URBN Freelance Flowers

On Sunday night, I was texted by my boss at the shop.  She had heard of a freelance floral gig for the next day.  Monday happens to be my day off, and I was really excited that she had heard of an opportunity that would work for my schedule.

Freelancing is a really good opportunity to interact with other folks in the floral design field who are interested in collaborating and working on projects.  It's also a great way to build contacts and meet people who need florists from time to time, who might call you again.

The freelance position was to design and create several floral designs to accent the different vignettes in an URBN department store, including the brands Anthropologie, Terrain, and BHLDN.

Yes, I said an URBN department store.

The warehouse was at the Navy Yard here in Philly, where the URBN headquarters is located.  In this particular warehouse, the interior was transformed into a fusion of the three aforementioned brands.  The exterior was set up largely for Terrain, and the patio was decorated for a dinner for investors.  On Tuesday, investors in the project were to have dinner, and see what the store looked like in person.

From what I gather, this was the "pilot" for the department store.  The current freestanding BHLDN stores in Chicago, Houston, and other locations, will still exist, but there won't be any new freestanding BHLDN stores.  They'll be incorporated as a boutique section in Anthropologie stores.  The Terrain component included kitchenware and functional items for entertaining.

There was also a blow-dry bar.

Perfume counter.  Such loveliness.

The above arrangement (and two little ones on the left) were in the BHLDN loft.  This was my favorite to make for sure.

Can Chris and I get married every year?  I'd love to stockpile these beauties.

Confession: I touched everything.  I love the feel of really fine and luscious fancy fabric, 

so naturally, my hands were on everything.  I couldn't help it.  

And each dress was silkier and more ethereal than the next.

The quality of the above photos isn't the best.  In the shoe department, the lighting was a little trickier to use well.  

But the large, sprawling setup of bud vases was very fun to work with.

In the Terrain section, we went for a farm stand kind of feeling, using tons of bouquets in the galvanized tin buckets, with mini arrangements in the green glass goblets at the top.

I completely loved working my first freelance opportunity.  How could I not enjoy it, in such a beautiful setting?  The folks that I was working with were kind and had a clear vision, and didn't mind the questions that I asked throughout the day.  I really strive to complete the vision that a bride or a designer has for their space, and I think that I worked really well with the team at Building 17 on Monday.  

Here's to hoping that this becomes a regular occurrence!

Love and light,

Alyssa

Ten Things I Never Want to Do

The lily pads at Longwood Gardens are amazing and wondrous.

Ten Things I Never Want to Do

1) Complain about house renovations/changes/expenses.  When Chris and I are fortunate enough to purchase a house and land, we'll be among those who are lucky enough to purchase a home.  That in itself is a huge dream for us.  The fact that other folks complain relentlessly about home renovations and how irritating those upgrades are does not change the fact that they are incredibly lucky to have said home to renovate and make their own.  We will never be so ungrateful.  That construction dust is truly a lucky thing.

2) Wear white pants.  They just aren't for me.

3) Have minor surgery at the podiatrist again.  Most painful thing I've ever experienced.  However, he was an excellent podiatrist.  If you need a recommendation, I have the hook up.

4) Forget to buy toilet paper.  

5)  Be involved in a car accident.  They seem preventable, for the most part.  This isn't always the case, but this is the reason why I am a careful and attentive driver.

6)  Take what I have for granted.  This includes clean drinking water, my pets, my husband, and my family and friends. 

7)  Opt out of renewing my AAA membership.

8)  Forget that I am a person of value.

9)  Pass up the chance to hold a baby.

10)  Pass up the chance to eat another slice of pecan pie.  Or another cookie.  Or any homemade thing.

Love and light,

Alyssa

Is Marriage Really All That Difficult?

To answer the title of this post, I suppose the answer is a resounding "no."  And truly, it's not.  All you truly have to do to be married is sign some paperwork, and then mail or hand in the paperwork to the nice man at the desk of the Register of Wills at City Hall.  Or whatever municipal building is relevant to your place of residence.

