Seasonal Cuts of the Day

And they are back – Seasonal Cuts of the Day! 

Fall offers an abundance of great seasonal flowers and accents.  Gorgeous sunflowers (above)

Wispy broomcorn (above & below)

Beautiful cattails (above).

Playful Plumage

 

Fall is such a great time to experiment with different textures and accents. 

Feathers add a whimsical yet earthy touch to bouquets, boutonniers and arrangements. Tasteful tufts just exude a vintage-like grace that conjure up the simple elegance of an estate nestled in the English countryside. 

It’s a great twist on the classic fall look!

 

 

Field Trip!

 

I took advantage of this temperate Sunday afternoon and strolled around the Arnold Arboretum.  It is the oldest public arboretum in North America.  At a vast 265-acres, the Arnold Arboretum is both a research institution and public space. It was certainly a popular destination for families, runners, bicyclists, dog-walkers, and plant enthusiasts today.

Though the landscape wasn’t awash in color, the earthy tones of fall played backdrop to an abundance of berries, fruits, and seed pods.  Without showy pops of color distracting the eye, one notices the interesting textures each plant specimen has to offer. 

Even the most clueless about horticulture can enjoy a visit to the grounds.  FREE guided tours are offered (click here to view the calendar), as well as printable maps for those who would rather move at their own pace.  Admission is FREE every day of the year (except the major holidays), as is parking, so there really isn’t an excuse not to visit.

You can even use any part of the grounds for wedding ceremonies!  And it’s FREE!!!  You are welcome to conduct small (less than 40 people) wedding ceremonies, or other other group activities on the grounds.  It would be a bit tricky since you can’t reserve a specific location on the property, erect a tent, or set up seating, but it would be a lovely spot for a very laid back couple or some gorgeous wedding photos.  It would be a fun location for an engagement session as well.  I’m a little sad I didn’t think about it myself!

It’s a beautiful spot to spend an afternoon.  Just put on your walking shoes, grab a bottle of water and go!

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Beautiful Botanicals

‘Tis the season for a bounty of new botanical accents.  Blooms are quickly going by and leaving behind some really interesting seed-pods and fruit.  Including these unique accents in any arrangement adds an unexpected “wow factor.”   

One of my personal favorites is the rose hip.  During the New England summer months, seaside roadways and beaches boast brilliant fuchsia wild roses.  I snapped this picture while strolling along the cliffs of East Chop on Martha’s Vineyard over the long Labor Day weekend.  While it still had a lot of life in it yet, neighboring bushes were brimming with matured rose hips (pictured below).

 

 

 

Rose hips are the fruit of the rose bush that mature over the summer months and stand out as brilliant orange-red orbs in the early fall. They work great in arrangements or bouquets, adding a unique texture to any design. 

Pam and I had to stop ourselves from trolling the MV roadways and beaches and harvesting every bunch in site!

SOWA Sundays

This past weekend I spent a morning meandering around the stalls of the South End Open Market with a dear friend.  It’s one of the best ways to spend a lazy Sunday morning in Boston.  Start the day by indulging in a delicious brunch at any one of the number of tasty restaurants in the area. We chose the sunny curb-side patio at Stella.  I suggest the eggs benedict with prosciutto cotto and spicy hollandaise, though I hear the frittata with herbed ricotta is a great choice as well.  Hungry yet?

Next stop, the market.  It’s a great place to walk off breakfast.  Browse through the vendor tents and meet some great local artisans.  SOWA brings in new artists every week, so there is always something new to see.  It’s a great place to find presents for others or even a little something for yourself!

The brick warehouse along the right side of the tents houses the vintage market.  There are plenty of good finds to be had here.  Peruse everything from antique keys to vintage clothing.  There are always unique vases and containers to be had if you are looking to create a vintage feel for your wedding, next dinner party, or your own personal collection.  I picked up two of these cute and cheery ceramic pitchers for just a few dollars each. 

All that walking work up an appetite again?  Not to fear, SOWA is now featuring a rotating line-up of food trucks.  There is also a farmers market in the adjoining lot if you’d rather a piece of fruit or other local produce on your way out the gates.

Admission and parking is free so there’s no reason not to go and explore!