Giving Thanks

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and there’s so much that Brocade has to be thankful for. At this time last year, we were celebrating our first year as a floral event design company. In the past 364 days, much has changed in our world, and much to give thanks for. I’d like to extend that thanks for a moment, followed by a repost of a blog on Thanksgiving Tablescapes written two blog designs ago

TO GIVE THANKS:
- To the 55!! Brides & Grooms that we have had a chance to share in your day: Thank you. Each one of your weddings was a joy, with your love a celebration– Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! You are what we live for, where our passion lies, and who we aim to wow every weekend
- To the amazing vendors we’ve come to know this year and form friendships with– each one of you are amazingly talented and working with you has been such a gift in itself. Thank you!
- To the friends and family that have stood beside us as we’ve embarked into sometimes scary territory– opening a new studio, tackling 55 weddings, working every day (and night) and generally putting up with us when we’ve been cranky or wired on caffeine: thank you.
- A very special thanks to the key people in my life that stood by and were always there, no matter what, to lend a shoulder: don, boyfriend & photog extraordinarre, you don’t know what all of your hard work and support means– to my amazing mom, my incredible sister, my totally awesome second mom, Peggy, who was the first person to say “go for it and don’t look back,” and to my friends that stood alongside and cheered from the sidelines: Ashley, Kristin, Jessica– thank you so much.
- To my amazing team that has been there in crazy times and on insane wedding days: Our newest addition, Ronelle, is such a gifted designer and so talented– you are such a blessing, Jessica, Ashley, and Chloe– you ladies rock, and all the other people that have stepped in and lent a hand in times of need– Don, Latrice, Abby, Jenny, Peggy, Jamie– when it’s been all hands on deck, you have helped to make the difference and make each event fabulous
- To my friends and neighbors in downtown Nashville: thanks for your warm welcome and support– we love all of you and are so thankful that you have embraced and welcomed us
- To the fellow floral event designers that inspire and fuel our creativity daily: thanks for putting your work out there and being pioneers at what you do. You rock!

We wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving, a safe & successful Black Friday, and a great kick off to the holiday season!

Last year, I posted this blog on Thanksgiving Tablescapes, which I’ve transferred over to the new blog to share:

Original Post Date 11.26.2009

I grew up with a gourmet chef for a mom– so Thanksgiving was a pretty serious day. It wasn’t just about a delicious meal amongst family and friends, it was also about presentation, articulation, and the overall beauty of the affair. The only day that possibly rivaled Thanksgiving’s dinner party status was Christmas’ Eve. But I digress.

It didn’t matter if it was a rich or lean year: every year, the table was set with linens, china, silver, placecards, fresh flowers (if fresh flowers were too expensive– fresh foilage from outside, leaves, berries, pumpkins and gourds). I remember one year– I think I was about eleven or twelve– the table was set in shades of aqua and orange, our names were written on placecards with gold metallic ink, my water glass was a blue art-deco glass goblet with a fresh wedge of lemon in it. Everything looked perfect, and I took that with me. It created an impression upon me, and influenced my passion for design and artful presentation.

Since last week I blogged about my ideas for my Thanksgiving menu & wine pairings, I thought I’d focus a bit more on my table design. So, here’s some fun inspirational ideas for how to spice up your Thanksgiving table from around the web:

I really think this idea is cute and one you can easily do yourself that I found on Country Living:

Simply buy 3X6 pillar candles (unscented for on the dining room tables) and brown paper from Michaels– Vellum works great. Then get either pre-made dyecuts or if you’re feeling crafty, cut them yourself. Or, you could trace & paint the letters yourself (I think that would look really cute!) Pin or glue the paper onto the back of the candle and voila– you’ve made a statement with your holiday table. Updated to add: we can totally make you some– just give us a call!

