Monday, October 27, 2014

Nicole & Matt Taukus's Wedding - October 18, 2014



Brotherhood Winery Ceremony Backdrop
All in the Details...
Blush Color Palette Bridal Bouquet
















Just had the pleasure of working with and creating Nicole and Matt Taukus's wedding on October 18 at Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, NY.  They were such a treat to work with.  Such a relaxed and easy going couple.  Elegance and class are two words that can only describe them.  Nicole knew exactly what she wanted and I couldn't wait to create her vision for her.  The winery offered the perfect backdrop and setting for them.  With the help of my husband, father in law, sisters and niece, (which I couldn't have done it without them), we were able to create a beautiful, elegant fall setting.  With mini white pumpkins, antique green hydrangea, a blush color floral palette, lanterns, tulle and an aisle of french flower buckets, we transformed a beautiful stone wall and patchy grass to an enchanted, feminine ceremony backdrop.  Take a peak!  
Stunning Fall Aisle


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Saturday, February 1, 2014

A Gift For Your Valentine




For Your Valentine from paige p. photography on Vimeo.

Every woman wants to feel beautiful and be loved. This Valentines day give her both. Walk in the door with a gorgeous floral bouquet (shows that you went the extra step to plan) and give her a gift card that says, "I love you and I want to capture you forever". She may just start to cry. It will be an unforgettable Valentines Day!
(Paige P. Photography, Chateau Salon, Coco & Bailey)

HAPPY LOVE DAY TO ALL!

xoxo




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Friday, January 31, 2014

There is No Place Like Love





Heart Day is Coming!!!
Valentine's Day is a day that symbolizes LOVE.  Isn't that ironic, one day so commercialized for love?  Shouldn't we have that everyday?  Shouldn't we want that everyday?  "LOVE"... a little four letter word that holds the biggest gift to us in the world.  We all search for it from young to old and when we find it, whether it be through your partner, your family (especially your children), your pets, some people through their work, we want to hold on to it forever and we want to give it unconditionally.  "I Love You" are three words that fix even the most broken hearted.  Let this Valentine's Day not only be a day of chocolates and a romantic dinner but let it be a reminder that Love doesn't cost a dime.  It's a look, a touch of the hand, a hug, a kiss and a magnificent feeling.  Like the heading says, 
"There is No Place Like Love".  

Much love to everyone!!



P.S.  Check out our Facebook Page for our Valentine's Day Floral Collection.  Here is our "From The Heart" arrangement.  Just getting ready to put them on our online boutique for order.   

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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Eating Up To Fight Aging -Do you have any healthy recipes you want to share?


Oh Hello, 
We finally made it to our second blog.  The days just fly by and before you know it we are looking at the end of January.  So CRAZY!!  There is so much to talk about and to fill you in on.  I promised and told you we were going to cover all bases on our blog and now it's Monica's turn, our wonderful registered dietician here to inform you and educate you and if those words sound too boring, she's basically going to just tell you flat out.  Monica is not a sugar coater.  She is a "balls to the wall" kind of girl.  Scary for some, highly respected by others.  With that said, I have a question.  Don't we want to "AGE GRACEFULLY"?  What does that mean?!  How about...WE DON'T WANT TO AGE AT ALL!!  "Mugs, (what we sisters call her), please explain to all of us ladies what we need to hear."  Get your journals and your pens ready.  Here it is.


Believe it or not, what we consume on a daily basis plays a large part on how we age internally and externally.  Which one of us doesn’t want to ward off wrinkles, boost our memory or prevent illness?  A good place to start fighting off the signs of aging is your diet.
 The Mediterranean diet (fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish and multigrain breads) have been associated with less skin aging.  This type of diet has been at the forefront in the fight against inflammation in our bodies which interferes with healthy tissue repair and triggers genetic changes that can lead to cancer, heart problems, diabetes, depression and other diseases.  
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Recommended Foods to Fight Aging
In the perennial quest for longevity, there are no miracle cures. But what's on your plate matters more than you think. Here are a few recommended foods to put in your pantry.
They contain folate, calcium, and other nutrients that support bone health, protect against cognitive decline, and help prevent age-related eye problems. Diets high in cruciferous veggies, such as broccoli and cabbage, help reduce risk of memory loss and cancer.

2.  Whole Grains
Rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, whole grains can lower the risk of age-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Because they're digested more slowly than processed grains, they also help prevent high blood sugar and diabetes.

3.   Berries
Blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries are rich in antioxidant compounds known as anthocyanins, which have been shown to slow the growth of certain cancers as well as improve brain function, muscle tone, and balance.View Image
4.  Olive Oil
Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fat, olive oil figures prominently in the Mediterranean diet. It may explain the lower rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and age-related cognitive decline in people who follow this way of eating.

