Justin & Jody's House

    This is my beautiful friend Jody!










    Yes, that's me taking lots of photos of all the pretty things!






    FINALLY, here are some photos of my friend's house. Justin & Jody have just finished building this modern house which they are planning on selling very soon as they are about to embark on another project.

    Jody wanted a really pretty look which is a big departure from the look she had in her previous house which was taupe and natural.

    They had lots of old pieces of furniture which they had collected over the years which we painted and recovered. There are some more pictures of their bedroom which we did in navy and white which I will post sometime soon as well! Hope you like this fun, happy, bright house!!
    Source URL: https://idiesse.blogspot.com/2009/03/
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snap and chat with Wendy Joblon



    Trish and I headed out to South Dartmouth last week to visit the ultra fab Wendy... wedding planner, small business owner, mother of two, wife of one... and over all very cool lady. We always love to photograph a wedding when Wendy has had a hand in the planning. She has the best taste!


    In addition to being a planner- Wendy opened this adorable store Folia in South Dartmouth that carries custom invitations and all things monogrammed (gifts, personalized stationary etc.)

    Isn't it adorable? I want to live here.



    ... and the inside too...




    Wendy has been in this space for a year. She's open from 10-3 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday.
    In the summer she'll be open until 4pm.



    Why add invitations to an already successful planning business? "Wedding invites and planning go hand in hand because there is a theme to it. Many people start with the invitation. It's nice to have that input."



    Here she is! Wendy is about to be on the other side of a wedding .... her son is getting married over Labor Day weekend in Colorado. Wendy says she does not want to be in charge of anything!!! She just want to go and have a great time- oh, and wear a gorgeous dress of course...The wedding is planned for 450 guests, and there will be 28 people in the wedding party- wow!
    Wendy is so respected in our business. Whenever her name comes up in conversation- it's always a compliment about her great style or just how nice of a person she is. I was curious about how she started her business...
    Turns out Wendy went to BU to become a teacher-she made it through but decided it just wasn't for her. She said it was so hard that she lost 25lbs the first year! Maybe I should take up teaching?...
    Next, she became the catering secretary and coordinator at the Sheraton Tara in Raynham, but left to move to Dartmouth and get married. Next for Wendy... to baby boys that kept he buys for a while until she started to get a little cabin feverish at home.
    She ended up getting a job selling boxes... "I didn't know anything about boxes but boy could I sell them!" No surprises here... Wendy is a knock out, I am sure those companies she was selling boxes too would have bought anything she came in with.
    One day when she was getting a manicure, her manicurist asked if she could help her plan her daughter's Batmitzvah. Wendy accepted. She also worked for several years at Hawthorne CC booking, coordinating, and overseeing all things wedding.
    Then she decided, "Hey- I should start my own business, and that was 14 year ago!"



    Wendy is modeling some of the adorable things she carries in the store, like this terry cloth wrap, with monogram of course. How cute would this be as gift for bridesmaids?



    We are suckers for personalized stationary too.


    If you need invitations or a fun gift, a trip to South Dartmouth is so worth it, it's the cutest little village with good places for lunch. Also, because Wendy is a wedding planner too she often doles out a little free advice to her customers!


    Wendy, it's always so nice to see you- thanks for the snap and chat. We'll be back in for some stationary!
    You can contact Wendy through her website: www.wendyjoblon.com
    Folia is located at 354 Elm Street in South Dartmouth

    Source URL: https://idiesse.blogspot.com/2009/03/
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They're Coming!!


    It seems I am experiencing a few technical camera/computer problems. I know I said I would post images of my friends house tonight however, it's just not going to be possible as I am so hopeless at computer problems! Here is one more image to keep you going for the meantime! Please bear with me. I hope to have the complete set of pictures posted here tomorrow sometime. Thanks for your patience!!
    Source URL: https://idiesse.blogspot.com/2009/03/
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More Photos Tomorrow


    I will post the photos of my friend's house, which I just finished working on, tomorrow as I didn't have time to upload the photos before I left the office this afternoon...sorry!!! However, here's one sneak peek picture to whet your appetite!!

    Image - Anna Spiro
    Source URL: https://idiesse.blogspot.com/2009/03/
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The Week Ahead


    I thought I would post this pretty blue and white image to begin the new week. I love the simplicity of this little corner. I would love to sit on that gorgeous cane chair whilst I chatted on the phone to my mother or a close friend!

    This week we have a number of big installations happening which will mean a very busy, yet exciting week ahead. I also have a gorgeous house to share with you all which I have just finished working on for one of my lovely friends. I hope to post photos of it tomorrow night so stay tuned...

