The Full Bouquet

ICcontest Photo Shoot

I had the pleasure of  teaming up with some super fabulous vendors for a photo shoot. The shoot was really an Inspiration Challenge Contest that became known as ICcontest. Our shoot was featured this week on The Sweetest Occasion blog and here are some of our great photos. Thanks to all of the fabulous vendors who brought this awesome vision to life and a huge shout out to Vicky from My Simple Details. Vicky worked like crazy on this concept. 

 

This awesome veil became my total inspiration  for the bouquet and boutonniere. I am thrilled with the results, but you should have seen us in the shop trying to dye feathers turquoise. Lets just say that we have not mastered the use of Rit Dye, in fact we failed epically and the feathers were spray painted teal. 

 

 

 

Our couple truly were high school sweethearts, so it was fun to pick up that theme.

 

 

Vicki's attention to detail and her concept development was stellar. 

  

 

I absolutely loved the idea of leaving a message for the bride and groom, and yes Vicky thought of that also.

 

Christina from Paperzest wowed us with her paper products. She is quite the artist.

 

 
   

 

 

 

A huge thanks to the very talented Kate Triano for her amazing photography. How could we possibly have so much fun without a fabulous photographer. In my mind the photographer is the most important vendor of the day. Don't tell the florists I said that.

 

 Vendors:

 

My Simple Details
Holly Chapple Flowers
Kate Triano Photography
Paperzest
Unveiled Bridal Designs
Julia Juliette
Vintage Mama
Byrdie Graphics

{Photos by Kate Triano Photography.}

See you tonight for "in the cooler"

 

Check Us Out On The Sweetest Occasion Blog

We just competed in a photo shoot contest. Please visit the Sweetest Occasion blog and give us a big applause under comments. You could help us win...  I will be back with more pictures soon.

The Blessing Bouquet Winner - Mrs. Linda Neri

 

 

 

We love bringing you the winners of the "blessing bouquet",  I hope you enjoy this remarkable story. I met the Neri's several years ago when I did the flowers for Ann's wedding. I was surprised to hear of the struggles Mrs. Neri has been through recently, but I was also over joyed to know that through determination and hard work she has found blessings along the way. It gave us great pleasure to award Mrs. Neri with the "blessings bouquet".
 

Holly,

 

I am writing to enter my mom into your Blessings Bouquet contest.  This past year has proven to be very difficult for her and for our entire family.  My mother had some severe sciatic nerve issues with her back.  She needed to have surgery in order to relieve the pain last December.  When she went to the doctor, they found that she had many other issues to include high blood pressure and an under active thyroid.  In the process of waiting for those things to be regulated with medication, she suffered a very rare syndrome entitled cauda equine syndrome.  This is when the bulging disc in the back ruptures and causes massive nerve damage.  We rushed her to the hospital for emergency surgery, thinking that she would be relieved of all pain once she “walked out” of an hour procedure. An hour turned into 3 hours and resulted in major complications which included being sent to ICU with a breathing tube.   

 

Since the beginning of November, my mom has gone through life’s greatest challenges.  Upon leaving ICU she was told that her nerve damage may be permanent, and she was unable to do anything for herself without assistance.  This was a large hurdle for her since she is the type of woman that has never relied on anyone to help her.  We are so happy to report that with just a few months and with prayer and positive thinking, my mother is a totally changed person.  You see Holly, my mother is a giver.  She would give the shirt off of her back for anyone and I believe she is an angel in disguise.  Like many, she lost herself in the hustle and bustle of a high profile job and put herself last.  This experience, although emotionally and physically daunting on her has given her a second chance at life.  She has lost over 30 pounds and is back into working out and taking care of herself.  She knows her limits with work; she is full of positive energy and is truly refreshing to be around.  Although she still has not regained all of her nerve endings, she continues to work hard with physical therapy to regain what she can.  She is now walking without a cane and is so proud of the great strides she has made.

 

Although this was one of the hardest things we have had to witness and help her through, it truly was a blessing and it made our family even that much stronger.  My sister and I have our old mom back and my dad has his old wife back.  It is truly apparent when you look in her bright blue caring eyes that she is blessed to have herself back.  My mom continues to have daily struggles, but she is determined to lead a thankful life.  I appreciate your consideration her for this wonderful gift.  I know it would bring a lot of joy to her and to our entire family.  She really deserves it.

 

Kindly,

 

Ann Neri

 

 

The Blessing Bouquet, The B-list Conference, In The Cooler and The Leesburg Flower and Garden Show April 17th and 18th

This is a full throttle Holly post, and I will try to touch on all of the many wonderful things that have been going on, are going on, or will be going on this week. I hope I don't make you tired, but her it goes.

 

This is my beautiful and very sweet bride Khanh.  Someday soon I will share all of her wedding pictures with you, but for right now we are saving them.  We have big plans for her lovely images taken by photographer Laura Ashbrook. Khanh is really on the blog today because of the wonderful letter she wrote on behalf of her friends.  Read below the moving letter Khahn sent to us, her friends are the next winners of The Blessing Bouquet.

