Red Velvet Weddings, the Age of Love.

July 27, 2015February 4, 2017 ~ Château des Rêves ~ 4 Comments

As I share the last centerpieces and bouquets I made, I want to wish a Happy Independence day to my beloved country Peru and to all Peruvians wherever in the world this day might find us. I’m so glad the flowers are mostly red, one of the two colors of our red and white flag.

In honor of our independence day I had included a few pictures of one of the most iconic and beautiful buildings in my hometown, Trujillo, the Palacio de Iturregui, now and for as long as I can remember the home of the traditional Club Central, the finest example of Neo-Classical architecture we have in Trujillo and a place I hold very dear to my heart.

Palacio de Iturregui, Club Central, Trujillo Peru. Simply magnificent.

Anita Ekberg, 1950's glamour — Anita Ekberg, 1950’s glamour

Red roses and black feathers with silver accents

See the similarities with the Alexander McQueen dress! — See the similarities with Alexander McQueen’s dress!

Old Hollywood Glamour with an unforgettable Oscar de la Renta!

White, gold and .. — White, gold and crystals by Karen Tran

So delicate and elegant! I believe this one might be Karen Tran as well

First patio at the entrance of Palacio de Iturregui, Club Central. Trujillo, Peru.

Bouquet: The Enchanted Garden, Flowers and Design

One small colorful bouquet for the bridesmaids — One small colourful bouquet for the bridesmaids

Wedding Flowers in The Enchanted Garden !

May 16, 2015September 2, 2016 ~ Château des Rêves ~ 4 Comments

I am officially in Weddingwire since yesterday ! For those who don’t know, WeddingWire is a Website dedicated to all things weddings, conveniently “wired” together for couples to find the best professionals in all areas they could possibly need for their big day and everything around it. They can also read reviews and leave their own
Make-up artists, Hair stylists, Floral Designers, Wedding Venues, Rehearsal dinner Venues, Photographers, Bridal boutiques, Hotels, Wedding planners, Catering, etc. You can find them all there and now you can find ME as well! Here is the link to my weddingwire account: http://www.weddingwire.com/enchantedgardenfl

Ana and Robert’s Wedding

Venue: The White Room St Augustine, Florida

Hair and Makeup: http://weddingwire.com/MariaTeresaHairandMakeUpArtist

Flowers: The Enchanted Garden http://www.weddingwire.com/enchantedgardenfl

Rob & Ana Flowers: http://www.weddingwire.com/enchantedgardenfl

On April 25, I had the pleasure of helping, a gorgeous couple from Florida, with their wedding flowers. I flew to St. Augustine, the 21st and the flowers, arrived the 22nd in the morning.

beauty — It really does look like an Enchanted Garden! It felt like Christmas, opening the boxes full of blooms desperate for water after traveling all the way from Colombia, Ecuador and California.

Ana and Robert were surrounded by 80 of their closest friends and family, including two grandmas and a Great-Grandma! This was the most important for them, to celebrate with the people who love them and whom they love. The only ones who didn’t make it to the wedding, where their beloved pets, Baron and Luna, a couple of adorable British Bulldogs. It would have been too much for them!

This is Luna! Is she something?! Look at Baron at the bottom of the picture! — This is Luna! Isn’t she something?! Look at Baron at the bottom of the picture!

Ana is this young, tiny and delicate girl in appearance, with an inner strength and intelligence beyond her years. Robert, on the other hand, is the perfect counterpart for her, tall, dark and handsome, gorgeous smile, and a great dancer! They are beautiful together. I wish them much joy and I hope they never stop dancing, the way I saw them on their wedding day, glancing into each other’s eyes and smiling with their hearts.

I have patiently waited for the photographer’s pictures to be ready… I can’t wait any longer! When I get them I will definitely shared them, but now, the ones taken with my iphone by a very tired me, will have to suffice.

Glorious only after a few hours of hydration.

gorgeous roses! — Every Rose has its thorns says the song. These ones had many that had to be removed by yours truly… all by myself!

