Hey y'all! It's been awhile since I've blogged! I wanted to give everyone a little summary of what's new with me and what's new in the wedding floral world. My website has been redesigned a bit so here's your official invitation to check it out! Big thanks to my former Claire's employee, Lauryn, for her hard work.
Since I last blogged, most of my excitement has been in the dog world. I added a goldendoodle, Mosby, in December 2018. In October 2019, my little black dog, Otis, tore the dog equivalent to his ACL and had surgery. Unfortunately, his new leg didn't last long. In February 2020, we found out he had lymphoma and he passed the weekend before COVID shut down the world. As much as I would have loved spending my 80 days of Claire's unemployment with him, if it would have been later, I wouldn't have been able to go inside with him. At the end of May, there was a bernedoodle named Otis that was at the shelter and we were the perfect home for him. I truly believe my little Otis sent him to us because he had been there for weeks and hadn't connected with anybody. His name is now Sirius.
I spend most of my spare time training the dogs. They've all learned to file their own nails and tolerate brushing and grooming. Mosby and Sirius have both learned not to be crazy boys on walks. Mosby has learned to put away laundry. Sirius has learned signals to tell me if he wants to meet someone or wants to stay back. It's been great for all of us.
I also gained a nephew this summer and am officially Auntie Awesome! Most of my friends have had babies in the recent past so I have a whole assortment of kids who call me Aunt Michelle. I love being the fun lady who brings presents and doesn't have to pay for college.
The wedding world and floral world has completely changed in the past year and a half. With the COVID shutdown and lack of weddings, farms had to destroy their products and lay off workers. Now that they are back in most of the world, we are struggling. There aren't enough farm workers or workers at the wholesalers (this shows me that the employment crisis is worldwide). The farms have also doubled their prices to make up for the past year. Many products are not available anywhere. I have reached out to all my couples from this year letting them know there would be more substitutions than normal. I think we've finally bought out the whole world of eucalyptus. It's nearly impossible to find and if you can, its not good quality. I have used a lot of silk greenery this year. I will always keep the integrity of your color scheme and budget for any necessary substitutions. If there's a specific flower that is integral to your wedding because of special meaning, definitely let me know and I'll get silk for that if they aren't available.
I am thankful that 2020 let me do a fair amount of intimate weddings and 2021 is bringing their big parties. I love being able to celebrate a couple twice! Although I'm sure they would rather not have to push their special day or have a global pandemic to worry about.
Photo @ Cadenza Photo Imaging
I've learned to step outside my comfort zone and do more organic and boho wedding styles. I got a van to make transport easier and more efficient. Most times its the doodlemobile, but on the weekends it transforms to a flower van! I still hate cleaning and organizing vases. That won't ever change.
I've learned to limit the number of weddings I take on for my sanity. I've learned how to improve my mental health (buying more dogs definitely helps). I've fallen in love with podcasts. I've fallen back in love with reading. I'm a better florist because I'm a better person than I was a few years ago.
I promise I won't take this much time off again!
