Geranium Love | Little Pretties

{Audible Gasp} Geranium...are you vying for my attention? You know I'm currently enamored by Hellebore and Hosta... 

Leaves are Pretty Too | Rex-Cultorum Begonia

You may be familiar with the flowery, showy (and darn fragile) Rieger Begonia found at your local garden center - but look a little deeper and you might fall in love with these pretties. I don't think that I will ever see this Rex-Cultorum Begonia bloom, but I don't care - its the leaves that get me itching to cut them up and tuck them into every arrangement I can! (...and so it goes...)

 

(PS. I have managed to keep this baby alive for an entire Month, even though I have been hacking away at it; Masochistic little guy! #ImNotABonsai)

Hellebore Heaven | Hello Lovies!

There are a few questions as a floral decorator that I often hear:
1. Could you tell me how to take care of this (inset name here) plant? Sadly no. I am a florist - I cut things down and kill them for a living. I replace my own houseplants once a week. Either they are all suicidal or I have a black thumb.
2. What is your favorite flower? This one I have a better shot at! My feelings on particular flowers wax and wane with the seasons - so right now I am gaga over one of my all time favorites: meet Helleborus Argutifolius.

 

I can barely stand how pretty they are to me; and who doesn't like a little danger? Many species are poisonous. I love how they tip their heads and the way the Carpels swell as the flower develops. Hellebore are botanically very special for many reasons - including being "Self-fertile" - you should check out why here!

These babies above and the next two below came from my sister's garden and were quickly attacked my moi (see above #1) and now our kitchen and bathrooms look amazing!

They come in many shades of green to burgundy - all gorgeous. Expect to see these in my Spring designs while they last!

(Photo credit: Simon Garbutt) 

You can all keep your Snow Crocus'; I know Spring is really here when these babies show up in the garden!

Spring Pretties....you are a site for sore eyes...

Oh lovies, how I have missed you! Here are a few pretties that were ready to be assembled for a special Friday delivery. Welcome back Fritilleria, Viburnum, Begonia, Clematis, and my new favorite pretty Muehlenbeckia.

 

 

Berger Bat Mitzvah | Mitzvah Market Spotlight

 

What a great to surprise to open my email this morning and see that Sydney's Bat Mitzvah was highlighted on MitzvahMarket.Com today! I was introduced to the Berger Family by Ann Marie Casey when Sydney's brother Jacob celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at the National Constitution Center. So I was so delighted when Ann Marie was the photographer for this event Social Media Themed party. Some of the amazing photos she shot of the details are captured in the MitzvahMarket.Com spotlight - but here is a sneak peek of some of the table details!

And those are just the tip of the iceberg! The Please Touch Museum is the incredible venue where the party was hosted, On Q Productions did the Lighting and Draping, and Brûlée Catering served up amazing food from start to finish. And...as if that wasn't enough - check out this amazing intro film created for Sydney's entrance by CinemaCake!

Check out all of the other amazing details from the invitations to the cake at MitzvahMarket.Com - Thanks for the shout out MM!

SWAP ME! SWAP ME! | Hotel Monaco September 15, 2013

If you haven't gotten your tickets yet it's not too late! One week an counting!
When: September 15, 2013
Where: Hotel Monaco Philadelphia
What Time: 1-5PM

The Philly Swap Party is a chic and charitable way to clean out your closets and restock with fabulous finds! Our last event, (April 2013) included over 300 women who swapped over 8,000 items in four hours. Clean out your closet and swap them for some chic Fall threads! Get your tickets here yo!

 

Thank you Michael Garrity and Tritonix Recording for making this beautiful film to showcase April's Philly Swap Party! See you again on September 15th!

Kerriann & Neal |National Constitution Center

Tomorrow Kerriann marries her Marine..and yes, there will be the "Arch of Swords" and a rather un-ceremonial swat on the (Oh, My!) I am so delighted to help coordinate their day so they and their family can revel in the day. This might be one of the simplest most lovely engagement shots ever...Congratulations and Best Wishes! More to follow as the day unfolds!

It's Happening! | Union League Official Reopening

That's right - the long awaited remodel of Lincoln Hall at the Union League of Philadelphia is complete!

 

I have had the opportunity to peek my little face in here and there over the past few months and you are going to be blown away! Members got to check it out in July and now the public unveiling is underway for September 11th. My invite came yesterday and the letterpress sent chills up my spine! Love, Love, Love.

UPDATE: You know you have been "ooing" and "aahing" over that gorgeous letterpress invite as much as I have! (And yes, I did search the back and the design itself but couldn't find a thumbprint...) but alas, via the power of Facebook guess who saw my gushing remarks above? Vanessa Kreckel from Two Paper Dolls! They created that masterpiece so fitting both the event and the venue itself - I mean look at those chandeliers! Don' wax nostalgic - you can have such beauty at your next event (or business card reprinting or celebration...) too! Call them up today!

2013 Liberty Medal | Hillary Rodham Clinton

...and we have been selected to join the celebration with Design and Decor! Today we had the final tasting with Brûlée Catering (and my secret Chef Crush Jean-Marie Lacroix was there!) where the last design details were wrapped up. I love moving forward to the implementation phase!

The 25th annual Liberty Medal ceremony will take place on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. "Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will receive the 2013 Liberty Medal in recognition of her lifelong career in public service and her ongoing advocacy efforts on behalf of women and girls around the globe. The Liberty Medal was established in 1988 to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, the Liberty Medal is awarded annually to men and women of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe.