All over the internet, especially on other blogs of newlyweds, I've noticed a trend of people stating that marriage is so difficult, in a seemingly surprised way.  Or, they're simply repeating a sentiment told to them by a well-meaning relative or acquaintance, usually followed by some sort of advice from that person, such as the never-go-to-bed-angry trope.  (My unsolicited advice?  Eat something with some protein, like a PB&J.  Or just go to bed angry.  You are probably tired or hungry.)

I don't think it's that difficult.  And I'm definitely not seeing my husband (or the world, for that matter) through the rose tinted spectacles from newlywed land.  We were engaged for four years, and together for two years before that.  The new-ness has been worn off for quite some time.  And I'm hoping that this is the case for lots of people.  The act and idea of being a couple, being together, should not be a novel feeling upon signing that marriage license.  Yes, the titles have changed a bit, but assuming that you've been together for a bit of time, there's nothing all that new about your coupledom.  Not really, anyway.

And I love marriage!  It totally rocks.  Being able to be Mrs. Rainville is super cool, and getting a discount on my car insurance is pretty neat.  The joint checking account is practical, and we still do the same things all the time.  I bake cookies, Chris makes awesome chicken pot pie.  He feeds the cats in the morning, and I try to figure out how to sign my new name, still being thrown off by the capital R of my last name where there used to be a Y.

I'm thinking that the main issues that make marriage "difficult" are communication and/or feelings.  When I say feelings, I mean the way that people are blinded by emotion when they take things personally which are not actually intended as an attack on their personality, character, or general self.

Communication is something that Chris and I pride ourselves on, and it has been instrumental in our relationship since the beginning.  Say what you are thinking, and think (or talk) about why you are thinking it.  Analyze what you are feeling.  Analyze why you want something, or why you want something to happen.  Is it true, or is your perspective just skewed?  Are you being selfish?  Are you ignoring how your significant other is feeling?  Are you being mean or insensitive?

Read body language.  This might look different for everyone out there, but I'm willing to bet that if you've been together for awhile, you can tell when something is off because of how your person is carrying themselves.  If you aren't sure, start reading that body language now!  Ask questions.  Ask how they're feeling.  Talk about feelings.  If that's hard, start small.

Any thoughts from folks out there?  Is marriage really all that difficult for you?

Love and light,

Alyssa

Ten Life Changing Books

I was tagged by a friend on Facebook almost two weeks ago to post ten books that have been influential in my life in some way.  I thought I'd post it here, so I would have more space to write.

1) Seven by Jen Hatmaker

• The author discusses her experimental simplification of seven different areas of her life.  A motivating study in stuff and excess and the ability to be happier with less.

2) Over-Dressed by Elizabeth L. Cline

• Where does our clothing come from?  Who makes it?  Are they treated fairly?  This book coupled with Seven will motivate you to change your consumption habits for the good of yourself and others.

3) The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

• A young boy must make a real journey through stories that he has read in his beloved books.  The characters can be awful but still deserve pity, and nobody has to be what they seem they are.

4) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

• A work of fiction.  But it's truly a cautionary tale of how women can be used as chattel.  Makes me want to volunteer again in support of women's rights.

5) The Road Less Travelled by M. Scott Peck, M.D.

• A wonderful secular look into the psychology of love and spirituality.  Kind of a self-help book, good for analyzing ones self and relationships.

6) The Selection series by Keira Cass

• A light dystopian fiction series for teens.  But awesome nonetheless.  Thirty-five young women are selected in a competition to leave their current caste for a life of royalty.  How are they selected?  And do they have what it takes to become queen?

7) Dubliners by James Joyce

• Quite possibly my favorite reading that was ever school assigned.  Short stories that enlighten us to the differences in the lives of those in Dublin, in the world of James Joyce.

8) Othello by William Shakespeare

• One of my favorite Shakespearean plays.  Followed closely by King Lear.  I took a class that focused on Shakespeare while at Penn State, and it was taught by one of the most wonderful professors that I ever had.  He was a kindhearted and jovial older man, and had the most pleasant attitude at all times.  His love for Shakespeare's work was apparent, and it was a joy to learn from him.

