September 16, 2008

I'll Be There To See The New Green Leaves Grow

I opened up my email on Monday to find one from The Wedding Co. that made me smile. Remember when I made that post about a flower I had discovered last year that's a bit unusual? It seems they have discovered it now, too! Finally I've scooped them ;)

To read my original post about the blushing bride flower, .: head over here :. but keep reading to see all of the information The Wedding Co. dug up ...


Belle Fleur

A blushing bride bouquet has set The Wedding Co.'s hearts aflutter and because we'd never seen this bloom before, we thought it was definitely worth sharing.


A few short weeks ago, Holly Coll-Black married her fiancé, Rupert Duchesne; she carried a bouquet of blushing brides created by florist Lidia Tacconelli (Fiori) . Holly had requested a bouquet that was a little different from the standard issue and one that would tie in the gold and pink tones she had used throughout her decor. Though she suspected something green and white would be ideal, the pink, green and white blooms of the feathery serruria florida from the exotic Protea family were chosen based only on Tacconelli’s suggestion that they would be perfection.

Holly’s favourite aspect of the flowers was that they photographed beautifully and garnered many comments from guests, “they were quite different,” she says, “ and now they’re drying in my garage!”

You’d think, with a name like blushing bride, that this flower would be overused for bouquets and wedding flowers when in fact, nothing could be further from the truth…at least today, and in this part of the world.

In the eighteenth century, so legend goes, the flower was exploited for its feathery foliage and soft colours. In southern Africa, suitors were known to propose with a bloom of the wild flower in their lapel, the darker the pink the flower, the more serious their intention. While the name blushing bride might have come from its colouring, it may also have been earned as the suitor’s intention was apparent to all, much to the embarrassment of his bride to be. Unfortunately, it seems these flowers were over-exploited and disappeared for over a century until accidentally rediscovered. Though carefully sustained since, the flower has only been successfully gown as a crop since the mid ‘60s.

Tacconelli says she is always on the lookout for the unusual and since finding them has used blushing brides whenever it’s appropriate considering their limited colour palette and availability. The Protea family is considered highly exotic for Canada, coming primarily from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, probably because of this, blushing brides are less familiar to florists, uncommonly used and always a delightful surprise.

Photo by Storey Wilkins


Makeup Lessons - Private or Group ... Get Educated On How To Work With Your Features


At Makeup In Motion, we firmly believe that makeup should be used to enhance one's natural features and bring them out to their fullest. It's not meant to compete with a woman's beauty, it's simply meant to highlight the best of the best. Whether it's your dark, romantic eyes, your full, pouty lips or your wonderfully, high cheekbones, the right color placed in the right area, can enlarge or reduce a feature instantly. Using colors that compliment your eye and skin tone, textures that are right for the individual and simple application techniques, any woman at any age can learn to work with her own uniqueness.

In come makeup lessons. At Makeup In Motion, we provide private lessons or group sessions...whatever suits your need. Both are great options and cover the entire face from top to bottom, but each is a bit different in format.

Private makeup lessons are conducted at Makeup In Motion's home studio. They are 2 hours in duration and we go through each feature step by step. Makeup In Motion does half the face while the client learns hands on how to do the other half. Eye and face charts are provided along with color charts that detail what we've used. Step by step instructions are also provided to clients who prefer to work this way. Price is $50 and are one on one only.

Group lessons are a great idea for bridal parties, teen birthdays, or women's pampering events. They are held at your venue of choice. The lesson is a hour long and demonstrated on the hostess. Again, we cover the full face, and provide valuable information and techniques that all women can apply to themselves. Each guest then receives a 20 minute makeover creating her own special look. All guests go home with color charts, eye and face charts and our famous Wink Cosmetics wand gloss in our most popular shades. Price is $35 per person based on 6 people and usually lasts about 4 hours.

So if you really want some solid advice on how to work with your features, take the guess work out of applying color, and put your best face forward everyday, then book a lesson and enjoy a transformation that still looks like you....only better.