valentine's day is, hands down, my favorite day of the year. not because i'm crazy busy or because i have any kind of don juans making grand gestures for me (HA), but because i actually get to be a part of helping people plan the way they're going to show someone how much they love them. it's truly, truly moving to me every year the amazing thought and care that people place into their orders and it makes it impossible for me to be cynical about love or dating or relationships, no matter how desolate things may feel at times.

i came across this poem, which my studiomate had tacked up on her wall, and this one part of it stopped me in my tracks. here's you to you, lovers. please keep leading by example.

when you speak my leaves hold color

i go limber again

and recognize myself unbelievably

close to you

very like you

very like eternal.

there are no last words between us.

san fran

way back in december, i made a jaunt with my friend currie (of spartan) out to san francisco. 'twas a nice and inspiring trip before the holidays. currie's photos are stunning, mine are mostly via iphone, but i was overwhelmed with inspiration nonetheless.

san francisco mabel joy

currently on a brief trip working and planning big things for 2012 in san francisco. longer post with photos and news to come, but for now, one of my favorite songs about this crazy amazing town.

HOLIDAY PARTY

what are you doing on monday?

can i tell you?

going to our holiday pop-up party!

it's at spartan/bows + arrows on monday from 6:00 until 9:00. you can find:

wreaths and garlands handmade by me for you to deck the halls

cocktails made with bellocq tea to keep you merry and bright

charcuterie and leather gift sets by tool & tack to... jingle? i don't know if i can keep up this holiday lyric thing. whatever, they're really cool and make great gifts.

also, plenty of delicious snacks by local butcher, salt & time

more info here

angelwing

my latest love, an angelwing begonia. also, this poem.

real holiday post to come. we're making wreaths and garlands for holiday events and homes, be sure to order yours ASAP at mk at lorettaflower.com

more on that, very soon.

you ain't goin' nowhere

had to borrow this from lauren based on our conversation last night... not sure if true love would be possible with someone who didn't love the byrds.

side note: my new favorite way to stay warm is to turn the oven in my tiny kitchen up and bake something for whoever is at my house. gluten-free galettes/goat cheese/acorn squash/caramelized onions. that's what homey nights are made of.

thanksgiving re-cap

thanksgiving break was filled with work--deliveries all day on tuesday and wednesday, flowers for a lovely clarksville family's thanksgiving table, potted herbs (with hand-made plant markers) for another event at westwood on friday. more deliveries on saturday.

got to spend a brief moment with family at the ranch on thanksgiving day. snuck away with my cousin, who is six months younger than me, lives 1500 miles away, and is the closest i've ever had to a sister. i missed her terribly. we sat on the steps of an old church down the road, drank shiners, squatted in the woods, and talked about our lives as if they were best-selling novels we couldn't put down.

long, lazy, new york times-reading sunday brunch with two of my very favorites. dinner every night at my house with friends. these quiet and cozy pockets of my personal life reminding me of the calming, balanced rhythm that stems from a life of work that you love.