A Look at VHH's Personal Flower Arrangements

Yesterday I got a call from Annie, our manager at the shop.  I'd just left the shop to pick up Smidge from school  but Annie was insistent that I return for "a surprise."  My immediate (cynical) thoughts went towards thinking there MUST be a character in the shop that Annie wants to make sure I experience...or we've just gotten a massive delivery of products and she wants me to share in the glory of processing all of it.  I pressed for more info, but nope....she only replied, "Some surprises are worth waiting for.'

So I arrived back at the shop with Smidge in tow and was presented with the most unexpected surprise of all, this beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers from my favorite flower farm in Connecticut, Eddy's Farm. :

  My fellow color-loving instagram friend, Kim Crawford of The Spirited Flamingo  had dropped them by the shop as a "just because."  Kim now also works at Eddy's.  She and I have given each other support through social media and have gushed over each other's love and appreciation for color!  What a way to make my day.  

Bouque from @spiritedflamingo for Vivid Hue Home. Photo courtesy: Vivid Hue Home

This sparked a little project yesterday afternoon and I started to peruse through my photo library discovering just how large my love of flowers seems to be.  Any time I'm entertaining guests, I must have flowers.  Every tablescape I set, there are flowers.  And on a good week when I have my act together, I have "just because" flowers (the best).

So today, I'll take you through the photo library of my personal flower arrangements.  They make me happy and hopefully will make you smile, too.  All of the arrangements below were styled by me so go easy on the judgements.  ha.  You'll also notice a theme....I LOVE to find unique vessels and vases to use for my arrangements.  Not that flowers need the extra boost, but it's fun to think about creative ways to display them.

A few things I have noticed about myself and flowers:
1. I use unique vessels for display
2. I tend to buy different flower types in the same color hues
3. I always look for the most unique flowers (and often don't even know the names of the flowers I buy).  I just buy what I like.

4. Sometimes I cheat and mix faux flowers into the arrangement to increase the longevity of the bouquet.  I mix them with real flowers for better disguise.  (SHHHHH).  I'll share below on when that's been the case.

Vivid Hue Home Sunflowers in front of my Parker Kennedy Elephant Candlesticks

My husband loves fresh sunflowers and I'm fortunate that any time he spots them at a farm stand, he picks them up and brings them home.  They add a sunny cheer to our kitchen.  Here they are with my Parker Kennedy candlesticks (sans candles but I still love them).

Vivid Hue Home Peonies in our gold Pineapple Canister

Peonies are one of my favorites! And here I put them in a gold Pineapple Jar from the shop.

Vivid Hue Home

A little fall arrangement with miniature pumpkins and gourds.

Peonies in the Vivid Hue Home sunroom

Peonies again!  I told you I love them.  A couple of years ago we had a photo shoot at the house for a publication that has since gone out of business...the photos from the shoot never aired.  A bit of a bummer, but that's not at all uncommon.  Maybe some day.

Vivid Hue Home

Elephants with more elephants.  I am in love with my elephant planters and use them often.

Vivid Hue Home-

Hosting an impromptu wine and cheese get together.  I find that adding flowers immediately zhushes up the occasion and makes your guests feel like you may have gone to a bit of prep for them.

Vivid Hue Home Whole Foods Flowers ready for purchase

Shades of pinks and purples, all loaded up in the cart ready for purchase.

Vivid Hue Home- medley of mixed flowers

Vivid Hue Home 

Full disclosure, the white floral base of this arrangement is faux.  I added the berries and additional live flowers into the mix. 

Vivid Hue Home 

Vivid Hue Home retail display

This is an entirely FAUX flower display that I designed in our first Vivid Hue Home location.  I used chicken wire in the back and my intent was to make it appear that the flowers were flowing out of the white porcelain vase on the table.  

There are the elephant planters again....I sure have gotten my mileage out of those.

Flowers are a great way to welcome guests to their rooms when staying at your house 

Vivid Hue Home Kitchen arrangement

Vivid Hue Home dressing up a cheese platter.  

