The most fascinating floral idea

It is rare that I go visit the world of wedding blogs unless I want to lose myself for hours in silk, satin, and tulle and truthfully sometimes I do. I also lose myself in the pure creativity that romance inspires. Perhaps it is the passion of the occasion that gives brides their extreme dose of creativity and that is the part that I find so fascinating in the world of weddings. The details. When I saw this floral arrangement on Style Me Pretty, I was in awe of this clever idea, a raised blanket of fresh florals in gorgeous colours. Brilliant. Fascinating. 

Though I am sure that brides will embrace this DIY idea of using metal pegboard and dangling stems, wouldn't it be fascinating on a dinner party table as well? See more views here.

Love this presentation idea as well from here, certainly as a wedding centerpiece or for any occasion but what a spectacular way to bring a floral gift to a deserving hostess............ or for any reason at all. 

Photos linked at source

Another adorable Pastel Paint Project

You may remember the post last summer here when I talked about painting those sweet petite french yogurt jars and how my clever sister-in-law collected them from our trip to Paris. I couldn't help but think about that post when I ran across this blog tutorial on converting leaner versions with the same method. You know these retro versions...............the generic ones that come with flower deliveries, the ones you keep too long because you feel guilty throwing away a perfectly good vase even if it's look isn't quite that exciting as some nicer ones in your collection of glass vases. Doesn't everyone have a box or shelf with these around? I thought they took on a whole different status when painted in a lovely array of pastel colours...............they look downright adorable to say nothing about how they would be perfect for use as a sweet "doorstop" gift. Add a few blooms and make someones day. You can read tutorials here and here.














Image from the blog Little Gray Fox

Friday Florals

Pick. Buy. Arrange. Admire. Give..........................some beautiful blossoms.
And wear your favourite bracelets this weekend. All of them if you want.


Welcome to new followers and a thank you to readers who commented this week.
You are a most gorgeous bunch.


Objects of Desire here

Photo via Rue

Disco flower

Remember way back when I posted about bringing Small Comforts? Petite gifts for no reason other than to bring a sparkle to someone's day. Something so special that it's giving is unmistakable in it's message............I am thinking of you today. It can be a happy day or a sad one, but when I saw this simple, yet sparkly idea  by London stylist and author Sania Pell of the blog At Home I knew I should pass this disco-inspired idea along. Just one of many stylish and beautiful ideas on her gorgeous site and blog gift wrapping too. Leave it on the doorstep of someone recuperating I hope your days sparkle again soon or the frazzled bride who is on the countdown to the big day Your big day will sparkle with love. You know the reasons, what friend needs a surprise bit of sparkle soon? Isn't this a gorgeous idea?




See the sequin tutorial here

Glass Votives.............a paintery project

Now that I know you clever girls love glass, I am on the outlook for creative glass projects. I adore these votives created by the popular wedding blog Once Wed which was inspired by the beautiful talent of Atlanta artist Michelle Armnis. See the instructions here.

Her colorful canvases which you can see here inspired Once Wed to create a paintery tableau that I thought was too gorgeous for words. So did everyone else as it is easily the most popular photo on Pinterest these days. See how it inspiration spread from painting, to flowers, to table setting here (just in case you missed it). Love it when that happens. 

Balloons and Bouguets

~  Make the weekend unique ~

Photo 1 found here/ Photo 2 via Style Me Pretty

the home stretch.............and a surprise blog

Photo by Jessica Nichols 

The week simply got away from me over here. Our son has been home for a few weeks and off he goes tomorrow to Florida for his final home stretch. In four more months, after a few more exams and a few more hospital rotations, he will be at the finish line. I find I am holding my breath for him right now as mothers tend to do. Somehow I thought older children would be easier, the worry eased, I find it is not. Someday, when he lets me, I will tell you our son's story, why we are so remarkably proud of what he has accomplished. It is not my story to tell, but it is one of facing huge odds and I do want him to know..............you inspire me. xo

photo by Rodney Smith

I just finished reading The End, the fascinating blog written by photographer Rodney Smith. Yes, that Rodney Smith, the very famous and talented photographer has a blog and it was a delightful and surprising discovery. Over the past weekend, I read each and every post he has written since he started it back on July 13th, 2009. He is one of the most talented photographers of our time............and his writing, his stories, his honest and human writing style had me wanting more, the feeling of reading a wonderful novel which I didn't want to end. I am in awe of both his talents. Rodney Smith posts every Monday, from home in New York or from location anywhere in the world..............next Monday can't come fast enough for me. 


Photo 1 from Jessica Nichols / photo 2 and 3 by Rodney Smith

hello sunshine................where did you go?

Have you noticed we are all a bit more impatient for sunshine this year? Or more specifically bright and beautiful yellow? As I was working on this post this morning, I noticed more than a few blogs showing yellow and I had to chuckle...............seems we are collectively craving some sunshine. Hello sunshine, but where did you go? Until it comes back...........some bright and beautiful yellow, and other colours too.