Feeling Crafty? Martha knows you want to impress your guests with orgami-inspired napkin folds, like this adorable Turkey Napkin:

The easiest way to take your Thanksgiving from a get together to a party: placecards. As a kid, this always made me feel fancy, and your guests will feel special, too. You don’t have do do calligrapy: print out a card on your computer in a pretty script font, cut it out to a shape that’s cute, then attach to a pear, pumpkin, or other fun fall shape:

Something that makes your party look really fancy is taking something ordinary and making it a bit more extraordinary– like these pumpkins spray-painted in gold. Paired with pretty blue linens, this creates a really unique and enigmatic design statement on your table). I really love the gold pumpkins:

Even the smallest artistic detail can make your Thanksgiving table into a work of art– but what will make it a masterpiece will be your friends and family sharing this special holiday with you. I wish you all a wonderful, safe, and happy Thanksgiving– and if you plan to shop on the day after, I hope you find lots and lots of deals. If you’re looking for me, I’ll be at Michaels

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Don’t forget– if you are attending Thanksgiving at a friend or family member’s home, it’s important to bring a hostess gift for the person laboring in the kitchen. A decorated candle, fresh flowers, or table centerpiece are great gift ideas– come see us for more inspiration

Brand New Blog!

Announcing the big bad launch of our new gorgeous blog, designed by the amazingly talented and oh-so-suave Brandon of TFnS Web Design and a former groom (see the wedding as our inaugural wedding post on the new blog Monday Morning after Thanksgiving). Be sure to comment to tell us what you think of the new digs– we’re totally in love with it, and had such a fun time working out the details and design, so we hope you appreciate the brandnewness. And of course, should you be looking for a new blog design or website or anything majorly cool involving the interwebs, be sure to check out Brandon’s amazing body of work!

We’re still working out some of the kinks, but we hope you like what you see!!

Pomander/Kissing Balls: A love Story

I’ve been hearing a lot about how much people love Pomanders, aka “Kissing Balls.” Pronounced Pom-an-der, this lovely ornamental ball is from the french for Apple, (Pomme), possibly because they originated as a means to act as an air freshener (thanks, Webster’s Online). Prior to the time they became a component for wedding decor, they were comprised of good smelling fruits and herbs, like oranges studded with cloves:

The lovely image above was taken by Marissa McClellan.
Today, pomanders are used as held accessories, like for the flower girl. I made this pomander from green button mums studded with ivory pearls suspended by a black satin ribbon:

They can also act as decor accessories to hang on the backs of chairs, down your aisle, or hanging from shephard’s hooks. A common flower used in pomanders are carnations– the variety of colors, paired with the durablity and spread of the lacey blooms make it an ideal choice:

I made this burgundy carnation pomander ball to hang down an aisle, suspended by ivory ribbon:

Pink carnations are paired with green button mums to indicate an important staircase:

You can also make pomanders from other materials, like the one below, which I made from gerbera daisies, tulips, and roses:

Reminder: Holiday Wreath Class this Weds!

Just a reminder that if you are interested in attending the holiday wreath design course for Weds at the City Club, please send a comment, DM us on Twitter, or send us a an email at brocadedesigns gmail com.

Event Specifics:
- In this 1 hour interactive course, you’ll learn how to decorate your holiday wreath
- The class is at the Nashville City Club (you need not be a member to attend) and is $45 at the door
- All your materials & supplies along with instruction will be provided
- This is an ideal course for anyone at any level of design knowledge

We’ll have a mix of different styles to decorate with, from fall harvest to total Christmas goodness. Please spread the word and let us know if you want to attend no later than Tuesday at 4 pm!

We hope to see you there

Brocade Holiday Open House 12/5

Mark your calendars– Brocade will have a happenin’ holiday open house on the fifth of December. We’ll kick off the fun at 12 and go on til the evening, with fabulous goodies to see and sample, mulled cider, hot peppermint cocoa, delicious edible goodies, and much, much more.

At the event, you can preview some of our premade holiday wreath collection– all fresh, and either pre-designed and custom made just for you– sign up for us to come by with fresh cut, local garland to dress up your mantle, holiday table, staircase or mailbox– and see some of our fantastic Holiday crafts: from our handmade ornaments, holiday cards, gifts, soaps, candles, and all together too much fabulousness to tell you about here– you’ll need to stop in and check out the goodies for yourself.

Tell your friends, spread the word, and come out to a fab open holiday open house: