimate, casual luncheons.

The main concerns from the client when getting hired to design a corporate event are:

#1. "I need to stay within a very tight budget."

#2. "I don't want it to look like a wedding."

#3. "I want it too look really nice."

Here are some ideas....

This was an event for an international financial company at Silver Lake Lodge in Deer Valley just a few weeks ago. From working with the event producer previously, I knew he prefers a more masculine looking, so I suggested using a dark espresso bengaline linen (not shimmery or shiny like a lamour would be) accompanied by these florals using white kale, thistle, safari sunset, and daylilies. I was a little hesitant about using those purple hydrangeas, but I needed that color and something to soften this apres-ski dinner against the more textural blooms.

I cannot say enough about this little number. Simple, modern, and chic.

These inexpensive ($40-ish) centerpieces are perfect for a casual luncheon. (These were for a springtime lunch at The Governor's Mansion)

Up at Stein Eriksen Lodge, we worked with the pastry chef to help display these mini cupcakes as the centerpiece. We sat the dish atop a twig bundle, then sprinkled green cymbidium orchids beneath and at each place setting.

StellaPosy provided the linens, the tables, the seagrass chairs & barstools, the flowers and the candles for this tented winter cocktail hour. (This was before the Great Recession hit and thus, the clients had a bit more of a budget to spend on JUST the cocktail hour!)

If you need to hire an event designer for your corporate event, give StellaPosy a call!! 801-959-5728.

Utah Bride & Groom Magazine Photo Shoot: Behind the Scenes

2011-01-10T08:48:00.000-08:00

Tennis anyone? The "Love Match" spread in the new 2011 issue of Utah Bride & Groom magazine came about last year during my first meeting with photographer Rebekah Westover. (We had worked together on a previous wedding, but like all weddings, we were so wrapped up in getting our jobs done, our paths never crossed the day of). We became instant buddies over coffee that day at Cafe Niche in downtown Salt Lake. Not only were we both passionate about our jobs, but we had both just had our second child. I was just so relieved to commiserate with someone who was balancing a busy work life with an infant who was up every 2 hours like mine.

After all the sleep deprivation chit chat, we finally got to wedding business. I expressed to Rebekah that after all my vintage and/or rustic weddings (which of course, I LOVE), I was really craving a bride that was looking to design a preppy and contemporary wedding. What I had in mind was a cross between Kate Spade prepster and a contemporary contrast the evokes images of Kelly Wearstler's interior design at The Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica (ever been? it is SoCal and so cool).

That's when Rebekah's wheels started turning and she came up with the idea after a phone call with Tessa Wolf at Utah Bride to do an "Inspiration to Reality" article where wedding pros come together to create our own "wedding" based upon this design concept.

What about location? Well, let's just say I had a connection at this oh-la-la private residence.

Here are some of my favorite flower shots from the photo shoot. Enjoy!

Table #1

Close up of table 1. Not just one main centerpiece here. Ever heard of a "tablescape"? Well, here's an example.

Rebekah brought along those yellow chairs and I love what they did for many of the shots. I also dig the reflection in the pool.

The green trellis pillows (and the navy ones on the couch) came from Willa Skye Home at Etsy.com. As a side note, the service was superb considering I was begging them to ship just a few days before the shoot. And now I'm enjoying these pillows on MY couch at home.

With the mountain and the reflection of the table in the pool, this is my FAVORITE shot.

I have 3 words for you here: ALPINE EVENT RENTALS. These guys brought out one of their brand new white leather sofas and outomans for the shoot. I've used them for several events, so let me just say, they are hands-down the BEST company for the job. Thanks Shane & Wyatt!

The centerpiece below was so simple and architectural using football mums, mini calla posies, phalaenopsis orchids and steel grass.

The pearls + the pockets + the bow tie = PREPPY love.

Notice on table #2, I stacked a few of the centerpieces on top of empty black vases to give some dimension to the table decor. If I could use phalaenopsis orchid plants (from The Orchid Dynasty) for every wedding, I would.