You can learn more about the Award at the National Constitution Center website and if you want to be a part of the celebration, tickets are on sale too! Stay tuned for more sneak peeks of what's to come!

Happy Fourth of July!

It has been so hard to keep this one under wraps until the official Fourth of July holiday hit! I was so honored to be a part of such a great team for this shoot Thank you to all of the talented people who pulled it together and here is to many more to come!

You can check out the entire shoot as we were featured on 100 Layer Cake today!

Photography: Lindsay Docherty / Event Planning: Truly You Events / Floral/Event Designer: Campbell Studios / Hair: Meghan Cahill / Makeup Artist: Cheekadee / DIY Designer: Mellow Yellow Creative / Venue:  Independence Visitors Center / Invitation Designer:  Hand-Painted Weddings / Caterer: Brulee Catering / Cake: The Master’s Baker / Bride’s Dress: Martina Liana from Bridals by Danielle / Jewelry: Safian Rudolph / Groom’s Attire:  Men’s Wearhouse & Henry A. Davidsen Custom Tailors

UPDATE! Philly SWAP Party Volume 5 | Dress for Success

UPDATE!
The video is here! Thank you Michael Garrity and Tritonix Recording for making this beautiful film to showcase April's Philly Swap Party! The Swap Party is a chic and charitable way to clean out your closets and restock with fabulous finds! Our last event, held April 21st, 2013 included over 300 women who swapped over 8,000 items in four hours. The benefiting organizations received equipment they needed badly, cash donations as well as over 5,000 items of clothing. We hope you will join us next season!

ORIGINAL POST 4.22.13:
I love opening my email and seeing stuff like this right off the bat:  

"Hi Judith---let me make this VERY clear--There is NO WAY yesterday would have worked without you. PERIOD." In all honesty Campbell Studios was just one player in the plan - there were many, many partners that made yesterday's event successful - but it made my day just the same!

Sunday was the fifth annual Philly SWAP Party. An amazing event spear headed five years ago in the living room of Amy Larrimore (managing partner of The Empire Builders Group & presenting sponsor), the event has swelled to over 300 attendees and this year took place at the Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, a presenting sponsor as well. The Swap Party benefits Dress for Success. It is an exclusive, invitation only event where women clean out their closets, bring swappables and take home new items. 

Weld Photography shared a sneak peek of some beautiful images of the event in progress below. I can't wait to see & share the rest - thank you! 

Founder Amy Larrimore and Barbara Silzle, Executive Director of DfS were there from start to finish...tiaras identified volunteers so we were easy to find if you needed help!

Speaking of needing help Andre Freeland, personal lifestyle and image consultant (below with Steering Committee volunteer Donna Coghlan Pasquale who donated her PR skills) was there combing the racks (which were generously donated by Flaster Greenberg to hold the1500 hangers donated by IKEA) and helping the ladies find the perfect look and fit. LISTEN PEOPLE - just because it's free doesn't mean you should wear it!

 

People shopped and swapped like crazy...

...and then the Girl Scouts helped us clean it all up! Great job and a service badge to boot!

Many thanks to all of the sponsors and volunteers who gave of their talents, time and treasure. More images and a film to follow - until then visit and support the people who supported us: 

Hotel Monaco Philadelphia;  The Empire Builders Group; Flaster Greenberg; IKEA; Half the Sky Leadership; Reclamere; McFadden Financial Advisors; A.P. Orleans Risk Management; Lucas and Cavalier LLC; TriTonix Recording; Uber; The Worth Collection; Weld Photography; The Capital Grille - King of Prussia, Blo/Out Bar; HeaD AreA Salon; Andre Freeland; Nikki Angelique; Virtua; Limitless Longevity; Mary Kay; LTL Prints  

It's Always Sunny...

Our bride tomorrow hit the jackpot with these 'Gold Strike' roses. Wowza!

So pretty they design themselves!

I'm not sure you could get any more beautiful my pretty, Ranunculus. If I knew leaving you in my car for two days would turn out this well I would have it a mandatory step in flower processing!

Style Studio | "Put a Bird On It!"

Just can't wait to see the rest - but to hold us all over, here is a sneak peek from yesterday's Style Studio shoot with Ann Marie Casey Photography! Hello Pretty....! (Thank You AMC!)

Liberty View Ballroom | Independence Visitor Center

Spring has sprung and the Open House at Liberty View Ballroom was so much fun & has me in the mood for Summer! Before I jump the gun...here's a little taste of the evening and what this place has to offer! Brûlée Catering rolled out new menu items, Master Bakers showcased beautiful and tasty cake, Cuba Libre served up classic Mojito's! Thank you Ann Marie Casey Photography for capturing it all on Film!

 

 

Spring Open House | National Constitution Center

New engagements are in the air! We showcased at the National Constitution Center earlier in March where Ann Marie Casey Photography snapped these beautiful detail shots! (Thank You AMC!) If you haven't found the perfect venue yet - we are psyched to be at the Liberty View Ballroom Wednesday - check out this gem of a venue!
A little Seating Card Display:

 A little test drive for an upcoming wedding (and it was at the NCC!):

 Maybe a little Fall Inspiration - can't get over my love for these candlesticks:

 

 And who doesn't love a little Elephant Butt? 

If you missed this Open House come see us Wednesday!