Vivid Hue Home

Yes, the elephant planters again.

Vivid Hue Home.

Loved these at Whole Foods.  They were a just because arrangement.  

Prepping for a dinner party.  I LOVE my fish planter (also available at Vivid Hue Home). 

Just because.  GORGEOUS arrangement from a farmers market.

Photo shoot prep in Vivid Hue Home kitchen 

And this flower inspiration all started from a surprise bouquet that showed up at my shop yesterday.   The best news is that I've since learned that Eddy Farm has a bouquet CSA.  Subscribers will receive a fresh, hand tied bouquet weekly for pick up at the farm.  Their farm share runs April 21st through September 29th and you can sign up at any time, the price is prorated weekly to reflect the remaining time ($10/bouquet).  Check out more from their site here.

And to The Spirited Flamingo, thank you from the bottom of my heart for bring this wonderful treat my way.

Cheers, 

Heather 

Vivid Hue Home Shares Personal Tablescapes

Earlier this week I shared My Quest for unique Table Wares so that I can set a "proper" table at a dinner party.   I want to start to curate finer china but I feel super uneducated when it comes to names to hunt for and styles that would be considered a "great find" if I'm ever in an antique shop and come across them.

Despite my lack of a fine china collection, I've managed to set my tables in the past using unique plates that were collected through thrift shops, antique stores, and...Home Goods (ha).
I was the bride that didn't register for fine china because I knew my finicky tastes would change over time and I literally like to use different plates every time I host an event.  Setting a themed table is sort of my "thing."

Today, I decided to share some of my tables from the past.  

Vivid Hue Home Dinner Party with Vintage Country theme

This setting was for a dinner party I hosted at my house and I wanted an vintage country type feel.  I wanted to use a mix of place settings as if I'd used my grandmother's china (when in fact, these plates are from Anthropologie and Home Goods).  The tablecloth was April Cornell from Home Goods.  

Vivid Hue Home Country Vintage Dinner Party

Vivid Hue Home Dinner Party

Flowers are key for any table I set.  I generally select one solid hue to decorate with because I think it gives more of a professional look; however, for this event, I mixed and matched wildflowers because it went with the farm/ country style I was seeking.

Vivid Hue Home

And, of course, in true Vivid Hue Home style, there is never lack of color on my tables.  

The next tablescape was used at a Bon Voyage party for our family friends who were moving from Connecticut to Syracuse, New York.  I wanted to incorporate the Blue and Orange Syracuse colors without being too cheesy or over the top....and of course I had to implement a pop of pink!

Vivid Hue Home Bon Voyage Syracuse Dinner Party

 Would you believe I scored these Johnson and Brother plates from (where else), Home Goods?  The bottom placemat is Caspari (sold at my shop).   The orange and white check runner is simply a fabric swatch.

Vivid Hue Home

 I tend to collect fish planters and pots and then incorporate them into my table settings for fresh flowers or water.

Vivid Hue Home

Vivid Hue Home

And last, here is my Christmas table from last year.  We host ten family members (plus 4 kids) for this holidays every year and I look forward to curating a different table every year.  Last year, I used burlap as our table cloth with fresh greens, antlers, red ornaments and plaid napkins.

Vivid Hue Home Christmas Table 

 You'll notice that I use my elephants as centerpieces quite often.  They make a sure statement.  

To see a few more Vivid Hue Home tablescapes, visit the links below:

Valentine's Themed Table    |  Napa November  | Dining Room

 5 Easy Tips for a Stylish Holiday Table by Vivid Hue Home 

Please excuse some of the editing in some of the photos....there was a time period where I overly saturated my photos in the editing process!

I'm digging this more frequent posting thing....Promise I'll try to be more active on this blog.  It's been awhile and I miss sharing my projects and ideas.  In the meantime, if you ever want an up to the minute snapshot of what Vivid Hue is up to, visit our Instagram Page, Vivid Hue Home 

My Quest for Table Wares

 I have always loved setting unique tablescapes during the holidays and for entertaining.   During Christmas, I host ten family members over the course of four days and I try to change up the dining room table decor with each dinner.  (I'm much more of a decorator over a chef, so I only commit to cooking one of the meals during this time and I parse the rest of them out to different family members).  That way,  I can focus on the tablescape!