"I would like to nominate my friend's family for one of your blessing bouquets.  Last month they found out that their 20 year old son has a bone marrow failure disease.  Basically, his immune system is attacking his own blood cell-making capability.  He is going to need a bone marrow transplant.  This has been very difficult news for his family to swallow since finding a bone marrow match is very different they finding a blood donor match.  It has been a roller-coaster ride for the whole family.  Just a few weeks ago they told them that there was no one in the whole national database of 7 million donors that was a bone marrow match for him.  Despite the earth-shattering news, the family put all their trust in the Lord and just 2 days later,they found someone out of the country who is a match!  While this was wonderful news, this is only the first battle, and definitely not the biggest.

This family is taking each and every day in stride.  Whenever anyone asks if there's anything they can do for the family, they just say that they would like everyone, if they're comfortable, to register to be a bone marrow donor with Be the Match at www.marrow.org.  Although it may not help their son's situation, it may save the life of someone else going through something similar.  Holly, thank you for your consideration!  I know that they would count a bouquet from you as a blessing along this daunting time in their lives."

I've attached a photo of my friends mom after I dropped off the bouquet.  She couldn't stop talking about how beautiful it is!  She absolutely loved the lilacs in it because it reminded her of the lilac bush she had when they lived in Colorado.  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for having such a generous heart and selecting this family for one of your lovely bouquets!

 

Also attached is a photo of me (khanh) about to eat some of South Street Under's ciabatta bread.  I took your advice and asked for a loaf to have with dinner.  The woman there was extremely nice and gave me the loaf at no charge!  Completely unexpected and unnecessary, but I'm completely grateful!  After coming home from visiting with our friends that won the bouquet, I told my husband that I want to move out to Leesburg because everyone out there is just so nice and genuine!

 

 Thank you again for the blessing bouquet!  Meeting you has been a blessing!!

Khanh

Many thanks, to Kevin Malon owner of Tuskies and South Street Under  in Leesburg Va. for your very generous support of the Blessings Bouquet. I love you and I love your restaurants you have a heart of gold.

 

The next fun thing I am sharing about is the B-List blogger conference which is taking place this weekend. We are providing flowers for the event tonight and we are very excited to be a part of this amazing evening.  The top wedding bloggers in the country are gathering and we get to provide the flowers for their kick off event at the Torpedo Factory. I will be working with the extraoridinary Design Cuisine once again, and you can see a little teaser of some of the decor on their blog.  Many thanks to Maria Cooke for bringing me in on this event. 

Here are some of the orange ranunculus "in the cooler" waiting to go to the B-list event. They are super sexy and I can't wait to get them out of the cooler and get to the event.

 

 

Here are the designs for this weekend " in the cooler" 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also had a visit from one of my past MOB's and one of my favorite customers from the village of Waterford. They wanted to get some lilac before I hit the flower and garden show. The lilac from my garden is a favorite at the garden show.

 

Speaking of the garden show. In addition to the weddings, and our events tonight we also will be at the Leesburg Flower and Garden Show all weekend long. We have tons of lilac, roses and my viburnum is peak this week. Viburnum is the beautiful bright green ball you see in the bouquet above. Our gardens are rocking right now, and we can't wait to see you at the garden show. I will be on wedding delivery Sat. but I will be at the show on Sunday. My daughters Abby and Hannah will be running the booth on Sat. so be sweet and stop by for a visit.

 

Have a great weekend, and I will see you at the B-list conference, a wedding or at The Leesburg Flower and Garden show. Hope your weekend is full of flowers.

Blessing Bouquet Winner Number 1- Mr. J.L. Tippett

Our first winner for the blessings bouquet was Mr. J.L. Tippett, here is the letter we received from his daughter Dawn. We had 2 other winners last week and when we get the pictures we will put them up for you to see. I think it is awesome that a Dad was one of our first winners.

 

Hi Holly,

I just saw your post and immediately thought of my father.  In the past few years, his younger sister passed away, his father passed away (this past September) and his brother has been in the hospital on and off since before September undergoing some serious procedures.  My father runs his on General Contracting Business and is a coach of an under 14 girls travel soccer team.  He has always been a wonderful husband to my mother and an amazing father to me and my two brothers.  He is a non-stop busy person and never takes time for himself.  In fact, I don't think he's allowed himself to grieve for any of his losses.  He keeps a strong front as the oldest brother of his family, taking care of his mother (visiting her in Annapolis once a week) and serves as the rock of our family. 

I feel like he would appreciate knowing how much he means to all of us and how much we appreciate all he does.

 

Holly,

My dad loved the flowers and was so touched by the meaning behind the bouquet.  Thank you for helping me make him smile.

I attached a picture of him in his office with his flowers.  His name is Jay Tippett of J.L. Tippett Construction. 

Thanks again

Dawn (Tippett) Faust

 

P.S.  I'm sure you can see the soccer medals and plaques on the wall.  He's been a dedicated coach for close to 20 years.  He also has plans to hike in all 50 states, and has completed close to 35 already.  You can see the hiking paths on the map behind him.  Just thought I'd give you a little more insight on my dad, I'm so proud of all he has accomplished.

A great big huge applause to Mr. Tippett for being such a wonderful man. Your daughter loves you very much.