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

Vignette

Just came across the new Look Book from The Zhush. Full of interesting Vignettes, full of great accessories to add to your home!! I figured I would share a few of them with you here.

...and for a little behind the scenes look at how some of these were created, check this little video.

Have fun making your own displays! - and if you need a little extra inspiration, this pin board might do the trick :)

Natasha

Images via The Zhush

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...

I have just had a wonderful (long) quiet moment, pouring over the newly released Lonny Magazine June / July 2012 issue.  This is such an awesome issue all around!! Fantastic Summer Getaways, Hamptons Entertaining style and a Westhampton Hideaway I would love to hide out in!!! :)

While the interior design features in this issue are right up my alley, I particularly liked the Expert Advice from Elizabeth Blitzer. Things are changing in a big way in my personal life, so this struck a cord with me...

Enjoy!

Natasha

Vingette photographed by Patrick Cline via Lonny 

Too Pretty!

... make that Too Pretty not to re-blog :) !
This image was spotted here, and I just had to borrow, as I love EVERYTHING about this foyer!!

And yes, I know, it has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas, but I just squeezed it in anyway!

Have a beautiful day!

Natasha

Image via Gild & Grace

About last night...

As you can tell from my previous post, yesterday was.... well, yesterday :)

I was the lucky recipient of an invitation to a wonderful event, and just because it had been one of those days, didn't mean I didn't go. I am SO glad I did!!! The Seagate Beach Club was so pretty, the weather unbeatable, nice breeze and a beautiful sunset! 

This BEAUTIFUL bouquet of fresh coral and hot pink peonies greeted me at the door, and they had me at Hello!! :) How can you be in a bad mood seeing these??

....And as silly as it may be... I was trying to figure out a way, to scoop one of these gorgeous peony arrangements up, and sneak out the door with it!!   Shhhhhh!

Natasha

PS. I have to constantly remind myself how lucky I am to be living here! People from all over the world pay big bucks to spend time right here in my back yard!! It really is true... remember to stop and smell the roses peonies!! :)

All images NHH for the Northern Light Blog

A quiet moment for Japan!!

Natasha

Image unknown

It's the Weekend!

Spending a little time organizing... not a particularly fun weekend activity, but it's needed :).
I picked up a card to send to a friend this week, on the back of the card it said the following:

"Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation."

Sweet, don't you think??

Hope your weekend is a fun one!!
Please share if something really great happens...

Natasha

Image via Skona Hem

Starting THE LIST...

I know, I know, it's almost too early to start The List, don't you think?
I just could not help myself when I heard that this book just hit the stores.....

The cover is so cute, and made me think of a mood board right away.... and don't we all LOVE to look at other peoples inspirations?

 I admit to loving this shot, originally used for a Kate Spade ad....

OK, so where's the party? Did I miss anything?? LOVE pink peonies and confetti!

... and as we all know; Every girl MUST have a little sparkle!!

I can just imagine having one of those days, and just looking through this book will transport you away to a happy place! I am sure of it!! Putting it on my list :)

Did you start your list?

Natasha

Images via Pink Lemonade Design

Happy Birthday!

Wishing my sister (hi Gugge!) a very Happy Birthday!! Looking forward to spending some time, later this summer...

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Tillykke paa Foedselsdagen.

Natasha

Image via High Street Market

Floral Shops

One of the stops I always do when traveling, be it in the US (Boston has great floral shops) or somewhere in Europe, is stopping at all the floral shops! I know it drives my relatives crazy; from time to time I even ask shop keepers if I can photograph in the store, and I know my sister (Hi Gugge!) gets embarrassed..... sorry!

But why let such beauty go un-noticed?

Lately I have been picking up roses in orange, but I have always loved the pink ones, and the white and cream ones, and.....

Look at all these beautiful shades of pink, how can you go wrong? Does it not just screem PARTY?

I would so love to have a reason to pick up this many roses at one time, but I am affraid in my little house it would be total overkill..........

And what about the drama here... all those tall black vases lets you concentrate on the beautiful blooms... which flower to pick?

I am not discriminating when it comes to flowers, even just one flower in a small bud vase makes my day!!

When in season, I tend to pick up hydrengas, but for everyday, I usually have a few orchids around the house. Not only is that the only plant my cats will not either dig up, or take bites of. And it seem to be the only "flavor" I don't kill right away! Actually.... They grow very happily here, and re-bloom often :)

What is your go-to flower? What do you often come home with from the market? Or if you have your own cutting garden, what do you grow? Do tell!!

Natasha

Image #1 Windlost, Image #2 & #5 Housemartin, Image #3 Mimi Charmante, Image #4 Reggie Darling

Waking up...

... to this vase (fun) and these peonies (beautiful), new sunglasses (yeah) and a cool image.... perhaps staying in bed is not such a bad idea ;)... ok, snap out of it... going to work!

Have a great day, everyone!

Natasha

The text on the vase reads: "when I woke up this morning I realized it was the perfect day to stay in bed and drink champagne"
Image by Synnove Frantzen