Baby's breath and greenery — Baby’s breath, one of the bride’s favorites, Eucalyptus, Italian Ruscus, Silver Dollar, and white hydrangeas.

love — The Enchanted Garden? The Enchanted Garden Design and Flowers?…… Ayayay! HELP. I really wanted to name it after this Blog. “Château des Rêves” that means “Castle of Dreams” in French, but it is not that easy to remember…. I also really wanted to name it, simply: “Maria Teresa de Bracamonte Design and Flowers” or something of the sorts …. but again I’ve been advised against it, the reason being, because it would be hard to remember! I wonder… People were able to remember the name “Barack Obama” right? What about Arnold Schwarzenegger and Oscar de la Renta?! Is it that difficult to remember my maiden name María Teresa de Bracamonte?, it’s easy to me …

The bride and groom didn’t have a wedding party, nevertheless Ana wanted to give bouquets to a close group of family and friends

Baron decorating this picture — This is Baron flying!

I love the bouquet! — Lovely, isn’t it?! (If I may say so myself!)

At last !

AUTUMN CONFIDENTIAL – Fall Front Porch

October 3, 2014March 28, 2015 ~ Château des Rêves ~ 5 Comments

I finished the front porch’s urn today. Perhaps I should have waited to finish the door’s wreath to post this but I’m not sure I am going to make one. The porch is kind of small and since I made the planter pretty big I don’t want it to look like too much for the space!

I'm not sure it's going to stay like that because it might look too busy or too crowded for me tomorrow. I always need to step back and relax, rest my eyes and then I am able to "edit" whatever I am doing. — I’m not sure it’s going to stay like that, it might look too busy or too crowded for me tomorrow. I always need to step back and relax, rest my eyes and then I’m able to “edit” whatever I am doing.

First I added a few branches I cut from the field behind my house ( the next day they started to die and look bad!) So far for pretending to be Martha! I was feeling so proud and decisive, resourceful and assertive! I was playing the role of Martha Stewart in my own movie, fake it until you make it! like I knew what I was doing!… Ha! those branches showed me! They bursted my buble. I didn’t want the neighbors to see!!! the same ones that approached me the day before enchanted with my creation! I took the compliments graciously! The next day I was exposed! I’m just a city girl (Girl?… oh well! why not! you can’t see me from there anyways and that’s the way I feel almost everyday. Almost.) A city girl that ended up living in the midwest, who admires those wonderful master gardeners with their beautiful lush gardens, (they seem to be everywhere here with their additional organic vegetable gardens!) but who doesn’t know a thing about plants! I know how to play with them, decorate with them, combine them, create pretty things with them but It seems I also know how to kill them….Enough said.

I wish I had done something like this... — I wish I had done something like this… When the kids were little I actually took the time and the money to do it, now I just want to be Martha or… why stop at that?! the amazing Carolyne Roehm! Walk graciously through my gardens selecting and picking, ( with no apparent effort and without breaking a sweat) the fruits of my crops and all nature’s bounty that appears to surround them at all times!

Not yet — My gourds, (or little pumpkins thingies) look like duckies or swans! so cute 😉 You see? playing already!

Evergreen from the front yard added, check!

didn't wear gloves — I didn’t wear gloves while cutting the evergreen … Oh boy, those needles are nasty and have a kind of glue that stick to your fingers and it’s difficult to clean… All worthy! I love the fresh smell of pine

Close-up. Ain’t that pretty? Not bad for a city girl 😉

I know, too many pictures of the same thing... my only excuse is that I've seen other bloggers doing the same thing! I happens when they love what they do and they do it for themselves, just for the pure pleasure of creating something, knowing we are simple people enjoying simple things... — I know ! too many pictures of the same thing… my only excuse is that I’ve seen other bloggers doing the same ! It happens when they love what they do and they do it for themselves, just for the pure pleasure of creating something, knowing we are simple people enjoying simple things… and then, there is the Pros, the ones that really know what they are talking about and are here to teach, I admire them, I love them, I am not one of them. It takes a lot, I should recognize, to get over yourself and just go for it, accepting your limitations, accepting your imperfections, it is ok to sing out of tune! What the heck… if we don’t, we’ll be missing the pleasure of the experience…. Is it worth it? Who do we want to impress? The only ones worth the effort is our own selves and our families. That is a universal and eternal truth. I must say, I’m not completely over my self, I still am self conscious and uncomfortable at times but less than expected. The joys of growing up, growing wiser, growing older and LIKING yourself, doing stuff for the pure pleasure of doing, experiencing, living, just because we can and loving the ride!

