Updated Website

Finally our website has been updated with photos of bouquets, centerpieces arches etc. that we have worked on over the last few years! I am so excited so please head on over and check it out and let us know what you think. We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year full of lots of success!

Love & Aloha

MG

Zander's 2nd Birthday!

Wow, so I learned a 2 years old birthday party can be just as many (if not more) hours than any weddings we have done! Maybe its because I am over the top even with a 2 year old little boy's birthday party. I like to think that ! am crazy about details. Whatever the reason we had a great time! The theme was a Construction Party the kids had yellow construction hats that read "I dig being being 2 Zanders Birthday 2008" we had a giant sand box with tons of dirt digging toys. We even had a special dump truck with a "dirt cake" in the bed of the truck. Above our a few of our photos. I must admit the clean up today is worse than a college party. Next up Christmas...

Love & Aloha,

MG

Box Problems?

So wondering what to do with that shoe box of old photos or want to make a really cool gift for your parents or grandparents. I have the answer this amazing book bindery called Good Stock over there they call it having a "box problem" you have this box full of wonderful memorabilia and you just can't bring yourself to toss it.

That's where Good Stock comes in. They take your piles of photos and your box of stuff and - with your help - they outline it into a story. They design and layout each page. They print everything on high-quality paper. And then they bind your book the old fashioned way - with a skilled pair of hands. My favorite book theme I saw was the one titled War Letters/Love Letters I could just imagine what beautifully handwritten letters were inside we have become such a instant gratification society with computers, phones with the Internet etc. that the handwritten letters have become this lost art. Both my grandfather and dad have been it wars it gives me such a great idea for next year Christmas or say my parents 40th wedding anniversary this New Years Eve!

Love & Aloha,

MG

I love forcing bulbs in the winter time as part of our holiday decorations. Below are a few easy ways to try at home. Another easy way is to buy the kits at your local garden store. Give it a try you will happily surprised how easy it is!

Paperwhites

To force paperwhites, fill a bulb pan with about one to two inches of potting soil, then position the bulbs in the soil so they are nearly touching each other with pointed end up. Add enough potting soil so that only the top half of the bulbs remain exposed, then water well.Paperwhites can also be forced in shallow decorative containers with pebbles and water, or in water alone. Place the bulb pans or decorative containers in a bright, cool room until the shoots are one to two inches tall. Then move the pots to a warmer location. Bulbs started in a warm room have a tendency to become leggy and the leaves flop over. No fertilizer is needed to force paperwhites.

Amaryllis

Plant bulbs in a nutritious potting compost, many are available pre-mixed. Plant the bulb up to its neck in the potting compost, being careful not to damage the roots. Press the soil down firmly to set the bulb securely in place after planting.
After-Flowering. After the amaryllis has stopped flowering, it can be made to flower again. Cut the old flowers from the stem after flowering, and when the stem starts to sag, cut it back to the top of the bulb.

Love & Aloha,

Mandy

Baking...with a 2 year old!

We got back from our little mini-getaway on Saturday and it tuned out being very cold (for Maui) so we (Zander and I) decided to do some baking. This is a very hard thing for a 2 year old every texture just looked so cool to him and well the result was above playing in flour and trying to eat an egg...whole! Hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving!

Love & Aloha,
Mandy

We have been asked...

To be a guest blogger over at Ofifteen its this really hip design site. So if you have a moment check us out we will be there all week!

Also if you happen to be by Maui Memorial over the Christmas Holidays (we actually are doing the installation tomorrow) we were asked to decorate the lobby. I must admit I love the holidays and bringing some cheer to family's checking in or out of the hospital makes me feel great. We have been asked to decorate some really fun holiday parties this year so stay tuned we will keep you up to date on what and where we are next.

We did decide this year to play hooky from the Thanksgiving Holiday and are going to check in to a hotel over in Kaanapali and relax. We both are so busy and just need some family R & R just the 3 of us! We are however going to join the fun tomorrow night at our friends annual Emu its just to much fun to miss! Happy Thanksgiving!

Love & Aloha,

Mandy

Thanksgiving Centerpiece

So what do you do with that leftover pumpkin you did not carve at Halloween? Well at our house we (I guess I should say I) make Pumpkin centerpieces. These are a great hostess gift if your heading out to a family or friends house or these look great at your own home. The best thing about these is you can use any size pumpkin you want and you can add fresh or silk flowers. Below is a easy description of how-to make your centerpiece. They are really easy the more fall leaves you have from your yard the better to make in to the oasis to cover it. Just start sticking it around. Most of all just have fun!

Place a cube of Oasis floral foam inside the pumpkin thinning/cutting it to fit. Press the foam down to make it level, and drench it with water (enough so that a small pool collects at the bottom of the container). Arrange seasonal flowers, dried leaves, and berries as desired --

photo above is from the lovely Martha Stewart

Love & Aloha,

Mandy Grace