Funny story about the place settings! I purchased the plates and chargers from World Market. Before the shot started, neighbors were rushing over to check it out. Being interior designers and entertainers (of the food variety, not the other kind of entertainer), they graciously offered up their collections of goblets and silverware. Talk about some snazzy neighbors!

I loved these yellow "tennis balls" on the crystal candlesticks.

My hubby and I have had these darn tennis racquets through several moves between Utah and California and back again. I am so pleased I was finally able to put them to good use.

Game. Set. Match.

Boo! It's a Halloween House Party (for the big kids)!

2010-10-31T14:21:00.000-07:00

This wasn't just any Halloween party. Sarah (in the 1st photo) took great pleasure in hosting Halloween parties until she past away 5 years ago. This year Sarah's best friend, Clover, decided it was time to bring back the tradition and StellaPosy was lucky enough to help out a bit with creating a little spookiness in her home.

For florals, we used white roses and white spider (no pun intended) mums with those little black spiders "crawling" inside the blooms (Thanks, Martha Stewart Living). We also used thick layers of Black Magic rose petals and black feathers throughout her living and dining room.

Clover did a lovely job with the floating candles. You can see the rose petals and black feathers here.

Can you see those super ADORABLE skeleton cookies from Granite Bakery?

I cannot take credit for these eyeball Cosmos with black sugar rims (Clover did good). But I can take credit for drinking too many!

These manzanita trees were the perfect effect.

The appropriately-named Spider mums.

That was for the adults. The kids got to "party" the next night...

Easy table decor: Book Club

2010-10-29T09:58:00.000-07:00

Nothing brings me more excitement than a night with my book club. These ladies are class-A, super sharp, and as you can see, gorgeous. In addition, they are all really good chefs. I'm not quite sure how they let me "in", but I really try to live up to their culinary and cerebral standards.

I cannot cook, but I can set a dang good table. My dear friend, Maria, helped me with the menu: salmon with mango salsa, cilantro rice and green salad. I wasn't able to take close-up photos of the table setting, but you can see, its VERY simple and INEXPENSIVE to do.

That's me at the head of the table. It was a baby shower for our friend Alethia, so we all wore PINK and I served pink lemonade.

The trick of this table setting is SO easy. I purchased a thick, high-quality wrapping paper for the "runner" and for the "placemats". Since I already owned green napkins, I choose RASPBERRY PINK and MOSS GREEN as my color palette. Since I have a very narrow table, I just use bud vases, votives, and hot pink rose petals going down the center.

I used these fabulous "double" lilies, which are a new variety I just saw for the first time this summer. They are as fragrant as their cousin, but you don't have to worry about the messy pollen stems. I also put a few single stems of hot pink hydrangea in bud vases to add that extra punch of color.

Remembering my Mexico wedding

2010-10-18T14:38:00.000-07:00

I got married seven years ago in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I would like to think that my friends that married before me started the whole destination wedding craze. To this day, I have only attended 4 weddings in Salt Lake City and the rest of them have been in destinations like Carmel, Saratoga Springs, Pointe Reyes, and Palm Springs (California got a lotta money out of me). We (me and the Mister) also traveled to Southern Utah, Rhode Island, Virginia, Illinois, New Hampshire and the South of France. Seriously, I have spent the last 10 years planning vacations around the weddings of my best friends. Not a bad way to live, huh?

Why get married in Mexico? The night we got engaged, our first thought was getting married on the beach. How romantic, right? Well, it was. Since then, I've seen several weddings working on the planning side and although there are tiny details here and there I think to myself "Oh, I should have done that", I still would not have changed a thing. It was my perfect day.

But then Martha (and Style Me Pretty) goes and publishes this fantastic Puerto Vallarta wedding just to show me up! Shame on the photographer Kate Headley for taking such fabulous shots. (You know I kid, right?) This is definitely a wedding that is making me think, "Oh, I would totally do that again."

K, wait...I just have to point out (since we are all about flowers here) that these lilies are fabulous. I used to think that lilies were a little too everyday for weddings, but I've been using them lately as a less expensive substitute for orchids. They really can take on an exotic mood, as shown here.

You can view more photos here from Style Me Pretty. (Please note that StellaPosy did not provide these florals.)

If you went back to your wedding day, what would you change?

