May Day

It's the first day of my burgeoning favorite month. The flowers are blooming, summer is around the corner, and celebrations are on the horizon. There is just so much promise in the month. Another thing that I love about this time of year is the return of saturated color. Sure I'm starting to appreciate white flowers and have a soft spot for pastels but I would lying if I didn't say that saturated gets me pumped. (Full disclosure: I am wearing some coral flats as I type this.)

Speaking of coral...











Mayday! Mayday! (The secret is out. I'm corny.)

Charmed

I try not to have favorites when it comes flowers. Actually, I have this bad habit of saving what I deem as the best for something special but then end up a with significant amount of specimens for various reasons. But then every year (typically a little later) this time, they arrive and rarely do I pass up a chance to to pick up a bunch.



As I get older, Coral Charm Peonies continue to hold so much meaning to me. I put them up there with my childhood staples -- camellias, rose bunches, and plum trees -- snippets from my Grandparent’s home. For example, when I got married almost 4 years ago (whoa) these were the flowers that I wanted to the most. I won’t even lie, these along with a long weekend were the reasons why me and Z wed Memorial Day weekend. They were in my bridal bouquet and in our centerpieces. Their changing color is what drew me in.



As a woman, I think we get a little too hard on ourselves about getting older. You start worrying about holding on to your youth or what you think was absolute best self without ever giving that newer you a chance.



To me Coral Charm peonies exudes beauty that doesn’t shed as it gets older, it only reveals another layer. Complexity in the most simplest form: accepting and embracing change.



I have various other reasons as to why I love these blooms and chances are high that I will share another example soon.



Trust.

Pop!

It’s a hazy day here in Los Angeles or at least from the hill where I am. Tonight I start a new fitness class in Downtown LA and like a new kid at their first day of school I’m so nervous. What if I fall? What if my shirt is too short? What if it is full fit people who have nothing else better to do? I hate being the slow one trying to catch up. And don’t even get me started on my (lack of) coordination skills. It’s kind of embarrassing. But then I remember that it only gets better after your first time.

This is how my love affair with poppies started. The first time I got these bouncy blooms not only did they not bloom but they died very quickly. After that experience and another one that had a slightly better result (3 stems opened) I steered clear of them and in a huff exclaimed “Stick with what you know!” (but that is so boring when there is some much to be found). Later, armed with more knowledge and confidence. I picked up a bunch and well, fell in love. I love their alien head looking pods. Their wiry stem that has certain spring in their look. Their flouncy petals are textural but can add some unexpected softness. I love that their bunches come in different colors too. Each time I picked up a bunch whether it is intentionally or just cause I found something else to love about them. I will try to keep that in mind when I’m struggling in class today.

Spring

I went to the flower mart Friday and it was an embarrassment of riches. Ranunculus, lilac, astilbe, poppies, so many blossoms, pieris, viburnum! Confession: some times I choose flowers over buying new things like clothes and shoes. Sad but true story.







My husband's unused saxophone case makes a great stand (he uses a different one for his instrument, of course).

Ranunculus and Anemone Flower Crown

I have never been a hat person, or a headband actually. To be perfectly honest with you, most hats do not fit my head unless it’s right after a hair visit and even then the hat will give me a headache. And, headbands? I haven’t worn since middle school and they too hurt my head. However, with all that in mind, I have been wanting to make a flower crown for a long time. Recently I decided why not and now I am obsessed with them. I want be completely impractical and eccentric (in a Scion, of course) and wear them out in public.







I wish I had a picture of my right side. The ranunculus was glorious but you really don’t want to know how many times I tried taking my own picture (and with a remote mind you).

Nine

Today nine years ago two Bruins made it official on the Hill after a lengthy 3 day courtship.

To my husband / partner / love / peer in your favorite color...

The hill has eyes...

White Ranunculus and Green Centered Anemones Bouquet

The exposure of these images was not intentional. I even took some more pictures in better lighting knowing the others didn’t look very good. Then when I saw the poorly exposed images on a larger screen I just loved how the white flowers came out. I love color so naturally deep or bright hues will always catch my eye but I have to remember that white is also color and it can pop too.