Ahhhhhh....................I feel better now. 

A sunny welcome to new followers and readers this week.

You make my world much brighter.

Kate Spade Image 1 and 3 by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life/Image 2 via Flickr/Image 4 by Justina Blakeney of Compaiblog/Image 5 via Pinterest

Fuschia Faves...............and random musings

A gorgeous gift. 

Some day I will bring out those calligraphy pens again.

And practice, practice.

One of my Paris floral photos. Such a tender bloom.

Chanel. Coveteur. For Grown Up Ladies.

For Little Ladies. Armani Junior.

Have you noticed nail art is making a comeback?

Summer. Prada

Fascinated with artist Maira Kalman. Her drawings, her musings, her monthly blog for the NY Times, go see here. 

More summer. Oscar de la Renta.

This is how I imagine our brains must look. All the faces we have seen and known. 

Fuschia Louboutin

I have promised my son that I will not dress up our dog in any way.

Statement Piece.

Truly Magnificent. 

Another floral photo I took in Paris last September.

Final day in Paris, something I ran across this morning. My back had finally given out and I reclined on a stone bench while my sister-in-law went in to Monoplix and I looked straight up and saw this. Perfect. Done.

Photo 1, 10, 14 via Tumblr/Photo 2, 6, 12 via Pinterest/Photo 3, 15, 16 by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Hallelujah.................and walking bunnies

I went walking yesterday with Daisy. It is much like walking a bunny, she hops rather than walks.  She tried to gather all the autumn leaves that were still on the ground, like they were some magnificent new toy. I got to thinking how close spring is when I saw buds on some of my flowering trees, officially in the next few days. Then I was listening to KD Lang singing Hallelujah as I went off to sleep and I thought yes that's the word............it has been too long of a winter. 

Happy Weekend......................happy spring. 

Hallelujah.

Photos via Tumblr

A surprise birthday wish..............for who?

Wishing a lovely friend a year of beautiful things and........

may the next year be layered in beauty...............xoxo

Go here to surprise our stylish blogger friend

with gorgeous birthday wishes.

Photo 1 from This Is Glamorous. Photo 5 from Slim Paley . Remaining photos via Pinterest.

Pink Paxil.........and a surprise gift wrapped series you will love.

If you don't read the blog Slim Paley, well....................you are just plain missing out. She took this shot of her late-blooming roses from where she lives in Santa Barbara. And in great style too I might add. You know that ultra stylish and cool friend, the one who always knows everything cool? That's Slim Paley, with a wicked sense of humour too which makes it all the more fun. I still think she is pulling my leg on these roses though.......................Slim? 

Some blissful pink images from Absolutely Ladylike, a most ladylike and dreamy pink blog by the talented Evi. Keep scrolling and see the gorgeous white dresses by Hungarian designer Marta Makany.

How gorgeous is this interior rendering by British designer Nicky Haslam? Have you been reading his entertaining blog? Well I certainly have and I have the most wonderful surprise for you this week. I interviewed Nicky via email with some gift wrapping questions and not only did he graciously answer my questions, he and his staff did a fun gift wrapping video to show us how he wraps for all those rock star friends of his! Stay tuned this week..............my first blog video and I promise you some stylish holiday entertainment. I have a surprise list of stylish people gift wrapping for A Gift Wrapped Life over the weeks ahead and............ is this fun or what?






Top photo via Slim Paley/Middle photo via Absolutely Ladylike/Bottom photo via NH Design

A Magnificent Surprise

Today I got the most lovely surprise.......

To say I am a peony lover would be an understatement. I went around and counted all the peony buds today and can expect a few hundred blooms in varying colours over the next few weeks. A few years ago I planted a second round of peony plants which I thought were a deep pink. Well, they are and were to begin with........ until they opened this morning and presented me with this most magnificent surprise. This first one that opened literally took my breath away. Isn't she a beauty? And look closely to the middle right, a bold little ant trying to get in my photo for evolutionary credit (he is also at the bottom of the top photo). Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for all your kind support for my father. Even though he still isn't sure what this blogging thing is that his daughter is doing, he was tickled pink that so many of you sent your good wishes, thoughts, and prayers. XO



Photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Floresdelsol............preserved beauty on Etsy

Petite Craspedia Topiary...........clustered craspedia (aka billy balls).

Dear Mother 2010................preserved hydrangea. pink preserved coxscomb. soft pink parchment paper roses.

Mossy Garden Mound.......fluffy reindeer moss. textured mood moss. faux moss cobbles.

Honeyed..........aspen gold hydrangea. yellow parchment paper roses. yellow preserved billy buttons.

Visit the beautiful preserved floral world of Floresdelsol on Etsy.

All photos from Floresdelsol ~ Etsy