Petal and Print: Fabric flowers

2010-10-06T14:58:00.000-07:00

These fabric flowers could just put me out of business, but I had to share them because they are delightful. They are custom hand cut, hand dyed, hand ruffled, and hand sewn by Katie McDonough from Petal and Print based out of Baltimore, Maryland. Lead time is about 6 weeks, but can be longer or shorter depending on the complexity of the order. Much like working with StellaPosy, Katie recommends sending along color swatches and any other visual ideas of what your wedding style is. Katie ships nationwide and the great thing about these beauties is that you can hold onto them as a keepsake after your wedding. Katie, we love your work!

Freedom of Creative Reign

2010-10-05T14:31:00.000-07:00

Typically, I am instructed to do what my clients tell me to do. I have all the freedom to offer up suggestions, but when it comes down to it, my client is, well, the boss. So it's always a great pleasure when I'm hired by a client (ok, it was my mother-in-law) to do whatever I want. Keeping in mind our budget, here's what StellaPosy did for her company party.

We used very structured and shapely groupings of flowers (a nod to one of my fave florists, Jeff Leatham) using yellow cymbidium orchids, avalanche roses, peegee hydrangeas (from my garden!) and some tropical leaves. I also threw in some bittersweet and viburnum berries just because I was really feeling drawn to the autumnal berries at the flower market. Have a looksie...

Bringing preppy back

2010-08-17T14:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Preppy, where have you been? Gosh, don't get me wrong I do love the vintage, retro, anthropolgie-inspired weddings, but I was really craving some clean lines and bright colors. So, in walks Rebecca into my studio. Many StellaPosy brides are destination brides with a mountain rustic wedding on their minds, however Rebecca is from the good ol' S.L.C. and while she choose the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley to celebrate her nuptials, she was very clear on what she wanted: simple, clean, fresh, bright and cheerful. Oh yeah, bring it on.

The lemons and limes have a little 2003 vibe to them (is 2003 retro, yet?). Fruits mixed in with flowers was uber-popular right before I started StellaPosy and I can see why. Yellow and green are a phenomonally fresh color palette. Along with the fruit, we created very simple "cloud" of white and yellow flowers for Rebecca. Check out those enormous yellow Deja Vu roses!

Oh, I apologize for the quality of photos. I had to use my iPhone. Once I get the professional photos from Swenson Photography, I will post those!

Deer Valley Wedding: Southern hospitality in the Wasatch Mountains

2010-06-17T20:26:00.000-07:00

Designing a wedding is not an easy task over the phone and while this was not my first destination bride to have hired me over the phone, this Southern bride knew exactly what she wanted. She sent me photoshopped photos of her ideas for the ceremony "trees" that we built her and tracked down the exact name of the dahlias she spotted on the Style Me Pretty blog here. Since we didn't meet until 2 days before the wedding, the bride requested we replicate as closely as we could this Style Me Pretty wedding. Of course, this could present its challenges, but I really think we nailed it.

Check out those dahlias!! These Cafe Au Lait Dinnerplate dahlias were larger than my hand. Huge! With the soft hued garden roses, white hydrangea and magnolia (this was our Southern addition), this Stein Eriksen Lodge wedding was warm and classic.

In fact, warm was a key factor since my car read 38 degrees when I arrived to set up that morning. If rain on your wedding means luck, what does rain, snow, wind and fog mean? Ha! They had every intention to marry outside on the Flagstaff Deck overlooking the ski runs, but that chilly June frost forced an indoor wedding by the fireplace.

Baby Shower Ideas: Incorporating gifts (oh, and flowers) into your table decor

2010-05-21T12:52:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm on baby #2 and I've been to several baby showers in the last 6 years, when Doug Smith of Scenemakers approached me about donating a "Party in a Box" for the Rape Recovery Center's Auction this year, I was naturally drawn to a baby shower theme.

My first idea was not an original. In fact, I will give credit where credit is due. This onsie clothesline came from one of the first baby showers I attended for my dear friend, Kendall. The hostesses had put an 8-foot or so long clothesline into a laundry hamper (also a gift). Then with a drumroll, 2 of the hostesses took each end and with a grand Ta-Da!, several pink and white onsies and burp cloths were strung from one end of the living room to the other end. Adorable!