I choose to mix and match plate patterns and, full disclosure, most of my plates have been purchased from Home Goods.  This allows me to buy larger quantities without breaking the bank.  Also, Home Goods has gotten so good at carrying higher end designers so if I've got my eyes peeled, I can score some pretty good finds. When you know what to search for, you can discover Kate Spade NY, Jonathan Adler, Johnson Brothers and more.  All of the plates in my tablescape above were curated on a budget and all $14.99 or less.  

Below is my Thanksgiving table from last year (I later pulled the contents from that table to use during an NBC story about tablescapes).  Read my post "5 Easy Tips for a Stylish Holiday Table" that resulted from that appearance.

Vivid Hue Home's Thanksgiving Table as appeared on NBC Connecticut

Table setting isn't a new fascination of mine, but it's one that is continuing to grow.  Particularly with all of the beautiful tablescapes and wares that can be found on Instagram and other social media, I am finding that I am even more obsessed with designing my next table.  

Photo courtesy of LB Originals 

And, while I've always used place settings found on a budget, (and will continue to do so), I am now curious to start learning more about vintage china collections.

Photo Courtesy of LB Originals 

Some of the pieces are complete eye candy and works of art.  I'd like to start learning more about what to search for when antiquing.  I want to know when I've found a "score" in a thrift shop.  Lately, I've been discovering some incredible table ware by searching "Minton China" and"Staffordshire."

I'm obsessed with this Minton rose gold garland luncheon plate & fruit dish.  I'm finding that these patterns are often sold as "one offs" or in smaller sets and range in price from about $30-$80 a plate (or up in many cases).  Yes, pricier than Home Goods.  But also more valuable and I can envision an entire table decked out in varying patterns of fine vintage china.   Add a beautiful printed fabric tablecloth and this table will be over the top fabulous.  

Photo Courtesy of Tableware Treasurebox

Photo Courtesy of LB Originals

I am constantly on the hunt for individual "statement" pieces that don't necessarily match but together make the perfect blend.   I try to stock many of these types of things in our brick and mortar shop in Connecticut.  If you follow Vivid Hue Home on instagram, you can keep track of what we're carrying in the store.  And, I've started to ship anything you see on instagram....just send me a direct message and I will provide you with pricing and invoicing.  It's such an easy process until I'm able to launch an actual online ecommerce website.  

Artichoke Tulipierre's at Vivid Hue Home make terrific bud vases and great centerpieces

The Vivid Hue Home artichoke tulipierre in white

Vivid Hue Home's tablescape at The Hillstead Museum

For now, I'll continue my search for unique table ware settings.  Stay tuned for photos of my fall and holiday tables so you can see if I managed to make any fabulous finds.  

Happy Setting.  

Also, if you'd like to visit some of Vivid Hue's past personal table settings, check out these posts: 

Valentine's Themed Table    |  Napa November  | Dining Room

Cheers, 

Heather 

Happy 23rd Birthday, Dad! A tribute to Organ Donation

Today I'm coming out of my blog-hibernation for a very special and personal reason.  Today, my dad celebrates his "23rd Birthday."  

That's right.  Twenty Three.  

My Dad's HS (or college) graduation

For those of ya'll that have been following Vivid Hue Home for several years, you probably recall my annual shout out to my dad celebrating yet another year with a transplanted organ.  

See his previous celebrations here:  

22nd Birthday |  21st Birthday   |  20th Birthday   |  19th Birthday |  18th Birthday 

On August 25, 1994, my dad received an organ transplant.   Prior to that date, he had been in the transplant recipient program for close to a year and a half.  Once he showed signs of advanced organ failure, he was moved to a critical wait list.  He received a pager (a sign of the times in 1994) and carried it with him day and night in hopes that he would be contacted about a donor.  Within a week of being put on this list, he received the call.