The big pumpkin on the left looks devastated! Like it had received the worst news and had gotten depressed… it looks like a flat tire, doesn’t it?! It has the same look my dog has when he knows I’m about to leave, a look of sadness beyond believe, all flat and deflated on the floor, a picture of devastation… he deserves an Oscar for breaking my heart everytime! Have you noticed the more irregular a pumpkin is, the more imperfections it has, the more appreciated, coveted, sought after and expensive it is!…. I wonder… shouldn’t it be like that with humans too?!

I think I should stop right now and clean up, it's starting to look like a mess here! — I think I should stop right now and clean up, it’s starting to look like a mess here!

I started to take things away.... — I STARTED EDITING, TAKING THINGS AWAY…I WANT TO HAVE MY HOUSE READY SOON.

And a very sweet memory of a long time ago... he is 20 years old now! — SWEET MEMORIES FROM A LONG TIME AGO! HE IS 20 YEARS OLD NOW, ON HIS WAY TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER DOUBLE MAJOR IN MATH AND A MARINE CORPS OFFICER!

Have a great weekend and go somewhere you can admire nature’s ever changing colours….

NEXT DAY

As predicted I wasn’t happy with the end result, the problem is that having a small space and it feels crowded right away. Pictures were taken with my iPhone kind of late in the afternoon so I didn’t have much light to begin with. Today the branches I added from the field behind my house had started to wilt …. I had to take them out of the picture literally. I decided NOT to make a wreath for the front door this year. I went to the basement to find a simple one I could work with, adding real branches and stuff like that, you know, anything that looks and feels autumn, like pine cones, cinnamon sticks, fall foliage, olive branches…. only to realized I had donated most of the stuff to the local thrift stores…. what to do?… so it hit me. I don’t have to make everything just because I’m trying to write a blog, it is ok Not to want to work and just curl up with a book and a cup of cocoa and read! Sounds good, right? Sadly it only sounded good to me, I have homework to do, MATH homework… I hate math… but I have to do it…

Right then I decided it wasn’t bad to use a wreath I found from when my kids were little, who is going to say anything? and if so… who cares? Simple, keep it simple… that is something I have to remind myself sometimes… it isn’t that I don’t know it, it’s just that sometimes I feel that I have to do everything from scratch and now I don’t want to. And it is ok.

Here are some pictures of my simpler front door urn. I edited a lot and I feel more comfortable with it. My house is way too simple and small for the first one I made.

Another one of the same thing.. — Another one of the same thing… the evergreen is coming back, I know, I need to fill those gaps.

How pretty does the little urn look like? — How pretty does that little urn look like?! Those orange gourds, with long twisted necks and bumpy skin look like swans to me, don’t they?!!! I feel like a proud mother…

I think I like it, it just needs more eucalyptus as a filler to bring the whole thing together… but that won’t be happening today! I’ll buy it when I get a chance!

Not to disappoint, I'm adding a couple of pictures of really pretty fall planters! — Not to disappoint, I’m adding a couple of pictures of really pretty fall planters!

Why am I doing this to myself ?! This is gorgeous. Those master gardeners I was talking about… I’m telling you…

I'm done. — Awww! Now my little display looks almost funny …. I’m done. Happy Harvest xx

The Color Purple and It’s Fifty shades

September 17, 2014June 3, 2015 ~ Château des Rêves ~ 6 Comments

Pantone’s Color of the year, RADIANT ORCHID is finally on it’s way out and I’ve put some pictures together to remember it’s kindom, even though most of these photographs are older than 2014! … What brings me to the reason I am writing this post, classic Design is Timeless, either in Fashion, Architecture or Interior Design. Classic lines, impeccable taste and quality materials can make some pieces last almost forever or at least a really long time.