From there, I wanted to be sure that this was a unisex "box" so it would appeal to any bidder at the auction. I used bright hues of yellow and green with a hint of blue and hot pink. Many of the items I accrued from World Market and Target.

My Party was titled "Brunch for Baby" that included:

Simple bud vases of singular flower groupings,

a diaper bag filled with swaddle blankets, a duckie bath towel, onsies, and diapers,

juice glasses and lemonade,

a cupcake tower and a floral runner,

a diaper "cake" (not sure if that's just a Utah thing or not),

and simple white ceramic plates and cereal bowls, kelly green placemats, and bright blue napkins.

Park City Wedding: Winter meets spring, Part 2

2010-04-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

Oh, I just knew that Mitch and Ryan's photos from ZumaPhoto would really show off this March Park City wedding. Here's a recap: Ceremony at the Park City Community Church, Reception at Stein Eriksen Lodge, wedding designed & planned by Soiree Productions. So without further ado, here you go...

Park City Wedding: Winter meets spring

2010-03-12T19:33:00.000-08:00

It's about this time of year that I start jonesing for spring to arrive. Don't get me wrong, I adore winter weddings, but March means SPRING, right?

Last weekend, StellaPosy worked with Soiree Productions to design a rustic and classic winter look using bare branches and icicles, warm hues of chocolate and burgundy and a hint of a soft sage green, BUT it also had the perfect spring surprise...cream french tulips peaking out beneath the velvety layer of dahlias. I took these photos below, but I cannot wait to see what Mitch and Ryan of ZumaPhoto captured.

Burgundy dahlia bout with silver brunia and a tiny dahlia bud

How 'bout this combo of chocolate and burgundy dahlias, huh?

K, my photography doesn't do the centerpieces justice, but with the pin-spotting and the candles in the Stein Eriksen Lodge ballroom, the centerpieces were a dramatic creation.

I got several compliments on these boxes I hung from the pews of The Park City Community Church. One person said, "I've never seen anything so beautiful!"

Soiree didn't give us any guidelines on these lovely little cocktail table centerpieces, so we went a little vintage-y and old-fashioned here with the Sahara roses, lambs ear, cream dahlias, and Black Beauty roses on the champagne lamour linen.

The StellaPosy Difference: The Mock-Up

2010-03-05T16:15:00.000-08:00

Going into our 6th wedding season, I'm very confident that we offer a service that most floral designers don't offer...a mock-up. While it benefits the clients to see what is to be delivered the day of the wedding, it greatly helps me to sleep better the night before the wedding knowing that the client knows what to expect. A few months before your event, we can put together a mini-version of the bridal bouquet for your bridal photos or as in the example below, we can do a centerpiece mock-up.

Here is a mock-up I did for a rehearsal dinner coming up this April at Empire Canyon Lodge in Deer Valley. This is what I interpreted from the bride telling me she wanted something bright to go with the "dressy denim" theme. By hiring StellaPosy, you put a ton of trust into our hands to transform your words into a floral piece of art. Well, I've developed a thick skin running my own business and because of this, I don't mind at all if the client tells me its not what they envisioned. And in this case, that is exactly what happened!

Fortunately, this bride and groom happen to be one of my favorite couples EVER and hearing them say that this was not what they were thinking wasn't heartbreaking. In fact, by offering up this mock-up, the 3 of us were better able to pinpoint what they wanted. Stay tuned to see what the final product looks like in April...

Hindu wedding at Deer Valley

2010-03-03T15:51:00.000-08:00

You just have to enjoy these photos from Nick Sokoloff of our Valentine's Day wedding at Stein Eriksen Lodge. Soiree Productions and StellaPosy designed an extravagant and lush garden feel on the mandap and centerpieces using phaleonopsis orchids, hanging amaranthus, hydrangea, oriental lillies and smilax vine. By using all white flowers, the jewel-toned colors of the ceremony really pops, doesn't it?

You must check out Soiree's blog and Nick's blog for more stunning photos!!

