Faux or Real?

OK, so if you follow along you will know that I am a lover of Flowers! Almost all kinds of flowers, though I admit to having my favorites, such as the classic Hydrangea. Orchids are pretty much always found all over my house, and that's mostly due to their longevity, but also because I don't have a cutting garden… 

I am torn when it comes to the faux variety … I have been known to use a few of these faux blooms in different clients homes, but really, my heart is with the real kind! However, when you have a busy household these come in handy, so I was happy to see this sale on One Kings Lane this evening.

I really like this Cymbidium Orchid in the Blue & White pot! Imagine it on a tall side table in the living room, or a table in the foyer, perhaps arranged with a few books & a candle …

So, are you into Real or Faux Flowers? Can you really tell the difference? 

Natasha

PS. Follow Northern Light Design on Instagram and you will be witness to my love of flowers...

All images via OKL

Sunday Flowers

Well... not just Sunday Flowers today, as I think you all had enough, given the past few posts. 

I just thought these little Turtles were adorable, and wanted to share this image...

Hope it's a great Sunday for you!

Natasha

Image via

The Boathouse, Part I

I am completely taken by this place... smitten, right from the start!! I stumbled upon this place via amazing photography on Instagram, became an instant follower, stalked their FB page, and found the website and just FELL IN LOVE! Take a peek for your self, you will be happy you did :) I PROMISE!! 

Then I got even more excited.... this place is located in Palm Beach, how come I didn't know more??? Well, it turns out the Palm Beach in question is located in Australia, not in Florida :(

This place just oozes atmosphere!! 

While the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia, is a little far for me to just "stop by", I am certain that if I lived closer, this would be My Place!! A Cafe - with what looks like a yummy cup of coffee, complete with trademark anchor - a restaurant (the food photography will have you drooling!!), event space and floral shop, I can't see why I would need to frequent any other place ;)

As a reader of the Northern Light Blog, you will already know that I love flowers, but actually don't have a green thumb, as other members of my family... so, cut flowers are my go-to, and orchids. Seem to be able to do well with those... off track, sorry. 

Wait till I post some of their floral images!! 

Any of you Australian readers been here?? 

Is this place as cool, casual and amazing as it looks from afar?

Natasha

All images via The Boathouse FB & Instagram

Summer...

Does it get much better than this?? Hope you enjoy the last days of summer :)

Natasha

Image via Bo Bedre

Sunday Flowers

Hi there... Remember me?? 

I know, it's been a loooong while since I have posted on a regular basis! Not that I have not wanted to, there has just not been enough hours in the day (ok, in many days!!!), so something had to give...

If you are still with me, I think that's really great, Thank You, and if you are new to the Northern Light Blog, even better, since you have not had time to miss my input :)

Sunday Flowers used to be one of my favorite weekly posts, and while I have not posted to the blog, I have certainly been busy on Pinterest, this is my Loving Flowers board, feel free to follow! I encourage you to check out the other boards as well, on this board called Northern Light Design, I share a little of my work from time to time, so you can see that I am actually doing "something" :)

... yesterday, I was the lucky recipient of a surprise delivery of fresh flowers... Hot pink Hydrangeas to be exact, sent to me from a Happy Client, and you just can't beat the feeling of a job well done!

Hope to be posting a lot more going forward, so Thank You again for hanging in there with me!!

Natasha

PS. Check out the floral delivery here...

Image via Pinterest

Scout's honor.

Don't you just love when you stumble across a "something" that will make your life easier and more enjoyable?? For those of us in the the creative field it can be anything from an interesting color combo, to a new magazine or a new kitchen gadget (this happened to me this holiday season, but that's for another post entirely!) that opens up a whole new world of possibilities... Well, I just came to know The Scout Guide.

If you are traveling in the near future, you should grab on of these City Guides... or all of them for that matter! So far twenty City Guides are available for you to dive into, and they feature everything from Restaurants to Galleries to Clothing and Interior shops, the best of the best. 

When traveling - or even exploring your own city - it's always exciting to "do what the locals do", explore where they shop & know what is good, don't you agree? I am forever asking local shop owners what else to see, where to eat & shop... These guides are written by the very people who would answer those questions!!

You want to go horse back riding in Birmingham? They got you covered...

Need somewhere chic to stay in Charleston? Check out Zero George Street...


I suggest you check them out here before your next flight is booked! If you want a little preview, check out their blogs (one for each destination!), plenty of information!! 

So much to see, so little time... only now, you know where to go and what to see :)

Tell them the Northern Light Blog sent you!

Natasha

All images via The Scout Guide

Sunday Flowers; A Hidden Treasure.

Step inside to one of "my" hidden treasure; WEEKS. 

You know, one of those small family owned shops you just love to pop into from time to time, and quite frankly don't want to share with anyone else ;) Well, I have decided to share with all of you, near and far, so get ready, you will want to come visit, I promise!!

The place is owned by Ron, who has been in business for close to 40 years, starting in the Orange Groves of Florida, but for the past many years he has been in Delray Beach, on the East side.

 

One of my favorite flowers are Orchids, pretty much any kind of Orchid, and while I don't know the names of all of them by any means, I truly appreciate the many different varieties available at Weeks!!

As intriguing as Lady Slipper Orchids are, this is the one that eludes me... as in will-not-grow-for-me, don't know why?