    Source URL: https://idiesse.blogspot.com/2009/03/
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    My husband Jim jumped up from the computer last night and said "Trishy, come see this photo, you have to put this on your blog, this is what you are always talking about!".


    The caption on this photo reads as follows: CFA volunteer David Nicholls escaped his Narbethong home with only his wedding album.


    I felt such a swell of emotion, this is the only posession he saved from his home, aside from people my photos are the only thing I would try to save if my home was on fire. What else is there to say?

    Photo by Norman Oorloff

    You can see more photos and read more about what is happening here:
    Victoria's killer fires NEWS.com.au
    Source URL: https://idiesse.blogspot.com/2009/03/
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A snapper in training....

    What's the key to the snap! success you might wonder?.... one word: enthusiasm. We LOVE what we do and we are always excited to come to work... that's it- that's the secret ingredient. So, on that note: feast your eyes on the next generation of snap.... a snap girl in training if you will. My daughter Vianne had the day off from school Monday so she came to the office with me and while we were busy with snap stuff, she was busy making us pictures and demonstrating her album design skills:

    I will translate here because this letter is written in first grade language:



    Basically she thinks we are real nice and our albums are real nice too.
    Our pictures are also awesome (guys). This her album layout, I think she has the right idea, and the hearts are a nice touch. I like the super bride with the cape and the bracelet the best. She understands it's all about the details.





    Source URL: https://idiesse.blogspot.com/2009/03/
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Weekend Flowers


    I think I might break my budget again this weekend and head off to buy myself some more fresh flowers! I'm off now until next week. I have a busy weekend planned which will be fun!

    Thanks again for your lovely emails and comments this week. You are amazing!
    xx
    Anna

    Image - Flickr
    Source URL: https://idiesse.blogspot.com/2009/03/
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Gumdale House


    I have been meaning to share more pictures of the gorgeous Gumdale house I finished late last year. I was just flicking through my picture files and spotted this image of a corner of the family room and it reminded me. I promise I will post some more pictures of this lovely home soon!!
    Source URL: https://idiesse.blogspot.com/2009/03/
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Pink & Red


    It's no secret that I love pink. I also love pink and red together. I think it's just such an unexpected yet gorgeous colour combination!

    Image via - Wide open spaces journal
    Source URL: https://idiesse.blogspot.com/2009/03/
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My Decorating Life




    You know what? I need to be really honest with you all. I would imagine that you would think my job is so glamorous and amazing. Am I right?

    Well, I have to tell you that it is the most amazing job and I absolutely ADORE what I do but I also have to tell you that it is one of the hardest jobs in the whole wide world.

    On a daily basis I attempt to please every single one of my clients. On a daily basis I am disappointed by goods not arriving on time, manufacturers and suppliers breaking their promises and goods being delivered faulty or completely and utterly wrong and not how we ordered them.

    I just need to make it clear that even though this job is my lifelong passion I just wish that I could do it better and no matter how hard I try sometimes it's just not good enough.

    I'm sure this is the same in every profession but relying on others in this profession is so disappointing and so embarrassing at times and no matter what you do, sometimes it all just ends up wrong!

    I don't want your sympathy. That's not what this post is about. I just thought I'd tell you that it really isn't as glamorous as it sounds.

    Tomorrow will be better. I know it will be.

    Images via Vi.sualize.us
    Source URL: https://idiesse.blogspot.com/2009/03/
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*Reminder

Bed of Flowers


















    I fell in love with this gorgeous guest house in the Netherlands when it was featured in Real Living magazine recently. I love, love, love it! The coloured feature walls are divine and I love them paired with the floral fabrics, vintage floral artwork, white walls and vintage inspired furniture pieces. The house is aptly named Bed of Flowers!! You can stay at this beautiful place and I must say I think it is very reasonable priced. Click HERE to visit the website.
    Source URL: https://idiesse.blogspot.com/2009/03/
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Sunday at Mum & Dads




    Today we went to Mum and Dad's house which isn't unusual for a Sunday. We are a very close family and we tend to gather at my parent's house at least once a week for a family lunch or dinner. My mother is the most amazing cook and host. She loves entertaining and having her family around her.