Simone Carvalli Gowns at White Couture Feb 26-27

2010-02-18T20:21:00.000-08:00

SIMONE CARVALLI

Traveling Gown Collection
White Couture Designer Bridal & Tuxedos
Friday and Saturday, February 26-27,2010
(435) 655-3180

The amazing Simone Carvalli collection of gowns is coming to White Couture Designer Bridal & Tuxedos in Park City. This collection is not available in stores and is here for you to try on at your personal gown fitting. Don't miss this opportunity. Gowns begin at $800. Ballgowns, A-lines, Mermaids--don't miss it. Call us to schedule your gown fitting at (435) 655-3180. Conveniently located off of I-80 at the Jeremy Ranch Exit. Just 20 minutes from Salt Lake City you'll find us in the Quarry Village Shopping Center in Lower Pinebrook (next to Fresh Market).

Up, up, up Lindsey Vonn!!

2010-02-16T20:12:00.000-08:00

I will be rooting for Lindsey Vonn in tomorrow's Olympic Downhill. StellaPosy provided the florals for Lindsay's wedding back in September 2007 and at the time not very many Americans were familiar with this champion ski racer, but as of this week, she is a household name. The fact that she's gorgeous certainly doesn't harm her reputation either....maybe Chapstick should book her as the next Suzy Chapstick - ha!

This is the view from the Silver Lake Lodge deck in Deer Valley on the day of their wedding. Thomas and Lindsay's ceremony was supposed to be outside on the grass, but as you can see from this photo, the ceremony was moved indoors.
Good luck Lindsey!!

Etsy Wedding Blog: My new find

2010-02-03T15:28:00.000-08:00

I am a window-shoppin' freak for Etsy. I could spend HOURS browsing for handmade wall art, jewelry, handbags, scarves, baby items, wedding decor, etc. It's like strolling inside an art museum's gift boutique when you're just salivating for something unique to take home. Last week, during the one hour mindless browsing I do right before I retire for the evening once the boys are in bed, I came across the jackpot for any eclectic bride looking for some lovely wedding ideas.

The Etsy Wedding Blog. Pure genius!

Oh wait!! While I am it, I should probably toot a horn for a friend on mine who sells deliciously girlie items perfect for bridesmaids gifts and accessories. Check back frequently as she is always adding more items. Or become a fan of hers on Facebook and she'll notify you as she completes more of her beauties (just wait to see her baby hats!).

BuonaSarah

(this photo is the artist herself. Isn't she LOVELY?)

(I want to buy this necklace just because its "Glee Inspired". Watching a show about high school glee clubbers is one of my many guilty pleasures.)

WOW for whites!

2010-01-25T21:28:00.000-08:00

In addition to featuring StellaPosy's bouquet (recently published in Utah Bride and Groom Magazine), The Pink Blossom List blog posted several other dazzling white bouquets. Check it out HERE!

If you have never read The Pink Blossom List, it's a great read for anyone in the wedding biz or anyone interested in entering the wedding business. One of the founders is Nancy Liu Chin of Nancy Liu Chin Designs in San Francisco. Every since she did the flowers for a good friend of mine's wedding (hello to Alex & Becca!) several years ago, I've been a huge fan of her fresh designs. She's also a marketing maven who knows how to get her name out there in the wedding world.

What an honor to be recognized by The Pink Blossom List!

A new love for StellaPosy: Talan Beck

2010-01-23T20:19:00.000-08:00

I never thought about including anything from my personal life on this blog. I figured my visitors don't want to weed through diaries of a my life when they are looking to get inspired for their wedding. However, I thought I'd offer a snippet of what is going on behind the scenes of StellaPosy right this moment. I'm in love!

For you brides that are currently head over heels planning your wedding and reminiscing over how you came to fall in love with your fiance, allow me to press a fast forward button for you...

Assuming you eventually have kids, here's a taste of what might happen. First of all, you will fall in love with your husband a hundred times over when you watch him become a dad. (I mean, there's nothing sexier than a guy who is holding his baby in his arms!) Secondly, your heart will pound a thousand time stronger when your offspring offers you the biggest smile he or she can possible make....or better yet, when they can finally tell you they love you (god, I'm tearing up just thinking of it!). On my wedding day, I never thought I could be happier in my life, but currently I'm at the height of happiness.

