Flower of the Week

Lilac

Syringa vulgaris

[image source]

According to Greek mythology, Syringa was a beautiful nymph who captivated Pan, the god of the forests and fields. Pan chased Syringa through his domain until, finally, Syringa was exhausted and could only escape by turning herself into a plant - the fragrant flower we know now as lilac.

Lilac's meanings of first love and youthful innocence arise from its flowering time being a harbinger of spring. Purple-flowering lilacs convey the first emotion sof love, whereas white or pink flowering lilacs are associated with youthful innocence.  In Russian folklore, cradling a newborn beneath a lilac bush would bring the child wisdom. In parts of the Mediterranean, lilac is closely associated with the festival of Easter because it so often blooms around that time. Lilac is also the flower for eighth wedding anniversaries. *

*Excerpt from The Secret Language of Flowers by Samantha Grey

The Secret Garden

We never get tired of gazing at pretty spaces - and what's prettier than a lush garden, especially a jewel-boxed-sized one of your very own? Here are some of the photos that keep us dreaming and sighing.

Here Comes the Sun

Just a few snaps of some sweet flowers we had laying around yesterday. Do the colors make you as excited for summer as we are?

Continue on for more!

Vintage Inspired Flowers

It's a little dreary today, isn't it fellow Austinites? It's not quite April yet, but here's hoping these showers bring us tons of beautiful spring flowers! In anticipation of all the loveliness to come, here are a few vintage-inspired arrangements that we loved.

Happy Thursday, everyone! 

Happy Spring!

Today brings us into the official first day of Spring, the season of new beginnings, of lighter days and warmer nights. We're looking forward to lushly blooming flowers, the soft fuzz on baby animals, waking up to the sounds of chirping birds and a riot of color in our cooler!

This bold lady was brought back from Italy on one of Elizabeth's travels. Doesn't she look like Mother Nature herself, surrounding by this bed of pansies?

All shades of pinks, in honor of a newborn baby girl!

 We love hanging arrangements - this one found its home in our meeting room as a lovely greeting for our brides!

A cheerful moss bird perches in his cage, next to these pretty blossoming quince branches

It's hard not to be happy on this day, with so many lovely things to look forward to this season! Here are a few of our favorite things about spring:

1. Lemonade! We love the idea of putting edible flowers in the glass for a pretty touch. 

2. Soft and fuzzy baby animals! You simply cannot be sad looking at this smiling lamb.

3. Cherry blossoms! When they really start blooming, numerous cherry blossom festivals spring up around the country, and they're absolutely beautiful to behold. 

4. Alright, laundry is not one of our favorite things, but doesn't this photo make it LOOK pleasant? Really, a pretty garden makes any activity better.

How are YOU celebrating the first day of spring? Baking lemon cupcakes, taking your little ones to be photographed in a field of bluebonnets, harassing cute animals? Share it with us!

Inspiration!

While cleaning up my desktop this morning I got caught up sorting through mountains of saved photos and found so many pretty pics saved while planning my wedding.  Hope you enjoy!

Since these pics are from my pre-blogging days, I'm not sure of their sources.  Help me if you know where they came from!