Beautiful and cheerful Ground Orchids, these you see quite often here in Florida.

Totally love the spray of vibrant color, LOVE the lime green lanterns, SO festive!! 

I had too... sneak in an image of these bright Lime Hydrangeas, they light up a dark corner. 

I see this variety of berries in bouquets all the time, but I actually do not know the name, do you?? 

More than a few times I have made references here on the blog about Anemones, specifically this white and black version, and look... a whole bucket full :) And tell me, how many indoor / outdoor floral shops have cool worn rugs, covering the pavers??

I could just run away with this bucket of incredible white Peonies!  

... and check out this super cool, yellow Spider Orchid! Looks almost pre-historic, the edges all curled up, the white stripes, the long "antennas", this one I had not seen before. 

When I arrived in Florida quite a while back, I grew this kind of orchid... 
Still love the vibrant purple!!

So as you can see, there are plenty of varieties to pick from! I didn't snap any images in their gift shop, but believe you me, it's amazing! You need a hostess gift, go there! You need a cool bowl, go there... Coral and shells are a plenty (we are in Florida after all) and one thing that - oddly - makes me return is Tim's Preserve... Black Raspberry, seedless :). Tim works at Weeks, super helpful, and I am told he makes the Preserves on his farm in Pennsylvania. 

It's good! Really Good!!

Now that I have enticed you I am sorry to say... there is no website, no FB page, no blog. 

I am told Ron doesn't even have a cell phone. You will just have to visit next time you are in town!

WEEKS

760 SE 5th Avenue

Delray Beach, Florida

33483

#561.276.9788

Natasha

All images by NHH for the Northern Light Blog. If you borrow, please link back!!

New on the Virtual Newsstand... Vol. II

So, I just found framework, via the Marcus Design Blog. Thank you for the introduction, Nancy! Nancy eluted to the fact that there were "other issues", oh my! I have now spent a little time going through the archived issues, and if you haven't seen them yet, you are in for a treat!! Here are just a few images to entice you :)

Issue One...

The art of saying Thank You... couldn't be more appropriate now that we have just had the Thanksgiving Holiday, and I am sure many of you should be writing a little note.... I am just saying :) Personally, I love sending cards. I enjoy finding just the right card!

Issue Two...

Vancouver artist Christine Breakell-Lee's lust worthy art is on display, along with a lovely interview! Get to know the artist, always fascinating.

Issue Three...

Who doesn't love to travel?? Framework has many cities covered throughout these six issues, ready to explore from a far.

Issue Four...

Fashion, fashion, fashion!

Lot's of great advise on how to build a wardrobe, what to spend on, who to make friends with... Fun read :)

Issue Five...

Got to know Randa Salloum, the artist behind this super cute BeYouTiful print. 

... it's always nice to see the face behind the art, and to know what inspires them, how they work etc. I truly enjoyed this article. By the way, the art piece above can be found via Randa's Etsy store, I See Noise.

In every issue there has been a Shopping Guide, I have pretty much found something that I would love to have in each :). And you know what... the girls at framework have linked all the goodies (a-la-Lonny) so your need for instant gratification couldn't be easier!!

I also noticed some really cool Gift Guides. Now that the holiday season is upon us, you might need a little inspiration, and it's all here!!! Go check it out, you will be happy you did!! The Blog, The Pinterest Boards, The Website... it's all there! And if you are planning a trip to Vancouver, you must check out all these issues, they have so many go-to shops & local knowledge!

Natasha

All images via framework, some from the magazines, some from their Pinterest boards.

Sunday Flowers (on Monday)

It's no secret that I adore hydrangeas,  so much volume for not a lot of money, such pretty colors and they last so long once cut. The best tip I ever read on how to keep hydrangeas alive and well, came from non other than Martha Stewart... If your blooms start to fall, simply cut a fresh cut on the stem, and submerge the entire flower in cold water, and voila... after an hour or so, it will spring right back! Trust me, it works like a charm :)

Another reason to love hydrangeas are the beautiful dusty colors as above! 

Fall-y & moody colors, don't you think??

Natasha

Image via Livet Hjemme

Mixed Flowers.

Just wanted to share this weeks pretty white and green bouquet with all of you. 

I picked it up last week, one of those split second decisions, impulse shopping at it's best :)

Having followed along on Northern Light surely you have noticed my love of flowers, and mostly my bouquets are of all the same blooms; be it roses, hydrangeas or even just tropical leaves... However, this little arrangement is made up of several different flowers, and I suspect the florist was using "left overs", as not all of the blooms were super fresh, and all the bouquets for sale were slightly different. But really, does that even matter?? The price was good, they make me happy, and with a little TLC, they have now lasted a good five days already.

So the question of the day; Do you like mixed flowers or do you prefer them to be all the same sort? What about a unifying color as you see here?

Do tell!

Natasha

All images by NHH for the Northern Light Blog, vase from Kate Spade.

PS. Maple keeping an eye on me :)

Sunday Flowers (a little late...)

Floral shops.... don't you just always want to go in and take a look around, whether you are buying or not??   I DO!

I am totally not shy about taking photos either :), BUT I always make sure to ask first, and often that leads to an interesting conversation with the florist or shopkeeper!!

Natasha

Image via Anh of 9to5 Chic