Orcas Island Wedding Style

A Bit of City

I was feeling a bit stale from a long winter and from staring out at all this natural beauty. Seriously, sometimes you really can't see the forest for the trees.

So my husband and I packed up and went on a trip from which we have just returned.

We struggled at first to decide where this much needed break would be, friends in the Caribbean, friends in Bali all tempted us but we realised pretty quickly it was a big dose of City that was needed.

My first post (in forever I know!)is about why that was a good choice, going city that is. I needed visual feeding.  

Coming up with unusual inspiration for Wedding decor that goes beyond bark and moss or can be ferreted out from the two dimensional world of my MAC is at times a challenge.

So it seemed to make sense to go to Paris. 

Isn't this just fantastic!

I know I can't bring the Musee des Moyan Age here (though I wish I could work there) nor can I time travel the ancient stone masons of France for my next project but I can certainly let them inpsire me....  how about for the next time I have a tent ceiling to decorate?

Ah, the jet lag siren song calls and I must answer. More soon dear friends. au bientôt.

The Seattle Wedding Show

This last weekend was the 2012 Seattle Wedding Show. It is our second year doing it. It was intense, fun, demanding and very hard on the feet.  Fruitful? Well, we'll see.

I want to give a big shout out to Rosario Resort and Spa for including us in their booth. There is no doubt from the looks on so many faces as they passed by the booth and read the banner, the name Rosario holds powerful memories. Memories of romance,  childhood,  a first kiss, family time, whales and eagles, all that Orcas Island has to offer.  It was lovely to be associated with such a positive force.

Sarah McCulloch also deserves a big hug of thanks for her fixing our portfolio or rather rebuilding it and for making such a unique sign for Patina. Fan, Friend, Associate all hats worn with love. And we are very very grateful to her.

So here are a few pictures of our booth. Very bridal. Lots of pictures were taken by florists and brides and moms all of whom are getting married elsewhere.  Lots of man handling of the moss boxes trying to capture how it was done. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...I tell myself over and over....It got so that John would go up to people as they turned and twisted the boxes this way and that and say, "they grow like that on the island. We have moss box trees all over the place". Some people, actually quite a few stopped and stared with wonder in their eyes before they caught on. It was fun and funny.

 

 

 

Hats

Kate and William. As a planner and designer it is an interesting exercise to imagine what working a Royal Wedding would be like. Impeccable staff helps. A full wallet doesn't hurt. But the pressure of it all requires a very strong stomach. Like as not, I will not have to test myself on that scale.

Loved the hats! I think that was my favourite part. Did you see them? If not check out this slide show link Royal Hats on the NYTimes.  Some of the hats look like they come from Yves St. Laurent via Dr. Seuss. Some went in for height. Others for brim. Don't get many events on Orcas where hats like this show up. Our loss.

Most everyone here dresses as my friend Nikki says, 'prepared for a Hiking Emergency'. Polar Fleece, tired jeans, rugged shoes and earrings. You get the image. Another friend tells the story of how she and her husband were going to an evening party and it wasn't a potluck. She came out feeling very pretty,  lovely pants and top, a bit of girl frill, jewlery and makeup. Her husband came out in pants and a polar fleece and rugged shoes, sans jewlery. They looked as if they were going to different events.

So what do you wear to an Orcas Island wedding? Unless specified for black tie or aloha party, an outfit that makes you feel very pretty, that you can where with out tugging at it to put it back in place, is the right thing. Shoes are of course a challenge. I have sadly missed several seasons of shoes that I would have loved to wear because I live here. I see a lot of women in heels twisting ankles as they chase their 3 year old off the path into the forest. I've seen Christian Louboutins aerating lawns while ruining heel and toe. Ca-ching! It is distressing to say but low heels and flats work for the grass and the dance floor. Leave the polar fleece in the hotel room. Bring a sparkely sweater or wrap. It is chilly at night for sure.

And if the mood hits and style works, wear a great hat. There are those of us here who would be so very grateful.

Oh the embarassment! Last night even John said, "Les, you have got to do some writing for your blog". I didn't even know he read it. 

Well today I had a totally wonderful experience. Patina does Staging (for those who didn't know) and I had a chance to speak to a potential client.  Sandy Kenyon is from NYC and if you have ever sat in the back of a cab in the last couple of years, it is his voice you hear coming out atcha from the vid screen.  Sandy has done so many different things in Television and broadcasting, his dossier must read like a TV guide. Any how, we were talking about the staging and NYC and our shared past in the commercial industry.  I got a good dose of NYC with my morning Joe and I was all smiles afterwards. Thanks Sandy!

The wedding show is coming up and we are incredibly excited to be part of it and grateful to Rosario Resort and Spa for sharing space in their booth with us.   Also, we are so lucky that BBJ linen has offered to provide their gorgeous linens. There are some fabrics that truly make your mouth water they are so incredibly yummy.   It will make our little 10x10 a piece of paradise in the midst of madness.  Come look for us it would be great to meet you .

Have had the chance to do some wonderful projects recently that were not wedding based.  The greatest party for the closing of a great restaurant here. That was fun! Yummy food, wonderful wine and just an incredible group of people.  Did the stage design for a benefit concert for the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. That was such a creative jolt. I think if I had the chance I would do that for while. It is a bit exhilirating to see your work up there on stage.   And then for a bit heart joy, being part of an incredible group of people that was able to raise all the money needed to match a building fund grant for the Orcas Island Food Bank. And we raised it on time and beyond our goal.