9) Quiet by Susan Cain

• I was told many times as a child that I was too sensitive.  As an adult, perceived as standoffish with resting bitchface.  I'm just introverted.

10) ...what should I read next?

Love and light,

Alyssa

Currently, 9.8.14

A flower delivery from work the other week.  So much wonderful.

thinking:  What am I going to do today?  Having Mondays off of work is strange.  But for now, I like it.

drinking:  Freshly brewed coffee, made with our fancy Chemex.  Also water.  Always water.

reading:  I just finished A Dance with Dragons and Me Before You.  I think that the former was the best book in the Song of Ice and Fire series, and that the latter was a wonderful account of respecting the difficult choices that other people make.

wanting: Another slice of the pecan pie that I just ate for breakfast.  But, perhaps something more nutritious would be better.  There'll always be pie later.

looking:  At wedding pictures!  It is just so much fun to look back and see what a glorious day it was.

liking:  The possibility of today.  I could do anything!  I do know that I'll be going to the store to possibly exchange a pair of shoes for a bigger size.  Other than that, I could do anything I want.

anticipating:  How a yoga class today might be.  I'm thinking of going because my back has been acting up, and some stretching might help.  Scoliosis can be really annoying sometimes.

wondering:  Where all the lifestyle and home publications are that talk about studio apartments, dim brown carpet, and the plight of only having one window (that faces a parking lot).  So much for the gorgeous natural sunlight that everyone else in the world seems to be getting!  It is interesting examining where you live and how you live there.  

learning:  Pretty things sell.

loving:  Our kitchen full of food.  I am so thankful and happy every time we come back from the grocery store, with the ability to fill our fridge and cupboards with good, healthy food that we enjoy together.  I never want to take our privilege here for granted.  

hoping:  That I can eventually decide on how to spend an Etsy gift card that a sweet friend gave us at our wedding.  Chris gave me the go-ahead to spend it on something, but I still can't decide.

noticing:  Lots of people buy houses while engaged or right after getting married.  Who can afford that?!  Seriously.

feeling:  Content.

Love and light,

Alyssa 

Why Being Unapologetic is Actually a Really Good Thing

First and foremost, the title of this blog post makes me sound really rude, right?  The context of this post will clarify what I actually mean by "unapologetic."  I do not mean being mean and rude to others and not atoning and apologizing for your actions.  I mean being unapologetic in the sense that you value what you are doing as a business owner and a professional.

I recently read an article on the Flirty Fleurs blog that was a question and answer post polling readers about their shop locations.  The person inquiring about shop locations had a studio based out of her home, where she created her designs and dealt with the day to day work in her business.  Her problem was that potential clients and other folks that she knew generally regarded her home studio as something subpar to a storefront or a dedicated floral only space.

Folks who answered her question met her frustration with support and motivation.  They told her to not apologize for doing business and design the way she does it, and to show others that her work was valuable by treating it as valuable herself.

Can I just say how awesome it was to read that on a blog for florists and floral designers?!

Small urn arrangement for a weekly shop client.

Sometimes, I feel like there will never be a time where I have a dedicated floral space for me, just me, in my world.  Yes, I work at a flower shop, but I am not the proprietor.  I am an employee - which is an amazing thing in itself!  But my personal space for floral design is at the studio apartment I share with my husband and our two cats.

That doesn't exactly sound like a recipe for floral amazingness and success in my own business ventures.

But why not?

A tray of cocktail table arrangements in antiqued julep cups.

I will do wonderful work for clients in any space that I am located.  It is a duty to your customer, someone who is putting confidence in YOU, to do beautiful work of a high quality.

But it is a duty to myself to value what I do, regardless of where I am at.  

