I had the chance to do the flowers for a small memorial reception last week for a gentleman at the Umlauf Sculpture Garden here in Austin. The client was looking for something simple, and ‘manly’, and I envisioned greenery, lots of herbs, privet, burgundy scabiosa, fern shoots — very natural, lots of texture, and maybe a hint of blue in some thistle.

The flower market proved to be out of a couple of those items, so I scooped up my new favourite flower – white campanula, or ‘bellflower’ – some rosemary, chocolate geranium, burgundy scabiosa, seeded eucalyptus, hops, oats, thistle, and white veronica. I ended up throwing in some gorgeous golden and butter yellow ranunculus and was stunned by some deep purple hellebores. I needed them. Worried that this veered into too feminine, I reminded myself that yellow is the classic symbol for remembrance, and purple refers to the sacred. Appropriate, right?

Hands down, though, were the incredible movement the oats gave the arrangements. Static images don’t do it justice compared to the in person view. Incredible.

[More than sad note: in a mix-up of the month, the husband forgot to reload the memory card in my camera and I had to settle for the iphone pictures.  I was a tich despondent and proceeded to eat my feelings in Sugar Mama’s cupcakes. Recovery was found in a dinner at Justine’s and the aforementioned husband 99% securing his first house commission. Win to everyone!]

Vintage brown bottles rented from Loot Vintage – the new kid on the block with all sorts of great vintage rentals. Give Rhoda and Anna a ring, they’ve got such a great stash!