Accessories are the key to update a look. Use accent pieces to refresh your decor and wardrobe and to bring color and a little bit of an edge to your spaces and your closet. A few pillows, a throw, some books, flowers and pieces of art will be plenty if you feel the need to follow the “new” fad, the new trends … A belt, a Scarf, a piece of jewelry, a pair of shoes, even your make-up can bring a breath of fresh air to your wardrobe without looking overdone or like everybody else. Always use the new color sparingly, as an accent, never all over. We are talking about colors, not neutrals, a monochromatic color palette and an accent color is always a winning combination.

Karlie Kloss by Alexi Lubomirski for Vogue Germany

Wall Street, Purple light — Wall Street in Purple light

Elegance feels effortless and natural and always should have your personal touch!. It’s something you create and develop throughout the years. Start small, add just a few pieces at a time, don’t get something you don’t absolutely love… or at least we should all aim at that!

For the sake of Harmony and Flow, I did not follow my own advice in this post while putting together all the images. You are in for a PURPLE RAIN overdose and hopefully you’ll enjoy it as much as I did! Thanks for stopping by.

– CAROLYNE ROEHM

– SALVATORE FERRAGAMO

– wedding flowers! what a gorgeous palette!

– LANVIN JACQUARD

– CHLOÉ

– Exquisite and elegant table! Purple is always such an elegant and sophisticated color.

– OSCAR DE LA RENTA

– KAZUO SHIRAGA

– CHIHULY

– PORTERS CHAIR

– NATALIA VODIANOVA FOR CALVIN KLEIN EUPHORIA

– J MENDEL

– OSCAR DE LA RENTA EARRINGS, NECKLACE AND CUFF

– VALENTINO

– DE GOURNAY

– EDGAR DEGAS, “LA TOILETTE” I JUST ADORE THE HUES…

– CHRISTY TURLINGTON

– LAZARO

– LANVIN

– DIOR

– DALLAS FLORAL DESIGNER CAROL GARNER

– MARIE CASSATT

– HENRI DE TOULOUSE LAUTREC

– THE IRONER, PABLO PICASSO

– THE CELLIST, BY AMADEO MODIGLIANI, 1909

Colin Cowie weddings

– LA TOILETTE, TOULOUSE LAUTREC

– FIESTA EN FIGUERES SALVADOR DALÍ

– VINCENT VAN GOGH, UNDERGROWTH WITH TWO FIGURES, 1890

Carolyne Roehm

– CATERINA LEMAN

– ATELIER VERSACE FALL AND WINTER 2013/14

– CHRISTIAN DIOR

Beautiful Inspiration

September 13, 2014September 17, 2015 ~ Château des Rêves ~ 4 Comments

SOMETIMES A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS, SOMETIMES A FEW WORDS ARE WORTH A THOUSAND PICTURES…

HAVE AN INSPIRED AND GREAT WEEKEND!

You are a LIVING magnet... — You are a LIVING magnet…

The creative adult is the child who SURVIVED!

Tough times don't last; Tough people DO — Tough times don’t last; Tough people DO

You have more to do than be weighed down by pretty or beautiful….

Just three things... — Just three things…

There are — There is only one happiness in life…

There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.

Entertaining and Tablescapes

September 10, 2014July 13, 2015 ~ Château des Rêves ~ 9 Comments

We all know how important and fun it is to get together with our family and friends as often as we can. Sharing a meal, cocktails or just a glass of wine is always a great time! Gatherings around the table, either indoors or outdoors are where most of our best memories are created! Now that the cozy season is coming, I just wanted to share some ideas for entertaining with you, hoping to inspire someone to give it a try and transform, perhaps a rather boring space, with only a few favorite things, repurposing them to create new memories in a beautiful setting of their own.