Having a floral design studio is a dream of mine.  Maybe a shop one day.  I don't know yet.  But, I do know that having those things does not happen overnight.  I often her people talking about seasons of waiting in their lives.  I'm not quite sure if I'm actively waiting for a studio.  I'm not sure if I'm actively waiting for many clients right now either, though I would welcome them gladly!  I think I'm in a season of learning and honing skills, but I am there gladly.

So, I will not apologize for the season I am in.  I will not apologize for using my kitchen counter as my flower space.  And I will not apologize for changing my life to learn from the best.  The people who would require an apology are not on my team anyway.

Who wants to join the unapologetic team?  We might need to get shirts.

Love and light,

Alyssa

Our Wedding: Getting Ready and First Look

I hope everyone is having a good day out there.  Honestly, I forgot that today was Wednesday, because the shop was closed on Monday.  Does anyone else get really thrown off when there's a holiday on a Monday?  For some reason, it really threw me today.

Anyway, today is Wedding Wednesday!  Today you'll get to see some of the images from the hair salon where several of us ladies got our hair done, and from the first look between Chris and I.

Without further adieu, here they are.  All credit goes to the amazing hot metal studio.  If you need a photographer, I cannot recommend them enough.  Amazing and lovely people and artists.

The sweet lady in the photo above is Sarah.  She is a dear friend that Chris and I met the night that we met each other, and she officiated the wedding for us.  We were so thankful that she shared her beautiful words with our friends and family.

My sparkly shoes look pretty cool in black and white!

My mom and sister are really cute!

The first look below just kills me.  It was the most nervous that I was the entire day, and I think I just wanted a hug from my love at that point.  I was so excited to finally see him.

Love.  Love, love, love these photos.  

We are so lucky.

Next Wednesday, we're going to look at some images of the ceremony, along with some portraits of Chris and I that were taken with our brothers and sisters.

Love and light,

Alyssa

The Making Things Happen Experience: Applying What I Learned in Chapel Hill to the Now

If you'd like to read my MTH recaps, look no further.

If we look at the image above, the due date for registration has already passed.  Yet, I still posted the picture.  I'd also like to point out that the conference is sold out already.  So why did I use that image?

I'm not so sure, really.  When I see the above image, I think back to the distinctive branding that is used to market the conference, and it just kind of clicks.  

I attended Making Things Happen in April.  It's September now, so that was 5 months ago.  Almost half a year, and yet I can still remember it all perfectly (or as well as our imperfect human memory will allow me to think).  And through the challenges and trials that the conference presented, I loved every minute of it.  I am changed because of it.  And I have learned a great deal through it and afterwards.  

It's easier if you just attend, rather than to have me explain it.  Ask anyone else who has attended, and 90% of the time, they'll say the same thing.  I'm not just being tight-lipped.

Because of the work that I did at this conference and the changes I've made in my life because of it, I wanted to share some things that I've learned or found to be true.  If you've previously attended Making Things Happen, you might have some input into my thoughts that resonates with your experience, or you may have a different list entirely.

• Encouragement is sometimes all it takes for a person to jumpstart the change to their life, or continue on the path to change that they've already started.  
• Living out and talking about the things that you are doing and changing inspires others to do the same, and to simultaneously root you on.
• Networking is a benefit to small business owners.  However, if you are outwardly quiet or introverted, this can be a huge obstacle and even possibly make you feel like you don't belong. Find those other introverts.  They exist.
• Re-evaluating your core and your purpose is essential to moving forward in life.  Your core is why you do the things that you do, and while it can be challenging to truly flesh out, it makes decisions easier to make.

Do any past attendees out there have any additional thoughts?  Everyone has a different experience at MTH, so I'd love to talk about this, and hear what other people are experiencing.  

I'm also realizing that I've changed a lot since April, and that it's a good idea to check in with how I'm really doing and feeling about life.  This includes re-evaluating my core and my mission in life.  Some people might get freaked out thinking about such big life things, but I actually really enjoy it.  It's hard to turn my mind off most of the time, so in this venture, I'll just be focusing the thinking more steadily.

I'll let you know what I figure out.

Love and light,

Alyssa