    I thought the house looked so lovely today so I took a few photos of an area outside their kitchen where we all gather when Mum is cooking. She is always arranging flowers from her garden in table vignettes and potting up her large flower pots on the deck which keeps the house looking so fresh and pretty. She constantly inspires me.
    Source URL: https://idiesse.blogspot.com/2009/03/
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I Love Saturday Mornings


    It's 8.54am Saturday morning and I'm up which is quite unusual for me on a Saturday. I love sleeping in on the weekend. However, today I think I am going to get up and get going. I might head out to see what new goodies Michael Allen has and then I might grab a coffee and head over to New Farm to do my usual Saturday morning drop into Black & Spiro to see what's happening. I love that today is mine and I get to choose what I want to do....How about you? What are you planning today??
    Source URL: https://idiesse.blogspot.com/2009/03/
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snap and chat with Semia

    Although we've worked with Semia quite a few times a we've never actually met the lady behind the fantastic florals... she always seems to elude us. I got a brief glimpse of her in February at Karalyn and Erik's wedding... but not enough to satisfy my curiosity, so naturally a snap and chat was in order... Hey, wait a minute! Maybe she's trying to hide from us?!


    How cute is this photo? Here's our first impression of Semia as she welcomes us into her store...




    TA- DA! That's more like it!




    Semia opened her shop in North Providence a few years ago... and they are constantly cooking up beautiful arrangements....



    ...and bouquets. Semia is REALLY busy, because she's a hard worker for one- and secondly the brides are insane for her because her work really stands out. It's young, and fresh, and sweet - just like Semia herself.


    How would Semia define her style? "More is more! Abundant is my philosophy!"



    I asked Semia if she felt brides were hesitant to try funkier designs... "It really depends on the bride, but I like to surprise people! For instance, when I did Karalyn's wedding I found something that I REALLY wanted to add to her table arrangements (the hanging crystals).

    I called her and said, I've found this thing.. it's you, I know it's you... you have to have it! And, she trusted me.. and she LOVED it!"


    It's that kind of inspiration, with a little bit of innovation and edge that sets Semia apart!


    Semia adds..."I get two kinds of brides basically, the really edgy funky brides who aren't afraid and want things like black feathers in their bouquet- and then also the English garden traditional bride who wants her florals to look really rich. The best part is when someone really trusts you and doesn't need to know every color and shape, but they know what they generally want and want me to run with it! That's my favorite kind of bride."




    Of course every bride wants to know that her florist is using the freshest flowers...

    It doesn't get much fresher than growing them yourself does it? Semia's parents own a farm- and Semia has grown a cutting garden there since she was a teenager. Now, Semia's mom has taken over to help her- and in the summer they grow Dahlias, Sunlowers, and Peonies to name a few... as well as herbs which all make their way into Semia's creations.


    Talk about a personal touch!


    Semia's favorite season for flowers? Spring! "I love the flowering branches and lilac, peony and hydrangea!"



    I think Trish had the best question of the chat... where does the name Semia (Se-mee-ah) come from?


    "It's a family name actually. It's Lebanese, from my father's side. It's a tradition in my father's family that if your first child is a girl, you name her Semia. There are quite a few Semia's in my family!"


    And what does the name mean?


    "It means a jewel or a treasure."


    AWH....




    Semia was a bride herself last year. Everyone was wowed by the beautiful photos of all her amazing flowers which appeared in the latest issue of Southern New England Weddings (pick up a copy!) I was curious about her experiences being on both sides of the bouquet!


    "It took a week of solid designing to to it all. It was a labor of love- I wanted to work here every day leading up to the wedding. My fiancee kept asking me to please go easy... but I just said, you are going to lose this one hon! "


    "I got engaged in January- and we set our date for May- so my wedding was planned in 5 months! I wanted a spring wedding and it was really important to me to use key pieces from my mother's yard. I used a vase of dogwood branches and a vase of white lilac to bring in a touch of home. I was picking flowers in my mother's yard two days before the wedding."


    "Every table at my reception was different, they didn't have to fit a formula. I told my staff- this is what I want... and they just ran with it... and I got to be surprised!"


    "I actually got to set up for 2 or 3 hours and then went right from the Glen Manor to my rehearsal! It was everything that I wanted. We filled every square inch, but if I could have added more floral I would! It was a dream come true."





    So what's in store for Semia this year? Just working hard... and making the world a more beautiful place it seems... Trish and I are just so glad we finally got to sit down with Semia and make a new friend. She's a lot like us... passionate about her craft and serious about being a good business woman out in the world. It's reassuring to chat with her and realize that even though our product may be different our principals and practices are really similar.


    The last thing I asked Semia was, what is the latest trend for brides? What are we going to be seeing out there?"


    "Diamonds are the new shells!" she says laughing. (Semia introduced those fun over sized fake diamonds sprinkled over tables at the reception-see photo above).


    Spoken like a true jewel!
    Source URL: https://idiesse.blogspot.com/2009/03/
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