This is the perfect time of the year to celebrate being alive! Days are still warm, sunny and last longer than the ones soon to come … some people are squeezing everything they can from the last days of summer, throwing pool parties, barbecues and having fun with any excuse…Others are already preparing for the crisp days of Autumn and all the beauty and cuddling they will bring, when the warmth of summer goes away only to be replaced, with the warmth inside of us and that of our homes… Which one would be you?

A crisp, white, freshly ironed, linen tablecloth — A crisp white, freshly ironed, linen or cotton tablecloth always looks perfect against the colors of nature, just add some fruits, flowers, a bottle of wine or iced tea, and your favorite dishes, prepared using fresh, local, seasonal produce and you’ll be on your way of having a great time, relaxing and enjoying life!

Mismatched chairs, a big part of the charm! — Mismatched chairs, old, old, tables, lots of candles … a big part of the charm!

Magic, all we need is a little bit of magic in our lives…

Sometimes, no tablecloth is even required! Add a few cozy pillows for color and comfort and … Voilà! A party is on it’s way

Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Tea Time, cocktails or dinner, either simple or sophisticated, there is no reason under the sun to deprive yourself of those moments that make life worth living! All it takes is a little imagination and to run with it!

bla — Can you feel the love? If you don’t have flowers in your garden or time to go buy them…what about some lemons?! Limes? Oranges?! Fruits? Vegetables? Fruits and Vegetables? Bunches of Lavender? Rosemary and chamomile? Bowls full of sea shells? Sea shells right on the table, forming an ondulating runner? Pretty river stones? Some grass in a container? Bulbs? Flowering Bulbs? …. A bunch of candles? A bunch of candles in mason jars? A bunch of candles under bottomless bottles of wine?! Ok… I started to sound like Bubba from Forrest Gump! Sorry.

Girasoles à la table! Goooorgeous combination of Girasoles and Succulents resembling in shape the Girasoles!

I rest my case! No excuses. A little corner of paradise, the simpler the prettier! If you don’t have a deck or patio, or the grass is not growing as nicely in some place of your backyard…. put some gravel on it!- It is one of my favorite things- and some pretty potted plants! … If you think you don’t have a big enough tablecloth…even better! Grab that mismatched, almost unused, flat sheet from a long, long, time ago, the one you fell in love with during your honeymoon! You know what I’m talking about! We all have them, those high thread-count, lonely, flat sheets…We used the heck out of their partners, the fitted ones, but for some reason, flat ones always remain intact. (?) But of course! if you are one of the lucky ones who had collected vintage, french linens, while traveling in Provence…. Well, you are all set! Now is the time to use them, take them out of the linen closet where they lay forgotten, so much beauty deserves to shine. You don’t want to die without using them, right? The time is here and now. It is all we have.

Simplicity! what a beautiful thing... I love how organic — Simplicity! what a beautiful thing… I love how organic and back to basics this feels

Never underestimate the power of a few humble candles… nothing like it!

I you could, do hire some waiters, that would aloud you — If you could, depending on the occasion, hire some waiters, that would allow you to have a more relaxing and joyful time. If it’s not in your possibilities, swap services with your friends’ or neighbors’ teenagers!

If you think about it, you can replicate the same feeling of a tablescape you love without spending a fortune, it doesn’t matter if your special occasion doesn’t require an elegant setting, just a pretty one, you only have to follow the concept and simplify!

This one for instance, you could use tea cups, soup or cereal bowls for your centerpieces and place only a few flowers on them, that would cut your cost and time preparing it greatly and the scale would be more adequate for a simpler, more casual and relaxing event. Don’t forget to introduce more texture and movement to your centerpieces by using different heights, mixing different flowers, foliage, branches, grasses, even vegetables or just using only one type of flower for a very classy, elegant look.

It is OK to mix and match your plates and glasses, it is actually desired to be original and unique…. just be careful to follow a color palette you really like and looks good all together. Finally, always try to use cloth napkins, long, linen or cotton ones. There is nothing like it, no replacements for this one! (What am I saying? I do use paper napkins a lot! – More like paper towels actually… I like to choose my size!- but never when you have guests…. unless you are having pizza, of course… or something messy, or… I better shush it, I know…)