Yea, yea...take away the sleep deprivation and the fact that I am juggling 2 kids under 2 and a business, I am the happiest I've ever been. So, with no further ado, here is my newest love...

Talan Beck Rasmussen

And we can't forget to mention Big Brother, Aksel Pierce

Wow! A new venue in Deer Valley: St. Regis Deer Crest

2009-12-18T16:29:00.000-08:00

With every new client, there a chance to create something unique. That's what makes me passionate about my job. There's never a dull day in my studio because we're constantly thinking of new ideas, new designs, new architecture, new color palettes, new vignettes, and so on. So when I get a chance to design within a new space, I'm bursting with excitement!

Enter the St. Regis at Deer Crest in Deer Valley. I visited the site about 6 weeks ago and received a hard hat (yes, hard hat and goggles) tour. With the amount of construction left to be done, I could not believe that they were planning on having their ribbon-cutting by the beginning of ski season. No way, I thought to myself.

And sure enough, it was. Today I visited to see the completed resort and wow, it is truly a one-of-a-kind resort in Utah. Not only was I envisioning myself skiing up to their "Beach" this winter for an apres-ski drink, but I was also imagining all the florals I could use for summer weddings. Check it out!

Thanks for a great party, Alta Moda!

2009-12-16T16:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Hilary and her team from Alta Moda Bridal for putting together another fabulous Christmas Party. While I get to see other wedding industry pros throughout the event season, I never get a chance to say more than "Hi!" while we're all making rushed preparations on the event day. These soirees provide the much needed time to mingle and enjoy each others' company.

It was a pleasure catching up with Pepper Nix of Pepper Nix Photography, Mitch Burt of ZumaPhoto, Tessa Wolf of Utah Bride and Groom Magazine and Michael Lucarelli, celebrated classical guitarist.

Even more exciting was being introduced to wedding bloggers Meghan and Audrey from UtahBrideBlog.com and photographer, Jacque of Jacque Lynn Photography.

Oh, by the way, if you're in the market for a wedding dress, take your family and friends with you to Alta Moda to enjoy their newly renovated VIP dressing room.

Here's a shot of me with Hilary (left) and Tessa (right).

Rain, rain, go away

2009-11-05T21:01:00.000-08:00

Check out this week's blog post from Soiree Productions. While StellaPosy and Soiree pride ourselves in creating unique weddings for our clients, this June wedding at Stein Eriksen Lodge had a similar theme to the other June weddings we had this year: dodging the rain. With just 1 hour before the ceremony, the call was finally made to have the ceremony outside on Stein Eriksen's deck. Rapidly our 7-man crew placed the ceremony flowers on the deck just in time for the guests to be seated. Miraculously, the rain cleared about 5 minutes before the 5pm start time. Whew!

Here's a quote from Soiree's blog:

Our planners designed the table top with white and green arrangements. We incorporated three different looks; some tables showcased a tall centerpiece with branches and blooming flowers, while the other had a similar look with smaller vases, and the third (my personal favorite) had a cute table lamp with an ivory drum shade surrounded by beautiful floral to finish off the modern feel. StellaPosy brought our look to life. Val is so talented at reading our minds and working with us on every detail.

Well, we try our best and we succeeded on this rainy June day. Thanks to Rebekah Westover for these stunning photos.

Congrats to Soiree Productions for 10 super stylin' years!!

2009-10-28T20:42:00.001-07:00

Oh my, we had a blast last night at Soiree Production's 10th Anniversary party. After all the weddings StellaPosy has worked on with Soiree, it was delightful to be able to be on the receiving end of one of their parties. Sadly, we should have been throwing the party for them.

Lillie, Kristen and Christina treated us to champagne (k, I admit to having a little despite a bun in the oven), hors d'oeuvres (you better believe I just spelled-checked that) by Culinary Crafts, fajitas from Utah Food Services, favor cookies by Lanner's Cookies (which I'm devouring right now) and music by The Salamanders. I also got to play around with my other industry pals in the photo booths provided by FotoCabina and Shutterbooth. I know I may regret posting these photos in all my pregnant glory, but hey, a girl has to cut loose a little after a busy summer of weddings.