5.  Tomatoes
Certain red fruits -- including tomatoes -- contain lycopene, an antioxidant compound that helps maintain youthful skin texture and may reduce the risk of some types of cancer (especially prostate, lung, and stomach cancers) and heart disease.


6.  Nuts
Varieties such as almonds and walnuts contain a generous helping of healthy fats, vitamins, and protein that benefit cardiovascular and brain health. Nuts are also high in compounds that ease inflammation.

7.  Red Grapes

Grapes contain an antioxidant called resveratrol, which been shown to extend the lives of lab animals. Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties, which may explain why red wine and purple grape juice also help promote heart health.

8.  Fish
An important part of the Japanese and Mediterranean diets, oily fish provide omega-3 fatty acids that help combat inflammation in the body. People who eat several weekly servings of such fish have a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and stroke.

9.  Teas
Of the various types of tea, white and green tea contain the most EGCG, one of the most powerful antioxidants. Numerous studies have linked tea consumption to lower rates of conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.

10.  Herbs and Spices
Spices such as turmeric and ginger contain anti-inflammatory compounds that might reduce the risk of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. The antioxidant substances in garlic and onions can protect against heart disease and cancer; cinnamon may help lower blood sugar.

Equally as important as the foods you eat is keeping the body hydrated.  Drink plenty of water.  The benefits of drinking water cannot be understated. It is used by the body to flush out toxins and other waste products. Water also is one of the best tools for weight loss, besides assisting in clearing your skin.
We can’t forget to mention exercise.  Exercising regularly will not only help you lose weight and stay in shape, but it also helps in slowing down the aging process. If you exercise regularly, a number of ailments associated with aging can be reduced. These include insomnia, back and joint pain, flexibility, stress related disorders, weight-gain, etc. Also exercise has the added advantage of making you feel more energetic, preventing the incidence of high blood pressure, increasing blood flow to your skin, reducing stress and increasing your metabolic rate.
Balancing stress and its harmful effects on the human body is also important on helping us prevent aging. However, you must remember that not all stress is bad! To a certain extent, stress is needed by the body to perform its day-to-day functions.  The problem arises when the stress level increases and the body is affected by its harmful effects. Hence in order to minimize the damage done to the body by excess stress, it is necessary to keep it in check. There are many ways by which this can be done such as deep breathing, listening to soothing music, meditation, yoga, etc.
Another way to alleviate stress is to learn the art of time management in your daily life. This will help you allocate some time for yourself on a daily basis, which can be used for practicing meditation or any other technique to reduce stress.
Lastly we should mention sleep.  Lack of sufficient sleeps not only makes you age faster but also makes you look older.  When you do not get enough sleep, you feel tired and find it difficult to concentrate. Also you tend to be irritable and grumpy, as a result you may not be able to perform your tasks efficiently. The best way to avoid all the problems caused by lack of sufficient sleep would be to ensure that you get a good night’s rest. Hope this helps.
P.S.  Here is a handy chart for you.  It's pretty self explanatory.




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Friday, January 3, 2014

Happy New Year!



Happy New Year!
Dear 2014,
Hi!  So, This is our first blog and we are so excited to be starting this new venture.  New Year...New Beginnings. Sounds cliche' but words to live by.  I know we have a laundry list of what our New Year's resolutions are going to be, like cleaning out your closets, doing a 5K, joining a gym, going to church on Sundays and maybe, for some of us like myself, we check off one by the end of the year.  Right now though, our hopes and ambitions for this year are so high, that we're going to run with them.  We are four sisters with pretty much the same dream...to have our own little boutique in a Victorian style home with french doors showcasing unique gifts and finds, handmade, beauty looks and accessories and fresh florals as well as a feminine style "Bar".  Our "Bar" would have international coffees, tea's, cappuccino's, champagne, desserts and TV's featuring HGTV, The Food Network, The Style Channel and even the Hallmark Channel etc.  I can go on and on.  All things that make a girl scream "YES!  Finally"!   Until then, we are going to put all that online.  Well, the "Bar" may be hard to do but we'll figure it out.  A girl always does.  We want our blog to inform you, encourage you, lift your spirits, inspire you and show you all things great, fun and happy.  We want to fill you in on all the things we find that we know you would love and also show you some DIY projects that are so easy to do.  We want to encourage and highlight small businesses and independent, creative entrepreneurs like single moms, stay at home moms, women who inspire and who have so much to offer.  We want to feature their work and creativity and tell you where to find it.  We love all things handmade! We definitely want you to fill us in also.  We're only human, so if there is something you want to see, just ask.  This is all new to  us and even though we are pretty private people we have so much good to offer.  Most importantly, family is soooooooo important to us and they will always be the root to all of what we do and say and what you see.  We wish you a healthy, happy and fun new year!!  Cheers & Blessings!



P.S.  Our word for the year is "LOVE".









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