Tonight is movie night up the hill with friends. Tomorrow a Wyndham Hill Celtic Christmas concert. Life on the rock is really very sweet right now.  Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Nancy and Jim

Nancy and Jim got married on Sept. 11, 2010 on Orcas Island. Yes, I know, not your most auspicious date. But they were a great couple to work with and it was a fun wedding to design for.  And I thought since my mind is tired and my hands don't want to do anything more than hold a glass of wine, I would share some pix for your viewing pleasure.  So without further ado..here is the Nancy and Jim Rosario Resort Wedding!NANCY AND JIM

Time Off

Been spending time with my grandkid, Bella watching with amazement how in the space of one month her reasoning skills and pattern identification skills have rocketed upwards in complexity. We wanted Bella to have some Orcas Style fun so we want to visit our old neighbors.

We are very lucky to call Amy, Eric, Martha and Rachel Lum our friends. The Lum's have this farm, family, friend thing going on. Every time we go over for a visit there is always something wonderful happening. Friends visiting from afar, duck eggs in the incubator,  Amy's rhubarb berry crisps coming out of the oven, 2 donkeys in need of a good brushing, handsome chickens running amok  and this time a 2 day old baby lamb needing to be bottle fed.  Bella was in heaven. Well we all were.  We always have a warm wonderful and something very other from our daily lives kind of time. 

Out of the sheep raising part of the farm, has evolved a thriving cottage industry and child care solution. Bossy Felt Works is the name of the business. Bossy being the big sheep in the pen, gives over her wool to  Amy and 2 other moms and while the moms felt and make funtastic, wonderfully sweet felted figurines and ornaments and mobiles the kids get to play together, eat and nap together. It is wonderfully chaotic and very real.  They were honored a little while passed to be included in the Smithsonian's Cultural Heritage and Crafts Fair. Bossy Feltworks is a great feature on Orcas Island and you will also find them at the Saturday Market starting in May. Check them out when you come.

Been Gone

Been gone off the rock for a week.

Getting my island legs back underneath me.

Will post something new for your amusement soon.

Thanks for the patience and the willingness to check back.

SPRING IS HERE!!!! (well compared to Chicago it is!).

A Little Bit About Us

John and I came to Orcas Island 10 years ago to live full time. We hailed from New York City with a brief stop in Venice Beach, California for 10 years. We came here after many amazing years in the commercial film industry. Oh the stories we can tell! 

Life is a bit simpler, slower. The ego's have vanished as has the first class travel and fine hotels. We have our home though which we love. We have dogs now. How did we live without them?  Tradeoffs are going on all the time. The balance sheet for that is pretty even.

Not much to tell you today other than it is a still day outside the window, a bit of blue, a bit of pink and bit of grey. Here are some photos to enjoy.
Our little family last Halloween

The best girl shop anywhere! It's almost unfair how good it is! And it's here. In Eastsound. Tres Fabu!

Tajz the day we brought him home from the rescue center. Though he is about 70 pounds heavier and 8 years older he still acts at times like he did when he was this small. He is a fraidy cat. When the power goes out he hides under the desk. When clients come over at first they are leary of him. But within 15 minutes or so he has his head in their lap and they are petting him and cooing at him. He is a sucker for attention.

 Molly as a puppy. Everyone asks us what she is. We answer "pot belly pig mixed with Ewok and French bulldog". But who knows. She was our family's dog but her fears kept her living outside, away from people. She hated carpets and stairs and closed spaces.  Tajz helped her to come out of her shell. She takes the couch when ever she can. She talks to us all the time. She loves having her belly rubbed. And she is a real diva with other dogs.

and one last one for you. The moon over ship bay on the night of our dear friend Patty's birthday. It was taken from the dining room from the Inn at Ship Bay. An exceptionally good place to eat. 

Wanting to learn how to cherish the quiet days and not fill them too much. But NYC runs in my blood and I might be asking just a bit too much. Thanks for stopping by.

No Words

No Words today. Just photos of things beautiful and Orcas. 

thank you to John and Gene for the pause in breath photography.

Escaped Me

Ah ha! I get it now. You have to actually sit down and write this thing. I know, duh!! But honestly in the euphoric throes I felt creating this blog, the thrill of seeing the blog posted the obvious escaped me. Besides I have been rendered senseless by this mother of a cold. I know - no excuses.

Though firmly in the grips of the grippe I have been giving thought to both my business and how it can relate to writing this blog. And I don't have an answer yet. And so I ruminate.

This has brought me to pondering upon how winter brings our little island world to an utter standstill.The tourists are gone. The parties are over. Most of the restaurants are now closed, and many of the shops are empty and shuttered. It as if business like bears hibernate.

To make a living here many of us  have to wear several hats. In the winter there are many less to choose from. In the summer our heads turn into a haberdashers wet dream . Checker in the market by day and waitstaff by night, Pilates teacher and bicycle repair on weekends.  When you offer yourself as a service in a rural market one service is rearely enough to get you by.

I witnessed this while in the commercial film business, all the years on the road traveling to small towns, looking for iconic America to film. I thought it was the exception, I know now it is the rule.

So the hats that hangs on Patina's rack are all about  design: for weddings, for staging, for products, for home and for events. And of course now a blogger.  Trying to remember which hat I should be wearing at any given moment is the trick- avoiding a wardrobe malfunction the goal.