Thanks so much to Soiree and congrats!!

This is me and Tessa Wolf, the editor of Utah Bride and Groom Magazine.

Then, here's me with Tessa, Christina Hadlow of Soiree, and Robert Upwall from Every Blooming Thing. Robert confirmed the baby is doing just fine.

Nerd alert! New series on TLC: "Flowers Uncut"

2009-10-22T20:20:00.000-07:00

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! This is where I admit to being a total flower nerd. Ready? Ok.

I already have my DVR set for TLC's new docu-series, "Flowers Uncut", featuring Jeff Leatham. Leatham is the Artistic Director for the Four Seasons Hotel and based in George V in Paris. If you've ever visited a Four Seasons Hotel, you can view his bold, structural silhouettes of single flower arrangements on display in their lobbies. These displays literally make my heart skip a beat and my mouth water. Truly stunning!

I can hardly wait to go behind the scenes of Leatham's luxury weddings from around the world! "Flowers Uncut" starts in November on TLC.

(Note: the images above are Leatham designs, not StellaPosy's)

$100 off at White Couture

2009-10-14T16:37:00.000-07:00

For the month of October, White Couture is offering a $100 certificate to be used at their shop in Jeremy Ranch, Park City on anything. To qualify, you must follow the White Couture blog and leave a comment.

Don't forget to leave a comment to win!!

Modern wedding in the Mountains: From NY to PC

2009-10-08T20:12:00.000-07:00

Check out this slideshow by Laura Negri Photography.

This August wedding was one of the most spectacular weddings StellaPosy has been a part of, thanks to Lillie Garrido and her team at Soiree Productions. The ceremony was held at the Temple Har Shalom in Park City under a candlelit chuppah with a reception following at The Chateaux at Silver Lake in Deer Valley.

This slideshow provided by Laura Negri Photography will show the layers of detail put into the design of this wedding. While flowers were just a piece of it, Soiree was the conductor of this symphonic event well beyond the 2am close out.

To complement the purple (fig bridesmaids dresses from Vera Wang) and chartreuse palette, StellaPosy provided an all-white bridal bouquet of phalenopsis orchids withwhite freesia and purple calla posies for the 11 bridesmaids. Pin-spotted at the reception were, tall and low centerpieces of dendrobian orchids, submerged cymbidium orchids, globe allium, 'blue' (even though they are actually purple) mokara orhchids, flex grass, and tropical leaves. This was definitely a departure from the rustic weddings we've done in the past. We LOVED the modernity of the designs we did for this wedding!

Approaching Autumn

2009-10-05T20:52:00.000-07:00

Brides, when hiring your wedding vendors, the most important quality to look for is that special "click". Hire professionals that you carry a good rapport with and voila, you arrive on your wedding day knowing that you've entrusted the best team to carry out your vision.

I'm not quite sure how it happens, but I get some of the best brides. A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to work with one of the sweetest brides, who wanted just a little hint of fall for her September wedding. For her burnt red/orange and chocolate palette, we used Estelle roses, Flame calla lilies, orange montbresia, Black Magic roses, and fern curls.

Divas & Fashionistas: Behind the scenes of a fashion photo shoot

2009-09-28T20:35:00.000-07:00

Lights, camera, fan, and action!! Today I lived out a dream of mine to be a fashion stylist!

Tulle, chiffon, hair spray, ruffles, roses, long lashes, crystals, stillettos, pearls, and oh my heaven's....this production was a lot more work than I ever imagined going into getting just that one shot. And while I don't want to spoil the whole shot for Riehl Events' new ad campaign, you'll just get a sneak peak of some of the details of the day above.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention our buying trip last week to seek out the perfect accessories for our stunning model. Hello, I think I discovered a talent I didn't know I have...accessorizing! Again, see some of the detail shots I got above for the yummy goods.