My dad's donor was a sixteen year old teenager who died in a car accident.   In a weird twist of fate, my dad was not the first person called that morning to receive the organ.  A different patient was called first and she excitedly rushed to the hospital only to learn that her cavity in which the organ was to be placed was too small to fit the available organ.  As her family must have experienced anguish and disappointment, my family stood by hopefully to see if my dad would be compatible.  And he was.  Though we have never known the donor or his/her family, their unselfish decision to donate has allowed my family to experience over two additional decades with my dad.

One of my favorites.  My dad give me a kiss during a military promotion ceremony

Prior to the transplant, I remember thinking that my dad's days were "numbered."  It's an ominous feeling to realize that without a miraculous medical intervention, your loved one's body is not stable enough to survive on it's own.  Once the transplant happened, I was a bit naive in thinking that now my dad's health was 100% restored.  Sure, after a few months of recovery, I could see a new energy and appreciation for life restored in my dad.  But I was a bit in the dark about how much the body would continually have to work to KEEP the organ.  

My wedding day.  Wow, that smile looks odd.  I believe I was talking to my dad thru my teeth while trying to smile!

One aspect of organ transplantation I don't know if many understand, is that organ rejection is a constant threat.    The transplant recipient's life is forever altered, requiring them to take daily combinations of anti-rejection medication for the rest of their lives (the body's natural reaction is to reject the new organ as a foreign object).  Maintaining health isn't a straight forward path.  

 Often there are severe side effects and health conditions that result from taking these drugs.  It's common for doctors to make frequent adjustments to the combination of drugs.  And sometimes, other organs can become at risk due to the prolonged use of these medications.  It's a courageous journey, but one I'll bet most transplant recipients would say is worth it for the reward of life. 

My parents.  My dad wears so many "Dewey Beach" t-shirts, he's earned the name Grandpa Dewey

Something I've only recently realized is that there is a higher incidence and risk of death from skin cancer in transplant patients*.  *Source: Skin Cancer Foundation  
One of the clearest causes, is the the anti rejection drugs that patients must take reduce the ability of the immune system to detect and defend against the cancer.  The most common skin cancers after transplant surgery are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), in that order.

My parents are still so active and travel frequently...as long as it's a beach, they're game.  

But my dad doesn't go anywhere without a sun hat, sunscreen and an umbrella! (my adorns nephew Townes). 

Unfortunately, my dad has not been immune to these skin cancers.  He endures a rigorous regimen of continually removing and biopsying these cancers.  In fact, yesterday, he underwent two surgeries lasting 5 hours to remove skin cancer from his ear and his head.  Sometimes, the removal spots require up to 10 stitches or more.  My goal in mentioning this is not to share gritty personal details from my dad's journey.  But I hope to shed light on some of the often unspoken trials that a transplant survivor endures.  It takes a strong and courageous individual to walk this journey...and again, I am positive that my dad wouldn't trade it for anything because he's alive.  

I have been so incredibly blessed to have my dad with me for my important milestones in my life.  I used to pray that he be healthy and present to see me graduate from college (23 years ago).  When I reached that milestone, I wanted to make sure he could walk me down the aisle on my wedding day (12 years ago).  Meet my children (now 9 and 10).  See me be successful in a career....  It has taken me some time to learn how to stop "numbering" my dad's time with me and simply enjoy each day that I have with him (and my mom, of course).  

At my sister, Brett's wedding (with husband Michael). 

My dad enjoys reading a book with Vivi (Smidge)

I never like to push my beliefs on others, but I do strongly believe in organ donation.   
Can you believe that one donor can save 8 lives? 
There are 117,000 men, women and children on the wait list for an organ.  
Only 3 people in 1000 die in a way that allows their organs to be used for a transplant.  
That leaves a lot of need without a lot of supply.  
Read more about these statistics here.  (Source: Dept of Human Health and Services, Why Donate).  

To my dad, here's to another celebration!  You are such a strong and courageous person.  You are a true soldier in many ways and I will always look up to you.   Love you! 

Xoxo
Heather