Jacque Riehl, owner and creative force behind Riehl Events, asked some of the best in the industry to be a part of her new campaign. One of my favorite things about working with Jacque is that she challenges me as an artist to seek out the cutting-edge of wedding and event design. She's got the heart and soul of a city girl and she wants to bring to Utah what people in high fashion and design see in NY and LA. It's a blast to be a part of her team on this shoot.

Here's the team:

Planning and Production - Riehl Events (www.riehlevents.com)
Florals - StellaPosy (www.stellaposy.com)
Wardrobe - Alta Moda Bridal Boutique (www.altamodabridal.com)
Hair and Makeup - Enizio Artistry (www.enizio.com)
Location - Utah Museum of Fine Arts (www.umfa.utah.edu)
Model - Shariana Suliafu http://www.modelmayhem.com/shariana
Photography - Dezember Photography (www.dezemberphoto.com)

High altitude attitude - Part 2

2009-09-01T18:50:00.000-07:00

Empire Canyon Lodge, Deer Valley, July - take 2. In reference to my last post, I will leave it to the professional photographer to make StellaPosy look REALLY good. These images were taken by Sparkle Photography a true talent and a sweetheart to boot. Check out her blog, too.

High altitude attitude

2009-08-31T12:36:00.001-07:00

Really, Deer Valley weddings are hard to beat. From the service to the scenery, these weddings are spectacular. Here are some pics from a wedding in July (I know I'm a little behind) at Empire Canyon Lodge. I love the simplicity of the event, produced by Soiree Productions. Notice the succulents in the bouquets - love, love, love 'em!

The Summer of Purple

2009-08-14T09:07:00.001-07:00

Hello, purple! Flower trends often follow fashion trends with regards to color. Think about it. What starts on the runways, heads to the retail shops, then onto the invitation studios, linen rentals shops, and finally landing on the prep tables of StellaPosy. Remember all the aubergine and eggplants you saw in shops like JCrew and BR last fall? Well, that hue was the "it" color of this wedding season, for sure. Up against the vibrant apple greens and the calm whites, the lavenders and plums really stood out. Here are a few examples:

Eco-Chic Table Decor

2009-07-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

Here's some ideas of how to be green for your next party.

1. Use recycled paper for your invitations, programs and menu cards.

2. Use a topiary-shaped tree as a centerpiece to be given to a special guest to take home and plant to remember your special event.

3. Use bamboo "china".

4. Use items available in nature like lichen-covered branches and shiny river rocks.

5. Use any shade of green as a backdrop to your green-themed affair. Green is the new black!

6. Use textiles made of natural materials.

7. Use soy-based candles.

8. Bring a garden to your table and use lots of flower from StellaPosy!

Vegas Showpieces

2009-07-02T11:16:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip to Vegas, I spotted these showpieces and had to show them off. Please let me emphasize that these are NOT StellaPosy creations, but we love that they inspire such a fun, whimsical theme. Thanks to the wonderful designer at the Bellagio.

It's springtime in the SLC

2009-05-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

Ahhh....the spring wedding. It seems like spring is in and out of here in a flash. While spring is my favorite season, most brides are a little skittish to book weddings in March, April and May when they can guarantee better weather in June. HOWEVER, I love my spring brides because I get to work with all my favorite flowers like peonies, ranunculas, parrot tulips, and viburnum. One might expect to see vibrant colors this time of year, but I really love the romance of the white and green bouquet. So gorgeous, just like the blushing spring bride.

Art in Bloom - UMFA

2009-05-19T15:45:00.000-07:00

It's been 3 years since the last Art in Bloom, but spring has sprung at the University of Utah Fine Arts Museum. This is the 2nd time StellaPosy has participated and while the permanent art collection at the museum is incredible, I was leaning toward a piece that was 'newer' and more modern.

Thus, I chose the oil painting Rooftops, Red Warehouse by American John Button (1929-1982). I loved the colors and the contrast of the industrial city scape up against the soft sky.

Hydrangeas seemed like the logical choice to represent the pillowy clouds (duh!), but I needed a container that was industrial, preferably made of steel, to complement the painting. All in all, I just love this juxtaposition between the hard lines of the building/container versus the soft, airy feel of the clouds/hydrangeas.